30/05/2023

In the first reading we move away from the Old Testament as history of God's revelation but turn to it as  a source of "wisdom". It presents a human reflection on what we all experience as we live our lives. For the Jews the experience of being human in the real world has always been different but their progress as " civilised" humans has been no different than that of other civilised nations and so they have progressed along parallel lines with their near and far neighbours.

The difference between the writers of the "Wisdom Literature" and the sages and philosophers of the pre-Christian World is that not only did they develop their own ideas but they also had the support of God in their "Theo/Philo sophy". The Covenant was the focus of their consciousness and being virtuous in the sight of IAMIAM was their goal.

Jesus is the Son of God. He is not one of a Pantheon. He is not a philosophical concept. He is not a prisoner on the "Wheel of Life".  He is One with the non-consuming fire witnessed by Moses, with the Three at Mamre,"the still small voice" on Carmel. Jesus is the one accepted on our behalf by Mary, followed and deserted by the disciples, tortured and crucified by my sins.

This morning Jesus knows the human ambition that is hidden in the depths of Peter's question and tells us somewhat ambiguously ( does he mean that we will have success in the here and now as well as in heaven?) that we have to focus as did his Jewish forefathers solely on Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to use our freedom to practise virtue, follow the Good News and thus be sure of Eternal Life. 

Dear Lord, may my prayer be as sincerely in tune with your love as you have  made it possible for me to be. May I continue this day in closeness to you and in unity with your peoples alive and dead with the support of our Mother Mary may I and mine be protected from the snares of Evil until we find our true home with you.