“And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,
they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.”
Acts 5:42
“One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.”
Psalm 27
People often ask how I go about preparing these daily reflections. I usually answer that if I am praying during the day, the reflections flow easily and the challenge is to restrict myself to one of the many ideas in my head. I then add that on the days when I might not be so actively and consciously seeking God then I find myself late into the evening struggling for something to share.
Put another way, when I am consciously seeking God, the daily scripture readings shout dozens of inspirations at me. When I am preoccupied with my own concerns and anxieties and ignoring God then even the most beautiful of scripture passages are powerless to move me.
When people ask I add that it is for selfish reasons that I have maintained this website for almost ten years and over 2000 reflections. It has become a way of life for my good days. All day long and in the midst of many other things, this little FFF mission helps to keep me focussed on the “one thing.”
When the one thing we are focussed on is Christ, we are centering our life on the one who has the power to work miracles in our lives. Today’s gospel reading, Jesus feeding five thousand people from five small loaves and a couple of fish is a reminder of the power of God.
There are times in our lives when we need a bit of help from a friend, but this is usually not enough for me since I am most often in need of the miracles of God.
Our problem is that while we often turn to friends for some support, we might not bring our significant need to Jesus…all day long.
For each of us there is something unique that keep us focussed on our need for God.
The things, people, projects that keep us aware that the one thing we seek is to live in the house of the Lord both now and eternally, is what we call our personal vocation.
Parents often say that their children or their wife or husband keeps them grounded in reality, and (especially in difficult situations) drives them to prayers of worry, anxiety, hope and gratitude. Striving to live fully in this reality is what we call vocational living.
People who have challenging work, especially those who feel responsibility towards their employees and colleagues are often driven to Christ with passionate prayer for those to whom they feel responsibility. This is living vocationally.
Those who have financial, relationship or study anxieties also will understand what I mean about the stuff of daily life serving to keep us aware of our need for the “one thing we seek.”
All of this helps us to understand what St Paul means when he says that we need to pray without ceasing.
Paul doesn’t mean that we should be kneeling in church all day and night, but instead that we need to be living in relationship with Christ all day long, both ‘at the temple and in the home’, with financial, relationship and study anxieties – all of the above.
The most effective witness of faith is rarely one who preaches on the street corner or even the church preacher, but the one who lives in the midst of the demands of community and family life seeking Christ as the ONE.
You’ve probably heard the quotation:
“Your life may be the only Bible that someone reads”
+++
An Invitation:
- Lectio Divina below.
- These lockdown days make it impossible for us to pray in the church but give us a renewed opportunity to pray in our homes. Is there some renewed form of personal prayer that you might carry into post-lockdown routines?
- Some more scriptural LEGO art thanks to Loïc and Eloise
LECTIO DIVINA FOR FRIDAY OF EASTER WEEK II (24 April 2020)
Several bell pics came in yesterday. Great response. Keep them coming. I’ll use one each day as the Lectio image, in the order in which they arrive. The first pic to arrive was from Otaki thanks to Phil who writes: This bell is over 100 years old Was rung daily (6;12;6) from about 1859 by a Māori catechist Hakaria for over 50 years Still being rung at Mass and funerals
Friday Easter Week II (15 minutes)
Friday Easter Week II (25 minutes)
So very grateful for FFF daily reflections that help my daily life through challenges and difficulties which enhances my relationship with Jesus and gives me understanding and encouragement to keep on keeping on . Thank you so much for FFF .
Hi Father John,
This quote today for me is the most meaning relevant that I have read in all your FFF Daily Reflections I will print off and put it on the Fridge
“The most effective witness of faith is rarely one who preaches on the street corner or even the church preacher, but the one who lives in the midst of the demands of community and family life seeking Christ as the ONE”.
You’ve probably heard the quotation:
“Your life may be the only Bible that someone reads”
Very many thanks for these daily reflections – relatively new to me – but now I realise a huge commitment and gift to us over ten years or so. God Bless :).
Thanks again John for FFF the quote today that We may be the only bible people read ,gives us an added reason to think about our words and actions which are often more powerful than we realize. Thanks too to Phil for his bell from Otaki ,a place very close to our hearts. The idea of bell ringing brings us so many precious memories and had Pat and I remembering and ringing our house bell during the day yesterday.
I love the quote: “Your life may be the only Bible that someone reads”.
And another : ‘Let your love, your labour speak Jesus Christ’ – Fr Etienne Pernet, Founder of the Little Sisters of the Assumption.
May the miracles of God flow freely for you Fr. John.
Thank you Father, for handing on the enlightenment of Christ’s word. Today’s reflection guided me to see a way of transmitting my overwhelming share of grace to others much more in need of comfort than I am _ through trusting that Christ will give as he gave on the hill side _ if I ask Him in Faith. This mental giving is all I can do for thosen in need at this moment of the day.
“Your life may be the only Bible that someone reads.”
Actions speak louder than words. There are those people in our lives who really do touch us, just by the way they live their lives.
Fr. John, many thanks for the reflections and the Lectio Divina. I don’t always comment but they are always appreciated. In the last few days it’s been a powerful experience letting Jesus’ gaze fall on me while listening, then relaxing in the arms of Jesus. I haven’t always left the session with something to do but it’s happened later in the day. Today I’ve felt like the boy with the loaves and fishes, with nothing much, but am happy to offer it to Jesus who gave thanks to God before he distributed the bread and fish. Every blessing on your ministry.
Thanks so much, John, for today’s reflection. I really appreciate receiving them and I do read and reflect upon them daily…… quite inspirational, thank you!
Thanks so much, John, for today’s reflection. I really appreciate receiving them and I do read and reflect upon them daily…… quite inspirational, thank you!
Father John – a wonderful and insightful piece as always. I am particularly inspired by the thought that by thinking of Jesus while trying to navigate the struggles of the day is living a vocational life. Thank you for this and your many other encouraging and enlightening words.