General. In an age when God has been rendered as a mere concept, where His power and glory have been diminished to equality and fairness, the real meaning of all this is that man considers himself to possess God’s attributes and that he does not require faith or humility. In Eastern Churches we still see the congregation approaching the Eucharist with awe and faith, which is the right manner about celebrating an eternal sacrifice rather than a simple memorial of the Last Supper. Let us pray God in this Eucharist that we may have the humility which comes from faith in the Real Presence.

Jeremiah. Hard times come by for any prophet who speaks out in the name of the Lord. The principle people live by is that of passing a comfortable life, if not one full of pleasure – hedonism, and that living God’s way is uncomfortable and difficult. Yet the prophet has to tell the truth, stark as it may be, and this puts him at a strong social disadvantage in which he might often feel depressed. This notwithstanding, the prophet still knows that God is on his side.

Epistle to the Romans. St Paul develops the theme further in that to offset the trend of the world and of the flesh, the Christian should offer his body as a living and holy victim which is pleasing to God and all in spiritual praise. This is Jesus on the Cross, Jesus in the Eucharist and the Christian in his everyday life. The Christian’s life is one of obedience, of doing God’s Will, of discerning between right and wrong, briefly of not living a let-go comfortable life but one which is based on the life of the Suffering Servant whose image he should imitate.

St Matthew. Imposed suffering and death were a must in the life of Jesus yet not even the apostles understood this. Peter got a chiding for getting things from the wrong end. After so much time with Jesus he had not yet understood that living God’s ways meant going against the grain of the world. God’s ways are having faith in the Father and being obedient to Him and doing His Will. Of carrying one’s cross in which to find one’s glory even if the mystery of suffering is not understood in this world other than we partake with Christ’s suffering. At the end Jesus will do justice on individuals, people and nations and then the truth about suffering and glory will emerge for all to see.

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