11/10/2021

The mission entrusted to St Paul through his trust in the revelations made to him was carried out with a total obedience to the Will of God. His message was that God had made clear to all humanity that His was the Power and the Glory; that the Son Jesus had risen to a new life from being dead to bring a reconciliation with God for all nations not only the Chosen People. Paul's message was the resurrection that also awaits us all if we too can commit to God. 

The revelations made to Paul are to be found in his letters; the history of Jesus is recorded by the Evangelists in the New Testament and today we see Jesus facing up to the problems presented to his teaching by our lack of commitment. We have listened to his words, observed his way of life, heard of his miracles but still demand a "sign". Thus we refuse God's gift to us of freedom to choose the holy way and reject the Father of Lies. The Ninevites understood and trusted Jonah. Why do we falter in our belief in Jesus and the Way that he shows to us?

Dear Lord, let me be true to my own words and let me be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is the essence of the Love that is the Holy Trinity.

 10/10/2021

Jesus' answers are sometimes enigmatical and require thoughtful responses. Don't call me "good" for only our Father in Heaven is good. Jesus' answer asks as if he is disavowing his Sonship or if not, what is he saying? Our Pope will be remembered for his "Who am I to judge?"In this answer he opens up the question that has been asked and debated since the Ascension of Jesus. Without the physical presence of Jesus in the world  who can we turn to for guidance?

Jesus words directed to the Apostles make it clear that the responsibility for guiding and guarding his children on earth is with those first intimate followers. They were chosen to do this and had done what had sadden the rich young man; they had left everything to walk in his footsteps.

Are we 2000 years later too rich to enter the Kingdom? The avowers of poverty live in huge buildings that could accommodate hundreds of refugees.The successors of the Apostles are overly concerned with managing the "patrimony" of the Church and keeping their heads down to avoid giving offence to liberals both secular and religious. 

The few Faithful that are left to attend the Liturgy are scanadalised by the weekly sacrilege  of the  Sacrament distributed to public sinners and usually prefer not to think about it.

I have lost my children to the world and so my family and I are truthfully in God's hands I can complain about "Church" but know that I am this "Church". God forgive me.

            For men it is impossible but not for God, for everything is possible to God.

Dear Lord let me again this day strive to be without sin and let not  seeking   wisdom become a substitute for loving and obeying you.

 

 9/10/2021

Today's Gospel reading is a one liner. It is the anonymous voice hailing the Mother of God. It is praise of Jesus in his humanity. It is awe at the humility of God who shares our Humanitity. We cannot bear to approach the ever greatness that is God. Our total universe is but a speck to him. There is absolutely no need for me to search for words. I should just accept that I can pray. 

The Lord speaking in the Old Testament is the same God who gives us "The Golden Rule" and the Lord's Prayer. He is totally in charge of his creation. Within that creation I have the freedom to follow his way or reject it. I choose to try to follow it but know that without the obedience shown by Our Lady I will continue to stumble as I go through life.

Dear Lord,  this day let me put myself totally within the Love and Humanity you have chosen for yourself; to ask for the care of all the Saints and Mary. You know what it is I ask through the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Hear my prayer.

 08/10/2021

Jesus' words  for us at the end of today's Gospel are a stark warning about the steadfastness of evil. Especially after a cleansing our devil will not give up but will find other ways to attack our souls. How many of us after hearing those words have tried to find some Hope in them? Jesus forceful preaching continues to offer the only sign; being, the sign of Jonah.

As with all of Jesus teaching it has to be understood in the greater context of his Mission as revealed and recorded from the memories of the original apostles and disciples. Jesus tells us that we must be together in our opposition to evil. The dangers which we face are powerfuly united against us. 

I have remembered this passage everytime that I have sinned again aftrer confession. To find a realistic Hope I have to remember the Way, the Truth and the Life and return to Father Son and Holy Spirit never forgetting the aid of God's Mother who was praised by the anonymous voice from the crowd later in the same Gospel.

Dear Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to keep my mind on you. Let me be cleansed of all sin and send you angel to guard me against the asaults which are always as close to me as the air I breath.

 07/10/2021

The events of Our Lady's life are recalled in today's celebration of the Rosary. This great prayer follows the way of the Lord as witnessed by Mary. She is our example of perfected humanity; born without stain of sin; she is the womb in which Jesus was procreated from before time; chosen by God to not know mortality; she is the first Christian to enter heaven body and soul; the Church although founded on St Peter has its source in her obedient love. Her "let it be" signals in time the great changes brought into the world by Jesus the true Son of God in the humanity taken from Mary.

The Rosary is the second great prayer of the Church and does not require ordination to take it into Heaven. It is forever the ultimate in meditation and can be pondered on by all in any place on earth. 

Yesterday's reading showed us the way to pray and in today's there is the confirmation that as long as we keep faith with our God our prayers are welcomed by the Father. The Rosary follows the worldly footsteps of Jesus as witnessed by his mother and for those shaken by the crumbling of the Church Militant it is the unbreakable link to "Our Father who art in heaven".

Dear Lord let me renew my Faith, Hope and Charity by a return to  the Rosary remembering "Can you not spend one hour with me?"

 06/10/2021

Jonah's dialogue with God is recorded by human hands and arises from human memory; but,the conversation is divinely inspired and is recorded here and now in the scriptures to be read at the formal prayer of the Church. We who read and listen may find the haggling with God not in keeping with the ideas we have of God developed from the teachings of the Incarnate Son of God who is the culmination of the Old Testament prophets. 

Jesus never bickers with the Father. How can he? He is the Son of God and knows totally the Will which he shares in Love with the Spirit. Jesus is also truly human and so can experience the temptations we are faced with on a daily basis. His human anger cleared the temple of the money grubbers that polluted the Court of the Gentiles. Even after the Resurrection it is recorded that he ate and drank.

"I thirst" and a cry of utter despair immediately precedes his death. Is this God or Man who cries out so desperately?

Dear Lord help us to understand what it is that our prayer should be. It must not be a gabbling of words but the sincerity of believe shown in Our Lord's teaching and summed up in the words of the "Our Father". This "today" let me be true to my baptismal promises and reject all that is not You. 

 05/10/2021

Jonah continues with his mission doing the work as God directed him. The Ninehvites from high to low accept the Word as preached by Jonah and the city is saved from destruction. Martha sees Mary's devotion to the Lord as a shirking of her household work.

That Mary has chosen the better part is seen by most commentators as Jesus' commendation of life lived out in prayer. Permanent prayer is a state of mind that can keep a  part of our being trying to touch the Eternal Freedom that is God. For centuries it has been accepted that those who are chosen to follow Mary's path need to be kept away from the World. The sinful attractions of the world are not the only source of distraction, however, for the legitimate task of keeping body and soul together can overwhelm us by its necessity.

"Give us this day our daily bread" is not only a petition for the Eucharist. As with all of Jesus' words it means what it says. Martha is not condemned but rather she and we are advised that prayer is the better part. Raising our minds and hearts to God is something we all need to do. It is the reason for all Being. 

Dear Lord help those who have accepted your call to a life of  service and prayer to maintain the fervour of their ordinations. Help me to be guided by the Love that is within me. Let me seek your Mercy that I too may be saved as were people of Ninevah.