01/03/2024

St Paul certainly did not hide his light under a bushel. His letters all tell us that he never rested on his laurels. He continued in his mission right until the end even getting his dream of an untimely death in this world at the hands of this world as did his beloved master.

In his letters he never mentions his need of money. He never appeals for a "building fund". In fact the only "church" that he mentions is the "Body of Christ" although he does contribute to the poor in Jerusalem. His only concern in life is to build up what began for him on the road to Damascus. He saw the Glory that is the Resurrection and heard the voice of the Holy Spirit and from that moment onwards obeyed the Father and shared throughout the Empire, the joy that is a life lived in the Light of Father, Son and Holy Spirit .

Jesus tells us all that we have to shine out in this world. He tells me that it is only by my deeds that the effects of the salt of eternity can be seen. My reflections on the meaning of the Gospel readings are all very well and help me to see my sins but they are personal and my living days are not much better than they have ever been.

Salt preserves meat. It keeps it from decay. Our Lord warns us that even salt can lose its power but the light of his grace never fades.  At the worldly time the Incarnation was made manifest, the salt that is the "Law" as practised by the descendants of Abraham had lost its savour and the body of Israel had become corrupt.

The Light of the World walked and talked with us for three years. He taught us by word and deed and his Apostles walked in his footsteps. Can I truthfully say that I have ever reflected the Grace that supports every second of my life.? When has the institution that is the Church ever shone with the Glory that is the Light of God, the pure source of all being and the only way to Eternal Holiness.

Dear Lord, these thoughts with which I begin each day are important to me and I am grateful that my life did not end in the Red Sea, tangled up in that abandoned net, without the free gift of these years for atonement. Help me to hold onto the control, grace, that comes from you into my being so that I can continue to seek out your Mercy for me and for all sinners on Earth and for the Holy Souls who now know how they went wrong during their lives and deeply regret it.  May the triumphant Church of Mary and all the Saints share the grace of Heaven bringing sinners on Earth to repentance and let me stay part of the Christ preached and defended by St Paul throughout the Empire and in Wales by his successor, Dawi Sant.