Love

Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Lk.6:35

Why love my enemies? For God the Most High has been kind to ungrateful, wicked me.

The unbelieving world knows this verse well. It sighs and thinks, "If only they would."

This great call of Jesus will simply not go away. It stands before me not to accuse but to encourage. I can always love more... always. 

And what does this love look like? Mother Church is leading us towards the great definition of love as we read 1 Corinthians.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1Cor.13:4-7)

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Happy the Poor

How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Lk.6:20

Affliction may bring the world's derision but it also attracts Jesus' compassion.

There's a rough sleeper who has set up camp in a subway near my home, a woman. While taking a baby grandson out in a stroller I stopped, knelt down, gave my name and asked for hers. She was frightened of me and would only look at the baby, touch his feet and mumble. On asking again I got "Joanne". She clearly had mental health problems.

On moving on I was struck by the thought that Joanne is probably closer to Jesus than I am. Her affliction would be petrol to the flame of Jesus' furious love. 

Where can I find Jesus in my day today? Certainly in the sacraments, but just as certainly in the afflicted I meet.

Jesus, help me see you in the "least of these" that I meet today.

A Fool for Christ

Here we are, fools for the sake of Christ.
1Cor.4:10

Following Jesus means rejecting the wisdom of the world, being regarded a fool.

There's no middle ground with Jesus. I'm either for him or against him. The world estemes the rich, the powerful, the brainy, the beautiful. Jesus calls me to esteem the poor, the rejects, the lowly, the unattractive, the sinners. Foolishness to the world.

But, there's something liberating in being a fool for Christ, something joyful. Truly, having less is more. 

Jesus, you know my attachments to the lures of the world. Help me detach so, unimpeded, I can better follow you.

Delight in the Lord

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Ps.36:4

Delighting in God is in itself the fulfillment of all desire.

Delighting is to enjoy something very much. There is delight in taking deep personal pleasure in simple or positive things. Joy is not for the perfect and pious alone. It is made available in simple things, such as the sunrise of a new day happening outside my window now. 

When I am in a state of delight, what more can my heart desire. 

Jesus, help me to delight in seeing you in the small things today. In such is the fulfillment of the desires of my heart.

Common Clay

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.
2Cor.4:7

Paul emphasises that all wisdom comes from God, that he is only the bearer of such wisdom.

An earthenware jar was the plastic bucket of the ancient world. You couldn't find a more common, unadorned utensil. Yet, an earthenware jar can hold a beautiful, fine wine, elevating the jar.

Such is my capacity, depending on what I contain, trash or treasure. The glory always belongs to God.

Jesus, fill me with fine wine that my common clay may reflect who you are. 
Saint Gregory the Great, please pray for us.

Authentic Lover

And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority.
Lk.4:32

How did Jesus impress the people in the synagogues? Jesus spoke and acted with authority.

Jesus adapted his style, so to speak, according to his audience. In the synagogue as a teacher, it was his authority that caught attention. For sinners and tax collectors in the marketplace, it was his guileless love.

Paul said he became "All things to all people" 1 Cor.9:22 in order to proclaim the Gospel. Is this hypocrisy? In me it is in danger of becoming so. What stops this is love, love for the one I'm trying to reach. Love ensures I am "acting" for the betterment of the other. 

Jesus, help me be an authentic lover so I can better be your ambassador in my little corner of the world.

See As God Sees

When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Mk.6:29

John the Baptist's body is desecrated by Herod (beheaded) then honoured by his disciples (buried).

Burying the dead is the seventh corporal work of mercy. The Church has always done this. Why? It recognises that all human beings are made in the image of God. 

Now I think about it, why wait until someone is dead before honouring them? How about seeing the rough sleeper in the subway as made in God's image. Love knows no limits.

Jesus, every human life is precious in your sight. Help me see people as you see them and love them as you love them.
Saint John the Baptist, please pray for us.