'Rescue me from what is deceitful and impious in man.' Once again the text of the Mass brings us to 'true godliness'. It sets before our eyes the poor material of which we are made and all our evil inclinations. And then it begs God: emitte lucem tuam, send forth your light and your truth, which have led me and brought me to your holy mountain. I don't mind telling you that I have been deeply moved while praying these words of the Gradual.

How then are we to behave in order to acquire this 'true godliness'? In the Gospel we read that Jesus 'did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were seeking to put him to death'. He, who could have eliminated his enemies with a simple desire of his will, also used human means. He, who was God and could change circumstances with a mere wish, has left us a marvellous lesson here: he did not go to Judea. 'His brethren said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea that your disciples also may see the works that you do."' They would have him do something spectacular. Do you see? Do you see that this is a lesson in 'true godliness' and 'false godliness'?

'True godliness'. Today's Offertory prayer proclaims: 'all who know thy name, O Lord, hope in thee, for you forsake not those who seek thee'. And we who are but mended vessels of clay rejoice, 'for he has not forgotten the prayers of the poor in spirit', the prayers of the humble.