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Scripture:

2 Timothy 4:10-17b
Luke 10:1-9

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Luke.  Luke wrote a two-volume work – the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.  New Testament scholar, William Barclay, calls the gospel of St. Luke the ‘loveliest book in the world’.  In Luke’s gospel, all barriers are broken down – Jesus is for saint and sinner, Jew and Gentile; it is a universal gospel, written for everyone – Samaritan, poor, women, outcasts.  For Luke, the infinite sweep of God’s love is for everyone.  Now that is Good News!!

In today’s passage from the gospel of Luke, Jesus appoints the seventy-two and sends them out in pairs to every town and place.  Don’t take a lot of baggage with you, just be present.  Listen, notice, and bring Peace to the household.  Are we seen as peacemakers?

Jesus sends each of us out, equipped and accompanied to build the kingdom.  His kingdom.  We each have a particular piece to bring, a particular perspective to offer and a particular way of calling forth the gifts that are needed to bring about the Peace of Christ.  Sometimes we can ‘overthink’ our mission, we can ‘cling’ to ideals that are too overreaching, the call of Jesus is to be present wherever we find ourselves, notice the ‘Crucified of today’ and be the face and voice of God.

How has God called you?  Who is he sending you out with?  Where is he calling to you?  What do you need to ‘shake off’ to respond to the call?

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

The Annunciation of the Lord

Scripture:

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38

Reflection:

As children, we often recited the “Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary” during May and October. Although I didn’t always understand what the titles or epithets for Our Lady meant, I was intrigued by phrases like “Seat of Wisdom, Star of the Sea, Cause of our Joy, or Refuge of Sinners.” “Tower of Ivory” and “House of Gold,” however, had me muddled!

Today’s readings invite us to ponder yet another attribute of Mary. Yes, she is the “Arc of the Covenant” and “Mystical Rose,” but today Mary is Theotokos, she who said a total “Yes” to God!  I have always reverenced how Mary agreed to something she didn’t understand. When she questions the angel within the mystery of Annunciation, how this might happen — embracing motherhood without being in a relationship — Gabriel responds that God will overshadow her.

As a good Jewess, Mary understood the “cloudy” or overshadowing ways God works. When Moses sought to see God “face to face,” for example, God responds, “No,” because the intensity of divine presence would sear Moses’ imagination. Moses could not see God and live. So Mary says “Yes” to a power, a hope, a potentiality that she couldn’t even imagine!

How often it seems that God is working in cloudy, overshadowing ways! Why do so many people resist the reality of global warming? Why does economic disparity continue to increase globally? How can such violence continue within gangs and drug lords?

Gate of Heaven, pray for us!

Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13
Mark 5: 1-20

Reflection:

In the first reading David’s son, Absalom, has betrayed him and has raised an army against him and is moving towards Jerusalem to take the throne from David. David flees Jerusalem to protect it from destruction at the hands of Absalom. Once out in the countryside David is confronted by a man who, belongs to the family of Saul, begins to curse him. David perceives the cursing as by God’s will and offers it up in hopes that he might find favor with God.

In the Gospel Jesus uses the authority of his words to cast out demons that have afflicted a person. The demons ask to be casted into a nearby heard of swine and they promptly run off into the water where we presume they drown. I am sure that the herders/owners were not happy about losing two thousand swine, which were their livelihood. The words spoken by Jesus healed one person but made others loose what they had. The scriptures say that the herders runaway and tell the town what happened. Did they curse Jesus? Were they in awe of what happened? Another lesson in saving one person and letting others go? It is possible that after the shock wore off they were not happy about the situation.

Words have power to lift someone up when they are in need of consoling. Words can harm when used in anger against another. Words can heal or soothe a broken heart. Words are hard to take back once they have left our mouths. When a loved one has passed on we often think of what they said to us and the last words we spoke to them. David gives us an example of not reacting to words spoken out of anger. Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Jesus’ healing of the man with the demon gives us an example of how we know what needs to be said to one person may not help others. In today’s society words are everywhere whether we are speaking to others face to face or through our texts, emails, or other apps that are made for quick communication. Words, a gift from God to be holy and sacred. Proverbs, “Where words are many, sin is not wanting; but those who restrain their lips do well” (10:19). Maybe fewer words and more action is the message of the scriptures for today.

How do I use my words?

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

Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle

Scripture:

Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22
Mark 16:15-18

Reflection:

A book entitled, “Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics,” is based on a comprehensive study done by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate; the authors (McCarty and Vitek) state that a primary reason many young people have drifted from the practice of their Catholic faith is that they feel judged.

Today’s feast might offer us a sort of strategic plan to respond. Our first reading is the second of three conversion accounts in the life of the apostle, Paul, as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles (chapters 9, 22, 26). Each time the circle of Paul’s listeners gets larger, more dramatic. But it’s good to see all of this in a wider context. Early on, Saul was a good Jew, a committed rabbi, intense and zealous. He was so confident in his faith that he was willing to die for it; unfortunately, he was also willing to kill for it. Remember the martyrdom of St. Stephen, when the perpetrators placed their cloaks at the feet of Saul/Paul, and he “concurred” in the act? (Acts 8:1)) The trouble with certitude is that it can be not only delusional but dangerous. We know of misguided religious fervor today as well.

We learn much from Paul when he speaks of his woundedness, as a thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12), or when he confesses his sin, something that he cannot control (Romans 7), or when we hear of the conflict with Barnabas and Peter in Acts 15 (“so sharp was their disagreement that they separated”). Maybe that’s the real conversion. Paul is healed by the community in Damascus; the violence and hatred are eclipsed by acceptance and care, and he is transformed.

The next time I feel wronged or hurt or ignored by another, I pray I can suspend my often verbal “scorched earth” policy, and transform the situation by loving another into more abundant life.

Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

1 Samuel 24:3-21
Mark 3:13-19

Reflection:

R. Alleluia, alleluia. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. R. Alleluia, alleluia. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

As I read the Word of God for today’s Liturgy, I was struck by two powerful challenges: to let go of the destructive desire to kill our enemies, and to respond to the call to be missionary disciples.

In the first reading, from the Book of Samuel, we have the continuing saga of the decline of King Saul and the ascendency of King David. First, a little background. We have been reading about Samuel and his calling for about a week now, how his birth came about and how Hannah, his mother, consecrated him to God. Samuel grew up under the watchful care of Eli, the High Priest. It was revealed to Eli that God “will choose a faithful priest who do what I have in heart and mind.”

Samuel was God’s choice and God directed Samuel to first anoint Saul as King, and when Saul abandoned God’s ways, to anoint David as his replacement. It came as no surprise that Saul became jealous of David, even though David delivered Israel from the clutches of their mortal enemy, the Philistines. Saul becomes more convinced that David would eventually want to overthrow him and make himself king. So Saul does what every insecure leader does, he goes after his opposition with every intention of killing his rival. He brings with him his powerful army, thinking that he can eliminate God’s chosen one by force! We see this theme played out time and time again in the Scriptures.

Saul quickly finds out that God is in charge and not his evil intentions. David finds Saul at his most vulnerable moment, and could have easily killed him, but he decided not to do this, not to give into his baser desires. Rather, David lets him live and then offered to make peace with him. As we find out later, Saul ultimately destroys himself, and God’s choice, David, takes over Saul’s kingdom.

It is God’s choices that will ultimately overcome evil. It is God’s Love that will overshadow hate. It is God’s Will that will ultimately be done, in heaven and on earth.

The Gospel passage for today’s Mass continues with this theme of God choosing those that will ultimately overcome sin and death. As Jesus begins his ministry in Mark’s gospel, Jesus chooses those he wanted to have at his side so that he could send out to preach. I believe that we would benefit greatly if we took our time to reflect upon the reason why Jesus chose his apostles, that is, why Jesus chose us as his apostles. No matter whether we are named Hannah, Samuel, David, Mary, Peter, or John, we have all been chosen to do God’s work here on earth.

As Jesus would say to us later, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you until the end of time.”

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Scripture:

1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7
Mark 3:7-12

Reflection:

…for he had healed many…all who had diseases pressed upon him…

Thus far in Mark’s gospel, Jesus has been on a whirlwind of healing.  Everywhere he went he healed and cast out demons.  His reputation (as a healer) preceded him.  People were flocking to be in his presence – some even lowered through the roof!  Today they are coming from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea and beyond the Jordan – quite literally people are swarming from every direction!  Jesus is worried about the size of the crowd – get me a boat so I don’t get crushed…

Jesus reputation was that of miracle worker, healer and everyone was attracted, everyone wanted to catch sight of him, to touch him, to be healed.  The demons thought, cried out ‘You are the Son of God’.  Does that have the same attraction?  If Jesus is the Son of God, what does that mean for me?  How do I enter into that?

It’s much easier, safer even to come to the ‘miracle worker’, let him touch me and cure me and then I can go my merry way.  But if he is the ‘son of God’ do I have to stick around, do I have to believe?  Follow?  Change my ways even?

Could this little ‘pause in the action’ of Mark’s gospel calls us to pause as well.  Who is Jesus for me?  Do I have (or want) a relationship or is it easier just to ask for help every once and a while.  What ‘miracle’ do I need to grow my relationship with the Son of God?

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

1 Samuel 15:16-23
Mark 2:18-22

Reflection:

Obedience is better than sacrifice
While respecting his traditions and history, Jesus definitely seemed to have a preference for the new over the old. His stories and teaching reveal this again and again.

But what Jesus came to bring into our world was not merely a new teaching or a just new image of God.  He himself is a witness to a new moment in our evolution and his actions enfleshed a new experience of God’s love. His truth is a dual revelation – a new truth about God yes, but also a new truth about us!

Jesus, through his own relationship with the Father, witnessed to new possibilities for all of us to live one’s life fully within God’s loving embrace.

This was good news. It was something new for his world (and for all time). Such a new truth could not be contained within old frameworks, old attitudes or old actions and rituals. Thus in today’s gospel, he speaks of new wine and new patches of cloth not being wasted by trying to place them within old parameters. No! New wine requires a new wine skin and unshrunken cloth needs to be sown only onto a new coat.

What Jesus teaches us about our tendencies is so, so, true! We all have some kind of ‘default’ setting” – a way of acting, speaking, thinking and being that we are comfortable with and take for granted. From time to time a learning experience – a challenge from a partner or colleague or an honest face-to-face moment where a close friend tells us “home truths” that others fear to say – may help us to move to a new understanding and even a new way of acting. But if we are not careful, vigilant and aware, we soon enough slip back into the old ways of acting, thinking and speaking. This cycle can repeat itself again and again all throughout life.

But what Jesus challenges us to is exactly the opposite of this pattern. Thus to embrace all of the new vision – the good news – that he offers, we need to be renewed. We are invited constantly to open our hearts, to listen, to be converted and to make ourselves ready so that we can receive and respond to all that is new and that we are offered in Jesus.

For Jesus, relationship is to be preferred to ritual, and the celebration of life is to be preferred to a somber seriousness that reduces everything to obligation and expectation.

Let us practice listening for the word of God addressed to us today (and each day). Let us practice an awareness, a readiness, a listening stance that makes us receptive to the ‘ever new’ message of God that we know is constantly offered and addressed to us. But let us also practice our responses to that same message – let us be ready and willing to move beyond tired old responses and familiar patterns of behaviour so that we can truly embrace the ‘new’ that offers us the chance to also be renewed!

New wine? Then bring out new wineskins! New cloth? Then fasten on to it only pre-shrunken patches.

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is the Provincial Superior of Holy Spirit Province, Australia. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:25-31
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:

In this second week in Advent, Jesus gives us an invitation to, “Come to me” and find rest. When I picture what this invitation offers, especially during this busy time of preparations for Christmas, it feels like stepping out of the chaos and into Peace. Yet, this rest often seems elusive to me and I wonder if I know what I am looking for?

The rest Jesus is offering according to British spiritual teacher, Caryll Houselander: “Rest is not idleness and is not relaxation; it is a culmination, a fullness of gathered peace, like the fullness and stillness of waters gathered to a flood tide.” Houselander further suggests that like a baby sleeping in its mother’s arms in total trust and abandonment, “rest is a communion of love between them.” (Magnificat: 1/21/15)

These two verses have been likened to the Wisdom literature in the Old Testament (Sirach 51: 23-26). They are nestled in what is labeled as “Israel’s Opposition” where Jesus is particularly challenged by scholars to reconcile both his and his disciples’ behavior with their interpretation of the Law. Just the verse before Jesus speaks in praise of his Father’s will for handing all things over to him. (v.25-27) What strikes me as I ponder the text is whether Jesus himself is feeling burdened by the demands of life—the unnecessary demands of life heaped on by others. Might he be reminding himself of the same truths available to him? We often forget that Jesus was fully human; that is what makes these verses come alive as the chapter ends with this beautiful call of his loving heart bidding all to… Come, rest.

Jesus found his strength in communion with his Father; in aligning his will with his Father. His humility teaches me that I am humus—clay in the hands of the Potter.  We are shaped and molded through our life’s circumstances—our crosses—by our Father who loves us. So, whether you are burdened by circumstances beyond your control, or are burdening yourself—or more correctly, your Ego-self is dictating how things should be, the invitation is always the same; learn from Jesus. Change your frame. In the words of the first reading; “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will not grow weary…” (Isaiah 40:31)

If we choose, we can find rest in the quiet and stillness of a gathering flood tide—slowly moving into a deep loving communion with Jesus. We will discover that it is not anything we do, it is simply a matter of Grace entering our lives.

“I open my mouth and speak of her: gain, at no cost, wisdom for yourselves. Submit your neck to her yoke, that your mind may accept her teaching. For she is close to those who seek her, and the one who is in earnest finds her.” (Sir 25-26)

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, through your divine love, bring new life into our hearts. Amen

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.