Hound of Heaven

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully.
Lk.14:1

Jesus enters the home of an adversary, not to attack but to teach.

I am struck by how Jesus never gave up on the Pharisees. Knowing their deadly antagonism, he joins them for a meal and engages with them. He made small gains numerically from this sect. The few converts included Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea and, most famously, Saint Paul. Yet, Jesus still pursued them.

I am one who has benefited from Jesus' tenacious pursuit. It wasn't until my mid thirties that I finally put my hands in the air and surrendered. He never gave up on me. 

This outrageous, reckless love of God is staggering. He releases the hounds of heaven to chase us down, to bring us home, and he leads the hunt. 

Jesus your pursuit of me shows how much you love me. Make me a hound of heaven to chase down others and bring them home. Lord, you lead the hunt.

More than a Conqueror

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rms.8:38,39

Saint Paul underscores his claim that we are more the conquerors through the love of Jesus.

There is something incongruous in the claim that love fights for us. Isn't love the bearer of peace? Yet, I do have spiritual enemies who seek the ruin of my soul and today I am reminded that love has beaten them.

This victory isn't just for this time. It's for all time, for present things and things to come. 

Today I walk is one who is more than a conqueror, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

A Clown for God

And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.
Lk.13:29,30

In answering the question, who will be saved, Jesus is clear that many will try and not succeed while many who are considered unworthy will enter the Kingdom of God.

I'm reminded of Flannery O'connor's short story 'Revelation' where the central character, Mrs Turpin, has a vision of end times. She sees a huge company of unlikely souls making their way to the next world. It’s not a ‘respectable’ sight, not a sedate procession, but a mass of people ‘rumbling toward heaven.’ The heaven-bound horde includes ‘battalions of freaks and lunatics shouting and clapping and leaping like frogs.’ 

At the rear of the procession are the 'respectable' people like herself. She could see by their shocked and altered faces that 'even their virtues were being burned away.'

Going by Flannery O'Connor's description, I want to be among the ‘battalions of freaks and lunatics shouting and clapping and leaping like frogs.’  If I remain 'respectable' I risk even my virtues being burnt away.

Jesus, strip away my respectable hypocrisy. I want to be a "Jongleur de Dieu", a clown for God.
Saint  Francis of Assisi, please pray for me.

Available

When day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named Apostles: 
Lk.6:13

Jesus didn't appoint the perfect, he chose from those who were available.

When I run over the names of the apostles I am both astounded and encouraged. They are such a ragtag collection of humanity, exhibiting all the sins and weaknesses that I possess. So what recommended them? Their availability.

I don't need to be perfect to serve Jesus. Just available. What a relief. 

Here I am Lord, I've come to do your will.
Saints Simon and Jude, please pray for me

 

Repent and Live

No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.
Lk.13:3

Jesus twice repeats a warning. Without repentance there is no eternal life.

It is said that good people don't necessarily get to heaven. Only forgiven people do. This was an obstacle to my atheistic pride for many years. Even then I knew that to seek forgiveness meant acknowledging someone greater than me who could forgive. 

Praise be to God I've met the one who can and does forgive. As Saint Paul writes in today's first reading, "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life." Rms.8:11  

Today my joy is in knowing I have sought forgiveness and been granted it. I have been given life.

Thank you Jesus that even from the Cross you prayed for my forgiveness. I place my trust in you.

Sin's Solution

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Rms.7:25

Saint Paul shares his very human struggles and their very divine solution.

No one had to teach me how to sin. It comes naturally. But I did need to be taught about the solution to sin's pervasive, persistent problem. The solution to sin is a person. Jesus. He was Paul's go-to. He is mine as well.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Let the Fire Burn

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!'
Lk.12:49

Jesus brings a fire that transforms lives. He desires the whole earth to be ablaze.

Faith is caught, not taught. The task of catching the earth ablaze is given to us, his body the Church. We are his Holy tinder, running amongst the stubble. 

This has me recalling when I was "baptised with the Holy Spirit and with fire". I was one of those new Christians some say should be locked up in a cupboard for six months. I wore "Jesus is Lord" t-shirts and badges shouting "Jesus Loves You". Workmates thought I had gone crazy, which in a sense I had.

Looking back I can see where this blaze of zeal first spread... to my children. I started reading the Bible to them. We initiated regular family prayer time. Christian music was playing when they got out of bed each morning. As a family we became involved in parish ministry.

It's a great joy to watch this blazing faith now being spread among my grandchildren. I fan the flame where and when I can. The fire of that first love doesn't go out.

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

Much Grace Much Love

"When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.
Lk.12:48

Jesus makes it clear that the priceless gift of faith brings with it responsibility. 

G.K. Chesterton would agree. In The Everlasting Man, he argues that a Christian who sins is in a worse position than a pagan doing the same, because a Christian possesses greater spiritual knowledge and should therefore know better. 

Where does this leave me, a believer and a sinner? Convicted, repentant, absolved, restored and finally, leaping and dancing and praising God. One who has been forgiven much, shows much love.

Saint John Paul II, please pray for me.

Peace be With You

Let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” 
Lk.10:5

Jesus instructs the seventy-two in preparation for their first mission trip. The first message of the Gospel to be spoken over a household is "Peace!"

Two thousand years ago the world desperately needed to hear words of peace, as it does today. Pope Leo's first words as Pope, "Peace be with you." reverberated around the world, striking a chord with believers and non-believers alike. 

I am the 73rd disciple. Let my words today be words of peace. 

Peace be with you and with those you love.
Saint Luke, please pray for us.

My Refuge

Take refuge in God, all you people.
Trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
for God is our refuge.
Ps.61:7-8

David sings of his own experience. He has poured out his heart to God and found refuge in him.

Being vulnerable with people can be risky. Not so with God. It's a strange thing as God already knows what is in my heart. He wants me to risk myself with him.  The more of my heart that I pour out to him the more he wraps his arms about me and draws me to himself. It's the safest of all places, a perfect refuge.

What a wonderful transaction, a transaction I'm invited into today. 

Lord God, I pour out my heart to you now. Be my rock, my safe place, my refuge.

Lord Teach Us To Pray

Lord, teach us to pray
Lk.11:1

Jesus' disciples recognised the source of his power. Prayer.

I love the Our Father. It's the one prayer my mother knew on conversion from ninety years of atheism.

As a new convert I too had to be taught how to pray. My prayer life exploded on receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit. As today's Gospel Acclamation says, "...in that Spirit we call God our Father." Prayer moves God's hand. There's a wonderful mystery to this.

A friend once told me he happened to see my family and I sitting in our van at a petrol station. We were obviously about to embark on a holiday journey. He was mystified as to what what were doing, until we all gave the sign of the cross. 

Our children are adult now and teaching their own children how to pray. Prayer is not only the source of power for Jesus, it's the source of power for us.

Our Father who art in heaven...

Extravagant Lover

Alleluia, alleluia!
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
Alleluia!

Today's Gospel Acclamation is a clarion call to the Church, heralding the preeminent characteristic of a follower of Jesus. Above all, I am to love others.

The parable of the Good Samaritan shows that I am called to love those who are hard to love, even my enemies. 

This I cannot do on my own. But it's not impossible. My help comes from Jesus himself. He doesn't set me up to fail. He wants me to succeed, especially as an extravagant lover, a pourer of wine and oil. 

Jesus, help me love the unlovely, extravagantly as you love me.

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Neh.8:10

The Hebrew people, on hearing the Word of God read by Ezra, are convicted and lament. Ezra cries out for them not to weep but to rejoice for God's Word gives life, hope and joy.

God's Word convicts, the devil condemns. Conviction turns me around and stirs me on to confession, repentance and new life. Condemnation robs me of hope and buries me in despair and death.

Today I am an ambassador for joy, for the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Lord, your Word calls me a beloved son. I lift my head and rejoice as such.
My guardian angel, please protect me. 

Hope that doesn't Disappoint

‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Lk.9:22

Jesus prophesies his passion and death followed by his crowning glory, his being raised up on the third day.

The predicted suffering and death of Jesus grieved the disciples much. They may have missed the puzzling appendix, "I will be raised up on the third day." The same happens to me when confronted with suffering and death. The promise of resurrection can be lost in grief.

If our faith has anything to say about anything, it has something to say about death. Like, "Where is your victory, where is your sting?" The ultimate enemy, death, has been vanquished by the ultimate victory, resurrection. Here is the source of hope that doesn't disappoint. 

Saints Cosmas and Damian, please pray for me.

Seek Him

Herod said, ‘John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he sought to see him.
Lk.9:9

Herod found Jesus hard to ignore. Love him or hate him, you just can't get rid of him.

I recall the moment I first started being curious about Jesus. My wife and I were on the last day of a Marriage Encounter weekend. My heart was softened by a renewed love for my wife. A priest on the presenting team made a passing comment. "The love you are experiencing is mere a fraction of the love that Jesus has for you." 

That impacted me, a non-believer at the time. I remember thinking, "He's either telling a fat porkie, or I need to find out more about this man/God called Jesus". Four years later I was banging on the door of the Church shouting, "Let me in. I want to eat Jesus!"

This desire for intimacy with Jesus is insatiable. The more I know him the more I want to know him more. And, he wants me to know him more as well. 

Draw me closer dear Lord, that I may touch you.

Cast-out Cure and Proclaim

Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Lk.9:1,2

Jesus commissions the twelve apostles for their first mission trip. He does this by giving them power and authority. 

The Church Militant is given its founding mandate. Cast out demons, cure diseases and proclaim the Good News. This is what the Church was created to do. Are we doing it? 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. 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.

The Light of the World

No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
Lk.8:16

Jesus called himself the Light of the World. Receiving him brings a responsibility to share his light. 

I recall with gratitude the people who shone the light of Christ into my life. A Presbyterian minister who came weekly to my primary school class. My mother in law. My wife and even, unintentionally, my children. The faithful souls in my parish. The list goes on...

Many of these light-bearers do so unwittingly. There is simply a light about them that radiates. 

It's a bit like the radiating face of Moses after he had spent time with God in the Tent of Meeting. And there is the key to being a light-bearer. Spending time with God. 

Jesus, you are the light of my life. Help me make you the Light of the World in my world today.

The Good Dirt

As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
Lk.8:15

Jesus describes who the good soil in his parable of the sower represents. People of noble and generous hearts.

NOBLE:         Showing fine personal qualities and high moral principles.
GENEROUS:   A readiness to give more than is necessary or expected.
HEART:         Innermost part of something.

Jesus could be describing himself here. But he's not. He's describing the man he is calling me to be. 

My wife doesn't like it when I describe myself as a reformed dirt bag. "Power of words Mike", she says. Perhaps the moniker becomes palatable in the light of this calling from Jesus for me to become "good dirt", a man of noble and generous heart.

Jesus, you know the rocks and weeds in my life. Come root up, pull out and then cultivate.
  

Forgiven Much Love Much

I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven — for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.
Lk.7:47

Jesus points out how to discern the forgiveness one has received. By the amount of love given in return.

I've heard it said the good aren't assured of heaven, only the forgiven are. In my experience, forgiveness involved acknowledging a higher power to grant that forgiveness, a stumbling block to my atheist pride for many years. 

C S Lewis says Jesus forgiving sins committed against other people without consulting those who were directly harmed only makes sense if Jesus is God, the one ultimately offended by all sin.

Yes, restitution to the wronged needs to be made where possible, but in the end it's Jesus who I've offended and it's Jesus from whom I need forgiveness. Hence my great love for him. 

Jesus, you have forgiven me much. Lord, you know how much I love you.
Saint Mary Magdalene, please pray for me

A Friend of Sinners

The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”
Lk.7:34

The critics of Jesus are correct in their observation even if not in their judgement. Jesus was fully human and a friend to all.

This is part of what attracts me to Jesus. Yes, I love him as God but I also love him as man. He is relatable, as every good friend should be. I feel safe with him. He knows all my dirt but he still not only loves me, he likes me. 

I'm called to be that sort of friend. Someone I haven't seen in years has reached out to me, suggesting we meet for a coffee and a chat. We're meeting this morning at a local cafe. I sense Jesus will be with us also.

Jesus, thank you for your friendship. Help me be a friend to others.

The Source of Power

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 
2Cor.4:7

The great treasure of our faith in Jesus can be contained in the most ordinary looking people. In fact, the more ordinary the better as it shows where the power comes from. God, not us.

Pride can strike anywhere, even in ministry. My work in the Church has led to more occasions of leadership, of being the tall poppy. There is a temptation to pat myself on the back. I look at Saint Paul, a great leader in the early Church. As he rose in prominence he grew in humility. In his final letters he called himself the greatest of all sinners. 

This seems a common characteristic among the saints. The closer they get to Christ, the more aware they are of their brokenness and need of him. Truly, I'm just a stumbling follower. 

Jesus, may I become lesser as you become greater in my life, proving the power comes from you.

God Wants Everyone

He wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth.
1Tim.2:4

Saint Paul gives the reason why we are called to intercede by prayer for all people. God wants all people to be saved.

God's love and mercy isn't for just a chosen select few. He wants all people drawn back home to him. I live next to a school where hundreds of pupils are just now being dropped off by parents and family. Among them I'm sure are the good, the bad and the ugly but God makes no such distinction. He wants them all.

 This defines my mission field. Every person I encounter today is desired by God to be embraced and drawn back to him. 

Lord, help me be an effective missionary for you today.
Saint Paul, please pray for me.

Think then Speak

A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.
Lk.6:45

Jesus gives advice on how to discern a man's character. Look at  his fruit.

To see what a man is really like in his heart I only need to listen to him. More importantly, what is really in my heart is revealed to all by my words. 

Mental note to self: Think before I speak.

Lord, place a guard at my mouth and a sentry on my lips.

Love

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Lk.6:27,28

Jesus starts his Sermon on the Mount with a radical new message. Love without counting the cost. 

Before I was Christian, if I was asked what is one thing I knew about Christian doctrine it would be "love your enemies". I would dismiss it as pie in the sky dreaming, but secretly I wished it was true. 

Love isn't for sissies. Now I'm Christian it's the constant stretch, calling me to holiness. It is what makes being Christian both challenging and fulfilling. When I can manage it, I love being loving. 

I have family members who aren't Christian and yet are very hospitable and loving. I would say they are Christ-like on those occasions. I guess where the difference lies is in Jesus' call to love our enemies, the unrepentant, the abusers. I can only do that with the help of Jesus. 

Jesus, loving is easy when it's easy but hard when it's hard. Help me love in the hard times so I can more like you.

Saint Sebastian, please pray for me.

 

Blessedness

Jesus lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 
Lk.6:20

Jesus starts his great sermon on the mount with a clear proclamation of his shockingly counter cultural view of the world. Blessed are the poor...

This cuts to the core of my Christian belief. True blessing comes not from my circumstances but from His presence with me. It's the secret to happiness those with little seem to grasp more quickly than the affluent. 

The danger from my affluence, relative though it may be, is that it seduces me into believing it is the necessary source of happiness. It isn't. God's presence with me is the source of my blessedness. 

Jesus, I am grateful for the physical comforts I experience today. Help me remember that while they are blessings they are not the source of my blessedness. You are.

Honour and Mercy

Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.
Mt.1:19

While the Church rightly honours Mary's birthday, I'm drawn to Joseph her husband. Little is written of Joseph but much can be surmised from the woman he betrothed and the boy he raised.

While Matthew writes that Joseph was "a man of honour" he also records he was a man of mercy, wanting to spare Mary as much fallout from her "unplanned pregnancy" as he could. 

Honour and mercy, two great virtues that temper each other. Joseph was not only a law abiding, honourable Jew but a merciful man. His honour defined the landscape in which his mercy worked. His power and strength from honour was controlled and constrained by his mercy. This is meekness, a manly character reminding me of a great warhorse submitting to restraint from its rider.

Today I can be a man of honour and mercy. Mary, Jesus and Joseph, please pray for me.

Holy Pure Blameless

Not long ago, you were foreigners and enemies, in the way that you used to think and the evil things that you did; but now he has reconciled you, by his death and in that mortal body. Now you are able to appear before him holy, pure and blameless.
Col.1:21,22

From an evil doer to one who is holy, pure and blameless. What a transformation!

It's good to remember where I've come from. It highlights the great benefits of where I am now, reminding me of the enormous grace, mercy and love that has been lavished on me by God. In short, it makes me grateful.

Thank you Jesus. You are my way, my truth and my life. 

Listen to Him

‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear.
Lk.5:5,6

Jesus convinces an exhausted and failed fisherman to one more effort. The result, the catch of a lifetime.

"But if you say so." I can see the shrug of Peter's shoulders. He is spent from following his own plans. Now, under the direction of Jesus... boom! Peter is never recorded catching fish except when under Jesus' instruction. 

Like many, I find the human weakness of Peter relatable. He's stubborn and intractable even when results are screaming for a change of direction. Yep, been there done that, especially in the ministry of "catching fish".

The trick, as Peter shows, is to finally do what Jesus suggests. Even a halfhearted "If you say so" is enough for Jesus to work with. The results can be staggering. 

Jesus, I'm so busy writing my own playbook that I don't have time to read yours. Lord, I put down my pen. Tell me where to cast the net. 

My Cheerleader

God never meant us to experience the Retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, alive or dead, we should still live united to him.
1Thes.5:9,10

God doesn't want me to be a loser. He wants me to be a winner!

My mother was one of those parent, and grandparent, supporters who was a loud, vociferous sideline supporter of competing children and grandchildren. Diminutive to look at, she commanded the bleachers once her cheering arose. And she would use our names in her shout-outs, much to our embarrassment. She never rained on a parade. She was a true cheerleader and I now fondly remember her loud, unwavering support and encouragement. 

I'm reminded of mum in this exhortation from Saint Paul. God is my cheerleader, shouting out my name. "Come on Michael! You can do it!" He sees me as a winner. 

Thank you Father that you believe in me, even when I'm unbelievable. 
Mum, thank you for your unflinching love. I know you are praying for me and cheering me on.

Good News!

Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives
and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free,
to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

Lk.4:17-19

Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah to outline his gameplan. As a follower, it's my gameplan as well. I am anointed to bring good news, liberty, sight, freedom and proclamation. 

Good news folks! In the name of Jesus you are free, you can see clearly, your shackles are broken, you are lifted up and you are alive under the blessing and favour of God almighty. 

Now, who wants to cancel me, dismiss me, throw me over a cliff? The good news is good news and it can't be stopped.

Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful. 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.

Bold Investments

“I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.”
— Matthew 25:25

It wasn’t laziness that kept the third servant from acting—it was fear. Fear froze him. Fear whispered that the master couldn’t be trusted, that failure would be punished, that it was safer to bury what was given rather than risk losing it.

This parable always makes me stop and ask: What are my talents? How am I using them—or hiding them? A talent here isn’t just money, it’s every God-given gift, every skill, every spark of opportunity placed in my hands.

Jesus tells this story to give me a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven. And what does it look like? It looks like people trusting God enough to take risks with the gifts He’s given them. It looks like bold investing in love, service, creativity, and faith. But it also reveals the opposite: when fear wins, gifts get buried.

I know this tension personally. I’ve been the bold servant who steps out, invests, and risks for God. But I’ve also been the fearful one, digging holes to hide what I was too anxious to use.

So the real question is: How do I become a more confident investor of God’s gifts?

By remembering who the Master truly is. He’s not harsh or stingy—He’s extravagantly generous. He trusts me enough to place His treasures in my hands. And what matters most to Him is not flawless success, but faithful effort. Every step of trust, no matter how small, is an investment in His Kingdom.

Jesus, thank you for the gifts you give me. Help me be a bold investor and not a fearful burier.  

 

Be a Waiter

You are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.
1Thes.1:10

Saint Paul points out that the Christian life is not just one of doing. It is also one of waiting.

Waiting develops a lot of good fruit, like patience, hope and trust. These in turn give me peace the world cannot give and that sort of peace fosters joy. 

Jesus, you have promised to return. Help me be a waiter, not just a doer. Give me patience to wait expectantly with hope, peace and joy. 

A Little More Perfect

Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ 
Mt.19:21

The rich young man has everything. He is rich and young, things the world values. But he senses there is more that he lacks. There is, and to gain it he must give everything away.

As usual this story throws a light on me.  What is the "wealth" that I find hard to give away? Wealth is not just money. Tolstoy gave everything away to the poor but it ruined his relationship with his family. Was that what was really required of him? 

There's no easy answer to this. Weasel words come up when I try to justify my position of holding on to my "wealth". I guess it's the old question of, "Where is my heart?" If it's not in heavenly things then it's probably a hindrance to me becoming perfect as Jesus understands the word. 

Maybe if I just focus one day at a time on following Jesus. Then each step makes me a little more perfect than I was yesterday.

Jesus, help me today to be a little more perfect as I follow you. 

Upside Down

Jesus said, ‘Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’
Mt.19:14

Once again Jesus turns the world upside down. The small, the weak, the vulnerable are the inheritors of the Kingdom.

I have seventeen grandchildren. I love them dearly but... When they arrive, whatever I'm doing gets paused or simply stops. Children's time domain is very simple. Now! The concepts of "Wait a minute" or "When I've finished" don't compute. In a sense they become a mini autocracy. 

They force my world to go upside down. It's no longer about me... my time, my goals, my rights. This is not my natural world and I fight it. 

Yet, as was the case yesterday, there is two year old Lucy holding a book saying "Story! Story!" while I'm trying to engage with unexpected visiting family. I finally sat her on my knee and read in parts while talking with our guests. Lucy knew she wasn't getting the full deal but she was gracious, as were our visitors.

Upside down is where Jesus wants me to be. Perhaps my grandchildren are part of his design to get me into that unnatural pose. 

Jesus, thank you for the lessons I am sent via my grandchildren. Help me become malleable so that upside down becomes my new right side up. 

The Power of More than One

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
Mt.18:20

Jesus promises a unique presence among gathered believers. Nothing less than himself.

This is the "Power of More than One". We're not meant to be Lone Ranger Christians. Jesus calls believers to gather to powerfully experience his presence. Does this mean he isn't present when I pray alone, like now? Of course not. It's simply a promise that he will be with us in a uniquely influential way when we are Church. The Eucharist couldn't happen for me by myself. 

This promise of Jesus' to be especially present in a gathering has motivated our family prayer time for decades. We open our time of family prayer usually by thanking Jesus for his promise and welcoming him into our home. Children get it. 

Thank you Lord for being among us in Church, large and small. Thank you for the Power of More than One.

When I am Weak I am Strong

The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him
Mt.18:1,2

The disciples ask who is the greatest. Jesus replies by presenting who is the least.

If I'm honest, I must admit to a constant desire to be the greatest, the handsomest, the cleverest, the most powerful. Jesus tells me this is not only rubbish and reconstituted dust but the source of all my dissatisfaction, anxiety and grief. It's the source of stress in my life.

The greatest blessing I've found with humility, on the occasions I achieve it, is peace. It's the green pasture and still waters where he leads me.

Jesus, without you I am lost. Be my shepherd. Carry me home on your shoulders like a little lamb.

My Cheerleader

I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the perfection that comes from the Law, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God and based on faith.
Ph.3:9

Perfection comes by faith in Jesus. Perfection by the Law is doomed for failure.

This is a great relief for me. Faith in Jesus includes faith in his mercy, his grace, his love... all wonderful gifts to help me. I am no longer striving by my own efforts. Jesus is striving with me, cheering me on. 

Thank you Jesus for being my cheerleader. My faith is grounded in you. You are my hope and joy.

One Priority

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...
Mt.6:32-34

Jesus is just warming up in his Sermon on the Mount by addressing a core malady in all of us.Worry.

Worries, fears, anxieties... these all rob me of my peace. This gives a hint as to where they all come from. Jesus gives the antidote to the devil's ploys. Seek first the kingdom of God. Make this my daily priority and everything else falls into line. The result? Peace.

The word "priority" is recorded as first in use during the thirteenth century. Then in the 1940s something strange happened. "Priority" began to be replaced by "priorities". Like, "What are your priorities in life?" The thing is, this creates an oxymoron. Having multiple "priorities" means none of them can be a priority. Priority is the single most important thing. 

Why's this important? Because when I have priorities in my day I become stressed, I lose my peace. One thing alone is my priority today. Seek first his kingdom. Then all is well.

Saint Mary of the Cross, please pray for us.

Jesus is God

‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’
Mt.16:15,16

Jesus asks the pivotal question to his disciples.... and to me. Who do I say he is?

What must a person believe to be called Christian? Many theological answers come to mind but the essential faith proclamation is simple and direct. Jesus is God.

I recently saw the words "Jesus is God" written in large letters on the T-shirt of a man who, with his wife, evangelises in the Middle East. The same phrase was also written underneath in Arabic. The phrase is jolting in its boldness, even to me let alone a Muslim. 

The modern world will say Jesus was a good man, a prophet even, but God? Yes, Jesus is God. My best friend is the creator of the Universe! Mind blowing but true. 

Jesus, I say you are God. I place my trust in you.

The Beggar's Friend

A court was held and the books were opened.
Dn.7:10

Daniel's vision of end times presents a courtroom. Jesus steps into the room and "the books" are opened.

My book is going to be opened. All, yes all, will be revealed. This is where I cling to the promise of Jesus to Nicodemus. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Jn.3:17 I'm counting on Jesus being my merciful advocate, like Moses was for Miriam. 

As Saint Paul states, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!" Rms.6:1,2. I have died to sin, so how can I live in it any longer? Yes, mercy and grace are mine in Jesus, but so is a new life. I would be the greatest of fools to turn my back on becoming a new man, born again.

So, let the books be opened, let my beggared life be exposed and let my reliance on the beggar's friend be my hope. Meanwhile, I live as a new man born again full of the hope, peace and joy that only Jesus the beggar's friend can give.

Jesus, I place my trust in you.

Preach Cast and Cure

He 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' pity and compassion for the people prompts him into action. He sends out the twelve, the labourers in the harvest, to do what he was doing at the start; preaching, casting out demons and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. 

The commission hasn't changed or stopped. If I want to be a labourer in the harvest, and what professing Christian wouldn't, I should be preaching, casting and curing in my sphere of influence. Jesus didn't die for a powerless Church. 

Come Holy Spirit. Fill me with power to preach, cast and cure that Jesus is glorified.

Go Tell Jesus

And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
Mt.14:12

John's disciples would have been overwhelmed with grief at their rabbi's brutal murder. Their first response is to give John's body the dignity of a burial. Their second response is to go tell Jesus.

When calamity strikes my first response is that of an autotron... I robotically clean up the mess. When I can lift my head above the panic, the grief, the shock... I go tell Jesus. 

The response of John's disciples to his beheading always takes me back to the nightmare of the suicide of a son of close friends. I was his confirmation sponsor and, as is the way with suicide, I felt guilty. We and other friends went to the parents' home. All we could first do was weep with them. 

Then someone suggested we pray. We went and told Jesus. The boy wasn't brought back to life. He remained tragically dead, but... a corner had been turned. We were now facing the right direction, away from despair and towards hope, a hope that does not disappoint. 

Thank you Jesus for being especially close when I grieve. I place my trust in you.

Faith Fuels Miracles

‘A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house’, and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Mt.13:57,58

Perception determines expectation. You receive what you perceive. Jesus' townsfolk perceived the carpenter's son. They expected only woodwork. 

Jesus gives the key to miracles here. Expectant faith fuels miracles. If I perceive the Eucharist as merely a symbol of bread and wine, that's all I receive. When I perceive it as his body and blood, I receive the miracle of his full divinity. As Flannery O'Connor famously said, "If it's just a symbol, to hell with it!"

When I perceive Jesus as the living, loving God who walks beside me today, well... today anything could happen!

Holy Spirit, fan into flame the gift of faith I have received. Let miracles work through me to the glory of Jesus. 

Speak for His Glory

Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do it for the glory of God. Never do anything offensive to anyone.
1Cor.10:31

Saint Paul presents a model for the lives of believers. In all things desire to glorify God.

Probably my tongue is the thing that fails in this the most. I say things I regret. I desire my words to always be edifying, building people up, to speak less and listen more.

Lord, may the words from my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing unto you.

White Hot and Excited

The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed.
Mt.13:31

With the Holy Spirit involved small beginnings are assured of large outcomes. 

I recall with gratitude a seed of faith planted in my life at a time when there wasn't much soil to nourish it. A Presbyterian minister would come into my primary school class room once a week to talk about things of God. 

I remember nothing of what he said but I do remember what he was like. There was something authentic about him and... kindly. Even as a child I could tell he believed in what he was saying and that he lived it out. 

I came from a home with no active faith life so that seed remained dormant for decades until it was fed and watered by someone else. But that is another story.

My wife and I lead children's liturgy in our parish. We focus on the Gospel reading but I'm reminded here of what is important. When I'm white hot for Jesus and excited about being Catholic, seeds are planted.

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

Glory That Does Not Fade

In their descendants there remains a rich inheritance born of them. Their descendants stand by the covenants and, thanks to them, so do their children’s children. Their offspring will last forever, their glory will not fade.
Eccl.44:12,13

Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

For better or worse, grandparents shape the future. Scripture may be silent on Saints Joachim and Anne but it speaks volumes on their influence. 

Seventeen grandchildren last count. Yep, I've got  a full quiver. All of them are being raised in households practicing their Catholic faith. Yes, my wife Kate and I have had some role in this but I'm always aware that we stand on the shoulders of giants. 

I can trace my faith back three generations but beyond that, not so clearly. Yet, back one hundred years, two hundred... a thousand years ago, there were brave and faith-filled souls who said yes rather than no to Jesus, resulting in the faith of my grandchildren today. I'm looking forward to meeting them to say thank you.

Saints Joachim and Anne, please pray for us.

Bruised Reeds - Smouldering Wicks

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench.

Mt.12:20

Jesus is recorded quietly healing people and setting people free, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. While murderous plots were being formed around him, he kept his focus on his mission. Heal the sick. Set prisoners free.

Bruised reeds. Smouldering wicks. I meet them everyday. Holy Spirit, help me sooth the bruises, breath oxygen into the splutter wicks. Let your kingdom be on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen.

The Meaning of Mercy

Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” 

Mt.9:13

The Pharisees distanced themselves from sinners. Jesus embraced them.

The law demands sacrifice. Love demands mercy. I blush when recalling my enthusiasm for measuring others by the law. This didn't stop until I measured myself. I then threw myself into mercy's arms and was cured of my ailment. I had learnt the meaning of mercy.

God help us, the Church, become a hospital in the field of battle dispensing truckloads of mercy. Does this mean sinners are let of the hook? Praise God yes!

Treasure

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Mt.6:21

Jesus exhorts me to store my treasures in heaven. Why? For it is there that not only my present but also my future lies.

So, what are my treasures, the things of greatest value to me? Those I love would be up in the list. My faith in Jesus. 

It's good to remember what are my true treasures. The tries to seduce me with sparkling bling. It's just reconstituted dust that mouth and first week eventually consume. 

Generous Spirit

The more you sow, the more you reap. Each one should give what he has decided in his own mind, not grudgingly or because he is made to, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2Cor.9:6,7

Generosity or parsimony. These say a lot about my inner soul. God loves the generous spirit for he is the father of all generosity.

I'm currently visiting Rome, beggar central. From among the hundreds of beggars I will encounter today, I need to know who to give to and who to withhold from. 

Come Holy Spirit, help me see as you see and be generous in response.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Image of God

We prove we are God’s servants by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by a spirit of holiness, by a love free from affectation.   2Cor.6,6

Purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness and love. I am made in the image of God, not the image of man. When I see myself rightly, I live up to that image.

Lord, help me see myself through your eyes and act accordingly.

Saint Paul the Apostle, please pray for me.

Ambassador for Christ

So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God.
2Cor.5:20

Paul explains clearly the role of all believers. We are ambassadors for Christ.

Being an ambassador implies that I go out into foreign lands. Going out means leaving the comfort of home, it means taking risks. I'm not meant to be a "homebody". I'm an ambassador, an ambassador for Christ.

Saint Paul, pray for courage so I may go out and appeal to those in "foreign lands" to be reconciled to God.

Cure and Preach

Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.
Lk.10:9

Jesus instructs the seventy two prior to their mission trip. The mission's objective is simple. Cure the sick and preach the Gospel.

This mandate is unchanged today and is for all believers. Cure the sick, preach the Good News. The faith of the first action gives authority to the second.

When did I last pray for healing with someone and then tell them the good news of Jesus?

Saint Anthony of Padua, please pray for me to have boldness in faith for healing and zeal in preaching the Gospel.

What's My Credentials?

For he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.
Acts.11:24

Barnabas is sent as emissary to the fledgling Church at Antioch. His credentials are goodness, faith and the Holy Spirit.

Barnabas is famously remembered as "the son of encouragement". His goodness and faith either welcomed the Holy Spirit or were the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

I want the credentials of Barnabas. Goodness and faith are gifts of the Holy Spirit that I wish to possess so, like Barnabas, I can edify and build up the Church.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. 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.

  

Shine!

Alleluia, alleluia!
Let your light shine before all,
that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.
Alleluia!

Mt.5:16

Today's Gospel acclamation is a clarion cry to the Christian life. This is how we battle with the forces of the evil one. We outshine him.

The smallest light  overcomes the deepest darkness.

Lord , I choose to reflect your light today. Just help me polish up the mirror.

Look Up!

My soul, give thanks to the Lord, all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.
Ps.102(103):1,2

David encourages his soul to never forget the blessings of God. He builds an attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude involves all my being; body, soul and spirit. I can sing of God's goodness, meditate on God's goodness, pray thanks to God for his goodness.

An attitude of gratitude makes me look up, not down, regardless of circumstances. What a great way to walk into my day!

Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his Holy name!

Church

When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Lk.1:41

The first four members of the Church meet in an embrace and the Holy Spirit is there among them.

This first meeting of Mary and Jesus, Elizabeth and John the Baptist lays the foundation for what happens at Church. People meeting Jesus in body and in spirit. The first fruit is joy. 

Every time I go to Mass is a Visitation. I embrace Jesus in his Word and in the Eucharist. My heart burns within me as I am filled with the Holy Spirit. I fellowship with other believers and leave with Joy in my heart. I love being Catholic.

Mary Mother of God, please pray for us.

Joy that Sticks

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 
Jn.16:22

The night before his Passion, Jesus warns his disciples of their impending grief. But, he then promises a following complete and permanent joy due to his resurrection. 

Life is made from cycles of grief and joy, joy and grief. But the joy Jesus promises is deep and breaks the cycle. His resurrection gives me a joy that sticks. No one can take it away from me.

This gift of a joy that sticks is mine to take into my day and share with others.

Jesus, you are the source of my joy that sticks. All praise to you my Lord and my God.

The Winning Side

‘In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again.’
Jn.16:16

Jesus calls the disciples to an eschatological worldview. His impending death was not the end of the story.

It's said WWII was won on D-Day but it took another eleven months of "mop up operations" before the war finally ended. In a similar way, the war against evil has been won with Jesus' death and resurrection. We're living in the in-between times, fighting mop up operations before Jesus' final return to take us home.

Are two thousand years a "short time"? Well, for God to whom a thousand years are like a day, yes. The message here for me is; we're on the winning side, keep up the good fight, the final triumph over evil is coming, heaven awaits.

Church Militant will become Church Triumphant. Alleluia!

Love Lives within Me

Yet in fact he is not far from any of us, since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist.
Acts.17:28

Paul presents God as someone beyond any man made image or idol. He lives within us as he has created us. Without him we don't exist.

There is something beautifully intimate about my God living within me. Every breath I take, every beat of my heart occurs only because he wills it so. My breath and my heartbeat are constant reminders that God is with me, nurturing me, supporting me, guiding me, loving me. Indeed, love lives within me.

Today is a gift from my God who loves me.

Thank you Lord. It is in you that I live and move and have my being. 

He is Divine, I am de Branch

I am the vine; you are the branches.
Jn.15:5

There's no way around this. Connected to Jesus I thrive and bear fruit. Disconnected I'm just fuel for the fire, briefly giving heat then turning into lifeless ashes. 

He is divine, I am de branch. 

Stay connected!

The Way The Truth The Life

Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’
Jn.14:6

Thomas asks a fair question of Jesus. "How can we know the way?" Jesus' answer is unambiguous. "Follow me."

I've heard people say there are many paths to God. Jesus doesn't agree. I've tried other paths and they've all been dead ends. There's peace and joy in following Jesus that gives a hint of the glories yet to come. 

Thank you Thomas for your question. Thank you Jesus for your answer.

Saint Thomas the Apostle, please pray for me.

Less is More

After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

no servant is greater than his master,

no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.

‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. 

Jn.13:16,17

Jesus demonstrates the key to happiness. Humility.

Striving for human approval is exhausting. Human exultation is temporary at best. In the Christian world, humility is held up as a virtue that  brings me closer to God, and that's where I want to be... closer to God.

Jesus, I want to be less that you may be more in my life.
Saint John the Baptist, please pray for me.

Complete Joy

I have told you this

so that my own joy may be in you

and your joy be complete.

Jn.15:11

Complete Joy. What is it I must do to obtain it? Keep Jesus' commandments, the greatest of these being 

the commandment to love.

The hallmark of authentic Christianity is joy. Not forced. A natural joy. A complete joy. 

I have met people with this kind of joy. They are great to hang around. Their joy is contagious. 

Lord Jesus, I want your complete joy so I can be an authentic witness for you. Help me love.

Saint Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, please pray for me.

A Good Man

for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. 
Acts.11:24

Barnabas, recognizing the Holy Spirit was at work, encouraged the Church of Antioch. He lived up to his name "Son of Encouragement".

What makes a good man? The Holy Spirit and faith. 

Come Holy Spirit, give me the gift of faith so I may be a son of encouragement to others.

If not You then Who?

Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life.
Jn.6:68

After many disciples leave him because of his "intolerable language", Jesus challenges the twelve. "And you?" Peter replies, "If not you then who? You alone have the words of everlasting life".

Following Jesus is challenging. Lose your life. Love your enemies. Turn your cheek. Walk the extra mile. Forgive all. Eat my flesh. Drink my blood. 

Intolerable.

An yet... and yet... if I'm honest, each of these actions is lifegiving, brings joy, and imbues hope. "We believe" says Peter. Amen say I. With belief the intolerable becomes more than tolerable, it is essential. 

If not you Lord, then who? You alone have the words of eternal life.

Come and Eat - Come and Drink

Jesus said to the crowd, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'
Jn.6:35

Jesus satisfies my hunger, no matter what form that hunger takes.

Hunger and thirst, the most basic of human needs that we strive to satisfy. Of course, Jesus is not talking about physical food and water. He's talking about spiritual food and water which is even more essential to a healthy life. 

So, how do I avail myself of Jesus' satisfying sustenance?  Jesus says, "come and believe". This is a daily initiative I can take action on. Come and believe. Morning prayer. Daily Mass. Sacred Scripture. These are all places where I can have my hunger satisfied, my thirst satiated. 

Jesus, you invite me to come and eat, come and drink. I accept your invitation.

The Way

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Jn.14.6

Thomas has just said he doesn't know the way to the place of "many rooms" where his heart will not be troubled. Jesus puts his mind at rest. "Just follow me. I am the way".

Jesus doesn't give any options to him being the way. He doesn't say "I am one way". He is THE way. The way to where? The way home with the Father.

Like Thomas and the other apostles, my heart is not troubled when I follow the way to truth and life.

Jesus, I stumble along behind you. You are my way, my truth, my life. I place my trust in you.

Small made Great

There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?
Jn.6:9

Andrew is so blinded by the problem of feeding over five thousand people that he fails to see the solution standing in front of him.

Andrew looks at the boy and his five loaves and two fish and says, "Useless." Jesus looks at the boy and his offering and says, "Perfect!" Jesus is master at using anything to perform a miracle when it is offered in faith. This lesson would not have been lost on Andrew as he watched the miracle of the loaves and fishes unfold.

I remember leading music at Mass in fear and trepidation. I'm not a great musician, a "hit and hope" guitarist at best. Yet people told me afterwards how moved they were by the music. I am constantly amazed at how God uses me when I offer the little I have in faith. 

The little boy with his loaves is me.

Jesus, I am weak, small and insignificant. I offer to you again what I have. Use me Lord and be glorified.
Saint Andrew the Apostle, please pray for me.

Taste and See

Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

Ps.33:8

The invitation is as old as time. Taste, come and see the Lord is good.

Jesus tells the Church to invite the world into a relationship with him. We are to go and tell. We are to invite all to come and see.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. 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.

God so loves Me

God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.
Jn.3:16

Jesus reveals to Nicodemus what is in the heart of God the Father. It is love for his creation.

To sacrificially give a son is such a great act of love I can hardly get my head around it. To take it up a notch, he gave his son for me.

God loves me so much, he gave his only Son, that I may believe in him and have eternal life.

Wow!

I walk into today a son loved by my Father. This changes everything. Hope and joy are mine.

Thank you Father for your great love for me. Help me be a prophet of hope and joy to all I meet today.
Saint Nicodemus, please pray for me.

Lift Him Up

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 meets with Nicodemus in the dark of night proclaiming that he, Jesus, must be lifted up in the daylight.

Jesus doesn't want to be the world's greatest secret. He desires to be lifted up for all to see and live.

Today I live not as a Jesus denyer but a Jesus proclaimer.

Come Holy Spirit. Fill me with zeal to proclaim the Good News about Jesus.

Combat Strangely Ended

Death with life contended: 

combat strangely ended! 

Life’s own Champion, slain, 

yet lives to reign. 

 - Easter Sequence -

Here we are on the fifth day of the Easter Octave and the joy and wonder of Jesus' resurrection from the dead continues to reverberate around the world like Easter bells. The combat of death against life strangely ended indeed!

I walk into today as an Easter person. Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia Alleluia!

What Things?

‘What things?’ he asked.
Lk.24:19

The two disciples returning home after Christ's cruel death are downcast. The risen Jesus joins them and invites them to open up and share how they're feeling. That is when healing begins to take place.

"What things?" Such a simple phrase, yet such a powerful invitation to unburden. It's like lancing a boil. The pus must come out before healing can take place.

This is a practical way I can be Jesus to those I meet "on the road". Offer no advice. Just listen, then invite the Holy Spirit into the situation. Our gaze then shifts from down to up.

Thank you Jesus that you walk alongside me, that you ask "What things?" and then listen. 

Called by Name

Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then.
Jn.20:16

Mary Magdalene is taken from despair to joy by Jesus saying one word to her. Mary!

Jesus didn't call out to Mary by the generic term woman. He called her by name. He drew on the intimacy of their relationship. Friendship does that. She knew him and he knew her.

Likewise, Jesus calls out to me by name. Yes, he is my God, but on a personal level he is my friend. He knows me. He is for me. He loves me.

Thank you Jesus for your friendship. You know me and I know you.

Do Not Be Afraid

Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid'.
Mt.28:10

First the Angel in the empty tomb then the risen Jesus has a primary message for the women. Do not be afraid.

Fear stifles action and Jesus wants action from his disciples. "Go Tell" he says to the Church, he says to me. In the first reading today we see Peter the sandpile transform into Peter the rock at Pentecost. Fear has left him.

Also, the absence of fear gives room for peace. I desire the peace that Jesus gives, a peace beyond understanding. 

Thank you Jesus for the peace you give me today. 

My Way

We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us.
Is.53:6

Isaiah prophesies the passion of Jesus, highlighting  what is wrong with us and right with Jesus. We do it our way. Jesus does it God's way.

The song sung to Hell is, "I did it My Way". My way is not God's way and when I follow it I'm just a brainless sheep doing what everyone else does. 

Good News! Jesus has paid the price for my sinful stupidity. The way is made clear for me to come back to God's way. 

Praise to you Jesus. You have rescued me.

Glory

When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 
Jn.13:31

Judas leaves in the night. At the moment of betrayal Jesus declares he is glorified. 

It seems strange that Jesus declares himself glorified in what I would call the darkest point in Jesus' life so far. The betrayal by one of his close associates is hardly an illuminating moment in Jesus' ministry. Yet he lifts this moment up as a time of his glorification.

His glory comes from doing his Father's will, even when it's tough. I can be glorified by knowing God the Father's will and doing it, no matter what.

Holy Spirit. Help me know the Father's will and then give me strength to do it.

Dark before Dawn

It was as high priest that he made this prophecy that Jesus was to die for the nation – and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God.
Jn.11:51,52

Caiaphas the High Priest unwittingly prophesies Jesus ultimate triumph. Jesus' death on the cross was and is a victory to be claimed by all humanity who have faith to grasp it.

Holy Week is about to play out the drama of injustice, treachery, envy, hatred, cruelty, abandonment and then... victory. It's a week to enter the sorrow of my despicable role in the affair while keeping one eye firmly on the outcome. Resurrection! The dawn is coming.

Thank you Jesus for dying that I may live!

Jesus - My Friend and my God

We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.

Jn.10:33

The Jewish leaders understand clearly Jesus' claim about himself. They just can't believe it.

This is the great point of difference between Jesus and other founders of world religions. They all say, "Don't look to me, look to God". Jesus says, "Look to me and you see God". 

Jesus didn't leave us the option of saying he was simply a great teacher. We either accept him as God, or not. If he's not then he was either deluded or evil. There is no evidence suggesting Jesus was either of these.  

So, Jesus is God, he is alive and he does love me. What great truths on which to step out into my day.

Jesus, my Lord and my God. I place my trust in you.

Timing

They would have arrested him then, but because his time had not yet come no one laid a hand on him.
Jn.7:30

The stage is set but the time is not yet right, both for the Jewish leaders and for Jesus. Why is it that God, who is outside our time domain (the same yesterday, today and forever), is interested in timing?

Maybe it's so the institution of Holy Mass at the Last Supper could happen at the Feast of the Passover. So many of the incidents of Jesus' passion and death happened as the result of timing. 

Maybe while I'm living within the constraints of time I should be more conscious of timing. Rather than reactionary, I should be more intentional. There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

Jesus, I want to be in sync with you. Holy Spirit, guide my time. Father, my times are in your hand.

Authentic Follower

 

They have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried, “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 

Ex.32:8

God is heartbroken at his children's disobedience. Like any parent, that heartbreak is expressed in anger.

When I take God out of my life what am I left with? A lifeless hunk of metal, a facsimile.  Like a headstrong child I demand to be separate from God. I want to do it my way (the song to hell). 

When I choose God's way I have life and that in abundance. Hope and joy become my Hallmark, as they were always intended. As Blessed Carlo Acutis said, "All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies,".

Jesus, I want to be an authentic follower of you.

Sing!

I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life;
Jn.5:24

What is the source of eternal life? Listen and believe. 

I had to "hear" God's Word before I could believe. Many people in my life made up that beautiful chorus, each with their own instrument and voice. The resulting harmonic chorus eventually swept away my doubts and I believed. 

What am I singing today and who is hearing it? 

Jesus, I want to be part of your chorus. I want to sing  that all who hear will believe and have eternal life.

City of Joy - People of Gladness

Be glad and rejoice for ever and ever for what I am creating, because I now create Jerusalem ‘Joy’ and her people ‘Gladness.’ 
Is.65:18

The city of Joy is occupied by people of gladness. 

Now here is a command of God that is so good to obey. Be glad and rejoice for ever and ever. This is why we are prophets of joy and hope in a world aching for joy and hope. 

I need to identify "joy robbers" in my life and counter them with this truth. I am a citizen of the City of Joy and gladness is my hallmark. 

Thank you Lord for the new Jerusalem, the City of Joy you are calling me to. Holy Spirit, fill me so I may be a prophet of joy and hope. 

Love God Love Others

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
Mk.12:30,31

Finally, a Scribe gets what Jesus is teaching. Love.

I'm reminded of the open-air Christian music festival I attended. A musician was speaking when a rain shower broke out. Some of us pressed up to the stage sound shell seeking shelter while others scattered back to tents. He laughed, sat down on the edge of the stage and said, "Well, all I really need to say is two things. Love God and love others". 

I've heard it said another way. "Love God, then do what you like." When I live this central Christian tenet I become a prophet of joy and hope, not far from the kingdom of God. 

Come Holy Spirit. Kindle in me the fire of your love.

The Sweet Wound

With all your heart turn to me, for I am tender and compassionate.
Joel 2:12-13

Today's Gospel Acclamation reaffirms who it is I am being called back to this Lent, my God of tenderness and compassion.

Sinful falls always look so much worse during Lent. My high ideals and promises become ashes. There's a risk of allowing the accuser to get in and make me stay sitting in the ashes.  

However, Mother Church shines a light into my mess once again. "Turn to me", says Jesus. "Stand up and lift your head". Once again his tender compassion heals and restores me. 

How sweet the wound that calls forth his mercy and forgiveness. I am a new man once again.

The Law of Love

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 is emphatic he isn't replacing the Law or the Prophets of Jewish faith. He is the embodiment of everything that is good in them. 

The Old Testament is included in the Bible for a reason. The Law and the Prophets are still very valid. They are the foundation of everything that Jesus taught, of the life that Jesus lived. His completion of the Law and Prophets is the life he lived. 

As a follower of The Way, I am to live by the Law and Prophets as well. What is the New Testament difference? Love is my motivation. Love is my application. Without love, the law becomes death. 

Jesus, help me follow you by applying the Law and Prophets in love.

Yes to God

‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.
Lk.1:38

Every blessing I have received can be traced back to Mary's fiat. Her yes changes everything.

My "yes" to God will have profound results in ways I can't imagine. All it takes is faith, obedience and an openness to the Holy spirit giving life to something beautiful within me. I can give birth to something wonderful for God. 

Scary? Yes. Exciting? Yes. Life changing? For someone, always. 

Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful. 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.

 

Son or Slave

We are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.
Lk.11:24

The Father restores the prodigal's sonship. He is no longer a slave but a son. 

We see ourselves in one of two ways, a slave or a son (or daughter). The unforgiving brother sees himself as a slave; "all these years I have slaved for you". This comes from thinking I need to earn God's love. 

The prodigal son was prepared to be a slave; "treat me as one of your paid servants." But the Father redefines him. He is "a son of mine". 

Whenever I find myself despondent, it's when I've lost sight of my true identity. I've stopped seeing myself rightly, seeing myself as God the Father sees me, a beloved son in whom he delights. 

This grace is outrageous, and I thank God for it daily. 

Fruitful Love

I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
Mt.21:43

Jesus prophesies the chief priests and elders downfall. Why was this about to happen? Because they were producing no fruit. 

If I'm not producing fruit for the Kingdom of God I risk being denied entry. Fruit can only be harvested by cultivation, by work. It doesn't look as though I can simply drift into heaven on a cloud. Yes, I am saved by faith but if my faith produces no fruit, the Kingdom is taken from me. 

The key to fruitful work is love. Done in love the work stops being work. It becomes a joy. 

Come Holy Spirit. Kindle in me the fire of your love.

The Upside Down Pyramid

The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.
Mt.23:12

Jesus underscores his warning on hypocrisy with a radical command. The greatest of all must serve all. Christian life is diametrically opposed to the life of the world.  The power pyramid is turned upside down. 

Why does Jesus insist on this? Because it's for my good. My flesh craves power, prestige, and adulation. Pride underpins all of this in me and where does pride come from? The devil.

Why is it good for me to be humble and to serve? Because it makes me more Christ-like and that is my goal, to be more like Jesus.

Jesus, pride still wars within me. Come Holy Spirit, give me a servant's heart, help me be Jesus to those I meet today.

Spirit of the Law

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Mt.5:20

Jesus warns that keeping the letter of the law, like the scribes and Pharisees, is not only insufficient to enter the kingdom of heaven but is also a barrier.

Scrupulous adherence to the letter of the Law shows an absence of the spirit of the law. The letter of the law is very tempting. It is crisp, black and white, easy to administer. The spirit of the law inevitably calls upon mercy, and mercy is messy. I'm left with a sneaking suspicion that someone is getting away with something, which invariably they are... thanks be to God. 

According to the letter of the law I'm a dead man. By the spirit of the law I have been set free and joy and hope have returned. 

Jesus, give me a heart noble and generous enough to live by the spirit of the law with my brothers and sisters. I place my trust in you.

 

Ask Seek Knock

Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 
Mt.7:7

Jesus entreats us to ask, seek, knock. Why? So God the Father can give us good things.

Queen Esther in today's first reading knew this. In grave peril it was all she had. In Luke's record of this teaching from Jesus he adds more detail to what the "good things" looks like. Not a thing but a person. 

"How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Lk.11:13

So, I'm not to hesitate in asking, seeking, or knocking. The Holy Spirit is just waiting for me to invite him in.

Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful. 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.

Pure Heart Steadfast Spirit

A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit. 
Ps.50:10,11

An impure heart, an infirm spirit have dire consequences... absence and deprivation of God.

The thought of life without God is abhorrent. The friendship of God is my greatest treasure. To lose that would set me adrift without a rudder. 

What creates purity of heart, steadfastness of spirit? These are virtues worth cultivating. By myself I can't obtain them. With the Holy Spirit as my friend and guide, it is possible. 

Ask, seek, knock says Jesus. Well, here I am Lord asking, seeking and knocking on the door for purity of heart, steadfastness of spirit. 

A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. 

Shut Up!

May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favour in your sight, O Lord.
Ps.18:15

The psalmist extols the Word of God as spiritual and life giving, then finishes by focussing on his own words and thoughts. Not always so spiritual. Not always so life giving.

Words come from thoughts. What comes out of my mouth reflects the inner state of my heart. "Unfavourable" words come out of my mouth when I don't stop and think before I speak. 

This Lent can be a time when I establish a new habit, a habit of thinking before I speak. Maybe extend that further to a time when I speak less and listen more, a fasting of speech if you will.

 "Even a fool can appear wise when he is silent" Pr.17:28. 

Lord Jesus, may the words from my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing unto you.

Time to Party

In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others. 
Lk.5:29

In response to Jesus' invitation to follow him, Matthew hosts a banquette in his honour. His "Yes" is emphatic and public.

Would people know I am a follower of Jesus as everyone knew Matthew was? The western world has a way of cowering the Church into becoming Closet Christians. We conform rather than confront. 

Yet, there is something very appealing in Matthew's response. I would love to attend his party. I have a feeling there would be lots of laughter and joy. Laughter and joy are attractive. 

Saint Matthew, pray I may have your zeal and joy in following our Lord.

Set the Oppressed Free

Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke.
Is.58:6

The list of acceptable fasting that pleases God starts with an emphatic, "Set the oppressed free!"

Anyone who does not follow Jesus is a prisoner to something else. We have a God space within us that we yearn to fill. And so we should, with the one true God. 

I can set people free of idols when I introduce them to Jesus. The Alpha Course is one way of doing this. Prayer is another.

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, please pray for me.

 

Happy Lent

I set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of the Lord your God.
Dt.30:19

It always comes down to my choice. Blessing or curse, life or death. It's my call.

How wonderful is today's psalm response; Happy are they who hope in the Lord. Lent can be a time of happiness and joy. How? By me choosing life in all the choices I will face. 

Holy Spirit, giver of life in the womb of Mumma Mary, help me choose life and gain joy. 

The Upside Down Pyramid

Many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Mk.10:31

Jesus calls me to radically change my point of view on life to a perspective opposite to the world's. 

A metaphor for the life Jesus calls me to is an upside down pyramid. From Jesus' standpoint, the least are the greatest, the last are first, the weak and defenseless enter the Kingdom to become rulers. The Church agrees with this. Popes are called servants of the servants of God. 

So, that carnal desire in me to be the best, the greatest, the smartest needs to be nailed to The Cross and crucified. This Lent could be a good time to change my perspective, a good time to turn the pyramid upside down.

Jesus, you know how I strive to be the greatest. Help me strive to be the least so I may be great in your sight.

Lack and Love

Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack...'
Mk.10:21

While the rich young man is sincere in wanting to live a life closer to God, his piety is not enough. Rather than his lack repelling Jesus, it causes him to love the young man even more.

I would say the rich young man is most likely living a more holy life than me. I understand the disciples when they say "Who can be saved?" This is where God's love kicks in for me, the love that is patient, kind, that keeps no record of wrongs, that trusts and hopes.

Yes I lack much, but yes, I am loved much. With Jesus, lack and love seem to go together. Here is the source of my hope and joy.

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

Ps.22:1,2

With Jesus shepherding me, what more do I need? Nothing!

This well known psalm lists how I am blessed in following Jesus.

He gives me rest

He revives me

He guides me

He comforts me

He feeds me

He anoints me

He blesses me

He provides an eternal home for me

Oh, yes... The Lord is my  shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

 

Friend

But who do you say that I am?
Mk.8:29

Jesus asks his disciples, and me, the ultimate question. My answer determines my destiny.

Jesus was either mad, bad, or who he said he was. Nothing in scripture, or secular recorded history from his times, supports him being mad or bad. 

Was he just "a great prophet"? Jesus doesn't give us that option. He alone among the founders of great religions doesn't point to God. He points to himself. "I am the way, the truth, the life." 

There are many, many names given to Jesus, different names that I use depending on what is happening in my life. Today I name him Friend. 

Prophet of Joy and Hope

Alleluia, alleluia!
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our heart
that we may see how great is the hope
to which we are called.
Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation (Ep.1:17)

Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to see what? Great hope. 

Hope is a wonderful thing to possess. It allows prisoners to be free, the sick to see beyond their illness, the poor to feel rich. It changes everything when we have it and everything when we don't.

Lord Jesus, you are my unshakable source of hope. Let me be a prophet of joy and hope to those I meet today.

Remember and Have Faith

Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception?
Mk.8:17

The disciples thoughts are so preoccupied with their lack of food that they fail to recognize the infinite source of everything that is with them. Jesus.

The cares and worries of this world choke the seed of faith, at least that is my experience. My wife is better at turning to Jesus in tough times. 

I remember once when our family was young and we were in financial woes. Kate made a list of all the bills we were facing and placed it before a crucifix during family prayer time. We then prayed to God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills to help us meet our financial obligations. Over the next few weeks, through a bit of austerity plus me receiving a bonus from work (never happened before), the bills were paid. This was faith building for the children and for me.

"Do you not  remember the five loaves feeding the five thousand?" asks Jesus. Yes Lord, I remember and I place my trust in you.

Pass it On

He took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute.
Mk.8:6

Jesus' compassion for the hungry crowd calls forth a miracle performed in the hands of the disciples.

After giving thanks, Jesus hands seven loaves to the disciples. It's the disciples that perform the miracle of multiplication as, in faith, they feed the four thousands. 

Jesus is still moved with compassion, this time for souls hungry for the bread of life. Through our parish Alpha Course we simply take what Jesus offers and, in faith, pass it on to the attending guests. The miracle happens in our "passing it on".

Lord Jesus, let your compassion inspire us to perform miracles in your name.

Believe Your Beliefs

The serpent was the most subtle of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made. It asked the woman, ‘Did God really say...'
Gen.3:1

Evil existed in the Garden and worked to foil God's plan for creation by undermining faith. Did God really say...?

It's literally the oldest trick in the Book. The devil wants us to doubt our beliefs and believe our doubts. Jesus calls us to doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs. 

My faith in Jesus is a precious gift worth protecting.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of faith. Holy Spirit, help me to protect and exercise my faith today.

Sex is God's Idea

‘This at last is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh! This is to be called woman, for this was taken from man.’
Gen.2:23

After being shown and naming all the animals, Adam is still alone. Eve is the solution to his problem.

When Adam first saw Eve, he never said, "Oh, wonderful. Here is someone to play cards with." No, he liked the curvy lines of what he saw... "flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone."

Sex is God's idea. We need to kick the devil off his pulpit and stop listening to his perverted lies about sex being his idea. Sex is God's idea and like all of God's ideas, it's beautiful and perfect... when used according to his plan. Used any other way sex becomes a poisoned chalice. 

So what is God's plan for sex? According to Scripture it's man loves woman loves children. I've tasted the poison chalice and eaten from the bread of marriage. Give me the bread every time.

Thank you Father for the gift of my sexuality, the gift of my wife, the gift of my children.

Heart Surgery

‘It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge:"
Mk.7:20,21

In response to the Pharisee's criticism of the disciples over their failure to observe rituals, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. What matters is the heart.

Of the twelve evil intentions that Jesus lists, I can name at least ten that I have committed. I'm not proud of this statistic, but there it is. In each case the evil has come from within, from my heart, so I understand what Jesus is talking about.

But Good News! Heart surgery can take place. When Jesus talks about me becoming a new man, born again, he means I have a new heart. This heart surgery is ongoing daily. Each time I go to Mass I receive a new heart, go to confession, a new heart, read the comments on the Christian Art forum, a new heart.

I gladly lay before the Great Physician and say, "Cut deep Lord. Create in me a new heart, renew a right spirit within me."

 

The Beginning

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 
Gen.1:1

The foundation of not only the world but all of creation is established by God.

The first verse of the Bible lays the foundation for all following sacred scripture. In the beginning God created... It is either true, or the rest is simply a fairy story.

There's something reassuring knowing that God created everything in the beginning. It means he will be there in the end as well. If he starts out of love he will finish out of love. All will be well.

Thank you God for creation. May I be a good steward of it all... its flora, its fauna and its souls, until you come again.

Saint Scholastica please pray for me

The Lord is With Me

God himself has said: I will not fail you or desert you, and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord to help me, I fear nothing: what can man do to me?
Heb.13:5,6

The book of Hebrews closes urging us to be intentional in living the Christian life. The love of God overpowers the fear of man.

Today's Gospel shows Herod succumbing to the fear of man. To save face he has John the Baptist executed. This evil haunts him as he later  believes Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead.

There is a peace in knowing that Jesus himself is beside me, that the Holy Spirit helping me. I let fear in when I forget this. 

Thank you Lord for your comfort and strength helping through today.