07/01/2023

John's letter warns us yet again of the Anti-Christ who is so quickly present in his first century world. There are already false prophets who contradict the Good News and the world is full of spirits which inspire but cannot be trusted until they have been discerned as either good or evil.

Are these spirits literally present or are they the thoughts that come into our minds from somewhere seemingly at random. Is our world filled with Angels and Devils who are continually at war for the souls of men? The spirits that John writes of are very real to him but not to be feared because the devils can be contained by an Act of Faith. Jesus is God Incarnate, born of Mary, lived in Palestine was crucified, died and was buried to rise again on the third day.

If we are to become the person God has created us to be we must make this confession for it is the grace of Jesus on Calvary that feeds our souls. The first centuries of the Church founded on Peter were spent in continually battles against those who wanted to be prophets of their own versions of the Good News. 

The battle has still not subsided but our now seemingly weakened Church which civilised the tribes of invaders that overcame the Western Empire has now to face the greatest spirit of the Anti-Christ opposing God. It is we ourselves, mankind who are still Adam and Eve deliberately choosing to live praising and worshipping the achievements of mankind and forgetting the babe, our God Incarnate who is still revealed to wise men.

Dear Lord you know how mankind can access so much information and how so much that appears on our screens does not build up the Body of Christ that is your Church to the end of time. May Mary and all the saints continue to plead for our hearts to be opened to accept your grace which is your gift to us but does require the assent of our loving will.