Part of the Plan

Among the reeds she noticed the basket, and she sent her maid to fetch it. She opened it and looked, and saw a baby boy, crying; and she was sorry for him.
Ex.2:5,6

Pharaoh's daughter has found the basket holding Moses amongst the reeds in the river. Her compassion for the the crying baby moves her to save him and in so doing sets in motion events that would culminate in the birth of Jesus and the salvation of the world.

A diverse range of women are involved in this history-making drama, from slave girl to princess. The courage of Moses' sister Miriam, the desperation of Moses' mother, the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter all played their role in God's plan. If either one of them had not been so moved, Moses would have died and God's plan would have been thwarted.

That seems to be the way God works. He entrusts his great vision into the trembling, dirty hands of mere common clay like me. Look at the eleven disciples that made up the core of the Church when Jesus died. They were trembling, confused betrayers hiding in an upper room. Yet into their tremulous hands Jesus entrusted His Church and mission to preach to the ends of the earth.

This gives me hope. Despite my many imperfections, God can still use me for great things in his Kingdom.

Lord Jesus, give me the motivation of Moses' mother, the courage of Miriam and the compassion of Pharoah's daughter to be part of your glorious work today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Worthy Cross

Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mt.10:38,39

Jesus is instructing the twelve disciples before moving off to preach in their towns. He warns them that following him will involve attack, division and hardship. But he finishes with the promise of finding life.

Here Jesus speaks of the cross knowing its shadow lies across his life. He would not say it lightly. To be worthy of him I must not try to avoid hardships, crosses, in my life. Embracing them seems to make me grow in stature before Jesus.

This is not an attractive spin, yet there it is. This contains a hidden truth, that fullness of life can be found in suffering and it is not found in trying to avoid it. The crosses I face today are a path to fullness of life.

Lord Jesus, crosses frighten me. Give me courage to embrace the crosses in my life so I may be worthy of you and find life.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Authority and Power

Jesus 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 commissions the twelve disciples for their first mission trip. They are given authority and power, then instruction to proclaim the Kingdom Heaven is near.

The mission of Jesus continues today. I, as a disciple of Jesus, am given authority and power. Authority over unclean spirits and power to heal. I can start exercising this authority and power, starting with myself.

Lord Jesus, in your name I cast out unclean spirits from my life. In your name I claim healing for my body, soul and spirit. In your name I proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven is near at hand.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Hard Road

Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Mt.7:13,14

Jesus is closing his great sermon on the mount warning that the path to destruction is easy and wide while the way to life is narrow and difficult.

Perdition: Complete and utter ruin.

The wide easy road is mesmerising. It promises happiness and fulfillment. In no way to does it seem to be a road to complete and utter ruin. Hence many take it.

The way to life is more adventurous. I remember climbing the Tongariro Crossing earlier this year. There's a section called "The Devil's Staircase" where you climb from 1400 to 1600 meters above sea level. It's a killer, but the view at the top is spectacular and the glorious alpine walk starts to become surreal, like you're on another planet. It's thrilling.

This is how I think of the way to life. The devil tries to obscure it with threats of hardship. Yes it is hard but the destination is worth it!

Lord Jesus, give me the grit, the courage to take the hard road leading to life today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Wonder of my Being

Birthday of John the Baptist

For it was you who created my being, knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you for the wonder of my being, for the wonders of all your creation.
Ps.138:13,14

David writes a song glorifying the wonder of God's creation, starting with himself. The wonder of who he is reflects the wonder of all of God's creation and that in turn reflects the wonder of God the Creator.

Wonder:   A feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful.

Some days I have this feeling of amazement and admiration about myself. On these days indeed the whole world appears wonderful as I see the fingerprints of God everywhere. On other days amazement and admiration are replaced with disappointment and revulsion. These are grey days where my world is small and self centered.

God knows all my beauty and my ugliness yet he sees me as something beautifully made, indeed made in his own likeness. The key here is to see myself rightly, to see myself as God sees me, warts and all. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Saint John the Baptist, please pray for me.

Radical Day

We beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.
2Cor.6:1,2

Paul is pleading with the Corinthian Church to live a radical life of holy example, using his own life as a template. And this radical life is not something to be attained in the future, it is to be lived today.

The different drum we are to march to is exemplified by Jesus in today's gospel; walk the extra mile, turn the other cheek, give the extra cloak.  There's something liberating in this generosity. It shows our hearts are fixed on other things, spiritual things.

There is a joy in this sort of detachment, a joy obtainable today, the day of salvation.

Lord Jesus, you call me "further up and further in" to this radical life. Help me let go and be generous with those I meet today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Cheerful Giver

‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury;
Mk.12:43

Jesus has watched people placing offerings in the temple treasury. He calls his disciples and singles out the poor widow who has given two small coins, all that she has, and exalts her as the most generous giver.

There's a couple of lessons here. Firstly, Jesus observes all that we give. Secondly, he's not impressed by quantity but by commitment. Someone who gives all is totally committed. Like the chicken who supplied an egg for breakfast and the pig who supplied the bacon. Who is committed?

There's times when I've given like a pig, without counting the cost and times when I've given like a chicken.  I've been quite miserly. The miserly times leave me miserable. The generous times leave me with a sense of joy. Let me be a cheerful and generous giver today...

Lord Jesus, you gave your all for me. Help me do the same for you in those I meet today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.