Welcome Joyfully

When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully.
Lk.19:5,6

The wealthy and corrupt tax collector Zacchaeus has climbed a tree to see Jesus. Surprising everyone, including Zacchaeus, Jesus stops beneath the very spot where he is hiding and invites himself into Zacchaeus' home.  Zacchaeus immediately and joyfully welcomes Jesus into his home.

This is one of my favorite Gospel stories. The high drama of the scene is compelling. The dramatic conversion of Zacchaeus and the apparent joy of Jesus in receiving this "son of Abraham" draws me into the story. I am Zacchaeus, I am the lost one being sought out and saved by Jesus.

This is a story of conversion, repentance, restitution and joy. It is my story.

Lord Jesus, thank you for seeking out and saving what was lost. I welcome you joyfully into my home today.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Left Behind

I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left;
Lk.17:34

Jesus is telling his disciples what to expect at the end of time. Some will be called, some will be left behind.

In today's climate of forced inclusivity its counter-cultural to suggest that not everyone is going to get to heaven. The more acceptable view is that there will be no final judgement, that everyone is going to be bathed in God's all-inclusive love as they receive baskets of fluffy kittens while strolling blissfully through the Pearly Gates.

What a shame Jesus doesn't agree.

In Luke's Gospel Jesus starkly describes the suddenness of the last day where, as in Noah and Lot's day, many will be destroyed.

Saint John the Apostle presents the same truth; "only those who keep to what he taught can have the Father and the Son with them" 2 Jn.1:9. Some will. Some won't. There will be, dare I say it, discrimination in the best sense of the word.

Where do I fit? I remember hearing a wise old man say, "Good people don't necessarily get to heaven, only forgiven people do". I need to keep a short account with God. It's time for confession.

Jesus, thank you for showing the way back home. Lord I again confess my brokenness and need of your saving, healing power. That I won't be left behind...

Saint John Vianney, please pray for me.

That They May Be One

I am appealing to you for a child of mine, whose father I became while wearing these chains: I mean Onesimus. 

Philemon 10

Paul, near the end of his ministry and a prisoner in chains, sends an escaped slave Onesimus, now a convert, back to his former master, also a believer. 

This is high drama that throws together three of the most unlikely men; a prisoner, a slave and rich man. What is it they each have in common? Jesus. It's Jesus who unifies these most disparate of men for the good of each of them. Onesimus is freed from being a runaway slave for the rest of his life. Philemon grows in grace through the opportunity to show mercy. Paul has the untold joy of seeing the love of Christ restore former enemies. 

Jesus prayed his most heartfelt prayer for unity during his passion. " that they may be one as we are one" Jn.17:22I. Unity among believers is of the utmost importance to Jesus. Is it for me?  Today I can be more merciful, more grace-filled, working for unity and not division.

Lord Jesus, you are the source of completeness for us all. Help me today be a unifier and not a polariser with those I meet. That we may be one.

Saint Paul, please pray for me.

Prepared

Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Mt.24:44

Jesus is instructing his disciple on the signs of the end times. The imperative is to be ready as we don't know when the day will be that is our judgement day.

Mum has died. For the last four weeks she knew she was dieing, she knew her judgement day was fast approaching. This was a particular grace that was given to her that is not given to most people. It gave her time to prepare. It gave her time to make her profession of faith. It gave her time to be baptised.

I may not have that period of grace. As it stands, I do not know the hour that the Lord is coming. Today I live my day as though it is my last.

Lord Jesus, strengthen me to be a faithful servant so you may find me employed at the task you have given me on that final day.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Mountaintop Experience

And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
Lk.9:35,36

Jesus has taken Peter, John and James up the holy mountain. Jesus is transfigured into a glorious, blinding light as he converses with Elijah and Moses. Peter blurts out that he wants to stay on the mountain top in the state of glory. God the Father speaks from a cloud in response, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

I've had mountaintop experiences, one of them actually on top of mount Tongariro. It was a beautiful clear sunny morning and I and my tramping friends were looking out over the central North Island with Lake Taupo in the distance. The morning view was spectacular. It was before I was a believer, yet I had a sense that a creative hand was responsible for the stunning beauty we were witnessing. I wanted to stay there, in the glory.

But the call of life brought us down off the mountaintop. I didn't have then what I have now, knowledge of the Son of God and his words to listen to. The mountaintop glory is now always available to me. How? By contemplating Jesus and listening to him.

Lord Jesus, you call me back to that mountaintop glory every time I listen to you. I place my trust in you.

Take Courage Dear Heart

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’
Mt.14:26,27

There is a storm on the lake and Jesus is walking on water towards his disciples. They believe he is a ghost and are terrified.  Jesus calls out and assures them, "It is I! Do not be afraid".

There is a scene in C S Lewis' book Voyage of the Dawntreader that draws straight from this Bible passage. The children are battling their worst nightmares while sailing past Shadow Island. Lucy, is alone in the crows nest and succumbing to terror when a seagull flies out from the gloom and cries out, "Take courage dear heart!".  Lucy immediately knows it is Aslan and her courage returns.

It's in times of trouble and affliction that Jesus is closest. As terror grows his courage within me grows stronger. It's a law of his love.

"Take courage dear heart".

Thank you Jesus for being always present in my fears. I place my trust in you.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Welcome to da Family

And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.’
Mt.12:49,50

Jesus is teaching inside when a concerned family delegation, including his mother Mary, arrive outside. On being told, Jesus uses the moment to define who his family really is.

Were Jesus' family there to tell him dinner was ready? I don't think so. It was becoming more obvious that Jesus was making dangerous enemies. They would be wanting to tell him to calm down, stop making so many waves. And fair enough. A family does have speaking rights.

But Jesus Jesus shows no sign of slowing down. He pushes his agenda forward by gently pushing his family back. In so doing, he redefines his family. It includes everyone who does the will of God. That's good news for me as it opens the possibility of me becoming a member of Jesus' family. The membership fee? Doing the will of God.

Jesus, thank you for extending an invitation for me to join your family. Help know God's will and then have the courage to do it.
Little Flower, please pray for me.