You Have Not, Yet, Seen HIM, And, Yet, You Love HIM

 "Let us praise GOD, the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for HIS great mercy.  In raising JESUS CHRIST from the dead, HE has given us new life, and a living hope.  The inheritance that does not corrupt, nor goes bad, nor passes away, was reserved for you, in heaven, since GOD's power shall keep you faithful, until salvation is revealed, in the last days.

There is cause for joy, then, even though you may, for a time, have to suffer many trials.  Thus will your faith be tested, like gold in a furnace.  Gold, however, passes away, but faith, worth so much more, will bring you, in the end, praise, glory and honor, when JESUS CHRIST appears.

You have not, yet, seen HIM, and, yet, you love HIM; even without seeing HIM, you believe in HIM, and experience a heavenly joy beyond all words, for you are reaching the goal of your faith: the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:3-9 

(This passage could be the preaching of a leader of a Christian community, addressed to adults who have just been baptized.  In those days people were more preoccupied than they are now about their salvation after death.  To those being baptized, the apostles spoke of the inheritance of GOD which was reserved for them and had been won by CHRIST in HIS resurrection: The inheritance that does not corrupt nor goes bad nor passes away.

The newly baptized knew that their Christian faith was threatened and persecuted.  To ask for baptism meant to commit oneself to CHRIST until death.

You have not seen HIM...  Faith, hope, and love for CHRIST: the three virtues [or powers] urging Christians, go together.  CHRIST came to glory through suffering.  The Christian follows the same path and already knows true joy in the midst of trials.)

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No Healthy Tree Bears Bad Fruit, No Poor Tree Bears Good Fruit

 "No healthy tree bears bad fruit, no poor tree bears good fruit.  And each tree is known by the fruit it bears: you don't gather figs from thorns, or grapes from brambles.  Similarly, the good person draws good things from the good stored in his heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in his heart.  For the mouth speaks from the fullness of the heart." - Luke 6:43-45  

(No healthy tree...  These sayings were already mentioned in Matthew 7:15.  Here, however, Luke gives them a different meaning by referring to a pure conscience.  We must purify our mind and our spirit to become the tree that produces good fruits.)

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Let The Children Come To ME

 "People were bringing their little children to HIM to have HIM touch them; and the disciples rebuked them for this.

When JESUS noticed it, HE was very angry and said, 'Let the children come to ME and don't stop them, for the kingdom of GOD belongs to such as these.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of GOD like a child will not enter it.'  Then HE took the children in HIS arms and, laying HIS hands on them, blessed them." - Mark 10:13-16 

(JESUS, despite having no children of HIS own, opens to everyone the richness of HIS heart.  HE marvels at the mystery of life that begins full of hope, and discovers the likeness of the FATHER in every unknown child.  How could JESUS, who asks us to have hope, forget that the children are also our hope?

Whoever does not receive the kingdom of GOD like a child.  We must be like children in order to enter the kingdom of GOD.  We must forget our wisdom and self-sufficiency, and the bitterness of past experience in order to receive GOD's gifts and words in wonder and simplicity.)

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Praise Of GOD's Love

 "Praise YAHWEH, my soul; all my being, praise HIS holy name!

Praise YAHWEH, my soul, and do not forget all HIS kindness; HE forgives all your sins and heals all your sickness; HE redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with love and compassion;...

YAHWEH is gracious and merciful, abounding in love and slow to anger; HE will not always scold nor will HE be angry forever.

As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is HIS love for those fearing HIM; as far as the east is from the west, so far does HE remove from us our sins."

- Psalm 103:1-2. 3-4. 8-9. 11-12

(The Christian lives joyfully in the paradox that our GOD is higher than the heavens, and yet, is close to us in love and mercy.  Our gratitude for HIS mercy merges naturally into a hymn of praise, for HIS greatness.  When we think how great HE is, it is not to think how far away HE is, but how much HE loves us to come down to us.

Let us praise the LORD, together with everything created: in moments of joy, as well as in hours of sadness, both when we have strength or when we live in fragility.)

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The Misfortunes Of The Rich

 "So, now, for what concerns the rich, cry and weep, for the misfortunes that are coming upon you.  Your riches are rotting, and your clothes, eaten up by the moths.  Your silver and gold have rusted, and their rust grows into a witness against you.  It will consume your flesh, like fire, for having piled up riches, in these, the last days.

You deceived the workers who harvested your fields, but, now, their wages cry out to the heavens.  The reapers' complaints have reached the ears of the LORD of hosts.  You lived in luxury and pleasure in this world, thus, fattening yourselves for the day of slaughter.  You have easily condemned, and killed the innocent since they offered no resistance." - James 5:1-6 

(The rich will lose all they have stockpiled through injustice.  Just as serious as having stolen from the salaries of workers and having condemned those who spoke of justice is the sin against hope.  "The last days already came and you were looking for riches!"  The last days are those that  began with the coming of CHRIST, with the kingdom already there.  James sees the second coming of the LORD as if it was imminent and it is the only way to rightly judge riches.

What was taking place in the poor civilization of James' time is happening again today.  The prosperity of a quarter of the world depends on the system that leaves two billion people in misery.

In our countries money destroys hope in the Christian meaning of the word; life is considered as a fortune to be enjoyed by oneself, without accepting responsibilities, beginning with the transmission of life.  Far removed from us, the safeguarding of our privileges involves, like a series of cascades, the unjust death of millions of people because of famine, oppression and wars.)

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Separate Churches

 "John said to HIM, 'Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon YOUR name, and we tried to forbid him, because he does not belong to our group.'  JESUS answered, 'Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in MY name can soon after speak evil of ME.  For whoever is not against us is for us.'" - Mark 9:38-40 

(While JESUS prepares HIS apostles, whom HE wants to leave in charge of HIS Church, others preach the Gospel and expel demons.  In the same way nowadays, outside the Catholic Church, the Church of the apostles, others of diverse Christian denominations do apostolic work.

This evangelization outside the Church, at times against the Church, offers a challenge.  If others evangelize, it is perhaps because the Church does not reach a great number of people: GOD wants others to do what we do not.  The proliferation of separate churches is for the Catholic Church a call to reform.

For the Church finds itself paralyzed for want of a true spirit of poverty and because of its massive structures which no longer allow simple people to find there the fresh life-giving air of the Gospel.)

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The Person Who Becomes Intimidated Loses Everything

 "I now address myself to those elders among you; I, too, am an elder, and a witness to the sufferings of CHRIST, hoping to share the glory that is to be revealed.  Shepherd the flock which GOD has entrusted to you, guarding it, not out of obligation, but, willingly, for GOD's sake; not as one looking for a reward, but with a generous heart; do not lord it over, those in your care, rather be an example to your flock.  Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will be given a crown of unfading glory." - 1 Peter 5:1-4 

(In the varied counsels that follow, note what concerns the elders, leaders and pastors of the community.

In persecution Peter also sees a work of the devil, who does his best to discourage those who hope in CHRIST.

It is a proven fact that when we get ready to make an important decision or to make some commitment in the service of CHRIST, many unexpected obstacles arise.  The person who becomes intimidated loses everything.  When he tries again to take some step, the devil will increase his attacks.  These trials are common and to face them we need to  be alert in our faith.)

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Faith Is Shown In Action

 "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, to profess faith, without showing works?  Such faith has no power to save you.  If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food, and one of you says, 'May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied,' without attending to their material needs, what good is that?  So, it is, for faith without deeds: it is totally dead." - James 2:14-17 

(It is necessary to have faith to be saved, but following CHRIST cannot be theoretical; it must be shown in action, in deeds.  CHRIST HIMSELF says the same thing in Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says, 'LORD, LORD,' will enter the kingdom of heaven.")

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We All Have A Double Heritage

 "Scripture says that Adam, the first man, became a living being; but the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit.

The spirit does not appear first, but the natural life, and afterward comes the spirit.  The first man comes from the earth and is earthly, while the second one comes from heaven.  As it was with the earthly one, so is it with the earthly people.  As it is with CHRIST, so with the heavenly.  This is why, after bearing the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one." - 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 

(Earthly... heavenly....  We all have a double heritage: by nature we are in solidarity with the human race in the person of Adam--man, animal  and earthly--but we also belong to this human community which mysteriously forms itself around CHRIST who is Spirit, source of life and who comes from heaven.  Baptism has not  made us pass from one to another.  Moreover, faithful as we may be, our Adam will continue to grow and increase in weight, with his weakness and temptations, but at the same time our inner being will be strengthened, this embryo of a celestial person, waiting for its true birth.)

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True Wisdom

 "If you consider yourself wise and learned, show it by your good life, and let your actions, in all humility, be an example for others.  But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy, and ambition, do not try to show off; that would be covering up the truth; this kind of wisdom does not come from above, but from the world, and it is earthly and devilish.  Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord, and all that is evil.  Instead, the wisdom that comes from above is pure and peace-loving.  Persons with this wisdom show understanding, and listen to advice; they are full of compassion and good works; they are impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers, who sow peace, reap a harvest of justice." - James 3:13-18 

(What is wisdom?  Let us read the Wisdom Books of the Scriptures if we wish to know something of wisdom.  They put us on the trail of a wisdom that is a gift of GOD [1 Corinthians 1:5; Ephesians 1:9], which is acquired by prayer [Wisdom 9; Sirach 51:13; Colossians 1:9], perseverance in meditation on the word of GOD [2 Timothy 3:17], the purification of the heart through ordinary living.  James does not speak of a theoretical wisdom, but of practical wisdom.)

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Take Up Your Cross

 "Then JESUS called the people and HIS disciples, and said, 'If you want to follow ME, deny yourself; take up your cross and follow ME.  For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; and if you lose your life for MY sake, and for the sake of the gospel, you will save it.'" - Mark 8:34-35 

(JESUS tells us that to follow HIM is to follow the same path that took HIM to the cross. To reach maturity it is necessary to renounce our life; in other words, we must risk ourselves for something noble instead of being concerned about our own future; we must find a life-style that will help us excel in the way of love; and we must accept that our life may be a failure according to others' way of thinking [Luke 17:33; John 12:23-25].

Taking up our cross by accepting freely the sacrifices that the FATHER sends each day, we receive from that moment something even more marvelous than what was sacrificed: inner freedom and more profound happiness [Mark 10:30].

Think of what JESUS says:  from ME, for ME, and not: from GOD, for GOD.  For GOD has come in the person of JESUS to knock on our door and to propose to us very specific commitments.)

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Peter's Profession Of Faith

 "JESUS set out with HIS disciples for the villages around Caesarea Philippi; and on the way HE asked them, 'Who do people say I AM?'  And they told HIM, 'Some say, YOU are John the Baptist; others say, YOU are Elijah or one of the prophets.'

Then JESUS asked them, 'But you, who do you say I AM?'  Peter answered, 'YOU are the Messiah.'  And HE ordered them not to tell anyone about HIM.

JESUS then began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law.  HE would be killed, and after three days rise again.  JESUS said all this quite openly, so that Peter took HIM aside and began to protest strongly.  But JESUS, turning around, and looking at HIS disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind ME, Satan!  You are thinking not as GOD does, but as people do.'" - Mark 8:27-33 

(Here the Gospel already foretells the tragic end.  For the first time, the apostles take account of who their Master is.

YOU are the Messiah.  CHRIST is a Greek word that means the Messiah in Hebrew.  They both mean: the anointed or consecrated one.  This term designated the long-awaited Savior.  The apostles discover that JESUS is the Messiah, the Liberator, but HE teaches them that the Son of Man [the Human One] has to suffer many things.

Why does JESUS call HIMSELF the Son of Man?  For two reasons: first, because one page in Scripture speaks of the Son of Man who gloriously comes from GOD to judge all people and to rule all the nations [Daniel 7:13].  Second, because JESUS is the perfect Human and bears the destiny of humanity.

JESUS had to suffer, because this is the fate of sinners.  HE had to suffer and be rejected by the authorities, because this is the destiny of those who proclaim the truth.  HE had to freely go to HIS death because self-sacrifice is the only means for the salvation of the world.)

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Cure Of The Blind Man In Bethsaida

 "When they came to Bethsaida, JESUS was asked to touch a blind man who was brought to HIM.  HE took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.  When HE put spittle on his eyes and laid HIS hands upon him, HE asked, 'Can you see anything?'  The man, who was beginning to see, replied, 'I see people!  They look like trees, but they move around.'  Then JESUS laid HIS hands on his eyes again and the man could see perfectly.   His sight was restored and he could see everything clearly.

Then JESUS sent him home, saying, 'Do not return to the village.'" - Mark 8:22-26 

(When a person, blind from birth, regains his sight, it takes time for him to gradually focus on objects and to understand what his eyes see.  JESUS again laid HIS hands on this blind man's eyes.

The same is true in the spiritual realm.  JESUS does not let us see everything at once, but conversion is realized bit by bit.)

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No One, When Tempted, Should Say, "This Temptation Comes From GOD."

 "Happy are those who patiently endure trials, because, afterward, they will receive the crown of life, which the LORD promised to those who love HIM.  No one, when tempted, should say, 'This temptation comes from GOD.'  GOD is never tempted, and HE can never tempt anyone.  Instead, each of us is lured, and enticed, by our own evil desire.  Once this desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, gives birth to death." - James 1:12-15    

(Most people are secretly resentful toward GOD and do not miss an opportunity to blame HIM for their own mistakes.)

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Endure Trials Patiently

 "James, a servant of GOD, and of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, sends greetings to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.

Consider yourselves fortunate, my brothers and sisters, when you meet with every kind of trial, for you know, that the testing of your faith makes you steadfast.  Let your steadfastness become perfect, with deeds, that you, yourselves, may be perfect and blameless, without any defect.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask GOD, who gives to all easily and unconditionally.  But ask with faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave driven and tossed on the sea by the wind.  Such a person should not expect anything from the LORD, since the doubter has two minds and his conduct will always be insecure.

Let the believer who is poor, boast, is being uplifted, and let the rich one boast, in being humbled, because he will pass away like the flower of the field.  The sun rises and its heat dries the grass; the flower withers and its beauty vanishes.  So, too, will the rich person fade away, even in the midst of his pursuits." - James 1:1-11 

(What is most impressive at the beginning of the letter is the firmness of faith.  James is a man who does not hesitate and we feel very reassured by his conviction: ask GOD because HE gives to everyone.  Fortunate when you meet every kind of trial.

The testing of your faith.  We are not in the world to have a good time.  What matters is to take advantage of the time GOD gives us to grow and mature as persons.  The person who has not suffered knows very little.  Oftentimes, those who have suffered do not realize that they owe the best in themselves to their having had to overcome a thousand difficulties.

To save the poor and the afflicted does not consist so much in comforting them or giving them bread as in helping them to face their destiny, to realize themselves through their own efforts and to discover they are helpless if they do not first acknowledge their brothers and sisters and act with them.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom.  GOD has placed in our midst all that we need to solve our problems.  The wisdom that makes us be responsible for our destiny instead of being passive comes from HIM.

Ask with faith.  The one who knows what are the obstacles from which GOD wishes to save him will be the one who has no hesitation in asking with faith.)

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Blessings And Woes

 "Coming down the hill with them, JESUS stood in an open plain.  Many of HIS disciples were there and a large crowd of people who had come from all parts of Judea and Jerusalem, and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon.

Then, looking at HIS disciples, JESUS said,

'Fortunate are you who are poor, for the kingdom of GOD is yours.

Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.

Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.  Remember, that is how the ancestors of the people treated the prophets.

But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.

Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry.

Alas for you, who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of the people treated the false prophets.'" - Luke 6:17. 20-26 

(Matthew adapts them for the members of the church of his time.  Luke, on the other hand, puts the beatitudes here just as JESUS proclaimed them to the people of Galilee.  In the words of JESUS, the beatitudes were a call and a hope addressed to the forgotten of the world, beginning with the poor among HIS people, heirs of GOD's promise to the prophets.

In contrast with these beatitudes, Luke presents lamentations recalling those of Isaiah [65:13-14].  They are lamentations as used for the dead, not maledictions.  For the rich forget GOD and become impermeable to grace.  These lamentations are a sign of the love of GOD for the rich, as are the beatitudes for the poor, for HE loves them all, but in a different way.  To the first HE affirms that HE will destroy the structures of injustice, and to the others HE gives a warning: richness brings death.)

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The Religious Division

 "Jeroboam thought, 'The kingdom could return  to the house of David.  Should this people go up to offer sacrifices in YAHWEH's house in Jerusalem, their heart would turn again to their master, Rehoboam king of Judah.  They would kill me and go back to him.'

And so the king sought advice and made two golden calves.  Then he said to the people, 'You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough.  Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.'  He put one of these in Bethel, the other in Dan.  This caused Israel to sin; the people went to Bethel and Dan to worship the calves.

Jeroboam also  built temples on high places, appointing priests who were not from the Levites.  Jeroboam also appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eight month in imitation of the feast in Judah, and he himself offered sacrifices on the altar.  This he did in Bethel; and sacrificed to the calves that he had made.  There he placed priests for the high places he had made.

After this, however, Jeroboam did not abstain from doing evil.  Instead he made priests for the high places from among the people.  He consecrated anyone who wanted to be a priest for the high places.  And this became the sin of the family of Jeroboam for which it was to be cut off and destroyed from the face of the earth." - 1 Kings 12:26-32--13:33-34 

(The twelve tribes are united by the same religion, but Jeroboam realizes that his authority will be weak as long as the Israelites go up to Jerusalem to offer their sacrifices there.  He ensures political separation through a schism, that is, a religious separation.  He has a calf made to represent YAHWEH in spite of the prohibition against making a representation of the invisible GOD and reducing HIM to the level of an animal.

In narrating the deeds of the kings of Israel in the north, Scripture constantly repeats: "They followed and committed the sin of Jeroboam."  Thus Scriptures emphasized the need to remain united to the center which GOD established in Jerusalem.  It is not enough to think: "We serve the same GOD,"  "We serve in our own way."

Jeroboam is the model of other rulers who, much later, tried to establish national churches: in England, at the same time of the Reformation; in France, after the Revolution; in China and socialist countries, after a communist revolution.  Many Catholics were persecuted and died for remaining faithful to the only church which ought to be catholic, or universal.)

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We Lack Dynamism To Evangelize And Change The World

 "There shall be no strange god among you,

you shall not worship any alien god,

for I, YAHWEH, AM your GOD,

who led you forth from the land of Egypt.

But MY people did not listen;

Israel did not obey.

So I gave them over to their stubbornness

and they followed their own counsels.

If only MY people would listen,

if only Israel would walk in MY ways,

I would quickly subdue their adversaries

and turn MY hand against their enemies."

- Psalm 81:10-11. 12-13. 14-15

(The psalm opens joyfully but the complaints of the divine voice sound strangely out of place.

The psalm urges us to listen to the voice of the LORD, because idols are with us, even today.  'We lack dynamism to evangelize and change the world: this is because, we still have idols even in our apostolic planning.'  GOD HIMSELF in the Transfiguration tells in Matthew 17:5, 'This is MY Son, the Beloved, MY Chosen One.  Listen to HIM.'

GOD keeps HIS promise.  If only we would listen, we would have food for body and soul.)

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Solomon Turns Away From YAHWEH

 "In Solomon's old age, his wives led him astray to serve other gods and, unlike his father David, his heart was no longer wholly given to YAHWEH his GOD.  For he served Astarte the goddess of the Sidonians,  and Milcom, the idol of the Ammonites.  He did what displeased YAHWEH and, unlike his father David, was unfaithful to HIM.  Solomon even built a high place for Chemosh, the idol of Moab, on the mountain east of Jerusalem and also for Molech, the idol of the Ammonites.  He did the same for all his foreign wives who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

YAHWEH became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from YAHWEH, the GOD of Israel.  YAHWEH appeared to him twice and commanded him not to follow other gods.  But he did not obey YAHWEH 's command.  Therefore, YAHWEH said to Solomon, 'Since this has been your choice and you have kept neither MY Covenant nor the statutes I commanded you, I will take the kingdom from you and give it to your servant.  Nevertheless, I will not do this during your lifetime for the sake of your father David; I will take it from your son.  But I will not take it all; I will reserve one tribe for your son for the sake of David my servant, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen.'" - 1 Kings 11:4-13 

(Scripture is not scandalized at Solomon's having several wives.  At that time, to have many wives was an indication of a man's wealth.  Scripture rebukes him for taking pagan wives.  In this way, Solomon entered into an alliance with these people who did not know GOD, imitating them in their materialism.

Luxury corrupts wisdom.  Solomon makes a show of his manliness, unaware of the fact that his wives are ordering him around.  These foreign women arrive with their priests and their pagan cults that will draw Israel into idolatry and materialism.

The people thought that the king blessed by YAHWEH had to be surrounded with luxury and honors.  Later the prophets would recall that power, wealth and luxury numb the heart of a ruler [Deuteronomy 17:14].  All people in the course of history have had the same experience.  Even in the Church, for centuries the faithful thought it fitting that their bishops and popes assume the appearance of nobles, and we are still paying the consequences of that error.

You have kept neither MY Covenant nor the statutes.  Solomon's real sin consists in directing his life and his nation without seeking GOD's will.  He lives like any other king and works out his own ambitions, thinking it is enough to ask YAHWEH's blessings.)

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Reflections On Good And Evil

 "Commit your way to YAHWEH; put your trust in HIM and let HIM act.

Then will your revenge come, beautiful as the dawn, and the justification of your cause, bright as the noonday sun.

The mouth of the virtuous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks of what is right.

His steps have never faltered, for the law of GOD is in his heart.

YAHWEH is the salvation of the righteous; in time of distress, HE is their refuge.

YAHWEH helps them, and rescues them from the oppressor; HE saves them, for they sought shelter in HIM.

 - Psalm 37:5-6. 30-31. 39-40

(This psalm has entered into the Gospel through the big portal of the Beatitudes [Matthew 5:4].  It is adequate for all those who live outside and far away from the goods of this land.  At the same time, it  becomes a clamor and a denunciation against those who rob others of their land.

Neither power nor riches give access to the inheritance that GOD promised to HIS children.  The psalmist offers a very strong warning against all evildoers.  At the same time, encourages the righteous with the promise of help from the LORD.  And our LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, in the Beatitudes in Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew, has taught us the way to true life and eternal happiness.)

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Solomon's Prayer

 "Then Solomon stood before the altar of YAHWEH in the presence of all the assembly of Israel.  He raised his hands towards heaven and said, 'O YAHWEH, GOD of Israel, there is no GOD like YOU either in heaven or on earth!  YOU keep YOUR Covenant and show loving-kindness to YOUR servants who walk before YOU wholeheartedly.

But will GOD really live among people on earth?  If neither heavens nor the highest heavens can contain YOU, how much less can this house which I have built!  Yet, listen to the prayer and supplication of YOUR servant, O YAHWEH my GOD; hearken to the cries and pleas which YOUR servant directs to YOU this day.  Watch over this house of which YOU have said, 'MY NAME shall rest there.'  Hear the prayer of YOUR servant in this place.

Listen to the supplication of YOUR servant and YOUR people Israel when they pray in this direction; listen from YOUR dwelling place in heaven and, on listening, forgive." - 1 Kings 8:22-23. 27-30 

(This prayer of Solomon, composed probably by a prophet at the time of the kings, emphasizes both the importance and the relativity of the temple.  It is there that the "Name" of GOD resides, there GOD will hear the prayers of HIS people.  And yet this temple built by human hands "could not contain GOD in HIS Glory."  The invisible heavens "cannot contain HIM," how much less this earthly dwelling.

This vision of the temple will be continually present in the teaching of the prophets.  However great, the temple will never be a "magic charm" for Israel.  It is the sign and reminder of the presence of the holy GOD.

Gradually, because of this, all theology of Israel will be centered on the temple.  The earth and the heavens belong to GOD, but on the earth one country belongs to HIM in a very special way--it is the Land of a Promise.  In this Promised Land all the towns are HIS; but one among them is especially dear.  And in this city, in the heart of this city is the holy mountain on which YAHWEH's dwelling place has been built.

The temple is thus like the pivot around which the whole universe revolves.  For this reason it is understandable that its destruction in 587 was for the faith of Israel an unimaginable trial: without the temple of Jerusalem, the universe lost its center.

If the universe had by degrees been centered around the temple, with the New Testament on the contrary, it is the CHRIST--the New Temple--who becomes the point of departure for the expansion of salvation: "You will be MY witnesses, in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" [Acts 1:8].)

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GOD's Promise To David

 "Then came the news, 'The Ark is in Ephrata, we found it in the fields of Jaar.'

Let us go to where HE dwells and worship at HIS footstool!

Arise, O YAHWEH, and come to YOUR rest; YOU, and the Ark of YOUR might.

May YOUR priests be arrayed in glorious mantle; may YOUR faithful ones shout in gladness.

For the sake of YOUR servant, David, do not turn away the face of YOUR Anointed."

- Psalm 132:6-7. 8-10

(Our LORD, our King, came to bring GOD to earth.  For this, HE labored unwearily, with sweat and even with blood.  And the result of HIS work was not a building, a Temple; but the Church, where GOD really dwells, eternally.)

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Resurrection Is A Fact

 "In the first place, I have passed on to you what I, myself, received: that CHRIST died for our sins, as Scripture says; that HE was buried; that HE was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures; that HE appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.  Afterward, HE appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters together; most of them are still alive, although some have already gone to rest.  Then HE appeared to James, and after that, to all the apostles.  And last of all, HE appeared to the most despicable of them, this is, to me.

Now, whether it was I or they, this, we preach, and this, you have believed." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. 11 

(I have passed on to you.  Paul will not recall a tale, or a "myth," these stories full of wisdom that abounded with the Greeks.  They bared an order in the world, a meaning of life, but were only stories.  Today certain people speak of the Resurrection in the same way.  They say: "It matters little what took place, the Gospels are not directly interested in what happened to JESUS, for them it was important that strange events would give courage to the disciples and the hope of another life."  Paul says precisely the contrary: the Resurrection is a fact.)

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JESUS, Shepherd And Prophet

 "The apostles returned and reported to JESUS all they had done and taught.  Then HE said to them, 'Let us go off by ourselves into a remote place and have some rest.  For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.  And they went away in the boat to a secluded area  by themselves.

But people saw them leaving, and many could guess where they were going.  So, from all the towns, they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them.

As JESUS went ashore, HE saw a large crowd, and HE had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.  And HE began to teach them many things." - Mark 6:30-34 

(The apostles are exhausted.  At the end of this journey they need to rest and take a deeper look at their experiences.  JESUS teaches them  and helps them reflect upon what they had seen and done.

HE had compassion on them.  The Old Testament had shown the compassion of GOD as a FATHER, but now JESUS reveals this compassion in a different way.  No one could fully understand the mercy of GOD until the Son came to share everything with us, making HIMSELF poor among the poor, able to feel with them instead of giving them HIS words and deeds of mercy from above.

This compassion of JESUS helps us understand that Christian commitment to the poor is not complete as long as the Church is not itself deeply rooted in the lower class of society.

They were like sheep without a shepherd [Numbers 27:17; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 11:4-17; 12:8].  This refers to people who had not yet found true community, and JESUS had pity on them.  The prophet Ezekiel reproached the leaders of Israel for being bad pastors, but today he might reproach us for failing to be pastors and prophets in the midst of our world.  Why should we so often wait for priests, religious or a few handpicked lay people to take the initiative of assembling new communities?  Why are we so timid in proposing to "those who are outside" the light of faith that we have gratuitously received and allow them to discover in the group or community this richness?

And HE began to teach them many things.  What did HE tell them?  All that makes up the Gospel.  Penetrating everyone's conscience with a prophetic gaze, JESUS showed each one where the real problem lay.  Speaking like the prophets, JESUS never enclosed and isolated the people within their personal problems: their personal progress had to be attained together with the renewal of their environment.

JESUS saw that they were burdened with difficulties but would lift them up by giving them "signs of hope."  In any situation there is something that we can do immediately to uplift ourselves; and even before any attempt of ours, GOD already gives us signs that HE does not abandon us and that we must trust totally in HIM.)

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David's Gratitude For Victory

 "This GOD--HIS way is perfect;

the word of YAHWEH can stand fire.

HE is a shield for those who seek refuge in HIM.

YAHWEH lives!  Praised be my rock!

Exalted be my savior GOD--

For this I extol YOU, O YAHWEH, among the nations;

I will sing praise to YOUR name, saying:

'HE has given victories to HIS king;

HE has shown HIS love to HIS anointed ones,

to David, and to his descendants forever.'"

- Psalm 18:31. 47. 50. 51

(Here, a picture of GOD, as the great master of creation, appears side by side with that of GOD, as the jealous guardian of HIS servant David, who was king enough to serve the King of kings.  For once we have no difficulties identifying the 'enemies.'  The stormy history of David is well known to us.  But the historical situation will not help.  Again we have to take the words to ourselves, and the 'enemies' we pray against have intangible arrows.  We need the shield of GOD and all the warlike but spiritual apparatuses that St. Paul asks for: 'the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the Word of GOD' [Ephesians 6:16-17].

The added verse [51] allows us to apply this psalm to the Anointed One, to CHRIST, conqueror of death and the abyss.  Romans 15:9 quotes verse 50 of the psalm.  Those who love passionately, do not cease to coin new adjectives, to proclaim their love.  The GOD thus loved, "comes down" to be with us, as the sure rock of our existence.)

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The Mission

 "JESUS then went around the villages, teaching.  HE called the Twelve to HIM, and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits.  And HE ordered them to take nothing for the journey, except a staff: no food, no bag, no money in their belts.  They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic.

And HE added, 'In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place.  If any place doesn't receive you, and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet.  It will be a testimony against them.'

So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent.  They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them." - Mark 6:7-13 

(JESUS begins a third stage of HIS ministry by organizing a mission throughout the province.  Before, the apostles accompanied JESUS but now HE sends them ahead of HIM.

JESUS is an educator.  HE not only teaches HIS followers, HE has them share in HIS mission.  HIS apostles must also proclaim their faith and perform healings as the Master does.  By doing this, they put into practice what they have discovered of the kingdom of GOD.  The disciples should be first to believe what they themselves proclaim: GOD makes HIMSELF present.  Because of this, they must live day by day, trusting in the FATHER's Providence, not frightened but always conscious of GOD's mission and power.

Oil was used at the time as a remedy, but JESUS gives it a new meaning: the healings bring more than just well being, they are also the sign of spiritual healing, the reconciliation of people with GOD.

JESUS' concern to form communities of believers is already present.  HE sends HIS disciples out two by two so that the message will not be from one person only, but the expression of a group united in one mission.  JESUS tells them to stay under one roof with one family so that this may be a center radiating faith.)

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I Send MY Messenger To Prepare The Way

 "Now I AM sending MY messenger ahead of ME, to clear the way; then, suddenly, the LORD, for whom you long, will enter the Sanctuary.  The envoy of the Covenant which you so greatly desire, already comes, says YAHWEH of hosts.  Who can bear the day of HIS coming and remain standing when HE appears?  For HE will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.

HE will be as a refiner or a fuller.  HE will purify the sons of Levi and refine them, like gold and silver.  So YAHWEH will have priests who will present the offering as it should be.  Then YAHWEH will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days." - Malachi 3:1-4 

(To those complaining that GOD does not reveal HIS justice nor reward sufficiently those who serve HIM, Malachi responds by declaring that the LORD will come soon.  He announces the coming of a messenger of GOD--this point to John the Baptist--who will be responsible for preparing the way for HIM, and that will be the sign of HIS coming soon.)

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Popular Catholicism

 "Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years.  She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse.  Because she had heard about JESUS, this woman came up behind HIM and touched HIS cloak, thinking, 'If I just touch HIS clothing, I shall get well.'  Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint.

But JESUS was conscious that healing power had gone out from HIM, so HE turned around in the crowd, and asked, 'Who touched MY clothes?'  HIS disciples answered, 'YOU see how the people are crowding around YOU.  Why do YOU ask who touched YOU?'  But HE kept looking around to see who had done it.  Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward, trembling and afraid.  She knelt before HIM, and told HIM the whole truth.

Then JESUS said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has saved you.  Go in peace and be free of this illness.'" - Mark 5:25-34 

(This woman was considered by the Jews as unclean because of her illness [Leviticus 15:19].  She would also make "unclean" anyone who touched her.  Because of this, she was prohibited by the law from mingling with others but dared enter into the crowd, and touch JESUS' cloak.

Faith drove her to break the law of "purification," and to risk scandal.  This woman did not know who JESUS was, but had faith that GOD would cure her through HIM.

The religiosity of this woman is akin to what we call today "popular Catholicism."  As seen in this woman, popular Catholicism is ill-instructed, yet shows a strong religious sense and trust in GOD.  It is superficial and naïve, expecting great results from touching images and religious things--CHRIST's garment in this case.  Like JESUS, we should respect the religious expressions of popular Catholicism while at the same time trying, like HIM, to help people discover deeper dimensions of their faith.)

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