Claire Smith

Scripture:

Jeremiah 20:7-9
Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 16:21-27

Reflection:

In the midst of the Shoah’ (the holocaust) many Jewish people lost faith in God. They had experiences so much suffering and evil that they had given up trying to answer the question ‘why did God allow this happen to us?’, and indeed many had lost any hope that there was even a God.

At age of 15 Elie Weissel had been taken to a concentration camp and only he and two sisters survived. Based on the horrors he experienced, he spent his life keeping people aware of such depravity and inhumanity. Of the forty works he wrote; one is a play called The Trial of God. Weissel set it in the year 1649 after a pogrom and persecution of the Jews in Russia, but the play seeks to answer the same basic question – ‘How could God allow suffering to happen to innocent people?’.

In the play God is put on trial, witnesses testify against God for not protecting people from suffering, and God’s only defender turns out to be a young man who slowly and carefully dismantles the arguments and defends God – he disassociates God from their pain and suggests it is their sins that have merited such suffering. At the end of the play the characters are shocked to learn that this young man is the devil. 

In such a light we might look again at the reaction of Peter when he learned that Jesus was to suffer. He instinctively tries to prevent this happening; and for doing so, Jesus calls him Satan! Peter is thus the only person in the scriptures named as the devil!

What is happening?

Certainly, we abhor evil and seek to prevent suffering in life. Yet we know all too well that it can be visited upon us without warning, without reason and without justification. Peter’s instincts are only human and normal. Yet,  something is wrong in his reasoning.

While we can’t always have an answer to the Question ‘Why?’ evil and suffering occur, we do know that God is not absent from our experience, that God is not simply a bystander, is not uninvolved in our pain and certainly not the one causing it.

Yet suffering remains; weaving itself into our lives to greater or lesser extent, but nevertheless always there. At the very least it shows us that life is an incomplete reality – free choices, the instability of our natural world, human harm to the balance of nature, the divisions within the human heart, risk-taking activity, egotistic, selfish, or manipulative behaviour, times when distorted thinking triumphs over the deeper human instincts for compassion and protection – these and many other dynamics can cause or contribute to suffering in our world.

Suffering remains a mystery, so we can’t solve that today. But we can see that Jesus was not exempt from suffering, and that he instinctively believed that fidelity to God was of the highest order of value and even outweighed preservation of one’s own life.  More so, he was concerned to clearly delineate God’s action and love for us, from the origins of  evil and suffering. He challenged orthodox thinking in this way and ultimately it did cost him his own life.

For us today the dialogue between Jesus and Peter is revealing. The message is both mysterious and clear. God is on our side in those times we suffer. Fidelity to God and to the truth can be costly. Avoidance of suffering is a human instinct, but not one that must be followed at every turn. We must be aware of instincts like self-preservation when they tempt us to turn away from the good – at such times we may not feel that we are also turning from God’s way, but that might just be the outcome. In everything Jesus’s example, attitudes and teachings are our true guiding light.

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

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Matthew 25:14-30

Reflection:

In our day-to-day lives, we hear the word “love” mentioned when someone gets engaged to be married, or when a baby is born. We also hear the word a lot at funerals, as we celebrate the love that the deceased gave to all those they left behind.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul compliments the Thessalonians on their love for their brothers and sisters in the Christian community. St. Paul knew that love between individuals—friendship, marital love and parental love are important types of love.

Recent Popes have spoken of another type of love, though, a more far-reaching love, one that extends into the larger spheres of human interaction. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI wrote:

Love, overflowing with small gestures of mutual care, is also civic and political, and it makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world. Love for society and commitment to the common good are outstanding expressions of a charity which affects not only relationships between individuals but also “macro-relationships, social, economic and political ones”. (Caritas in Veritate 2)

Pope Francis refers to this type of love as “social love”: …” Along with the importance of little everyday gestures, social love moves us to devise larger strategies to halt environmental degradation and to encourage a “culture of care” which permeates all of society. When we feel that God is calling us to intervene with others in these social dynamics, we should realize that this too is part of our spirituality, which is an exercise of charity and, as such, matures and sanctifies us. (Laudato Si’ 231)

Looking through the lens of social love, how can we interpret the Parable of the Talents in today’s Gospel reading? The ”talents” in today’s Gospel represent what God has given us, both as individuals and as a human family. And the message of the parable is to not squander those gifts through misuse or abuse. Our common home, Earth is a one-time endowment from God. And just as the man in the parable entrusted his servants with sums of money, God has entrusted us humans since the Garden of Eden with caring and protecting the source of all our sustenance, Earth.

So, how can we “halt the environmental degradation and encourage a culture of care”, as Pope Francis asks? Yesterday was the beginning of the annual ecumenical Season of Creation, running from September 1^st to October 4^th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. In this season, Christians celebrate the gifts of Creation, and we recommit to caring for Creation and the Poor. Let us join with our fellow Christians in many expressions of social love during this Season of Creation!

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She served on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit. She is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Matthew 1:1-13

Reflection:

Today we read the parable of the ten virgins or bridesmaids.  The groom, in Jewish wedding custom, first celebrated a meal at home with family and friends.  Then the party moved to the bride’s family home.  The bridesmaids waited for the groom’s arrival at which time everyone entered the home for the wedding ceremony.  The groom’s meal in the parable lasted longer than expected, so the bridesmaids became sleepy.   Only the five bridesmaids who brought enough oil for their lamps were ready for the groom and welcomed into the home.  So many lessons in this parable!  For today’s reflection, let’s focus on the lessons of “waiting” and “filling our own lamps”. 

Jesus, like the groom in the parable, will return one day, but we do not know when.  The original context is the Second Coming, but the message equally applies to our personal time on earth.  Our challenge while waiting is to use the opportunity to prepare for Christ’s coming while avoiding the drowsiness of distractions.

The lesson of the lamps is that we are responsible for our own oil of preparation for heaven.  True, we must share with others.  However, when preparing for our salvation, each of us is on our own.  “Go instead to the merchants and buy some [oil] for yourselves.”  Even if the five wise bridesmaids wanted to share, they could not.  Spiritual directors, mentors and teachers may show us the way, but we are responsible for our own preparation.

Through prayer, reflection, and charitable works, we can use our waiting time productively while also filling the lamps for our spiritual journey.

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

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Matthew 24:42-51

Reflection:

Happy Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time!

Some years ago, I had cause to plead with God – to beg for something… anything that would help me through a challenge which, up until that point, was the worst moment of my life. 

Sure, every single day I’m in need.  And if I were a betting man, I’d bet that you also feel the same way.  But on this particular day, I was slapped in the face with something I could never have imagined, and certainly didn’t want.  It doesn’t really matter what it was, but it was palpable and intense.  Perhaps you’ve felt something similar at some point on your journey.

So, and as I usually do when things go wrong, I found myself in the sanctuary.  Sitting completely alone, isolated, and broken, I yelled, “God, are you even there?”

And then it happened.

In as clear and loud a voice as you could imagine — as though it came from someone sitting as uncomfortably close as they possibly could — in my left ear, I heard, “Well, Paul, I had to get your attention SOME-how.”

I spun to my left immediately, but the church was completely empty.  It took a few moments, but it hit me like a ton of bricks…  It was Jesus, Godself, who had to beat me over the head with a huge stick just so I would be able to recognize that he was there with me.

In our Gospel today (Matthew 24:42-51), Jesus says to his disciples: “Stay awake!  For at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

I sure didn’t know that Jesus would yell at me in that hour.  But the thing is that God is ALWAYS there, yelling at us.  If we would only keep our senses open to seeing him, we’d find God in every moment, in every person, in every experience.  Jesus walks with us in every step and in every occasion, whether we like it or not.  God is always there, pursuing us.  In our strength and in our sorrow, our joy and in our pain… In the extraordinary and the ordinary, God is there.

So where does God find you?  Is it only in the good?  Or could it also be in the bad?

Could it be in loss, or maybe an accident?  A diagnosis or breach of trust?
Could it be in the shame and regret of the mistakes of your past?

God is there. 
God is with you… especially when you least expect it. 
Always.

Open your eyes, your ears, your heart.  A tree.  A flower.  A bird.  A song.  A weed.  A phone call.  A broken bone.  A chance meeting.  A stranger appearing at the exact right moment.  A person saying, “I love you.”  That’s God, coming for you.  Wanting you. 

Holding you in the amazing expanse of his most holy arms. 

I don’t know when it’ll happen, but God does.  And all we have to do is keep our eyes peeled, and be open, be ready, be waiting.  Even in our darkest moment, it’s never too late to know and feel God’s loving presence.

So where is God in your life right now? 
Who is Jesus using to reach you, to walk with you?
Or, could it be that God is in you, acting though you, to reach out to another?

(scary!)

Stay awake… be ready.  Look.  Listen. 
God is with you,
even in the hour which you do not expect.

————

Dear God of all creation,
thank you for the gift of your most amazing presence in all things. 
Please,
grant us the faith to see you,
to hear you,
to call for you,
to reach for you,
and to know your healing
in your perfect way,
in your perfect time. 
Thy will be done.
Amen.

————

Peace and love to you, today and forever.

Paul Puccinelli is Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Rita Parish in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:27-32

Reflection:

Isn’t it funny that God knows everything about us, every hair on our head, every memory, activity, action. And yet there are still those who put on airs of grandeur. The pompous or self-righteous, those who seem beyond reproach and voice too loudly their thoughts and opinions.

And now think about this – WHO CARES? Why do we really care about how others present themselves? We need to get in the habit of focusing on ourselves – the good we do for others, corporal and spiritual works of mercy, maintaining a strong prayer life and constantly learning about our faith. We love and respect everyone, no matter how different they are from us in their thoughts or appearances. Why? Because that’s what Jesus would do…

Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
(A gentler way of saying the Beheading of John the Baptist)

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Mark 6:17-29

Reflection:

The readings today show the power of words. Someone who knows how to use words can motivate a group of people to do better. A coach of a sports team motivates athletes to win a championship. A leader of a military unit exhorts the troops to push forward under heavy artillery. A politician campaigning for an office rallies the supporters to gain voters. All have the gift of speech. This is a special gift that can have a positive or negative effect on individuals or on a group. The Word of God is powerful because it speaks to each soul in a special way. The Word of God is meant to bring us closer to God in our relationship with him. There are many graces/gifts that come through this Word which build up the Body of Christ.

In Saint Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he speaks of having the courage to proclaim the Gospel and that he and his companions speak to please God and not men. The focus of their words was to praise God through their teaching while preaching the truth of God’s Word. Saint Paul and his companions set out to build the Church one person at a time. We know that Saint Paul and the Apostles were mistreated many times as they went about spreading the Gospel message. In the end, all except Saint John, were martyred for their spreading of the Gospel.

In the Gospel, Saint John the Baptist knew that his call was to preach and proclaim the coming of the messiah. He held fast to his gift of preaching and teaching, putting his life on the line to speak the truth. He confronted Herod Antipas about his marriage to his brother’s wife when his brother was still living. Herod Antipas was a “king” with “power” who could not stand up to the truth when his wife asked for the “head of John the Baptist”. He could not humble himself and say no to her request. He would have appeared to be weak for refusing her request. What would people think of a king not keeping a promise? Even a king of ancient Palestine felt pressure from his guests or what he thought that his guests wanted. Some might have been on the side of the Queen. Some might have stood quietly, afraid to speak out, not wanting to go against the king or queen. Was there anyone there who did not agree with the request of the queen? Even in modern times not many people will step forward to ask questions or make objections when something is off track or unjust.

Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just? Do I have enough faith to speak about my faith to others?

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

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10
Matthew 23:13-22

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  We all know stories of ‘bad boy’ Augustine!  His early life was filled with revelry and sinfulness and his Mother, Saint Monica prayed fervently for his conversion.  We also know that conversion did happen, he was baptized, later ordained and eventually became a Bishop.  During his lifetime it is said he wrote thousands of letters of theological value.  He is best known for his philosophical works, the Confessions and City of God.

Because of his wild and unpredictable early days, Augustine has been described as an ‘unlikely convert’.  We can see that this unlikely convert did experience conversion and went on to be a true gift of our church. Over the many years of walking with candidates through the RCIA process, I was given to remember the times that our team and myself would share concerns about the sincerity or intention of certain inquirers and question what our course of action should be.  There are two instances of this uncertainty that come to mind.  One young man who came faithfully through the process, asked questions, pondered the material presented, but always did so with an edge, an angry disposition.  In the end, the Holy Spirit won out and in turn he is one of the most faithful and active parishioners to this day. The other person, a young lady, college student, was a hit and miss inquirer.  When she did come, sometimes she actively participated in the process, but many times, just not real committed.  It was a difficult decision we made to suggest she take a break, spend some time in prayer and reflection with her sponsor and reenter at another time.  We were very pleased when we heard several years later she had gone through the process elsewhere and was welcomed into full communion and happy in her new church home.

The Holy Spirit that brought Saint Augustine and these two inquirers through a conversion in faith is the same spirit that led the Thessalonian community in faith and action. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy gave worthy praise to this community for their unceasing faith, love and endurance.  They put their faith in God rather than idols, just as Saint Augustine did and the inquirers we heard about in the previous paragraph.  We are all frail humans, we make rash decisions, we jump to conclusions, we are sinful and we all need to remember the responsorial psalm of today,

            ‘The Lord takes delight in his people.’

God takes delight in all that God has created, living and non-living creation.  We are called to do the same.  A favorite quote of mine attributed to Saint Augustine gives me pause to do just that.

         “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”  -Saint Augustine

May we all take time out of our busyness to ‘rest in God’ and enjoy the peace that comes through it.

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 22:19-23
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

Reflection:

Who do you have faith in? Maybe your spouse, your parents, someone you work for? Maybe you have faith in the law, in government, or in your doctors and nurses.

The faith that Peter has for Jesus is such a blessing. That rock on which he will stand is a faith in God, so powerful that it will safeguard Peter for all eternity. Our faith can become stagnant, or it can grow, depending on what we do with our lives and our spirituality.

Working with people returning to the church or coming for the first time, I see a lot of opportunities that were missed in the form of guidance or prayer. And some try to find faith when they haven’t been involved in their faith for years – it’s almost like actually having that child-like spirit because it hasn’t been nurtured and fed. Some fall away because of false information, a lack of education, or just a lack of feeling the necessity for that one true faith.

Come back, come home – His love will never leave you if you just ask him to be with you. God bless you.

Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas.