Reaching Out and Welcoming In

Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
Jn.13:20

Jesus is very clear. After his death there is to be an ambassadorial "sending" of people, people who can be welcomed or rejected. The Church exists to be sent. Am I packed and ready?

This can also be turned around. The Church exists to welcome. People are "sent" by Jesus when they arrive at our door seeking faith, when they hear the invitation to "come and see". Are my arms open wide in welcome?

I need to be both reaching out and welcoming in. Imagine a parish made up of such people. We could change the world!

Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful. Kindle in us the fire of your love and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Go Fishing!

Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.
Mk.1:17

Jesus calls Andrew and Peter away from catching fish to catching men.

This is the call to every person who proclaims they are a follower of Jesus. Catch more people!

From this first encounter through to Jesus' ascension, the command has been the same. Go make disciples!

If I'm not "going and making", I'm being disobedient. And it shouldn't be a hardship. The Good News is good news, something people want to hear. 

Our parish Alpha Course is one way to go fishing. 

Jesus, give me boldness to go fishing.

Saint Peter Chanel, please pray for me.

His Death My Life

 Here we are preaching a crucified Christ...
1Cor.1:23

Saint Paul highlights the foolishness of God elevated high above the wisdom of man. 

Why is Jesus' death held so high? Because of what it has won for me. While I was still a sinner Christ died for me, demonstrating how great his love is for me. His death gives me life.

This gives me freedom, hope, peace and joy. It is a victory that I walk in today.

Jesus, thank you for loving me, what can I say. You gave your everything and have set me free. 

Who Are You Lord?

‘Who are you, Lord?’ he asked, and the voice answered, ‘I am Jesus...'
Acts.9:5

On the road to Damascus to persecute Christians, Paul is struck blind by a bright light from heaven. He starts his life changing relationship with Jesus by asking a question. "Who are you Lord?"

Lately I have the sense that Jesus is meeting me "on the road" during my morning prayer. My road changes from day to day as I move through life, but Jesus is always there, wherever my road is taking me, meeting me in the midst of life at the moment.

"Who are you today, Lord?" 

A good question. He will be in the people I meet or simply the landscape I'm walking through. 

Jesus, you meet me on the road today. Reveal yourself to me so I may love you more. 

Focus on the Solution

As for me, I trust in the Lord:
let me be glad and rejoice in your love.
Ps.30:7

David prays for deliverance and guidance. Rather than focusing on his enemies he focuses on God.

King David had his trials. He had adversaries both from within and from without. But time and again the Psalms show him bringing his woes to God. At God's feet his worries seem to evaporate as his gaze shifts from his problems to the solution.

Oh there is so much to learn from David, and this is a great pearl. Jesus invites me to give him my burdens. Take my yoke he says, for it is light. Cast all your cares upon me. 

As for me, I trust in the Lord. I am glad and rejoice in his love.

Hope in Him

 I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness
   in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart.
   Hope in the Lord!

Ps.26:13,14

Psalm 26(27) starts with David's bold declaration, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" Where does this bold faith spring from? Hope.

Hope. A feeling of expectation and trust. The hope God gives is not a "finger-crossing" wish, but a firm conviction in things not yet seen. Hope is one of the three foundational Christian virtues; Faith, Hope and Love (Cor.13:13)

And hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Rms.5:5)

Today Lord Jesus, I hope in you, I hold firm and take heart. I hope in you. 

A Father's Love

The Father loves the Son..
Jn.3:35

John the Baptist again testifies about Jesus. He highlights the source of Jesus' identity, power and authority. The Father's love.

I am reminded of the necessity and power of a father's love. I have five adult children who are mature and living full, busy lives. Most have children of their own. Yet I still sense a need in them for affirmation and love from me. 

When they were children they never tired of hearing that "I loved them to the moon and back." They still need to hear that from me. It's an insatiable, God given desire planted in all of us. To be effective, my love has to be actively spoken or demonstrated. Thinking it isn't enough.

Holy Spirit, animate my love for my children so they know they are beloved sons and daughters.

Reflect the Light

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.
Jn.3:21

When living truth authentically I am led to transparency. I have nothing to hide and in fact, much to proclaim.

Authentic truth is humble but not shy. I can speak the truth but always in love. Truth is love exposed. And who is love? Jesus. He is the light of the world. I am called to be his mirror.

Lord Jesus, make me reflect brightly for you today. 

Go!

 And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’
Mk.16:15

Last words are important, especially when they are a command. From Jesus it's concise and clear.  In a word,"Go!"

I've come to realise if I am not going and making disciples I'm being disobedient. Jesus didn't say come (..to Mass and get your attendance book stamped). He said an emphatic "Go".

We all have spheres of influence into which we can go. Mine is my children, my grandchildren, my parish and my neighborhood. What a great joy it is to bring them the Good News, that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives.

Of course, Jesus didn't say "Ta ta. I hope it works out alright." No. He said "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn.20:22). I am not meant to go it alone, thank goodness.

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.

Never Give Up

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

After another night of failed fishing the risen Jesus encourages the disciples, first with a miraculous catch and then more importantly, with fellowship.

Jesus had every reason to condemn the disciples who had so recently abandoned him. But there are no recriminations, no condemnation from Jesus, just encouragement. And how does he encourage? Through fellowship, through communion, through being a friend meeting a need.

Here is a leadership lesson for me. People sometimes let me down, sometimes just don't get what it is I'm saying or trying to do. What is to be my response? Go back to basics. Start off again with friendship and fellowship. Invite them out for a coffee, to breakfast if you will.  Encourage. Be in communion.

Jesus, give me your heart of encouragement. Help me never give up on people as you never give up on me.

He is Risen!

 Death with life contended:
   combat strangely ended!
Life’s own Champion, slain,
   yet lives to reign.

Easter Sequence

Day six into the Easter Octave and we are still thrilling at the news that "Christ is Risen!". He's risen indeed, Alleluia alleluia!

Everything is changed by this fact that remains beautifully a mystery. 

•Why do we hold onto hope, even in the face of death?
•Why do we sense that beyond the vastness of space and time, there is a presence that sees us and cares?•Why do we dare to believe our lives have meaning and purpose?
•Why does our society still cling to the idea that every individual matters?

The answer is striking in its simplicity and power. Three words: HE IS RISEN.

Not I Lord, Surely?

‘Not I, Lord, surely?’
Mt.26:22

The declaration by Jesus that one of the twelve is to betray him provokes a shocked response, even from Judas. 

If I were sitting at that table, that would have been my response as well. "Not I, Lord..!" Yet, the truth is... I have betrayed Jesus. Every sinful thought, word, deed or deed withheld is a betrayal of the one I love. 

I nail Love to the Cross. Love looks at me saying, "I know you. I understand your brokenness. I forgive you and will never stop loving you." 

This divine, transformative power revealed through Jesus exceeds human understanding. It's a mystery, giving me hope beyond mere intellectual comprehension.  All I can do is receive it and let it animate my life.

Love of Christ come now!