26/11/2021

The people who first heard and saw Jesus must have been familiar with what we call the Old Testament they were people who kept the Law of Moses who gave suuport to the Temple in Jerusalem. They met on the Sabbath in their local synagogue. Even the sinners were aware that their neighbours followed this way of life. Some of those who listened must have been"Greeks" or at least Hellenized. All of them were interested in the "gods" and of tapping into a supernatural form of life which would favour them during their lives and protect them from the unexpected dangers such as plague and invasion by foreigners.

The Jews who listened would have been as familiar with the sayings of the Book of Daniel as they would have been with the other Wisdom Books. This vision which is so alien to me that I think of invasions from Outer Space and other Holywood creations was not at all that to the readers of 2000 years ago. Did they accept it literally as many contemporaries accepted the stories about the Olympian gods?

It is an accepted part of our Scripture now and is presented to us as we come to the season of Advent when our Church asks to prepare for the Nativity by contemplating the Last Things. Jesus did promise us that he would return and that until he did the Holy Spirit would fill the hearts of the faithful. We have to accept God's word for what it is, not a vision of the night, but the Eternal Love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Maranatha

Dear Lord may my being always be aware of you and let my prayers be added to the thousands of supplications being made to you. Protect my family from all harm and let your grace turn them to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.