Do Not Rely On Wealth

"Do not rely on your wealth.  Do not say, 'I am self-sufficient.'  Do not let yourself be carried away by greed and violence; they would make you their slave.

Do not say, 'Who can stop me?'  For the LORD has power to punish you.  Do not say, 'I have sinned and nothing has happened!'  For the LORD bides HIS time.

Do not be so sure of pardon when you are heaping sin upon sin.  Do not say, 'HIS compassion is great!  HE will forgive the vast number of my sins!'  For with HIM is mercy but also anger; HIS fury will be poured out on sinners.

Do not delay your return to the LORD, do not put it off from day to day.  For suddenly the anger of the LORD will blaze forth and you will perish on the day of reckoning.

Do not rely on riches wrongfully acquired for they will be of no use to you on the day of wrath." - Sirach 5:1-8 

(At times, some Christians take advantage of GOD's infinite mercy to continue with their evil behavior.)

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Separate Churches

"John said to HIM, 'Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon YOUR name, and we tried to forbid him, because he does not belong to our group.'  JESUS answered, 'Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in MY name can soon after speak evil of ME.  For whoever is not against us is for us.'" - Mark 9:38-40 

(While JESUS prepares HIS apostles, whom HE wants to leave in charge of HIS Church, others preach the Gospel and expel demons.  In the same way nowadays, outside the Catholic Church, the Church of the apostles, others of diverse Christian denomination do apostolic work.

This evangelization outside the Church, at times against the Church, offers a challenge.  If others evangelize, it is perhaps because the Church does not reach a great number of people: GOD wants others to do what we do not.  The proliferation of separate churches is for the Catholic Church a call to reform.

For the Church finds itself paralyzed for want of a true spirit of poverty and because of its massive structures which no longer allow simple people to find there the fresh life-giving air of the Gospel.

In addition, a missionary sense is often completely absent: too many Catholics are not ready to leave their own practices and little groups, with the end result that the Church is seemingly absent in a great number of places, especially in the urban masses and among immigrants.

With that how can we condemn those who by their missionary action allow a great number of people to meet JESUS CHRIST in fervent and welcoming communities, even if not everything there is authentic?

In saying this we do not forget the many riches of Christian tradition which have often been lost by those who left the Church, especially the certitude that everything human must be redeemed and saved, and the joyful and humble way of believing and doing the will of the FATHER of which Mary is the finest symbol.

Several things seem to us out of place in these churches: the miracle used as an instrument of propaganda, the pressures on the sick, the threatening with punishments from GOD...  Many enclose themselves in their cults, far from the "world," making ecumenism impossible, that is the dialogue and common seeking with other Christians.

There is, however, no room for envy or hatred: who can harm us if we do the work of GOD?)  

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Fear GOD In Time Of Trials

"My son, if you have decided to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.  Keep your heart upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity.

Hold fast to the LORD, do not separate yourself from HIM so that you may be successful to the end of your days.  Accept all that happens to you, be patient when you are humbled, for as gold is tested in the fire, so those acceptable to GOD are tested in the crucible of humiliation.  Have confidence in HIM and HE will take care of you; follow the right path and hope in HIM.

You who fear the LORD, wait for HIS mercy and do not turn away lest you fall.  You who fear the LORD, trust in HIM and you will not lose your reward.  You who fear the LORD, hope for all good things; hope for eternal joy and mercy.

Remember what happened to your ancestors.  Who has ever trusted in the LORD and been confounded?  Who has persevered in fear of the LORD and been abandoned?  Who has called upon HIM and not been heard?

For the LORD is compassion and loving-kindness; HE forgives our sins and saves us in time of distress." - Sirach 2:1-11 

(Those who want to serve GOD must be ready to face trials and contradictions.  Authentic trust in GOD is demonstrated when things do not turn out well.  along with faith and perseverance, trust is the basic quality of the believer.)

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Wisdom Comes From GOD

"All wisdom comes from the LORD and endures with HIM forever.

The grains of sand, the drops of rain and the days of eternity, who can count them?

The height of heaven, the extent of the earth and the depths of the abyss, who can measure them?

Wisdom was created before all things and the prudent intellect before the beginning of time.

To whom was the source of Wisdom revealed?  Who has known her secret designs?

One alone is wise and greatly to be feared.  The One who is seated upon HIS throne.

The LORD HIMSELF created Wisdom.  HE looked on her and knew her value.  HE poured her out over all HIS works; upon all mortal beings, in accordance with HIS goodness.  HE lavished her on those who love HIM." - Sirach 1:1-10 

(In this poem, the author professes his faith.  To those who think they are more modern because they seek human wisdom and doctrine, he simply declares that true wisdom consists in  trusting GOD and fearing HIM.)

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We All Have A Double Heritage

"Scripture says that Adam, the first man, became a living being; but the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit.

The spirit does not appear first, but the natural life, and afterward comes the spirit.  The first man comes from the earth and is earthly, while the second one comes from heaven.  As it was with the earthly one, so is it with the earthly people.  As it is with CHRIST, so with the heavenly.  This is why, after bearing the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one." - 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 

(We all have a double heritage: by nature we are in solidarity with the human race in the person of Adam--man, animal and earthly--but we also belong to this human community which mysteriously forms itself around CHRIST who is Spirit, source of life and who comes from heaven.  Baptism has not made us pass from one to another.  Moreover, faithful as we may be, our Adam will continue to grow and increase in weight, with his weakness and temptations, but at the same time our inner being will be strengthened, this embryo of a celestial person, waiting for its true birth.)

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Faith Is The Assurance Of What We Hope For, Being Certain Of What We Cannot See!

"Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see.  Because of their faith, our ancestors were approved.

By faith, we understand that the stages of creation were disposed by GOD's word, and what is visible came from what cannot be seen.

Because of Abel's faith his offering was more acceptable than that of his brother Cain, which meant he was upright, and GOD, HIMSELF, approved his offering.  Because of this faith he cried to GOD, as said in Scripture, even after he died.

By faith, Enoch was taken to heaven, instead of experiencing death: he could not be found, because GOD has taken him.  In fact, it is said, that before being taken up, he had pleased GOD.  Yet, without faith, it is impossible to please HIM: no one draws near to GOD, without first believing, that HE exists, and that HE rewards those who seek HIM earnestly.

By faith, Noah was instructed of events which could not yet be seen and, heeding what he heard, he built a boat, in which to save his family.  The faith of Noah condemned the world, and he reached holiness, born of faith." - Hebrews 11:1-7 

(Doubts overcome those who isolate themselves.  Why do we not look at those who have gone before us, not just one or the other but the mass of witnesses: all cannot be illusory.  

Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see.  The examples chosen show that faith cannot remain within us as an intimate conviction.  What matters is to act according to faith and make decisions inspired by faith.  That is why this chapter offers so many biblical examples of men and women who risked everything for faith.  We cannot understand the obedience of Abraham unless he had trust in GOD against all hope.  The same when Moses gave up a promising future for the impossible task of leading his people: his faith made him act in the present as if he saw what was invisible [verse 27].

These heroes of the faith died without having seen what GOD promised; it would seem that many have failed but their successors will discover that it is they who have made authentic history.  The author addresses the Christians saying: "We are people of faith and we shall save our soul," which means:  we shall fulfill all that is in us, and await what GOD has reserved for us in eternity.)

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When The Chief Shepherd Appears, You Will Be Given A Crown Of Unfading Glory

"I now address myself to those elders among you; I, too, am an elder, and a witness to the sufferings of CHRIST, hoping to share the glory that is to be revealed.  Shepherd the flock which GOD has entrusted to you, guarding it, not out of obligation, but, willingly, for GOD's sake; not as one looking for a reward, but with a generous heart; do not lord it over, those in your care, rather be an example to your flock.  Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will be given a crown of unfading glory." - 1 Peter 5:1-4 

(In the varied counsels that follow, note what concerns the elders, leaders and pastors of the community.

In persecution Peter also sees a work of the devil, who does his best to discourage those who hope in CHRIST.

It is a proven fact that when we get ready to make an important decision or to make some commitment in the service of CHRIST, many unexpected obstacles arise.  The person who becomes intimidated loses everything.  When he tries again to take some step, the devil will increase his attacks.  These trials are common and to face them we need to be alert in our faith.

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Peter's Profession Of Faith

"JESUS set out with HIS disciples for the villages around Caesarea Philippi; and on the way HE asked them, 'Who do people say I AM?  And they told HIM, 'Some say, YOU are John the Baptist; others say, YOU are Elijah or one of the prophets.'

Then JESUS asked them, 'But you, who do you say I AM?'  Peter answered, 'YOU are the Messiah.'  And HE ordered them not to tell anyone about HIM.

JESUS then began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law.  HE would be killed, and after three days rise again.  JESUS said all this quite openly, so that Peter took HIM aside and began to protest strongly.  But JESUS, turning around, and looking at HIS disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind ME, Satan!  You are thinking not as GOD does, but as people do.'" - Mark 8:27-33 

(Here the Gospel already foretells the tragic end.  For the first time, the apostles take account of who their Master is.

YOU are the Messiah.  CHRIST is a Greek word that means the Messiah in Hebrew.  They both mean: the anointed or consecrated one.  This term designated the long-awaited Savior.  The apostles discover that JESUS is the Messiah, the Liberator, but HE teaches them that the Son of Man (the Human One) has to suffer many things.

Why does JESUS call HIMSELF the Son of Man?  For two reasons: first, because one page in Scripture speaks of the Son of Man who gloriously comes from GOD to judge all people and to rule all the nations [Daniel 7:13].  Second, because JESUS is the perfect Human and bears the destiny of humanity.

JESUS had to suffer, because this is the fate of sinners.  HE had to suffer and be rejected by the authorities, because this is the destiny of those who proclaim the truth.  HE had to freely go to HIS death because self-sacrifice is the only means for the salvation of the world.)

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Cure Of The Blind Man At Bethsaida

"When they came to Bethsaida, JESUS was asked to touch a blind man who was brought to HIM.  HE took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.  When HE had put spittle on his eyes and laid HIS hands upon him, HE asked, 'Can you see anything?'  The man, who was beginning to see, replied, 'I see people!  They look like trees, but they move around.'  Then JESUS laid HIS hands on his eyes again and the man could see perfectly.  His sight was restored and he could see everything clearly.

Then JESUS sent him home, saying, 'Do not return to the village.'" - Mark 8:22-26 

(When a person, blind from birth, regains his sight, it takes time for him to gradually focus on objects and to understand what his new eyes see.  JESUS again laid HIS hands on this blind man's eyes.

The same is true in the spiritual realm.  JESUS does not let us see everything at once, but conversion is realized bit by bit.

Do not return to the village.  If so, all the people would go looking for JESUS to see HIM and touch HIM and clamor for a miracle.  JESUS came instead for an authentic encounter with people.)

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Beware Of The Yeast Of The Pharisees

"The disciples had forgotten to bring more bread, and had only one loaf with them in the boat.  Then JESUS warned them, 'Keep your eyes open, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.'  And they said to one another, 'HE saw that we have no bread.'

Aware of this, JESUS asked them, 'Why are you talking about the loaves you are short of?  Do you not see or understand?  Are your minds closed?  Have you eyes that don't see and ears that don't hear?  And do you not remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand?  How many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?'  They answered, 'Twelve.'  And having distributed seven loaves to the four thousand, how many wicker baskets of leftovers did you collect?'  They answered, 'Seven.'  Then JESUS said to them, 'Do you still not understand?'" - Mark 8:14-21 

(JESUS tells HIS apostles to beware of the Pharisee's spirit [of becoming like the Pharisees] but they do not listen, being more concerned about the food.

JESUS says: Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, meaning their teaching [Matthew 16:12].  The Pharisees saw JESUS as a popular worker-wonder who threatened their authority as a religious and popular leader of the people.  Since the disciples had forgotten to bring more bread, they missed JESUS' point about the leaven of the Pharisees.  JESUS fears that HIS disciples, because of being common people, would let themselves be impressed by the knowledge and fame of the Pharisees, and HE warns them that these people build religion on the wrong basis.

JESUS agreed with the Pharisees on the general way of understanding the Scriptures, but not the spirit of many among them.  As "master" HE chose a way opposed to theirs.  Instead of a teaching that comes from above HE became part of a natural group of quite simple people and formed them through action.  HE made them reflect on what they saw, on what they did, and above all on what GOD was doing among them as they worked with HIM.)

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