10/05/2024

Everything that the Apostles preached was taken from the public life of Jesus that they had shared. They were not instantly imprinted by the Word but had had time for reflection and there were minor details that differed in their memories.

St John's Gospel contains the authentic teaching of Jesus reflected upon for some 50 years and dictated by John in his old age. He had witnessed by experience both the times of joy and of weeping and wailing.

During the first three centuries the preaching to the world that was the Roman Empire had been completed and what had become as "The Way" was becoming the Church and the Church was already in the process of becoming a "worldly" organisation.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit know all of creation. To the Jews IAMIAM revealed the Law. The Land of Israel was his vineyard. The tenants became prideful and rejected first the prophets and even killed his Son who came to rescue all mankind from the sin which is always the progeny of pride.

I know that there have been many times in history when the "signs of the times" point to the nearness of the End Times. The 90% defection of Europe from institutional Churches is a mass apostasy that has before never been witnessed.

Throughout history Christianity has been persecuted and has persecuted. There have been schisms both great and small. Islam has wiped out the the Church of Byzantium. The reformation reduced the authority of Rome in Europe. 

Jesus told his Apostles "When that day comes you will not ask me any questions". Today, Jesus has not yet returned so we can still ask humbly and sincerely "Is this the way the Church and the World go out, 'not with a bang but a whimper"?

Dear Lord, help those who have more authority than do I to look deep within their hearts and ask themselves whether or not they have fulfilled their vocations, their missions to which they have been called to proclaim the Gospel and live exemplary lives bearing witness to the commandments first given to Moses. We are very much in the same position as your people in Palestine when you came to save us all from sin and ignorance of sin. May Mary and all the Saints remember the days on earth when living was difficult plead that the Holy Spirit come and distribute your grace so that the broken power of sin cannot find any more allies than it has already done.