Claire Smith

Scripture:

Genesis 19:15-29
Matthew 8:23-27

Reflection:

Today’s first reading is one of the most dramatic examples of God’s mercy in the Old Testament. The story begins earlier in Genesis with God telling Abraham that Sodom and its people will be destroyed due to their sinful ways. Abraham negotiates with God to save the city if 50 good people can be found. Abraham keeps lowering the bar but not even 10 good people can be found. Finally, God agrees to save Lot and his family from the destruction. The story catches up in today’s reading with two angels telling Lot to leave Sodom before it is destroyed. When Lot keeps delaying, the angels physically lead the family to safety.

In this story we encounter a listening, forgiving God. In other words, a merciful God for our times, too. Unlike human mercy, which can be limited and conditional, God’s mercy is unlimited and unconditional, not earned by us but freely given to us.

God patiently listened to Abraham and spared Lot and his family. When family or friends suffer illnesses, tragedies or personal loss, we respond that they are in our prayers. Do we also pray to God to intercede on behalf of victims of war, poverty, discrimination, and mental health crises? Do we have faith that God will listen to our prayers?

When God first tells Abraham that Sodom will be destroyed, no exception was made for Lot. We can speculate that Lot most likely delayed leaving Sodom because he was comfortable there despite the depravity of the city. Despite Lot’s actions, God forgave him. Whether we have minor stumbles or serious failings, God’s mercy is waiting for us, too. Do we respond to this gift by working to do better?

We are called to imitate God’s mercy in our own lives and challenged to be more forgiving, compassionate and loving towards others. By doing so, we not only honor God but also contribute to a more just and humane world.

Mike Owens is the coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Scripture:

Genesis 18:16-33
Matthew 8:18-22

Reflection:

We are indeed a blessed people!  We have Abraham, our forefather in faith who loves us so much that he is willing to plead our case before God, even at the risk of making God angry!  We have an even greater blessing in being created and loved into being by a God who is kind and merciful.  I can imagine Abraham being very frustrated with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah!  They were clearly messing up and Abraham was sure that even though he believed God loved those people, they clearly needed to be taught a lesson!  God on the other hand, knew of Abraham’s faithfulness and love for his people and did not want Abraham to be put in the middle of any of this messiness.

Isn’t this just like our God who loves us unconditionally, especially during those times we have really messed up!  We can only hope that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah appreciated their saved lives were a result of Abraham’s intercession and God’s love for his faithful servant.

This story in today’s scripture reminds me of how important and necessary it is for us to LISTEN!  Just as it was important and life-changing for Abraham and God to listen and really hear what the real message and concerns were, so it is with us.  COVID mandated listening above all else.  We couldn’t do anything else except to listen to those we lived with, to the programs and advice we tuned into on social media, as well as the scientists and medical profession who tried their best to keep us healthy.

Psalm 95:8, If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. This psalm is a favorite of mine and keeps me grounded in listening and hearing God’s plan for my life.  God’s voice always comes through loud and clear!  Now, I will admit, it isn’t always something I want to hear at the time or even understand it at other times, but through grace I am eventually able to get the message!

Summer is breaking out all around us these days!  Gardens in bloom, families gather, parish churches throwing wide their doors, sunsets, boating, picnics, swimming, are all in full swing.  It is not a time to harden our hearts, rather, stay tuned to God’s voice to be heard and God’s presence seen all around and within us!  Happy Summer!

Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Scripture:

Acts 12: 1-11
2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18
Matthew 16: 13 -19

Reflection:

Today we celebrate two great men of the Church, Saints Peter and Paul. Two ordinary men, one a fisherman and the other a Pharisee and a tentmaker. Two ordinary men who recognized that God had called them to be something greater than they thought themselves to be. Two ordinary men who had courage to speak the truth that was spoken to them through Christ. They endured suffering through many hardships and trials for their words and actions and yet they kept on believing in the truth that dwelt in their hearts.

  How could ordinary men come to do extraordinary things?

“The angel said to Peter, “Put on your belt and your sandals. “He did so. Then he said to

  him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” Acts 12:8

Even in prison Saint Peter did not give up hope in Jesus Christ. He listened and followed the angel out of the prison. The angel had to awaken him from his sleep. If Saint Peter was asleep he certainly wasn’t fearful of the trial that was to take place the next day. The passion that he felt in his heart, about who he had spent three years following and all that he had seen Jesus Christ do for others, must have been a source of his hope and courage. He was open to the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah and confirmed it by responding, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” when Jesus asked him “Who do you say that I am?” Mt 16: 15-16.

“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” 2Tim 4:7

Saint Paul was also in prison and did not fear death. He knew that he had completed what Christ had called him to do for the proclamation of the Kingdom. An ordinary man who was passionate about his faith to the point of persecuting the first Christians. Then Jesus caught his attention with a flash of light and a bit of a humbling fall to the ground. A “snap out of it” moment. He would carry the message of Christ to the Gentiles beyond Jerusalem to the end of the world; that time the Roman world. Again, his passion came from the truth that dwelt in his heart and he was not afraid to recognize it and act upon it.

We each are called to become something greater than we think we are. This can only occur through faith, prayer, hope and trust in Christ. What is Christ calling you to today?

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

Scripture:

Genesis 18:1-15
Matthew 8:5-17

Reflection:

We read about several models of faith in the scripture readings today. In Genesis we hear the familiar story of Abraham and Sarah entertaining three visitors who in turn announce to this faithful couple that they will become parents in the coming year! While this was long-awaited news for Abraham and Sarah (especially Sarah), it also left them a bit perplexed.  They had wanted a child for so long but at this point they were old and unsure of how this was going to come about.  At the same time, they took this wonderful news in faith and trust that God was in charge.

The responsorial response, Mary’s Magnificat, her fiat her saying Yes to Jesus in faith, invites us follow Mary’s example and give our total self over to God’s will for us.

The gospel story offers two accounts of healing by Jesus.  One healing request came from a Roman centurion whose servant lay paralyzed and suffering dreadfully.  Jesus was so moved by this man’s faith that he healed the servant on the spot.  Afterward he went to the house of Simon Peter where his mother-in-law lay on her sick bed in a feverish state.  Here again because of her faith and that of Simon Peter, Jesus did not hesitate to heal the woman.

We are people of faith who believe in and trust Jesus’ love and care for us.  Our faith is a precious gift we often take for granted.  It needs to be nourished to enable us to grow in holiness with God and each other.  Let us strive to emulate the people of faith from our scriptures today, Abraham, Sarah, the Centurion, and Peter’s mother-in-law.  In this way Jesus may bless us as he did the centurion in these words;

            “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
            “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”

Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:11-16
Romans 5:5b-11
Luke 15:3-7

Reflection:

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. John 1:9 These are some of the most remarkable words of Christ in the New Testament!  In the life of the Holy Trinity the bond of Their love is utterly beyond our understanding and imagination and rests at the heart of experiencing the life of God.  When the Father reaches out to draw humans into the life of the Trinity, He sent His Son Jesus to touch us with His Holy Spirit by which we cry out Abba Father!

The fact that God wishes to share His Triune love with us is the most incredible surprise of our lives.   He invites us to live or “abide or menō” in His love as theoriginal inspired Greek text in New Testament states.  This word “meno” is used 118 times in NT.  How important it is that we live in His Love!   Who would ever dream that God would care so much for us to send His Only Begotten Son to die for us?    This amazing care for us is symbolized in today’s feast of the Sacred Heart.  

The Heart is used over 1000 times in the Scriptures.  The wonder of revelation is that the God of the Galaxies has a great Heart for us.  He cares for us a million times more than we would dare believe!  When the Apostles in Mark’s gospel wake up Jesus during the storm at sea, they accuse Him: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mk 4:38   In the original inspired text it says, “it does not matter to you that we are perishing”!  This is one of the most awful accusations we could make to Jesus.  Only Mark dares to use it of the apostles to Jesus in his account of the storm at sea.    

Reflection of how much Christ suffered for us on the cross should evaporate our doubts about God’s love for us. Psalm 32:10 is a beautiful help to calm our troubled hearts by His wounded Heart. “But he who boldly trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him^”

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Genesis 16:1-12, 15-6 or 16:6b-12, 15-16
Matthew 7:21-29

Reflection:

My, oh my. Today’s first reading from the Book of Genesis, which tells the story of Sarai and Hagar, is racy, to say the least. It’s a story that, were it not for being in the Bible, might well be banned from libraries these days.

The selection from the Gospel of Matthew is equally challenging. There is a tendency to shroud ourselves in righteousness, as if we speak for God like some spokesperson. Of late, there is a whole lot of name-calling and disparaging of others with crude and demeaning epithets by God-fearing, cross-wearing Christians who believe, like the disciples, that they are doing the Lord’s work. To them, Jesus says, “Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’”

The saying “God writes straight with crooked lines” may help us remain humble and open to God’s wisdom. We don’t know what marvels God can work in the minds and hearts of others. We don’t know how there can be wholeness/holiness from what looks broken or sinful. Abram becomes Abraham, and Sarai becomes Sarah. Peter, the denier, becomes the rock upon which God builds the church. The last shall be first and life from death.

We are all on a journey. We don’t know the whole story. We don’t know the mind of God. What we do know about God is this: God is love. God loves us and Jesus shows us how to love one another, especially the poor and outcast. Maybe this will keep us busy enough that we will have less time to judge and disparage others.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Matthew 7:15-20

Reflection:

In our divided times, the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading are most challenging: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.”

It seems to be a simple criterion for judging a prophet: by the “fruit” he or she bears. But right now, it seems difficult for people to even agree on which “fruit” is good and which is bad.

Perhaps we can take our cues from Jesus. Jesus often spoke about forgiveness and mercy, and He demonstrated both of those things time and time again, even from the Cross. He spoke about coming so that we might have life and have it abundantly. He criticized the scribes and the Pharisees for brow-beating the people without lifting a finger to help them. He ate with the tax collectors and the sinners, those who were considered outcasts and not worthy of God’s love or time. And He spoke to foreigners!

So, when I hear someone indulge in judgement and condemnation, in stereotyping those considered “other,” or even maintaining the status quo so as to benefit one group of people over another, I tend to view the message as a false one. When the message calls for repentance and justice and reconciliation, then it seems true to me.

Before we rush to judgement about “them,” ready to characterize them as true or false prophets, perhaps we ought to take a longer look at the “fruits” they bear.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Scripture:

Isaiah 49:1-6
Acts 13:22-26
Luke 1:57-66, 80

Reflection:

“John is his name.” Today, we remember the birth of St John the Baptist.  Admittedly, the Scriptures present him as rather threatening, but his name in Hebrew means Yahweh (God) is gracious!  The word gracious in Hebrew is ḥānan which means kindness with compassion!  In fact God is Self described in Exodus 34:4 “a merciful racham(compassionate) and very generous (ḥānan)!   The phrase rhymes in Hebrew, racham and ḥānan 

 John the Baptist had to be forceful in waking up his generation to the incredible act of love and kindness from the Father!  John’s mission was to prepare the people for the greatest event ever to happen in the cosmos “the Word was made Flesh”!   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” JN 3:16

Another St John wrote passionately: “¹¹He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. ¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God^” John 1:11

The greatest tragedy of our lives is not to receive and appreciate this enormous gift of Jesus from our Father in Heaven.   So many parents today who by not practicing their faith do irreparable hurt and loss to their children.   I can think of no other child abuse that is worse than this!  We must prayerfully and intensely encourage young parents to be faithful in example and instruction to their children.  I never saw my parents miss Mass on Sunday except for illness.  

Married couples have the power to have children.  What a beautiful opportunity!  I think many today can easily rationalize about not having more children!  What an awesome thing to do!  To give life with God to a human being that is destined to live forever!   Wow!

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.