15/06/2023

St Paul is speaking of and to the Jews of the Old Testament. They are devoted to the scriptures but their minds do not accept the Light of Christ, the foretelling of which is the sole purpose of the revelation made to them and their ancestors.

Jesus tells us straightforwardly that it is by our relationships with each other that we will be judged. All of us who have ever been given the gift of Life will be judged on our conduct towards each person we meet in this world.

Paul's message is that Christ is everything for us; Christ in his mother's arms, Christ walking with his disciples, Christ near to despair in the Garden, Christ dead on the Cross is the finality of Gods' witness which becomes Christ, the Son, in the Glory of the Resurrection who captured Saul, the persecutor, on the road to Damascus  and was then witnessed and preached by St Paul for the rest of his life.

St Matthew, who had walked with and been taught by the carpenter from Nazareth, had experienced the joy of being with the "Messiah", had been enthralled by his wisdom and sorely disappointed by the outcome on Calvary records in his Gospel,  how Jesus, by his words and deeds epitomised the Law of Moses, and by his death becomes the triumphant Glory and Light of God's Love in the Resurrection.

All who are living now are walking together separated by disputes, irritated and annoyed, disgusted by the behaviour of others great and small, already knowing that "Hell is other people"and not within us, will have at our time of death  have to face ourselves in the Light within which there is place only for Truth.

How can any of us face that eternal reality without the Mercy that is Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Dear Lord help me to live according to your teaching revealed conclusively by Jesus. Let me know you as Father and sustained by your Holy Spirit let me turn away from sin and direct myself only towards you. May Mary and the Saints of heaven continue to beseech your Grace for all of us on earth who cannot accept that living in your Providence is the only way that leads to your eternal Glory which is an instant that knows no before or after. Have Mercy on all our souls let the forgiveness poured out on Calvary bring pardon to the Holy Souls who are learning to forget self and love only you.