29/12/2023

St Thomas a Becket was part of the Hierarchical Structure that made up the Institutional Church of his day. Our Popes have always fought with the "World" on its own terms. They were equivalent to the Holy Roman Emperors and kings who ruled in Western Europe  during the disharmony that followed the mass migration into Europe of "Barbarians" and the Emperors and Patriarchs of Byzantium who took over the remains of the Roman Empire. 

In his letter to the Colossians St Paul confirms that he is guided by the Holy Spirit to bring us all into the Church that is the Mystical Body of Christ. Christ is the Mystical Event of God Incarnate. He is risen from dead in the Eternal Perfection of the Resurrection. He is our Hope of Glory and St Paul works tirelessly to teach this, the complete and final revelation. 

We cannot be compelled by "Worldly Power" to believe and worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are lead into this Spiritual Reality by the "weakness" in the eyes of  this world which is Jesus hanging from the cross, not by the armies of soldiers raised by bishops and popes and emperors during the "Christian Centuries" of this planet.

In today's Gospel, Jesus, "Christ among you", whom St Paul proclaims really does set his face against his disciples developing ranks amongst themselves. Our Church's Hierarchy is a direct contradiction to today's Gospel but the Church preached by St Paul and the first Apostles has also always been with us. 

Christ's Mystical Body on Earth can still be found in the Gospels and prayer. We are all spiritually united with Mary and the Saints of Heaven, with the Holy Souls and ourselves in prayer so that when Jesus returns he will find "Faith on Earth". 

He will not be looking for Popes, Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Abbots, Bishops and all the rest of the Church that is so much "of this world" that it is a tripping stone for many of us who are trying to live today as witnesses to the forgiving grace of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Dear Lord, you know that I am still a very imperfect example of the humanity whose earthly being you share with us. Let my being be swayed by the intimations of your love that get through to the centre of my consciousness. Help me to cling onto the glimpses of the perfection of Eternity that sometimes touch my soul. Forgive me the sins that I have committed and let me accept the penance that can only bring me to salvation when accompanied by your grace. May my prayers be joined to those of Mary, all the Saints, Holy Souls and sinners here on Earth that you will come soon and find Faith here on earth. Maranatha Lord!