06/06/2025

Jesus lived his life on Earth as "True Man". As true man he shared not only in religious festivities and prayer meetings. When the teaching that we have read over the last few days, took place he was not standing as a speaker at a formal dinner party or a preacher before a congregation. He was seated/reclined at table sharing a meal with his friends.

Today he has himself prepared on the beach one of those impromptu "family" gatherings, in this case a barbeque, that are often more enjoyable than more formal "get-togethers" to be enjoyed by his friends whom he will leave behind to repeat his mission of enlightenment until the end of time.

The deeds and words of his lifetime are to be recorded to guide us through our lives, but only two of the evangelists ( one possible and one sure ) are sitting on the coarse sand of the lakeshore in the pleasantly cool morning air. 

John and Peter, James ,Thomas, Nathanael, who are possibly calculating in their heads for how much they will be able to sell their fish, are still overawed in the presence of the Resurrection. Jesus is definitely their friend whose corpse disfigured by wounds had been buried by the charity of Joseph and Nicodemus but the "something greater here" is no longer disguised.

Of those present on this morning of farewell only John had witnessed the bitter end on Calvary. Peter, the designated leader, had actually denied his friendship with Jesus. The three denials during the trial at Jerusalem are now formally forgiven and the purpose of the institutional Church is established for ever.

It is sure from the words of Jesus that the Church founded by Jesus of Nazareth has to copy his life and always, in every way be directed out of itself and focussed on the eternal benefit of the "sheep". We must all be sure that there is not one material thing that is of this world that will last or live for ever and base all of our living in the real-time of "now" on the Eternal Love of God.

Peter knew this as he asked "What about this man". The evangelist John, himself provides Jesus'  enigmatical reply, but when he recalled these events and words in his old age he had been long living in the pure love of Mary who during her sinless life had never asked anything for herself other than 

"Be it done unto me according to thy word".

Dear Lord, help me to live this day guided by the prayers of Our Lady and all the Saints let me truly belong to the New Holy Family that you created during your pain and true death on Calvary. Help me to become dead to temptation and truly contrite for all the sins of my life. Let my loved ones become aware of these my words of Faith. Amen.