16/09/2023

May God have mercy on the souls who were recently torn from their bodies by the sort of flash flood that Jesus uses as an image in today's Gospel. The peoples living in the dry regions of the world have always been, paradoxically, subject to floods. Jesus' listeners knew exactly what he meant as they themselves lived in houses that had steadily encroached into the wadis that had been dry for decades.

St Paul knows himself to be a sinner. He is far distant from his God but Christ has used him to show that we need never despair for if we sincerely beg forgiveness for our sins the Love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit will envelop us and we will be supported in our new life of penitence as he has been since his conversion.

Both Cornelius and Cyprian, whose feast is today, as Bishops of quite large flocks were confronted by the large scale defections from the Church in the face of systematic persecution. What were they to do about those who, after the persecution wanted to return to the Church? One answer was to accept them as "penitents" but not allow them to ever become fully communicants. 

Cornelius as Bishop of Rome refused to condemn his brethren to this sort of "non-being". The schematics believed that that perfect holiness of Jesus should be seen in the Christianity that had been established by the him. I find it not hard to be swayed by that point of view. Even in the third century there were thousands of people who proclaimed "Lord Lord"but did not act as he did. 

Jesus' message was all about saving souls. He did not offer respect to the paraphernalia or self importance of the religious authorities of his day but he did respect their teaching, the Scriptures. In the third century he spoke directly to the Agatha, Agnes, Marcus, Cornelius, Cyprian and all the other martyrs who truly followed him to the death. 

The Church of the third Century was already too concerned about its place as an organisation in this world. Later in the first millennium it would it would bear very little resemblance to the Jesus who had proclaimed that the Kingdom of God is not of this world.

Dear Lord, you know what I must do to follow the path through life that will match your will for me. Let me find this path and stay true to it. It is true that only you can forgive sin. You specifically passed this authority onto Peter and the other Apostles so Cornelius and Cyprian were following in your merciful footsteps. The problems created by unworthy clergy are still with us. Let your Church on earth be purged of the wickedness that does no good for any of us sinners who sincerely seek your grace. May Mary who was already leading the saints in heavenly prayer in those days continue to do so that I and all other sinners can repent of our sins and die to receive our deserved punishment in Purgatory.We are all in your hands . Thy will be done here today as it has always been and will ever be so. Amen