"Do Not Treasure Treasures."

"Do not store up treasures for yourself here, on earth, where moth and rust destroy it; and where thieves can steal it.  Store up treasures for yourself with GOD, where no moth or rust can destroy it, nor thief come and steal it.

For where your treasures, is, there, also, will your heart be.

The lamp of the body is the eye; if your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light.  If your eyes are diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" - Matthew 6:19-23  

(Do not store up treasures.  The Gospel says: "Do not treasure treasures," treasures meaning those savings held in reserve rather than something that is loved.  For centuries the majority of human beings rarely had personal reserves: the family or the clan took charge of the reserve in times of adversity.  Today each one is in charge of his own resources; it is perhaps better, but how do we escape the obsession of a secure future?  Once more JESUS invites us to believe in the Providence of the FATHER: if we have HIS interests at heart, HE will look after ours.

Store up treasures for yourself with GOD.  The Gospel says, "in Heaven," and we know that Heaven is one of the names of GOD.

There also will your heart be.  [In the Jewish culture the heart is where judgments and decisions are made].  I do not possess things, but they possess me and by degrees impose on me a certain lifestyle.

There also will your heart be.  It is this certitude that motivates any effort made towards "evangelical poverty."  It is a question of being as free as possible for action and for love.  JESUS calls us to disinterested action and at the same time warns us against inordinate attachment to persons, to ideas and possessions: we are to be ready for anything but must never get attached to the fruits of action.

Here eye is the conscience.  To be bright-eyed signifies generosity, to be dark-eyed signifies meanness.  JESUS emphasizes what HE has just said: a misinformed conscience leads us astray and turns us in on ourselves.)

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"To Pray Is Not To Talk Much, But To Surrender Our Lives Into GOD's Loving Hands."

"When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do; for they believe that, the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard.  Do not be like them.  Your FATHER knows what you need, even before you ask HIM.

This, then, is how you should pray;

Our FATHER in heaven,

holy be YOUR name,

YOUR kingdom come,

YOUR will, be done

on earth, as in heaven

Give us today, our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we forgive those who are in debt to us.

Do not bring us to the test,

but deliver us from the evil one.

If you forgive others their wrongdoings, your FATHER in heaven will also forgive yours.  If you do not forgive others, then your FATHER will not forgive you. - Matthew 6:7-15  

(The value of prayer does not lie in the quantity of words and the mere repetition of formulas, as if accomplishing a task.  The value of prayer lies chiefly in our inner attitude of faith and love of GOD.  We should try to lift our mind and heart to GOD as a FATHER and a friend, a GOD who loves us and is always waiting for us to share a silent moment with HIM.  To pray is not to talk much, but to surrender our lives into GOD's loving hands.

JESUS gives the Our Father to HIS disciples as the perfect prayer coming from the heart of GOD's children, expressing as it does, what they should ask and the order in which the requests should be made.)

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Doing Good For GOD Alone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Love Of Enemies

"You have heard, that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good, to your enemy.  But this I tell you: love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your FATHER in heaven.  For HE makes HIS sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and HE gives rain to both the just and the unjust.

If you love those who love you, what is special about that?  Do not even tax collectors do as much?  And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that?  Do not even the pagans do as much?  As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly FATHER is perfect." - Matthew 5:43-48  

(Love your neighbor.  Here we come to the last of the opposites between the Old Law and the New.  The Old Testament spoke of loving a neighbor and this was a matter of solidarity among the members of the people of GOD.  With the Gospel the word "love" is not only given a wider dimension: it introduces us into a world totally different.  Solidarity within the group is supported by an instinct inscribed in nature.  This love however does not cross the frontiers that separate social groups: these only exist and find their identity in opposing others.   

Do not do good to your enemy.  The text is not found in the Scriptures as it stands but its equivalent is in several places [Deuteronomy 7:2].  Referring to enemies of the nation rather than to personal enemies, we are asked to be wary of them, not to help them and even to exterminate them, rather than share their errors.  If in many countries today it is understood that there is no frontier for love, it must be recognized that this ideal is a fruit of the Gospel: JESUS has enlightened our minds by asking us to model the love of our neighbor on the universal love of GOD the FATHER.  We have only to open a newspaper to see that this love of neighbor, whatever it be, and even if it comes from a social, national or religious group, in enmity with ours, remains incomprehensible to the majority, even in Christian countries.  When we realize that there is a place for everyone in the present world and that GOD directs everything for the benefit of all, we see things as GOD does and are perfect as the FATHER is perfect.

Love your enemies: Mark 12;31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; Romans 12:20; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Romans 12:14; Ephesians 5:1.)

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An Eye For An Eye And A Tooth For A Tooth

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

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

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

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

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

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Man The Viceroy Of GOD

When I observe the heavens,

the work of YOUR hands,

the moon, and the stars YOU set in their place--

what is man, that YOU be mindful of him;

the son of man, that YOU should care for him?

Yet YOU made him a little less than a god;

YOU crowned him with glory and honor

and gave him the works of YOUR hands;

YOU have put all things under his feet--

sheep and oxen without number,

and even the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,

and all that swim the paths of the ocean."

- Psalm 8:4-5. 6-7. 8-9

(This psalm is a lyrical reflection on the making and endowment of man: 'Let us make man in our own image... let him have dominion over the fish, the birds, the beasts' [Genesis 1:26].  He is little less than a god because he has a share in GOD's dominion.  He is much greater than the stars because, child though he is before the Eternal GOD, he has a voice for praise.

Everything speaks to us about GOD, whose Name is admirable, just as HIS works are.  It is a childlike adequate language to praise our Great Master [cf. Matthew 21:16].  No one can build himself if he has not yet sought his mission in the world.  We are nothing without our brothers and sisters who struggle or vegetate in the anthills of the entire world.  Wherever there is a human being, he or she is tenderly cared for by GOD.  This psalm can be sung as a celebration of human dignity and divine greatness.)

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"In A General Way, Don't Take Oaths."

"You have also heard that people were told in the past: Do not break your oath; an oath sworn to the LORD must be kept.  But I tell you this: do not take oaths.  Do not swear by the heavens, for they are GOD's throne; nor by the earth, because it is HIS footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king.  Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.  Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes' and 'No' mean 'No.'  Anything else you say comes from the evil one." -  Matthew 5:33-37  

(Do not take oaths.  This sentence must not be understood: "You shall never take an oath", but: "In a general way, don't take oaths."

Many invoke the name of GOD on any occasion.  Is it because they truly know HIM and have HIM in mind?  If we use HIS name casually, it is because we do not experience the weight of HIS presence.  What a lack of respect to call on GOD to testify to our sincerity when we do not even recognize all that is false and unclean within us!

Anything else you say comes from the devil, and even the preoccupation of defending and justifying oneself in the eyes of others.  See also Matthew 23:16; James 5:12.)

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Do Not Commit Adultery

"You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery.  But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent, has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away!  It is much better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell.  If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away!  It is better for you to lose a part of your body, than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

It was also said:  Anyone who divorces his wife, must give her a written notice of divorce.  But what I tell you is this:  if a man divorces his wife, except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery.  And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery." - Matthew 5:27-32 

(Do not commit adultery.  For many, conjugal fidelity is a burdensome and old-fashioned law, which they merely admire in others.  JESUS replaces fidelity among the laws of the interior world, where GOD, the Faithful One is to reign.

If your right eye...  Here we must underline the opposition between: your hand, your eye, and: you.  In another place JESUS will say that we must be able to give up everything, but here HE dares to add: even your physical integrity.  

All of us are looking for happiness, promotion and security, but what are those criteria worth?  All strive to live fully their life and enjoy without limits their own health and body, but here JESUS tells us that true life is elsewhere and that true self creates itself while accepting mutilations of the present life.

It is only a matter of sacrificing what could drag us to "major fault and sin'?  The word of JESUS goes far beyond.  As much as we complain about the misery and meaninglessness of our life, we conserve it at any cost with the hope of still enjoying this world.  What if real sin were to avoid any risk and self-sacrifice when GOD is calling?

JESUS speaks of a hell of fire, because there is nothing worse than this final result: a lost life that has not been fruitful, and the abortion of our eternal self.

Anyone who divorces his wife... Here this saying of JESUS is given as an example of the courageous decisions that a Christian may be called upon to make.  GOD sometimes asks for heroic sacrifices.  The one who does not choose the difficult way necessarily loses something of the Gospel.

Except in the case of unlawful union.  These words are not found in the other quotations of this saying of JESUS.  Why did Matthew put them?  In fact, there are two possible interpretations.

First, it can be understood that one spouse has an extra licentious relationship, and then the other is allowed to separate.

Second, it can be understood that the one entering the Church through baptism is living with an unlawful union, and then this marriage or concubinage does not tie him.)

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The LORD Is My Shepherd

"HE makes me lie down in green pastures.

HE leads me beside the still waters,

HE restores my soul.

HE guides me through the right paths

for HIS name's sake.

YOU spread a table before me

in the presence of my foes.

YOU anoint my head with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

Goodness and kindness will follow me

all the days of my life,

I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

as long as I live."

- Psalm 23:2-3. 5. 6

(In the course of years of the Shepherd-LORD took flesh and died for HIS sheep - thus HE led the way through a dark valley to pastures beyond.  We follow without fear.  And if we should falter, HE takes home in HIS arms [Luke 15:5-6].  To such a shepherd we sing our hymn.  But if, with the psalmist, we may change our picture, HE is our generous host, too.  The brimming cup HE offers was dearly bought: 'Drink!  This is MY blood that shall be shed.'

We will be on our way until we reach the Promised Land.  While we journey, this psalm will give us light and consolation.  It is not the repose of death that we await but the resurrection that brings us to the FATHER.  Do we need any more assurance than that to become a true Christian, i.e., CHRIST-like?

The original manuscript uses the word 'YAHWEH is my shepherd.'  Since this psalm is a common, everyday prayer we use, for pastoral purposes, we use the known expression 'The LORD is my shepherd.')   

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More Perfect Law

"Do not think that I have come to remove the Law and the Prophets.  I have not come to remove but to fulfill them.  I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or stroke of the law will change until all is fulfilled. 

So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be the least in the kingdom of heaven.  On the other hand, whoever obeys them and teaches others to do the same will be great in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:17-19 

(Here begins the presentation of the new Law.  It is far from what is often sought in a religion: practices to observe, fasts, prayers, good works with which one wins salvation.  JESUS says little about this because the Bible has dealt at length with this subject, and the study of the Bible itself shows that these laws and practices are always linked to a certain culture and have to be adapted to the times.

Law.  At times this word indicates all the religion of Israel.  The Law and the Prophets: was a way of indicating the whole Bible.

Not the smallest letter or stroke of the Law will change until all is fulfilled.  JESUS does not refer to the commandments.  Rather HE affirms that the religion founded on the Old Testament's Scripture was a temporary, yet necessary, step in the history of salvation.  The prophecies had to be fulfilled; the rites and sacrifices of that religion expressed in a veiled manner the mystery of sin and mercy that would be fulfilled in the person and the work of JESUS.  With HIM comes the perfect and definitive fellowship of GOD with humankind.

For us as well, observing the laws of the Bible is not an end in itself.  They are an expression of real love and are its guidelines.  In obeying them we become receptive to the Spirit who will lead us.  In this way we discover a "righteousness" or perfection far superior to the canonists of the time: the teachers of the law and the Pharisees.

So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments ... Here JESUS is referring to the commandments.)  

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Salt And Light

"You are the salt of the earth.  But if salt has lost its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It has become useless.  It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.

You are the light of the world.  A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead, it is put on a lamp stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do, and praise your FATHER in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16  

(JESUS has just designated those who are called to the kingdom.  First of all, HE will clarify their mission: to be the light of the world and not merely a light in the world.  This does not mean that all people are to enter the Church, but that the Church has to be salt and light to the world.  Scripture mentions salt as the element that preserves food.  The covenant of salt was the Covenant of GOD with those who were to serve HIM forever [Numbers 18:19].  So the disciples of JESUS are called salt of the earth because through them the world benefits from the lasting Covenant with GOD.  They must continually enkindle in the world the desire and struggle for true justice and perfection and not allow human societies to become satisfied with mediocrity.

You are the light: JESUS does not mean "You are the best in the world," but "GOD has chosen you to be a minority and through you HE will make HIMSELF known."  You will experience [both you and the Church] much that you would perhaps prefer to avoid, but which will be for the world, a sign from GOD.)

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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, 'There 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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"Receive The Holy Spirit!"

"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 among them, and said to them, 'Peace be with you!'  Then HE showed them HIS hands and HIS side.  The disciples, seeing the LORD, 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!  Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; 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.

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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The Security Of GOD's Friends

"YAHWEH is in HIS holy place--

our GOD whose throne is in heaven.

HE looks down to earth

to observe the race of Adam.

YAHWEH searches both righteous and wicked.

HE hates those who delight in violence.

Upon the wicked, HE will rain

coals of fire and brimstone;

a burning blast will be their lot.

For YAHWEH is righteous;

HE loves justice.

The upright will see HIS face."

- Psalm 11:4-7

(This is another picturesque variation of the theme of trust in GOD.  The psalmist is confident that the righteous will meet GOD face to face and chooses not to let the wicked trouble him instead.  The hunters are out again, but the psalmist is already away to the refuge he knows so well, every cranny of it, the mountains, which is GOD.  What else can he do, when all the rest that seemed dependable, has collapsed?  Perhaps the attitude is as grudging as Peter's 'To whom shall we go?'  Doubtless, our own motives are never unmixed: something creative has disappointed us and we turn to the Creator.  Strangely enough, HE seems to be satisfied with this: HE runs to us, undignified like the Prodigal's father.  Shall we ever understand how humble GOD's love is?  Even the form of a servant was not enough, unless it hung on a cross!)

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"Simon, Son Of John, Do You Love ME More Than These Do?"

"After they had finished breakfast, JESUS said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love ME more than these do?'  He answered, 'Yes, LORD, YOU know that I love YOU.'  And JESUS said, 'Feed MY lambs.'

A second time JESUS said to him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love ME?'  And Peter answered, 'Yes, LORD, YOU know that I love YOU.'  JESUS said to him, 'Look after MY sheep.'  And a third time HE said to him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love ME?'

Peter was saddened because JESUS asked him a third time.  'Do you love ME?' and he said, 'LORD, YOU know everything; YOU know that I love YOU.'

JESUS then said, 'Feed MY sheep!  Truly, I say to you, when you were young, you put on your belt and walked where you liked.  But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will put a belt around you, and lead you where you do not wish to go,'

JESUS said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify GOD.  And HE added, 'Follow ME!'" - John 21:15-19  

(The triple questioning of Peter by JESUS may be thought of as the undoing of the triple denial during JESUS' passion.  Peter, too, being the shepherd of the shepherds, is a forgiven sinner.  JESUS entrusts the whole Church to him: the same as in Matthew 16:18.  Do you love ME?  This is the first condition to be fulfilled by a shepherd in the Church.

This dialogue between JESUS and Peter expresses what being a Christian is all about.  JESUS asks us every day if we love HIM in a special and exclusive way: Do you love ME more than these do?  We answer, "Yes," despite our miseries, as Peter did; JESUS then invites us to follow HIM anew, out of love, and to share with HIM the responsibility of caring for the people of GOD.  There is no better way of following JESUS than by giving up our lives for HIS mission. 

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Paul Appears Before The Sanhedrin

"Paul knew that part of the Council were Sadducees and other Pharisees; so, he spoke out in the Council, 'Brothers I am a Pharisee, son of a Pharisee.  It is for the hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial here.

At these words, an argument broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the whole assembly was divided.  For the Sadducees claim that there is neither resurrection, nor angels nor spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all these things.

Then the shouting grew louder, and some teachers of the Law of the Pharisee party protested, 'We find nothing wrong with this man.  Maybe a spirit or an angel has spoken to him.'

With this the argument became so violent that the commander feared that Paul would be torn to pieces by them.  He therefore ordered the soldiers to go down and rescue him from their midst and take him back to the fortress.

That night the LORD stood by Paul and said, 'Courage!  As you have borne witness to me here in Jerusalem, so must you do in Rome'." - Acts 22:30. 23:6-11 

(To understand the chapters dealing with Paul's trial we have to remember that justice in the Roman empire was very well organized.  The supreme tribunal was in Rome: this was the Tribunal of Caesar, and Roman citizens fearing a mistrial in their province could appeal to the Tribunal of Caesar.  There were governors [or procurators] who administered justice in each province.  In the Jewish territory, the Romans who occupied the country kept the important cases for themselves, but they left the rest to the Jewish tribunals, especially religious affairs.  Paul was to go through various tribunals, beginning with the Sanhedrin, or religious court of the Jews, all the way to the tribunal of Caesar.

Thus, through Paul, the words of JESUS entrusting to HIS apostles the mission of proclaiming HIM before Jewish and pagan authorities was to be fulfilled.

Paul tries to make the resurrection of CHRIST the theme of his declaration.  There was a trial to condemn JESUS.  Now, Paul tries to have the governors pay attention to the cause of the risen JESUS, and he succeeds.

In every age, such will be the zeal of the witnesses of CHRIST when they are accused: to demonstrate that they are not acting out of self-interest, nor from any human motive, but because they are the servants of CHRIST.)

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The Principal Duty Of The Church Is To Know GOD

"I AM no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to YOU.  Holy FATHER, keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name, so that they may be one, as we also are.

When I was with them, I kept them safe in YOUR name; and not one was lost, except the one who was already lost, and in this, the Scripture was fulfilled.   And now I come to you; in the world I speak these things, so that those whom YOU gave ME, might have joy--all MY joy within themselves.

I have given them YOUR word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I AM not of the world, I do not ask YOU to remove them from the world, but to keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I AM not of the world.  Consecrate them in the truth.  YOUR word is truth.

I have sent them into the world as YOU sent ME into the world; and for their sake, I go to the sacrifice by which I AM consecrated, so that they too may be consecrated in truth." - John 17:11-19  

(Keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name.  In other words: keep them in the radiance of YOUR own sanctity, with which YOU embrace YOUR Son.  At that moment JESUS prayed for HIS Church, to whom HE entrusted HIS own mission.  The principal duty of the Church is to know GOD.  Whatever the situation of the Church might be, its proper and indispensable mission will be to keep and proclaim the true knowledge of GOD and the commandment of HIS Son.

JESUS prays for HIS own so that they may become the new people [Psalm 102:19], consecrated to GOD, this time according to the truth.  HE will pour over them the Spirit of Truth, who has been promised to Israel and will instruct us interiorly.

Priestly Prayer is the name many give to that prayer in which CHRIST, before HE died, offered to sacrifice HIS own life, as both priest and victim.  The word to consecrate applied to two things: the priest was consecrated, that is, was made worthy to offer the sacrifice, and HE also consecrated [made holy] the victim on sacrificing it.)

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Prayer Of JESUS For The New Holy People

"After saying this, JESUS lifted up HIS eyes to heaven and said, 'FATHER. the hour has come!  Give glory to YOUR Son, that the Son may give glory to YOU.  YOU have given HIM power over all humanity, so that HE may give eternal life to all those YOU entrusted to HIM.  For this is eternal life: to know YOU, the only true GOD, and the One YOU sent, JESUS CHRIST.

I have glorified YOU on earth and finished the work that YOU gave ME to do.  Now, FATHER, give ME, in YOUR presence, the same glory I had with YOU before the world began.

I had made YOUR name known to those YOU gave ME from the world.  They were YOURS, and YOU gave them to ME, and they kept YOUR word.  And now they know that whatever YOU entrusted to ME, is indeed from YOU.  I have given them the teaching I received from YOU, and they accepted it, and know in truth that I came from YOU; and they believe that YOU sent ME.

I pray for them.  I do not pray for the world, but for those who belong to YOU, and whom YOU have given to ME.  Indeed, all I have is YOURS, and all YOU have is MINE; and now they are MY glory.  I AM no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to YOU.  Holy FATHER, keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name, so that they may be one, as WE also are.'" - John 17:1-11  

(Keep those YOU have given ME in YOUR name.  In other words: keep them in the radiance of YOUR own sanctity, with which YOU embrace YOUR Son.  At that moment JESUS prayed for HIS Church, to whom HE entrusted HIS own mission.  The principal duty of the Church is to know GOD.  Whatever the situation of the Church might be, its proper and indispensable mission will be to keep and proclaim the true knowledge of GOD and the commandment of HIS Son.

JESUS wants each of his own to know GOD.  This knowledge comes to us when we interiorize the word of GOD, persevere in prayer and join community celebrations.  In this we will have the help of the Holy Spirit, from whom come the gifts of knowledge and wisdom [Colossians 1:9].  From knowledge will spring good works and love; this is the beginning of eternal life in which we will see GOD as HE is [1 John 2:3].

JESUS prayed that HIS Church might be one, that is to say, that it might be the sign of unity in a divided world.  It is not enough that CHRIST is preached; it is also necessary for the world to see in its midst the Church, one and united.

Catholic Church, means, universal.  In the Church no one is a stranger.  One Church, through one same spirit, and through the visible unity of its members.)

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Paul In Ephesus

"While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus.  There he found some disciples whom he asked, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?'  They answered, 'We have not even heard that anyone may receive the Holy Spirit.'  Paul then asked, 'What kind of baptism have you received?'  And they answered, 'The baptism of John.'

Paul then explained, 'John's baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one who was to come, and that one is JESUS.'  Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS.  Then Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came down upon them; and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.  There were about twelve of them in all.

Paul went into the synagogue and for three months he preached and discussed there boldly, trying to convince them about the Kingdom of GOD." - Acts 19:1-8 

(For three years, Paul wanted to evangelize Ephesus.  Ephesus was one of the most beautiful and largest cities in the empire.

Luke wanted to relate the baptism of these twelve disciples of John the Baptist. As we have just said they knew something of JESUS' teaching, but as for being his disciples, they lacked what was most important: they had not received the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit came down upon them.  We must not forget that in the beginning, the Christian language was limited.  We know that the Holy Spirit is much more than the manifestations that follow the laying on of hands.  So we have such statements as: we have not heard that there is the Holy Spirit, while other texts state: that the Holy Spirit be received.  The laying on of hands is meant to confirm the change worked at baptism through the experience of the gifts of the Spirit [1 Corinthians 12:7].  Many Christians would be surprised today if they have never had this tangible experience of GOD.  Let us not say that these gifts are no longer useful or that such things do not happen today.  What is important, surely, is to believe and live one's faith rather than to feel it.  Such an experience, however, is often the shock that gives rise to a re-blossoming of our faith: it shows us that GOD is near, and HE is master of our inner self.   Perhaps our rationalist temperament and our Church life, mistrustful of all that is a personal expression, serves as a dampener of the gifts of the Spirit; perhaps it is rather the poverty of our commitment to JESUS.

They were baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS.  Are we to presume that in the beginning baptism was in the name of JESUS and not in the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT?  It is not certain.

In the name of signifies: by the power of; maybe the baptism in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the Holy Spirit was called the baptism in the name of JESUS to distinguish it from the baptism of John and the baptisms of other religions.  It is also possible that at the moment of receiving the water in the name of the Holy Trinity, the person baptized had to make a personal invocation in the Name of JESUS.  Possibly also in early times, baptism was given "in the Name of JESUS" and later the Church modified the formula in order to distinguish itself from groups that believed in JESUS but without recognizing HIM as Son of GOD, born of the FATHER.  There would be nothing to astonish us in such a change: the Church of the apostles had given the first formula; the same Church gave the second formula attributed to JESUS in Matthew 28:19.)

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Last Instructions

"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 24:46-53 

(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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