Reject The Antichrist

"My dear children, it is the last hour.  You were told that an antichrist would come; but several antichrists have already come, by which we know that it is now the last hour.

They went out from us though they did not really belong to us.  Had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us.  So it became clear that not all of us were really ours.

But you have the anointing from the Holy One, so that all of you have true wisdom.

I write to you, not because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you already know it, and lies have nothing in common with the truth." - 1 John 2:18-21 

(Fourth criterion:  to be sure we are walking in the Light, we must reject the antichrist and remain steadfast in the faith and in what faith teaches.  The believers of John's days knew that before the glorious return of CHRIST, an antichrist would appear.  John says:  the person who denies that JESUS is the CHRIST already is an antichrist.  Today there are still many people who make a distinction:  on one hand the man JESUS, lost in the midst of legend and on the other hand an idealized CHRIST adored by believers.  John says:  "The one who has come in history, HE HIMSELF is eternal GOD."

You received from HIM an anointing, and it remains in you.  John not only speaks of the anointing of oil in baptism and confirmation.  "CHRIST" signifies precisely, "HE who is anointed," and this anointing was the presence in HIM of the Spirit of GOD, HIS FATHER.  John adds:  "You cannot receive passively just any instruction in the Church, but you must discern whether the word of GOD is being faithfully transmitted."

HIS anointing [Spirit] teaches you all things.  In writing that, John had in mind the prophets who were the animators of the churches:  through their inspired words the Spirit taught the community.  Today the Spirit also maintains us in the truth through the leaders of the community and those who teach but we are not dispensed from seeking by ourselves the meaning of the Word and discerning what others tell us.) 

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Not To Love The World

"My dear children, I write this to you: you have already received the forgiveness of your sins through the name of JESUS.  Fathers, I write this to you: you know HIM who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write this to you: you have overcome the evil one.  My dear children, I write to you because you already know the FATHER.

Fathers, I write to you, because you know HIM who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write to you because you are strong, and the word of GOD lives in you who have, indeed, overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world, or what is in it.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the FATHER is not in him.

For everything in the world--

the craving of the flesh,

the greed of eyes

and people boasting of their superiority--

all this belongs to the world, not to the FATHER.

The world passes away with all its cravings, but those who do the will of GOD remain forever." - 1 John 2:12-17 

(The third criterion for love of GOD: not to love the world.  Note how John begins by rejoicing with his readers because they know the FATHER.  It is not a matter of hating the world that CHRIST came to save.  Yet the life and history of people manifest a deep alienation: this is the power of the evil spirit.  John calls "the world" all the evil current prevailing in it.  According to John the world is the deceitful life which people live when they cease to seek the FATHER's will, and when they oppose CHRIST.  Two contrary forces coexist in this world of ours and also in people: what comes from the FATHER and is forever; and what is planned and desired by humans when they forget their condition and dignity as children of GOD: greed and pride that lead them to death.

There is something more to say about this not loving the world.  even though all that comes from GOD is good: the sunlight, love, what emerges from human intelligence and hands, yet the whole creation nothing if we compare it with GOD.

As long as we look upon the world as the great gift that GOD gave us and we feel accountable to HIM for its progress and development, the world is not good for us.  As soon as we consider the world as our thing, use it or neglect it according to our fancy, or if we think we can change it alone and by force, it becomes our worst enemy, an idol that enslaves us and is the source of rivalries.  Christians commit themselves to the world [first case] but not with the world [second case].  They keep their freedom as children of GOD, or they are no longer sons and daughters because of their love for the world.) 

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JESUS Is Presented In The Temple

"When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present HIM to the LORD, as it is written in the law of the LORD: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to GOD.  And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the LORD: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There lived in Jerusalem, at this time, a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him.  He looked forward to the time when the LORD would comfort Israel; and he had been assured, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the LORD.  So, he was led into the temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child JESUS to do for HIM according to the custom of the law.  

Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed GOD, saying,

'Now, O LORD, YOU can dismiss YOUR servant in peace,

for YOU have fulfilled YOUR word

and my eyes have seen YOUR salvation,

which YOU display for all the people to see.

Here is the light YOU will reveal to the nations,

and the glory of YOUR people Israel.'

HIS father and mother wondered at what was said about the child.  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, HIS mother, 'Know this: your Son is a sign; a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul so that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.'" - Luke 2:22-35 

  

(Mary and Joseph went to the temple to fulfill a ritual of the Jewish religion [Leviticus 12:8].  JESUS being a firstborn male must be consecrated to GOD [Exodus 13:1].

Simeon and Ana like Mary and Joseph belong to the "small remnant of Israel."  This minority of GOD's people live their faith in humility and faithfulness to the prophets' teaching: GOD knows how to make HIMSELF known to them.

What is the meaning of the sword that will pierce Mary's soul?  It indicates Mary's grief upon seeing her Son die on the cross.  It also signifies that Mary will suffer because she will not always understand what her Son does.  The best shared love will not prevent each from remaining a mystery to the other, and more so for GOD than for anyone else.  GOD does not watch our fidelity from heaven, but rather seeks us [HE tries us in the sense of asking us to reveal ourselves].  The love of the FATHER will be Mary's cross just as it would be for JESUS.

CHRIST is GOD's light which enlightens people, but which also blinds and confuses them at times.  HE is a sign that is opposed, but this is a mystery--those who oppose HIM are not always the worst.  There are some people who believe in CHRIST, but do not follow HIM.  Unable to see HIS light they do not know that it condemns them.  There are good people who do not believe because GOD wills that they seek the light their whole life long.)

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Duties Towards Parents

"For the LORD established that children should respect their father; HE confirmed the right of the mother over her children.

Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself.

Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.

Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life.  Whoever obeys the LORD gives comfort to his mother.  

MY child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives.

Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health.

For kindness done to one's father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins." - Sirach 3:2-6. 12-14  

Solemnity of the Feast of the HOLY FAMILY

(This is the best commentary on Moses' commandment concerning children's responsibilities toward their parents.  To honor our parents means: to respect, to be understanding and to offer material assistance in their difficulties.) 

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Life Became Visible

"This is what has been from the beginning, and what we have heard and have seen with our own eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, I mean the Word who is Life...

The Life made itself known.  We have seen Eternal Life and we bear witness; and we are telling you of it.  It was with the FATHER and made HIMSELF known to us.

So, we tell you what we have seen and heard that you may be in fellowship with us, and us with the FATHER and with HIS Son, JESUS CHRIST.

And we write this that our joy may be complete." - 1 John 1:1-4 

(John will not speak about miracles, or revelations, or secrets jealously kept by some members.  The truth that HE relates to us is both simpler and more divine than all this: GOD, the Eternal Life, has come to live with us.

Life became visible.  Do not look for miracles or miraculous powers.  Do not expect fantastic revelations about the beyond.  Life was revealed as the gift of the FATHER, the rebirth of a humanity without hope, the divine smile, the unexpected visit of the one seeking to share HIKS life with humans [Proverbs 8:31].  We will not find life merely in books, but through communion with those who have seen and experienced it before us, and who became HIS Church.)

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The Martyrs

"Be on your guard with people, for they will hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their synagogues.  You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of ME, so that you may witness to them and the pagans.

But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say, or how you are to say it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say.  For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your FATHER speaking through you.

Brother will hand over his brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death.  Everyone will hate you because of ME, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved." - Matthew 10:17-22  

(Maybe we must recognize that martyrdom is a grace and is not given to everyone.  Many would be ready to give their life for CHRIST, but confronted with situations of violence or corruption, they do not see the necessity to expose a scandal and so submit in order to avoid the worst.  Others, on the contrary, understand that GOD is asking them to witness to the Good News that is opposite to what is imposed.  In so doing they face the repression by which Society defends itself.  Revelation affirms that the murder of witnesses' advances Salvation History.)

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Your GOD Is King!

 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those

who bring good news,

who herald peace and happiness,

who proclaim salvation

and announce to Zion: 'Your GOD Is King!'

Together your watchmen

raise their voices in praise and song;

they see YAHWEH face to face returning to Zion.

Break into shouts of joy,

O ruins of Jerusalem,

for YAHWEH consoles HIS people

and redeems Jerusalem.

YAHWEH has bared HIS holy arm

in the eyes of the nations;

all the ends of the earth, in alarm,

will witness GOD's salvation."

- Isaiah 52:7-10

(The prophets, messengers of a victorious GOD: that is the meaning of the good news.  See Romans 1:1; 2 Corinthians 2:14.)

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Zechariah's Canticle

"Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle,  

'Blessed be the LORD GOD of Israel,

for HE has come and redeemed HIS people.

HE has raised up for us a victorious Savior

in the house of David HIS servant,

as HE promised through HIS prophets of old,

salvation from our enemies

and from the hand of our foes.

HE has shown mercy to our fathers

and remembered HIS holy covenant,

the oath HE swore to Abraham, our father,

to deliver us from the enemy,

that we might serve HIM fearlessly

as a holy and righteous people all the days of our lives.

And you, my child,

shall be called prophet of the Most High,

for you shall go before the LORD

to prepare the way for HIM

and enable HIS people to know of their salvation

when HE comes to forgive their sins.

This is the work of the mercy of our GOD,

who comes from on high as a rising sun

shining on those who live in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

and guiding our feet into the way of peace'.

As the child grew up, he was seen to be strong in the Spirit; and he lived in the desert until the day when he appeared openly in Israel." - Luke 1:67-80 

(The child lived in the desert, that is the desert of Judea by the Dead Sea, where some large communities of which the well-known Qumran community had settled.  These communitie, called the Essenes, devoted themselves to prayer and meditation on Scripture.  And took part in the education of children.)

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Birth Of John The Baptist

"When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful LORD had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her.

When, on the eight day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.  But his mother said, 'Not so; he shall be called John.'  They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name!' and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him.  Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, 'His name is John;' and they were very surprised.  Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of GOD.

A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events.  All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, 'What will this child be?'  For they understood that the hand of the  LORD was with him." - Luke 1:57-66 

(What was circumcision? [See Genesis 17].  Circumcision, cutting of the skin called "foreskin" of the male organ, was an ancient custom of Oriental people.  It was one of those "initiation rites" which, among some people, mark the passage of an adolescent into adult society.  Circumcision was a religious rite intended to ensure fertility.

Circumcision took on a new meaning for Israel: it was considered the distinct sign of their belonging to the chosen people.  A foreigner could enter the religious community of Israel only by being circumcised.) 

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Mary's Canticle

"And Mary said,

'My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD,

my spirit exults in GOD, my savior!

HE has looked upon HIS servant, in her lowliness,

and people, forever, will call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me,

Holy is HIS Name!

From age to age, HIS mercy extends

to those who live in HIS presence.

HE has filled the hungry with good things,

but has sent the rich away empty.

HE held out HIS hand to Israel, HIS servant,

for HE remembered HIS mercy,

even as HE promised to our fathers,

to Abraham and his descendants forever.'"

- Luke 1:46-47. 48-49. 50. 53. 54-55

(About Mary's canticle.  Mary, so unobtrusive in the Gospel, having no part in JESUS' ministry, is the one who proclaims the historical revolution begun with the coming of the Savior.

She proclaims:

- the mercy of GOD who always keeps HIS promises,

- the change that is to take place in the human condition.

This is what Martin Luther King, the emancipator of the Blacks, recalled: "Despite the fact that all too often people see in the church a power opposed to any change, in fact, the church preserves a powerful ideal which urges people toward the summits and opens their eyes as to their own destiny.  From the hot spots of Africa to the black areas of Alabama, I have seen men and women rising and shaking off their chains.  They had just discovered they were GOD's children, and that, as GOD's children, it was impossible to enslave them.

The song of Mary also expresses the deepest feeling of the Christian soul.  There is a time for us to seek truth, to discover what our major duties are and to become truly and essentially human.  There is a time for asking from and serving GOD.  In the long run, we come to understand that divine love seeks out what is poorer and weaker to fill it and make it great.  Then our only prayer becomes thanks giving to GOD for HIS understanding and merciful designs.)

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JESUS Born Of A Virgin Mother

"This is how JESUS CHRIST was born.  Mary HIS mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy.  He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.

While he was pondering over this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.  She has conceived by the Holy spirit, and now she will bear a son.  You shall call HIM 'JESUS' for HE will save HIS people from their sins.'

All this happened in order to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet.  The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and HE will be called EMMANUEL which means: GOD-with-us.  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had told him to do and he took his wife to his home." - Matthew 1:18-24 

(JESUS is not the son of Joseph.  The beginning of the paragraph intends to remind us that JESUS is both a legitimate son of David through Joseph and the Son of GOD conceived through the Holy Spirit by a virgin-mother.

These short and almost bashful sentences do not dare to unveil the mystery of Mary, the virgin through whom life on earth touches GOD and offers itself as an oblation.  A messenger breaks through the night and speaks with silent words: the world is open to the active presence of GOD.

Mary was engaged.  Engagements gave to the Jewish people practically every right of marriage, especially conjugal rights.  The only difference was that women continued to live under the parents' tutelage and in their parental home.  The Jews were markedly a "macho" society. A woman necessarily belonged to a man, either to her father, her husband, or her son. Mary was already the wife of Joseph, but she could not be under his authority until he brought her to his home.

The virginity of Mary was not in keeping with the Jewish mentality that gave first place to fecundity.  It was not so unusual that Joseph would accept such a situation.  At this time certain Jews belonging to the party of the Essenes lived celibacy, as did the monks.

Joseph made plans to divorce her secretly.  The Gospel is not precise as to his reasons for so doing.  In any case it is unthinkable that people might have doubted Mary's fidelity.

The intervention of the angel in the Gospel is not to reassure Joseph but to inform him of his role in the plan of GOD.  You shall call HIM "JESUS', and you will receive HIM as your son.  Joseph was a "descendant of David" and JESUS adopted by Joseph would be a legitimate descendant of David. Most probably Mary did not even belong to the tribe of Judah, which was that of David, but like her cousin Elizabeth, she belonged to a family of priests of the tribe of Levi.) 

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The Virgin Is With Child

"Once again YAHWEH addressed Ahaz, 'Ask for a sign from YAHWEH your GOD, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of heaven.'

But Ahaz answered, 'I will not ask, I will not put YAHWEH to the test.'

Then Isaiah said, 'Now listen, descendants of David.  Have you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also try the patience of my GOD?  Therefore the LORD HIMSELF will give you a sign:

The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls HIS name Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:10-14 

(The prophecy about the Virgin giving birth is one of the most important in the Scriptures even though it leaves some questions unanswered.

To support his warnings, Isaiah offers a miraculous sign to the king: Ask the LORD....  Ahaz piously refuses to hide his determination not to turn back [cf. verse 12].  Then, the prophet explodes in anger: these descendants of David whom GOD has always protected are useless: a descendant of David of another kind will be able to bring salvation to GOD's people.  YAHWEH is preparing to send HIM.  HIS mother [called here the Virgin: gives HIM the name HE will deserve [cf. verse 14].  Before this future king may bring peace, HE will be raised humbly [verse 15].  Before that Ahaz's and his followers absurd politics would certainly bring total ruin to the country.)

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Samson's Birth Foretold

"There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of  Dan, called Manoah.  His wife could not bear children.  The Angel of YAHWEH appeared to this woman and said to her, 'You have not borne children and have not given birth, but see, you are to conceive and give birth to a son.  Because of this, take care not to take wine or any alcoholic drink, nor to eat unclean foods from now on, for you shall bear a son who shall be a Nazirite of YAHWEH from the womb of his mother.  Never shall his hair be cut for he is consecrated to YAHWEH.  He shall begin the liberation of the Israelites from the Philistine oppression.'

The woman went to her husband and told him, 'A messenger of GOD who bore the majesty of an angel spoke to me.  I did not ask him where he came from nor did he tell me his name.

But he said to me:  'You are to conceive and give birth to a son.  Henceforth, you shall not drink wine or fermented drinks, nor eat anything unclean, for your son shall be a Nazirite of GOD from the womb of his mother until the day of his death'.

The woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson.  The boy grew and YAHWEH blessed him.  Then the Spirit of YAHWEH began to move him when he was in Mahane Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol." - Judges 13:2-7, 24-25  

(Samson seems to have been a man from the countryside who had extraordinary strength and fought on his own account against the Philistines.  Legend attributes to him numerous feats.

Samson is said to have been miraculously born of a barren couple.  This was in accordance with GOD's ways, as seen in the case of Abraham's son [Genesis 18], and in the case of Samuel [1  Samuel 1], and still later John the Baptist [Luke 1:5].

The child must be a Nazirite, i.e., consecrated to GOD, according to a  very ancient rite in the Bible [Numbers 6:1].  This consecration to GOD is the source of his strength.)

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JESUS Born Of A Virgin Mother

"This is how JESUS CHRIST was born:  Mary HIS mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph, her husband, made plans to divorce her in all secrecy.  He was an upright man, and in no way did he want to discredit her.

While he was pondering over this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.  She has conceived by the Holy spirit, and now she will bear a son.  You shall call HIM 'JESUS' for HE will save HIS people from their sins.'

All this happened in order to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet.  The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and HE will be called EMMANUEL which means GOD-with-us.  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had told him to do and he took his wife to his home.  He did not have any marital relations with her.  When she gave birth to a son, Joseph gave HIM the name JESUS." - Matthew 1:18-25   

(JESUS is not the son of Joseph.  The beginning of the paragraph intends to remind us that JESUS is both a legitimate son of David through Joseph and the Son of GOD conceived through the Holy Spirit by a virgin-mother.

These short and almost bashful sentences do not dare to unveil the mystery of Mary, the virgin through whom life on earth touches GOD and offers itself as an oblation.  A messenger breaks through the night and speaks with silent words: the world is open to the active presence of GOD.

Mary was engaged.  Engagements gave to the Jewish people practically every right of marriage, especially conjugal rights.  The only difference was that women continued to live under the parents' tutelage and in their parental home.  The Jews were markedly a "macho" society. A woman necessarily belonged to a man, either to her father, her husband, or her son. Mary was already the wife of Joseph, but she could not be under his authority until he brought her to his home.

The virginity of Mary was not in keeping with the Jewish mentality that gave first place to fecundity.  It was not so unusual that Joseph would accept such a situation.  At this time certain Jews belonging to the party of the Essenes lived celibacy, as did the monks.

Joseph made plans to divorce her secretly.  The Gospel is not precise as to his reasons for so doing.  In any case it is unthinkable that people might have doubted Mary's fidelity.

The intervention of the angel in the Gospel is not to reassure Joseph but to inform him of his role in the plan of GOD.  You shall call HIM "JESUS', and you will receive HIM as your son.  Joseph was a "descendant of David" and JESUS adopted by Joseph would be a legitimate descendant of David. Most probably Mary did not even belong to the tribe of Judah, which was that of David, but like her cousin Elizabeth, she belonged to a family of priests of the tribe of Levi.) 

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Jacob's Blessings

 "Gather around, sons of Jacob.  And listen to your father Israel!

Judah, your brothers will praise you!

You shall seize your enemies by the neck!

Your father's sons shall bow before you.

Judah, a young lion!

You return from the prey, my son!

Like a lion he stoops and crouches,

and like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

The scepter shall not be taken from Judah,

nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,

until he comes to whom it belongs,

and who has the obedience of the nations." 

- Genesis 49:2. 8-10  

 

(Jacob's blessings do not go to his sons but to the twelve tribes bearing their names.  The future destiny of these tribes will vary greatly.  Jacob's blessing is a way of saying that these destinies were known to GOD beforehand and that they were part of HIS plan of salvation which benefits everyone but does not give the same gift to everyone. 

The two tribes of Judah and Joseph dominate.  This ancient prophecy seems to say that Judah would live apart from others until the coming of "the one the people would obey."  This text, however, is not clear in the original manuscripts.  Did they wish only to celebrate the coming of king David, or was it the announcement of a great destiny for the kingdom of Judah, or was it the expectation of a savior-king?  Actually, the kings of the people of GOD and JESUS after them were to come from this tribe.  Judah here is considered as the heir of the promises made to Abraham and Jacob.)

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The Testimony

"John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved.

John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light.  But I have greater evidence than that of John - the works which the FATHER entrusted to ME to carry out.  The very works I do bear witness: the FATHER has sent ME. - John 5:33-36  

(To gain a direction in life, we need some understanding of the world and humankind.  This understanding may come through reason and science, but more often we are influenced and guided by the testimony of others - by their words, attitudes and personal qualities.

It is thus that those in love discover one another, friends accept each other, a career is decided upon, a religious or political commitment is made.  It is also thus that the Word of GOD is discovered.  Therefore, JESUS speaks of the testimonies that accredit HIM:

- HIS works, that is, HIS miracles.

- John the Baptist's testimony in pointing HIM out as the Savior.

- the words of the Bible that refer to HIM.)

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JESUS' Response To The Authorities

"JESUS had entered the temple and was teaching, when the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the Jewish authorities came to HIM and asked, 'What authority have YOU to act like this?  Who gave YOU authority to do all this?'

They discussed this among themselves, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' HE will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?'  And if we say, 'The baptism of John was merely something human', we've got to beware of the people, for all consider John to be a prophet.'  So, they answered JESUS, 'We do not know.'

And JESUS said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'" - Matthew 21:23-27 

 

(JESUS is what we would call today a simple layman.  HE respects the priests of the people of GOD and their high priest.  HE shows however that if they want others to be accountable, for their part they must be ready to take a stand on the things of GOD when the people need this.  They had been and were unwilling to give such a response in the case of John the Baptist.)

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Look Forward To The LORD's Coming

"Be patient then, beloved, until the coming of the LORD.  See how the Sower waits for the precious fruits of the earth, looking forward, patiently, to the autumn and spring rains.  You, also, be patient, and do not lose heart, because the LORD's coming is near.

Beloved do not fight among yourselves, and you will not be judged.  See, the judge is already at the door.  Take for yourselves, as an example of patience, the suffering of the prophets, who spoke in the LORD's name." - James 5:7-10  

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

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

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Plea For The Return Of GOD's Favor

  "Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, YOU, who lead Joseph like a flock; YOU, who sit enthroned between the cherubim.

Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.  Stir up YOUR might and come to save us.

Restore us, O GOD of hosts; make YOUR face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

O YAHWEH of hosts, how long will YOUR anger burn against the prayers of YOUR people?

YOU have fed them with the bread of woe and have given them tears to drink in their sorrow.

YOU have made us the scorn of our neighbors and the laughingstock of our oppressors."

- Psalm 80:2-7

(Samaria was overrun in the year 721 B.C. and colonized with a mixed population of idolatrous immigrants: so many weeds in the garden of GOD.  What has HE done in HIS vineyard?  Understandably enough, there is no mention of the wild grapes this chosen vine had produced  

[Isaiah 5:1-7].  The psalmist dares to ask 'why'?  The prophet Amos could provide the answer: thirty years before this time, he had scourged the luxury and oppression of the ruling classes [Amos 6:4-7].  But we have to sympathize with the psalmist.  He has learnt the lesson that to brood over sins committed is a worthless exercise.)

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A Call To The Daughter Of Zion

"'Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for I AM about to come, I shall dwell among you,' says YAHWEH.

On that day, many nations will join YAHWEH and be MY people, but my dwelling is among you.  The people of Judah will be for YAHWEH as HIS portion in HIS holy land.  HE will choose Jerusalem again.

Keep still in YAHWEH's presence, for HE comes, having risen from HIS holy dwelling.'" - Zechariah 2:14-17 

 

(In the following we have one of the two calls to the captives: a call to rejoicing because GOD lives with HIS people.  We now have more motives for rejoicing.  In the Bible the expression Daughter of Zion is one of the many names for the People Of GOD.

Zechariah foretells the new times when he says that GOD will be permanently at work in Zion, figure of the Church in which all people of the earth will gather together.)

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Praise Of GOD's Fidelity

 "Blessed are they whose help is the GOD of Jacob,

whose hope is in YAHWEH their GOD,

maker of heaven and earth,

the sea and all they contain.

YAHWEH is forever faithful;

HE gives justice to the oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.

YAHWEH sets the prisoners free.

YAHWEH gives sight to the blind;

YAHWEH straighten the bent.

YAHWEH protects the stranger;

sustains the widow and the orphan.

YAHWEH loves the virtuous;

but HE brings to ruin the way of the wicked.

YAHWEH will reign forever,

your GOD, O Zion,

from generation to generation.  Alleluia!"

- Psalm 146:5-6. 6-7. 8-9. 9-10

(The Almighty GOD is at our service: the Almighty, the only mighty; we cannot take out a second insurance--we must rely on HIM only, cast all our cares on the LORD, for HE cares for us.

GOD shows the faithfulness of HIS love, for all those who are weak and inclined to seek their salvation in the powerful.  Also, for those who are in a situation of disadvantage because of others [oppressed, hungry, or captive] or because of illness [blind or fainting] or because of other circumstances of life [migrants, orphans and widows] benefit from the loving faithfulness of GOD.  The programmatic discourse of JESUS, in the synagogue of Nazareth: 'HE has sent ME to give Good News to the poor, to announce freedom to prisoners...' [cf. Luke 4:17-22], updates the theme of this psalm.  Human projects could be ambitious and challenging; they will not annul the divine project, however.  If we trust totally in GOD, if we truly believe HIM, we can pray with this psalm.  GOD is the one who liberates the poor.  The more we are convinced of this, the more shall we try to share the LORDS's thoughts, placing our lives at the service of the marginalized, the hungry and the humiliated.)

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Come To ME, All You Who Are Weary And Burdened, And I Will Give You Rest."

"Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take MY yoke upon you and learn from ME, for I AM gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest.  For MY yoke is easy; and MY burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 

(I will not relieve you of your load but by placing MY yoke on you, I give you the means of carrying the load.

JESUS plays with the two words yoke and load, for the Jews used to call "load" the divine teachings imparted to pupils, and "yoke" the balancing of the teacher's sentences, which should be learned by heart.

JESUS, the patient and humble teacher, enables us to see the mercy of GOD in our lives and in our own cross.  HE shows us the love of GOD even in the requirements of the law.  Only GOD is good; and good is the authority of CHRIST.)

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"I Did Not Come To Call The Righteous, But Sinners."

"What do you think of this?  If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one?  And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray.  It is the same with your FATHER in heaven.  Your FATHER in heaven doesn't want even one of these little ones to perish." - Matthew 18:12-14  

(The parable of the one hundred sheep is also found in the Gospel of Luke [15:1].  It teaches us several things: JESUS' special concern for sinners and those who stray and, therefore, the missionary dimension of HIS apostolate.  In fact, JESUS came "to seek and save the lost" [Luke 19:10], "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners" [Matthew 9:13].  This attitude should impel our parishes and Christian communities to constantly reach out to the unchurched and marginalized, instead of just working with those who already are in touch with the Church.)

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The Annunciation

"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from GOD to a town of Galilee called Nazareth.  He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, 'Rejoice, full of grace, the LORD is with you.'  Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

But the angel said, 'Do not fear, Mary, for GOD has looked kindly on you.  You shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call him JESUS.  HE will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High.  The LORD GOD will give HIM the kingdom of David, his ancestor; HE will rule over the people of Jacob forever and HIS reign shall have no end.'

Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be if I am a virgin?'  And the angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of GOD.  Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month.  With GOD nothing is impossible.'

Then Mary said, 'I am the handmaid of the LORD, let it be done to me as you have said.'  And the angel left her." - Luke 1:26-38  

(Only Mary could make known the mystery of JESUS' conception to the primitive church.  How could she express such an inner experience and how would it be reported?  

Therefore, in writing, Luke had to use biblical words and forms that would allow us to understand the mysterious encounter of Mary with GOD.

 

I am the handmaid of the LORD... In saying this, Mary does not lower herself with false humility; instead, she expresses her faith and her surrender.  From her will be born the one who will be both the servant announced by the prophets and the only Son.

 

Many persons are mistaken about the word "servant" in that they view Almighty GOD as using HIS servants to HIS own ends without taking time to look at them and love them.  For them GOD would lose HIS greatness if HE were to give Mary authentic responsibility in the incarnation of her Son.

 

This is quite contrary to the spirit of the Bible.  GOD loves people, HE wishes, HE who is GOD, to experience human friendship.  GOD had no need of a woman to make a human body, but HE wanted to have a mother for HIS Son; and for Mary to really be that mother, it was necessary that GOD looked upon her with greater love than HE had for any other creature.  Thus, Mary is called full of grace.

 

Grace is what we call the power GOD has to heal our spirit, to instill in us the disposition to believe, and to make us resonate with the truth so that the expression of real love comes from us in a spontaneous way.  We call grace that which came from the living GOD to blossom on earth.

 

Mary is full of grace because JESUS was born of her as HE is born of the FATHER.  This is why the Church believes that Mary has a unique role in the work of our salvation.  She is the marvel that GOD achieved at the outset of transforming humankind into HIS image.)

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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 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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