• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

aadbdstarter

Daily Scripture, May 11, 2017

Scripture:

Acts 13:13-25
John 13:16-20

Reflection:

“But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.”

Those brief words, buried in an episode on Paul’s “word of exhortation” at a synagogue in Antioch, foreshadow sharp disagreement ahead between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark who rather abruptly “left them and returned to Jerusalem.”  Those words also remind us there has never been a golden age in the life of the Church. Rather, it is a Church that from time to time has been pocked by disagreement, divisions, and debate regarding its mission in the world.

Why Mark ran for home we do not know.  Did he want to return to the nurture and support of his mother in Jerusalem? Was he fearful of the travels and labors?  It isn’t certain.  What is certain, however, is that Paul resented his departure.  And it laid the foundation for a sharp contention between him and Barnabas, who was Mark’s uncle.

When it came time for the second journey of Paul and Barnabas, the division erupted.  Barnabas was persistent in taking along Mark. Paul was adamantly opposed to this proposal, based on Mark’s desertion at Perga.

Knowing that Paul would not take him on his next journey must have stung Mark deeply, just as knowing that Barnabas was willing to give him a second chance gave Mark the encouragement he needed.

Both Paul’s negative response, combined with Barnabas’ positive action, must have had a profound effect on Mark.  In Jerusalem, Mark undoubtedly reflected on what had happened.  He listened to both Paul and Barnabas because both were right.  Both forced Mark to face himself and his mission.  His was a mission, not unlike Paul’s, who at that synagogue offered “a word of exhortation.”  Mark gave the Church the gift of his Gospel.

In our time, too, the Church has been characterized by division and occasional overheated debate.  Across 2,000 years, Paul and Barnabas still argue.  Should we be discouraged?  Not at all.

The words “But John left them and returned to Jerusalem,” should instead offer us encouragement.  They mean that the Holy Spirit can guide us through our very human, messy and contentious ways.  They mean that like Mark, we need to return to Jerusalem, home to the nurture of mother Church, to receive a word of exhortation, to reflect and understand more fully the needs of the world today and of our mission to address them — our gift to the world.


Deacon Manuel Valencia is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Daily Scripture, May 10, 2017

Scripture:

Acts 12:24-13:5a
John 12:44-50

Reflection:

There is a widespread theology that Jesus came primarily to die in order to satisfy the blood lust of a vengeful, angry God who had become so fed up with humans that the gates of heaven were closed off unless an innocent victim was brutally murdered. Yet after he rose, Jesus never said to his disciples, “There! Now your sins are forgiven and you can get into heaven again!” Instead, Jesus’ last messages to his disciples were centered on unity – between himself and God, between us as people, and between us and God. He charges his disciples to live out of that unity – forgiving sins, seeking the lost, and drawing all creation into one, with their primary task defined as “Love one another.” He plainly states that the Father is in him, he is in us, and therefore we are in the Father. This mirrors the Catholic teaching on the Trinity, in which God’s very nature is perfect relationship, a relationship that we, too, are called to participate in.

This raises alternate possibilities. For instance, did Jesus die to assuage the vengeance of an angry God disgusted with people, or did he die as a result of the vengeful fear of the powers that sought to control him and eliminate his threatening message? Was his purpose to “open the gates of heaven” that would otherwise remain closed forever, or to remain so true to his mission of love and union that he was willing to endure even death rather than abandon us? What if Jesus “saves” us, not by unilaterally bridging our estrangement from a rage-filled King, but by freeing us to live as divinely created human beings with one foot already in the Kingdom of God? What if “salvation” has more to do with understanding our genuine identity as members of the Body of Christ, responsible for each other and empowered to actively participate in the divinity that created us, if we would just let go of our narrow, rules-bound, exclusionary, power-driven view of God and the world?

This is a radical message for most. Yet it is a thread that runs throughout our Catholic Christian history, professed by wise theologians through the ages – Origen, Irenaeus, Maximus the Confessor, Hildegarde, Bonaventure, Francis, and many more. According to these recognized pillars of our faith, the incarnation is not primarily a remedy for sin, but the bodily enactment of the primacy of creative love. There are those who regard this theology of unity and love as cheapening or watering down the message. To the contrary, the depth and breadth of love that Jesus demands and illustrates is far more demanding and difficult to live out than clinging to a black-and-white view of sin, judgment, and condemnation. It can even get us crucified!

There is a song titled “The Deer’s Cry” based on an Irish prayer that echoes our call to union. Every time I hear that song, it brings me to tears. The lyrics include: “Christ beneath me. Christ above me. Christ on my right. Christ on my left. Christ in the mind of everyone who thinks of me; Christ in the mouths of everyone who speaks of me.”

This Easter season, then, as I reflect on Jesus’ last words to his beloved disciples, I resolve to grow into unity with Christ. I take into prayer my entire being, my assumptions, my beliefs, and my behaviors, and offer them all to God, that God may continually recreate me in the image of Christ. Perhaps, at least at times, I can live in such a way that those who speak of me speak of Christ, and those who think of me think of Christ. I fall so far short, yet I can think of no greater goal, and no higher calling. I will never fully reach it in this life, but by the grace of God, I’m going to try! Even if it gets me crucified.


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/.

Daily Scripture, May 9, 2017

Scripture:

Acts 11:19-26
John 10:22-30

Reflection:

We have met Barnabas briefly, the man who laid money at the feet of the apostles after selling his land. He is called, ‘Son of Consolation’. His gifts are at work as he goes to Antioch to assess a questionable situation in which non-Jews are responding to the Good News. Barnabas, ‘a good man filled with the Holy Spirit’, rejoices at what he sees and gives his encouragement. We can add discernment to Barnabas’ gifts as he goes   to Tarsus seeking and returning with Paul to work with him in Antioch. Looking ahead we know that the relationship between Paul and Barnabas will come apart and they will be unable to continue their work together. The little bit said of Barnabas and the shared ministry of these two disciples invites reflection on our working together in the Church.

The gospel concludes the brief reflection on the Good Shepherd. John’s gospel and our Easter celebration keep the gift of faith before us. Although John introduces these verses of the gospel as taking place during a different feast, the Dedication, they are connected to the previous verses which in turn connect  us with he healing of the blind man at the pool of Siloam – one of the great Lenten gospels of coming to faith.

How different the attitude of the man healed at Siloam. Expelled from the temple Jesus approaches and asks him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answers, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” “You have seen him. He is speaking to you now.” “I do believe, Lord,” he said, and bowed down to worship him. In contrast we hear from the Pharisees, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you really are the Messiah, tell us so in plain words.” Jesus concludes saying that he has already told them and they do not hear; they refuse to believe his words they are not his sheep. Sheep know and respond to the voice of their shepherd.

We end the reflection on a gentle note and one keeping with setting of the Good Shepherd readings during the feasts of Tabernacles and Dedication  The sheep who hear the voice of Jesus, follow him to eternal life, they do not perish because the Father’s hand will protect them.

Today’s reflection on the large area of faith focuses on the assurance of the Father’s care for us. We see this first in the other gospel readings for this week which jump ahead to different chapters of the gospel, but each affirming us in our faith: whoever looks on me sees the one who sent me, his commandment is eternal life; whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me, and accepting me is accepting the one who sent me; do not let your hearts be troubled…I am the way, the truth and the life; if you ask anything in my name I will do it.

Also, the setting of the Dedication celebrated the rededication of the temple which three years before had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanies. The Father’s works that are celebrated in the temple are now present and visible in the works of Jesus. He is the way to the Father, the one who makes the Father known. The beautiful temple may be destroyed and not rebuilt but we have faith in Jesus, the one raised up in three days.


Fr. William Murphy, CP is the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Jamaica, New York.

Daily Scripture, May 7, 2017

Scripture:

Acts 2:14a, 36-41
1 Peter 2:20b-25
John 10:1-10

Reflection:

It was the turn of the century and Chicago had 1.7 million residents. For most of the citizens life was good. The Columbian Exposition (1893) with all its promises of the industrial revolution, electric lights and abundance was fresh in it’s citizens minds as well in the minds of the almost two million immigrants who began flocking to the city. By 1929 and the start of the Great Depression the immigrants doubled the population, many of them living in squalor and in crime-ridden neighborhoods.

Enter Ms. Jane Addams (1860 -1935) who chose to purchase an old run down mansion in one of the worst parts of the city, live there and open her home to the to her neighbors. There she started a night school where adults could develop the skills that would earn them a job, she ran a public kitchen, and offered art and gym facilities for all the neighbors many of them immigrants from catholic countries.

Ms. Addams took her small inheritance and with the help of her Friend, Ellen Gates Starr and the moral and financial support of many of the wealthy women of Chicago, created a world of abundance, influencing such people as Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of AARP, I suspect her Christian background also influenced her decision to co-create this world of abundance. She probably knew well today’s gospel selection especially the promise at the end: “You will have life and have it abundantly.


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

Daily Scripture, May 6, 2017

Scripture:

Acts 9:31-42
John 6:60-69

Reflection:

In the First Reading today, Peter heals the sick and raises Dorcas from the dead.  I wonder what Peter’s thoughts were when miracles started happening at his hand.   Perhaps he thought, “I can’t believe this – I denied Jesus, I tempted Him, I didn’t understand his message and still he uses me to do his work.”    Or perhaps, Peter thought, “Well, Jesus chose me to do his work, I must be pretty special!”  This reading offers us an opportunity to remember that all that we do – our accomplishments, our triumphs, our successes, and our achievements – are not our doing, but rather gifts God has given us to be used for God’s work.   We know also that God considers each of us to be special – and calls each of us to do His work.

In today’s Gospel, many disciples who were following Jesus leave Him, saying, “This saying is hard….”  They were talking about Jesus’ instruction to “eat my flesh and drink my blood.” For us, as Catholics, this, the Eucharist, is usually not an obstacle to our Faith but rather as the very heart of our belief a source of great strenth.  But maybe this Gospel reading can also be a reminder to us to look at where we are tempted to echo the words “this saying is hard” when we hear Jesus’ message.  Often this happens when we move past talking about Jesus’ message, and begin “walking the talk.”   Often we speak loudly about those very things that don’t really cost us much and aren’t much of a sacrifice and ignore doing the things that would be “hard” for us.

It becomes a different story when our actions begin to speak louder than our words.  When we live the Gospel message instead of just talking about it – then it isn’t so easy.  Often it is truly a difficult road that Jesus asks us to follow.  It may be hard, but we live the Gospel message when we choose to go without in order to share our resources with those in need, or when we sacrifice our time to visit the sick or those in prison and it is difficult when we choose to go against popular opinion to work for peace and justice even when that means being rejected by family, friends, and community.

Our challenge is to walk the path that Jesus followed; to work to serve others in His name and to remember to be grateful for the skills and gifts God has showered on us.


Mary Lou Butler is a long-time friend and partner in ministry to the Passionists in California. 

Daily Scripture, May 5, 2017

Scripture:
Acts 9:1-20
John 6:52-59

Reflection:
“So Ananias went and entered the house, laying his hands on him; he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9: 17

The early Church was certainly traumatized by the Passion and Death of Jesus. This heinous act was the result of many, many people who came to hate Jesus. It was not just one group of people who turned against him. Those who wanted Jesus to suffer a horrible death included people who once walked with him, listened to him and even benefited from his generosity and goodness. In today’s Gospel, we see people walking away from Jesus. One of his followers betrayed him with a kiss. Others fled. Peter denied him. Jesus’ violent end put great fear into the hearts of his most faithful followers, so much so that they began to run away or to gather behind locked doors.

Jesus’ resurrection began to change all of that, little by little. However, it did not happen overnight, instantaneously. The women were the first to believe. The men did believe them. Jesus had to appear to them two times before they all believed. But this faith did not remove their fear. Their faith challenged them to overcome their fear and urged them to be more like Jesus, praying and preaching openly, curing the sick, even bringing back to life those who had died.

Those opposed to Jesus and his message did not go away. Saul, as we read in today’s first reading, was committed to bringing the followers of Jesus to justice, even to death. As the Christian community learned more about Saul, the more fearful they were of him. But Saul had a conversion, and the followers of Jesus were called to overcome their fear of him. It was the Christian thing to do.

Once again, we, as individuals and as a community, will be called to do the Christian thing, namely overcome our fear and prejudices with faith. We are called to let go of our hate and rage toward those who have done us evil. We are called to the Peace-makers in the midst of violence and death.

May the Risen Lord appear to us and make us strong in our resolve to follow him!


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

Daily Scripture, May 4, 2017

Scripture:

Acts 8: 26-40
John 6: 44-51

 

Reflection:

Hunger for God

For many of us living in the United States the concept of true “hunger” does not have a personal, recognizable face.  Rather it’s “over there”, off in the distance, perhaps across town. Oh we may be hungry, and that gut growl is easily remedied by a quick trip to the pantry or fridge, or perhaps the fast food or coffee shop that generally are within close range.  And yet hunger is real for too many people of all ages and locations, with thousands of people dying daily throughout the world…from hunger.

Jesus worked many miracles to provide for those who were hungry.  Today’s Gospel selection cites Jesus speaking of His life-giving presence:  “I am the bread of life…I am the living bread that came down from heaven…whoever eats this bread will live forever.”  The crowds came to him looking for food miraculously provided, and He today responds with a life-giving message that has nourished people of all ages and walks of life:  His message of selfless love, proclaimed in word and deed, led Him to His Cross and grave – and to Resurrection and Life!

Like the Ethiopian eunuch of today’s selection from the Acts of the Apostles, we too seek life-giving “nourishment” from God’s Word to meet our hunger for meaning and direction in life.  We may not have a person like Phillip who runs up to us, offers to journey with us and help us discern life’s meaning and the importance of Jesus risen from the dead… And yet these enlightening words of Jesus in this selection from John Chapter 6 are an Easter Gift to us that help form the heart of our faith in Jesus:  belief in Him opens us to life eternal and a here-and-now joy that transforms all of life’s experiences!

Today’s Easter readings challenge us to get in touch with the deepest hungers of ourselves and our world — and then be open to God’s response in the life of a fellow life-traveler like Phillip, or the words of the Scriptures, and ultimately in the person of Jesus in the Eucharist.  Jesus’ Life is as true and powerful today as for that early crowd of today’s Gospel:  come to Him, listen to Him, believe in his Message of nourishing and transforming love, share in His Life, and then live forever!

Jesus’ miraculous life and love are real!  In Him, hunger is truly satisfied.  Alleluia!


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

Daily Scripture, May 3, 2017

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:1-8
John 14:6-14

Reflection:

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it. John 14:12-14

When my kids became teenagers, I started to worry that they might not make it to heaven, and that would be terrible! I prayed often for their salvation, but I was overly upset about it, and I couldn’t get the fear to lift. One day I asked the Lord if He could help me come to peace about it.  He said, “What does it say in scripture?”

I said, “That you wish all to be saved.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

And He said, “And what else does it say?”

And I said “If we pray according to your Will, it will be done.” (John 14:13-14)

And He said, “Yes!”

When you pray for someone’s salvation, you are praying according to God’s will, and He will answer that prayer in His way and in His time. I remember at one mission Father Cedric inviting people to pray for their kids who had fallen away from the faith for “tribulation in the morning, noon and night!” Sometimes it take a real crisis for people to wake up and it is often the hard times that lead us back to Jesus.

Don’t ever stop praying for the salvation of others. It’s one of the greatest things we can do! I haven’t stopped praying for my kids and now I pray for their kids, too. But I also don’t worry about it anymore. I believe with all my heart that they will all make it to heaven and we will have a great reunion one day!

Thank you Lord for your word and promises to us. Help us trust in You.


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].

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 72
  • Page 73
  • Page 74
  • Page 75
  • Page 76
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 110
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in