The Kind Of Fast That Pleases ME

"Cry out aloud for all you are worth;

raise your voice like a trumpet blast;

tell MY people of their offenses,

Jacob's family of their sins.

Is it true that they seek ME

day after day, longing to know MY ways,

as a people that does what is right

and has not forsaken the word of its GOD?

They want to know the just laws

and not to drift away from their GOD.

'Why are we fasting,' they complain,

'and YOU do not even see it?

We are doing penance, and YOU never notice it.'

Look, on your fast days you push your trade

and you oppress your laborers.

Yes, you fast but end up quarreling,

striking each other with wicked blows.

Fasting as you do

will not make your voice heard on high.

Is that the kind of fast that pleases ME,

just a day for a man to humble himself?

Is fasting merely bowing down one's head,

and making use of sackcloth and ashes?

Would you call that fasting

a day acceptable to YAHWEH?

See the fast that pleases ME:

breaking the fetters of injustice

and unfastening the thongs of the yoke,

setting the oppressed free

and breaking every yoke.

Fast by sharing your food with the hungry,

bring to your house the homeless,

clothe the man you see naked

and do not turn away from your own kin.

Then will your light break forth as the dawn

and your healing come in a flash.

Your righteousness will be your vanguard,

the Glory of YAHWEH your rearguard.

Then you will call, and YAHWEH will answer,

you will cry and HE will say, I AM here."
- Isaiah 58:1-9

(Is it true that they seek ME... as a people that does what is right?  In spite of having a clear conscience, they are concerned because of GOD's silence.  They may have committed some sin without knowing it?  Perhaps GOD likes to see humiliated people ask for favors?  So, they lie in sackcloth and ashes.  They resemble many Christians who are satisfied with being "practicing" Christians without understanding that the kind of practice that GOD seeks is to give peace to all HIS people.

Why are we fasting and YOU do not even see it.  The people of Judah fast so that GOD will hear their petitions.  These could be public prayers to ask for rain.

Is it perhaps only a matter of bowing the head?  GOD neither wants the death of the sinner nor the humiliation of HIS creature.  GOD loves people, but HE loves them all and not only the little landowners of Judah fearful for their crops; HE also loves the laborers and the slaves of these little landholders.  GOD's demands are clear: do away with unjust chains and share with the rest.

Unfastening the thongs of the yoke.  Here we have a glimpse of the tremendous effort demanded of all in order to do away with every form of slavery: from the small privileges that working companions compete for, to the laws that keep entire groups marginated.  It includes breaking the yoke of husbands' domination over their wives and the disputes between neighbors when no one dares to take the first step.

It is not enough to be converted to GOD "from the heart," for conversion comes about by changing both persons and structures.  These make us share in the injustices and sins of the society in which we live.  An incredible number of sins - corruption, prostitution, violence - are linked to colonialism and the economic and cultural dependence that go with it.

Sharing your food with the hungry: and that on a world scale for humankind is one, the only Adam of whom CHRIST is the head.

Your light will break forth as the dawn.  We see the leaders of the nations come together, discuss and study in order to solve the urgent problems of humanity.  No light breaks forth.  It is a known fact that the research of a scientist does not bring him directly to great discoveries.  Rather, he often finds the solution suddenly where he did not expect it.  In the same way, human problems resist theoretical solutions, but unexpected ways will be found when every nation and every segment of society willingly shares and no longer oppresses others.)   

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Let Me Seek Not So Much To Be Consoled As To Console, To Be Understood As To Understand, To Be Loved As To Love.

"And HE added, 'The Son of Man must suffer many things.  HE will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the law and be put to death.  Then after three days HE will be raised to life.'

JESUS also said to all the people, 'If you wish to be a follower of MINE, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow ME!  For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for MY sake, you will save it.  What does it profit you to gain the whole world, if you destroy or damage yourself?'" - Luke 9:22-25 

(Why did JESUS ask HIS apostles the questions we have just read?  The Gospel answers clearly: because the time had come for JESUS to announce HIS passion to them.  JESUS had not only come to teach people but to open for them the door leading to the Resurrection.  Since HIS apostles now know HIM to be the Savior promised to Israel, they must learn that there is no salvation if death is not conquered [1 Corinthians 15:25].  JESUS will obtain this victory when HE freely chooses the way of the cross: the Son of Man has to suffer much and be rejected by the authorities.

Immediately after that, JESUS adds that we must all share in HIS victory over death: You must deny yourself: this is the fundamental orientation of our life.  We must choose between serving and being served, sacrificing ourselves for others or taking advantage of them.  Or, as a well-known prayer puts it: Let me seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.

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Doing Good For GOD Alone

"Be careful not to make a show of your good deeds before people.  If you do so, you do not gain anything from your FATHER in heaven.  When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be noticed in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be praised by people.  I assure you; they have their reward.

If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret.  Your FATHER, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

When you pray, do not be like those who want to be noticed.  They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners, in order to be seen by everyone.  When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your FATHER who is with you in secret; and your FATHER who sees what is kept secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:1-6  

(After the six opposites ["but I say to you"], Matthew gives us three examples of another secret without which we shall not see GOD: work for HIM alone without wanting anyone to know, and in such a way that we ourselves will have immediately forgotten what we have done.

Those who make a show.  The expression appears three times with reference to good deeds, prayer and fasting.  JESUS uses a word often translated as "being hypocrites," which refers in a general way to those who make a show, or who are shallow, and make fun of the things of GOD.

It is perhaps difficult not to want to be seen by others, but it is far more difficult to do good without looking at oneself and being satisfied because: "I am good."  It is, nevertheless, the way of enabling us to enter into the secrets of GOD.)

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The Reward For Those Who Follow JESUS

"Peter spoke up and said, 'We have given up everything to follow YOU.  JESUS answered, 'Truly, there is no one who has left house, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands, for MY sake, and for the gospel, who will not receive his reward.  I say to you: even in the midst of persecution, he will receive a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present time; and, in the world to come, eternal life.  Do pay attention: many who now are the first will be last, and the last, first.'" - Mark 10:28-31  

(There is no one who has left house... These words of JESUS that we find again in Mathew 19:29 and Luke 18:29 have been given here a notable addition: with persecution.  Once the Gospel had been preached the Church began to suffer persecution: From the year 34, then again in 41 and 62 in Jerusalem, in 64 in Rome with the great persecution ordered by the emperor Nero.  During these persecutions Christians experienced the bonds that united them, often stronger than family relationships.  Hunted, obliged to hide, they found hundreds of brothers and sisters ready with houses to give them refuge.  JESUS does not only speak of reward in the next life.  Already in this world, in the midst of persecution, those who sacrifice themselves for the kingdom will find friendship, joy an human fulfillment far greater than anything they could have hoped for.)

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JESUS And The Rich Man

"Just as JESUS was setting out on HIS journey again, a man ran up, knelt before HIM and asked, 'Good Master, what must I do to have eternal life?'

JESUS answered, 'Why do you call ME good?  No one is good but GOD alone.  You know the commandments: Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not cheat; honor your father and your mother.'  The man replied, 'I have obeyed all these commandments since my childhood.'

Then JESUS looked steadily at him and loved him; and HE said, 'For you, one thing is lacking.  Go, sell what you have, and give the money to the poor; and you will have riches in heaven.  Then, come, and follow ME.'  On hearing these words, his face fell, and he went away sorrowful, for he was a man of great wealth." - Mark 10:17-22 

(He who comes to JESUS is a young man, according to Matthew [19:16].  Luke calls him an important man [18:18].

With deliberation JESUS asks him: Why do you call ME good?  As if JESUS is saying: "Do you not see that you are thirsty for GOD and that you will find HIM if you live with ME?"  

This man asks JESUS the way that leads to eternal life; but JESUS does not have any new commandment to teach.  In the Old Testament everything had already been said about what a person should do to win eternal life: by observing the commandments of justice and compassion.  Now JESUS proposes to him a new way and a new experience of liberty, through becoming HIS follower and imitator.

Sell what you have.  Happiness does not consist in leaving all one has, but in being free of it all in order to submit oneself to CHRIST.)

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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  

(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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JESUS Speaks About Divorce

"Some Pharisees approached HIM.  They wanted to test HIM and asked, 'Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?'

JESUS replied, 'Have you not read, that, in the beginning, the Creator made them male and female?  And the Creator said: Therefore, a man shall leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body.  So, they are no longer two, but one body.  Let no one separate what GOD has joined.'

They asked HIM, 'Then why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?'  JESUS replied, 'Moses knew the hardness of your hearts, so he allowed you to divorce your wives; but it was not so in the beginning.  Therefore, I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be of immorality, and married another, commits adultery.'

The disciples said, 'If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry.'  JESUS said to them, 'Not everybody can accept what you have just said, but only those who have received this gift.  There are eunuchs born so, from their mother's womb.  Some have been made that way by others.  But there are some who have given up the possibility of marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.  Let the one who can accept it, accept it.'" - Matthew 19:3-12

(Every human society has had its laws on marriage, and it was the same for Israel.  There was then a law on divorce, in harmony with the difference of status accorded by society to man and woman; it was in Scripture [Deuteronomy 24:1].  JESUS does not want to be involved in the discussions of teachers and interpreters of the law: HE opposes this law with another word of Scripture which presents GOD's point of view regarding human attitudes which HE tolerates.

In doing this JESUS shows how HE brings the Law to "perfection" [5:17], but clearly this "Law of GOD" can only be heard by those who have received the Spirit from JESUS, a fact that is emphasized in the reaction of the disciples.

Better not to marry.  JESUS does not apologize for these demanding words.  HE only proposes something more difficult to understand.  HE praises those to whom have been given to choose celibacy as a way of life for love of the kingdom.

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Do Not Rely On Wealth

"Do not rely on your wealth.  Do not say, 'I am self-sufficient.'  Do not let yourself be carried away by greed and violence; they would make you their slave.

Do not say, 'Who can stop me?'  For the LORD has power to punish you.  Do not say, 'I have sinned and nothing has happened!'  For the LORD bides HIS time.

Do not be so sure of pardon when you are heaping sin upon sin.  Do not say, 'HIS compassion is great!  HE will forgive the vast number of my sins!'  For with HIM mercy but also anger; HIS fury will be poured out on sinners.

Do not delay your return to the LORD, do not put it off from day to day.  For suddenly the anger of the LORD will blaze forth and you will perish on the day of reckoning.

Do not rely on riches wrongfully acquired for they will be of no use to you on the day of wrath." - Sirach 5:1-8  

(At times, some Christians take advantage of GOD's infinite mercy to continue with their evil behavior.)

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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.

In addition, a missionary sense is often completely absent: too many Catholics are not ready to leave their own practices and little groups, with the end result that the Church is seemingly absent in a great number of places, especially in the urban masses and among immigrants.

With that how can we condemn those who by their missionary action allow a great number of people to meet JESUS CHRIST in fervent and welcoming communities, even if everything there is not authentic?

In saying this we do not forget the many riches of Christian tradition which have often been lost by those who left the Church, especially the certitude that everything human must be redeemed and saved, and the joyful and humble way of believing and doing the will of the FATHER of which Mary is the finest symbol.

Several things seem to us out of place in these churches: the miracle used as an instrument of propaganda, the pressures on the sick, the threatening with punishments from GOD...  Many enclose themselves in their cults, far from the "world," making ecumenism impossible, that is the dialogue and common seeking with other Christians.

There is, however, no room for envy or hatred: who can harm us if we do the work of GOD?)

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Fear GOD In Time Of Trials

"My son, if you have decided to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.  Keep your heart upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity.

Hold fast to the LORD, do not separate yourself from HIM so that you may be successful to the end of your days.  Accept all that happens to you, be patient when you are humbled, for as gold is tested in the fire, so those acceptable to GOD are tested in the crucible of humiliation.  Have confidence in HIM and HE will take care of you; follow the right path and hope in HIM.

You who fear the LORD, wait for HIS mercy and do not turn away lest you fall.  You who fear the LORD, trust in HIM and you will not lose your reward.  You who fear the LORD, hope for all good things; hope for eternal joy and mercy.

Remember what happened to your ancestors.  Who has ever trusted in the LORD and been confounded?  Who has persevered in fear of the LORD and been abandoned?  Who has called upon HIM and not been heard?

For the LORD is compassion and loving-kindness; HE forgives our sins and saves us in time of distress." - Sirach 2:1-11  

(Those who want to serve GOD must be ready to face trials and contradictions.  Authentic trust in GOD is demonstrated when things do not turn out well.  along with faith and perseverance, trust is the basic quality of the believer.)

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Wisdom Comes From GOD

"All wisdom comes from the LORD and endures with HIM forever.

The grains of sand, the drops of rain and the days of eternity, who can count them?

The height of heaven, the extent of the earth and the depths of the abyss, who can measure them?

Wisdom was created before all things and the prudent intellect before the beginning of time.

To whom was the source of Wisdom revealed?  Who has known her secret designs?

One alone is wise and greatly to be feared.  The One who is seated upon HIS throne.

The LORD HIMSELF created Wisdom.  HE looked on her and knew her value.  HE poured her out over all HIS works, upon all mortal beings, in accordance with HIS goodness.  HE lavished her on those who love HIM." - Sirach 1:1-10 

(In this poem, the author professes his faith.  To those who think they are more modern because they seek human wisdom and doctrine, he simply declares that true wisdom consists in trusting GOD and fearing HIM.)

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Do Not Oppose Evil With Evil

"You have heard, that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other.  If someone sues you in the court for your shirt, give him your coat as well.  If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him.  Give when asked, and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you." - Matthew 5:38-42  

(An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  We read this in the Scriptures because in the world of that time it was a wholesome maxim [Deuteronomy 19:18-21].  It claimed to put a limit to the thirst for vengeance and reminded judges and the community itself of the duty to defend its members against those who abuse the weak.

Do not oppose evil with evil.  JESUS asks us to approach an adversary in the same way as this adversary may be approaching us: who is the wicked one?

Offer the other cheek: be the first to be free of the web of violence.  As in judo, surprise the other by making the very move he was not expecting: he may then see that he was mistaken.  JESUS has no doubt that this renunciation of violence and of our own interests obliges the FATHER to intervene and come to our aid.  Do not forget that JESUS wants us to "see GOD" at work in our lives.

If someone forces you to go one mile.  JESUS speaks to farmers who are humiliated and oppressed by foreign armies.  Many times, they are obliged to carry the burden of the soldiers.  Their usual reaction is resigned submission concealing hatred and desire for revenge.  Would they be capable of responding to such a counsel?  It is certain that had they practiced it, they might have saved their nation from destruction.)  

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Peter's Faith; JESUS' Promises

"After that, JESUS came to Caesarea Philippi.  HE asked HIS disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'  They said, 'For some of them, YOU are John the Baptist; for others Elijah, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.'

JESUS asked them, 'But you, who do you say I AM?'  Peter answered, 'YOU are the Messiah, the Son of the living GOD.'  JESUS replied, 'It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but MY FATHER in heaven.

And now I say to you: You are Peter; and on this Rock I will build MY Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.'" - Matthew 16:13-19 

(One parable of the kingdom of GOD already foretold the Church [Matthew 13:31-33].  This present text openly refers to the Church:

- it tells us what its foundation is: faith in JESUS, the CHRIST and Son of GOD;

- it focuses on the primacy of Peter among all the apostles;

- it suggests that the Church will always need a visible head.  This is the successor of Peter, the pope.)

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Take Up Your Cross

“Then JESUS said to HIS disciples, ‘If you want to follow ME, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow ME.  For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for MY sake will find it’.” – Matthew 16:24-25 

(Whoever chooses to save his life will lose it. – JESUS draws attention to the great option of every human life:  we cannot discover GOD; we cannot make a success of life without sacrificing it.  All the rest is idle talk.  The option terrifies us in the same measure that life for us seems promising.  It is also the reason why marriage and family frighten many.)

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CHRIST -- The Son Of Man

"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 At 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 had 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 new 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.

Do not return to the village.  If so, all the people would go looking for JESUS to see HIM and touch HIM and clamor for a miracle.  JESUS came instead for an authentic encounter with people.)

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Beware Of The Yeast Of The Pharisees

"The disciples had forgotten to bring more bread, and had only one loaf with them in the boat.  Then JESUS warned them, 'Keep your eyes open, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.'  And they said to one another, 'HE saw that we have no bread.'

Aware of this, JESUS asked them, 'Why are you talking about the loaves you are short of?  Do you not see or understand?  Are your minds closed?  Have you eyes that don't see and ears that don't hear?  And do you not remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand?  How many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?'  They answered, 'Twelve.'  And having distributed seven loaves to the four thousand, how many wicker baskets of leftovers did you collect?'  They answered, 'Seven.'  Then JESUS said to them, 'Do you still not understand?'" - Mark 8:14-21  

(JESUS tells HIS apostles to beware of the Pharisee's spirit [of becoming like the Pharisees] but they do not listen, being more concerned about the food.

JESUS says: Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, meaning their teaching [Matthew 16:12].  The Pharisees saw JESUS as a popular worker-wonder who threatened their authority as a religious and popular leader of the people.  Since the disciples had forgotten to bring more bread, they missed JESUS' point about the leaven of the Pharisees.  JESUS fears that HIS disciples, because of being common people, would let themselves be impressed by the knowledge and fame of the Pharisees, and HE warns them that these people build religion on the wrong basis.

JESUS agreed with the Pharisees on the general way of understanding the Scriptures, but not the spirit of many among them.  As "master" HE chose a way opposed to theirs.  Instead of a teaching that comes from above HE became part of a natural group of quite simple people and formed them through action.  HE made them reflect on what they saw, on what they did, and above all on what GOD was doing among them as they worked with HIM.)

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Why Do They Demand A Sign?

"The Pharisees came and started to argue with JESUS.  Hoping to embarrass HIM, they asked for some heavenly sign.  Then HIS spirit was moved.  HE gave a deep sigh and said, 'Why do the people of this present time ask for a sign?  Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this people.'  Then HE left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side of the lake." - Mark 8:11-13 

(The Pharisees do not see the fruits of JESUS' teaching.  They do not see the thousands of anonymous disciples who are rediscovering hope who are gradually transformed.  They do not see that GOD had visited the poor.  JESUS is going to clash more and more with this powerful group, the most respected in Jewish society and a question comes to our mind: if JESUS came today, wouldn't HE shock many people who think they are the pillars of the Church?

In fact, the reproach that JESUS addresses to the Pharisees is often found in those who turn to respected religious institutions.  First, we start with a desire for moral perfection that is unconsciously linked to our need to be acknowledged by society.  We are aware of our own responsibility.  This is a good thing, and it was at the heart of Phariseism.  This may be a starting point.  But as time goes by, we fail to realize that we have become more attached to our own virtues than to GOD: love would have steeped us in humility.

Fully convinced of their own merits [their "righteousness," Luke 18:9], the Pharisees seek a type of sanctity based on rules, alms and services and in return for their merits, they expect GOD to treat them in a special way.  We are a long way from grace and from the Gospel since we can only encounter GOD if we accept our weaknesses and GOD's forgiveness.  Then, we truly and humbly love GOD, and we feel we are the brothers and sisters of the poorest and of sinners.

Our belonging to a real or alleged elite brings us to cultivate our own image, therefore appearances, as we are more removed from the world of "sinners" and ordinary people [as if by chance, Pharisee means separated].  This more "select" milieu offers a chance to every ambition and from then on, as JESUS says, hypocrisy rules.)  

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Blessings And Woes

"Coming down the hill with them, JESUS stood on a level place.  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, 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 this 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 these 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.)

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Second Miracle Of The Loaves

"Soon afterward, JESUS was in the midst of another large crowd, that obviously had nothing to eat. So HE called HIS disciples and said to them, 'I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with ME for three days and now have nothing to eat.  If I send them to their homes hungry, they will faint on the way; some of them have come a long way.'

HIS disciples replied. 'Where, in a deserted place like this, could we get enough bread to feed these people?'  HE asked them, 'How many loaves have you?'  And they answered, 'Seven.'

Then HE ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.  Taking the seven loaves and giving thanks, HE broke them and handed them to HIS disciples to distribute.  And they distributed them among the people.  They also had some small fish.  So, JESUS said a blessing and asked that these be shared as well.

The people ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over seven baskets full.  Now those who had eaten were about four thousand in number.  JESUS sent them away, and immediately got into the boat with HIS disciples, and went to the region of Dalmanutha." - Mark 8:1-10  

(This second account of the multiplication of the loaves is not a repetition of the first account.  It is obvious that oral transmission of these two events leads to shape them according to the same pattern, but they have different meaning.

The first time, between Tiberias and Capernaum [that is right at the center of JESUS' work in Galilee] the people, more numerous and more urgent, approach JESUS to make HIM their liberator [John 6].  JESUS refuses, but later that afternoon HE multiplies the loaves--a clear sign that HE is the Messiah foretold by the prophets.  The next day JESUS, in HIS turn, demands that they take HIM for what HE is, and this produces the rejection [John 6:60].

Later JESUS journeys to the boundaries of Galilee, where most of the population are pagans.  They also want to hear JESUS.  There, on the other side of the shore, the eastern part, JESUS offers them bread as a farewell meal after they followed HIM for two days through the desert land.

The two accounts of the multiplication of loaves differ in several points like the number of loaves and the number of participants.  The baskets for example, mentioned in Mark 6:43 refer to the stiff osier basket of the Jews, and in 8:8 to the wicker basket or the Greek's folding bag.

The number 12 records the twelve tribes of Israel and the Twelve apostles, while the number 7 records the "seven pagan nations" which occupied Canaan and the seven deacons of the early Church. 

These differences underline the will of Mark to take into account the real situation of the Church at the time he wrote: having been born in Jewish milieu, it was developing among Greek nations.  This is why, for the first multiplication the evangelists say, "JESUS pronounced a blessing", and in the second, "JESUS gave thanks".  Because the first was the word used for Eucharist among Jewish Christian communities, and the latter was used in Greek speaking churches.  This duality is stressed in Matthew 16:5 and still more in Mark 8:9.

The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves [or the two multiplications of loaves] holds on important place in the synoptic Gospels because it points out JESUS as the Messiah.)

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Healing A Deaf And Dumb Man

"Again, JESUS set out: from the country of Tyre HE passed through Sidon and, skirting the sea of Galilee, HE came to the territory of Decapolis.  There, a deaf man, who also had difficulty in speaking, was brought to HIM.  They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him. 

JESUS took him apart from the crowd, put HIS fingers into the man's ears, and touched his tongue with spittle.  Then, looking up to heaven, HE said with a deep sigh, 'Ephphata!' that is, 'Be opened!'

And immediately, his ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak clearly.  JESUS ordered them not to tell anyone about it; but the more HE insisted, the more they proclaimed it.  The people were completely astonished and said, 'HE has done all things well; HE makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.'" - Mark 7:31-37 

(They asked JESUS to lay HIS hand upon him.  This was a way of invoking divine power, but JESUS did not have to ask.  By HIS gesture HE showed that HE had within HIMSELF, within HIS human person, all the health and welfare that we need, and HE communicated this to the sick one.

JESUS groaned.  Why?  Because the man before HIM is an impressive symbol of those who have eyes and ears but neither see nor hear.  The people bring HIM the deaf-mute, and ask HIM to heal him, but they themselves remain deaf.

JESUS ordered them not to tell anyone.  How far JESUS is from the organizers of a "Miracle Crusade"!  An unexpected miracle may help us discover the loving presence of GOD, but as soon as we begin to wait for them, we turn away from the Gospel.  The Devil knows this and so tempted JESUS in the desert [Matthew 4:6]: See the warnings of Deuteronomy to people anxious to see miracles [Deuteronomy 13].  Faith leans on the word of GOD, not on miracles [John 4:48].)

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The Two Of Them Became One Flesh

"YAHWEH GOD said, 'It is not good for Man to be alone; I will give him a helper who will be like him.'  Then YAHWEH GOD formed from the earth all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air and brought them to Man to see what he would call them; and whatever Man called every living creature, that was its name.

So, Man gave names to all the cattle, the birds of the air and to every beast of the field.  But he did not find among them a helper like himself.  Then YAHWEH GOD caused a deep sleep to come over Man and he fell asleep.  HE took one of his ribs and filled its place with flesh.  The rib which YAHWEH GOD had taken from Man HE formed into a woman and brought her to the man.  The man then said, 'Now this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.  She shall be called woman because she was taken from man.'  That is why man leaves his father and mother and is attached to his wife, and with her becomes one flesh.  Both the man and his wife were naked and were not ashamed." - Genesis 2:18-25  

(They become one flesh:  in Hebrew it means that they form one single being.  This union of the couple is part of their mission.  It is not a provisional agreement to enjoy each other, but the union of a family in which GOD's work is accomplished.  Therefore, the family will be fruitful and the two will give back to the large human family the treasure of humanity which they received from it.

We cannot reread this phrase without recalling the way it will be taken up in the Gospel [Matthew 19:15].  JESUS words on marriage are among HIS least understood words.

Yet the will of GOD was clear in this ancient text: the years of common life, the efforts to listen to each other, to understand and make decisions together, the capacity to forgive and persevere in fidelity, the shared risk in giving birth and educating a family: those are the means which, little by little, transform the man and the woman, enabling them to gain maturity and a sense of their responsibility.  And it is precisely that which GOD wishes to find in them at the end of their life when HE will be all for all.

They were naked and were not ashamed.  In Hebraic culture, nakedness leaves us defenseless.  Thus here, we should understand that the man and the woman accept each other as they are without taking advantage of their respective weaknesses.)

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Clean And Unclean

"JESUS then called the people to HIM again and said to them, 'Listen to ME, all of you, and try to understand.  Nothing that enters a person from the outside can make that person unclean.  It is what comes from within that makes a person unclean.  Let everyone who has ears listen.'

When JESUS got home and was away from the crowd, HIS disciples asked HIM about this saying, and HE replied, 'So even you are dull?  Do you not see that whatever comes from outside cannot make a person unclean, since it enters not the heart but the stomach, and is finally passed out?'

Thus, JESUS declared that all foods are clean.

And HE went on, 'What comes out of a person is what defiles him, for evil designs come out of the heart: theft, murder, adultery, jealousy, greed, maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly.  All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.'" - Mark 7:14-23   

(An important practice of Judaism was to keep oneself clean: one could not participate in worship without being in a state of ritual purity.  This word "purity" did not have the same meaning we give it today.  The clean person was one who was not contaminated even inadvertently by things prohibited by law.  For example, pork and rabbit were considered unclean; they could not be eaten.  A menstruating woman or a person with hemorrhoids were considered unclean for a certain number of days: no one could even touch them.  A leper was considered unclean until cured.  If a bug fell in oil, the oil was considered unclean and would have to be thrown away.

If contaminated even by no fault of his own, the person had to purify himself, usually with water, sometimes paying for sacrifices.

At one time, these laws were useful in encouraging a hygienic lifestyle.  They also protected the faith of the Jews who lived among people who did not know GOD.  How could they guard their faith in the one GOD if they were to live with other nations, befriend them, and even imitate their ways?  With so many religious practices to observe, the Jews had to live apart from those who did not share their faith and lifestyle.

It is true that Scriptures, teaches these concepts of purity and impurity, but these laws were written many centuries ago and not everything Scripture says is valid for all times.  Through the teachings of the Scriptures GOD educated HIS nation, but the laws HE gave them from the beginning, when they were barbaric and uneducated, are no longer necessary for a community which has a solid religious foundation.

It is quite legitimate for Christians to adopt a vegetarian way of life, that Christian communities consider abstinence from alcohol and tobacco as a witness to help addicts.  But let us not say that this is part of our faith nor let us judge those who do not agree with us.  That would otherwise undermine the transcendence of Christian salvation that goes beyond any question of "eating and drinking" [Romans 14:17].)

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True Cleanness

"One day, the Pharisees gathered around JESUS, and with them were some teachers of the law who had just come from Jerusalem.

They noticed that some of HIS disciples were eating their meal with unclean hands, that is, without washing them.  Now the Pharisees, and in fact all the Jews, never eat without washing their hands, for they follow the tradition received from their ancestors.  Nor do they eat anything, when they come from the market, without first washing themselves.  And there are many other traditions they observe; for example, the ritual washing of cups, pots and plates.

So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law asked HIM, 'Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders, but eat with unclean hands?'

JESUS answered, 'You shallow people!  How well Isaiah prophesied of you when he wrote: This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.  The worship they offer me is worthless, for what they teach are only human rules.  You even put aside the commandment of GOD to hold fast to human tradition.'

And JESUS commented, 'You have a fine way of disregarding the commandments of GOD in order to enforce your own traditions!  For example, Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and: Whoever curses his father or his mother is to be put to death.  But according to you, someone could say to his father or mother, 'I already declared Corban (which means "offered to GOD") what you could have expected from me.'  In this case, you no longer require him to do anything for his father or mother; and so you nullify the word of GOD through the tradition you have handed on.  And you do many other things like that." - Mark 7:1-13  

(No group, not even the Church, can sustain itself without traditions and customs.  Yet even when they are good traditions, they are still made by humans.  For example, the way the mass is celebrated, celebrations, novenas, etc.  All that past popes, bishops, and Christian communities have done can be changed; we understand that they are not essential.

What does not change is GOD's teaching.  Where can it be found?  In the Scriptures and in JESUS' teachings.  Yet there is a way of understanding JESUS as the apostles did.  This is called the Tradition of the Apostles, and the Church, founded by the apostles, guards this Tradition, that is, their spirit.  Let us not confuse the traditions of Catholics with the Tradition of the Church.

We often make little effort to enter into the spirit and Tradition of the Church, however, clinging instead to antiquated and mediocre traditions.  Why are so many Christians today scandalized when the Church frees itself from these antiquated rites?  JESUS gives us the reason: they cling to these rites because they are incapable of believing.  External religion replaces the authentic faith they do not possess.  They hang onto these things because these are all they have, and if they lost that, GOD no longer has any meaning for them.)

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GOD's Boundless Care For HIS Creation

 "Praise YAHWEH, my soul!

Clothed in majesty and splendor;

O YAHWEH, my GOD, how great YOU are!

YOU are wrapped in light as with a garment;

YOU stretch out the heavens like a tent, ...

YOU set the earth on its foundations,

and never will it be shaken.

YOU covered it with the ocean like a garment,

and waters spread over the mountains.

YOU make springs gush forth in valleys,

winding among mountains and hills, ...

Birds build their nests close by,

and sing among the branches of trees.

How varied O YAHWEH, are YOUR works!

In wisdom YOU have made them all--

the earth, full of YOUR creatures.

May sinners vanish from the earth,

and may the wicked be no more.

Praise YAHWEH, my soul!"

- Psalm 104:1-2. 5-6. 10. 12. 24. 35

(Religion is not strictly an affair between GOD and our souls.  We are part of the world which GOD also made and loves.  The creation was described in the first chapter of Genesis in brief phrases.  Here, the same account is painted in loving detail.  The psalmist speaks of the world, as he saw it; we can think also of the world as we know it--a much more complex world than the psalmist knew--but with the same delight and awe.)

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You Will Catch People

"One day, as JESUS stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, with a crowd gathered around HIM listening to the word of GOD, HE caught sight of two boats, left at the water's edge by fishermen, now washing their nets.  HE got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked HIM to pull out a little from the shore.  There HE sat and continued to teach the crowd.

When HE had finished speaking, HE said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.'  Simon replied, 'Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.  But if you say so, I will lower the nets.'  This they did and caught such large number of fish that their nets began to break.  They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them.  They came, and they filled both boats almost to the point of sinking.

Upon seeing this, Simon Peter fell at JESUS' knees, saying, 'Leave me, LORD, for I am a sinful man!'  For he ands his companions amazed at the catch they had made, and so were Simon's partners, James and John, Zebedee's sons.

JESUS said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid.  You will catch people from now on.'  So, they brought their boats to land and followed HIM, leaving everything." - Luke 5:1-11  

(JESUS invites HIMSELF aboard Peter's boat, and Peter is willing to render HIM this service.  JESUS looks for more: even though many are ready to assist HIM, HE seeks those who are willing to totally surrender to HIS work.  The listeners are many, but HE needs apostles.

Miracles are another way in which JESUS teaches.  The miracle reported here is GOD's word for future apostles.  Lower your nets; the nets were at the breaking point; you will catch people...

Leave me, LORD, for I am a sinful man.  Such is the fear of the one who discovers that GOD has entered into his inner life: this is a first act of faith in the divinity of JESUS.  Yet JESUS calls on sinners to save sinners.

Leaving everything, they followed HIM.  It is not that they had much, but it was their whole life: work, family and their whole past as fishermen.

Apostle means sent.  CHRIST is the one who chooses HIS apostles and sends them in HIS name.  Where will HE find someone to send except among those who are willing to cooperate with HIM?  One begins to be an apostle or at least to cooperate with CHRIST, when one looks for something more than performing good works for the benefit of the parish, when one feels responsible for people: fisher of people.

Here Luke may have combined two different events: the call of the disciples briefly presented in Mark 1:16 and the miraculous catch.  John also relates a miraculous catch [John 21] but he places it after the resurrection.  We have good reason to think we are dealing with the same miracle, but it suited John to combine it with the appearance of the risen JESUS to the apostles, which occurred later in the same place.)

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