Seek Life; Know GOD

"Love justice, you who rule over the world!  Think rightly of GOD, seek HIM with simplicity of heart, for HE reveals HIMSELF to those who do not challenge HIM and is found by those who do not distrust HIM.

Crooked thinking distances you from GOD; and HIS Omnipotence, put to the test, confounds the foolish.

Wisdom does not enter the wicked nor remain in a body that is enslaved to sin.  The Holy Spirit who instructs us shuns deceit; it keeps aloof from foolishness and is ill at ease when injustice is done.

Wisdom is a spirit, a friend to man, and will not leave the blasphemous unpunished, because GOD knows his innermost feelings, truly sees his thoughts and hears what he says.

For GOD's spirit has filled the whole world; and HE who holds together all things, knows each word that is spoken." - Wisdom 1:1-7

(GOD is more present to us than we are to ourselves.  We need not look very far for authentic wisdom: it appears as spirit coming from GOD that becomes present to us interiorly but is only revealed to the just.

How can we express the nearness of the in-accessible and holy GOD?  Here the author speaks of Providence, Wisdom, Justice, the Spirit of GOD.  He speaks of them as if they were persons sent by GOD to look after us.  In fact, it is a way of presenting GOD HIMSELF who, though HE preserves HIS mystery, is close to people and to events.)

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Do You Not Know That You Are GOD's Temple?

"Do you not know that you are GOD's temple, and that GOD's Spirit abides within you?  If anyone destroys the temple of GOD, GOD will destroy him.  GOD's temple is holy, and you are this temple." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17  

(CHRIST is the New Temple that takes the place of the temple of the Jews [John 2:19 and Mark 15:38].  The Temple of GOD is CHRIST because in HIM abides all the divine Mystery.  The Temple of GOD is likewise the Church because in her the Holy Spirit is working.  The Temple of GOD is also each home and each believer [see 6:19] because the Spirit lives in each one of them.)

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Praise Of GOD's Grandeur

 "I will praise YOU, day after day; and exalt YOUR name forever.

Great is YAHWEH, most worthy of praise; and HIS deeds are beyond measure.

Parents commend your works to their children and tell them your feats.

They proclaim the splendor of YOUR majesty and recall YOUR wondrous works.

All YOUR works will give YOU thanks; all YOUR saints, O YAHWEH, will praise YOU.

They will tell of the glory of YOUR kingdom; and speak of YOUR power, that all may know of YOUR mighty deeds, YOUR reign, and its glorious splendor."

- Psalm 145:2-3. 4-5. 10-11

(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 psalmist is all praise for GOD as indeed, we too, should be.  He extols GOD's love and mercy and even how HE saves those who cry for HIS help.  

Therefore, all we have to do is ask believing that HE will grant it to us, and we will receive all that we ask for.)

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The Crafty Steward

"At another time JESUS told HIS disciples, 'There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent service.  He summoned the steward and asked him:  'What is this I hear about you?  I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated.' 

The steward thought to himself:  'What am I to do now?  My master will surely dismiss me.  I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg.  I know what I will do:  I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.'

So, he called his master's debtors one by one.  He asked the first who came:  'How much do you owe my master?  The reply was:  A hundred jars of oil.  The steward said:  Here is your bill.  Sit down quickly and write there fifty.  To the second he put the same question:  How much do you owe?  The answer was:  A hundred measures of wheat.  Then he said:  Take your bill and write eighty.

The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness.  For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light." - Luke 16:1-8 

(JESUS is not concerned about condemning the improper actions of the administrator but rather points out his cleverness in providing for his future:  this man was able to discover in time that friends last longer than money.  In the same way, in promoting a new way of living, the people of light must strip money of its halo as Supreme Good.  It seems that putting money in a safe place is the best way to assure our existence and our future.  On the contrary, JESUS tells us to use it and to exchange it without hesitation for something much more valuable such as bonds of mutual appreciation.

 

We are not owners, but administrators of our wealth and we must administer it for the good of all.  Money is not a bad thing as long as we use it as a means to facilitate exchanges.  JESUS, however, calls it "unjust" [we use the word filthy] because money is not a true good [it is not money that makes as just before GOD]; and because it is impossible to accumulate money without failing in trust in the FATHER and without hurting our neighbors.

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The Lost Sheep

"Meanwhile tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of JESUS, all of them eager to hear what HE had to say.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law frowned at this, muttering, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'  So, JESUS told them this parable:

'Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and seek the lost one till he finds it?  And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders?  Then he will call his friends and neighbors together, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found my lost sheep!'  I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner, than over ninety-nine decent people, who do not need to repent.

What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp, and sweep the house in a thorough search, till she finds the lost coin?  And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors, and say, 'Celebrate with me, for I have found the silver coin I lost!'  I tell you, in the same way, there is rejoicing among the angels of GOD over one repentant sinner.'" - Luke 15:1-10  

(Why do the Pharisees complain?  Because they are scrupulously concerned about ritual purity.  In this perspective--present in the Old Testament--in a relationship between two people, the one who is unclean will contaminate the other.  Since "sinners" by definition never think of purifying themselves of the hundred and one impurities of daily life, JESUS could then be considered a teacher ready to become impure at any moment.  So it is that JESUS will speak of GOD's mercy that has not swept away sinners from HIS presence.

Then again, is not there something more human in the indignation of "good" people: let everyone see the difference between the rest and us!  Once more JESUS battles against the old idea of merits that have been gained and therefore worthy of GOD's reward.

Happy the one sheep JESUS went after, leaving the ninety-nine!  Poor righteous ones who do not need GOD's forgiveness!

In large cities today, the church seems to be left with only one sheep.  Why does she not get out, namely, let go of her income, privileges or devotions of a commercial style, to go out looking for the ninety-nine who got lost?  To leave the comfortable circle of believers who have no problems, to look beyond our renewed rituals, and to be ready to be criticized just as JESUS was criticized, is the challenge today.

Who lights the lamp, sweeps the house and searches except GOD HIMSELF?  Out of respect for GOD, the Jews of JESUS' time preferred not to name HIM, and they used expressions such as the angels or heaven.) 

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The Cost Of Following JESUS

"One day, when large crowds were walking along with JESUS, HE turned and said to them, 'If you come to ME, unwilling to sacrifice your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be MY disciple.  Whoever does not follow ME, carrying his own cross, cannot be MY disciple.

Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost, to see whether you have enough to complete it?  Otherwise, if you, have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

And when a king wages war against another king, does he go to fight without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand can stand against the twenty thousand of his opponents?  And if not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers for peace talks.  In the same way, none of you may become MY disciple, if he doesn't give up everything he has.'" - Luke 14:25-33  

(JESUS thinks about people who, after becoming enthusiastic about HIM and giving up their personal ambitions to dedicate themselves to the work of the Gospel, turn back to seek what ordinary people see as a more "normal" and secure life.  JESUS needs disciples who commit themselves once and for all.

Why this comparison with the king going to war?  Because the person who frees himself for the service of the Gospel is, in fact, a king to whom GOD will give greater rewards than anyone else would give [see Mark 10:30].  He must also know that the fight is against the "owner" of this world, the devil, who will stop him with a thousand unexpected tests and traps.  Had he not totally surrendered, the disciple would surely fail and be worse off than if he had not even begun.

If he doesn't give up everything he has.  JESUS asks some people to give up their loved ones and their family problems.  To all HE shows that we shall never be free to answer GOD's call, if we do not want to rethink our family links, our use of time and all that we sacrifice in order to live "like everyone else." 

Unwilling to sacrifice for your father and mother, your spouse and children...  This is found in Matthew 10:37. Luke adds: your wife.)

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Song Of Serenity

 O YAHWEH, my heart is not proud

nor do I have arrogant eyes.

I am not engrossed in ambitious matters,

nor in things too great for me.

I have quieted and stilled my soul,

like a weaned child, on its mother's lap;

like a contented child is my soul.

Hope in YAHWEH, O Israel,

now and forever.

- Psalm 131:1. 2. 3 

(A perfect expression of the childlike trust and peace which should be the attitude of the children of GOD!  But, not one that is achieved without effort--'I have quieted and stilled my soul'.

The prayer of Charles de Foucauld, "FATHER, I place myself in YOUR hands," is a beautiful paraphrase of this psalm.)

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When You Give A Feast, Invite Instead The Poor, The Crippled, The Lame And The Blind.

"JESUS, also addressed the man who had invited HIM, and said, 'When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives. or your wealthy neighbors.  For surely, they will also invite you in return, and you will be repaid.  When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.  Fortunate are you then, because they cannot repay you.  You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright.'" - Luke 14:12-14  

(Every one of us seeks to be near those who are above us, since we think we benefit more from being connected with those who are superior to with those who are inferior.

JESUS' warning points to one of the main causes of injustice.  We all share in the guilt when we decide with whom it is more beneficial to be associated; consequently, everyone tries to climb higher, always leaving the weakest in the most isolated and helpless position.

It would be a strange sight to see public officials pay more attention to the poorly dressed, or to see the poorest areas supplied with water and power before the residential districts, or to see doctors go to the rural areas to practice.)

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The Souls Of The Just Are In The Hands Of GOD

"The souls of the just are in the hands of GOD and no torment shall touch them.

In the eyes of the unwise they appear to be dead.  Their going is held as a disaster; it seems that they lose everything by departing from us, but they are in peace.

Though seemingly they have been punished, immortality was the soul of their hope.  After slight affliction will come great blessings, for GOD has tried them and found them worthy to be with HIM; after testing them as gold in the furnace, HE has accepted them as a holocaust.

At the time of HIS coming they will shine like sparks that run in the stubble.  They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD will be their king forever.

Those who trust in HIM will penetrate the truth, those who are faithful will live with HIM in love, for HIS grace and mercy are for HIS chosen ones." - Wisdom 3:1-9  

(The souls of the just are in the hands of GOD.  This is the great revelation in this book.  In the previous books of the Scriptures, the soul only means the breath of a person, that is to say, the life in him which disappears at death.  Now, the soul means the person who does not die when the body does.

Their going is held as a disaster.  Whether the just die in the hands of violent people, or naturally die as we all do, the end of their lives seems to contradict GOD's goodness.  It is a scandal that death can overcome the just.  [We know that the just are those who fulfill the hopes that GOD placed in them.]  It is only the body which dies.  They are alive before GOD as JESUS will also state [Luke 20:38].

But they are in peace.  They will forever enjoy what they hoped for here on earth.  That is to say, we only see one side of death: we shall never know how everyone experienced his departure, even less how he awakened in GOD's world.

At the time of judgment, we will see that the just are the only ones who have been truly alive.  The death of the friends of GOD brings peace to those who were at their side.  Through their death the martyrs bring the triumph of the cause for which they lived.)  

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The Beatitudes

"Coming down the hill with them, JESUS stood in an open plain.  Many of HIS disciples were there and a large crowd of people who had come from all parts of Judea and Jerusalem, and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon.

Then, looking at HIS disciples, JESUS said,

'Fortunate are you who are poor, for the kingdom of GOD is yours.

Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.

Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.  Remember, that is how the ancestors of the people treated the prophets.

But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.

Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry.

Alas for you, who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of the people treated the false prophets.'" - Luke 6:17. 20-26 

(Matthew adapts them for the members of the church of his time.  Luke, on the other hand, puts the beatitudes here just as JESUS proclaimed them to the people of Galilee.  In the words of JESUS, the beatitudes were a call and a hope addressed to the forgotten of the world, beginning with the poor among HIS people, heirs of GOD's promise to the prophets.

In contrast with these beatitudes, Luke presents lamentations recalling those of Isaiah [65:13-14].  They are lamentations as used for the dead, not maledictions.  For the rich forget GOD and become impermeable to grace.  These lamentations are a sign of the love of GOD for the rich, as are the beatitudes for the poor, for HE loves them all, but in a different way.  To the first HE affirms that HE will destroy the structures of injustice, and to the others HE gives a warning: richness brings death.)

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