Shine

They filled the two boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made.

Lk.5:7-9

After using Peter's boat as a stage to address the people, Jesus tells Peter to again put out his nets. Reluctantly Peter obeys and hauls in the catch of a lifetime. He gains a glimpse of who Jesus is, a holy man, and clear insight of who he is, a sinner.

Sitting in our lounge in the evening, I don't realise how dark it has become until I turn on the light. The light exposes the darkness. Peter has a similar lightbulb moment. Darkness creeps up on a man. The light of Jesus instantly exposes it for what it is.

Jesus doesn't leave Peter on his knees. He lifts him up, renames him and makes him into a holy miracle worker. He can do the same with me, but I have to start on my knees.

Jesus, please don't leave me on my knees. Shine into my life so I can reflect you to those I meet today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

Hope, Hold, Take Heart

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!

Ps.26:14

David writes a psalm of hope and unshakable faith in God, a faith that rises above circumstances.

Our faith is an optimistic faith. It encourages me to always be looking forward and up, not back and down. Yes, setbacks happen, effort is criticised, evil is inflicted. But faith calls me to see beyond. It promises something wonderful.

Today as a man of faith I hope, I hold, I take heart.

Jesus, you received criticism and attack but you always looked forward and up. Help me always accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. 

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Fill the Flask

The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’

Mt.25:11,12,13

To describe the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids. Five are wise and have extra lamp oil, five are foolish and do not and so miss entering the wedding banquet. 

Jesus emphasises that entering heaven is not a given. On judgement day everyone is not simply going to drift up to the pearly gates. Some will be ready and welcomed in, some will not be ready and will be denied entry even though they plead. 

Mercy and grace are involved here so I wouldn't presume to judge others by this rule. However, I can judge myself. Is my oil flask full? Does my light continue to shine? Drawing on the sacraments of the Church, my morning and evening prayer all help keep my lamp burning. 

Oil gets consumed by the burning of the light so filling the flask is not a one-off thing. I can't bask in past flask-filling glories. Burning the lamp is a constant thing so filling the flask needs to be also.

Jesus, I sometimes fall asleep at the wheel. I'm not always awake and ready with a full flask and shining light. On the day of your return may your mercy triumph over judgement.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

Waiting means Working

What sort of servant, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment.

Mt.24:45,46

Jesus is warning his disciples to be ready for the day of judgement that can occur at any day or any hour. He highlights the best attitude in which to wait, diligently working on that which you have been assigned.

Work is the result of faith and wisdom, faith that Jesus will return as he said he would, wisdom to see value in the work assigned. The work Jesus describes is looking after a household, meeting their daily needs.

I have retirement approaching, a time to put my feet up and rest while waiting for God, right? No! According to Jesus, waiting doesn't mean resting, it means working. I have a household of one wife, five children, fourteen (last count) grandchildren, four hangers-on (sons and daughter-in-law). That makes twenty-four souls. My work has been cut out...

Jesus, your greatest work was achieved in the last moments of your life, on the Cross. Help me never have a lazy sense of entitlement. Let me be found working in the vineyard you have placed me.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Fatherhood

You can remember how we treated every one of you as a father treats his children, teaching you what was right, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God,

1Th.2:11,12

Paul writes to the Church in Thessalonica to encourage them in their Christian faith. He likens his treatment of them to a loving father teaching his children what is right, good and true. 

Here is a worthy definition of fatherhood. One who out of love, teaches his children what is right, good and true, to live a life worthy of God. Two powerful tools I used when raising my children to be Godly, were stories and example. This applies equally to raising Godly grandchildren.

There are great stories for children that depict the fight between good and evil, the Chronicles of Narnia and Adventures in Odyssey for example. These fired my children's imaginations and helped them see the effect that good and evil can have. The stories were also a great trigger for conversation about God.

Example was and is trickier, only because my example wasn't and isn't consistently good. It's one of those areas where I rely on God to fill the gaps. As long as the tune is somewhere near what my song should be, Jesus will add the grace notes. 

Thank you Jesus for my children and grandchildren. Help me be a worthy teacher to them today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Spend Time

‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’

Jn.1:48,49

Philip has just led Nathanael to Jesus with the invitation to "Come and see". Jesus demonstrates his knowledge of Nathanael who responds with a great declaration of faith.

Nathanael was a devout Jew, of a sect that spent time in prayer with God alone in the desert. That Jesus knew where he had been proved to Nathanael that Jesus was the one he had spending time with. He knew that Jesus knew.

When you spend time with someone you get to know them. I want to be like Nathanael, spending so much time with Jesus that I recognise him in my day. 

Jesus, you are the Son of God, the King of all creation. Fill me with your Spirit so I recognise you in my day.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

 

First into Battle

The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

Mt.23:11,12

Jesus has just warned his disciples not to practice what the Pharisees do, whose sole intent is to exalt themselves. A true disciple of God is one who is humble.

In the Chronicles of Narnia Aslan crowns Peter as High King with the words, "You must be first into battle and last in retreat".  The High King was to lead by service to those of whom he was in command. This is true of any Christian leadership, especially for fathers in the home.

My role at home is changing with grandchildren. I'm finding myself reading children's stories again, playing board games I haven't in years, praying over and blessing. All of this is "first into battle" stuff that I used to do with my own children. When I struggle with giving the time I need to put it back into this right perspective. True leadership serves.

Jesus, you are the Servant King. Help me follow your example with joy.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.