24/03/2023

One of the things about our lives taught by Jesus is that there is a a clear division of souls after our deaths. We hear of "sheep and goats", "paradise" and a place or state of "weeping and gnashing of teeth". The Old Testament is more concerned with reward and punishment in the here and now, in our present lives.

In the reading from "Wisdom" this morning the word "Hades" is used to reflect on our beings after death. "Sheol" the "landfill" rubbish-dump for Jerusalem is also  used to indicate a state of shadowy being after death. In the parable of poor man rich man, Lazarus is compensated for his lifetime suffering while Dives is in torment unable even to communicate with the "Bosom of Abraham". He has had his reward.

The Psalm tells us that the "Lord is close to the brokenhearted". Our spirits are not crushed by God. It is we ourselves who have to know that we have done nothing for ourselves. There is no such thing as the  "self-made man". We have to crush our own egos and pride. Many of us in this twenty-first century live lives as comfortable as did the richest of Jesus' time on earth. This is a great burden for us as our mental and physical comfort continually reassure us to the extent that we never give a thought to the creator  of everything which we cling to, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jesus joins the Feast of Tabernacles separately from his family. He is recognised in his Father's House on the day that his people celebrate God who was with them when they wandered in Sinai. The Temple wants to kill him there and then but that had to happen at a later Feast.

Dear Lord, I need to thank you always for my life. Teach me to pray from my heart. I keep on thinking that I have not done any penance for my sins. Let me accept everything that you will for me.May Mary with all the Saints continue in their support of the Holy Souls and we sinners here on Earth. Let me always avoid self-satisfaction knowing that without the sacrifice made on Calvary nothing would be possible for me.