Manservant

‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ 
Lk.1:38

Mary's angelic visitation could have had her responding with flight, fight or submission. She chose the latter. 

I'm not sure how I would respond to an angelic vision. Mary's response reveals her extraordinary trust in God. Being a handmaid wasn't just a figure of speech. That is exactly how she saw herself.

Am I a manservant of the Lord? Do I perform close, personal duties for God? Not to the degree Mary did. 

The key words here are "close" and "personal". I need to get closer and more personal with Jesus. Put simply, just hang out with him like mates do. 

When I have this level of intimacy with Jesus, Mary's instruction to the Cana wedding marshall's servants can apply to me. "Do whatever he tells you". 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

Love Shown By Mercy

 

A lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’
Lk.10:25

Where am I in the parable of the Good Samaritan? Great question. 

Interestingly, I'm drawn outside of the famous parable and seem to identify with the conniving lawyer. I'm struck by how Jesus drew out of the lawyer the right answer... twice. Firstly that eternal life is found in loving God and loving others and then it is mercy that shows the outworking of these two great loves.

The lawyer actually knew the right answers, he just needed Jesus to draw them out. That's me. I already know what is right and what is wrong. That has been placed in all of us by God. I need Jesus to draw "rightness" out of me. 

How does that happen? By doing what the lawyer did. Enter into conversation with Jesus. Even though the lawyer's motivation was corrupt, Jesus drew right answers out from him.

Jesus, you see gold in my miry clay. Draw out of me all that is good, beautiful and true. Let my love show itself in mercy.

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.

A Big Fat Noisy Family

My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.
Lk.8:21

Hearing God's Word is not enough. It's the doing it that makes me a brother of Jesus. Being Christian is not a Lone Ranger activity. Jesus invites me into a family. 

When I was on the outside looking in, this had an appeal. I was outside feeling bored. Inside was a big, fat, noisy family. They were doing stuff and doing it with joy and laughter. 

Sure they made the usual mistakes families make... poor communication, a bit judgy at times, sometimes over protective and sometimes reckless. But there seemed to be something bigger that made a difference, that made them stick together, dig deeper and hammer it out. 

That was the parish that embraced me, that welcomed me into the Church. Now I'm part of the big, fat, noisy family, watching for those on the outside looking bored. 

Noble and Generous

 As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
Lk.8:15

Rich soil produces a rich harvest.

Oh to qualify for the character traits "noble and generous". 

Noble:    
Of high moral character.

Generous:
Free, abundant giving.
Also, free from petty thoughts; showing a noble or open mind.

Noble generosity is counter cultural, a sure sign they are God-given virtues. I have met people like this. They are great to hang around. They are also challenging, exposing my low and stingy character. 

Jesus, make my soil rich. Give me a noble and generous heart towards those I meet today.

Much Forgiveness Much Love

Her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. 
Lk.7:47

Much forgiveness bears a beautiful fruit. Much love.

I am drawn to this anonymous woman. Much of her story is my story.

Occasionally I pause and reflect on my past atheism. Not with longing but with gratitude. It is good for me to remember where I have come from. This shields me from complacency and refuels my love for Jesus. It rekindles the fire of my first love. 

Jesus came not to condemn me but to save me. This is good news and worth sharing... today.

Thank you Jesus for rescuing me. 

This is Your Mother

‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.  Jn.19:26,27 

Jesus gives the Church a mother. Have I acknowledged Mary as my mother?

Pope Francis said the following about Mary:

• He warned that without Mary's maternal influence, the Church loses its true identity. It risks becoming a mere charitable organisation, a corporate business, or a "football team," rather than a living family. 
  
  
• He emphasised that Mary teaches the Church the language of tenderness, meekness, and humility. He remarked that "a Church that is a mother goes along the path of tenderness" through compassion, silence, and loving gazes.
  
  
• He reminded that Christians have "a mama" in heaven and a mother in the Church, ensuring that believers never walk alone. 

So, Mary invites me into a living, tender family where I never walk alone.  I can accept that invitation.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Love

Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Lk.6:35

Why love my enemies? For God the Most High has been kind to ungrateful, wicked me.

The unbelieving world knows this verse well. It sighs and thinks, "If only they would."

This great call of Jesus will simply not go away. It stands before me not to accuse but to encourage. I can always love more... always. 

And what does this love look like? Mother Church is leading us towards the great definition of love as we read 1 Corinthians.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1Cor.13:4-7)

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Happy the Poor

How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Lk.6:20

Affliction may bring the world's derision but it also attracts Jesus' compassion.

There's a rough sleeper who has set up camp in a subway near my home, a woman. While taking a baby grandson out in a stroller I stopped, knelt down, gave my name and asked for hers. She was frightened of me and would only look at the baby, touch his feet and mumble. On asking again I got "Joanne". She clearly had mental health problems.

On moving on I was struck by the thought that Joanne is probably closer to Jesus than I am. Her affliction would be petrol to the flame of Jesus' furious love. 

Where can I find Jesus in my day today? Certainly in the sacraments, but just as certainly in the afflicted I meet.

Jesus, help me see you in the "least of these" that I meet today.

A Fool for Christ

Here we are, fools for the sake of Christ.
1Cor.4:10

Following Jesus means rejecting the wisdom of the world, being regarded a fool.

There's no middle ground with Jesus. I'm either for him or against him. The world estemes the rich, the powerful, the brainy, the beautiful. Jesus calls me to esteem the poor, the rejects, the lowly, the unattractive, the sinners. Foolishness to the world.

But, there's something liberating in being a fool for Christ, something joyful. Truly, having less is more. 

Jesus, you know my attachments to the lures of the world. Help me detach so, unimpeded, I can better follow you.

Delight in the Lord

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Ps.36:4

Delighting in God is in itself the fulfillment of all desire.

Delighting is to enjoy something very much. There is delight in taking deep personal pleasure in simple or positive things. Joy is not for the perfect and pious alone. It is made available in simple things, such as the sunrise of a new day happening outside my window now. 

When I am in a state of delight, what more can my heart desire. 

Jesus, help me to delight in seeing you in the small things today. In such is the fulfillment of the desires of my heart.

Common Clay

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.
2Cor.4:7

Paul emphasises that all wisdom comes from God, that he is only the bearer of such wisdom.

An earthenware jar was the plastic bucket of the ancient world. You couldn't find a more common, unadorned utensil. Yet, an earthenware jar can hold a beautiful, fine wine, elevating the jar.

Such is my capacity, depending on what I contain, trash or treasure. The glory always belongs to God.

Jesus, fill me with fine wine that my common clay may reflect who you are. 
Saint Gregory the Great, please pray for us.

Authentic Lover

And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority.
Lk.4:32

How did Jesus impress the people in the synagogues? Jesus spoke and acted with authority.

Jesus adapted his style, so to speak, according to his audience. In the synagogue as a teacher, it was his authority that caught attention. For sinners and tax collectors in the marketplace, it was his guileless love.

Paul said he became "All things to all people" 1 Cor.9:22 in order to proclaim the Gospel. Is this hypocrisy? In me it is in danger of becoming so. What stops this is love, love for the one I'm trying to reach. Love ensures I am "acting" for the betterment of the other. 

Jesus, help me be an authentic lover so I can better be your ambassador in my little corner of the world.

See As God Sees

When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Mk.6:29

John the Baptist's body is desecrated by Herod (beheaded) then honoured by his disciples (buried).

Burying the dead is the seventh corporal work of mercy. The Church has always done this. Why? It recognises that all human beings are made in the image of God. 

Now I think about it, why wait until someone is dead before honouring them? How about seeing the rough sleeper in the subway as made in God's image. Love knows no limits.

Jesus, every human life is precious in your sight. Help me see people as you see them and love them as you love them.
Saint John the Baptist, please pray for us.