Looking through Granny's old photographs, after her death, one child gazing upon a beautiful black & white image of her Gran as a young woman, asked her mother; "was everything in the world black and white back then?"
No, of course, but in other respects, life did seem starker and simpler – or was it? What was deemed "sinful" is now likely to be termed an "alternative lifestyle." Living in a full colour world brings vibrancy and life in one way, but it also brings complication.
The monochrome world of the past had its fair degree of shadow, as has today. In the sphere of religion, the laws are still there. One hour fast, confession of mortal sins, Sunday Mass obligation – but when religion becomes a matter of obeying rules, the danger is that the true religious spirit fades from the picture. Law is law, it is not love, nor is it life. Our friendships that blossom into married love, have couples struggling from the heart every day to make flesh and fresh their "I do's." It comes from the heart, it is not a legal requirement, rather a binding act of love that comes from within.
"…take notice of the laws and customs that I teach you today, and observe them, that you may have life…" (First Reading)
(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )