Who Shall Separate Us From The Love Of GOD?

"We know that in everything, GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, whom HE has called, according to HIS plan.  Those whom HE knew beforehand, HE has also predestined, to be like HIS Son, similar to HIM, so, that, HE may be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And so, those whom GOD predestined, HE called; and those whom HE called, HE makes righteous; and to those whom HE makes righteous, HE will give HIS glory." - Romans 8:28-30  

(In the last pages Paul has described GOD's action in us through HIS Spirit.  In fact, the providence of the FATHER covers all the events of our lives.  Nothing happens in the world, in our family, in our lives merely by chance or because it was so destined.

Those whom HE knew beforehand.  Paul stresses the FATHER's personal attention for each one of us.  GOD knows us in CHRIST from the beginning of the world: children known before they are born, but also destined for a unique place in creation!

On reading this verse some have thought that we are not really free, and that those elected by GOD are saved automatically.  In fact, we do not read that some are elected for salvation, others not.  Paul only says that they are elected to know CHRIST, which is not the same as salvation.

The kingdom of GOD extends much farther than the Church.  The great majority of humankind do not know CHRIST and the Gospel.  Yet GOD knows how to lead and save them, for the sacrifice of CHRIST saves all humankind.  Paul is addressing believers and reminds them that to believe in CHRIST is a great personal grace; let them not be discouraged.

HE called... makes righteous.  Whatever be the way we come to know CHRIST, it is a personal call of GOD who gives us the opportunity to believe.

GOD set us on a solid basis with HIMSELF.  That goes far beyond an ordering on a moral level for those who needed it--and besides such an ordering does not guarantee that we always keep to the right path.  More deeply something has been achieved in us, something has been sown in the world: we are the bearers of innumerable orderings from which a new conscience will originate and appear in humanity, during our lifetime or centuries later.)

On-Site 

Mary Has Chosen The Better Part

"As JESUS and HIS disciples were on their way, HE entered a village, and a woman called Martha welcomed HIM to her house.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the LORD's feet to listen to HIS words.  Martha, meanwhile, was busy with all the serving, and finally she said, 'LORD, don't YOU care that my sister has left me to do all the work?  Tell her to help me!'

But the LORD answered, 'Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things, whereas only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.'" - Luke 10:38-42  

(Many things seem to be necessary in a family: cleaning, preparing meals, looking after the children.  If there is no time to listen to others, what is life worth?  Perhaps we do many things in the service of GOD and our neighbor; only one thing nevertheless is necessary for us all: being available for JESUS when HE is present.

Mary has chosen the better part.  She followed only her instinct, but JESUS sees more: HE will not be there much longer, and in any case HIS presence among us is always brief.  Mary has been able to take hold of these brief moments when JESUS could be hers, and she is HIS while listening to HIM.)

                                           

On-Site

The Seed That Fell On Good Soil

"Now listen to the parable of the Sower.

 When a person hears the message of the kingdom, but does not take it seriously, the devil comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is the seed that fell along the footpath.

The seed that fell on rocky ground stands for the one who hears the word and accepts it at once with joy.  But such a person has no roots and endures only for a while.  No sooner is he harassed or persecuted because of the word, than he gives up.

The seed that fell among the thistles is the one who hears the word; but then, the worries of this life and the love of money choke the word; and it does not bear fruit.

As for the seed that fell on good soil, it is the one who hears the word and understands it; this seed bears fruit and produces a hundred, or sixty, or thirty times more." - Matthew 13:18-23

(Who will welcome the word of GOD?  This has nothing to do with intelligence or ability to reflect, or interest in religious things: those who are open to hope receive the word.

The seed that fell along the footpath are those not interested in the word they have received, perhaps because they cannot see further than their own interests [they are selfish], or perhaps they have taken another direction in life.

Next come those who do not dare to face contradiction and are easily discouraged and cowed: these are soon burnt.  Yet to hope means to be firm despite any obstacle.  If GOD puts us on a road in life, this road will lead somewhere.  Hope is courage and endurance.

Next are those that fell among the thistles.  They are believers, but the fruits to be harvested along the difficult path seem not to satisfy them.  They want to "save their lives," to serve GOD and Money at the same time.  They are dragged down by their aim of winning material success, and hope in the kingdom of GOD becomes but a flimsy desire for them.)

On-Site

To You It Has Been Given To Know The Secrets Of The Kingdom Of Heaven

 "Then HIS disciples came to HIM and said, 'Why do YOU speak to them in parables?'

JESUS answered, 'To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but not to these people.  For the one who has will be given more; and he will have in abundance.  But the one who does not have will be deprived of even what he has.  That is why I speak to them in parables; because they look and do not see; they hear; but they do not listen or understand.

In them, the words of the prophet Isaiah are fulfilled: However much you hear, you do not understand; however much you see, you do not perceive.

For the heart of this people has grown dull.  Their ears hardly hear and their eyes dare not see.  If they were to see with their eyes, hear with their ears and understand with their heart, they would turn back, and I would heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

For I tell you, many prophets and righteous people have longed to see the things you see, but they did not see them; and to hear the things you hear, but they did not hear them.'" - Matthew 13:10-17 

(To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom.  To you who took CHRIST's call seriously and decided to follow HIM.  Because you came to be the co-workers of CHRIST, the FATHER will reveal to you, HIS secrets.

The quotation from Isaiah that follows may shock us due to the fact of our not fully understanding Hebrew expressions.  Does JESUS speak in parables because the audience does not want to understand, or so that they will not understand?  It could be both at the same time.

For the one who has will be given more.  Here has means produce, bear as does the tree that "has" fruit.  It will be given to those who are fruitful.

The kingdom of heaven.  We already said that "Heaven" was a Jewish expression referring to GOD.  The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of GOD, as the FATHER of Heaven is GOD the FATHER.  Not realizing this, may have mistakenly thought that the Gospel announced only the kingdom of GOD in Heaven after our present life.  Actually, JESUS came to tell us that GOD had come to rule among us.)

On-Site

The Parable Of The Sower

"That same day, JESUS left the house and sat down by the lakeside.  Many people gathered around HIM.  So, HE got into a boat, and sat down, while the crowds stood on the shore; and HE spoke to them in parables about many things.

JESUS said, 'The Sower went out to sow; and, as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path; and the birds came and ate them up.  Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil, and the seeds sprouted quickly, because the soil was not deep.  But as soon as the sun rose, the plants were scorched; and they withered, because they had no roots.  Again, other seeds fell among thistles; and the thistles grew and choked the plants.  Still, other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop: some hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty.  If you have ears, then hear!'" - Matthew 13:1-9  

(JESUS uses comparisons just as simple country folk and working people usually do.  Proverbs and parables have always been an effective way of teaching wisdom.  But we must observe that a parable is not just any comparison; its characteristic is to awaken in the listeners an awareness of their present situation and oblige them to make a decision.

For those listening to JESUS, the reign of GOD signified first of all a liberation of HIS oppressed people, and this called for clear explanation.  JESUS, for HIS part, could only give an answer to those who accompanied HIM; for the kingdom is one of those things that cannot be seen as long as one has no belief in it.  JESUS will only speak of it in images, and we will understand according to the degree of our experience of that kingdom which is developing throughout the world.)

On-Site   

I Believed And So I Spoke

"However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all-surpassing power may not be seen as ours, but as GOD's.  Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged.  We are left without answer, but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed.  At any moment, we carry, in our person, the death of JESUS, so, that, the life of JESUS may also be manifested in us.  For we, the living, are given up continually to death, for the sake of JESUS, so, that, the life of JESUS may appear in our mortal existence.  And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.

We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture, that says: I believed and so I spoke.  We also believed, and so we speak.  We know that HE, who raised the LORD JESUS, will also raise us, with JESUS, and bring us, with you, into HIS presence.  Finally, everything is for your good, so that grace will come more abundantly upon you, and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of GOD." - 2 Corinthians 4:7-15  

(We carry this treasure in vessels of clay.  Usually, GOD carries out HIS plans by using inadequate instruments.  Graham Greene became famous for his book "The Power and the Glory" in which we see a priest achieving heroic things despite his many personal faults.

For we, the living, are given up continually to death.  The apostle's death is necessary so that his work may live.  When a good job has been done in one sector of the Church, there has to come the hour of persecution, or of obedience to leaders whose authority we cannot reject, in spite of  the fact that they may be unjust or mistaken.  Nothing grows without having died first.)

On-Site

JESUS Criticizes HIS Own Generation

"Then, some teachers of the law and some Pharisees spoke up, 'Teacher, we want to see a sign from YOU.'  JESUS answered them, 'An evil and unfaithful people want a sign; but no sign will be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  In the same way, as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the hearth of the earth.

At the judgment, the people of Nineveh will rise with this generation, and condemn it; because they reformed their lives at the preaching of Jonah, and here, there is greater than Jonah.  At the judgment, the Queen of the South will stand up and condemn you.  She came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here, there is greater than Solomon.'" - Matthew 12:38-42 

(JESUS did not perform any miracle that day, because the experts in religion were demanding an account of HIM, instead of listening to HIM.

An evil and unfaithful people.  The text of the Gospel says in fact: "evil and adulterous".  This expression in Scripture means the unfaithful believer who, without denying GOD in words, keeps other gods to himself.

The story of the unclean spirit, meaning the devil, is directed towards the contemporaries of JESUS.  They accepted John's call to conversion and for a while changed their way of life.  Theirs was not a real experience of GOD, neither did they discover the inner power that would have enabled them to persevere, and so their blindness remained.

The Ninevites:  see Jonah 3:5

The Queen of the South: 1 Kings 10

The sign of Jonah is the resurrection of JESUS.  The similarity seen in the three days that Jonah was in the belly of the fish and the time JESUS spent in the tomb is somewhat forced.)

On-Site

We Do Not Know How To Pray

"Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for us, without words, as if with groans.  And he, who sees inner secrets, knows the desires of the Spirit, for he asks for the holy ones, what is pleasing to GOD." - Romans 8:26-27 

(We do not know how to pray.  We often think that we pray only when we are saying something and asking for things.  Paul shows that words are not as important as the deep desire of the Spirit of GOD within us.

The Spirit intercedes for us.  It is good to present our problems and worries to GOD, using words that the Spirit inspires. And still better when the Spirit invites us to remain in silent prayer and GOD communicates HIS peace to us.)

On-Site 

'I Have Seen The LORD.'

"Mary stood weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside.  She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of JESUS had been, one at the head, and the other at the feet.  They said, 'Woman, why are you weeping?'  She answered, 'Because they have taken my LORD and I don't know where they have put HIM.'

As she said this, she turned around and saw JESUS standing there, but she did not recognize HIM.  JESUS said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?  Who are you looking for?'  She thought it was the gardener and answered HIM, 'Sir, if you have taken HIM away, tell me where you have put HIM, and I will go and take HIM away.'

JESUS said to her, 'Mary!'  She turned and said to HIM, 'Rabboni!' - which means Master.  JESUS said to her, 'Do not touch ME, because I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  But go to MY brothers and say to them: I AM ascending to MY FATHER, who is your GOD.'

So Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the LORD, and this is what HE said to me.'" - John 20:11-18 

(Do not touch ME, because I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  Before HIS death, JESUS did not disapprove of  the passionate feelings and actions of Mary.  Now this familiar gesture to take possession of her loved Master is no longer appropriate.

HE is now the Risen One, and though HE lets HIMSELF be seen by HIS disciples for a few days, HE is in the glory of the FATHER.  HIS disciples must relinquish the physical presence of JESUS with which they felt so much at ease.  From now on the followers and lovers of JESUS will embrace HIM in a secret and marvelous way, when they are given gifts of prayer and faith.  It is then that the contemplative spirit, who is represented by Mary, may enjoy the whole of CHRIST [see Song 3:4].

I have not yet ascended to the FATHER.  JESUS is revealing the great desire that filled HIS life.  HE came from GOD and must return to the FATHER.  This is "the greatest love in the world."  All the love that JESUS has for us is but a manifestation  of that other love, because GOD the FATHER is the fountain and the goal of all love. 

It is not by chance that the word LORD is again repeated seven times, the last time by Thomas: "YOU are my LORD and my GOD."  This expresses the faith of the Church.

Let us remark that the persons concerned in this event did in fact call JESUS, "the Master."  However, John puts on their lips the word LORD.  Why?  From the first days of the Church, the believers had to find words to express their faith in JESUS, Son of GOD.  Being the Son, HE was not the same person as GOD, but HE was one with HIM.  How is this divine condition best expressed?

In Sacred Scriptures two names were given to GOD:  GOD and YAHWEH.  At that time the Jews no longer pronounced the name of YAHWEH and instead said: "the LORD."  Moreover, in the Greek Bible used by the apostles and the Church, YAHWEH was also translated as "the LORD."  So the apostles decided very soon to retain the term GOD when speaking of GOD the FATHER, and to call JESUS "the LORD," by this affirming that HE was not inferior to the FATHER.

The risen JESUS' apparitions to HIS disciples, besides fostering their hope and making them qualified witnesses of HIS resurrection, were necessary for their spiritual formation.  The disciples had to learn to recognize JESUS no longer through their senses but through faith.  Likewise, we have to learn to recognize and follow JESUS in the dim light of faith, in desolation as well as in consolation, thus we too will be among those whom JESUS blesses: Happy are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe [verse 29].)

On-Site

JESUS, LORD Of The Sabbath

"It happened that JESUS walked through the wheat fields on a Sabbath.  HIS disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of wheat and crush them to eat the grain.  When the Pharisees noticed this, they said to JESUS, 'Look at YOUR  disciples; they are doing what is prohibited on the Sabbath!'

JESUS answered, 'Have you not read what David did when he and his men were hungry?  He went into the house of GOD, and they ate the bread offered to GOD, although neither he nor his men had the right to eat it, but only the priests.  And have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath rest, yet they are not guilty?

I tell you, there is greater than the Temple here.  If you really knew the meaning of the words: It is mercy I want, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.

Besides the Son of Man is LORD of the Sabbath'." - Matthew 12:1-8  

(This chapter records the conflicts of JESUS with the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath.  Why does the Gospel make so much of these conflicts?  Perhaps because at the time of JESUS the heavy load of religious obligations was a formidable obstacle for those searching for GOD.  It may have been also because the Christians lost no time making new laws to which they gave an exaggerated importance.  If JESUS deliberately violated the most sacred of the laws given by GOD to Moses, what about our ecclesiastical laws not guaranteed by the Word of GOD?  In the name of man-made laws, adapted to a context that is not ours, Christian communities have at times been paralyzed and we let millions of people look for churches where they have the communities and pastors they have been deprived of.)

On-Site