30/08/2023

The First and Second Readings  for this morning are both from the New Testament. They are held together by the O.T. Psalm that sings in praise of the "Ever Greater". The Psalmist rejoices that everything is entirely known by our God. Everything!

St Paul speaks directly to his converts and reminds them and, thus all Pastors, that he laboured to bring the Good News to them. While he was with them he worked to support himself and acted as does a father diligently caring for each of his family. Paul praises God for the way in which the Thessalonians reacted to his message. It seems that he did not have the trouble with them that he had experienced at his previous stop along the road.

Jesus again warns us to beware of hypocrisy. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God praised by the Psalmist knows everything. He knows us better than we can ever know ourselves. Everyday I have to try to confront my own being which includes everything I have ever done and includes the present moment. 

Today the Church remembers three Martyrs of England. They were killed by the State for refusing to acknowledge the State-Sponsored Church. 

I can only ask and pray that each Mass-celebrant in England today compares his own self with Margaret Clitheroe, Ann Ward and Ann Line and give an honest answer to "Do I believe and trust in Father, Son and Holy Spirit as did they? Do I love and respect the Church as they did? Do I live and preach as did St Paul?"

Dear Lord, you know what I am and how I try to live according to your will. I fail because of my own faults. Your Church has to first worship you in truth and then guide sinners along the way to truth and eternal life. Let her free herself from the World and Mammon and with the humility of St Paul truly care for sinners in this world by being seamlessly united with Mary and all the Saints and Martyrs who in heaven make one Church, (the Mystical Body),with the repentant in Purgatory and with us who are still striving here on Earth.