25/08/2024

Our first commitment to know, love and serve was made on our behalf by our God-Parents at our Baptisms. 

This morning Joshua has gathered the tribes of the chosen people to decide whether or not to place their trust in the Lord. Each of us knows in our heart whether or not we are truly committed to the faith we profess. It is very easy for me to say "Yes Lord" but do I show by my life any faith except these words with which I begin each day, but what difference does belief in God make to my way of life?

Today's advice to the married men who have become believers has brought, in recent times, further tribulation to the memory of St Paul. Sex is the most difficult of bodily functions for us to control. It is also one of the most beautiful, so beautiful that in the purity of true love it can be considered sacramental. In marriage the man and woman confer this sacrament upon each other. It is so beautiful that it becomes the image that St Paul uses to preach the unity of the Church with Jesus its head.

I have always found the nuptial imagery that is sometimes used to emphasise the unity of Jesus, Mary and the Church very hard to handle. I have always had a vivid imagination and so prefer to know the significance rather than the actual images of e.g. the Song of Songs.

I suppose that St Paul's attitude to women is a sign of his times, but it must also be noted that he presents men with the stark reminder that they are to use Christ as the model of how to use their authority in their families. This is true for all ages and cultures.

Christ has to be the model for all human behaviour. He is sinless. We too can live sinlessly for the Word has become true man. He has experienced  living in the same material universe, on our planet, begotten not made so that he can become the fount of all Sacraments. "Intolerable, Lord, let me not listen to this, what complete nonsense" thought many of his own disciples when he promised his own flesh as the new Bread from heaven.

During my life-time I have often been reminded of St Peter's response to Jesus' question. I thank Father, Son and Holy Spirit that it is this response that has shaped my life and enabled me to live with hope that the mercy of our Ever-greater God can purge me of the sins that have disgraced my life and added to the pains of Calvary.

Dear Lord help me to be more productive today than yesterday. Let me not waste the time that I still have to receive your grace to prepare myself for your eternity. May the prayers of Mary and all the saints be united with those of all sinners on earth and in purgatory. May hardened sinners stop and take stock of where they are in their lives and find the grace that you offer to us all. Help me to be a sincere sign of your Love and thus attract my family into acknowledging that salvation, eternal life, was won for us all on the hill outside the city walls. Forgiveness is waiting for each one of us. We only have to ask. Amen