23/10/2021

The Law is the rules for living as revealed to Moses and subsequent Prophets. Jesus frequently points out to his listeners the folly of following this Law in all its finicky details, without being aware of its inner meaning. Pharisees are usually castigated for this their main fault. I think that Pharisees are always with us and sometimes closer to home than I realise. 

Hypocrisy in religion goes with the territory. Those of us familiar with Moslem countries are often ready to recognise the way the behaviour of devout citizens changes as soon as they are beyond their borders.

St Paul, one of many converted Pharisees, has taken Jesus to heart and knows that now the rules for living are totally Spiritual. He knows and teaches that Jesus our God has condemned sin by his death and resurrection and that the Holy Spirit is here for us to call upon to guide us. If we follow only the natural law without any regard to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit we will achieve death. God wants us to achieve the Life which is prepared for Spiritual natures in communion with God.

Horrific sacrilegious deaths as befell the Galileans are not the result of special guilt on the part of the victims of Herod's anger. Jesus makes it clear that natural disasters are jut that and not brought about by individual guilt. The tower fell because it was poorly constructed and was not targeted at the 18 who died. Jesus tells us that we all can perish; that our bodily death can happen at any moment of our earthly lives but we can avoid total death, as in the incidents detailed, by repenting. We have to actively seek the Mercy of God.

The gardener's patience can win survival for the fig tree but only because:

 "I take pleasure, not in the death of a wicked man, says the Lord, but in the turning back of a wicked man who changes his ways to win life."

Dear Lord let me always be aware that you have charted for me a life to aim for Life with you. Let the prayers of Mary and all the Saints be heard in your Church and backstabbing hypocrisy be recognised and condemned.