The Spirit Teaches Us Wisdom

"GOD has revealed it to us, through HIS Spirit, because the Spirit probes everything, even the depth of GOD.

Who, but HIS own spirit, knows the secrets of a person?  Similarly, no one, but the Spirit of GOD, knows the secrets of GOD.  We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from GOD and, through HIM, we understand what GOD, in HIS goodness, has given us.

So we speak by human wisdom, but in a language taught by the Spirit, explaining a spiritual wisdom to spiritual persons.  The one who remains on the psychological level does not understand the things of the Spirit.  They are foolishness for him; and he does not understand, because they require a spiritual experience.  On the other hand, the spiritual person judges everything, but no one judges him.  Who has known the mind of GOD so as to teach HIM?  But we have the mind of CHRIST." - 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 

(Christian faith proposes that which no human doctrine, no religion could have given us.  At times, comparing ourselves with those who follow a spiritual way outside Christianity, it would seem that we are saying the same thing with different words.  This is partly true regarding our attitudes and our choices in life, but we should not be afraid to confess the riches GOD has given us in CHRIST: HIS Spirit gives us what no one has ever penetrated.

Such knowledge is not intellectual, it is a gift of the Spirit that sows and develops in us the one and only truth.  It is very difficult to give an explanation of a truly spiritual experience.  We can only speak of wisdom to those who have attained a certain spiritual level.  That is why Paul tells the Corinthians that most of them are unable to criticize him.

The one who remains on the psychological level.  [Paul says precisely: "the psychic man"] does not reach the truth of CHRIST.  However the spiritual person, not necessarily the intellectual person, knows by gift of GOD the things of GOD.

The spiritual person judges everything but no one judges him.  He who sees has no way of convincing the blind person that there are colors.  He sees them, however, and knows that if the blind person does not see them, it is not because the thing is doubtful, but because the blind person has neither eyes nor criteria for that.  It is the same with the spiritual person and the carnal one.)

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I Myself Came Weak, Fearful And Trembling

"When I came to reveal to you the mystery of GOD's plan, I did not count on eloquence or on a show of learning.  I was determined, not to know anything among you, but JESUS, the Messiah, and a crucified Messiah.  I, myself, came; weak, fearful and trembling; my words, and preaching, were not brilliant, or clever to win listeners.  It was, rather, a demonstration of spirit and power, so, that, your faith might be a matter, not of human wisdom, but of GOD's power." - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

(I myself came weak, fearful and trembling.  Paul indeed must have felt weak when for the first time he was bringing the Gospel to a brilliant Greek city well used to slavery and immorality.  We experience the same feelings towards the evangelization of the modern world; preparation is important but what is it to prepare ourselves?  Paul invites us to accept the mystery of the cross and to find there the strength of the Spirit.

It was a demonstration of spirit and power.  The power of spirit, the power of prayer, the power of suffering.  The Spirit is poured out after JESUS has suffered and died.  With HIM, we can expect everything.  Healings and miracles are worthless [and the devil takes advantage of them] unless they affirm faith in JESUS crucified, acting through the humble, and present in the poor.)

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Who Shall Abide In GOD's Sanctuary?

"Those who walk blamelessly

and do what is right,

who speak truth from their heart

and control their words,

who do no harm to their neighbors

and cast no discredit on their companions,

who look down on evildoers

but highly esteem GOD's servants;

who, at all costs, stand by a pledged word,

who do not lend money at interest

and refuse a bribe against the innocent.

Do this, and you will not be shaken."

- Psalm 15:2-5

(Beyond the image of the Temple, the believer pines to be with GOD, to be one with GOD.  Those who harbor this passionate desire, expressed as a question must be honest, sincere, and upright.  These are the three general conditions.  The following three conditions are related to the conduct toward one's neighbor.  Those who wish to be with GOD, must be on the side of the friends of GOD, against the enemies of GOD who have been rebuked by GOD--and respect the covenant that consecrates the promised action.  These three actions join GOD and neighbor together.  Two other actions have an economic-legal reach.  Keeping these commandments without the perfume of love is just mechanical fulfillment.)

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See Whom GOD Has Called

"Brothers and sisters, look and see whom GOD has called.  Few among you can be said to be cultured or wealthy, and few belong to noble families.  Yet GOD has chosen what the world considers foolish, to shame the wise; HE has chosen what the world considers weak, to shame the strong.  GOD has chosen common and unimportant people, making use of what is nothing, to nullify the things that are, so, that, no mortal may boast before GOD.  But, by GOD's grace, you are in CHRIST JESUS, who has become our wisdom from GOD, and who makes us just and holy and free.  Scripture says: Let the one who boasts boast of the LORD." - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 

(The Church of Corinth is formed of ordinary people: this is their strength.  Everybody has his place and his mission in the Church.  Ordinary people and poor communities, often persecuted and calumniated, have a primary role in the evangelization of the world.  GOD wants them to evangelize the rich and at times, even the hierarchy.)

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CHRIST Did Not Send Me To Baptize

"For CHRIST did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim HIS gospel.  And not with beautiful words!  That would be like getting rid of the cross of CHRIST.  The language of the cross remains nonsense for those who are lost.  Yet for us who are saved, it is the power of GOD, as Scripture says: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and make fail the foresight of the foresighted.  Masters of human wisdom, educated people, philosophers, you have no reply!  And the wisdom of this world?  GOD let it fail.

At first, GOD spoke the language of wisdom, and the world did not know GOD through wisdom.  Then GOD thought of saving the believers, through the foolishness that we preach.

The Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks for a higher knowledge, while we proclaim a crucified Messiah.  For the Jews, what a great scandal!  And for the Greeks, what nonsense!  But HE is CHRIST, the power of GOD, and the wisdom of GOD, for those called by GOD among both Jews and Greeks.

In reality, the "foolishness" of GOD is wiser than humans, and the "weakness" of GOD is stronger than humans." - 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 

The Folly Of The Cross

(CHRIST did not send me to baptize.  When the Church is fully absorbed in its own problems, Paul reminds them of their mission: Is our first concern to preach the Gospel, or to dispute for the posts of guides and ministers of the community?

Even if these Christians in Corinth are not great "intellectuals," as good Greeks that they are, they enjoy fine discourses and want to be seen as cultured persons.  Empire people are in search of esoteric doctrines and some people in the Church see in faith the means of acceding to a higher knowledge.  So Paul will tell them that all Christian wisdom is contained in the cross.

That would be like getting rid of the cross of CHRIST.  The cross should be present in the message we preach and in the way we preach it.

Moreover in evangelization it will always cost us to work with poor resources in a world subject to media.  We need to count on the grace of GOD because we are weak and without titles of prestige.  It will cost us to remind our communities of the poverty of JESUS and to be criticized by those who are well off in the world.)

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Our Lives Are Borne Along On The Unending Stream Of Divine Love

"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."

- Psalm 145:2-7

(When we reflect on 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.

The central place of the 'reign of GOD' unites this psalm with the core of the preaching of JESUS 'the Kingdom of GOD' [cf. Mark 1:13-14] which must continue to grow in our society.  That is why, it is necessary to pray with this psalm while we pray: 'YOUR kingdom come.'

The psalmist is all praise for GOD as indeed, we too, should be.  He extols GOD's love and mercy and even how HE saves those who cry for HIS help.)

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

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

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

Jeremiah, The Rejected Prophet

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

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

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The Defenders Of The Faith

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

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

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

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

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

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What Gift Is Worthy Of Our GOD, Our King?

"Sing to YAHWEH a new song,

sing to YAHWEH, all the earth!

Sing to YAHWEH, praise HIS name;

proclaim HIS salvation, day after day.

Recall HIS glory among the nations,

tell all the peoples HIS wonderful deeds.

How great is YAHWEH and worthy of praise!

Above all gods, HE is to be feared.

For all other gods are worthless idols,

but YAHWEH is the one who made the heavens."

- Psalm 96:1-5

(What can we bring to GOD, the LORD of the world?  What gift is worthy of our GOD, our King?  Before anything else we bring HIM praise, adoration and delighted recognition of what HE is.  We proclaim the glory of the Creator, on behalf of all creation, and we wish our praise to resound throughout the whole of creation.

The psalmist suggests that we 'bring gifts.'  If we do it with a sincere heart, then all our gifts of prayer and worship and good deeds and trust and faith and mercy and kindness and devotion will be accepted with love, and in HIS love we will forever stay.

More than on the splendor of the universe, human society is founded on justice that glorifies GOD: there is joy in creation when GOD establishes HIS kingdom among us.  Yes, joy of the universe, until then devastated by our exaggerated ambitions.  Joy of nations that have discovered why they exist!

As we continue to express our desire for the reign of GOD to come to the world, we can pray with this psalm.)

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Will You Also Go Away?

"After hearing this, many of JESUS' followers said, 'This language is very hard!  Who can accept it?'

JESUS was aware that HIS disciples were murmuring about this, and so HE said to them, 'Does this offend you?  Then how will you react when you see the Son of Man ascending to where HE was before?  It is the spirit that gives life, not the flesh.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.  But among you there are some who do not believe.'

From the beginning, JESUS knew who would betray HIM.  So HE added, 'As I have told you, no one can come to ME unless it is granted by the FATHER.'

After this many disciples withdrew and no longer followed HIM.  JESUS asked the Twelve, 'Will you also go away?'  Peter answered HIM, 'LORD, to whom shall we go?  YOU have the words of eternal life.  We now believe and know that YOU are the Holy One of GOD.'" - John 6:60-69 

(This language is very hard.  How could JESUS' listeners believe that HE, the "Son of Joseph,"  had come from GOD?  And today how can we believe that we need the Eucharist?  JESUS tells us why HE came: The Son of GOD came down to us, so that later HE would ascend to where HE was before.  HE came from GOD to communicate to us the very life of GOD and then to bring us to the bosom of GOD [John 14:12].

The truth is that by CHRIST's resurrection, our world has already started its renewal.  For when the Son of Man entered the glory of HIS FATHER, HE carried on HIS shoulders the whole of creation that HE wanted to renew and consecrate.  Clothed in our humanity, the Son of GOD has ascended to where HE was before: the first of our race has achieved full union with GOD.

Although, to all appearances, life goes on as before, we believe that the renewed world has been activated.  The Spirit is at work within gigantic disturbances that continually agitate and shake the whole of humanity.  CHRIST is invincibly consecrating this world.  HE enables humanity to arrive at maturity by means of innumerable crises and deaths that prepare for a resurrection.

JESUS' listeners could not understand the mystery of the Son of GOD and HIS humiliations.  JESUS wanted to dispossess HIMSELF of HIS divine glory by becoming human and dying like a slave [see John 1:14 and Philippians 2:6], so that later the FATHER would enable HIM to ascend to where HE came from.  It is likewise a test of our faith to believe that GOD continually works among us in our world.  In spite of our unresponsiveness, GOD still loves us; the Church is so unworthy, yet GOD uses it to fulfill HIS plan; history is so destructive, yet it is preparing us for the fulness of the kingdom.

It is the spirit that gives life, not the flesh.  JESUS spoke of giving us HIS flesh, but this should not be understood as a continuation of the Jewish religion, in which the meat of sacrificed animals was eaten.  In Hebrew culture, flesh and blood denote "the world below," where humankind moves and where one has no access to communication with GOD.  The Eucharist is different.  This is the body, or flesh, of the risen CHRIST transformed by the Spirit, which acts in us spiritually and brings us into communion with GOD.

LORD, to whom shall we go?  Many of JESUS' followers left but, in the name of those who remained, Peter pledged his fidelity [see Matthew 16:13].)

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