Climb on His Lap

I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.

Mk.10:15,16

Jesus has just rebuked the disciples for turning away little children. Rather than being insignificant and far from God, children are more naturally found in greatest intimacy with him, trustfully climbing onto his lap, lovingly leaning into his breast. 

Being childlike, not childish, is held up by Jesus as a great virtue, something to to strive for. Infact, childlikeness is essential if I am to enter the kingdom of God. I have fourteen great role models to observe in my grandchildren today. For a start, they know joy and laugh a lot. 

Thank you Lord for my grandchildren. Make me teachable so I may become like a little child with you. 

Surprised by Truth

Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’

Mk.9:39,40

The disciples have reported trying to stop an outsider from casting out demons in Jesus' name. Jesus rebukes them, saying any who do not oppose them is actually an advocate for the Kingdom.

There something in us that wants our way to be the only way. In me it's actually a sign of insecurity from a sneaking suspicion that others may have more truth than I give credit.  Jesus' response it generous. "If they're not against us they're for us." 

Within all faiths there are elements of truth that are actually for us. Once I accept this I have the opportunity to learn. Being open to truth found outside my own faith shows a security I have in my own faith. My mother-in-law told the story of a missionary, on reaching a remote pacific island, going to the chief and saying. "My brother, teach me all that you know." His mission was successful. 

Today is an opportunity for me for me to grow, wherever I find truth that is for us. 

Jesus, help me rid myself of the blindness of pride so I can see your truth in surprising places.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

What a Friend I've Found

‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’

Mt.16:15,16

Jesus asks his disciples who do the people say the Son of Man is. His real reason for asking is to find out who the disciples themselves say he is.  Peter's answer qualifies him to become the very first pope. 

'But you, who do you say I am?' This is the fundamental question facing every living soul. Our answer, and only we can answer for ourselves, determines the outcome of our lives. Is Jesus simply a wise man who did good or is he who Peter said he was, the Son of the living God?

My faith journey has brought me from believing Jesus was a character from a fairy story to a wise man doing good to finally my saviour, God and friend. This establishes my relationship with him and determines how I live out each day. Today I walk with my saviour, my God and my friend.

Thank you Jesus for calling me into wonderful relationship with you. I invite you walk beside me today as friend. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

 

Opposite Spirit

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly.

Lk.6:27,28

Jesus gives his discourse on how to live a joyful, Christian life... do everything to promote love.

If ever there was a time for this message in our country it is today. There is anger, fear and disunity claiming the headlines. Satan is having a field day. It's time to work in the the opposite spirit, the spirit of peace, courage and unity... the spirit of love.

Lord Jesus, I want to be your agent of love today. Fill me with your spirit of love, peace and joy.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Works of Faith

You see now that it is by doing something good, and not only by believing, that a man is justified. A body dies when it is separated from the spirit, and in the same way faith is dead if it is separated from good deeds.

Jms.2:24,26

James writes that faith unaccompanied by resulting good works is a faith that is a sham and is quite dead. 

This is where the rubber hits the road. It is always tempting to appear busy with pios faith-actions without engaging in faith-works. James warns, like Abraham whose faith led him to build the pyre, lay his son on it and raise the dagger, I can only be justified by my faith motivated works. Saying I have faith is not enough. 

A common theme with the Saints of the Church is their work for the poor. This can be poor materially or poor in spirit. Both types of poverty are all around me, both in my family and outside it. Time to roll my sleeves up. 

Jesus, break my heart with the things that break yours. Show me my work today that my faith may shine.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Say Less Listen More

Peter started to remonstrate with him. But, turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
Mk. 8:32,33

Peter had previously just earned Jesus' greatest approval and praise after correctly naming him as the Christ, the Holy One of God. He now earns Jesus' greatest rebuke in being named Satan.

Peter is such a blustery buffoon, which is why I identify strongly with him. He shoots from the lip before thinking, sometimes getting it right but mostly getting it wrong. 

I need to control my tongue which gets me into much strife. Even a fool appears wise if he remains silent (Pr.17:28)

Jesus, you know my propensity to shoot from the lip. Prompt me to say less and listen more. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Still Lovable Still Loved

When I think: ‘I have lost my foothold’; your mercy, Lord, holds me up. When cares increase in my heart your consolation calms my soul.

Ps.93:18,19

The psalmist writes that the Lord knows the thoughts of man, how futile and corrupt they are. Yet his mercy and consolation are offered to all who would ask for them, his love is constant.

I watch my grandchildren cry when they have been confronted with wrongdoing. But when Grandma embraces and cuddles them, peace and calm returns. They are affirmed that they are still lovable and still loved.

As soon as I acknowledge I've lost my foothold, God supports and calms me. In many ways I'm like a child. I need support and comfort especially when I know I've done wrong. Satan wants me to feel unredeemable. Jesus wants me to feel loved. 

Having received this unconditional mercy, peace and love am I not beholden to extend it to others?

Thank you Jesus that you see my imperfections yet love me anyway. Help me love others today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

False Gods

Let there be no foreign god among you, no worship of an alien god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt.

Ps.80:9,10

Psalm 80 addresses the age old problem of man and alien gods. Since Adam's fall in the garden, mankind has has created false gods and placed them where only the true God should be.

We don't have a problem about "Is there a God?" The problem comes with the question "Who is my God?" Wealth, beauty and brains are the gods of the world. Sacrifices are made to attain them. They seduce and hypnotis. 

What are my seducing false gods? Probably all three of the above if I'm honest. They are relentless, insatiable and exhausting. The antidote is Jesus, my real God. He is my personal God inviting me into a personal faith for personal relief.  He alone gives me peace and rest and joy... today.

Jesus, forgive me for the times I have worshiped the gods of this world. I place you in the highest place and put all my trust in you. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

There are no Strangers

And he said to her, ‘For saying this, you may go home happy: the devil has gone out of your daughter.’ So she went off to her home and found the child lying on the bed and the devil gone.

Mk.7:29,30

A pagan Syrophoenician woman has begged and even argued with Jesus to deliver her daughter from an evil spirit. Impressed by her faith, Jesus steps over his initial reluctance and instantly delivers her daughter. 

As a woman and a pagan this mother was a far from the fold as a person could be. Yet her love for her daughter moved to Jesus to fulfill her request.  Jesus clearly demonstrates he is for all people. The bridge is love and faith. 

I tend to compartmentalise people, those who are close and those who are far away. Jesus sees people as just that, people with souls that need saving. For him, there are no strangers.

Jesus, when I was far away, outside the fold, you came after me. Help me reach out to those I would judge are beyond salvation. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

A Clean Heart

It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.
Mk.7:20-23

Jesus is explaining to his disciples what he has just taught to the people, that food does not make a person unclean. It is his evil thoughts that putrefy.

It seems we have two hearts. One being the muscle that pumps blood around our body, the other being the innermost part of our humanity. The first resides in our chest, the second in our head. The head-heart can be the source of good or evil intentions, life or death. 

My experience is that every evil action starts as an evil thought, starts in my heart. I need to be intentional about my thoughts, not let them wander. I need to be careful about what I feed into my thoughts, about what I read, what I look at. Today can be a day of clean thoughts, good intentions, a pure heart.

Lord Jesus, create in me a clean heart, a steadfast spirit so I may heart may be clean and a source of good today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Pull Down the Fence

This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.

Mk.7:6,7

The Pharisees complain that Jesus' disciples are breaking the Law by eating with unwashed hands. Jesus replies by exposing their hypocrisy in fixating on external regulations while their hearts are far from God. 

This is a common human failing. Church history is littered with occasions where people, having a genuine experience of the Holy Spirit, build a picket fence around themselves and start issuing membership tickets. Meanwhile the Holy Spirit steps over the picket fence and moves on.

Jesus is only interested in the state of my heart, not my observances. If the traditions of the Church are not softening my heart they are worse than useless, they are driving me far from Jesus. 

Jesus, you know my propensity to build picket fences and issue membership tickets. Help me recognise the movement of the Holy Spirit wherever he goes.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Noble and Generous

Alleluia, alleluia!
Happy are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
Alleluia!
Lk8:15

Today's gospel acclamation is taken from the parable of the sower where Jesus explains that the rich soil receiving seed and giving a bountiful harvest are people with noble and generous hearts who hear God's Word and keep it.

The Church adds a blessing to this quote from Jesus. Happiness is given to these noble and generous people. I have met such people, some old and some young, some religious and some lay. They tend to be active in ministry, giving generously of themselves. There is a radiance and joy about them that draws you to them. 

The key words for me are "noble and generous". Let this be my attitude I take into today.

Jesus, help me have a noble and generous heart towards all those I encounter today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Shut de Door, Keep out de Devil

So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

Mk.6:13

Jesus commissions the twelve apostles for their first mission trip. Topmost on their agenda was the casting out of devils.   

The first authority Jesus gave the apostles was authority over unclean spirits. It seemed that was the work to be done before they could preach the Good News. Clean out the demons then people were in a place to hear what they had to say. 

I don't hear of demons being cast out much today. Are there no demons now? Doubt it. When I look about I see their handiwork everywhere, especially in attacks on families. Perhaps it's time for me to up the spiritual warfare for my own little church, my family. As the negro spiritual song goes, "Shut de door, keep out de devil. Light de candle everything's alright". 

Lord Jesus, in your name I claim authority over the unclean spirits who would attack my family. In your mighty name Lord Jesus I cast them out and then shut the door and light the candle.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Oxygen

‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’

Mk.5:35,36

Jairus is told his daughter, whom he had hoped Jesus would heal, was dead. Jesus encourages Jairus to keep hold of the faith that had first brought him to ask for healing.
 

Today's gospel records two miraculous healings that sprung out of faith, the bleeding woman who touched Jesus' cloak and Jairus' daughter. Jesus acknowledges and encourages those with faith and expels those with no faith. The deriding crowd are turned out while the parents and apostles are brought in by Jesus. 

Jesus' work thrives where there is faith. Faith is like oxygen for all believers and allows miracles to happen. It is water to people parched in a desert. My role as a believer is to bring faith into despairing situations, to bring in the water of life who is Jesus. 

Jesus, I trust in you. Help me be a faith bearer today in the lives of those I meet.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.