Perspective

Make us know the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Ps.89:12

Psalm 89 is called "A prayer of Moses the man of God". Moses seeks the wisdom to know that the riches of this world are dust compared to the treasures of heaven. 

Perspective is a point of view on something. In today's Psalm the prayer is for a right perspective on the things of the world. Yes, good things on earth are good. But they are not the ultimate good. Being right with God far exceeds the pleasures of this world. 

Lord, give me a right perspective on the blessings of this world. Help me always keep one eye firmly on the treasures of heaven.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Tell Jesus

John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.
Mt.14:12

John the Baptist has just been beheaded by King Herod. John's disciples retrieve his body and then go immediately to inform Jesus of what has happened to his cousin.

In their grief, John's disciples first thought was to go to Jesus. To whom else could they turn? There's something in the sharing of grief with Jesus that starts a healing process. John wasn't raised from the dead like Lazarus but Jesus puts things in perspective. It wasn't the end of John's story.

When good or bad happens in my life it's good for me to go tell Jesus. He wants to be part of my life. He puts it all in perspective. There is a bigger story than the one I'm writing here on earth. Jesus holds the pen for that bigger story. It's a story that ends well.

Thank you Jesus that you want me to share my highs and lows, that you want to walk along beside me. I place my trust in you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

I will Live

I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

Jn.11:25,26

Jesus arrives at Lazarus' tomb. He reassures Martha that he is the source of eternal life for all who believe.

We know the story. Lazarus, four days dead, is raised miraculously back to life by Jesus' call into the tomb. Yet, Lazarus eventually died. There's no record of a man in Palestine walking around for two thousand years. Lazarus' physical return to life was to demonstrate the glory of God's wonderful plan for all who believe, God's wonderful plan for me, that death does not have the final say.

As all consuming as the joys and struggles of my day could be, overarching everything is the truth that even though I will die one day, I will live. Death has been conquered. Halleluia!

Thank you Jesus for rescuing me from the grave. My hope and joy is placed in you.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Clay in His Hands

House of Israel, cannot I do to you what this potter does? – it is the Lord who speaks. Yes, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so you are in mine, House of Israel.
Jer.18:6

Jeremiah is led by God to a potter's house. There he watches the potter as he reshapes a distorted pot on his wheel into one that is new and perfect. God says he can do the same with mankind.

The truth is we are all cracked pots, distorted by wounds and sadness. God re-softens the hard, brittle clay of my life and then shapes me into what I was always meant to be. What looked as though it was beyond redemption is made new. I'm a new man.

This is Good News. This gives me renewed hope and purpose. 

Thank you Jesus that you are in the business of making old distortions into something new and beautiful. I give you permission to reshape me into the man you always meant me to be.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

A Friend of God

I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Jn.15:15

Today's Gospel Acclamation has Jesus telling us we are his friends to whom he has revealed everything.

This is a greater reminder of who I am because of what I am about to hear in the Gospel. I am a friend of God, proven by Jesus making known to me all that needs to be known. There are no secrets. All has been revealed. 

I walk into today as a friend of God, equipped by Jesus' revelation with everything I need to face whatever the day may bring.

Jesus, thank you for calling me a friend. Holy Spirit, help behave like one.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

See Hear and be Happy

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’
Mt13:16,17

Jesus is explaining to his disciples why he teaches in parables, to overcome the blindness and deafness of those who do not want to repent and believe. Meanwhile the disciples have happiness because they see and hear what God is saying.

What was it that the disciples saw and heard to gain their happiness? It was Jesus. They saw Jesus and they heard him speak. Where is it that I can see and hear Jesus to gain happiness? The Church he established for this very purpose is a good place to start. In his Church I see him in the sacraments and hear him through scripture.

Today is the feast of Saints Anne and Joachim. A good day to go to Mass to see, hear and be happy.

Thank you Jesus for establishing your Church so I may see you, hear you and be happy.
Saints Anne and Joachim, please pray for us.

Wheat among the Weeds

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well.
Mt.13:24-26

Jesus tells the parable of the wheat among the weeds, warning that evil can enter a church and appear to do well but judgement will come when good and evil will be separated, one for reward and the other for damnation.

I live in a world full of weeds and the weeds appear to be doing quite nicely thank you.  Even though the weeds grow well, so does the wheat. As long as I don't cross pollinate, stay true to my Christian calling, I'll be alright in the end. But, why not help some of the weeds become wheat in the process. Now that defies science but is entirely possible for God. It's what happened in my life.

Jesus, you give weeds a chance, their day in the sun, to allow time for them to become wheat. Help me be a gardener in that field.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Go Tell

‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.
Jn.20:17,18

Grieving Mary Magdalen is met by the risen Jesus outside the empty tomb. She recognises Jesus when he calls her name and her grief is turned to joy. Jesus then commissions her as the Church's very first evangelist. "Go tell..."

Mary Magdalen's name is mentioned only second to Peter's in number of times in the New Testament. She was the first to demonstrate what a disciple of Jesus did. Go tell the Good News that Jesus is alive. She continues to be held up by the Church as the great evangelistic example. Today is her feast day.

My commissioning couldn't be clearer. Go tell... If I'm not doing that I'm not being an authentic disciple. 

Lord Jesus, you are alive! Holy spirit, fill me zeal to tell this Good News.
Saint Mary Magdalen, please pray for me. 

Willfully Deaf

But happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.
Mt.13:16,17

Jesus has explained to his disciples that he speaks in parables to overcome the willful deafness of the people who are fearful of being converted to God. However, the disciples see and hear, so they receive wisdom and happiness. 

I have struck willful deafness when speaking on topics like abortion, euthanasia and, more recently, vaccine mandates of all things. It's like suddenly I'm speaking a foreign language and no amount of words makes any difference. When Jesus struck audiences like this he turned to parables.

Everyone loves a story. Parables are stories with a point. They sneak the point into a person's heart via the back door. Nathan used the parable of a slaughtered ewe-lamb to convict David's sinful and stubborn heart. 

When speaking of Godly things to willful unbelievers I need to remember I'm speaking to a deaf person and look for a story, a parable, that will open their ears and eyes and ultimately, their hearts.

Jesus, sometimes I am willfully deaf, especially when fixated on what I know to be wrong. Unblock my ears so they may hear and receive happiness and wisdom.

Shine on the Parade

But the Lord replied, ‘Do not say, “I am a child.” Go now to those to whom I send you and, say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you – it is the Lord who speaks!’
Jer.1:7,8

God is calling Jeremiah to his prophetic ministry. Jeremiah protests that he is too young and lacking eloquence. God replies, "I call you, I'll equip you".

One of my weaknesses is that I tend to rain on people's parades. I focus on the negative rather than elevate the positive. Like Jeremiah, I can even rain on God's parade. The devil loves the pessimist and hates the optimist. Today I chose to be the optimist in the room, the cheerful Charlie, not only for other people but for myself. I can shine on the parade.

Jesus, forgive the times I have rained on your parade, your plans for my life. Help me accentuate the positive.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

He's My Brother

And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.
Mt.12:49,50

Word reaches Jesus as he is teaching a packed crowd that his anxious family are standing outside. He responds by saying his true family are all who do the will of God his Father.

When I do God's will I am more than Jesus' friend, I'm his brother. We are family. Discipleship brings with it intimacy with Jesus and with that comes love, peace and joy. 

I was asked what the Alpha Course is trying to achieve. The answer lies in the word discipleship. Introduce people to the love of Jesus and they become disciples with a renewed identity and purpose. They become... I become... a beloved brother or sister in the family of God.

Jesus, I lift up to you the Divine Renovation gathering in Taupo. Holy Spirit, sweep through that assembly so they are inflamed with desire to make disciples of all nations.
Saint Philip Neri, pray for us.

Timing

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. 
Mt.12:14-16

Jesus has directly challenged the Pharisees by healing a man on the Sabbath, in a synagogue.  This final straw has the two parties withdraw for the final stage of Jesus' death, the Pharisees to plot, Jesus to prepare.

Even in withdrawal Jesus continued to heal. It seems he couldn't stop himself, his compassion was spontaneous. Timing was important for Jesus. He knew when and how he was to die. 

As Solomon wrote, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. I have retirement approaching. The time is right. It is in season. 

Jesus, you knew when to show your hand and when to withdraw it. Give me that wisdom so my timing may synchronise with yours.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

Messy Mercy

And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.
Mt.12:7,8

The Pharisees accuse Jesus' followers of breaking the law by picking and eating ears of corn on the sabbath.  Jesus defends his disciples saying that as master of the sabbath he calls for mercy not sacrifice. 

Jesus roused his greatest opposition when dispensing mercy. It's the same with the Church today. We clamour for justice on others but plead mercy for ourselves. The law is crisp and clean, easy to administer. Mercy is messy. Sometimes when given it's not even acknowledged. It's regarded as a weakness. 

Yet, there it is in black and white. Jesus wants mercy. I am called to be a conduit of mercy if I am to consider myself an authentic follower of Christ.

Jesus, the Pharisee in me judges by the law. Help me be known as a person of mercy.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Rest for My Soul

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
Mt. 11:282-30

Jesus invites all who are weighed down to exchange their burdens for his light, easy yoke and find rest.

This call from Jesus echoes down through the ages, appealing to everyone. We all carry more than we need to. I carry more than I need to.

Every soul is searching for rest. Jesus' gentle humility meets me in the midst of my worries and cares, my burdens, and says, "Ok Mike, it's time to hand it over. Come on, receive in its place rest for your soul". 

Jesus, I hand my heavy burdens over to you. You love those I am concerned for more than I do. I receive your gentle humility and make it my own today. You give rest for my soul.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Sorry Thank you Please

Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent. ‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida!'
Mt.11:20,21

Jesus rebukes the towns that witnessed his authority yet still refused to give up their evil ways and turn back to God. 

Repentance is the essential part of the transformational life of a Christian. I can't have it two ways. I can't say I accept Jesus and still live an obstinately sinful life. Yes, grace and mercy are held out to me but when I'm embroiled in sin they are held out behind me. I actually have to turn around, turn away from the sin to receive them. 

It's a three step process for me to follow today. Sorry, thank you, please. 

Jesus, I am sorry for the times I have turned from you to have my own way. Thank you Lord for your life-saving grace and mercy you hold out to me from the Cross. Please help me not to sin again.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Be Not Afraid

Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.
Mt.10:29-31

Jesus instructs the twelve Apostles three times within a few verses not to be afraid. Why? Because a loving and mighty father is watching over them.

The Apostles are preparing for a mission trip. Jesus knows their biggest obstacle is within their own heads... fear. This is still true for me today. Fear is what stalls me when working for God's Kingdom. What if I'm laughed at? What if they say no to my invitation. What if our plans fail? What if, what if, what if...

Jesus reminds me I am precious in God's sight and that his mighty and loving hand is always over me. I'm to feel the fear and do it anyway. 

Thank you Holy Spirit for being my Paraclete, my protector and guide. Walk beside me today so I may be a joyful witness for Jesus, without fear.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Cunning but Harmless

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Remember, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.
Mt.10:16

Jesus is warning the Apostles of the persecutions they will face because of his name. They are to be cunning yet harmless.

Jesus says it plainly. They (and we) will be hated because of his name. So why did they do it anyway? Because, says Jesus, by standing firm to the end they will be saved. All except Judas were to stand firm to the end and all except John had a martyr's death. 

I think the message here is that I have been given a brain and I'm to use it but use it in love. Following Jesus is not going to be all beer and skittles but by pushing on through the rewards are more than worth it. 

Jesus, you were cunning but harmless. Help me be the same as I meet with opposition to pushing for your kingdom to come.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Peace Bearer

Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you.
Mt.10:11-13

Jesus instructs the Apostles before they leave on their mission trip. They are to travel light, trusting God will place before them people who will meet their needs. The only payment they are to give is their peace. This is a peace that finds the right place to settle, either on someone worthy or back on the apostles.

The peace the Apostles carried was unique. It was like a homing missile finding only the right person on which to settle. It was never a wasted shot. If the target wasn't worthy it turned around and returned to the bestower. 

I can be the bearer of that sort of peace today. I'm not to worry too much about cloaks and bags and sticks and money. Seek out the trustworthy, salute him and bless him with peace. I can do that....

Jesus, your peace is a peace the world cannot give. Help me be a peace bearer today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Commitment

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.
Mt.10:1

Jesus is commissioning the twelve Apostles for their first mission trip. The mixed bag of rag-tags are the unlikely shock troops that set in motion the new plan God has for saving the world.  

Jesus didn't look for perfection, he looked for commitment. Each of the twelve had just walked away from their old life to follow Jesus. They each had different ideas about what it was Jesus was leading them into but they were commonly committed. 

Jesus knew the team included hotheads, bumblers, doubters and even a betrayer. But he gave them all authority nonetheless. He saw something bigger in each of them. They thought they were about to work on others when Jesus was already working on them.

When I'm in a leadership role I'm not to look for perfection but for commitment. A team of committed people can change the world.

Jesus let me be a committed team player so I can be part of changing the world.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Peace and Purpose

Mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven.

Ps.84:10,11

God returns and restores his repentant people. His mercy meets their faithfulness, his justice restores their peace.

Recently I was inviting a man to our Alpha Course. He looked at me skeptically and asked, "What's this course trying to do?" Today's psalm answers his question. Alpha wants to let God restore peace and purpose to people's lives, peace from knowing I'm infinitely lovable and infinitely loved... purpose from knowing a loving God has a unique plan for my life.

I can be an emissary of mercy and peace today.

Jesus, your mercy has rescued me, your peace has restored me. Help me bring mercy and peace to those I meet today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

He Wants What I Need

It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.
Mt.9:12,13

Jesus overhears criticism of his attending a feast hosted by Matthew the tax collector. He responds by clarifying what drives his mission... mercy for sinners.

Mercy makes me nervous. It hints of wrong doers getting off scot free, of not receiving justice. That's exactly what Jesus is talking about... and it's at the heart of the Good News. Sinners get off scot free... or to make it clearer, I get off scot free. Jesus wants what I need. Mercy.

Outrageous? Yes. Grace? Yes. Do I need this? Absolutely, so who am I to deny it from anyone else.

Jesus, forgive me for being so quick to judge and call down fire from heaven. Have mercy on me Lord so I can be merciful to others.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.