Claire Smith

Scripture:

Malachi 3:19-20
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19

Reflection:

As we approach the end of the church year, we might expect a word of reassurance and encouragement. But that is not what we are given in today’s gospel. Instead of comfort and consolation, Jesus describes a world in which everything is falling apart. The gospel begins with some people admiring the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus shocks them by promising that a day will come when this beautiful and majestic temple will be nothing but rubble. It gets worse when, rather than foretelling peace, Jesus prophesizes “wars and insurrections,” but also “powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues….” If this is the future that awaits us, how can we hold to hope?

But the most unnerving prediction Jesus makes is that following him will be immensely costly. Instead of love and adulation, the path of discipleship will lead to misunderstanding, adversity, persecution and suffering, and perhaps even death. If we take Jesus’ message to heart and make his way of life our own, we should not expect friends and admirers, but enemies. Worst of all, some of those enemies may come from the people closest to us: parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends; indeed, the very ones we were sure loved us may betray us.

Given the tribulations that Jesus says await his followers, how can we possibly persevere? Hidden in these predictions of woe is one very consoling message. Jesus says no matter how many people might threaten and oppose us because of our love for him, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed.” The saving truth in those words is that God will never forsake us. If that isn’t enough to steady us, consider the first reading today from the prophet Malachi. There we are told that “the day is coming, blazing like an oven,” when all evildoers will be reduced to “stubble.” Why can we have hope? Because evil does not prevail, God’s love and justice do. That’s the truth we need to cling to, the message we need to take to heart.

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

Scripture:

Wisdom 6:1-11
Luke 17:11-19

Reflection:

A few weeks ago, while driving down the freeway through California farmland, I spotted some fruit pickers in fields along our way. It sure looked like back-breaking work in the hot sun to me. These men and women were bent over covered from head to toe picking the fruit. I asked myself exactly how thankful have I been to those workers when I absent-mindedly washed the berries I bought from the supermarket? When I read today’s Gospel, centered on being thankful, I find I automatically go to judge the nine lepers who didn’t return to thank Jesus. Isn’t it always easier to move to that sentiment first instead of looking inward and asking the deeper question?

When I am quick to judge others, I miss the point of the message. The Gospel writer in Luke is asking us a simple question. How thankful are you, am I? Now one might argue that those fruit pickers get paid for their work. Again, I think we might miss the point. As we say our blessing before meals, do I ever think of the chain of workers who plant, water, weed, pick, package and set out in the store? All nicely arranged conveniently for me to purchase and eat.

Of course, when we focus on the chain of events for which we are blessed with our food we may miss the most important one of all—the fertile earth from which everything grows. In the Book of Job God proclaims, “Everything under heaven is mine.” (Job 41:3). At last, we arrive at the source of all life, our creator God. How blessed are we to enjoy the bounty of the Lord! We find echoes of this thought in our reading from Wisdom, “Because he himself made the great as well as the small, and he provides for all alike…” The more and deeper we reflect on whom we need to thank for a simple little item like a strawberry or blueberry, our world opens up. In this season of Thanksgiving, we are called to slow down and open our eyes to the things we take for granted.

I hope I never forget those precious souls who work the fields, my brothers, and sisters, who serve my family and me. May God bless them, their lives, and the work of their hands.

What are you grateful for this day?

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:

Wisdom 2:23-3:9
Luke 17:7-10

Reflection:

Our meditation focuses on the stark message that is pointed out by Jesus today, “we are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.”  His words are virtually a “laser beam of truth” which aims at a common, deadly virus of the soul. And, given our human nature, we are all susceptible to it.

First, let us be clear on the nature and content of the laser light. It is nothing less than the truth that “God formed us to be imperishable and according to the image of God’s divine nature.” (Wisdom 2:23) We are equally created to image God’s divine nature!

Further, nothing earthly or perishable can ultimately meet our needs and desires! (That alone is worthy of being plastered on our walls, or on our fridge!)

The energy source for this laser light of truth is nothing less than Jesus, emptying himself of his divinity, born in human likeness, in the form of a slave. He holds nothing back.

And through all of his trials as well as hopes, the persecution and martyrdom of his human existence, (ultimately the Cross) he learned obedience and was perfected and so became the source of eternal salvation for anyone who obeys him. (Power source of the laser)

And the destructive virus is none other than jealousy, resentment, envy, ego-centric self-sufficiency. “But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world.” (Wisdom 2:24) My ego leads me into the lie that I am self-sufficient, smart and capable apart from God. That is the key, I actually am sufficient and capable. But it is apart from God that I can do nothing.

All we can do and accomplish comes from God and it’s the same for everyone around us, although some may not be convinced of it.  All is given freely, everything is gratuitous. And all has God’s faithful, creative love as it’s source.

“Where does the poet get her words, the painter his colors, the architect her shapes, the sculptor his forms, the doctor her healing power, the mechanic his skill, the computer programmer her creativity, and the author his inspiration if not from God?” (Adapted from Joseph G. Donders)

Let the next breath of satisfaction for an accomplishment “well done,” be followed by an expression of gratitude. And let the “glitter of brilliance” shown by someone else’s talent and skill, be acknowledged as a revelation of God’s gratuitous presence in your midst.

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

Scripture:

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14
2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
Luke 20:27-38

Reflection:

One core tenet of our Catholic faith is belief in an afterlife. Yet as we can see in today’s readings, just what that means or looks like is up for grabs. After all, no one has come back to tell us about it. Jesus used a lot of analogies and parables, but never described it. What will it be like?

It’s partly so difficult to imagine because we are bodily people. Will I be able to recognize you without your body? Will we see clearly into each other’s very being? Yet how can I even talk about “seeing” if I have no eyes? How can I define another’s “being” if it has no definition? What is a hug without a physical body? I don’t even know how to think about these questions, much less answer them.

I do believe that when we are spirits, there will be a fluidity and union that isn’t possible on earth. There will be no distance, division, suspicion, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, or even skin – basically nothing that keeps us apart. Joined to each other in God, we will inherently understand and love because all of us will be intimately part of Understanding and Love itself. We will finally realize what the Scriptures tell us – that we are one, all children of the same God, all truly in the one Body, and all enjoying the indwelling of the Divine.

Yet we are not supposed to wait until death to fulfill this reality. Despite our bodily separation here, Jesus repeatedly called us to begin living in unity and love on earth. He said the reign of God is already here, if we would only let go of our divisions and live it. Therein lies the challenge, and as usual with Jesus’ challenges, it’s not a comfortable one.

Facing Jesus, I have to ask: Here, right now, how can I discriminate against someone to whom I will be joined for all eternity? How dare I tolerate violence against anyone else, knowing it is violence against my own self? What right do I have to shun someone who believes, worships, or votes differently than I do rather than reaching out and striving to understand them? How can I look the other way when there are ethical violations, inhuman categorizations of other human beings, abuses of power, and disenfranchisement of those in poverty? How can I keep from crying at the state of our world and our discourse, and at the same time, how can I refuse to act to change it?

This is our call. What answer can you give to Jesus? What can we each do this week to help bring about the reign of God here and now for all people?

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/.

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Scripture:

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
John 2:13-22

Reflection:

St. John Lateran, Mother of all Churches

We have celebrated our feasts of the dead as we join with nature who changes her gown for the season of death. Days grow short, the soil does not give the gift of food, flowers and trees do not blossom. When darkness surrounds us the most, a Savior is born. And death will bow out when a full moon announces a springtime with new life and we celebrate the victory of Life over death and sin, Jesus’ resurrection.

If we are attuned to this line of music in the great symphony of the liturgy we can see the dedication of St. John Lateran, Cathedral of Rome, and mother of all churches, in a symbolic way. The Church is our home in the overwhelming darkness. There are a variety of readings but listen to the comfort and energy of the responsorial psalms!

My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord,
Even the sparrow find a home, the swallow a nest for her young.
I rather one day in your courts, O Lord, than a thousand elsewhere. Ps 84

Be it ever so humble there is no place like home. Our little churches are a bit empty, the young elsewhere, the traditional has lost its spirit. Around us there is a struggle of faith, some are bruised and questioning. The old Cathedral of Rome remembers the Pope, Gregory who told those who fleeing Rome as the barbarians approached, that he would remain. ‘Look, here are the statues of the holy ones, the graves of the martyrs. We ask their intercession and protection’. Over there, Laurence the deacon was ordered to hand over the Church’s treasures. The officials were not impressed when he  gathered the poor and sick, the widow and orphan, those whom Laurence cared for.

“Behold the treasure of the Church”. The parishioners of our diocese.

The cathedral of Rome tells us the poor are rich, seemingly lost we are close, even in failure we are near victory. How? Simply approach the banquet table that groans under the weight of the richness that is Christ, the Spirit guides us, and God is merciful.

Happy are they who dwell in the house of the Lord
My heart and my flesh cry out for the Living God. Ps. 84

Comforted in darkness, yes, but we are also impelled to go out comforting others, like the pilgrims going to Jerusalem in psalms 95 and 122 today.

Let us glorify the Lord; In his hands are the depths of the earth the tops of the mountains are his. He is our God and we are the flock he tends.

How many people cowering in the darkness of their homes would love to peel back the curtains to see and hear and join a procession moving through darkness to light?

When tired for being tired psalm 122 arouses us

I rejoiced when they said we will go up to the house of the Lord…
To give thanks to the name of the Lord, Peace, I will pray for your good.

Grace calls out to us in darkness. The church that is the mother of all of our little churches, our domestic churches, is a home to darkness. And remember, we should always listen to mother!

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

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

My older sister gave me some good advice. She had just gotten married and I was in the Passionists’ High School minor seminary. We had those schools in the ‘60’s. I wrote to her telling her that she and my new brother-in-law could always call on me when they needed any advice on how best to live their married life. I think I still have the letter she wrote back to me. She did not like my offer. In fact, it was more like a complete rejection. She told me to live my life and let her live hers.

Phew! That came as quite a shock to me in 1959. I remember very few letters I received in my high school days, but that one I can almost quote. Luckily, I grudgingly took her advice, and we remained good friends to the day she died. She and her husband raised four beautiful children and actually taught me more about love and children than the other way around.

Amazingly, she did seek my advice many years later. I had been teaching boys with social and emotional problems for a number of years and Marianne and Bill were experiencing some challenges with their youngest child, a son. Their three older children were all girls. Marianne called me and in explaining the situation, asked if I had any advice. I couldn’t think of any particular action that they might want to try but I do remember telling her, just love him. Never stop telling him that you love him.

I’ve since learned that even as a teacher, it’s never been my job to tell someone else what they “should” do. I can share with them my experience in the area they are inquiring about, if I have any and if I don’t have any experience like in my story above, I can accompany them, if they want, and we can learn together what is the best course of action.

So, this is usually where I make a connection to today’s scripture selections, but sometimes, especially when it’s St. Paul, I get confused and have no idea why these particular readings led me to a particular reflection. I’m going to relate it to the first couple of lines in our first reading from St. Paul to the Romans where he says:

“Brothers and sisters:

None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.
For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord;” (ROM 14:7-8)

Help me Lord to live today for you, which I somehow think means my brothers and sisters and everyone who comes into my life. Help me see you in each person I meet today.

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

Scripture:

Romans 13:8-10
Luke 14:25-33

Reflection:

This reading from St. Luke’s Gospel is one of the most challenging of the New Testament. Does Christ really expect his followers to surrender every attachment, human and material, for Him?

Reflecting on this challenge, I am not so sure I could easily, if called on, sacrifice my wife, family and friends. After all, I am called to the Sacrament of Matrimony and I have important ties to a host of other people.

As our prayer life evolves, with regular, sacred time every day to be alone with God, we can gradually develop a simpler life, a deeper life and a more authentic life in which our relationship with God becomes energizing, centered and primary in our life.

Reading the letters between Blessed Franz Jagerstatter (1907-1943) and his wife Franziska, we understand how the power of a close relationship with Christ must supersede all other loyalties. Blessed Franz was a young Austrian farmer with three daughters. His strong faith led him to conclude, contrary to his bishop and pastor, that cooperating with Hitler was morally wrong.

When drafted to fight in the Nazi army, he refused, was imprisoned and sent to the guillotine. He asked the question of himself, “How good a husband and father would I be if I chose to conform to the expectations of my society over the teachings of Jesus?”

In a world that urges us not to miss out on the latest this or that, and prioritized success, achievement, going along to get along, we must chose Christ.

Praying over today’s Gospel will no doubt be unsettling for many. Taking inspiration from Christ’s Passion and the passion of martyrs like Blessed Franz, can lead us to a stronger faith which relies, in the end, totally on Christ.

Two excellent books on Blessed Franz are Solitary Witness, by Gordon Zahn and Franz Jagerstatter: Letters and Writings from Prison, edited by Erna Putz.

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