A Good Man

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.
Acts.11:22-24

Barnabas was nicknamed Son of Encouragement for good reason. The source of his good will and optimism? The Holy Spirit and faith.

The Bible is full of manly role models. Barnabas is up there among them. His generosity in giving the proceeds of a land sale to the apostles first gains the attention of the early Church. He becomes a trusted member who is sent out on missions, initially by himself and then with Paul. 

Barnabas is remembered not only for his generosity and encouragement but also for his goodness, faithfulness and for being Spirit-filled. I would be happy to be remembered with any one of these characteristics, to be remembered as a good man.

Saint Barnabas, please pray that I may be filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.

Hear and Obey

Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on your way here so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’
Acts.9:17

Ananias wanted to run away from Saul. Jesus told him to run to him. In his obedience he gave Saul a gift. New sight and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus called Ananias and Ananias heard him, remonstrated but finally obeyed. There have been times I have not wanted to do something yet have felt compelled, convicted even, to do it. Each time I have been obedient, the Holy Spirit has been involved. 

I need to hear and obey if I want the Holy spirit to work in my life. What an exciting way to live.

Jesus, you know my fears. Help me overcome them and obey. Come Holy Spirit.
Saint Ananias, please pray for me.

Guide

When Philip ran up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ ‘How can I’ he replied ‘unless I have someone to guide me?’ 

Philip is directed by the Holy Spirit to a divine appointment where he helps a man ultimately receive new life in Jesus. How did he do this? By guiding him.

I was guided by various people in my conversation and early days as a Christian. I am forever grateful to these good souls who not only talked but walked the talk. 

One of the names of the Holy Spirit is Paraclete, or guide. Each time I guide someone in their faith walk it is the Holy spirit working through me, just as he did through Philip. What an honor. What a joy.

Holy Spirit, guide me to guide others as you did with Philip, that all may be drawn to Jesus.
Saint Philip, please pray for me.

Sates and Slakes

I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst. 
Jn.6:35

Hunger and thirst. Two fundamental human emotions that demand being met in order to stay alive. Jesus meets the demands of both and gives eternal life.

I remember, before my conversion, the gnawing hunger of my soul. I tried the world's remedies. They didn't work. 

Jesus sates my hunger and slakes my thirst. He satisfies me. Jesus, you are the bread of my life. 

Peace Be With You

Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ 
Lk.24:36

Jesus appears to the disciples who are still trying to understand what has happened because of the empty tomb. His first words to the early Church still need to be heard in the Church today. "Peace be with you."

No matter our station in life, we all long for peace. It's a universal human longing. The disciples had all abandoned Jesus at his crucifixion. They needed to receive Jesus' peace because it also meant they had received his forgiveness. 

I need to receive Jesus' peace because I also am in need of his forgiveness.

Thank you Jesus for your peace beyond understanding. Thank you Jesus for your forgiveness.

Job Description

You, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them.
Acts.6:3

The Apostles instruct the early Church on what characteristics men must have before delegating them; good reputation, wisdom and be filled with the Holy Spirit.  What was the duty of these worthy and pious men? Simply to hand out food.

It appears that to do anything in the name of Jesus, be it menial or elevated, the Holy Spirit is required, not just required but essential. The servant duty of handing out food required good, wise men filled with the Holy Spirit. These are the essential qualities needed in any job description within the Church.

How do I measure up? 

Come Holy Spirit. Make up what I lack within me.
Saint Stephen, please pray for me.

Hand it Over

Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?
Jn.6:9

Jesus sees the need and the solution to the five thousand's hunger. The apostles only see the problem. The little boy simply sees Jesus.

I'm often like the apostles. Problems loom large, sapping energy and faith. The little boy wouldn't have known how Jesus would use his humble offering, he just gave it anyway. His open mouthed, simple gaze showed all the faith needed for Jesus to perform one of his greatest miracles. 

The lesson here. Yes, acknowledge the problem then turn to Jesus and offer whatever meager resource I have towards solving it. Then, and this is the key, leave it with Jesus to take care of. When I do this, problems become opportunities for miracles to happen.

Jesus, I place my trust in you.

Heavy Lifting

The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Jn.3:14,15

Jesus is explaining to Nicodemus where he came from, heaven, and what must be done with him, be lifted up.

I just can't ignore Jesus. He's either dead in the tomb or alive and lifted up. I have to make a choice. Moses' bronze serpent miraculously gave life when lifted up. Jesus says he can do the same if we lift him up, and we're talking about eternal life here. 

Previous verses hint at who will do the heavy lifting in us, the Holy Spirit. I can't lift Jesus up alone. I need the power of the Holy Spirit blowing and flowing within me.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Come and Eat

Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ 
Jn.21:12

After a night of not catching any fish, the disciples are met on the beach by the resurrected Jesus. He draws them to him by the best of invitations. "Come and eat..."

Is there anything better sizzling in a pan than fish that thirty minutes earlier had been swimming in the sea? Jesus knows how to catch the attention of disappointed, lousy fishermen. The only times the apostles are recorded as catching fish is when Jesus directs them where to throw their nets. 

Jesus is about to give Peter his great commission to feed and take care of the lambs and sheep of the Church. He strengthens Peter physically then spiritually. Sharing a meal with others gives a powerful sense of belonging. In a world full of isolated and lonely people, this is still the best way to reach out.

Jesus, show me the people who need to hear the invitation, "Come and eat."

What Things?

Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. 

Jesus meets the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. It only takes two words from Jesus to draw out all their grief. "What things?"

People long to be heard. We get enough of being talked to, but to be really heard is rare. Jesus puts their dark story into perspective, placing it under the light of scripture, into the light of his story. The tragedy of his crucifixion is not the end of the story. In fact, it is only the title page of the real story, the story not of death and darkness but of light and life. This is the story in which I am a character with a role to play.

Jesus, you are the consummate listener. Help me be present and listen to those I meet today.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Power of One

It is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed.
Jn.11:50

The Sanhedrin are meeting to plan what to do about the problem of Jesus. Caiaphas the high priest gives the final solution. Kill him. The stage is set for Holy Week. 

Caiaphas' pragmatic solution, kill one for the betterment of many, is the exact opposite of Jesus' solution, save one for the betterment of all. For Jesus, the individual is of paramount importance. I matter supremely to Jesus. I have the power of one.

If the individual matters to Jesus, the individual must matter to me as his follower. 

Jesus, help me see and serve the individual you place before me today. 

Be One

Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. 
Lk.11:17

Jesus is answering the accusation that he casts out devils by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of devils. Even logic refutes this as an impossibility. Being a consummate teacher, Jesus uses the occasion to teach a truth... united we stand, divided we fall. 

Much of Jesus' prayer recorded in the Gospels is for unity among believers. For good reason. He knows our propensity to disunity and the power of its destruction. 

Striving for unity, sooner or later, involves me giving up my rights... and that is hard. Even so, what is the alternative? A collapsed house, a ruined kingdom.

Jesus, help me give up my rights as you gave up yours. 
Saints Felicity and Perpetua, please pray for me.

The Spirit of the Law

Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.
Mt.5:17

Jesus has just started his great Sermon on the Mount, establishing the ground rules for what he is about to teach. The letter of the law is about to be given spirit. "You have heard it said... but I tell you..."

The letter of the law is death. The spirit of the law gives life and life in its fullness. The Pharisee within me loves the letter of the law. It is crisp, black and white, easy to administer. The trouble with the letter of the law is that it not only condemns those to whom I apply it, it condemns me! 

The spirit of the law applies the letter of the law through the lens of mercy. Mercy is messy. When mercy is applied I get the nagging feeling that people are "getting away with it". And indeed they are. Praise God!

As a man who would be hung, drawn and quartered by the letter of the law, I thank God for the spirit of the law. His mercy is my only hope.

Thank you Jesus for your wonderful mercy. I place my trust in you.

Love

But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven.
Mt5:44,45

Jesus raises the bar on what it means to be a follower of him. Pray for my persecutors, love my enemies. This is the test of an authentic Christian.

My human nature wants to curse my persecutors and hate my enemies. The world would welcome and applaud me as one of its own. I am called to something greater, something divine. 

Easy to achieve? Jesus never says that. He just does it and then turns, beckons me and says, "Come, follow me". 

Lord, with you all things are possible. I place my trust in you.

Stretcher Bearer

It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.
Lk.5:31,32

In calling Matthew the tax collector and then attending a party of tax collectors and sinners, given in his honour, Jesus unequivocally announces who he came for. The sick, the sinner, the bottom of the heap. 

Jesus clearly attracted broken people, the social outcasts. In the last two thousand years the Church has lost that charismatic appeal. I know in my pre-christian days, the Church was the last place I felt drawn to in my brokenness. "They'd just make me feel worse!" 

People are aching for the healing that only Jesus can give. I love Pope Francis' vision of the Church as a hospital in the field of battle. I want to be a stretcher bearer in that sort of Church. 

Jesus, help me be an agent not of judgement but of compassion that people may be drawn to you, the great physician. 

Die to Live

If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.
Lk.9:23

Jesus reveals what it takes to live as a disciple... death.

Death as Jesus talks about it isn't the final end of the story. It is a door to new life. That has certainly been my experience. The death of my old man gave birth to a new man, a baby full of new life. 

In A Christmas Carol, I love how Scrooge declared on waking from his terror with the Spirits of Christmas, "I don’t know anything. I’m quite a baby. Never mind. I don’t care. I’d rather be a baby.” That Christmas Day was the first day of his new life.

Jesus says this death needs to happen daily. Today, again, can be the first day of my life!

Jesus, today I die so I may live. Oh what joy!

Good Yeast

Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.
Mk.8:15

Jesus warns of the negative influences that can have a bad effect on how we live. Bad yeast... bad loaf.

When I think of "bad yeast" in my life I remember the 60s and 70s era in which I was raised. The "do what you like" culture of sex, drugs and rock n roll took its toll on me and others with whom I lived.  

However, there was good yeast among the bad. I remember a wonderful Catholic lady who sat on the back step and patiently listened to the unbelievable babblings of an unbelievable teenager. She later became my mother-in-law. Her witness continues to influence me.

Jesus, help me be good yeast to those I meet today, especially the young. 

Compassion

Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, "I feel sorry for all these people".
Mk.8:1,2

After teaching a great crowd for three days, Jesus is moved by compassion for them to perform a miracle. He feeds them all from seven loaves and a few fish.

Compassion: The sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. It's a great motivator for acts of love and acts of love can result in miracles. 

Lord, stir within me compassion for those I meet today.
Saint Scholastica, please pray for me.

Create in Me a Pure Heart

For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge.
Mk.7:21

Jesus makes the point that religious observance without purity of heart is deceitful hypocrisy. Jesus is more concerned with my inner health than my outer observances.

Jesus consistently refers to the state of the heart. Is it clean or unclean, pure or impure? He zeros in on the truth that good or evil actions start from good or evil thoughts and thoughts are generated from the state of my heart. 

Healthy heart, healthy thoughts, healthy actions. 

Lord, create in me a pure heart. Put a steadfast spirit within me.

His Healing Touch

They laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
Mk.6:56

Jesus' fame had gone before him and now crowds of sick are being healed, simply by a touch.

In this Gospel account, the invitation to touch comes from Jesus while the initiative to touch comes from the toucher. In my own experience of a wonderful healing, I had to invite Jesus in, touch him, to receive the healing. 

Jesus heals through relationships, either directly with the person in need of healing or through "friends of friends". Our God is a personal God who wants to touch our lives.

Jesus, I touch you anew this morning. Heal me so I may bring others to your healing touch.
Saint Agatha, please pray for me.

Guilt-free Rest

Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’.
Mk.6:31

The apostles have returned from their mission trip full of news on what they had done. Jesus senses what they really need... rest.

Jesus endorses rest. Hardly a surprise as so did his Father on the seventh day of creation, but still, what a relief. 

I've just returned from a six day retreat. On day one the Spirit led me to the 23rd Psalm. My initial reaction was, "Why? I've heard and read this so many times". Then, I was led to the second verse, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters." 

It struck me that the Lord doesn't invite me to lie down, he makes me. Subsequently, I spent many hours lying down on a verdant lawn adjacent to a pond with a gentle fountain. I hadn't realised how much I needed that.

Guilt-free rest. We all need it.

Thank you Lord for green pastures and still waters. 

Presented

The parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
Lk.2:22

Jesus is presented to God. God says, "Great, now this is what he will do... be a light to the nations and a deliverer of my people." 

Although today is the Feast of the Presentation I can't help being drawn to my own presentation, my baptism. I was one year old when baptised in a Presbyterian church. Even though I drifted away to atheism, that indelible mark was upon me.  I believe my baptism saved me from mortal sin even during my unbelieving years. 

I love to picture my mother and father carrying me, presenting me, to God saying, "This is our beloved son in whom we are well pleased". God then says, "Me too!"

Thank you Lord for receiving me even while you knew I would deny you. 

Saints Simeon and Anna, please pray for me.

Marching Orders

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 apostles for their first mission trip. They are to do what he did. Preach. Cast out. Heal.

This remains the marching orders for the Church today. To call myself a member of the Church, I need to be preaching, casting out and healing. The world is still aching to hear the Good News, be freed from demons and be healed of its diseases. 

Grab your staff and let's go!

Jesus, I have received without cost. Help me now give.

Small is Great

I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mt.18:3,4

Jesus is asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. His answer is unexpected... a little child.

Here is the blueprint for Christian life, in a nutshell. To be great I must be small, humble and weak. This is counter cultural in a world that esteems the powerful, rich, good looking and intelligent. 

Jesus, help me be small today.
Saint John Bosco, please pray for me.

Expectant Faith

But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. 
Mk.5:40

Jesus casts out unbelief and brings in faith before raising Jairus' daughter from the dead. It's a constant theme of the Gospels. Faith always precedes signs and wonders. 

Yesterday my son asked me why everyone for whom we pray for healing doesn't always receive it. The only answer I can give is that of C.S. Lewis. When I meet God I'm going to have some damn good questions... and I'm expecting some damn good answers. 

However, I have to say that part of the reason is the lack of expectant faith. There are more laughing scoffers in the world than faith-filled believers. Jesus' game plan is still good today. Push out the scoffers. Call in the believers. Then, go for it. 

Jesus, give me more expectant faith for miracles, that you may be glorified. 

Restoration

The unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs.
Mk.3:13,13

Jesus is restoring a demon possessed man. He uses whatever is at hand to achieve this, in this case a massive herd of two thousand pigs.

Restoration is what Jesus is still about. I am a testimony to that. How he achieves this is as many and varied as there are people in need of restoration. It may be via pigs or, as in my case, through children. I'm learning not to second guess, or question, God's methods. What is important is that I recognise and cooperate with them. 

Jesus, help me see and cooperate with your work of restoration today.

Less is More

It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds 
Mk.4:31

Jesus is describing the kingdom of God. It starts small, insignificant and then grows into something mighty giving shelter, protection and nurture.

Christian life is like living in back-to-front land. Small is powerful. Less is more. The weak get preference. I become lesser in order to become greater. Leaders are servants. Children enter the kingdom ahead of adults. No wonder our conversions are Copernican and no wonder they are so liberating.

Saints Timothy and Titus, please pray for us.

The Story

I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground...
Acts.22:6,7

Paul is telling the story of his conversion to authenticate his message. 

Testimonies are powerful. Why? Because they are a story and we all love a good story. They aren't right or wrong, they just happened and so can't be argued over. 

Testimonies are simply... me before I met Jesus... me meeting Jesus... me after meeting Jesus. It's good for me to remember mine, a) So I can remember where I have come from and be thankful and b) So I am ready to share it to authenticate what Jesus can do in anyone's life when they accept him. 

Saint Paul the Apostle, pray for us.

Rich Soil

And there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.
Mk.4:20

Jesus explains his Parable of the Sower culminating in the people of rich soil, those who hear his word and accept it.

Luke's Gospel expands on the people of rich soil, describing them as people with "noble and generous hearts" (Lk.8:15). I find that a great benchmark to measure my thoughts and actions. Am I being noble (high moral principles) and/or generous (giving more than expected).

This litmus test has driven me to the confessional many times.

Jesus, help me be a rich soil person to those I meet today.

Saint Francis of Sales, please pray for us.

Family

And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.
Mk.3:35

WIth his family outside calling for him, Jesus expands on what it means to be in his family. Anyone who does the will of God.

It's tempting to think that to do the will of God and qualify as God's family one has to be perfect. However, here we have a circle of people simply listening to Jesus and he called them family. Now that I can do and in fact are doing right now. 

What a relief...

Thank you Jesus that, by including me in that gaze around the circle, you make me family.

Bless not Blaspheme

Let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.
Mk.3:29

Scribes have accused Jesus of doing the work of the devil by casting out demons. Jesus warns them that to ascribe the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan is an unforgivable sin.

It is surprising and sobering to learn there is an unforgivable sin. Yet, here we have it directly from Jesus. I need to be very careful before calling someone evil. Their actions may be different, unsettling, annoying, even hurtful yet still be the work of the Holy Spirit. 

That grit in my teeth, that pebble in my shoe, that rock on which I stubbed my toe could be Jesus at work. Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

Holy Spirit, help me recognise you at work so I may bless and not blaspheme.

The Master

The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the sabbath.
Mk.2:28

For the Pharisees, religious law was paramount. For Jesus, human need is paramount. 

I cringe when I hear factions in the Church arguing religious points of view, both conservative and liberal. The unbelieving world just shakes its head and walks away. Let's shine the spotlight back on Jesus. When he is lifted up all men are drawn to him. That's his promise.

Jesus, help me shine on you today, our master. 

New Wine Fresh Skin

No! New wine, fresh skins!
Mk.2:22

Jesus defends his disciples from the accusation of lack of fasting. He is something new that requires something new. A relationship with him is more important than religious observance.

When I invite unchurched people to an Alpha Course, a common obstacle is their repugnance of religion. I explain to them they're not being invited into a religion, they're being invited into a relationship. 

I love our Catholic liturgy, but it only makes sense to a person who has a relationship with the one to whom it all points. I had to experience the love of Jesus before religion was rightly seen as a way to get closer to him. First, my heart had to be softened. Kerygma then catechesis.

Thank you Jesus for always being something new. May I always be a fresh wineskin. 

Rubble

It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.
Mk.2:17

Jesus works miracles in broken lives. His favourite building material is a pile of broken rubble. It's hard to rebuild a solid concrete wall. 

It's my pharisaical pride that puts up walls to Jesus working in my life. 

Jesus, I knock down the walls. Rebuild me into the person you want me to be.

Friends

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ 
Mk.2:5

The faith of the paralytic's four friends results in him receiving two great gifts, physical healing and forgiveness of his sins.

Friendship is such a gift. It can be life changing. I was helped and welcomed into the Church through friends. I have three very close friends who I call my 3am Friends. We have prayed together for years. If I were to call them in need at 3:00 am, I know they would respond. I am blessed by these men, my life is richer because of them.

Today's Gospel has prompted me to contact these men and thank them for their friendship.

I thank you Jesus for the friends you have placed in my life. Help me be a faithful friend to them.

Irresistable

Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ 
Mk.1:41

Jesus heals the leper motivated by love for a man deemed unlovable. 

When I feel like a dirtbag I judge I am out of reach of God's love. Wrong! That's exactly when I am irresistible to him. Jesus came for the sick, thanks be to God.

Praise you Jesus. Your love conquers all.

Make it Count

When they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ 
Mk.1:37,38

"Let us go..." Jesus has just started his public ministry. His modus operandi is one of energy and dynamism. He doesn't wait for people to come to him. He goes to them.

If Jesus' life is a model for me to follow, it is a physically challenging one. Today's gospel records Jesus preaching and ministering to crowds late into the night and then up before dawn to pray. I believe Jesus made everything he did count. When he ate, he ate well. When he slept, he slept well. He was intentional about all he did. 

Sometimes when I recollect at the end of the day, I struggle to list what I've actually meaningfully done. The day has been frittered away. Life is too short for that. It's time to be more intentional. Even spontaneity can be planned. 

Jesus, help me make today count.

A Beloved Son

It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John.
Mk.1:9

Jesus' public ministry starts with his baptism and the declaration from God the Father as to who he is.“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

A father's blessing is powerful. When my son turned twelve I wanted to give him a public blessing, a bar mitzvah of sorts. In front of extended family and friends I stood behind him and gave a "This is my beloved son..." speech. Initially he was embarrassed by the attention of course but I noted his head lifted and shoulders pulled back. He understood what was being said. 

I never received this from my father. He didn't know how to. This lack of a father's blessing stunted my growth into manhood. I didn't know I was a beloved and pleasing son until I became Christian. It is one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. 

Saint John the Baptist, please pray for me.

D Day

No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
Mk.1:10,11

John Baptises Jesus and witnesses the blessing of God the Father over him and the Holy Spirit descending on him. For the first time the Trinity is manifest on earth.  

This is like D Day. The war on sin is won. The tide is turned on Satan and his minions. What follows are simply mop up operations. It's good to remember I'm on the winning side. 

Saint John the Baptist, please pray for me.

But Wait, There's More!

‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip.
Jn.1:46

Nathanael's skepticism is met by Philip's invitation to come and see. On seeing, Nathanael's skepticism is replaced by a zeal for Jesus that would lead to a martyr's death. 

There's that compelling invitation again, first spoken by Jesus to the two disciples of John the Baptist. "Come and see". On seeing Jesus, Nathanael's life is spontaneously turned around. I imagine Jesus laughing as he says to Nathanael, "You ain't seen nothing yet!" 

And Nathanael did see more. The Gospels record him as part of the group who saw the risen Jesus on the beach. 

Our faith is like that. "But wait, there's more! You ain't seen nothing yet!" There's always more to come and see. It doesn't stop until I meet Jesus face to face. This is why it's so exciting being Christian. 

Saint Nathanael, please pray for me.

Come and See

They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day.
Jn.1:39

The two disciples of John the Baptist are drawn to Jesus by John's recommendation. They are about to personalise their relationship because of the simplest of invitations.... Come and see.

I like that style of invitation. I use it when inviting unchurched people to an Alpha Course. It is non-threatening as the initiative is with the invitee. They stay in control. If they don't like what they see they can leave, no pressure, no expectations, no chase-up. It's also risky for the same reasons. I, as the inviter, don't have control. I have to trust the Holy Spirit to do his work.

Lord, place in my path today people who I can invite to come and see.

There Stands Among You

John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ 
Jn1:26,27

John is interrogated to reveal who he is. He replies by saying who he isn't and who that it is the questions should be addressed to, the one unrecognised among us.

I am reminded how Mother Teresa is purported to have said on seeing the dying beggar on the Calcutta railway station platform, "My Jesus, I've found you".  

Our local supermarket has a beggar regularly sitting outside, constantly counting a few coins in his hand and mumbling to himself. He clearly has mental health problems. One day I observed a lady had stopped and was talking with him. I experienced a pang of guilt which drove me to the confessional. 

The young priest gave some good advice. "Get down on his level, ask him his name and give him yours". This I did on my next trip to the supermarket and I gave him some food. His name is Shane and he lives with his mother. We say hello to each other now. He stopped being a beggar. He's now a human being with a name.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for me.

Tell the Good News

When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.
Lk.2:17,18

The shepherds respond to the glorious angelic apparition they are given by rushing to the baby in the stable and worshiping him. They don't stop there. They then share the Good News, to everyone's astonishment.

I like that the shepherds are the first evangelists. Ordinary people spreading an extraordinary message gives it more authenticity, more punch. My ordinariness isn't an obstacle, it's an asset to my spreading the good news about Jesus. There's enough bad news. People want to hear good news. This year, I can be someone who tells them.

And the Good News is? God loves you and has a plan for your life, a plan found in following his son Jesus. 

A blessed New Year to you all and your loved ones. 

Mary Mother of God, pray for us.