Give Thanks

Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. 
Lk.17:15

Jesus heals ten lepers, only one of which turns back to praise the source of his healing. 

Jesus' response to the one thankful leper hints that more than a physical healing has been gained by this man. "Your faith has saved you" declares Jesus. The other nine lepers are so caught up in the physical that they miss out on the spiritual. 

Ingratitude keeps me grounded, in the worst sense of the word. Gratitude lifts me up into the spiritual, where salvation awaits. Oh, I have so much to thank God for. Today I choose to have an attitude of gratitude.

Thank you Jesus for all you have done and are doing in my life.

Loved to Serve

So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”
Lk.17:10

Jesus is teaching his disciples about duty, which for the Christian can be described in one word. Humility.

For me, humility is an unnatural disposition. How does the song go? "Oh Lord it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way." We smile at these lyrics, but secretly, don't we admit a little bit of that describes us. I'm a pretty good chap. I've worked hard. Don't I deserve...?

Yet, there are wonderful promises given to those who are humble. Blessed are the meek, says Jesus. And of course, Jesus practices what he preaches. He is the Servant King.

I don't think humility comes from trying hard at it. For those truly humble people I have met, humility seems a natural characteristic, like the colour of their eyes. There's something deeper within them, something to do with having absolute confidence that they are loved. Now there's something I don't have to strive for, just knowing that I am loved by God no matter what. And, wonder of wonders, from that comes the desire to serve. 

Thank you Jesus for loving me. 

The River of Life

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.47:9,12

Ezekiel describes his vision of a life-giving river flowing from the Temple where God dwells. 

This feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica reminds me the Church is universal. Today's Mass will be celebrated throughout the world by the faithful family of God, my family. The life blood of the Church flows freely and is life-giving for me and my family. 

Thank you Lord for the universal Church. Bless us all this day I pray.
Pope Sylvester, please pray for us.

Humility

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.
Lk.14:11

Jesus warns against the natural tendency in us all to seek the higher place.

One of the best work bosses I had was the man who first hired me. At the time I was a long haired teenager who thought he knew everything but knew nothing. This man must have seen past my posturing bluff and took me on, gently winning me by his gentleness and humility. There was no blood under his fingernails. I felt safe with him.I remember not wanting to disappoint him, not through fear of him but respect for him. 

Humility seems to draw out the best in those subjected to it. Lord, help me be humble before those I meet today that I may help draw out the best from them and in so doing, draw out the best in me.

Count on being Saved

When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son?
Rms.5:10

Paul displays the source of our hope of salvation... the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

There's a misplaced hope that all good people get to heaven. Not so, only forgiven people do. This means I need to admit I need forgiveness and that there is a person greater than me who is the only one who can grant it. 

This is a stumbling block for many and reason enough to pray for all souls here on earth as well as those in purgatory. 

Thank you Jesus for dying for me to gain me mercy and hope .
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Hope to be Saved

For we must be content to hope that we shall be saved – our salvation is not in sight, we should not have to be hoping for it if it were – but, as I say, we must hope to be saved since we are not saved yet – it is something we must wait for with patience.
Rms.8:24,25

Paul writes to the suffering Church of Rome that present suffering and future glory are two sides of the same coin. Our suffering is made bearable by the hope we have in attaining salvation.

"Are you saved brother?" The only honest answer I can give to this question is, " No, but I have every hope to be". Paul is very clear in saying that salvation is something to be waited for with patience. 

Faith is the sure belief that salvation will be mine in Jesus. Hope is based on that faith. Love for God and others is the result. Not a bad way to live out my day today.

Jesus, thank you for the sure hope you give me today. Help me pass on that hope to others I meet today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Rescued

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Rms.7:25

Paul writes of struggle with his fleshly desires. He concludes that, by himself, his case is hopeless. However, with help from Jesus he is victorious.

Paul's admission can be heard in any therapy group today. Nothing has changed in two thousand years. I've said as much myself. The good news is that the antidote is the same as well. Keeping pressed into Jesus is the only way I have to walk the talk.  He rescues me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Saint Augustine, please pray for me.