12/05/2022

Today's readings make it quite clear that St Paul was quite clear in his understanding that what he preached was a continuation of God's promises to the Israelites. He had been trained as a Pharisee and knew the Scriptures of the Old Testament probably by heart. St Paul would have taken at least two weeks to travel from Perge to Psidia but when he arrived he was welcomed by the Synagogue. News of him must have preceded him. The whole of the Middlle East must have been full of the Good News brought by the Apostles. Did the leader of the Synagogue in Antioch know that St Paul had joined the new sect and would preach Jesus, the Resurrection?

St John's recollection of Jesus at the last Supper underlines the need for pastors to show humility before their flocks for they are the servants of God's people and not their masters. They are also the servants of God and have to show to their sheep the same love and service as shown by Jesus. In Jesus we have Father Son and Holy Spirit as well as Humanity. Jesus knowing the events to come after the end of this meal is a manifestation of his Eternity, God's time without any change or movement. As man he accepted the time of creation but as God he "knew" in the divine mode impossible for us to understand.

Dear Lord for whom there is no past, present or future, send your Hoy Spirit in to our time-bound world and by your grace free us from the pains and trivialities of this life encouraging us to look only to you the loving Father. Let those who share your eternitiy continue to support humanity in its sickness and bring all our souls to the health that can truly love God.