Claire Smith

Scripture:

Jeremiah 7:23-28
Luke 11:14-23

Reflection:

Being With Christ

Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

We must learn to be with the total Christ.   We must cherish each member of his body the church.  We need not feel jealous of any of his members, rather praise God for His gift to all of us in them.   Although Christ is beautiful and perfect in His humanity He chose as His coworkers, members that are flawed and damaged by past sins.  Perhaps if He only chose perfect people in His Church, they would discouraged sinners like ourselves from joining His body.

A spirit of forgiveness is an extremely important attitude to be with Christ and not against Him.  We live in a culture of tearing down statutes of flawed heroes of our country.   It is a wonder of God’s grace that so much has been done by imperfect people.   Maybe we can learn by looking at the birds of the sky.  They would include the pigeons who decorate our statues!  It is a sign of great spiritual immaturity to dismiss damaged members of His body.  “Every saint has a past (not necessarily good) and every sinner has a future”.  St Augustine   

We certainly do not encourage a sinful life with no felt need to be like Our beautiful Shepard.  The lovely word in the inspired Greek New Testament is kalos in describing Jesus. The basic sense of καλός  “organically healthy,” “fit,” “useful,” “serviceable.” sense of “genuine” or “sterling,”.   In His less than perfect members of His body we should be able to sense what is wonderful.  In our negative judgements against our brothers and sisters don’t forget the beam in our eye.  The church is the Body of Christ on this earth.  I don’t think it is wise to be a critic of God’s elect because “I have come to call sinners”.

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

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
Matthew 5:17-19

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus says to the crowds, “Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but fulfill.” If we look at the conflicts between Jesus and the Pharisees and the scribes which we read in the Gospels, we may think Jesus is contradicting Himself. The Pharisees and the scribes often criticize Jesus and the apostles for not faithfully observing this ritual or that, or for doing things forbidden on the sabbath.

In response, Jesus points out to them that they way they use their knowledge of the law goes against what the law was really meant to do. What was the purpose of the law? We get an idea from our first reading from Deuteronomy. In that reading, Moses exhorts the people to observe the statutes and decrees that God has given them “carefully, for thus you will give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations…” Moses also says: “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”

The purpose of the law was to lead the people to respond to the love God had for them, and to do justice to each other. Jesus was the fulfillment of that purpose! In the Son of God becoming one of us in Jesus, God became as close to us as possible, and went beyond the law to save us and show us the way to love and do justice to each other.

When we get tempted to use the rules and rituals of the Church in the same way that the Pharisees and the scribes used the law – as a cudgel against others, we need to remember what Jesus did for us, and look for ways to love one another as He loves us.

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

Scripture:

Daniel 3:25, 34-43
Matthew 18: 21-23

Reflection:

Lord, 

You said that by sincerely being penitent and asking for your mercy, my sins will be forgiven.  However, you made it clear that what I am asking is that You “…forgive us our sins AS we forgive our debtors.” Unstated is that I will be forgiven in the same manner as I forgive my debtors.You meant that I cannot simply say “I forgive you,” but with the spirit of true forgiveness I must cleanse my heart of any meanness or dark feelings that resides there for anyone who has offended me. And I need to forgive others at least as many times as I have to ask You for forgiveness.

At 70 years of age, I’m pretty sure seven times seventy is not going to cover it, Lord. I mean, that only gives me seven forgivenesses a year!That is definitely not gonna cut it.I have held grudges, sought revenge, or shunned someone because of some perceived slight or offense more often than I care to think about.  It’s so much easier to love You than to love some of my neighbors, co-workers, even friends or family.  I have at times, felt hurt because of the actions of others, so hurt that it’s hard to forgive.  I know that I have hurt others as well.  

 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  Mark 11: 25

As I must forgive to be forgiven, Father, please teach me how to rid myself of the burdens of anger or resentment so that I may forgive all others. And if I am truly forgiven, please show me how to forgive myself.   I ask this in the name of Your son, Jesus, our Redeemer.   

Ray Alonzo is the father of three children, grandfather of two, and husband to Jan for over 45 years. He is a USN Vietnam Veteran, and a 1969 graduate of Mother of Good Counsel Passionist Prep Seminary. Ray currently serves on the Passionist Alumni Council.

Scripture:

2 Kings 5:1-15ab
Luke 4:24-30

Reflection:

“Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain, too your dwelling place.”  -Psalm 43:3

As a child attending Catholic elementary school, I was encouraged to give up something for Lent such as candy or going to the movies and then give that saved money to  the poor. Of recent years, especially during the pandemic I have been paying more attention to the quality of my prayer life.  This verse from today’s Psalm is most poignant for me.  What is my holy mountain, where is God’s dwelling place for me?  How often do we stop and reflect upon the meaning of prayer in our lives. 

On December 16, 2020, Pope Francis in his weekly audience, shared that prayer reveals our common humanity.  “We all need interiority: to retreat within a space and a time dedicated to our relationship with God.”  In prayer, God “takes us, blesses us, and gives us,” to satisfy everyone’s hunger. (America: Pope Francis on how prayer reveals our common humanity, December 16, 2020)

The one who prays is enabled to see Christ in all persons we meet, the poor, the elderly and those most in need.  People of prayer need solitude and silence  so as to better listen to God’s speaking to us in the depts of our heart. Our human hearts search for prayer.

“The Church, in all of her members, has the mission to practice the prayer of intercession: to intercede for others”.  This is an important responsibility for parents, teachers and others in roles of responsibility. “The Catholic Catechism teaches us that   our intercessory prayer, in communion with all the saints, participates in Christ’s own prayer.” (cf. No. 2635) 

How would I rate the quality of my prayer life?  How much time daily do I spend in prayer?   Do I bring the  needs of my family and the world to prayer? How might I improve my prayer life this Lent?  Christ the Good Shepherd, assist me to improve my prayer life and be attentive to both my needs and the needs of others.

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Reflection:

The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.   
-Matthew 21:43

Those poor Pharisees! Doesn’t Jesus see they’re only trying to protect and lead the people? They are doing their best in the way they know how. And if they happen to profit from their actions, well, isn’t that their just rewards?

Often those who find themselves in positions of leadership find there are perks that go with the position. Even beyond the respect and admiration afforded to those in power, there can be financial and other benefits. Once we find ourselves in a position of leadership, we can lose sight of our original intention: service. And to keep ourselves in these exalted positions, we need to be clear who is allowed in our special group and who is an outcast.

In the parable that Jesus shares today we see a group of people grasping at things that do not belong to them. Even the Pharisees see what the end result will be. But it is interesting that the judgement that Jesus says will be rendered on the Pharisees is not that they will lose their positions, their influence, or their prestige. No, they will lose something much more precious they will lose the kingdom of God – The peace that comes from living in the presence of God. In the original Greek Jesus says the kingdom will be given over to the ethnos, literally the family of humankind.

In the same way that the curtain in the Holy of Holies is torn top to bottom and God is revealed to all at the moment of Jesus’ death, Jesus is saying every woman, man, and child is given the kingdom. It is not reserved for those with special training, for a particular race, with economic status, with a color of skin, or any other of the myriad ways we divide our family. Jesus is living proof that God is with us. And, it seems, it is only those who would deny God to others who will lose the kingdom.

Today I pray that I remember to be of service to all who I encounter, regardless of our relationship according to human ideas.

Talib Huff is on the retreat team at Christ the King Retreat Center In Citrus Heights. You can contact him at [email protected].

Scripture:

Jeremiah 18:18-20
Matthew 20:17-28

Reflection:

Leadership is a demanding ministry. It might also be said to be an ‘art’ and a subtle one at that. It is far easier in a time when a group or organisation is growing and progressing – such times are exciting, the groups have high energy and leaders, and members can see the results of their efforts – often before there very eyes.

In times of trial, disappointment, struggle, or persecution leadership is equally vital, but it takes on a different character. Leadership in difficult times, especially when hostility is directed at leaders themselves, is deeply challenging. At such times validation must come not from external success or adulation an approval, but from deep within. In times of persecution especially leaders must draw on a well of deep resources – hope, trust, and faith to persevere and to lead. In items of persecution a trial ‘good’ can seem to be repaid with evil (as the prophet Jeremiah notes).

Jesus was all too aware of such dynamics.

“Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” He asks those who follow and seek to hold office and authority.

Power, position, privilege, and prestige are often associated with leadership – and they can be seductively alluring. To seek only these aspects is to be led astray and instead of leading one is being led – and the mission suffers.

Further if one only sees leadership in the light of its associated aspects then one misses the mark completely.

In the vision of Jesus, leadership goes beyond mere titles and even position in a group structure. For Jesus leadership might have trappings, but they were not his concern, rather he speaks to the essential dynamic of leading – service.  “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave”.

Further, while Jesus sees that leading entails witness and is observed to entail ‘seats’ of office – he is more concerned to stress that a leader must also be able a prepared to endure betrayal, restriction of liberty and even death. He speaks openly of his ‘chalice’ as symbolic of these realities.

We have the finest of leaders to follow – let us do so. “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is a member of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.