The Truth Will Set You Free

"JESUS went on to say to the Jews who believed in HIM, 'You will be MY true disciples, if you keep MY word.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'  They answered HIM, 'We are the descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone.  What do YOU mean by saying: You will be free?'

JESUS answered them, 'Truly, I say to you,   whoever commits sin is a slave.  But the slave doesn't stay in the house forever; the son stays forever.  So, if the Son makes you free, you will be really free.

I know that you are the descendants of Abraham; yet you want to kill ME because MY word finds no place in you.  For MY part, I speak of what I have seen in MY FATHR's presence, but you do what you have learned from your father.'

They answered HIM, 'Our father is Abraham.' Then JESUS said, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would do as Abraham did.  But now you want to kill ME, the one who tells you the truth--the truth that I have learned from GOD.  That is not what Abraham did; what you are doing are the works of your father.'

The Jews said to HIM, 'We are not illegitimate children; we have one FATHER, GOD.'  JESUS replied, 'If GOD were your FATHER you would love ME, for I came forth from GOD, and I AM here.  And I didn't come by MY own decision, but it was HE HIMSELF who sent ME.'" - John 8:31-42 

(JESUS comes to them as a witness to the truth; and HIS presence alone obliges all to examine themselves.  The truth JESUS speaks of is not a doctrine that HIS followers should impose by force.  Propagandists with arguments and biblical quotations are not needed, but witnesses who speak from their experience.  JESUS says: The truth will set you free, and: the Son makes you free [verses 32 and 36].  Our truth consists in living in accordance with our vocation as children of GOD.

The believer who knows he is loved by GOD and consequently endeavors to be authentic is already in the truth, even if he retains some prejudices common to his milieu, or is unconsciously guided by some lies or illusions in his way of living.

JESUS also speaks of freedom.  Truth and freedom go together.  Many individuals and people have not spared themselves in an effort to break their chains.  Once liberated they quickly fall into other forms of subjugation, because the root of all slavery lies within everyone.)

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Sin Is To Refuse To Allow Oneself To Be Born Again From Above

"Again, JESUS said to them, 'I AM going away, and though you look for ME, you will die in your sin.  Where I AM going you cannot come.'  The Jews wondered, 'Why does HE say that we can't come where HE is going?  Will HE kill HIMSELF?'

But JESUS said, 'You are from below and I AM from above; you are of this world and I AM not of this world.  That is why I told you that you will die in your sins.  And you shall die in your sins, unless you believe that I AM HE.'

They asked HIM, 'Who are YOU?'; and JESUS said, 'Just what I have told you from the beginning.  I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the One who sent ME is truthful and everything I learned from HIM, I proclaim to the world.'

They didn't understand that JESUS was speaking to them about the FATHER.  So JESUS said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM HE and that I do nothing of MYSELF, but I say just what the FATHER taught ME.  HE who sent ME is with ME and has not left ME alone; because I always do what pleases HIM.'

As JESUS spoke like this, many believed in HIM." - John 8:21-30 

(Sin is not just doing something bad.  Sin is, also, to enclose ourselves in our own petty problems and rely on human wisdom, without opening ourselves to the horizons of GOD.  This eventually leads to death, for a life closed to GOD is no real life.  Scripture divides people into two groups: those from above, who seek GOD's ways, and those from below, who seek limited human goals.  Sin is to refuse to allow oneself to be born again from above, as JESUS told Nicodemus [3:3].  These Jews did not believe in JESUS, because HIS way of life and HIS message reflected a world of transcendent values--beyond this world--that did not attract them.  JESUS would have wasted HIS time with them; the wisdom of GOD would be better revealed in HIS death on the cross [verse 28].)

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I AM The Light Of The World

"JESUS spoke to them again, 'I AM the Light of the world; the one who follows ME will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life.'  The Pharisees replied, 'Now YOU are speaking on YOUR own behalf, YOUR testimony is worthless.'

Then JESUS said, 'Even though I bear witness to MYSELF, MY testimony is true, for I know where I have come from and where I AM going.  But you do not know where I came from or where I AM going.

You judge by human standards; as for ME, I don't judge anyone.  But if I had to judge, MY judgment would be valid for I AM not alone: the FATHER who sent ME is with ME.  In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid; so I AM bearing witness to MYSELF, and the FATHER who sent ME bears witness to ME.'

They asked HIM, 'Where is YOUR FATHER?'  JESUS answered, 'You don't know ME or MY FATHER; if you knew ME, you would know MY FATHER as well.'

JESUS said these things when HE was teaching in the temple area, in the place where they received the offerings.  No one arrested HIM, because HIS hour had not yet come." - John 8:12-20 

(JESUS is the light for all people of all times.  GOD guided the Hebrews in the desert by means of a luminous cloud.  HE guides us through HIS Son; whoever follows JESUS will not walk in darkness.

Part of the human condition aggravated by sin is the absence of light for seeking and discerning what is good.  Therefore, in serious matters, it is not wise to simply follow our first impulse.  We need to be continuously enlightened through prayer, listening to the word of GOD, studying the teaching of the Church, and accepting the good advice of our brothers and sisters.  By these means JESUS enlightens our conscience.)

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You Have Done Enough Looking At The Past; Now Look To The Future

"Thus says YAHWEH,

who opened a way through the sea

and a path in the mighty waters,

who brought down chariots and horses,

a whole army of them,

and there they lay, never to rise again,

snuffed out like a wick.

But do not dwell on the past,

or remember the things of old.

Look, I AM doing a new thing:

now it springs forth.

Do you not see?

I AM opening up a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.

The beasts of the land will honor ME,

jackals and ostriches,

because I give water in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert

that MY chosen people may drink.

I have formed this people for MYSELF;

they will proclaim MY praise."

- Isaiah 43:16-21

(These verses, we hear this once again: the new Exodus from Babylon will surpass that from 

Egypt: you have done enough looking at the past; now look to the future.)

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A Righteous Judge Is GOD

"O YAHWEH, my GOD, in YOU I take shelter; deliver me, and save me from all my pursuers,

lest lions tear me to pieces, with no one to rescue me.

O YAHWEH, my GOD, if my hands are stained with guilt--if with evil, I have repaid good, if I have plundered unjustly my opponent, let the enemy hound me; let him crush me to the ground and lay down my liver in the dust.

Arise, O YAHWEH, in YOUR wrath; rise up against the fury of my foes.  Awake, O my GOD, and judge the nations, for the time of judgment has come.

Let the nations gather around YOU; and YOU take YOUR seat high above them.

Proclaim, O YAHWEH, my righteousness; YOU see, that I am blameless.

Bring to an end the power of the wicked, but affirm the just, O righteous GOD, searcher of mind and heart.

YOU cover me as a shield, Oh GOD, for YOU protect the upright.

A righteous judge is GOD, HIS anger ever awaiting those who refuse to repent."

- Psalm 7:2-12

(We have no difficulty with the opening of this psalm but the confident claim of innocence that follows it, is frightening.  We prefer to invoke GOD's mercy rather than invite HIS strict scrutiny.  But perhaps we have no cause for misgiving.  A Christian may confidently boast that he or she is 'just' because the righteousness that is the property of GOD alone is truly and internally communicated to the Christian.  In CHRIST HIMSELF, the righteousness of GOD appears and becomes available to those who have access by faith and baptism to the power of CHRIST's resurrection.  This is the 'justness' we can boast of when we sing this psalm: 'Let those who boast, boast in the LORD.'

When we dream about a more just society, while deathly violence surrounds us, we can pray with this psalm, aware that justice will prevail and in gratitude we sing praises to the LORD.)

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GOD Is Near To Those Who Have No Other Support But HIM

"But HIS face is set against the wicked,

to destroy their memory from the earth.

YAHWEH hears the cry of the righteous

and rescues them from all their troubles.

YAHWEH is close to the brokenhearted

and saves the distraught.

Many are the troubles of the just,

but YAHWEH delivers them from all.

HE keeps all their bones intact,

and none of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;

the enemies of the just will be doomed.

But YAHWEH will redeem the life of HIS servants;

none of those who trust in HIM will be doomed."

- Psalm 34:17-23

(This is a song for martyrs: the LORD sets them free from all their terrors.  It is also a song for the small martyrdoms of every day, whether volunteered or simply accepted.  One may be discouraged by one's failure in past trials, weakness in those of the present, and uncertainty of one's resistance in the future.  Our own weapons are always rusting and loose in our hands.  The bright and effective sword is in the hand of GOD alone.  There will be no ultimate defeat, not a bone broken for those who are one with the Lamb of our Passover on the Cross.

Let our experience be that of the poor and the humble.  GOD is near to those who have no other support but HIM.  When there will be no assurance, GOD will be obliged, to take charge of those to whom HE owes fidelity.)

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To Have Sinned Is Not Fatal; But To Fail To Acknowledge It, Is!

"They made a calf at Horeb and worshiped the molten image.

They exchanged the glory of GOD for the image of a bull that eats grass.

They forgot their Savior GOD, who had done great things in Egypt, wonderful works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Sea of Reeds.

So HE spoke of destroying them, but Moses, HIS chosen one, stood in the breach before HIM to shield them from destruction." 

- Psalm 106:19-23

(It is not only praise that the remembrance of our past calls forth: the story of the Old Testament is a story of people's sin and GOD's mercy, and 'we have sinned like our ancestors'.  We join with our ancestors in confessing it.  To have sinned is not fatal; but to fail to acknowledge it, is.  This cuts us from the people of GOD, the people redeemed, the people of GOD's mercy.  The words of the Psalmist are similar to the good thief recorded in Luke 23:42, 'JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom.'  This is a very powerful acknowledgement which brought instant results.  It teaches us not to lose faith, even at the eleventh hour and in the very last minute.  JESUS always answers our prayers now, as HE did then in Luke 23;43, 'Truly, you will be with ME today in paradise.'

With this psalm, we recognize ourselves sinners before GOD, sinners as our parents, and we expect to be saved by grace.)  

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Though Your Mother Forgets You, I Will Never Forget You!

"This is what YAHWEH says:

'At a favorable time I have answered you, on the day of salvation I have been your help; I have formed you and made to be MY Covenant with the people.

You will restore the land, and allot its abandoned farms.  You will say to the captives: Come out; and to those in darkness: Show yourselves.

They will feed along the road; they will find pasture on barren hills.  They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the scorching wind or the sun beat upon them; for HE who has mercy on them will guide them and lead them to springs of water.

I will turn all MY mountains into roads and raise up MY highways.

See, they come from afar, some from the north and west, others from the land of Sinim.'

Sing, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth;

break forth into song, O mountains:

for YAHWEH has comforted HIS people

and taken pity on those who are afflicted.

But Zion said: 'YAHWEH has forsaken me,

my LORD has forgotten me.'

Can a woman forget the baby at her breast

and have no compassion on the child of her womb?

Yet though she forget, I will never forget you."

- Isaiah 49:8-15

(YAHWEH's maternal love for HIS people.

HE saves them from despair and from being despised, rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering those who were dispersed.  HE invites all the nations to come and recognize the true city.

Here GOD again addresses the more conscious minorities of Israel, those who held onto their hope at a time they seemed to be lost amidst the pagan inhabitants of the materialistic Babylon.  They would lift up their nation and become the light of the world.

These promises started to be fulfilled when, having returned to their land, the Jews became missionaries of the One GOD to all the countries of the Greek and Syrian world.  Later, these promises would take on a new meaning for the Church which CHRIST established as the New Jerusalem.  At times, this new Jerusalem seems downhearted and lifeless, and even disappears in some parts of the world.  Yet, GOD brings it new children from  other continents.  HE invites us to look beyond our communities to those who have not yet received the Kingdom.)

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Boundless Trust In GOD's Power

"GOD is our strength and protection,

an ever-present help in affliction.

We will not fear, therefore;

though the earth be shaken

and the mountains plunge into the seas;

though its waters foam and roar;

though the mountains quake and totter.

For YAHWEH of hosts is with us,

the GOD of Jacob, our stronghold.

There is a river whose streams bring joy to the City of GOD,

the holy place, where the Most High dwells.

GOD is within, the city cannot quake,

for GOD's help is upon it at the break of day.

Kingdoms tottered, nations were in turmoil;

at the sound of HIS voice the earth melts away.

For with us is YAHWEH of hosts,

the GOD of Jacob, our refuge.

Come, see the works of YAHWEH--

the marvelous things HE has done in the world."

- Psalm 46:2-9

(It always gives Israel a feeling of security, to remember that her GOD is LORD of all the armies of heaven and earth.  The same power controls the universe and subdues hostile nations.  That is why the psalmist speaks in terms of cosmic catastrophe and is still confident.  In a tottering world, there is one unshaken Rock, the GOD of Jacob.  And meanwhile a life-giving string keeps Jerusalem, the center of this disturbed world, safe and prosperous, because where GOD is, there is peace.  One may think of the baptismal water that washes round the city we call Church.

Our certainty does not rest on the Temple of GOD, but on the GOD of the Temple.  It is good to pray with this psalm, if we want to cultivate this certainty rather than a false security.)

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A New Heaven And A New Earth

"I now create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind again.

Be glad forever and rejoice in what I create; for I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight.  I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in MY people.

The sound of distress and the voice of weeping will not be heard in it any more.

You will no longer know of dead children or of adults who do not live out a lifetime.  One who reaches a hundred years will have died a mere youth, but one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant crops and eat their fruit." - Isaiah 65:17-21

(No one could imagine the new heaven prepared for us by GOD [Mark 12:18].  Let us rejoice that the prophet has described it in such a concrete way.  For us the happiness of the "beyond" is part of our faith; but at this time it was not yet clear neither for the Jews nor the prophet.  GOD rewarded people while on earth and they preferred not to think about the lot of those already dead, or who would die before the time of happiness had come.  GOD did everything so that HIS people would not neglect their earthly duties on the pretext of waiting for a "beyond.")

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