aadbdstarter

Scripture:

Judges 9:6-15
Matthew 20:1-16

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. As we hear this parable, we may find ourselves sympathizing with the workers who started work at dawn, who thought they might get more pay since the ones who worked only a short time got the “usual daily wage.” They didn’t get more, and they thought it was unfair, and our first thoughts might be that they were treated unfairly.

Now if the Israel of Jesus’ times had a National Labor Relations Board, they might have had a case, and if the parable was about paying everyone the same hourly rate, we might have a certain feeling about how the parable ended.

But I don’t see the parable speaking about labor practices and wage scales. I see Jesus speaking about the eternal life. People undergo a conversion at different times and under different circumstances in their lives, and the parable tells us that the important things is not “when,” but “if.” If what is offered to us is eternal life with God, how can there be more to offer? We may imagine different size “mansions” in heaven, but will that really be the case? Will there really be positions of status in heaven when we hear how much Jesus tells His disciples not to be concerned about that on earth?

All I hope is that I get there, period. It won’t matter when I get there, as long as I do. And if I’m surprised by who is already there, then once again, God shows me Who knows best.

Keeping score and making comparisons only distracts us from doing what we’re commanded to do: Love. In fact, doing those things often hinders us from loving freely. May we let Jesus enter in, and open our hearts to generosity and love.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan. 

Scripture:

Judges 2:11-19
Matthew 19:16-22

Reflection:

St. Pius X was Pope from 1903-1914.  These were momentous times, capped by the outbreak of the First World War.  He was not a man to wait things out.  He was an interventionist, and tried to straighten things out where and when he saw trouble brewing.  The over-arching plan for his pontificate was “to restore all things in Christ” ever-ready to get involved when he saw opportunities beckoning or problems threatening.  So his life is probably better described in terms of the issues facing him.

We can glean an insight into his mode of operation from our biblical readings assigned for the day.  For instance, we have a selection from the book of Judges describing the situation of the Jewish people, once they ceased their wandering over the Sinai desert, and finally settled down in the Promised Land.  This, of course, was a long sought goal: a place of their own.  But there was a downside to this accomplishment.  They had lost their leadership, of the caliber of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob or Moses.  Left to their own devices, they were making a mess of things, and getting into lots of trouble, triggered by associating with surrounding nations who were not part of God’s chosen people, buy who had their own religious practices: basically paganism.  And, despite their own glorious history under the leadership of their God, the Jews now began, now and again, to worship the false Gods of the people around them, listening to the wrong voices, and paying the penalty of constant military defeats.  But God time and again came to their aid by providing them Judges, a strange title used in those days, differently from how we use the term, but meaning “leadership” people—not of the caliber of a Moses or Joshua, but at least enjoying some abilities.  But whatever skills the Judges had, they were short-term abilities that would disappear as quickly as they came.

Certainly Pope St. Pius X was someone who appeared on the scene, with his skill-set, at one of those times in history when he was needed.  His arrival on the scene was somewhat like that of the young man who presented himself to Jesus, in today’s gospel, eager to be His disciple, possessing the kind of qualities that enabled him to keep the commandments with ease, but when Jesus enlarged the field of skills and abilities for which He was looking in His disciples, He introduced the notion of a calling or vocation, entailing the further step of giving up one’s possessions, but, at that point, the young man found he lacked such a calling.

St. Pius X, however, possessed the kind of qualities enabling him to meet the demands that would be laid on him, as he assumed the leadership of the church.  His achievements were impressive, but outstanding among them was his alertness to the emergence of what he called Modernism, in the church of his day, which he described “as the synthesis of all heresies”.  This earned him the reputation of being a kind of vigilante guardian of the revelation committed to the church, but, on the other hand, he established the Pontifical Biblical Institute, which has become an outstanding proponent of preeminent studies of the Scriptures.  And also to his credit, he re-enlivened the role of holy communion  in the lives of many Catholics, who in his day frequented it infrequently, and he also lowered the age for young children to receive first communion.  So we appreciate his giftedness to the church.

Fr. Sebastian MacDonald, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Joshua 24:14-29
Matthew 19: 13-15

Reflection:

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away. Matthew 19: 13 – 15

There are certain Scripture passages that are so iconic and visual that they have inspired artists from every century and culture. The Gospel passage we have for today’s Mass is certainly one of those inspirational and moving scenes. In fact, this is one of the few Gospel images that appeals to children. I remember having, as a child, two favorite holy cards: my guardian angel helping me over a bridge and Jesus blessing children. I didn’t need any lengthy theological explanations to understand the underlying messages that these two images represented. I needed a Guardian Angel to help me cross dangerous, broken down bridges in life and I needed Jesus to welcome me into his arms and bless me. Being protected, blest and loved as a child is so very important!

To this day, children spontaneously run to persons who represent God and God’s way of life, without having to understand that person’s theology. I don’t know how many times little children have come running out of Mass to hug me, the celebrant. They do this naturally. Anyone who has been close to a school yard and seen a religious sister, brother or a priest walk across the grounds will quickly see children running toward them and surrounding them with hugs and joy.

There is this little line in today’s Gospel that I believe makes it very challenging for us. It says, referring to the children that were being brought to Jesus for a blessing: “The disciples rebuked them.” At first glance, we can become very upset with those disciples. How dare they prevent those children from approaching Jesus!

I think if we were to look deeper into our own attitudes and concerns for children, we would see a lot of the disciples’ behavior in our own.

It is always amazing to me to see so many loving and caring families come to Church with their children. Some do this so very well. They come in ahead of time, bless themselves and encourage their children to do the same, holding their hands nicely and leading them to an appropriate place within Church. Some parents will give them prayer and song books. Regardless of the child’s attention span, there is nothing but patient attention given to their children.

On the other hand, I’ve seen families come in as if their children are a burden, correcting them, shoving them, and discipling them. At some point or another, all children tend to act out. But it is how we respond to them that will either encourage them to be at home within church or to see church just as a social obligation.

The way that people and parents speak to children about today’s priests, brothers and sisters, as well as today’s Church, will have a lot to do with the beliefs and assumptions that these children will have as adults. I remember talking to a young woman years ago, telling me that her dad told her never to trust priests because all they wanted was money. In today’s culture, it may be about priest abuse of children. Regardless the message, children will learn from our witness, our conversations, and our attitudes. This is how we prevent today’s children from approaching Jesus.

Jesus says to us today: “Let the children come to me.” How are we to respond?

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

Scripture:

Joshua 24:14-29
Matthew 19:3-12

Reflection:

“Is it lawful for a man to…then why did Moses command that…it’s better not to marry”

Here we go again with the Pharisees, trying to manipulate, trip up or trap Jesus with the letter of the law.  Interesting how quick we can see it in these stories of scripture!  And yet, do these words not sound like they come right out of today’s conversations?  A search for certitude, right/wrong; black/white, blame and trap, we/they…  Jesus points to their hardness of hearts and how that hardness prevents the building of the Kingdom of God – the embracing of a vision of love – ultimately, living together the Spirit of the law!

Has this hardness of heart become the breeding ground for festering hate?  In our first reading, Joshua reminds the Tribes of Israel of God’s continued presence and love in their lives – calling them to a change of heart.  In the Gospel, Jesus calls the Pharisees to a change of heart and points out that not everyone can meet the challenge.  Can we hear Jesus call us to a change of heart – is our relationship with Him strong enough and personal enough to hear the challenge?  Or are we, like the disciples, content to throw in the towel and simply say ‘it’s better not to marry!’   

In Baptism, we became a ‘new creation, clothed in Christ’ what does that mean for our hearts and our world?  For the sake of the kingdom, can we accept what we ought to accept?

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

Scripture:

Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
Matthew 18:21-19:1

Reflection:

To be a Christian is to live a forgiven and forgiving life. It is to extend to others the liberating mercy that God always extends to us.

That’s the message of today’s gospel, a passage that begins with what may well be the most famous question posed in the scriptures. Peter asks Jesus if it is ever permissible to stop forgiving. Can we put a limit on forgiveness? Can we cease being merciful? As he often does, Jesus responds with a parable. It’s the story of the unforgiving servant, the man who had been saved by mercy but who brazenly refused to show his fellow servant the same mercy that had been shown to him. Each servant’s future absolutely depends on the gift of forgiveness because neither can pay back his debt. Each servant falls to his knees and begs for mercy. But the one who had received it, instead of forgiving his fellow servant’s debt and imitating the mercy that he had received, throws him into prison. The parable ends with the unforgiving servant—having been stripped of the mercy he had been given—imprisoned as well. Jesus concludes with the ominous warning that the same fate awaits us if we withhold forgiveness to anyone.

Pope Francis declared 2016 “A Year of Mercy” to remind us that mercy should be a defining characteristic of every Christian, of every truly religious person, and indeed of every human being. Each of us has a mission of mercy. Each of us is to be a living sacrament of God’s merciful love in the world. It is the fundamental calling of our lives. And that is because God has been endlessly merciful to us. God’s mercy is the gift that makes all of us equal and all of us one. God’s mercy is the foundation of our lives. This is why to withhold mercy—to refuse to offer it whenever we can—is not only unjust to another, but also a blasphemous insult to God.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the extended Passionist family.

Solemnity of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Revelation 11:15a, 12:1-6a, 10ab
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Luke 1:39-56

Reflection:

In the passage from Revelation John presents for our prayer a series of images. We start with a vision of God’s temple in Heaven. As the main doors slowly open we see in the center of the temple the Ark of the Covenant.  The image brings home to us that Church is rooted in the Old Testament and can only be appreciated by those who deeply understand the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. One of the most basic things we can say about Jesus is that he was a Jew. Synagogue and temple formed Jesus’s religious sense and provided the deepest insights of who his Father really was. When we realize this we are encouraged to pick up and read the book that that Jesus studied and learned.

The second image is that of a woman.  She is presented clothed with the glory of the sun, the moon under her feet, and wearing a crown of twelve stars. She is in labor to give birth. Immediately an opposing sign is presented of a huge red dragon threatening to devour her child, a son destined to rule all the nations.  God preserves the newborn and sets him on his throne. The woman flees into the desert where there is a place of safety prepared by God. Many interpretations have been made of this passage.

Is the woman the church?  Is she Mary? Most agree that the son is Jesus. As we pray over this image let us believe that the final victory of Jesus over the huge red dragon or Satan is sure.

John’s final image is the loud voice from heaven. We are immediately transported to the Jordan where Jesus receives his mission from the Father and to the mountain of the Transfiguration where Jesus, standing between Moses and Elijah. has his life’s work is approved by the Father. In this passage the voice declares the final victory: the Kingdom of God coming in saving power as every knee bows to the authority of the Anointed One. We are challenged to accept that the victory is ours. Let us prayerfully thank Jesus for all the blessings and graces of our lives.

Fr. Michael Hoolahan, C.P. is on the staff of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-33

Reflection:

Our readings for today offer us a rich view of humanity; in our first reading, the prophet, Elijah, fears for his life and unable to hear God’s voice hurries to the mountain of the Lord, Horeb. We have true desire demonstrated by Peter in our Gospel as well as deep and abiding love on the part of Paul in our second reading.

I have always viewed this Gospel passage as Peter’s lack of faith in Jesus which started him sinking. I now believe I was wrong. It is his little faith in himself that causes him to sink. He looked around, felt the strong wind, his courage failed him and he instantly called out, “Lord, save me.” Peter demonstrated incredible faith in Jesus by his original request to come to him on the water. Most people didn’t know how to swim in ancient times, there was much fear of deep water; monsters were thought to reside beneath the waves. What a crazy request! He believes that Jesus has all power. If he had little or some faith in Jesus—I do not think even Peter would have taken such a bold leap. Later, to save his own skin, he denies Jesus. As I see it, Peter’s faith in Jesus was seamless; he greatly underestimated his own capacity to overcome fear and doubt—thus far. Post-resurrection, we see a changed and courageous Peter.

What is fascinating to me is that the disciples in the boat can hear Jesus words of courage and comfort even as the wind and waves rage—wouldn’t that have been difficult to hear? Certainly, Elijah was unable to hear God’s voice in the loudness of nature surrounding him. Might it have been Elijah’s own fear preventing him from hearing? What I hear today, is that God’s voice will always break through. True, we often need to still the voices of fear and doubt which can and do rage inside us before we can actually hear. Yet, never underestimate the power of the “Son of God” to breakthrough under any conditions in life!

And what of Paul’s beautiful lament about his people, the Israelites, to whom the Messiah was sent? His agony at feeling the loss of his kindred, those who had cut themselves off from the Good News. No doubt his sorrow echoes many today; parents, grandparents, and others who mourn the loss of their kindred who seem to have turned away from God. Yet, he surrenders it all to, “God who is overall be blessed forever, Amen.”  So, must we.

Like Peter, do I doubt myself? Do you? I realize Jesus is asking me, “why did you doubt yourself? when I say, Come, you should not allow your doubts to drown out your desire to respond.” Every time I doubt and start to sink he plucks me out of the water and gets into the boat with me and the wind always dies down. I have only one response, “homage” praise you, Jesus. Alleluia to you! Jesus is always saying, “Come”.

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.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
John 12:24-26

Reflection:

Jesus teaches that when the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces fruit. We often interpret that as dying to our false selves in this life, and I do believe that is a valid interpretation. However, as with many of Jesus’ teachings, it can go so much deeper, especially in combination with another statement in this periscope: “Whoever loves his life will lose it.” In this context, perhaps there are profound implications not only for how we live, but for how we die, a topic we are apt to avoid in our society. What if, as Cardinal Bernardin wrote in “The Gift of Peace”, death is not the enemy to be fought at all costs, but a friend that, like our lives, can also produce fruit?

Most people are not as afraid of death itself as they are afraid of dying, especially dying in pain. Family members who watch loved ones suffer at the end of their lives talk about it as a nightmare experience. The fear and negative situations have resulted in many states (and I believe eventually it will be all states) passing laws allowing assisted suicide. By definition, assisted suicide occurs when an “assistant” provides the means for ill or suffering persons to take their own lives – lethal medications, gun/ammunition, carbon monoxide hood, etc. – but the assistant does not participate in the act itself. The ill person chooses the time, place, and circumstances of their death, rather than allowing the dying process to proceed naturally.

The Catholic Church condemns assisted suicide, teaching instead that we need to alleviate end-of-life suffering by utilizing effective pain relief, employing hospice and palliative medications early in the process, and ensuring every patient has proper, compassionate care. Church documents say we must work diligently to achieve the more complicated task of alleviating the suffering of dying people, which is the ultimate goal of hospice services, rather than ending the suffering by killing the patient. Death should rightly occur because of disease, illness, or injury, not by human actions.

Yet the Church also clearly teaches that this does not mean we are morally bound to use every means known to humankind to keep our bodies alive until our bodies simply can’t take it anymore. Life is not the ultimate good. God created us as finite beings and death is a normal, natural, expected occurrence. We are not supposed to be here forever, and God has something better in store. At some point, it is time to let go of life, to die and go home.

Recognizing this fact, in document after document the Church calls for “acceptance in the face of death”, and weighing the potential burdens and costs of treatment against the potential benefits it could offer. It is morally and ethically OK to stop or refuse treatments that only serve to prolong dying or that cause increased pain and suffering in the dying process.

For instance, my brother is in an intense 6-month round of chemotherapy to treat his brain cancer, and says he understands as he never did before how a patient could reach a point where they decide to refuse further treatment. It saps so much energy, cognition, and life out of him that if his life becomes an endless cycle of chemo, it would not be worth it and he’ll stop. He believes continuing in that circumstance would prolong the dying process complete with painful, debilitating side effects, and he would choose instead to maximize the quality of whatever life remains. This is not assisted suicide. In line with Church teaching, his death would occur naturally, caused by the underlying disease, and foregoing further treatments would allow him to more fully enjoy his final days on earth surrounded by supportive family and friends.

Jim is not anywhere near that decision yet, but it’s clear he is thinking ahead. It’s very hard to hear him talk this way, because I love him and do not want him to die. As Jesus says, though, he is called to cling to nothing, not even life itself. And I am called not to cling to my beloved brother. While I would never participate in any action aimed at proactively causing his death, I also need to let go of my desire to have him on this earth beyond the time when his body is ready to empty itself and free his soul to return to the Source of love that created him. Standing in the way would be self-serving and actually detrimental to Jim. When the time comes, I, too, need to find “acceptance in the face of death.”

As a society and as a community of faith, instead of viewing death as the ultimate evil, as something that must be fought with every ounce of strength until the last moment, perhaps we can get better at accepting death with faith, dignity, and grace. Perhaps we can better utilize the benefits of hospice and palliative care for weeks or months instead of hours or days before death, enabling our loved ones to live with more comfort and quality of life and to be more present to us as they die. Perhaps we can thus help our loved ones achieve the goals they long for – whether reconciling with someone, tying up loose ends, or having time to properly say goodbye. Perhaps ultimately, by the way we die, we can be a visible sign to the world that we are part of something bigger, that this life is not the ultimate good, and that we can sink into the river of God’s peace and love as we take our last breath. And what a witness that would be!

I pray that not only my life but my death might produce much fruit and be a source of inspiration and hope to others. I pray for myself and for Jim, that we may each realize when the fight becomes futile and have the strength to stop, living fully whatever days remain and then going peacefully into the arms of God. I pray for you, too, that whether we live or we die, we may all be instruments of Christ.

Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she has partnered with the Passionists.  Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.