Recline at Table

And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.
LK.13:29,30

The disciples have asked Jesus who will be saved? Jesus replies that the entrance to heaven is narrow and difficult but the invitation is open to everyone. .

I am from the people of the south, so this is good news for me. I have an invitation, but the path is difficult and the gate narrow. But oh what a destination! To recline at table in the kingdom of God. This is a life- purpose worth fighting for... today.


Lord Jesus, some days I am weak and faint. Give me food for the journey that I may recline at table with you
Little Flower please pray for me.

Love Joy Peace

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Gal.5:22,23

Saint Paul is exhorting the Glacian church on what the Christian life looks like. The life of self centered lust, gluttony and strife is contrasted starkly by the life full of fruits of the spirit.

Love, Joy, Peace. These have always been the desire of man's heart, even when pursuing a life of gluttony and violence. Nothing has changed in two thousand years. The key to obtaining these things is the Holy Spirit.

Days, weeks can pass for me without my conscious invitation of the Holy spirit into my life. Right now, this morning I invite Him to come.

Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Fill me with your power, satisfy my need.
Only you can make me whole
Give me strength and make me grow
Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Mere Children

It was then that, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. 
Lk.10:21

The seventy-two disciples have just returned from their first mission trip and it has been successful beyond their wildest dreams.  Their joy is shared by Jesus who rejoices that the wisdom of the ages has been given to the simple.

There is a program on Radio Rhema called "Let my people Think".  The preacher, Ravi Zacharias, gives well researched, solid Bible teaching and it's a great listen.  But today I'm reminded there is a danger of my thinking too much, a danger of thinking myself out of my faith.

My needing to understand everything withheld for years my acceptance of Jesus as Lord.  It wasn't until I took that step of faith in Him that I finally understood. Yes, there is a need to know what I know, but this knowledge is gained through a childlike simplicity, It's not meant o be hard, thank God.

Lord Jesus, mere children seem to always be close to You.  Help me be child-like in my faith in You.
Little Flower, you who modeled yourself on the child Jesus, pray for me.

Become Little

So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mt.18:2-4

The disciples still haven't got what Jesus means when he talks about the kingdom of heaven, as shown by their question on "greatness". To make it plainly clear, Jesus embraces a child and says this is who is great in my Father's kingdom.

I have recently got back into being a leader in Children's Liturgy in our parish. My own children are now adults, but today's gospel has resonated with me for some time, leading me back to this ministry that I haven't been involved in for many years. 

There is a call for me to be more child-like, not childish, but child-like and the children of the parish are the best examples. Their openness, uncomplicated faith, joy and spontaneous enthusiasm is a role model for me... today.

Jesus, I sometimes forget what true greatness really is in your eyes. Help me step over my own pride and make myself little like a little child.

Little Flower, who became expert in becoming small, pray for me.