20/11/2024

If I were a rich man I would be able to take comfort from Jesus' words in this morning's parable as it seems to be all about the values of this world without any condemnation of them. I have written "seems to be" for the warnings about  "My kingdom is not of this world" "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but suffer the loss of his own soul?" are not at all obvious except in the execution of the "enemies".

It is a difficult beginning to the day for me today. I know that the vision of John is his attempt to "see" IAMFATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT. Our Father is totally beyond either mental or visual conception but has completed his revelations to mankind in the person of Incarnate Son who for us is another human being teaching by words and proving by deeds to be, God from God, Begotten not made, the Son of the Father.

I feel no attraction to understand John's vision. But the words of Jesus are the key to eternal life so I have to struggle with their meaning. It is a terrible thing to hear the "Son of God" say "as for the man who has not, even the little he has will be taken away" as they tell me that we cannot rely solely on the Loving Mercy of Our Father to bring us though life to the happiness of Eternity. Our "talents" are the revelations made in Old and New Testaments. We must follow them.

We are not preprogrammed beings. We have to choose for ourselves and can avoid becoming the fearful one who did nothing to increase his master's wealth only by striving to follow the example of he who proved faithful in little things and live out our lives in this world "knowing, loving and serving" our way to eternal happiness.

Dear Lord, you know I really do thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the understanding that came to me as I typed the above. There are other incidents in your Gospels the "hard sayings" that are stark realism without any sentimentality. The Cross is hard-edged reality. The image of the babe in the manger is softer but it too for Mary and the witnesses and all mankind is the beginning of the reality of life on earth lived in witness of you who are so much greater than St John's vision of You. May my prayers join with those led by Mary in Heaven in praise of your Glory and as humble requests on earth and in Purgatory for your Mercy.  I know that your grace is never ending help me to live secure in St Therese' image of your Grace as rose-petals covering the whole Universe. Amen.