19/03/2023

In John's Gospel this is the only Passover celebrated in Jerusalem . It is the time of God's culminating Sacrifice. Jesus, the Son, accepts the will of the Father, is crucified and raised to a new form of never-ending life, to open the way for the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of the faithful. Our new covenant has one Sacrifice which is endlessly repeated in the Being of the Trinity and remembered in this world by the  bloodless, spiritual sacrifice offered to bring  the real presence of God into our hearts and into our church buildings.

Samuel whose whole life was dedicated to God is guided to David by the Lord. The youngest of the sons was trusted to guard the sheep. The experience of guiding and guarding the sheep was the recollection  in his later years that inspired the much loved psalm" The Lord is my Shepherd". All our lives can become much more fruitful and meaningful if we can gain and retain the spiritual calm and peace that comes with the absolute trust in God that is the essence of this ancient prayer.

St Paul teaches that we should live in the absolute light of faith. Sin keeps itself hidden. St Paul would have to rethink his images in my world where sin shouts from the roof tops, stares at Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the face, and in challenging our God denies his very existence. 

Dear Lord let your grace keep me from  sin that I have fought against all my life. I hope that I can become truly penitent and in always trying to do your will, show in.my life the Love that you lavish on the whole world. May Mary lead all the saints in the struggle we have on earth against the selfish gullibility that makes us easy prey for Satan and all his works.