Today's feast of The Venerable St. Bede takes us into England many miles from where Jesus walked . However he lived the life of The Church as she had developed for the 600 years since her foundation. he followed the rule of St Benedict and grew to be renowned for his learning. The same resurrection faith that had taken St Pail on his missionary journeys had not changed and St Paul would have been at home with the liturgy and office of the monks of Jarrow. We today are 1500 years from St Bede and still strive to follow his example and the teaching brought from distant Palestine to these islands.

Dear Lord inspire with your Eucharist the followers of St Benedict whose commitment to their own founder and whose vows to you have, lamentably, been shown to  be lacking in these days. Inspire them to holiness so that we the laymen of your church may find in them  guidance to the Way, Truth and Life.

The salt has lost its savour. Was Jesus speaking to us directly about the situation that is present in St Bede's own land and the adjacent island. It is hard to believe that corrupted priests are truly able to continue to receive the Grace to confect with Jesus the blessed sacrament especially when they then distribute God's Body to those they know not to be in the state of Grace required to receive You. The salt has lost its savour. The Religious Orders in this land have vows of poverty but huge riches in buildings bank accounts and travel.

Dear Lord let your words refresh "the salt  of the earth" and let not your bishops hide corruption under their bushels; let them not pander to "modern" sensibilities but preach your Truth as revealed through the scriptures. Preserve me too in the salt of your grace and let not my anger blind me to my need of your mercy. May our end times still have the Faith to welcome You.