Luke 4: 24-30
Not many of us face a whole town of people who hate us, as Jesus did in his home town of Nazareth.  But we too, like Jesus, are in relationship with people with the same potential sinfulness, the same hard-heartedness.  In our families, our communities, our work places and our world in general, relationships come and go and can change radically overnight. As such, sometimes we also fall out of favour for seemingly illogical reasons with others. And although we are not threatened with being literally pushed over a cliff, public shunning or social media ‘dissing’ can often ensue that push and pull us in directions we would rather not go. That’s OK! Our Master showed us/ me how to deal with seemingly endless prejudice, scape-goating and slanderous disagreement with who I am and what I do as a follower of Christ Jesus in the context of my social environment.  Jesus calls us/ me to pass through the midst of the naysayers, the nasty remarks and those who would throw me over a cliff… and then continue on my way with him. Will I be paralyzed by fright and grief, or try to apologize or argue my way to peace? Or will I, like Jesus, pass through the antipathy of others, and continue on my way as a disciple of the One who taught me to pray for my enemies and do good to those who despitefully use me? Holy Spirit, help me pass through the midst of those who hate me, and continue on my way  
 
Here I am, Lord, I delight to do your will, O my God your law is within my heart.  (Psalm 40:1)
 
May the fire of your word consume our sins and its brightness illumine our hearts.
Psalm-prayer for Psalm 119:145-152, Shorter Christian Prayer,  Week III Saturday Morning.
 
See Mother Teresa’s poem, “Be Kind Anyway…” at https://www.azquotes.com/quote/449588
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Romans 4:13-22

 
Years ago, when I was first becoming acquainted as a Catholic Christian with sin, repentance and mercy, I kept the word ‘righteousness’ out of my vocabulary because in my experience as a Protest-ant believer, it was often used to condone unholy and in humane prejudices and activities. Righteousness in worldly terms is often thorny, hard, and merciless.  But as I have become acquainted with the Holy Family, I have discovered that the righteousness of God is far from any atrocities committed by individuals down through the ages, individuals (Catholic and Protestant!)  who assume the Name of God in vanity, and define sin, repentance, and mercy in their own terms. They trust not God, but their own powers and plans, projects and possessions, and take little time to become acquainted with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, by serving Him. The holy righteousness of God, however, is manifest in those who truly trust in God. It shines in the silent ponderings of Mother Mary, whose “Fiat” - ‘be it unto me according to your will’ and quiet courage and patience demonstrated so profoundly at the foot of the cross and in the shadows of the Acts of the Apostles, is clearly right. The righteousness of God is also characterized by the humble Joseph’s holy/wholly obedience to God’s surprising will – to marry his pregnant Mary, and a short time later to flee far from the “holy city” of Jerusalem to live with his family in exile in Egypt - the land his ancestors had been delivered from. The righteousness of God was also embodied by Christ Jesus Emanuel, Mary’s son, the sinless teacher of the Be-attitudes, friend, healer and baptizer of the sick, the poor, the lonely, the lepers, the prisoners and other outcasts of his days on earth – and Redeemer of the world who shed his body and blood on a Roman cross. I now long to be in the company of the Holy Family and ‘righteous’ in God’s eyes. Now like Mary, Joseph and Christ Jesus, I willingly pray each day so that I can  ‘stand firm, andput on the breastplate of righteousness’ (cf Eph 6:14) - a breastplate that protects my organs of inspiration and ‘coeur­-age’ (heartfulness) as my life unfolds.  Will I have faith like Jesus, Mary and Joseph to trust in God that gives birth to (holy, lively and life-giving) righteousness?  Holy Spirit of God teach me the (holy) righteousness born of faith in you.
 
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.  (Psalm 50:23)
 
May the fire of your word consume our sins and its brightness illumine our hearts.
Psalm-prayer for Psalm 119:145-152, Shorter Christian Prayer,  Week III Saturday Morning.
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Luke 6:36-38
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206%3A36-38&version=RSVCE
 
What am I full of?  Affected as I am (like all of humanity) by the disease of sin, at any given time my heart is almost full of a concoction of pride, guilt, wantonness, guilt, resentment – and judgement and condemnation. Maybe I am fixated on ‘my’ plans, projects and possessions; perhaps I am ruminating on a broken or bothersome relationship; or maybe my focus is gripped by what’s not ‘right’ in my household. So many cares and worries of this world, and all the judgements and condemnation that accompany them, so quickly fill up my heart and mind. How can I be full of the Mercy of God? Firstly, I can forgive – my brother, my sister, and myself.  I can extend the two hands of forgiveness (c.f. Matthew and Dennis Linn’s book, Don’t Forgive Too Soon). With the one open hand I can acknowledge that there are natural consequences for sin. I don’t need to author those consequences – they occur when (God’s) boundaries are applied. With the other open hand, I can freely admit that I too am a wrong doer and fall short of the glory of God – and that I can freely give out God’s mercy from a carefully cultivated and tended ‘garden of mercy’ in my own heart. Secondly, Jesus teaches, we must give Mercy – the more it is given, the more there is.  True, I can’t give away mercy if I haven’t received God’s merciful forgiveness and healing for my own errors and omissions. But as much as humbly, honestly and genuinely repent of my own ‘trespasses’, and so  incorporate the Mercy of God into my own heart, that much I can extend holy light, love, laughter and life to others around me.  What am I full of today? What will I be giving those around me as this day unfolds? Holy Spirit of God, teach me to be full of mercy, as you are merciful.     .
 
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul… the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. (Psalm 19: 7,8)
 
If you judge people, you have no time to love… Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.
Saint Mother Teresa
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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Deuteronomy30:15-20
& Matt 25:31-46

 
It is easy to say “I love Jesus”, but what does that mean? Am I just happy to have a role model who spouted wonderful teachings? Or do I so integrally love Christ Jesus that I am willing to follow his ways, even when it means carrying ‘my’ cross with staggering steps? The way of Jesus is first of all the way of Truth and of Life. This way of truth and life is marked by humility, righteousness, prayerfulness, faithfulness, and forgiveness such as Jesus preached and did during his time in the countryside of Galilee and Judea, as it is written in scripture. It is also often marked by suffering - think the Way of the Cross that Jesus lived out one Passover in Jerusalem by being finally crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem. Let there be no mistake; the Way of Jesus is often ‘outside’ the social status quo and requires spiritual courage, discipline, and perseverance that is extraordinary.  It requires the kind of self-less love of Jesus, gifted to us mortals in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Walking in the ways of Jesus and his Father demands my self, my soul and my all.  This Lent will I love Jesus so deeply that I walk in his ways? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me love you by walking in your ways.
 
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul… the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. (Psalm 19: 7,8)
 
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were a tribute far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all
Isaac Watts, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross  
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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