28/10/2021

St Paul makes the analogy between citizenship of Rome and being part of the Body of Christ. It must be about 20 years since Jesus was known personally in human form. The Good News had spread rapidly and there were groups of believers scattered throughout the vastness of the world that was ruled from Rome. It is an amazing thing that this bizarre teaching had captured the imaginations of so many diverse people. The Jews were somewhat prepared to continue to worship one God. For them one of the great difficulties was to accept the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit which although, revealed in scripture  had to be discovered and meditated upon. The Gentiles had even more to discard before accepting the teaching of the Apostles and their disciples. They knew stories of the Gods and local temples made great demands on them. They knew of the thinking of the philosophers. Rising from the dead???

Paul's words about a  prophet in Palestine were not the Adonis story reworked. Paul had seen the Risen Lord and his testimony, inspired by the Holy Ghost, became a testimony to the true way of life ordered for us by Almighty God. We have to accept that the belief of the first Christian was supported by the Holy Spirit and that it is God's will that there should be a Church here on Earth.

Jesus in the Gospel chooses those who were to become the Apostles but not before a night of prayer. The Love of the Trinity is a complete "prayer" way beyond the imagination of man.

It is a tribute to the veracity of the Gospel narratives that the name of the traitor was not glossed out. Jesus chose Judas. Jesus chose Peter who denied him and the other Apostles too. It is only the women and John who display any fortitude during the three days of horror in Jerusalem. 

Jesus chose our Church's first leaders. We want to believe that he continues to do so. The instant communications of our modern world reveal that today there is still as much treachery to the Lord in our Bishops as there was in the original twelve.

Dear Lord help me to find guidance and support today as I still believe that you are with us. May your Mother support all mothers who find each day a struggle to cope with sickness and motherhood.