Appeal To GOD's Justice

 "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.)

On-Site

Faith Is The Way, And All Is Given, By Grace

 "If GOD promised Abraham, or rather his descendants, that the world would belong to him, this was not because of his obeying the law, but because he was just, and a friend of GOD, through faith.

For that reason, faith is the way, and all is given, by grace; and the promises of Abraham are fulfilled for all his descendants, not only for his children according to the law, but, also, for all the others, who have believed.

Abraham is the father of all of us, as it is written: I will make you the father of many nations.  He is our father, in the eyes of HIM, who gives life to the dead, and calls into existence, what does not yet exist, for this is the GOD in whom he believed.

Abraham believed, and hoped against all expectation, thus, becoming the father of many nations, as he has been told: See how many will be your descendants.

This was taken into account, for him to attain righteousness." - Romans 4:13. 16-18. 22 

(Paul then asks his Jewish brothers to go back to the sources of revelation.  Long before the law was given to Moses, there was the faith of Abraham.  That means that faith is both more fundamental and universal.  The law, is a form of religion proper to the Jews and of value only for a period of their history.  He asks: "How did Abraham become the friend of GOD and why is he taken as the model of believers?  Was it because he believed in GOD's promises, or because he had received the rite of circumcision?"  It is like asking a Christian today: "What is important, to believe in CHRIST, or to be baptized?" 

The answer is clear; we become the friends of GOD by believing in HIS promises.  The rite of baptism ratifies with a divine seal the gift of GOD and our commitment to HIM.

Therefore, baptism and the other sacraments are the "signs" of faith and have no value without faith.  Baptism is the beginning of our living for GOD in the Christian community.  Communion has no meaning unless we live in unity and share the fullness of the life of the Church.

Worthy of notice is the fact that Christian people are now less concerned with rites and devotions that were so important to past generations.  At the same time renewal movements give more stress to essentials: our faith and surrender to CHRIST.)

On-Site 

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 106:19-20. 21-22. 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.

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

On-Site

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

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

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

YOUR reign is from age to age; YOUR dominion endures, from generation to generation.

YAHWEH is true to HIS promises and lets HIS mercy show in all HE does.

YAHWEH lifts up those who are falling and raises those who are beaten down.

Righteous is YAHWEH in all HIS ways, HIS mercy shows in all HIS deeds.

HE is near those who call on HIM, who call trustfully upon HIS name."

- Psalm 145:8-9. 13-14. 17-18

(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.

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.')

On-Site

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;...

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.

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 46:2-3. 5-6. 8-9

(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 tottered 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.)

On-Site 

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.")

On-Site

By Grace You Have Been Saved!

 "But GOD, who is rich in mercy, revealed HIS immense love.  As we were dead through our sins, HE gave us life, with CHRIST.  By grace, you have been saved!  And HE raised us to life, with CHRIST, giving us a place with HIM in heaven.

In showing us such kindness, in CHRIST JESUS, GOD willed to reveal, and unfold in the coming ages, the extraordinary riches of HIS grace.  By the grace of GOD, you have been saved, through faith.  This has not come from you: it is GOD's gift.  This was not the result of your works, so you are not to feel proud.  What we are, is GOD's work.  HE has created us, in CHRIST JESUS, for the good works HE has prepared, that we should devote ourselves to them." - Ephesians 2:4-10 

(HE raised us to life with CHRIST.  Actually an authentic conversion is experienced as a resurrection.  Paul is saying more: nothing can stop GOD 's merciful plan.  HE sees beyond time and has already raised us with CHRIST.  We are seated with HIM in heaven, that is to say, assured of victory.)

On-Site

It Is Love That I Desire, Not Sacrifice

 "Come, let us return to YAHWEH.

HE who shattered us to pieces, will heal us as well;

HE has struck us down, but HE will bind up our wounds.

Two days later HE will bring us back to life;

on the third day, HE will raise us up,

and we shall live in HIS presence.

Let us strive to know YAHWEH.

HIS coming is as certain as the dawn;

HIS judgment will burst forth like the light;

HE will come to us as showers come,

like spring rain that waters the earth.

O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?

O Judah, how shall I deal with you?

This love of yours is like morning mist,

like morning dew that quickly disappears. 

This is why I smote you through the prophets,

and have slain you by the words of MY mouth.

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice;

it is knowledge of GOD, not burnt offerings.

- Hosea 6:1-6

(People regret their errors, but they are not so sincere as to abandon their sins.  They think they will please GOD by offering a few sacrifices but are far from real love which manifests itself in obedience; they prefer to offer the costly sacrifices which they choose rather than to do what GOD asks of them.

It is love that I desire, not sacrifice.  On several occasions JESUS refuted the Pharisees by quoting this saying [see Matthew 9:13].)

On-Site   

Humanity's Reconciliation With GOD Will Be An Authentic Marriage

 "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 fame 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.)

On-Site

Whoever Is Not With ME Is Against ME, And Whoever Does Not Gather With ME, Scatters

 "One day, JESUS was driving out a demon, which was mute.  When the demon had been driven out, the mute person could speak, and the people were amazed.  Yet some of them said, 'HE drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons.'  Others wanted to put HIM to the test, by asking HIM for a heavenly sign.

But JESUS knew their thoughts, and said to them, 'Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall.  If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end.  How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul?  If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons?  They will be your judges, then.

But if I drive out demons by the finger of GOD; would not this mean that the kingdom of GOD has come upon you?  As long as a man, strong and well armed, guards his house, his goods are safe.  But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils.

Whoever is not with ME is against ME, and whoever does not gather with ME, scatters.'" - Luke 11:14-23 

(By the finger of GOD.  In Exodus 8:15 the same expression is used to designate the power of GOD working miracles.

Whoever is not with ME...  This phrase seems to contradict Luke 9:50: Who is not against YOU is for YOU.  In fact, in Luke 9:50 JESUS admits that HIS spiritual family goes much beyond the visible group of HIS disciples: those who, without belonging to the church, work for the same goals, must be considered as friends.

In Luke 11:23, on the other hand, JESUS speaks of people who refuse to stand with HIM and HIS message and who want to remain uncommitted: they do not join HIM, and later they will criticize HIM.)

On-Site