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.

Strive to be Least

Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.
Mt.8:12

High office brings high risk. Best strive to be the least.

Jesus warns against pride that comes with exaltation. This is counter cultural in a world that exults the rich, the powerful, the beautiful and the brainy.

I am as susceptible as anyone to the lure of fame and admiration. The antidote? Kill the desire for exaltation. Strive to be the least.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being loved,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being extolled,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being honored,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being praised,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being approved,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being despised,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of suffering rebukes,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being calumniated,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged,

Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, O Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Charity

Charity is patient, is kind; charity does not envy, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked; thinks no evil, does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth, bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

To have Charity is to love God above all things for Himself and be ready to renounce all created things rather than offend Him by serious sin. ( Matt. 22:36-40)

Cardinal Merry del Val was the Secretary of State to Pope Saint Pius X (1903-1914)

New Life

When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. 
Lk.7:13

Jesus' compassion for the widow of Nain gives new life to her son. Death hasn't the final say.

I wonder if Jesus saw his own mother when looking at the distress of the widow of Nain. No husband. Son dead. If so, there is a message here. 

New life awaits on the other side of death. And the author of that new life is Jesus. This indeed is good news.

Jesus, give your heart so I may speak new life into those I meet today.
Saint Monica, please pray for me.

Authentic Me

Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of corruption.
Mt.23:27

Hypocrisy is rotten corruption dressed up. No matter how pretty, it still stinks.

What's the opposite of hypocrisy? Authenticity. Honesty is a virtue worth pursuing. I recently addressed a room full of men. It was a testimony of the good, the bad and the ugly of my life. I was thanked by numerous men afterwards, not for being a shining, saintly example. No, I was thanked for being honest.

Authentic honesty invites a similar response. Afterwards some men shared with me dark areas they were struggling with. There is something very healing in bringing darkness out into the light. Shame is replaced by hope.

Of hypocrisy, deliver me oh Lord.

Inexhaustible Comfort and Sure Hope

Such inexhaustible comfort and such sure hope.
2Th.2:16

Paul exhorts the Thessalonian Church to not be disturbed or deceived by false teaching. A sure sign of genuine good news is comfort and hope.

These are troubled times. False prophets manipulate portents to promote their own agendas. 

What is to be my response? Press further into Jesus and proclaim further out his Good News.

What does that look like? Inexhaustible comfort and sure hope.

Jesus, help me be the bearer  of inexhaustible comfort and sure hope to those I meet today.

You Know Lord

‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘You know, Lord.’ 
Ex.37:3

God shows Ezekiel the valley of dry bones and asks a question only God can answer. Ezekiel gives the only honest answer. "You know Lord."

God knows all. I don't. God is God. I'm not. There's a great reassurance in acknowledging that God is God. There are questions that are too great for me. My only response can be, "You alone know, Lord."

Jesus, I place my trust in you.

New Heart, New Spirit

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

 ...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!

Simplicity

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.

Sweet Fruit

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.

Forgiveness

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.

His Promise of Presence

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.