Holy Thursday 2009
April 2009
We have all experienced frustration in our practise of religion - in our relationship with God our Father and Creator.
Why is that?
I think a big part of the answer is that, for example; I am very keen on having my child baptised. I make a big day of it. I even subject myself to a number of instruction sessions. Then I conveniently forget or ignore that Baptism is a ongoing commitment, to bringing up my child, by word and example, to know and honour God its Father and Creator. What I forget or ignore is the really important part.
I frequent the sacrament of Reconciliation to receive God’s forgiveness but conveniently forget that this is totally dependent on my willingness to forgive those who have injured me in any way.
Again I forget or ignore the really important part.
I spend time in prayer. I attend Mass and am upset if I miss Mass, but forget or ignore the fact that, to be effective, my prayer and Mass attendance must flow from a life of service to others and flow back into greater dedication to the wellbeing of others.
Yet again I forget or ignore the really important part.
We saw in today’s Gospel how Jesus, before he celebrated the first Mass, washed his disciples feet and told them - ‘I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.’
And again in Mtt. 5; ‘When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.’
Will I rub salt into my already open wounds!!!!
Listen to this. Almost every day of my life I probably say the ‘Our Father’ at one time or another. And what do I say - ‘Our Father …… forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ Who do I think I’m fooling? Most certainly I am not fooling God my Father.
This sort of carry on is the result of what the Church calls Original sin.
It will always be like this to a greater or lesser extent.
This doesn’t bother God my Father in the slightest.
What bothers God my Father, and prevents him from taking me in hand, is my failure, deliberate or through ignorance, to acknowledge and accept my weakness and failure.
This is called humility and must be the foundation and I repeat, must be the foundation, of all spirituality.