21/02/2023

St Peter Damian's was a voice pleading for the condemnation of the cesspit Church of his day. The moral corruption of clergy, the power of prelates and the forsaking of the Cross had produced more than two centuries of failure for the Church that had been founded to channel the Grace gained for us by the humility of our God.

There is no-one who can read today's readings without recalling Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees. "Do as they say but not as they do". The passage from Ecclesiasticus comforts us with the steadfastness that the love of God brings to us. The psalmist has no doubts that if I truly trust in the Lord then I will live and be secure, confident that he will never desert me. The Psalms are all lovely and especially this one. They were the prayer book of Jesus and their words are recollections of the joy of knowing Father, Son and Holy Spirit which sometimes happens when we escape ourselves and for a moment, a fleeting second truly know our place in Creation.

Even the first group of disciples, walking in the company of Jesus himself, was already disputing about rank. Human quarrels have continued since those first days to mar the love that has to radiate from Christ's Body on Earth. 

Reading the history of the Popes in St Peter Damian's time it is hard to believe that such an organisation has been able to continue. The Holy Spirit cannot be in the vast wealth that cripples the grace of the Father won for it by the humility of the Son, he is not in the stupidity of  hedonism that dominates the lives of false bishops and priests, but the people of the Church still stumble along. 

It must be in the "little children" who cling devotedly to "Our Father" and to Mary, our Mother that there is the Faith and Holy Spirit that Jesus will find at the end of time. It is true that there is "no salvation outside the Church" but the true Church is found only in the hearts of men and not in their possessions and organisational structures.

Dear Lord today is a  day of resolution as we begin tomorrow to prepare for the Three Days that have saved mankind. Let my will become firmly fixed on your Will for all mankind and may the prayers of Mary and all Saints be heard and look favourably on your servant Flo whose funeral is today. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen