I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh.
Ez.36:26
God promises a cleansing that gives a new, soft heart and a new spirit.
The inference is that I need regular cleansing. My heart and my spirit get tarnished and hardened.
What dirties my spirit and hardens my heart? Selfishness, pride, judgement, lust.
Time for confession.
...when all is made new...
Mt.19:28
This age has a beginning, and what we often forget, an end.
A new age is coming. We had a glimpse of this on the Feast of the Assumption did we not? Mary's assumption into heaven, body and soul, tells us heaven is going to be a fully human experience... but even better!
When all is made new the first will be last, the poor made rich, death will be defeated, no more sickness and pain.
Fantasy? Jesus doesn't seem to think so. Neither do I.
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.
Mt.19:14
Jesus recognises that childlikeness opens the door to faith.
My entry into faith was greatly assisted by my children, without them realising it. As they were being taught and were receiving the sacraments of initiation, their questions were my unspoken questions.
I secretly started playing their children's Christian music on my Walkman (remember those?). I wasn't ready for meat. I needed milk.
Tomorrow I'm leading Children's Liturgy at Mass. In trimming down the Gospel message to something a five year old can understand, time and again I find I'm speaking to myself.
Thank God for inspired writers and theologians, but sometimes I find it all "so much straw", to quote Saint Thomas Aquinas. The Gospel is actually very simple and I receive it best in simplicity.
Jesus, I come to you as a little child. Please lay your hands and bless me.
I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last.
Jn.15:16
My life is not my own project, I am commissioned. To do what? Bear lasting fruit.
Jesus gives this commission at the Last Supper, just after giving the great commandment to love one another. It seems the bearing of fruit is linked to the commandment to love.
I've seen love bear fruit. I've seen the absence of love bear fruit also. Both fruits are lasting but love's fruit is sweeter.
I want to be a fruit that people can "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Ps.34:8
Franciszek Gajowniczek, the man who Saint Maximilian Kolbe saved by taking his place to die in Auschwitz, spent the rest of his life sharing the story of Father Kolbe's sacrifice. He died in 1995 aged 93. Sweet fruit that lasted.
Lord, make me a great lover who bears fruit that lasts.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, please pray for me.
Each forgive your brother from your heart.
Mt.18:35
Forgiveness is not optional. It is essential to living the fullness of life Jesus brings.
Jesus keeps circling back on forgiveness. He knows unforgiveness, next to pride, is the greatest obstacle to entering the kingdom.
Do I want more peace in my life, faith, hope, love, joy? Here's the key. Forgive others from my heart as I have been forgiven.
Does this mean they get off scot free? Yes. Does it hold true even if they are unrepentant? Yes. The first to benefit from forgiveness given is the giver.
Everyone thinks forgiveness is a great idea, until it's time to forgive. Jesus knows this. Can I forgive? No. But He can, through me.
Jesus, give me a heart that can forgive my brother. Set me free.
For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.
Mt.18:20
Intimacy among believers invites intimacy with Jesus.
Jesus loves the Church. He desires that we meet and promises his intimate presence when we gather. Does this mean Jesus is not with me when I'm praying alone? Of course not. It's just that he enters in a special way when two or more are gathered in his name.
I am reminded of Psalm 133. "How sweet and pleasant it is when the brothers come together in unity... for it is there the Lord commands a blessing."
Jesus, thank you for Church. Thank you for your promise of presence when we gather.
‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him.
Mt.30:31
What is Jesus' response to Peter's cry of terror? He puts out his hand and holds him.
Peter had just done what no man had done before. Walked on water, be it but a few steps. But, what impresses me more is his most powerful three word prayer, "Lord! Save me!" Peter knew who to turn to in his time of terror.
I've often wondered what it must have been like for Peter, looking up into the eyes of love and feeling the strength of the hand saving him. Yes, a mild rebuke came but I'm sure it was from a smiling face, full of tenderness and compassion.
Lord! Save me! Save me from fear. Save me from pride. Save me from myself. I place my trust in you.
