24/11/2023

The deaths of Andrew and his companions in what is now Vietnam could have been avoided if they had apostatized. The friends of the Maccabees who tried to convince them that living would give them the chance to fight against their enemies had already accepted the Greek way of life and were deeply shamed by the stalwartness of the brothers.

The psalm is that composed by King David in celebration of the donations made by himself and the whole of the People of God and of the decision itself to build a palace for God, the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. His further comments make it clear that he knows that God has no need of their efforts for everything that they have donated has its origin in God.

Jesus drives the merchants and  bankers out of the Temple. He knows far, far better than King David that God has no need of anything. The Jews of the Old Testament had been guided by God to make sacred a place on earth and to worship there by sacrifice. They themselves had corrupted the Temple into a place of business. Jesus always condemns hypocrisy at any time and any place. He also supports the integrity of faith that truly follows his example. 

That Father, Son and Holy Spirit knows us is all that can matter to the souls he has created. All the thousands of nameless martyrs live on in the Eternal presence of God and we too can share the reward of their faith if we choose to accept the Grace created for us by Our Saviour and added to by their personal integrity, our share in the Holiness that is  God.

Dear Lord help me to become steadfast in my wish to follow your teaching and example. You know that I am weak and inconsistent in my behaviour. Help me to become steadfastly committed to doing your will and to put all of my trust in you. May Mary lead all the Martyrs and Saints in the unceasing prayer that it is to be in your presence that the Grace of Mercy drowns out Guilt of sin from all us sinners living on earth and in purgatory. Amen