27/07/2023

"Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God." The history of the Israelites wanderings is filled with fantastic events that are hard to believe really happened. The whole of the Revelation of the Old Testament consists of events that challenge belief. During his preparation in the desert Jesus answered the temptation to change stones into bread using the quotation from the Old Testament that immediately came into my mind when I was confronted with the First Reading of today's mass.

How can it be that the "People of God" could ever backslide after witnessing the Revelation on Mt Sinai?How could they ever lose sight of God who has never completely withdrawn his care, his "targeted providence" from them? 

The New Testament is the commentary on the completion by the Word of the events known in the Beginning. It is too short to be a "live broadcast" Jesus, the Word of God is with us and is welcomed first by Mary who accepted the message of an Angel. God is something greater than Spirit but has his Providence enacted by Angels and Humans and gives each individual Human the freedom to accept or deny his revealed will for us.

So, why do I struggle to believe the Thunder, Clouds and Lightening of Mount Sinai? I have no trouble in accepting and believing without quibble the record of  conception, the miracles of his life, death in torment and Resurrection of the Son that is the New Testament, the record of events much more beyond human understanding than those of the Old. Could it be that Jesus' message is directed to each little one of us and need not be filtered by a Worldly human institution be it Nation or Church?

Dear Lord you know that I am troubled in my heart by the fear of arriving at the end of this life consumed with fear, the result of guilt. May I be accepted into your mercy and allowed to suffer here or in Purgatory as penance for all the sins that I have committed during my life. May Mary lead all of Heaven in prayer for your Mercy to be shown to and accepted by all the struggling souls on earth and may all sinners and Holy Souls be truly penitent and know that you are our God.