Claire Smith

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Matthew 5:43-48

Reflection:

Let your meditation be “taken up” in the Holy Spirit today. The Word of God invites us to the mystical within us. The “mystical” within us is the reality within us which is not apparent to the intelligence or the senses! This reality inspires a sense of mystery and wonder. Yes, it takes a choice in our prayer to surrender one’s senses, one’s breathing, one’s heartbeat to a presence that is with us, in us, and works through us.

Make this exercise of inhaling and exhaling be the physical connection to the breath and heartbeat of our Creator. “The beat of our heart ought to be responding to God’s beat, the intake of our life-breath to the breathing of God’s spirit upon us. God first loves us with heart and soul moment by moment, and to live we must resonate or vibrate this divine heartbeat and breathing of life. And so we will “be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P.)

In our human, limited way of thinking and perceiving, “perfect” is the end all and be all of something. There is nothing more to add. It is a static, unchanging state of being. 

But the God whom Jesus calls “Father” is superlative, all-expansive in love. God’s perfection means there is always room for more!” Our God possesses us, as God’s own, called to walk, daily, in God’s ways. Our God is ever-forgiving, ever desiring, calling forth our love in every circumstance, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.

So rather than coming to a state of completion or perfection, we are called today and tomorrow, to remain on the way, that every circumstance would continue to stretch us with the capability of loving more and more. Take this meditation into your day. It is not magical, it is mystical!

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P., is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Ezekiel 18:21-28
Matthew 5:20-26

Reflection:

We are all familiar with the three pillars of Lent: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.  The other day, as I reflected on my daily life, I concluded – with some self-satisfaction – that I already practice these disciplines.  Do I pray? Yes.  Give alms?  Yes. Fast?  Well, maybe once in a while.  As I enter Lent, then, two out of three ain’t bad, right?  Wrong.  Jesus tells us in today’s gospel: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:20).  In other words, Lent demands more of us.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus deepened the Law, in contrast to the literal, perhaps even smug interpretation of the Torah by the scribes and Pharisees, and by extension our own understanding of the Commandments.  It is more than a matter of not killing or not committing adultery, for example.  Go deeper, Jesus urges us.  He calls us, not merely to obey the letter of law, but to go the extra mile.  Exorcise even those feelings and attitudes that can lead us to violate those commandments.  Begin with love and reconciliation.

“If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift,” Jesus tells us (Mt. 5:23-24).  Offering gifts at the altar is a solemn duty.  Jesus, however, says the first and greater duty is to reconcile with brother or sister.  There can be no true harmony with God if there is disharmony among brother and sister.

Interestingly, the early second-century catechism, the Didache, applies this same principle to the Eucharist: “Let no one who has a quarrel with his fellow join you, until they have been reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be defiled” (Did. 14:2).

Lent is more than checking boxes.  Jesus demands more.  Our Lenten journey of 40 days is a time to shake out of our smug and secure comfort zone.  This is a time of challenge, purification, and testing.  Love and reconciliation are the best way – ultimately the only way – we can prepare for and experience true resurrection.

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

Scripture:

Ester C:12, 14-16, 23-25
Matthew 7:7-12

Reflection:

“Ask and it will be given; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.” Can we believe that when so often it doesn’t appear to hold true? We beg and plead with God and seemingly get no answer. Indeed, sometimes someone else’s prayers seem to be answered while ours go unheeded. We can heap guilt upon ourselves, assuming it’s our fault. Perhaps we’re asking in the “wrong” way, or perhaps our faith is deficient. Or we get angry because we assume the fault is God’s. How can we please this capricious God who doles out favors so sparingly?

One distinction to note: What is it that Jesus promises? He says, “…how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him?” Ah, that changes things. We are not promised that if we ask for a new job, we will receive a new job, or if we ask for physical healing, we will receive physical healing. Instead, Jesus promises that if we ask for anything, we will receive “good things”. In other words, we will receive what we need, not necessarily what we want. What we request may or may not be good for us, and God knows the difference.  

When my dad was dying, despite our multitude of prayers (from 10 kids!) we did not receive physical healing. Instead, we received reconciliation of divisions within our family that Dad was able to witness before he died. We received the blessing of having most of the family gathered with him, praying and singing as he went to God. We received such a strong witness to spirituality and faith that even non-practicing family members were touched. Dad’s death was truly sacred. God doesn’t often give physical healing, but God always heals. God doesn’t always answer in the ways we want, but God always answers prayers.

Jesus tells us God wants us to be honest and ask for what we desire. Of course, God knows what’s in my heart even before I speak. Formulating and verbalizing my needs is a valuable exercise for my own sake, not for God’s. Then I must trust the Source of all love to winnow out the chaff and pour out what I truly need underneath it all.

Jesus’ challenge, then, is to continually be in relationship with God – asking for what I need, laying bare the depths of my heart and sharing my life. Then comes the hard part – simultaneously opening myself and learning to listen to God’s answers, so I can be an ever more receptive vessel to what God knows I need to receive. My life will not be free from sadness, tragedy, and loss. I need constantly to ask, seek, and knock. God will answer by filling me with everything I need to handle it with grace, courage, and peace. What greater answer could anyone receive?

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/.

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:10-11
Matthew 6:7-15

Reflection:

How should we pray?

If you do not have the words, don’t worry, the Holy Spirit will interpret them for you to the Father. What is in your heart is what is important. Hence, there is no wrong or right way to pray. Jesus left us an example of what should always be in our heart when we pray. We all speak with different words and different languages, but God knows the heart and He listens. Train your heart to always pray as Jesus taught us.

The Lord promises that the Word that comes from his mouth will be like the rain and snow that come down from the heavens: Our Father who art in heaven. God’s fruitful Word gives bread to the one who eats: Give us this day our daily bread. God’s Word shall do his will: Thy will be done. God’s Word shall not return to him void: Thy Kingdom come. God’s merciful Word changes our hearts: We forgive those who trespass against us. God’s Word achieves its purpose: Deliver us from evil.

If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you.”—Matthew 6:14-15

The above Scripture passage from today’s Gospel reading is blunt and clear. “The measure with which you measure will be used to measure you” (Mt 7:2). Our eternal forgiveness and salvation depend upon whether or not we have forgiven those who have wronged us. Yet we are only human, and our sinful nature inherited from original sin makes forgiveness impossible from a human standpoint. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing, particularly when choosing to forgive (Jn 15:5). Therefore, we must constantly beg the Lord for the grace to forgive “seventy times seven times” those who have harmed us (Mt 18:22).

Deacon Peter Smith serves at St. Mary’s and Holy Family Parishes in Alabama. He is also the Athletic Director and Facility Manager at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, Alabama, and a member of our Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Matthew 25:31-46

Reflection:

Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’ (Mt 25:34-36)

I’m not sure what this is all about, but when I make something, I want to share it with another. When I buy something, I want to keep it for myself, to satisfy my personal or perceived needs. Maybe it’s the difference between abundance and scarcity. Just out and out sharing seems so contradictory in my world, a world that has a price for everything. A price for my time as a teacher, a price for the fruits of the earth and a price for the products of my making. To just give these things away, or to share them freely with others as the above scripture seems to suggest, just doesn’t compute. How am I to live or survive?

I wonder what a world that did not have prices for everything would look like? Would everyone who was capable, do their “fair” share of work to grow, gather and prepare our food, to help shelter all from the cold by building housing and making clothing? Would I go hungry, or be left out in the cold in such a world?

What I do know is that I have and continue to be very blessed, having food, clothing and shelter. Today, I share in a lunch program for seniors that utilizes food from our local food depository system. According to its website, the food depository system gets it food from surpluses from farmers, wholesalers and retail grocers. Needless to say, we don’t get prime beef or lobster newburg. We do get a slice of pie however, from another group in Chicago that boasts of how many meals they serve to the Chicago’s hungry every month.

Throughout these past winters, I have been able to go outside and keep warm each day no matter how cold it was. That is due to the kindness of three of my friends, one who is dead. You see they have all given me items of clothing to keep me warm.

The first item of clothing is an Irish Fisherman’s sweater, that was given to me by my good friend Penny many years ago. I don’t remember the occasion for the gift, probably Christmas. It is a “Pure new wool, Hand knit Cardigan with an authentic pattern from the Republic of Ireland”. Well, Penny is gone now, but I still wear that beautiful sweater and yes, think of her every time I put it on.

The second piece of clothing is also a knit sweater. This sweater was knit by a good friend of mine, Spencer, who knits as an avocation. It is a tighter knit weave than the one above with patterns of browns, blues and whites yarn made from pure lambs’ wool. Every time I wear this sweater, someone will remark on how beautiful it is and want to know where I got it. Of course, I tell them of my good friend Spencer. Then they usually remark on how lucky I am to have such a good friend. I agree.

The third piece of clothing is a coat that another good friend, Makoto gave me. It’s a down winter coat made by a famous brand that is noted for its quality and earth friendliness. The coat has a hood that keeps me warm no matter how hard the wind blows. The coat is guaranteed for life and actually is the replacement of the original coat that I had for ten plus years. I brought the original coat back to the manufacturer for some repairs for the third time in ten years. This time, the clerk who was taking care of me said: “Oh, this coat has really been loved. I think it is too worn and we will have to replace it.” They did just that and at no cost to me.

Thank you, God, for good friends, the lambs who gave of their wool, the ducks of their down, our mother earth, the intelligence of reputable food and clothing manufacturers and distributors that have kept me warm and fed again these cold winter days. I pray that everyone will be as blessed and have clothing that will cover their nakedness, protecting them from the weather. Let me step up whenever possible to be your caring representative in my world today accepting each opportunity to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, visit the imprisoned and care for each person you let into my life.

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

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Romans 10: 8-13
Luke 4:1-13

Reflection:

Who owns your heart?

This is the question Jesus wrestles with while alone in the desert. After his baptism by John in the Jordon, his family, friends, the religious establishment were probably wondering about him, observing him, curious to find out what would come next in his young life.

Escaping society, going into the desert alone, Jesus is face to face with his core self. “Who am I? What is my purpose? What does my Father want from me?”

As he ponders his selfhood, The Evil One steps in to do his best to win his heart. Jesus might have asked himself, “Why not go for pleasures, possessions and glory?” The Evil One responds, “I can accommodate you easily if you let me. All you have to do is let me have your heart.”

Jesus knew every seduction. He flirted with being a well-respected liberator, who the Jewish community had long-awaited, to lead the offensive against the Romans. Or he could be a magician-healer who performed miracles to the ego-boosting applause of onlookers. Or, perhaps, growing up in a backwater town like Nazareth, he could use his intelligence and entrepreneurial skills to be a successful businessman, amassing wealth beyond that of his family and friends.  Better yet, as a young man well-formed as a good Jew, he could have joined the religious establishment and lived a comfortable life as a rabbi.

All of these options churned in him while he lie awake under the stars, alone in that big desert.

No doubt he took all his longings and urges to his Father in prayer while huddled against a rock, under a cloak to keep out the night chill.

At his most vulnerable state, having fasted for 40 days and nights, the Devil dropped by to greet him and offer the best of the best if Jesus would just give him his heart.

Jesus listened intently to the Evil One’s spiel. Lucifer talked a good game. Jesus surely envisioned scenarios that could really make life rewarding and pleasurable. Why not just give in?

But the Spirit, who led him to the waters of John’s baptism and then led him into this desert, stepped up to say, “Not so fast, Prince of Darkness!”

Back and forth Jesus went, losing sleep, shaken by the burden of freedom. Enfeebled by the harsh elements and his empty stomach, he remained undecided.

Then the Spirit, like a gust of hurricane wind, stirred in a powerful way. Surrendering totally to his Father, Jesus gave a resounding response, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God!”

And so the defeated Evil One backs off, “…he withdrew from him for a time.”

We know the rest of the story. Jesus’ final temptation, in the Garden of Gethsemane, will be his last and most important temptation, the Devil at his back again.

But for now, having given his heart entirely to his Father, he is ready for his life’s mission. Henceforth every action will be according to his Father’s will.

For 21^st Century radical disciples, this temptation story is one we each experience every day in our own unique lives. We can dismiss a face-to-face look at ourselves by getting absorbed in life’s superficial distractions, entertainments and busyness. Or we can stop and unplug from demands and expectations of others and let ourselves be transformed.

Lent is an opportune time to withdraw, to unplug. We might begin setting aside a special time for silent prayer daily. Better yet, we might schedule a retreat to deeply reflect on our lives as Christians and determine, under the guidance of the Spirit, if a new direction is necessary. Or we might just walk alone in the woods or along the shore, letting God speak to us in the quiet of our hearts.

Jesus gave his heart away and found the fullness of life. This Let he invites us to do the same.

Jim Wayne is a board member of the Passionist Solidarity Network (PSN), and author of The Unfinished Man. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Isaiah 58:9b-14
Luke 5:27-32

Reflection:

Thus says the LORD:

If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.   -Isaiah 58:9-10

I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.  -Luke 5:32

Have you ever noticed how God gives us very clear instructions on how He would like us to act towards each other? It’s not like these instructions are hidden in some obscure, esoteric text, requiring years of study to just begin to understand them. No, it would be hard even for God to put His desires in plainer language than what we find in the reading from Isaiah today: ‘Stop harming each other, take care of those less fortunate.’

And yet, we continue to miss the mark. Somehow, we interpret God’s word to mean we need to perform elaborate rituals, wear certain vestments, say certain incantations to gain His favor. While these actions all help us to open to and receive God’s love, are they all that God desires? What does He say in return? Love one another, as I love you. He shows His love by sending His own Son, who continues to preach this simple message.

In the Gospel today, Jesus reminds us that he came to reach those who miss the mark. Another interpretation of the above quote could be, “I have not come to call those who already believe they are righteous, but to call those who know they need help.” While it might be hard to admit that we have failed in what God calls us to do, that is the first step in the repentance that Jesus preaches.

My prayer today is that I have the ears to hear God’s simple message and the will to carry it out.

In addition to being an independent teacher (now online!), Talib Huff is on the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center In Citrus Heights, California. You can contact him at [email protected].

Scripture:

Isaiah 58:1-9
Matthew 9:14-15

Reflection:

Fasting…For Lent 2022 and Beyond

The keyword in both of today’s Scripture readings is “fasting”.  Both the Prophet Isaiah and Jesus Himself uphold the value and challenge of true fasting.  Pure and simple, fasting is a central Lenten practice along with prayer and almsgiving.

Fasting has long been considered a spiritual practice of self-discipline.  More recently fasting has emerged as a popular secular dieting practice.  For Catholics, fasting is a collective penitential practice of biblical origin, traditionally involving partial or complete abstinence from food or drink.  Contemporary approaches to fasting include many other forms — from discipline regarding social media to thoughts and words, to sleeping in… as well as limitation of food and drink.

Isaiah and Jesus both emphasize fasting as means to a change of heart, a sharpening of personal focus, a means of resisting sin, of growth in love of God and neighbor.  Jesus uses the image of the groom and guests at a wedding; He invites us to go beyond selfish ambitions and draw closer to Him, to love Him and share in His mission of sacrificial love.  Isaiah highlights the practical challenge of fasting as he speaks of setting free the oppressed, sharing bread with the hungry, clothing the naked, not turning your back on anyone – a vital message for 21^st Century folk as well as those of Isaiah’s day.

This Lent God invites us to go beyond ourselves and lovingly reach out to others, to be aware of others’ needs, to go out of ourselves in caring for others – as does Jesus!  Our love is to flow from our relationship with Jesus:  unselfish and self-sacrificing, practical, transformative – Jesus’ love for us flowing to all of God’s creation.  Today’s needs are great:  the COVID pandemic continues to sicken and kill many; nations are fiercely at war; poverty and injustice cry to us from our city streets; fear and hopelessness are all-too-evident; our common earthly home calls out for critical attention.  Loving change is needed!

This Lenten Season may our personal fasting help foster a feasting of lasting and fruitful change of heart in both thought, word, and deed – the transforming Life and Love of Jesus Crucified for all creation.  Amen!

Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.