03/10/2023

A Moslem colleague once said to me that the most outstanding thing about Jesus is "Turn the other cheek".

There are some sects that have tried to turn these words into the reality of their lives on Earth. Nobody can say that these people are wrong but, the Church founded on Peter has condemned them as heretics.

Jesus completely denied a place for Mammon in the Temple. The driving out of the money changers from the Temple is the only violent act recorded of Jesus. Our Crusader popes even had promised a plenary indulgence for those joining the rabble that, inspired by greed for Mammon, sacked Constantinople.

In the morning of the Crucifixion Jesus told Peter to put his sword back into its scabbard. "He who lives by the sword will die by the sword". Since then Popes and Bishops have blessed armies and the weapons of war.

St Augustine was gifted with an amazing intelligence and was able to develop the concept of a "just war". "He was too clever for his own good ". Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the person of the Incarnation accepted the unimaginable agony in the Garden and death on the cross.

In today's Gospel, Jesus rebuked James and John for their request to destroy the Samaritan village. He himself knew that the rejection of himself by some of the Galilean villages would not be beneficial for those villagers. He is not seeking revenge when he knows that the Temple of Jerusalem will be destroyed. 

God has always known everything possible that can happen in his creation. He has given us all free will which means that there are billions of possible outcomes for each second of human life. The events of world history are known by God in his timelessness but have never been an inevitably predetermined fate. 

Dear Lord, In your love for us there is no room for anyone to become an inevitable victim. But there are innocents harmed and killed everyday. May the hearts of us all be opened to receive your grace that ensures we make holy our time on earth and refuse to be guided by sinful men slaves of their own egos and supported by Satan. Your mother Mary witnessed your suffering may her call for us to care for all her children be answered today. May my sins and those of all sinners be forgiven and receive your mercy in the fullness of your justice.