13/11/2022

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the prayer of the Church increasingly focusses on the "End-Times as spoken of by Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Scriptural revelation. The prophet Malachi delivers a warning. Even though we may be dissatisfied with our place in life when we compare it to that enjoyed by others, God wants us to remember that his creation, our world, is as limited in its being as is each individual one of us. My "Kingdom is not of this world" is Jesus' answer to Pilate that is addressed to all men at all times 

St Paul gives himself as a model of how to live our lives based on the perfection of Jesus, following St Paul's own example in word and deed. Paying for his own food seems to curtail his hosts opportunity for open-handed giving and is in contradiction to the spirit of "the Lord loves a cheerful giver". There is also another warning. Am I one of the ones who does nothing but interferes with the work of everyone? It's easy to ignore my own "plank" and point to corrupt clergy, who are certainly among us as our modern Pharisees, but am I in the position to "cast the first stone"?

The Pyramids and other still standing buildings of ancient times can fill us with wonder at the accomplishments achieved without the benefits of modern technology, by our forefathers.  The Temple that was still being completed was equally admired in its own times and gives rise to another warning. Millions of words have been written about this prediction and its significance in the Light of the Resurrection. Each generation since those times has been able to relate to the physical destruction caused by wars and natural disasters but for some of us there is also an admission of a great shame that cannot be avoided.

Modern technology means that each living soul on Earth can be aware of what was once known only to Sanhedrin and other legal authorities. Jesus promised that if we faced human legal and political problems as a result of faith in his name and were brought before authorities to answer for it then he would be for us the words of Truth in defence which we would not have to choose for ourselves.

Having watched the shameful performances of English Bishops brought before the recent Independant Enquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, I am sure that they were not being persecuted for belief in Christ and that thus they were not given an eloquence and a wisdom that their opponents could not resist or contradict. 

An investigator commenting on the general of attitude of Church Leaders to the manifest evil (Jesus' millstone would be a less severe punishment for it) remarked that "they just don't get it". I am afraid that the same words could be applied about the Faith in these times, to many of us who fail to bear witness, respond and do the will of our Father.

Dear Lord let me live out this day in nearness to you. I am your creature but have the freedom given by you to cooperate in your loving purpose. Please let my will be one with yours. May Mary whom you have shared with us as Mother lead all your saints in prayer for the Holy Souls and for each one of us here on Earth, especially those who are known to you as mine.