06/05/2024

We all still learn as did the first Christians when instructed by St Paul. I cannot ever grow out of my need for the grace to hold on to the message of salvation preached today in Macedonia. I need to be there witnessing the open hearted hospitality of Lydia to Paul and Luke. I need to know the fear when expelled from the synagogues and the becoming an object of cruel disbelief. I need to be overcome by the Good News, the Resurrection proclaimed by the preaching of these nondescript visitors from Antioch and Jerusalem.

John recalls today Jesus' preparation of his "Friends" for the arrival of the Advocate. God has never left us completely alone. Even in my self-absorbed sinfulness God has trusted me to live on and learn that there is nothing more trusting than the loving redemption that has engraced our world,  than Father, Son and Holy Spirit. My person is a soul known and directly addressed by the three persons that are one God.

There is never a moment in earthly time when each one of us is not known by God. We are in awe of the unimaginable greatness that is the Father. Jesus calls us "friends" and is the perfection of man and person of God. The Holy Spirit is the Eternal Love that is Father, Son and Himself each a unique person but Eternally one God.

We have to grow in this faith preached along the roads of the Roman Empire by those who had heard "Go out and teach all nations"; and by the ones who had accepted the Word of God as did the first Christians for they too are the blessed by Jesus, as are we, because they too had not seen and yet they believed. 

Dear Lord, you know how the little things of this world can bring a tumult of emotion that destroys the calm and peace that I can gain by attending to your Word and agreeing to live by it. You know how my mind is not listening and my soul cannot find its rest. So much more important things are happening than my garden dispute. Help me to avoid anger and to accept whatever materialises. If  I lived in Gaza I would really know despair and the horror of mankind's uncontrolled pride.  Help all those suffering all over the World and help me to avoid anger which can soon take over my whole being and shield my heart from your love.