Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Be Happy and Prosper
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper.
Ps.127:1,2
This Psalm is one the Songs of Ascent, believed to have been sung by pilgrims on their climb up to the temple at Jerusalem. It sings of the blessings that are given to all who love and honour God in their lives.
I have a poster at work that reads: "To love what you do and feel that you make a difference, what could be more fun!" Psalm 127:1 and 2 is then quoted underneath. I have days like that. I love what I am doing and I have a sense that what I am doing matters. These are days of great contentment and happiness. They tend to be days when I am "right with God".
I guess each day I have a choice on how I live it, consciously with God or without Him. Today, I choose to live with God. By the labour of my hands I shall eat. I shall be happy and prosper.
Thank you Lord for extending Your invitation to be in relationship with You today. You are the source of my happiness and prosperity.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friendship Kindness Forgiveness
Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ. Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you.
Ephesians 4:32 - 5:1,2
Saint Paul contrasts the Christian life that his readers are to lead, with their pagan life that has been left behind. The foundations of this new life include the virtues of friendship, kindness and forgiveness.
Friendship, kindness and forgiveness - these are seen as weak in the eyes of the world. Yet, in my Christian life they are sources of great strength, they are Christian muscles. Each of them requires that I take my focus off myself and onto others. This requires an act of my will as my natural inclination is to attend to me, my wants, my needs. A good starting point to flex these Christian muscles is in my world of today; my family, my work place.
Lord Jesus, Your natural inclination was to look to others needs before Your own. You know my struggle with self. Help me exercise my muscles of friendship, kindness and forgiveness with those I meet today.
Saint Paul, please pray of me.
Saint Paul contrasts the Christian life that his readers are to lead, with their pagan life that has been left behind. The foundations of this new life include the virtues of friendship, kindness and forgiveness.
Friendship, kindness and forgiveness - these are seen as weak in the eyes of the world. Yet, in my Christian life they are sources of great strength, they are Christian muscles. Each of them requires that I take my focus off myself and onto others. This requires an act of my will as my natural inclination is to attend to me, my wants, my needs. A good starting point to flex these Christian muscles is in my world of today; my family, my work place.
Lord Jesus, Your natural inclination was to look to others needs before Your own. You know my struggle with self. Help me exercise my muscles of friendship, kindness and forgiveness with those I meet today.
Saint Paul, please pray of me.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Blasphemy
‘Everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.'
Lk.12:10
Huge crowds of many thousands have gathered to hear Jesus teach. He starts by giving His disciples both encouragements and warnings. A severe warning is given about blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
Blasphemy is an old word from the english middle ages. The dictionary defines it as; " to speak impiously or irreverently of (God or sacred things)". Jesus warns that to blaspheme, speak irreverently, against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin.
This reminds me of a quip given in a teaching from a Bishop on a men's retreat I was at recently. He said, "Is God's forgiveness unconditional? Yes, on one condition". A clever play on words that refers to the verse in the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us".
Speaking irreverently against the Holy Spirit is another example of conditions on God's unconditional forgiveness. In all cases, the limits placed on God's forgiveness are placed by us, placed by me. It is my unforgiveness, my blasphemy that separates me from God's forgiveness. And blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has permanent consequences according Jesus. I can't say I haven't been warned.
Holy Spirit of God, place a guard on my lips and a sentry at the door of my mouth, lest I offend You.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Lk.12:10
Huge crowds of many thousands have gathered to hear Jesus teach. He starts by giving His disciples both encouragements and warnings. A severe warning is given about blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
Blasphemy is an old word from the english middle ages. The dictionary defines it as; " to speak impiously or irreverently of (God or sacred things)". Jesus warns that to blaspheme, speak irreverently, against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin.
This reminds me of a quip given in a teaching from a Bishop on a men's retreat I was at recently. He said, "Is God's forgiveness unconditional? Yes, on one condition". A clever play on words that refers to the verse in the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us".
Speaking irreverently against the Holy Spirit is another example of conditions on God's unconditional forgiveness. In all cases, the limits placed on God's forgiveness are placed by us, placed by me. It is my unforgiveness, my blasphemy that separates me from God's forgiveness. And blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has permanent consequences according Jesus. I can't say I haven't been warned.
Holy Spirit of God, place a guard on my lips and a sentry at the door of my mouth, lest I offend You.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Monday, September 17, 2012
A Man under Authority
"I am not worthy to have you under my roof; and for this same reason I did not presume to come to you myself; but give the word and let my servant be cured. For I am under authority myself,"
Lk.7:6-8
A Roman Centurion calls on Jesus to heal a favourite dying servant. Jesus recognises great faith in this man because he recognises the authority Jesus operates under. As a result the servant is healed without Jesus even seeing the sick man or his master.
The Centurion is an enigma. He is a leader in the hated Roman army but a friend to the local Jews. He has the respect of the people over whom he rules. He is a pagan yet exhibits to Jesus the greatest faith in all of Israel. There is something great in the character of this man. His great faith that impressed Jesus so much was based on his understanding of authority. As a man under authority and who had authority over others, he recognises the authentic, divine authority of Jesus.
Faith based on authority. There's an interesting concept. You would think authority would lead to slavish duty. But no. Jesus says authority leads to great faith, a faith that allows Him to perform miracles. Recognising the authority of Jesus means letting there be less of me and more of Him in my life. Then perhaps I will see more miracles....
Lord Jesus, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof. But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Centurion of Faith, pray for me.
Lk.7:6-8
A Roman Centurion calls on Jesus to heal a favourite dying servant. Jesus recognises great faith in this man because he recognises the authority Jesus operates under. As a result the servant is healed without Jesus even seeing the sick man or his master.
The Centurion is an enigma. He is a leader in the hated Roman army but a friend to the local Jews. He has the respect of the people over whom he rules. He is a pagan yet exhibits to Jesus the greatest faith in all of Israel. There is something great in the character of this man. His great faith that impressed Jesus so much was based on his understanding of authority. As a man under authority and who had authority over others, he recognises the authentic, divine authority of Jesus.
Faith based on authority. There's an interesting concept. You would think authority would lead to slavish duty. But no. Jesus says authority leads to great faith, a faith that allows Him to perform miracles. Recognising the authority of Jesus means letting there be less of me and more of Him in my life. Then perhaps I will see more miracles....
Lord Jesus, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof. But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Centurion of Faith, pray for me.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Passing Away
Those who have to deal with the world should not become engrossed in it. I say this because the world as we know it is passing away.
1Cor.7:31
Saint Paul is encouraging the Corinthian Church to reduce the effect of the world on their spiritual lives. Marriage, mourning, even joy can be a distraction of the temporal from the spiritual. The world as we know it is passing away to be replaced by the real world, the kingdom of God.
Nothing has changed in two thousand years. There is still a tension between the flesh and the spirit. The advantage we Christians have is that we know there is a tension and so we can resist it. I can't fight this battle alone. I need the support of the Church. Maybe Mass today would be a good idea...
Lord Jesus, You know the battles that rage within me. Give me strength I pray to let go of the world's seductions and be given over to You.
Saint Paul, please pray for me.
1Cor.7:31
Saint Paul is encouraging the Corinthian Church to reduce the effect of the world on their spiritual lives. Marriage, mourning, even joy can be a distraction of the temporal from the spiritual. The world as we know it is passing away to be replaced by the real world, the kingdom of God.
Nothing has changed in two thousand years. There is still a tension between the flesh and the spirit. The advantage we Christians have is that we know there is a tension and so we can resist it. I can't fight this battle alone. I need the support of the Church. Maybe Mass today would be a good idea...
Lord Jesus, You know the battles that rage within me. Give me strength I pray to let go of the world's seductions and be given over to You.
Saint Paul, please pray for me.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
God with Me
Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’
Mt.1:21-23
Today the Church celebrates the birthday of Mary, the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than focussing on the holiness and purity of Mary, today's Gospel first chronicles the full genealogy of Jesus. This includes adultery, incest and murder; all the darker side of human nature. There are names that are great, names that are infamous and names that are mentioned nowhere else. The genealogy of Jesus includes the good, the bad and the ugly. Truly He is Emanuel, God with Us.
The "God with us" nature of Jesus is what makes him unique among religions. He is both truly God and truly man. In my brokenness I can still call Him "Brother", for that is who He is. Jesus is more than a friend to me, He is my brother. I take this intimate relationship with Jesus into my day today.
Jesus, my Lord, my King, my brother. Thank you for overlooking my brokenness to stay with me, to be my Emmanuel.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for me.
She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel,
a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’
Mt.1:21-23
Today the Church celebrates the birthday of Mary, the mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than focussing on the holiness and purity of Mary, today's Gospel first chronicles the full genealogy of Jesus. This includes adultery, incest and murder; all the darker side of human nature. There are names that are great, names that are infamous and names that are mentioned nowhere else. The genealogy of Jesus includes the good, the bad and the ugly. Truly He is Emanuel, God with Us.
The "God with us" nature of Jesus is what makes him unique among religions. He is both truly God and truly man. In my brokenness I can still call Him "Brother", for that is who He is. Jesus is more than a friend to me, He is my brother. I take this intimate relationship with Jesus into my day today.
Jesus, my Lord, my King, my brother. Thank you for overlooking my brokenness to stay with me, to be my Emmanuel.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for me.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Foolishness of God
Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.
Lk.5:11
Jesus has just used Simon's boat to speak from and then rewards him with a catch of fish so huge it almost sinks two boats. Simon, who is never recorded catching a fish without Jesus' help, is overwhelmed and recognises something Holy within Jesus. Jesus then calls Simon, James and Andrew to something way bigger that catching two boat loads of fish.
The transformation of Peter from a course fisherman to a holy saint starts here. It's a story that has always fascinated me. I see so much of myself in the former Peter and desire so much to become the latter. Jesus' choosing of such rough, uneducated men I believe was deliberate. It is the "foolishness of God" at work, demonstrating that earthly wisdom is not what is required to be a follower of Jesus. What is required is the honesty to fall at Jesus' knees and say, "Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man." Lk.5:8.
Lord Jesus, You know my thoughts and how useless they are. Give the desire for the foolishness of God that I may gain clean hands and pure heart and then climb God's mountain.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Lk.5:11
Jesus has just used Simon's boat to speak from and then rewards him with a catch of fish so huge it almost sinks two boats. Simon, who is never recorded catching a fish without Jesus' help, is overwhelmed and recognises something Holy within Jesus. Jesus then calls Simon, James and Andrew to something way bigger that catching two boat loads of fish.
The transformation of Peter from a course fisherman to a holy saint starts here. It's a story that has always fascinated me. I see so much of myself in the former Peter and desire so much to become the latter. Jesus' choosing of such rough, uneducated men I believe was deliberate. It is the "foolishness of God" at work, demonstrating that earthly wisdom is not what is required to be a follower of Jesus. What is required is the honesty to fall at Jesus' knees and say, "Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man." Lk.5:8.
Lord Jesus, You know my thoughts and how useless they are. Give the desire for the foolishness of God that I may gain clean hands and pure heart and then climb God's mountain.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)