Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
Mt.13:44
Jesus is at the height of His teaching ministry to the crowds. He talks in parables, words the listening people will understand. He talks of sowers of seed, wheat among the weeds, yeast in dough, and now hidden treasure that is sacrificed for. He is presenting to all who will hear, then and now, a picture of the Kingdom of God.
This hidden treasure, this pearl of great price. Am I sacrificing all to attain it? Sometimes yes. Often no. I loose sight of the value of the Kingdom of God. The world seduces me with its kingdom. What can I sacrifice for the Kingdom of God today? Maybe time at Mass is a place to start...
Lord Jesus. You paid the ultimate price for me to attain the Kingdom of God. Help me keep the preciousness of God's Kingdom before me today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Repent
Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent.
Mt.11:20
Jesus denounces the towns where He has just performed miracles. The power of God has been displayed in their midst but the people do not respond by repenting of their evil ways.
If ever there was answer to the question why God doesn't perform miracles all the time, this is it. Miracles don't guarantee faith. After the feeding of the five thousand, people clamored after Jesus, not to repent and turn to God but fore more bread. The same would be true today. Human nature has not changed. A side-show Jesus would get the TV coverage but would not convert hearts.
There's is something in me that wants a side-show Jesus. I'm a bit like James and John, the Sons of Thunder. I want Jesus to pour down fire and brimstone on the brothels in my town, to smash into powder every liquor shop and bar poisoning our youth with cheap booze, to miraculously heal every child in the hospital's cancer ward. But this would not convert my city, my nation. And conversion of hearts is the more important thing. All the evils of this world, even illness I believe, would disappear when the people convert in their hearts and turn back to God. This is an inside-out thing and it can start with me, today...
Lord Jesus, forgive me for expecting You to perform for me. Help me repent and change my heart back to You.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Mt.11:20
Jesus denounces the towns where He has just performed miracles. The power of God has been displayed in their midst but the people do not respond by repenting of their evil ways.
If ever there was answer to the question why God doesn't perform miracles all the time, this is it. Miracles don't guarantee faith. After the feeding of the five thousand, people clamored after Jesus, not to repent and turn to God but fore more bread. The same would be true today. Human nature has not changed. A side-show Jesus would get the TV coverage but would not convert hearts.
There's is something in me that wants a side-show Jesus. I'm a bit like James and John, the Sons of Thunder. I want Jesus to pour down fire and brimstone on the brothels in my town, to smash into powder every liquor shop and bar poisoning our youth with cheap booze, to miraculously heal every child in the hospital's cancer ward. But this would not convert my city, my nation. And conversion of hearts is the more important thing. All the evils of this world, even illness I believe, would disappear when the people convert in their hearts and turn back to God. This is an inside-out thing and it can start with me, today...
Lord Jesus, forgive me for expecting You to perform for me. Help me repent and change my heart back to You.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Give up My Rights
But Joseph answered them, ‘Do not be afraid; is it for me to put myself in God’s place? The evil you planned to do me has by God’s design been turned to good".
Gen.50:19,20
Jacob has died and his sons realise they are no longer under his protection. The evil of their plot against Joseph decades earlier floods back to condemn them and they are afraid. But Joseph assures them of his forgiveness and protection so God's covenant with Abraham could be fulfilled.
Joseph had every right under law, and certainly the power, to annihilate his brothers. If Joseph had reacted in the flesh, God's plan of salvation through the descendants of Abraham would have come to an end. No Jewish nation, no Jesus. The evil the brothers started would have been fulfilled. But in his brother's jealousy and treachery he managed to see God's hand. Forgiveness didn't come easily, many tears had to be shed, but Joseph finally gave up his rights allowing the "evil to be turned into good".
I get absorbed in the evil, whether it's sickness or injustice or greed or selfishness. Joseph's story reminds me that God never abandons me, even in the tough times. The evil can be turned into good.
Jesus, You are with me always. Every hair on my head has been counted by You. Help me to give up on my rights as You gave on Yours when you climbed onto the cross.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Gen.50:19,20
Jacob has died and his sons realise they are no longer under his protection. The evil of their plot against Joseph decades earlier floods back to condemn them and they are afraid. But Joseph assures them of his forgiveness and protection so God's covenant with Abraham could be fulfilled.
Joseph had every right under law, and certainly the power, to annihilate his brothers. If Joseph had reacted in the flesh, God's plan of salvation through the descendants of Abraham would have come to an end. No Jewish nation, no Jesus. The evil the brothers started would have been fulfilled. But in his brother's jealousy and treachery he managed to see God's hand. Forgiveness didn't come easily, many tears had to be shed, but Joseph finally gave up his rights allowing the "evil to be turned into good".
I get absorbed in the evil, whether it's sickness or injustice or greed or selfishness. Joseph's story reminds me that God never abandons me, even in the tough times. The evil can be turned into good.
Jesus, You are with me always. Every hair on my head has been counted by You. Help me to give up on my rights as You gave on Yours when you climbed onto the cross.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Loved as a Bride
Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Mt.9:15
John's disciples have questioned Jesus about the lack of fasting by His disciples. In His reply Jesus refers to a new way of doing things and a new relationship between God and Church, one of bridegroom and bride.
Jesus refers to Himself as bridegroom in all four Gospels. The book of Revelation four times shows Christ as the bridegroom and the Church His bride. "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Rev.19:7. The more I think about Jesus the bridegroom and the Church His bride, the greater is my appreciation of God's love for His church and consequently, God's love for me.
Jesus, thank you for loving me, what can I say?
You are my everything, I will sing your praise.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Mt.9:15
John's disciples have questioned Jesus about the lack of fasting by His disciples. In His reply Jesus refers to a new way of doing things and a new relationship between God and Church, one of bridegroom and bride.
Jesus refers to Himself as bridegroom in all four Gospels. The book of Revelation four times shows Christ as the bridegroom and the Church His bride. "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Rev.19:7. The more I think about Jesus the bridegroom and the Church His bride, the greater is my appreciation of God's love for His church and consequently, God's love for me.
Jesus, thank you for loving me, what can I say?
You are my everything, I will sing your praise.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
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