23/04/2023

John and Paul are able to respond verbally to the accusations of the Temple authorities. They were not overawed by either the rank of their interrogators or the location in the Temple. On the contrary the rulers, elders and scribes were nonplussed by the authority displayed by the uneducated fishermen. Their main problem however is that they too were filled with awe at the miracle that cured the man, who was well-known to them. Their professional minds, however, could not adjust to this new happening, the Good News, and so they conferred/conspired with each other how they could keep control of the situation.

Their "damage-limitation" strategy could come up with nothing better than a warning to stop proclaiming this "Good News" which was, in fact, the result of their crucifying the "Name" that was the object of their ban. The elders, scribes and teachers were probably a mixture of the sincere and cynical and when faced with a problem that forced them to truly open themselves to the Word, Father Son and Holy Ghost they chose to protect the Temple, the institutional Church in which they served.

In our times 2022 the same attitude is more than evident in the Priests, Scribes and Eders who claim to serve the institution that waas given to us by our God to strengthen our resolve to live according to his will as revealed through the prophets and especially though himself as Son and humanity from Mary.

Dear Lord you founded our Church to be your physical presence on earth and the source of Sacramental Life. Please do not abandon us to the whims of the Godless who blasphemously "go through the motions of Priesthood, but in their morality provide us only with lies and scandals. Let my heart be true to your revelations and personal teaching during your time on earth. May Mary and all the sinless souls, the saints, of Heaven share with us the superabundance of Holiness which is the Glory of Eternity and let us too share like the Sidonian woman in the scraps that fall from your heavenly banquet.