‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
Mark 4:21-23
Jesus is instructing His disciples, telling that there is nothing that is totally secrete. This is a universal truth, underscored by Jesus. It is a truth that is just as applicable today.
There is something both comforting and unsettling in this teaching. It means that every good deed done in secrete will be eventually rewarded and every sinful act will eventually be brought to light. When I fully embrace this truth it is actually liberating. Trying to live with secretes is exhausting. Sometimes lies are said to cover up lies. When I live remembering it is all being recorded in the book of my life which is to be eventually opened, then why try and cover up, why feel unappreciated?
This truth not only liberates but it thrusts me into the merciful arms of God. It tells me I am always in need of mercy... a good thing for me to remember today.
Lord Jesus, You know all about me. Before You I have no secretes, yet You still love me. I throw myself upon Your mercy.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Proclaimer
FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL
Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. So he was baptised there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength. He began preaching in the synagogues, ‘Jesus is the Son of God.’ All his hearers were amazed.
Acts9.18-21
Paul is blind and in confusion after having met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias is sent by Jesus to first heal Paul of his blindness and then baptise him. Paul's conversion is instant and complete. From a persecutor he is immediately changed to a proclaimer.
I love conversion stories and Saint Paul's is one of the greatest. I am a convert myself and so I guess this helps me see both sides of the story. But there is a challenge here also. How complete is my conversion? Am I a proclaimer? The Gospel is a very simple message; "Jesus is the Son of God". How well do I preach it? The answer is, not as well as I could. Today I will proclaim the Gospel.
Lord Jesus, You are the Son of God. That truth has changed my life since I accepted it.. Help me be a fearless proclaimer of Your Good News.
Saint Paul, please pray for me.
Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. So he was baptised there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength. He began preaching in the synagogues, ‘Jesus is the Son of God.’ All his hearers were amazed.
Acts9.18-21
Paul is blind and in confusion after having met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias is sent by Jesus to first heal Paul of his blindness and then baptise him. Paul's conversion is instant and complete. From a persecutor he is immediately changed to a proclaimer.
I love conversion stories and Saint Paul's is one of the greatest. I am a convert myself and so I guess this helps me see both sides of the story. But there is a challenge here also. How complete is my conversion? Am I a proclaimer? The Gospel is a very simple message; "Jesus is the Son of God". How well do I preach it? The answer is, not as well as I could. Today I will proclaim the Gospel.
Lord Jesus, You are the Son of God. That truth has changed my life since I accepted it.. Help me be a fearless proclaimer of Your Good News.
Saint Paul, please pray for me.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Jealousy
‘They have given David the tens of thousands,’ he said ‘but me only the thousands; he has all but the kingship now.’ And Saul turned a jealous eye on David from that day forward.
1Sam.18:8
The victorious Israel army returns with women singing the praises of Saul and of David. Saul hears the superior praise for David and allows jealousy to enter his heart. Saul's greatest public victory sows the seeds for his greatest personal defeat.
I have heard a priest say that he rarely hears confession for the sin of jealousy and yet it would be one of the most common of vices. It is one of the most subtle yet deadly of sins and I am just as vulnerable to it as anyone. I think the antidote to jealousy is gratefulness. When I am genuinely thankful it is hard to be jealous. An attitude of gratefulness is a virtue I can cultivate, starting from today.
Lord Jesus, help me stop comparing with others. Whenever I do it always distances me from them. Give me a spirit of gratitude to protect me from the sin of jealousy.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
1Sam.18:8
The victorious Israel army returns with women singing the praises of Saul and of David. Saul hears the superior praise for David and allows jealousy to enter his heart. Saul's greatest public victory sows the seeds for his greatest personal defeat.
I have heard a priest say that he rarely hears confession for the sin of jealousy and yet it would be one of the most common of vices. It is one of the most subtle yet deadly of sins and I am just as vulnerable to it as anyone. I think the antidote to jealousy is gratefulness. When I am genuinely thankful it is hard to be jealous. An attitude of gratefulness is a virtue I can cultivate, starting from today.
Lord Jesus, help me stop comparing with others. Whenever I do it always distances me from them. Give me a spirit of gratitude to protect me from the sin of jealousy.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
...it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord gives the victory, for the Lord is lord of the battle and he will deliver you into our power.
1 Samuel 17:47
David is facing Goliath, the Philistine champion that has had the entire Hebrew army locked down in fear. The boy David appears the weaker adversary but he has a boldness that came from the sure knowledge that God was going to help him win. He runs towards his enemy and fells him with a stone from his sling. Suddenly the tables are turned and the Philistines are are routed by the rejuvenated Hebrew army.
This story of David's triumph over Goliath has been a favorite for Jews and Christians over the millennium. Its' message of hope in God against seemly insurmountable foes has universal appeal. The battles I face, large and small, are never a surprise to God. He is the Lord of my battles and I can step up fearlessly as did David and fell my Goliaths.
Lord Jesus, You are the Captain of the army I am part of. Battles will come but You are always here to lead me. Help me never be overcome by fear.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
1 Samuel 17:47
David is facing Goliath, the Philistine champion that has had the entire Hebrew army locked down in fear. The boy David appears the weaker adversary but he has a boldness that came from the sure knowledge that God was going to help him win. He runs towards his enemy and fells him with a stone from his sling. Suddenly the tables are turned and the Philistines are are routed by the rejuvenated Hebrew army.
This story of David's triumph over Goliath has been a favorite for Jews and Christians over the millennium. Its' message of hope in God against seemly insurmountable foes has universal appeal. The battles I face, large and small, are never a surprise to God. He is the Lord of my battles and I can step up fearlessly as did David and fell my Goliaths.
Lord Jesus, You are the Captain of the army I am part of. Battles will come but You are always here to lead me. Help me never be overcome by fear.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
He Turned the Water into Wine
His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
Jn.2:5
Jesus, His Mother Mary and disciples have been invited to a wedding in Cana. The fact that the wine had run out was noticed by Mary, who turned to her Son for a solution to the problem. Despite Jesus' apparent rebuke to His Mother, ‘Woman, why turn to me?', Mary confidently expects a result. She instructs the servants to be obedient to the directions of her Son.
My son has just got married. Having the wine run out would have been embarrassing, but not catastrophic. Yet it was in response to this relatively minor event that Jesus, at the prompting of His Mother, revealed His divine nature.
This event, recorded in detail in John's Gospel, says much about how Jesus works in the affairs of men. It shows how Mary's intercession is powerful in moving God's hand. It shows how intimately concerned Jesus is about even the smaller things in my life. It shows how attentiveness to Jesus can result in miracles happening. It shows how the common water of my life can be transformed into the very best of wine when I allow Jesus to use me. This could happen at any time. This could happen today...
Lord Jesus, you know the commonness of my water, yet I believe You can transform me. Come, turn the water of my life into the wine of Yours.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Jn.2:5
Jesus, His Mother Mary and disciples have been invited to a wedding in Cana. The fact that the wine had run out was noticed by Mary, who turned to her Son for a solution to the problem. Despite Jesus' apparent rebuke to His Mother, ‘Woman, why turn to me?', Mary confidently expects a result. She instructs the servants to be obedient to the directions of her Son.
My son has just got married. Having the wine run out would have been embarrassing, but not catastrophic. Yet it was in response to this relatively minor event that Jesus, at the prompting of His Mother, revealed His divine nature.
This event, recorded in detail in John's Gospel, says much about how Jesus works in the affairs of men. It shows how Mary's intercession is powerful in moving God's hand. It shows how intimately concerned Jesus is about even the smaller things in my life. It shows how attentiveness to Jesus can result in miracles happening. It shows how the common water of my life can be transformed into the very best of wine when I allow Jesus to use me. This could happen at any time. This could happen today...
Lord Jesus, you know the commonness of my water, yet I believe You can transform me. Come, turn the water of my life into the wine of Yours.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Roadworks
So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Jn.1:23
John the Baptist is being quizzed by men who had been sent by the Pharisees to try and identify who John is. John clearly identifies himself as a messenger pointing to the Lord and Messiah who is about to come.
John's prophetic message continues to be called down through the ages; 'Make a straight way for the Lord.’ The message is given in the wilderness, away from the hustle of the world. It calls for me to make some changes to my life, to remove obstacles in the way of Jesus coming into my life more fully. How? Well, a regular prayer life is a start. And perhaps more Mass and Confession factored into my schedule.
There's much room for roadworks in my life to straighten the path...
Come Holy spirit, help me prepare the way for Jesus to come into my life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Jn.1:23
John the Baptist is being quizzed by men who had been sent by the Pharisees to try and identify who John is. John clearly identifies himself as a messenger pointing to the Lord and Messiah who is about to come.
John's prophetic message continues to be called down through the ages; 'Make a straight way for the Lord.’ The message is given in the wilderness, away from the hustle of the world. It calls for me to make some changes to my life, to remove obstacles in the way of Jesus coming into my life more fully. How? Well, a regular prayer life is a start. And perhaps more Mass and Confession factored into my schedule.
There's much room for roadworks in my life to straighten the path...
Come Holy spirit, help me prepare the way for Jesus to come into my life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
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