Every Moment

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. Jn.21:25

 Saint John finishes his unfinishable account of Jesus’ time walking the earth in Palestine. He admits Jesus did much more than he could possibly record. Much of Jesus’ life is unrecorded, yet he would have lived those moments with no lesser mission, passion, love and joy. His life wasn’t a performance to be written in a play. He was authentically alive every moment of every day, whether people were watching or not

 Sometimes I catch myself looking sideways at my reflection in a window. I did this the other day, checking to see how I looked in my new hat. Honestly, nobody cares how I look. However, Jesus does care how I act, whether others are looking or not. He is watching me today, cheering me on to be authentically alive.

Jesus, I confess my vanity to you. Send me your Spirit to help me be alive for you every moment today. Saint Ambrose, please pray for me.

Witness of Joy

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 

 The supreme love and enfolding forgiveness of God for those who seek him is laid out plainly for all to see.

 Psalm 102 is a beautiful self portrait of God. He is revealed as a God who forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, renews and loves. This is the God who our world denies. Why? Why run from such love, hope and peace? Maybe I don’t witness for him clearly enough for the world to see.

Yesterday, outside the Firenze Duomo of all places, a loud group of Harikrishnas danced and sang through the crowd of tourists. They had euphoric smiles over their faces as they approached to hand out their literature. As I declined and explained I was Christian, I felt the joy of what that actually means well up inside and broke out in laughter. It stopped him in his tracks. We both said namaste to each other and he moved on.

 The best confrontation of counterfeit joy is authentic Christian joy. Let this be my hallmark today.

 Jesus, you are the source of my hope, my peace, my love and my joy. Let me be your witness today. Saint Ambrose, pray for me.

Leap!

Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.    Lk.1:41 

Mary visits Elizabeth and as soon as she approaches her Elizabeth’s child leaps in her womb and bang, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Now here’s a fresh thought, for me anyway. Mary can be a way of being filled with the Holy Spirit. I’m currently in Assisi and grottos with statues of Mary are everywhere. These have been occupying my “Catholic Shelf” for a while. Hmmm…….

Mary Mother of God, pray for me that I may receive a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit of God like Elizabeth, that your son may be glorified in me. Saint Elizabeth, pray for me.

God is Close

Since the God who made the world and everything in it is himself Lord of heaven and earth, he does not make his home in shrines made by human hands. Nor is he dependent on anything that human hands can do for him.    Acts 17:24,25 

 Saint Paul is speaking to the Greeks of Athens, starting his preaching by acknowledging the Greek’s worship of “the Unknown God”. Paul expounds that this God they already worship is in fact the God of the Universe who made everything and is not found in idols but in all that he created.

 The past week has seen me in some very holy places, in front of staggeringly beautiful art, even in front of the bones of Saint Peter. Yet Saint Paul reminds me these are not the home of God, as beautiful and sacred as they are. He goes on to say, “he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.”

 Today I am ascending Montecassino, another “thin place”, a place where the barrier between God and me is very thin. Yet, it is not the home of God. His home is in all his creation, including me.

 Lord Jesus, help me see you in the least as well as the great. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Way

Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’
Jn.14:5,6

Jesus has just washed the disciples feet at the Last Supper and now continues his final teaching to his disciples. He has told them he is going to prepare a place for them, that they know the way to this place. He is the way.

This is the inconvenient truth. No one can come to the Father except through Jesus. Other faiths and religions have elements of truth but only Christianity unequivocally states this. Jesus said it. I believe it.

Jesus describing the Father's house with many room prepared is read at many funerals. For good reason. Jesus said it to comfort his disciples prior to his Passion. He says it today to comfort me and to encourage me to follow "The Way".

Lord Jesus, you are my way, my truth, my life. I place my trust in you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Love Joy Love Joy Love

I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.Jn.15:11,12

The Last Supper has finished. Jesus is giving his very final teaching to the Apostles. His last command to them is to love.

When a man knows he is about to die he chooses his words carefully. The last message will always be be the most import message. For Jesus this was "Love one another, then your joy will be complete".

The message for me is clear. Do I want joy? Then love others. A great focus for me today.

Lord Jesus, my desire is for your joy in me to be complete. Show me people to love today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Food for the Journey

‘Sir,’ they said ‘give us that bread always.’ Jesus answered: ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.’
Jn.6:34,35

News of the feeding of the five thousand has spread. People are clamouring after Jesus for more miracles but knowing their hearts are in the wrong place he simply gives them the Good News. 'I am the bread of life'.

Jesus is about to give his powerful discourse on his body and blood, the teaching too hard for many then and too hard for many now. But the truth remains. Am I hungry? Is there a gnawing dissatisfaction in my life making me constantly search for the next big thing? Am I always thirsty, never completely sated? Jesus says 'Come and eat. Come and drink'.

Jesus, you are my bread of life. Thank you Lord for your body and blood freely given, my food for the journey.
Little Flower, please pray for me.