House Built On Rock

 "Not everyone who says to ME, 'LORD!  LORD!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of MY heavenly FATHER.

'Therefore, anyone who hears these words of MINE, and acts according to them, is like a wise man, who built his house on rock.  The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house.  But it did not collapse, because it was built on rock.  But anyone who hears these words of MINE, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand.  The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible collapse that was!'" - Matthew 7:21. 24-27 

(Many will say to ME that day.  Matthew probably quotes this sentence pointing out to the charismatic prophets who disturb his communities by not obeying precepts that are addressed to everyone.

Whether we teach or work miracles, these abilities and ministries given us for the good of the community do not assure us that we are in the grace of GOD.  True faith works through love [Galatians 5:6] and moves us to fulfill all the law: James 2:8.

Anyone who hears these words of MINE.  JESUS means those who listen to HIS words and are converted: they believe themselves already saved.  If they do not use their initial enthusiasm to build their lives on solid foundations, such as scriptural meditation, generosity, resistance to evil inclinations, sharing in the Christian community--then everything will tumble down later.)

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I Will Make You Fishers Of Men

 "As JESUS walked by the lake of Galilee, HE saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  HE said to them, 'Come, follow ME; and I will make you fish for people.'

At once they left their nets and followed HIM.

HE went on from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.  JESUS called them.

At once, they left the boat, and their father, and followed HIM." - Matthew 4:18-22 

(At once, they abandoned their nets and followed HIM, which means leaving their family and work they began to live with HIM.  Like the masters of religion in HIS time, like the rabbis, JESUS instructed HIS first disciples, teaching them what they were to pass on to others in the Church.

They did not yet know what the Reign of GOD would mean but they trusted JESUS to guide them.  This for them was the beginning of faith.)

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JESUS Gives Thanks To The FATHER

 "At that time, JESUS was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and said, 'I praise YOU, FATHER, LORD of heaven and earth, for YOU have hidden these things from the wise and learned and made them known to little ones.  Yes, FATHER, such has been YOUR gracious will.  I have been given all things by MY FATHER, so that no one knows the Son except the FATHER, and no one knows the FATHER except the Son, and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal HIM.'

Then JESUS turned to HIS disciples and said to them privately, 'Fortunate are you to see what you see, for I tell you, that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what you see but did not see it; and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.'" - Luke 10:21-24 

(What are these things that GOD has revealed to the little ones but the mysterious power of the Gospel to transform people and show them the truth?  The apostles marvel at the power coming from the name of JESUS [Mark 16:17].  JESUS underlines the defeat of the Adversary, Satan.

The learned and the clever think they know, but do not know what is essential.  They speak of a God who is no more than a shadow of the true GOD as long as they do not recognize him in JESUS.  They do not know where the world is heading because they do not see how GOD's power is working wherever JESUS is being proclaimed.

Little ones live their faith in simple ways, but they know that none of their sacrifices are lost.  It is JESUS who reveals the FATHER to us and, knowing HIM in truth, we also share in HIS control over events.  Our desires and our prayers are powerful because we have come to the center from which GOD directs the forces saving humankind: because we work for eternity, our names are already written in heaven.

To evangelize does not mean to try to sell the Gospel but rather to prove its power to heal people from their demons.  We need not become activists in order to accomplish that.  We must admit that we have no power in these things and we must give thanks to GOD who enabled us to see, to hear and to communicate HIS salvation.

Fortunate are you to see...  Stop being envious of famous people, kings and prophets of the past.  You who are alive now, and who are neither kings nor prophets, have been given the better part.)

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The LORD's Glory Will Be Shelter

 "On that day the Shoot of YAHWEH will be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor for the survivors of Israel.

Those who are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem will be called holy, and who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem,

when the LORD washes away the filth of the women of Zion and purges Jerusalem of the bloodstains in its midst with the blast of searing judgment, the blast of fire.

Then will YAHWEH create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of fire by night.

For the glory of YAHWEH will be a canopy and a pavilion for all, a shade from the scorching heat by day, a refuge from the storm and rain." - Isaiah 4:2-6 

(In the turbulent history of nations, GOD allows a small and insignificant people to take shape.  From among them a chosen group called "Remnant" appears and takes root.  As a pyramid is gradually reduced to a point, so is this remnant reduced, until it becomes only one man, the Savior.  Here, HE is called the fruit of the earth.  HE is also called Shoot, because HE will be the sprout for the new humanity.

Above Mount Zion which symbolizes the Church, GOD will be a shade from the scorching heat by day.

- HE will provide rest for the weary: "Come to ME and I will refresh you" [Matthew 11:28].

- The new trends in the world can harm the unwary and the isolated but not those who live in the church community.)

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Children Of The Light

 "You know what hour it is.  This is the time to awake, for our salvation is, now, nearer than when we first believed; the night is almost over, and day is at hand.  Let us discard, therefore, everything that belongs to darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  As we live in the full light of day, let us behave with decency, no banquets with drunkenness, no promiscuity or licentiousness, no fighting or jealousy.  Put on, rather, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and do not be led by the will of the flesh nor follow its desires." - Romans 13:11-14 

   

(You know what hour it is.  This is the time to awake.  Paul was just recalling the duties of a Christian in this world, and he already turns to the opposite direction: beware of settling down in this world.  The Christian is always awaiting the coming of CHRIST.

During the first thirty years of the Church, all waited for the imminent return of JESUS.  When it became clear to them that history was being extended, they began thinking more of each one's last end: it was then that they would meet CHRIST.  In the present century we have come to realize that history is going towards an end and that we not only have to be ready for the last hour, but that we must also work for the evangelization of the world.  The Gospel is the power that, directly or indirectly, brings all human history to maturity; by living holy and responsible lives we hasten the coming of the kingdom of GOD [2 Peter 3:11-12].)

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I, John, Saw And Heard All This.

 "Then, he showed me the river of life, clear as crystal, gushing from the throne of GOD, and of the Lamb.  In the middle of the city, on both sides of the river, are the trees of life, producing fruit twelve times, once each month, the leaves of which are for healing the nations.

No longer will there be a curse; the throne of GOD and of the Lamb will be in the city, and GOD's servants will live in HIS presence.  They will see HIS face, and HIS name will be on their foreheads.  There will be no more night.  They will not need the light of lamp, or sun, for GOD, HIMSELF, will be their light, and they will reign forever.

Then, the angel said to me, 'These words are sure and true; the LORD GOD, who inspires the prophets, has sent HIS angel, to show HIS servants what must happen soon.'

'I AM coming soon!  Happy are those who keep the prophetic words of this book.'" - Revelation 22:1-7 

(And they will reign forever.  This is the final word, and it is the seventh time it is said in Revelation.

I, John, saw and heard all this.  Thus, Scripture concludes, and we can recall the parable of the workers hired for the LORD's vineyard [Matthew 20].  The work in which prophets and writers participated in the course of a day is over.  In the first hour the visions with which Genesis begins, and which briefly present the divine vocation of people and the purpose of the world, were written.  In the final hour, John, after knowing CHRIST, the Morning Sun, has just seen humanity preparing to share the glory of GOD.

It is the final hour, the expected coming of CHRIST.  We know, however, that the final hour may be extended and that the Groom may come late in the night: Christians are watchful, firm in their hope, even as they face the Power of Darkness.)

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Love And Longing For GOD's Temple

 "My soul yearns, pines,

for the courts of YAHWEH.

My heart and my flesh

cry out for the living GOD.

Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow a nest

where she may lay her young,

at YOUR altars, O YAHWEH of hosts,

my King and my GOD!

Happy are those who live in YOUR house,

continually singing YOUR praise!

Happy, the pilgrims whom YOU strengthen,

to make the ascent to YOU.

They go from strength to strength

till they appear before GOD in Zion."

- Psalm 84:3. 4. 5-6. 8

(The home of GOD on earth!  What can this mean?  There can be no change in GOD.  HE cannot move into a new house.  No, the change is in human things!  GOD is everywhere already but consecrates certain places, where people can meet HIM and feel HIS presence more intimately.

There are people who visit the Temple; but do not enjoy the love of GOD, who dwells therein.  They do not experience a transformation of conduct because they placed their trust in the Temple of GOD, not in the GOD of the Temple.  This psalm can come with us, when we go on pilgrimages and religious festivals.)

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Time Of The Nations

 "'When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland.  If you are in Judea, flee to the mountains!  If you are in Jerusalem, leave!  If you are outside the city, don't enter it!

For these will be the days of its punishment, and all that was announced in the Scriptures will be fulfilled.  How hard will it be for pregnant women, and for mothers with babies at the breast!  For a great calamity will come upon the land, and wrath upon this people.  They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans, until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.

Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, perplexed when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves.  People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken.  Then, at that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

So, when you see things begin to happen, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.'" - Luke 21:20-28 

(For a great calamity will come upon the land.  Luke foretells the destruction of the Jewish nation more clearly than Matthew and Mark do.

Until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.  Luke divides history into two ages.  One corresponds to the Old Testament: that was the time when Sacred History was almost the same as the history of Israel.  Then, after JESUS, came the time of the nations.  The destruction of the Jewish nation and the dispersal of its people inaugurated a new era, which would be mostly the history of the evangelization and education of the nations by the Church.  We could call that period the times of the New Testament, which will end with the great crisis concluding human history.)

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The Tent Of Divine Declarations

 "Then, the Sanctuary of the Tent of Divine Declarations was opened, and the seven angels, bringing the seven plagues, came out of the Sanctuary, clothed in pure and bright linen, with their waists girded with golden belts.  One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden cups, full of the wrath of GOD, who lives for ever and ever.  Then, the Sanctuary was filled with smoke that wraps GOD's glory and power, so that no one could enter, until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed." - Revelation 15:5-8 

(Here we return to the awaited fall of Rome to see its religious meaning in a more developed form.  The seven bowls combine images from the plagues of Egypt and various prophetic texts.

The Tent of Divine Declarations reminds us of the Tent [called: tent of meeting] that was Israel's Sanctuary in the desert.)

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Signs Before The Destruction Of Jerusalem

 "While some people were talking about the temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, JESUS said to them, 'The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down.  And they asked HIM, 'Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?'

JESUS said, 'Take care not to be deceived, for many will come in MY name, saying, 'I am he; the time is near at hand!'  Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and troubled times, don't be frightened; for all these things must happen first, even though the end is not so soon.' 

And JESUS said, 'Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen. - Luke 21:5-11

 (In this discourse the Gospel uses the style of apocalyptic books.  In this kind of literature signs announced great events.  Hence the question of those closest to JESUS: "What will be the sign of YOUR coming at the end of time?")

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The Widow's Mite

 "JESUS looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury of the temple.  HE also saw a poor widow, who dropped in two small coins.  And HE said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them.  For all of them gave an offering from their plenty; but she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on.'" - Luke 21:1-4 

(The poor widow was the only one from among so many worshipers who made retribution to GOD as HE deserves.  She was the personification of those uncountable poor, who have practically nothing but somehow find a way to give part of the little they have.  The humble person is capable of sacrificing part of his paid time to study or participate in common activities in order to help his companions.  The small salary he loses is worth much more than the big salary that wealthy people are not willing to lose.  GOD calls on the poor before anybody else, because only the poor give all that they have to live on.)

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David Is Anointed King Over Israel

 "All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'We are your bone and flesh.  In the past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel.  And YAHWEH said to you, 'You shall be the shepherd of MY people and you shall be commander over Israel.'  Before YAHWEH, king David made an agreement with the elders of Israel who came to him at Hebron, and they anointed him king of Israel." - 2 Samuel 5:1-3 

(This is a great day for David and for Israel.  Those from the north acknowledge him as king, and the unity of all Israel is achieved.  The tribes in the north were separated from those in the south by the district of Jerusalem, which was in the hands of the Canaanites.  David conquers Jerusalem which becomes the capital of this united kingdom.

 It is a definitive stage.  GOD turns Jerusalem into the visible center of HIS presence among people.)

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Appeal For Victory And Peace

 "Blessed be YAHWEH, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle--my loving GOD, my fortress; my protector and deliverer, my shield; where I take refuge; who conquers nations and subjects them to my rule.

I will sing a new song to YOU, O GOD; I will make music on the ten-stringed harp, for YOU, who give victory to kings and deliver David, YOUR servant.

- Psalm 144:1. 2. 9-10

(Our LORD, the son of man, shared our weakness, shared our struggle; but in doing so, HE showed us that GOD's strength shows itself most clearly in our weakness, bringing us joy and salvation.)

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The Voice Is Sweet, But The Task Is Difficult

 "And the voice I had heard from heaven, spoke again, saying to me, 'Go near the angel who stands on the sea and, on the land, and take the small book open in his hand.'  So, I approached the angel and asked him for the small book; he said to me, 'Take it and eat; although it be sweet as honey in your mouth, it will be bitter to your stomach.'

I took the small book from the hand of the angel. and ate it.  It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, it turned bitter in my stomach.  Then, I was told, 'You must, again, proclaim GOD's words, about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.'" - Revelation 10:8-11 

(John must eat the book, expression that we already found in Ezekiel [2:8-3:4].  It is both sweet and sour: the voice is sweet, but the task is difficult.  Thus, we understand that the history of Israel, imaged by the book of the seven seals [5:1], was not all of sacred history but only its first part, the Old Testament.)

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Evil And Sin In Our World Are An Affront To Our CREATOR

 "Alleluia!

Sing to YAHWEH a new song,

sing HIS praise in the assembly of HIS saints.

Let Israel rejoice in his Maker;

let the people of Zion glory in their King!

Let them dance in praise of HIS name;

and make music for HIM with harp and timbrel.

For YAHWEH delights in HIS people;

HE crowns the lowly with victory.

The saints will exult in triumph;

even at night, on their couches,

let the praise of GOD be on their lips;

and in their hands, two-edged swords;

to execute on them, the written sentence:

this is the glory of all HIS saints.  Alleluia!"

- Psalm 149:1-6. 9

(We join in the song of victory, the triumph of GOD, the crushing of the serpent's head; for we have our part in the victorious struggle, wearing the armor of GOD, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit.

Evil and sin in our world are an affront to our Creator; the pain of the humble is the pain of the LORD.  We pray with this psalm, in union with all those who are hungry and thirsty for justice.  They are blessed.)

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The Last Word Of Everything, Created And Redeemed, Is This: 'Alleluia'

 "Alleluia!

Praise GOD in HIS Sanctuary;

praise HIM, in the vault of heaven.

Praise HIM, for HIS mighty deeds;

praise HIM, for HIS own greatness.

Praise HIM with trumpet blast;

praise HIM with lyre and harp.

Praise HIM, with dance and tambourines;

praise HIM with pipe and strings.

Praise HIM with clashing cymbals;

praise HIM with clanging cymbals.

Let everything that breathes, sing praise to YAHWEH.

Alleluia!"

- Psalm 150:1-6

(The psalms have shown us prayers of petition, lament, instruction, warning and exhortation: but above all and in all, they are praises of GOD.  This praise will absorb, more and more, our being, absorb every being, in a final diapason.

The last word of everything, created and redeemed, is this: 'Alleluia!'  We have entered into eternal celebration, into eternal joy.  This psalm refers us to Revelation 19:1-10, and to the triumphal songs in heaven.  Our community, our people, anticipates the heavenly 'Alleluia' when they sing the praise of GOD on this earth.)

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House Of The Living Dead

 "Write this, to the angel of the church in Sardis, 'Thus says HE, who holds the seven spirits of GOD and the seven stars:

I know your worth: you think you live, but you are dead.  Wake up and strengthen that which is not already dead.  For I have found your works to be imperfect in the sight of MY GOD.  Remember what you were taught; keep it and change your ways.  If you do not repent, I will come upon you, like a thief, at an hour you least expect.

Yet, there are some left in Sardis who have not soiled their robes; these will come with ME, dressed in white, since they deserve it.  The victor will be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life; instead, I will acknowledge it before MY FATHER and HIS angels." - Revelation 3:1-6 

(This is a brief message to a dying church.  The universal Church has been promised a share in CHRIST's victory [see Psalm 2]; he will receive the Morning Star, that is to say, CHRIST HIMSELF [see Revelation 22:16].

To be dressed in white means inner life: being clothed with CHRIST [see Ephesians 4:24].  Throughout the Book of Revelation, white means joy, strength, victory and eternal glory.)

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Two Ways Of Living

 "Blessed is the man

who does not go where the wicked gather,

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit where the scoffers sit!

Instead, he finds delight in the law of YAHWEH

and medidates day and night

on HIS commandments.

He is like a tree beside a brook

producing its fruit in due season, 

its leaves never withering.

Everything he does is a success.

But it is different with the wicked.

They are like chaff

driven away by the wind.

For YAHWEH knows the way of the righteous

but cuts off the way of the wicked."

- Psalm 1:1-2. 3. 4. 6

(This is no proclamation of one's own virtue or of vice, but we are at every moment making for one or the other.  It is salutary to remind ourselves what the end of each road is.  It is better still to remember that we have a powerful companion along the virtuous road, but along the wicked one, we are alone.)

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Orchestra Of Praise To GOD, King Of The World

 "... with melody of the lyre and with music of the harp.

With trumpet blast and sound of the horn, rejoice before the King, YAHWEH!

Let the sea resound and everything in it, the world and all its people.

Let rivers clap their hands, hills and mountains sing with joy before YAHWEH, for HE comes to rule the earth.  HE will judge the world with justice, and the peoples, with fairness."

- Psalm 98:5-9

(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.)

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Pray And Never Lose Heart

 "JESUS told them a parable, to show them that they should pray continually, and not lose heart.  HE said, 'In a certain town there was a judge, who neither feared GOD nor people.  In the same town there was a widow, who kept coming to him, saying, 'Defend my rights against my adversary!'  For a time, he refused, but finally he thought, 'Even though I neither fear GOD nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much, I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out.'

And JESUS said, 'Listen to what the evil judge says.  Will GOD not do justice for HIS chosen ones, who cry to HIM day and night, even if HE delays in answering them?  I tell you; HE will speedily do them justice.  But, when the Son of Man comes, will HE find faith on earth?'" - Luke 18:1-8 

(If there is a just GOD, why does HE not do justice?  [Psalm 44:24; Hebrews 1; Zechariah 1:12; Revelation 6:10].  JESUS answers: Do you desire and ask for the justice of GOD with enough faith?  HE will undoubtedly do justice, but you will have to wait.

A judge who neither feared GOD nor people: many people upon seeing what is unjust and absurd in life, view GOD this way.  If we pray with perseverance, we will gradually discover that things are not as they seem, and we will come to recognize the face of the GOD who loves us in what happens.

Who cry to HIM day and night.  JESUS, who so insists on our responsibility to the world, is the one who also urges us to call on GOD day and night.  Why are people so readily divided [or why do we divide them] into prayers and doers?

Will HE find faith on earth?  JESUS confirms an opinion already found among the Jews of HIS days.  In the last days before Judgment, the power of evil will be so great that in many love will grow cold [Matthew 24:12].

In fact, with the first coming of JESUS, the Old Testament ended in seeming failure; few had believed in HIM and, later, most were influenced by the confusion, the false saviors and the violence which precipitated the fall of the nation forty years after the death of JESUS.)

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The Fundamental Law For Christians: Love

 "I rejoiced greatly on meeting some of your children, who live in accordance with the truth, according to the command we have received from the FATHER.  And now, I ask you, Lady--I write to you, not a new commandment, but that which we had, from the beginning--I ask you: let us love one another.

This is love: to walk according to HIS commandments.  And this is the commandment: that you walk in love, as you have learned from the beginning.

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not acknowledge that JESUS is the CHRIST, who came in the flesh.  They are impostors and antichrists.  Take care of yourselves, that you do not lose the fruit of your labors but receive a perfect reward.  Everyone who goes beyond, and does not remain within the teaching of CHRIST, does not have GOD.  The one who remains in the teaching, has both the FATHER and the Son." -  2 John 4-9 

(John invites the people to have a steadfast and emphatic attitude toward those who do not accept the faith of the apostles.  At the same time, he reminds them of the fundamental law for Christians: love.

To remain zealously faithful to the Truth is to love CHRIST who entrusted this truth to us.  We need the whole truth and not only what is most pleasing to people today.)

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The Coming Of The Kingdom Of GOD

 "The Pharisees asked JESUS when the kingdom of GOD was to come.  HE answered, 'The kingdom of GOD is not like something you can observe, and say of it, 'Look, here it is!' or 'See, there it is!' for the kingdom of GOD is within you.'

And JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'The time is at hand, when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.  Then people will tell you, 'Look there!  Look here!'  Do not go with them, do not follow them.  As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man; but first HE must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation." -  Luke 17:20-25 

(When will the kingdom of GOD come?  It does not come as a revolution or the change of the seasons each year: it is at work in people who have received the Good News.  Those who believe already enjoy the kingdom.)

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Do You Not Know That You Are GOD's Temple?

 "Do you not know that you are GOD's temple, and that GOD's Spirit abides within you?  If anyone destroys the temple of GOD, GOD will destroy him.  GOD's temple is holy, and you are this temple." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 

(CHRIST is the New Temple that takes the place of the temple of the Jews [John 2:19 and Mark 15:38].  The Temple of GOD is CHRIST because in HIM abides all the divine Mystery.  The Temple of GOD is likewise the Church because in her the Holy Spirit is working.  The Temple of GOD is also each home and each believer [see 6:19] because the Spirit lives in each one of them.)

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Live As Responsible Persons

"Let your words strengthen sound doctrine.  Tell the older men to be sober, serious, wise, sound in faith, love and perseverance.

The older women, in like manner, must behave as befits holy women, not given to gossiping or drinking wine, but as good counselors, able to teach younger women to love their husbands and children, to be judicious and chaste, to take care of their households, to be kind, and submissive to their husbands, lest our faith be attacked.

Encourage the young men, to be self-controlled.  Set them an example by your own way of doing.  Let your teaching be earnest and sincere, and your preaching, beyond reproach.  Then, your opponents will feel ashamed and will have nothing to criticize.

For the grace of GOD has appeared, bringing salvation to all, teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life, and worldly greed, and to live in this world, as responsible persons, upright and serving GOD, while we await our blessed hope--the glorious manifestation of our great GOD and Savior CHRIST JESUS.  HE gave HIMSELF for us, to redeem us from every evil, and to purify a people HE wanted to be HIS own and dedicated to what is good." - Titus 2:1-8. 11-14 

(Here, there is a reminder of the duties of the faithful according to their situation in life.  In the society of the time, far simpler than ours, all was reduced to slaves or the free, men or women, young or old.  In our age, it would be necessary to ask people to look more closely at their responsibilities in life.

There is insistence on our duty to bear fruit: the following paragraph will say that if CHRIST has sacrificed HIMSELF for us, such a sacrifice must not remain fruitless.

The grace of GOD has appeared, bringing salvation to all.  Here Paul returns to the essence of the Christian message: it is a gift of GOD and so it must produce the fruit of goodness and reconciliation and draw people away from the self-centeredness which paralyzes them.

HE gave HIMSELF for us.  As in Ephesians 5:25 and 1 Corinthians 11:25, JESUS' sacrifice is primarily to purify those who become HIS people.  In fact, it is by looking at JESUS that, little by little, we let go of what is evil and violent in us.

Teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life.  GOD brings us to purify our motives and our hearts.

- Responsible, because the practice of Christian living brings us to a more serious attitude.

- Just with others by being primarily just with GOD.

- Serving GOD: this means first of all being sincere with GOD.)

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On The Elders Of The Church

 "From Paul, servant of GOD, apostle of CHRIST JESUS, at the service of GOD's chosen people, so that they may believe, and reach the knowledge of truth and godliness.

The eternal life we are waiting for was promised from the very beginning, by GOD, who never lies, and as the appointed time had come, HE made it known, through the message entrusted to me by a command of GOD, our Savior.

Greetings to you, Titus, my true son in the faith we share.  May grace and peace be with you from GOD the FATHER and CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

I left you in Crete because I wanted you to put right, what was defective, and appoint elders in every town, following my instructions.  They must be blameless, married only once, whose children are believers, and not open to the charge of being immoral and rebellious.  Since the overseer [or bishop] is the steward of GOD's House, he must be beyond reproach: not proud, hot-headed, over-fond of wine, quarrelsome, or greedy for gain.

On the contrary, he must be hospitable, a lover of what is good, wise, upright, devout and self-controlled.  He must hold to the message of faith, just as it was taught, so that, in his turn, he may teach sound doctrine, and refute those who oppose it." - Titus 1:1-9 

(Titus had to organize the churches of Crete with leaders in every city.

We do not know if the title overseer [in Greek, episcopos, from which comes bishop] was given to all these elders or presbyters, or if the title was reserved for those with executive duties.  After a while, there was only one bishop in charge of the entire community.  After the apostles' death, bishops served as their representatives and ruled the Church with the same authority.

What Paul says here about the requirements for a presbyter or bishop is the same as what we have in 1 Timothy.  We may note the following:

- Married only once.  Obviously, it is not necessary to be married, but as men of a certain age, usually married, were the ones who were consecrated, Paul is here considering the frequent case of Christians who had been divorced and remarried several times while they were still pagans.

- He must be blameless, not he alone but his family as well.  His fitness to preside is essential to his vocation, and he will not be accepted by the community if his background gives an unfavorable witness.

- He must be hospitable.  The Church is communion more than organization.  Everyone must be welcomed and feel at home in the house of the presbyter or the bishop.  He must also welcome the brothers and elders from other districts in order to assure unity and communion among different communities.  The human balance in this bishop is then part of his vocation: he cannot be a man of uneven character whose interventions could wound, whose authority ignores the elementary rules of social contact and respect of persons: although known for their faith, Church leaders are often reproached for not knowing how to act in a human way.)

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Martyrdom Of The Seven Brothers

 "It happened also that seven brothers were arrested with their mother.  The king had them scourged and flogged to force them to eat the flesh of a pig which was prohibited by the law.

One of them, speaking on behalf of all, said, 'What do you want to find out from us?  We are prepared to die right now rather than break the law of our ancestors.'

At the moment of his last breath, he said, 'Murderer, you now dismiss us from life, but the king of the world will raise us up.  HE will give us eternal life since we die for HIS laws.'

After this, they punished the third.  He stuck his tongue out when asked to, bravely stretched forth his hands, and even had the courage to say: 'I have received these limbs from GOD, but for love of HIS laws I now consider them as nothing.  For I hope to recover them from GOD.'  The king and his court were touched by the courage of this young man, so unconcerned about his own sufferings.

When this one was dead, they subjected the fourth to the same torture.  At the point of death, he cried out, 'I would rather die at the hands of mortals and wait for the promises of GOD who will raise us up; you, however, shall have no part in the resurrection of life.'" - 2 Maccabees 7:1-2. 9-14 

(In relating the martyrdom of these seven brothers, whose names are unknown, the author places on their lips a declaration of their faith in immortality.  This is the most valuable message of the book.

In the previous centuries, GOD's promises were for the people as a whole.  The believer only hoped for the life and prosperity of his race.

Here, we have a giant step in the faith: the resurrection of individuals.  It is not only the hope for survival of the spirit, or the soul: the believer thinks he will be raised as a person to meet GOD.  In Ezekiel 37, in the vision of the dry bones, GOD was promising to raise HIS people who had died.  Here, every person hopes to rise, body and soul, to share the happiness that GOD promised and will give on the final day.

If martyrs are not raised, how would GOD achieve justice?)

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Paul's Thankfulness

 "I rejoice in the LORD because of your concern for me.  You were indeed concerned for me before, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I do not say this because of being in want; I have learned to manage with what I have.  I know what is to be in want and what it is to have plenty.  I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little.  I can do all things in HIM who strengthens me.

However, you did right in sharing my trials.  You, Philippians, remember that, in the beginning, when we first preached the gospel, after I left Macedonia, you, alone, opened for me a debit and credit account, and when I was in Thessalonica, twice you sent me what I needed.

It is not your gift that I value, but rather, the interest increasing in your own account.  Now, I have enough, and more than enough, with everything Epaphroditus brought me, on your behalf, and which I received as 'fragrant offerings pleasing to GOD.'  GOD, HIMSELF, will provide you with everything you need, according to HIS riches, and show you HIS generosity in CHRIST JESUS." - Philippians 4:10-19 

(Paul thanks the Church of Philippi for their help.  He, who is so jealous of his independence and anxious not to seem to take advantage of others under the pretext of religion, accepts what his real friends give him.)

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The Crafty Steward

 "At another time JESUS told HIS disciples, 'There was a rich man, whose steward was reported to him because of fraudulent service.  He summoned the steward and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you?  I want you to render an account of your service, for it is about to be terminated.'

The steward thought to himself, 'What am I to do now?  My master will surely dismiss me.  I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I will do: I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be people who will welcome me into their homes.'

So, he called his master's debtors, one by one.  He asked the first debtor, 'How much do you owe my master?'  The reply was, 'A hundred jars of oil.'  The steward said, 'Here is your bill.  Sit down quickly and write fifty.'  To the second debtor he put the same question, 'How much do you owe?  The answer was, 'A hundred measures of wheat.'  Then the steward said, 'Take your bill and write eighty.'

The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness: for the people of this world are more astute, in dealing with their own kind, than are the people of light." - Luke 16:1-8 

(JESUS is not concerned about condemning the improper actions of the administrator, but rather points out his cleverness in providing for his future: this man was able to discover in time that friends last longer than money.  In the same way, in promoting a new way of living, the people of light must strip money of its halo as Supreme Good.  It seems that putting money in a safe place is the best way to assure our existence and our future.  On the contrary, JESUS tells us to use it and to exchange it without hesitation for something much more valuable such as bonds of mutual appreciation.)

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The Black Sheep

 "Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of JESUS, all of them eager to hear what HE had to say.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law frowned at this, muttering, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'  So, JESUS told them this parable.

Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and seek the lost one till he finds it?  And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders?  Then he will call his friends and neighbors together, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found my lost sheep!'  I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner, than over ninety-nine decent people, who do not need to repent." - Luke 15:1-7 

(Why do the Pharisees complain?  Because they are scrupulously concerned about ritual purity.  In this perspective--present in the Old Testament--in a relationship between two people, the one who is unclean will contaminate the other.  Since "sinners" by definition never think of purifying themselves of the hundred and one impurities of daily life, JESUS could then be considered a teacher ready to become impure at any moment.  So it is that JESUS will speak of GOD's mercy that has not swept away sinners from HIS presence.  

Then again, is not there something more human in the indignation of "good" people let everyone see the difference between the rest and us!  Once more JESUS battles against the old idea of merits that have been gained and therefore worthy of GOD's reward.

Happy the one sheep JESUS went after, leaving the ninety-nine!  Poor righteous ones who do not need GOD's forgiveness!

In large cities today, the church seems to be left with only one sheep.  Why does she not get out, namely, let go of her income, privileges or devotions of a commercial style, to go out looking for the ninety-nine who got lost?  To leave the comfortable circle of believers who have no problems, to look beyond our renewed rituals, and to be ready to be criticized just as JESUS was criticized, is the challenge today.)

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If GOD Is With Us, Who Shall Be Against Us?

 "What shall we say after this?  If GOD is with us, who shall be against us?  If HE did not spare HIS own Son, but gave HIM up for us all, how will HE not give us all things with HIM?  Who shall accuse those chosen by GOD: HE takes away their guilt.  Who will dare to condemn them?  CHRIST, who died, and better still, rose, and is seated at the right hand of GOD, interceding for us?

Who shall separate us from the love of CHRIST?  Will it be trials, or anguish, persecution or hunger, lack of clothing, or dangers or sword? 

No, in all of this, we are more than conquerors, thanks to HIM, who has loved us.  I am certain, that neither death nor life, neither angels nor spiritual powers, neither the present nor the future, nor cosmic powers, were they from heaven, or from the deep world below, nor any creature whatsoever, will separate us from the love of GOD, which we have, in JESUS CHRIST, our LORD." - Romans 8:31-35. 37-39 

(Who shall be against us?  Paul is thinking of the evil surrounding us that frequently drags us down.  He is thinking of the Day of Judgment when the accuser, the Spirit of Evil, could face us with the faults we have committed.  He thinks of our troubled conscience that often brings us remorse.  None of these will be stronger than the love and forgiveness of CHRIST.  The believer should not be alarmed at his repeated faults or doubt the love of GOD but try to live according to the truth.)

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We Are GOD's Children And We Must Live As Such

 "See what singular love the FATHER has for us: we are called children of GOD, and we really are.  This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know HIM.

Beloved, we are GOD's children, and what we shall has not, yet, been shown.  Yet, when HE appears in HIS glory, we know, that we shall be like HIM, for, then, we shall see HIM as HE is.  All who have such a hope, try to be pure, as HE is pure." - 1 John 3:1-3

(We are GOD's children, and we must live as such.  How do we prove that we are GOD's children?  According to the same criteria that we have already seen: breaking away from sin, keeping the commandment of love, proclaiming our faith.  There are many ways of saying we are GOD's children.  One person might simply think: "GOD loves people" means that human beings have great dignity.  Here John calls our attention to two points:

- you are sons and daughters, but in order to become like GOD, do not seek anything else but to be perfect as GOD is perfect.

- you are children who will return to the FATHER.  Do you really think about the unique and transcendent end for which GOD has chosen you?  Being aware of this, let us understand that GOD purifies us in a thousand ways, because only in this way can we attain our goal.

We shall be like HIM: sharing all that GOD is and somehow becoming GOD with GOD [see 1 Corinthians 13:13].  Those who now bear their lives of suffering with CHRIST will be transfigured like HIM [Mark 9:2-3; Colossians 3:4].  Then the universe will reach its goal, having the children of GOD as its center [Romans 8:19] or better, the New Creature.)

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