Pathway to Glory

The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

Rms.8:16,17

Saint Paul affirms our sonship by pointing out how the Holy Spirit testifies to this. Sonship means we are co-heirs with Jesus, destined to share in his inheritance, both suffering and glory.

I look and Jesus' glory and say "Yay! I want some of that." I look at his sufferings and simply shudder. Yet Jesus calls me to both. My consolation is that Jesus also promises that glory is the end and final result. 

So, suffering is the pathway to glory. Thank God I don't travel this path alone. Come Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit be in me, beside me, above and below me. Comfort and strengthen me. Bring me home.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Be Alive

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia, alleluia! 

Give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

and may the fullness of his message live within you. 

Alleluia!

Col.3:16,17 

Saint Paul encourages the Colossian Church to always be grateful and then adds his plea that the complete fullness of the Christian message be evident in their lives.

The Christian message is meant to be a living thing, not a dull doctrine. When someone is described as being an alive person it is meant they are engaging, energetic, enthusiastic, joyful and fun to be around. I'm leading the Alpha Away Day today. I want to be alive.

Come Holy Spirit of God. Fill me anew so I may be truly alive and draw people to Jesus today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

 

Bear Fruit

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia! 

I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, 

to go and bear fruit that will last. 

Alleluia!

Jn15:16

Today's Gospel Acclamation has Jesus commissioning all believers with an assignment that each individual can complete in their own unique way. Go and bear fruit.

The fruit is the same. Souls brought to Jesus. The method of bearing the fruit varies as widely as there are different types of people. What's my cultivation method? Where's my garden?

I think I tend to work relationally so I work best in community. My family, my parish, Alpha Courses. These are my gardens to nurture and bear fruit.

Jesus, what a joy and privilege it is to work in your garden, to harvest souls for you. Help me Lord, this weekend in particular for the Alpha Away Day, to keep that joy and invite the Holy spirit to do the work. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Let Me See Again

Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.

Mk.10:51,52

The blind beggar Bartimaeus hears Jesus walking by and shouts out for pity. Despite being told to quiet down, his faith and persistence results in Jesus restoring his sight.

Two things stand out for me here. First, despite the obvious blindness of the beggar, Jesus asks him what he wants. It's good to have a clear picture of what I need, of what is broken in my life. Secondly, the beggar's faith moved Jesus hand. The only demonstration of that faith was his unshakable belief that Jesus was the one who could heal him. 

A third thing strikes me also. Jesus said the beggar was now saved, not healed of his blindness. It's almost as if the healing was a by-product of the central miracle of the beggar's salvation.

The man, now with sight restored, immediately did the only logical thing. He followed Jesus.

Jesus, master, heal me of my afflictions so that I may more joyfully follow you.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Cheerful Giving

Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford; for the Lord is a good rewarder.

Eccl.35:9-11

The Wisdom Book of Ecclesiasticus defines the gift acceptable to God, the gift given generously and with a smiling face.

I've heard it said there should be loud outbreaking of laughter as the collection plate is handed around at church. Jesus himself said God loves a cheerful giver. I'm not always that cheerful. A twenty dollar note looks large on a collection plate but small at McDonalds. There's a resistance in me to give at all, let alone cheerfully.

Yet there it stands. I'm meant to give and give generously and cheerfully. Why? Firstly, God promises to give back seven times over. He won't be outdone in generosity. But maybe more importantly, it changes my attitude from tight fisted selfishness to open handed generosity. Who presents the more authentic face of Jesus? Cheerful giving is a decision that becomes a habit, starting today.

Jesus, you gave and gave cheerfully. Help me open my grasping hand and trust in you as I do so, cheerfully.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

 

Joy that is Complete

Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

Gen.3:13

Adam and Eve are being questioned by God after having eaten the forbidden fruit. They make no attempt to fudge the facts. Eve's reply to God is simple as it is sad. ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

Isn't this the way of all sin. I was tempted and I ate. The temptation comes first and no one is exempt. What I do with the temptation is what matters. The temptation usually starts with "Did God really say...?" Then I let the forbidden fruit's allure take over. 

I successfully combat temptation when I recognise and name it for what it is. Speaking it out seems to expose the temptation to the light. Darkness cannot exist where there is light. I then resist and rebuke the devil and as scripture promises, he flees from me. The joy the temptation promises always turns to ashes. Real joy, the joy Jesus offers, lasts forever. 

Today is a good day to again "name and shame" temptations that will come my way and embrace the joy of Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for showing us in your humanity that temptation can be resisted. Thank you for offering joy that is complete. I receive your true joy again today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

What about him? What about me?

‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’

Jn.21:21,22

The risen Jesus has just met the disciples for the last time, breakfasting on the beach. He has commissioned Peter to feed his lambs and sheep. Peter asks, what about John? Jesus replies that John's story is John's story. Peter is to focus on his own task, following Jesus.

My business is to follow Jesus. Yes, that does mean spreading the Good News to others but their story still remains their story. I'm not to get too hung up in trying to write it. My story is the one I'm commissioned to write. 

Lord Jesus, help me be the best follower I can be and leave the rest up to you.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Portrait of God

For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins.

Ps.102:11,12

Psalm 102 is a great self portrait of God the Father. His two strongest features are contained in the brush strokes of these two verses. Love and forgiveness.

Two things we all crave are on offer here. Deep, authentic, unwavering love and complete, utter, final removal of sins. No wonder our Judeo-Christian faith has remained for millennia.  If I am to be a faithful follower of Jesus then these two traits are to be my dominate brush strokes today. Unwavering love. Complete forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you personify love and forgiveness. Help me reflect your image today as I love and forgive.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

 

Intentional Empathy

Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one.

Jn.17:20,21

Jesus is giving his final prayer before his passion and death. He prays not only for his current disciples but for those yet to believe and his prayer is for unity.

Jesus knew disunity was going to be a problem. He knew human nature. In his final prayer recorded in the Gospel of John, Jesus comes back again and again to the need for unity "so the world may believe". Unity is compelling, disunity is repelling. 

When it comes to my faith community, how unifying are my actions? How unifying are my thoughts? Sometimes good, sometimes not so good. I'm quick to judge which is a sure fire way of causing distancing and disunity. Empathy draws me to a person. Let today be a day for intentional empathy, that we may all be one "so that the world may believe." Jn.17:23

Forgive me Lord for the times I have caused disunity. Help me become a natural empathiser that we may all be one even if we disagree. 

Work the Orchard

You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last;

Jn.15:16

Jesus is giving his final teaching to his disciples. He tells them their being a follower is not from their choice but from his. They were chosen by Jesus for a purpose, to bear lasting fruit.

This choosing and commissioning continues today. I have been chosen. Sometimes, in my arrogance, I think I have chosen Jesus, as though he is something on a shelf I can take or leave. No, I have been chosen by him and I have been commissioned. 

What is the lasting fruit I am to bear? I think the fruit Jesus had in mind was people, was souls that live forever. So, wherever I encounter people is my orchard. My family, my parish, the Alpha Course, my workplace. This is my orchard. 

How am I to bear fruit? Jesus gives the answer a few versus on. Love them.

Thank you Jesus for choosing me. Despite all my brokenness you think I am up to the task. Help me to love today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

The Final Gotcha

I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.

Jn.16:20

Jesus is preparing the disciples for his imminent passion and death. He promises that, for believers, grief will never have the final say. Joy does.

If Jesus is our role model for a Christian life then tragedy and suffering are to be part of our lot. But good news! That is never the end of the story. Christianity has the ultimate "gotcha". Joy is always at the end of the story. No matter what happens today, joy is before me.

Thank you Jesus for your promise of joy. I receive that gift again and take it with me today.

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

Above the Circumstance

The gaoler called for lights, then rushed in, threw himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, and escorted them out, saying, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They told him, ‘Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too.’

Acts.16:30,31

Paul and Silas have been flogged and thrown into prison for preaching the Good News about Jesus. An earthquake has shaken the stocks off their feet and the prison doors off their hinges. The gaoler, recognising the hand of God at work, leads Paul and Silas out of his prison. Paul and Silas then lead the gaoler and his household into salvation.

This is a story of contradictions. Paul and Silas chained in prison are the only ones free and singing praises. The gaoler, bound by an oath to guard his prisoners on pain of death, lives in fear and oppression. There's something almost comical about the gaoler helping Paul and Silas out of his own prison. That's how God can work. The very ones charged to oppose and oppress  can end up assisting. 

The message for me is, don't be discouraged by circumstances. What looks hopeless can turn in an instant into mighty victory. Don't judge. People who appear to be in opposition can turn out to be mighty allies. In summary, in all circumstances trust in God. He is always in control. My attitude determines if I am under my circumstances or above them.

Jesus, I get discouraged by circumstance. Help me praise you even when my feet feel like they are chained in stocks. Help me always trust in you, always...

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Open Heart Surgery

One of these women was called Lydia, a devout woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying.
Acts.16:14

After being led by the Holy Spirit to Macedonia, Paul preaches outside Philippi to a group of women. One of the women is converted by Paul's preaching and she and her household are baptised.

Lydia is often referred to as the first European convert. She is described as having an opened heart, maybe the first to receive "open heart surgery". 

A change of heart best describes what I experienced when converted. It was a move to a different opinion, specifically about Jesus. My heart was previously hard, then it became soft. This is the experience I pray will happen to our Alpha Course guests. 

The world tries to calcify my heart. I need to keep it soft.

Lord Jesus, you performed a successful heart transplant on me all those years ago. Help me keep a soft heart today for those I meet today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

 

Holy Spirit GPS

They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, having been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia. When they reached the frontier of Mysia they thought to cross it into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them.

Acts.16:6,7

Saint Paul has met Timothy who now joins him on his second missionary trip. The Holy Spirit guides them as to where to go and preach the Good News.

Looking at a map of Saint Paul's missionary journeys, they look like random meanderings. The very opposite is true. They were guided specifically by the Holy Spirit is to where and when to go. The Holy Spirit was their GPS, guiding them through prayer and visions.

Often I'm not sure what to do next and simply react to then next thing that appears before me. My life is meant to be more intentional than that. I need to invite the Holy Spirit to be my GPS.

Come Holy Spirit, be my counsellor, my guide, my advocate so I can be where I'm meant to be and doing what I meant to be doing, in Jesus' name.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Extravagant Love

What I command you is to love one another.

Jn.15:17

Jesus gives his final commandment to his disciples before his passion and death. It can summed up in one word. Love.

Love. simple to say. Hard to do. In fact, I cannot do it without help. My desire to stroke my own needs is so strong. Jesus knows this. My needing help is why he has left me, left us the Church, the Holy Spirit. The helper, the advocate, the empower. The Holy Spirit is my love-tank. I draw on his reserves to love others and even, dare I say, to love God. 

Come Holy Spirit. Jesus said it was better that he should leave so that you would come. Come fill me today that I may be an extravagant lover.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Game Plan of Joy

I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.

Jn.15:11

Jesus is giving a final teaching to his disciples before his passion and death. The purpose of his teaching is to give his disciples a complete, lasting joy.

The disciples are about to witness Jesus' horrible death and be scattered in confusion and dismay. Yet Jesus is working not on a game plan on how to survive the persecution that is to come. He's working on giving them joy. In fact, this is his game plan. Complete joy.

The great witness of the early Church was joy. Pope Francis, in his encyclical The Joy of The Gospel, says "The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. It is a joy ever new, a joy which is shared." 

Joy is not an option. It's the hallmark of an authentic Christian. It is a joy the world is craving. The joy Jesus gave the early Church is still available for me today and it's mine to share.

Thank you Jesus for your wonderful gift of joy. I receive your joy again today. Help me be a joy-filled Christian with those I encounter this day.

Saint Philip Neri, patron Saint of Joy, please pray for us.

The Gift

Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.

Jn. 14:27

Jesus is about to enter his passion and death yet he is comforting his disciples. He gives out a gift that the world cannot give, that can only come from him, the gift of peace.

Peace is what the world craves because it is what the world cannot give. One of the first changes I noticed in my life when I committed my life to Jesus was peace. I no longer had that gnawing anxiety that I wasn't good enough, that I'd be found out to be way less than what I appeared. I had been found out but God loved me anyway. Oh the peace....

This peace is with me today. Oh what a priceless gift.

Thank you Jesus, Prince of Peace for lavishing on me your gift of peace. I pick up the gift again so I can be a bearer of peace to all I meet today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

 

Proclaim Anyway

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.

Acts.13:48,49

Paul and Barnabas' message of Good News about Jesus is rejected by the Jews so they preach to the pagans, who receive it with great joy.

It seems there is a destiny for everyone, eternal life for some and eternal damnation for others. My role as a believer is to give the Good News of Jesus to everyone regardless. What they do with it is their destiny. 

Jesus, you are Good News that everyone desperately needs to hear. Help me proclaim it clearly and boldly today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.