Always Faces The Justice Of GOD

"'HE who comes from above is above all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and his words, too, are earthly.  The One who comes from heaven speaks of the things HE has seen and heard; HE bears witness to this, but no one accepts HIS testimony.  Whoever does receive HIS testimony acknowledges the truthfulness of GOD.

The one sent by GOD speaks GOD's words and gives the Spirit without measure.  For the FATHER loves the Son and has entrusted everything into HIS hands.  Whoever believes in the Son lives with eternal life, but he who will not believe in the Son will never know life and always faces the justice of GOD.'" - John 3:31-36  

(Always faces the justice of GOD.  Those who do not recognize the Son of God remain in the situation humanity was in when expelled from Paradise.  If they are not able to receive the witness of "GOD the Son who is one with the FATHER," they will never solve the contradictions in their lives or in the world in which they live; and they cannot but mistrust GOD.)

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GOD So Loved The World That HE Gave HIS Only Son That Whoever Believes In HIM May Not Be Lost, But May Have Eternal Life.

"Yes, GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only Son that whoever believes in HIM may not be lost, but may have eternal life.  GOD did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through HIM the world is to be saved.  Whoever believes in HIM will not be condemned.  He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of GOD.

This is how Judgment is made: Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For whoever does wrong hate the light, and doesn't come to the light, for fear that his deeds will be seen as evil.  But whoever lives according to the truth comes into the light, so that it can be clearly seen that his works have been done in GOD." - John 3:16-21  

(The Jews had been praying for GOD to come and expected HIM to condemn the world and to punish the bad.  HE, on the other hand, sent HIS own Son to the cross so that the world will be saved.

Other verses of the New Testament say that we should not love the world, which seems to contradict what we have just read: GOD so loved the world.  The reason for this contradiction is that the word world has several meanings.

First, the world means all of creation, which is good since it is GOD's work.  The center of this divine work is humankind, which has come under the influence of Satan [8:34 and 44].  Everything that sinful humanity creates--riches, culture, social life--is influenced, disfigured and used for evil.  Hence, GOD sent HIS Son so that the world will be saved.

Yet even though CHRIST's resurrection initiated HIS invincible power over history, a strong current of evil continues, dragging along all who refuse to acknowledge the truth.  This evil current is sometimes called the world.   It would be more appropriate to say: the people who surrender themselves to the Master of the world.  The Scripture points to them in saying: Do not love the world, or You are not of the world [John 2:15; 4:6].)

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An Attempt To Share Everything

"The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind.  No one claimed private ownership of any possessions; but rather, they shared all things in common.  With great power, the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the LORD JESUS, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale.  And they laid it at the feet of the apostles, who distributed it, according to each one's need.  This is what a certain Joseph did.  He was a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning: 'The encouraging one.'  He sold a field which he owned and handed the money to the apostles." - Acts 4:32-37 

 

(Here we might understand that this sharing had become a rule in the early Church.  In fact, if we pay attention to 4:36 and 5:4 it becomes clear that everyone admired what some of them did.

JESUS did not ask for this; yet they were doing it, inspired by the desire of every true believer to remove all divisions between brothers and sisters, especially those created by money.  Placing everything in common, however, requires not only a spirit of detachment, but also a sense of responsibility and organization.  The believers in Jerusalem lived at a time when work and foresight were not very important, and they soon consumed what they had, without being concerned about working, and eventually became the "poor of Jerusalem."  Paul was to organize collections in other churches in order to assist them [Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8].)    

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The Prayer Of The Community

"As soon as Peter and John were set free, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them.

When they heard it, they raised their voices as one, and called upon GOD, 'Sovereign LORD, maker of heaven and earth, of the sea and everything in them, YOU have put these words in the mouth of David, our father and YOUR servant, through the Holy Spirit: Why did the pagan nations rage and the people conspire in folly?  The kings of the earth were aligned; and the princes gathered together against the LORD and against HIS Messiah.

For indeed, in this very city, Herod, with Pontius Pilate and the pagans, together, with the people of Israel, conspired against YOUR holy servant, JESUS, whom YOU anointed.  Thus, indeed, they brought about whatever YOUR powerful will had decided, from all time, would happen.  But now, LORD, see their threats against us; and enable YOUR servants to speak YOUR word with all boldness.  Stretch out YOUR hand, to heal, and to work signs and wonders, through the name of JESUS, YOUR holy servant.'

When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together shook; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of GOD boldly." - Acts 4:23-31 

(We can meditate on the way this church gathering develops: an event [the arrest] is shared by all.  For them this confrontation with the authorities is something new.  They connect what happened with the word of GOD.  In this case they refer to Psalm 2; then they begin common prayer and ask for courage to continue to do GOD's works.) 

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One Who Does Not Know How To Forgive Does Not Know How To Love!

"On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were, because of their fear of the Jews, but JESUS came and stood in their midst.  HE said to them, 'Peace be with you'; then HE showed them HIS hands and HIS side.  The disciples kept looking at the LORD and were full of joy.

Again, JESUS said to them, 'Peace be with you.  As the FATHER has sent ME, so I send you,' After saying this HE breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit; for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained'." - John 20:19-23  

(Just as in the first creation GOD infused life into Adam, so, too, JESUS' breath communicates life to the new spiritual creation.  CHRIST, who died to take away the sin of the world, now leaves to HIS own the power to forgive.

Thus, the hope of the Biblical people has been realized.  GOD led them in such a way that they felt the universal presence of sin, and so they offered animals in the Temple uninterruptedly to appease GOD.  That river of blood failed to destroy sin, and the priests themselves offered sacrifices for their own sins before praying to GOD for the others.  Ceremonies and rites had no power to purify the heart or to give the Holy Spirit.

Now, in the person of JESUS risen from the dead, a new world has begun.  Although humanity may continue to sin, already the first of its sons and daughters, the "eldest brother of them all" is sharing fully the holy life of GOD.

Those who strive for the spiritual life, suffer above all from a keen awareness of the universal presence of sin.  They grieve deeply at not yet having attained total liberation from sin.  Hence, they recognize the forgiveness of sin as the greatest gift given to the Church.

The capacity to forgive is the only power able to release the great tensions within humankind.  Although it does not easily conquer hearts, it is an invaluable secret, and the Church should consider it as its own particular treasure.

One who does not know how to forgive does not know how to love.  On making us aware of sin and purifying us from it, the Church helps us demonstrate a more authentic love for the neighbor.)

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Proclaim The Good News To All Creation

"After JESUS rose early on the first day of the week, HE appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom HE had driven out seven demons.  She went and reported the news to HIS followers, who were now mourning and weeping.  But when they heard that HE lived, and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this HE showed HIMSELF in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.  These men also went back and told the others, but they did not believe them .

Later JESUS showed HIMSELF to the Eleven while they were at table.  HE reproached them for their unbelief, and hardness of heart, in refusing to believe those who had seen HIM after HE had risen.

Then HE told them, 'Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation." - Mark 16:9-15  

(The Good News is the seed that will be planted in the world and will flourish, in its proper time, in every field of human endeavor.  Salvation is not a matter of saving isolated souls or individual beings.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all creation in all activities and acts of those who have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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'The Stone Rejected By The Builders Has Become The Cornerstone.'

  "Alleluia!

Give thanks to YAHWEH,

for HE is good,

HIS loving kindness endures forever.

Let Israel say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

Let those who fear YAHWEH say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

The stone rejected by the builders

has become the cornerstone.

This was YAHWEH's doing

and we marvel at it.

This is the day YAHWEH has made;

so let us rejoice and be glad.

Save us, O YAHWEH, deliver us, O YAHWEH!

Blessed is he who comes in YAHWEH's name!

We praise YOU from the house of YAHWEH.

YAHWEH is GOD; may HIS light shine upon us.

With branches, join in procession

up to the horns of the altar."

- Psalm 118:1-2. 4. 22-24. 25-27

('The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone'--so our LORD, rejected by HIS people and raised up by GOD; and so the Church, made up of those whom GOD has raised from death to life, in union with the Risen CHRIST.  The Church is the Temple of GOD, within which each of us sings our praise of GOD who has so loved us.)

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Last Instructions

"Then JESUS said to them, 'Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about ME in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.'  Then HE opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And HE went on, 'You see what was written: the Messiah had to suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.  Then repentance and forgiveness in HIS name would be proclaimed to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  Now you shall be witnesses to this.  And this is why I will send you what MY FATHER promised.  So, remain in the city until you are invested with power from above.'

JESUS led them almost as far as Bethany; then HE lifted up HIS hands and blessed them.  And as HE blessed them, HE withdrew (and was taken to heaven. They worshipped HIM).  They returned to Jerusalem full of joy and were continually in the Temple praising GOD." - Luke 24:44-53 

(JESUS uses these encounters to clarify the meaning of HIS brief and intense mission for HIS apostles.  HE saves us from sin, which means nothing less than reordering history to resurrect humankind.

Everything written about ME in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.  What the prophets announced, about a savior who would be rejected by HIS people and take the sin of HIS people upon HIMSELF, had to be fulfilled.  What sin?  Everyone's sins, of course, but also the violence of the whole Jewish society at the time of JESUS.  This was the sin that brought HIM to the cross.

As a matter of fact, this way of death and resurrection was not reserved only for JESUS, but for HIS people also.  In that precise period, Israel, subject to the Roman Empire, had to accept the death of its earthly ambitions: autonomy, national pride, the religious superiority of the Jews over other people... in order to rise as the people of GOD scattered among nations and to become the agent of salvation.  A minority took the way JESUS pointed out and this was the beginning of the Church.

Repentance and forgiveness.  Christian conversion is not passing from one party to another, from one religious group to another: it is a recasting of the person.  Persons are part of a society, a world, a history.  Therefore, the preaching to the nations means also the education of the nations and even international society.  This is something that takes longer than ten or a hundred years.

You shall be witnesses to this.  JESUS calls HIS apostles to be the official witnesses of HIS Gospel and those who judge authentic faith.

Remain in the city.  The apostles are not able to begin immediately missionary work.  They will first dedicate themselves to strengthening fellowship and the fervor of the community of the disciples, as they wait for the time chosen by the FATHER to give them the power coming from above.

I will send you what my FATHER promised.  JESUS could not affirm HIS divine authority and the unity of the three divine persons more powerfully.

HE withdrew: this was the last of JESUS appearances to the group of disciples.

And so, concludes Luke's first book.  His second book, The Acts of the Apostles, follows the Gospels and it begins exactly where the Gospel ends.)

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Peter And John Cure A Lame Man

"Once when Peter and John were going up to the Temple at three in the afternoon, the hour of prayer, a man crippled from birth was being carried in.  Every day they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called 'Beautiful'; there he begged from those who entered the Temple.

When he saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple, he asked for alms.   Then Peter with John at his side looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.'  So, he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you:  In the name of JESUS of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!'

Then he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up.  At once his feet and ankles became firm, and jumping up he stood on his feet and began to walk.  And he went with them into the Temple walking and leaping and praising GOD.

All the people saw him walking and praising GOD; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him." - Acts 3:1-10  

(We might sometimes think that JESUS cured all the sick.  This is not true, since HE did not heal this cripple who was in the Temple every day.  This new sign brings about another proclamation.

Why are you amazed at this?  The miracle was done in the Name of JESUS, that is, by the Power over every creature that JESUS received from the FATHER at the time of HIS resurrection.  JESUS was in their midst as the servant of the LORD [Isaiah 42:1; 52:13], but speaking of HIS Name was a way of stating HIS divinity [Mark 16:17; Philippians 2:9].)

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The LORD Is Risen

"Mary stood weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside.  She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of JESUS had been, one at the head, and the other at the feet.  They said, 'Woman, why are you weeping?'  She answered, 'Because they have taken my LORD and I don't know where they have put HIM.'

As she said this, she turned around and saw JESUS standing there, but she did not recognize HIM.  JESUS said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?  Who are you looking for?'  She thought it was the gardener and answered HIM, 'Sir, if you have taken HIM away, tell me where you have put HIM, and I will go and take HIM away.'

JESUS said to her, 'Mary!'  She turned and said to HIM, 'Rabboni!' - which means Master.  JESUS said to her, 'Do not touch ME, because I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  But go to MY brothers and say to them: I AM ascending to MY FATHER, who is your GOD.'

So, Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the LORD, and this is what HE said to me.'" - John 20:11-18  

(Do not touch ME, because I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  Before HIS death, JESUS did not disapprove of the passionate feelings and actions of Mary.  Now this familiar gesture to take possession of her loved Master is no longer appropriate.

HE is now the Risen One, and though HE lets HIMSELF be seen by HIS disciples for a few days, HE is in the glory of the FATHER.  HIS disciples must relinquish the physical presence of JESUS with which they felt so much at ease.  From now on the followers and lovers of JESUS will embrace HIM in a secret and marvelous way, when they are given gifts of prayer and faith.  It is then that the contemplative spirit, who is represented by Mary, may enjoy the whole of CHRIST [see Song 3:4].

I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  JESUS is revealing the great desire that filled HIS life.  HE came from GOD and must return to the FATHER.  This is "the greatest love in the world."  All the love that JESUS has for us is but a manifestation of that other love, because GOD the FATHER is the fountain and the goal of all love. 

It is not by chance that the word LORD is again repeated seven times, the last time by Thomas: "YOU are my LORD and my GOD."  This expresses the faith of the Church.

Let us remark that the persons concerned in this event did in fact call JESUS, "the Master."  However, John puts on their lips the word LORD.  Why?  From the first days of the Church, the believers had to find words to express their faith in JESUS, Son of GOD.  Being the Son, HE was not the same person as GOD, but HE was one with HIM.  How is this divine condition best expressed?

In Sacred Scriptures two names were given to GOD:  GOD and YAHWEH.  At that time the Jews no longer pronounced the name of YAHWEH and instead said: "the LORD."  Moreover, in the Greek Bible used by the apostles and the Church, YAHWEH was also translated as "the LORD."  So, the apostles decided very soon to retain the term GOD when speaking of GOD, the FATHER, and to call JESUS "the LORD," by this affirming that HE was not inferior to the FATHER.

The risen JESUS' apparitions to HIS disciples, besides fostering their hope and making them qualified witnesses of HIS resurrection, were necessary for their spiritual formation.  The disciples had to learn to recognize JESUS no longer through their senses but through faith.  Likewise, we have to learn to recognize and follow JESUS in the dim light of faith, in desolation as well as in consolation, thus we too will be among those whom JESUS blesses: Happy are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe [verse 29].)

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The Risen Church

"In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to HIS disciples.

Suddenly, JESUS met them on the way and said, 'Rejoice!'  The women approached HIM, embraced HIS feet and worshiped HIM.  But JESUS said to them, 'Do not be afraid!  Go and tell MY brothers to set out for Galilee; there, they will see ME.'

As the women proceeded on their way, some of the guards went into the city, and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.  The chief priests met with the elders and decided to give the soldiers a large sum of money, with this order, 'Say that HIS disciples came by night while you were asleep and stole the body of JESUS.  If Pilate comes to know of this, we will explain the situation and keep you out of trouble.'  The soldiers accepted the money and did as they were told.  This story has circulated among the Jews until this day." -Matthew 28:8-15  

(Suddenly, JESUS met them on the way.  It is obvious that Matthew is combining two different events; one, the discovery of the empty tomb, and the other, which happened later on, the apparition of JESUS to Mary Magdalene alone as related in John 20:11-18.

Set out for Galilee.  Why did JESUS say this date if HE was going to appear later that same day in Jerusalem? [Luke 24:13-42].  It is not clear.  Probably the evangelists combined several apparitions to simplify their narration.  Anyway, time was needed for the apostles to believe in the Resurrection and understand something about it.  After the two apparitions in Jerusalem, in which JESUS tried to convince them that HE was not a phantom or a spirit, they would have to return to their provinces and environments, far away from the city that had caused them such trauma, in order to ponder what they had experienced.  In Galilee, JESUS will manifest HIMSELF differently, making them understand that HE is already glorified, that HIS existence is earthly no more.

The resurrection of CHRIST is the pivotal point of the Gospel; yet Matthew reports it briefly.  Why?  Because when Matthew wrote his Gospel, the Resurrection was considered too great an event to put into writing: rather, it should be proclaimed and witnessed to by the Spirit at work in the Christian communities.

Are we in a different situation?  The Church that talks of the Risen Christ should never be a powerful Church but a Risen Church.  If the Church finds itself in a situation where there is no apparent hope of salvation, yet it is revived by the power of GOD; if in each generation the Church seems doomed to die because of its ancient structures, its worldly ways or the persecution it undergoes, yet it is nevertheless given new energies and new apostles by the LORD, then the Church is a witness that the LORD has risen and has given her the power to rise.) 

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Seek The Things That Are Above

"So then, if you are risen with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is seated at the right hand of GOD.  Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the earthly things.  For you have died and your life is now hidden with CHRIST in GOD.  When CHRIST, who is your life, reveals HIMSELF, you also will be revealed with HIM in glory." -Colossians 3:1-4 

(Here we have what was said about baptism which joins us to CHRIST and makes us share in all HIS wealth.  Since CHRIST left this earth, we leave it too:  what is best in our lives, what motivates us to do things in neither visible, nor is it of the earth.  GOD alone knows the riches of the believer's heart, even when her/his life seems tarnished by various faults and weaknesses:  one day GOD will manifest the goodness, the "glory" which we do not yet see.

 

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Through Baptism We Died With CHRIST

"Don't you know, that in baptism, which unites us to CHRIST, we are all baptized and plunged into HIS death?  By this baptism in HIS death, we were buried with CHRIST and, as CHRIST was raised from among the dead by the glory of the FATHER, we begin walking in a new life.  If we have been joined to HIM by dying a death like HIS, so shall we be, by a resurrection like HIS.

We know that our old self was crucified with CHRIST, so as to destroy what of us was sin, so that, we may no longer serve sin--if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin.  But, if we have died with CHRIST, we believe we will also live with HIM.  We know that CHRIST, once risen from the dead, will not die again, and death has no more dominion over HIM.  For, by dying, HE is dead to sin, once and for all, and now, the life that HE lives, is life with GOD.

So, you, too, must consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to GOD, in CHRIST JESUS." - Romans 6:3-11  

(We are all plunged into HIS death.  Baptism means entering into CHRIST to share the benefits of HIS sacrifice.  It also means the acceptance of a complete change of life, that of CHRIST in HIS death and resurrection.

You must consider yourselves dead to sin... It is evident that baptism, even when received with faith, does not make us perfect immediately.  Is it enough for us to give our whole attention to commandments?  What if the fear of temptation and daily faults paralyze us?  Beware of scruples and guilt complexes!  Paul proposes a different way: it is most important for us to believe that sin has no power over us.  Our eyes will be fixed on CHRIST knowing that we belong to HIM and that HE HIMSELF transforms us.  Such an apparent carefree attitude serves us more effectively than nervousness.  It is the way Saint Therese of Lisieux suggested for those who feel incapable of great things.)

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JESUS' Last Words

"Near the cross of JESUS stood HIS mother, HIS mother's sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala.  When JESUS saw the mother, and the disciple whom HE loved, HE said to the mother, 'Woman, this is your son.'  Then HE said to the disciple, 'This is your mother.'  And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home." - John 19:25-27  

(At the moment of Man's fall, Eve was with Adam.  Now, at the moment of restoration, that is, the second creation, another woman is with the Son of Man [the Human One], the second Adam.  Mary has neither spouse nor son who can receive her and, for the Jews, a woman who remains alone would be considered cursed.  JESUS entrusts Mary to John and, also, John to Mary.  John testifies having heard both phrases.  Notice that he writes: JESUS said to the Mother, and not, to HIS mother.  This is a new symbolic gesture of JESUS.  Mary will be the Mother of believers.

Through this last deed of JESUS, the Church discovered something about the mystery of the Christian life.  The believer is a member of a spiritual family.  As a child needs a father and a mother to grow normally so, too, does the believer need Mary and the heavenly FATHER.  This is an unchanging doctrine of the Church, which in no way attempts to make the creature equal with the Creator.

Not without reason has GOD given us a mother: if it is a misfortune for a child not to have known a mother, it is also a misfortune for a believer when his religion only expresses itself in masculine terms.  The believer who welcomes Mary to his home as did John is neither a fanatic nor a quibbler regarding faith.  There exists a form of humility, joy, interior peace and simple piety characteristic of those Catholics who have known how to open their doors to Mary without throwing out their Savior.)

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The Passover

"YAHWEH spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt and said, 'This month is to be the beginning of all months, the first month of your year.  Speak to the community of Israel and say to them:

On the tenth day of this month let each family take a lamb, a lamb for each house.  If the family is too small for a lamb, they must join with a neighbor, the nearest to the house, according to the number of persons and to what each one can eat.

You will select a perfect lamb without blemish, a male born during the present year, taken from the sheep or goats.  Then you will keep it until the fourteenth day of the month.

On that evening all the people will slaughter their lambs and take some of the blood to put on the doorposts and on top of the doorframes of the houses where you eat.

That night you will eat the flesh roasted at the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

And this is how you will eat: with a belt round your waist, sandals on your feet and a staff in your hand.  You shall eat hastily for it is a Passover in honor of YAHWEH.  On that night I shall go through Egypt and strike every firstborn in Egypt, men and animals; and I will even bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt, I, YAHWEH!  The blood on your houses will be the sign that you are there.  I will see the blood and pass over you; and you will escape the mortal plague when I strike Egypt.

This is the day you are to remember and celebrate in honor of YAHWEH.  It is to be kept as a festival day for all generations forever.'" - Exodus 12:1-8. 11-14 

(Let each family take a lamb.  The ancestors of the Hebrews, when wandering with their flocks before they stayed in Egypt, celebrated each year the Pasch of the Lamb, the traditional feast of the shepherds.  They sacrificed a lamb on the first moon of spring, a critical period for the ewes which had just given birth.  The lamb set aside for the feast was kept for several days in the same place where the people were so that it could be better identified with the family and carry the sins of all its members.  Later, the camping tents were sprinkled with its blood to drive away the "deadly" spirits that threatened people and animals.

The sense of the ancient feast has changed.  It must be understood that GOD established the Passover at the time of the exodus from Egypt: it would always be there to remind Israel of its liberation.)

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The Last Supper

"Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went off to the chief priests and said, 'How much will you give me if I hand HIM over to you?  They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver, and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand HIM over to them.

On the first day of the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to JESUS and said to HIM, 'Where do YOU want us to prepare the Passover meal for YOU?  JESUS answered, 'Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him: 'The Master says: MY hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with MY disciples in your house.'

The disciples did as JESUS had ordered and prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, JESUS sat at table with the Twelve.  While they were eating, JESUS said, 'Truly, I say to you: one of you will betray ME.'  They were deeply distressed and asked HIM in turn, 'YOU do not mean me, do YOU, LORD?

HE answered, 'He who will betray ME is one of those who dips his bread in the dish with ME.  The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say HE will.  But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man; better for him not to have been born.'  Judas, who was betraying HIM, also asked, 'YOU do not mean me, Master, do YOU?'  JESUS replied, 'You have said it'." - Matthew 26:14-25  

(During the Passover supper JESUS wanted to clarify the meaning of HIS imminent Passion.  HE was headed toward a death which HE freely accepted, a death that would save the world.  What would "HIS" salvation be?  It would bring human history to its fulfillment: peoples and races needed to mature, to confront one another and finally to be united in one body.  The world would pass through a thousand crises and deaths in order to come to the resurrection.  Within such a history GOD could spread and distribute the riches of HIS Spirit and bring to holiness HIS elect.  JESUS had presented a message that should guide humanity, but a people of GOD was also needed, a yeast, a minority who would feel committed to GOD's work, and to whom GOD would commit HIMSELF.

To understand the meaning of the LORD's Supper, it is necessary to read JESUS' farewell speeches to HIS apostles, which John situates on this very night of Holy Thursday [John 14-17].  JESUS came not only to preach but also to spread HIS Spirit among HIS believers.  In the future HE would be present and empower them in a special way whenever they would gather to celebrate the Holy Supper.  John explains this in John 6 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:17.)

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Christian Love

"MY children, I AM with you for only a little while; you will look for ME, but, as I already told the Jews, so now I tell you: where I AM going you cannot come.  Now I give you a new commandment: love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are MY disciples, if you have love for one another.

Simon Peter said to HIM, 'LORD, where are you going?'  JESUS answered, 'Where I AM going you cannot follow ME now, but afterwards you will.'  Peter said, 'LORD, why can't I follow YOU now?  I am ready to give my life for YOU.'  JESUS answered, 'To give your life for ME! Truly, I tell you, the cock will not crow before you have denied ME three times." - John 13:33-38  

(I give you a new commandment.  That is to say a commandment appropriate for the advent of a new era.  The Old Testament spoke of interior fidelity to GOD and love of neighbor, but the message often remained hidden among the complexities of the Law.  Besides, there are many ways of loving: even a fanatically religious person can claim to be loving to GOD.  In the New Testament JESUS says that love of GOD is the highest law.  The example given by the LORD during HIS earthly life reminds us of the way to love.

Love that is like GOD's aims at liberating our neighbor and enabling her to fully develop her GOD-given gifts.  Love like the LORD's helps the neighbor become what GOD wishes her to be, by passing through death to resurrection.

Moreover, when we go deeper into the mystery of divine love revealed to us through JESUS, our love becomes merged with the eternal love of GOD that alone, in the end, shall permeate all we do.  True love comes from GOD and makes us return to unity within GOD.

Time and again, JESUS points out the unique importance of Christian love.  Later, HIS apostles and the Church would sum up HIS teaching on love: Love of GOD is shown through love of our neighbor, love of our neighbor depends on love of GOD.  What is it really to love GOD?  The great saints and mystics of the Church tell us that love of GOD is not "to feel GOD," to feel devotion or affection for GOD.  Christian love lies not in sentiment or feelings [though on some occasions we might feel affection or devotion, which is helpful]; to love GOD is to be determined to do what GOD wishes at each moment of our lives.  What GOD wishes of us regarding our neighbor is that we render loving service and forgiveness.)

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The Supper At Bethany

"Six days before the Passover, JESUS came to Bethany, where HE had raised Lazarus, the dead man, to life.  Now they gave a dinner for HIM, and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at the table with JESUS.

Then Mary took a pound of costly perfume, made from genuine spikenard, and anointed the feet of JESUS, wiping them with her hair.  And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Judas Iscariot--the disciple who was to betray JESUS--remarked, 'This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and the money given to the poor.'  Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was a thief, and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds.

But JESUS spoke up, 'Leave her alone.  Was she not keeping it for the day of MY burial?  [The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have ME.]'

Many Jews heard that JESUS was there, and they came, not only because of JESUS, but also to see Lazarus whom HE had raised from the dead.  So, the chief priests thought about killing Lazarus as well, for many of the Jews were drifting away because of him and believing in JESUS." - John 12:1-11  

(Matthew and Mark also relate the incident at a supper when Mary showed her passionate love for JESUS.  She loved HIM with all her strength, and her love, far from blinding her, made her sense and respect the mysterious personality of JESUS.

Not all the apostles understood her gesture, because they still had much to learn about loving CHRIST.

Like Judas we often speak of giving to the poor.  Yet the LORD's command is not to give but to love.  To love the poor is to reveal to them their call from GOD, and to help them grow as persons by overcoming their weaknesses and divisions and by fulfilling the mission GOD entrusted to them.  The poor will live the Gospel and witness to it in the world.  If we are not among them, we need conversion and true poverty to discover with them the kingdom.  How can we really love the poor unless we have passionate love for JESUS?  When we do not, we prefer to speak only of giving to the poor.)

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"In Truth, I Tell You, Today, 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, 'In truth I tell you, today, 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 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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The Plot To Kill JESUS

"Many of the Jews who had come with Mary believed in JESUS when they saw what HE did; but some went to the Pharisees and told them what JESUS had done.  So, the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Council.

They said, 'What are we to do?  For this man keeps on performing many miraculous signs.  If we let HIM go on like this, all the people will believe in HIM and, as a result of this, the Romans will come and destroy our Holy Place and our nation.'

Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, spoke up, 'You know nothing at all!  It is better to have one man die for the people than to let the whole nation be destroyed.'

In saying this Caiaphas did not speak for himself, but being High Priest that year, he foretold like a prophet that JESUS would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also would die in order to gather into one the scattered children of GOD.  So, from that day on, they were determined to kill HIM.

Because of this, JESUS no longer moved about freely among the Jews.  HE withdrew instead to the country near the wilderness and stayed with HIS disciples in a town called Ephraim.

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and people from everywhere were coming to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover.  They looked for JESUS and, as they stood in the temple, they talked with one another, 'What do you think?  Will HE come to the festival?'" - John 11:45-56  

(Caiaphas words were fulfilled but not in the sense he intended.  JESUS going to die to gather into one the scattered children of GOD.

The worldwide effect of CHRIST's resurrection is to unite all of humanity in renewed creation--as JESUS HIMSELF put it, "when I'M lifted up from earth, I shall draw all to MYSELF" [John 12:32].  That is to say, the cross and resurrection are the source of communion and fraternity.

The Church reunites believers of all races and cultures: we call it "Catholic," that is, universal.  This Church, however, is but a beginning and a sign of that which will be attained at the end of time, when the whole of humanity will be reunited in CHRIST [Revelation 7].)

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JESUS Claims To Be The Son Of GOD

"The Jews then picked up stones to throw at HIM; so, JESUS said, 'I have openly done many good works among you which the FATHER gave ME to do.  For which of these do you stone ME?'

The Jews answered, 'We are not stoning YOU for doing a good work but for insulting GOD; YOU are only a man, and you make YOURSELF GOD. 'Then JESUS replied, 'Is this not written in your Law: I said you are gods?  So those who received this word of GOD were called gods and the Scripture is always true.  Then what should be said of the one anointed and sent into the world by the FATHER?  AM I insulting GOD when I say: I AM the Son of GOD'?

If I AM not doing the works of MY FATHER, do not believe ME.  But if I do them, even if you have no faith in ME, believe because of the works I do, and know that the FATHER is in ME and I in the FATHER.'

Again, they tried to arrest HIM, but JESUS escaped from their hands.  HE went away again to the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John had baptized, and there HE stayed.

Many people came to HIM and said, 'John showed no miraculous signs, but he spoke of this man and everything he said was true.'  And many became believers in that place." - John 10:31-42 

(In the Bible angles are sometimes called sons of GOD, and JESUS remarks that the rulers are called gods.  Because of this, JESUS did not like to be proclaimed Son of GOD.  HE speaks forcefully in saying: the FATHER is in ME and I in the FATHER: equal to equal.  At the same time that HE stresses HIS divine power, HE also affirms HIS total dependence on the FATHER.  In this we recognize GOD the Son.)

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Abram Becomes Abraham

 Hello! and happy good Thursday to all of us, GUYS.  Our today's "food for the soul":

THE GOOD NEWS (17 March 2016)

"Abram fell face down and GOD said to him, 'This is my covenant with you: you will be the father of a multitude of nations.  No longer will you be called Abram, but Abraham, because I will make you the father of a multitude of nations.  I will make you more and more famous; I will multiply your descendants; nations shall spring from you, kings shall be among your descendants.  And I will establish a covenant, an everlasting covenant between MYSELF and you and your descendants after you; from now on I will be your GOD and the GOD of your descendants after you, for generations to come.  I will give to you and your descendants after you land you are living in, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession and I will be the GOD of your race.'

GOD said to Abraham, 'For your part, you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you, generation after generation." - Genesis 17:3-9

(Abram means venerated father, and Abraham: father of a multitude.  In changing the name of HIS servant, GOD enables him to begin a new life and to really become what his new name expresses.  JESUS will proceed in the same way with the first leader of HIS church [John 1:42].)

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The Children Of Truth

"JESUS went on to say to the Jews who believed in HIM: 'You will be MY true disciples if you keep MY word.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.'  They answered HIM, 'We are the descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone.  What do YOU mean by saying: You will be free?'

JESUS answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave.  But the slave doesn't stay in the house forever; the Son stays forever.  So, if the Son makes you free, you will be really free.

I know that you are the descendants of Abraham; yet you want to kill ME because MY word finds no place in you.  For MY part I speak of what I have seen in the FATHER's presence, but you do what you have learned from your father.' 

They answered HIM, 'Our father is Abraham.'  Then JESUS said, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would do as Abraham did.  But now you want to kill ME, the one who tells you the truth - the truth that I have learned from GOD.  That is not what Abraham did; what you are doing are the works of your father.'

The Jews said to HIM, 'We are not illegitimate children; we have one FATHER, GOD.'  JESUS replied, 'If GOD were your FATHER, you would love ME, for I came forth from GOD, and I AM here.  And I didn't come by MY own decision, but it was HE HIMSELF who sent ME." - John 8:31-42  

(JESUS spoke to the Jews who believed in HIM.  Those Jews believed in JESUS according to their own view of HIM, very much like the Jews whom Paul would oppose in Galatians 3-4 did.  From JESUS' discussions with those who claimed to have the true religion, we can surmise how JESUS would confront us were HE to pass among us today.

JESUS would not reproach us so much for our sins, as for our continuing to live in sin.  Sins are evil deeds that at times may be excusable; often we repent of them as soon as we have committed them.  To be in sin, on the other hand, is to live in falsehood; it is to persist stubbornly in a certain pride, an attachment to our own judgments.  This attitude prevents us from entering into the ways of GOD, even though to all appearances we live in upright life and proclaim our faith.

JESUS is not a banner for every social group, whether known as Catholic or by some other name, with which we go to fight other groups.  HE has come as a king of the kingdom of truth.  Those who seek the truth are HIS, whatever their ideas may be.  Rather, those who live in truth are HIS.

For those Jews the world was divided into two groups: the sons of Abraham, that is themselves, and the rest.  They boasted of their ancestry and forgot that in GOD's eyes, each one is what he is.

JESUS comes to them as a witness to the truth; and HIS presence alone obliges all to examine themselves.  The truth JESUS speaks of is not a doctrine that HIS followers should impose by force.  Propagandists with arguments and biblical quotations are not needed, but witnesses who speak from their experience.  JESUS says: The truth will make you free, and: the Son will make you free.  Our truth consists in living in accordance with our vocation as children of GOD.

The believer who knows he is loved by GOD and consequently endeavors to be authentic is already in the truth, even if he retains some prejudices common to his milieu or is unconsciously guided by some lies or illusions in his way of living.)  

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The Bronze Serpent

"From Mount Hor they set out by the Red Sea Road to go around the land of Edom.  The people were discouraged by the journey and began to complain against GOD and Moses.  'Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  There is neither bread nor water here and we are disgusted with this tasteless manna.'

YAHWEH then sent fiery serpents against them.  They bit the people and many of the Israelites died.  Then the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, speaking against YAHWEH and against you.  Plead with YAHWEH to take the serpents away.'

Moses pleaded for the people and YAHWEH said to him, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a standard; whoever has been bitten and then looks at it shall live.'

So, Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a standard.  Whenever a man was bitten, he looked towards the bronze serpent, and he lived." - Numbers 21:4-9  

(With regard to the bronze serpent, two quite different questions may be asked.  The first: what is the historical origin of this account?  An easy answer: near the Sinai mines a healing god was honored and little bronze serpents were offered in thanksgiving.  The stories of travelers must have inspired the narrative.  But the important question is the second: what does this page of the holy book intend to say?

The people complained.  The Israelites complain again: this is the inner rebellion of those who do not accept sacrifices and will not exert themselves in order to become better and who would rather blame others.

Make a bronze serpent.  A strange command to the Israelites, but the bronze serpent will be a prophetic sign: GOD intends to cure the sin with the very instrument of the sin.

Whoever looks at it shall live: another prophetic statement.  Sinners will not have to follow strict prescriptions: let them merely look with faith at the sign GOD sends for their healing.  JESUS will say: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up [on the cross] so that he who believes in HIM will have eternal life" [John 3:14].

The story of the serpent is one of those biblical images with a hidden meaning, and people had to wait for the day when CHRIST would give them meaning.  The same is true of the story of Melchizedek [Genesis 14] and the story of Joseph.

The same is true in our own lives; in our past there have been some incidents which we did not understand at that time.  Why did this happen to me?   Someday, the light of CHRIST will reveal the meaning.)

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I AM The Light Of The World

"JESUS spoke to them again, 'I AM the Light of the world; the one who follows ME will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life.'  The Pharisees replied, 'Now YOU are speaking on YOUR own behalf, YOUR testimony is worthless.'

Then JESUS said, 'Even though I bear witness to MYSELF, MY testimony is true, for I know where I have come from and where I AM going.  But you do not know where I came from or where I AM going.

You judge by human standards; as for ME, I don't judge anyone.  But if I had to judge, MY judgment would be valid for I AM not alone: the FATHER who sent ME is with ME.  In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid; so I AM bearing witness to MYSELF, and the FATHER who sent ME bears witness to ME.'

They asked HIM, 'Where is YOUR FATHER?'  JESUS answered, 'You don't know ME or MY FATHER; if you knew ME, you would know MY FATHER as well.'

JESUS said these things when HE was teaching in the temple area, in the place where they received the offerings.  No one arrested HIM, because HIS hour had not yet come." - John 8:12-20  

(JESUS is the light for all people of all times.  GOD guided the Hebrews in the desert by means of a luminous cloud.  HE guides us through HIS Son; whoever follows JESUS will not walk in darkness.

Light means many good things: the welcome light of dawn after a night of darkness; the electric lights which illumine our homes while darkness reigns outside; the streetlights which shine for everyone, poor and rich alike; the light that triumphs over the dark forces of evil and ignorance.  CHRIST is all that and more for whoever follows HIM.  HE is the light by which we live with wholeness and integrity, and through whom we learn to attribute to material things and human activities their proper value.

By the light of CHRIST, a person triumphs over all inner darkness.  We are conscious of only a small part of our inner self; we often obey impulses not under our control that come from our nature.  Good intentions animate us, and we have a clean heart [so we think], but we do not realize that actually we often obey the call "of flesh and blood," as Scripture puts it.  If we live in the light, the light will gradually illumine our innermost being. 

Part of the human condition aggravated by sin is the absence of light for seeking and discerning what is good.  Therefore, in serious matters, it is not wise to simply follow our first impulse.  We need to be continuously enlightened through prayer, listening to the word of GOD, studying the teaching of the Church, and accepting the good advice of our brothers and sisters.  By these means JESUS enlightens our conscience.)

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The Adulteress

"As for JESUS, HE went to the Mount of Olives.

At daybreak JESUS appeared in the Temple again.  All the people came to HIM, and HE sat down and began to teach them.

Then the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.  They made her stand in front of everyone. 

'Master,' they said, 'this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.  Now the Law of Moses orders that such women be stoned to death; but YOU, what do YOU say?  They said this to test JESUS, in order to have some charge against HIM.

JESUS bent down and started writing on the ground with HIS finger.  And as they continued to ask HIM, HE straightened up and said to them, 'Let anyone among you who has no sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'  And HE bent down again, writing on the ground.

As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and JESUS was left alone with the woman standing before HIM.  Then JESUS stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?  She replied, 'No one.'  And JESUS said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go away and don't sin again'." - John 8:1-11  

(The selection 8:1-11 is not found in most ancient manuscripts of John's Gospel.  Many think that this selection is from other sources.  Perhaps it did belong to the Gospel of Luke [compare 8:2 and Luke 21:38] and was later inserted in John's text.

If JESUS showed such respect to the sinner and refused to condemn her, as humans would, was it because HE did not consider her fault grave?  No, it was because GOD uses different ways than people do to bring sinners to repentance and to purify them through suffering.

There is a big difference between telling a person his ideas or deeds are wrong or sinful, and condemning him.  We usually condemn the person; we do not make room for change and mercy.  In this Gospel episode JESUS is both demanding and merciful towards the woman.)

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Appeal To GOD's Justice

"O YAHWEH, my GOD, in YOU I take shelter; deliver me, and save me from all my pursuers, lest lions tear me to pieces, with no one to rescue me.

Proclaim, O YAHWEH, my righteousness; YOU see, that I am blameless.

Bring to an end the power of the wicked, but affirm the just, O righteous GOD, searcher of mind and heart.

YOU cover me as a shield, Oh GOD, for YOU protect the upright.

A righteous judge is GOD, HIS anger ever awaiting those who refuse to repent."

- Psalm 7:2-3. 9-10. 11-12

(We have no difficulty with the opening of this psalm but the confident claim of innocence that follows it, is frightening.  We prefer to invoke GOD's mercy rather than invite HIS strict scrutiny.  But perhaps we have no cause for misgiving.  A Christian may confidently boast that he or she is 'just' because the righteousness that is the property of GOD alone is truly and internally communicated to the Christian, In CHRIST HIMSELF, the righteousness of GOD appears and becomes available to those who have access by faith and baptism to the power of CHRIST's resurrection.  This is the 'justness' we can boast of when we sing this psalm: 'Let those who boast, boast in the LORD.'

When we dream about a more just society, while deathly violence surrounds us, we can pray with this psalm, aware that justice will prevail and in gratitude we sing praises to the LORD.) 

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