27/11/2023

The Book of Daniel is not written by any of the human protagonists. I have to say that because I remember very clearly that when a Deacon preached in our local church from this book many years ago he set the scene by referring to its composition date, about 200 years before Christ only to raise the ire of one of the congregation who stood up at the end of his homily to castigate "this man", one of the newly appointed "Permanent Deacons",  and all the others who denied the literal truth of the Bible.

We can all make mistakes. Yesterday I thought that we would begin the "First Week of Advent" today but, of course every week begins on a Sunday. 

Some years ago I too succumbed to anger in the same local church. I had written  a letter to the Editor of the main Catholic Journal of England condemning the modern practice of having Christmas trees in our churches, even in the sanctuaries. 

I had pointed out that the "Christmas Tree" is undoubtedly the symbol of "the commercialization of Christmas" and takes away the integrity of homilies warning us about "the commercialization of Christmas" when preached in front of a Christmas Tree. Our priest took my complaint self-centredly and put on a performance of righteous anger attacking  and condemning me from the ambo.

I am still ashamed of my response but still suspicious of the "Institution" not only because of the sinful corruption with which it is still filled but also of its historical performance. "Outside of the Church there can be no Salvation" but does the Vatican have a monopoly on the mystical body whose life-blood is the Grace created by its head on Calvary?

Dear Lord, you know that my heart has been broken by acknowledging the sinfulness of the Church. I am outside of the Sacraments but filled with hope that I can be given a place in your Mystical Body and that I really do pray with personal integrity and honesty. Your Mother is the source of your humanity and is "Our Lady". I pray that my prayers can be joined with hers and those of all the saints in "heart-felt praise of your Kingdom, Power and Glory" and that I can for today avoid adding to the sins of my life. Blessed, be God for ever.