31/07/2021

I have been listening to readings in church for more years than the "Jubilee" and I cannot say that  this reading has stayed in my mind. Usually there is something that draws my attention even if it is wrongheaded of me. Maybe it is that the drama played out in Herod's court has overshadowed the maths of Jubilee. I will have to resort to Wikipedia after this reflection to understand. 

Moses had received the instruction from God and it seems that the Jubilee was the Sabbath Day calculated in years. It appears that no work should be done in that year and the whole nation of Israel should just trust in the Lord to provide. I wonder how many times this was carried out in 100% obedience. 

The Psalm calls us to give thanks and praise to God for his gifts. Political Justice is ours for we rule according to God's revealed Law. 

Those days of  "revealed law" were long gone when we join Herod who is paying the price for a sinful union with Herodias. There is no sign of Justice at his court and no sign of righteousness in his behaviour. The Jesuits have a name for bringing God into the world of politics. They also have a name for casuistry. Their target " For the greater Glory of God" has often been missed by the successors of St Ignatius. The wealth of their order should be an embarrassment to their vow of "Poverty". If the wealth of the order is divided by the number of their priests the "collective wealth per priest" is staggering.

Now I see that it is the dangers of acquiring material wealth and being tied to a patrimony that  are guarded against in the reading from Leviticus. 

Dear Lord, you know what help I need. To know, love and serve you becomes more difficult the farther  we get away from the events of scripture. Open the eyes of your Church to the guidance that you provide by your revelations and let us have more "holy" priests than "clever" ones.