My God My Friend

In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.

Jn.1:1-3

John's gospel starts with the proclamation of Jesus' divine role as co-creator of everything. Jesus is lord of everything, including time.

Jesus being creator and not a creation is important to know. It places everything under his domain which gives me surety that there can be no surprises.  It allows a Christian to make the bold claim that my best friend is creator of the universe. 

Today is New Year's Eve 2021. With Jesus I have no regrets for the past, no worries for the future. All is subject to him who is my best friend and who loves me. What sublime comfort I have today.

Jesus my God and my friend. Walk beside me today.

Perspective

Nothing the world has to offer – the sensual body, the lustful eye, pride in possessions – could ever come from the Father but only from the world; and the world, with all it craves for, is coming to an end; but anyone who does the will of God remains forever.

1Jn.2:16,17

John warns on being seduced by the allurements of the world which are temporary. Eternal life is only found in doing the will of God. 

Here is the nub of my problem. I don't only exist in the spirit, I also exist in the flesh. And the part of the world I exist in is beautiful and I count myself blessed in living here. Yet, I am called not to love the world. 

I guess I am being instructed to give my higher affection to the Creator, not to creation. I am to keep things in perspective, to make any sacrifices to God and God alone. Yes, there are good things in the world and I can enjoy them but they are not to become idols. They to be subjected to God's will for them in my life. 

Jesus, I sit here on my deck looking out over the unfolding of a beautiful summer morning. I see your fingerprints in the world before me and I worship you with a thankful heart.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Lifted

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’

Lk.2:34,35

Baby Jesus is presented at the temple by Mary and Joseph in fulfillment of Jewish law. Simeon is moved by the Spirit to prophesy over Jesus, saying that God the Father will use Jesus powerfully to reveal people's true thoughts and motivations.

Jesus still does that. When faced with his light of pure love we either turn away and remain in darkness or fall on our knees to confess and repent. There's no hiding, everything is laid bare. There is either falling or rising.

When I stop hiding from Jesus and let his light in, I am lifted up and start to shine. I see this in others as well. People of the light are great to be around. They shine and help show me the way. I choose to be lifted light for those I meet today.

Jesus, lift me up so your light may shine in me today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Walk in the Light

But if we live our lives in the light, as he is in the light, we are in union with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1Jn.1:7

John is explaining the message the apostles were given; that God is light and in Jesus the darkness is taken from our lives by the forgiveness of our sins. 

Here's my problem and its solution. I am a sinful man and darkness tries to make its home in me. The solution is Jesus who is faithful and just in forgiving my sins and purifying everything that is wrong in me. 

Walking in the light is walking in joyful company with other believers who encourage and cheer me on. Thanks be to God for these light bearers in my life.

Thank you Jesus for the light you bring into my life. Help me be a light bearer to others I meet today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Joy to the World

What we have seen and heard we are telling you so that you too may be in union with us, as we are in union with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing this to you to make our own joy complete.
1Jn.1:3,4

John the Apostle starts his first epistle acclaiming the incarnation of God through Jesus. He does this to make the joy of all believers complete.

Saint John claims he is part of a company who have heard, seen and touched Jesus, the very Word of Life. He writes this as a prisoner for his belief and after watching fellow believers become martyrs. He had every reason to deny or, at the very least, remain silent. But he didn't. He couldn't. The truth had to be proclaimed. Why? So my joy could be complete. 

The joy of Christmas is so huge the Church has created eight days to try and contain it. This Octave of Christmas is a season of immeasurable joy. Bring on the Christmas carols I say. 

Alleluia! Unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given. The greatest gift of all.
Saint John the Apostle, please pray for us.

Oh Glorious Day

Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received – yes, grace in return for grace, since, though the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.
Jn.1:16,17

John's Gospel starts by shouting out the glorious news that God has come and dwelt among us. We have received further grace in place of grace already given through Jesus Christ.

The most powerful became the most weak and humble, God became a defenceless baby, born of a nobody Jewish girl in a nothing village in the backblocks of a defeated nation. Yet, he has changed the very course of history for all mankind. More wonderful yet, he has became my savior, my healer, my friend. 

Oh glorious day!

Thank you Jesus. You have rescued me, given me renewed hope, peace and joy.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

 

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus

And you, little child
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare the way for him,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins;
this by the tender mercy of our God.
Lk.1:76-78

Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit and sings a prophecy over his baby son John. John is to prepare the way for the coming Messiah by calling people to repentance.

To receive forgiveness is a wonderful experience. To receive forgiveness from God is sublime. There is no better way to prepare for Jesus than to kneel before him in repentance. The tender mercy of God is priceless. 

I went to Confession the other night. Pardon and peace were given to me. I am ready to receive him. Oh happy day.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Come,
Radiant Dawn,
splendour of eternal light, sun of justice:
shine on those lost in the darkness of death!
Alleluia!

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Turn my Heart

Know that I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before my day comes, that great and terrible day. He shall turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse.
Mal.4:5,6

The last book of the Old Testament finishes with the prophesy of the return of Elijah to herald the coming of the Messiah. The work of Elijah is to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and children's hearts towards their fathers.

The worst division must be division between a father and his children. It is a curse over a household. Conversely, the greatest blessing over a household is unity of hearts between a father and his children. The father is key in bringing a curse or a blessing over his household. 

My role is to turn my heart towards my children, to love them. This now includes my grandchildren, all fourteen of them. I wondered what I would be doing in my retirement. Loving my children, my grandchildren holds back a curse from our land. What a mighty responsibility.

Jesus, help me to love, lest our land be struck with a curse.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us. 

Company of Princes

He lifts up the lowly from the dust,
from the dung heap he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes
to give him a glorious throne.
1 Sam.2:8

After consecrating her son Samuel to God, Hannah exalts God for answering her prayer and giving her a son. Her exaltation is echoed in Mary's magnificat. Both women were lowly yet mightily blessed by God.

God is in the business of lifting people up out of dung heaps. This has been and continues to be my experience. Not only am I lifted up out of my sinfulness but I'm then placed in the company of princes. They are great company to be in.

I have just returned from a fortnightly prayer meeting with a group of men to whom I'm accountable. They are generous and noble men.  Truly, they are the company of princes. 

Thank you Jesus for the brotherhood I have my friends. Help me be a prince for them. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

I am Loved

My Beloved lifts up his voice,
he says to me,
"Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
For see, winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth.
The season of glad songs has come."

Song of Songs 2:10-12

Solomon writes of the love of God in all its spontaneity, beauty, power, and exclusiveness. God is calling me out into a new season of joy.

As impossible as it sounds, I am God's beloved. He is calling me out of the winter of my past. The rains have gone, the fragrant flowers are blooming, the season of gladness, my gladness, has come. Oh happy day!

Thank you Lord for calling me further up and further in to your love. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me. 

Joy

Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Lk.1:43-45

Elizabeth is visited by Mary pregnant with Jesus. On first greeting Mary, both Elizabeth and the baby in her womb are filled with the Holy Spirit and exhibit the Spirit's first-fruit... joy.

Here is the very first recorded encounter with Jesus by someone other than Mary and Joseph. What has happened? Elizabeth and her baby are both filled with the Holy Spirit and burst forth with spontaneous joy. 

Joy is the hallmark of an encounter with Jesus. I have witnessed it, I have have experienced it, I have it and carry Joy with me into my day.

Come Holy Spirit, renew my joy that today I may be an authentic witness to the coming of Jesus into the world.
Saint Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, please pray for me.

Discern and Obey

When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.
Mt.1:24

Joseph has just been told in a dream of God's complete plan of salvation for the world through the baby in his betrothed's womb, a baby that was not his. He awakes and unquestioningly does what is requested of him, leaving his plans for divorce and taking Mary as his wife.

Little is said of Joseph in the gospels but what is said speaks volumes. Here we see the spiritual wisdom and obedience side of his character. He correctly discerns his dream is not the result of a bad goat stew but is a message from God Almighty. He then immediately acts on the message. 

Discernment and obedience, two virtues I could do with more of today.

Jesus, give me discernment to hear you and obedience to obey you today.
Saint Joseph, please pray for me. 

Gold from Clay

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:
Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers...
Mt.1:1,2

Matthew's Gospel starts with the family line of Jesus to establish his credentials. Jesus' credentials are that he was a Jew whose family included the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Jesus came from a line that included all the types we still find in humanity; murders, prostitutes, noble and courageous. He comes from us, including all our messy bits. He is no Greek god that resulted from the union of other gods. Yes he is God but he is fully man, fully human. This makes him fully approachable. 

My piety is inconsistent at best. Yet no matter where I am on the scale of holiness Jesus says, "Come, I know, it's alright, I still love you". Oh what a man. Oh what a God. Truly I can say I am a friend of God.

Jesus, you came from miry clay just like me. Help me become pure gold, just like you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Repent

All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.
Lk.7:29,30

Jesus expands on who John the Baptist is and what is his purpose... to call people to a baptism of repentance. The call from John could be accepted or refused. That choice had eternal consequences.

Jesus had been baptised by John at Jesus' insistence. This call to repentance, to turn from sin and turn to God, is placed before every generation, cradle Catholic, convert, believer or unchurched. The choice, as always, is ours. Repentance is still the most powerful way to prepare the way this Advent.

Lord Jesus, I have sinned in thought and action, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. Have mercy on me. Let you love love triumph over judgement.
Saint Philip Neri, great confessor, pray for me.

Haven of Healing and Hope

‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
Lk.22,23

John the Baptist sends messengers to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. In reply, Jesus gives his Messianic credentials: The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and Good News is proclaimed. This is crowned with the promise of happiness to those with faith.

Jesus' reply gives credentials not only for him but for his Church, his body. As Pope Francis says, the Church is “field hospital after the battle”, where “the wounded are to be treated, helped to heal”. My local parish should be a haven of healing and hope and I should be one of its physicians. 

Lord Jesus, I want to be a dispenser of healing and hope to the sick and wounded, in your mighty name.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for the Church.

The Door is Open

Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.'
Mt.21:31

Jesus has told the parable of the obedient and disobedient sons to the Pharisees. The son who changed his mind and did what the father requested is the one who receives the father's favour, despite his earlier disobedience. 

Jesus highlights that it's not their past that defines people, it's their present actions. Past disobedience is forgotten in the joy of present righteous actions. Sinners become saints, clay is turned into gold. 

This is good news for me. I means despite my previous disobedience to God, the door is open for me to return. The Father is waiting for the return of the prodigal. Now is the day of salvation.

Thank you Father that your mercy triumphs over judgement. Jesus, take my hand and lead me home. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Rejoice in the Lord Always

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near.
Ph.4:4,5

Paul writes to the Philippian Church declaring his desire for them to be happy with the knowledge that Jesus is very near.

This is the message of Gaudate Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say rejoice! This is the message I carry in my heart into my day, whatever it may bring. 

Jesus, I know you are near. You are the source of my hope and joy. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus come.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

A Soft Heart

'I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking of John the Baptist.
Mt.17:12,13

Peter, James and John have just witnessed Jesus' transfiguration. Coming down the mountain they ask Jesus about the return of Elijah who they had just seen with him. Jesus confirms that Elijah has already returned, in the form of John the Baptist.

John the Baptist's message has just been elevated by Jesus. So what did John say? Today's Gospel Acclamation echos part of it. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." 

There is always work to do when getting ready for Jesus' return. What preparedness can I work on today? This sort of work takes place in my heart. I can be softer of heart I think, more gentle, less judging of others. 

Thank you Lord for constantly calling me further up and further in. Help me have a soft heart for others today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

What a Friend I've Found

‘For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions.’
Mt.11:18,19

Jesus accuses the crowds of unappeasable fickleness, always criticising and never satisfied. Yet, who he is is proven by his actions.

The crowd's criticism actually proclaims what Jesus came to do, be a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Thank you crowd! You have proclaimed what I constantly need to hear. Jesus is my friend, I am a friend of God. 

What a friend I've found
Closer than a brother
I have felt your touch
More intimate than lovers
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, friend forever

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

What a Friend I've Found

Alleluia, alleluia!
Let the clouds rain down a Just One,
and let the earth bring forth a Saviour.
Alleluia!

Today's Gospel Acclamation quotes Isaiah prophesying where our Saviour comes from. He is from  heaven and from earth. He is God and man.

Central to our Christian faith is the truth that Jesus is both God and man. He humanises God. God is not some distant deity, he is Emmanuel, God with us.

Jesus knows me, knows my struggles, knows my joys because he has experienced them. This helps me accept him as a friend, be intimate with him. He is a friend I want to introduce to others. He is a friend walking beside me into today. As Isaiah says in today's first reading, he is holding my right hand, I have no need to be afraid.

Jesus, I offer you my hand. Walk beside me today. With you I am no longer afraid.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Nothing is Impossible

For nothing is impossible to God.’ ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ 
Lk.1:37:38

The angel Gabriel reveals to Mary her part in God's plan to save the world. Despite not completely understanding, despite her fear, Mary says do it Lord I trust you. 

Mary reveals her great strength, her total trust in God. When things looked wild, even unbelievable, she yields to God's plans. Her humility in weakness allows God to fill her with his fathomless power. Truly, in her weakness she became strong.

Mary, an insignificant girl eight months pregnant, riding a lowly donkey over a rough track to Bethlehem, carries within her the salvation of all mankind, the salvation of me. 

Hail Mary, full of grace
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou among women
and Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Joyful Messenger

Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger to Zion.
Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger to Jerusalem.
Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah,
‘Here is your God.’
Is.40:9

Isaiah prophesies the joyful return of God to his people. The time of atonement is over. Grief is replaced by everlasting joy.

Oh boy! Is this an Advent message or what. Mary and Joseph are still just a poor, insignificant Palestinian couple struggling on a rocky, dangerous track towards Bethlehem and yet all creation is welling up in joy at what is about to take place through them... God becoming man who will bring peace, hope and joy as he leads us home. 

This is a message deserving to be shouted out aloud. And who is that joyful messenger? It's every believer, it's me. 

Jesus, you are the Good News I carry today. May I shout aloud to all I meet today the reason for my joy.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Grab Hold of the Broom

A voice cries in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Lk.3:4

John the Baptist is preparing the way for Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah by being a "voice in the wilderness" preparing the way for the Lord. This preparedness starts with repentance. 

I don't have to go out into a desert to experience a wild place, to experience wilderness. It's just out in my street, just around the corner. In a sense, it's right within my heart. That's where my preparedness needs to take place, in my heart. 

The best way to sweep out the rubbish in that part of my life is Confession. It's been a while. It's time to go...

Lord Jesus, I need a spring clean of my heart. Thank you Lord that your Church provides the broom. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Proclaim Cure Raise Cleans Cast out

And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. 

Mt.10:7,8

Jesus is commissioning the twelve apostles for their first mission trip. Their purpose was simple; to proclaim, cure, raise up, cleans and cast out.

I, and all believers, have the same commission. Proclaim, cure, raise, cleans and cast out. I am part of an Alpha Course prayer team today. Here are my marching orders.

Jesus, you are my captain. I follow your lead today to bring home the lost sheep. May your will be done and your Kingdom come.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Hold Firm Take Heart

The deaf, that day, will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see.
Is.29:18

Isaiah gives a prophesy foretelling the day of the Lord's return. Two of the signs will be the deaf shall hear and the blind shall see.

The Advent theme runs strong in today's readings. Something wonderful is coming. The deaf shall hear, the blind shall see, deserts will turn into fertile forests, the Lord's goodness shall be seen. Jesus gives a hint of this wonderful time by miraculously healing the two blind men.

The two blind men had faith that Jesus said deserved their healing. Here is the key to receiving this Advent joyful expectation. Faith. Today's psalm says "Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!" Why? So I can be sure "I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living."

Lord Jesus, I take heart and hold firm in you today. I place my hope in you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Firm Ground

Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. 

Mt.7:24,25

Jesus is explaining the different results from wisdom and foolishness. Both the wise and the foolish are victim to storms. It is the wise who are left standing at the storm's passing.

Troubles happen. Storms, when they hit a city, affect everyone. No one is exempt from the wind and rain. The current pandemic is a case in point. Rich and poor, exulted and lowly, all are subject to the COVID virus. 

I see and hear much disunity and fear. But I also hear some unity and courage. These latter traits tend to come from people who are grounded, who are standing on firm ground. Jesus is saying that firm ground comes from hearing his words and acting on them.

Jesus, help me be a rock and not a sand pile, a firm ground from which  people can gain stability.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Dinner's Ready!

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
Ps.22:5

David's famous psalm extols the magnificent generosity of God. A victorious banquet is prepared for me celebrating a great and permanent personal victory. I have come home.

Today's first reading has Isaiah prophesying the Lord's banquet of fine wines and rich, juicy food. David's psalm has the Lord's banquet celebrating my victory. The Gospel has Jesus miraculously and literally providing a banquet for thousands. 

Hosting a banquet for someone is the greatest honour you can give them. This is what is being promised for me as a follower of Jesus. This is the wonderful event I am looking forward to, preparing the way for, this Advent. Halleluia!

Thank you Jesus for the banquet you are preparing for me. Help me be worthy to sit at you table.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.