JESUS Unwelcome In A Samaritan Village

"As the time drew near when JESUS would be taken up to heaven, HE made up HIS mind to go to Jerusalem.  HE sent ahead of HIM some messengers, who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for HIM.  But the people would not receive HIM, because HE was on HIS way to Jerusalem.  Seeing this, James and John, HIS disciples, said, 'LORD, do YOU want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?'  JESUS turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village." - Luke 9:51-56  

(After having recalled the actions of JESUS in Galilee, Luke begins the second part of his Gospel, where he brings together words of JESUS spoken on different occasions.  In order to preserve continuity in his account, he imagines that JESUS is giving these responses while on the way from Galilee to Jerusalem where the part of his Gospel will take place.

The first paragraph reminds us that between the two provinces of Galilee and Judea, there was Samaria.  Its people were Samaritans, non-Jews, and the two people really hated each other.  When Jews from Galilee were going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, every door was closed to them throughout Samaria.

It would seem that each time JESUS meets Samaritans, it is to teach us a new way of seeing those who do not share our faith.  Religions have often been aggressive, at times very violent, especially those religions that see themselves as a revelation of the only GOD.  This was already the case in the Old Testament.  JESUS is not part of such fanaticism, teaching us not to confuse GOD's cause with ours nor with the interests of our religious community.  There is absolute respect for those GOD leads by another road.  What a contrast with the legends of the past that this account awakens in verse 54 [see 2 Kings 1:9].

Here JESUS tells HIS apostles to be less impulsive: the Samaritans who refuse to welcome JESUS on this occasion are not guiltier than those who close their doors to a stranger.  Why destroy this little village, if by doing his they still had to look for a place in another village?  It was better to move on without delay.)

On-Site

They Conquered Him By The Blood Of The Lamb

"War broke out in heaven, with Michael and his angels battling with the dragon.  The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated, and lost their place in heaven.  The great dragon, the ancient serpent, known as the devil, or Satan, seducer of the whole world, was thrown out.  He was hurled down to earth, together with his angels.

Then, I heard a loud voice from heaven:

Now has salvation come,

with the power and the kingdom of GOD,

and the rule of HIS anointed.

For our brothers' accuser has been cast out,

who accused them night and day, before GOD.

They conquered him, by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony,

for they gave up their lives, going to death.

Rejoice, therefore, O you heavens,

and you who dwell in them;

but woe to you, earth and sea,

for the devil has come to you, in anger,

knowing that he has but a little time." 

- Revelation 12:7-12

(GOD's plan for the world has just been revealed: the Son of GOD must become a human and rise as the Savior of all people.  This mystery causes a double crisis: in the world of spirits [or angels] and in humankind.

The Jews imagined the angels were a huge army and they called their head Michael.  Similarly, the devil is presented as the head of the army of rebellious angels, the stars fallen from heaven.

The following chapters will reveal the devil at work in history.  He uses disguises and many substitutes.  However, those who are ready to suffer for the truth will recognize him: they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by their courage in proclaiming HIM.)

On-Site

The Rich Man And Lazarus

 

"Once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted every day.  At his gate lay Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man's table.  Even dogs used to come and lick his sores.  It happened that the poor man died, and angels carried him to take his place with Abraham.  The rich man also died and was buried.  From the netherworld where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Abraham afar off, and with him Lazarus at rest.

He called out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me, and send Lazarus, with the tip of his finger dipped in water, to cool my tongue, for I suffer so much in this fire!'

Abraham replied, 'My son, remember that in your lifetime you were well-off, while the lot of Lazarus was misfortune.  Now he is in comfort, and you are in agony.  But that is not all.  Between your place and ours a great chasm has been fixed, so that no one can cross over from here to you, or from your side to us.'

The rich man implored once more, 'Then I beg you, Father Abraham, send Lazarus to my father's house, where my five brothers live.  Let him warn them, so that they may not end up in this place of torment.'  Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.  Let them listen to them.'  But the rich man said, 'No, Father Abraham; but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead.'" -  Luke 16:19-31  

 

(The parable deals with the worldwide gap between the rich and the inhumanly poor.  There is a deadly law of money which makes the rich live separately: housing, transportation, recreation, medical care.  The wall the rich man willingly built in this life becomes, after his death, an abyss that no one will be able to bridge.  The one who accepts this separation will find himself on the other side forever.

The Lazarus of today are legion and are already at our door; they are known as third or fourth world.  On a world scale it is the more advanced countries and the privileged minorities that have taken possession of the table to which all were invited: the real power, and the culture imposed by the media.  The national industries and sources of employment have been destroyed by a free exchange unimpeded by any social or moral restraint.  Hundreds of millions of "Lazarus" people are marginalized and rejected until they die in misery, or through violence arising from a dehumanized life.

The Gospel, in its desire to save the rich as well as the poor, asks us to work with a view to removing the abyss that separates them.  The time for breaking down the barrier is in this life.)

On-Site

HE Who Scattered Israel Now Gathers Them!

"Hear the word of YAHWEH, O nations,

proclaim it on distant coast lands:

HE who scattered Israel will gather them

and guard them as a shepherd guards his flock.

For YAHWEH has ransomed Jacob

and redeemed him from the hand of his conqueror.

They shall come shouting for joy, while ascending Zion;

they will come streaming to YAHWEH's blessings--

the young of the flocks and herds.

They will be like a well-watered garden;

no more they will be afflicted.

Maidens will make merry and dance,

young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into gladness,

I will give them comfort and joy for sorrow."

- Jeremiah 31:10. 11-12. 13

(This brings us back to the happy years of king Josiah.  Besides promoting the renewal of faith and the worship of YAHWEH, he managed to conquer part of what had been the kingdom of Israel before it became an Assyrian province after the fall of Samaria.)

On-Site

Peter's Profession Of Faith

"JESUS set out with HIS disciples for the villages around Caesarea Philippi; and on the way HE asked them, 'Who do people say I AM?'  And they told HIM, 'Some say, YOU are John the Baptist; others say, YOU are Elijah of one of the prophets.'

Then JESUS asked them, 'But you, who do you say I AM?'  Peter answered, 'YOU are the Messiah.'  And HE ordered them not to tell anyone about HIM.

JESUS then began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law.  HE would be killed, and after three days rise again.  JESUS said all this quite openly, so that Peter took HIM aside and began to protest strongly.  But JESUS, turning around, and looking at HIS disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind ME, Satan!  You are thinking not as GOD does, but as people do.'" - Mark 8:27-33 

(Here the Gospel already foretells the tragic end.  For the first time, the apostles take account of who their Master is.

YOU are the Messiah.  CHRIST is a Greek word that means the Messiah in Hebrew.  They both mean: the anointed or consecrated one.  This term designated the long-awaited Savior.  The apostles discover that JESUS is the Messiah, the Liberator, but HE teaches them that the Son of Man [the Human One] has to suffer many things.

Why does JESUS call HIMSELF the Son of Man?  For two reasons: first, because one page in Scripture speaks of the Son of Man who gloriously comes from GOD to judge all people and to rule all the nations [Daniel 7:13].  Second, because JESUS is the perfect Human and bears the destiny of Humanity.

JESUS had to suffer, because this is the fate of sinners. HE had to suffer and be rejected by the authorities, because this is the destiny of those who proclaim the truth.  HE had to freely go to HIS death because self-sacrifice is the only means for the salvation of the world.)

On-Site

Praise To The GOD Of Victories

 "Alleluia!

Sing to YAHWEH a new song,

sing HIS praise in the assembly of HIS saints.

Let Israel rejoice in his Maker;

let the people of Zion glory in their King!

Let them dance in praise of HIS name;

and make music for HIM with harp and timbrel.

For YAHWEH delights in HIS people;

HE crowns the lowly with victory.

The saints will exult in triumph;

even at night, on their couches,

let the praise of GOD be on their lips;

and in their hands, two-edged swords;

to execute on them, the written sentence:

this is the glory of all HIS saints.  Alleluia!"

- Psalm 149:1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 9

(We join in the song of victory, the triumph of GOD, the crushing of the serpent's head; for we have our part in the victorious struggle, wearing the armor of GOD, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit.  Our battle must be 'against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil' [Ephesians 6:12].  Evil and sin in our world are an affront to our Creator; the pain of the humble is the pain of the LORD.  We pray with this psalm, in union with all those who are hungry and thirsty for justice.  They are blessed.)

On-Site 

JESUS Sends The Twelve On A Mission

"Then JESUS called HIS Twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases.  And HE sent them to proclaim the kingdom of GOD and to heal the sick.  HE instructed them, 'Don't take anything for the journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and don't even take a spare tunic.  Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place.  And wherever they don't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them.'

So, they set out, and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere." - Luke 9:1-6   

(JESUS has begun HIS mission, HE forms and sends out missionaries.

Apostles mean "sent" and "mission" also means "being sent."  The FATHER has sent HIS Son to earth, and the Son, in turn, sends HIS apostles.  The FATHER sends messengers of HIS word, but HE also sends HIS Spirit to touch the hearts and minds of those who listen.  Through the Spirit they recognize the word of GOD in the poor preaching of these messengers who have received no great instruction.  The Spirit will give signs: healings and astounding graces supporting the witness of the missionaries.)

On-Site

JESUS' Mother And Brothers

"Then HIS mother and HIS relatives came to HIM, but they could not get to HIM because of the crowd.  Someone told HIM, 'YOUR mother and YOUR brothers are standing outside and wish to meet YOU.'  Then JESUS answered, 'MY mother and MY brothers are those who hear the word of GOD and do it'." - Luke 8:19-21 

(JESUS lost HIS relatives but found HIS true brothers and sisters.  When we commit ourselves to GOD's work, we discover new brothers and sisters and a mother, Mary, of whom the Gospel says, "Happy are you for having believed that GOD's promises would be fulfilled."  JESUS does not say, "HE is MY FATHER," for the FATHER is one and HE is in heaven.)

On-Site

Song Of The Returned Exiles

"When YAHWEH brought the exiles back to Zion,

we were like those moving in a dream.

Then, our mouths were filled with laughter,

and our tongues with songs of joy.

Among the nations it was said,

'YAHWEH has done great things for them.'

YAHWEH had done great things for us,

and we were glad indeed.

Bring back our exiles, O YAHWEH,

like fresh streams in the desert.

Those who sow in tears 

will reap with songs and shouts of joy.

They went forth weeping, 

bearing the seeds for sowing,

they will come home with joyful shouts,

bringing their harvested sheaves."

- Psalm 126:1-6

(Israel's drought will turn to fertility.  Her own labor of sowing will achieve its harvest.  'The field is the world' [Matthew 13:38] and the field whitens for a harvest of souls gathered to eternal life [John 4:35ff; Matthew 13:30].  But the sowing is in tears: 'Unless the seed falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone' [John 12:24ff].  The seed is the Word--the Word made flesh and crucified.  The tears are HIS, the joys ours: 'YAHWEH has done great things for us!'  And yet we, too, have our crucifixion.  If we want to turn suffering into hope, tears into songs, we can pray with this psalm.)

On-Site 

The Crafty Steward

"At another time JESUS told HIS disciples, 'There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent service.  He summoned the steward and asked him:  'What is this I hear about you?  I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated.' 

The steward thought to himself:  'What am I to do now?  My master will surely dismiss me.  I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I will do:  I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.'

So, he called his master's debtors one by one.  He asked the first who came:  'How much do you owe my master?  The reply was:  A hundred jars of oil.  The steward said:  Here is your bill.  Sit down quickly and write there fifty.  To the second he put the same question:  How much do you owe?  The answer was:  A hundred measures of wheat.  Then he said:  Take your bill and write eighty.

The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness.  For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.  And so, I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that, when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.

Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones.  So, if you have been dishonest in handling filthy money, who would entrust you with true wealth?  And if you have been dishonest with things that are not really yours, who will give you that wealth which is truly your own?

No servant can serve two masters.  Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt.  You cannot give yourself both to GOD and to Money." - Luke 16:1-13  

(JESUS is not concerned about condemning the improper actions of the administrator but rather points out his cleverness in providing for his future:  this man was able to discover in time that friends last longer than money.  In the same way, in promoting a new way of living, the people of light must strip money of its halo as Supreme Good.  It seems that putting money in a safe place is the best way to assure our existence and our future.  On the contrary, JESUS tells us to use it and to exchange it without hesitation for something much more valuable such as bonds of mutual appreciation.

 

We are not owners, but administrators of our wealth and we must administer it for the good of all.  Money is not a bad thing as long as we use it as a means to facilitate exchanges.  JESUS, however, calls it "unjust" [we use the word filthy] because money is not a true good [it is not money that makes as just before GOD]; and because it is impossible to accumulate money without failing in trust in the FATHER and without hurting our neighbors.

 

Money is something that people acquire and lose; it does not make anyone greater.  Therefore, money is not part of the goods that are our own.)

 

On-Site

The Parable Of The Sower

"As a great crowd gathered and people came to HIM from every town, JESUS began teaching them through stories, or parables, 'The Sower went out to sow the seed.  And as he sowed, some of the grain fell along the way, was trodden on and the birds of the sky ate it up.  Some fell on rocky ground, and no sooner had it come up than it withered, because it had no water.  Some fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with the seed and choked it.  But some fell on good soil and grew, producing fruit - a hundred times as much.'  And JESUS cried out, 'Listen then, if you have ears to hear!' 

The disciples asked HIM, 'What does this story mean?'  And JESUS answered, 'You have been granted to know the mystery of the kingdom of GOD.  But to others it is given in the form of stories, or parables, so that seeing they may not perceive and hearing they may not understand.'

Now, this is the point of the parable:  The seed is the word of GOD.  Those along the wayside are people who hear it, but immediately the devil comes and takes the word from their minds, for he doesn't want them to believe and be saved.  Those on the rocky ground are people who receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe for a while and give way in time of trial.  Among the thorns are people who hear the word but as they go their way, are choked by worries, riches, and the pleasures of life; they bring no fruit to maturity.  The good soil, instead, are people who receive the word and keep it in a gentle and generous mind, and persevering patiently, they bear fruit." - Luke 8:4-15 

(The comparison [or parable] of the Sower helps us to understand what is happening around JESUS.  Many people became very enthusiastic at the beginning, then, after a while they left.  Only a few persevered and the apostles wondered:  How will the kingdom of GOD come if no one is interested?

 

The Gospel records JESUS' explanation about the fields on which the seed fell.  There was a lot more to explain.  First, HIS comparing the kingdom of GOD with something that is sown must have surprised the listeners.  Throughout Sacred History, there had been abundant sowing and JESUS' contemporaries were expecting a harvest.

We, like JESUS contemporaries, want to reap, that is to enjoy the fruits of the kingdom of GOD, namely, social peace, justice and happiness.  Many wonder how it is possible that people continue to be so evil two thousand years after CHRIST.

 

If the kingdom of GOD has come and it is already in our midst, that does not mean we are going to enjoy its fruits.  The kingdom of GOD is where GOD rules, and GOD rules where people accept HIM for what HE is, where HE can be FATHER and where HIS sons and daughters can accept HIS plan for them.

 

From that moment on, people grow in a thousand ways, and social consciousness also develops.  People become aware of their dignity and their common destiny, in spite of the fact that it seems more impossible every day to reach the goal.)

On-Site

The Women Who Followed JESUS

"JESUS walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of GOD.  The Twelve followed HIM, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases:  Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Suzanna and others who provided for them out of their own funds." - Luke 8:1-3  

(No spiritual master would have spoken to a woman in public:  women were not even admitted to the synagogues.  Nevertheless, JESUS did not pay the least attention to such universally accepted prejudices.  Various women took JESUS words and attitude as a call to freedom.  They even joined the circle of HIS intimate friends while ignoring the gossip.  Here we have a fundamental testimony about the freedom of the Gospel.

 

JESUS was truly human, and as such HE belonged to a race and a culture:  HE was a Jew of HIS time, and HIS Gospel was attuned to the culture that HE shared.  Yet JESUS did not adopt the inhuman traits of HIS culture; nor did HE accept the prejudices of the Jews of HIS time with regard to women, to public sinners, to pagans and so on, nor did HE share their views in regard to the Sabbath.  HIS Gospel is a leaven that changes cultures for the better; in many respects HIS way of life goes against the mainstream of cultures.

Mary of Magdala [Magdala was a village on the shore of Lake Tiberias] will be at the foot of the cross along with Mary, the wife of Cleophas, the mother of James and Joset.  These two women along with Loanna, will receive the first news of the Resurrection [Luke 24:10].)

 

On-Site

Advice To Timothy

"Let no one reproach you on account of your youth.  Be a model to the believers in the way you speak and act, in your love, your faith and purity of life.  Devote yourself to reading, preaching and teaching, until I come.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift conferred on you with prophetic words when the elders laid their hands upon you. Think about it and practice it so that your progress may be seen by all.  Take heed of yourself and attend to your teaching.  Be steadfast in doing this and you will save both yourself and your hearers." - 1 Timothy 4:12-16  

(Faced with all these false teachers, Timothy must be an example of a true apostle.  Let no one reproach you on account of your youth.  Usually, in the Christian communities and in the Jewish ones, the leaders were older men.  This is why they were called "elders" or "presbyters" [which means the same thing].  Timothy, who is visiting the Church on behalf of Paul, has authority over these elders, even though he is much younger than they are.  The example of his sincere faith and profound knowledge of the Bible will be his strength.

Devote yourself to reading, preaching and teaching until I come.  This counsel is always valid.  To be steadfast in reading and study is what costs most in the majority of liberal professions.  Very few people are courageous enough to persevere in study once they have passed their examinations.  This is so, even in the Church.  The "pastors," clergy and lay, are constantly tempted in thinking such and such an activity is pastorally useful, that leisure is "relaxing" even at the cost of postponing study and meditation on the Word.  The Church is always lacking people able to express their faith creatively - a gift that springs from spiritual knowledge and habitual contact with the Word of GOD:  smiles, goodwill and psychology cannot replace this charism.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift.  If someone is named to a ministry or an official position in the Church, this was considered as a spiritual gift:  for example, presbyters, deacons, bishops, prophets.  While other gifts, such as healing the sick, came directly from the Holy Spirit, ministries were received through a laying on of hands.  An apostle or a prophet would lay his hands on the candidate to transfer to him the authority that he had received in a similar way.  Thus, in the Church, every leader receives his authority from CHRIST through a succession of people going back to the apostles.  

On this occasion the prophets present would also address the candidate with exhortations and warnings.) 

On-Site

"What Comparison Can I Use For The People?"

"And JESUS said, 'What comparison can I use for the people?  What are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain, 'We piped you a tune and you wouldn't dance; we sang funeral songs, and you wouldn't cry.'

Remember John: he didn't eat bread or drink wine, and you said, 'He has an evil spirit.'  Next, came the Son of Man, eating and drinking; and you say, 'Look, a glutton for food and wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'  But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work.'" - Luke 7:31-35 

 

(They are like children sitting...  They do everything at the wrong time; they reproach John for his austerity and JESUS for HIS lack of austerity.  There is no "one" way of serving GOD; there is no "one" model of holiness, "one" style of Christian life.  GOD acts in thousands of ways throughout history, encouraging at a given time what HE will censure later in another milieu.  The extreme asceticism of hermits in the desert or that of the ancient Irish monks has been a richness for Christianity.  Modern Christianity that appears more human may look easier to follow but the demands of the cross are always there.  JESUS went further than John, but HE needed John: The Gospel is heard with pleasure but is not taken seriously as long as repentance and sacrifice are brushed aside.  Perhaps the renewal of our faith today is waiting for prophets and for movements that dare to question a culture and a society that has become sterile.)

On-Site

The Son Of A Widow Restored To Life

"A little later JESUS went to a town called Naim and many of HIS disciples went with HIM - a great number of people.  As HE reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out.  He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd or townspeople.

On seeing her, the LORD had pity on her and said, 'Don't cry.'  Then HE came up and touched the stretcher and the men who carried it stopped.  JESUS then said, 'Young man, awake, I tell you.'  And the dead man got up and began to speak, and JESUS gave him to his mother.  A holy fear came over them all and they praised GOD saying, 'A great prophet has appeared among us; GOD has visited HIS people.'  This news spread out in the Jewish country and the surrounding places." - Luke 7:11-17  

(No one has ever attributed power over death to any person.  Only JESUS conquers death, and HE does so very simply.

JESUS only knew this young man through his mother, and it is for her that HE has restored him to life.  To be a widow without children is the height of distress [see Ruth], and it will be the lot of Mary.

The woman represents suffering humanity.  "You will suffer because of your children": this was said after the first sin.  Humanity cannot avoid accompanying the dead after depriving them of their reasons for living.  Humanity buries their young with tears, while continuing to kill them.)

On-Site

The Mother Of The Believers

"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.)

On-Site

The Bronze Serpent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On-Site

"No Healthy Tree Bears Bad Fruit; No Poor Tree Bears Good Fruit."

"'No healthy tree bears bad fruit; no poor tree bears good fruit.  And each tree is known by the fruit it bears you don't gather figs from the thorns, or grapes from brambles.  Similarly, the good person draws good things from the good stored in his heart, and an evil person draws evil things from the evil stored in his heart.  For the mouth speaks from the fulness of the heart.

Why do you call ME, 'LORD!  LORD!' and do not do what I say?  I will show you what the one is like, who comes to ME, and listens to MY words, and acts accordingly.  That person is like the builder who dug deep and laid the foundations of his house on rock.  The river overflowed, and the stream dashed against the house, but could not carry it off because the house had been well built.

But the one who listens and does not act, is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation.  The flood burst against it, and the house fell at once: and what a terrible disaster that was!'" - Luke 6:43-49  

(No healthy tree...  These sayings were already mentioned in Matthew 7:15.  Here, however, Luke gives them a different meaning by referring to a pure conscience.  We must purify our mind and our spirit to become the tree that produces good fruits.)

On-Site

True Happiness

 "Keep me safe, O GOD,

for in YOU I take refuge.

I say to YAHWEH,

'YOU are my LORD, my only good.'

O YAHWEH, my inheritance and my cup,

my chosen portion--hold secure my lot.

I praise YAHWEH who counsels me;

even at night, my inmost self-instructs me.

I keep YAHWEH always before me;

for with HIM at my right hand,

I will never be shaken.

My heart, therefore, exults; my soul rejoices;

my body, too, will rest assured.

For YOU will not abandon

my soul to the grave,

nor will YOU suffer YOUR holy one

to see decay in the land of the dead.

YOU will show me the path of life,

in YOUR presence, the fullness of joy,

at YOUR right hand, happiness forever."

- Psalm 16:1-2. 5. 7-8. 9-10. 11

(So much lip-service is paid to the one GOD and so much activity to the gods we make for ourselves.  Only thoughtful experience can show how hollow these are.  The offerings we make pay no return but a frenzy to offer more.  But perhaps this experience is necessary for many of us.  It may not lead to the high mysticism of the psalmist.  If we learn to turn away and look for a while towards the more lasting good, we may find it more satisfying after all.  Appetite may grow from what it feeds on.  There is even a presentiment in this psalm, that such a union with GOD, will prove stronger than death, and in CHRIST it did.  The risen LORD, so closely united with HIS FATHER, descended to the place of death and came out freely, ascending with HIS spoils.  Nor can death resist HIS Body, which is the Church.  HE promised that the gates of death would not withstand it.  Death, 'the last enemy,' is destroyed.  The resurrection of our bodies is guaranteed by the resurrection of CHRIST.

Loyalty to GOD does not mean hostility toward those who follow another religion.  This loyalty asks of us, on the contrary, to look more closely at our attachment to all the little gods, that encumber our life.  Let us not sacrifice our Christian identity on the altar of money.)

On-Site 

"Do To Others As You Would Have Others Do To You."

"But I say to you who hear ME:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.  Bless those who curse you and pray for those who treat you badly.  To the one who strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek; from the one who takes your coat, do not keep back your shirt.  Give to the one who asks, and if anyone has taken something from you, do not demand it back.

 Do to others as you would have others do to you.  If you love only those who love you, what kind of grace is yours?  Even sinners love those who love them.  If you do favors to those who are good to you, what kind of grace is yours?  Even sinners do the same.  If you lend only when you expect to receive, what kind of grace is yours?  For sinners also lend to sinners, expecting to receive something in return.

But love your enemies and do good to them and lend when there is nothing to expect in return.  Then will your reward be great, and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High.  For HE is kind toward the ungrateful and the wicked.  Be merciful, just as your FATHER is merciful.

Don't be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over.  For the measure you give will be the measure you receive back." - Luke 6:31-34  

(Here, as in Matthew 5:43, JESUS does not refer mainly to personal resentment and friendships, but to opposition in the social, political or religious order: treating differently the people of one's group or party and those of the opposite side.  We love and respect those of our own group and are only moderately concerned about the rights of others: they are probably sinners and even in the best of circumstances of small interest...

JESUS invites us to overcome such differences: what counts is the individual and when my neighbor needs me, I must forget his color or whatever label has been given him.

If you lend only when you expect to receive.  Once again, we are dealing with a social attitude: people who look for friends among those who can promote their social climbing and who avoid all who might be a burden because they are people without influence: Luke 14:12.) 

On-Site

Blessings And Woes

"Coming down the hill with them, JESUS stood on a level place.  Many of HIS disciples were there and a large crowd of people who had come from all parts of Judea and Jerusalem and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon.  They gathered to hear HIM and be healed of their diseases; likewise people troubled by evil spirits were healed.  The entire crowd tried to touch HIM because of the power that went out from HIM and healed them all. 

Then looking at HIS disciples, JESUS said, 

'Fortunate are you who are poor, the kingdom of GOD is yours.' 

Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. 

Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 

Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.  Remember that is how the ancestors of this people treated the prophets. 

But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now. 

Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry. 

Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 

Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of these people treated the false prophets." - Luke 6:17-26  

(Matthew adapts them for the members of the church of his time.  Luke, on the other hand, puts the beatitudes here just as JESUS proclaimed them to the people of Galilee.  In the words of JESUS, the beatitudes were a call and a hope addressed to the forgotten of the world, beginning with the poor among HIS people, heirs of GOD's promise to the prophets.)

On-Site

The Twelve

"At this time JESUS went out into the hills to pray, spending the whole night in prayer with GOD.  When day came, HE called HIS disciples to HIM and chose twelve of them whom HE called apostles: Simon, whom HE named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James, son of Alpheus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas, son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would be the traitor." - Luke 6:12-16 

(JESUS keeps those whom HE loves the most in HIS prayer.  The success of HIS mission will depend upon them; other people's faith will rest on them.  JESUS does not want their call to be HIS own will: before calling them, HE wants to be certain that HE is doing the FATHER's will.  For the simple reason that CHRIST chose them and entrusted HIS Church to them, they will be tested in a thousand ways.  Therefore, JESUS wants to safeguard them through the power of HIS prayer.  The day before HIS death HE will have the consolation that not one of those the FATHER gave HIM has been lost [John 17:12].)

 

On-Site

JESUS Born Of A Virgin Mother

"Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came JESUS, who is called the CHRIST - the Messiah.

There were then fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, and fourteen generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of CHRIST.

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

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

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

All this happened in order to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet.  The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and HE will be called EMMANUEL which means: GOD-with-us.  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had told him to do, and he took his wife to his home." - Matthew 1:16-24 

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

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

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

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

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

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

On-Site

The Cost Of Following JESUS

"One day, when large crowds were walking along with JESUS, HE turned and said to them, 'If you come to ME, unwilling to sacrifice your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be MY disciple.  Whoever does not follow ME, carrying his own cross, cannot be MY disciple.

Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost, to see whether you have enough to complete it?  Otherwise, if you, have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

And when a king wages war against another king, does he go to fight without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand can stand against the twenty thousand of his opponents?  And if not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers for peace talks.  In the same way, none of you may become MY disciple, if he doesn't give up everything he has.'" - Luke 14:25-33 

(JESUS thinks about people who, after becoming enthusiastic about HIM and giving up their personal ambitions to dedicate themselves to the work of the Gospel, turn back to seek what ordinary people see as a more "normal" and secure life.  JESUS needs disciples who commit themselves once and for all.

Why this comparison with the king going to war?  Because the person who frees himself for the service of the Gospel is, in fact, a king to whom GOD will give greater rewards than anyone else would give [see Mark 10:30].  He must also know that the fight is against the "owner" of this world, the devil, who will stop him with a thousand unexpected tests and traps.  Had he not totally surrendered, the disciple would surely fail and be worse off than if he had not even begun.

If he doesn't give up everything he has.  JESUS asks some people to give up their loved ones and their family problems.  To all HE shows that we shall never be free to answer GOD's call, if we do not want to rethink our family links, our use of time and all that we sacrifice in order to live "like everyone else." 

Unwilling to sacrifice for your father and mother, your spouse and children...  This is found in Matthew 10:37.  Luke adds: your wife.)

On-Site

JESUS, LORD Of The Sabbath

"It happened that JESUS was walking through the wheat fields on a Sabbath.  HIS disciples were hungry; and they began to pick some heads of wheat, to crush and to eat the grain.  When the Pharisees noticed this, they said to JESUS, 'Look at YOUR disciples!  They are doing what is prohibited on the Sabbath!'

JESUS answered, 'Have you not read what David did, when he and his men were hungry?  He went into the House of GOD, and they ate the bread offered to GOD, though neither he nor his men had the right to eat it, but only the priests.  And have you not read in the law, how, on the Sabbath, the priests in the temple desecrate the Sabbath, yet they are not guilty?

I tell you, there is greater than the temple here.  If you really knew the meaning of the words: It is mercy I want, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.

Besides, the Son of Man is LORD of the Sabbath.'" - Matthew 12:1-8  

(This chapter records the conflicts of JESUS with the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath.  Why does the Gospel make so much of these conflicts?  Perhaps because at the time of JESUS the heavy load of religious obligations was a formidable obstacle for those searching for GOD.  It may have been also because the Christians lost no time making new laws to which they gave an exaggerated importance.  If JESUS deliberately violated the most sacred of the laws given by GOD to Moses, what about our ecclesiastical laws not guaranteed by the word of GOD?  In the name of man-made laws, adapted to a context that is not ours, Christian communities have at times been paralyzed and we let millions of people look for churches where they have the communities and pastors they have been deprived of.)

On-Site 

CHRIST Is The Beginning Of Everything

"HE is the image of the unseen GOD, and for all creation, HE is the firstborn, for, in HIM, all things were created, 

in heaven and on earth,

visible and invisible:

thrones, rulers, authorities, powers...

All was made through HIM and for HIM.

HE is before all

and all things hold together, in HIM.

And HE is the head of the body, that is the Church,

for HE is the first, the first raised from the dead,

that HE may be the first in everything,

for GOD was pleased to let fullness dwell in HIM.

Through HIM, GOD willed to reconcile all things to HIMSELF,

and through HIM, through HIS blood shed on the cross,

GOD establishes peace,

on earth as in heaven." - Colossians 1:15-20  

(Paul shows that the angels or invisible powers whether from Scripture or the storytellers of "gnosis" with their Thrones, Authorities, Principles... are nothing compared with CHRIST.  HE is neither agent nor intermediary of a creative adventure without a true creator.  HE is not one of the saviors of a history rather impersonal: there is only GOD-Creator and in HIM is CHRIST.  See the same idea in Hebrews 1.

In Galatians 4:1-5 Paul recognizes that the history of humanity has been deeply marked by natural and social forces that he does not name.  He also affirms that since the resurrection of JESUS, it is HE who has in hand all the movement of history [Revelations 5:3-5].  Something that may astonish those among us who think all history is the responsibility of humankind.  In one sense, they are right but on condition that they do not forget the Firstborn, the one who has already come to the end of history and of whom we say HE is LORD [Philippians 2:11] of history.

HE is the image of the unseen GOD.  We should not imagine that GOD has a human form beyond the clouds, and that JESUS is HIS image; human creature is the image of GOD, but GOD is not in the image of human creature.

In all that HE is and in all that HE does, CHRIST among us is the perfect image of the FATHER and of HIS mercy:  HIS actions reveal GOD's way of thinking and acting.  Already before HE became man, the Son of GOD existed in GOD, as the eternal and invisible image of GOD eternal and invisible, the radiance of the glory of the FATHER [Hebrews 1:3], the Expression or Word of GOD [John 1:1].

For all creation HE is the firstborn.  We take this word in its biblical sense.  HE is not the first of many creatures, but the one who has a place apart.  In HIS human nature, CHRIST is a Galilean Jew, a descendant of David.  HIS person, however, is rooted in GOD and is presented to us as the model and the firstborn not of people but of all creation.

All was made through HIM: John 1:1 and Hebrews 1:2.

And was the first raised...  Paul says more precisely "and as the first fruits offered to GOD, was raised" [as in Corinthians 15:23].  HE has not come only for the forgiveness of sins, but for a "Passover," a passage from death to life, and HIS Resurrection after HIS total surrendering to HIS FATHER was a first necessary step so that we too would have a resurrection.

GOD was pleased to let fullness dwell in HIM who is the only bridge between GOD and the universe.  The fullness of GOD is in HIM to be communicated to the universe, and the fullness of the universe will be found in HIM when all human beings are reconciled and reunited in HIM.

GOD willed to reconcile.  Once again, the work of CHRIST is presented as reconciliation: reconciliation between people [2 Corinthians 5:17-21] and reconciliation of the whole of creation)

On-Site 

You Will Catch People

"One day, as JESUS stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, with a crowd gathered around HIM listening to the word of GOD, HE caught sight of two boats, left at the water's edge by fishermen, now washing their nets.  HE got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked HIM to pull out a little from the shore.  There HE sat and continued to teach the crowd.

When HE had finished speaking, HE said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.'  Simon replied, 'Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.  But if you say so, I will lower the nets.'  This they did, and caught such large number of fish that their nets began to break.  They signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them.  They came, and they filled both boats almost to the point of sinking.

Upon seeing this, Simon Peter fell at JESUS' knees, saying, 'Leave me, LORD, for I am a sinful man!'  For he ands his companions amazed at the catch they had made, and so were Simon's partners, James and John, Zebedee's sons.

JESUS said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid.  You will catch people from now on.'  So, they brought their boats to land and followed HIM, leaving everything." - Luke 5:1-11  

(JESUS invites HIMSELF aboard Peter's boat, and Peter is willing to render HIM this service.  JESUS looks for more: even though many are ready to assist HIM, HE seeks those who are willing to totally surrender to HIS work.  The listeners are many, but HE needs apostles.

Miracles are another way in which JESUS teaches.  The miracle reported here is GOD's word for future apostles.  Lower your nets; the nets were at the breaking point; you will catch people...

Leave me, LORD, for I am a sinful man.  Such is the fear of the one who discovers that GOD has entered into his inner life: this is a first act of faith in the divinity of JESUS.  Yet JESUS calls on sinners to save sinners.

Leaving everything, they followed HIM.  It is not that they had much, but it was their whole life: work, family and their whole past as fishermen.

Apostle means sent.  CHRIST is the one who chooses HIS apostles and sends them in HIS name.  Where will HE find someone to send except among those who are willing to cooperate with HIM?  One begins to be an apostle or at least to cooperate with CHRIST, when one looks for something more than performing good works for the benefit of the parish, when one feels responsible for people: fisher of people.

Here Luke may have combined two different events: the call of the disciples briefly presented in Mark 1:16 and the miraculous catch.  John also relates a miraculous catch [John 21] but he places it after the resurrection.  We have good reason to think we are dealing with the same miracle, but it suited John to combine it with the appearance of the risen JESUS to the apostles, which occurred later in the same place.)

On-Site

JESUS Is A Model Missionary

"Leaving the synagogue, JESUS went to the house of Simon.  His mother-in-law was suffering from high fever, and they asked HIM to do something for her.  Bending over her, HE rebuked the fever, and it left her.  Immediately, she got up and waited on them.

At sunset, people suffering from many kinds of sickness were brought to JESUS.  Laying HIS hands on each one, HE healed them.  Demons were driven out, howling as they departed from their victims, 'YOU are the Son of GOD!'  HE rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, for they knew HE was the Messiah.

JESUS left at daybreak and looked for a solitary place.  People went out in search of HIM, and finding HIM, they tried to dissuade HIM from leaving.  But HE said, 'I have to go to other towns, to announce the good news of the kingdom of GOD.  That is what I was sent to do.'  And JESUS continued to preach in the synagogues of Galilee." - Luke 4:38-44  

(JESUS is a model missionary.  HE no sooner gathers a few believers together than they want to keep HIM for themselves, either because they see in HIM a true prophet, or want to form a true community under HIS guidance.

JESUS, however, leaves the task of shepherding [in the sense of guiding a specific community] to others, because HE has many more people in mind still awaiting the Gospel.)

On-Site