11/01/2022

It is clear from today's first reading that the Apostles and early Christians had quickly come to an understanding of the huge significance of the recent events that they had witnessed. The eternal Son had become truly flesh and blood. He was completely human even though it is entirely possible that he could have had a totally spiritual being as an angel but chose to be a human, a fellow Jew descended from Abraham. 

The first Church was not just good fellowship and charismatic gatherings but was also a careful listening to the Holy Spirit. Mary's pondering in her heart became the norm for the first Christians. The Acts of the Apostles recalls the exuberance of the first years; the rapidity of conversions but the letters of Paul reveal the depths of thought and the fight against false teachers. 

The theology of the Church was not at first a collection of books understood by a few scholars. That is the "letter of the Law" that the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had become and condemned by Jesus. "Theology" was the proclamation of the Resurrection by eyewitnesses and their disciples. Jews were the only opponents for they knew Father Son and Holy Spirit in the person of the Father. All the other gods were supported by local rites and mysteries but without, at that time, a codified underlying structure as was the Old Testament, although they did attempt to develop systems in response to Christian thought.

Jesus cured the sick and drove out devils and thus by the grace of God attracted the Apostles Simon, Andrew, James and John. They witnessed the first public words and deeds of Jesus on earth; they were destined to also witness the last and thus with Mary bring the way, the truth and the life to all subsequent generations and to us.

Dear Lord help me to pray with my whole being . Let me follow Jesus into the lonely place that is my room and there in my heart do what I can to know, love and obey. May Mary continue to lead the Saints in the eternal worship of heaven and pray for the grace that if our hearts are open can fill the whole world with your love.