16/08/2021

The story of the Sons of Israel is also my story; for a time listening to the Lord and obeying his commands and then reverting back to the standards of the world. Always there is the wish to live a guilt free life; always aware of my faults but unable to resists the pleasures of the flesh. There is a realism about the rich young man; he was sad because he knew that he couldn't give up his riches. 

Material wealth is a futility to follow for all things decay including we the possessors. How many millions of us are there alive today who do not count as rich in this age but who have all the advantages, and more, in life that riches gave in his times to the young man.

We sincerely follow the Lord and keep his commandments but at home we enjoy riches beyond the dreams of avarice; we don't carry water, we don't hunt for our food; we don't fear for lives from marauding outlaws; the soldiers of the occupying power do not molest us; most illness can be cured and empty time can be filled by the miracle of mass media.

We have to be poor in spirit but this knowledge is not only an attitude it has to be a reality. It is farcical that members of religious orders take vows of poverty and have cars "for the use of". They are sincere in attitude but ignore the discrepancy between the words of their vows and the amount of wealth under their control. This discrepancy is open for all to view on the UK Charity Commissioners website. The Pope's own order in Britain is in control of millions as are  the various Benedictine Orders.

                                                                All is known to God.

Dear Lord let not the discrepancies so apparent in your Church on Earth blind me to the fact that it is Christ's Mystical Body in heaven and on earth that I aspire to. May Mary support the prayers of all dedicated Religious and encourage them  to be true to their vows.