Reject The Antichrist

"My dear children, it is the last hour.  You were told that an antichrist would come; but several antichrists have already come, by which we know that it is now the last hour.

They went out from us though they did not really belong to us.  Had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us.  So it became clear that not all of us were really ours.

But you have the anointing from the Holy One, so that all of you have true wisdom.

I write to you, not because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you already know it, and lies have nothing in common with the truth." - 1 John 2:18-21 

(Fourth criterion:  to be sure we are walking in the Light, we must reject the antichrist and remain steadfast in the faith and in what faith teaches.  The believers of John's days knew that before the glorious return of CHRIST, an antichrist would appear.  John says:  the person who denies that JESUS is the CHRIST already is an antichrist.  Today there are still many people who make a distinction:  on one hand the man JESUS, lost in the midst of legend and on the other hand an idealized CHRIST adored by believers.  John says:  "The one who has come in history, HE HIMSELF is eternal GOD."

You received from HIM an anointing, and it remains in you.  John not only speaks of the anointing of oil in baptism and confirmation.  "CHRIST" signifies precisely, "HE who is anointed," and this anointing was the presence in HIM of the Spirit of GOD, HIS FATHER.  John adds:  "You cannot receive passively just any instruction in the Church, but you must discern whether the word of GOD is being faithfully transmitted."

HIS anointing [Spirit] teaches you all things.  In writing that, John had in mind the prophets who were the animators of the churches:  through their inspired words the Spirit taught the community.  Today the Spirit also maintains us in the truth through the leaders of the community and those who teach but we are not dispensed from seeking by ourselves the meaning of the Word and discerning what others tell us.) 

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Not To Love The World

"My dear children, I write this to you: you have already received the forgiveness of your sins through the name of JESUS.  Fathers, I write this to you: you know HIM who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write this to you: you have overcome the evil one.  My dear children, I write to you because you already know the FATHER.

Fathers, I write to you, because you know HIM who is from the beginning.  Young men, I write to you because you are strong, and the word of GOD lives in you who have, indeed, overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world, or what is in it.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the FATHER is not in him.

For everything in the world--

the craving of the flesh,

the greed of eyes

and people boasting of their superiority--

all this belongs to the world, not to the FATHER.

The world passes away with all its cravings, but those who do the will of GOD remain forever." - 1 John 2:12-17 

(The third criterion for love of GOD: not to love the world.  Note how John begins by rejoicing with his readers because they know the FATHER.  It is not a matter of hating the world that CHRIST came to save.  Yet the life and history of people manifest a deep alienation: this is the power of the evil spirit.  John calls "the world" all the evil current prevailing in it.  According to John the world is the deceitful life which people live when they cease to seek the FATHER's will, and when they oppose CHRIST.  Two contrary forces coexist in this world of ours and also in people: what comes from the FATHER and is forever; and what is planned and desired by humans when they forget their condition and dignity as children of GOD: greed and pride that lead them to death.

There is something more to say about this not loving the world.  even though all that comes from GOD is good: the sunlight, love, what emerges from human intelligence and hands, yet the whole creation nothing if we compare it with GOD.

As long as we look upon the world as the great gift that GOD gave us and we feel accountable to HIM for its progress and development, the world is not good for us.  As soon as we consider the world as our thing, use it or neglect it according to our fancy, or if we think we can change it alone and by force, it becomes our worst enemy, an idol that enslaves us and is the source of rivalries.  Christians commit themselves to the world [first case] but not with the world [second case].  They keep their freedom as children of GOD, or they are no longer sons and daughters because of their love for the world.) 

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JESUS Is Presented In The Temple

"When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present HIM to the LORD, as it is written in the law of the LORD: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to GOD.  And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the LORD: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There lived in Jerusalem, at this time, a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him.  He looked forward to the time when the LORD would comfort Israel; and he had been assured, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the LORD.  So, he was led into the temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child JESUS to do for HIM according to the custom of the law.  

Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed GOD, saying,

'Now, O LORD, YOU can dismiss YOUR servant in peace,

for YOU have fulfilled YOUR word

and my eyes have seen YOUR salvation,

which YOU display for all the people to see.

Here is the light YOU will reveal to the nations,

and the glory of YOUR people Israel.'

HIS father and mother wondered at what was said about the child.  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, HIS mother, 'Know this: your Son is a sign; a sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul so that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.'" - Luke 2:22-35 

  

(Mary and Joseph went to the temple to fulfill a ritual of the Jewish religion [Leviticus 12:8].  JESUS being a firstborn male must be consecrated to GOD [Exodus 13:1].

Simeon and Ana like Mary and Joseph belong to the "small remnant of Israel."  This minority of GOD's people live their faith in humility and faithfulness to the prophets' teaching: GOD knows how to make HIMSELF known to them.

What is the meaning of the sword that will pierce Mary's soul?  It indicates Mary's grief upon seeing her Son die on the cross.  It also signifies that Mary will suffer because she will not always understand what her Son does.  The best shared love will not prevent each from remaining a mystery to the other, and more so for GOD than for anyone else.  GOD does not watch our fidelity from heaven, but rather seeks us [HE tries us in the sense of asking us to reveal ourselves].  The love of the FATHER will be Mary's cross just as it would be for JESUS.

CHRIST is GOD's light which enlightens people, but which also blinds and confuses them at times.  HE is a sign that is opposed, but this is a mystery--those who oppose HIM are not always the worst.  There are some people who believe in CHRIST, but do not follow HIM.  Unable to see HIS light they do not know that it condemns them.  There are good people who do not believe because GOD wills that they seek the light their whole life long.)

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Duties Towards Parents

"For the LORD established that children should respect their father; HE confirmed the right of the mother over her children.

Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself.

Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.

Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life.  Whoever obeys the LORD gives comfort to his mother.  

MY child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives.

Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health.

For kindness done to one's father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins." - Sirach 3:2-6. 12-14  

Solemnity of the Feast of the HOLY FAMILY

(This is the best commentary on Moses' commandment concerning children's responsibilities toward their parents.  To honor our parents means: to respect, to be understanding and to offer material assistance in their difficulties.) 

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Life Became Visible

"This is what has been from the beginning, and what we have heard and have seen with our own eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, I mean the Word who is Life...

The Life made itself known.  We have seen Eternal Life and we bear witness; and we are telling you of it.  It was with the FATHER and made HIMSELF known to us.

So, we tell you what we have seen and heard that you may be in fellowship with us, and us with the FATHER and with HIS Son, JESUS CHRIST.

And we write this that our joy may be complete." - 1 John 1:1-4 

(John will not speak about miracles, or revelations, or secrets jealously kept by some members.  The truth that HE relates to us is both simpler and more divine than all this: GOD, the Eternal Life, has come to live with us.

Life became visible.  Do not look for miracles or miraculous powers.  Do not expect fantastic revelations about the beyond.  Life was revealed as the gift of the FATHER, the rebirth of a humanity without hope, the divine smile, the unexpected visit of the one seeking to share HIKS life with humans [Proverbs 8:31].  We will not find life merely in books, but through communion with those who have seen and experienced it before us, and who became HIS Church.)

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The Martyrs

"Be on your guard with people, for they will hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their synagogues.  You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of ME, so that you may witness to them and the pagans.

But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say, or how you are to say it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say.  For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your FATHER speaking through you.

Brother will hand over his brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death.  Everyone will hate you because of ME, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved." - Matthew 10:17-22  

(Maybe we must recognize that martyrdom is a grace and is not given to everyone.  Many would be ready to give their life for CHRIST, but confronted with situations of violence or corruption, they do not see the necessity to expose a scandal and so submit in order to avoid the worst.  Others, on the contrary, understand that GOD is asking them to witness to the Good News that is opposite to what is imposed.  In so doing they face the repression by which Society defends itself.  Revelation affirms that the murder of witnesses' advances Salvation History.)

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Your GOD Is King!

 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those

who bring good news,

who herald peace and happiness,

who proclaim salvation

and announce to Zion: 'Your GOD Is King!'

Together your watchmen

raise their voices in praise and song;

they see YAHWEH face to face returning to Zion.

Break into shouts of joy,

O ruins of Jerusalem,

for YAHWEH consoles HIS people

and redeems Jerusalem.

YAHWEH has bared HIS holy arm

in the eyes of the nations;

all the ends of the earth, in alarm,

will witness GOD's salvation."

- Isaiah 52:7-10

(The prophets, messengers of a victorious GOD: that is the meaning of the good news.  See Romans 1:1; 2 Corinthians 2:14.)

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Zechariah's Canticle

"Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle,  

'Blessed be the LORD GOD of Israel,

for HE has come and redeemed HIS people.

HE has raised up for us a victorious Savior

in the house of David HIS servant,

as HE promised through HIS prophets of old,

salvation from our enemies

and from the hand of our foes.

HE has shown mercy to our fathers

and remembered HIS holy covenant,

the oath HE swore to Abraham, our father,

to deliver us from the enemy,

that we might serve HIM fearlessly

as a holy and righteous people all the days of our lives.

And you, my child,

shall be called prophet of the Most High,

for you shall go before the LORD

to prepare the way for HIM

and enable HIS people to know of their salvation

when HE comes to forgive their sins.

This is the work of the mercy of our GOD,

who comes from on high as a rising sun

shining on those who live in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

and guiding our feet into the way of peace'.

As the child grew up, he was seen to be strong in the Spirit; and he lived in the desert until the day when he appeared openly in Israel." - Luke 1:67-80 

(The child lived in the desert, that is the desert of Judea by the Dead Sea, where some large communities of which the well-known Qumran community had settled.  These communitie, called the Essenes, devoted themselves to prayer and meditation on Scripture.  And took part in the education of children.)

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Birth Of John The Baptist

"When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful LORD had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her.

When, on the eight day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father.  But his mother said, 'Not so; he shall be called John.'  They said to her, 'But no one in your family has that name!' and they made signs to his father for the name he wanted to give him.  Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, 'His name is John;' and they were very surprised.  Immediately, Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of GOD.

A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events.  All who heard of it, pondered in their minds, and wondered, 'What will this child be?'  For they understood that the hand of the  LORD was with him." - Luke 1:57-66 

(What was circumcision? [See Genesis 17].  Circumcision, cutting of the skin called "foreskin" of the male organ, was an ancient custom of Oriental people.  It was one of those "initiation rites" which, among some people, mark the passage of an adolescent into adult society.  Circumcision was a religious rite intended to ensure fertility.

Circumcision took on a new meaning for Israel: it was considered the distinct sign of their belonging to the chosen people.  A foreigner could enter the religious community of Israel only by being circumcised.) 

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Mary's Canticle

"And Mary said,

'My soul proclaims the greatness of the LORD,

my spirit exults in GOD, my savior!

HE has looked upon HIS servant, in her lowliness,

and people, forever, will call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me,

Holy is HIS Name!

From age to age, HIS mercy extends

to those who live in HIS presence.

HE has filled the hungry with good things,

but has sent the rich away empty.

HE held out HIS hand to Israel, HIS servant,

for HE remembered HIS mercy,

even as HE promised to our fathers,

to Abraham and his descendants forever.'"

- Luke 1:46-47. 48-49. 50. 53. 54-55

(About Mary's canticle.  Mary, so unobtrusive in the Gospel, having no part in JESUS' ministry, is the one who proclaims the historical revolution begun with the coming of the Savior.

She proclaims:

- the mercy of GOD who always keeps HIS promises,

- the change that is to take place in the human condition.

This is what Martin Luther King, the emancipator of the Blacks, recalled: "Despite the fact that all too often people see in the church a power opposed to any change, in fact, the church preserves a powerful ideal which urges people toward the summits and opens their eyes as to their own destiny.  From the hot spots of Africa to the black areas of Alabama, I have seen men and women rising and shaking off their chains.  They had just discovered they were GOD's children, and that, as GOD's children, it was impossible to enslave them.

The song of Mary also expresses the deepest feeling of the Christian soul.  There is a time for us to seek truth, to discover what our major duties are and to become truly and essentially human.  There is a time for asking from and serving GOD.  In the long run, we come to understand that divine love seeks out what is poorer and weaker to fill it and make it great.  Then our only prayer becomes thanks giving to GOD for HIS understanding and merciful designs.)

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