Make it Count

When they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ 
Mk.1:37,38

"Let us go..." Jesus has just started his public ministry. His modus operandi is one of energy and dynamism. He doesn't wait for people to come to him. He goes to them.

If Jesus' life is a model for me to follow, it is a physically challenging one. Today's gospel records Jesus preaching and ministering to crowds late into the night and then up before dawn to pray. I believe Jesus made everything he did count. When he ate, he ate well. When he slept, he slept well. He was intentional about all he did. 

Sometimes when I recollect at the end of the day, I struggle to list what I've actually meaningfully done. The day has been frittered away. Life is too short for that. It's time to be more intentional. Even spontaneity can be planned. 

Jesus, help me make today count.

A Beloved Son

It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John.
Mk.1:9

Jesus' public ministry starts with his baptism and the declaration from God the Father as to who he is.“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

A father's blessing is powerful. When my son turned twelve I wanted to give him a public blessing, a bar mitzvah of sorts. In front of extended family and friends I stood behind him and gave a "This is my beloved son..." speech. Initially he was embarrassed by the attention of course but I noted his head lifted and shoulders pulled back. He understood what was being said. 

I never received this from my father. He didn't know how to. This lack of a father's blessing stunted my growth into manhood. I didn't know I was a beloved and pleasing son until I became Christian. It is one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. 

Saint John the Baptist, please pray for me.

D Day

No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
Mk.1:10,11

John Baptises Jesus and witnesses the blessing of God the Father over him and the Holy Spirit descending on him. For the first time the Trinity is manifest on earth.  

This is like D Day. The war on sin is won. The tide is turned on Satan and his minions. What follows are simply mop up operations. It's good to remember I'm on the winning side. 

Saint John the Baptist, please pray for me.

But Wait, There's More!

‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip.
Jn.1:46

Nathanael's skepticism is met by Philip's invitation to come and see. On seeing, Nathanael's skepticism is replaced by a zeal for Jesus that would lead to a martyr's death. 

There's that compelling invitation again, first spoken by Jesus to the two disciples of John the Baptist. "Come and see". On seeing Jesus, Nathanael's life is spontaneously turned around. I imagine Jesus laughing as he says to Nathanael, "You ain't seen nothing yet!" 

And Nathanael did see more. The Gospels record him as part of the group who saw the risen Jesus on the beach. 

Our faith is like that. "But wait, there's more! You ain't seen nothing yet!" There's always more to come and see. It doesn't stop until I meet Jesus face to face. This is why it's so exciting being Christian. 

Saint Nathanael, please pray for me.

Come and See

They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher – ‘where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day.
Jn.1:39

The two disciples of John the Baptist are drawn to Jesus by John's recommendation. They are about to personalise their relationship because of the simplest of invitations.... Come and see.

I like that style of invitation. I use it when inviting unchurched people to an Alpha Course. It is non-threatening as the initiative is with the invitee. They stay in control. If they don't like what they see they can leave, no pressure, no expectations, no chase-up. It's also risky for the same reasons. I, as the inviter, don't have control. I have to trust the Holy Spirit to do his work.

Lord, place in my path today people who I can invite to come and see.

There Stands Among You

John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ 
Jn1:26,27

John is interrogated to reveal who he is. He replies by saying who he isn't and who that it is the questions should be addressed to, the one unrecognised among us.

I am reminded how Mother Teresa is purported to have said on seeing the dying beggar on the Calcutta railway station platform, "My Jesus, I've found you".  

Our local supermarket has a beggar regularly sitting outside, constantly counting a few coins in his hand and mumbling to himself. He clearly has mental health problems. One day I observed a lady had stopped and was talking with him. I experienced a pang of guilt which drove me to the confessional. 

The young priest gave some good advice. "Get down on his level, ask him his name and give him yours". This I did on my next trip to the supermarket and I gave him some food. His name is Shane and he lives with his mother. We say hello to each other now. He stopped being a beggar. He's now a human being with a name.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for me.

Tell the Good News

When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.
Lk.2:17,18

The shepherds respond to the glorious angelic apparition they are given by rushing to the baby in the stable and worshiping him. They don't stop there. They then share the Good News, to everyone's astonishment.

I like that the shepherds are the first evangelists. Ordinary people spreading an extraordinary message gives it more authenticity, more punch. My ordinariness isn't an obstacle, it's an asset to my spreading the good news about Jesus. There's enough bad news. People want to hear good news. This year, I can be someone who tells them.

And the Good News is? God loves you and has a plan for your life, a plan found in following his son Jesus. 

A blessed New Year to you all and your loved ones. 

Mary Mother of God, pray for us.