Less Fear More Boldness

The rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen;
Acts:4:13

The Jewish leaders are astounded at the boldness of Peter and John whom they had arrested for healing a cripple in the name of Jesus. The transformation of Peter and John from ignorant nobodies to proclaiming somebodies was undeniable and astonishing.

There is creative, fearless genius in everyone, just waiting to be released, waiting for the right conditions. For Peter and John the right condition was being filled with the Holy Spirit before the Sanhedrin. There result? The name of Jesus was lifted up and glorified.

There are times when I make myself cringe and then times when I astound myself at my boldness, wondering where what I have said has come from. Today, for me, let there be less cringe and more boldness, that the name of Jesus may be lifted up.

Lord Jesus, fill me with your spirit of boldness that I may glorify your name.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Filled with Holy Spirit

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, ‘Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all...
Acts:4.8-10

Following the miraculous healing of a cripple at the Temple, Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin and interigated. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaims the risen Jesus as not only the saviour of the cripple but of all mankind.

Peter the former sand-pile displays again how he has now become the rock. He is now the embodiment of the new name Jesus had given him. The reason for the the conversion? The Holy Spirit. The risen Jesus had breathed on the Apostles and given them the Holy Spirit. Now the power of the Holy Spirit is released and at work. And the Holy Spirit's work? To proclaim the name of Jesus...

I have been given the Holy Spirit, been "breathed on by Jesus", at my Confirmation. Now is the time for that power to be released.

Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Fill me with your power, satisfy my need.
Only you can make me whole,
Give me strength and make me grow.
Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.

Little Flower, please pray for me.

Rejoice and be Glad

Alleluia, alleluia! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamation Ps117:24

Easter Thursday and the joy of the resurrected Lord permeates the Church. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad.

This acclamation has become my morning prayer, recited before I rise out of bed. Joy is such a wonderful way to approach every day, no matter what it may hold.

This morning my daughter planned for us to wake up early and watch the sun rise over Ohope Beach.  What a spectacle of glory! Truely the Lord's finger prints could be seen in the vista that unfolded before us.

Thank you Lord for this day you have made. I shall be the joy that reflects it on all who I meet today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Alleluia! He is Risen!

Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him....
Jn.20:16

Today is Easter Tuesday of the Easter Octave. The bells ringing "Alleluia, He is Risen! " are still loud in my ears. The Gospel has me watch Mary Magdalene enter the empty tomb, not yet knowing what has really happened. Then Jesus calls her by name, and she instantly knows...

My faith in Jesus became real when I realised it's about relationship, not religion. Relationship happens when two people start knowing and being real with each other. Two "people". The person of Jesus, who he really is, started to dawn on me and that's when I fell in love with him.

Easter brings back the joy of that first love. The incense and the Alleluias soak into me for fifty days... then Pentecost! Oh joyous days!

My Risen Lord! You are my companion today. Let your joy become my joy as I love those whom you love today.
Mary Magdelane, please pray for me.

The Just Judge

Those who did good will rise again to life; and those who did evil, to condemnation. I can do nothing by myself; I can only judge as I am told to judge, and my judging is just.
Jn.5:29,30

Jesus has just healed the invalid at the pool of Bethesda and is answering the criticism of the Pharisees. He states he only does the will of the Father, including being judge at the end of time.

There is a fallacy sometimes heard in the Church that everyone is going to heaven, being handed out baskets of kittens as they float blissfully through the pearly gates. Not according to Jesus. There will be judgement, sheep and goats, some to eternal life and others to condemnation.  Our saving grace is that Jesus is the judge, not us ...not me.

There is a little judge in me that is constantly pulling at the leash I have placed around his neck. Sometimes he escapes and I blush at what I hear him saying about others. I call judgement on myself when this happens. I choose again to leave all judgement up to Jesus. He alone knows all the facts.

Lord Jesus, you are the just judge. Have mercy on me a sinner. Help me be an encourager, not a judge of others today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Scandal of Mercy

“You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?”
Mt.18:32,33

Jesus is telling the parable of the unmerciful servant in response to Peter's question on how many times should he forgive. Jesus answer... never stop forgiving.

I don't think I've ever been severely wronged to the point where I've held resentment. But this goes beyond mere resentment. Jesus is demanding that I be always merciful, that I always have an attitude of mercy.  That covers everything from the little niggles of family life, the careless driver cutting me off when I'm cycling to work, the work colleagues not pulling their weight... everything.

Mercy is surprisingly controversial in the Church. I hear many people retreat angrily to the law when mercy is being proposed. I think there is a misunderstanding of mercy and people fear it will be demanded as a right. That's not mercy. That's a free ticket to do what you want. Mercy doesn't say a wrong is suddenly right. Wrong is still wrong, a debt is still a debt. Mercy aligns me with the debtor saying I too have owed much and have been forgiven much. You and I are brothers in that regard. Somehow, in this process we are both lifted up from the dung heap we deserve.

Lord Jesus, I have been forgiven much. Help me be an agent of mercy today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Give and Get

"Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back."
Lk.6:38

Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount. Generosity strikes at the heart of what it means to live a Christian life.

Some call this verse the Sermon on the Amount. Of course, it's not just referring to the giving of money. It can be time, talents, anything that is of value to me and to the recipient. However, my attitude to giving money says a lot about how seriously I take what Jesus is saying here.

My wife is great at stuffing $20.00 notes into the letterboxes of needy families. I find that hard. Yet, if I believe in what Jesus says, what I give is the measure of what I will get and get back generously.

I love the story of Scrooge in Dickens's Christmas Carol. From a miserly, tight-fisted, mean old man he is transformed into a "letterbox stuffer" in the extreme. From a sour old grump he becomes a giggling, joyous child as he buys the largest Christmas goose in the shop to secretly gift to Bob Crachit and his family.

Joy. Here is the immediate fruit of generosity. What can I give to another today? I will know I have found it and given it when joy overtakes me.

Lord Jesus, you know how tight-fisted I can be. Help me become a joyous giver today that I may become an authentic witness of you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.