Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.

Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ 
Mk.10:51

Why does Jesus ask Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, what doesn't require asking? To draw faith out of him. Faith not only gives Bartimaeus his sight, it saves him.

Jesus uses every situation to draw out faith from people. Where there is faith, miracles happen. Simply by reading today's gospel story of Bartimaeus' miracle healing, my faith is built up. As the crowd said to Bartimaeus, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

Come Lord Jesus. work miracles in my life and the lives of those I love.

Listen

They said to him, ‘Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus said to them. 
Mk.10:37-38

Jesus has just explicitly outlined what is about to happen to him. It's the third time he's predicted his death. But, what is it the apostles want to talk about? Who gets the glory.

Selective listeners are described as people who are really good at listening... to what they want to hear. James and John's question to Jesus shows just how much they hadn't heard him. 

I'm guilty of selective listening, of listening only to what I want to hear. I could be missing out on what is really important. The antidote is to be present to the speaker, to actively listen regardless of what I think about their topic. Children are great ones on which to practice this.

Jesus, you are totally present to each individual. Give me that gift so I can fully engage with those you send my way today.
Saints James and John, please pray for me.

Open Hand

‘In that case’ they said to one another ‘who can be saved?’ Jesus gazed at them. ‘For men’ he said ‘it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God.’
Mk.10:26-27

Jesus has just insisted on the difficulty for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples see this as an obstacle to salvation. Jesus says no, with God all is possible.

There is always someone poorer than me. Put another way, I'm always a rich man when compared to some others. There is always the poor to whom I can give. Jesus is concerned about my tendency to grasp. My hand is more naturally closed than it is open. This reflects the state of my heart.

Am I a lost cause? On my own strength, yes. With God's help, no. 

Jesus, help my hand be open to the poor I meet today.

Forgiven and Loved

For as the heavens are high
above the earth
so strong is his love for those
who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west
so far does he remove our sins.
Ps.102:11,12 

Psalm 102(103) paints a picture of God the Father head over heels in love. With whom? With me.

The writing of this psalm is attributed to David. It certainly has his fingerprints all over it. As Jesus said, he who has been forgiven much shows much love. This psalm was written by someone who had been forgiven much and knew he was loved.

What a marvelous word to take into my day. Yes, I'm a dirtbag. Yes, I'm forgiven. Yes, I'm loved.

Loving Father, you have crowned me with love and compassion. I press myself into your loving embrace.

Focus on Following

Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ 
Jn.21:22

Peter asks Jesus what is to happen to John the Apostle. Jesus' answer is a mild rebuke to Peter to be concerned about his own business only. What is that? To follow Jesus.

Peter's question came from curiosity, not concern. These days we are encouraged to be curious by the world. Worldly curiosity is insatiable and a distraction. Jesus says no, be curious only about how to best follow him. Being a stumbling follower is not such a bad occupation after all.

Jesus, I do become curious about things that are not my concern. Help me stay focused on following you.
Saint Peter, please pray for me.

Fuel in the Tank

'Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.
Jn.21:17

The risen Jesus reinstates Peter as leader of the early Church with his three-fold question, "Do you love me?" Peter's love for Jesus is to be expressed by his love for the Church.

As Saint Paul wrote, no matter what works of piety or service I do, if I do not have love as my motive I have nothing. 

Holy Spirit, help love be the fuel in my tank as I serve my local Church. Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Saint Peter, please pray for me.

Take Courage Dear Heart

Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’
Acts.22:11

Paul has just witnessed as a prisoner before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Jesus now calls him to witness in the center of the then known world, Rome.

Paul must have known Rome would herald the end of his life. He was about to step into the lion's mouth. Jesus gave him the virtue necessary... courage. 

Proclaiming, witnessing, the Good News about Jesus takes courage. There is a boldness in the Gospel that either attracts or repels. Paul's powerful witness came from his courage and confidence in not being afraid to say what he knew to be true.

Jesus gives courage when it's needed.

Jesus, give me a boldness in witnessing for you in the Alpha Course tonight.
Saint Paul, please pray for me.