Humility and Faith

Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word...
Mt.8:8

The Centurion displays two virtues that motivate Jesus. Humility and faith.

Humility and faith are like oxygen to Jesus. When they are present, miracles happen. 

How do I gain these virtues? Well, first off, they are gifts. But secondly and perhaps more importantly, they are gifts to be exercised in order to be received. 

Humility is just a word, until I am humble. Faith likewise, until I act in it.

Jesus, I struggle with humility, I struggle with faith. Holy Spirit, give me courage to exercise these gifts today so mountains may be moved.

He Touched Him

Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’
Mt.8:3

He touched him. Oh the beauty of that moment!

My natural inclination when faced with a "leaper" (read homeless, addict, mental illness, poverty, burdened) is to withdraw. I try to fight this and move in the opposite spirit. 

Recently we had a man walk into Sunday Mass dressed roughly, a woollen cap on and dark sunglasses. He sat in the very front pew, always empty of course. Fighting my prejudices, I went over and sat next to him, saying "Welcome brother." It was soon apparent he had mental health issues but I could still converse with him.

After Mass, over a cup of tea,  he said, "Thank you for talking with me." I felt humbled. If only he knew my heart. 

He's been back a couple of times since. He's teaching me a lot. 

Jesus, help me see the oppressed as you see them. 

Hear then Do

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Mt.7:24

Jesus finishes his Sermon on the Mount with a plea. Don't just hear his words. Do them!

When I simply let Jesus' words "tickle my ears" I relegate him... at best to a wise man, at worst to an entertainer. He is no longer God.

Jesus' words are God's words. I either act on them or fall. And what a fall that will be.

Jesus, may your words intimate me today.

Priority

Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. 
Mt.6:33

First things first. Jesus clarifies what is essential so we don't get distracted by the important.

I'm in danger of having too many priorities. The word priority was introduced in the 14th century and for 500 years it meant “the first thing”. Then in the 1940’s  the word was pluralised! (by businesses according to CS Lewis). Priority became priorities!

When I have many priorities, essentially I have none.

I need A Priority. Jesus suggests this be the Kingdom of God.

Send "priorities" back to the pit where it came from. Replace it with the priority of God's Kingdom. Suddenly life is less complex, less frantic, more peaceful and more joyful.

Saint Alban, please pray for me.

The Heart's Treasure

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mt.6:21

From Jesus' Sermon on the Mount he reveals a profound psychological and spiritual truth: my heart will naturally follow and be consumed by whatever I value, invest in, and prioritise.

As a non-believer, I remember being puzzled watching ordinary people go into a Catholic church on a week day and a little time later come out again and walk on into their day. What did they do there and why did they do it? 

I understand now. I am one of those people. We are visiting our treasure, realigning our hearts. 

While travelling through Italy last year a day didn't go by without my wife and I calling into a church. Sometimes Mass was about to start (bonus), sometimes it was just us and Jesus (also bonus). We didn't have to venture out on a dangerous odyssey to find our treasure. He was just round the next corner.

I love being Catholic.

Forgive

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mt.6:14,15

Forgiveness is not optional. It's essential... that is if I want to be forgiven.

Jesus first spoke of forgiveness by actually forgiving the paralytic lowered through the roof, demonstrating his divinity. He last spoke of forgiveness interceding for his murderous adversaries from the cross. Father forgive them...

It seems forgiveness is the key for me to live a life of joy and hope. 

Easy to say... but with God's help. 

Beggar to Beggar

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Mt.6:3-4

Vainglory is always waiting within me to pounce and rob charity of its power.

I'm reminded of the famous quote, originally intended to apply to evangelism but equally applicable to all works of charity, "I am simply one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread."

I am a beggar following the Beggar's Friend.

Jesus , let love of the other always animate me.