12/12/2022

I lost the first version of this post. This is also a first for me. Balaam a soothsayer and priest of false gods was sent by his ruler to view and curse the Israelites. Moses and the tribes of slaves and "have-nots " had been wandering through the uninhabited lands bordering both Syria and Egypt for some years. The rulers and owners of the settlements, small but still civilised kingdoms of the "nations" had been aware of them for some time and were wondering with apprehension, which  was not uncalled for in view of the subsequent events performed by God's chosen people, where they would choose to settle down. On viewing the Israelites' camp Balaam prepared himself to "prophesy"and to his own surprise uttered not a curse but a paean of praise for the tents of Moses and a forecast of a glorious future for the people camped there.

The Church can see in this random prophesy a reference to the Founder of our Faith. Humanity has always lived in the created Universe where time rules our every action. God is totally beyond all understanding no matter how hard we try, but we do know how he is not. We know that for Father, Son and Holy Spirit there is no time and that God is, as it were, an. eternal "now". God has touched humanity at many times and in many ways in human time and it is from these revelations that we can understand the purpose for our being.

Jesus the culmination of God's purpose in choosing Israel is the Incarnate Son and the Pharisees, who also do not know what they do and so merit forgiveness, have no chance of winning this discussion. I always feel sympathy for the Moabites and other nations who are displaced to make way for the "chosen ones" and for the Pharisees too, who were only doing their best. Jesus teaches that we must not put ourselves first. God is always first and then neighbour the one who is not myself. Most of us fall far short of this basic virtue. The poor Pharisees have convinced themselves that their pettifogging adherence to Law is not self-aggrandisement but is doing God's will on earth. They are totally sincere in their sinful folly. How many of us are also "not getting it"?

Dear Lord, do not remember the sins of my youth and let me now remember your love and show this in as many ways as possible, let me be one of your poor and humble whom you guide on the right path. May Mary support my pleas for her Church on Earth that she show that she is truly the Body of Christ on earth and that it is Incarnate Son who is the sinless head of whom we form the body.