Do Not Grieve As Others Do

"Brothers and sisters, we want you not to be mistaken about those who are already asleep, lest you grieve as do those who have no hope.  We believe that JESUS died and rose; it will be the same for those who have died in JESUS.  GOD will bring them together with JESUS and for HIS sake.

By the same word of the LORD, we assert this: those of us who are to be alive at the LORD's coming, will not go ahead of those who are already asleep.  When the command by the archangel's voice is given, the LORD, HIMSELF, will come down from heaven, while the divine trumpet call is sounding.  Then, those who have died in the LORD, will rise first; as for us who are still alive, we will be brought along with them, in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the celestial world.  And we will be with the LORD forever.

So then, comfort one another with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  

(Lest you grieve as do those who have no hope.  The Thessalonian community is made up of Christians who are all recent converts with little experience.  For years they had accepted the fate of being born to die.  Now, on the contrary, they awaken each day with the assurance of overcoming death:  CHRIST will come soon and take them to the heavenly Kingdom.  They are grieved nevertheless over their dead relatives whom CHRIST will not be able to save.  This is what they thought because Greek culture had difficulties believing in a resurrection of the dead. 

Those who are already asleep.  Those who have died are not dead, but they are asleep, waiting for the time of the resurrection, the time of rising as new persons transformed by CHRIST; we will all be transformed.  The word "cemetery" comes from a word meaning sleeping place.

 

GOD will bring them together with JESUS.  Paul supposes that he and his readers will be alive when CHRIST returns and he describes the event according to the cultural expressions of the time.  Let us not forget that up to the time of Galileo, everyone thought that heaven had its place in the universe, very high above and that GOD, although a spirit, was in some way present there.

We Will Be With The LORD Forever.  That is essential and always true even if it does not mean that JESUS will come on a beautiful cloud to the sound of heavenly trumpets.  We already have some experience of the LORD's presence in our earthly life, but then there will be nothing but this presence and this joy.

This brief message of hope leaves obscure essential questions concerning the resurrection of the dead.  Paul will fully deal with this subject later on in 1 Corinthians 15.  There he will show that resurrection is first a transformation of our whole being through the energies flowing from the resurrected CHRIST. 

 

Comfort one another.  The way of celebrating funerals in the Church must comfort the dead person's relatives and strengthen their faith in the resurrection.  There is no room for expressions of despair which JESUS HIMSELF scorned:  these are peculiar to people who consider the separation to be final.  A funeral mass without any spectacular display, when the fervent prayer of the community is experienced, produces a great impact on people who are indifferent.)

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The First Places

"JESUS then told a parable to the guests, for HE had noticed how they tried to take the places of honor.  And HE said, 'When you are invited to a wedding party, do not choose the best seat.  It may happen that someone more important than you has been invited, and your host, who invited both of you, will come and say to you:  Please give this person your place.'  What shame is yours when you take the lowest seat!

Whenever you are invited, go rather to the lowest seat, so that your host may come and say to you: 'Friend, you must come up higher.'  And this will be a great honor for you in the presence of all other guests.  For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

JESUS also addressed the man who had invited HIM, and said, 'When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives, or your wealthy neighbors.  For surely, they will also invite you in return, and you will be repaid.  When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.  Fortunate are you then, because they cannot repay you.  You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright. " - Luke 14:7-14 

(Here JESUS develops a biblical proverb inviting us to be modest in social gatherings.  Such behavior befits GOD's children.  Whatever the area of human activity may be, we should let others seek the first place, while stepping on other people as they do so.  We know that what matters is not what is seen:  GOD knows how to exalt the humble and place them where it best suits HIM. 

 

Moreover, when we go from the earthly church to the Kingdom of heaven, there will be changes in who occupies the first places.  Someone who was pope, or bishop or a prominent "Catholic" may count less than the little old lady who was selling newspapers.

Every one of us seeks to be near those who are above us, since we think we benefit more from being connected with those who are superior than with those who are inferior.

JESUS' warning points to one of the main causes of injustice.  We all share in the guilt when we decide with whom it is more beneficial to be associated; consequently, everyone tries to climb higher, always leaving the weakest in the most isolated and helpless position. 

It would be a strange sight to see public officials pay more attention to the poorly dressed, or to see the poorest areas supplied with water and power before the residential districts, or to see doctors go to the rural areas to practice.)

  

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Orchestra Of Praise To GOD, King Of The World

 "Sing to YAHWEH a new song, for HE has done wonders; HIS right hand, HIS holy arm, has won victory for HIM.

Let the sea resound and everything in it, the world and all its people.

Let rivers clap their hands, hills and mountains sing with joy before YAHWEH, for HE comes to rule the earth.  HE will judge the world with justice, and the peoples, with fairness."

- Psalm 98:1. 7-8. 9

(Our LORD founded the kingdom of GOD on earth; and yet we pray: 'YOUR kingdom come.'  The work of our redemption has been accomplished, but we still pray for this salvation, to be perfected throughout the world: GOD has come; but we look for HIS final coming, to take possession of HIS kingdom.

Sing to the LORD a new song.  Humanity has found the way to liberation and salvation.  It is in the coming of CHRIST, GOD-made-man and in HIS resurrection.

For the LORD came down to earth, showed us HIS love and also by HIS death and resurrection, the path to eternal salvation.)

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Be Not Scared Of Them Or I will Scare You In Their Presence!

"But you, get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you.  Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence!

See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with walls of bronze, against all the nations, against the kings and princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land.  They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I AM with you to rescue you--it is YAHWEH who speaks.'" - Jeremiah 1:17-19  

(Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence!  This is an amazing revelation of the demanding love of YAHWEH.  HE has decided to make this lad HIS chosen one and forces him to overcome and forget his human weakness.

I AM with you to rescue you.  YAHWEH repeats what HE said to Moses when HE called him [Exodus 3:12] and what HE will also say to Paul [Acts 26:17].  Moreover, Jeremiah is assured that the LORD destined him for this mission, of which he had never thought, and which frightens him.  Later, the same will be said of John the Baptist [Luke 1:15], of CHRIST [see Isaiah 49] and of Paul [Galatians 1:15].)

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Pondering The Brevity Of Life

 "YOU turn humans back to dust, saying, 'Return, O mortals!'

A thousand years in YOUR sight are like a day that has passed, or like a watch in the night.

YOU sow them in their time; at dawn they peep out.  In the morning, they blossom, but the flower fades and withers in the evening.

So, make us know the shortness of our life, that we may gain wisdom of heart.

How long will YOU be angry, O YAHWEH?  Have mercy on YOUR servant.

Fill us at daybreak with YOUR goodness, that we may be glad all our days.

May the sweetness of YAHWEH be upon us; may HE prosper the work of our hands."

- Psalm 90:3-5. 12-13. 14. 17

(The plural pronouns surely indicate that this psalm was sung in community.  It hardly reads like a national song, and the application is surely to the congregation as individuals.  The 'anger' and 'wrath' of GOD have been used before [cf. Psalm 6:21] as a description of the brevity and the pain of life.

What is the meaning of our life?  What are our values?  We cannot elaborate a 'tomorrow' for ourselves, without counting on GOD.  This psalm can help us.

Our days pass like a sigh.  Our earthly life is short and frail before the face of the eternal GOD.  HE is our refuge and can give meaning to our existence.  Let us ask HIM to fill it with wisdom, which is to love HIM, praise HIM and serve HIM.)

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The Prophets

"Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You are like whitewashed tombs beautiful in appearance, but inside there are only dead bones and uncleanness.  In the same way you appear as religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within.

Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous.  You say:  Had we lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in the blood of prophets.  So, you yourselves confess to be kins of those who murdered the prophets.  And now, finish off what your ancestors began!" - Matthew 23:27-32   

(We have on one side "the prophets" and on the other those who "kill the prophets".  The Bible shows us that the prophets meet with much opposition among the people of GOD and especially among its leaders.

There is a people of GOD and this people had necessarily its institutions which help it to be faithful to its mission.  In fact, this people follow their reflexes and social prejudices, and the whole institution, even if born of the Spirit, becomes heavy and hardens with time.  Prophets are readily condemned when they challenge peace and unity in mediocrity or even unfaithfulness to the word of GOD.

The defenders of the Jewish community were not ready to listen to their prophet.  It was one thing to honor the prophets of the past and keep the sacred books, another to accept the criticism addressed to them by GOD, not in the sacred books, but from the lips of JESUS, the carpenter.

Thus, it was that the prominent Jews let the moment when GOD visited them slip by - following the path that would lead their nation to ruin.

The example of the Jewish nation must serve as a warning to us.  Are our Christian communities, confronted today by a major crisis, able to build a poorer and more demanding Church?  Will they be less pre-occupied with their personal survival rather than giving the Gospel to the world?)

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The Defenders Of The Faith

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You do not forget the mint, anise and cumin seeds when you demand the tenth of everything; but then, you forget what is most fundamental in the law: justice, mercy and faith!  You should have done these things without neglecting the others.  Blind guides!  You strain out a mosquito but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You fill the plate and the cup, with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them.  Blind Pharisee!  Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified." - Matthew 23:23-26  

(How could JESUS call such men hypocrites when they were so versed in the knowledge of the Scriptures?

In the language of JESUS, the word "hypocrite" equally denotes what is superficial as well as the one who makes light of what is of GOD.  Obviously not all the Pharisees were hypocrites; but JESUS denounces a frequent deformation in the religious elite.  HE calls us to be wary of those institutions born of possessors of wealth and culture who aspire to direct others--and the Church--without having learned from the poor or practiced true humility.

The mystery of GOD is so deep that no one can present himself as HIS lieutenant.  The Pharisees trained, taught and gained many followers in the faith but their fasts and alms were already rewarded.  Pride and love of money were given their place.) 

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Faith, Endurance, Love

"From Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of Thessalonica, which is in GOD, the FATHER, and in CHRIST JESUS, the LORD.

May the peace and grace of GOD be with you.

We give thanks to GOD, at all times, for you, and remember you in prayers.  We constantly recall, before GOD, our FATHER, the work of your faith, the labors of your love, and your endurance, in waiting for CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

We remember, brothers and sisters, the circumstances of your being called.  The gospel we brought you was such, not only in words.  Miracles, the Holy Spirit, and plenty of everything, were given to you.  You, also, know how we dealt with you, for your sake.

... since, from you, the word of the LORD spread to Macedonia and Achaia, and still farther.  The faith you have in GOD has become news in so many places, that we need say no more about it.  Others tell, of how you welcomed us, and turned from idols to the LORD.  For you serve the living and true GOD, and you wait for HIS Son, from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, JESUS, who frees us from impending trial." - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5. 8-10 

(Faith, endurance, love.  For us, sometimes hope [or: endurance] goes unnoticed between faith and love.  For Paul it has two important meanings:

- Those who hope bear trials and persecutions with patience and perseverance.  That is why Paul speaks of faith, perseverance and love.  As we know from the Gospel, hope is not an easy optimism; it is the capacity to endure when faced with trials.

- The person with hope looks forward to the glorious coming of CHRIST who will judge this world and take us to the next one.  HE frees us from impending trial.  In those years, all believers were convinced that judgment was imminent and that they would witness CHRIST's coming.

The gospel we brought you was such not only in words.  There were many signs, miracles and other manifestations in Thessalonica.  Perhaps GOD increased the signs in view of the coming persecution, since very soon there would not be many with adequate formation to orient the community.  In fact, the Gospel cannot be proclaimed without GOD doing something to confirm it [Mark 16:17].  JESUS criticized those who came to HIM to see miracles, but HE performed miracles throughout HIS ministry.  Let us not say: "I do not need miracles to believe."  Human beings as we are, we will have quite a different enthusiasm if we see that GOD is beside us, doing the incredible to confirm HIS word.)

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The Pagans Enter The Kingdom Of GOD

"Now I AM going to gather the nations of every tongue, and they will witness MY glory, for I will perform a wonderful thing among them.  Then I will send some of their survivors to the nations - Tarshish, Put, Lud, Moscheck, Rosh, Tubal, and Javan - to the distant islands where no one has ever heard of ME or seen MY glory.  They will proclaim MY glory among the nations.  They will bring your brothers from all the nations as an offering to YAHWEH on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, on camels to MY holy mountain in Jerusalem, says YAHWEH, just as the Israelites bring oblations in clean vessels to the house of YAHWEH.  Then I will choose priests and Levites even from them, says YAHWEH." - Isaiah 66:18-21  

(This announces the day when YAHWEH will conquer the pagan nations united against HIM, and that HE will then save them by gathering them.  Few passages of the Bible express such a universal view of GOD's salvation given "to all the families of the earth."  HE had promised it to Abraham, but people had been so obsessed with resentment and hatred among themselves, among villages and religions, that they hardly paid attention.

Be careful to understand the expression "I AM going to gather."  We already saw in Isaiah 6:9 how the Jews spoke about GOD because they were convinced that GOD rules everything.  When someone undertook something, they would say that GOD had moved him to do it, and when someone was doing something evil that GOD would later use for his own ends, they would say that GOD had driven him.  Here, "I AM going to gather" means "they will gather but I will use this to achieve the salvation of MY people."

The nations unite against Jerusalem as in the days of Sennacherib [see Isaiah 31:4-9] and they are defeated in a miraculous way: but this time, the survivors, witnesses of the miracle, will reveal the true GOD everywhere.  They will be admitted to GOD's people, and they will share the privileges of the Jews ["from among them I will take priests and Levites"].)

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Do Not Imitate The Teachers Of The Law

"Then JESUS said to the crowds and to HIS disciples:

The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sat on the seat of Moses.  So you shall do and observe all they say, but do not do as they do, for they do not do what they say.  They tie up heavy burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they do not even raise a finger to move them.  They do everything in order to be seen by people; so they wear very wide bands of the Law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels.  They enjoy the first place at feasts and reserved seats in the synagogues and being greeted in the marketplace and being called 'Master' by the people.

But you, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters.  Neither should you call anyone on earth FATHER, HE who is in heaven.  Nor should you be called leader, because CHRIST is the only leader for you.  Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.  For whoever makes himself great shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be made great." - Matthew 23:1-12  

(The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sat on the seat of Moses.  The Gospel says it with more precision: they have seated themselves in the chair of Moses.  This rather ironic formula suggests that the ambitious appropriate to themselves the authority over the people of GOD and that to a certain point GOD tolerates it.  Matthew, in recording these words of JESUS, wants to preserve in the Church fundamental equality.  It is the whole Church that enjoys the Holy Spirit, and the heads or doctors will have no authority unless they are deeply rooted in the community's life.

Paul will speak of CHRIST and the Church using the comparison of the head and the body [Ephesians 5:25].  Likewise in the Church the authority of the bishop goes hand in hand with fidelity to the Church as it is and does not seek to impose his own projects.

Do all they say.  The bad example of the authorities does not discredit the word of GOD.  Nor does it lessen the principle of authority.  Their bad attitude discredits only their pretense at being superior to others.  They cannot renounce their authority on the pretext of humble service and then carry out what the majority has decided.

JESUS speaks of the form of authority.  Do not be called master or father.  Do not be called "master," the one "who knows" and before whom one is silent; neither must you be called "father," the one who is venerated and imitated, forgetting to look directly at the One who alone is good.  No one in the Church should eclipse the only "FATHER."

Doubtless everyone will say that the word "FATHER" is simply the expression of respectful affection, but JESUS affirms that the word has perverse effects.

The purity of faith, which submits to GOD alone, always suffers because of the cult of personality.  The Church should be a community of free persons able to speak frankly.)

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The Protagonist

"There was a famine in the land during the time of the Judges, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah departed with his wife and two sons, to sojourn in the country of Moab.  Naomi's husband Elimelech died.  She was left with her two sons, who married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth.

After living in Moab for about ten years, Mahlon and Chilion also died; and Naomi was left bereft of husband and two sons.  Having heard that YAHWEH had come to help HIS people by giving them food, Naomi prepared to return home. 

 Naomi said, 'Return home, my daughters.  Why should you come with me, when I have no more sons to become your husbands?' 

Again, they sobbed and wept. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.  Naomi said, 'Look, your sister-in-law returns to her people and her gods.  You too must return.  Go after her.'

Ruth replied, 'Don't ask me to leave you.  For I will go where you go and stay where you stay.  Your people will be my people and your GOD, my GOD.  Where you die, there will I die and be buried.  May YAHWEY deal with me severely if anything except death separates us'.

Thus, it was that Naomi returned from Moab with her Moabite daughter-in-law and arrived in Bethlehem as the barley harvest began. " - Ruth 1:1. 3-6. 11. 14-17. 22 

(A spirit of supranational openness inspires this story written around the 4th century B.C.  Shortly before this, Ezra had forced the Jews to get rid of their foreign wives who might have enticed them to follow pagan religions.  By contrast, here the protagonist of the story is a foreign woman.  Ruth accepts the true GOD of Israel and she is welcomed into the community of the people of GOD.)

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The Wedding Feast

"JESUS continued speaking to them in parables:

'This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven.  A king celebrated the wedding of his son. He sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding feast, but the guests refused to come. 

Again, he sent other servants ordering them to say to the invited guests:  'I have prepared a banquet, slaughtered my fattened calves and other animals, and now everything is ready; come then to the wedding feast.'  But they paid no attention and went away... While the rest seized the servants of the king, insulted them and killed them.

The king became angry.   He sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.  Then he said to his servants:  'The wedding banquet is prepared, but the invited guests were not worthy.  Go, then, to the crossroads and invite everyone you find to the wedding feast.'

The servants went out at once into the streets and gathered everyone they found, good and bad alike, so that the hall was filled with guests.

The king came in to see those who were at table, and he noticed a man not wearing the festal garment.  So, he said to him:  'Friend, how did you get in without the wedding garment?'  But the man remained silent.  So, the king said to his servants:  'Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the dark where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

For many are called, but few are chosen." - Matthew 22:1-14  

(The parable contains two parts.

 

In the first part, GOD invites us to a banquet where there is a place for everyone.  All through history he has been sending his prophets to preach justice, the mercy of GOD and trust in HIM.  The Jewish nation, however, did not heed GOD's call through these prophets and now will pay even less heed to JESUS.  GOD's plan will not fail.  HE will send HIS apostles to preach the Gospel in foreign nations [go to the exits of the ways] so that non-Jews, too, may enter the Church.  Some Jews, however, the selected few among so many called, will be the first members of the Church.

 

The king celebrates the wedding of his son, CHRIST, who deserves to be called "the bridegroom" of humankind, because HE has become one body with it.  All throughout history the RISEN CHRIST gathers together mortal and divided human beings. The Spirit of GOD will transform and raise them from the dead, so that they may sit at the table of the living, according to the parable.

 

The only table of CHRIST that Christians usually know is the Eucharist.  While taking part in it, we must not forget what has been said above.  Our meeting in the Mass should remind us that GOD calls us to prepare, in our daily lives, for the banquet reserved by HIM for all humankind.  Ours is the task of uniting and reconciling all people.

 

What if we do not answer?  Then, little by little, the life of the holy and universal Church will be withdrawn from our assemblies of comfortable Christians, and others will be called to take charge of the work of GOD:  invite to the wedding.

 

The second part of the parable points this out:  You, Christians, who are already inside the Church, do you wear the new garment - a life of justice, honesty and trustworthiness?

 

Let us not believe that the surprised guest who was not properly dressed for the occasion was some kind of poor person.  No, for it was customary during those times to supply all guests with the robe they should wear at the banquet.  This one could have put on the robe but did not, so he had nothing to answer.

 

Many are called...  Some are disturbed upon reading this:  does it mean that only a few persons will be saved?

 

If we associate this sentence with the first part of the parable, it means that, of those first invited, few will enter the banquet.  These guests were the Jews and very few, indeed, entered the Church of JESUS.  Interpreted in connection with the second part of the parable, it would mean that few of those entering the Church have the necessary dispositions, so the majority would be condemned at the time of judgment.  This contradicts what was related in the parable, because only one of the guests was thrown out.

 

It is better not to associate this saying too much with the parable of the banquet, because we find it also in other places in the Gospel.  Here JESUS advises us that only a few discover through the Gospel true freedom and new life.  Then, are they saved?  Yes and no - because salvation, for JESUS, does not mean to escape from the punishment of hell, but to reach perfection.)

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The Workers In The Vineyard

"This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven.  A landowner went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.  He agreed to pay the workers a salary of a silver coin for the day and sent them to his vineyard. 

He went out again at about nine in the morning, and seeing others idle in the square, he said to them:  'You, too, go to my vineyard and I will pay you what is just.'  So, they went.

The owner went out at midday and again at three in the afternoon, and he did the same.  Finally, he went out at the last working hour - it was the eleventh - and he saw others standing there.  So, he said to them:  'Why do you stay idle the whole day?'  They answered:  'Because no one has hired us.'  The master said:  'Go and work in my vineyard.'

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager: 'Call the workers and pay them their wage, beginning with the last and ending with the first.'  Those who had come to work at the eleventh hour turned up and given a denarius (a silver coin).  When it was the turn of the first, they thought they would receive more.  But they, too, received a denarius each.  So, on receiving it, they began to grumble against the landowner.

They said:  'These last hardly worked an hour, yet you have treated them the same as us who have endured the day's burden and heat.'  The owner said to one of them:  'Friend, I have not been unjust to you.  Did we not agree on a denarius a day?  So, take what is yours and go.  I want to give to the last the same as I give to you.  Don't I have the right to do as I please with my money?  Why are you envious when I am kind?

So will it be the last will be first, the first will be last." - Matthew 20:1-16 

 

(Many are surprised at this parable.  They find it unfair to give the same reward to everyone, without taking into account the labor and sacrifices of everyone.

 

Without doubt JESUS wanted to shock us and shatter the idea we obstinately cling to that we have merits that GOD must recognize.  However, we should pay close attention to the story:  JESUS makes a comparison, not of several laborers, but of several groups of laborers.  Each group represents a nation or a social class, and while some of them have long ago received the word of GOD, others have just become believers.

 

All throughout history, GOD has been calling different people to work in his vineyard... The elders never cease to claim their right to receive better treatment than the others.  Actually, the vineyard has not been confided to them exclusively.

 

To this day, there are also social groups that are amazed when the Church criticizes their demand for privileges and does not assign them the first benches in the temple for, they had always believed that the Church was theirs.

 

In this parable, all are treated on equal terms and receive one silver coin each.  Let them be happy for having been invited to work, as they were unemployed.)

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The Heroes Of Faith

"Do I need to say more?  There is not enough time to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, as well as Samuel and the prophets.  Through faith, they fought and conquered nations, established justice, saw the fulfillment of GOD's promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the sword, were healed of their sicknesses; they were weak people, who were given strength, to be brave in battle and repulse foreign invaders.

Some women recovered their dead by resurrection, but there were others--persecuted and tortured believers--who, for the sake of a better resurrection, refused to do what would have saved them.  Others suffered chains and prison.  They were stoned, sawn in two, killed by the sword.  They fled, from place to place, with no other clothing than the skins of sheep and goats, lacking everything, afflicted, ill-treated.  These people, of whom the world was not worthy, had to wander through wastelands and mountains, and take refuge in the dens of the land.

However, although all of them were praised because of their faith, they did not enjoy the promise, because GOD had us in mind, and saw beyond.  And HE did not want them to reach perfection, except with us." - Hebrews 11:32-40 

(The selection of heroes of faith gives a place of honor to leaders and valiant people who have wished to free and serve their people.  In so doing they were perhaps unconsciously seeking their real homeland.  How many people today, unbelievers perhaps, shunned by the churches, are in fact on the road to the City of GOD when they sacrifice themselves in preparing for the future of the world!  They are the Hebrews of the modern world and GOD is not ashamed of being called their GOD.

These heroes of the faith died without having seen what GOD promised; it would seem that many have failed but their successors will discover that it is they who have made authentic history.  The author addresses the Christians saying: "We are people of faith, and we shall save our soul," which means: we shall fulfill all that is in us and await what GOD has reserved for us in eternity.)

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The Rich Young Man

"It was then that a young man approached HIM and asked, 'Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?  JESUS answered, 'Why do you ask ME about what is good?  One, only, is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.' The young man said, 'Which commandments?'  JESUS replied, 'Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.  And love your neighbor as yourself.'  

The young man said to HIM, 'I have kept all these commandments. What do I still lack?'  JESUS answered, 'If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you possess, and give the money to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come back and follow me.'

On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth." -Matthew 19:16-22 

(Love of the FATHER means wanting to be perfect as the FATHER is and working for HIS Kingdom.  First of all, it needs to be free, and the rich man can only be free through voluntary poverty.  The man also wanted to know how to receive eternal life and JESUS will clearly state at the end, that even if we obey the commandments, we do not "merit" eternal life:  salvation is always a gift of GOD.)

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Accept The Correction Of The LORD

"What a cloud of innumerable witnesses surrounds us!  So let us be rid of every encumbrance, and especially of sin, to persevere in running the race marked out before us.

Let us look to JESUS the founder of our faith, who will bring it to completion.  For the sake of the joy reserved for HIM, HE endured the cross, scorning its shame, and then sat at the right of the throne of GOD.  Think of JESUS who suffered so many contradictions from evil people, and you will not be discouraged or grow weary.  Have you already shed your blood in the struggle against sin?" - Hebrews 12:1-4  

 (Three reasons for remaining steadfast under testing:

- think about JESUS and HIS sufferings;

- think about "the communion of saints," that is to say, the mysterious bonds uniting all believers;

- think of the trial as a test coming from the FATHER.)

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JESUS And The Children

"Then little children were brought to JESUS, that HE might lay HIS hands on them and pray for them.  But the disciples scolded those who brought them.  JESUS then said, 'Let the children be!  Don't hinder them from coming to ME; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are humble, like these children.'  JESUS laid HIS hands on them and went away," - Matthew 19:13-15  

(JESUS despite having no children of HIS own, opens to everyone the richness of HIS heart.  HE marvels at the mystery of life that begins full of hope, and discovers the likeness of the FATHER in every unknown child.  How could JESUS, who asks us to have hope, forget that the children are also our hope?

Whoever does not receive the kingdom of GOD like a child.  We must be like children in order to enter the kingdom of GOD.  We must forget our wisdom, and self-sufficiency, and the bitterness of past experience in order to receive GOD's gifts and words in wonder and simplicity.)

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The Humble People

"Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah.  She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, 'You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  How is it, that the mother of my LORD comes to me?  The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy.  Blessed are you, who believed that the LORD's word would come true!'" - Luke 1:39-45  

(The angel's message has not left Mary alone with her problems.  The angel spoke of her elderly cousin, Elizabeth.  With her Mary will share her joy and her secret.  Mary, quite young [was she more than fifteen?], will learn from her many things that Joseph could not tell her.  What had been foretold to Zechariah will now be fulfilled: "Your son will be filled with the Holy Spirit while in the womb of his mother."

What is most important in history is not what is spectacular.  The Gospel prefers to draw our attention to life-filled events.

A few years later, Jewish crowds would go to John the Baptist looking for the word of GOD.  No one would wonder how he received the Spirit of GOD, and no one would know that a humble girl, Mary, put GOD's plan in motion on that Visitation day.

Blessed are you who believed!  What is important is not that Mary is the mother of JESUS in the flesh, and this, JESUS will repeat [11:27].

Mary, who has become the Temple of GOD, communicates the Spirit--the Spirit of JESUS.)

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The Pardon

"Then Peter asked HIM, 'LORD, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister?  Seven ?  JESUS answered, 'No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'

This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven.  A king decided to settle the accounts of his servants.  Among the first was one who owed him ten thousand gold ingots.  As the man could not repay the debt, the king commanded that he be sold as a slave with his wife, children and all his goods in payment.

The official threw himself at the feet of the king and said, 'Give me time, and I will pay you back everything.'  The king took pity on him and not only set him free but even canceled his debt.

This official then left the king's presence and he met one of his companions who owed him a hundred pieces of silver.  He grabbed him by the neck and almost strangled him, shouting, 'Pay me what you owe!'  His companion threw himself at his feet and asked him, 'Give me time, and I will pay everything.'  The other did not agree, but sent him to prison until he had paid all his debt.

His companions saw what happened.  They were indignant and so they went and reported everything to their lord.  Then the lord summoned his official and said, 'Wicked servant, I forgave you all that you owed when you begged me to do so.  Weren't you bound to have pity on your companion as I had pity on you?  The lord was now angry, so he handed his servant over to be punished, until he had paid his whole debt.'

JESUS added, 'So will MY heavenly FATHER do with you unless each of you sincerely forgive your brothers or sisters.'

When JESUS had finished this teaching, HE left Galilee and arrived at the border of Judea, on the other side of the Jordan River." - Matthew 18:21-19:1  

(The offenses we suffer from our companions are nothing compared with our offenses against GOD.  While GOD forgives all, we do not even give others enough breathing space.  GOD does not demand HIS rights, but we, in demanding them, behave like wicked servants [see Matthew 5:43].

This parable goes beyond personal problems.  The world needs, above everything else, the forgiveness of GOD, and those who want a more just society will not achieve it through accusations and hatred.

The parable helps us understand much better another verse in the Bible: Revenge is mine, says the LORD; I will pay each one according to his own conduct.  GOD will not demand an account regarding HIS own rights [what we owe HIM], but regarding the rights of the little ones who, unable to pay, were deprived of them.  HE will also demand an accounting regarding those who were sorry for their sins but were not forgiven by others.

The fourth Discourse of Matthew's Gospel ends with this parable on the duty to forgive.  The Church has not always been as holy as she should have been.  Yet nobody can deny that, at all times, in the Church the mercy of GOD has been preached and people have learned to forgive.)

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Living Together In The Church

"'If your brother has sinned against you, go and point out the fault to him, when the two of you are alone; and if he listens to you, you have won back your brother.  If he doesn't listen to you, take with you one or two others, so that the case may be decided by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembled Church.  But if he does not listen to the Church, then regard him as a pagan, or a tax collector.

I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, heaven will keep bound; and whatever you unbind on earth, heaven will keep unbound.

In like manner, I say to you, if, on earth, two of you agree in asking for anything, it will be granted to you by MY heavenly FATHER; for where two or three are gathered in MY name, I AM there, among them.'" - Matthew 18:15-20  

(If your brother has sinned...JESUS had told Peter before: Whatever you tie on earth will be tied in Heaven.  HE declares it now for the whole Church.  The believers must attempt to settle their suits among themselves, knowing that CHRIST is among them, as signified in HIS name Emmanuel: GOD-with-us.

The text of 18:15 is doubtful.  Perhaps it was written if your brother or sister has sinned, go... in which case it would refer to the effort of the Christian community to correct one who has gone astray.)

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Who Is The Greatest?

"One day, the disciples were arguing which of them was the most important.  But JESUS knew their thoughts, so HE took a little child and stood him by HIS side.  The HE said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in MY name, welcomes ME; and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes the one who sent ME.  And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.'

Then John spoke up, 'Master we saw someone who drives out demons by calling upon YOUR name, and we tried to forbid him, because he doesn't follow YOU with us.'  But JESUS said, 'Don't forbid him.  He who is not against you is for you.'" - Luke 9:46-50 

 

(Mark remarks that JESUS took a child in HIS arms: something unusual for people of that time since children did not count, and religious teachers only urged that they be well discipline.  The model of religion seemed to b e a serious man who did not laugh, did not run, did not look at people in lower positions, especially women and children.  Oftentimes, such a mentality is seen in those who criticize child baptism and first communion.

JESUS does not answer the apostles question: "Who is the greatest?  Because what matters is not to become great, but to be close to CHRIST.  In order to receive CHRIST, we must welcome HIM in the person of the little ones.)

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The Temple Tax

"While JESUS was in Galilee with the Twelve, HE said to them, 'The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands, and they will kill HIM.  But HE will rise on the third day.'  The Twelve were deeply grieved.

When they returned to Capernaum, the Temple tax collectors came to Peter and asked him, 'Does your master pay the temple tax?  He answered, 'Certainly.'

Peter then entered the house, but immediately JESUS asked him, 'What do you think, Simon?  Who pay taxes or tributes to the kings of the earth: their sons or the other people?'  Peter replied, 'The others.'  And JESUS told him, 'The sons, then, are tax-free.  But so as not to offend these people, go to the sea, throw in a hook and open the mouth of the first fish you catch.  You will find a coin in it, take it and let it pay for you and for ME.'" - Matthew 17:22-27 

(Several times JESUS announced HIS death: see 16:21; 20:17. Never did HE present it as a misfortune that might counteract HIS mission.  John will say that JESUS looked for it as the means for giving glory to HIS FATHER and reconciling humankind [John 17].  JESUS speaks of HIMSELF in the third person: the Son of Man, because HE looks at HIS destiny as an outsider.  This is the will of HIS FATHER, and HE is not concerned about HIMSELF.

All the Jews paid a tax for the maintenance of the Temple.

The collectors approach Peter as owner of the house where JESUS also lives.

JESUS observes the Law but takes this opportunity to give a hint as to who HE is: the collectors do not realize they are addressing "the Son."  Notice how the LORD has control over all creatures even fish and see also HIS intimate solidarity with Peter.

The coin mentioned was worth the Temple tax.  Matthew may have had a special interest for this story because at the time he wrote Christians of Jewish origins were wondering whether they should be still paying this tax.)

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The Son Of Man Will Come At An Hour You Do Not Expect

"Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding.  As soon as he comes and knocks, they will open the door to him.  Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake when he comes.  Truly, I tell you, he will put, he will put on an apron, and have them sit at table, and he will wait on them.  Happy are those servants, if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or daybreak!

'Pay attention to this: If the master of the house had known at what time the thief would come, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.' 

Peter said, 'LORD, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?'  And the LORD replied, 'Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward, whom the master sets over his other servants, to give them wheat at the proper time.  Fortunate is this servant if his master, on coming home, finds him doing his work.  Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his property.

But it may be that the steward thinks, 'My LORD delays in coming,' and he begins to abuse the male servants and the servant girls, eating and drinking and getting drunk.  Then the master will come on a day he does not expect, and at an hour he doesn't know.  He will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knew his master's will but did not prepare and do what his master wanted, will be soundly beaten; but the one who does unconsciously what deserves punishment, shall receive fewer blows.  Much will be required of the one who has been given much and more will be asked of the one who has been entrusted with more." - Luke 12:35-48  

(JESUS develops the parable of the servant expecting his master's return.  This servant is here contrasted with the rich who was only concerned about a long and comfortable life.  The servant works for GOD.

Happy are those servants whom the master finds wide-awake.  Wide-awake, that is, concerned about tomorrow's world.  Wide-awake also means being aware of the truth; we do not consent to call 'good' evil, and 'evil' good; we do not forgive ourselves for allowing evil and we are not intimidated before injustice.  

The Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.  We would not think that this refers only to the day of death, nor should we be afraid of GOD's judgment if we live in HIS grace.  JESUS tells us about the master returning from the wedding, who is so happy that he reverses the usual order and begins to serve his servants.  If we have been serving GOD for years, how could we not reach another phase of spiritual life in which it would seem that GOD is concerned only in giving and feasting with us?

Peter said: This new paragraph is aimed at those who hold responsible positions in the Church.

My LORD delays in coming.  Those in responsible positions may betray their mission.  More often, they make the mistake of seeing only to the good functioning of the institution and they forget that CHRIST is coming.

GOD comes all the time through events that, unexpectedly, ruin our plans.  Therefore, the Church must not rely too much on planning its activity: who knows what GOD has in store for us tomorrow?  Instead, the Church should see to its prayer and its availability so that the LORD will let her be in the best situation when HE shakes up our little universe.

Be awake to admire, rejoice in and discover the presence of GOD and HIS blessings that enlighten our lives.)

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JESUS Heals An Epileptic Boy

"When they came to the crowd, a man approached JESUS, knelt before HIM and said, 'Sir, have pity on my son, who is an epileptic and suffers terribly.  He has often fallen into the fire, and at other times into the water.  I brought him to YOUR disciples, but they could not heal him.'

JESUS replied, 'O you people, faithless and misled!  How long must I be with you?  How long must I put up with you?  Bring him here to ME.'  And JESUS commanded the evil spirit to leave the boy, and the boy was immediately healed.

Later, the disciples approached JESUS and asked HIM privately, 'Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?'  JESUS said to them, 'Because you have little faith.  I say to you: if only you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could tell; that mountain to move from here to there, and the mountain would obey.  Nothing would be impossible for you.'" - Matthew 17:14-20 

(All things are possible for one who believes.  JESUS has gone back to the crowd and again HE meets with human unbelief.  The prayer of the child's father would be a model for all Christian prayer.  If we turn to GOD in prayer, it is because we have faith; and yet in doing this we discover the poverty and the fragility of our faith.

Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?  The apostles wonder: did JESUS not give them power over the demons?  They are not aware of their lack of faith and easily forget how far they are from their Master.  To them are directed the sharp words of JESUS: You, faithless people!  How many people think they are great believers when, in fact their faith has still not moved anything!).

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Whoever Chooses To Save His Life Will Lose It

"Then JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'If you want to follow ME, deny yourself.  Take up your cross and follow ME.  For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life, for MY sake, will find it.  What will one gain by winning the whole world, if he destroys his soul?  Or what can a person give, in exchange for his life?

Know, that the Son of Man will come, in the glory of HIS FATHER with the holy angels, and HE will reward each one according to his deeds.  Truly, I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death, before they see the Son of Man coming in HIS kingdom.'" - Matthew 16:24-28  

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

Christian freedom and happiness are found only in the joyous acceptance of the will of GOD which invites us to listen to HIS Son and follow HIM down the road and paths that HE traveled.)   

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Peter's Faith; JESUS' Promises

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

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

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

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

Then HE ordered HIS disciples not to tell anyone that HE was the CHRIST.

From that day, JESUS began to make it clear to HIS disciples that HE must go to Jerusalem; that HE would suffer many things from the Jewish authorities, the chief priests and the teachers of the law; and that HE would be killed and be raised on the third day.

Then Peter took HIM aside and began to reproach HIM, 'Never, LORD!  No, this must never happen to YOU!'  But HE turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind ME, Satan!  You are thinking not as GOD does, but as people do." - Matthew 16:13-23 

 

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

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

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

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

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The Transfiguration

"About eight days after JESUS had said all this, HE took Peter, John and James, and went up the mountain to pray.  And while HE was praying, the aspect of HIS face was changed, and HIS clothing became dazzling white.  Two men were talking with JESUS: Moses and Elijah.  Appearing in the glory of heaven, Moses and Elijah spoke to JESUS about HIS departure from this life, which was to take place in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had fallen asleep; but they awoke suddenly, and they saw HIS glory and the two men standing with HIM.  As Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter--not knowing what to say--said to JESUS, 'Master, how good it is for us to be here!  Let us make three tents, one for YOU, one for Moses and one for Elijah.'  And no sooner had he spoken, then a cloud appeared and covered them; and the disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud.  Then these words came from the cloud, 'This is MY Son, MY Beloved, listen to HIM.'  And after the voice had spoken, JESUS was there alone.

The disciples kept this to themselves at the time, telling no one of anything they had seen." - Luke 9:28-36.  

(Recall the divine revelation JESUS received at the beginning of HIS ministry [Luke 3:21].  This other divine manifestation JESUS receives at the Transfiguration is due to the beginning of a new stage: the Passion.

JESUS has already been preaching for two years, but there is no hope that Israel will overcome the violence that will lead to its ruin.  Even if JESUS' miracles do not convince HIS compatriots, JESUS will have to face the forces of evil: HIS sacrifice will be more effective than HIS words in arousing love and the spirit of sacrifice in all the people who will continue HIS saving work in the future.

HE took Peter, John and James with HIM: these men had a privileged place among the Twelve [Mark 1:29; 3:16; 5:37; 10:35; 13:3].  Most probably the rest of the "apostles" only reacted very slowly.  All the patience and pedagogy of JESUS did not make them grow more quickly and they were not ready to enter the cloud with HIM.

HE went up the mountain to pray.  It is quite possible that it was during a night of prayer that the event that JESUS expected took place.  This transfiguration of JESUS has first of all a meaning for HIMSELF.  JESUS did not know everything before hand; HE was not spared doubts and anxieties.  It does not seem that the FATHER manifested HIMSELF with abundant favors for HIM: JESUS served without expecting heavenly rewards.  On this occasion however HE received certitude concerning the purpose of HIS mission.

For the apostles it is a decisive witness that will help them to believe in the Resurrection.  [The letter headed "Second Letter of Peter" makes no mistake when it insists on this witness of GOD, even if done in an awkward way: 2 Peter 1:17, because it claims to be written by Peter himself].  It is a fact many persons throughout history have been considered as prophets or even as "the" prophet, but none of them have pretended to have a witness from GOD in his favor, other than his own successes.  JESUS counted on witnesses, beginning with John the Baptist.  In all biblical revelation faith is supported by these witnesses.  Here it is Moses, the founder of Israel, and Elijah, father of prophets, who recognize JESUS.

Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah spoke to JESUS about HIS departure [in Greek this is "exodus"].  JESUS then becomes the new Moses who will bring GOD's people from this world of slavery to the Promised Land.

This is MY Son.  Here, JESUS appears as the one for whom Moses and Elijah were waiting, the one for whom they had prepared, even if for this moment they can console HIM for HE still carries the weakness of our human condition.)

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