Never Die

‘I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'

 Jn.11:25,26

Jesus has arrived at the tomb of Lazarus and Martha meets him, lamenting that if he had been earlier Lazarus would still be alive. Jesus then reveals his greatest victory over the devil, victory over death.

I spoke to a friend last night whose mother has just died. He is an atheist and his only solace was to drink a bottle of wine. For him he had lost his mother for ever. It struck me what a dark, hopeless and lonely place he was in.

Alleluia that the truth of Jesus is so very different. The death of my mother-in-law a few months ago was so very different for those of us who believe, as she did, that Jesus has conquered death. Yes there were tears but underneath a great joy that heaven was now her home and we have every hope of seeing her again.

Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life. Help me present this truth to my friend and to all who don't yet know of your greatest victory.
Saint Martha, please pray for me.

What I want is Mercy

If you had understood the meaning of the words: "What I want is mercy, not sacrifice", you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.
Mt.12:7,8

Jesus is answering the Pharisees who have accused his followers of breaking the Law by picking and eating corn on the Sabbath. The Spirit of  Mercy confronts the Spirit of the Law.

This battle between Law and Mercy continues to this day, both outside and inside the Church, inside of me. The Law is black and white, neat and tidy, doesn't require much effort, focuses on the sin, dispenses objective justice. In other words it appeals to my flesh.

Mercy is deliberately grey, demands walking a mile in another's moccasins, requires effort, is messy, calls for investment, ignores the demands of justice, focuses on the sinner, is contrary to the flesh. In other words it is outrageous.

 Without mercy I am a lost cause without hope. With mercy every morning new mercies I see. I have a life of hope and joy. Thank God that mercy triumphs over judgement.

Thank you Jesus for your championship for mercy. Help me be your agent of mercy today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Light and Easy

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.Mt.11:28

Jesus extends his offer of peace and rest to all people who are overburdened and tired.

This is indeed Good News for who among us has not a need for rest and peace. The world places burdens on my shoulders I should not be carrying alone. Just to earn to have food on my family's table and a roof over our heads requires constant effort.

Jesus reminds me that much of the burden I pick up and carry is of my own making. Some of it is my lot to carry as a husband, a father. But Jesus says here these burdens should be light. Allowing him to lift off the heavy burdens sets me free, lightens my step, gives me energy to do the work I'm meant to do.

Thank you Jesus for offering to carry my burdens. Lord, I exchange them now for your light and easy yoke.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Faith Love Joy

Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.Eph.3:16,17

Saint Paul prays for the Ephesian Church, and for me, that a strong faith will lead to an enduring knowledge of the love of Christ.

Before my conversion I recall being drawn to Christians who had that special something about them, a sense of peace and joy. It wasn't until I stepped out in faith that came to realise it was the knowledge they had that they were loved by God.

Faith is a gift so hard to receive for the adult non-believer. It can be perceived as weakness, a crutch. Well, what does a crutch do? It gives you strength, it helps you walk, it gives you a fuller life. But faith is so much more. It is the wellspring of a joyful life of the beloved. It is mine today....

Jesus, thank you for loving me. Help me help others into a knowledge of the utter fullness of your love.
Saint Bonaventure, please pray for me.

Bow Down to be Lifted Up

Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent. ‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida!

Mt.11:20,21

Jesus rebukes the unrepentant towns where he has performed miracles. Their refusal to admit their sinfulness closes the door of mercy.

Even undeniable miracles performed by Jesus doesn't turn some hearts from darkness. In order to be built up and healed I first have to admit I'm broken and sick. It was with repentant sinners that Jesus did his great restorations.

Zacchaeus the tax collector comes to mind. After admitting his brokenness Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Only when I admit I am lost can I then be found. Then there is great rejoicing, in heaven and in my heart.

Jesus, have mercy on me a sinful man. 
Saint Augustine, please pray for me.

Happy the Humble

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs! Alleluia! 

Gospel Acclamation Mt.5:3

Today is the feast Day for Saint Benedict, the founder of monastic orders and some would say the founder of modern western civilisation.

The Gospel Acclamation is the first of the Beatitudes Jesus gave when starting his Sermon on the Mount. It's important but can be puzzling. Billy Graham said replace the word "poor" with "humble" and you will begin to understand.

Humility was an founding principle in Saint Benedict's Rule and continues to be foundational in Christian life. Truly, there cannot be a proud Christian. Pride is the root vice of all other sins.

Jesus promises an inconceivable treasure when I practice a poorness of spirit, the kingdom of heaven. Pride robs me of my royal inheritance. Humility guarantees me it.

Jesus, you know my struggle with pride. Even when working for you it rises up and steals glory that is rightfully yours. I surrender again my vain-glory and embrace poorness of spirit and the joy it brings.
Saint Benedict, please pray for me.

Encounter Him and Believe

Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’Jn.20:28,29

Saint Thomas, Apostle 

Thomas a week earlier had declared he refused to believe. Now he encounters the risen Jesus and makes the greatest faith declaration of who Jesus is... Lord and God.

Encountering Jesus is the key to overcoming unbelief. It was true for me and I've seen it happen to others. This encourages me as our parish prepares for hosting an Alpha Course. At its core Alpha is about creating space where people can encounter Jesus, experience his love. What was previously so hard to believe becomes simply a natural, irresistible response. "My Lord and my God!" Then as Jesus says, happiness follows.

Jesus, my Lord and my God. You are the source of my peace and my joy. Help me draw others into your love that joy may be theirs as well.
Saint Thomas, please pray for me.

A Short Account.

Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’Mt.9:2

Jesus is approached by some people carrying a paralytic. The faith of the paralytic's friends prompts Jesus to first forgive his sins and then heal his paralysis.

The order in which this event unfolded says something. First the paralytic's sins were forgiven. It appears Jesus was happy to leave it at that before healing the paralytic's paralysis to demonstrate his authority to forgive sins. The man's sinfulness was of more concern to Jesus than his paralysis.

Sinfulness is an eternal paralysis. I need to have Jesus' order of priority in my life. Work on removing the sin before spending time on my physical disabilities. Keep a short account with God on the sin ledger. Thank God for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Come Holy Spirit, convict me of my sinfulness, heal me of my affliction.

Little Flower, please pray for me.