I Have Not Come To Bring Peace, But A Sword

"Do not think that I have come to establish peace on earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  Each one will have as enemies, those of one's own family.

Whoever loves father or mother more than ME, is not worthy of ME.  And whoever loves son or daughter more than ME, is not worthy of ME.  And whoever does not take up his cross and follow ME, is not worthy of ME.  Whoever finds his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life, for MY sake, will find it.

Whoever welcomes you, welcomes ME; and whoever welcomes ME, welcomes HIM who sent ME.  The one who welcomes a prophet, as a prophet, will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man, because he is a just man, will receive the reward of a just man.  And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because HE is MY disciple, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded.

When JESUS had finished giving HIS twelve disciples these instructions, HE went on from there, to teach and to proclaim HIS message in their towns, - Matthew 10:34-11:1 

(Do not think that I have come to establish peace.  The peace of the believer comes from the certainty of being loved by GOD: the angels of Bethlehem said so: Luke 2:14.

JESUS gives no peace to the world, because the rest of the world is made up of confusion, half-truths, people who live midway between greed and fear of risking.  The peace of the world, whether in a family or in society, veils unjust conditions imposed by the strongest, or a shared mediocrity.  The Gospel awakens everywhere a critical spirit; so that the presence of only one Christian living by the truth is enough to worry many persons: John 3:20.

The Gospel moves us to make decisions with greater freedom, disregarding the criticism of those close to us whenever we are convinced that they cannot understand the Gospel values which motivate us.

Moreover, the devil stirs up persecutions against those who convert to scare them and make them turn away.

He is not worthy...JESUS addresses this to others besides missionaries or persons with an exceptional mission.  Each one must break away from forms of dependency within the family, which do not nurture the human and spiritual growth of the members.  One who loves CHRIST finds a thousand one opportunities to free himself from activities, entertainments and worries about his own family, which keep both him and the family at a mediocre level.)

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The Mission

"JESUS then went around the villages, teaching.  HE called the Twelve to HIM, and began to send out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits.  And HE ordered them to take nothing for the journey, except a staff: no food, no bag, no money in their belts.  They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic.

And HE added, 'In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place.  If any place doesn't receive you, and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet.  It will be a testimony against them.'

So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent.  They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them." - Mark 6:7-13 

(JESUS begins a third stage of HIS ministry by organizing a mission throughout the province.  Before, the apostles accompanied JESUS but now HE sends them ahead of HIM.

JESUS is an educator.  HE not only teaches HIS followers, HE has them share in HIS mission.  HIS apostles must also proclaim their faith and perform healings as the Master does.  By doing this, they put into practice what they have discovered of the kingdom of GOD.  The disciples should be first to believe what they themselves proclaim: GOD makes HIMSELF present.  Because of this, they must live day by day, trusting in the FATHER's Providence, not frightened but always conscious of GOD's mission and power.

Oil was used at the time as a remedy, but JESUS gives it a new meaning: the healings bring more than just well being, they are also the sign of spiritual healing, the reconciliation of people with GOD.

JESUS concern to form communities of believers is already present.  HE sends HIS disciples out two by two so that the message will not be from one person only, but the expression of a group united in one mission.  JESUS tells them to stay under one roof with one family so that this may be a center radiating faith.)   

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Praise Of GOD, King Of The World

"YAHWEH reigns, robed in majesty;

YAHWEH is girded with strength.

The world now, is firm; it cannot be moved.

YOUR throne stands from long ago, O YAHWEH;

from all eternity YOU are.

The floods have lifted up, O YAHWEH,

the floods have lifted up their roaring,

the floods have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of great waters,

mightier than the breakers of the sea,

YAHWEH on high, is mighty!

YOUR decrees can be trusted;

holiness dwells in YOUR house,

day after day, without end, O YAHWEH.

Psalm 93:1-5

(This is the first of the 'royal' psalms [93; 95-100] celebrating the kingship of GOD, creator and controller of our universe, whose eternal tranquility contrasts with the restless sea.  HE is so calm and silent that we might think HE sleeps.  But only the GOD-made-man could sleep.  Even then, when the apostles cried to HIM, 'HE rebuked the wind and said to the sea: Peace!  Be still!  The wind ceased and there was made a great calm' [Mark 4:39].  'YOU are a king then?' said Pilate.  HE is indeed--though HIS kingship was hidden.  But now, HE sits at the right hand.  We are of HIS kingdom.  Let us sing to our LORD, ascended and enthroned in heaven.

The LORD of history and of nature is much stronger than awesome historical conflicts.)

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Straight Are The Ways Of YAHWEH: The Just Walk In Them, But The Sinners Stumble

"Return to your GOD, YAHWEH, O Israel!

Your sins have caused your downfall.

Return to YAHWEH with humble words.  Say to HIM,

'Oh, YOU who show compassion to the fatherless,

forgive our debt, be appeased.

Instead of bulls and sacrifices,

accept the praise from our lips.

Assyria will not save us:

no longer shall we look for horses,

nor ever again shall we say 'Our gods'

to the work of our hands.'

I will heal their disloyalty

and love them with all MY heart,

for MY anger has turned from them.

I shall be like dew to Israel,

like the lily will he blossom.

Like a cedar, he will send down his roots;

his young shoots will grow and spread.

His splendor will be like an olive tree,

his fragrance, like a Lebanon cedar.

They will dwell in MY shade again,

they will flourish like the grain,

they will blossom like a vine,

and their frame will be like Lebanon wine.

What would Ephraim do with idols,

when it is I who hear and make him prosper?

I AM like an ever-green cypress tree;

all your fruitfulness comes from ME.

Who is wise enough to grasp all this?

Who is discerning and will understand?

Straight are the ways of YAHWEH:

the just walk in them, but the sinners stumble."

- Hosea 14:2-10

(The book of Hosea ends with these encouraging words.  After the trials, Israel will seek YAHWEH who will allow HIMSELF to be found.  Humanity's reconciliation with GOD will be an authentic marriage and it will be accompanied by a reconciliation of humanity with nature.  This was already said in 2:17-22 and will be developed in the Song of Songs which will use some images taken from Hosea.)

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I AM GOD And Not Human

"I loved Israel when he was a child; out of Egypt I called MY son.  But the more I have called, the further have they gone from ME--sacrificing to the Baals, burning incense to the idols.

Yet, it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; yet, little did they realize that it was I who cared for them.  I led them with cords of human kindness, with leading strings of love, and I became for them as one who eases the yoke upon their neck and stoops down to feed them.

If they refuse to return to ME, they will have to go back to Egypt and be ruled by an Assyrian king.  Swords will flash in their cities, slaughtering their sons, putting an end to all their plans.

They insist on turning away from me; they cry out because the yoke is upon them and no one lifts it.  How can I give you up, Ephraim?  Can I abandon you like Admah or make you like Zeboiim?  MY heart is troubled within ME and I AM moved with compassion.  I will not give vent to MY great anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I AM GOD and not human.  I AM the Holy One in your midst; and I do not want to come to you in anger." - Hosea 11:1-9 

(Israel is GOD's spoiled child.  In former days GOD brought them out of Egypt, and ever since then, has been calling them and trying to draw them to HIMSELF, but they continue their depraved ways which bring punishment upon them.

I AM GOD and not human.  Our setbacks which seem to be GOD's punishment are, in fact, what GOD considers the most suitable ways to teach us [see Hebrew 12:7; 2 Maccabees 6:16; Wisdom 11:23].)

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GOD's Faithfulness To HIS Promise

"Sing to HIM, sing HIS praise, proclaim all HIS wondrous deeds.

Glory in HIS holy name; let those who seek YAHWEH rejoice.

Look to YAHWEH and be strong; seek HIS face always.

Remember HIS wonderful works, HIS miracles and HIS judgments,

you descendants of HIS servant Abraham, you sons of Jacob, HIS chosen ones!

HE is YAHWEH our GOD; HIS judgments reach the whole world."

- Psalm 105:2-7

(The psalmist summarizes in this one psalm the goodness and greatness of GOD, as he knew it from the Old Testament.  He connects with his past to seek GOD's presence and praise HIM.  We are the people whom GOD has redeemed, but in redeeming us, GOD was keeping the promise which HE made 'to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his seed.'

When praying with this psalm, we can unite our history to the history of salvation and remember that, while the covenant is a mandate, it is also the Word of GOD and therefore it is an eternal and holy covenant.  If we are unfaithful, GOD is still faithful.)

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I Believe In GOD, Though I Do Not See HIM

"There, in heaven, is our GOD;

whatever HE wishes, HE does.

Not so, the hand-made idols,

crafted in silver and gold.

They have mouths that cannot speak,

eyes that cannot see,

ears that cannot hear,

noses that cannot smell.

They have hands but cannot feel,

feet, but cannot walk;

neither can they make a sound in their throat.

Their makers will be like them;

so will all who trust in them.

O, Israel trust in YAHWEH;

HE is your help and your shield!

You, family of Aaron, trust in YAHWEH;

HE is your help and your shield!"

Psalm 115:3-10

(Our GOD is not helpless idol.  HE is the living GOD--alive and in constant activity.  That we are alive is the result of HIS action.  As if the river were to run backwards, as if the solid mountains were to jump up and down--so astonishing it is that GOD should come to people, to make them share HIS life.

"I believe in GOD, though I do not see HIM," a Jewish man wrote in the ghetto of Warsaw.  In times that are hostile to faith, it is good for us to pray with this psalm.)

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HE Fulfills The Wish Of Those Who Fear HIM; HE Hears Their Cry And Saves Them

"I will praise YOU, day after day; and exalt YOUR name forever.

Great is YAHWEH, most worthy of praise; and HIS deeds are beyond measure.

Parents commend YOUR works to their children and tell them YOUR feats.

They proclaim the splendor of YOUR majesty and recall YOUR wondrous works.

People will proclaim YOUR mighty deeds; and I will declare YOUR greatness.

They will celebrate YOUR abundant kindness, and rejoice in singing of YOUR justice.

Compassionate and gracious is YAHWEH, slow to anger and abounding in love.

YAHWEH is good to everyone; HIS mercy embraces all HIS creation.

HE fulfills the wish of those who fear HIM; HE hears their cry and saves them.

- Psalm 145:2-9, 19

(When we reflect on what GOD has done for us, we remember that this is what GOD has always done; our lives are borne along on the unending stream of divine love.  To the eternal GOD, eternal praise be given.

In verse 19 the psalmist says, 'HE fulfills the wish of those who fear HIM; HE hears their cry and saves them.'  Did JESUS not do just that?  In Luke 23:42 one of the criminals said to JESUS, 'JESUS remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom.'  And JESUS in verse 43 replied, 'Truly, you will be with ME today in paradise.'  Therefore, all we have to do is ask believing that HE will grant it to us and we will receive all that we ask for.)

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I Was Given A Thorn In My Flesh

"However, I better give up, lest somebody think more of me than what is seen in me, or heard from me.  Lest I become proud, after so many and extraordinary revelations; I was given a thorn in my flesh, a true messenger of Satan, to slap me in the face.  Three times, I prayed to the LORD that it leave me, but HE answered, 'MY grace is enough for you; MY great strength is revealed in weakness.'

Gladly, then, will I boast of my weakness, that the strength of CHRIST may be mine.  So I rejoice, when I suffer infirmities, humiliations, want, persecutions: all for CHRIST!  For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 

(I was given a thorn in my flesh.  Many hypotheses have been offered on what this thorn could be: an illness perhaps [2 Corinthians 1:8; Galatians 4:13] of which the unforeseen relapses reduced him to powerlessness?  Or a temptation of the "flesh," a late consequence of his moral education as rigid as the commandments of the law?  What is certain is that we all aspire to a state of peace in which we feel sure of ourselves, but GOD for HIS part, whatever the richness of HIS gifts, refuses to grant it [1 Corinthians 2:5; 4:7].)

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The Days Are Coming When The Plowman Will Overtake The Reaper And The Treader Of Grapes Overtake The Sower

"On that day, I shall restore the fallen hut of David and wall up its breaches, and raise its ruined walls; and so build it as in the days of old.

They shall conquer the remnant of Edom, and the neighboring nations, upon which my name has been called.  Thus says YAHWEH, the one who will do this.

YAHWEH says also, 'The days are coming when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes overtake the sower.  The mountains shall drip sweet wine and all the hills shall melt.

I shall bring back the exiles of MY people Israel; they will rebuild the desolate cities and dwell in them.  They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will have orchards and eat their fruit.  I shall plant them in their own country and they shall never again be rooted up from the land which I have given them,' says YAHWEH your GOD." - Amos 9:11-15 

(The text was written after the exile of Israel--we have the promise of the future reuniting of the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, into a single people of GOD.  The apostle James will refer to this promise, to show that GOD wills to extend the salvation earned by JESUS to all the nations, and not only to Israel [see Acts 15:16].  Notice that James quotes this text in a different form from what it is here.  This is due to the fact that the apostles were using the Greek translation of the Scriptures, which many times changed the meaning, not to be unfaithful to the primitive text but rather because, in the course of time, the Jews had a better understanding of the will of GOD.  For example, here Amos is speaking about Israel "conquering the nations" which, at the time, seemed to be a great favor from GOD.  The Jews who later translated the Scriptures into other languages spoke of the "nations seeking GOD" because, in the meantime, the prophets had meditated deeply on GOD's plan.)

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