Claire Smith

Scripture:

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Matthew 12: 46-50

Reflection:

“And pointing to his disciples, he said, here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

In the past, when reading this passage, I felt that Jesus was being disrespectful to his mother and brothers.  However, scripture scholars tell us that we should read this passage in light of the fact that “we are all members of the one family with God as our Father.” (htttps://www.sacredspace.ie/matthew-1246-50) We are called to treat each other equally with love and respect. Jesus reminds us that we are to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.

Micah’s prophecy has three different parts.  “Each part begins with God’s angry accusations and the threat of punishment.  Yet each part ends on a positive note of hope and promise.” I am encouraged that God’s love has the final word.  (Ultimately, Compassion, Patricia Livingston, Tuesday, July 21, 2020, Living Faith, July, August, September 2020)

Today’s readings challenge us to treat all humans as members of our family showing love, compassion, and respect.  One example of showing love and respect for others in this time of pandemic is to practice social distancing and wear masks so that we do not harm others by potentially spreading the virus to those who are most vulnerable.  Today, how might I imitate God’s mercy, love, and compassion treating all as family?

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

Scripture

Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Romans 8:26-27
Matthew 13:24-43

Reflection:

And the one who searches hearts knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. -Romans 8:27

This Sunday’s Gospel puts before us three more parables of Jesus. All three of them begin with the phrase: “The kingdom of heaven is like . . .” All three parables give us images that are familiar and easily understood. Furthermore, all three of them challenge the way that the Scribes and the Pharisees portray God, the God of the Law of Moses, the God who favors the rich and the powerful and excludes the lepers and the widows, the God who loves those who keep the letter of the law, regardless of its consequences.

Starting with Chapter 9, the Scribes and the Pharisees began to openly oppose Jesus’ teachings and powerful signs of Goodness. Jesus heals a paralytic by forgiving his sins, and the Scribes object.

Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, and dines with him. The Pharisees complain to his disciples that their Master eats with sinners, the unclean. Later, the Pharisee accuse Jesus of driving out evil spirits by the power of the prince of demons.

Jesus knew that the people who came to hear him preach and teach, to be healed and consoled and be comforted and relieved of their burdens were the ones taught by the Scribes and Pharisees on how to pray and give alms and fulfill their obligations to the Temple. Jesus needed to teach the people who flocked to him a more loving God, a compassionate God, a forgiving God. In other words, Jesus was revealing to them his Father in these parables, the Father that the wise and the learned would never know.

It was that point in Jesus’ ministry that he begins to teach in parables. All of these parables have something in common, they describe Jesus’ God and not the God of the Scribes and Pharisees. The parables are like PowerPoint images of God. There are images of the seed being sown generously, allowing it to fall where it may, in the path, in rocky soil and among the thorns, as well as good soil where it produces abundantly. Images of the wheat and the weeds growing up together, of a woman in her kitchen making bread. One does not need to work hard at all to imagine these images.

The parables today talk to us about a God who allows the good and the bad to grow, knowing full well that ultimately only the goodwill endure. Jesus also lets us know that God’s mustard seed far surpasses our imagination for sustaining life. And God is like the woman who mixes a bit of yeast into three measures of wheat flour and the whole batch is leavened.

In other words, God is not depending upon us to save the world, but to be the ones through which the world is saved. We are, after all, God’s creation, made in the image and likeness of God.

As Jesus says at the conclusion of this Gospel passage: “Whoever has ears ought to hear.” So, if today you hear God’s word, harden not your hearts!

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8
Matthew 12:1-8

Reflection:

Some laws are meant to be broken—at least, that’s what Jesus thought. Today’s gospel from Matthew memorably illustrates that Jesus was no rigorist, no joyless zealot of rigidity when it came to interpreting and applying the laws of his own Jewish faith. Jesus respected the laws of his religion because they provided a way to live a life that was pleasing to God, but he also knew there were times when certain laws should be set aside or ignored in order to protect something important.

In this gospel story, Jesus and his disciples are walking through a field of grain on the sabbath. The disciples are hungry, so they help themselves to some of the grain, eating it as they walk along with Jesus. Unfortunately, some Pharisees who observed this disrupt Jesus’ peaceful sabbath stroll by exclaiming: “See here! Your disciples are doing what is not permitted on the sabbath.” The irony is that they really do not see at all. They are so focused on an absolutely unbending application of the law—and on finding fault with Jesus—that they fail to see what they need to see: human beings in need. Jesus doesn’t tell them that sabbath laws don’t matter, much less that they should be carelessly or casually ignored; however, he does insist that there are times when they ought to give way for the sake of human well-being. The purpose of any law (both civil and religious) is to serve the common good by creating the conditions in which all members of a society can live well together and flourish. But nobody can flourish when they are hungry or when any other basic human needs cannot be met, and that is why Jesus says his disciples did the right thing in breaking that sabbath law.

“It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice,” Jesus tells us. If we take those words to heart, letting them inform our attitudes and actions, we won’t be so quick to judge and find fault. That’s because we will know that even though all laws matter, none matter more than the law of love.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the Passionist family.

Scripture:

Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16
Matthew 11:25-27

Reflection:

I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…

At first glance, this can be a confusing passage…hidden from wise; revealed to childlike; yes, your gracious will; no one knows; anyone the Son wishes to reveal….What…When…Where…How?

Another passage directed toward the Pharisees – the self-assured and self-righteous religious leaders – their certitude often directing them off course and causing them to ‘bully’ rather than accompany. What they lacked was a humble child-like spirit, and a sense of need for and dependence on God rather than their self.

Jesus praises his Father for revealing the ‘hidden’ things of salvation to those with the ‘wonder and awe’ of the babes – they embrace the way and the hope, in contrast to the ‘wisdom and understanding’ of the righteous leaders – they dismissed his message and his miracles.

These words of Jesus are meant to challenge us, to cause us to pause and wonder. How do I shut off God’s revelation? How am I closed to the voice of the Spirit? How do I notice myself reacting (like the Pharisees) rather than responding (like Jesus)?

Jesus reminds us that we have to ‘open our hearts’ to hear his Father reveal the things in us that keep us from being his children, we have to be willing to ask the Lord to teach us.

Nelson Mandela once said “no one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin [insert ‘their religion’, ‘work’, ‘class’, ‘gender’, ‘orientation’…or simply leave it at hating another person- italics mine] If they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

I think that is the message of Jesus in this passage, open our hearts so God can teach us to love. To Live the example of Jesus all day, every day, so that our hearts will cry out as Jesus’ heart cried out I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…reveal to me the way…

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Isaiah 1:10-17
Matthew 10:34-11:1

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel seems in stark contrast with some of Jesus’ other sayings in Scripture. What does he mean when he says, “I have come to bring not peace but the sword.” (v.34) What about all the post-resurrection Gospel accounts where “Peace be with you” are the first words noted in his greeting? Didn’t he reject Peter’s use of the sword during his arrest (John 18:11F), in fact, didn’t he repair the High Priest’s servant’s ear?

I always find it helpful to look at the passages before and after the scripture to see if it gives any clues. Just before these verses in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is preparing his disciples for ministry. Chapter 11 begins with Jesus’ opposition from Israel. So, you might say that today’s Gospel is part of the hinge of Matthew’s narrative where Jesus has taught and prepared his disciples for ministry. From here the story takes on a more serious tone as it moves on to opposition (and ultimate betrayal and crucifixion). The “wolves” out in the world to whom they are being sent (Matt 10:10) are mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters as well as in-laws. All immediate family members. Later in  chapter 12, Jesus’ mother and brothers wish to speak to him (12:46-50) and we have a famous statement from Jesus, “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, sister, and mother.”

If we take a moment to reflect on the first audience for this Gospel, we know that it was during a time of great upheaval in the lives of Jesus’ followers. Especially, those who converted to Christianity who were thrown out from their synagogues. This would include immediate family members. If we take this approach to these verses today, they make sense. Jesus’ words are words of consolation and preparation in their changing world. Not for the first time am I reminded of the suffering, conflict, and sacrifices made by the early Church founders.

Is this the sword Jesus is referring to? The one Paul speaks about in his Letter to the Hebrews,

“Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (4:12)

The prophet Isaiah in our first reading highlights the difference between the rites and right relationship with God. True authenticity is what God desires. Isaiah, according to scholars, believed that God was ultimately in charge and that he would judge the Israelite people on the merits of their hearts. How well did they “redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea and defend the widow? (v.17)

What I hear in all of this is the call to take care of each other. Sadly, our world today is very polarized, and we struggle to hear and see and understand (Isaiah 6:9-10) how and where to act. Are we stuck as a society, unable to see a path forward? How do these readings inform you, and me, and us? While I often feel powerless to make much change for the good, in the meantime, I will offer a cup of cold water to the little ones in the name of the Lord. I will make every effort to receive the one who sent Jesus into this world. (v.42) I take heart and keep up the hope. Even Jesus could not affect the societal changes he desired. Yet, he kept on preaching and teaching until the end. May your will be done on earth. Amen.

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Hosea 14:2-10
Matthew 10:16-23

Reflection:

Many years ago, I was teaching at a religious conference with a friend. She came to me distraught and relayed that without warning a very prominent man at the conference pinned her against a wall and forcibly kissed her until she was able to break free and get away. I hugged her and listened as we tried to figure out what to do. It would be a big deal to report someone everybody knew and respected.

She decided to get advice from another person who also had a large role. He told her to stay silent because the guy had a reputation and she would just become a conference joke. We were shocked, but too young, naïve, and (we felt) unimportant to make more of it.

Many years later, after my friend married, had kids, and built a life for herself, the truth began to emerge. More than two dozen women reported incidents against that same man. Seeing that, my friend joined them. A newspaper reporter investigating it asked if they could use her real name, which could trigger repercussions, attacks, and potential loss of work. She asked me whether I would back her up and also give my name to corroborate her account. I told her I would do whatever she needed, including using my name, and we would weather the fallout together. So far, she has elected to use a pseudonym. The fear is palpable and the risk is real.

This is only one example to illustrate what Jesus points out: There is a cost to speaking up. In his time, the risk was being hauled before kings and being persecuted. In our day, internet trolls lurk everywhere. Judgment and condemnation abound. Our polarized society pounces and attacks anyone with whom they disagree. Respectful dialogue is buried under entitlement, power hunger, tribalism, and self-righteousness.

Unfortunately, this extends to our Church. It is difficult to have a civil discussion about women’s role, the LGBTQ community, racial disparity, abortion, communion, divorce, or a myriad of other issues facing us. Must we be caught up in division and polarization too? Must we join the attackers who refuse to engage in dialogue and exploration? Must we exclude those with whom we don’t agree? Must we stay “safe” in homilies rather than cause any discomfort in the congregation? In what ways have we become those that Jesus warned us against?

Just as importantly: In what ways have we personally been afraid to speak up against injustice? In what ways do we stay silent because it’s easier, we fear being attacked, we don’t want to be a “joke”, or the injustice being perpetrated doesn’t directly affect us in our lives? If we refuse to speak up, who will?

The incident with my friend and the ensuing 20 years of silence, in addition to all that is happening in our society and world right now, has seriously challenged me. I am looking hard at all the ways I have stayed silent and therefore complicit with injustices, bullying, prejudice, and polarization. I invite you to do the same. Let’s decide to get on Jesus’ side and speak up for what is right, even though it may prove costly to do so. We can weather the fallout together.

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:

Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9
Matthew 10:7-15

Reflection:

Missionaries Should Wear Diamond Rings

Beginning yesterday we read for six days Matthew’s instruction on being a missionary. Jesus offers encouragement: “The gift you have received, give as a gift,” “When the hour comes you will be given what to say,” “He who welcomes you welcomes me,” money is not your goal, don’t be afraid, proclaim what you hear from the housetops! At times you will be offered the cup of cold water, or be invited to stay and eat a meal.

We also hear sobering observations: some are hauled into court and violence happens among family members. Like Jesus, you bring peace but also division.

God’s humor has no end. Imagine being a Christian missionary and then being called an atheist by pagans because you didn’t offer sacrifice to the gods!

We are missionaries, we are sent. Our moment is difficult. It deals with the virus pandemic, its resulting confusions and uncertainties. There are also painful expressions of hurt for what has taken root in our culture as acceptable yet is full of blind malice. The resulting upheaval for justice and equality for all men and women is frightening, both physically as gun violence soars, and armed people flashing weapons are common; and internally as values are challenged and discarded with no dialogue.

As missionaries, we go making the announcement, “The reign of God is at hand!”

Hosea today tells us to remember. God remembers as a mother would her tender love for Israel. She asks Israel to remember too; and stir up your love again.

I discovered a ‘missionary’ in the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins recently. Becoming a Roman Catholic while at Oxford, later a Jesuit in the mid1800’s, he brought division in his family. He knew privilege from his education and social class, but he also knew what it meant to be a victim when others’ decisions limited his freedom. In Dublin and Liverpool, he saw industrialization destroying the poor and the environment, both he loved, both were precious to him. He was a missionary in his prayer and speech that England would find her way to union with Rome. Hopkins was an ordinary missionary like us in the faithfulness of friendship and in pondering and mourning the many suicides of his companions from university days.

In The Wreck of the Deutschland, his first major poem he sees a dying nun as a symbol of confidence in God. She calls out, “Christ, come quickly”. In a poem only months before his death, when he was beaten up by discouragement, he uses the beautiful words, ‘immortal diamond’. Like Hosea he remembers, he remembers the nun, and says of himself, ‘across my foundering deck shone a beacon, an eternal beam…I am all at once what Christ is since he was what I am…is immortal diamond.’

Can we explain being a missionary? Shipwreck and hope, feeling lost, a sharper vision of what Christ’s love asks, a growing love that makes painfulness sharper. It is being Christ, it is that immortal diamond, ‘the reign of God is at hand.’

Father William Murphy, CP is the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Jamaica, New York.