Ambassador

I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.
Jn.7:29

Jesus had a clear knowledge of who it was that sent him into the world. He was an ambassador for the Father. 

As it was for Jesus, it is important I know who I am and where I come from.

The final words spoken by the priest at the end of Mass roughly translate from the Latin phrase "Ite, missa estto" to "Go, it is the sending". At the end of every Mass I am sent. Sent where? Into the world. To do what? Make disciples. 

I am an ambassador for Christ representing Christ’s character, sharing his love, and fulfilling a divine mission in daily life, treating the world as a temporary assignment. 

I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.

A Man of Honour

Joseph; being a man of honour...
Mt.1:19

Oh to be worthy of this epitaph.

We know little facts about Saint Joseph but we can perceive much about his character by looking at the woman he married and the son he raised. A healthy tree produces good fruit. 

I have four daughters and they all speak of the ideal man being someone who will love, protect and provide. Saint Joseph is a role model of true manhood.

Honour signifies high respect and moral integrity. Could these words be applied to me? What fruit do I produce?

Saint Joseph, please pray for me. 

The Power of Many

I can do nothing by myself.
Jn.5:30

Jesus underscores that he is no Lone Ranger, he is a son doing the will of the Father.

I sometimes think the song "I did it My Way" is the song to hell. My desire to do it my way usually has me turning my back on doing it God's way.  

I can only achieve anything worthwhile with the help of God and the help of others. There is no such thing as a well rounded individual. I have weaknesses alongside my strengths. But there is such a thing as a well rounded team, where everyone contributes their unique strengths.

A good leader is one who identifies strengths (giftedness) in others and calls them forward. This is topical for me as I'm currently helping build a team for a parish Alpha Course. 

Holy Spirit, help me see the gifts of each team member and place them in positions where they can naturally work with generosity and joy.

 Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, please pray for me.

God Be Merciful

Two men went up to the Temple to pray...
Lk.18:10

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector strikes at the very center of my brokenness. Pride.

Today's first reading from Hosea contains a verse that takes me back to my early Christian days.

He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us;
he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wounds;
(Hosea 6:1)

This was a line in a song by Kevin Prosch, an American Christian worship leader who influenced me at the time. I still enjoy his worship style. Sadly, he scandalized many by publicly confessing to adulterous affairs. For some he became a pariah, a tax collector if you will. 

I look at such people and shudder, not from revulsion but from seeing myself in them. I am human. Nothing human is alien to me. There but for the grace of God go I.

God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

Love God Love Others

There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mk.12:31

A scribe, usually an adversary of Jesus, becomes one who asks, seeks and knocks. In return he is given the pearl of great price, the greatest commandment. Love God and love others.

During this season of Lent, as I am called to the sacrificial practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, I am reminded that while these are good, they are not the greatest.

The greatest is love. Why? Because God is love. When I love, the kingdom of God is close at hand.

Jesus, today I receive your love so I may give it away. 

Fulfill the Law and the Prophets

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Mt.5:17

Jesus' fulfillment of the Law gives a freedom that perhaps could be summarised: "In all things love God and love others, then do what you like."

I live next to a school play field. I've noticed the children play all over the field, including right up against the fence. Never have I seen a child stray over the fence. There's a lot of joyful noise and laughter from that field. 

Metaphorically speaking, being a convert I've lived on both sides of the fence. Without a doubt my life has more peace, hope and joy living under the "authoritarian" law of the Church. As Moses says in today's first reading, "Observe the Law, that you may have life."

Jesus, today I will love you and love others to fulfill the Law and the Prophets in my life today. 

Bound By Forgiveness

Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?
Mt.18:33

The unforgiving servant failed to fully receive the forgiveness offered him. He never paid it forward.

Forgiveness is by nature reciprocal. Once received it binds me to be forgiving. If I fail in this it shows I never received forgiveness in the first place. 

Jesus insists on this because of the power of forgiveness to heal. Imagine a world experiencing a wild outbreak of forgiveness, where foes laid down their arms and said, "Brother, forgive me. I was wrong."

Let's pray it in, starting with me. 

Forgive me Lord so I may forgive.