Happy Humility

Fourth Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE

After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

no servant is greater than his master,

no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.

‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly.
Jn.1316,17

 OBSERVATION

Jesus has just washed the disciples feet a the Last Supper and starts his last discourse to them, teaching on true servant-hood. Jesus infers here that there is happiness that comes with humility.

APPLICATION

This is one of the many counter-cultural teachings of Jesus.  The world tells us it is better to be served than to serve.  Jesus' model of washing the disciple's feet teaches the opposite.  Happiness will be mine, says Jesus, if I serve others as though they are better than myself.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus you are the Servant King. Help me form a servant's heart after your own.

Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Greater Love

Feast Day of Saint Peter Chanel, Priest, Martyr




SCRIPTURE
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Jn.15:12,13


OBSERVATION
Today is the Feast of Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr.  His zeal to be a missionary was thwarted for many years before he was sent to the island of Futuna in the Pacific where he was murdered by the locals.  Chanel's martyrdom accomplished his missionary work, with most of the island converting, including his murderer.


APPLICATION
The greatest act of love is to lay done your life.  The obvious inference is that this is what Jesus did for me and I should do likewise. It is a great calling but not one I would willing rush into. I'm sure Saint Peter didn't plan on his martyrdom.  And yet he did die for those he came to serve in Jesus name. 


PRAYER 
Lord Jesus, I do love the gift of my life. I surrender it to you.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for me.

What's in a Name?

Fourth Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE
 It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’
Acts.11:26

OBSERVATION
The persecution following the martyrdom of Stephen has scattered the followers of Jesus throughout Asia Minor.    They preached as they traveled and so the Good News of Jesus was spread as a result, one of the most fertile grounds being Antioch. Here not only Jews were converted but Greeks as well.  Barnabas was sent to check on the unusual happenings at Antioch and was pleased with what he saw.  It was at Antioch that the followers of the way of Jesus became distinctive in their life style to the degree that they became named as "Christians".

APPLICATION
What's in a name?  Is my life style so radical that others would readily call me Christian, would readily call me Catholic.  When I first converted twenty-one years ago these names felt strange but also exciting.  I knew I was going against the flow and I wore these labels with pride.  Have I become complacent in my life-style?  Do I no longer stand out as radically different? My zeal for Jesus needs to regain a few degrees of heat.  I need to be more worthy of the name.

PRAYER
There is no other name by which men can be saved, there is no other name under heaven.  Lord Jesus, may I be worthy of your beautiful name.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Reach the Ends of the Earth

Fourth Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly. ‘We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it, since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, we must turn to the pagans. For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said:

I have made you a light for the nations,

so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.’

It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message;
Acts.13:46-48

OBSERVATION
Paul and Barnabas have reached Antioch and are preaching the Good News of Jesus so boldly that many are converted. Again this causes jealously among the Jewish leaders who plot against them.  Paul and Barnabas take this opposition from the Jews as a sign that they are to start preaching to gentiles and pagans, much to the joy of those people.

APPLICATION
There is a tendency in me to "preach to the converted", it's much safer.  But this was never God's intention.  His salvation is intended to reach the ends of the earth.  Who are the "gentiles and pagans" in my day to day living that I can present the Good News of Jesus to?

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, give me boldness to present the Gospel clearly to all who are destined to be saved.
Saints Paul and Barnabas, pray for me. 

Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood

Third Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE

 As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
Jn.6:57

OBSERVATION

The crowd has chased after Jesus following the miracle of the feeding of the five-thousand.  Jesus confronts their misunderstanding of who He is and why he had come by explaining it is His flesh that must be desired to be eaten, not just bread.  Even as people start grumbling about this and start drifting away, Jesus doesn't water down what He is saying.  In fact He emphasises it;  ‘I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you." Jn.6:53

This is the great establishment of the Holy Eucharist which Jesus then performs at the Last Supper.

APPLICATION

I want the life of Jesus in me.  Holy Eucharist offers me that, not because of any teaching of man, but because Jesus Himself said it will.  I will approach the Eucharist with a new sense of awe as to who and what it is I am receiving.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of your flesh and your blood that promises me eternal life!  Jesus in the Eucharist, I trust in You.

Little Flower, please pray for me.

Right place at the Right Time

Third Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE
The eunuch turned to Philip and said, ‘Tell me, is the prophet referring to himself or someone else?’ Starting, therefore, with this text of scripture Philip proceeded to explain the Good News of Jesus to him.
Acts 8:34,35

OBSERVATION
Philip is prompted by an angel to meet the eunuch Ethiopian official on the road and engage with him.  The eunuch is reading scripture and puzzling at what it could mean.  The scripture is from Isaiah, the prophesy about Jesus being led like a sheep to the slaughter house.  The Eunuch asks the question, Philip gives the answer.  The eunuch was ready for the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he had asked the question.  Philip's presentation of the Good News had a powerful affect as the eunuch immediately asked for baptism.

APPLICATION
I'm reminded of a saying: "Don't give the answer until he asks the question".  Philip was in relationship with the eunuch, enabling the question that would change his life for ever to be asked.  I need to be more open to hearing an angel prompting me to be at the right place at the right time, to get into relationship with others so they can ask the question. I can then give the Good News of Jesus to them.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit.  Help me hear your promptings to get into the right place at the right time so I may meet others and give the Good News of Jesus when they ask the question.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

When the Stones get Thrown

Third Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’
Acts 7:55,56

OBSERVATION
Stephen has been falsely accused of blasphemy before the Sanhedrin.  He continues to boldly proclaim the truth about Jesus before them, incurring their mounting rage. The greater their anger the more insistent Stephen becomes about the divinity of Jesus, ending with a glorious apparition of seeing "heaven thrown open" with Jesus and God the Father waiting for him.  Saint Stephen is acknowledged as the Church's first martyr. You wouldn't die for what you know to be a lie. It is upon his blood and the blood of others who soon follow him that the foundations of the Church are firmly and unshakably laid.

APPLICATION
This reminds me of a line from a News Boys song:  "When the stones get thrown, they either miss or they turn to Glory."  For Stephen, they turned to Glory.  It's not a matter of IF but WHEN the stones get thrown. Standing up for Jesus makes me a target.  This is the boldness I claim today to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus.  Fill me with a zeal to proclaim You to my world which is crying out to know the truth.
Saint Stephen pray for me.

Don't Give Up

Second Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE
Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?’ He only said this to test Philip; he himself knew exactly what he was going to do.
Jn.6:5

OBSERVATION
The ministry of Jesus is on a high.  Miracles abound and the crowds are growing.  Jesus performs the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and the crowd want to overtake Him and make Him king.  That was not the type of kingdom Jesus had come to establish and so He "escaped back to the hills by himself". Jesus knew what He was about to do and yet He still gave Philip the opportunity first to respond in faith.  Philip responds in the flesh, "we haven't enough money!", and so Jesus takes control of the situation.

APPLICATION
One could say Philip failed the test and yet in the Book of Acts we read how Philip was transformed into a bold preacher of the Good News and was performing miracles in the name of Jesus himself.  Jesus didn't give up on him and more importantly, Philip didn't give up on Jesus.
I know there are tests I have failed with Jesus.  Today I take the example of Philip and pick myself up and try again.  Jesus hasn't given up on me.  I won't give up on Jesus.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus.  Thank you for not giving up on me, for staying with me and believing in me.  Today I recommit myself to you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Anyone who Believes

Second Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE

Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: the anger of God stays on him.

Jn.3:36

OBSERVATION

John the Baptist is replying to his disciples who are complaining that Jesus is baptising and everyone is going to him. John  backs up the authority that Jesus has to do what He has come to do.  John not only recognises the divinity of Jesus but endorses His authority as the only way to eternal life.

APPLICATION

Christianity isn't just a nice way for nice people to live nicely.  It's a matter of life and death! When presented with who Jesus is (the Son of God) and why I need Him (for eternal life), there's no middle road.  I either accept or reject.  Today I accept what Jesus is offering me, eternal life.  What a privilege, what a gift!

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, my Lord and my God.  Thank you for what You have won for me and my loved ones... eternal life!

Little Flower, please pray for me.

Love Changes Everything

Second Week of Easter

SCRIPTURE

Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.

Jn.3:16

OBSERVATION

Jesus concludes His conversation with Nicodemus by giving the most quoted verse of the Bible: "For God so loved the world..."  This secret meeting with Jesus changed Nicodemus' life forever.  He later speaks out for Jesus before the Pharisees and finally helps Joseph of Arimathea anoint Jesus body after the crucifixion. 

APPLICATION

That's what love does.  It changes everything.  Nicodemus, a Pharisee himself, had not found love in the Law, he found it in Jesus.  God so loved Nicodemus that He sent His only Son.  God so loves me...  This changes everything.

PRAYER

Jesus my Lord, my friend, my lover.  I place my trust in your love.

Little Flower, please pray for me.

A Son of Encouragement

SCRIPTURE
There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and presented it to the apostles.
Acts.4:37

OBSERVATION
The early church is blossoming, with all members sharing all they had with one another.  One man stands out as an example of the brotherhood; Joseph know as Barnabas.

APPLICATION
Oh to be recorded in the Book of Life as a "Son of Encouragement".  The virtue of encouragement is counter-cultural.  It puts the other person before myself.  The dictionary defines encourage as "to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence".  This defines for me the Christian way of relating with others, the Christian way of life.  Today I choose to build others up, to be a Son of Encouragement.


PRAYER
Holy Spirit.  Inspire me to speak words of encouragement today, that Jesus may be glorified.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

He Lives!

Saturday Easter  Octave

SCRIPTURE
And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
Mk.16:15

OBSERVATION
Mark records in his Gospel how the resurrected Jesus first appeared to His incredulous followers, starting with Mary of Magdala, the two on the road and then the Eleven themselves.  Of all those to whom Jesus showed Himself, Mary got it most right.  She immediately went and "proclaimed the Good News".

APPLICATION
I've decided I am a resurrection person. The thrill of the Good News of Jesus' resurrection still tingles within me. I am still in Easter.  This the Church recognises by proclaiming the Easter Octave being eight days as one.  Easter is too big to try and contain within twenty-four hours.  This is too good to contain, I must proclaim it.  The Good News is very simple yet it changes everything.  Jesus lived among us, He died... and He rose again!

PRAYER
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

Power in the Name

Thursday Octave of Easter

SCRIPTURE
...it is the name of Jesus which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see.
Acts.3:16

OBSERVATION
Peter and John have just healed a cripple in the temple in the the name of Jesus, causing great excitement among the crowd.  Peter uses the moment to preach powerfully about Jesus, the source of the miracle they had all just witnessed.

APPLICATION
Peter used the miracle to preach about Jesus and not take any of the credit for himself.  The miracle happened because of "faith in that name".  It's in that beautiful name, the name of Jesus, that I live and move and have my being.  Today I have a fresh appreciation of the power in the name of Jesus.  There is no other name by which man can be saved, there is no other name under heaven.

PRAYER
My Lord Jesus.  I lift up your Holy and wonderful name.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

He is Risen Indeed!

Wednesday Octave of Easter

SCRIPTURE
Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’
LK.24.32

OBSERVATION
The two disciples were in confusion and despair.   All their hopes and dreams of how Jesus would "set Israel free" were dashed.  Jesus had been crucified. His body, a broken wreak like their dreams, had now gone missing.  What's left but to go home to Emaus and try and pick up their lives again.  But then they met the risen Lord and their hearts were set back on fire and their feet were set back towards Jerusalem.  Something had happened beyond their hopes, beyond even their wildest dreams.

APPLICATION
I am a resurrection person. After the agony of the Passion is the bursting joy of the Resurrection.  And each time I reflect on this my heart burns within me.  On this I place all my hope.  From this comes all my joy!

PRAYER
Alleluia, Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed. Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Know the sound of His Voice

Easter Tuesday

SCRIPTURE
Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then...
Jn.20:16

OBSERVATION
All we know of Mary of Magdala is that she had seven demons cast out from her by Jesus, that she became one of the faithful women followers of Jesus, that she was present at His crucifixion and that she was among the first to have seen the resurrected Lord. At first she doesn't recognise Jesus in His resurrected body, but when He calls her name she instantly knows who He is.

APPLICATION
Mary had been on both sides of the track.  We don't know what the seven demons were but we do know that the casting of them out by Jesus radically changed her life.  She was so attached to Jesus, her love so great, that she stayed around during His passion and death while the other disciples fled in fear.
How great is my love for Jesus?  What demons am I still holding onto that stop me from being a radical follower?  Would I recognise Jesus' voice if He called my name?

PRAYER
Jesus my Lord, my God my All.  How can I love you as I ought?
Little Flower, please pray for me.

By His wounds I am Healed

Good Friday

SCRIPTURE

Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us.

Is.53:5,6

OBSERVATION

Isaiah prophesies the passion and death of Jesus, outlining the purpose of the horror of it all.  The single word "crushed" does not fully describe the torture employed in Jesus' death by scourging and crucifixion.  And yet on him lies a punishment that brings me peace, by His wounds I am healed.

APPLICATION

I enter today as a man healed, as a man who has been brought peace.  Today I remember the cost of  this priceless gift, and I am thankful.

PRAYER

Jesus my Lord, my God, my all.  How can I love You as I ought.  Thank you Lord for my healing, for my peace.  I place my trust in You.

Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Servant King

Holy Thursday.  Mass of the Lord's Supper.

SCRIPTURE
‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
Jn.13:15

OBSERVATION
Jesus has has just washed the disciple's feet at the Last Supper.  This included the feet of Judas, both of them knowing he was about to betray Jesus.
This is unique!  There is no other religion that has its Lord acting as a servant this way.  Jesus is the Servant King and in His own words is role modeling how His followers should relate to one another.  The hierarchy of the Catholic Church follows this blueprint.  The Pope is known as the servant of the servants of God.

APPLICATION
I am selective about who and when I serve.  I certainly would not find it easy to serve one who was about to betray me.  My attitude needs to change.  Today.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus. You are the Servant King.  Give me a servant's heart that I may copy what you have done.
Little Flower, please pray for me.