Soul before Body

But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home.
Mt.9:6,7

Jesus pronounces the forgiveness of the sins of a paralytic. Scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy so, to demonstrate his authority to forgive sins, Jesus miraculously heals the paralytic.

Jesus obviously places the health of the soul higher than the health of the body. The paralytic's physical healing only happens as an aside. Jesus was more concerned about removing the man's sins. 

While it's always good to pray for physical healing, it pays to remember the physical is temporal while the soul is eternal. The health of my soul is way more important to Jesus than the health of my body which is inevitably going to end up back in the dust.

Jesus, the world clamours to tell me my physical well being is all I should be concerned about. Help me see others as you do and  place the health of their souls as supreme in importance.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Leaping and Dancing

Instantly his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, leaping and dancing and praising God.
Acts3:7,8

Peter heals a crippled beggar in Jesus' name. The healed man follows Peter and Paul into the temple leaping and dancing and praising God to the amazement of all who knew him.

The beggar's friends were doing the best they could for him, carrying him to the temple gate so he could beg, but Jesus did the best. Total, miraculous healing. 

I love this story. I see myself as the healed beggar, leaping and dancing and praising God. I know this is what I'll be doing when entering heaven. What a marvelous hope to carry into my day.

Jesus, you know where I am crippled. Thank you Lord for the healing you are doing and are going to perfect in me. I leap and dance and praise you!
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Faith Hope and Love

‘Save us, Lord, we are going down!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened, you men of little faith?’ And with that he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and all was calm again. 
Mt.8:25,26

While crossing the Sea of Galilee with Jesus asleep in the boat, the disciples succumb to fear as a great storm overtakes them.  They awaken Jesus who rebukes them for their lack of faith and then instantly calms the storm.

I would have said the disciples acted in faith by taking their fear to Jesus. But Jesus says no, fear is not to be the motivator for seeking his intervention. As believers we are forbidden to be afraid as it gives oxygen to lack of faith. The motivators for seeking Jesus' intervention are faith, hope and love. Fear has no place among these virtues.

Jesus, sometimes fear is my prayer motivator. Help me reach out to you in faith, hope and love.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

A Man after God's Heart

I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.
Acts.13:22

Paul is preaching on how John the Baptist was a herald for Jesus who has fulfilled God's promise to King David.  Paul highlights how David was selected to carry out God's eternal purpose for which Jesus is the ultimate fruit.

God who knew all the treachery that David was to perform also saw the zeal of David for him. God wasn't looking for perfection, he was looking for a fervent heart. 

Each time I sin my confidence takes a hit. I call myself a phoney with no authority to do God's work. If this were true we would have no prophets or saints in the Church. Those accusations are from the devil. God knows my brokenness but calls me forward nonetheless. 

Lord, you know my heart. Thank you that you still believe in me when I can't believe in myself.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Joyful Trust

Surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God.
Rms.5:10,11

Paul states we can count on God's saving mercy not only because of his son's atoning death but also because of our joyful trust in God.

Wow! My joyful trust in God is both a cause and an effect of my salvation. My joyful trust provokes  God's mercy. As a father I have experienced this with my own children. They look trustfully to me and I can't stop myself from meeting that trust. I don't want to disappoint them. 

My part to play in my salvation is to have joyful trust in God. I think I can do that today.

Thank you Father for sending your son to save me, for giving me the Holy spirit to comfort and guide me. I joyfully place my trust in you.
Saint Philip Neri please pray for me.

Do It!

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.
Mt.7:24

Jesus finishes his great Sermon on the Mount by stating listening to him is not enough to enter the Kingdom of God. I need to act on what I hear.

I've noticed that some people use the Alpha Course videos simply to tickle their ears. They listen but do not let it motivate them to change. They are slick presentations that can be simply entertaining. 

I'm often tempted to do the same. Some Sundays I'm just a pew-warmer. Jesus has harsh words to say to such people. "I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!" Not only is it lazy not to act on his words, it's evil.

Forgive me Lord for the days I've just been a pew-warmer. Holy Spirit, set a fire ablaze within me to be not just a listener but a doer.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Tell the Difference

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits.
Mt.7:15,16

Jesus warns of enemies pretending to be friends. Their giveaway is the results of their work.

Jesus has not long warned against judgment. Here he seems to say the opposite. I'm to judge a person by their fruits. Judgement is judgement but the call to be aware is advice to give due diligence. I'm not to be gullible, to be too easily persuaded to believe something, especially when I really want to believe it. 

We have enemies when we make a stand for Jesus. It comes with the territory. The good news is we have friends as well. The thing is to tell the difference.

Jesus, you had enemies among your so-called friends. Give me discernment to recognise not only my enemies but my true friends as well. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Infectious Joy

Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Mt.7:13,14

Jesus warns that following him is not easy but a difficult path that needs searching. But, it's the only way to life.

As soon as I became a Christian I knew I was swimming against the flow. My world view changed. Maxims like "Treat others as you want them to treat you, "Love your enemies", "Do not judge or you shall be judged" became signposts to a new path. It was difficult. 

It is still difficult but I've found no other way that leads to life. Not only that, I want to bring others along the same path with me. What attracted me to the difficult path were travellers who seemed to embrace the difficulties with a joy I didn't have. That's still the key....

Jesus, you followed the difficult path with a joy so infectious that it changed the world. Fill me with your Spirit today that I may infect others.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Forbidden to Worry

Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Mt.6:32-34

Jesus is giving his Sermon on the Mount, instructing on priorities. Kingdom of God first, other things a distant second.

Jesus forbids his followers to worry. Worry is from a pagan heart. A heart of faith trusts and has peace. This is so topical for me as I fearfully hold off a retirement date. No money coming in... eeek! 

I am to do due diligence, create a retirement budget, but I'm not to worry. He promises that for a heart set on God's kingdom all these other things will be provided.

Thank you Jesus for the reminders and encouragement you are giving me to not worry. I trust in you and receive your peace.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Shift My Heart

Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. 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.6:19-21

Jesus teaches that treasures on earth are temporal while treasures in heaven are eternal, so pour your efforts into the eternal.

Earthly treasures are so alluring, that's why they're called bling. They're also insatiable. There's never enough to satisfy. Heavenly treasures are more obscure. There's not much bling associated with them, just great promises. They are based on faith.

I've been delaying retirement for fear of not having enough bling stored away. A dear friend the same age as me is living the last few months of life with terminal cancer. It's a wakeup call. 

Jesus, I shift my heart from here to there. I place my trust in you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Forgive the Failings

‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
Mt.6:15

In his sermon on the mount Jesus has just given the Lord's Prayer as an example of how to pray. He underscores the verse on forgiveness, "And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us." For Jesus, this was the verse that we most need help to activate.

An unforgiving Christian is an oxymoron, a contradiction To call myself a Christian means to call myself one who forgives. There's no way around this. Jesus has made it indisputable. If I want to be forgiven by him (and I need to be) then I must forgive others first.

I have no great anger towards anyone over an injustice. But, I do hold opinions and judgements towards others. These are the tips of potential icebergs of unforgiveness. They need to be eradicated, starting today...

Jesus, help me forgive even when there's no likelihood of it being acknowledged. Help me be rid of my petty judgements of others before they fester into resentment and unforgiveness.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Pride

Your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
Mt.6:18

Jesus is giving his sermon on the mount and is warning against pride, especially pride in the religious activities of almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

It's not a question about whether to pray, give alms and fast. It's a question about my attitude in doing them. Pride can so easily enter into these activities, robbing them of any good effect. It's good for me to remember that my Father in Heaven "sees all". That is reward enough and also warning enough. 

Jesus, forgive me Lord for my puffed up pride that even enters my relationship with you. Help me be content that our Father sees all. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. 
Acts11:22-24

Barnabas is sent to Antioch to verify the great things happening there. His piety and holiness are affirmed as he works to add even more numbers to the Church. 

Earlier in the Book of Acts Barnabas is identified as one who sold his property and gave the proceeds to the Church, earning him the title of Son of Encouragement. He is the one who ferches Paul back to Antioch and then travels with him on missionary trips. 

Barnabas is inspirational, being a doer not just a talker. He physically worked to spread the Gospel, becoming known as a good man filled with the Holy spirit and with faith. Let that be my epithet, starting today.

Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit and faith so I may do good and be a son of encouragement.
Saint Barnabas, please pray for me.

Marching Orders

And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 
1Kings.19:12,13

Elijah is hiding in a cave, fearing for his life when he is called out to stand before the Lord. Earthquake, wind and fire blast him before God appears in a gentle breeze.

The elements try to fool Elijah that their might and power represent God. God doesn't need them to show himself. The gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit is enough. Elijah is given his marching orders and goes back the way he came to fulfill his destiny. 

Despite his impetuosity, Elijah could recognise the real presence of God.  I've heard a priest tell how he heard the call of God to priesthood in the mere skittering of leaves blown across a city pathway, insignificant to everyone but him. 

I look for God in the spectacular while I miss him in the mundane. The gentle whisper, the quiet person, the small, the weak, the insignificant are all ways God can speak to me, give me my marching orders, today...

Jesus, help me hear you amongst all the noise. Give me my marching orders today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Love so it Hurts

Alleluia, alleluia! 

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you. 

Alleluia!

Jn.13:34

Today's Gospel Acclamation proclaims Jesus' great clarion call. Love as I have loved.

What is so new about this commandment to love? Surely people have been called to love since the beginning of time? The answer lies in the last four words... "as I have loved you." Jesus' love is sacrificial, is universal, is constant, is given without counting the cost, is life-giving and hurt him to the point of death.

There are people in my day that I find difficult to love. Some are unlovely. None are unlovable. I am called to love as Jesus loves me with my warts and all. I am to love so it hurts.

Jesus, I struggle to love as you love. Fill me with more of your love so it may overflow into the lives of those I meet today. 

Saint Philip Neri please pray for us.

Food for the Journey

You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness forever.
Ps.15:11

David writes a declaration of faith and trust in God. He then prophesies God's response to such dedication... eternal life, joy and happiness.

There is a right path and a path that demands to be followed. The choice is always mine to accept or reject. Following this path requires placing one step after another. It's a journey. While there is a destination to attain, there are also rewards received while following it. Joy and happiness are food for the journey. I step out again today sustained by joy and happiness.

Holy Spirit, you are my companion on the path of life today. Guide me and sustain me with your joy and happiness.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

A Greater Joy

What can bring us happiness?’ many say. Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord. You have put into my heart a greater joy than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.

Ps.4:6,7

All people seek happiness. God gives a joy that is independent of material wealth. One of the first effects I've seen in people who have committed or recommitted themselves to God is an enormous smile.  

A deep joy, a joy in the heart, is the sign of authentic Christian conversion. Often nothing much happens to circumstance but everything changes to perspective. I receive this joy every time I recommit to God. I can receive this joy now...

Thank you Jesus for the joy you have placed in my heart. Let this joy in me be a witness for you today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Write Straight with Crooked Lines.

Paul spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone.
Acts.28:30,31

Paul is under house arrest in Rome, awaiting his trial. He continues to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, unhindered for two years.

Arriving in Rome in chains, Paul could be forgiven for thinking his missionary days were over. Not so. His four "Prison Letters" were written while he was a prisoner in Rome...Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

God is in the business of writing straight with crooked lines. What appears on face value is bad he can use for good. God is always in control.

Lord Jesus, sometimes events overwhelm me and I lose sight of you. Help me to always trust you. You are God of the valley as well as God of the mountain.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Love Love Love

I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.

Jn.17:26

Jesus has expanded his final prayer from covering just his disciples to all believers. His prayer is for the love of God the Father to be in us so that Jesus himself may be in us.

The name of God the Father is the key to his love residing in me which in turn calls Jesus to be in me. It's hard to fathom a love so great as that of God the Father for his only son Jesus. Yet, that is the very love Jesus desires to reside in me. 

Saint Paul said "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Eph.3:16,17 this making me rooted and established in love. Come Holy Spirit, in power...

Jesus, help me be rooted and established in the love of the Father so you may reside in me.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Deliver Us From Evil

I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.

Jn.17:14-16

Jesus prays for his disciples just before his passion and death. He asks not that they be removed from the world and its antagonism but that they be protected from Satan.

Following Jesus in our country means going against the flow. Atheism is the universal religion of our land and Christians are regarded as deluded at best, dangerous at worst. But this is where God has placed me and for his good purpose. 

I'm currently forming an Alpha Course team. It's time we went fishing again. We need protection from the evil one as we cast out the net.

Thank you Jesus for your prayer of protection. I claim that prayer for all who are considering joining our Alpha Course team. Deliver us from evil.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.