Foot Soldier

The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.

Lk.17:20,21 

Answering the Pharisee's question on the coming of God's Kingdom, Jesus says it's not to be revealed just to a chosen few to direct others. God's Kingdom is already here to be perceived by all those with eyes to see. 

God's Kingdom here on earth is being fought for and claimed by the Church Militant while God's Kingdom in heaven is occupied by the Church Triumphant. My role while here on earth is one of a soldier, fighting in my family, my parish, my workplace for God's Kingdom to come. 

I step into today a foot soldier ready to fight.

Jesus, you are my commander. Be at my side directing me in battle so your kingdom my come, your will be done.

Saint Michael the Archangel, protect me in the day of battle. 

A Life-giving Drop

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

Ez.47:9

In Ezekiel's great vision he is shown the River of Life flowing out from the Temple that houses God. The river brings life and health to everything it touches. 

Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the oldest church in the western world and the mother church for all Catholics. The analogy of the reading from Ezekiel is clear. From the Church is a flow of life giving water. 

I am a drop in that river of life. Where ever I go today I am to bring health and life.

Jesus, you are the source of all life. You came to bring life in its fullness. Make me a conduit for your life giving waters today.

Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, please pray for me.

Unity and Courage

Greetings to my friend Epaenetus, the first of Asia’s gifts to Christ; greetings to Mary who worked so hard for you; to those outstanding apostles Andronicus and Junias...

Rms.16:5-7

Paul finishes has mammoth letter to the Church of Rome with a litany of greetings to friends and fellow Christian workers.

Fellowship, fraternity and love were outstanding characteristics of the early Church. The fledgling Church in Rome was comprised of Jewish and pagan converts, each with their own prejudices yet a unifying fraternity held them together.

My local parish is very diverse, with families from all around the world filling the pews. Even the European Kiwis are a diverse bunch, yet our commonality is our faith in Jesus. 

The COVID pandemic has caused some disunity and fear within the Church. This is the work of Satan. I need to be intentional in promoting unity and courage, the more natural Christian response.

Jesus, you are the source of our unity. Help me be an agent of unity and courage today.

Saint Paul, please pray for me.

Win WIn Win

The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.

Lk.16:8

Jesus is finishing the parable of the shrewd manager who is a man who uses his last acts of authority to dispense mercy.

This is an interesting parable. The fact that the steward is acting in crafty self interest is brushed aside. The spotlight falls on his acts of mercy where he reduces the indebtedness of others to levels they can manage. It's better than win win. 

The Master is set to reclaim at least some of what would have been a lost debt. The debtors are given a path out of their indebtedness. The steward gains friends for his time of impending need. It's a win win win result.

Mercy is like that. Everybody wins. Where can I dispense mercy today?

Jesus, your mercies are new every morning. Help me be a conduit of mercy today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

Rescued

The Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

Lk.15:2

Jesus welcomes tax collectors and sinners. The resulting indignation among the Pharisees and Scribes prompts Jesus to tell his famous parable of the lost sheep.

The Pharisees and Scribes can't see that their complaint is actually a proclamation of good news. Yes, Jesus welcomes sinners. Alleluia! This is good news because it means Jesus welcomes me. 

Satan's biggest lie is that I am unworthy, miserably lost in my sinfulness. The truth given in today's Gospel is that, while I am unworthy, I am never lost. Jesus has set off and found me. He carries me home across his shoulders and calls for a party to celebrate. 

Along with the tax collectors and sinners, I rejoice in this good news today.

You rescued me, and picked me up 

A living hope, of grace revealed 

A life transformed, in righteous 

Oh Lord, you have rescued me 

Forgiving me, you healed my heart 

And set me free, from sin and death 

You brought me life, 

you've made me whole 

Oh Lord you have rescued me

Geoff Bullock

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Loose Weight

If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Lk.14:26,27

Jesus is being mobbed by an adulating crowd, so he sets a challenge before them to test their resolve. Don't bother following me unless you are prepared to give up everything.

Jesus isn't a fad or a sideshow. He demands all or nothing. Possessions and even people can get in the way, be an encumbrance to becoming a disciple. This is challenging. I like things and I like people, especially their high opinion. 

When I look at the lives of the saints, or even saintly people I have met, there is a simplicity in their lifestyle. Things just aren't that important to them, where as Jesus is. 

Where can I simplify my life, cut away the baggage? And how can I do that? It's a "less of me, more of him" thing. It's time to loose weight.

Holy Spirit, help me loose weight, shed unimportant stuff that weighs me down and doesn't lift me up.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

He Has Risen!

All Souls Day

There is no need for alarm. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he has risen, he is not here.

Mk.16:6

An angel is speaking to Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome who had come to anoint Jesus body in the tomb. Theirs are the ears to first hear the Good News, "He has risen!"

My mother and father both died professing faith in Jesus. I know the grave isn't the end of their stories, that we will meet again and great will be our joy. Today's Psalm is Psalm 23, read at both their funerals. The promised green pastures and still waters are being enjoyed by them now. 

The joyful trust in God that Saint Paul wrote about to the Roman Church is mine today. Death where is your sting, grave where is your victory.

Jesus, the Good News of your death and resurrection gives me great joy today. Thank you Lord for creating a way back home.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.