16/06/2024

It is very easy when we read  texts like this morning's readings to understand how easy it is to become as self-satisfied as was the Pharisee who thanked God that he was not as other men. He fulfilled the Law and was a Jew. 

He accepted his place among the chosen people but interpreted all of God's Providence as his due, his birth-right.

Ezekiel, as always, projects the power of IAMIAM in images that have become part of European cultural heritage. The lyrical psalm matches the clarity any of the products of ancient or modern literature and here IAMIAM is the "Loving Father" revealed by the Son.

St Paul, himself a Pharisee, in this mornings letter to the Judeo/Christian Church at Corinth, faces the conceptual problem investigated by Greek Philosophy and still debated today as the " mind body problem". Paul's mission, however, is to preach the total Truth that is revealed by the Unseen God, Jesus Christ. There is no reason to debate "Truth".

Paul has seen the "Resurrection" and when he preaches he is not debating. He Is teaching the Truth that has been finally revealed during his lifetime. Just as Christ did, we will live on Earth in our bodies. Our bodies will die, even if they are deep frozen, but our Souls will be welcomed or not by our Saviour. We make the choice.

Mark explains to us that Jesus spoke in parables because his listeners were not up to facing the bare bones of his message which is breathtakingly simple. We are living to fulfill the will of Father,Son and Holy Spirit. We have an immortal soul which has to direct our bodies. We are completely free and have to become converted by God's revelation in both the Old and New Testaments to fulfill the Will which has created us to choose to become Holy as he is Holy.

There are no secrets of Salvation hidden within God. Sometimes words are not needed to know, love and serve. Those are the best days, when my heart is truly open.

Dear Lord, I am not lost searching for you. You are always with your people, billions of us and I can find you in Scripture, Liturgy, and most of all in the prayer I unite with Mary and all your saints. We have all been saved by Jesus and it is from this gift of Salvation that I can grow in hope that I will be able to come to the end of life in the love that is my faith that will keep me from sin.