Claire Smith

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Scripture:

Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

Reflection:

In today’s post-Christmas Gospel reading we find the Holy Family, Mary, Joseph and Jesus visiting the temple to perform the traditional Jewish rituals after a child is born. They meet an old woman and an old man who, because they are full of the Holy Spirit, recognize Jesus for Who He is. The man, Simeon proclaims: ” …for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”  And there is great joy.

But then Simeon says something to Mary that tinges that joy with sorrow: “And you yourself a sword will pierce,” foretelling Mary’s accompaniment of her Son through His ministry, suffering and death on the Cross.

The other two readings for today give us insights into outcomes of suffering. In the first reading from Malachi the writer speaks of purification, using the metaphor of metal being refined and shaped within a hot fire. And in the second reading from Hebrews, we hear that “Because he himself (Jesus) was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”

Suffering is a part of human life. Some suffering is the discomfort, anxiety, and grief we feel as we move through life’s developmental stages, letting go of one thing to embrace another. Sometimes there are huge losses caused by betrayal or death.

St. Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Passionists, encourages us by way of his many letters: “Oh, how I desire that you know how to be constant in suffering the pressures, ordeals, and trials so necessary to purify the spirit that it may be reborn at every moment in Christ Jesus in the most pure faith and holy love! But the point is you must know how to endure such pressures in silence and in hope.”

Like Mary, our Mother of Sorrows, we know that suffering never has the last word, as long as we stay in communion with Jesus and endure in hope.

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:

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3
Mark 5:21-43

Reflection:

Our readings today point to some of the most painful of human sufferings.   In the Old Testament reading from 2 Samuel, we hear of David’s abject grief when he hears that his son Absalom has been killed in the heat of battle.  Absalom was David’s third son and estranged from his father, even fighting on the side of his enemies.  While on horseback in the heart of battle, Absalom’s long hair was caught in the branches of a tree, allowing soldiers favorable to David to kill him. When the news is brought to David he is consumed with grief, a grief all the more intense because of their alienation.  David’s parental lament reaches us through the ages: “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”

Another example of terrifying parental grief is found in the gospel reading for today from Mark. A synagogue official, Jairus, comes to Jesus and falls at his feet, begging him: “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.”  Jesus immediately goes with the man to care for his daughter whom we later learn is only 12 years old.

On the way, there is another example of acute human suffering. A woman afflicted with chronic hemorrhaging for twelve years and having exhausted her savings on doctors, find herself near Jesus in a crowd.  Even though she is frightened to take such a step, she dares to touch the tassel of Jesus’ cloak, hoping this renowned healer might bring her relief.  At the moment of her touch, she feels in her body she is healed!  And Jesus, too, in a remarkable passage, senses that “power had gone out from him”—as if some vital force had transferred from Jesus to the woman in need.  “Who had touched my clothes?” Jesus asks, leading the disciples to respond with some irony, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?”

But Jesus and the woman healed recognize each other, and with fear and trembling she kneels before Jesus. He in turn comforts her: “Daughter, your faith has saved you.  Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

At this point, the gospel narrative picks up again the story of Jairus and his little daughter.  They are met with words of terrible sorrow—Jairus’ worst fear realized: “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”

But the point of this gospel account now becomes clear. For Jesus, brimming with the power of life, the child is not “dead” but is “sleeping”—a metaphor that often appears in early Christian literature to refer to those who have died.  Once again, the touch of Jesus brings abundant life. “He took the child by the hand and said to her… “Little girl, I say to you arise.” And immediately she awoke and began to walk around.  The story ends on a beautiful grace note—Jesus reminds her astounded parents that “she should be given something to eat.”

The presence of these stories of loss, of grief, and of renewed life and healing take us into the heart of our Christian faith.  God embraces us as we are—flawed, vulnerable, in need of rescue and healing.  The healing touch of Jesus brings the balm of God’s love into the midst of our suffering and gives us life.

Fr. Donald Senior, C.P. is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union.  He lives at the Passionist residence in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
Luke 4:21-30

Reflection:

In today’s gospel, the people hear Jesus preach, and it is good – awe-inspiring – and then, someone decides to overthink what they hear and remembers Jesus’ background: how can the son of a carpenter know anything about preaching? 

Wow. Think of the best homily you have ever heard from your pastor – did you ever once consider his background so you could give him the all-clear to preach? Did you ever think to condemn him or judge him? And what about the lay people who take the opportunity to share their life stories because they know the impact others can take away, and the layperson who knows about the hope that just one person can receive in hearing how someone survived their experiences.

Judge not lest you be judged. Enough said.

God bless you all!

Patty Masson supports the Passionists from Spring, Texas

Scripture:

2 Samuel 12: 1-7a; 10-17
Mark 4:35-41

Reflection:

“He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and  there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39

Rembrandt’s, Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, depicts the Apostles and Christ out on the Sea of Galilee in two small fishing boats. Five Apostles are on a vessel at the peak of a wave working very hard to survive the storm. The other six Apostles are with Christ. One is at the front hanging on to the rigging and the others are at the stern pleading with Christ to do something. Except for this one figure who is leaning over the side. My guess is he is seasick. Most of the painting is in black and dark blue, with the exception of light at the front of the two boats coming from outside of the painting and the face of Christ. Each of the Apostles has a different action as the violent sea is heaving the two boats up on the crest of the waves.

In the Gospel, Christ awakens, quiets the sea and then asks two questions of the Apostles: “Why are you terrified?” and “Do you not yet have faith?”. By this point in Mark’s Gospel, the Apostles have witnessed a couple of miracles and have just heard three parables about the Kingdom of God. In my reflection, I imagined that these two questions have come out of disappointment and bewilderment as to why the Apostles haven’t understood the message yet. As a teacher, I am right there with Jesus. I have the same feelings when after two or three days of instruction a student misses a question or two or three on the test or a quiz. “How could you miss this?” They were not paying attention. Hmm, how could the Apostles not pay attention to Jesus? They were average fishermen, tax collector, farmers and the like. Common ordinary men who most likely were distracted during some of Jesus teaching and miracles. Or they just didn’t understand. We know that they “get it” at Pentecost after receiving the Holy Spirit. The last verse in today’s Gospel tells us that they were still trying to figure it all out, “They were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

The spiritual life is a journey of reflecting on our own life and how God is there helping us along the way. What questions is Christ asking you? What questions do you have for Christ?

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

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Scripture:

2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17
Mark 4:26-34

Reflection:

Today we reflect on the scriptures for the solemnity of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest and Doctor of the Church. He was an immensely influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism. His works have been studied by scores of ordained, professed and lay ecclesial ministers over the years as part of the prescribed formation program for leadership in the Church.  We find in the Book of Wisdom a beautiful prose rendition of the importance of prudence and wisdom. In The Gospel of Matthew we find more good news and worthy advice concerning humility.

Aquinas’ teachings and writings were more of a scholarly manner, but he also shared some common- sense advice regarding the virtues of prudence, wisdom and humility. For example, he lays out four simple steps for growing in wisdom: to “listen willingly, seek diligently, respond prudently, and meditate attentively.” He suggests that if we follow this pattern of living it can make us wiser, smarter, and holier. He explains this pattern further with these words; “One should practice the virtue of prudence in knowing when to speak and when to keep quiet. In other words, shut your mouth if you don’t know what you are talking about!  It is a wise person who knows when to practice the virtues of prudence and wisdom.  It is the humble person to admit that they do not know the answer to the question being put forward.” (paraphrased)

It seems to me that this is good advice for all of us who try to live a decent Christian life.  It is easier to be imprudent and run off at the mouth giving answers to questions that haven’t been asked.  It is easier to blow off the advice of a wiser person than ourselves and think we have a better way.  It is easier to hang onto our pride rather than to admit humbly that we were wrong and ask forgiveness.

We are given strength for the journey with these words found in Wisdom:

“I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.”

And in The Gospel of Matthew:

“Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled and whoever humbles themselves will be exalted.”

In faith we must recommit ourselves daily to practice the virtues of prudence, wisdom and humility!  Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!

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

Scripture:

2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
Mark 4:21-25

Reflection:

The reading from Mark today asks us if we have a lamp, do we hide it or put it on a table so the light can illuminate everything around it? We must allow the light of Christ to enter into your lives and shine brightly for all to see. His teachings lead us through, and with, His light of wisdom, peace and hope. But what do those who choose to stay in the darkness have? Nothing but darkness, so deeply buried are they that they see no light of hope. When we continue to study God’s word, not for the purpose of memorization, but to obtain just a bit of God’s infinite wisdom, to understand and apply those stories to our lives and to the lives of others, we are exposed to a light so bright that nothing can extinguish it, and those around us can shine as well!

We must focus on the prayers for the Pope, and we must pray for the sharing of this faith we take ownership of, so rich in its divine beauty. God tells us when it is our time to shine out our message to others, whatever that message may be. What is your message to share that is coming from the light of God? 

Patty Masson supports the Passionists from Spring, Texas.

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Mark 4:1-20

Reflection:

The Parable of the Sower in today’s Gospel from St. Mark is one of the most familiar stories in scripture. We know what happens to the seed once it is sown. Unlike how it is done today with GPS-guided planters, then the seed was sown not haphazardly exactly but likely strewn upon land not perfectly cultivated. So, what happens? Birds come and eat the seed. Some seed falls on rocky soil so it can’t take root. For some seed, it begins to grow but is taken over by weeds. Yet some flourishes.

As followers of Jesus who are committed to sharing in his ministry, we sow the Word of God in word and action. But in all the commentary about this parable, the seed is presumed to be the true Word of God. The focus is always on those who receive the Word…or don’t. But I have been reflecting on whether I am sowing the Word of God or my own. In my interactions with my family and colleagues, I wonder how authentic the “seed” is that I am sowing.

We live in a sad world of mass disinformation, of sowing seeds of doubt. It is not about where the seed lands. It is the quality of the seed itself. Is it truly the Word of God? Or is it our own bias and preferences that we sow? We dare to speak for God with words that will never take root and grow to bear great fruit.

We might take to our prayer St. Paul’s treatise on love from I Corinthians 13 and ask if the words we sow are words of truth and love:

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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.