The True Worship

"But GOD says this to the wicked:

'What right have you to mouth MY laws,

or to talk about MY Covenant?

You hate MY commands

and cast MY words behind you.

You join a thief when you meet one;

you keep company with adulterers.

You have a mouth of evil

and a deceitful tongue.

You speak ill of your brother,

and slander your own mother's son.

Because I was silent while you did these things,

you thought I was like you.

But now I rebuke you

and make this charge against you.

Give this a thought, you, who forget GOD;

lest I tear you to pieces with no one to help you.

Those who give with thanks, offerings, honor ME;

but the one who walks blamelessly,

I will show him the salvation of GOD.'" 

- Psalm 50:16-23

(Lip service is not enough, nor is outward ritual observance.  The announcement is introduced with solemnity.  It uses a poetic devise called 'theophany,' in which, GOD appears as the LORD of nature.  HIS people offer sacrifices which GOD does not need.  With great candor, the psalmist presents GOD as condemning HIS own people for mistaking the outward ritual for the religion of the heart: honesty, purity, kindliness.  These are the true sacrifices of thanksgiving.  The lesson is applicable to us all.  The liturgy must have self-involvement as its purpose.  The offering we make is the offering of ourselves in union with the sacrifice of CHRIST.

GOD is coming to judge HIS people.  HE condemns those who replace the obedience of the heart, with offerings and material sacrifices, and those who recite the commandments, instead of practicing them.)

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The Ten Pounds

"JESUS was now near Jerusalem and the people with HIM thought that GOD's reign was about to appear.  So, as they were listening to HIM, JESUS went on to tell them a parable.  HE said, 'A man of noble birth went to a distant place to have himself appointed king of his own people, after which he would return.  Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds.  He said: 'Put this money to work until I get back.'  But his compatriots who disliked him sent a delegation after him with this message:  'We do not want this man to be our king.'

 He returned, however, appointed as king.  At once he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made.  The first came in and reported:  'Sir, your pound has earned ten more.'

The master replied:  'Well done, my good servant.  Since you have proved yourself capable in a small matter, I can trust you to take charge of ten cities.'  The second reported:  'Sir, your pound earned five more pounds.'  The master replied:  'Right, take charge of five cities.'

The third came in and said:  'Sir, here is your money which I hid for safekeeping.  I was afraid of you for you are an exacting person; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.' 

The master replied:  'You worthless servant, I will judge you by your own words.  So you knew I was an exacting person, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow!  Why, then, did you not put my money on loan so that when I got back I could collected it with interest?'

Then the master said to those standing by:  'Take from him that pound, and give it to the one with ten pounds.'  They objected:  'But, sir, he already has ten!' 

I tell you:  everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.  As for my enemies who did not want me to be king, bring them in and execute them right here in my presence'." - Luke 19:11-27  

(Galileans go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and JESUS goes with them.  HE knows that death awaits HIM:  they, nonetheless, are convinced that HE will be proclaimed king and liberator of Israel. 

In HIS parable, JESUS invites them to hold onto another hope.  HE will rule on his return from a far away land [His own death] at the end of history.  Meanwhile, HIS people are in charge of riches, which HE has given them and which they must multiply.  They should not wait in idleness for HIS return, since HIS enemies will take advantage of HIS absence to struggle against HIS influence.  JESUS' servants will participate in HIS triumph to the degree that they have worked.

The parable insists on GOD's justice:  everyone receives according to his merit.  Heavenly happiness is not something that can be distributed equally.  Everyone will know GOD and will share HIS riches to the degree that one has been able to love throughout life.  Every step we take by way of obedience, sacrifice and humility, develops our capacity to receive GOD and to be transformed by HIM.) 

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The Power Of JESUS

"JESUS entered Jericho and was passing through it.  A man named Zaccheus lived there.  He was a tax collector and a wealthy man.  He wanted to see what JESUS was like, but he was a short man and could not see him because of the crowd.  So, he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree.  From there he would be able to see JESUS, who was going to pass that way.  When JESUS came to the place, HE looked up and said to him, 'Zaccheus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.  So, Zaccheus climbed down and received HIM joyfully.

All the people who saw it began to grumble, and said, 'HE has gone as a guest to the house of a sinner.'  But Zaccheus spoke to JESUS, 'Half of what I own, LORD, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.'  Looking at him, JESUS said, 'Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham.  The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.'" - Luke 19:1-10 

  

(Everyone in Jericho was pointing a finger at Zaccheus: how could a man involved in dirty deals, [like he was] be converted?  What punishment would GOD send to him?  Instead of punishing him, GOD comes to his home.

JESUS shows that HE is guided by the Spirit when HE spots Zaccheus among so many people, and when HE understands at that very moment, that on that day HE has come to Jericho above all, to save a rich man.

Zaccheus knows that he is the object of envy and hatred.  He is not all bad: although his hands are dirty, he has not lost the sense of what is good, and he admires the prophet JESUS secretly.  GOD is able to save him because of his good desires.  The favor JESUS does to him compels him to manifest the human and good qualities hidden in him.

It is said that he received JESUS joyfully: a joy that shows the transformation that has taken place in him.  After that, he will have no trouble in rectifying his evil deeds.  The he will share and reestablish justice.

The people are indignant, and in that they imitate the Pharisees; they believe that JESUS should share their prejudice and even their resentment. JESUS is not a demagogue; the crowd's lack of understanding does not matter to HIM any more than that of the Pharisees.  Once again, JESUS shows HIS power, HE destroys evil by saving the sinner.)   

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The Blind Man Of Jericho

"When JESUS drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.  As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening and they told him that JESUS of Nazareth was going by.  Then he cried out, 'JESUS, Son of David, have mercy on me!  The people in front of him scolded him.  'Be quiet!' they said, but he cried out all the more, 'JESUS, Son of David, have mercy on me!'

JESUS stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, JESUS asked him, 'What do you want ME to do for you?'  And the man said, 'LORD, that I may see!'  JESUS said, 'Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.'  At once the blind man was able to see and he followed JESUS, giving praise to GOD.  And all the people who were there also praised GOD." - Luke 18:35-43  

(GOD is the one who moves us to ask something of HIM.  The blind man understands that if he lets this opportunity go by, there will not be another chance, which is why he shouts all the more while the rest try to silence him.

Son of David! was a way of designating the Messiah.)

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Signs Before The Destruction Of Jerusalem

"While some people were talking about the temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, JESUS said to them, 'The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down.  And they asked HIM, 'Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?'

JESUS said, 'Take care not to be deceived, for many will come in MY name, saying, 'I am he; the time is near at hand!'  Do not follow them.  When you hear of wars and troubled times, don't be frightened; for all these things must happen first, even though the end is not so soon.' 

And JESUS said, 'Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen.  Before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you; you will be delivered to the synagogues and put in prison, and for MY sake you will be brought before kings and governors.  This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

So, keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to say, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.  But even though, because of MY name, you will be hated by everyone, not a hair of your head will perish.  By your patient endurance you will save your souls. - Luke 21:5-19 

(In this discourse the Gospel uses the style of apocalyptic books.  In this kind of literature signs announced great events.  Hence the question of those closest to JESUS: "What will be the sign of YOUR coming at the end of time?")

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Pray And Never Lose Heart

"JESUS told them a parable to show them that they should pray continually and not lose heart.  HE said, 'In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared GOD nor people.  In the same town was a widow who kept coming to him, saying:  'Defend my rights against my opponent.  For a time he refused, but finally he thought:  'Even though I neither fear GOD nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out.' 

And JESUS explained, 'Listen to what the evil judge says.  Will GOD not do justice for HIS chosen ones who cry to HIM day and night even if HE delays in answering them?  I tell you, HE will speedily do them justice.  Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will HE find faith on earth?" - Luke 18:1-8  

(If there is a just GOD, why does HE not do justice?  JESUS answers:  Do you desire and ask for the justice of GOD with enough faith?  HE will undoubtedly do justice, but you will have to wait.

 

A judge who neither feared GOD nor people:  many people upon seeing what is unjust and absurd in life, view GOD this way.  If we pray with perseverance, we will gradually discover that things are not as absurd as they seem, and we will come to recognize the face of the GOD who loves us in what happens.

 

Who cry to HIM day and night.  JESUS, who so insists on our responsibility to the world, is the one who also urges us to call on GOD day and night.  Why are people so readily divided [or why do we divide them] into prayers and doers?

 

Will HE find faith on earth?  JESUS confirms an opinion already found among the Jews of HIS days.  In the last days before Judgment, the power of evil will be so great that in many loves will grow cold [Matthew 24:12].

 

In fact, with the first coming of JESUS, the Old Testament ended in seeming failure; few had believed in HIM and, later, most were influenced by the confusion, the false saviors and the violence which precipitated the fall of the nation forty years after the death of JESUS.)

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Against Those Who Worship Images

"The natural helplessness of humans is seen in their ignorance of GOD.  The experience of good things did not lead them to the knowledge of HIM who IS.  They were interested in HIS works, but they did not recognize the author of them.

Fire, wind, air, the sphere of the stars, rushing water and the lights in the sky were held as the rulers of the world.

If, charmed by such beauty, they took them for gods, let them know how far superior is their sovereign.  And if they were impressed by their power and activity, let them understand from this how much mightier is HE who formed them.  For the grandeur and beauty of creatures lead us to ponder on their Author, greater and more magnificent.

No doubt these people are not to be blamed severely, for possibly they strayed though they searched for GOD and desired to find HIM.  They pondered over the created things that surrounded them and were captivated by the sight of such beauty.

Even so they are not to be excused, for if they were able to explore the world, why did they not discover first the world's Sovereign?" - Wisdom 13:1-9

 

(Materialists ignore GOD.  The proud believe they can achieve everything on their own.  They use things as their own, without giving them a deeper meaning and without seeing them as gifts from GOD.

Simple and humble people see the hand of GOD in everything.  The water, the wind, the mountains remind them of the Perfect Being who created them; even more do the riches they discover in their loved ones.  Human intelligence is meant to discover GOD who fills everything and is the end of everything.  Paul will say something very similar in Romans 1:19.)

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The Coming Of The Kingdom Of GOD

"The Pharisees asked JESUS when the kingdom of GOD was to come.  HE answered, 'The kingdom of GOD is not like something you can observe, and say of it, 'Look, here it is!' or 'See, there it is!' for the kingdom of GOD is within you.'

And JESUS said to HIS disciples, 'The time is at hand, when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.  Then people will tell you, 'Look there!  Look here!'  Do not go with them, do not follow them.  As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man; but first HE must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.'" - Luke 17:20-25 

(When will the kingdom of GOD come?  It does not come as a revolution or the change of the seasons each year: it is at work in people who have received the Good News.  Those who believe already enjoy the kingdom.

Then come the words of JESUS concerning the end of Jerusalem and HIS second coming [Mark 13:14].  We should not speak about the end of the world in every time of anxiety.  JESUS gives us two comparisons: the lightning which is seen everywhere and the vultures [verse 37] which gather without fail wherever there is a corpse.  In the same way, everyone, without fail, will be aware of CHRIST's return.)

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The Ten Lepers

"On the way to Jerusalem, JESUS passed through Samaria and Galilee and as HE entered a village, ten lepers came to meet HIM.  Keeping their distance, they called to HIM, 'JESUS, Master, have pity on us!'  JESUS said to them, 'Go, and show yourselves to the priests.'  Then, as they went on their way, they found they were cured.  One of them, as soon as he saw that he was cleansed, turned back, praising GOD in a loud voice; and throwing himself on his face before JESUS, he gave HIM thanks.  This man was a Samaritan.

Then JESUS asked him, 'Were not all ten healed?'  Where are the other nine?  Did none of them decide to return and give praise to GOD, but this foreigner?'  And JESUS said to him, 'Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you.'" - Luke 17:11-19 

(The ten lepers were cured but only one of them was told: Your faith has saved you.  He was the one who responded straight from the heart.  While the others were concerned about fulfilling the legal requirements, he only thought about giving thanks to GOD right where the grace of GOD found him: such is the faith which saves and transforms us.

Among the many people asking GOD for healing and favors, how many will really come to love GOD?)

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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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