16/10/2021

Jesus tells us that whenever we have to declare our faith in him the words will be provided. For the last few centuries not many of us have had to face the secular authorities in the form listed by Jesus. The Inquisition is not mentioned but that reversal of roles by our Church to become the accuser instead of accused is a regretable use of power by Chruch and State.

Our present day Church has been so weakened by the moral failures of its clergy that the words of any Bishop to defend a truth beeing trampled on by secular society and state is laughed at without thinking. Men cannot marry men. Sin cannot be blessed. Sin is always Satanic. Sexual "love" for the same sex is a complete delusion. Our bishops should look to themselves and denounce the great delusion that is homosexuality. They have to care for our souls and not pander to the nonsenses of our modern world.

I saw on television the reaction to the questioning about criminal coverups in their dioceses of 3 bishops and 1 Cardinal. Not one of them declared himself  for Christ. I am sure that the Holy Spirit was not with those men. How could he be there to support those men whose shame was palable and whose full guilt is known only to God.

Dear Lord help me to live in this sinful world without becoming more contaminated than I already am. Let faith bear fruit so that your supreme sacrifice is not rejected by sinful man and help us to avoid the sin that cannot be forgiven.

 15/10/2021

The image from the psalms that opens this Mass has alwys captured me by its intensity; how much more must it have inspired those living in the deserts of the Middle-East. I know "yearning" as an unidentified dissatisfaction within myself which is not at all specific. If it is true that it is God that I am missing I have to make an effort of will to direct myself entirely towards God the evergreater. St Paul tells us that it  is Faith that justifies Abraham. Forgiveness comes directly from God and is a free gift regardless of me.

The idea that we have to do nothing to be saved has been taken up by many throughout the Chrisitian centuries. But latching on to one idea and pursuing that is not the way to read the scripture or follow the way of Jesus. Jesus  is so much Love  that even the hairs of our head are known to the Father and the pardon seen by the Disciples in the Resurrection is brought to us by the Holy Spirit. 

Maybe my unidentified yearning is truly to know God and thus become fearless as I live a life in accordance to the teaching of the Gospels.

St Theresa sorted out her Order. How much more is she needed in today's mess of a Church.

Dear Lord, I who am so little are greater than I can understand for you know me in my sinfulness and are ready to pardon me. Let me truly open myself to your foregiveness.

 14/10/2021

St Paul whose faith in God never wavers, tells us that it is "Faith" that will bring us to salvaton. He does not tell us to avoid the rule for Life which is the example of living that Jesus gives us during his time on earth.I think that Paul's words are true by human wisdom; it is Faith that is the fount of all good deeds. Why would I bother to modify my behaviour to follow rules that curtail my selfish desires if I did not believe?

Faith is not to be found in outward show. Tombs, temples churches, liturgical observations are nothing if our faith is weak. We have to follow the "The Rule of Faith" and not lose ouselves in externals.

I have to question every one of my thoughts,  prayers deeds and keep them not in a straight jacket of "Law"but ask whether or not they meet St Paul's rule of faith and love through Jesus, living, dead and resurrected. Jesus is our Faith and he does not need anything from us except sincere hearts and minds open to receive the grace that has been won for us in an infinity of abundance by the Incarnation, Life, Death and Resurrection. 

Dear Lord you know me in totality of my being. Let me take care of my soul which you have justified. Let me avoid all sin and come to see you in your glory. 

 

 13/10/2021

Today both Jesus and St Paul condemn sinful living in no uncertain terms. St Paul tells us that we must repent from our sins and turn our being to the Truth that is God. He warns that there will be a judgement day which he calls the "day of God's anger" and that each of will then be judged according to the way we have lived our life on earth. He raises some questions about "judgement", however. We are forbidden to judge. What can this mean? He must be talking directly to some members of the Roman community he is writing to for we do have to judge if we are to avoid sinful companions and teaching.

Jesus is more targeted in his condemnation of the Pharisees and Lawyers who do judge others but ignore their own lack of love and toleration. There is no apology to the lawyer who complains about the insult;. only an even more direct condemnation.

I judge everyday; I condemn the clergy who although reading these passages of scripture everyday continue in their hypocrisy and vice. I condemn myself for the sins I have committed and the harm done to other people. I know that I do not have a full awareness of the horror that sin is to the perfect love of the Trinty.

Dear Lord, let me forgive those who trespass against me to be able to receive the free grace of your pardon that comes first to Jews then to Greeks and then to our whole world.

 12/10/2021

What does St Paul mean when he says that he is not ashamed of the Gospel that he preaches? He goes on to condemn the men who have failed to accept God even though they can see the wonders of creation. He condemns phlosophers who have come to love their own thoughts rather than recognize God as the creator of all. Impiety and depravity are the prisons that enclose Truth. So why is it that he says he is not ashamed to preach and live the Truth? Has he recently been mocked for his preacing? Has he been heckled by sophisticated layabouts. Has some superior "Hawkins of his day"chosen to argue against the possibility of the "Resurrection"? 

Jesus again offends the professional preachers of his day by not practising the minutiae of their faith. I often feel sorry for the Pharisees who were like me trying to do their best in a difficult situation. The man Jesus who so often offended them is God. How would I be if Jesus was still walking the Earth. How would I know that as a truth if the only sign was still the sign of Jonah.

I am not ashamed of what I write and think each morning but do know that no matter how poorly written those thoughts are reaching out to Heaven where they are understood for what they really are.

Dear Lord I place myself and all whom I know into your hands and ask for the endurance to come to a death that can be seen as embracing eternal life. Help me Lord Jesus to pray.

 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.