14/11/2024

All of Paul's letters are personal in that he always has either the people of the Church to whom he is writing or specific individuals in mind as he writes.  I can't forget his asking for the return of a tunic that he had left at Troy. "I can't forget" write I, but I can't remember whom he asked to do this personal service. 

He is also filled by the Holy Spirit when he admonishes, praises or corrects his Churches. He tells Philemon that when he is preaching the Word of God he can have no diffidence or concern for the reactions of reader or listeners.

Today's letter shows how the attitude of the Early Church to slavery was not one of instant aversion. Paul accepts that Philemon does have rights over the person of his escaped slave and offers compensation for any loss that he might have incurred as a result of Onesimus' desertion.

The Jesus we know from the Gospels also makes no allowances for the scruples of his listeners "Thou brood of vipers" could not have attracted any Pharisee to give a "fair-hearing" to his preaching. 

Today most of those who heard Jesus "The kingdom of God is among you" did not know that the words were literally true and that they were hearing, looking at and could even touch Son who was no allegory but the reality of IAMFATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT.

David knows that all the "good" in human life comes from the unseen power of God and can sing with "Joy in his heart" for he knows how God cooperates and shows us the happiness that it is to obey the Word of the Lord.

Dear Lord, You know that my letters to you are heartfelt and as sincere as I am able to make them. Prayer is becoming a delight and I thank you for the inspiration that turns my heart and soul to you each morning. You also know that by the time I go to bed I am unable to recollect the words spoken by you in this morning's Gospel even though I return to these my morning's offerings to You throughout the day. I know that you know me and that I am never truly alone. May my prayers be joined with those of those who stood at the foot of the cross in horror as you breathed your last. May your mother and ours lead all possible prayer directly to your heart and may we on Earth and accepting punishment in Purgatory be forgiven for accepting temptation in deeds that have allowed us to sin and add to the torments you suffered as a real man on Calvary. Come soon, Lord Jesu Come