03/03/2023

For thousands of years God has been revealing to us that our lives are to be led in righteousness. He is quite clear that we are free to do as we please but that our freedom has to show that we know that he is our Loving Creator and that we can understand how and why we must control our sinfulness. 

God scoffs at an opinion that attributes to Him a wish to destroy the life he has created. He calls to all  sinners that we have to have to cry out from the depths of our despair and shame. We do not have to remain in sin, our destiny is not in oblivion or in eternal regret but in the joy without end for which he has created us.

The outward observances of the Temple can only be pleasing to God when they are more than skin deep, They have to be the outward sign of inward grace. Jesus again offers the Pharisees as examples of hypocrisy. I can find many similar examples in my own life without looking at the spectacular failures of our own Church.

There cannot be holiness in my life without inner integrity. The "me" that is in the world must first of all have a holiness that puts Father, Son and Holy Spirit before myself; a holiness that puts the needs and persons of others before myself; a holiness that listens to the words of "Our Father" and does them.

The Funeral prayer of the Church, the "De profundis" is today's psalm. It tells us that our God is always ready to forgive but we must make the efforts needed before we hear these words from our graves.

                        "If you Lord should mark our guilt who would survive?"

Dear Lord you know what I have been trying to do at this keyboard this morning. I pray that I can become more acceptable to you but know that you are with me to love and guide me. May the prayers of Mary and all the Saints help all to come into your presence and may the soul of Bill you know him find peace in your love.