The Faith

My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith;
2Tim.4:6

Saint Paul is writing his last letter and summarises his work for God's Kingdom. It has been a fight and a race through which he has kept the faith.

Before becoming Catholic the term "the faith" I heard Catholics using mystified me. In fact, I judged it an obstacle to a personal relationship with Jesus. But here Saint Paul coins the expression as a possession of great value, something to fight to keep and race to attain. 

Faith was held in high regard by Jesus. He required it before performing miracles. He lauded the Roman Centurion who exhibited it. Faith is that essential ingredient I needed to finally understand the beautiful mystery of Christianity. Faith is a gift, a gift for me. I race to attain it and fight to keep it.

Thank you Jesus for gifting me with faith, my pearl of great price.

Saints Peter and Paul, please pray for us.

The Fuel of Faith

‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; but the subjects of the kingdom will be turned out into the dark'.

Mt.8:10-12

A Roman Centurion has pleaded with Jesus to heal his servant and insisted Jesus need not come in person but just say the word for healing to happen. Jesus holds up the Centurion's faith as the greatest he has encountered.

This story is astonishing in a number of ways... that a Centurion should be so concerned about his servant, that the centurion should even think of Jesus, a Jew, as someone who could help,  the centurion's stellar faith. It's little wonder we repeat the Centurion's words at every Mass. According to Jesus, they are the greatest words of faith ever spoken. 

 This great faith gives fuel for Jesus to work a miracle. Faith enables miracles. Lack of faith inhibits them. I step into today as a man of faith. Let the miracles come...

Jesus, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. Only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Saint Philip Neri please pray for us.

Work and Be Happy

O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways! By the labour of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper.

Ps.127:1

Psalm 128 is a Song of Ascents, a psalm that was sung while climbing up Mount Zion to the temple to worship. It is a song of thanksgiving to prepare the heart for an intimate time with God. It starts with the basics. The man who fears the Lord shall be happy in work and gaining provision from his work.

I'm approaching retirement. One thing I'm grateful for is having a job that could provide for my family. With one income that wasn't film star wages, I was able to provide for my wife and five children, buy a house, feed and clothe them, allow my wife to be an at-home-mum. 

We've been happy and have prospered. I can testify that fearing God has benefits not only in eternity but also now.  I enter today with a thankful heart.

Lord my God, thank you for blessing me with work that could provide. You have made me a happy man.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

This Message is for Me

‘My brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you.’

Acts.13:26

Paul is in a synagogue teaching how the history of the Jewish people has all pointed to the moment of Jesus' appearance as heralded by John the Baptist.

I fear God, qualifying myself for this message of salvation, this message of Good News. And what is that message? Put simply, that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and then rose again for my salvation. 

As John said, I am not worthy to untie his sandal, yet Jesus says, "Mike, I call you brother. Come, follow me and have life eternal." Where he goes I will follow. This message of salvation is meant for me.

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my brother. I recommit my life to you.

Saint John the Baptist, please pray for us.

 

Strong when Weak

About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’

2Cor.12:8,9

Paul writes of his "thorn in the flesh" that keeps him from becoming conceited. He concludes that it is when he is weak that he is strong.

Strength through weakness is a uniquely Christian maxim. The world espouses strength through strength and that weakness is to be despised. It is a great antidote to pride for a start. But there's more. I find a peace in accepting my weaknesses. Deal with them yes but don't dwell on them.

Most importantly, my weaknesses cause me to lean on God and his grace rather than on my perceived strengths. I am just a stumbling follower after all... and that's ok.

Jesus, your grace is sufficient for me. Help me through this day by your strength.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

Don't Let the Mud Stick

But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Mt.16:20,21

Jesus is giving his great Sermon on the Mount. He states that everyone's heart is where their treasure is and that is in one of two places, earth or heaven.

You can't read this scripture without running a personal itinerary. Where is my treasure? Of course I'd like the answer to always be, in heaven. But no, honesty makes me admit a chunk of my treasure is earthly. It's that "in the world but not of the world" business. 

The fact is I'm earthly lodged but heavenly bound. As long as the mud doesn't stick, walking through it is ok. I just need to hose down my gumboots every once and awhile. This prayer time is a great time for boot cleaning, for getting heavenly focussed again. 

Jesus, heaven is my home thanks to you. Holy Spirit, walk with me today to help me keep my mind fixed on home. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

 

Motivational Love

Would I do that if I did not love you? God knows I do.

2Cor.11:11

Paul writes to the Corinthian Church, reminding them of the diligence and sacrifice he has exercised in ministering to them. He then presents what he has done as evidence of his love for them.

The Corinthians appear easily swayed by whatever new fad tickles their ears. Paul wants them to return to the simple devotion to Jesus that he preached. Rather than give up on them, his love for them gives him resolve to roll up his sleeves and work harder for them all the more. 

It must be like that when parents watch children drift away from the Church. Love remains and keeps the door open, keeps reaching out. There are people who have had a powerful experience on past Alpha Courses that have drifted away again. I must roll my sleeves up and reach back out to them. 

I'm hearing again and again the need to address the "what's next" for Alpha guests. Next Monday is the last night for our current Alpha Course. It's time to invite them to a way to maintain a simple devotion to Christ.

Jesus, inspire me to reach out in love to Alpha Course guests as I invite them to what is next.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

Generous

Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was: he was rich, but he became poor for your sake, to make you rich out of his poverty.

2Cor.1:9

Paul writes to the the Church in Corinth, encouraging them in generosity of service. He starts by reporting on the exemplary generosity of the Church in Macedonia. He then points out that even this is eclipsed by the generosity of Christ.

Generosity is a highly prized virtue. I'm led to recall again the words of Jesus in the parable of the sower where he describes the rich soil being people of noble and generous hearts. I know people who are naturally generous. They tend to be cheerful and non-judgemental. They're great to be around.

Generosity is counter to my natural selfishness. All the more reason for me to cultivate it.

Thank you Jesus. You poured out everything so I could have everything. Help me have a noble and generous heart today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us. 

Become Good

For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God.

2Cor.5:21

Saint Paul explains the reconciliation with God that is on offer through the death of his son Jesus. We can have peace with God and even more, become his goodness.

When I look at my life before and then after accepting Jesus, there is certainly an old me and a new me.  My life goals changed from being essentially about me to being essentially about God. My world is now so much bigger and more satisfying. I have an underlying hope instead of an underlying despair. 

I have been reconciled with God, meaning I am at peace with God, not fighting him. What a great truth to take into my day.

Thankyou Jesus for all you give me. Today I am your ambassador with all I meet.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Power Through His Spirit

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

In his letter to the Ephesian Church Saint Paul intercedes for them, praying the Holy Spirit may give the fullness of Christ through faith.

There' the Holy Spirit again. It seems wherever faith is the Holy Spirit is also. Or put another way, no Holy Spirit, no faith. 

This spiritual life has very real, flesh and blood consequences.  Without the Holy Spirit, before I believed, I lived a certain way. Now, with the Holy Spirit and faith, I live another way. This affects the ones around me.

Oh how I need you Holy Spirit. Come in a fresh new way into my life today that I may receive the fullness of Christ.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Be a Bright Believer

And we, with our unveiled faces reflecting like mirrors the brightness of the Lord, all grow brighter and brighter as we are turned into the image that we reflect; this is the work of the Lord who is Spirit.

2Cor.3:18

Paul writes to the Church of Corinth describing the glory that accompanies believers. We grow in brightness as we become more like Christ who we reflect. And all this is the work of the Holy Spirit.

I've met bright believers. They radiate! They are also people I would call spirit-filled. The Holy Spirit is not a option. He is essential for me to grow in brightness. This is why Paul wrote the Ephesian Church, who were already baptised and had received the Holy Spirit like us Catholics, to be filled daily, again and again with the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is fuel in my tank giving me power to shine, today...

Come Holy Spirit, fill me again with your presence so I better reflect the brightness of the Son. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Shine

In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.

Mt.5:16

Jesus has started his Sermon on the Mount. He commands that all followers are to do good works, not for their own glory but to the glory of God the Father.

Good works are admired by everyone, believer and nonbeliever alike. Doing good works is not a suggestion from Jesus. It's a command. Why? Not primarily for the good of those receiving the benefit of the good works. Good works are to glorify our Father in heaven. 

Does God the Father need my good works to obtain glory? No, he is glorious beyond compare without my help. My good works are to draw attention, are to bring people to God, today.

Jesus, you promised to be with me always. Help me today shine my light before men that our Father be praised. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Be Happy

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them: ‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven... 

Mt.5:1,2

Jesus sees a large crowd and sits down, a position of teaching authority, and preaches. He starts his great Sermon on the Mount with happiness being found in poverty, hunger, sadness and persecution.

A common human yearning is for happiness while a common human condition is sadness. We have fleeting moments of happiness but our usual state is stress, tiredness, suffering and loss. At our very core we know that we are slowly dieing. 

Jesus is saying yes but... The great but is that happiness and joy can be found on this mortal coil. The doorway to this pervasive happiness that overcomes pervasive sadness is modeled by Jesus and is Jesus. He is the door. 

Loving God and loving others lifts me up, turns my attention away from my woes and makes me seek fostering joy in others. Strangely, seeking happiness for others makes me happy.

Jesus, you are the source of my joy no matter what. Help me look up today and be an encourager of happiness in others.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Noble and Generous Heart

‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’

Mk.12:43,44

After teaching on the hypocrisy and greed of the scribes Jesus points out the generosity of a poor widow giving all that she has in the temple treasury. 

Limited resources doesn't limit generosity. Selfishness does. Both the Old and New Testaments repeatedly call generosity a virtue that is pleasing to God. Jesus, in the parable of the sower, says the rich soil is people with "noble and generous hearts". 

I don't find being generous easy. I have to make myself be generous which in a way defeats the purpose. It can become begrudging. I need to remember the generosity of God to me. I have been given so much. 

Jesus, you gave your all for me. Help me be a person with a noble and generous heart.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Thankyou!

Blessed be God! 

Blessed be his great name! 

Blessed be all his holy angels! 

Blessed be his great name for evermore! For he had scourged me 

and now has had pity on me and I see my son Tobias.

Tbt.11:14,15

Tobias has just returned and applied to his blind father's eyes the medicine given by Raphael. Tobit's sight is restored and he bursts forth in spontaneous praise and thanksgiving. 

Thankfulness is counted as a virtue. A person who is thankful tends to be a person of humility. It's acknowledging God as the giver of all that I have that is good. Acknowledging that God showers good things upon me reminds me how much I am loved.

I step into today with a thankful heart. God is God and I am his beloved son.

Lord, this is the day that you have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

God's Hand Moves

Tobit was coming back from the courtyard into the house at the same moment as Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was coming down from the upper room.

Tbt.3:17

Tobit has just travailed before the Lord in prayer over his blindness and resulting destitution. Sarah has just travailed before the Lord over her curse that prevents her from consummating marriage. Unbeknown to them both, God's hand is starting to move.

The book of Tobit is a ripping yarn of despair leading to joy, of love lost leading to love found. The protagonists are led from pleading for death to an abundance of life. It is a story of hope. 

No matter how bad things become, God is there and hope is alive. My story has an eternal ending that involves leaping and dancing and irresistable joy. What a great way to step into the question of what today will bring. Who knows? God knows and that is all that matters.

Jesus, you are my Lord, you are my God. I place my trust in you. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

In But Not Of

‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they told him. Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’

Mk.12:17

The Pharisees attempt to entrap Jesus by asking should they pay tax to the hated Romans. Jesus confounds them by replying they should pay Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's.

Jesus' apparent simple answer is actually profound. Into a worldly situation he brings God. The Pharisees had the world and God compartmentalised. Jesus has them as one. Every quandary I encounter has a God perspective and that God perspective makes sense of the worldly quandary. 

Today I step out into the world. Does God have something to say about every situation I will encounter? Absolutely.

Jesus, you said we are in the world but not of the world. Help me navigate my world today with a Godly perspective.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.