Cheerful Giver

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. And there is no limit to the blessings which God can send you.
2Cor.9:7,8

Paul encourages the Church at Corinth to be exemplary in generosity, a virtue in which God will never be outdone.

Today is the feast day of Saint Laurence who is revered for his generosity in almsgiving to the poor. The opposite of generosity is miserliness which is where my compass tends to point. I joke about my scottish tight-bum but it aint no joke. 

God has given me a wife who is generous, both materially and in time. She has no problem stuffing twenty dollar notes into the letterbox of needy families. I do. 

Jesus, I want to be a cheerful giver that you love. Help me be a generous person today.
Saint Laurence, please pray for me.

Little as a Child

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

The disciples ask who is the greatest in God's Kingdom. Jesus turns their perspective on greatness upside down by calling a child and saying here is the greatest. Be like him if you wish to enter the kingdom of God.

We live in a celebrity culture where people are famous simply for being famous, where newsreaders become the news, where the rich/powerful/brainy/good looking are held up to emulate.  It's exhausting and it's toxic. Jesus shakes his head and says we've got it all wrong, that we've got it upside down. 

Children are weak, dependant, powerless. Interestingly they also tend to be more now-focussed, contented and happy. Sure they can have tantrums, but they don't stay there. They move on. Jesus isn't calling me to be childish. He's calling me to be childlike. There's the key to the Kingdom...

Jesus, I overthink, regret yesterday, worry about tomorrow. Help me become like a child and enjoy whatever today brings.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Friend

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning.
Lk.9:28,29

In prayer on a mountain top, Jesus is transfigured into a glorious figure. Peter, James and John are given a glimpse into a different time domain where God's reign is total and complete. God the Father spoke to the three, giving a message that would be passed on to the Church for all time.‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.' 

Jesus normally went alone to mountain tops to pray. This time he chose Peter, James and John to witness his transfiguration. The three were close friends of Jesus' and he trusted them to be reliable witnesses... eventually.

I have a few close friends who I trust. They are precious to me but my most treasured friendship is with Jesus. He's the friend who never lets me down... ever. 

What a friend I've found
Closer than a brother
I have felt your touch
More intimate than lovers 

Jesus, Jesus Jesus,
friend forever

Saints Peter, James and John, please pray for me.

Find Life

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mt.16:24,25

Jesus has just described how he is to suffer and die then rise again. It was the whole plan of salvation but Peter couldn't get past the suffer and die bit. Jesus underscores suffering and dying to find new life is part and parcel of following him.

We tend to think "taking up your cross" means picking up a heavy burden. Jesus' listeners knew what a cross was, a hideous instrument of suffering and death. Being a Christian involves dying. But I mustn't be like Peter and miss the main goal of the plan... a new, resurrected and eternal life. 

Jesus, I'm constantly having to lose my life. I grasp it with desperate hands. Help me always keep one eye firmly on the end goal... new found life. 

Saint Peter, please pray for me.

Joy

Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you.

Ps.50:12,13

King David writes a psalm of repentance after being convicted by the prophet Nathan of his sin with Bathsheba. He had lost his joy and is begging for it to return.

Sin does that. It promises joy but delivers misery, every time. It's not a joy giver, it's a joy taker. David has found the antidote. Repentance. I face it, name it, confess it then walk away from it. And as I walk away, something beautiful happens. I get a skip back in my step. Joy returns.

Thank you Jesus that your mercies are new every morning, that you are always ready to forgive. Lord, give me again the joy of your help.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Commitment

Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’
Lk.9:59,60

Luke records Jesus challenging three men who profess to want to follow him but with conditions. Jesus is clear that being his disciple is unconditional and requires total commitment. 

Commitment is an old fashioned word these days. We all want to keep our options open, especially when it comes to challenging our earthly comforts. Like all ministries both secular and religious, when I'm calling a team together it's unusual to get total commitment. The yes is usually qualified. 

How about my commitment? Being Christian is a "through thick and thin" thing or it's not authentic. I like to think I'm a committed Christian, but am I really? Do I append a "but let me go and..." to my yes? 

Jesus, convict me when I start compromising. Let my fiat mean "Let it be done" as your mother said. 
Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for me.

Take Courage!

But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’
Mt.14:27

Jesus is walking on water to the disciples in a boat battling a heavy sea. In fright the disciples believe him to be a ghost but Jesus reassures them of who he is and calls them to courage.

I'm battling a heavy sea at the moment. Jesus is in the storm with me, calling me to have courage. Why? Because he is with me.

Thank you Jesus that it seems to be in the storms of my life that you are closest to me. I take courage from you today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.