24/07/2023

The Exodus of the whole people, Israel, from Egypt is not the only mass movement of tribes recorded in human history. Something like it is still happening with terrible results for many of the would be migrants.The Old Testament interprets the Providence of God mainly in human terms and attributes to God human emotions. Today an irritated IAMIAM prepares to answer the murmurings of his people by creating a path through the sea for them to follow to safety and to teach the Egyptians a lesson. 

The justified anger displayed by Jesus in the Temple when he confronted the money changers and animal sellers was as part of his "true man" as were his bodily needs, but Father, Son and Holy Spirit are only Love; not the human sentimental love of the fluttering heart or the desire of the fluttering eyelids but the steady flow of goodwill and encouragement we have for our children. God wants the best for his children.

Jesus is not a "sign" that comes from God. He is the "best" that God wills for us. We must know him  from the scriptures and follow his example of the "Golden Rule". We have to consider others' needs before our own we have to do this in our lifetimes for this is the "best" and only chance we can ever be given. Jesus is our salvation.

In the Gospel, the devout among the Scribes and Pharisees have cornered Jesus as a mass of modern  journalists might corner a politician or celebrity and hope to distract him into a misjudged comment. Jesus does not debate with them or with us. 

It is when we are without belief in our own faith; it is when we do not trust the message that is in our own created being, it  is when a "but"begins to answer a "hard saying" that we ask for a sign from God and join the ranks of scribes and pharisees whose pride and self-love leads them to challenge God to his face. Their rejoinder to God's self manifestation is " You say you are God. OK? Prove it!!"There is a very simple "best" that God requires from us all and that is an unconditional "yes"to his revelation of his Being revealed in Jesus' life, death and Resurrection.

Dear Lord let my being be always ready to accept your will for me. Let my acceptance be unclouded by selfishness. I truly atone for my sins but have been driven out of the Church you founded on Peter. Is it possible that I can still be in a Church that is founded on your Love and Mercy. A Church which is truly your Mystical Body on Earth and thus uncontaminated  by any sin?