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Scripture:

Jeremiah 20:10-13
Romans 5:12-15
Matthew 10:26-33

Reflection:

Fear No One

Today we return to Ordinary Time… and green vestments. The drama of Pentecost, the mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ the profundity of Trinity have all passed; now our prayer yields to the natural rhythm of the common, the  usual — ordinary time.

Each Sunday is a day of rest, joy, triumph… We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, just as the Israelites on their Sabbath commemorated their liberation from Egyptian slavery. Yet Israel was told not to forget their slavery…and for Christians, we keep the crucifix before us, for the cross, too, is a kind of TAPESTRY, with the threads of VICTORY and MOURNING woven together tightly.

In the first Canto of his Inferno, Dante cries

In the middle of my life journey
I found myself in a dark wood.
I had wandered from the straight path.
It isn’t easy to talk about it:
It was such a thick, wild and rough forest
that when I think of it, my fear returns…

At one point or another, most people go through a period of sadness, trial, loss, frustration, or failure that is so disturbing and long-lasting, that it can be called a Dark Night of the Soul (St. John of the Cross, 16^th c. Spanish mystic). Today’s readings offer us a kind of guide.

If your main interest in life is health, or comfort, convenience or pleasure, you may quickly try to overcome the darkness. But if you are looking for meaning, character, personal substance, you discover that a dark night has important gifts for you. Today’s readings remind us that every human life is made up of the light and the dark. the happy and the sad, the vital and the deadening. How we think about this rhythm makes all the difference. Will I hide out in self-delusion, distracting entertainment? Am I willing to embrace the mystery?

Depression is a psychological malady; the dark night is a spiritual trial. Today’s liturgy challenges us to shift from a therapeutic to a faith model. Perhaps this also offers us a guide for dwelling in our 21^st century world, a world saturated with violence and fear.

Many people think that the point in life is to solve their problems and be happy. But happiness is a fleeting sensation, and we never get rid of problems. Maybe my purpose in life is to become more of who I am, more engaged with the people and life around me now…to really LIVE life. May sound obvious, yet many people spend their time avoiding life. When we are afraid to let life flow through us, our vitality can get channeled into ambitions, preoccupations, addictions.

“Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known…”

Fr. Jack Conley, C.P. is a member of Christ the King Community in Citrus Heights, California. 

Memorial Day

Scripture:

Acts 19:1-8
John 16:29-33

Reflection:

Today is a special day for us to remember those who have served our country in the Armed Forces. My maternal grandfather served in the Navy beginning near the end of World War II and ending his career in 1972 near the end of the Vietnam War. He was fortunate not to have been on the front lines since he served on an aircraft carrier. He gave his gifts to protect and defend our country as many before him and those who came after him have done and will do. There are those too that we remember today who gave their lives. We pray for these brave men and women and for their families who loved them and miss them. We all love our country and the freedoms that we have as Americans and it takes a special person to step forward and answer the call to serve in the Armed Forces.

                            “and when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit
                              came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”

In the first reading Paul has come across some disciples and baptizes them and lays hands on them so that they may receive the Holy Spirit. Two gifts are given; speaking in tongues and prophesying. When we are confirmed, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to us and the ability to strengthen the unique gifts that have been given to us by God from our birth. Whether it is bravery to defend our country or a desire to prepare the youth through the gift of teaching. All are gifts from God. What we do with these gifts is up to us.

                           “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me”

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is giving his last instructions to the Apostles before his Crucifixion and death. They make a statement of belief in Jesus but he challenges the belief and tells them that they will leave him and go to their own homes. The Apostles will not fully understand Jesus teachings and preaching until Pentecost when the Holy Spirit makes things clear. In Jesus’ pep talk to the Apostles there is also a word of caution:

“In the world you will have trouble, but take courage,
                             I have conquered the world.”

Words of encouragement that we need today. Jesus never said believing in him would make life easy. With all the events and the political polarization occurring, not just in the United States, but around the World, our faith is the key to weathering the storm. To have hope and courage through prayer. To be able to tap into the gifts that have been given to us, through the Holy Spirit, to bring hope and courage to those who need us. We all have our part in building up the Kingdom of God in our country and our world. Is it easy? Certainly not! Does God give us the graces we need? Absolutely!

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:31-47

Reflection:

In last Sunday’s gospel we read about Jesus curing the man who was physically blind.  Today we read about Jesus confronting people who were spiritually blind.  They were apparently caught up in arrogance, pride, fear of change and fear of losing power, and thus they were unable to see “the one he (the Father) has sent.”

Actually, there are many kinds of blindness.  We can be so busy about our everyday tasks or be so absorbed in our electronic gadgets that we fail to see how good is the physical creation all around us.  “God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good (Genesis 1:31).”

We can be so blinded by anger, prejudice and unforgiveness that we fail to see how sacred are the people in front of us. “Next to the Blessed Sacrament, your neighbor is the most sacred object present to your senses.” (C. S. Lewis)

We can be so caught up in self-doubt and self-pity that we fail to see how beautiful is the person in the mirror.  For God is beautiful and, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).”

If we cannot see the goodness of creation, the sacredness of other people, and the beauty of ourselves, chances are we will be blinded to the presence of our God, who is all good, all sacred and all beautiful.

Lent is the time to fast from busyness, to fast from anger, prejudice and unforgiveness, to fast from self-doubt and self-pity. Then the eyes of our minds and the eyes of our hearts will be able to see God right here and now in our midst.

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

Scripture:

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Reflection:

The first reading from Micah is a prayer spoken when the people had recently returned from exile, were few in number and possessed only a fragment of their former land. It is a plea to God to take care of them and protect them from the hostile nations that surround them. Notice the tone of confidence. The prophet remembers “the days of old” and knows that his God is not like any other god. The people sinned and deserved the exile, but Micah knows God is merciful and God’s anger does not last long because God loves the people too much.

We, too, can be sure of God’s faithful love. God’s compassion for the sinner and God’s great desire to take the sinner back is graphically told in the extraordinary story of the Prodigal Son, the story of today’s gospel. It is a clear reply to the criticisms of the Scribes and Pharisees that Jesus was associating too much with sinners. In the story we read about the younger son who went far from his father and followed his own way. There was the other son who saw himself as totally obedient but did not have a forgiving heart. We hear about their Father whose love never changed . . . no matter what his children did . . . and was ready to accept them back without exception.

The Scribes and Pharisees simply did not understand the nature of God revealing Himself through Jesus. Or maybe they refused to accept this story that demanded change in their own hearts. It is never God who creates the distance. We are the unfaithful ones. When we perceive our sins this Lent, we need to remember “the days of old.” Our faith history reminds us that our God is a loving God who desires to forgive. We only need to make the journey back to God, who is ready to celebrate our return.

Fr. Don Webber, C.P., is the director of the Office of Mission Effectiveness and resides in Chicago.