GOD's Faithfulness To HIS Promise: The Story Of Israel

 "Then HE sent a famine and ruined the crop that sustained the land; HE sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave;

his feet in shackles, his neck in irons; till what HE foretold came to pass, and YAHWEH's word proved HIM true.

The king sent for him; set him free; the ruler of the peoples released him.  He put him in charge of his household and made him ruler of all his possessions..."

- Psalm 105:16-17. 18-19. 20-21

(We are the people whom GOD has redeemed, but in redeeming us, GOD was keeping the promise which HE made 'to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his seed.'

When praying with this psalm, we can unite our history to the history of salvation and remember that, while the covenant is a mandate, it is also the Word of GOD and therefore it is an eternal and holy covenant.  If we are unfaithful, GOD is still faithful.)

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JESUS Sends Out The First Missionaries

"JESUS called HIS Twelve disciples to HIM, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the Twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray HIM.

JESUS sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: 'Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town.  Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near...'" - Matthew 10:1-7 

(Till then, JESUS had spoken only in synagogues around Capernaum.  Now HE attracts fame and followers and begins to draw multitudes.  In that moment HE establishes the group of the Twelve.  HE needs them to prepare meetings, to spread HIS doctrine, to multiply the miraculous signs effected among the sick.

At the same time, JESUS is planning HIS Church and wants to give it a head: this will be the group of the apostles.  They will be the witnesses of JESUS among people, so HE teaches them a way of living a common life that will serve as a pattern for the Church.

Apostles mean "sent" and "mission" also means "being sent."  The FATHER has sent HIS Son to earth, and the Son, in turn, sends HIS apostles.  The FATHER sends messengers of HIS word, but HE also sends HIS Spirit to touch the hearts and minds of those who listen.  Through the Spirit they recognize the word of GOD in the poor preaching of these messengers who have received no great instruction.  The Spirit will give signs: healings and astounding graces supporting the witness of the missionaries.)

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Jacob's Struggle With GOD

"He took them and sent them across the stream and likewise everything he had.  And Jacob was left alone.

Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak.  When the man saw that he could not get the better of Jacob, he struck him in the socket of his hip and dislocated it as he wrestled with him.

The man said, 'Let me go, for day is breaking.'  But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go until you have given me your blessing.'  The man then said, 'What is your name?'  'Jacob' was the reply.  He answered, 'You will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have been strong-with-GOD as you have been with men and have prevailed.'

Then Jacob asked him, 'What is your name?'  He answered, 'Why do you ask my name?'  And he blessed him there.  So Jacob called the place Penuel, saying 'I have seen GOD FACE TO FACE and survived.'  The sun rose as he passed through Penuel, limping because of his hip.

That is why to this day the Israelites do not eat the sciatic nerve which is in the hip socket because the sciatic nerve in Jacob's hip had been touched." - Genesis 32:23-33

(Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak.  It is a struggle between GOD and Jacob.  At the end GOD confirms HIS blessing on Jacob. 

Occasionally we discover ourselves better in sleep than when we are awake.  This is what happens with Jacob in his night struggle with GOD.  He understands that his labors and trials have been more than a confrontation with society and men; they have been a wrestling with GOD.  GOD promises success but will not grant it until Jacob exhausts all his strength.

Because Jacob understands better the reason for so many trials and delays, he personally addresses the one who blocks his way and who, alone, can change Esau's disposition.  Jacob becomes strong against GOD; he does not ask for a favor, a little help, but instead he demands that he keep his promises: I will not let you go until you have given me your blessing.

Jacob's prayer does not show the resigned attitude characteristic of a believer, according to some.  Praying does not consist only in accepting GOD's will as a thing written in advance in heaven, or in asking for the strength to accept it: praying consists also in putting pressure on GOD, confident in HIS promises and knowing that HE listens to us.  If we could not have some part in the divine decisions concerning us and the governing of the world, the Covenant would be a fraud.  

At the crossroads of life, pressed between the possibilities of becoming stagnant or surpassing himself, the believer knows that GOD will bring him beyond himself if he asks for it with faith.)

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A Woman Healed, A Child Raised To Life

"While JESUS was speaking to them, an official of the synagogue came up to HIM, bowed before HIM and said, 'My daughter has just died, but come and place YOUR hands on her, and she will live.'  JESUS stood up and followed him with HIS disciples.

Then a woman, who had suffered from a severe bleeding for twelve years, came up from behind and touched the edge of HIS cloak; for she thought, 'If I only touch HIS cloak, I will be healed.'  JESUS turned, saw her and said, 'Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.'  And from that moment, the woman was cured.

When JESUS arrived at the official's house and saw the flute players and the excited crowd, HE said, 'Get out of here!  The girl is not dead.  She is only sleeping!'  And they laughed at HIM.  But once the crowd had been turned out, JESUS went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up.  The news of this spread through the whole area." - Matthew 9:18-26 

(This woman was considered by the Jews as unclean because of her illness.  She would also make "unclean" anyone who touched her.  Because of this, she was prohibited by the Law from mingling with others but dared enter into the crowd, and touch JESUS' cloak.

Faith drove her to break the Law of "purification," and to risk scandal.  This woman did not know who JESUS was but had faith that GOD would cure her through HIM.

The religiosity of this woman is akin to what we call today "popular Catholicism."  As seen in this woman, popular Catholicism is ill-instructed yet shows a strong religious sense and trust in GOD.  It is superficial and naïve, expecting great results from touching images and religious things - CHRIST's garment in this case.  Like JESUS, we should respect the religious expressions of popular Catholicism while at the same time trying, like HIM, to help people discover deeper dimensions of their faith.

These people coming to JESUS were, of course, very far from recognizing HIM as the Son of GOD, but they were convinced that GOD would give them some blessing through this prophet and holy man.  This faith prepared them to receive healing in both body and spirit.  How can GOD heal those who refuse to hope?

What stands out here is the power of CHRIST: JESUS was conscious that healing power had gone out forth from HIM.

Your faith has saved you.  This can also be translated: Your faith has made you well.  In fact, both meanings fit.  For this woman risked all and finally saw how much GOD loved her.)

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The World Has Been Crucified To Me

"For me, I do not wish to take pride in anything, except in the cross of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.  Through HIM, the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Let us no longer speak of the circumcised and of non-Jews, but of a new creation.  Let those who live according to this rule receive peace and mercy: they are the Israel of GOD!  Let no one trouble me any longer: for my part, I bear in my body the marks of JESUS.

May the grace of CHRIST JESUS our LORD be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.  Amen.  - Galatians 6:14-18  

(The world has been crucified to me.  Paul has chosen a different way.  He goes on his way, without a home, persecuted by some, despised by others, feared by those who cannot stand his example of complete abnegation, nor his mingling with so many people whom they consider inferior.  This is to follow CHRIST to the cross.)

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'You Must Discern The Will Of GOD, What Is Good, What Pleases, What Is Perfect.'

"Alleluia!

Praise the name of YAHWEH.  O servants of YAHWEH, praise HIM, you, who serve in the house of YAHWEH, in the courts of the house of our GOD.

Praise YAHWEH, for HE is good; praise HIS name, for it is beautiful;

for YAHWEH has chosen Jacob as HIS own, Israel as HIS possession.

I know that YAHWEH is great, that our YAHWEH is above all gods.

Whatever YAHWEH pleases, HE does--in heaven and on earth, in the seas and in their depths."

- Psalm 135:1-2. 3-4. 5-6

(GOD, the living GOD, has cast out the prince of this world, has broken the power of the kingdom of evil, and formed for HIMSELF a holy nation, a kingdom of priests.

GOD shows HIS mercy each day, lets us know HIS Name.  That is why we can continue the blessing initiated in the Temple of Jerusalem, praying with this psalm.

The psalmist is all praise for GOD and encourages us to do likewise.  JESUS in John 4:23 tells us to worship in spirit and truth for that is the kind of worship GOD wants.  St. Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, 'You must discern the will of GOD, what is good, what pleases, what is perfect.'  If we are true disciples of CHRIST, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free [John 8:32].)

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JESUS Calls Matthew

"As JESUS moved on from there, HE saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the customhouse, and HE said to him, 'Follow me.'  And Matthew got up and followed HIM.  Now it happened, while JESUS was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other sinners joined JESUS and HIS disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to HIS disciples, 'Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?'

When JESUS heard this, HE said, 'Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do.  Go and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice.  I did not come to call the righteous but sinners'." - Matthew 9:9-13 

(To enter the family of GOD, we must change some of our values.  This conversion is not as conspicuous as participation in devotional practices but is much more valuable.  First, we must liberate ourselves from prejudices by which we classify people.  Let us stop dividing people into good or bad; those we can greet and those we cannot; those we can love and help and those we cannot.  Let us learn that GOD does not hate the rich or the uneducated, those on the left or those on the right, for GOD's merciful plan sees to the salvation of all.

The Gospel speaks about the publicans or the tax collectors, who served the foreign powers.  JESUS' nation was under the domination of the Roman Empire, and the tax collectors were Jews who worked for foreigners.

Patriots consider them traitors.  The people knew they filled their pockets; even beggars refused to receive from the publicans.  Yet JESUS did not condemn them but chose one of them, Levi, as one of the apostles, of whom the majority were committed patriots.

The teachers of the Law were like catechists or religion teachers.  They were well versed in religion and admired JESUS teachings, but they did not consider as brothers and sisters the publicans and other sinners [that is to say people who did not fulfill the religious precepts].

Levi is probably the apostle Matthew.  In this case, like Simon, named Peter by JESUS, Levi would have been given the name of Matthew; in Hebrew Mattai means gift of GOD.

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You Are Of The Household Of GOD

"Now you are no longer strangers or guests, but fellow citizens of the holy people: you are of the household of GOD.  You are the house whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is CHRIST JESUS.  In HIM the whole structure is joined together and rises to be a holy temple in the LORD.  In HIM you too are being built to become the spiritual sanctuary of GOD." - Ephesians 2:19-22  

(You are of the household of GOD.  In Biblical language this means: to belong to GOD's family.  From there, Paul moves on to another image: you are the household, namely, the true Temple of GOD.  The community of believers form the Temple, or better, is being transformed into the Temple of GOD.

The imposing vision of the Church and our unity in the Church will perhaps astonish many Christians today who are usually more aware of their responsibilities towards the world than towards our antiquated Church.  Yet, of what Spirit shall we be bearers, and shall we do this work if we are not supported by a community?  Solidarity with those who share our options, and our culture cannot replace participation in the Christian community.  There are probably many things in the Christian community we are not happy with.  However, it would be a bad sign if we were unable to recognize in it the truth that is missing in our non-Christian friends, and without which we would lose our reason for living.)

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Praise And Fear Of GOD

 "When the poor cry out, YAHWEH hears

and saves them from distress.

YAHWEH's angel encamps and patrols,

to keep safe those who fear HIM.

Revere YAHWEH, all you, HIS saints,

for those who fear HIM do not live in want.

The mighty may be hungry and in need;

but those who seek YAHWEH lack nothing.

Come, listen to me, my children;

I will show you how to fear YAHWEH.

If you desire long life;

if you want to enjoy prosperity,"

- Psalm 34:7-8. 10-11. 12-13

(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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JESUS Calms The Storm

"JESUS got into the boat and HIS disciples followed HIM.  Without warning a fierce storm hit the lake, with waves sweeping the boat.  But JESUS was asleep.

They woke HIM and cried, 'LORD save us!  We are lost!'  But JESUS answered, 'Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?'  Then HE stood up and ordered the wind and sea; and it became completely calm.

The people were astonished.  They said, 'What kind of man is HE?  Even the winds and the sea obey HIM'." - Matthew 8:23-27  

(Here JESUS affirms HIS divine power over the forces of evil.  HE is not surprised by the disciples' fear of the tempest, but of their lack of faith; only trust in the victory of JESUS, Son of GOD, over the forces of evil, will allow them to overcome this fear.

GOD shows HIMSELF in a special way: more than a friend, more than a master, JESUS revealed HIMSELF to them in the truth of HIS being.  This fear in discovering GOD so close to them was greater than the fear they had felt during the tempest a few moments earlier.)

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