Invite Him In

‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’  While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘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.5:34-36

While walking to the home of Jairus who has pleaded for his desperately ill daughter, Jesus' power spontaneously heals a woman who has touched his garment in faith. 

In this dramatic scene two people are healed by Jesus, each in their own different way. The woman had faith enough to simply touch the hem of Jesus' garment. The girl benefited from the intercession and faith of her father. The common ground in both circumstances is faith in Jesus to heal. 

In both circumstances Jesus is close to the person afflicted. He just needed to be invited in. Faith opened the door. I can open that door as well, for myself and for others in intercession. 

Jesus, thank you for wanting to step into my life where I need your healing power. I invite you in.
Saint John Bosco please pray for me.

Come in Lord and Stay

They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. 
Mk.5:15

Jesus has just delivered an uncontrollable demoniac of a legion of demons, sending the demons into stampeding pigs. The violent uproar brings out the townspeople who are confounded and afraid by the events.

This event in Jesus ministry is powerful and unsettling. It raises questions like, why were the people afraid, why did they beg Jesus to leave instead of rejoicing at God's power and bringing their sick to be healed?

When faced with God's indisputable power, I'm faced with a choice that invariably involves change. Do I accept that God is God and live accordingly... or not. The "or not" means to not change, to stay in my sinfulness. 

I still have areas in my life where sin prevails and I cling to it like a cuddly rug. It's time to let those sins go into the pigs and then turn and sit at Jesus' feet, fully clothed. 

Jesus, I know there are areas in my life where I ask you to go away. I open the doors in those areas and invite you to come in and stay. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

How Small Becomes Big

What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all.
Mk.4:30-32

Jesus describes the mystery of the kingdom of God. From something tiny, something huge can grow. 

Both the mustard seed and God's kingdom can give relief to the parched world. Like the tiny mustard seed needing water before it can grow into a shrub providing shade and shelter, God's kingdom needs a faithful soul before it can blossom into a life-giving provider of shelter, healing and love. 

Jesus unleashed miraculous power where there was even the tiniest faith. Where there was no faith there were no miracles.  Oh that my soul can have the tiniest bit of faith so God's kingdom may be released through me today.

Yes Lord I believe. Help me in my unbelief. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

No Secrets Here

For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.
Mk.4:22,23

Jesus tells the crowd that the only things that are hidden and kept secret are things that are to be brought into the light anyway. In other words, there are no secrets.

Where there are secrets there is shame. Shame is only good when it motivates to bring things into the light. Once things are in the light, shame loses its power. That's because it's no longer required. A thing brought into the light can then be dealt with, can then be healed. 

Thank God for the confessional. There I find God's lampstand shedding a light that liberates and heals. It's time I sat before that light again.

Thank you Jesus for your liberating light. You are the light of my life.
Saints Timothy and Titus, please pray for me.

Claim the Victory

Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself, and when he appears a second time, it will not be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him.
Heb.9:28

The writer of Hebrews emphasises that sin has already been utterly and completely dealt with by Jesus' death and resurrection.

Sometimes I still think that sin in my life is a battle that I could lose.  Satan wants me to think this and simply roll over and stop the struggle. This is a lie. Sin has already lost thanks to Jesus' saving work on the cross. I simply have to claim the victory that is offered to me and then live victoriously in joy.

Thank you Jesus for paying the price for my brokenness. I receive your liberating victory with a joyful heart.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Chosen

Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils.
Mk.3:13-15

Jesus is calling up his A-team from out of his disciples, the ones who were to become Apostles, ones sent out.

It's tempting to think I chose Jesus but today's scripture is a reminder that choosing is Jesus' prerogative.  He chose me.

Jesus choosing me puts our relationship on a higher level. There is something elevating about being chosen. He looks past all my brokenness and sees something greater. It also makes me want to live up to what I have been chosen for, to be an apostle, to be one sent out.

Thank you Jesus for choosing me, for seeing in my clay refined gold. Help me see myself as you do.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

  

Be Good News

From Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, Transjordania and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed.
Mk.3:8,9

The word has gotten out and huge numbers of people travelled great distances to see Jesus and to be healed, to the point where he was in danger of being crushed.

People travelled far to meet Jesus. But he didn't just set up a base camp for the crowds to come to him. He travelled widely as well. In the three years of his public ministry, the gospels record him constantly on the move. He relentlessly wanted all people to not only hear the Good News but to be good news to them.

How relentless am I in spreading the Good News and being good news, even in my small corner of the world? I could do more.

Holy Spirit, lead me to those who need to hear and receive the good news about Jesus.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Stretch Out Your Hand

Then, grieved to find them so obstinate, he (Jesus) looked angrily round at them, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was better. The Pharisees went out and at once began to plot with the Herodians against him, discussing how to destroy him.
Mk.3:5,6

Jesus enrages the Pharisees by healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. 

It's tempting to think Jesus used the man with the infirmity as a prop to make a point with the Pharisees. Jesus never uses people in that way. A withered hand would have classified the man as a cripple, someone struck by a curse for some sin according to the Pharisees. To Jesus he was a human being who was suffering. 

The man followed Jesus' instructions, showing he had hope and faith. Hope and faith is the fuel of miracles. Hope and faith are mine for the asking.

Jesus, you never see us simply as a prop. In prayer I now stretch out my "withered hand" and the withered hands of others. I place my trust in you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Anchor For My Soul

We have found safety, (and) should have a strong encouragement to take a firm grip on the hope that is held out to us. Here we have an anchor for our soul, as sure as it is firm.
Hb.6:18,19

The writer of Hebrews is stating that God's promise is totally trustworthy and a source of confidence and strength. 

A strong, firm, hope in the anchor for our soul. Powerful words to hold onto in a world swirling with uncertainty. My faith is not based on fairy tales, it's based on the promises of God underpinned by his oath. 

I step into today, whatever it may bring, with an anchor for my soul.

Jesus, you are my rock, my anchor, my sure hope. I place my trust in you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Balance

As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they could not think of fasting. But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then, on that day, they will fast.
Mk.2:19,20

John the Baptist's disciples cannot understand why Jesus' disciples do not fast. Jesus replies, they will fast but at the right time.

As the Psalm says, there is a time for every purpose under heaven. There is a time for celebrating and a time for fasting. Celebrating is more joyous because of fasting and the fasting is more purposeful and deep because of the celebration. Each, in a strange way, contributes to the experience of the other as darkness shows the power of light. It is about balance, about knowing when.

Jesus, help me be balanced. When I celebrate, let me do it with joy and when I fast, let me do it with purpose and resolve. 
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Teach and Act

Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.
Mk.1:27

While teaching in a synagogue Jesus casts out a demon from a man. The people are amazed at this demonstration of Jesus' power and authority. 

Jesus doesn't just teach. He acts and his actions always involve healing. This was what made his teaching new. He wants his Church to do the same. Without action we are perceived as a place of "blah blah blah, yadder yadder yadder". The world has its glut of noise. It's starving for action, especially healing action. 

I can be an agent of healing action. Today. 

Jesus, I want to be your agent of healing action. Give me wisdom to perceive where it is needed and courage to act in your name. 
Saint Mark, please pray for me. 

Power in a Blessing

As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’
Mt.3:17

Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist. John witnesses the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus and the voice of God the Father speaking a blessing over his son.

There is power in the spoken blessing, more so when it is from a father. The world is full of sons who have never heard a blessing from their father and as a result they don't know their true identity. They certainly have heard curses. 

I am a father and grandfather. I have plenty in my day to speak a blessing to. 

Jesus, you personally know the power of a blessing. Help me speak only blessing or not speak at all. 
John the Baptist, please pray for me. 

They Have No Wine

When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
Jn.2:3-5

The wedding feast has run out of wine. Mary, the mother of Jesus, asks Jesus to somehow resolve the problem. After first indicating reluctance, Jesus turns the water into the very best of wine.

Running out of wine was embarrassing at most, certainly not life threatening. Yet, Jesus allowed this miracle to be the one that revealed who he was, one who has power and authority over all things, including water.  

I guess Jesus knew this first public act of his authority would set the clock ticking towards his passion and death. I understand his reluctance. His hour had come. And whose intercession moved his hand? His mother's.

A man will always listen to his mother. Jesus was fully man. Mary has his ear, so to speak. She can plead on my behalf when my "wine" has run out. 

Hail Mary, full of grace
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Believe and Be Sure

I have written all this to you so that you who believe in the name of the Son of God may be sure that you have eternal life.
1Jn.5:13

John concludes his letter summarising why he has written. To give encouragement and surety of eternal life to all believers.

Eternal life. It is what gives hope and makes sense of the struggles we all experience, believers and non-believers alike. The difference is that believers know our struggles are not the end of our story. In fact, they are just the title page. The real story starts in eternity. 

If it was good enough for John the Apostle to encourage believers with this truth then it's good enough for me to encourage others as well. Belief in eternal life gives me joy, a joy I want others to share. 

Jesus, you are the first born, we are to follow. Help me be a son of encouragement to those I meet today. 
Saint John the Apostle, please pray for me.

  

Active Love

After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’
Jn.1:43

Jesus meets Philip and extends an invitation, "Follow me". Philip's response is not only to follow but to invite his friend Nathanael to "Come and see", thus completing the circle of Christian evangelisation. "What do you want?"... "Come and see".. "Follow me".

The first chapter of John's gospel shifts from mystical to practical. The Word of God becomes the flesh of God, a man. A man with a name, Jesus. This man is dynamic, reaching out to others."What do you want?"... "Come and see".. "Follow me".

These are the three steps of evangelism, not only for converting others but also for converting me. The crunch point is Jesus' invitation, "Follow me." My yes or no to that determines my day, my year, my life. 

My "Yes" always involves the decision to love.  As John writes in today's first reading, "Our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active." Today is a good time to follow Jesus with a love that is real and active.

Jesus, some days it's easy to follow you. Other days it's hard. Help my love today be real and active so I may truly follow you.
Saint John, please pray for me.

Come and See

John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’
Jn.1:36-38

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as Messiah and two of his disciples immediately leave him to follow Jesus. On noticing them following him, Jesus speaks his first recorded words, the question "What do you want?"

 "What do you want?" A good question. What do I want from today, from this year, from my life? The implication is that Jesus expects me to be intentional, not to simply drift through life being tossed this way and that. Andrew and the other disciple, most likely John the Apostle, replied they wanted to know where Jesus lived. Jesus' second recorded words are an invitation, "Come and see."

Come and see where Jesus lives. This is the answer to every possible question. How am I going to get through today, through this year, through my life? If I invite him in, Jesus lives in every situation I find myself and where he lives there is hope, peace, joy, love, in fact... life in all its fullness. 

Jesus, I want to come and see you in my day. I choose today to not only follow you but to walk beside you.
Saint's John and Andrew, please pray for me.

His Child

Alleluia, alleluia!
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
He enabled those who accepted him
to become the children of God.
Alleluia!
Jn.1:14.12

John the Apostle declares what he witnessed... God becoming flesh... and what it means... all who accept him become children of God.

Questioning Google on "how to be a child of God?" results in pages of suggested answers. They all boil down to what John has written. Acknowledge baby Jesus is God visiting his people.

There cannot be a more intimate relationship than that of being a child. A child is naturally chrished, protected and provided for by the father, in a functional relationship at least. This is who I am, a child of God. God is my Abba, my daddy. I am cherished. I am protected. I am provided for.

Thank you Jesus for visiting your people, for visiting me. You have made me a brother and an heir.
Saint John the Apostle, please pray for me.

Yes Jesus Loves Me

Keep alive in yourselves what you were taught in the beginning: as long as what you were taught in the beginning is alive in you, you will live in the Son and in the Father;
1Jn.2:24

John writes to the Church warning of false teachers and antichrists. The antidote? Stay connected to what you were taught in the beginning.

This makes me think back to my "beginning". As an adult convert, I was being fed milk as I wasn't ready for meat. I recall listening to children's christian songs on my walkman while trimming the hedge. It was the verse "Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so" that made me start weeping. The truth of those simple but life changing words, "Jesus loves me" finally took root. 

Today I re-enliven what I was taught in the beginning. Yes, Jesus loves me.

Jesus loves me, this I know,

for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong;

they are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

Saint John the Apostle, please pray for me.

Son and Heir

The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, ‘Abba, Father’, and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave any more; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir.
Gal.4:6,7

Paul declares we are adopted sons of God, proven by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, and as sons and daughters it gets even better. We are heirs.

Heir. A person legally entitled to the property or rank of another. There it is. We inherit the lot. Property and rank. All that Jesus won on the Cross I have access to. Peace, love, joy, hope, eternal life in heaven. I just have to pick it up and claim it. 

Thank you Jesus for gaining me everything. I walk into today as a son and heir.
Mary, Mother of God, please pray for me.