Stand Up

Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 
Lk.12:51

Jesus' popularity is peaking with crushing crowds now following him. He chooses this time to start preaching the hard side of the gospel such as fire, discord and division.

At first it seems strange to hear the Prince of Peace, who usually prays for unity, unequivocally state he has come to bring discord and division. However, my experience has been that there are two sides to the coin that is the Gospel of Christ. Yes there is peace, joy and love but there is also discord, sadness and animosity. 

My conversion to Christianity led to heated discussion within my atheist family. At times I was mocked at work. It was a testing time. I guess this is why Jesus is giving us warning. My zeal had better run deep because it will be tested. The good news is my mother converted on her deathbed. 

Jesus, at times it is hard being your follower. Give me courage when I strike opposition. 

The Happy Servant

Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. 
Lk.12:43,44

The Church is approaching the end of the calendar year and shifting her gaze to end times, to the master's return. Jesus' warning is consistent. We do not know the hour or the day of his return but we had best be at our God-given work when he does. 

What is that God-given work? The title of "servant" gives a clue. Serving others does not come naturally for me. I'd much prefer it the other way round. Yet, Jesus promises happiness comes with servitude. 

Let's give it a try...

Jesus, help me see you in those I meet today so I may serve them with joy.

Stand Ready

You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Lk.12:40

Jesus instructs his disciples to be always ready for his return, whenever that time may be. The only thing we know for sure is the timing of his return will be unexpected.

I have a friend who was told six months ago he has three months to live. When I visited him yesterday he was very much alive and still waiting. There's a strange sort of comfort in acknowledging it is the Lord who gives life and who takes it away. I don't need to fight for the last nanosecond of my life. The timing of my last heartbeat is already recorded. Worrying about it is not going to change that.

So, what is left? Stand ready says Jesus. Now that is an exciting way to live out each day until he returns. 

Thank you Jesus for your perfect timing. I place my trust in you.

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Treasure in Heaven

But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.

Lk.12:21

In response to a request to settle a family inheritance dispute, Jesus gives a warning about greed.

It seems almost weekly that a news story surfaces about another family inheritance quarrel before the courts. It makes sad reading about a family imploding. Jesus warns about treasures on earth. They are always temporal, never giving laying satisfaction.

The difficulty is that treasures in heaven aren't visible, aren't always before me. Or are they? I spent time wasting time with some grandchildren yesterday. Treasures? Yes. Eternal? Yes. 

Thank you Jesus for the treasures you have given me.

A Sparrow

Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.
Lk.12:7

While a crush of people is trying to see Jesus he turns to his friends with a warning (against hypocrisy) and encouragement (don't be afraid).

Every landmass on the planet has sparrows. I can hear them outside my window this morning as I write. They are the most prolific and so could be said to be the most successful of God's creatures. It follows that this quote from Jesus is among the most widely known. We all see the result of God's blessing on sparrows by their proliferation. And yet God wants to bless me even more than hundreds of sparrows. 

I have no need to be afraid. What is around the corner will come with or without my worry. I choose not to worry, knowing God knows me intimately and loves me mightily.

Thank you Jesus for your steadfast love. Morning by morning new blessings I see.

His Hand Withheld

In this way God makes his justice known; first, for the past, when sins went unpunished because he held his hand, then, for the present age, by showing positively that he is just, and that he justifies everyone who believes in Jesus.
Rms.93:25,26

Paul writes to the Roman Church declaring that Jesus has won justification for all believers, pagans and Jews alike.

I have experienced God's mercy both in the past and in the present; In the past as an unbeliever when he withheld his hand and the present as a believer when he still withholds his hand. Jesus' sacrifice protected me when, even as an unbeliever, I wouldn't acknowledge him. My indebtedness is huge.

Thank you Father for your mercy. Jesus, help me be an agent of mercy to those I meet today.

Entertaining Angels

Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.
Lk.10:8,9

Jesus is instructing the seventy two before their mission trip. They are to seek out the welcoming places, receive whatever support is offered and repay with healing and the Good News: "The kingdom of God is very near to you".

I recall us billeting two members of a visiting youth ministry team for three weeks. Our young family was mightily blessed. It was a pivotal, faith-building time. There is a blessing that comes with welcoming hospitality. We never know when we could be entertaining angels. 

Lord Jesus, give me a welcoming spirit today for all those you send my way.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.