10/11/2023

We can soon understand that in this morning's Gospel reading, Jesus is not promoting dishonesty . He is asking why we cannot be as astute about our heavenly goal as we are about gaining profit in this world. It is not as clear cut as most of Jesus sayings and parables because on the first level of understanding the hard master is also as human as the dishonest steward and so it is possible for him to be deceived.

In trying to understand St Paul's teaching I try to remember that he was completely a Jew, maybe a bit Hellenised by the culture which surrounded him from birth in Tarsus but a fervent practising Jew until shaken into the arms of Jesus when blinded by the Resurrection on the road to Damascus.

He has an unbroken belief that God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit is working through him but he also knows that he is now an instrument of God's grace on Earth, a priest of the New Testament. Saul had never listened to Jesus. He had never eaten a meal with him. He had never walked behind him either in the Temple or through the streets of Jerusalem.

God revealed to him the Glory of the Resurrection in which we are all to share and this vision completely overwhelmed him and became the daily source of his steadfast righteousness. It is this vision of what we are all to become that inspires St Paul. He knows that "my Saviour liveth" and Our Lord speaks to us through him.

I can only interpret  "I made it an unbroken rule never to preach where Christ's name has already been heard" as the pride in self with which we are all afflicted and of which we always have to be aware. St Paul, as were all the Apostles, is as human as are we all  and thus able to sin and himself as needful of the Salvation that was at the heart of his preaching.

Dear Lord only you and your mother are conceived without sin. All of us have to overcome the flaw that is in our being. May I accept the Grace that is freely available to strengthen my weakness and keep me focused on following the way you have revealed to all mankind. May Mary and all the saints pray that we all look for your Grace and follow your Word in faithful love and service. May your mercy be showered as were rose-petals of loving Mercy in the prayers of St Therese on all living and dead sinners. Amen.