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Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38

Refleciton:

While today’s feast celebrates the fact that Mary was chosen from the moment of her very conception, the liturgy focuses us more on the response that Mary makes as a young woman. As we see her response to God’s call was wholeheartedly and freely given.

Great artists have portrayed the moment of Mary’s ‘fiat’ (‘yes’) to God in countless images and interpretations. Scholars note that in these classic paintings, beyond the central images of Mary and Gabriel, there are some additional symbols that help to convey the meaning of the event. To highlight but a few we might note:

• That in many paintings we see light passing through a glass window or shining into a walled garden and this symbolises Mary’s chastity. Again many paintings show Mary being offered or holding a lily – again to symbolise virginity.
• The archangel Gabriel is usually painted as winged and traditionally in white and is often seen descending towards Mary – all signs of God’s Word being conveyed to her.
• Mary is often shown with a book open at the prophecy of Isaiah (7:14), ‘A young woman is with child, and she will bear a son. .’ and often artists depict a dove descending upon Mary – delicately suggesting the moment of conception.

In his own way Luke too is an artist. He ‘paints’ the gospel scene with words rather than colours, but he adds details to help us understand the meaning of this moment. His words are transformed under the inspiration of the Spirit to become the Word of God for us. In turn God’s Word opens the door to faith and faith opens us to embrace mystery.

Luke is painting a portrait more than reporting an encounter. So let us meditate on the scene and look more closely at the way Luke ‘paints’ the portrait of Mary’s response.

First we notice the extraordinary means of God’s communication – an angel. Something rare and usually reserved for those moments when heaven and earth seem to touch. It’s as if God’s word- in the form of the message brought by Gabriel – literally steps from one plane of existence to another; from heaven to us.

But today it may also be helpful for us to reflect on how Mary comes to the point where she can give her wholehearted response.

Let’s look to some of the words Luke chooses to use. “Mary was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be” She is afraid, (“Do not be afraid Mary” says the angel). Mary asks the question that arises so logically in the face of this mysterious message “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

Each of these statements seem to point us towards the human response of Mary. They illustrate that Luke is carefully presenting Mary as one like us, as a young woman who must struggle to understand and then respond to God’s word. Like us, Mary seeks to know and understand what lies ahead of her even as she prepares to take a leap in faith and give ‘fiat’ her response of ‘yes’ to God.

A significant moment is when Mary is reassured of God’s faithfulness in the experience of her cousin Elizabeth – And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Perhaps two key lessons lie here for us. Firstly, like Mary we are challenged to listen for God’s Word to us and to respond to it wholeheartedly. This may take time and we may have to work at making this response. The important thing is to make a generous response to God no matter how long our ’fiat’ might be delayed. Secondly, looking to Elizabeth’s trust in God, let us never underestimate the power of our own example of faithfulness – our witness might just be the key to helping someone else respond wholeheartedly to God.

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is a member of Holy Spirit Province, Australia. He currently serves on the General Council and is stationed in Rome.

Scripture:

Isaiah 26:1-6
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Reflection:

Not long ago, I got together with a couple of former co-workers. We reminisced, told stories and shared what I believe is a still deep longing for a better world, particularly for the “special” students we served. These students, ten to fifteen years old were called by various names before the special education identifications we use today, like juvenile delinquents, bad boys, socially maladjusted youth…you get the idea.

Unlike some of the news reporting today, no one told stories of the problems associated with serving challenged youth. Just the opposite. We all shared stories of what I believe were successes like the time we took our them out to the rather swanky South Shore Cultural Center where their behavior made us proud and thankful. We talked about all the winning basketball championships they earned and about the talent they demonstrated in our shops.

Maybe I’m a dreamer—people have accused me of that—but I believe that if we concentrate on telling each other good news we can do what Jesus urges us to do in today’s gospel selection: “…listens to these words of mine and acts on them…” If we do, maybe we will be able to claim the reward Jesus promises, you “…will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”  (MT 7: 24-25)

Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists.  He lives in Chicago. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 25:6-10a
Matthew 15:29-37

Reflection:

In all of our readings today, we see that we have a Father who provides for his children. Even when things look bleak, He will provide. When the apostles tell Jesus they have only 5 loaves and 2 fish, he doesn’t complain that they don’t have enough, rather he prays. He knows His Father will open heaven and provide. It’s a classic tale of walking by faith and not by sight. Looking at the loaves and fish, we would say there’s no way to feed everyone, but Jesus looks beyond what is to what is possible with faith and with God.

I want to live my faith with that much confidence! I for one often look at the negative before I can see the positive. I look at what seems to be a lack, rather than looking at what God can do for me when I walk by faith. I’m reading a book called Daring Greatly by Brene Brown and she says that we live in a “culture of never enough.” She says we wake up in the morning and say we didn’t get enough sleep, and we go to bed at night saying we didn’t have enough time in the day to get everything done. Living with that frame of mind can cause discouragement as we perceive scarcity rather than blessing.

How much better to wake up and thank God for another day believing that He will provide for all of our needs according to His riches in glory! (Phil 4:19) Living with grateful hearts will help us to live in peace and joy as we focus on our blessings instead of what we don’t have. Brown calls it living “wholeheartedly.” I for one want to do a better job of seeing the glass half full rather than half empty. Thank you, Lord, for eyes to see beyond what seems to be.

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Bainbridge Island, Washington, and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Janice also leads women’s retreats and recently published her second book: God IS with Us. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.janicecarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected].

Scripture:

Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke 10:21-24

Reflection:

This past week I was reading a delightful story I found on Ronald Rolheiser’s¹ website about a little six year old boy named Christopher.  During the second half of an evening soccer match the coach put him in as the goal keeper.   While the ball was on the opposite side of the field, a little gopher popped up right in front of Christopher who crouched down real low to see him.  Christopher had never seen a wild animal and was so fascinated by it that he forgot about everything else.  He slowly started crawling toward it.  Their eyes locked on each other and in the midst of a magic moment of intense connection, he forgot about everything.  Suddenly he heard people shouting at him, “Get up, and pay attention!!!    All the shouting scared the gopher who disappeared back down the hole and before little Christopher could look up the ball was in the net.

On the ride home the car was filled with his father’s disappointment.   But little Christopher, at six years of age was more enthralled with an encounter with a gopher than he was organized sports.  And he knew that when he closed his eyes that night, he would be remembering the gopher as he went to sleep.  Rolheiser concluded his story with Jesus’ quote from today’s gospel. “I thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the clever and have revealed them to mere children.”  Yet, how applicable it is to us for this Advent season.

The Christmas story, as we all know, unfolds in a manner which no human person was expecting. This says a lot about how God comes to us.  The incarnation is more about God’s ability to enter our experience with beauty and surprise.  Those who embrace this, share in Divine joy and delight.   Part of Advent has to be about coming to a greater understanding and appreciation of this truth. I think this is why Jesus affirms the children in today’s Gospel.  They still hold an innocence allowing them to believe beyond the limitations which cripple the adult mind.  They can see how wolves, lambs, leopards, kids, calves, and lions can all get along together, “with a little child to guide them.”   Isaiah continues, “There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain.”  And there’s even a place for a six year old boy to stare into the eyes of a gopher and grasp the significance of Emmanuel – God with us.

¹ Source: http://ronrolheiser.com/secrets-of-the-kingdom/#.WiLS8nlOlhE

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Monday of the First Week of Advent

Scripture:

Isaiah 2:1-5
Matthew 8:5-11

 

Reflection:

Our Advent Call to Deeper Faith, Rooted in Humility

It’s early December and the sights and sounds of the Christmas season are ever more evident; there’s a special “beauty” as we approach Christmas 2017. The decorations, the inspirational carols and instrumentals we hear these days help put us in a special holiday mood, stirring up the Christmas spirit in these early days of Advent.  Our faith in Jesus is foundational to the Life we celebrate at Christmas.

Today’s Scripture readings highlight the power of faith in enriching our outlook and motivating us to increased action. With classic style Isaiah proclaims God’s transformative love, helping us embrace a new world order founded upon goodness and peace…enabling personal and community transformation.  Jesus meets a centurion who needed help for his servant who was in very poor health; with faith and humility, the centurion speaks to Jesus of the situation, and Jesus offers to come and visit.  As the centurion expresses his faith in Jesus, Jesus highlights his deep faith…and the servant’s miraculous cure took place.  Both Isaiah and the centurion recognized God’s presence in their lives, and with humility and faith opened their hearts to God’s action; life was changed, given new meaning!

During these Advent 2017 days we’re encouraged to grow as we pause from the Christmas “hoopla” and seriously reflect on how our faith enriches our relationships with others. With the help of these Advent days and the special Scripture selections, we are challenged to get ever more serious about putting our faith and love into practice…devoting time and energy to prayer that God will be present to us and motivate us to live as true children of God, children of the Kingdom of Jesus.  Perhaps…if we have a lasting change of heart and act upon it…the experience of Christmas can flavor every day of the year.  We have nothing to lose…and our world has so much to gain!

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community in Chicago, Illinois. 

First Sunday of Advent

Scripture:

Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37

Reflection:

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come… May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.  Luke 13:33, 37

As Advent begins we are forcefully exhorted, as we are each year, to stay awake and be ready! When we think about Jesus coming back at the end of time, we generally think it will be a long time from now and most of us don’t even consider that He could return during our lifetime. But you never know! He said that no one knows the day or the hour, so it is possible that we will see His return. If He comes back tomorrow, will we be ready?

Even if Jesus doesn’t come back for a very long time, today might be the day that you or I die. Are you ready to meet God? I have been longing for heaven for quite a while now, and I just read a book that makes me even more excited for the day when I will go home. It’s called Imagine Heaven by John Burke. It is a fantastic read which I highly recommend.

So, how do we make sure we are prepared for our final day here on earth? You probably already know these things, but it doesn’t hurt to remind ourselves of the basics.

1. Begin and end your day in prayer, making time to listen, not just talk. Keep bringing your heart and thoughts back to the Lord throughout the day.
2. Read Scripture daily. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach and inspire you as you read. Be open and believe that God will speak to you through His Word.
3. Receive the Sacraments. Daily Mass is the greatest treasure we have as Catholics. Just as our physical bodies require food each day, our spirits need to be fed and nourished by Jesus in the Eucharist.
4. Hold all things lightly. This world is passing away. Cling to things that will last forever.

Our former pastor in Beaverton, Oregon shared these words recently: “Pray! Read the Bible! Confess your sins! Live in truth! Bring beauty and a positive spirit wherever you go! Jesus is Lord – and He alone can fill the center of our lives and our world with peace.”

If we cling to Jesus we will be ready!

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Bainbridge Island, Washington,  and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Janice also leads women’s retreats and recently published her second book: God IS with Us. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.janicecarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected].

Scripture:

Daniel 7:15-27
Luke 21:34-36

Reflection:

If this were the last day of the calendar year, we know that we would be caught up in seeing the old year out, and sharing our hopes for the coming year. Whether we do so in a family setting with the television or radio for company; or whether we go out and indulge in some New Year’s Eve revelry, the sentiments are very much the same for all of us: “where did the time go?”, “what were the highlights of the year?”, “how we will miss John (or Mike, or Mary),” or others who have died in this year. In the light of the coming year, we traditionally lay out some “new year’s resolutions.”

This December 2^nd is the last day of our “Liturgical Year.” We are standing on the threshold of a new Liturgical Year, which will begin with the First Sunday of Advent, tomorrow, December 3^rd.

What was my spiritual journey like this past year? What progress did I make, what graces did I receive, what discernment brought me to major decisions for myself? What challenges did I face…and overcome? In what ways have I become a more engaged Christian, anchoring my life on the person of Jesus Christ? What has been the quality of my Christian witness to my family, to my workplace, to my circle of friends?

Dare I even raise the question of “new year resolutions?” Do I have a vision of the year ahead as an invitation to grow in the spiritual life? Will I be able to convert some of the disappointments of the past year into challenges for the coming year? Will those people who love me and count on me for support and guidance be rewarded for placing such hope in me?

When I speak to retreat groups about the sacrament of reconciliation, I try to emphasize the universality of one question against the long-list of possible sins, the standard “examination of conscience.” I ask people to certainly confess any mortal sins of which they are aware; and then stop…proceed to just one more question: “What is it that God expects of me, that I am not fulfilling?”

Both of our readings today remind us that all time is transient; all kingdoms are doomed to failure, with one exception, the power and authority of our God, who invites us to share in an eternity of fellowship. Because we do not know the day or the hour of that final summons, we live in hope and in the assurance that Jesus will call us home at the right time for each one of us.

So as the yearly cycle resets to “Day 1,” and the Church prepares to celebrate the Incarnation of the Son of God, my new year’s resolution could be to ask myself each day, “What is it that God expects of me, that I am not fulfilling?” The answer to that question can be the starting point for a new day, every day of the New Year.

Happy new liturgical year!

Fr. Arthur Carrillo, C.P.  is the director of the Missions for Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Daniel 7:2-14
Luke 21:29-33

Reflection:

This Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year.  The mood of today’s readings reflects this climactic moment in the Church’s reflection on time and history.

Ever wake up from a strange and perhaps disturbing dream and feel relief when you realized it was, in fact, only a dream? That is what I thought of in considering the two very different dimensions of history as seen through the eyes of faith that stand out in today’s scripture passages.  One, found in the first reading from the Book of Daniel, sees history as filled with chaos and threat.  This biblical selection is, in fact, presented as a dream sequence.  Daniel sees a disturbing vision of wild and threatening beasts unleased in the chaos of history.  This is what is called “apocalyptic” literature, a style of ancient writing that communicates its message in the form of visionary experiences and the use of wild and disturbing imagery. Daniel’s message reflects the many assaults that Israel had to endure throughout its history from various enemies that devastated the country.

But the conclusion of the passage ushers in a different dimension.  The violent and threatening beasts are subdued by the power of “the Ancient One”—the saving power of God.  Also introduced into the vision is a mysterious figure, “one like a son of man, coming on the clouds of heaven”.  In Daniel’s dream, God empowers this “son of man” with “dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him…his kingship shall not be destroyed.”  The early Christians saw in this mysterious triumphant figure the image of Jesus himself—the “Son of Man” who would defeat death and bring everlasting peace and joy to God’s people.

The psalm response— “Give glory and eternal praise to him!”—is also from the Book of Daniel, but lifts up the mood of triumph and praise.  This exultant text presents all of nature as praising God: “Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.”  This beautiful hymn of praise is recited in the church’s morning prayer for each Sunday.

Note how the gospel selection from Luke picks up both moods in today’s end-of-the-year liturgy.  Towards the very end of his life, Jesus warns the disciples to be alert to the signs of the times.  But he also assures them that his words of justice and peace and his acts of abiding love will not pass away: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Stepping back from the vivid details of these readings, we discover an enduring message of the Scriptures and of our Christian faith.  As Christians we are encouraged to view the world and its history with open eyes, recognizing its beauty and accomplishments but also its moments of chaos and violence.  But beyond this realism is another conviction that is absolutely true from the perspective of faith; namely, that God’s love is stronger than death.  No matter what the future may bring, we trust that God’s love will have the last word about our destiny as human beings and children of God.

Fr. Donald Senior, C.P. is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union.  He lives at the Passionist residence in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.