22/09/2024

The readings to be used in this morning's liturgy of the mass did not choose themselves. 

The writer of the Book of Wisdom was guided by the Holy Spirit to not only worship God but to also  think rationally about himself, his people and especially about mankind's relationship with IAMIAM.

 David or whoever first sang the Psalms was guided to sing joyful praise of the wonder of God's Glory and seek pardon for the sin of mankind. 

James had witnessed the sinless life of the perfect man and had never turned back from the road that led to his personal martyrdom. 

Mark repeats what the Apostles had prayerfully reminisced about the teachings of Jesus during their formation on the roads, at table, and in the Synagogues and Temple of the Holy Land even though those memories often reveal their incomprehension and shame.

Today we have the twelve displaying our totally human greed for the future, ambition and its inevitable dissatisfaction and jealousy. Jesus presents to them a child as the perfect example of how we are to live in the Love of FatherSonHolySpirit. I can remember being a child and know that there were lots of sins and jealousies in the child that I was then.

To become a child of Jesus we have  to be able to put away childishness. From the moment of our births we are aware that we have the mystery of "being" and that another "being" is our willing servant. To become physically comfortable all we need to do is to scream. This is the childishness that can remain with us and was put away by St Paul.

The "child" of Jesus has to know that there is a supreme being, that our mother's love is only a shadowy reflection of his love for us, and that we can seek for help but never scream, and that my "I" must always seek to do the will of God by always being at the service of others.

Many of us really old are still striving to attain that goal but "Our Father" never fails to encourage us and guide us though the Son's example by the Holy Spirit.

Dear Lord you know that I thank you for helping me to start this day in the company of the Word which comes from You and is You. My body is still screaming for the care it knew as "King Baby" but thanks be to you I have been guided away from the human tantrums that display themselves in the carnality of our world. Mammon triumphs in the pride that is  the satisfaction of sensual greed. Worldly barns are full of the treasure that decays to dust and we your people feel that we have been deserted by those who are the spiritual children of your Apostles. You know that I am a child unhappy that the reality of this world dominated by sin is not what I expect the outcome of your Eternal Sacrifice to be. I pray that these prayers are not the babblings of a babe in arms but a sincere avowal of Faith, Hope and acceptance of the Love that passeth all understanding by one making a conscious effort to become one of your obedient children. May my efforts to live in your Grace be supported by Mary and all the Saints who never cease to implore your Mercy for all who need it but know that you are also always Just. Amen