Claire Smith

Scripture:

Romans 15:14-21
Luke 16:1-8

Reflection:

And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.  –Luke 16:8

In today’s gospel Jesus shares a parable that seems straightforward. There is a steward who is accused of squandering his master’s property. I’d like to note few things before we dive into the story. First, the Greek word that is used for “accuse,” carries with it a sense of defamation. Also, it doesn’t necessarily mean a truthful accusation. This word is often used to indicate someone being falsely accused. Second, the word “squandering” means to throw about recklessly. So, we need to bear in mind that the steward wasn’t stealing from his master; he just wasn’t very good at his job. And we’re not even sure he was guilty.

In any case, the master gives him the pink slip. The steward is directed to clean out his desk and get his records in order to pass on to the new guy. So far, everything seems pretty normal. Surely Jesus is going to bring this around to a story about how we should do our jobs well when put in a position of responsibility. But then the steward goes on to actually commit a crime. He cheats his master out of what is due to him in an effort to ingratiate him with the debtors, thereby guaranteeing him a welcome when he no longer has a job.

But this is where Jesus takes the parable down an unexpected road. The master praises the dishonest steward for acting wisely in securing his future. Are we to understand that Jesus is telling us that it’s all right to be dishonest if it serves you? I don’t think so. If I read on further in this chapter of Luke, we see that Jesus says that we cannot serve two masters: God and riches. But he does say we should become friends with riches. Could the lesson here be: do you provide for your future but don’t be a slave to it? Do you learn how the world of finance and riches works but use that knowledge in service to the community? Remember, in 1 Timothy it says, “The love of money is the root of all evil,” not money itself. As it is often said, we are in this world, but we don’t need to be OF this world.

My prayer for myself today is that I find a way to handle my “riches” in a manner that benefits us all and not hold them tightly for my own gain.

Talib Huff is a member of the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California. You may reach him at [email protected].

Scripture:

Romans 14:7-12
Luke 15:1-10

Reflection:

Once Lost…now Found – and Always Loved

Jesus came to reach out to sinners and offer them salvation – and in doing so He provoked the religious leaders of his day!  Jesus freely proclaimed that He had come to call sinners, not the self-righteous; He used the engaging parables of a lost sheep, a lost coin to drive home His message.  The Pharisees judged Jesus’ ministry and murmured about the kind of company Jesus was keeping – complaining that Jesus even eats with sinners!  (Really? … If Jesus had not eaten with “sinners”, He would have had to eat alone!)

With the love shared us in Jesus, we know that firsthand that God values each human being, saint or sinner.  We’re worth so much more than a single sheep or a single coin.  God rejoices in loving us and sharing life with each of us.  Jesus the Good Shepherd diligently cares for us, calls for a change of our heart and a renewed focus on love and life as we follow His example.

In today’s reading from Romans 14, St. Paul is our ever-faithful cheerleader in responding to Jesus’ call to personal renewal and loving service.  As we face our many 21^st Century challenges, Paul encourages us:  Don’t live for yourself, live for God; don’t judge or look down on others; give praise to God!  All are part of sinful humanity, needing redemption by our loving Savior who seeks us out, “lights the lamp”, “sweeps the house” – and rejoices with us as we are revived!  As members of the Passionist Family, our meditation on the Cross of Jesus puts it all into perspective:  Jesus’ outstretched arms lovingly embrace us all. 

This November, we thank God for Jesus, for the lives of “official” and “everyday” holy women and men saints, for the bounty of the earth, and our commitment to care for our common home.  We are loved by God as we are – and as we can be!  Psalm 27 proclaims for us:  God is our light and our salvation…we have no need to fear…God’s bountiful love is freely showered upon us.  May our lives witness a heart-felt “Amen!”

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is the Vocation Director for Holy Cross Province. He lives at St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois. 

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
All Souls Day

Scripture:

Wisdom 3:1-9
Romans 6:3-9
John 6:37-40

Reflection:

Today we commemorate those who have died in Christ, described as “the souls of the just” in today’s reading from the Book of Wisdom.

In our funeral liturgies, the priest says: ‘Life is changed, not ended”. The funeral liturgy also proclaims that death does not break the bonds forged in life. Our connection with those who have passed away from our sight has been referred to as the “Communion of Saints”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way:

“Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself” (#957)

What does the communion with the dead mean for us and our fellow pilgrims, here in the body, living as Christians in the 21^st century? For me, it is an opportunity to be inspired by some really great stories! Our spiritual ancestors had the same problems we have in areas like relationships, vocation, finances, and health. The stories that describe how they transcended these challenges define what faithfulness to the Gospel looked like within the unique circumstances of THEIR lives. Their creativity, faithfulness, and resiliency are gifts that keep on giving. And we can speak to them and ask for their help to intercede for us when we face our own challenges and tests of faith. They understand.

When I attend the funeral of a loved one, the stories are the best part, as we celebrate the gifts that this person has given us. We find the meaning of their lives, and we see the finger of God in the times that they transcended their circumstances. Recently I attended the funeral of my mother’s first cousin, who married shortly after World War II, and raised seven happy children on the southwest side of Detroit, amid shaky marital and financial circumstances. She spent her first years in a tuberculosis sanitorium, where her mother died. Despite these challenges, my cousin maintained strong lifelong friendships with her fellow pilgrims and with Jesus. One of the stories I heard at the funeral was about her volunteer work with a coop credit union that her father had started during the Great Depression for autoworkers. Another story told by her son was her embrace of African-American children in the local Catholic school in the 1960’s.

Before our death, there are many other “deaths” during our lives: loss of a loved one, loss of our health, or even loss of a dream. How did those who went before us manage to keep their communion with God and others?  As St. Paul says in another reading for today: “For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.” In union with Jesus and our fellow pilgrims, we have the grace to rise up and remain united with Him and each other, even beyond the grave.

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:

Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 12:28b-34

Reflection:

Love.

No other word in the English language has so many varied definitions or evokes more feelings as the word “love.”  For example, I regularly hear people say things like “I love this chair” and “I love this food” or “I love this floor wax” or “<insert object here>.” 

But, how do you love a floor wax?  How do you love a chair?  How can I *possibly* use the same word to describe my feelings for my daughter, my mother, or you, that someone else uses to describe a pair of sandals?

It’s no wonder there are wars and poverty and murder and hate…  In our world today, “things” are more valued and worthy of our love than people!  And today in America, right here — right now — the diseases of hate and anger are far more destructive than any virus could possibly be.  Just stop for a moment and take a hard look at what we’re doing to each other… is there even a word to describe it appropriately?

I don’t think there can be a more appropriate Gospel for us right now than the one we read today (Mark12:28-34).  A scribe asks Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”  Jesus replies, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30 & 31)

Even after 2000 years, Jesus sets us straight.  He quotes the most sacred statement of Jewish belief, the Sh’ma (Deuteronomy 6:4), reminding us that our deepest love is reserved for God, and God alone.  Then He goes on to point out that we are called to reveal our love for God in the way we treat others.

Now just wait a minute, Jesus, “this saying is hard: who can accept it?” (John 6:60)  You mean I have to love that gal that just cut me off on the freeway?  I have to love that man who’s begging on the freeway off-ramp?  The spouse who betrayed me, or the friend that deeply hurt me?  No way, Jesus.  These people are flat-out not at all worthy of my love.

Here’s the thing…  Treating the other person with Love has just about nothing to do with their worthiness of your Love.  Jesus proved that with the very first strike of the hammer that sent a spike through his flesh and bone.  It’s really about our ability to take the love God has showered on us so abundantly –- even wastefully –- and share it with all those people… all those who cut us off.  All those who are homeless, “dirty,” and outcast.  All those who have betrayed us.  All those who hurt us.

All those who are the faces of Christ.

OK, God.  I hear Your call to love.  Where should I start?

 How about remembering the first two words of the Greatest Prayer?

“OUR Father…”

Dear Lord, thank you for the great gift of your incredible, unconditional love for us.
Please, grant me the grace to give even just 1% of that love to every person I see.
Especially that dummy over there…  and even that big dummy I see in the mirror. 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:

Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29
Luke 14:1, 7-11

Reflection:

We have probably all been in that situation where we were recognized for a good that we have done, or we were asked to take a seat at the dais. One moment I remember was at the end of a retreat weekend when Father thanked me at the end of Mass for my work throughout the retreat. In my humanity, I was humbled and grateful for the moment of affirmation, especially since so many loved retreatants were present with their families. But the other side of that is that we should accept our accomplishments in silence, humbly aware of what we have done for others through God’s guidance, and not be in the habit of tooting our own horn, so to speak.

My husband has always told me that I don’t need affirmation – I appreciate his sentiment, but my problem is that I grew up with a very low self-esteem, and it has burdened me since my childhood. So, when I am given a compliment or recognized for something good I have done, or given a special seat at the table, I feel myself wanting to squash that pride that I find myself experiencing, and just shyly hide in a hole, rather than politely accept the compliment or to be recognized or to be placed in a seat of esteem.

The great C.S. Lewis once said, “Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.”

Working in ministry brings out the best, and worst, in people. But, if you are working in ministry, the most important rule of thumb is to be Christ to others in all things. In our humility, we truly shouldn’t be thinking of ourselves at all, and most especially of our position – our focus is to end this journey knowing that we did our best to serve others, putting our pride and self-aggrandizing aside, and focusing on the journey forward and the final destination, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Patty Masson supports the Passionists from Spring, Texas.

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:19-22
Luke 6:12-16

Reflection:

Happy feast day, Saint Simon and Saint Jude!  These men along with the apostles and disciples were ordinary people, called by Jesus to serve the people of God!  They were committed to giving their all as they preached and lived the message of Jesus Christ even if it meant losing their lives in the process!

I wonder how many of us are willing to die for our faith.

How many of us are willing to go the extra mile to put our beliefs into action? 

In the reading from Ephesians today we are reminded of our status as children of God.

“You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

As fellow citizens we are all a part of the communion of saints, called to be representatives of Jesus Christ in all we say and do.  In a few days we will celebrate the great feasts of All Saints and All Souls.  It is a time to remember and give thanks for all those great and ordinary people in our lives and the life of Church who have helped us in the past and present to become the people we are today.

As members of the household of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, may we be willing to die to our fears and step out in faith as we welcome the hundreds of refugees who will soon enter our local churches, schools and neighborhoods.  Let us continue to go the extra mile with our sisters and brothers who suffer injustice because of race, color, creed or status in life.

May we always remember that we are ALL God’s holy ones and hold one another in prayer.  Amen!

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