08/11/2023

The world and all that is in it is given to us by God. The Love that God knows in the  Father, Son and Holy Spirit is eternal fruitfulness and we are given the opportunity to respond with a love that is totally directed away from ourselves. The reality of human life that I have known for more than 80 years and has been known by billions of human beings living and dead is God's Providence.

St Paul tells us how we are to respond to the reality of life. Our response is a single act of will. When "I love my neighbour as myself" I am fully aligned with the will of God and can only do good in this life. All virtue, righteousness, holiness begins with my unflinching acceptance of living, as did Jesus "pro nobis", for the sake of other people.

Jesus' words, deeds, charisma was such that crowds followed him wherever he went. Jesus was perfect in his humanity. He didn't have to be God to know that attraction to him could easily, even today, be only on the surface. The rich young man went "sorrowfully away".

He tells us to stop being the crowd that has attached themselves to him and know the truth beyond words that he brings to each one of us.  This is not the "light yoke". We have to put God first before anything that has been created. There are no excuses for sin. Even Love of family, the most innocent of worldly attachments has  to become hate, if it interferes with my commitment to the first commandment.

The words that Jesus directs to each of us are how it should be for every living soul. He is asking only for the perfection that is possible for every man. He is true man and true God. His words are clear-cut and they are truth but his deeds in life and death speak only of loving Mercy. Amen

Dear Lord your "hard sayings" are indeed hard but your life speaks only of merciful love. May my prayers be united with those of Mary and all the saints and seek your mercy on all those dying in willful ignorance of your word . May this day be without sin for me and with mercy for the Holy Souls.