The Incarnation of Jesus Christ (and III)

Translated from the original by Ana Giménez.

In my opinion, the best definition of God in the Old Testament can be found in the second Isaiah (in Spanish: Schökel´s translation, Biblia del Peregrino) “Calling forth the generations from the beginning. I, the Lord-with the first of them and with the last-I am he.” (Isaiah 41:4).This is not mere theory, neither empty words. The Old Testament is a witness of countless quotations which confirm the God in whom we believe, faithful observant of His own personal definition. His unequivocal denial to children´s killing, the election of socially unimportant people as His collaborators, the sound criticism to the social prophets against injustice, His concern to assist to “widows and orphans”, less favoured sectors in society, the fact of relying on little David, the youngest of the children who look after the stock; the election of sterile women, or of the nobodies…show the election of God for the little and despised ones, His favourite ones. Along with His preference for the little and the last ones, we can also see a history of approach from God to the human being. If God, at the beginning, would talk from clouds, later He approached Mount Sinai and His presence has stayed as a symbol in the Ark of the Covenant. Despite the constant failure of His people, He slowly approached the walkers in the desert. His presence in the “tent of meeting”, placed outside the camp  ensured them His company and protection. Later on in the Book of Numbers we can see that the tent is not outside the camp, but in the centre, in the middle of its people. God is gradually approaching. When they arrived to the Promised Land a temple was built, a house for God. In times of King David and his son Solomon the house for God was made, guarded by priests and Levites. With the arrival of Jesus Christ He Himself became the temple. Due to baptism all Christians are temple of God, pilgrims in crossing land, walking towards the New Jerusalem of heaven, the Kingdom of God. For Saint Teresa this process is made from the centre, the deepest inner of ourselves, as we are temple of God and heaven. Jesus Christ came to the world to teach us to live to his image and likeness in which we were created and brought up. His closeness destroys the curse of a life focused on oneself and in evil. Freed from the chains which enslave us we can learn to live if we decide to become His friends (third mansion). He is not going to give us any more rules as they  are already in the Old Testament and He has assumed them Himself, but a radical new lifestyle. He is going to teach us to see life with God´s eyes which are the ones of Jesus of Nazareth. The centre of this new life is in His own life, from His birth as a child in a manger, till His exaltation to Heaven, where, sat down at the right hand of God, intercedes for us, sends us His Holy Spirit, while we build a new heaven and a new earth, waiting for His definitive return. The style of life learnt can change our life radically if we are obedient to His word, as first thing He is going to teach us is to see and to hear.

The whole Bible cries out for the ones “who have eyes but do not see, and have ears but do not hear”. We learn to see from below, we will live a spirituality of “open eyes”, from naked mangers in the world and from the crucified. No. It´s not moral behaviour what we learn, nor rules. The centre of this new life is in our personal meeting with Jesus Christ, in the communication with Him from the deepest part of ourselves (recollection prayer). In the Gospel and as we pray we will see Jesus´ options (always from His Sacred Humanity), His relationship with people, His conflicts facing injustice, His care and healings for those who suffer, His integrity, etc.It doesn´t mean to imitate literally what He does or says. He will never look down on us or manipulate our freedom. He has gather in one, two commandments which were separated in two books from the Old Testament, love to God and love to our neighbours and has upgraded them to supreme rank. The old Law is summarized in them. He adds something He inherited and places it first place: to fulfil God´s will. It is not easy to discover it at first sight. It will be with His friendship, in the inner dialogue of prayer, in communication with other Christians, in the Word of God and Church tradition, where at any time we will enlightened it. The Word established in the Old Testament as The One who is with the last ones becomes flesh and blood in Jesus of Nazareth, who has come to give us light and life (introduction to the Gospel according to Saint John). Jesus Christ our model as Christians, and other people who follow Him, has taught us that brilliance doesn´t consist in inventing everything, but in the capacity to assume the spirit of an era, digest it slowly and return it back enriched, taking to the extreme what has been granted. Love has to include the enemy, forgiveness has to be practised beyond measure, He forbade divorce in defence of women, to serve and give His life will be His ultimate objective, leave our ego behind and go beyond narcissism to donation of our self, etc. Teresa of Jesus calls this transformation “efectos” (effects) and to our acts consequence of our relationship with Him and what we try to achieve every day “finalidad” (purpose).