19/01/2023

The first thing that I try to do as soon as I open this machine is read the Mass Readings on Universalis. Then I have to open Blogger to begin straight away my thoughts and prayers. Often, in the split seconds that this takes, my mind is snatched from the Word by the trivialities that spring up unsummoned on the screen in front of me.

This morning "My God I delight in your law in the depth of my heart" from the Psalm struck an immediate chord with me and I was filled with empathy for the psalmist's words. I saw with joy the reading from "Hebrews" as bedrock for the faith which has been taught by the Apostles and the Church from the first days after the Resurrection before there were any Scriptures of the Good News.

The Old Testament's Covenant was renewed in the Temple. The writer of Hebrews knows our New Covenant is Jesus. He is priest, victim, sacrifice and temple for is man as we are and eternal Eucharistic presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in his Church.

I can understand why St. Antony took himself into the desert away from the distractions of Alexandria. I can understand for my mind is always so ready to chase trivialities that even as I read the Gospel this morning, the thought came into my mind that although Jesus told those he had cured to keep it to themselves he knew that that was a forlorn hope, so he made ready to get into the boat to avoid the crush on the shore.

Dear Lord you know that I am happy to be alive. Job taught us that we must accept everything that comes to us in life as your will. You know the sinful messes that I have created by myself and that at this moment of human happiness all of the dangers you have pulled me from are forgotten by me. May Mary and all the Saints help me to atone for the evil of my sinfulness and to never forget that the Crucifixion had to precede the joy of the Resurrection.