25/09/2022

Amos paints a picture of what was the luxury of  life known by the rich in the Midle-East of his day. As with all ancient civilisations this lifestyle was built on Military power and slavery. Amos' inspiration is to warn his fellow Jews that in "the day of the Lord" those who delight in the transient goods of their times will lose them.

St Paul continues his formation of Timothy by extolling the virtues of faith and love and  to always remember the promises that he made when he professed his belief in the Resurrection and thus has come to know Father Son and Holy Spirit. He too must be ready for "the day of the Lord" which now can be specifically identified as the "Appearing of the Lord". The Second Coming of Jesus.

Jesus himself tells the parable of "Richman and Lazarus". In this he makes it quite clear that it is only in the human "now" of our life on Earth that we can open our hearts to the revelations prepared by the Old Testament and continued in his human life with us on Earth. He has indeed returned from the Dead place of Dives and the relationship between God and his creation has now been made clear. Blessed are we who have not seen but believe and blesed is the infinite Mercy of God which has revealed the way, the truth and the eternal Love that he has prepared for us.

Dear Lord may I this day avoid sin and not be so engrossed in life that I forget you. May all your priests take St Paul's words to heart and strive to become as Timothy and Paul his mentor. May Mary continue in  her loving and sorowful support at the foot of the cross even in the face of the great blaspemies that we on Earth are perpetuating.