25/01/2023

St Paul's conversion on his way to Damascus is probably the third most staggering event in the history of mankind. It is also a result of God's direct intervention in the affairs of his creation, our world. There has never been anything greater than the Incarnation and the Resurrection, but the results of Paul's conversion have shaped both the Church, Christ's Body on Earth and the way of life that is followed by most of the world's population even if they profess to be non-Christians and even Atheists.

The first Christians who were convinced that Jesus would be returning on the "clouds of Heaven" in their lifetimes must have been disappointed that this did not happen but this disappointment is not recorded anywhere that I have read about. Modern Christians have tried to access the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues. Snake handling has been part of some renewal movements. I have never heard of "poison drinking"being tried by any sect. The curing of the sick is what we still practise and their sacramental anointing  is still one of the functions of the Priesthood.

Reading these words of Jesus recorded by Mark, I feel the sort of pressure felt by our Bishops when forced by secular authorities to account for their cover ups  made to protect their abusing priests. The scandal of their coverups is as great a sin as the abuse inflicted on their victims but they felt forced to deny knowledge of wrong doing. We should all openly face up to our sins and trust to the mercy of our Father, "the Dad"of Jesus..

Denying the truth of part of the Gospel is truly gut-wrenching for me but I feel forced to say that Jesus is not recorded in the Gospels as ever having drunk poison or picked up snakes and the Incarnation is the proof that Father, Son and Holy Spirit never expect us to do anything beyond human capabilities. Jesus stretched his human body to the absolute limits on the cross before accepting death as the completion of his Father's will for him. It is death that leads to a new beginning before that Last Coming when God will be all in all and our present bodies will become like the body of the Resurrection.

Dear Lord, you know that I am sincerely trying to live as you have wanted us all to do from the days of Adam and Eve until now. Jesus is the template of perfection and he assures us that we can move mountains if our Faith is strong enough and similarly the snakes and poison of Mark are figures of speech rather than literal proofs of holiness. May the prayers of Mary our heavenly Mother be fruitful in the grace that pours forth from the blessed wounds of Jesus our Lord and our Saviour who is both truly man and with you and the Holy Spirit one God, Creator and Inspiration.