14/01/2022

We read in the OT today of how the people of Israel were yet again dissatisfied with the way of the Lord . God's revelations to his prophets were not enough for them and they demanded to become a kingdom of this world. Even when the negative results of such a political system were pointed out to them thay still insisted they follow the way of the world. God listened to them.

The peoples surrounding Israel all organised their societies in some form of monarchy according to which everything in their territories belonged to the King who guarded his lands or expanded them by war. And it is to this form of absolute monarchy that the people demanded they must be subject.

It was hard for the Jews for the Law of Moses did not make known any life except the here and now to be lived by following the Law; after death only the shadowy sort of half life offered by Sheol awaited them.

Jesus' teaching and most of all his Resurrection have made it clear that our real lives are what we will know after our deaths. The Scribes complain that Jesus forgives sin. This time Jesus responds with more than the "Sign of  Jonah" and proves his authority by having the paralytic stand, pick up his bed and walk away.

Dear Lord you who know the billions of souls you have created to fill our world and be with you in your kingdom, also know me and my family. May we all this day live in the way your grace teaches us to. Father Son and Holy Spirit we worship three in one and ask for the help of all who have after this life have joined you in the eternal reality we call heaven.