Stay Focused

At the turn of the year, the time when kings go campaigning, David sent Joab and with him his own guards and the whole of Israel. They massacred the Ammonites and laid siege to Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem.
2Sam.11:1

It is the season for battles but King David remains back in Jerusalem while send his General to lead his army. David's indolence leads to his greatest fall, adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband.

It is true the Devil finds work for idle hands and here is the classic case. David didn't remain in Jerusalem for any greater purpose. He is recorded lounging on his couch before spying on Bathsheba bathing.

What is my God-given purpose today. To engage in my employed work to provide for my family. Any deviation can lead to dangerous ground.

Lord, help me stay focused on the tasks assigned by you least I be tempted.
Saint John Bosco, please pray for me.

The Law of Generosity

‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’Mk.4:24,25

Jesus is teaching the crowds by the Sea of Galilee. Here he speaks of the law of generosity. What we receive is governed by what we give.

My mother-in-law was a generous woman. Her funeral was packed with people who had been blessed in some way by her. She was not a wealthy woman but she always contributed to the food basket. She faithfully gave to missions, fostered children, gave to the poor. But more than this, she was generous with her time and generous with her attention. She listened to people. "Wasting" time with grandchildren and great grandchildren was a favourite occupation. Yet she was constantly heard saying she felt so blessed, that she received so much

I need to be more generous, in every way. For what I give determines what I receive.

Jesus, you were generous in your giving. Help me subdue my tightfisted nature. Give me a generous nature that I may better reflect you.
Margaret, pray for me.

Come Holy Spirit

‘I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.’ This was because they were saying, ‘An unclean spirit is in him.’Mk.3:28-30

Teachers of the Law were trying to discredit Jesus, saying he was possessed by the devil. Jesus refutes them and then condemns them guilty of an unforgivable sin, of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

This has good news, a warning and an encouragement for me. It's good news that my general blasphemies of unbelief when I was an atheist are forgivable. It's a warning not to belittle the Holy spirit to anything less than third person of the Holy Trinity. It's an encouragement to be filled with the Holy Spirit as Jesus was.

Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

My Story

‘I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me.”
Acts 22:6-8

Saint Paul has been arrested and gives a testimony of his conversion to the crowd. They are captivated until he says the message is for all men, Jews and Gentiles. They then want to kill him.

Everyone loves a story and the best of stories are those that tell of dramatic change, of conversion. Christian conversion tends to be dramatic. It was in my own case. Yet the story is simple.  Me before Jesus. Me encountering Jesus. Me now with Jesus.

It's good to keep my story fresh, to be ready to tell it to those who ask. Maybe I'll have to tell it today...

Jesus, you are my story. Help me be ready to tell it when the time is right.
Saint Paul, please pray for me. 

Companions

Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils.
Mk.3:13-15

Jesus appoints the twelve apostles who are to be his companions and in so doing establishes the Church.

We were never meant to be Loan Ranger Christians. How do we know this? Because right from the start Jesus drew around himself companions. He set the blue print for Christian life, a life in community.

My mother-in-law has just died. Our loving faith community has gathered around us and supported us. It's a good time to be members of a Church.

Thank you Jesus for our loving faith community. Help me be a companion to others in our parish.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

The Green Eyed Monster

‘They have given David the tens of thousands,’ he said ‘but me only the thousands; he has all but the kingship now.’ And Saul turned a jealous eye on David from that day forward.
1Sam.18:8,9

David has just killed Goliath and the Hebrew army has routed the Philistines. The rejoicing women acclaim greater victory to David and King Saul is stirred by jealousy.

Saul is eventually consumed by his jealousy and looses the alliance of David who could have been his greatest ally. I have heard a priest say he rarely hears about jealousy in the confessional. It's a sin we find difficult to identify in ourselves, yet alone confess. Jealously always bears bad fruit. Always.

Who am I jealous of? What does jealousy say about my insecurity? Today let me deliberately rejoice in the success of others and boot jealousy out of my life.

Jesus, I want to be secure in your love for me. Help me rejoice in others success and so be the ally I am meant to be.
Little Flower, please pray for me.

Ban the Judge

When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at the table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers.
Mk.2:15

Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector to follow him. Matthew responds by throwing a party for Jesus and all types of people attend, including the down and out.

There was something magnetic about Jesus that even those who were living corrupt lives felt welcome in his presence. They didn't feel judged. Jesus didn't compromise about sin but his love for the sinner drew them to him.

What's changed? The Church doesn't have the same appeal today. Rightly or wrongly, unchurched perceive that should they enter a church an almighty finger will be pointing at them and a thunderous voice will  roar, "What are you doing here, dirt bag!" We have lost our perfume of mercy.

Have I lost my perfume of mercy? There is a little lawyer in me that loves to pop up and start pointing fingers. Let's try a day with zero judgement and see what happens.

Jesus, I want to reflect your mercy and grace. Help me as I interact with people today to love them where they are and help them move to where they want to be.
Little Flower, please pray for me.