26/10/2023

St Paul's letter to the Romans continues the image of slavery.

God, however, has created us with the freedom to choose to either live enslaved to hopeless sin or willingly to live lives devoted to the Love which manifests itself in the Incarnation. We are miniscule, feeble and powerless beings even though collectively we seem to have achieved so much . The Love which is Father, Son and Holy Spirit has created us to be free beings for whom the only righteous choice has been empowered by the promise of the Holy Cross.

"True man" means that Jesus is exactly the same as we all are. His body is begotten not made. He has all the organs of any mammal, just as we have. He is the human Son of the Father and faced the same temptations that assail all of us. Thinking as a human he wished that his "Baptism" would soon be over.

He tells his disciples that he will not enforce  "peace on earth" by Divine power. Resurrection does not change the humanity of our being. Our world will always  be composed of individuals who continue to put self before the "other". 

The blazing fire is not that of destruction, that is in the power of Satan. Jesus longs for us all to be consumed by the fire of the Holy Spirit which is the strength of the New Creation, the Resurrection, the only hope.  Each of us can and must break the chains of slavery and turning with gratitude to Father, Son and Holy Spirit pray; 

"Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil."

Dear Lord let the words of your guidance to us become the prayer of my heart to share with all your Church, living and dead. Amen