20/07/2024

In today's first reading Micah denounces the sins that flourished during his time on Earth that he lived without ever losing touch with the Law, the symbol of the Covenant, the fence that separated the Chosen People from the "Nations".

IAMIAM is patient with his so off-the-mark "image and likeness". "Who can know the mind of God?". He has always known that we are so much like him that we challenge his right to determine how we should live out our life-times. He has made freedom a part of our being. It is stupid of him to expect us not to use it as we think fit. Such are the thoughts of those who choose to oppose God.

The Psalmist knows that all sin in Micah's day " Woe to those who plot evil who lie in bed plotting mischief", is a result of deliberate defiance of God's Law and similarly in his own day sin has taken over the Chosen People to the extent that the "Wicked man boasts of his heart's desires, the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord. In his pride, the wicked says, "He will not punish, there is no God." Such are his thoughts".

The all powerful IAMIAM, reveals his will for his creation in the Old Testament.  Mankind's failure to curtail its own freedom of will, however, is not met with  devastation but with the Incarnate Word and all that the future generations (us) need to lead holy lives is revealed and completed in the New Testament. 

 A holy life is fulfilled by acknowledging our sinfulness and after that by continuing to be guided by the the Holy Spirit who is the Life of the Spiritual Body of Christ which can be found any where that two or three people are gathered in his name, even in the institutional worldly church that has never understood that Father, Son and Holy Spirit really did mean, "My Kingdom is not of this world". 

Dear Lord, I know that the learned can refute the thoughts that come to me as I begin each day. I am still aware of the sins that have marred my life. My penitence can never match the grievous harm that I have done to my own soul by sin. I do not need to be able to understand your ways but attempting to know them is a way of worshipping you that is never concluded. The history of your Worldly Institution is not a happy one and many of its deeds can be seen for what they really are, mortal sins. Help me to live without sacraments in this world but always be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit who can breach the shield of self-love if only I truly open from my side the wall built by sin and deep rooted delight in my material body and cleverness of mind.  I make these prayers in my mind but with an unvoicable striving to be true to your teaching and with you Now! Maranatha . Come Lord Jesus! Come !