Kill the Pet

And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out.  Mk.9:43

Jesus is giving the causes of stumbling and warns about the seriousness of sin.

I hear people talking about confessing the same sins many times over. I have done the same. We have our "pet" sins that we indulge in time and time again. Jesus raises the stakes on sin in this passage from Saint Mark.  Hell is a real place and a real consequence of choices I make.

In the first reading from Ecclesiasticus we read much the same:

Do not be so sure of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. And do not say, ‘His compassion is great, he will forgive me my many sins’; for with him are both mercy and wrath, and his rage bears heavy on sinners.   Eccl.5:6

It's time for me to be as serious about sin as Jesus is. It's time for me to kill the pet.

Lord Jesus, I will always need your mercy to triumph over justice, but Lord, I need your help to stop indulging in my pet sins. Give me backbone and determination to break habitual sins in my life.
Saint Augustine, please pray for me.

Stop Pointing the Finger

Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’. MK. 9:39, 40

The disciples have just complained about someone not of the "in crowd" performing. miracles in Jesus' name. Jesus rebukes the disciples, not the man, allowing work to be done for God's kingdom by anyone invoking the name of Jesus.

Jesus is maginimous, generous in his appreciation of work done for God. There is much good done on earth by people outside the Church, outside of Christendom even. Bits of truth can be found everywhere and only Jesus can receive it. Satan detests it.

There's a little judge inside of me that is quick to point the finger at those "outside the camp''. I need to rejoice in the good being done and acknowledge Jesus at work in it.

Lord, help me be less critical and more generous. I 'm sure my day will then be a more joyous experience.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Upside-down Law

When he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’    Mk.9:33-35

Jesus notices the disciples arguing while on the road and he confronts them. They are embarrassed because they had been arguing about who was the greatest among them . Jesus explains to them the new upside-down law of the kingdom of God. The least is the greatest. Humility is exalted.

This strikes to the core of the world's values which says if I am rich, beautiful and brainy, only then am I successful. The celebrity craze of Hollywood Oscars just finished is a prime example. Jesus says the servant, the humble, the faithful unnoticed are the ones who will be lifted up.

There's a carnal craving in me to be noticed. I nail that to the Cross and fall in behind Jesus. Today's Gospel acclamation points the way;

My only glory is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, which crucifies the world to me and me to the world.  Gal.6:14

Lord Jesus, you know I would be in the thick of the disciples as they argued about who is the greatest. Help me Lord have a servant's heart and be great in your sight.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Shower of Blessings

My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.   Ps.102:1,2

David writes this beautiful psalm painting a portrait of who God is. He starts by presenting God as the giver of blessings.

Today is our fortieth wedding anniversary. I can honestly say it is the best wedding I’ve ever been to. Kate looked like a Greek goddess and I felt so nervous I could vomit. That was a good sign, showing I was taking the momentous day seriously. Everyone attending was cheering us on, believing in us.

Looking back, it was a day of great blessing from God. Kate and I were so naive but God used our mumbled promises and flaky ideas of married life, our clay, and formed it into something of gold. Eight children (three in heaven) and ten grandchildren later I shake my head in wonder at what God has done.

Today I remember his blessings.

Thank you Lord for the blessings you have showered down on my life. I bless your holy name.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Green Pastures and Still Waters

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.  Ps.22:1,2

David writes this beautiful psalm to describe his relationship with God as his shepherd. He starts by showing where God leads him, to green pastures and still waters.

There's a stream beside Mount Pirongia I recall taking the family for a picnic. The image I have is of blue sky, green pastures and still, clean waters. It was a wonderful family outing that revived my drooping spirit. I think of it every time I read this psalm.

God provides those places for me to refresh and recreate me. I think that's why I love climbing hills for the view. I see the fingerprints of God in those places and I'm reminded God is there shepherding me in his love. I come away knowing all is well with my soul.

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd to me. Thank you Lord for the places you lead to revive and refresh me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Get Behind Me Satan!

He rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’ Mk.8:33

Peter tries to persuade Jesus not to follow his passion and death. Jesus recognises the voice of the Devil in Peter's words and rebukes him.

I guess you could say Peter shouldn't take offense at Jesus' words. They were addressed to Satan, not him. What would have been offensive to Peter is that Satan could use even him to try and foil the plans of God.

There is a lesson in this. Satan will use anything and anyone to stop people reaching the Kingdom of God. Satan will use me. What is the antidote? Prayer, praise, Holy Scripture, engaging in the life of the Church... everything that constitutes a pious life. Starting my day in prayer is a good start.

Jesus, give me humility to acknowledge there are times I speak the words of Satan and not your words. In your name I rebuke him and ask the Holy Spirit to guide my tongue.
Little Flower , please pray for me.

Focus on the Yes

The serpent was the most subtle of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made. It asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?’  Gen.3:1

Satan, in the form of a serpent, tempts Eve in the Garden. He introduces doubt of God's love into her mind by questioning what God had said, "Do not eat..".

Oh there's so much about man's malady in chapter 3 of Genesis. The Fall is clearly and simply told and it reveals what continues to happen to this day. We question God, then we fall.

Behind every No from God, and his Church, is a resounding YES! The no is always for my good, never to withhold blessing as the devil would have me believe. No, don't eat that fruit, it will kill you. But yes, enjoy all the other fruit. These will give you life in abundance. Satan focuses on the no. Jesus focuses on the yes.

My "fall" follows a pattern. I see the forbidden fruit. I desire the forbidden fruit. I doubt the love behind God's no. I say, "I know what you want God, but I want what I want". Then I fall.

When next tempted I will focus on the Yes of Jesus.

Thank you Jesus that you have brought me life and that in abundance. I choose you and your "Yes" over my life, trusting in your amazing love for me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

A Pure Heart

‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.’   Mk.7:20-23

Jesus has just rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocritical laws. He then explains it is not outward actions but interior thoughts that lead to defilement of a person.

It's a matter of the heart. Jesus knew heart surgery was required to bring about repentance and true piety in a man. Evil has its root in the heart before manifesting in actions.

Every sinful action I do has its source in evil thoughts. Lust, avarice, and pride are the "evil intentions" that leap from Jesus' list for me. I'm in need of heart surgery. The operating theatre of the confessional calls.

Lord Jesus, you know my hidden thoughts. I lay my heart open to you. Create in me a pure heart, renew a right spirit within me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Work then Rest

He rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on that day he had rested after all his work of creating.  Gen.2:2,3

God has finished his mighty six days work of creating the universe and all that lives in it. He rests on the seventh day and in so doing makes that day holy.

Holy - consecrated to God. Sunday is holy, set apart as dedicated to God. There's an obligation to first work but subsequent rest is a holy occupation. Sunday realines me with God as the center of my life. All else I do revolves around him. When I make my doing the center and squeeze God around the outside I lose the plot.

Work, then rest. Work, then rest. This is a wonderful rhythm, a God-given rhythm, like a heartbeat. And like a heartbeat it keeps my lifeblood flowing.

Jesus, you made sure your disciples rested after their labours. Help me keep the Sabbath Day holy, help me rest a while with you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Smell the Wool

Gospel Acclamation:  Alleluia, alleluia! My sheep listen to my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia!     Jn10:27

In today's gospel we read that Jesus looked at the masses of people clamouring for him and "He took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd". The Gospel Acclamation foreshadows this metaphor.

Pope Francis opened his pontificate with a call for clergy to "get to smell the wool of their sheep". In ancient times a shepherd lived with and spoke to his sheep so they would get to know his voice and follow him.

This is a beautiful analogy for Christian leadership. Leaders are to spend time with those they are leading, get involved in their lives so relationships can be built. Then when the leader calls, those he is leading will follow.

This can be applied to home life, especially the role of the Dad. Us Dads need to get involved in the lives of our children, be relevant to them, smell their wool. Then when we call them to lead them out of danger, they recognise our voice and follow.

I'm a dad and a grandad. I need to keep involved in my children's and grandchildren's lives so my voice is one they will know, trust and love.

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. Help me be likewise to my family you have given me, so I may know them and they know me. 

Tiny Faith - Mighty Deeds

He was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.   Mk. 6:5,6

Jesus is rejected in his hometown. He is amazed at the lack of faith there. As a consequence, he is unable to perform miracles among his own kinsmen.

Here is a key. Faith, great miracles. No faith, no miracles. It seems that Jesus works on the faith of those about him, even it be only the size of a mustard seed. He needs something to magnify. One hundred times one equals one hundred. One hundred times zero still equals zero.

My stumbling efforts to be open always to God, my mustard seed of faith, can have wonderful and mighty results on those around me, even today…

Lord I believe. Help me in my unbelief.

Little Flower, please pray for me.

Hold is Hand

The Lord guides the steps of a man and makes safe the path of one he loves. Though he stumble he shall never fall for the Lord holds him by the hand.   Ps.36:23,24

David sings of God's guiding love that is steadfast even when he stumbles.

King David was no stranger to stumbling. A fornicator and murderer, he knew what it meant to stray from God's safe path. As a "stumbling follower", this psalm resonates with me.

Life is a path chosen to be followed. Wide and easy to hell, narrow and difficult to heaven, it's my choice. Here God promises to make safe his path, to be a guide through the difficulties, to hold my hand.

I'm approaching a crossroad on my path. Retirement is on the horizon. When and how are decisions to be made. I'm not worried about this change knowing God is holding my hand, is guiding my steps. My job is to keep a tight hold of his hand and keep on walking.

Thank you Lord for your loving guidance. I place my hand in yours. Show me the way.
Little Flower, please pray for me.