02/03/23

Although the Church, the institution that has emerged throughout the passage of time, seems far distant from that witnessed by the Gospels and the Acts, she has not lost the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The daily Liturgy of the Church in the World is as truly as inspired by Father, Son and Holy Spirit as is that of the Religious Orders. It is hard to believe that the Church supported violence against the Jews at any historical time as the Scriptures, both Old and New are the core of her liturgical practises.

Today it is the extollation of the Faith that was the Heart of the Jewish Nation that begins the liturgy. Esther is portrayed as having the knowledge that God is always with his chosen people even in their exile from the Temple; "I am alone and have no one but you". The psalm takes up this theme and sings of thanks for the faithfulness of our Father.

Jesus, true God and true Man was brought up in the bosom of a righteous Jewish family. He was totally as Jewish as was Esther. He is the final revelation of the will of God whom he now shows us to be three persons but one substance. He is the son of the owner of the vineyard who is killed by the tenants to takeover possession of what has never been theirs although they had the use of it by permission of the Father.

Jesus teaches that God has been, is now and ever shall be ready to listen to his people but that if we want to inherit a place in the vineyard, his Kingdom, then we have to treat other people as we would like them to treat us.This is still a very big "ask" for all of us.

Dear Lord help me to be at peace with myself and all the others that I encounter each day . Let me always be able to to truly know that each one of us on Earth is here to conform to your will and have only love in our hearts for that is the greatest of the gifts you give to us. May Mary and all the Saints of heaven be heard by you as within their Joy there is always room for even more of the faithful who do your will on earth.