29/08/2024

I have come to believe that the Church of the Apostles very soon lost its way on Earth and forgot that each soul needs to be open to the Holy Spirit for that is the way to be part of the Body of Christ. I have come to the age of 83 without ever reading the letters of St Paul as they appear in the New Testament. 

I have now started and am impressed by St Paul who was able to interpret the revelations of the Old Testament in the light of what he received from the original friends of Jesus and his own experience on the road to Damascus, with such faith and coherency.

Today's Gospel is straightforward history. The absolute power wielded by ancient kings and emperors tells a lot about how it could come about that in the course of history Popes and Patriarchs became worldly rulers. Herod was a real man who was able to order the instant beheading of John simply because he wanted to show that he could keep his word.

The world has always been ruled by those whose egos were their total being. Those who despise the "Golden Rule" are still, even in our "Democracies", presenting their own self-pride as the best way to govern the human societies of which they are part only because of the Providence of God. 

Millions of us have made idols of Alexander, Julius Caesar, Alaric and the like throughout the centuries. We have copied their single-minded devotion to themselves and thus, ultimately, have created a world where FatherSonHoly Spirit is mocked by the legislation of Mammon.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the moment of the Incarnation reveals that for mankind to live according to the will of God he has begotten a human body for himself to know what it means to be man from the inside. This is a revelation that is for all humanity to understand. 

God is saying that he loves his creation and that we can all live there without sin. Our God, as Jesus of Nazareth, shows how serious is this business of holiness in living. Mankind can live to become holy only because Son, the Word, became totally as we are to create for us a natural way to attain the new life that is supernatural for us but only natural for the wonder that is our Creator God.

Jesus emptied himself of his divine nature so that he could teach us by his completely human life that death  leads to the Resurrection of which he is the first fruits. I pray that I can fully empty myself of prideful, selfish ego to become a soul that is known and loved by FatherSonHolySpirit for Love is the very essence of God and it can ours only if we cooperate.

Dear Lord, With your Psalmist I would praise your deeds, your works for ever. My sins are still with me in this world, I can never forget them. Why is it hard for me to become sure in my being that my sins have been blotted out? The full results of my sins are known only to you. Forgive me for the harm I have done inadvertently to others. Help me to live sinlessly today. May I progress in my understanding of St Paul and be truly thankful for your guidance which you made through him. Our souls are part of our human nature and so the Mystical Body of Christ is as real as my body but not seen as it is; help me to build up the Communion of Saints and be open for all Your Mercy that is channeled by the prayers of Mary and all the Angels and Saints. May my sins and the sins of all other sinners living and dead be forgiven and may we all  witness your Final Revelation. Amen