23/01/2022

The people listened attentively as Ezra read the Law. The congregation was able to see him as he read for he was standing on a dias. He also explained the significance of the language he was reading for the original language of the scrolls had developed and changed as all languages do. The Hebrew of Moses is not given Canonical Status neither was the Greek, Aramaic or Latin of the original converts. It is not the words but their meaning and spirit of their meaning that instruct us in God's revelation. 

There are some who demand that Latin be the language of our Liturgy but God tells us clearly that obedience to the spirit of the words is what he wills for us. God knows everything always and completely so how could he need us to use one of our many human languages in preference to all the others. The Sabbath was made for man and man has many different tongues, but God's revelation is one, Father Son and Holy Spirit.

St Paul develops a classical image of the political state to quell the dissent that was arising in his flock because of human jealousy. Christians are not millions of  Popes and priests. The Church was given authority by Jesus and there are clearly defined roles enumerated by St Paul. The Church was given authority not a power to be wielded against its flock. Great is his gift to our clergy but they too must  constantly be aware that their trappings of office are only the same dust to which we shall all return.

Jesus is invited to read and preach in the Synagogue. He must have been recognised in the first thirty years of his life for the qualities which were to bring him to the Resurrection. Even this supreme witness was not enough evidence for many both then and now.

Dear Lord your priests are beset on all sides by their own weaknesses and the antagonism of the secular state even by the backsliding of their overseer Bishops; increase their fortitude and protect them from becoming stumbling blocks rather than guides to the Way, the Truth and the Life. May Mary and the heavenly host of Saints and Angels protect your church and her priests in the struggles that we all face here on earth.