SCRIPTURE
And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’
Matthew 26:21,22
OBSERVATION
It is the evening of Passover and Jesus is celebrating this Jewish feast with His twelve disciples; He with a clear picture of what is about to happen, the disciples with confusion. Jesus reveals what is about to happen (betrayal by one of His closest friends), which is denied by all. The two main players in this denial are Peter and Judas. Within twenty-four hours both would face the shame of their denial. Judas is overwhelmed with hopelessness and kills himself. Peter, with many bitter tears, stays with his fellow disciples, eventually meets the resurrected Jesus and becomes the rock that Jesus predicted.
OBSERVATION
The disciple's denial echoes on today within me "Not I, Lord, surely?" I say this to myself while knowing full well that my sins contributed to nailing my Lord to the cross. Perhaps today is a good day for me to be honest with Jesus about this.
PRAYER
Jesus my Lord, my friend. I am so sorry that I have sinned against you. With your help Lord, I will try not to sin again. Let your mercy triumph over judgment.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
My God
SCRIPTURE
The Jews answered him, ‘We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.’
Jn.10:33
OBSERVATION
The Jews are wanting to silence Jesus because of His claims of divinity. Jesus replies, if you can't believe what I say at least believe in what I do as this testifies to who I am.
APPLICATION
Nothing's changed in two thousand years. Jesus' divinity is still the great dividing point. Many say Jesus did exist in history, was a good man saying wise things, a prophet even.. but God? This is the central to our Christian faith. If I don't believe in Jesus' divinity then I am not a believer and the cross doesn't make sense. I face today knowing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for me, God loves me that much!
PRAYER
Jesus, you are my God and Saviour. In You I place my trust.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
The Jews answered him, ‘We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.’
Jn.10:33
OBSERVATION
The Jews are wanting to silence Jesus because of His claims of divinity. Jesus replies, if you can't believe what I say at least believe in what I do as this testifies to who I am.
APPLICATION
Nothing's changed in two thousand years. Jesus' divinity is still the great dividing point. Many say Jesus did exist in history, was a good man saying wise things, a prophet even.. but God? This is the central to our Christian faith. If I don't believe in Jesus' divinity then I am not a believer and the cross doesn't make sense. I face today knowing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for me, God loves me that much!
PRAYER
Jesus, you are my God and Saviour. In You I place my trust.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hail Mary Full of Grace
Solemnity
SCRIPTURE
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Lk.1:26
OBSERVATION
The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy finally happens, starting with the annunciation by the angel Gabriel to Mary. Luke records the process Mary goes through as Gabriel reveals God's plan of salvation for the world and her role in that plan. First, she was deeply disturbed. Then she asks an honest question: "But how can this come about...?". Finally, she accepts: "I am the handmaiden of the Lord..."
APPLICATION
Mary is the clearest role model of what a follower of Christ, a Christian, is like. Sometimes, like Mary, I am afraid. She says that's OK. Sometimes, like Mary, I question things, even God's plans. Mary says that's OK. Sometimes, like Mary, in faith I accept those plans. This is the objective of the previous two steps, complete acceptance of God in my life. And when this happens, oh what will be birthed in me!
PRAYER
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Way Out
SCRIPTURE
So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.
Numbers 21:9
OBSERVATION
The Israelites are on their great exodus in the desert escaping from slavery. They loose patience, speaking against Moses and even against God. The result is a plague of fiery serpents that kills many of them. But God gives a way out, the bronze serpent on a standard for them to look upon and live. In today's Gospel Jesus refers to this Old Testament event when He says, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know...".
APPLICATION
There are times when I loose patience and I speak against Moses (the Church) and even against God. There are two things for me to note here. First, when I loose patience this way I am risking much, even my very (eternal) life. Secondly, God still provides me a way out, His Son lifted up on a cross.
The shadow of the cross looms larger across the landscape as I approach Holy Week and my focus turns to the Passion and Death of Jesus. I recognise this as my "way out". God loved (me) so much that He sent His one and only Son...
PRAYER
Lord by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set me free. You are the Saviour of the world!
Little Flower, please pray for me.
So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.
Numbers 21:9
OBSERVATION
The Israelites are on their great exodus in the desert escaping from slavery. They loose patience, speaking against Moses and even against God. The result is a plague of fiery serpents that kills many of them. But God gives a way out, the bronze serpent on a standard for them to look upon and live. In today's Gospel Jesus refers to this Old Testament event when He says, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know...".
APPLICATION
There are times when I loose patience and I speak against Moses (the Church) and even against God. There are two things for me to note here. First, when I loose patience this way I am risking much, even my very (eternal) life. Secondly, God still provides me a way out, His Son lifted up on a cross.
The shadow of the cross looms larger across the landscape as I approach Holy Week and my focus turns to the Passion and Death of Jesus. I recognise this as my "way out". God loved (me) so much that He sent His one and only Son...
PRAYER
Lord by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set me free. You are the Saviour of the world!
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
My God, What Love is This?
SCRIPTURE
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee?’... So the people could not agree about him.
Jn.7:40
OBSERVATION
Jesus is becoming more forthright in proclaiming who He is and this disturbs the people. Some agree, some disagree, some scoff. The Pharisees note the agitation and step up their plans to silence Jesus. The shadow of the cross looms larger across the landscape.
APPLICATION
The unequivocal claims of Jesus about His divinity have always been the bone of contention. Many agree Jesus was a wise and good man who existed in history, some even recognise him as a prophet... but God? If I don't believe in Jesus' divinity then I am not a believer. Jesus' complete nature in being fully man AND fully God is fundamental to my Christian faith. It is the only thing that makes sense of His death. It defines the infinite love that God the Father has for me. "For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son...". For God so loved me!
Today the divinity of Christ reminds me I am infinitely loveable and infinitely loved.
PRAYER
Thank you Father for loving me so much that you sent your one and only Son so that I will not perish but have eternal life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee?’... So the people could not agree about him.
Jn.7:40
OBSERVATION
Jesus is becoming more forthright in proclaiming who He is and this disturbs the people. Some agree, some disagree, some scoff. The Pharisees note the agitation and step up their plans to silence Jesus. The shadow of the cross looms larger across the landscape.
APPLICATION
The unequivocal claims of Jesus about His divinity have always been the bone of contention. Many agree Jesus was a wise and good man who existed in history, some even recognise him as a prophet... but God? If I don't believe in Jesus' divinity then I am not a believer. Jesus' complete nature in being fully man AND fully God is fundamental to my Christian faith. It is the only thing that makes sense of His death. It defines the infinite love that God the Father has for me. "For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son...". For God so loved me!
Today the divinity of Christ reminds me I am infinitely loveable and infinitely loved.
PRAYER
Thank you Father for loving me so much that you sent your one and only Son so that I will not perish but have eternal life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Friday, March 19, 2010
A Man of Honour
Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary.
SCRIPTURE
Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.
Matthew 1:19
OBSERVATION
Joseph has just learnt that his betrothed is pregnant, and he knows the child isn't his... I often overlook the trauma this must have been for Joseph. All his dreams for a future with a faithful wife, the family they would raise... shattered. The miracle is that he didn't react out of his pain and at the very least have Mary publicly humiliated. But he gave up his rights and was going to divorce Mary quietly "to spare her...". This says something about the depth of character of the man. God entrusted to Joseph His two most precious things, His son and the mother of His son. God new Joseph had steady hands, that he was "a man of honour".
APPLICATION
Oh to be recorded in the Book of Life as a "Man of Honour". The little that is recorded of the man Joseph is still enough to make him my hero. What a role-model. Today I hold up Saint Joseph before me as a reference point for how I live my day as a husband, as a father, as a man... as a man of honour.
PRAYER
Saint Joseph, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.
Matthew 1:19
OBSERVATION
Joseph has just learnt that his betrothed is pregnant, and he knows the child isn't his... I often overlook the trauma this must have been for Joseph. All his dreams for a future with a faithful wife, the family they would raise... shattered. The miracle is that he didn't react out of his pain and at the very least have Mary publicly humiliated. But he gave up his rights and was going to divorce Mary quietly "to spare her...". This says something about the depth of character of the man. God entrusted to Joseph His two most precious things, His son and the mother of His son. God new Joseph had steady hands, that he was "a man of honour".
APPLICATION
Oh to be recorded in the Book of Life as a "Man of Honour". The little that is recorded of the man Joseph is still enough to make him my hero. What a role-model. Today I hold up Saint Joseph before me as a reference point for how I live my day as a husband, as a father, as a man... as a man of honour.
PRAYER
Saint Joseph, please pray for me.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Eternal Life
SCRIPTURE
‘You study the scriptures, believing that in them you have eternal life; now these same scriptures testify to me, and yet you refuse to come to me for life!"
‘You study the scriptures, believing that in them you have eternal life; now these same scriptures testify to me, and yet you refuse to come to me for life!"
Jn.5:39,40
OBSERVATION
Jesus has just healed the man lying beside the pool in Jerusalem
These particular verses are all the more significant when I realise what is coming in the next chapter of John; John Chapter 6 is the great discourse Jesus gives on the Eucharist…
"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day”. (Jn.6:53,54)
The accusation from Jesus about those studying scriptures and still refusing to come to Him for life is just as true for many today.
APPLICATION
Holy Eucharist is such I gift that I often take for granted. I forget that Jesus has promised me eternal life when I eat His flesh and drink His blood. What a wonderful promise! Today I need to go to Mass with this renewed appreciation of who it is and what it is I am receiving.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, I come to you today for eternal life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Get up and Walk!
SCRIPTURE
‘Do you want to be well again?’ ‘Sir,’ replied the sick man ‘I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.’ Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.’
Jn.5:6-8
OBSERVATION
Jesus is in Jerusalem and is moved with pity for the one sick man among the many lame and crippled who are lying there waiting for a miracle. Jesus heals the man on the Sabbath, incurring the wrath of the Pharisees who intensify their persecution of Him.
OBSERVATION
On more than one occasion in the Gospels it is recorded where Jesus asks this type of question of a person who is obviously in need. "Do you want to be well again?" The question demands a response. The sick man in this story responds by telling Jesus why he can't be healed. Jesus then tells him how he can be healed, "Get up... and walk". There is healing power in simply recognising Jesus' authority over sickness and acting on it. Then man gets up, and he walks!
I am sick. The illness of sin lies in me and cripples me. Jesus asks me, "Do you want to be well again? Do I give Jesus excuses for my ailment, or do I recognise the authority of Jesus over my sickness?
Today I choose to get up... and walk!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. Thank you that You bring me life and life in abundance. You are my Hope and Joy!
Little Flower, please pray for me.
‘Do you want to be well again?’ ‘Sir,’ replied the sick man ‘I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I am still on the way, someone else gets there before me.’ Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.’
Jn.5:6-8
OBSERVATION
Jesus is in Jerusalem and is moved with pity for the one sick man among the many lame and crippled who are lying there waiting for a miracle. Jesus heals the man on the Sabbath, incurring the wrath of the Pharisees who intensify their persecution of Him.
OBSERVATION
On more than one occasion in the Gospels it is recorded where Jesus asks this type of question of a person who is obviously in need. "Do you want to be well again?" The question demands a response. The sick man in this story responds by telling Jesus why he can't be healed. Jesus then tells him how he can be healed, "Get up... and walk". There is healing power in simply recognising Jesus' authority over sickness and acting on it. Then man gets up, and he walks!
I am sick. The illness of sin lies in me and cripples me. Jesus asks me, "Do you want to be well again? Do I give Jesus excuses for my ailment, or do I recognise the authority of Jesus over my sickness?
Today I choose to get up... and walk!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. Thank you that You bring me life and life in abundance. You are my Hope and Joy!
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Love God and Love Others
SCRIPTURE
Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’
Mark 12:29-31
OBSERVATION
Jesus is replying to a question from a scribe, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ No doubt the question was more about testing Jesus than from a real desire to know. But Jesus took the question at face value and went deeper with it, knowing it would reveal not only a truth to the world but a truth about the scribe himself. The scribe was taken past his cynicism to a genuine truth that lay deeper within him: he loved God and he loved others. The scribe's spontaneous response showed who he really was and led Jesus to proclaim, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’
APPLICATION
Loving God and loving others does that. It gets past all my human pride, my judgmental-ism, my greed, my lustfulness. In short, it gets past my brokenness, which is still there like the scribe's, and allows the real me to shine... the me God made me to be. It truly is the most important thing for me today.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, today I want to be not far from the Kingdom of God. Teach me how to love.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’
Mark 12:29-31
OBSERVATION
Jesus is replying to a question from a scribe, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ No doubt the question was more about testing Jesus than from a real desire to know. But Jesus took the question at face value and went deeper with it, knowing it would reveal not only a truth to the world but a truth about the scribe himself. The scribe was taken past his cynicism to a genuine truth that lay deeper within him: he loved God and he loved others. The scribe's spontaneous response showed who he really was and led Jesus to proclaim, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’
APPLICATION
Loving God and loving others does that. It gets past all my human pride, my judgmental-ism, my greed, my lustfulness. In short, it gets past my brokenness, which is still there like the scribe's, and allows the real me to shine... the me God made me to be. It truly is the most important thing for me today.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, today I want to be not far from the Kingdom of God. Teach me how to love.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Unity
SCRIPTURE
‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses.
Luke 11:17
OBSERVATION
Jesus has just delivered a man from a demon. Most people marvel at what He has done but some criticised Jesus, accusing Him of working for the devil. Jesus refutes their accusation with pure and simple logic; “a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan…”
APPLICATION
The logic Jesus uses to counter the claims against Him is a universal law. Anything divided becomes a weaker entity. This law is like gravity, you can’t escape it. It applies to everything, physical, social and spiritual. It applies to the entities I am part of; my church, my parish, my family. A major plea in Jesus’ priestly prayer at the Last Supper was for the unity of His followers; “Father, may they be one as you and I are one…”. Disunity is a curse from the devil while unity is a blessing from God. This being so, today I make unity the hallmark of all my relationships. It is the sign of an authentic Believer.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, remind me by your Spirit to be one who unifies and builds up, not separates and tears down.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses.
Luke 11:17
OBSERVATION
Jesus has just delivered a man from a demon. Most people marvel at what He has done but some criticised Jesus, accusing Him of working for the devil. Jesus refutes their accusation with pure and simple logic; “a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan…”
APPLICATION
The logic Jesus uses to counter the claims against Him is a universal law. Anything divided becomes a weaker entity. This law is like gravity, you can’t escape it. It applies to everything, physical, social and spiritual. It applies to the entities I am part of; my church, my parish, my family. A major plea in Jesus’ priestly prayer at the Last Supper was for the unity of His followers; “Father, may they be one as you and I are one…”. Disunity is a curse from the devil while unity is a blessing from God. This being so, today I make unity the hallmark of all my relationships. It is the sign of an authentic Believer.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, remind me by your Spirit to be one who unifies and builds up, not separates and tears down.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Price Has Been Paid
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.
Mt.5:17
OBSERVATION
Jesus gives this startling proclamation immediately after giving the beatitudes during His Sermon on the Mount.
APPLICATION
I often wrongly think that Jesus came to replace the Law of Moses, that He came to free us from the Law which ends in death. While this is true, I still need the Law to convict me of my sinfulness. It is then that I rush into the loving arms of my Father in Heaven and throw myself into His mercy. Jesus completion of the Law was carried out on the cross when He took the punishment the Law demands of me. He took my death-sentence that I might live. What a price he paid! What a gift I have received! Today I live with a deep sense of thankfulness for what Jesus has gained for me.
PRAYER
Jesus my Redeemer, thank you for all you have done and are doing for me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.
Mt.5:17
OBSERVATION
Jesus gives this startling proclamation immediately after giving the beatitudes during His Sermon on the Mount.
APPLICATION
I often wrongly think that Jesus came to replace the Law of Moses, that He came to free us from the Law which ends in death. While this is true, I still need the Law to convict me of my sinfulness. It is then that I rush into the loving arms of my Father in Heaven and throw myself into His mercy. Jesus completion of the Law was carried out on the cross when He took the punishment the Law demands of me. He took my death-sentence that I might live. What a price he paid! What a gift I have received! Today I live with a deep sense of thankfulness for what Jesus has gained for me.
PRAYER
Jesus my Redeemer, thank you for all you have done and are doing for me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
He is the Answer
SCRIPTURE
Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem
Lk.13:4,5
OBSERVATION
Jesus is responding to the news about people who had been slaughtered by Pilate while in the Temple
APPLICATION
Travesty and injustice continues to happen. Bad things still happen to good and innocent people. Our friends little eight-year old daughter has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Why Jesus? Why does this happen?
This is the wrong question of course. I should be asking “How?” …How am I to live with this Lord? Jesus’ answer is the same… Repent. Draw closer to Him and then it will obvious as to how I am to respond to the injustices of this world. He always is the answer.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you are the answer to all my questions. Help me draw closer to you today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Beloved Son
SCRIPTURE
While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly.
Luke 15:20
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees were complaining that Jesus welcomed sinners, even eating with them. In response Jesus tells them the three beautiful parables about those who are lost and the lengths God the Father goes to find them… The parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep and finally the greatest revelation of God’s love, the parable of the lost son.
APPLICATION
This parable Jesus tells always resonates with me. Often I identify with the lost son, sometimes I see more of myself in the jealous older brother, always I rejoice in the picture Jesus paints of the loving Father. No matter what “pig pen” I have come from, He is the one who runs to me, takes me in His arms and says “Son, welcome home”.
Today I see myself rightly, I see myself as the beloved son.
PRAYER
Father in heaven, what can I say that conveys my gratitude for your love… nothing. I simply sit in your love and bask in it.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly.
Luke 15:20
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees were complaining that Jesus welcomed sinners, even eating with them. In response Jesus tells them the three beautiful parables about those who are lost and the lengths God the Father goes to find them… The parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep and finally the greatest revelation of God’s love, the parable of the lost son.
APPLICATION
This parable Jesus tells always resonates with me. Often I identify with the lost son, sometimes I see more of myself in the jealous older brother, always I rejoice in the picture Jesus paints of the loving Father. No matter what “pig pen” I have come from, He is the one who runs to me, takes me in His arms and says “Son, welcome home”.
Today I see myself rightly, I see myself as the beloved son.
PRAYER
Father in heaven, what can I say that conveys my gratitude for your love… nothing. I simply sit in your love and bask in it.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Where do I place my trust?
SCRIPTURE
A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope. He is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: when the heat comes it feels no alarm, its foliage stays green; it has no worries in a year of drought, and never ceases to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7,8
OBSERVATION
The prophet Jeremiah is laying out the consequences of trusting man in or trusting in God. The former leads to barrenness and death, the latter to fruitfulness and life. The point is it is not if heat comes, it is when heat comes that the difference is made obvious. The heat brings barrenness and death or fruitfulness and life.
APPLICATION
I am experiencing heat at the moment. My job is under review and I am facing the possibility of office closure, which would mean redundancy for me. Where do I place my trust? It’s a no-brainer. Today I trust in the Lord.
PRAYER
The Lord is the light of my salvation. Whom shall I fear. The Lord is the stronghold of my life, I shall not be afraid.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope. He is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: when the heat comes it feels no alarm, its foliage stays green; it has no worries in a year of drought, and never ceases to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7,8
OBSERVATION
The prophet Jeremiah is laying out the consequences of trusting man in or trusting in God. The former leads to barrenness and death, the latter to fruitfulness and life. The point is it is not if heat comes, it is when heat comes that the difference is made obvious. The heat brings barrenness and death or fruitfulness and life.
APPLICATION
I am experiencing heat at the moment. My job is under review and I am facing the possibility of office closure, which would mean redundancy for me. Where do I place my trust? It’s a no-brainer. Today I trust in the Lord.
PRAYER
The Lord is the light of my salvation. Whom shall I fear. The Lord is the stronghold of my life, I shall not be afraid.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
My Plans, His Plans
SCRIPTURE
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came with her sons…
Mt.20:17-20
OBSERVATION
Today’s Gospel is remarkable on two counts. Firstly, for what happened. Jesus has given His disciples excruciating detail about what is to happen to Him in Jerusalem: …betrayal, condemnation, mocking, scourging, crucifixion and finally, resurrection. But it’s as though He had said nothing. Immediately the disciples start squabbling about who is to be His right hand man. Secondly, this passage is remarkable for what Jesus is actually saying. He succinctly outlines the Paschal Mystery… Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.
APPLICATION
Like the disciples, I’m not always that good at listening to what Jesus is saying. Like them, I often am too busy clamouring for my own plans and desires, not His. Today is a day for me to listen, truly listen to what the Lord is saying to me. It just might be the revelation of a great mystery…
PRAYER
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.’
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came with her sons…
Mt.20:17-20
OBSERVATION
Today’s Gospel is remarkable on two counts. Firstly, for what happened. Jesus has given His disciples excruciating detail about what is to happen to Him in Jerusalem: …betrayal, condemnation, mocking, scourging, crucifixion and finally, resurrection. But it’s as though He had said nothing. Immediately the disciples start squabbling about who is to be His right hand man. Secondly, this passage is remarkable for what Jesus is actually saying. He succinctly outlines the Paschal Mystery… Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.
APPLICATION
Like the disciples, I’m not always that good at listening to what Jesus is saying. Like them, I often am too busy clamouring for my own plans and desires, not His. Today is a day for me to listen, truly listen to what the Lord is saying to me. It just might be the revelation of a great mystery…
PRAYER
Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Less is More
SCRIPTURE
The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exults himself will be humbled and anyone who humbles himself will be exulted.
Mt.23:12
OBSERVATION
Jesus is teaching the crowds, warning them not to follow the hypocrisy of the scribes and the Pharisees. He then gives the blue print for true greatness… be the least.
APPLICATION
This is another great Christian characteristic that the world simply calls madness. To choose to be a servant, choose to be last, choose humility over exaltation screams in the face of today’s self-centred absorption with which the world constantly seduces me. Humility has always been a hallmark of the saints, men and women who chose to go against the flow of their times. They had learnt the secret that less is actually more. Today I chose to go against the flow, to be least and little.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. You are the Servant King. Teach me your ways that there may be less of me and more of you in my life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exults himself will be humbled and anyone who humbles himself will be exulted.
Mt.23:12
OBSERVATION
Jesus is teaching the crowds, warning them not to follow the hypocrisy of the scribes and the Pharisees. He then gives the blue print for true greatness… be the least.
APPLICATION
This is another great Christian characteristic that the world simply calls madness. To choose to be a servant, choose to be last, choose humility over exaltation screams in the face of today’s self-centred absorption with which the world constantly seduces me. Humility has always been a hallmark of the saints, men and women who chose to go against the flow of their times. They had learnt the secret that less is actually more. Today I chose to go against the flow, to be least and little.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. You are the Servant King. Teach me your ways that there may be less of me and more of you in my life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
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