Be Generous and Live

I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.
Jn.12:24

In predicting his own death, Jesus teaches a fundamental truth of Christianity. In dying to ourselves we gain eternal life.

Death is only seen by Christianity as an attractive thing to attain. My natural inclination says it is something to avoid. Generosity calls me to die to myself, to give without counting. 

Jesus, you know my self obsession. Help me die to myself and be generous to others today.
Saint Laurence, please pray for me.

Obsess on Others

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. 
Col.3:12

Saint Paul instructs the Church at Colossae in the type of life they are to live as believers. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience are the believer's hallmarks.

The virtues listed by Paul are contrary to the strength, aggression and hedonism lauded by the world. Yet, they are what we all hunger for. If I want a world of kindness and patience where people are more inclined to compassion and humility, then let it start with me.

Jesus, you know my grasping self centeredness. Forgive me Lord and help turn my obsessions off myself and onto others.
Saint Mary of the Cross, please pray for me.

Tell Jesus

John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.
Mt.14:12

John the Baptist's head has been cut off at the vengeful and macabre direction of Herod's wife.  John's followers, in their grief, do the only thing left to them. Go to Jesus.

When grief is at its peak and despair takes a hold, Jesus is waiting. I'm reminded of the two disciples, in their trauma over Jesus' death, stumbling along the road to Emmaus. The risen Lord meets them not only physically but also emotionally. In response to their incoherent outpouring of grief over the "things" that had happened, Jesus asks, "What things?" This starts the movement from intense sorrow to joy for the two disciples. 

I recall rushing to two dear friend's home on learning of the suicide of their son. At first we could only weep with them. Then someone said, "Let's pray". A corner was turned at that point as we poured out our sorrow to Jesus.

Jesus, you are the only one to turn to in our sorrow. Thank you Lord for your healing love.
Saint John the Baptist, please pray for us.

Compassion

And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. 
Mt.9:36

Jesus is preaching and healing in towns and villages. The desperation and sadness he encountered moved compassion within him.

Compassion: Concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. This was the hallmark of Jesus when on earth and is to be the hallmark of all who follow him. Others may shrug their shoulders and call it karma. A Christian rolls up his sleeves and helps the one who is suffering. 

The task can seem overwhelming. The key is to focus on one person at a time.

Jesus, help me have your compassion for the harassed and dejected I meet today. 
Saint John Vianney, please pray for me.

Hand on the Plough

Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Lk.9:62

Jesus sets the tone for what it means to be a follower of him. No rest, no burying your dead, no saying goodbye. 

Now, all these things are good in themselves, sometimes even necessary, so what is Jesus saying?  Maybe it's that following him is not a stroll in the park. There's an urgency to being Christian. When I find myself in cruise mode I'm usually losing altitude. 

Jesus, help me maintain energy and urgency in my faith so I can till more ground and more ground effectively.
Saint Dominic, please pray for me.

Treasure

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field...
Mt.13:44

Jesus is using parables to describe the indescribable value of heaven, not only of heaven but of God who resides there.

With both the treasure found in a field and the pearl of great price, the finders sold everything they had to obtain them. The treasure and the pearl were seen as worth much more than what the finders already had. 

I recall the time before I was Christian when I thought I had it all. It was only after meeting Jesus that I realised how tiny and poverty stricken my hedonistic world was. The seduction of the world had blinkered me. 

How do I stop sliding back into that tiny self centered space? A start is getting my gaze off the reconstituted dust of counterfeit sparkling trinkets and back onto the treasure. And where is the treasure found? Good places to start looking are in the sacraments, in my daily prayer time, in fellow believers. In truth, the treasure can be found anywhere.

Thank you Jesus for revealing yourself to me today. I keep my eyes on you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Shine a Light

The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!
Mt.13:41,43

Jesus is explaining the parable of the weeds among the wheat. At the end of time there are only two possibilities for all people... heaven or hell.

We all believe in heaven and want to get there. The possibility of the fire of hell and me providing fuel for it is not quite so attractive. 

Jesus doesn't pussyfoot around this topic to spare my sensibilities. He is very clear that there is a place called hell and many, sadly, will end up there. My job is to make sure I, and as many others as possible, don't fuel its fires.

I have New Age family members who believe in a nirvana into which everyone will simply drift after death. I've even heard this belief within the Church. Where do I start to counter this heresy? I guess shine a light in the opposite direction. Introduce them to love in the person of Jesus. He has promised if I lift him up he will draw all to himself, even my New Age family members. 

Saint Alphonsus de' Liguori, please pray for us.