03/06/2023

Today the Church celebrates the faith displayed in martyrdom by Charles Lwanga and his companions. Africa has suffered much at the hands of Christian and Moslem nations who have used great force to take from the Africans what they wanted with no justification at all other than "might is right".

In the first reading the writer continues to praise God for the peace of mind brought to him by wisdom. He can understand his place in the world and his relationship to God. I too find comfort in trying to understand the scriptures and theological commentaries on them.

Jesus is confronted by the theologians of his day. They are challenging his "authority" to speak about God as he has not taken part in any formal "formation" process. The interpretation of the Law is in their hands alone. Jesus knows that they are worldly wise and sets them up with a sophist's unanswerable question as his reply.

God's ways are not ours. Jesus could have answered the chief priests and scribes directly. God could have saved Charles from death. We are all aware of events that leave us questioning why God does not act either to support victims or prevent tragedies from happening. In Gethsemane Jesus pleaded that the cup be taken away from him but in his perseverance he won for us salvation. 

In this world we have to accept God's Providence as the only reality we can know here and  entrust our entire Faith, Hope and Love to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the sure knowledge that in that moment when we die we will be the simple ones to whom our God reveals everything that we need to be fulfilled in the being he has created for us to share.

Dear Lord, may I have the grace to face death in complete loving acceptance of your will. Heaven cannot be won even by the most heroic virtue for it is you who decide and are perfect in your judgment. Our Lady is the only human who has been created fit for Eternity may she and all the saints welcome today the unknown martyrs and devoted souls who by thy grace have persevered in their devotion  to you until the hour of their death. May their souls and the souls of all the Faithfull departed rest in peace. Amen.