17/02/2026

According to some scholars, St James may have known Jesus from childhood but we can be sure that he has taken in what Jesus, his Rabbi for three years had taught him. 

God, Our Father does not tempt us into sin. We comfort ourselves with excuses but even when overcome by temptation we are aware in the centre of our beings that we are losing control and are choosing to do what  is displeasing to God.

In this morning's Gospel Jesus is still annoyed that his chosen disciples are not able to just be at peace in his presence and untroubled by their worldly needs. It is not as if they had not gone through this "breadless" situation before. Jesus reminds them of how he had been able on two previous occasions to provide for the bodily needs of thousands who had been without bread.

Jesus is true man and has already allowed himself to experience in solitude all the levels of temptation that we can undergo. He never loses control and never reacts in human anger. When he drives out the money changers and cattle dealers from the Temple courtyard he is still just and is righting a wrong. He never loses his temper.

Today he chastises the Apostles for he is Son of God and even though they have witnessed His miracles and He has interpretated his parables for them, a little bit of hunger occupies their minds to the extent that they are no longer focussed on Him.

Today I will try to continue throughout the day to remember that there is nothing more important for me to do than commit myself to the way of life taught in first century Palestine by the Incarnate Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth by his life, death and Resurrection and recorded in the Holy Spirit inspired words of the New Testament.

Dear God, help me to be truly sorry for my sins let my prayers be joined to those of Mary and all of us still living in Your New Holy Family and let me prepare this Lent in holiness to witness your resurrection. Please accept this  Act of Contrition and in Thy mercy pardon my sins. Amen