"If Their Project Or Activity Is Of Human Origin, It Will Destroy Itself."

"But one of them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law highly respected by the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin.  He ordered the men to be taken outside for a few minutes and then he spoke to the assembly.

'Fellow Israelites, consider, well, what you intend to do to these men.  For some time ago, Theudas came forward, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him.  But he was killed, and all his followers were dispersed or disappeared.  After him, Judas, the Galilean, appeared, at the time of the census and persuaded many people to follow him.  But he, too, perished; and his whole following was scattered.  So, in this present case, I advise you to have nothing to do with these men.  Leave them alone.  If their project or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.  If, on the other hand, it is from GOD, you will not be able to destroy it; and you might indeed, find yourselves fighting against GOD.'

The Council let themselves be persuaded.  They called in the apostles and had them whipped; and ordered them not to speak again of JESUS, the Savior.  Then they set them free.

The apostles went out from the Council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name.  Day after day, both in the temple and in people's homes, they continued to teach, and to proclaim, that JESUS was the Messiah." - Acts 5:34-42  

(Gamaliel was one of the most renowned among the masters of the law.  Here we see the open mind of this old Jewish teacher who knows that GOD's ways are not always the ways of humans.

JESUS had said something similar [Matthew 15:13].  Yet that does not seem evident.  Are we not aware of many false doctrines that last?  If they have lasted for centuries, perhaps it is due to the fact that in spite of the error and the evil they sow, they contain useful or necessary principles for a given time, or for certain human groups.  Perhaps they make very important statements that the Church should proclaim but cannot or does not want to do.  Experience shows that the majority of humans are not ready to embrace the Christian faith: must GOD abandon them because of that?  Can we, who have CHRIST, say with certitude that such and such a one is not "the prophet."  Maybe GOD's will is that HE be the prophet of a certain group and help them in their searching for GOD [Acts 17:27].

Gamaliel was Paul's teacher in Jerusalem for doubtless three or four years, a little after these events [Acts 22:3].  Paul's conversion will be providentially prepared through contact with this open and sincere man, and equally so through the death of Stephen [7:54-60].)

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Always Faces The Justice Of GOD

"HE who comes from above is above all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and his words, too, are earthly.  The One who comes from heaven speaks of the things HE has seen and heard; HE bears witness to this, but no one accepts HIS testimony.  Whoever does receive HIS testimony acknowledges the truthfulness of GOD.

The one sent by GOD speaks GOD's words and gives the Spirit without measure.  For the FATHER loves the Son and has entrusted everything into HIS hands.  Whoever believes in the Son lives with eternal life, but he who will not believe in the Son will never know life and always faces the justice of GOD." - John 3:31-36 

(Always faces the justice of GOD.  Those who do not recognize the Son of God remain in the situation humanity was in when expelled from Paradise.  If they are not able to receive the witness of "GOD the Son who is one with the FATHER," they will never solve the contradictions in their lives or in the world in which they live; and they cannot but mistrust GOD.)

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The Apostles Arrested Again

"The High Priest and all his supporters, that is the party of the Sadducees, became very jealous of the apostles; so they arrested them and had them thrown into the public jail.  But an angel of the LORD opened the door of the prison during the night, brought them out, and said to them, 'Go and stand in the Temple court and tell the people the whole of this living message.'  Accordingly, they entered the Temple at dawn and resumed their teaching.

When the High Priest and his supporters arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin, that is the full Council of the elders of Israel.  They sent word to the jail to have the prisoners brought in.  But when the Temple guards arrived at the jail, they did not find them inside, so they returned with the news, 'We found the prison securely locked and the prison guards at their post outside the gate, but when we opened the gate, we found no one inside.'

Upon hearing these words, the captain of the Temple guard and the high priests were baffled, wondering where all of this would end.  Just then someone arrived with the report, 'Look, those men whom you put in prison are standing in the Temple, teaching the people.'  Then the captain went off with the guards and brought them back, but without any show of force, for fear of being stoned by the people." - Acts 5:17-26  

(Could this confrontation of the apostles with the rulers of the people be similar to what happens today in many countries when the Church denounces violations of human rights?

There are many Christians who say: it is not the same, since the apostles in their time were persecuted for proclaiming JESUS, whereas now, only Christians involved in politics are punished.

This, however, is not true.  In JESUS day, the Jewish people were both dominated and divided.  JESUS spoke as a totally free man, teaching a way towards freedom, which today we would call non-violent action.  The authorities did away with HIM to defend the security of their nation [John 1:48] and their own political system.  For the disciples of JESUS, to be converted meant to acknowledge complicity with those who put JESUS to death and to take the path indicated by HIM.  Since they were living among oppressors and resentful people, this was a very dangerous road [Luke 21:12-16].)

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Praise Of GOD, King Of The World

"YAHWEH reigns, robed in majesty;
YAHWEH is girded with strength.
The world now, is firm; it cannot be moved.
YOUR throne stands from long ago, O YAHWEH;
from all eternity YOU are.

YOUR decrees can be trusted;

holiness dwells in YOUR house,

day after day, without end, O YAHWEH."

- Psalm 93:1. 1-2. 5

(This is the first of the 'royal' psalms [93; 95-100] celebrating the kingship of GOD, creator and controller of our universe, whose eternal tranquility contrasts with the restless sea.  HE is so calm and silent that we might think HE sleeps.  But only the GOD-made-man could sleep.  Even then, when the apostles cried to HIM, 'HE rebuked the wind and said to the sea: Peace!  Be still!  The wind ceased and there was made a great calm' [Mark 4:39].  'YOU are a king then?' said Pilate.  HE is indeed--though HIS kingship was hidden.  But now, HE sits at the right hand.  We are of HIS Kingdom.  Let us sing to our LORD, ascended and enthroned in heaven.

The LORD of history and of nature is much stronger than awesome historical conflicts.)

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The Annunciation

"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from GOD to a town of Galilee called Nazareth.  He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, 'Rejoice, full of grace, the LORD is with you.'  Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.

But the angel said, 'Do not fear, Mary, for GOD has looked kindly on you.  You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him JESUS.  HE will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High.  The LORD GOD will give HIM the kingdom of David, his ancestor; HE will rule over the people of Jacob forever and HIS reign shall have no end.'

Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be if I am a virgin?'  And the angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of GOD.  Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month.  With GOD nothing is impossible.'

Then Mary said, 'I am the handmaid of the LORD, let it be done to me as you have said." - Luke 1:26-38 

(Only Mary could make known the mystery of JESUS' conception to the primitive church.  How could she express such an inner experience and how would it be reported?  Therefore, in writing, Luke had to use biblical words and forms that would allow us to understand the mysterious encounter of Mary with GOD.

 

I am the handmaid of the LORD... In saying this, Mary does not lower herself with false humility; instead, she expresses her faith and her surrender.  From her will be born the one who will be both the servant announced by the prophets and the only Son.

 

Many persons are mistaken about the word "servant" in that they view Almighty GOD as using HIS servants to HIS own ends without taking time to look at them and love them.  For them GOD would lose HIS greatness if HE were to give Mary authentic responsibility in the incarnation of her Son.

 

This is quite contrary to the spirit of the Bible.  GOD loves people, HE wishes, HE who is GOD, to experience human friendship.  GOD had no need of a woman to make a human body, but HE wanted to have a mother for HIS Son; and for Mary to really be that mother, it was necessary that GOD looked upon her with greater love than HE had for any other creature.  Thus, Mary is called full of grace.

 

Grace is what we call the power GOD has to heal our spirit, to instill in us the disposition to believe, and to make us resonate with the truth so that the expression of real love comes from us in a spontaneous way.  We call grace that which came from the living GOD to blossom on earth.

 

Mary is full of grace because JESUS was born of her as HE is born of the FATHER.  This is why the Church believes that Mary has a unique role in the work of our salvation.  She is the marvel that GOD achieved at the outset of transforming humankind into HIS image.)

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An Attempt To Share Everything

"The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind.  No one claimed private ownership of any possessions; but rather, they shared all things in common.  With great power, the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the LORD JESUS, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale.  And they laid it at the feet of the apostles, who distributed it, according to each one's need." - Acts 4:32-35 

(Here we might understand that this sharing had become a rule in the early Church.  JESUS did not ask for this; yet they were doing it, inspired by the desire of every true believer to remove all divisions between brothers and sisters, especially those created by money.  Placing everything in common, however, requires not only a spirit of detachment, but also a sense of responsibility and organization.  The believers in Jerusalem lived at a time when work and foresight were not very important, and they soon consumed what they had, without being concerned about working, and eventually became the "poor of Jerusalem."  Paul was to organize collections in other churches in order to assist them [Galatians 2:10; Romans 15:25; 2 Corinthians 8].)

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"The Stone Rejected By The Builders Has Become The Cornerstone."

 "Alleluia!

Give thanks to YAHWEH,

for HE is good,

HIS loving kindness endures forever.

Let Israel say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

Let those who fear YAHWEH say,

'HIS loving kindness endures forever.'

The stone rejected by the builders

has become the cornerstone.

This was YAHWEH's doing

and we marvel at it.

This is the day YAHWEH has made;

so let us rejoice and be glad.

Save us, O YAHWEH, deliver us, O YAHWEH!

Blessed is he who comes in YAHWEH's name!

We praise YOU from the house of YAHWEH.

YAHWEH is GOD; may HIS light shine upon us.

With branches, join in procession

up to the horns of the altar."

- Psalm 118:1-2. 4. 22-24. 25-27

('The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone'--so our LORD, rejected by HIS people and raised up by GOD; and so the Church, made up of those whom GOD has raised from death to life, in union with the Risen CHRIST.  The Church is the Temple of GOD, within which each of us sings our praise of GOD who has so loved us.)

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The Appearance Of JESUS By The Lake

"After this, JESUS revealed HIMSELF to the disciples by the Lake of Tiberias.  HE appeared to them in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were together; and Simon Peter said to them, 'I'm going fishing.'  They replied, 'We will come with you.'  And they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

When the sun came up, JESUS was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was JESUS.  JESUS called out, 'Friends, have you anything to eat?'  They answered, 'Nothing.'  Then HE said to them, 'Throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will find something.'  When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in because of the great number of fish.

Then the disciple JESUS loved said to Peter, 'It's the LORD!'  At these words, 'It's the LORD!' Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and jumped into the water.  The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hundred meters.

When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread.  JESUS said to them, 'Bring some of the fish you've just caught.'  So Simon Peter climbed into the boat and pulled the net to shore.  It was full of big fish--one hundred and fifty-three--but, in spite of this, the net was not torn.

JESUS said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.'  And not one of the disciples dared to ask HIM, 'Who are YOU?'  for they knew it was the LORD.  JESUS came and took the bread and gave it to them, and HE did the same with the fish.

This was the third time that JESUS revealed HIMSELF to HIS disciples after rising from the dead." - John 21:1-14  

(JESUS appears this time near Lake Tiberias.  This delightful event is filled with divine presence as CHRIST stands on the lonely lake shore in the light of dawn.  The apostles see a stranger but John, the prophet, recognizes CHRIST,

The Apostles pulled in a net full of 153 big fish.  This number had a symbolic value; it expressed plentitude and universality.  Such will be the apostolic work: all nations of the earth will be brought to CHRIST.)

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Repentance And Forgiveness

 "'So, it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead.  Then repentance and forgiveness in HIS name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  And you are witnesses of these things.  And that is why I will send you what MY FATHER promised.  So, remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.'

JESUS led them almost as far as Bethany; then HE lifted up HIS hands and blessed them.  And as HE blessed them, HE withdrew, and was taken to heaven.  They worshiped HIM, and then returned to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the temple, praising GOD." - Luke 24:46-53  

 

(Repentance and forgiveness.  Christian conversion is not passing from one party to another, from one religious' group to another: it is a recasting of the person.  Persons are part of a society, a world, a history.  Therefore, the preaching to the nations means also the education of the nations and even international society.  This is something that takes longer than ten or a hundred years.

You are witnesses of these things.  JESUS calls HIS apostles to be the official witnesses of HIS Gospel and those who judge authentic faith.

Remain in the city.  The apostles are not able to begin immediately missionary work.  They will first dedicate themselves to strengthening fellowship and the fervor of the community of the disciples, as they wait for the time chosen by the FATHER to give them the power coming from above.

I will send you what MY FATHER promised.  JESUS could not affirm HIS divine authority and the unity of the three divine persons more powerfully.

HE withdrew: this was the last of JESUS' appearances to the group of disciples.

And so, concludes Luke's first book.  His second book, The Acts of the Apostles, follows the Gospels and it begins exactly where this gospel ends.)    

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Peter And John Cure A Lame Man

"Once when Peter and John were going up to the Temple at three in the afternoon, the hour of prayer, a man crippled from birth was being carried in.  Every day they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called 'Beautiful'; there he begged from those who entered the Temple.

When he saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple, he asked for alms.   Then Peter with John at his side looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.'  So, he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you:  In the name of JESUS of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!'

Then he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up.  At once his feet and ankles became firm, and jumping up he stood on his feet and began to walk.  And he went with them into the Temple walking and leaping and praising GOD.

All the people saw him walking and praising GOD; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him." - Acts 3:1-10  

(We might sometimes think that JESUS cured all the sick.  This is not true, since HE did not heal this cripple who was in the Temple every day.  This new sign brings about another proclamation.

Why are you amazed at this?  The miracle was done in the Name of JESUS, that is, by the Power over every creature that JESUS received from the FATHER at the time of HIS resurrection.  JESUS was in their midst as the servant of the LORD [Isaiah 42:1; 52:13] but speaking of HIS Name was a way of stating HIS divinity [Mark 16:17; Philippians 2:9].)

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