03/08/2024

I am always aware as I begin these "jottings" that they are not planned in anyway as to follow an overall pattern. They are literally my "thought for the day" prompted by the mass readings as published on the web by "Universalis". That is why they are always the same and yet have different words.

The prophets in the Old Testament always preached the same warnings. "Never forget that the Lord, IAMIAM, is Holy and you are to follow him into human holiness by keeping his commandments". Living on earth we, each individual one of us, has to be aware that our lives are being lived in the heart of Almighty God and that every moment we live, we have to live never forgetful of obedience to his commandments, praise of his glory and an overwhelming gratitude, words cannot express the depths of this emotion, to the  Saviour, we know as Father,Son and Holy Spirit, who has reveled himself to mere children.

I am also always aware that I have to bequeath to my family and offer to my neighbours, to the world, a picture of a human being who is not focussed only on the things of this world but is steering his life towards the Eternal Joy that can be ours if we know, love and serve Father, Son and Holy Spirit during our lifetimes.

Dear Lord, I know that I am guided in these words by a sense of devotion to you. That I have to stifle the self that dominates and no matter how squashed is always there watching and niggling away at my confidence in my own integrity. Is this the sense of scrupulosity that caused your chosen people to become a faith that lost itself in "minute pious observances" to the extent it blanketed out  the Love which you had for them? Jesus is the complete guide for humanity flourishing in adversity and is the spiritual Church, the body of Christ, of which we are all called to be a part, the presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit with us until the end of time. We are never alone in our struggles as Mary our mother and all the Saints from the perfection of heaven continue in the love that they practised on earth to make endless pleas for the Mercy that brings pardon to us on earth and to the Holy Souls who can be happy in knowing that they are not lost and that their punishment is just.Amen