Full fertile life

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionaryy give images of the life which is the desire of God for humans. The action of Elijah to demonstrate the Presence of God with the people by defeating the priests of Baal has redirected the people toward the Lord. The sign of this reconciliation is the return of the rain in generous amount to fertilize the land and end the drought. The psalmist is filled with the praise of God which strikes us as we survey the land at this time of year and see the green and the flowers herald the beginning of another growing season which we hope will mature into the vegetables, grains and fruits we need to grow. The Gospel of Matthew, according to Friar Jude Winkler, continues the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus shows His Divinity by proclaiming the completion of the Law around killing in a rabbinical way. That is Matthew shows Jesus presenting the Complete Law on killing to include anger and gossip about another. The spiritual attitude which is aware of the killing power towards our brothers and sisters of our evil thoughts, anger and slander will certainly be conscious of the gravity of bringing physical harm to people. Our journey to righteousness requires healing of the damage we have done to ourselves through sin. Our attitudes, addictions and habits of self aggrandizement are obstacles which need resolution and removal from our being. This transformation is the role, as Friar Jude points out, of the process of Purgatory. We are convinced that the full life in relationship with God is the destiny planned for us.