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.

Mercy

I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.
Mt.12:7

Jesus shows what the highest sacrifice looks like. It looks like mercy.

Something in me thrilled when I heard Pope Francis say, "Who am I to judge?" Without going down the rabbit hole of what he was being asked to judge, I fell more in love with our Pope, the Pope history is already calling the Pope of Mercy.

The foundation of my Christian hope is mercy. Without mercy I'm a dead man walking. 

Was Jesus saying that sacrifice is of no value? I think not. Giving up something of value for the sake of another is a great virtue, something Jesus did for me on the Cross. But, like Jesus' death on the Cross, true sacrifice is first motivated by mercy.

Where does this leave me? Grateful for the mercy given me and motivated pass it on. 

To quote Pope Francis, "Mercy is the true power that can save humanity."

Less of Me More of Him

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mt.11:28

Jesus invites me to surrender the exhausting burden of trying to control or earn my own salvation and instead walk through life in partnership with him.

Less of me and more of him gives most of rest.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, please pray for me.

The Cost

Peter said to Jesus, ‘See, we have left everything and followed you. What, then, will we have?’ 
Mt.19:27

Peter asks what's on everyone's mind. In following you, what's the cost?

Fear of the "cost" of being a follower held me back for years. In becoming Christian, I knew that my life would have to change and that thought was scary. In the end it wasn't that I hated the rubbish in my life that gave me the desire to change. It was realising that he first loved me, with all my rubbish. His perfect love casts out all fear. 

Oh the blessed change. It's not only the promise of a hundredfold return in eternal life, it's also the peace, hope, joy and love I have now.  I weighed it up and he was worth it. 

Saint Benedict, please pray for me.

Wisdom and Innocence

I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Mt.10:16

Jesus prepares the twelve for the hostility they will encounter. The virtues required? Wisdom and innocence.

This can be taken as advice for life today. As long as I'm on this mortal coil striving to live a Christian life, I am an alien in a hostile land, a sheep among wolves.

Serpents and doves seem unlikely allies. Yet Jesus insists they have the attributes, when combined, that will protect me. Wisdom will help me know how and when to act. Innocence ensures my heart, motivating my actions, remains pure. 

Today, may I be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove.