Raise the Temperature

At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.
Mt.4:22

Peter and Andrew are called by Jesus while in the very business of being fishermen... steering their boat, casting their net. Their extraordinary response is to immediately cast aside their income stream, fishing, walk away from family, their father, and follow Jesus.

Peter and Andrew's instant and total conversion to followers of Jesus is both impressive and challenging. I'm forced to ask, "What is my commitment to following Jesus?" To be honest, it fluctuates. One day hot and the next, lukewarm. 

Jesus has harsh things to say about lukewarm followers (Rev.3:16). Maybe it's time to raise the temperature.

Good News

Your endurance will win you your lives.
Lk.21:19

Jesus has just prophesied bad news to his disciples. Persecution and betrayal is coming. But he ends with good news... your endurance will win your lives.

No matter how dire the situation, there is always good news. Dear friends have just received bad news for one of them from their doctor. In their own words, it has rocked them. However, they are believers which means the good news in today's gospel is still theirs to hold on to. 

Thank you Jesus for giving my friends, and me, good news to hope for today. I place my trust in you.

His Words

He taught in the Temple every day. 
Lk.19:47

Jesus has just driven out the money changers from the Temple. He now uses the Temple for what it was intended. Teaching and prayer, his words.

The people didn't miss the money launderers, they "hung on his words", they were being given what they sought. 

"His words" are still available for me today in my local church, in scripture, in liturgy, in prayer. 

Thank you Jesus for your words to me in our House of Prayer. Speak Lord, your servant is listening.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Persistence

I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?
Lk.18:8

Jesus finishes his parable of the unjust judge by promising God will come to the aid of those who pray persistently, "day and night". The key to fulfilled prayer? Faith.

My mother was an atheist for most of her ninety two years. For at least thirty of those years I and my family prayed for her conversion. She became a professed believer and was baptised five days before she died. 

Somewhere within those thirty years of intercession, our prayer changed from pleading to thanking God for what he was doing in my mother's life. It could have been my wife who led that change but it felt right, and more faithful, to pray with thanksgiving. 

This is a good reminder for me as I have other family who are in need of persistent prayer.

Thank you Jesus for what you have done, and are doing, in the lives of my family.

Jack to a King

For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.
Lk.17:21

Jesus is answering a question from the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God was to come. Jesus' answer... now. 

The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are the same, but different, if such a thing is possible. Maybe it's better to say the kingdom of heaven is within the kingdom of God. Heaven is in heaven while the kingdom of God encompasses everything. So, the kingdom of God can be among us and even within us believers. 

At first this sounds too good to be true, but Jesus said it so I believe it. The kingdom of God within me... how wonderful and how scary. I'm a son of the King, which makes me a prince. Today I chose to live like one.

Thank you Jesus. You lift me up from beggar to royalty, from a Jack to a King. 

Give Thanks

Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. 
Lk.17:15

Jesus heals ten lepers, only one of which turns back to praise the source of his healing. 

Jesus' response to the one thankful leper hints that more than a physical healing has been gained by this man. "Your faith has saved you" declares Jesus. The other nine lepers are so caught up in the physical that they miss out on the spiritual. 

Ingratitude keeps me grounded, in the worst sense of the word. Gratitude lifts me up into the spiritual, where salvation awaits. Oh, I have so much to thank God for. Today I choose to have an attitude of gratitude.

Thank you Jesus for all you have done and are doing in my life.

Loved to Serve

So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”
Lk.17:10

Jesus is teaching his disciples about duty, which for the Christian can be described in one word. Humility.

For me, humility is an unnatural disposition. How does the song go? "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way." We smile at these lyrics, but secretly, don't we admit a little bit of that describes us. I'm a pretty good chap. I've worked hard. Don't I deserve...?

Yet, there are wonderful promises given to those who are humble. Blessed are the meek, says Jesus. And of course, Jesus practices what he preaches. He is the Servant King.

I don't think humility comes from trying hard at it. For those truly humble people I have met, humility seems a natural characteristic, like the colour of their eyes. There's something deeper within them, something to do with having absolute confidence that they are loved. Now there's something I don't have to strive for, just knowing that I am loved by God no matter what. And, wonder of wonders, from that comes the desire to serve. 

Thank you Jesus for loving me. 

The River of Life

Wherever the river flows, all living creatures teeming in it will live. Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows.
Ez.47:9,12

Ezekiel describes his vision of a life-giving river flowing from the Temple where God dwells. 

This feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica reminds me the Church is universal. Today's Mass will be celebrated throughout the world by the faithful family of God, my family. The life blood of the Church flows freely and is life-giving for me and my family. 

Thank you Lord for the universal Church. Bless us all this day I pray.
Pope Sylvester, please pray for us.

Humility

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.
Lk.14:11

Jesus warns against the natural tendency in us all to seek the higher place.

One of the best work bosses I had was the man who first hired me. At the time I was a long haired teenager who thought he knew everything but knew nothing. This man must have seen past my posturing bluff and took me on, gently winning me by his gentleness and humility. There was no blood under his fingernails. I felt safe with him.I remember not wanting to disappoint him, not through fear of him but respect for him. 

Humility seems to draw out the best in those subjected to it. Lord, help me be humble before those I meet today that I may help draw out the best from them and in so doing, draw out the best in me.

Count on being Saved

When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son?
Rms.5:10

Paul displays the source of our hope of salvation... the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

There's a misplaced hope that all good people get to heaven. Not so, only forgiven people do. This means I need to admit I need forgiveness and that there is a person greater than me who is the only one who can grant it. 

This is a stumbling block for many and reason enough to pray for all souls here on earth as well as those in purgatory. 

Thank you Jesus for dying for me to gain me mercy and hope .
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.