In Time Of Danger: A National Lament

 "My heart is steadfast, O GOD; my heart is steadfast.  I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul; awake, O harp and lyre!  I will wake the dawn.

I will give thanks to YOU, O YAHWEH, among the peoples; I will sing praise to YOU among the nations.

For YOUR love reaches to the heavens, and YOUR faithfulness, to the clouds.  Be exalted, O GOD, above the heavens!  Let YOUR glory be over all the earth!"

- Psalm 57:8-9. 10-12

(The 'morning ' in the psalm often stands for the dawning of new hope.  The psalmist is awake, shouting so loud, that the personified Dawn, that is relief, will have to come. 

This psalm could be the prayer of the one who waits, with total trust, for calamities to end.  The glory of the Most High fills the earth.)

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The Universal Reign Of The True GOD

 "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

Say among the nations, 'YAHWEH reigns!'

HE will judge the peoples with justice."

- Psalm 96:1-2. 2-3. 10

(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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The Vine And The Branches

 "I AM the true vine and MY FATHER is the vine grower.  If any of MY  branches doesn't bear fruit, HE breaks it off; and HE prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.

You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you.  Live in ME as I live in you.  The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you, if you don't remain in ME.

I AM the vine and you are the branches.  As long as you remain in ME and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from ME you can do nothing.  Whoever does not remain in ME is thrown away, as they do with branches, and they wither.  Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.

If you remain in ME and MY words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it will be given to you.  MY FATHER is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become MY disciple." - John 15:1-8 

(JESUS uses an image from the Scripture, but HE changes the original meaning, as HE did before when speaking of the Good Shepherd [John 10:1].  The vine represents the people of Israel.  Planted from selected stock, cared for by the LORD, it should have produced fruits of justice [Mark 12:1].

Now the true Vine has taken root.  CHRIST is the trunk from which the branches sprout, that is to say, all of us who live by HIM.  HE is also the entire plant, trunk and branches together: Christians are really the body of CHRIST.

The vine was the people of Israel, and what mattered more to them was the collective conduct of the community as one body.  What mattered was not the individuals but Israel.  Now  JESUS does not say: The Christian community is the vine, but: I AM the vine.  So each of us has to consider how he is joined with JESUS through faith, prayer, and keeping HIS word.  Each one has to bear fruit.  JESUS does not specify what these fruits should be: whether service, understanding, action for social justice, or a life silently offered to GOD.  Rather HE insists that these fruits should come from the Spirit and bear HIS proper seal.  The success of the Church is not measured by its achievements, but by the progress of those who interiorize CHRIST's mystery and share in HIS cross and resurrection.)

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The FATHER Is Greater Than I

 "Peace be with you!  MY peace I give to you; not as the world gives peace do I give it to you.  Do not be troubled!  Do not be afraid!  You heard ME say, 'I AM going away, but I AM coming to you.'  If you loved ME, you would be glad that I go to the FATHER, for the FATHER is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it takes place, so that when it does happen you may believe.  There is very little left for ME to tell you, for the prince of this world is at hand, although there is nothing in ME that he can claim.  But see, the world must know that I love the FATHER, and that I do what the FATHER has taught ME to do.  Come now, let us go." - John 14:27-31 

(For the FATHER is greater than I.  This does not contradict what John teaches throughout the whole Gospel about JESUS' divinity.  This is to be read together with 5:18; 10:30; 16:15, if we want to know something of the mystery of CHRIST, "true GOD," as spoken of in Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; and 1 John 5:20.

As early as the fourth century Saint Hilary, the great bishop and defender of the faith, wrote: "The FATHER is greater because of being the one who gives.  As HE gives the Son all that HE HIMSELF is, yet the Son is not inferior to the FATHER."

Moreover, it is characteristic of the Son to deny HIMSELF so that HE may give glory to the FATHER, until the FATHER gives HIM back "the glory HE had before" as said in 17:5 and 6:62.  Because of this the apostles, who have seen HIM as a man among humans in the time of HIS humiliation, should now rejoice.)

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"LORD, How Can It Be That YOU Will Show YOURSELF Clearly To Us And Not To The World?"

 "'Whoever keeps MY commandments is the one who loves ME.  If he loves ME, he will also be loved by MY FATHER; I too shall love him and show MYSELF clearly to him.'

Judas--not Judas Iscariot--asked JESUS, 'LORD, how can it be that YOU will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?'  JESUS answered him, 'If anyone loves ME, he will keep MY word and MY FATHER will love him; and WE will come to him and live with him.  But if anyone does not love ME, he will not keep MY words; and these words that you hear are not MINE, but the FATHER's who sent ME.

I told you all this while I AM still with you.  From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the FATHER will send in MY name, will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you." - John 14:21-26 

(LORD, how can it be that YOU will show YOURSELF clearly to us and not to the world?  Judas thought that JESUS meant HE would summon them for secret meetings, but JESUS really meant HE would make HIMSELF known to them through interior teaching and by letting them experience peace.

The Helper [or Interpreter] will teach you.  The Spirit enables us to understand and interpret JESUS' words throughout all time.

The Holy Spirit whom the FATHER will send in MY name.  Compare with 15:26.  The Holy Spirit proceeds as much from the FATHER as from the Son being, with THEM, only one GOD.)

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HE Will Wipe Every Tear From Their Eyes

 "Then, I saw a new heaven and a new earth.  The first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and no longer was there any sea.  I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from GOD, out of heaven, adorned as a bride prepared for her husband.  A loud voice came from the throne, 'Here is the dwelling of GOD among mortals: HE will pitch HIS tent among them, and they will be HIS people, HE will be GOD-with-them.

HE will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain, for the world that was, has passed away.'  The One seated on the throne said, 'See, I make all things new.'

And, then, HE said to me, 'Write these words, because they are sure and true.'" - Revelation 21:1-5 

(First vision of the heavenly Jerusalem.  "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it dawned on the mind what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM" [1 Corinthians 2:9].

Scripture began with a vision of the first creation in which GOD was conversing with Adam, HIS friend, in the garden of Eden.  The Apocalypse ends with a more beautiful vision in which there is overflowing delight in GOD.  See, I make all things new.  The holy and permanent city of people has been built.

A new heaven and a new earth.  The risen body of CHRIST was the principle of the new spiritual and material universe we were hoping for.  Now, the power of HIS resurrection has transformed the whole world.  It will not be a paradise for isolated "souls," nor for pure angels, but a city of human beings: humans have fully become GOD's children: he will be MY son [verse 7].

HE will wipe every tear.  GOD dwells among people and HE pours HIS own happiness into them.  The sufferings that filled so many lives, the martyrs' tortures, the inner pain of repentant sinners, all this is over.  Such joy and peace, as cannot be found in any place on earth, are finally found in the heart of GOD.)

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This Is MY Commandment: Love One Another As I Have Loved You!

 "As the FATHER has loved ME, so I have loved you.  Remain in MY love!  You will remain in MY love if you keep MY commandments, just as I have kept MY FATHER's commandments and remain in HIS love.

I have told you all this, that MY own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.  This is MY commandment: Love one another as I have loved you!  There is no greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends; and you are MY friends, if you do what I command you.

I shall not call you servants anymore, because servants do not know what their master is about.  Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from MY FATHER.

You did not choose ME; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.  And everything you ask the FATHER in MY name, HE will give you.

This is MY command, that you love one another." - John 15:9-17 

(After making it clear that we depend totally on HIM, JESUS repeats HIS commandment of love.  There is a necessary order in building the Christian life.

If from the start we say: We should love our neighbor because this is the only commandment, we will achieve nothing; because each one understands love in his own way, while not having as yet interiorized the thinking of CHRIST.  Moreover, we need to receive from the source of all love the ability to love selflessly.  CHRIST asks us to first share HIS thinking: that is what the expression, keep MY commandments means.  Thus we become HIS friends, knowing HIM as a person who loves us and acts in us.  Later we will produce the authentic fruit of love, whose source is CHRIST.)

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"I AM The Way, The Truth And The Life;..."

 "'Do not be troubled!  Trust in GOD and trust in ME!  In MY FATHER's house there are many rooms; otherwise, I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.  After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to ME, so that where I AM, you also may  be.  Yet you know the way where I AM going.'

Thomas said to HIM, 'LORD, we don't know where YOU are going; how can we know the way?'  JESUS said, 'I AM the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the FATHER but through ME.'" - John 14:1-6 

(JESUS ascension to the FATHER was not just an individual achievement, but opened for all of us a way to our house, not situated high above us, but in GOD.  There are many mansions, that means that there is also a place for us: not just one mansion for everybody, but a place for each one, because Heaven is not like a performance which is the same for everyone in the audience.  GOD's radiance will draw from each one the resonance only HE can bring forth.  Each one will be in his own mansion, being in communion with all.

Now, knowing what is the goal, we should walk towards this definitive communion.  "I AM the way," says JESUS.  HE became human precisely so that we might see the FATHER in HIM.  HE followed HIS way, so disconcerting for us, so that, meditating on HIS actions, we would progress towards the truth.  Although in the beginning we may not understand HIM well, with time, we will discover the LORD and understand that HIS way is ours.  Passing through the cross and death, we will achieve our own truth and arrive at life.)

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The Magnificent Promises Of GOD

 "I will sing forever, O YAHWEH, of YOUR love, and proclaim YOUR faithfulness from age to age.

I will declare how steadfast is YOUR love, how firm YOUR faithfulness.

I have found David MY servant, and, with MY holy oil, I have anointed him.

MY hand will be ever with him; and MY arm will sustain him; 

MY faithfulness and love will be with him; and, by MY help, he will be strong.

He will call on ME, 'YOU are my FATHER, my GOD, my Rock, my Savior.'"

- Psalm 89:1-2. 21-22. 25. 27

(Those very powerful words "love" and "faithfulness" occur at least 4 times each in this psalm, and not without a purpose.  JESUS has explained to us in no uncertain terms throughout the Gospels the power of these words.  If only these could become part of our daily agenda, then we can assure ourselves of happiness here on earth and eternity.

Here is a good psalm to pray in times of national or international conflict.  If a human being is injured, GOD is injured.  The love of GOD is faithful.  Despite everything, the love of GOD cannot turn back.)

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An Irreparable Choice

 "Yet JESUS had said, and even cried out, 'Whoever believes in ME, believes not in ME, but in HIM who sent ME.  And whoever sees ME, sees HIM who sent ME.  I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in ME may not remain in darkness.

If anyone hears MY words and does not keep them, I AM not the one to condemn him; for I have come, not to condemn the world, but to save the world.  The one who rejects ME, and does not receive MY words, already has a judge: the very words I have spoken will condemn him on the last day.

For I have not spoken on MY own authority; the FATHER, who sent ME, has instructed ME what to say and how to speak.  I know that HIS commandment is eternal life, and that is why the message I give, I give as the FATHER instructed ME.'" - John 12:44-50 

For us, too, to believe in the Gospel is to take a stand; we cannot pass by the Church JESUS founded even though it may not be totally transparent.  HIS word comes to us amidst numerous preoccupations, and most often we feel inclined to respond: "I'll see later!"  When we neglect HIS word, we often think it is not grave.  Actually it is GOD and HIS truth that we reject and we may not have another occasion to receive it.  All eternity is decided today.

There is absolutely nothing in the Scriptures that support the belief that we will have other lives in order to repair our errors of today.  If so many people of our time have grasped this belief in a succession of lives, it is above all because it encourages them to delay making real decisions; the devil takes charge of spreading this belief.)

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