Lover in the Light

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark. But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling;
1Jn.2:9,10

John is writing specifically about hypocritical believers in the early Church, those who claim to be followers by their words but fail to be followers in their actions.

The greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acclaim Jesus with their lips and then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. (DC Talk, Jesus Freak).

Conversely, the greatest appeal of Christianity to an unbelieving world is demonstrable love. Saint John knew this. The great saints throughout the ages knew this. Do I know this?

What caught my attention to this scripture this morning was the word "stumbling". I claim to be stumbling but following. Stumbling is easy, it comes naturally. Following requires decision and effort, lest I remain in the dark. Today I choose to be a follower, an outrageous lover in the light...

Jesus, you showed what loving and living in the light means. Shine your light into my heart today that I may walk in the light.
Saint John, please pray for me.

Hear and Act

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 
 
So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead.
Mt.2:14,15

Joseph is told in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod's murderous wrath. He obeys and so Jesus is spared from the slaughter of every male child under two in Bethlehem.

Both Old and New Testament Josephs were dreamers, in the best sense of the word. They heard God in their dreams and acted on what they heard. From both their actions came salvation for those around them.

When do I hear God? Sometimes I remember dreams, but not often. I think the most common "God hearing" time for me is during morning scripture journaling such as now. Do I act on what I hear? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The world is quick to try and smother any revelation from my morning prayers with the dust of daily battle.

Time to recommit, one to my morning prayer time and two, to acting on what I hear.

Jesus, thank you for not leaving me to drift through my life without direction. Holy Spirit make me attentive, sensitive to what I hear from God.
Saint Joan of Arc, pray for me that I may hear and act on God's word with courage, like you.

I am Loved

My Beloved lifts up his voice, he says to me, ‘Come then, my love, my lovely one, come. For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The season of glad songs has come, the cooing of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Song of Songs:2,10-12

The love poem of Solomon lays the foundation for the joy of this Advent season. God is head-over-heels in love with us, with me, and pursues me.

As a male I find it difficult to accept Song of Songs is a love poem about me, that I am the "lovely one". But there it is, that's who I am to God and that's why he has saved me and is coming back for me. Oh, what great joy! My God loves me!

Jesus, let your love soak in to my very being. Then your joy shall radiate from me, that I may be an authentic witness for you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Follow the Leader

Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you, I lead you in the way that you must go.
Is.48:17

God speaks through Isaiah to call the Israelites back into following him, not the world.

Jesus allowed himself to be led, starting with being led by Joseph through the wilderness in Mary's womb. Later in life Jesus becomes the leader, but first he was led. But even when leading, Jesus was always following his father. "I do only what my father in heaven tells me".

There's a season for following and a season for leading but it's always time for following God. In fact I am only entrusted with leading when I have my eye firmly fixed on following "The Way".

Lord Jesus, often I am like a sheep, following my own path. I turn back to you, my shepherd. Come Lord and show me the way.
Saint John of the Cross, please pray for me.

God is in Control

In the desert I will plant juniper, plane tree and cypress side by side; so that men may see and know, may all observe and understand that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Is.41:19,20

Isaiah continues his great and joyful prophecy of the redemption of Israel. All peoples will come to know that God is in control.

Those who acknowledge that God is in control are in the minority in our land today. If no God then who or what? The capricious whims of chance? No wonder anxiety is on the rise.

My bedrock is God who is in control, even when bad things happen to good people. This is not all there is. God will have the last say. The end of time is a thing to look forward to. The joy of Advent comes from knowing this, expecting this, looking forward to this. The joy of Advent is mine to share, today...

Lord God, I look at the wonder of your creation and acknowledge again, you have done this. Come Lord Jesus and redeem all creation. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus come.
Saint Lucy, pray for me.

Yes

‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.
Lk.1:38

The Angel Gabriel has announced God's plan of salvation to Mary. She, on whose yes or no hung the salvation of all, hung my salvation, was scared but said yes.

It was at the very moment of Mary's yes that Jesus was conceived in her womb. She's pregnant from that point on. There's power in a "yes". Possibilities become definites when a yes is spoken to a thought or invitation. Up until then a thought is just a thought, the invitation hangs.

Today I will be a "yes" man, in the best sense of the word.

Lord, help me be an encourager, a "yes" man today that your wonderful plans may be birthed through me.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for me.

Joy and Hope

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord! 
Ps.26:14

The psalmist rejoices in the Lord as his "light and salvation, the stronghold of his life". Underpinning this joy is hope in the Lord.

Oh how sweet is the season of Advent! A time of expectancy, building joy and hope. Victor Frankl observed the people who tended to survive the death camps were those who kept hope when all else was torn away.

Today I will be a man of hope. The glass is half full for me today!

Thank you Lord for the wonderful gift of hope! You are my light and my salvation.
Saint Therese of Lisieux, pray for France and pray for me.