Claire Smith

Scripture:

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
John 8:31-42

Reflection:

If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free .   -John 8:32

The Greek work used in the original inspired text for truth is al-ay’-thi-a’.  It comes from a as a negative and lanthano to  hide, “to escape notice,” “be ignorant of, unawares”.  Literally it means to unhide, not hidden, unconcealed. It is treated 183 times with its derivatives’ in New testament.  We can see how important the concept of truth is in the Bible.

We can see its importance to Jesus when He says: “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37    Pope Benedict pointed out one of the greatest problems facing truth in our modern era.  “We are moving,” he declared, toward “a dictatorship of relativism . . . that recognizes nothing definite and leaves only one’s own ego and one’s own desires as the final measure.” Benedict XVI 

I think today we are facing an escape from truth’ Agnosticism seems the main strategy against Christ now.  We don’t deny Him or embrace Him.  We simply say I don’t know.  We think this attitude will free us from the guilt of not receiving Him or arousing from our religious slumber.  One of the saddest phrases in the Scriptures is: “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. John 1:11  The word receive Him in Greek inspired text is para lambanō which means receive Him with an attitude i.e. with open arms!

Jesus says to us: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6   Instead of the pathetic excuse of agnosticism we should humbly welcome Jesus into our empty hearts!  We never enter a healthy relationship with anyone without inviting them into our life!  The great truth is that if we desire a relationship with Christ we have a standing invitation from Him. ““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28                                                                                                

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

Scripture:

Daniel 13:1-60
John 8:1-11

Reflection:

In ages past (the mid-1960s specifically), a group of fourteen-year-old boys knelt in chapel for the first time as the Freshman Class of Passionist Seminary.  The late afternoon sun cascaded in through golden paned windows high on the chapel walls as Fr. Director stood in front of the altar and addressed us in the thunderous voice of Moses handing down the Ten Commandments…

“There are many rules in the student guides you’ve just been given.  But there are two rules that are more important than any of the those.  Break one of these two and you will be sent home IMMEDIATELY and for good”, he said unsmiling.

We trembled in our pews like rabbits in a lightning storm as Father continued booming…

“You will NOT swim in the lake at any time.  You will never climb the water tower or be anywhere near it”.

The water tower was our 120 ft sentinel which loomed over the Midwest farmlands that surrounded the Prep.  Being terrified of heights, I had no desire to ever break that rule.   It took us at least a week to realize that if your canoe tipped over into the lake, you weren’t really swimming.  To my knowledge, no one was ever expelled for swimming in the lake and no one was ever caught climbing the water tower.

The intentions of the laws were clear.  The professed wanted to keep us safe while we were in their care.

The story of Susanna illustrates the difficulty the Jews were having in balancing the letter of the law of Moses against the intent of those laws, which were ultimately made to keep them safe.  The laws were intended to be strict, but leavened by the merciful nature of God ~  like the love of a Father for his children who will undoubtedly err.  Susanna was falsely accused of adultery, a sin which demanded an execution by stoning.  A young Daniel cried out against this stern sentence which was imposed without justice or mercy.  (Daniel 13)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me;” (Psalm 23)

This same conundrum is addressed in the trap the Pharisees tried to lay for Jesus.  Presented with a woman caught in adultery, (or perhaps fornication. This is not clear in translation), they asked Him how she should be punished.  If Jesus did not agree to stone her, then He was defying the Law of Moses.  If He did agree to abide strictly by the Law, He would be defying Roman authority which said only Roman justice could apply the death penalty.  

Being caught in adultery, dragged through the streets, and threatened with death by stoning, the woman had been grievously punished for her transgression.  In His mercy, Jesus forgave her while instructing her to sin no more.  (John 8)

We are judged, forgiven, and we will be forgiven again; as long as we strive to sin no more ~  judge others with the same mercy granted us ~ and stand against injustice suffered by others.  Lord, help me not be found wanting…   

Ray Alonzo is the father of three children, grandfather of two, and husband to Jan for 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:

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Hebrews 5:7-9
John 12:20-33

Reflection:

Amen, Amen I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. (John 12: 24)

This scripture is from today’s gospel and speaks of death.  What comes to mind when you think about your death?  For the believer, death is a passing from this earthly world to our eternal life with God.  However, this scripture passage talks about death in another manner.  The grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies and begets much fruit.  We are the grain of wheat and by dying to oneself we produce an abundance of fruit.  

An important and hurried and stressed businessman visits a Zen master, seeking guidance. The Zen master sits down, invites the businessman to sit, and pours the visitor a cup of tea. But even after the tea fills the cup, the Zen master continues to pour, allowing the tea to spill. The businessman is taken aback, “Stop pouring the tea! The cup is full and can’t hold any more.” ​​​​​​​The Zen master replies: “Yes. So, it is with you. You will not be able to receive my guidance, unless you empty some space first.” (Adapted from Terry Hershey’s Sabbath Moment Reflection for 3/18/2019)

I can relate to the businessman. ​​​​​​​There is something alluring about filling space. And something very unnerving about being asked to empty (or let go of) whatever I’ve stockpiled to fill that space. ​​​​​​​But I do know this. When there is no empty space, I pay the price. One of my goals for Lent was to spend more time in prayer and reflection.  I fell short of this goal.  My space for prayer filled up with la ist of to-do’s.

First, reflect today on your death. What epitaph do you want on your tombstone?

Second, reflect upon that ways you can die to yourself.  What are practical and concrete ways to let go and let God so as to become new life.

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

Scripture:

Jeremiah 11:18-20
John 7:40-53

Reflection:

Jeremiah, Nicodemus, you and I share a common path to discipleship.

First, we have a powerful encounter with God. It is personal, often intense, sometimes gradual, but always life-changing.

Second, the values by which we’ve been living, in light of this encounter, are re-examined.

Perhaps we reassess time spent away from a spouse, children, or friends in favor of our personal entertainment or demands at work. How much we drink, eat or exercise might get a serious assessment.

Perhaps our household budget gets a second look in light of the needs of the poor.

Or we might rethink the values of workplace associates, friends with whom we lunch or play. This could lead to shifting in our seats hearing gossip, denigrating remarks, or personal, behind-the-back insults.

Thirdly, in prayerful reflection, we decide to honor our encounter with God and…change. This is risky. We might have to speak an unacceptable idea, withdraw from a group, or a long-term friendship. It always means being vulnerable. It also means chancing ridicule, alienation and retribution.

This final stage is what Jeremiah is describing in today’s reading and what Nicodemus experienced. The final stage is also what Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane and on Calvary.

The path to discipleship is similar for everyone who is true to God. The circumstances of each life may be dramatically different; the decisions we make are, in essence, the same.

Regardless of our fear, anxiety, or worry, we are assured that God will be present with us on the path and give us what we need for the journey. This brings a sense of deep inner peace and joy the world can never provide.

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

Scripture:

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12
John 5:1-16

Reflection:

Amongst the many questions that Jesus asked in his public ministry, today’s enquiry – “Do you want to be well?” would seem to reach into our very being. For surely everyone would value the gift of wellbeing both at the exterior level of our physical bodies and at the interior level of our thoughts, memories and deeper reflections.

Thus it is surprising to read that the sick man answered Jesus, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.”

If we were to use our religious imagination one might read this answer as evidence of the man’s unwillingness to be honest with himself. In fact it seems that the answer betrays his real disposition. He is lying alongside a pool that offers a chance at ritual and real cleansing, but he does not seem all that inclined to alter his state of being. In one sense one might imagine that he is secretly happy or at least content, to be ill.

Staying ill doesn’t challenge him all that much. Yes, he is giving lip service to the fact that he should be striving for wellbeing, but he is in no hurry to be the first to the pool when it is stirred. In addition, when asked by Jesus directly if he wishes to be well he avoids the question altogether. What’s more he gives a moaning answer about being ‘beaten’ regularly on the way to the pool as if to justify his present status.

Perhaps interiorly he is simply a defeated man and his spirit is crushed. After some 38 years it might be that this man feels more comfortable staying ill rather than daring to think he might be able to be well again.

So in curing the man we see Jesus address two levels. The man’s inner disposition is matched by his external stance – both manifest a sense of powerlessness. Thus Jesus’ challenge begins at the external level – ‘get up’ and ‘pick up’ (his mat) and ‘walk away’. But we see that this challenge has an effect internally too – the man is empowered to walk away not just from the pool, but also from lethargy, from self-imposed helplessness and from a comfort-zone that while restrictive is also familiar and non-threatening.

Jesus challenges him to re-enter life itself. Thus he carries away the symbol of his limitation – his mat!

Jesus reinforces this message at their subsequent meeting, saying to the man “Look, you are well; do not sin any more…” perhaps this is a second challenge to not slip back into old, familiar and comfortable habits!

In our spiritual lives we often have moments where the word of God shifts us and moves us beyond thoughts, attitudes and practices that hold us back from living fully. In Lent we pray especially that we might experiences such conversion of heart, mind and will.

But we all have ‘default settings’ too! That is, much like computers we can go back to pre-set positions – views, attitudes and acts that are so familiar that they sneak up upon us and re-engage us, even after we have been set free by God’s grace. That’s where we need to listen to the second message of Jesus ‘you are well’ – and we need to trust this message again and again.

So as Lent progresses let us hear the words of Jesus encouraging us and beckoning us forward once more. Let us trust the One who only desires to set us free and who works to ensure that such freedom endures.

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 65:17-21
John 4:43-54

Reflection:

The late Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P., one of our great Passionists and a professor Old Testament at Catholic Theological Union, wrote his doctoral dissertation in Rome on the biblical text from Isaiah that forms our first reading for today’s liturgy.  He entitled his work, that was later published as a book, Creative Redemption in Deutero-Isaiah.  (The term “Deutero-Isaiah” refers to the fact that the later chapters of Isaiah may have been written by a disciple of the original prophet.)

Fr. Carroll used this beautiful passage from the prophet to show that God’s creative activity was not confined to the very beginnings of our world’s history but was, in fact, an ongoing action of God.  This is clear from the striking words of the reading we hear today: “Thus says the Lord: Lo, I am about to create new heavens and new earth.”   There is an exuberant tone here: ”The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create.”

The passage goes on to speak of the transformation that this new creative divine impulse will effect: “No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, nor the sound of crying; No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime.  He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years…They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.”

Every day we see images on the news of people weeping over loss through violence or acts of nature.  We are brokenhearted to see images of children starving or orphaned by war.  We hear reports of people who lost their homes or have their lands and their livelihoods taken away.  Despite the differences in time and circumstance between our world and that of the ancient prophet, we share in human suffering.

Lent and readings like this prophecy from Isaiah remind us that God desires life for us, despite the scourge of sin and violence that threaten us.  The gospel passage today is the account from John’s Gospel of Jesus’ healing of the son of a royal official.  “Your son will live,” Jesus tells the distraught father.

Paul the apostle spoke of his fellow Christians as a “new creation”–through baptism and the power of God’s grace able to overcome the threats of evil and meaninglessness.  We, as humans, are not able to solve or explain away the mystery of suffering or calculate the human inclination for evil.  But our faith affirms for us that God is also at work in our world and will ultimately lead us home to be embraced by the source of all life. That fundamental dynamic of moving from death to life, from an unfinished and imperfect world to a new creation, is at the heart of our Lenten experience.

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.