Come, share your master's joy

He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'

Mt. 25:20,21

Jesus is telling the parable of the talents. Servants are reporting to their master on what returns from his possessions they have gained for him in his absence. Some have made gains and are exalted. One has made nothing and is condemned. 

This is one of those probing parables that always makes me stop and think. Like everyone, I have some abilities, some talents. It's not a question of what have I done with them. What am I doing with them, now?  Would I, if called to account today, share in Jesus my master's joy? 

Lord Jesus, I want to be called to share in your joy. Help me to be selfless in using the talents that I have been entrusted.

Little Flower, please pray for me.

Less is More

The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Mt.23,11,12

Jesus is instructing the crowds, warning against pride as shown by the Pharisees. The antidote to pride, says Jesus, is humility.

I've heard a priest say he suspects some of his parishioners who regularly sit at the back of the church do it out of false humility, thinking that this show of piety will some how earn the greatness that Jesus is talking about.

As someone who regularly sits at the front of the church, I'm pleased to hear that seating position doesn't automatically rank you in order of greatness. It's an interior attitude that has greater sway.

It seems the saints have this genuine humility. For many, if not all, humility only came after a great struggle with pride. I'm thinking of Saint Augustine for one. On this point the saints and I have something in common.

Today, let servant hood be my attitude.

Lord Jesus, you know my struggle with pride. Give me a servant heart that I may be great in your Kingdom.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Joy

So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
Ps.63:4,5

Today is the Feast day of Saint Mary Macmillan. The Church has chosen Psalm 63 as the response, a Psalm focusing on joy.

Saint Mary Mackillop often didn't live in very joyful circumstances, experiencing physical hardship as well as the pain of excommunication. Yet joy is her hallmark.

I like being around joyful people. I suspect I would have enjoyed Mary Mackillop's company. I find joyful people are the most effective witness to the Gospel. As our pope has said, if we have the joy of the Lord then we need to tell our faces about it.

Let joy be my hallmark today.

Lord Jesus fill me with the joy that comes from knowing you.
Saint Mary Mackillop, please pray for me.

Glory

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
Mt. 17:5

Peter, James and John see Jesus transfigured into his true glory. The transfiguration is authenticated by God himself and the disciples fall in fear.

Familiarity with this story can blunt it's true meaning. When I place myself in the scene I get a thrill in my bones. It's like a glimpse of heaven, of what is to come. I suspect when I meet Jesus face to face I will fall on my face like Peter James and John.

To lessen the shock of that first time encounter perhaps I better start listening to him.

Jesus, I really don't have a clue about you glory and majesty. Have mercy on me, a Stumbling Follower.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Gift

Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." 
And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
Mt. 13:57,58

Jesus has just taught in the synagogue of his home town. His neighbours scoff at him and dismiss his teaching. Their familiarity blinds them to who he truly is and they lack faith. Sadly, their lack of faith denies them from the very thing that would build their faith, that is, Jesus' miracles.

An essential part of our faith is, well, ... is faith. I remember trying to understand everything about the Christian Faith. If could I could nail it down and define everything to my satisfaction, then I would convert and believe. I didn't realise I was engaged in the futile exercise of trying to fit God into my puny understanding of who God should be. I was locked in that place for years until I reached the point where I gave up and let God be God.  What a relief and joy to be able to stop struggling and just believe.

My faith in Jesus is such a precious gift. Today I will live with gratitude for this gift, ... and look out for miracles.

Thank you Jesus for my gift of faith in you. Help me witness this faith in my day and be the Herald of your miracles.
Little Flower, please pray for me.