14/07/2023

The people to whom Our Lord preached during his time on earth were mostly familiar with the events we read about/listen to in the the First Readings at mass and with the lyrical praise of God that is the Psalm. Their minds were prepared to receive a new message from God who had been worshipped and pondered upon for more than a thousand years previously by their ancestors.

This was a help and a hindrance to our Lord. The wishy washy among his people could be easily swayed by Jesus' person and his miracles. The fully devoted were another story. They had been meticulous followers of the Law of Moses and had devoted their whole beings to the yearly round of feasts and the worship in the Temple. 

They, who had spent years studying the Scriptures, could not possibly accept the "blasphemies" uttered by this uneducated carpenter's son from Galilee, where "Jews" dwelt among Samaritans and idolatrous pagans. Pigs were even herded there; "what good could come out of Galilee?"

Jesus knows that it will be an impossible task to reveal the Single Being IAMIAM as Father, Son and Holy Spirit to the rock solid monotheists that He, the Father and Holy Spirit had loved and guided with such providential care. The human pride at their chosen place had long since captured their beings and they are indeed still a "stiff-necked" race.

Jesus in today's Gospel prepares the Apostles for the hatred that will be stirred up by their message of Truth. It is not Jesus who brings the horror of bloody strife into families and nations. The evil is created within the individuals who do not accept the peace that Jesus offers to the whole world. Each of our souls by not saying "yes" to Father Son and Holy Spirit" has refused "peace", has brought evil into our being and it is this evil that reacts  to create the horrors of sinful life that we blame on anybody but ourselves.

Dear Lord, I know that I am responsible for my own sinfulness and humbly seek pardon. I know that your merciful forgiveness is a free gift won for us on Calvary but we have to accept punishment in this world or the next. May my soul always be open to the mercy that is won for us by the prayers of Mary and all the saints and may my opportunities to study your ways as interpreted by men on earth not be lost to sloth.