15/08/2023

John's vision has always puzzled me. It seems an awful lot of imagination. An awful lot of symbolism in contrast to the direct words of Paul. John hears a great shout from his vision of heaven. The Old Testament is concluded. 

Paul teaches "Just as all men sinned in Adam so will all men be brought to life in Christ; but all in their proper order ". Christ is the first fruit of the new harvest. At the Ascension Jesus began the new creation in which "there are many mansions". He is completely God but he is also the New Man who dazzled St Paul into blindness. 

He is the first human to be with the Father body and soul. Mary who is much more glorious than the tongue of man can say, was born without sin;. her body sheltered the natural growth of the true man and true God; it is as "Theotokos" that she is taken to her rightful place, body and soul, in the heaven that is the "still quiet place"full of love.

Mary's song of praise raised in the hill country of Judea echoes throughout the Universe of time and space. There is, has been and will be nothing greater than Father Son and Holy Spirit; Holy is his name!

Dear Lord my heart can sing with Mary in the joy of my "being". In the purity of her being there was no need for forgiveness but she carried your Son to be born "Saviour of the World" and saviour of me. May the hearts and minds of all  sinners be open to receive the free gift of your mercy, which is greater than any thought that can be thought by man. Help me to keep my thoughts centered on you during the next three days that I will be away.