All or Nothing

So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all...
Lk.14:33

Jesus turns on the hordes following him and speaks plainly. To follow him means all or nothing.

The crowd was becoming a mob, following Jesus for a variety of reasons. Some simply want to see the miracle worker do his next trick. 

There is a cost to following Jesus. He asks me to weigh it up and then make my choice. All or nothing.

Jesus, you are Lord of all or not at all. I give my all and place my trust in you. 

Break me, Melt me, Mould me, Fill me

And whenever the vessel he was making came out wrong, as happens with the clay handled by potters, he would start afresh and work it into another vessel, as potters do.
Jer.18:4

The potter doesn't toss away the wrong clay. He reshapes it into what he originally intended, into something beautiful.

This reminds me of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. The cracks are highlighted with gold, bringing out a remarkable fresh beauty from a destroyed vessel. It treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.

I am a work in progress. My sanctification is ongoing. I'm reworked clay. Sometimes I'm a smashed vessel, restored to greater glory.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me
Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me

Wheat Among the Weeds

The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one; the enemy who sowed them, the devil; 
Mt.13:38,39

Jesus describes the state of the world. We are either subjects of the Kingdom or subjects of the evil one.

I like this image of the wheat among the weeds. That's how I see myself. I'm part of a secret army. I look the same as other people but my allegiance is to Jesus.  My motivation is to be life giving to the world. 

Wheat begets wheat. Yesterday while driving grandchildren to school they reminded me to say the morning prayers their mother (my daughter) usually prays with them. We prayed Angel of God, the Lord's Prayer, a Hail Mary and finished with the prayer to Saint Michael The Archangel. 

Lord Jesus, help me be wheat to nourish those I meet today.

Joy

But happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! 
Mt.13:16

Jesus proclaims a blessing over all who "see and hear". See and hear what? See and hear him.

There is such joy in knowing Jesus. The world needs this joy, a joy only I can carry into my corner of the world today. 

Jesus, I am your cup bearer. Let my cup of joy overflow today.

He Calls My Name

Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ 
Jn.20:16

Jesus transforms Mary Magdalen from deepest sorry to highest joy with one word. Her name.

I am drawn to Mary Magdalen, one who "sought the one whom her heart loved" and found him. Christian faith is unique in that it presents a God who desires a first name basis relationship. He calls my name.

Jesus says to me, 'Mike'. What is my response? 

Jesus, walk along the road beside me today. Speak your love into my life. Let my heart burn for love of you. 

Saint Mary Magdalen, please pray for me.

Family of God

Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.
Mt.12:49,50

Jesus establishes the family of God. Anyone doing God's will is a member.

I can recall being outside of this family. I also remember the joy of being welcomed into it. Doing the will of the Father has been my motivation since that day. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not so. 

Jesus, today I roll up my sleeves and join the work of the family.

The Quiet, Persistent Hum of Christian Hope

He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench.
Mt.12:19,20

It's not loud and grand gestures that herald the Good News. It's the quiet, persistent hum of Christian hope in service. 

Bruised reeds and smouldering wicks abound in my corner of the world. If I call myself a follower of The Way I need to emulate his action. Strengthen the reed, fan the flame. 

Jesus, this is your work. Help me be a conduit of hope to those I meet today.