28/12/2022

In the years immediately following the Resurrection, the Good News of redemption was spread purely by word of mouth initially in the  East but incredibly quickly into the Western Provinces ,Gaul and Spain. The message was spread by the Apostles who were able to travel safely by land and sea in the Peace of Rome which provided the incubation period for our Faith to grow. The only texts that were in use were the scrolls and Greek manuscripts of the Old Testament. The Antioch known by Peter and the Alexandria of Mark were centers of learning and innovation as too were the islands Cyprus and Malta. St John's Ephesus and the smaller cities of the Ionian hinterland were highly prosperous and cultivated centres were the Word was accepted and pondered.

John's Gospel and letters were written not only for the synagogues but also for intellectual pagans who too could appreciate not only the deeds but also the depths of the teaching of our Saviour. Thus he can begin this letter with the nature of God as revealed by Jesus. The all-forgiving nature of our God is revealed in Jesus and expressed by his death which has opened up the gates of God's mercy to the whole world. All the Apostles and Evangelists proclaim the Resurrection and it is this faith in the "impossible"that converted both Jews and Pagans and is the core of our faith today.

I suppose that pagans living in the cultic centres like Antioch Paphos and Ephesus were aware of other gods and must have known the synagogues of Jews whose great temple in Jerusalem rivalled their own in splendour and in the contents of its vaults. What did they make of these "fanatics" who came to denounce the "gods" and proclaim the Resurrection. They came not as conquering hordes but weak and powerless, unarmed except by the faith with which they had been graced  and with the knowledge of Father, Son and Holy Spirit which brings with it peace that is beyond our understanding; the Kingdom of God which is not of this world.

Dear Lord help me to overcome the petty core of my selfishness and let me reach out to you without thought for appearances but with sincere recognition that it is you and you alone who create and save all mankind. We have to forget material trappings and pray to know you as did your Apostles, Joseph  and your mother. May Mary's prayers bring righteousness to the Church which is in a weakened state that only your grace can inspire back to true holiness.