25/02/2023

God has a "Chosen People", the Nation Israel" but the holiness that is like God's is achieved by the holiness of the individuals who make up that Nation. The Holy Spirit inspired Isaiah is preaching to Jews with words that are meant for all humanity. A Jew is not blessed by God because he is a Jew but because he knows his place in the Nation, Israel. He is not blessed because he begins and ends his day with "Shema y' Israel" but because he breathes and lives by the Law and especially observes the Sabbath. His prayer has to lead to personal holiness supported by good deeds.

A Christian is not blessed by God because he is in the Church. A Christian is not blessed because he affirms that Jesus is the Son of  Father Son and Holy Spirit. He is not blessed because he knows that he is in the Church founded by Christ on Peter..He is not blessed because he acclaims Jesus as Lord but because he lives and breathes by the will of the Father and witnesses this by his good deeds.

This morning Jesus again provokes thought about the man, Jesus. He too would have begun his day with "Shema y'Israel" and done everything to follow the Law. The Pharisees catch him out for he is again not scrupulous about the company with whom he shares food. Jesus rebukes them. "I have not come to call the virtuous but sinners to repentance." It is the sick who need the doctor.

The Pharisees get, yet again, an awfully bad press but today is Jesus recognising them as "the virtuous"who do not need to be cured?

Dear Lord let me remain open to your grace and with full penitence seek forgiveness for all my sins.May the prayers of Mary and all the Saints who know the perfection of your Love continue to support me and all sinners here on Earth and in Purgatory.