Do You Love ME More Than These Do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ecumenism

"'I pray not only for these, but also for those who through their word will believe in ME.  May they all be one, as YOU FATHER are in ME and I AM in YOU.  May they be one in US, so that the world may believe that you have sent ME.

I have given them the glory YOU have given ME, that they may be one as WE are one: I in them and YOU in ME.  Thus, they shall reach perfection in unity; and the world shall know that YOU have sent ME, and that I have loved them, just as YOU loved ME.

FATHER, since YOU have given them to ME, I want them to be with ME where I AM, and see the glory YOU gave ME, for YOU loved ME before the foundation of the world.

Righteous FATHER, the world has not known YOU, but I have known YOU, and these have known that YOU have sent ME.  As I revealed YOUR name to them, so will I continue to reveal it, so that the love with which YOU loved ME may be in them, and I also may be in them.'" - John 17:20-26  

 

(In our times, we have a better understanding of these past difficulties.  Many Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants are attempting to unite as believers.  At the same time, however, new problems have arisen within each Church.  Today Christians disagree and are split, not only in their political options, but also in their understanding of CHRIST and their views on how HIS message is best delivered in our time.

Ecumenism, that is, efforts to reconcile in truth and bring the Churches together, demands that we overcome the new dissensions that threaten the internal unity of the Church.  All of us must work so that the unity of all Christians may be realized as CHRIST desires, and by the means HE wants.  In any case, nothing can be done without obeying the truth and doing the truth.  In no way can we disregard Peter's charism of unity that is granted to Peter's successors.)

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'Happiness Lies More In Giving Than In Receiving.'

"Keep watch over yourselves, and over the whole flock the Holy Spirit has placed into your care.  Shepherd the Church of the LORD that HE has won, at the price of HIS own blood.  I know that, after I leave, ruthless wolves will come among you and not spare the flock.  And, from among you, some will arise, corrupting the truth, and inducing the disciples to follow them. 

Be on the watch, therefore, remembering that, for three years, night and day, I did not cease to warn everyone, even with tears.  Now, I commend you to GOD, and to HIS grace-filled word, which is able to make you grow and gain the inheritance that you shall share with all the saints.

I have not looked for anyone's silver, gold or clothing.  You, yourselves, know, that these hands of mine have provided for both my needs and the needs of those who were with me.  In every way, I have shown you that by working hard one must help the weak, remembering the words that the LORD JESUS HIMSELF said, 'Happiness lies more in giving than in receiving.'

After this discourse, Paul knelt down with them and prayed.  Then, they all began to weep and threw their arms around him and kissed him.  They were deeply distressed because he had said that they would never see him again.  And they went with him even to the ship." - Acts 20:28-38  

(We have the warning of divisions and heresies in the Church: the same message will reappear in the Pastoral Letters [2 Timothy 3:1-9].  We are used to seeing Christians divided.  For Paul, it was unthinkable.  When he speaks of "the Churches of CHRIST" [Romans 16:4 and 16; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 11:16], he is only thinking of the local communities who communicate among themselves, and all accept without discussion the same faith and tradition of the apostles.  Paul alludes to what awaits him: all that we can do is to follow CHRIST, who has won HIS Church at the price of HIS own blood.  Only in heaven will a leader of the Church find rest and retirement.

Paul takes up the resignation discourse of Samuel [1 Samuel 12:3].  How quickly can a person be self-serving and look after self in any apostolic work.)

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Prayer Of JESUS For The New Holy People

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Paul In Ephesus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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GOD Has Put All Things Under The Feet Of CHRIST

"May the GOD of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, the FATHER of glory, reveal HIMSELF to you, and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that you may know HIM.

May HE enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by GOD.

May you know how great the inheritance is, the glory, GOD sets apart for HIS saints; may you understand, with what extraordinary power, HE acts in favor of us who believe.

HE revealed HIS almighty power in CHRIST when HE raised HIM from the dead, and had HIM sit at HIS right hand in heaven, far above all rule, power, authority, dominion, or any other supernatural force that could be named, not only in this world, but in the world to come as well.

Thus has GOD put all things under the feet of CHRIST and set HIM above all things, as head of the church, which is HIS body, the fullness of HIM, who fills all in all." - Ephesians 1:17-23  

(Far above all power.  In Paul's days, neither Jews nor Christians doubted that the world was governed by supernatural powers, "angels."  They called them: Rulers, Powers, Authorities, Dominion, and Paul was saying to them: all these Powers are inferior to CHRIST.  In our days we express ourselves differently.  Nevertheless, we see the universe subject to the laws of nature, to the forces of matter and of life.  It is also subject to obscure forces: collective prejudices, vice and fanaticism.  These ruled the world, preventing the emergence of humanity, until the coming of CHRIST: see Galatians 3:23.

GOD has put all things under the feet of CHRIST.  This means the same as the words of our creed: "JESUS is seated at the right hand of GOD."  It means that in rising, CHRIST, the GOD-Human became the First in the universe.  All things under HIS feet except humankind.

Paul adds: "HE made HIM head of the Church".  CHRIST acts differently in two areas: in the world, where HE is the invisible center in charge; in the Church, of which HE is the head, where HE can show the riches of HIS Spirit.)

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You Will Ask In MY Name

"When that day comes to you will not ask ME anything.  Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you.  So far you have not asked for anything in MY name; ask, and receive, that your joy may be full.

I have taught you all these things in veiled language, but the time is coming when I shall no longer speak in veiled language, but will speak to you plainly about the FATHER.

When that day comes, you will ask in MY name; and it will not be necessary for ME to ask the FATHER for you, for the FATHER HIMSELF loves you, because you have loved ME, and you believed that I came from the FATHER.  As I came from the FATHER, and have come into the world, so I AM leaving the world, and going to the FATHER." - John 16:23-28  

(I will speak to you plainly...  The naïve response of the apostles in verse 29 underlines by contrast what JESUS expressed in verse 25.  JESUS did not mean that HE would return in visible form to teach, not in parables, but more clearly; JESUS referred rather to the spiritual knowledge of HIMSELF and HIS words that the disciples were to receive from the Spirit.

You will ask in MY name.  Through a spiritual knowledge of JESUS, the believers will know what they should ask of HIM and HE will give it to them.  In the same manner, they will know the things that GOD does not want to give, and because of that they will neither desire nor ask for them.)

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Paul Had Made A Vow

"One night, in a vision, the LORD said to Paul, 'Do not be afraid, but continue speaking and do not be silent, for many people in this city are MINE.  I AM with you, so no one will harm you.'  So, Paul stayed a year and a half in that place, teaching the word of GOD among them.

When Gallio was governor of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the court.  And they accused him, 'This man tries to persuade us to worship GOD in ways that are against the Law.'

Paul was about to speak in his own defense when Gallio said to the Jews, 'If it were a matter of a misdeed or vicious crime, I would have to consider your complaint.  But since this is a quarrel about teachings and divine names that are proper to your own law, see to it yourselves: I refuse to judge such matters.'  And he sent them out of the court.

Then the people seized Sosthenes, a leading man of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal; but Gallio paid no attention to it.

Paul stayed on with the disciples in Corinth for many days; he then left them and sailed off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria.  And as he was no longer under a vow he had taken; he shaved his head before sailing from Cenchreae." - Acts 18:9-18  

(A vision: there are not many in this book.  Perhaps Paul was wondering whether it would not be better for him to retire for a time as he had already done and as JESUS had advised in case of persecution [Matthew 10:23].   The devil increases the opposition when someone sets foot on his field: in this center of corruption, grace would triumph.

The Jews brought him before the court.  Here we have a new example of the problems Paul met in the great Roman centers.  Different peoples co-exist, and many conflicts are settled within communities according to their proper laws and customs.  Gallio, the Roman governor, has no wish to be dragged into the jungle of traditions and disputes, especially with the Jews who enjoyed religious privileges within the Roman Empire.

The Jews are furious in seeing the success of Paul that relies on the Word of GOD, that is, on their own sacred books.  They fear that the boldness of the Christians might stir a reaction from the pagans, in which case they, too, would be the victims.

They seized Sosthenes - and beat him.  A sure bet would be that this Sosthenes, a Jew, is the one mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:1.  Even if he already acted as a prominent member of the Christian group, it is doubtful whether the Jews would have attacked him before the authorities: most probably it was a group of bystanders falling on a well-known Jew.

Paul had made a vow.  He shaved his head as it was said in Numbers 6:5. All that Paul had written to turn converted pagans away from the Jewish Law did not prevent him, a Jew, from feeling at ease with the traditional forms of Jewish piety.  He knew that faith alone saves, but it was his wish to mark with a vow some secret agreement he had made with the LORD.)

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"This Is MY Commandment: Love One Another As I Have Loved You!"

"As the FATHER has loved ME, so I have loved you.  Remain in MY love!  You will remain in MY love if you keep MY commandments, just as I have kept MY FATHER's commandments and remain in HIS love.

I have told you all this, that MY own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.  This is MY commandment: Love one another as I have loved you!  There is no greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends; and you are MY friends, if you do what I command you.

I shall not call you servants anymore, because servants do not know what their master is about.  Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from MY FATHER.

You did not choose ME; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.  And everything you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you.

This is MY command, that you love one another." - John 15:9-17 

(After making it clear that we depend totally on HIM, JESUS repeats HIS commandment of love.  There is a necessary order in building the Christian life.

If from the start we say: We should love our neighbor because this is the only commandment, we will achieve nothing; because each one understands love in his own way, while not having as yet interiorized the thinking of CHRIST.  Moreover, we need to receive from the source of all love the ability to love selflessly.  CHRIST asks us to first share HIS thinking: that is what the expression, keep MY commandments means.  Thus, we become HIS friends, knowing HIM as a person who loves us and acts in us.  Later we will produce the authentic fruit of love, whose source is CHRIST.)

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Paul In Corinth

"After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, following a decree of the Emperor Claudius which ordered all Jews to leave Rome.  Paul went to visit them and then stayed and worked with them because they shared the same trade of tentmaking.  Every Sabbath he held discussions in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was able to give himself wholly to preaching and proving to the Jews that JESUS was the Messiah.  One day when they opposed him and insulted him, he shook the dust from his clothes in protest, saying, 'Your blood be on your own heads!  I am innocent.  I am not to blame if from now on I go to the non-Jews."

So, Paul left there and went to the house of a GOD-fearing man named Titus Justus who lived next door to the synagogue.  A leading man of the synagogue, Crispus, along with his whole household, believed in the LORD.  On hearing Paul, many more Corinthians believed and were baptized." - Acts 18:1-8 

 

(Corinth, the main port of Greece and capital of the province of Achaia with 600,000 inhabitants, of whom 400,000 are slaves, is a religious, commercial and cultural center.  It has countless temples with thousands of prostitutes serving in them.  The city is famous for its luxury and its corruption.  Paul goes there and remains eighteen months - until the end of the year 52.  This date is exact: history tells us that Gallio was governor of Achaia during the year 52.

Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, had just arrived in Corinth.  They were perhaps already Christians, but Jewish Christians were not different from others before the decree of the emperor.

Aquila and Priscilla simply place themselves at Paul's service to help him.  They will assist him on other occasions with the natural availability of people who do not feel tied to any city or country.)

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A Miraculous Deliverance

"So, they set the crowd against them; and the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be flogged.  And after inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them safely.  Upon receiving these instructions, he threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to GOD, and the other prisoners were listening.  Suddenly, a severe earthquake shook the place, rocking the prison to its foundations.  Immediately, all the doors flew open, and the chains of all the prisoners fell off.  The jailer woke up to see the prison gates wide open.  Thinking that the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword to kill himself, but Paul shouted to him, 'Do not harm yourself!  We are all still here.'

The jailer asked for a light, then rushed in, and fell at the feet of Paul and Silas.  After he had secured the other prisoners, he led them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'  They answered, 'Believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and you, and your household, will be saved.'  Then they spoke the word of GOD to him and to all his household.

Even at that hour of the night, the jailer took care of them and washed their wounds; and he, and his whole household, were baptized at once.  He led them to his house, spread a meal before them and joyfully celebrated with his whole household his newfound faith in GOD." - Acts 16:22-34  

(In Roman jails there was a main room and in the center of the pavement a grill closed the opening through which the most dangerous prisoners were thrown into an underground cell.  They throw Paul and Silas there.  They are perfectly free in spite of their chains.  Though they have been beaten and are wounded, they feel like praising GOD.  In the silence of the night, the jailers and the other prisoners listen to them praying and singing hymns.

GOD is also listening.  How many similar episodes, wherever a witness of Christian freedom has been at the risk of one's life and liberty!

We who take the time, and rightly so to prepare for Baptism, might be surprised by this very swift Baptism of a whole family.  It could be said that it was a special case: let us stress also that all this happened in a very different world from our own.)

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The SPIRIT Will Come

"From the FATHER, I will send you the Spirit of truth.  When this Helper has come from the FATHER, HE will be MY witness, and you, too, will be MY witnesses for you have been with ME from the beginning.

I tell you all this to keep you from stumbling and falling away.  They will put you out of the Jewish communities.  Still more, the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will claim to be serving GOD; they will do this because they have not known the FATHER or ME.  I tell you all these things now so that when the time comes you may remember that I told you." - John 15:26-16:4   

(The FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT.  In making us children of HIS FATHER, JESUS enables us to discover the intimate mystery of GOD.  In GOD there is communion among the three persons: the FATHER, the SON and THEIR common SPIRIT.

We speak of their common Spirit, because JESUS said both: The FATHER will give you another Helper [14:16] and: The Helper which I will send you [15:26].  Now HE says: He will take what is MINE and tell it to you: everything that the FATHER has is also MINE [16:15]. 

"The Spirit" is not a poetic figure: it is Someone.  This has already been commented on [John 7:37; 14:1].

Starting from the day of Pentecost, the Spirit began to act in the Church, thus showing that he was the Spirit of CHRIST.  The unbelieving Jews thought that GOD was with them, but in reality, HIS Spirit did not act among them.  So, it was clear that they had sinned for not believing in CHRIST.) 

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Endure Sufferings As CHRIST Did

"... but bless the LORD CHRIST in your hearts.  Always have an answer ready, when you are called upon, to account for your hope, but give it simply and with respect.  Keep your conscience clear, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your upright, Christian living.  Better to suffer for doing good, if it is GOD's will, than for doing wrong.  

Remember how CHRIST died, once, and for all, for our sins.  HE, the just one, died for the unjust, in order to lead us to GOD.  In the body, HE was put to death, in the spirit, HE was raised to life..." - 1 Peter 3:15-18   

(In the body HE was put to death, in the spirit HE was raised to life.  [The text says, "HE died according to flesh."]  This means that HE died because HE had accepted and really taken on our mortal condition, but HE had to be repossessed by the Spirit of GOD.  It is a reaffirmation of the double nature of CHRIST.  Compare with Romans 1:4.)

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The Hostile World

"If the world hates you, remember that the world hated ME before you.  This would not be so if you belonged to the world, because the world loves its own.  But you are not of the world, since I have chosen you from the world; because of this the world hates you.

Remember what I told you: the servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted ME, they would also persecute you.  If they kept MY word, they would keep yours as well.  All this they will do to you on account of MY name, because they do not know the One who sent ME." - John 15:18-21 

(In spite of JESUS' having returned to HIS FATHER to initiate a more effective and universal presence among humankind, Satan continues to act with the power he has usurped.  The hatred of those who belong to Satan is directed against the believers and the Church.  Such helpers of Satan are called in John's Gospel: the world.

Believers are destined to be hated by the world.  It often happens that when a person begins to live in a more Christian and responsible way, she meets with opposition and hatred from her own family.  No one knows what has aroused the hatred, but the devil does, who moves everything to discourage us.)

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In Time Of Danger: A National Lament

  "My heart is steadfast, O GOD; my heart is steadfast.  I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul; awake, O harp and lyre!  I will wake the dawn.

I will give thanks to YOU, O YAHWEH, among the peoples; I will sing praise to YOU among the nations.

Be exalted, O GOD, above the heavens!  Let YOUR glory be over all the earth!"

- Psalm 57:8-9. 10. 12

(The vehemence of the psalmists is a constant surprise.  Heaven knows what some of them must have gone through.  Even their joy seems to shine through tears.  This individual lament, followed by thanksgiving, is similar in form and content to the preceding psalm and to many others.  Nevertheless, there is more triumphant joy in the conclusion.  The 'morning' in the psalm often stands for the dawning of new hope.  The psalmist is awake, shouting so loud, that the personified Dawn, that is relief, will have to come.

This psalm could be the prayer of the one who waits, with total trust, for calamities to end.  The glory of the Most High fills the earth.)

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The Council's Letters

"Then the apostles and elders together with the whole Church decided to choose representatives from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.  These were Judas, known as Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. They took with them the following letter:

'Greetings from the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the believers of non-Jewish birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.  We have heard that some persons from among us have worried you with their discussions and troubled your peace of mind.  They were not appointed by us.  But now, it has seemed right to us in an assembly, to choose representatives and to send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the service of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  We send you then Judas and Silas who themselves will give you these instructions by word of mouth.

We, with the Holy Spirit, have decided not to put any other burden on you except what is necessary.  You are to abstain from blood from the meat of strangled animals and from prohibited marriages.  If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.  Farewell'.

After saying good-bye, the messengers went to Antioch, where they assembled the community and handed them the letter.  When they read the news, all were delighted with the encouragement it gave them." - Acts 15:22-31  

(If we re-read Chapter 2 of Galatians, then Acts 21:25, we may think that Luke has combined here two events: the meeting at Jerusalem as well as a decision James took later for the Churches that depended directly on Jerusalem and where the Christians of Jewish origin formed the majority.  That helps to understand the decree that follows.

The final decision of the "Council" of Jerusalem, as it is presented here, is doubtless the best the apostles and the Holy Spirit could do at the time.  Let us frankly say that the settlement could only be provisional and lacked doctrinal justification.  To impose Jewish laws was to penalize non-Jews; it was also a way of saying that the Church was unable to live according to the "newness" of the Gospel, free of the past, free of religious discipline.  In fact, a few years later, there was no question of these laws since the Church had freed itself of the Jewish community, just as it had been rejected by the Jews.

The following expressions are to be noted; the apostles, the elders, and the whole community... it has seemed right to the Holy Spirit and to us: the decision of the community united to its apostles guarantees the presence of the Holy Spirit.  On several occasions in history, similar debates have taken place, but then it was not a question of freeing the Gospel of the Old Testament laws; it was the laws and customs of the Church that had become the impossible burden to carry [v. 10] for a large human majority.  Only when a debate is wide open, as was the one at Jerusalem, does it succeed in pointing out the obstacles and ecclesiastical taboos.  As long as the central organisms stifle the liberty of expression, the mission weakens and encloses itself within a traditional clientele decreasing day by day.)

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The Vine And The Branches

"I AM the true vine, and MY FATHER is the vine grower.  If any of MY branches doesn't bear fruit, HE breaks it off; and HE prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.

You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you.  Live in ME as I live in you.  The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine; so, neither can you, if you don't remain in ME.

I AM the vine and you are the branches.  As long as you remain in ME and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from ME you can do nothing.  Whoever does not remain in ME is thrown away, as they do with branches, and they wither.  Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in ME and MY words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it will be given to you.  MY FATHER is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become MY disciples." - John 15:1-8   

(JESUS uses an image from the Scripture, but HE changes the original meaning, as HE did before when speaking of the Good Shepherd [John 10:1].  The vine represents the people of Israel.  Planted from selected stock, cared for by the LORD, it should have produced fruits of justice [Mark 12:1].

Now the true Vine has taken root.  CHRIST is the trunk from which the branches sprout, that is to say, all of us who live by HIM.  HE is also the entire plant, trunk and branches together: Christians are really the body of CHRIST.

Now JESUS does not say: The Christian community is the vine, but: I AM the vine.  So, each of us has to consider how he is joined with JESUS through faith, prayer, and keeping HIS word.  Each one has to bear fruit.  JESUS does not specify what these fruits should be: whether service, understanding, action for social justice, or a life silently offered to GOD.  Rather HE insists that these fruits should come from the Spirit and bear HIS proper seal.  The success of the Church is not measured by its achievements, but by the progress of those who interiorize CHRIST's mystery and share in HIS cross and resurrection.)

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"For The FATHER Is Greater Than I."

"Peace be with you!  MY peace I give to you; not as the world gives peace do I give it to you.  Do not be troubled!  Do not be afraid!  You heard ME say, 'I AM going away, but I AM coming to you.'  If you loved ME, you would be glad that I go to the FATHER, for the FATHER is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it takes place, so that when it does happen you may believe.  There is very little left for ME to tell you, for the prince of this world is at hand, although there is nothing in ME that he can claim.  But see, the world must know that I love the FATHER, and that I do what the FATHER has taught me to do.  Come now, let us go." - John 14:27-31  

(For the FATHER is greater than I.  This does not contradict what John teaches throughout the whole Gospel about JESUS' divinity.  This is to be read together with 5:18; 10:30; 16:15, if we want to know something of the mystery of CHRIST, "true GOD," as spoken of in Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; and 1 John 5:20.

As early as the fourth century Saint Hilary, the great bishop and defender of the faith, wrote: "The FARTHER is greater because of being the one who gives.  As HE gives the Son all that HE HIMSELF is, yet the Son is not inferior to the FATHER."

Moreover, it is characteristic of the Son to deny HIMSELF so that HE may give glory to the FATHER, until the FATHER gives HIM back "the glory HE had before" as said in 17:5 and 6:62.

Because of this the apostles, who have seen HIM as a man among humans in the time of HIS humiliation, should now rejoice.)

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The Helper (Or Interpreter), The Holy Spirit Will Teach You

"'Whoever keeps MY commandments is the one who loves ME.  If he loves ME, he will also be loved by MY FATHER; I too shall love HIM and show MYSELF clearly to him.'

Judas--not Judas Iscariot--asked JESUS, 'LORD, how can it be that YOU will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?'  JESUS answered him, 'If anyone loves ME, he will keep MY word, and MY FATHER will love him; and WE will come to him and live with him.  But if anyone does not love ME, he will not keep MY words; and these words that you hear are not MINE, but the FATHER's who sent ME.

I told you all this while I AM still with you.  From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the FATHER will send in MY name, will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you.'" - John 14:21-26  

(The Helper [or Interpreter] will teach you.  The Spirit enables us to understand and interpret JESUS' words throughout all time.  Compare with 15:26. The Holy Spirit proceeds as much from the FATHER as from the Son being, with them, only one GOD.

LORD how can it be that YOU will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?  Judas thought that JESUS meant HE would summon them for secret meetings, but JESUS really meant HE would make HIMSELF known to them through interior teaching and by letting them experience peace.)

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The Choosing Of Assistants

"In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together, and said, 'It is not right, that we should neglect the word of GOD to serve at tables.  So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men, full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task.  As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.'

The whole community agreed; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch, who was a proselyte.  They presented these men to the apostles, who, first prayed over them, and then, laid hand upon them.

The word of GOD continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; and even many priests accepted the faith. - Acts 6:1-7  

(JESUS did not spell out for HIS apostles how they were supposed to organize the Church.  And a conflict arose between two social groups: The Jews, called Hebrews, had never left their land and they spoke Aramaic.  The Hellenists were those who had lived abroad and who usually spoke Greek.  They may have followed the Essene movement and refused to participate in temple rituals.  They felt uncomfortable with the liturgy and community life and their frustrations were growing.  In fact, the apostles identified more readily with the Hebrews and it became necessary to give some autonomy to the Hellenists with their own people being in charge.  This was probably the birth of a Greek-speaking church, with a Greek liturgy.

The community chose seven men.  Since their authority had to come from CHRIST, it had to be passed on by the apostles.

The candidates must be filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, because they are not only entrusted with material services.  And even if it were only for material services the Church would have much to suffer from competent administrators who lacked the Spirit of the Gospel.  Were these seven men the first deacons?  Luke mentions nothing beyond service, and "deacon" denotes servant, usually steward.  In fact, this term, "deacon," will from the start give the meaning of every ministry in the Church: ministry means "service" [1 Corinthians 12:15].  Ministers are at the service of the community assembled by the Spirit to witness to the salvation given by JESUS.  All through the centuries, the ministers of the Church would be tempted to misuse the role entrusted to them for the good of the community.  Many will take advantage of their "service" to put themselves over the community: they will let others serve and honor them and will not hesitate to be called princes of the Church.  What is true for those called to a high rank in the hierarchy is equally true for all those priests or lay people entrusted with lesser responsibilities: all must remember the words of JESUS [Luke 22:24-27].)

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"I Have Set You As A Light To The Pagan Nations, So That You May Bring MY Salvation To The Ends Of The Earth."

"The following Sabbath almost the entire city gathered to listen to Paul, who spoke a fairly long time about the LORD.  But the presence of such a crowd made the Jews jealous.  So, they began to oppose, with insults, whatever Paul said.

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out firmly, saying, 'It was necessary, that GOD's word be first proclaimed to you, but since you now reject it, and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we turn to non-Jewish people.  For thus we were commanded by the LORD: I have set you as a light to the pagan nations, so that you may bring MY salvation to the ends of the earth.'

Those who were not Jews rejoiced, when they heard this, and praised the message of the LORD; and all those, destined for everlasting life, believed in it.  Thus, the word spread, throughout the whole region.

Some of the Jews, however, incited GOD-fearing women of the upper class, and the leading men of the city, as well, and stirred up an intense persecution against Paul and Barnabas.  Finally, they had them expelled from their region.  The apostles shook the dust from their feet, in protest against this people, and went to Iconium, leaving; the disciples, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. - Acts 13:44-52  

(All those destined for everlasting life.  This expression does not condemn those who have not believed.  It simply states that the coming to faith was a gift for those believers: GOD entered their life and made them bearers of a current of divine life that would transform the world [John 17:3].)

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I'M Going To The FATHER

"'Do not be troubled!  Trust in GOD and trust in ME!  In MY FATHER's house there are many rooms; otherwise, I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.  After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to ME, so that where I AM, you also may be.  Yet you know the way where I AM going.'

Thomas said to HIM, 'LORD, we don't know where YOU are going; how can we know the way?'  JESUS said, 'I AM the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the FATHER but through ME.'" - John 14:1-6  

(JESUS ascension to the FATHER was not just an individual achievement but opened for all of us a way to our house, not situated high above us, but in GOD.  There are many mansions, that means that there is also a place for us: not just one mansion for everybody, but a place for each one, because Heaven is not like a performance which is the same for everyone in the audience.  GOD's radiance will draw from each one the resonance only HE can bring forth.  Each one will be in his own mansion, being in communion with all.

Now, knowing what the goal is, we should walk towards this definitive communion.  "I AM the way," says JESUS.  HE became human precisely so that we might see the FATHER in HIM.  HE followed HIS way, so disconcerting for us, so that, meditating on HIS actions, we would progress towards the truth.  Although in the beginning we may not understand HIM well, with time, we will discover the LORD and understand that HIS way is ours.  Passing through the cross and death, we will achieve our own truth and arrive at life.)

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