22/11/2024

It is definitely the "learned and the clever" who try to trap Jesus by this morning's craftily contrived moral dilemma. The "learned and clever" of Jesus' time and place were those who had devoted their lives to studying Scripture and to serving the needs of the Temple. 

They were Sadducees, who had become the heredity priests and High priests, who differed from the Pharisees in that they did not believe in the soul's continuing life after death. Both "churches" offered different emphasis in their interpretation of the Scriptures which they preserved but were united in their enmity of the Essenes and any independent voices such as John the Baptist's who had become overwhelmed by the "wonder of being" and every word that comes to us from the mouth of God.

We know them as the enemies of Jesus but in reality they were, as are we all, a mixed bunch who were trying to live their lives following the Law as servants and chosen ones of IAMIAM. Their Scriptures were their record of the contract that they had made with IAMIAM who had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. Some of them also became the "little ones" who accepted Jesus as SON of IAMFATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT but not without arguing with the Apostles and especially with St Paul, one of their own.

A big question, maybe the biggest question, that I always have before me is why it was that Jesus came to us at the time he did. I feel there has to be a rational reason that a human can understand. 

God knows that I am not challenging his ways on this concluding weekend of the Liturgical Year, but cannot help wondering why he has allowed over the centuries and is still allowing sinfully hypocritical "Churches",  to damage the "Faith" of the "little ones" whom Jesus has taught to call "Our Father", even "Daddy" and placed in their care.

Dear Lord, I know that it is always myself that allows me to sin. The 33 years you spent in human time had only one goal to straighten out the people whom you had nurtured for a thousand plus years. We are today the end results and I pray that we can become humans who can successfully live as "image and likeness". May Mary, Angels and all the Saints continue in their prayers for us as we too ask for your mercy to be poured not only over us but also over the Holy Souls. May St Clement remember in his worship his namesake my father on earth and all my family and friends who also have need of forgiveness . I make this morning's offering from my heart and soul through the immaculate heart of Mary and Son, praying in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.