SCRIPTURE
There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and presented it to the apostles.
Acts.4:37
OBSERVATION
The early church is blossoming, with all members sharing all they had with one another. One man stands out as an example of the brotherhood; Joseph know as Barnabas.
APPLICATION
Oh to be recorded in the Book of Life as a "Son of Encouragement". The virtue of encouragement is counter-cultural. It puts the other person before myself. The dictionary defines encourage as "to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence". This defines for me the Christian way of relating with others, the Christian way of life. Today I choose to build others up, to be a Son of Encouragement.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit. Inspire me to speak words of encouragement today, that Jesus may be glorified.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
He Lives!
Saturday Easter Octave
SCRIPTURE
And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
Mk.16:15
OBSERVATION
Mark records in his Gospel how the resurrected Jesus first appeared to His incredulous followers, starting with Mary of Magdala, the two on the road and then the Eleven themselves. Of all those to whom Jesus showed Himself, Mary got it most right. She immediately went and "proclaimed the Good News".
APPLICATION
I've decided I am a resurrection person. The thrill of the Good News of Jesus' resurrection still tingles within me. I am still in Easter. This the Church recognises by proclaiming the Easter Octave being eight days as one. Easter is too big to try and contain within twenty-four hours. This is too good to contain, I must proclaim it. The Good News is very simple yet it changes everything. Jesus lived among us, He died... and He rose again!
PRAYER
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia!
SCRIPTURE
And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
Mk.16:15
OBSERVATION
Mark records in his Gospel how the resurrected Jesus first appeared to His incredulous followers, starting with Mary of Magdala, the two on the road and then the Eleven themselves. Of all those to whom Jesus showed Himself, Mary got it most right. She immediately went and "proclaimed the Good News".
APPLICATION
I've decided I am a resurrection person. The thrill of the Good News of Jesus' resurrection still tingles within me. I am still in Easter. This the Church recognises by proclaiming the Easter Octave being eight days as one. Easter is too big to try and contain within twenty-four hours. This is too good to contain, I must proclaim it. The Good News is very simple yet it changes everything. Jesus lived among us, He died... and He rose again!
PRAYER
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Power in the Name
Thursday Octave of Easter
SCRIPTURE
...it is the name of Jesus which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see.
Acts.3:16
OBSERVATION
Peter and John have just healed a cripple in the temple in the the name of Jesus, causing great excitement among the crowd. Peter uses the moment to preach powerfully about Jesus, the source of the miracle they had all just witnessed.
APPLICATION
Peter used the miracle to preach about Jesus and not take any of the credit for himself. The miracle happened because of "faith in that name". It's in that beautiful name, the name of Jesus, that I live and move and have my being. Today I have a fresh appreciation of the power in the name of Jesus. There is no other name by which man can be saved, there is no other name under heaven.
PRAYER
My Lord Jesus. I lift up your Holy and wonderful name.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
...it is the name of Jesus which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see.
Acts.3:16
OBSERVATION
Peter and John have just healed a cripple in the temple in the the name of Jesus, causing great excitement among the crowd. Peter uses the moment to preach powerfully about Jesus, the source of the miracle they had all just witnessed.
APPLICATION
Peter used the miracle to preach about Jesus and not take any of the credit for himself. The miracle happened because of "faith in that name". It's in that beautiful name, the name of Jesus, that I live and move and have my being. Today I have a fresh appreciation of the power in the name of Jesus. There is no other name by which man can be saved, there is no other name under heaven.
PRAYER
My Lord Jesus. I lift up your Holy and wonderful name.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
He is Risen Indeed!
Wednesday Octave of Easter
SCRIPTURE
Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’
LK.24.32
OBSERVATION
The two disciples were in confusion and despair. All their hopes and dreams of how Jesus would "set Israel free" were dashed. Jesus had been crucified. His body, a broken wreak like their dreams, had now gone missing. What's left but to go home to Emaus and try and pick up their lives again. But then they met the risen Lord and their hearts were set back on fire and their feet were set back towards Jerusalem. Something had happened beyond their hopes, beyond even their wildest dreams.
APPLICATION
I am a resurrection person. After the agony of the Passion is the bursting joy of the Resurrection. And each time I reflect on this my heart burns within me. On this I place all my hope. From this comes all my joy!
PRAYER
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia!
SCRIPTURE
Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’
LK.24.32
OBSERVATION
The two disciples were in confusion and despair. All their hopes and dreams of how Jesus would "set Israel free" were dashed. Jesus had been crucified. His body, a broken wreak like their dreams, had now gone missing. What's left but to go home to Emaus and try and pick up their lives again. But then they met the risen Lord and their hearts were set back on fire and their feet were set back towards Jerusalem. Something had happened beyond their hopes, beyond even their wildest dreams.
APPLICATION
I am a resurrection person. After the agony of the Passion is the bursting joy of the Resurrection. And each time I reflect on this my heart burns within me. On this I place all my hope. From this comes all my joy!
PRAYER
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Know the sound of His Voice
Easter Tuesday
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then...
Jn.20:16
OBSERVATION
All we know of Mary of Magdala is that she had seven demons cast out from her by Jesus, that she became one of the faithful women followers of Jesus, that she was present at His crucifixion and that she was among the first to have seen the resurrected Lord. At first she doesn't recognise Jesus in His resurrected body, but when He calls her name she instantly knows who He is.
APPLICATION
Mary had been on both sides of the track. We don't know what the seven demons were but we do know that the casting of them out by Jesus radically changed her life. She was so attached to Jesus, her love so great, that she stayed around during His passion and death while the other disciples fled in fear.
How great is my love for Jesus? What demons am I still holding onto that stop me from being a radical follower? Would I recognise Jesus' voice if He called my name?
PRAYER
Jesus my Lord, my God my All. How can I love you as I ought?
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then...
Jn.20:16
OBSERVATION
All we know of Mary of Magdala is that she had seven demons cast out from her by Jesus, that she became one of the faithful women followers of Jesus, that she was present at His crucifixion and that she was among the first to have seen the resurrected Lord. At first she doesn't recognise Jesus in His resurrected body, but when He calls her name she instantly knows who He is.
APPLICATION
Mary had been on both sides of the track. We don't know what the seven demons were but we do know that the casting of them out by Jesus radically changed her life. She was so attached to Jesus, her love so great, that she stayed around during His passion and death while the other disciples fled in fear.
How great is my love for Jesus? What demons am I still holding onto that stop me from being a radical follower? Would I recognise Jesus' voice if He called my name?
PRAYER
Jesus my Lord, my God my All. How can I love you as I ought?
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Friday, April 2, 2010
By His wounds I am Healed
Good Friday
SCRIPTURE
Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us.
Is.53:5,6
OBSERVATION
Isaiah prophesies the passion and death of Jesus, outlining the purpose of the horror of it all. The single word "crushed" does not fully describe the torture employed in Jesus' death by scourging and crucifixion. And yet on him lies a punishment that brings me peace, by His wounds I am healed.
APPLICATION
I enter today as a man healed, as a man who has been brought peace. Today I remember the cost of this priceless gift, and I am thankful.
PRAYER
Jesus my Lord, my God, my all. How can I love You as I ought. Thank you Lord for my healing, for my peace. I place my trust in You.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Servant King
Holy Thursday. Mass of the Lord's Supper.
SCRIPTURE
‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
Jn.13:15
OBSERVATION
Jesus has has just washed the disciple's feet at the Last Supper. This included the feet of Judas, both of them knowing he was about to betray Jesus.
This is unique! There is no other religion that has its Lord acting as a servant this way. Jesus is the Servant King and in His own words is role modeling how His followers should relate to one another. The hierarchy of the Catholic Church follows this blueprint. The Pope is known as the servant of the servants of God.
APPLICATION
I am selective about who and when I serve. I certainly would not find it easy to serve one who was about to betray me. My attitude needs to change. Today.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. You are the Servant King. Give me a servant's heart that I may copy what you have done.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
Jn.13:15
OBSERVATION
Jesus has has just washed the disciple's feet at the Last Supper. This included the feet of Judas, both of them knowing he was about to betray Jesus.
This is unique! There is no other religion that has its Lord acting as a servant this way. Jesus is the Servant King and in His own words is role modeling how His followers should relate to one another. The hierarchy of the Catholic Church follows this blueprint. The Pope is known as the servant of the servants of God.
APPLICATION
I am selective about who and when I serve. I certainly would not find it easy to serve one who was about to betray me. My attitude needs to change. Today.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus. You are the Servant King. Give me a servant's heart that I may copy what you have done.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
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