God's Love for the World

I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.
Jn.17:26

Jesus is continuing his final prayer at the Last Supper, now praying for all believers. He identifies the ultimate goal of his mission, to bring mankind the love of God.

I have been thinking about where God is calling me as we slowly come out of pandemic lock-down. A common theme I'm hearing from other believers is that they don't want to go back to the "same old same old". 

Whatever the new me is, it will involve bringing God's love to the lives of others so that Jesus may be in them. Bringing God's love... even today.

Jesus, you are love incarnate. Help me be a conduit of your love today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Love from Love

The Father himself loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God.Jn.16.:27

Jesus continues his last discourse to his disciples before going to his Passion and death. He assures them that their love of him has earned the love of God the Father.

Belief in and loving Jesus results in receiving the love of the Father. Love begets love. Isn't the true of all relationships. I've watched my wife love our grandchildren and I see in them a blossoming of love for her in return.

Love begets love. What a glorious exchange. What a wonderful way to enter into this day the Lord has made and rejoice in it.

I love you Lord
and I lift my voice
to worship you.
Take joy my King.
in what you hear
May it be a sweet sweet sound 
in your ear.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Aha!

Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he (the Holy Spirit) tells you will be taken from what is mine.Jn.16:15

Jesus continues his final discourse to his disciples following the Last Supper. He is promising the Holy Spirit will come upon the disciples after he has left to reveal everything of the Father's plan for salvation.

This is one of those "Aha!" moments when the Blessed Trinity is revealed. It reminds me of the last paragraph in CS Lewis' final book in the Narnia Chronicles entitled "The Last Battle". The eyes of the children are opened to at last see who Aslan really is. Aha! Suddenly not only does everything make sense but everything... the fear, the pain, the shame... is made alright.

I need these Aha! moments. This morning, everything is placed in perspective, everything is alright.

Thank you Father for sending me your Son. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much that you came. Thank you Holy Spirit for your comfort.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Suffer for Right

And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
1Pt.3:17

Peter is encouraging the Church in the way they should live, reminding them that suffering for doing right can be the will of God.

In a sense I am currently "suffering" for doing what I consider is right. I've made a decision that has caused a reaction in my family that surprises me. I've gone over my decision and the reasons behind it and can not see why it has caused such an extreme response. I'm standing by my decision and having to take the heat.

This verse from Peter reminds me that suffering can be at times God's will and that I am to bear it patiently and with love.

Jesus, Saint Peter says that you, innocent though you were, suffered and died for us. Give me your patience and your love today.
Saint Peter, please pray for me.

I am Hated I am Loved

If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you.
Jn.15:19

In his final encouragement to the disciples Jesus warns that to follow him makes one an enemy of the world.

You don't become a Christian to gain popularity. It's a deeper calling that makes you not worry about the worldly consequences. In my western country, to be Christian is to be at the least ignored and marginalised or, at worst, mocked and scorned.

What is my response to this? Sometimes it is to stay quiet about my faith when the conversation turns to controversial things like abortion. Sometimes, when prompted by the Spirit I guess, I let it be known that I am Christian and that this gives me a particular world view.

The fact remains that, while the world hates me, Jesus loves me. There is no competition in my mind.

 Thank you Jesus for loving me. Help me be a courageous lover today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Obey the Command

This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.Jn.15:12

Jesus continues his final encouragement to the disciples before his passion and death. He gives a command. Love one another.

This is the one area Jesus doesn't leave the choice up to us. He commands us to love. No options here. If I am to be a follower of Jesus, I must love. To not love is to disenfranchise myself from his Church.

It's that easy-to-say-but-hard-to-do catch. Some people aren't very lovely. I guess Jesus acknowledges that but would add no one is unlovable. In fact it can be love that transforms. That has certainly been my experience.

As a soldier in the Church Militant I obey this command from our supreme commander.  Today I will love others.

Jesus, thank you for loving me when I'm not very lovely. Help me in turn love others today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Joy Complete

I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.Jn.15:11,12

Jesus continues his last great discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper. He leaves a command, love one another that his and their joy may be complete.

This great command is obviously for all believers, including me. For my joy to be complete I am to love. This calls for a radical change in how I relate to people, the good, the bad and the ugly. My first response to them all is to love.

Here is the key to my joy being complete today. Love.

Jesus, you are the perfect example of love. Help me be a great lover today that your and my joy may be complete.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Priceless Gift

‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.Jn.14:27

Jesus continues to comfort his disciples following the Last Supper. He gives a priceless gift to all who believe in him. Peace.

I think this is the only time Jesus is recorded saying the word gift. What is that gift? A peace the world cannot give. This is a desire placed in every human heart and it can only be found in Jesus. The world promises peace but it never permanently delivers.

When my heart is at peace, no matter my circumstances, joy is the first fruit. When I exhibit peace and joy I think I present the most authentic witness for Jesus. I then become a gift.

Jesus, you have given me the priceless gift of peace. Let me pass on that gift to others today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Keep the Message Sweet

It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside. 

Acts13:48,49

Paul and Barnabas are preaching powerfully in the synagogue causing leading Jews to become jealous and lead a revolt against them. Paul and Barnabas then declare they will take the Good News to the pagans causing great joy among those people.

The same message caused different responses from different people. The same is true today. What did Paul and Barnabas do? They kept the message intact and moved on to people who were receptive.

There a temptation to sweeten the message for some listeners. All that does is sour it. The "repent and believe" is essential for us to gain the wonderful promises of God. Yes, we deliver the message in a relevant and loving way but the message stays the same. "Through Jesus everyone who believes is set free from every sin."

Jesus, help me be true to your Good News with those I meet today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Way Truth and Life

Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’
Jn.14:5,6

Jesus has just washed the disciples feet at the last supper. He has predicted Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial and now he comforts his disciples. "Do not let your hearts be troubled... I will come back for you... you know the way." Thomas voices the question on all minds, "how can we know the way?" Jesus clearly answers, "I am the only way..."

Last night we had an online parish conference focusing on why and how we need to evangelise. One woman spent a long time venting her frustrations about what she saw as archaic Church traditions suppressing women. It struck me how any un-churched person listening to that would shrug their shoulders and move on. It had nothing to do with introducing people to discovering Jesus.

The "no one can come to the Father except through me" part of Jesus answer crystalises our parish mission, my mission. Introduce people to Jesus.

Jesus, your Church is made up of many cracked pots, including me. Meld us together Lord as you melded the rough twelve so we can go make disciples of all the nations.
Saint Matthew, please pray for us.

Happy Servant

I tell you most solemnly, no servant is greater than his master, no messenger is greater than the man who sent him. Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly.Jn.13:16,17

Jesus has just washed the disciples feet. He underscores his action by saying service is the path to happiness.

God's Kingdom is contrary to the world. The world says fight to be on top of the heap. Jesus says submit to being on the bottom. The world says happiness is only found on the top of the heap. Jesus says it is only found on the bottom.

My flesh wants to be "king of the castle" as the children's rhyme goes. My spirit knows it is an empty promise.  Today I choose to be a happy servant.

Jesus, you are the Servant King. Help me follow your example of service so true happiness shall be mine.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Don't Stay in the Dark

Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me, sees the one who sent me. I, the light, have come into the world, so that whoever believes in me need not stay in the dark any more.Jn.12:44-46

Jesus is declaring publicly who he is and what his mission is... to dispel darkness with light.

Outside my window a glorious sunrise is unfolding. Most crime happens at night. Dark attracts dark deeds. To combat crime we install security lighting. Light dispels darkness.

Spiritual security lighting in my life dispels spiritual darkness. Reading the Bible, prayer, receiving the sacraments all bring the light of Christ into my life. Darkness from the evil one is dispelled. This morning prayer time is a huge floodlight into my life. I need not stay in the dark any more.

Thank you Jesus for the call you place on me each morning. Help me be as faithful to you so I may receive your light and be a light for others.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Joyful Seed Caster

I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness; but you do not believe because you are no sheep of mine.

Jn.10:25,26

Jesus is in the temple and the Jews goad him to say plainly who he is. Jesus knows no amount of  words or works will convince them.

The same is true today. There are those who are open and those who are closed. All deserve to be told the Good News but don't keep hammering at the closed. They are a brick wall. Move on with the open.

Alpha is like this. The seed is cast into all hearts. Some hearts are rocky, others fertile ground. My role, I guess, is just to be a joyful seed-caster.

Jesus, you know what it is to be rejected. Help me not be dejected when rejected but always full of hope and joy.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Life to the Full

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.Jn.10:10

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who are investigating him over the healing of a blind man on the Sabbath. He describes himself as the only gate to the sheepfold. He states following any other leads to death where he has come to bring fullness of life.

Jn.10:10 is a favourite verse. It states clearly the mission of Satan and the mission of Jesus. It's a no-brainer. I choose Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for the fullness of life you bring me. Help me know your voice so I may always follow only you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Further Up and Further In

The churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.Acts.9:31

Following Saint Paul's conversion there was a time of peace for the fledgling Church. This was not a time of inactivity. The Church built itself up preached the Good News and worked powerful signs and miracles.

The contemporary Church, although marginalised ridiculed and scandalised, is in relative peace. In our country at least, we aren't being dragged off to prison or stoned. But are we building ourselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, being filled with the Holy Spirit while performing miracles? Peace can be soporific, lulling me into inertia.

This time of pandemic has been a wake up for me. On the other side I don't want to fall back asleep. What do I want to take from this unique time of spiritual awakening? I've had increased time with God and ironically, increased time with others through phone calls and social media. This can be a starting point for a new "building up" of my faith life.

Jesus, I know there is more for me. Lead me further up and further in.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Right Place Right Heart

Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul...Acts 9:17

Saul has been led blind into Damascus after encountering Jesus on the road. Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, is commissioned by Jesus to lay hands on Saul to heal and baptise him. Reluctantly, Ananias goes and Saul is healed of his blindness and baptised in the Holy Spirit.

I love a good testimony and this is a good testimony. It has the before, during and after ingredients. I wonder at Ananias the reluctant evangelist. Imagine being one who has led Saint Paul to Jesus. We hear nothing further about Ananias and yet he was pivotal in the spreading of the message to the pagans by Saint Paul. He was at the right place with the right heart.

Being at the right place with the right heart is something I can aspire to. Who knows what can come from doing my "bit" when prompted? I may lead a future saint to Jesus.

Lord Jesus, like Ananias I am often reluctant to your promptings. Like Ananias, help me be trusting and go anyway.
Little Flower, please pray for me.