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The stern judgment of God

Sunday, February 04 2007 @ 03:22 PM CST

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Those who have power must understand that it is not theirs to do with as they please, power is a responsibility, and those who use their power irresponsibly will eventually pay the price of their sin.

{Let's see if these BIBLE THUMPING GOPs, Media Whores, and RadiKal Right Khristians will obey the LORD THEIR GOD-- or will they continue to be the eternal hypocrite pharisees?)



These are not words heard very loud in Washington, D.C., or in the other world capitals of governance, finance, business, and culture. We live in an era of radical selfish autonomy, where even the president fancies himself above law and morality.`

Even so, the judgment of God will come upon those who do wickedness "in high places" -- terribly and swiftly, and it will be stern. "Mene, mene, tekel, upharison" wrote the finger of God upon the banquet hall wall of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon -- "you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting." What do the balance scales of justice say about America the Merciless -- that great Democratic Republic whose people willingly choose leaders to implement policies that murder poor children in foreign lands? We cheerfully and enthusiastically do business with bankers who steal interest payments from the rice bowls of the poorest of the poor. Do Wisdom and Justice approve of our devotion to political corruption and the exploitation of the poor for financial and political gain? If the United States is indeed the land of We the People, who then are the rulers of this land that this condemnation comes upon? Is not one of the risks of democracy that We the People themselves will be held morally responsible for the crimes of their freely elected governing authorities?

I am reminded that the Catechism teaches us that we can gain responsibility for the sins of others by approving of those sins, praising them, not opposing them when it is within our power to do so, ordering them, covering up for them, or facilitating them. So when we willingly vote for a man or woman who commits oppression -- even though we know they are oppressors and exploiters and murderers of the poor -- where will we stand in that great accounting of those who hold and wield power?

Luke today tells us of ten lepers healed by Jesus. One of them turns back from the rush to be certified as "clean' to thank Jesus for this great miracle. Jesus notices that only one returned to give thanks, and as it so happens, the man was a Samaritan. So here we have two groups that were hated, feared, and marginalized in Jesus' culture: lepers and Samaritans (foreigners and heretics), and they are held up to the people of the era as good examples. Today we would probably tell a parable of 10 crack addicts and the one who turns back would be a prostitute. This parable is found only in Luke.

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Wisdom Sayings

Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will themselves also call and not be heard. Injure not the poor because they are poor, nor crush the needy at the gate; for the Lord will defend their cause, and will plunder the lives of those who plunder them. A rich man who oppresses the poor is like a devastating rain that leaves no food. Like a roaring lion or a ravenous bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. The less prudent the prince, the more his deeds oppress.

He who hates ill-gotten gain prolongs his days. He who gives to the poor suffers no want, but he who ignores them gets many a curse. When the just prevail, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. The just have a care for the rights of the poor; the wicked have no such concern. When the wicked prevail, crime increases, but their downfall the just will behold. There is a group whose teeth are swords and knives -- they devour the needy from the earth and the poor from among men.

Sow not in the furrows of injustice lest you harvest it sevenfold. Odious to the Lord and to men is arrogance, and the sin of oppression they both hate. Dominion is transferred from one people to another because of the violence of the arrogant.

Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding. Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days. Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you. For worry has brought death to many, nor is there anything to be gained from resentment. Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings on premature old age. One who is cheerful and happy while at table benefits from his food.

God hears the cry of the oppressed. He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours our her complaint. Do not the tears that stream down her cheek cry out against the one that causes them to fall? He who serves God willingly is heard, his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds' it does not rest until it reaches its goal. Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right.

Right is repelled, and justice stands far off; for truth stumbles in the public square, uprightness cannot enter. Honesty is lacking and the man who turns from evil is despoiled.

Happy are those concerned for the lowly and the poor; when misfortune strikes, the Lord delivers them. The Lord keeps and preserves them, makes them happy in the land, and does not betray them to their enemies. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed, allays the malady when they are ill.

He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy glorifies God. The wicked man is overthrown by his wickedness, but the just man finds a refuge in his honesty.

Why should I fear in evil days, when my wicked pursuers ring me round, those who trust in their wealth, and boast of their abundant riches? One cannot redeem oneself, pay to God a ransom. Too high the price to redeem a life; one would never have enough to stay alive forever and never see the pit. Anyone can see that the wicked die, the fool and the senseless pass away too, and must leave their wealth to others. Tombs are their homes forever, their dwellings through all generations, though they gave their names to their lands. For all their riches mortals do not abide, they perish like the beasts.

A man's riches serve as ransom for his life, but the poor man heeds no rebuke. Every day is miserable for the depressed, but a lighthearted man has a continual feast. Better a little with fear of the Lord, than a great fortune with anxiety. Better a dish of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. An ill-tempered man stirs up strife, but a patient man allays discord. The way of the lazy is hemmed in as with thorns, but the path of the diligent is a highway.

Better a little with virtue, than a large income with injustice. Better a poor man who walks in his integrity, than he who is crooked in his ways and rich. Evil men understand nothing of justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all. Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked in his ways and rich.

The Lord overturns the house of the proud, but he preserves intact the widow's landmark. The wicked man's schemes are an abomination to the Lord, but the pure speak what is pleasing to him. The one who is greedy for gain brings ruin on his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. The just man weighs well his utterance, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil. The Lord is far from the wicked, but the prayer of the just he hears.

The one who makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares. The oppression of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right. The way of the culprit is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is right.

For you are a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in distress, shelter from the rain, shade from the heat. The one who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed. The poor from the edge of the sword and from the hand of the mighty, God saves. Thus the unfortunate have hope and iniquity closes her mouth.

Yet should not a hand be held out to help the wretched in their calamities? Or have I not wept for the hardships of others; was not my soul grieved for the destitute?

The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the Lord will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever.

If I cry out "Injustice!" I am not heard. I cry for help, but there is no redress.

O mighty king, lover of justice, you alone have established fairness; you have created just rule in Jacob.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the ruination of the lowly is their poverty. A lawsuit devours the tillage of the poor, but some men perish for lack of a law court. Even by his neighbor the poor man is hated, but the friends of the rich are many. He sins who despises the hungry, but happy is he who is kind to the poor!

Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble with the meek than to share plunder with the proud. He who mocks the poor blasphemes his Maker, the one who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. He who condones the wicked, he who condemns the just, are both an abomination to the Lord. The wicked man accepts a concealed bribe to pervert the course of justice.

The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly. Wealth adds many friends, but the friend of the poor man deserts him. All the poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends shun him? From a man's greed comes his shame; rather be a poor man than a liar. An unprincipled witness perverts justice, and the mouth of the wicked pours out iniquity.

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. The oppression of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right. To practice justice is a joy for the just, but terror for evildoers. He who pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor. Arrogant is the name for the man of overbearing pride who acts with scornful effrontery. Some are consumed with avarice all the day, but the just man gives unsparingly. Rich and poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Those who oppress the poor to enrich themselves will yield up their gains to the rich as sheer loss.

Remove not the ancient landmark, nor invade the fields of orphans; for their redeemer is strong; he will defend their cause against you. Be not provoked with evildoers, nor envious of the wicked; for the evil man has no future, the lamp of the wicked will be put out. To show partiality in judgment is not good. The one who says to the wicked -- "You are just" -- will be cursed, people will denounce them. But those who convict the evildoer will fare well, and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.

Be not a witness against your neighbor without just cause, thus committing folly with your lips. Say not, "As he did to me, so will I do to him; I will repay the man according to his deeds." If your enemy be hungry, give him food to eat, if he be thirsty, give him to drink. For live coals you will heap on his head and the Lord will vindicate you. Like a troubled fountain or a polluted spring is a just man who gives way before the wicked,

He who increases his wealth by interest and overcharge gathers it for him who is kind to the poor. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who is intelligent sees through him. When the just are triumphant, there is great jubilation, but when the wicked gain preeminence, people hide.

He who cultivates his land will have plenty of food, but from idle pursuits a man has his fill of poverty. By justice a king give stability to the land; but he who imposes heavy taxes ruins it. The poor and the oppressor have a common bond: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both. If a king is zealous for the rights of the poor, his throne stands firm forever. Many curry favor with the ruler, but the rights of each are from the Lord.

Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die: put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, provide me only with the food I need, lest, being full, I deny you, saying, "Who is the Lord?" Or, being in ant, I steal, and profane the name of my God.

Love not sleep, lest you be reduced to poverty; eyes wide open mean abundant food. Even to the death fight for truth, and the Lord your God will battle for you. It is not just to despise a man who is wise but poor, nor proper to honor any sinner.

The poor man is honored for his wisdom, as the rich is honored for his wealth. Honored in poverty, how much more so in wealth! Dishonored in wealth, in poverty how much the more?

As long as the rich man can use you he will enslave you, but when you are exhausted, he will abandon you. As long as you have anything he will speak fair words to you, and with smiles he will win your confidence. When he needs something from you he will cajole you, then without regret he will impoverish you. While it serves his purpose he will beguile you, then twice or three times he will terrify you.

Can there be peace between the hyena and the dog? Or between the rich and the poor can there be peace? Lion's prey are the wild donkeys of the desert, so too the poor are feeding grounds for the rich. A proud man abhors lowliness; so does the rich man abhor the poor. When a rich man stumbles he is supported by a friend; when a poor man trips he is pushed down by a friend. Many are the supporters for a rich man when he speaks; though what he says is odious, it wins approval. When a poor man speaks they make sport of him; he speaks wisely and no attention is paid him. A rich man speaks and all are silent, his wisdom they extol to the clouds. A poor man speaks and they say, "Who is that?" If he slips, they cast him down. Wealth is good when there is no sin, but poverty is evil by the standards of the proud. The heart of a man changes his countenance either for good or for evil. The sign of a good heart is a cheerful countenance, withdrawn and perplexed is the laborious schemer.

Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.

Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check. If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies. Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled; become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.

Prayer from a poor man's lips is heard at once, and justice is quickly granted him.

Widely known is the boastful speaker, but the wise man knows his own faults. He who builds his house with another's money is collecting stones for his funeral mound. A band of criminals is like a bundle of sticks, they will end in a flaming fire.

He does a kindness who lends to his neighbor and he fulfills the precepts who holds out a helping hand. Lend to your neighbor in his hour of need and pay back your neighbor when a loan falls due; keep your promise, be honest with him, and you will always come by what you need.

To a poor man, however, be generous; keep him not waiting for your alms; because of the precept, help the needy, and in their want, do not send them away empty handed. Store up almsgiving in your treasure house, and it will save you from every evil; better than a stout shield and sturdy spear it will fight for you against the foe.

Life's prime needs are water, bread, and clothing, a house too, for decent privacy. Better a poor man's fare under the shadow of one's own roof than sumptuous banquets among strangers. Be it little or much, be content with what you have, and pay no heed to him who would disparage your home. Better a poor man strong and robust, than a rich man with wasted frame. The rich man labors to pile up wealth, and his only rest is wanton pleasure; the poor man toils fro a meager subsistence, and if ever he rests, he finds himself in want.

In works of charity, one offers fine offerings, and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise. To refrain from evil pleases the Lord, and to avoid injustice is an atonement.

Let not the foreigner say, when he would join himself to the Lord, "The Lord will surely exclude me from his people", nor let the eunuch say, "See I am a dry tree". For thus says the Lord: to the eunuchs who observe my sabbaths and choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant. I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name, better than sons and daughters; an eternal, imperishable name will I give them. And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to him, loving the name of the Lord and becoming his servants -- all who keep the Sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, then I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel:

Others will I gather to him besides those already gathered.

There is an appointed time for everything and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away, a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war, and a time of peace.

Happy are those who do what is right, whose deeds are always just.

One man is lavish yet grows still richer, another is too sparing, yet is the poorer. He who confers benefits will be amply enriched, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Him who monopolizes grain, the people curse -- but blessings upon the head of him who distributes it. He who seeks the good commands favor, but he who pursues evil will have evil befall him. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but like green leaves the just flourish.

Again I considered all the oppressions that take place under the sun: the tears of the victims with none to comfort them! From the hand of their oppressors comes violence and there is none to comfort them! And those now dead, I declared more fortunate in death than are the living to be still alive. And better off than both is the yet unborn, who has not seen the wicked work that is done under the sun.

In great oppression men cry out; they call for help because of the power of the mighty. "For there are among my people criminals, like fowlers they set traps, but it is men they catch. Their houses are as full of treachery as a bird-cage is of birds. Therefore they grow powerful and rich, fat and sleek. They go their wicked way; justice they do not defend by advancing the claim of the fatherless or judging the cause of the poor. Shall I not punish these things?" Says the Lord.

Therefore, O king, take my advice, atone for your sins by good deeds, and for your misdeeds by kindness to the poor, then your prosperity will be long.

The covetous man is never satisfied with money, and the lover of wealth reaps no fruit from it; so this too is vanity. Where there are great riches, there are also many to devour them. Of what use are they to the owner except to feast his eyes upon? Sleep is sweet to the laboring man, whether he eats little or much, but the rich man's abundance allows him no sleep.

The brothers and sisters in lowly circumstances should take pride in their high standing, and the rich in their lowliness, for they will pass away like the flower of the field. For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich fade away in the midst of their pursuits.

Your strength is not in numbers, nor does your power depend upon stalwart men, but you are the God of the lowly, the helper of the oppressed, the supporter of the weak, the protector of the forsaken, the savior of those without hope.

http://www.justpeace.org/

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