24/04/2024

As an old man myself, I can appreciate how St John can remember the experience of his youth. I mean by that the Evangelist is still able to recall the fluency of Jesus' discourse. My own memory, of course, does not retain the years that I spent with the Son of God. In fact most of my  memories are of my personal failures to remain true to the revealed Way, the Truth and the Life.

Sinful moments from my past keep on popping up into my consciousness and I have to make an effort of will to disperse them. I cannot recall any of the sermons I have heard. I can remember, however, that I listened more intently to some than to others. St John, of course, is inspired by both  Jesus and his care for Mary.

So, we have to listen to St John as if we were with him and the other Apostles in the warmth of Jesus' love and we have to hang on to the words for they are the Way, the Truth and the Life. They are the reason for me being aware that I have to conform my life to the Law of Moses and to strive after the Poverty, Chastity and Obedience that was displayed by the Church in the first years after the Resurrection, before the destruction of the Temple.

In the reading from the Acts that is appointed to be read by all Christians in the Course for Living that is the Universal Calendar of the Catholic Church we hear how the first Church of Jews and Gentiles is shifting its centre from Jerusalem to Antioch. We shall soon be calling ourselves Christians. 

So much has taken place since those first shoots that sprang up in the Glorious Light that is Christ, Our Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our faith has to grow in the hope that we shall all know the same perfection of love that was known personally  to Mary, Joseph, "his brothers", disciples, the lame, the blind, the possessed, Jews, gentiles, Romans, Pharisees, Scribes Chief priests and all those blessed to be living in Palestine during the human lifetime of our God on earth.

Dear Lord help me to keep focused on you as I go about my life today. May all of us alive today be awakened by the light of your Love. May all sinners come to realise the horror that is sin but also know that you welcome us in our repentance. May we all join our prayers to those of Mary and the saints and pray for the forgiveness your 33 years on earth has bequeathed to all mankind. May my soul find the peace you have prepared for me. I make this prayer in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Marantha dear Lord, come soon. Amen.