Go Tell

‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.
Jn.20:17,18

Grieving Mary Magdalen is met by the risen Jesus outside the empty tomb. She recognises Jesus when he calls her name and her grief is turned to joy. Jesus then commissions her as the Church's very first evangelist. "Go tell..."

Mary Magdalen's name is mentioned only second to Peter's in number of times in the New Testament. She was the first to demonstrate what a disciple of Jesus did. Go tell the Good News that Jesus is alive. She continues to be held up by the Church as the great evangelistic example. Today is her feast day.

My commissioning couldn't be clearer. Go tell... If I'm not doing that I'm not being an authentic disciple. 

Lord Jesus, you are alive! Holy spirit, fill me zeal to tell this Good News.
Saint Mary Magdalen, please pray for me. 

Willfully Deaf

But happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.
Mt.13:16,17

Jesus has explained to his disciples that he speaks in parables to overcome the willful deafness of the people who are fearful of being converted to God. However, the disciples see and hear, so they receive wisdom and happiness. 

I have struck willful deafness when speaking on topics like abortion, euthanasia and, more recently, vaccine mandates of all things. It's like suddenly I'm speaking a foreign language and no amount of words makes any difference. When Jesus struck audiences like this he turned to parables.

Everyone loves a story. Parables are stories with a point. They sneak the point into a person's heart via the back door. Nathan used the parable of a slaughtered ewe-lamb to convict David's sinful and stubborn heart. 

When speaking of Godly things to willful unbelievers I need to remember I'm speaking to a deaf person and look for a story, a parable, that will open their ears and eyes and ultimately, their hearts.

Jesus, sometimes I am willfully deaf, especially when fixated on what I know to be wrong. Unblock my ears so they may hear and receive happiness and wisdom.

Shine on the Parade

But the Lord replied, ‘Do not say, “I am a child.” Go now to those to whom I send you and, say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you – it is the Lord who speaks!’
Jer.1:7,8

God is calling Jeremiah to his prophetic ministry. Jeremiah protests that he is too young and lacking eloquence. God replies, "I call you, I'll equip you".

One of my weaknesses is that I tend to rain on people's parades. I focus on the negative rather than elevate the positive. Like Jeremiah, I can even rain on God's parade. The devil loves the pessimist and hates the optimist. Today I chose to be the optimist in the room, the cheerful Charlie, not only for other people but for myself. I can shine on the parade.

Jesus, forgive the times I have rained on your parade, your plans for my life. Help me accentuate the positive.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

He's My Brother

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

Word reaches Jesus as he is teaching a packed crowd that his anxious family are standing outside. He responds by saying his true family are all who do the will of God his Father.

When I do God's will I am more than Jesus' friend, I'm his brother. We are family. Discipleship brings with it intimacy with Jesus and with that comes love, peace and joy. 

I was asked what the Alpha Course is trying to achieve. The answer lies in the word discipleship. Introduce people to the love of Jesus and they become disciples with a renewed identity and purpose. They become... I become... a beloved brother or sister in the family of God.

Jesus, I lift up to you the Divine Renovation gathering in Taupo. Holy Spirit, sweep through that assembly so they are inflamed with desire to make disciples of all nations.
Saint Philip Neri, pray for us.

Timing

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. 
Mt.12:14-16

Jesus has directly challenged the Pharisees by healing a man on the Sabbath, in a synagogue.  This final straw has the two parties withdraw for the final stage of Jesus' death, the Pharisees to plot, Jesus to prepare.

Even in withdrawal Jesus continued to heal. It seems he couldn't stop himself, his compassion was spontaneous. Timing was important for Jesus. He knew when and how he was to die. 

As Solomon wrote, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. I have retirement approaching. The time is right. It is in season. 

Jesus, you knew when to show your hand and when to withdraw it. Give me that wisdom so my timing may synchronise with yours.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

Messy Mercy

And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.
Mt.12:7,8

The Pharisees accuse Jesus' followers of breaking the law by picking and eating ears of corn on the sabbath.  Jesus defends his disciples saying that as master of the sabbath he calls for mercy not sacrifice. 

Jesus roused his greatest opposition when dispensing mercy. It's the same with the Church today. We clamour for justice on others but plead mercy for ourselves. The law is crisp and clean, easy to administer. Mercy is messy. Sometimes when given it's not even acknowledged. It's regarded as a weakness. 

Yet, there it is in black and white. Jesus wants mercy. I am called to be a conduit of mercy if I am to consider myself an authentic follower of Christ.

Jesus, the Pharisee in me judges by the law. Help me be known as a person of mercy.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Rest for My Soul

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
Mt. 11:282-30

Jesus invites all who are weighed down to exchange their burdens for his light, easy yoke and find rest.

This call from Jesus echoes down through the ages, appealing to everyone. We all carry more than we need to. I carry more than I need to.

Every soul is searching for rest. Jesus' gentle humility meets me in the midst of my worries and cares, my burdens, and says, "Ok Mike, it's time to hand it over. Come on, receive in its place rest for your soul". 

Jesus, I hand my heavy burdens over to you. You love those I am concerned for more than I do. I receive your gentle humility and make it my own today. You give rest for my soul.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.