Come and See

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip.
Jn.1:45,46

Philip has just been called by Jesus and in his fervour he in turn calls Nathanael. The invitation to "come and see" has Nathanael encounter Jesus and also become his follower.

Come and see. There's something engaging about that invitation. It promises something to look at, hinting at something you have not seen before. It meets you where ever you are at.

I was evangelised by this invitation. There was an unspoken "come and see" from my yet-to-be mother and father in law. The Jesus for me to see was in their solid Catholic faith life. The same was shown in my yet-to-be wife.

What do I have of Jesus for others to come and see? We have a visiting French exchange student living with us at the moment. She has shared with us that she is not Christian. What does she see of Jesus in me?

Jesus, help be an authentic witness for you that others may come and see you in me.
Little Flower, plzease pray for me.

Unwrap the Gift

I tell you solemnly, if your faith were the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move; nothing would be impossible for you.
Mt.17:20

Jesus explains to the disciples why they were unable to cast out a demon. Their small faith in God limited their ministry.

The first reading has Moses giving adherence to the law as the way to loving God. The Gospel has Jesus showing the new way to love God. Unshakeable faith in him.

Law is an outside in process. Faith is an inside out process and so by far the superior way. It wasn't until I claimed and named faith in Jesus that things started to change in my life. What a precious gift my faith in Jesus is.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of faith you have given me. I unwrap it again today and marvel at its beauty and power to change my life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Be There

John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.
Mt.14:12

Herod has just had John the Baptist beheaded, resulting from the vengeful plotting of his wife. John's disciples bury their teacher and then immediately go tell Jesus what has taken place.

When a beloved dies, what can you do? I'm impressed by the actions of John's followers. They show their love for John by burying him. Then, they show their distress at his cruel death by seeking Jesus and pouring out their hearts. These are very human reactions and Jesus meets them in amongst it all.

When, not if, crises happen, my best response is to "go tell Jesus". He will meet me in the midst of my mess. His love will minister to me.

Perhaps I can be Jesus to someone in a mess today...

Thanks you Jesus that you are always, always, always there for me. Help me be there for those you place in my path today.
Little Flower please pray for me.

Complacency

Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house’, and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Mt.13:58

Jesus is teaching and ministering in his home town. The people question his authority, seeing Jesus only as "the carpenter's son".

Familiarity breeds contempt. This saying probably comes from this event the the Bible. It can be applied to the miracle of the Eucharist that occurs at every Mass. I've heard a Protestant say if he really believed Jesus was present in the Eucharist he would crawl over broken glass to receive him.

It would be good to get to Mass today.

Lord Jesus, forgive my complacency. I do believe. Help me in my unbelief.
Little Flower please pray for me.

The Life Raft

'The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!’
Mt.13:31-43

Jesus is explaining the meaning of the parable about the weeds among the wheat. It is a warning to all of what is to happen at the end of time.

Today's psalm is Psalm 103, one of my favourites, describing God's mercy and love for us. Yet here in the Gospel we have a very clear picture of Hell and what is to happen to those banished there. It's not a popular gospel, yet Jesus is insistent.

This throws into strong relief what God's love and mercy is calling us back from, eternal flames and weeping and grinding of teeth.

I'm greatful for this reminder, not only for myself but for my loved ones. Our Church isn't just a fluffy feel-good club. It's a life raft. I want to make sure we are all on board when the angels are sent out. We don't know when that will be. Maybe today....

Thank you Jesus for your great mercy and love. Thank you for the Barque of Peter, our life raft. Help me pull more souls onboard today.
Little Flower, please pray for us.