The FATHER HIMSELF Loves You

"When that day comes you will not ask ME anything.  Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you.  So far, you have not asked for anything in MY name; ask, and receive, that your joy may be full.

I have taught you all these things in veiled language, but the time is coming when I shall no longer speak in veiled language, but will speak to you plainly about the FATHER.

When that day comes, you will ask in MY name; and it will not be necessary for ME to ask the FATHER for you, for the FATHER HIMSELF loves you, because you have loved ME, and you believed that I came from the FATHER.  As I came from the FATHER, and have come into the world, so I AM leaving the world, and going to the FATHER." - John 16:23-28 

 (I will speak to you plainly...  [Verse 25] The naïve response of the apostles in verse 29 underlines by contrast what JESUS expressed in verse 25.  JESUS did not mean that HE would return in visible form to teach, not in parables, but more clearly; JESUS referred rather to the spiritual knowledge of HIMSELF and HIS words that the disciples were to receive from the Spirit.

You will ask in MY name [Verse 26].  Through a spiritual knowledge of JESUS, the believers will know what they should ask of HIM and HE will give it to them.  In the same manner, they will know the things that GOD does not want to give, and because of that they neither desire nor ask for them.)

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Your Hearts Will Rejoice

"Truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.  A woman in child-birth is in distress because her time is at hand.  But after the child is born, she no longer remembers her suffering because of her great joy: a human being is born into the world.

You feel sorrowful now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice; and no one will take your joy from you.  When that day comes you will not ask me anything.  Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you." - John 16:20-23 

(After JESUS rose from the dead, a real companionship would be established between HIM and HIS disciples: HE would speak to them clearly of the FATHER; they would ask in HIS name.)

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From Now On I Will Go To The Gentiles

"After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  There, he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, following a decree of the Emperor Claudius, which ordered all Jews to leave Rome.  Paul went to visit them, and then stayed and worked with them, because they shared the same trade of tent making.  Every Sabbath, he held discussions in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was able to give himself wholly to preaching, and proving to the Jews that JESUS was the Messiah.  One day, when they opposed him and insulted him, he shook the dust from his clothes in protest, saying, 'Your blood be on your own heads!  I am innocent, I am not to blame if, from now on, I go to the non-Jews.'

So Paul left there and went to the house of a GOD-fearing man named Titus Justus, who lived next door to the synagogue.  A leading man of the synagogue, Crispus, along with his whole household, believed in the LORD.  On hearing Paul, many more Corinthians believed and were baptized." - Acts 18:1-8 

Paul, Aquila And Priscilla

Artefacts Of Corinth

(Corinth, the main port of Greece and capital of the province of Achaia with 600,000 inhabitants, of whom 400,000 are slaves, is a religious, commercial and cultural center.  It has countless temples with thousands of prostitutes serving in them.  The city is famous for its luxury and its corruption.  Paul goes there and remains eighteen months--until the end of the year 52.  This date is exact: history tells us that Gallio was governor of Achaia during the year 52.

Aquila and his wife, Priscilla had just arrived in Corinth.  They were perhaps already Christians, but Jewish Christians were not different from others before the decree of the emperor.

Aquila and  Priscilla simply place themselves at Paul's service to help him.  They will assist him on other occasions with the natural availability of people who do not feel tied to any city or country.)

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Heaven And Earth Are Full Of YOUR Glory

"Alleluia!  Praise YAHWEH from the heavens; praise HIM in the heavenly heights.

Praise HIM, all HIS angels; praise HIM, all HIS heavenly hosts.

Praise HIM, sun and moon; praise HIM, all you shining stars.

Praise HIM, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of YAHWEH, at whose command they were made.

HE established them forever; and gave each a fixed and lasting duty.

Praise YAHWEH from the earth; you sea creatures, and all the depths;

clouds and snow, hail and lightning, storm winds that do HIS bidding;

you mountains, and all you hills, you fruit trees and cedars;

you wild beasts and tame animals; you creeping things and winged fowl.

Kings of the earth; and nations, princes and all rulers of the world; young men and maidens; old and young, together--let them praise the name of YAHWEH;

for HIS name alone is exalted; HIS majesty is above earth and heaven.

HE has given HIS people glory; HE has given a praise to HIS faithful, to Israel, the people close to HIM.  Alleluia."

- Psalm 148:1-14

(The whole of creation resounds with the praise of GOD; the music begins in heaven, and from there passes down to earth and goes around the whole world.  But, at the center of it all, is the people of GOD.  For they are the beginning of a new creation, and through them, the whole world is to be recreated, to the greater glory of GOD.

The whole of creation [heavens, earth, and abyss] must bend the knee and praise the 'Name above any other name' [Philippians 2:9-10].  In order to pray with this psalm, we need to have an ecumenical heart, where everything and everyone finds room.  From heaven and from earth, there will be praise to GOD, in an only polyphonic choir.)

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I Will Send HIM To You

"But now I AM going to the One who sent ME, and none of you asks ME where I AM going; instead you are overcome with grief, because of what I had said.

Believe ME, it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I go away, I will send HIM to you, and when HE comes, HE will vindicate the truth before a sinful world; and HE will vindicate the paths of righteousness and justice.

What is the world's sin, in regard to ME?  Disbelief.  What is the path of righteousness?  It is the path I walk, by which I go to the FATHER; and you shall see ME no more.  What is the path of justice?  It is the path on which the prince of this world will always stand condemned." - John 16:5-11 

(What is the path of righteousness?  The righteous One is CHRIST and the righteous persons are those who believe in HIM without seeing HIM.

The Acts of the Apostles records how the Spirit worked in the first disciples of JESUS.  Before granting miraculous powers, the Spirit gave them joy, peace and mutual love, as well as inner certainty that JESUS had risen and was among them.

The Spirit guides missionaries; HE gives them the power to perform miracles; HE gives to believers the knowledge of GOD, new capacities for working, healing, serving and shaking up a sinful world.  Throughout history the Spirit would raise up people of faith, martyrs, prophets, and through them transform the world.  In this way the Savior, seemingly defeated, would be justified; and it becomes evident that the loser is Satan, who already has been condemned.  The evil spirit, great director of the worldly show, is displaced and his influence limited.  A new force, which is the SPIRIT, orients history and guides us towards the total truth.)

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The Spirit Of Truth Will Testify To ME

"From the FATHER, I will send you to Spirit of truth.  When this Helper has come from the FATHER, HE will be MY witness, and you, too, will be MY witnesses, for you have been with ME from the beginning.

I tell you all this to keep you from stumbling and falling away.  They will put you out of the synagogue.  Still more, the hour is coming, when anyone who kills you will claim to be serving GOD; they will do this, because they have not known the FATHER or ME.  I tell you all these things now so that, when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them.

I did not tell you about this in the beginning, because I was with you." - John 15:26-16:4 

(In making us children of HIS FATHER, JESUS enables us to discover the intimate mystery of GOD.  In GOD there is communion among the three persons: the FATHER, the SON and THEIR common SPIRIT.

We speak of THEIR communion SPIRIT, because JESUS said both: The FATHER will give you another Helper [14:16] and: The Helper which I will send you [15:26].  Now HE says: HE will take what is MINE and tell it to you: everything that the FATHER has is also MINE [16:15].

"The Spirit" is not a poetic figure: it is Someone.  This has already been commented on [John 7:37; 14:1].

Starting from the day of Pentecost, the Spirit began to act in the Church, thus showing that HE was the Spirit of CHRIST.  The unbelieving Jews thought that GOD was with them, but in reality HIS Spirit did not act among them.  So it was clear that they had sinned [16:9] for not believing in CHRIST.) 

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Sanctify CHRIST As LORD In Your Hearts

"Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed as they are, but bless the LORD CHRIST in your hearts.  Always have an answer ready, when you are called upon, to account for your hope, but give it simply and with respect.  Keep your conscience clear, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your upright, Christian living.  Better to suffer for doing good, if it is GOD's will, than for doing wrong.

Remember how CHRIST died, once, and for all, for our sins.  HE, the just one, died for the unjust, in order to lead us to GOD.  In the body, HE was put to death, in the spirit, HE was raised to life,..." - 1 Peter 3:15-18 

(In the body HE was put to death, in the spirit HE was raised to life.  [The text says, "HE died according to flesh."]  This means that HE died because HE had accepted and really taken on our mortal condition, but HE had to be repossessed by the Spirit of GOD.  It is a reaffirmation of the double nature of CHRIST.)

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Let All The Earth Cry Out To GOD With Joy

"All you lands, acclaim YAHWEH!

Serve YAHWEH with gladness, come before HIM with joyful songs.

Know that YAHWEH is GOD; HE created us, and we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS fold.

Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, HIS courts with praise.  Give thanks to HIM and praise HIS name.

For YAHWEH is good; HIS love lasts forever; and HIS faithfulness, through all generations."

- Psalm 100:1-5

The Psalm Reminds Us Of This... The Calvary

(The psalm bids us rejoice in GOD, because we are utterly HIS.  From the psalmist, the glad reflection provokes an outburst of gratitude.  From those who know the Cross it should bring about a cry of wonder that GOD should have brought, what was already HIS own--that we should belong to HIM doubly.  'You are bought with a great price,' writes St. Paul; 'not with gold or silver,' Peter says, 'but with the precious blood of CHRIST' [1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18].  This psalm was born again on Calvary.  We must remember that as we sing it!)

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I Will Give YOU Thanks Among The Peoples, O LORD

"My heart is steadfast, O GOD; my heart is steadfast.  I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul; awake, O harp and lyre!  I will wake the dawn.

I will give thanks to YOU, O YAHWEH, among the peoples; I will sing praise to YOU among the nations.

For YOUR love reaches to the heavens, and YOUR faithfulness, to the clouds.  Be exalted, O GOD, above the heavens!  Let YOUR glory be over all the earth!"

- Psalm 57:8-12

Dawn, Sign Of New Hope / Relief

(The vehemence of the psalmists is a constant surprise.  Heaven knows what some of them must have gone through.  Even their joy seems to shine through tears.  This individual lament, followed by thanksgiving, is similar in form and content to the preceding psalm and to many others.  Nevertheless, there is more triumphant joy in the conclusion.  The 'morning' in the psalm often stands for the dawning of new hope.  The psalmist is awake, shouting so loud, that the personified Dawn, that is relief, will have to come.

This psalm could be the prayer of the one who waits, with total trust, for calamities to end.  The glory of the Most High fills the earth.)

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Remain In MY Love!

"As the FATHER has loved ME, so I have loved you.  Remain in MY love!  You will remain in MY love if you keep MY commandments, just as I have kept MY FATHER's commandments and remain in HIS love.

I have told you all this, that MY own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete." - John 15:9-11

(After making it clear that we depend totally on HIM, JESUS repeats HIS commandment of love.  There is a necessary order in building the Christian life. 

If from the start we say: We should love our neighbor because this is the only commandment, we will achieve nothing; because each one understands love in his own way, while not having as yet interiorized the thinking of CHRIST.  Moreover, we need to receive from the source of all love the ability to love selflessly.  CHRIST asks us to first share HIS thinking: that is what the expression, keep MY commandments means.  Thus we become HIS friends, knowing HIM as a person who loves us and acts in us.  Later we will produce the authentic fruit of love, whose source is CHRIST.)

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Let Us Go Rejoicing To The House Of The LORD

"I rejoiced with those who said to me,

'Let us go to the house of YAHWEH!'

And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem, just like a city,

where everything falls into place!

There, the tribes go up,

the tribes of YAHWEH, the assembly of Israel,

to give thanks to YAHWEH's name.

There stand the courts of justice,

the offices of the house of David."

- Psalm 122:1-5

(Joy of the pilgrim who reaches his goal at last--Jerusalem, elected home of GOD, venerable in the tradition of Israel.  Here is a deep sense of homecoming and of pride in that home.  We of the world-wide 'Israel of GOD' have no city to house us all, we are 'of the household of the faith' [Galatians 6:10].  But we have the brothers and sisters whom JESUS promised to those in HIS company [Mark 9:30]; we have a home which we call 'the Church.'  It stands scarred with years of siege but by GOD's grace, compact and dignified by the marks of resistance.  We may take pride in it because the strength of its walls is from GOD.  It will never have peace from without; let us pray and work for its peace within, which is 'the love of brethren.)

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MY Peace I Give To You

"Peace be with you!  MY peace I give to you; not as the world gives peace do I give it to you.  Do not be troubled!  Do not be afraid!  You heard ME say, 'I AM going away, but I AM coming to you.  If you loved ME, you would be glad that I go to the FATHER, for the FATHER is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it takes place, so that when it does happen you may believe.  There is very little left for ME to tell you, for the prince of this world is at hand, although there is nothing in ME that HE can claim.  But see, the world must know that I love the FATHER, and that I do what the FATHER has taught ME to do.  Come now, let us go." - John 14:27-31 

(For the FATHER is greater than I.  This does not contradict what John teaches throughout the whole Gospel about JESUS' divinity.  This is to be read together with 5:18; 10:30; 16:15, if we want to know something of the mystery of CHRIST, "true GOD," as spoken of in Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; and 1 John 5:20.

As early as the fourth century Saint Hilary, the great bishop and defender of the faith, wrote: "The FATHER is greater because of being the one who gives.  As HE gives the Son all that HE HIMSELF is, yet the Son is not inferior to the FATHER."

Moreover, it is characteristic of the Son to deny HIMSELF so that HE may give glory to the FATHER, until the FATHER gives HIM back "the glory HE had before" as said in 17:5 and 6:62.  Because of this the apostles, who have seen HIM as a man among humans in the time of HIS humiliation, should now rejoice.)

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Whoever Loves ME Will Keep MY Word

"Whoever keeps MY commandments is the one who loves ME.  If he loves ME, he will also be loved by MY FATHER; I too shall love him and show MYSELF clearly to him.

Judas--not Judas Iscariot--asked JESUS, 'LORD, how can it be that YOU will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?'  JESUS answered him, 'If anyone loves ME, he will keep MY word and MY FATHER will love him; and WE will come to him and live with him.  But if anyone does not love ME, he will not keep MY words; and these words that you hear are not MINE, but the FATHER's who sent ME.

I told you all this while I AM still with you.  From now on the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT whom the FATHER will send in MY name, will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you." - John 14:21-26 

(The Helper [or Interpreter] will teach you.  The Spirit enables us to understand and interpret JESUS' words throughout all time.

LORD, how can it be that you will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?  Judas thought that JESUS meant HE would summon them for secret meetings, but JESUS really meant HE would make HIMSELF known to them through interior teaching and by letting them experience peace.)

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Chosen And Precious In The Sight Of GOD

"HE is the living stone, rejected by people, but chosen by GOD, and precious to HIM; set yourselves close to HIM, so that, you, too, become living stones, built into a spiritual temple, a holy community of priests, offering spiritual sacrifices that please GOD, through JESUS CHRIST.  Scripture says: See, I lay in Zion a chosen and precious cornerstone; whoever believes in HIM will not be disappointed.

This means honor, for you who believed, but for unbelievers, also the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and it is a stone to stumble over, a rock which lays people low.  They stumble over it, in rejecting the word, but the plan of GOD is fulfilled in this.

You are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings, a consecrated nation, a people GOD has made HIS own, to proclaim HIS wonders.  For HE called you, from your darkness, to HIS own wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:4-9 

(Two words stand out in this paragraph: stones and priests.  They speak about what the new Christians will be.

You are stones.  GOD's presence in HIS people is the stone which stands out and on which, all those who neither saw nor took notice of HIM, stumbled [Isaiah 8:14].  In another sense, JESUS is the stone rejected by the builders, which becomes the foundation of a new building: this is the new people of GOD that arises from the remnant of Israel and then extends to all nations.  Christians are the stones of this Church: living stones because each one has an active part to play in the Church, the body of CHRIST [Ephesians 4:12-16].

You will also be priests.  To understand what this means, we must read GOD's words to Moses in Exodus 19:5.  GOD decided then to become present in the world and to transform the course of history through a people of HIS own which would be Israel.  Peter tells us: "The real people of GOD, the true Israel, are you who have accepted CHRIST."  We, who are baptized, do not form one more religion: we are an active minority and the leaven of the world.

We are priests in the sense this word had for ancient people: those who know, those who risk coming close to GOD.  We were made responsible for the mission of preparing men and women so that salvation  may mature in them.  People and nations may discover their common destiny and, in the end, admit that they cannot solve their problems without making the Gospel the law of their whole lives.

A Christian aware of his dignity as a priestly member of the people of GOD, by sheer gift and grace cannot but proclaim HIS wonders.  This is what evangelization is all about.  These Christians are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings called to proclaim the Gospel.)

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All The Ends Of The Earth Have Seen The Saving Power Of GOD

"Sing to YAHWEH a new song, for HE has done wonders; HIS right hand, HIS holy arm, has won victory for HIM.

YAHWEH has shown HIS salvation, revealing HIS justice to the nations.

HE has not forgotten HIS love, nor HIS faithfulness to Israel.  The farthest ends of the earth all have seen GOD's saving power.

All you, lands, make a joyful noise to YAHWEH, break into song and sing praise."

- Psalm 98:1-4

(Our LORD founded the kingdom of GOD on earth; and yet we pray: 'YOUR kingdom come.'  The work of our redemption has been accomplished, but we still pray for this salvation, to be perfected throughout the world: GOD has come; but we look for HIS final coming, to take possession of HIS kingdom.

Sing to the LORD a new song.  Humanity has found the way to liberation and salvation.  It is in the coming of CHRIST, GOD-made-man and in HIS resurrection.

For the LORD came down to earth, showed us HIS love and also by HIS death and resurrection, the path to eternal salvation.)

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Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

"'Do not be troubled!  Trust in GOD and trust in ME!  In MY FATHER's house there are many rooms; otherwise, I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.  After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to ME, so that where I AM, you also may be.  Yet you know the way where I AM going.'

Thomas said to HIM, 'LORD, we don't know where YOU are going; how can we know the way?'  JESUS said, 'I AM the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the FATHER but through ME.'" - John 14:1-6 

(JESUS' ascension to the FATHER was not just an individual achievement, but opened for all of us a way to our house, not situated high above us, but in GOD.  There are many mansions, that means that there is also a place for us: not just one mansion for everybody, but a place for each one, because Heaven is not like a performance which is the same for everyone in the audience.  GOD's radiance will draw from each one the resonance only HE can bring forth.  Each one will be in his own mansion, being in communion with all.

Now, knowing what is the goal, we should walk towards this definitive communion.  "I AM the way," says JESUS.  HE became human precisely so that we might see the FATHER in HIM.  HE followed HIS way, so disconcerting for us, so that, meditating on HIS actions, we would progress towards the truth.  Although in the beginning we may not understand HIM well, with time, we will discover the LORD and understand that HIS way is ours.  Passing through the cross and death, we will achieve our own truth and arrive at life.)   

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No Slave Is Greater Than His Master

"Truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than he who sent him.  Understand this, and blessed are you, if you put it into practice.

I AM not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen, and the Scripture has to be fulfilled which says: The one who shares MY table will rise up against ME.  I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may know that I AM HE.

Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes ME; and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes the One who sent ME." - John 13:16-20 

(The apostles will do what their LORD did before them, since HE will send them in HIS name to forgive sins.  They are not to act as hierarchical officials or judges granting pardon to sinners but to take the first step in humility and mercy, in order to likewise purify those who approach the Supper of the LORD.)

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O GOD, Let All The Nations Praise YOU!

"May GOD be gracious and bless us;
may HE let HIS face shine upon us;
that YOUR way be known on earth
and YOUR salvation, among the nations.

"May the peoples praise YOU,O GOD;

may all the peoples praise YOU!

May the countries be glad and sing for joy,

for YOU rule the peoples with justice;

and guide the nations of the world.

May the peoples praise YOU, O GOD,

may all the peoples praise YOU!

The land has given its harvest;

GOD, our GOD, has blessed us.

May GOD bless us and be revered,

to the very ends of the earth."

- Psalm 67:2-8

(The occasion of this happy song is a successful harvest, but the psalmist can rise above selfish considerations.  The triumph of a good harvest - or industrial prosperity - should make one think of places, where the harvest fails.  GOD is the same GOD there, and man no less HIS image.  If GOD rules the whole world with justice, man must try to imitate HIM.  Ecumenism and economics are sometimes the same thing.  The blessing of the psalm takes us to the beginning of the letter to the Ephesians [Ephesians 1:3].  We can pray with this psalm, to give thanks to GOD for the goods of the earth.)

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The FATHER And I Are ONE

"The time came for the feast of the Dedication.  It was winter, and JESUS walked back and forth in the portico of Solomon.  The Jews then gathered around HIM and said to HIM, 'How long will YOU keep us in doubt?  If YOU are the Messiah, tell us plainly.'  JESUS answered, 'I have already told you, but you do not believe.  The works I do in MY FATHER's name proclaim who I AM, but you don't believe because, as I said, you are not MY sheep.

MY sheep hear MY voice and I know them; they follow ME and I give them eternal life.  They shall never perish, and no one will ever steal them from ME.  What MY FATHER has given ME, is greater than all things else.  To snatch it out of the FATHER's hand, no one is able!  I and the FATHER are ONE.'" - John 10:22-30 

(When Scripture speaks of the Shepherd, it usually refers to GOD HIMSELF, the only king of Israel, but sometimes means the King-Messiah sent by GOD, JESUS spoke of only one shepherd.  Though distinct from the FATHER,  HE is one with HIM.)

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My Soul Thirsts For The Living GOD!

"As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for YOU, O GOD.

My soul thirsts for GOD, for the living GOD.

When shall I go and see the face of GOD?

Day and night, my tears have been my food,

as people ask, day after day,

'Where is your GOD?'"

- Psalm 42:2-4

(The Levite is far from Jerusalem.  He is exiled in the land, where the Jordan rises.  The sound of its falling waters is to him a dirge for the lost happiness of the Temple feasts.

We, too, are in exile and this psalm should deepen our consciousness of it.  But our longings are not for 'this mountain' [John 4:21] or that, as the psalmist's was for Zion.  Our LORD has brought us a higher hope.  Our destiny is to 'see the face of GOD,' not only in the mediating forms of sacred ceremony.  We are to see HIM 'as HE is' [1 John 3:2].  Ask GOD for the desire for heaven.  We, too, like the Levite, are exiles here below, as long as we do not see the face of GOD. It is good that we are not too quickly satisfied with a few beautiful ceremonies.

Long for GOD, as a deer longs for flowing streams, and our happiness will last forever and not just for long.)

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CHRIST Also Suffered For You

"What merit would there be in taking a beating, when you have done wrong?  But if you endure punishment when you have done well, that is a grace before GOD.

This is your calling: remember CHRIST, who suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in HIS way.  HE did no wrong and there was no deceit in HIS mouth.  HE did not return insult, for insult, and, when suffering, HE did not curse, but put HIMSELF in the hands of GOD, who judges justly.  HE went to the cross, bearing our  sins on HIS own body, on the cross, so that we might die to sin, and live an upright life.  For, by HIS wounds, you have been healed.  You were like stray sheep, but you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:20-25

(Here we are invited to be model citizens, workers and spouses.  If we are slandered, that is one more occasion to show the beauty of Christian life and that those who slander us are wrong.  If the authorities begin to persecute us, this is not an excuse to disobey the laws.)

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How Shall I Make A Return To The LORD For All The Good HE Has Done For Me?

"How can I repay YAHWEH

for all HIS goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of YAHWEH.

I will fulfill my vows to YAHWEH

in the presence of all HIS people.

It is painful to YAHWEH

to see the death of HIS faithful.

O YAHWEH, I am YOUR servant,

truly YOUR servant, YOUR handmaid's son.

YOU have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer YOU a thanksgiving sacrifice;

I will call on the name of YAHWEH."

-  Psalm 116:12-17

(This psalm is a simple prayer of thanks  to GOD, after an escape from death by sickness, accident or malice.  It became part of the Hallel or 'Hymn of Praise' [Psalm 113-118] sung at the Paschal supper.  Our LORD, therefore, went to death with the words on HIS lips.  'After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives' [Matthew 26:30].  But from HIM, the words receive new life.  Unlike the psalmist, HE does not ask to escape the snare of bodily death, rather, HE defies and defeats it: 'it was impossible for HIM to be held by the power of death' [Acts 2:24].  The prayer of HIS human soul is for the glory of HIS risen body.  With the psalmist, we may recite the prayer after sickness, but with our LORD, we may gratefully use it on our deathbed, for 'He who raised JESUS CHRIST from among  the dead, will also give life to your mortal bodies [Romans 8:11].

We can pray with this psalm, when we have overcome mortal dangers or solved personal conflicts.  It is good for everything to remain in the sphere of the love of GOD, in whom we believe.)  

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Go Out To All The World And Tell The GOOD NEWS

"Alleluia!

Praise YAHWEH, all you nations;

all you peoples, praise HIM.

How great is HIS love for us!

HIS faithfulness lasts forever."

- Psalm 117:1-2

(Less than a quarter of a psalm, but all is there: goodness [grace, favor] and fidelity [truth] that is the truth of GOD.  We can pray with this psalm, keeping in our heart the ecumenical cause.)

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They Shall All Be Taught By GOD

"No one can come to ME unless he is drawn by the FATHER who sent ME; and I will raise him up on the last day.  It has been written in the Prophets: They shall all be taught by GOD.  So whoever listens and learns from the FATHER comes to ME.

For no one has seen the FATHER except the One who comes from GOD; HE has seen the FATHER.  Truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." - John 6:44-47 

(They shall all be taught by GOD.  Several texts from the prophets showed in what way Jewish religion should transcend itself.  GOD's Covenant celebrated in Mount Sinai had given the laws through which the conscience of GOD's people would be educated.  Then should come new times when GOD would teach each of HIS believers as HE did the great prophets [Isaiah 54:13; Jeremiah 31:34; Joel 3:1].  JESUS recalls these promises and interprets them.  It is not a matter of revelations given to everyone but of a mysterious call that directs us to JESUS.  In JESUS, the perfect mirror of GOD, we discover the will of the FATHER for us.  JESUS is the word of GOD and from now on the most authentic revelations can only send us back to HIM.)

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Their Message Goes Out Through All The Earth

"The heavens declare the glory of GOD;

the firmament proclaims the work of HIS hands.

Day talks it over with day;

night hands on the knowledge to night.

No speech, no words, no voice is heard -

but the call goes on, throughout the universe,

the message is felt to the ends of the earth.

- Psalm 19:2-5

(There is nature's message of GOD's beauty, which is no less audible for being inarticulate and then, for Israel, the message of HIS specific will which the Law contains.  For both of these, we must show admiration and respect.  When nature seems harsh and the law constricts us, faith must carry us through.  When this is the case for others, charity must work in us, to help or sympathize.

The splendor of heaven gives us a glimpse of the glory of GOD.  We are also aware of HIS presence, when we meditate on HIS commandments, which are light and joy for the soul.

Romans 10:18 applies verse 4 of the psalm to the preaching of the Gospel.  This psalm is adequate to revise one's life in the presence of GOD in creation and in the Law.  JESUS in the Gospels has taught us how to pray.  If we add this psalm to our morning prayer, it will make us feel great and ready to start the day well.)  

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