CHRIST Gave Us The Way

"But no, CHRIST has been raised from the dead, and HE comes before all those who have fallen asleep.  A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead.  For, as in Adam all die, so, in CHRIST, all will be made alive.  However, each one in his own time: first CHRIST, then CHRIST's people, when HE comes.

Then, the end will come, when CHRIST delivers the kingdom of GOD the FATHER, after having destroyed every rule, authority and power.  For HE must reign and put all enemies under HIS feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed will be death."  - 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 

(Whoever shares the faith of the apostles has accepted Resurrection as a fact.  Paul immediately goes to the consequences for us: shall we also enter another life?

For as in Adam all die.  The myths of various religions in the past projected onto some mysterious personage our own condition, but were unable to do more than give a meaning to life.  They could not change it.  Faith instead tells us that the Son-of-GOD-made-human has lived among us and lived for all of us.  Let us leave aside our individualistic vision in which each one sees no more than his own destiny: for GOD the entire venture of creation and salvation is that of Adam, one and multiple at the same time.  JESUS who is HIMSELF Man has lived it fully for us all.

Then the end will come, when CHRIST delivers the kingdom to  GOD the FATHER.  Here again, let us leave aside simplistic images.  Let us remember that there is only one GOD.  Here, the Son is the word of GOD made flesh who has taken on HIS shoulders the whole history of humankind.  HE who is eternally returning to the FATHER from whom HE is born brings to the eternity of GOD all creation.  There will not be a re-beginning of history.  GOD will be all in all, we will receive GOD from GOD and we will have all, finally becoming ourselves.  That, surely, surpasses all we could have imagined, but Paul adds: The last enemy to be destroyed will be death.  John will say the same in Revelation [21:4].)

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"I Did Not Come To Call The Righteous, But Sinners."

"What do you think of this?  If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one?  And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray.  It is the same with your FATHER in heaven.  Your FATHER in heaven doesn't want even one of these little ones to perish." - Matthew 18:12-14 

(The parable of the one hundred sheep is also found in the Gospel of Luke [15:1].  It teaches us several things: JESUS' special concern for sinners and those who stray and, therefore, the missionary dimension of HIS apostolate.  In fact, JESUS came "to seek and save the lost" [Luke 19:10], "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners" [Matthew 9:13].  This attitude should impel our parishes and Christian communities to constantly reach out to the unchurched and marginalized, instead of just working with those who already are in touch with the Church.)

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The Son Of Man

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The coin mentioned in 27 was worth the temple tax.  Matthew may have had a special interest for this story because at the time he wrote Christians of Jewish origins were wondering whether they should be still paying this tax.)

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"That Is Enough, YAHWEH, Take Away My Life For I Am Dying."

"He himself disappeared into the desert going on a day's journey.  Then he sat down under a broom tree and prayed to die, 'That is enough, YAHWEH, take away my life for I am dying.'

He lay down and went to sleep under the broom tree.  Then an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.'  Elijah looked and saw, at his head, a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water.  He ate and drank, and went back to sleep.  The angel of YAHWEH came a second time to him, saying, 'Get up and eat, for the journey is too long for you.'  He got up, ate and drank, and on the strength of that food, he traveled for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of GOD." - 1 Kings 19:4-8 

(Thus, the miracle does not miraculously solve the problems of faith.  The conversion of the people will be a long and painful work.

We can see on the map how Elijah crossed the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah from north to south.  Carmel is 250 kilometers from Beersheba, the last town before the desert south of Judah.

The journey is too long for you.  Elijah only looks for the entrance to the desert to save himself, but GOD brings him much farther.  He is given a mysterious bread which recalls the manna of the Hebrews in the desert and foretells the eucharistic bread which JESUS will give for our spiritual journey [John 6:8].

He traveled for forty days and forty nights [see Exodus 24:18].  Elijah goes to encounter YAHWEH.  JESUS HIMSELF will go to the desert as a necessary proof and we, too, at certain moments need "to go to the desert" [sometimes GOD HIMSELF puts us in the desert: Hosea 2:16].  Elijah's solitary journey shows the itinerary which those who seek GOD have to undertake.  However, much as we need the support of our spouse, of our companions, of the Church, each one makes his or her own journey, and GOD calls people personally to seek this encounter with HIM.)   

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The Upright Will Live By His Faithfulness

"But YOU, are YOU not YAHWEH from past ages?  YOU, my holy GOD, YOU cannot die.  YOU have set these people to serve YOUR justice and YOU have made them firm as a rock, to fulfill YOUR punishment.

YAHWEH, YOUR eyes are too pure to tolerate wickedness and YOU cannot look on oppression.  Why, then, do YOU look on treacherous people and watch in silence while the evildoer swallows up one better than himself?

YOU treat human beings like the fish in the sea, like reptiles who are nobody's concern.  This nation catches all on its hook, pulls them out with its net and piles them up in its dragnet.  Pleased and delighted at their catch, they offer sacrifices to their net and burn incense to their dragnets, since these supplied them with fish in plenty and provided them with food in abundance.  Will they continue, then, to constantly empty their nets, slaughtering nations without mercy?

I will stand in my watchtower and take up position on my battlements; I will see what HE replies, if there is an answer to my question.

Then YAHWEH answered me and said,

'Write down the vision, inscribe it on tables so it can be easily read, since this is a vision for an appointed time; it will not fail but will be fulfilled in due time.  If it delays, wait for it, for it will come, and will not be deferred.  Look:

I don't look with favor on the one who gives way; the upright, on the other hand, will live by his faithfulness.'" - Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 

(Why does YAHWEH use such means as the Chaldean invasion to restore HIS justice?   One day it will be clear that the good and the evil ones are not treated the same.  Those who remain faithful will be saved.

The divine answer remains mysterious.  Later, GOD will clearly reveal how HE rewards the just beyond this life.  Before that moment comes it was difficult to clarify the mystery: Apparently the misfortunes which were announced as GOD's punishment affected everyone equally.  After Habakkuk, Jeremiah asked the same question [Jeremiah 12:1]; faced with the unbelief of his companions, Ezekiel tried to reaffirm the justice of YAHWEH towards everyone [Ezekiel 18]; the Book of Job looks for the solution; but its answer will only be partial.)

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Unless The Grain Of Wheat Falls To The Earth And Dies...

"Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Those who love their life destroy it,  and those who despise their life in this world save it even to everlasting life.

Whoever wants to serve ME, let him follow ME; and wherever I AM, there shall MY servant be also.  If anyone serves ME, the FATHER will honor him." - John 12:24-26 

(Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies.  JESUS will die and the universal Church will be born.  JESUS allows HIS lifeless body to be laid in the earth; on rising from the tomb, HIS same body, now glorified, will also embrace the believers united to  HIM.  The life that is now HIS will be communicated to all the children of GOD.

Unless the grain dies.  This is the law for all life that will be fruitful [Mark 8:34].  The first believers were already saying: "The blood of the martyrs is a seed.")

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My Son Was Lost And Is Found

"Create in me, O GOD, a pure heart;

give me a new and steadfast spirit.

Do not cast me out of YOUR presence

nor take YOUR holy spirit from me.

Give me again, the joy of YOUR salvation;

and sustain me, with a willing spirit.

Then I will show wrongdoers YOUR ways

and sinners will return to YOU.

Deliver me, O GOD, from the guilt of blood;

and of YOUR justice, I shall sing aloud.

O YAHWEH, open my lips,

and I will declare YOUR praise.

YOU take no pleasure in sacrifice;

were I to give a burnt offering,

YOU would not delight in it.

O GOD, my sacrifice is a broken spirit;

a contrite heart, YOU will not despise."

- Psalm 51:12-19

(This is the finest of the 'penitential psalms.'  Man stands guilty and unafraid before GOD.  Indeed, he sees his guilt, as a reason for mercy and an excuse for hope.  A deep sense of sin is already a step toward the sanctity of GOD.  It opens the door for HIS eager mercy.  But our LORD takes us even further than the psalmist.  HE teaches us to cry not 'GOD!' but 'FATHER!'  HE bids us think of that father, who ran to meet the son who had left him, the father who took the son in his arms and kissed him: 'My son was lost and is found' [Luke 15:24].  Our trust in the FATHER's forgiveness generously given should exceed that of the psalmist.

It is good to pray with this psalm, when we feel overwhelmed by our guilt, be it against GOD or against our brothers and sisters, and we seek the goodness of GOD, who justifies us.

When we receive the sacrament of reconciliation, we meet JESUS HIMSELF, the Savior who intercedes, and the FATHER who pardons.  Each of our confessions is a joyful celebration of GOD's mercy and a source of renewal.)

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"Even Puppies Eat The Crumbs Which Fall From Their Master's Table!"

"Leaving that place, JESUS withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Canaanite woman from the area, came and cried out, 'LORD, Son of David, have pity on me!  My daughter is tormented by a demon.'  But JESUS did not answer her, not even a word.  So HIS disciples approached HIM and said, 'Send her away!  See how she is shouting after us.'

The JESUS said to her, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.'

But the woman was already kneeling before JESUS, and said, 'Sir, help me!'  JESUS answered, 'It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to puppies.'  The woman replied, 'That is true, sir, but even puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'  Then JESUS said, 'Woman, how great is your faith!  Let it be as you wish.'  And her daughter was healed at that moment." - Matthew 15:21-28 

(How great is the faith of the Canaanite woman?  Hoping that we also should be!)

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Tombs Were Opened And Several Holy People Who Had Died Were Raised To Life!

"O YAHWEH, the nations will revere YOUR name, and the kings of the earth YOUR glory,

when YAHWEH will rebuild Zion and appear in all HIS splendor.

For HE will answer the prayer of the needy and will not despise their plea.

Let this be written for future ages, 'YAHWEH will be praised by a people HE will form.'

From HIS holy height in heaven, YAHWEH has looked on the earth to hear the groaning of the prisoners, and free those condemned to death.

Then the name of YAHWEH will be declared in Zion, and HIS praise in Jerusalem,

when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship HIM." 

- Psalm 102:16-23

(The LORD indeed freed those condemned to death when JESUS cried out again in a loud voice and gave up HIS spirit [Matthew 27:50].  At that time, 'tombs were opened and several holy people who had died were raised to life' [Matthew 27:52].  Therefore, unlike the Psalmist wo seems very hurt and afflicted, let us rejoice and give thanks and book our place in heaven.)

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The Foundation Of Faith

"Indeed, what we taught you about the power, and the return of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  We, ourselves, were eyewitnesses of HIS majesty, when HE received glory and honor from GOD, the FATHER, when, from the magnificent glory, this most extraordinary word came upon HIM: 'This is MY beloved Son, this is MY Chosen One.'  We, ourselves, heard this voice from heaven, when we were with HIM on the holy mountain.

Therefore, we believe most firmly in the message of the prophets, which you should consider rightly, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the break of day, when the Morning Star shines in your hearts." - 2 Peter 1:16-19 

(What we taught you... was not drawn from myths or formulated theories.  Faith is not based on reasons and theories.  we believe in what the apostles saw and in the prophets' words.  It is true that through the centuries the understanding of the consequences of faith has developed, situating it within the realities of life, there has also been a constant effort to express what faith is in the language of our day.  Nevertheless we continue holding and believing the mystery of CHRIST in the way the apostles believed and understood it.)

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