Reaching Out and Welcoming In

Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
Jn.13:20

Jesus is very clear. After his death there is to be an ambassadorial "sending" of people, people who can be welcomed or rejected. The Church exists to be sent. Am I packed and ready?

This can also be turned around. The Church exists to welcome. People are "sent" by Jesus when they arrive at our door seeking faith, when they hear the invitation to "come and see". Are my arms open wide in welcome?

I need to be both reaching out and welcoming in. Imagine a parish made up of such people. We could change the world!

Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful. Kindle in us the fire of your love and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Go Fishing!

Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.
Mk.1:17

Jesus calls Andrew and Peter away from catching fish to catching men.

This is the call to every person who proclaims they are a follower of Jesus. Catch more people!

From this first encounter through to Jesus' ascension, the command has been the same. Go make disciples!

If I'm not "going and making", I'm being disobedient. And it shouldn't be a hardship. The Good News is good news, something people want to hear. 

Our parish Alpha Course is one way to go fishing. 

Jesus, give me boldness to go fishing.

Saint Peter Chanel, please pray for me.

His Death My Life

 Here we are preaching a crucified Christ...
1Cor.1:23

Saint Paul highlights the foolishness of God elevated high above the wisdom of man. 

Why is Jesus' death held so high? Because of what it has won for me. While I was still a sinner Christ died for me, demonstrating how great his love is for me. His death gives me life.

This gives me freedom, hope, peace and joy. It is a victory that I walk in today.

Jesus, thank you for loving me, what can I say. You gave your everything and have set me free. 

Who Are You Lord?

‘Who are you, Lord?’ he asked, and the voice answered, ‘I am Jesus...'
Acts.9:5

On the road to Damascus to persecute Christians, Paul is struck blind by a bright light from heaven. He starts his life changing relationship with Jesus by asking a question. "Who are you Lord?"

Lately I have the sense that Jesus is meeting me "on the road" during my morning prayer. My road changes from day to day as I move through life, but Jesus is always there, wherever my road is taking me, meeting me in the midst of life at the moment.

"Who are you today, Lord?" 

A good question. He will be in the people I meet or simply the landscape I'm walking through. 

Jesus, you meet me on the road today. Reveal yourself to me so I may love you more. 

Focus on the Solution

As for me, I trust in the Lord:
let me be glad and rejoice in your love.
Ps.30:7

David prays for deliverance and guidance. Rather than focusing on his enemies he focuses on God.

King David had his trials. He had adversaries both from within and from without. But time and again the Psalms show him bringing his woes to God. At God's feet his worries seem to evaporate as his gaze shifts from his problems to the solution.

Oh there is so much to learn from David, and this is a great pearl. Jesus invites me to give him my burdens. Take my yoke he says, for it is light. Cast all your cares upon me. 

As for me, I trust in the Lord. I am glad and rejoice in his love.

Hope in Him

 I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness
   in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart.
   Hope in the Lord!

Ps.26:13,14

Psalm 26(27) starts with David's bold declaration, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" Where does this bold faith spring from? Hope.

Hope. A feeling of expectation and trust. The hope God gives is not a "finger-crossing" wish, but a firm conviction in things not yet seen. Hope is one of the three foundational Christian virtues; Faith, Hope and Love (Cor.13:13)

And hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Rms.5:5)

Today Lord Jesus, I hope in you, I hold firm and take heart. I hope in you. 

A Father's Love

The Father loves the Son..
Jn.3:35

John the Baptist again testifies about Jesus. He highlights the source of Jesus' identity, power and authority. The Father's love.

I am reminded of the necessity and power of a father's love. I have five adult children who are mature and living full, busy lives. Most have children of their own. Yet I still sense a need in them for affirmation and love from me. 

When they were children they never tired of hearing that "I loved them to the moon and back." They still need to hear that from me. It's an insatiable, God given desire planted in all of us. To be effective, my love has to be actively spoken or demonstrated. Thinking it isn't enough.

Holy Spirit, animate my love for my children so they know they are beloved sons and daughters.