Life of the World

I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.Jn.6:51

The crowds have clamored after Jesus looking for another miracle of loaves. Jesus resists their demands and relentlessly proclaims who he is, bread from heaven, and what he came for, to be food for the life of the world.

The world. That's a big mission but that's who Jesus came to give life to. Like Philip in today's first reading from Acts, I'm to be led by the Spirit to people who are looking for an explanation of this fundamental of Jesus' proclamations. "Eat my flesh, drink my blood."

Jesus, many turned away from you, finding this teaching too hard. Help me be a witness to the good news that you are the life of the world.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Faith Hope Joy

Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason – so that you would have faith and hope in God.1Pt.1:21

The Holy Spirit has just filled Peter and the others in the upper room. A crowd gathers because of the noise and Peter addresses them with boldness about the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Peter essentially outlines the paschal mystery, Christ has died, Christ risen, Christ will come again. This is at the very core of my Catholic faith. As Peter declares, this is the reason for my hope in God. The natural result of of such hope is joy. Today I continue live as an Easter person, one of faith, hope and joy.

Jesus, fill me with Easter joy this day that I may be a witness to you and your resurrection.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

God of the Mountain and God of the Valley

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. Many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him.Ps.33:19,20

David writes at a low point in his life, where he has nowhere to turn but to God. When he stops looking around and looks up, God draws him above his circumstances.

King David was so defeated he had to feign madness so King Abimelech would disregard him with scorn. His spirit was certainly crushed to sink so low. Yet he knew God well enough to look up and beyond, enabling him to move forward.

Yesterday I met a man in a cemetery, weeping. We talked about things of God and departed thanking each other for encouragement we had each received. That's how God works. He is close to the broken hearted. Those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

Thank you Jesus that you are God of the mountain and God of the valley. There is nowhere your consolation cannot reach.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

As the song says - Jesus is the Answer

Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Jn.3:14,15

Jesus is speaking of himself to Nicodemus who is meeting secretly with him. Nicodemus is making the quantum shift from Pharisee to Follower and keeps asking questions. "How can this be? How... how...how?" Jesus presents himself as the answer to all of Nicodemus' questions. The Son of Man, lifted up.

I was a Nicodemus, asking questions. "How can this be? How... how...how?" Like Nicodemus, I just kept circling around and around, too scared to accept the obvious answer. Jesus. Once I said sorry and surrendered, then I understood, then I lifted Jesus up and then I knew I had the promise of eternal life. This gift has a spectacular sparkle in this Easter season.

Thank you Jesus for your patience with me as I fluffed about trying to avoid you but always being drawn back to you. Help me lift you up so others may be drawn to you and saved for eternal life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Rejoice and be Glad!

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia, alleluia! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!

Ps117:24 

The cry of Easter joy continues to reverberate throughout the Universal Church. Rejoice and be glad! Christ is Risen!

Here we are at day seven of the Easter Octave and the Church continues to be bedazzled by the resurrection. The one great day is celebrated over eight with the Gospel Acclamation being repeated again and again and again. Rejoice and be glad!

We are Easter people and this anthem of joy is ours to cry out not just over the Easter season but every day from now until we meet him face to face.

Alleluia Alleluia, Christ is Risen.
He has risen indeed, Alleluia!

Saint Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, pray for us.

What's in a Name

Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then...
Jn.20:16

Mary Magdalene is weeping outside the tomb of Jesus when the resurrected Jesus appears. Thinking he is a gardener, Mary asks where he has taken Jesus so she may claim him. Jesus calls Mary by her name and instantly she recognises him.

Mary's name is second only to Peter in the number of times it appears in the Gospels. Her great love for Jesus is recorded in detail. Here, her name is key to her recognising the one whom she loves. Jesus speaks her name and she sees him.

This tells me of Jesus' desire for intimacy. He wants me and him to be on first name terms. This naturally comes about through spending time, hanging out together, aye Jesus...

Jesus, you are faithful, waiting for me each morning to open the door and let you in. Come Lord Jesus, welcome into my day.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Rejoice!

Alleluia, alleluia! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia! 

Ps.119:24

The Gospel Acclamation rings with Easter joy. Everything has changed to a brighter, more joyful colour. Why? Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

The Paschal Mystery is placed firmly before us in this Easter season. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! We are Easter people, we are joyful people because of the resurrection of Jesus.

I am an Easter person today. Joy is my hallmark.

All praise and glory to you our risen Lord Jesus Christ. You are the source of my joy today. Alleluia!
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Active Love

‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
Jn.13:12-15

The Last Supper is in progress and Judas has left to commit his betrayal when Jesus unexpectedly gets up and washes the disciples feet. Peter protests but Jesus insists so he can give a example of Servant Kingship.

When a man knows he is about to die, his last words are what he wants to be remembered by. Jesus chose something more powerful than words, he chose action. His washing the disciples feet has been the foundational tenet of the Church ever since.

The image Jesus presents is love in action, which is the only kind of love worth having.

Jesus, help me be an active lover today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Not I Lord, Surely?

‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’Mt.26:21,22

Jesus and the disciples are in the upper room starting what was to become the last supper. Jesus declares that one of them is about to betray him. All, including Judas, protest and declare, "Not I, surely?"

Judas was to betray Jesus fatally, all the remaining disciples were to betray him physically. God the Father was to abandon him spiritually. For the first time Jesus was to become totally alone. I have contributed to his abandonment and betrayal each time I have sinned... and I have sinned much.

Not I, surely? Denial comes naturally, yet the fact remains. What do I do with this? Declare, "Lord with your help I will try not to sin again" and then reach out my hand to his and allow him to help me back up. I may get knocked down but with his help I get back up again.

Lord Jesus I am a sinful man. I have helped drive the nails into your hands and feet. I can't even pretend I didn't know what I was doing. Forgive me Lord.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Forgiveness and Mercy

Peter said, I will lay down my life for you.’ ‘Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’ 

Jn.13:38 

Judas has just  left the Last Supper to betray Jesus. Jesus tells the remaining disciples where is he is going they cannot come, yet. Peter hotly protests that he follow Jesus where ever he goes. Jesus foretells Peter's impending denial.

Each Holy Week I am amazed at how much detail the Gospels record of Jesus' passion and death. It proves their authenticity, that what the world judges as an abject failure the Gospel writers are at pains to detail.

Peter's frail humanity is exposed over the next few days. The boasting hothead becomes a trembling coward, afraid even of a servant girl's accusations. This why I can identify so easily with him. If I was in this scene, I would be Peter.

The good news is that Peter the sand pile becomes Peter the Rock. The pivotal point that causes this transformation is even before Pentecost. It's when the resurrected Jesus meets Peter on the beach and Peter experiences Jesus' forgiveness and mercy.

I need to again and again experience Jesus' forgiveness and mercy.

Jesus, your forgiveness of my broken sinfulness is so wonderful it's hard for me to fully appreciate. Help me to be forgiving and merciful to the people I encounter today, for your glory.
Little Flower, pray for me.

Mourning to Dancing

Then the young girls will rejoice and dance, the men, young and old, will be glad. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console them, give gladness for grief.Jer.31:13

Jeremiah focuses much of his prophesy on the impending destruction of Jerusalem and Judah. However, here he looks even further into the future and prophesies the mercy and love of God drawing the scattered people back as one nation. Mourning is turned into dancing, grief into gladness.

God acts like a lovesick father. No matter how wayward I act he just can't help loving me and calling me back home. This "outrageous grace" offends many. They would rather see justice applied. I for one am glad of God's mercy as it is my only hope. I guess this makes me beholden to extend mercy to others.

And what happens when mercy is given and received? Mourning is turned into dancing, grief into gladness.

Jesus, you extended mercy even on the cross, asking your Father to forgive your killers. Help me not judge others but be merciful to them as much as I need mercy from you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Never Die

Jesus said to the Jews: ‘I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’Jn.6:51

Jesus is speaking to the Jews who are arguing with him. He tells them the greatest reason for believing in him, victory over death, and they continue to argue.

This foreshadows what happened after Jesus' resurrection, still the Jewish Elders would not believe. Unbelief in Jesus continues to this day. Maybe in these days of pandemic Jesus' message will get another look.

If our faith has anything to say about anything, it has something to say about death. Death is not the worst thing that can happen to a Christian. It's been defeated, lost its sting. Yes, one day my mortal body will die but that will only be the doorway into eternal life with God. This lets me stand up and lift my head.

Thank you Jesus that you have promised eternal life to those who keep your word. Help me be a "Word Keeper" today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.