Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.
Mt.11:28
Jesus offers what every human soul is seeking. Rest.
When I am rested I am at peace. When I am at peace I have greater energy to love. When I love I can get overburdened. When I am overburdened I can go to Jesus for rest.
The true circle of life.
Saint John the beloved, please pray for me.
Go and be reconciled with your brother first.
Mt.5:24
Jesus provides the way to stop anger in its tracks. Be reconciled.
To reconcile is to restore, in this case to restore friendly relations. Unbridled anger always leads to sin, at its worst in the form of murder. Reconciliation defuses the destructive force of anger.
One who reconciles is a peacemaker. Jesus says peacemakers are blessed and are called the children of God. They most closely express God's character.
I've found that offering reconciliation often involves giving up my rights. If I am an authentic follower of Jesus I can do no less.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.
You are the salt of the earth... you are the light of the world.
Mt.5:15,14
Jesus uses simple analogies to present what his disciples are to be in the world. Salt and light.
Salt and light make a huge difference to the environment they are in. The world ignores self absorbed, inconsequential Christians. If I'm not making a difference, it's questionable as to whether I'm authentically Christian.
Lord, today may the world see my good deeds so our Father in heaven may be glorified.
Saint Anthony of Padua, please pray for me.
It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger
and upholds the widow and orphan.
Ps.145:8,9
Today's psalm proclaims the compassion and goodness of God. It could well be added to the canticle of Tobit whose sight has just been restored in the first reading.
Praising God for his transcending goodness is a great way to step into my day.
Thank you Lord God for your mercy, your forgiveness, your love. Help me reflect your love for those I meet today.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.
One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’
Mk.12:28
Jesus gives the first and the second greatest commandments in answer to the scribe's question. Love God and love others.
An authentic question from a scribe is rare. Jesus's definition of the two greatest commandments draws an acclamation of faith from the scribe that is so great Jesus proclaims he is very near to the kingdom of God.
Love God and love others. Here are the supreme marching orders for every Christian, marching orders for me. It's that simple and that difficult. It defines what makes life worth living.
Saint John the beloved, please pray for me.
Next morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered to the roots. Peter remembered. ‘Look, Rabbi,’ he said to Jesus, ‘the fig tree you cursed has withered away.’ Jesus answered, ‘Have faith in God.'
Mk.11:20-22
A fig tree is cursed for bearing no fruit, even though it is out of season. Faith produces fruit no matter the season.
This appears to be a curious event. Jesus curses a fig tree for having no fruit, even though the time was out of season for figs. I would have thought Jesus could have forgiven the fig tree for being seasonal. But Jesus emphasises that fruit for God's kingdom should appear no matter the season. How? By faith.
I'm in a season of later life. Too old for fruit? Not according to Jesus.
Saint Peter, please pray for me.
Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’
Mk.10:51
Persistent shouting from the blind beggar Bartimaeus earns him an audience with Jesus. He asks Jesus for a miracle healing and his faith in Jesus earns the miracle.
Why would Jesus ask a blind beggar what it is he wants? Is it not obvious? Yes, his blindness is obvious, but his faith is not. It was faith Jesus was looking for. "Go, your faith has saved you", says Jesus to Bartimaeus and immediately his sight is restored.
It is good to name what is needed as this exercises faith. From faith comes miracles. I'm praying in faith for healing for a friend with multiple stage four cancers.
Lord Jesus, you raised Lazarus from the dead. You can heal my friend, for your glory.
Bartimaeus, please pray for us.
