Less of Me More of You

I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.
Lk.10:21

Any vainglory the triumphant seventy-two may have been tempted to embrace is deflated by Jesus. He calls them mere children.

I've come off leading a successful retreat and faced this same temptation. Haven't I done well. Well... no, I haven't. He has done well. I am just a child doing what I've been told.

Maybe a better response to watching "even devils submitting" is to say, 'I'm constantly amazed at how Jesus uses me.'

Jesus, less of me and more of you. My reward is that you know my name.

 

Less is More

Unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 
Mt.18:3

In Jesus' eyes, lesser is greater.

If there is to be any striving in God's Kingdom it is the striving to be the lesser. I'm reminded of those always-funny comedy scenes where two people are arguing over who should go through the door first. "After you. No, after you. No, I insist, after you!" Then out of frustration they both lunge for the door, only to both get jammed there.

Striving to be the least is counter culture in a world that esteems the biggest, the best, the brightest and the beautiful. 

To be honest, humility doesn't come naturally to me. Yet, if I desire to follow Jesus, humility is my very first step. I'm encouraged to know that Saint Thérèse at first struggled with this. Then a point came where she surrendered her ego to Jesus and "littleness" became her boast. 

Jesus, help my less become more. Saint Thérèse, please pray for me.

Be Ready for Any Good Work

This is how the man who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.
2Tm.3:17

How can I be fully equipped and ready? By profitably using sacred scripture.

One of the first fruits of my receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit was gaining a ravenous hunger for scripture. I became inspired by what was inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

So, what does the Holy Spirit want me to be equipped and ready for today? Any good work.

Thank you Lord for the gift of Sacred Scripture. Let me not stray from your commands.

Angels of God

You will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.
Jn.1:51

Our world is more than what we see. There is a constant traffic of angels ascending and descending between heaven and earth. 

This feast day of the Archangels expands my view. I'm invited by the Church to lift my head and see beyond what is in front of me and to envision the presence of angels, those pure spiritual creatures created by God to serve as His servants, messengers, and protectors of humanity.

I find this reassuring. There is a host that is on God's side, protecting me and those I love. 

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen. 

Fill Your Tank

In the morning, fill us with your love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Ps.89:14

Love in the morning gives joy through the day.

God's faithful, furious love is poured out morning by morning. This is the fuel that fills my tank, that sustains me through the day. I am reminded of my identity in God. A Beloved Son in whom God is well pleased, right where I am and not where I ought to be.

Thank you Father for your merciful love. Morning by morning new mercies I see. 

Who is He?

But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?
Lk.9:20

All humanity is faced with this most important of all questions. We either believe what Jesus says about himself or we don't.

My response to this question has changed over the years.  A fantasy... a wise man... a prophet... God.

My daily answer now reflects whatever part of his Godhead I am encountering. Who do I say Jesus is today? 

Jesus, you are my hope and joy. Holy Spirit, empower me to be a conduit of hope and joy to those I meet today.

Short Life Wise Heart

Make us know the shortness of our life
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Ps.89:12

Life is brief so focus on what is important. Knowing what is important, there lies wisdom of heart. 

And what is important? Relationships. My relationship with God. My relationship with my wife, children, grandchildren. My relationship with my friends. 

These are my treasures in heaven, treasures that are eternal. 

Jesus, make me know the shortness of my life, that I may gain wisdom of heart.