The Prince Of Peace

"From the stump of Jesse, a shoot will come forth;

from his roots a branch will grow and bear fruit.

The spirit of the Lord will rest upon him -

a Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

a Spirit of counsel and power,

a Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Not by appearances will he judge,

nor by what is said must he decide,

but with justice he will judge the poor

and with righteousness decide for the meek.

Like a rod, his word will strike the oppressor,

and the breath of his lips slay the wicked

Justice will be the girdle of his waist,

truth the girdle of his loins.

The wolf will dwell with the lamb,

the leopard will rest beside the kid,

the calf and the lion cub will feed together

and a little child will lead them.

Befriending each other, the cow and the bear

will see their young ones lie down together.

Like cattle, the lion will eat hay.

By the cobra's den the infant will play.

The child will put his hand into the viper's lair.

No one will harm or destroy over my holy mountain,

for as water fills the sea

the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.

On that day the 'Root of Jesse' will be raised as a signal for the nations.  The people will come in search of him, thus making his dwelling place glorious." - Isaiah 11:1-10 

(Those who have read the New Testament know that the Jews of JESUS' time were expecting a Messiah.  This, however, was not always the case.  From Abraham to David, the Israelites were looking for the land promised by GOD and they conquered it.  After David, they thought that a better king could not be found and, during the two and a half centuries that followed, they hoped only that their present and future kings would resemble David.  The very promise that GOD made to David about his descendants was not understood as the announcement of a future Messiah.

Isaiah was the first to announce the Messiah, namely, a king like David but better.  Here HE is presented as a shoot coming from the stump, once the tree has been felled.  Thus, he suggests that the present kings, who are sinners and without much faith, will disappear.  More than a descendant of David, Emmanuel will be a new David [HE is called son of Jesse like David].

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on HIM as it did on the prophets and more so.  The prophets were inspired by a mysterious power called 'Spirit of GOD,' but not at all times.  In HIM, the Spirit would dwell always:

      - a spirit of wisdom and intelligence, as Solomon had;

      - a spirit of prudence and strength, like David's;

      - a spirit of knowledge and respect for the LORD, as Moses and the Patriarchs had.

The renewal of GOD's people will be manifested in nature:  the lion will eat hay.  To put this in modern terms:  thanks to technology and a greater cooperation between people, nature's hostile forces will be placed at the service of humankind.

Beginning with Isaiah, the prophets will see the Messiah, or the future king anointed by GOD, as a man of the Spirit.  When the Spirit of GOD is conferred on believers through the sacrament of confirmation, the Church recalls the Spirit of wisdom, intelligence, strength, etc.)  

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The Coming Prosperity

"O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.  When you cry, HE will listen; when HE hears, HE will answer. 

When the LORD has given you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, HE, your teacher will hide no longer.  Your own eyes will see HIM, and your ear will listen to HIS words behind you:  'This is the way, walk in it.' 

HE will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant from the crops you grow.  On that day your cattle will graze in wide pastures. Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with pitchfork and shovel. 

For on the day of the great slaughter, when fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and lofty hill. 

The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven days, when YAHWEH binds up the wounds of HIS people and heals the bruises inflicted by HIS blows." - Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 

(GOD loves us and teaches us.  This poem speaks of all the marvels to be discovered when meeting GOD through tears.

You will see the uncleanliness of your idols.  People have become aware that they were serving false gods.  Idolatry does not only mean keeping carved gods, but more trusting people, serving institutions and envying the things that these images represent.)

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Triumphant Trust In GOD

 "YAHWEH is my light and my salvation

--whom shall I fear?

YAHWEH is the rampart of my life;

I will not be afraid.

Hear my voice when I call, O YAHWEH,

have mercy on me and answer.

My heart says to YOU,

'I seek YOUR face, O YAHWEH.'

Do not hide YOUR face from me

nor turn away YOUR servant in anger.

YOU are my protector, do not reject me;

abandon me not, O GOD my savior!

I hope I am sure,

that I will see the goodness of YAHWEH

in the land of the living.

Trust in YAHWEH, be strong and courageous

yes, put your hope in YAHWEH!"

- Psalm 27:1. 7-8. 8-9. 13-14

(The anonymous voice of the last verse proposes and ratifies courage rather than fear; hope rather than discouragement.  This is true too for the Christian; before danger, there is a word of encouragement, for instance in John 16:33 and Matthew 14:26.  Here is a beautiful prayer to cultivate the absolute trust of the believer in GOD.)

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Wise And Foolish Builders

"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 

(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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Second Miracle Of The Loaves

"From there JESUS went to the shore of Lake Galilee, and then went up into the hills where HE sat down.  Great crowds came to HIM, bringing the dumb, the blind, the lame, the crippled, and many with other infirmities.  The people carried them to the feet of JESUS, and HE healed them.  All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking, the crippled healed and the blind able to see; so they glorified the GOD of Israel.

JESUS called HIS disciples and said to them, 'I AM filled with compassion for these people; they have already followed ME for three days and now have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away fasting, or they may faint on the way.'  HIS disciples said to HIM, 'And where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a crowd?'  JESUS said to them, 'How many loaves do you have?'  They answered, 'Seven, and a few small fish.'

So JESUS ordered the people to sit on the ground.  Then HE took the seven loaves and the small fish and gave thanks to GOD.  HE broke them and gave them to HIS disciples, who distributed them to the people.

They all ate and were satisfied, and the leftover broken pieces filled seven wicker baskets. - Matthew 15:29-37 

(On two occasions JESUS multiplied bread.  It is one of HIS miracles that most impresses us.

The word "miracle" is often devalued.  The Bible uses different words to denote what clearly appears as an act of GOD: sign, wonder, work of power.  Miracle in its full meaning is all that at the same time: a sign by which GOD makes us discover HIS will or the invisible order of the world, a wonder that disconcerts our limited vision, a work which GOD alone is capable of doing.

The multiplication of loaves is the kind of miracle which most shocks our contemporaries and their absolute faith in the "laws of nature" that GOD HIMSELF would not have the power to surpass, or which HE could not ignore without contradicting HIMSELF.  Many do not openly deny the testimony of the apostles, but they avoid taking any stand and say for example: "The miracle is still more beautiful if we imagine that JESUS merely invited the people to share their individual snacks, so that finally there was enough for everyone: a miracle of solidarity!"

Here the Gospel is not praising solidarity: it wishes rather to celebrate the absolute freedom of GOD and of CHRIST: nature itself must be silent, because here the dead are raised to life.  For a Christian, creation is not a huge machine that GOD has passed on to people as HE abdicated; it is a reflection of GOD where the laws - shadows of the wisdom, the order and the justice that are in GOD - never exclude HIS freedom.

Throughout all Christian history the LORD has multiplied and continues to multiply bread, items of food and even canned food for those who have given everything or risked all for HIM: many are able to witness to this.)

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The Prince Of Peace

"From the stump of Jesse, a shoot will come forth;

from his roots a branch will grow and bear fruit.

The spirit of the Lord will rest upon him -

a Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

a Spirit of counsel and power,

a Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Not by appearances will he judge,

nor by what is said must he decide,

but with justice he will judge the poor

and with righteousness decide for the meek.

Like a rod, his word will strike the oppressor,

and the breath of his lips slay the wicked

Justice will be the girdle of his waist,

truth the girdle of his loins.

The wolf will dwell with the lamb,

the leopard will rest beside the kid,

the calf and the lion cub will feed together

and a little child will lead them.

Befriending each other, the cow and the bear

will see their young ones lie down together.

Like cattle, the lion will eat hay.

By the cobra's den the infant will play.

The child will put his hand into the viper's lair.

No one will harm or destroy over my holy mountain,

for as water fills the sea

the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.

On that day the 'Root of Jesse' will be raised as a signal for the nations.  The people will come in search of him, thus making his dwelling place glorious." - Isaiah 11:1-10

(Those who have read the New Testament know that the Jews of JESUS' time were expecting a Messiah.  This, however, was not always the case.  From Abraham to David, the Israelites were looking for the land promised by GOD and they conquered it.  After David, they thought that a better king could not be found and, during the two and a half centuries that followed, they hoped only that their present and future kings would resemble David.  The very promise that GOD made to David about his descendants was not understood as the announcement of a future Messiah.

Isaiah was the first to announce the Messiah, namely, a king like David but better.  Here HE is presented as a shoot coming from the stump, once the tree has been felled.  Thus, he suggests that the present kings, who are sinners and without much faith, will disappear.  More than a descendant of David, Emmanuel will be a new David [HE is called son of Jesse like David].

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on HIM as it did on the prophets and more so.  The prophets were inspired by a mysterious power called 'Spirit of GOD,' but not at all times.  In HIM, the Spirit would dwell always:

      - a spirit of wisdom and intelligence, as Solomon had;

      - a spirit of prudence and strength, like David's;

      - a spirit of knowledge and respect for the LORD, as Moses and the Patriarchs had.

The renewal of GOD's people will be manifested in nature:  the lion will eat hay.  To put this in modern terms:  thanks to technology and a greater cooperation between people, nature's hostile forces will be placed at the service of humankind.

Beginning with Isaiah, the prophets will see the Messiah, or the future king anointed by GOD, as a man of the Spirit.  When the Spirit of GOD is conferred on believers through the sacrament of confirmation, the Church recalls the Spirit of wisdom, intelligence, strength, etc.)  

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The Faith Of The Centurion

"When JESUS entered Capernaum, an army captain approached HIM to ask HIS help, 'Sir, my servant lies sick at home.  He is paralyzed and suffers terribly.'  JESUS said to him, 'I will come and heal him.'

The captain answered, 'I am not worthy to have you under my roof.  Just give an order and my boy will be healed.  For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers.  And if I say to one:  'Go,' he goes, and if I say to another:  'Come,' he comes, and to my servant:  'Do this,' he does it.' 

When JESUS heard this, HE was astonished and said to those who were following HIM, 'I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel.  I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; ..." - Matthew 8:5-11  

(This captain of a foreign army earned the esteem of the Jews.  The amazing thing was not that he should have contributed to the building of the synagogue, but rather that the Jews should have accepted it from him.  He must have been a good man.  He knew the Jews' prejudices too well to have dared to personally approach this JESUS share his compatriots' pride.  Would HE respond to the petition of a Roman official?  That was why he sent his Jewish friends to JESUS.

The man is really troubled:  will JESUS consent to go to a pagan's house and "become impure"?  The captain goes one step further:  JESUS does not have to come to his house.  While other sick people seek to be touched by the Master thinking that JESUS possesses some healing power, this man, has instead grasped that JESUS has the very power of GOD and does not need to go to the sick servant:  it would not be any more difficult to give a command from a distance to a life that was slipping away.) 

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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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Be On Your Guard!

"Be on your guard: let not your hearts be weighed down with a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you suddenly as a trap.  For it will come upon all the inhabitants of the whole earth.  But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.'" - Luke 21:34-36  

(Be on your guard.  After speaking about the imminent end of Jerusalem, Luke speaks of that day which will conclude human history with the coming of CHRIST, the Judge.

Be on your guard.  This invitation is not only addressed to those who will know that day, but it is for everyone, throughout the history of the Church.  Once more he invites us to watch and pray while the world is asleep [see Ephesians 6:18].

That you may be able to stand: to avoid errors and deceit [2 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:13] during the trials preceding CHRIST's coming.  The Our Father expresses the same concern.  Those who are expecting the coming of the Kingdom pray: do not put us to the test.

In fact, vigils and prayers serve not only to prevent possible falls.  When the believer and the Church are more awake, they cooperate more in the development of the divine plan and hasten the coming of the LORD.)

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Vision Of The Four Empires

"In the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind as he was sleeping.  When he woke up, he wrote down the dream.  This is how the narrative began:

Daniel said, 'I saw the following in my vision:  the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, and four great beasts, each one different from the other, came out of the sea.

The first was like a lion with eagle's wings.  As I looked at it, its wings were torn off.  It was lifted up from the ground, stood up on its feet like a man, and was given a human heart.  The second was a beast like a bear; it was raised up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth.  It was told:  Go and devour much flesh.  I went on looking and saw another beast like a leopard with four wings on its back; it had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

I continued seeing my visions of the night and saw a terrible fourth beast.  It was fearful and extraordinarily strong; it had great iron teeth; it ate, tore into pieces, and crushed underfoot whatever remained.  It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns.  I was looking at the horns, when another small horn sprang among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for the new.  It had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that insolent words." -Daniel 7:1:8 

(The four empires which dominated the Jewish nation until the time of the great persecution are symbolized by beasts.  The fourth beast is the Syrian empire and the horn that insults GOD, is King Antiochus Epiphanes.)

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From The Depths I Cry To YOU, O LORD!

"Out of the depths I cry to YOU, O LORD,

O LORD, hear my voice!

Let YOUR ears pay attention

to the voice of my supplication.

 

If you should mark our evil,

O LORD, who could stand?

But with YOU is forgiveness,

and for that YOU are revered.

 

I waited for the LORD, my soul waits,

and I put my hope in HIS word.

My soul expects the LORD

more than watchmen the dawn.

 

O Israel, hope in the LORD,

for with HIM is unfailing love

and with HIM full deliverance.

HE will deliver Israel

from all its sins."

[Psalm 130:1-8]

(A penitential psalm, but above all, a prayer of trust in GOD.



The prayer during a long expectation.  Years of a human life, generations perhaps in the life of a nation.  Have we already asked for twenty years?

 

I waited for the LORD, I put my hope in HIS word.  It was true for the Jews expecting national liberation, it is also valid for us:  have we received and are we enjoying all that GOD has promised us?

 All has been given us in hope.  As the watchman waits for the dawn, so the believer waits for a coming of CHRIST - the coming that she longs for.) 

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The Banquet Of Belshazzar

"King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his nobles; a thousand of them attended; and he drank wine with them.  Under the influence of wine, he ordered that the gold and silver vessels his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought in, so that he and his nobles, his wives and concubines might drink from them. The gold and silver vessels taken from GOD's temple were brought in; and the king and his nobles, his wives and concubines drank from them.  While they drank wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone.

Suddenly a man's fingers appeared opposite the lamp stand and wrote on the plastered wall of the king's palace.  Watching the hand as it wrote, the king turned pale.  So terrified was he that his knees knocked, and his legs gave way.

Daniel was brought in and questioned by the king, 'Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father brought from Judah?  I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods, that you have insight and extraordinary wisdom.

I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve problems.  If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple, wear a gold chain around your neck, and be appointed third in rank in my kingdom.'

You have defiled the LORD of heaven.  You had the vessels from HIS temple brought to you, and, together with your nobles, your wives and concubines, you drank wine from them.  You praised the idols made of silver and gold, of bronze, iron and stones, which neither see, nor hear, nor understand; but you never glorified GOD who has power over your life and all your fortunes.  So, he sent the hand that wrote the inscription which read MENE, TEKEL, PHARSIN.  And these words mean: MENE, GOD has numbered the days of your reign and put an end to it; TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; PHARSIN, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.'" - Daniel 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28  

(This story could be called: punishment for sacrilege.  These words indicate the destiny of those who make fun of GOD:

- there comes an end which they cannot postpone;

- the fact that they did not do anything worthwhile during their lives is made clear;

- they disappear and so do their works with them.

Scripture knows that GOD reveals HIMSELF not only in events that show HIS goodness, but also in other events that are obvious signs that there is a GOD doing justice.  Many times, those who mock GOD are struck with misfortunes which come as an answer to their insolence.

The author of these chapters is not too concerned about historical facts at the time during which these people were living.  Cyrus is the one who conquered Babylon where Belshazzar died.  He was followed by Darius.)

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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 then said, 'Take care not to be deceived, for many will come claiming MY title and saying:  'I am HE, the Messiah; the time is at hand.'  do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and troubled times, don't be frightened; for all this 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 

(When JESUS speaks of the destruction of the Temple, the apostles think of the end of time.  The answer of JESUS is clear; the tragedy that will end with the destruction of Jerusalem is near but that would not be the end of the world.

This discourse contains JESUS' warnings about the destruction of the Jewish nation that would occur 30 years later, but what HE said regarding these agents clarifies the meaning of the conflicts that occur at present in the whole world.)

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The Widow's Mite

"JESUS looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasure box; HE also saw a poor widow dropping in two small coins.  And HE said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them.  For all 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.  GOD calls on the poor before anybody else, because only the poor give all that they have to live on.)

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"You Will Be With ME Today In Paradise."

"The people stood by watching.  As for the rulers, they jeered at HIM, saying to one another, 'Let the man who saved others now save HIMSELF, for HE is the Messiah, the chosen one of GOD!'

The soldiers also mocked HIM and when they drew near to offer HIM bitter wine, they said, 'So YOU are the king of the Jews?  Free YOURSELF!'  For above HIM was an inscription which read, 'This is the King of the Jews.'

One of the criminals hanging with JESUS insulted HIM, 'So YOU are the Messiah?  Save YOURSELF and us as well!'  But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Have you no fear of GOD, you who received the same sentence as HE did?  For us it is just: this is payment for what we have done.  But this man has done nothing wrong.'  And he said, 'JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom.'  JESUS replied, 'Truly, you will be with ME today in paradise.'" - Luke 23:35-43  

(The leaders of the Jews have put JESUS where HE belongs, since HE decided to take our sins upon HIMSELF.  The two men look at the one who has come to share their destiny.

You will be with ME in paradise.  What is paradise?  We lack adequate words to express what lies beyond.  In JESUS' time, the Jews used to compare the Place of the Dead to a huge country divided up into regions separated by insurmountable barriers.  Hell was one of the regions, it was reserved for the wicked, from there no one could escape.  Another region was Paradise where the good people would be with the first ancestors of holy people, awaiting the moment of resurrection.

You will be with ME, says JESUS, that is with the Savior, who for a day and a half was in the peace and joy of GOD, before the resurrection.  This statement puts us at ease as to our own destiny at death, although we cannot know what will become of us before the Resurrection.  We will not be anesthetized, nor will we cease to exist, as some claim, but we will rather possess everything, being with JESUS who came to share death and HIS brothers' and sisters' rest [see Philippians 1:23 and Revelation 14:13].)

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Resurrection Of The Dead

"Then some Sadducees arrived.  These people claim that there is no resurrection, and they asked JESUS this question, 'Master, in the law Moses told us, 'if anyone dies leaving a wife but no children, his brother must take the wife, and any child born to them will be regarded as the child of the deceased.'  Now, there were seven brothers: the first married, but died without children.  The second married the woman, but also died childless.  And then the third married her, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children.  Last of all the woman died.  On the day of the resurrection, to which of them will the woman be a wife?  For all seven had her as a wife.'

And JESUS replied, 'Taking a husband or a wife is proper to people of this world, but for those who are considered worthy of the world to come, and of resurrection from the dead, there is no more marriage.  Besides, they cannot die, for they are like the angels.  They are sons and daughters of GOD, because they are born of the resurrection.

Yes, the dead will be raised, as Moses revealed at the burning bush, when he called the LORD the GOD of Abraham and the GOD of Isaac and the GOD of Jacob.  For GOD is GOD of the living, and not of the dead, for to HIM everyone is alive.'

Some teachers of the law then agreed with JESUS, 'Master, YOU have spoken well.'  They didn't dare ask HIM anything else.'" - Luke 20:27-40 

(Luke has his own expressions in speaking of the resurrection.  It is because in those countries of Greek culture [Luke wrote for them] many people believed in the immortality of the soul as something natural.  Luke clarified for them that the other life is not something natural; it is a gift of GOD for those who are considered worthy to enter it.

They too are sons and daughters of GOD.  Using a Hebrew expression, the text says: they too are sons of GOD [at that time the sons of GOD were the angels] because they are born of the resurrection.  This resurrection is not like coming back to the life we know, it is the work of the Holy Spirit, who transforms and sanctifies those HE resurrects.  Therefore, the resurrected are sons and daughters of GOD in a much more authentic way than those of this world: delivered from sin, they are reborn of GOD.

To HIM everyone is alive.  They started to become alive when GOD knew them and called them, and they will not disappear, since GOD called them from this world to bring them into HIS own.

Faith in the resurrection contrasts with the doctrine of transmigration that says that souls come back to life in a body and social condition that befits their merits.  The cycle will continue as long as purification has not been completed.  It is a powerful theory capable of enticing many people in the West.

It could be said that it is convenient and leads to irresponsibility since all could be settled.  Actually, however, this is not the case with the Hindus: their moral concern is often greater than ours, for they are keen to escape from these recurring beginnings.  The difference is elsewhere.  There are two conceptions of a human.  In one, the soul is imprisoned in a body, in the second GOD saves the indivisible person.  The body is not a clothing for the soul, which may pass from an old person to a newly born.

That is why Christian hope awaits a resurrection, that is to say, the possibility for each one to be reborn of GOD in GOD and express oneself fully in a "glorified body."

Scripture teaches us that this present life is our only opportunity.  Humans die only once and afterward are judged (Hebrews 9:27).) 

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MY House Shall Be A House Of Prayer

"Then JESUS entered the Temple area and began to drive out the merchants.  And HE said to them, 'GOD says in the Scriptures: My house shall be a house of prayer: but you have turned it into a den of robbers.'

JESUS was teaching every day in the Temple.  The chief priests and teachers of the Law wanted to kill HIM and the elders of the Jews as well, but they were unable to do anything, for all the people were listening to HIM and hanging on HIS words." - Luke 19:45-48 

(Nowadays, do we really consider that the structure [Church] is a holy place for us to commune with GOD, and not for anything else?)

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The True Worship

"But GOD says this to the wicked:

'What right have you to mouth MY laws,

or to talk about MY Covenant?

You hate MY commands

and cast MY words behind you.

You join a thief when you meet one;

you keep company with adulterers.

You have a mouth of evil

and a deceitful tongue.

You speak ill of your brother,

and slander your own mother's son.

Because I was silent while you did these things,

you thought I was like you.

But now I rebuke you

and make this charge against you.

Give this a thought, you, who forget GOD;

lest I tear you to pieces with no one to help you.

Those who give with thanks, offerings, honor ME;

but the one who walks blamelessly,

I will show him the salvation of GOD.'" 

- Psalm 50:16-23

(Lip service is not enough, nor is outward ritual observance.  The announcement is introduced with solemnity.  It uses a poetic devise called 'theophany,' in which, GOD appears as the LORD of nature.  HIS people offer sacrifices which GOD does not need.  With great candor, the psalmist presents GOD as condemning HIS own people for mistaking the outward ritual for the religion of the heart: honesty, purity, kindliness.  These are the true sacrifices of thanksgiving.  The lesson is applicable to us all.  The liturgy must have self-involvement as its purpose.  The offering we make is the offering of ourselves in union with the sacrifice of CHRIST.

GOD is coming to judge HIS people.  HE condemns those who replace the obedience of the heart, with offerings and material sacrifices, and those who recite the commandments, instead of practicing them.)

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The Ten Pounds

"JESUS was now near Jerusalem and the people with HIM thought that GOD's reign was about to appear.  So, as they were listening to HIM, JESUS went on to tell them a parable.  HE said, 'A man of noble birth went to a distant place to have himself appointed king of his own people, after which he would return.  Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds.  He said: 'Put this money to work until I get back.'  But his compatriots who disliked him sent a delegation after him with this message:  'We do not want this man to be our king.'

 He returned, however, appointed as king.  At once he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made.  The first came in and reported:  'Sir, your pound has earned ten more.'

The master replied:  'Well done, my good servant.  Since you have proved yourself capable in a small matter, I can trust you to take charge of ten cities.'  The second reported:  'Sir, your pound earned five more pounds.'  The master replied:  'Right, take charge of five cities.'

The third came in and said:  'Sir, here is your money which I hid for safekeeping.  I was afraid of you for you are an exacting person; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.' 

The master replied:  'You worthless servant, I will judge you by your own words.  So you knew I was an exacting person, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow!  Why, then, did you not put my money on loan so that when I got back I could collected it with interest?'

Then the master said to those standing by:  'Take from him that pound, and give it to the one with ten pounds.'  They objected:  'But, sir, he already has ten!' 

I tell you:  everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.  As for my enemies who did not want me to be king, bring them in and execute them right here in my presence'." - Luke 19:11-27  

(Galileans go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and JESUS goes with them.  HE knows that death awaits HIM:  they, nonetheless, are convinced that HE will be proclaimed king and liberator of Israel. 

In HIS parable, JESUS invites them to hold onto another hope.  HE will rule on his return from a far away land [His own death] at the end of history.  Meanwhile, HIS people are in charge of riches, which HE has given them and which they must multiply.  They should not wait in idleness for HIS return, since HIS enemies will take advantage of HIS absence to struggle against HIS influence.  JESUS' servants will participate in HIS triumph to the degree that they have worked.

The parable insists on GOD's justice:  everyone receives according to his merit.  Heavenly happiness is not something that can be distributed equally.  Everyone will know GOD and will share HIS riches to the degree that one has been able to love throughout life.  Every step we take by way of obedience, sacrifice and humility, develops our capacity to receive GOD and to be transformed by HIM.) 

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The Power Of JESUS

"JESUS entered Jericho and was passing through it.  A man named Zaccheus lived there.  He was a tax collector and a wealthy man.  He wanted to see what JESUS was like, but he was a short man and could not see him because of the crowd.  So, he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree.  From there he would be able to see JESUS, who was going to pass that way.  When JESUS came to the place, HE looked up and said to him, 'Zaccheus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.  So, Zaccheus climbed down and received HIM joyfully.

All the people who saw it began to grumble, and said, 'HE has gone as a guest to the house of a sinner.'  But Zaccheus spoke to JESUS, 'Half of what I own, LORD, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.'  Looking at him, JESUS said, 'Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham.  The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.'" - Luke 19:1-10 

  

(Everyone in Jericho was pointing a finger at Zaccheus: how could a man involved in dirty deals, [like he was] be converted?  What punishment would GOD send to him?  Instead of punishing him, GOD comes to his home.

JESUS shows that HE is guided by the Spirit when HE spots Zaccheus among so many people, and when HE understands at that very moment, that on that day HE has come to Jericho above all, to save a rich man.

Zaccheus knows that he is the object of envy and hatred.  He is not all bad: although his hands are dirty, he has not lost the sense of what is good, and he admires the prophet JESUS secretly.  GOD is able to save him because of his good desires.  The favor JESUS does to him compels him to manifest the human and good qualities hidden in him.

It is said that he received JESUS joyfully: a joy that shows the transformation that has taken place in him.  After that, he will have no trouble in rectifying his evil deeds.  The he will share and reestablish justice.

The people are indignant, and in that they imitate the Pharisees; they believe that JESUS should share their prejudice and even their resentment. JESUS is not a demagogue; the crowd's lack of understanding does not matter to HIM any more than that of the Pharisees.  Once again, JESUS shows HIS power, HE destroys evil by saving the sinner.)   

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The Blind Man Of Jericho

"When JESUS drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.  As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening and they told him that JESUS of Nazareth was going by.  Then he cried out, 'JESUS, Son of David, have mercy on me!  The people in front of him scolded him.  'Be quiet!' they said, but he cried out all the more, 'JESUS, Son of David, have mercy on me!'

JESUS stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, JESUS asked him, 'What do you want ME to do for you?'  And the man said, 'LORD, that I may see!'  JESUS said, 'Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.'  At once the blind man was able to see and he followed JESUS, giving praise to GOD.  And all the people who were there also praised GOD." - Luke 18:35-43  

(GOD is the one who moves us to ask something of HIM.  The blind man understands that if he lets this opportunity go by, there will not be another chance, which is why he shouts all the more while the rest try to silence him.

Son of David! was a way of designating the Messiah.)

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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.  Before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you; you will be delivered to the synagogues and put in prison, and for MY sake you will be brought before kings and governors.  This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

So, keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to say, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.  But even though, because of MY name, you will be hated by everyone, not a hair of your head will perish.  By your patient endurance you will save your souls. - Luke 21:5-19 

(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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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 was a widow who kept coming to him, saying:  'Defend my rights against my opponent.  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 explained, '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.  Yet, 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?  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 absurd 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 loves 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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Against Those Who Worship Images

"The natural helplessness of humans is seen in their ignorance of GOD.  The experience of good things did not lead them to the knowledge of HIM who IS.  They were interested in HIS works, but they did not recognize the author of them.

Fire, wind, air, the sphere of the stars, rushing water and the lights in the sky were held as the rulers of the world.

If, charmed by such beauty, they took them for gods, let them know how far superior is their sovereign.  And if they were impressed by their power and activity, let them understand from this how much mightier is HE who formed them.  For the grandeur and beauty of creatures lead us to ponder on their Author, greater and more magnificent.

No doubt these people are not to be blamed severely, for possibly they strayed though they searched for GOD and desired to find HIM.  They pondered over the created things that surrounded them and were captivated by the sight of such beauty.

Even so they are not to be excused, for if they were able to explore the world, why did they not discover first the world's Sovereign?" - Wisdom 13:1-9

 

(Materialists ignore GOD.  The proud believe they can achieve everything on their own.  They use things as their own, without giving them a deeper meaning and without seeing them as gifts from GOD.

Simple and humble people see the hand of GOD in everything.  The water, the wind, the mountains remind them of the Perfect Being who created them; even more do the riches they discover in their loved ones.  Human intelligence is meant to discover GOD who fills everything and is the end of everything.  Paul will say something very similar in Romans 1:19.)

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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.

Then come the words of JESUS concerning the end of Jerusalem and HIS second coming [Mark 13:14].  We should not speak about the end of the world in every time of anxiety.  JESUS gives us two comparisons: the lightning which is seen everywhere and the vultures [verse 37] which gather without fail wherever there is a corpse.  In the same way, everyone, without fail, will be aware of CHRIST's return.)

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The Ten Lepers

"On the way to Jerusalem, JESUS passed through Samaria and Galilee and as HE entered a village, ten lepers came to meet HIM.  Keeping their distance, they called to HIM, 'JESUS, Master, have pity on us!'  JESUS said to them, 'Go, and show yourselves to the priests.'  Then, as they went on their way, they found they were cured.  One of them, as soon as he saw that he was cleansed, turned back, praising GOD in a loud voice; and throwing himself on his face before JESUS, he gave HIM thanks.  This man was a Samaritan.

Then JESUS asked him, 'Were not all ten healed?'  Where are the other nine?  Did none of them decide to return and give praise to GOD, but this foreigner?'  And JESUS said to him, 'Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you.'" - Luke 17:11-19 

(The ten lepers were cured but only one of them was told: Your faith has saved you.  He was the one who responded straight from the heart.  While the others were concerned about fulfilling the legal requirements, he only thought about giving thanks to GOD right where the grace of GOD found him: such is the faith which saves and transforms us.

Among the many people asking GOD for healing and favors, how many will really come to love GOD?)

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Praise And Fear Of GOD

  "When the poor cry out, YAHWEH hears

and saves them from distress.

YAHWEH's angel encamps and patrols,

to keep safe those who fear HIM.

Revere YAHWEH, all you, HIS saints,

for those who fear HIM do not live in want.

The mighty may be hungry and in need;

but those who seek YAHWEH lack nothing.

Come, listen to me, my children;

I will show you how to fear YAHWEH.

If you desire long life;

if you want to enjoy prosperity,"

- Psalm 34:7-8. 10-11. 12-13

(One may be discouraged by one's failure in past trials, weakness in those of the present, and uncertainty of one's resistance in the future.  Our own weapons are always rusting and loose in our hands.  The bright and effective sword is in the hand of GOD alone.  There will be no ultimate defeat, not a bone broken for those who are one with the Lamb of our Passover on the Cross.

Let our experience be that of the poor and the humble.  GOD is near to those who have no other support but HIM.  When there will be no assurance, GOD will be obliged, to take charge of those to whom HE owes fidelity.)

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Seek Life; Know GOD

"Love justice, you who rule over the world!  Think rightly of GOD, seek HIM with simplicity of heart, for HE reveals HIMSELF to those who do not challenge HIM and is found by those who do not distrust HIM.

Crooked thinking distances you from GOD; and HIS Omnipotence, put to the test, confounds the foolish.

Wisdom does not enter the wicked nor remain in a body that is enslaved to sin.  The Holy Spirit who instructs us shuns deceit; it keeps aloof from foolishness and is ill at ease when injustice is done.

Wisdom is a spirit, a friend to man, and will not leave the blasphemous unpunished, because GOD knows his innermost feelings, truly sees his thoughts and hears what he says.

For GOD's spirit has filled the whole world; and HE who holds together all things, knows each word that is spoken." - Wisdom 1:1-7

(GOD is more present to us than we are to ourselves.  We need not look very far for authentic wisdom: it appears as spirit coming from GOD that becomes present to us interiorly but is only revealed to the just.

How can we express the nearness of the in-accessible and holy GOD?  Here the author speaks of Providence, Wisdom, Justice, the Spirit of GOD.  He speaks of them as if they were persons sent by GOD to look after us.  In fact, it is a way of presenting GOD HIMSELF who, though HE preserves HIS mystery, is close to people and to events.)

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