Claire Smith

Scripture:

Wisdom 9:13-18b
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33

Reflection:

School is in session and Jesus is the teacher

Jesus is teaching us in today’s readings on what it takes to become his disciple and he also teaches that you cannot be his disciple if you do certain things. As a teacher I know that you cannot be a good student unless you are ready to learn. Teachers can teach all they want but if the ground is not fertile the seeds of wisdom will not flourish. Throughout Jesus life, school was in session and He was the teacher. All He wanted was some good students. He performed miracles, He taught parables, He led by example and He spoke with authority.

What does it take to be a disciple of Jesus? A couple of weeks ago, we learned it takes discipline, a word derived from the same Latin root, disciplina, which means teaching or instruction. A new school year has just begun for many of us. What an appropriate time to act as a student, eager to learn what it takes to follow the Lord. Are you willing to be the pupil? School is in session today and Jesus is the teacher.

Today’s lessons are not easy. Wisdom acknowledges that God’s ways cannot be understood through human thought. There’s that leap of faith every good student must have to follow Jesus and be his disciple. Jesus, explaining what it takes to follow him, repeatedly frames the requirements as “whoever does not…cannot be my disciple.” These are the don’ts of being a good disciple. As we listen today, let us find hope in our mission as Christ’s twenty-first-century disciples. School is in session today and Jesus is the teacher.

Jesus called Simon Peter after filling his net on an otherwise fruitless evening of fishing. Having witnessed this miracle, Peter and his partners immediately left their families and jobs to follow Jesus. Jesus is now teaching by miracles. Then his teaching method switches and he teaches through the example of others. Jesus encourages would-be disciples to follow the examples of a tower builder and an army leader, each of whom deliberates at length before reaching a practical conclusion. We may be bowled over by a miracle, but it is more likely we will follow based on practical considerations. Jesus asks us to consider the practical question: is it more important to accumulate possessions or to follow the One who opened the way to eternal life? School is in session today and Jesus is the teacher.

Interestingly, each statement Jesus makes about discipleship he phrases negatively, ending with “…cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is aware that the demands of discipleship are not likely to be accepted. Jesus is challenging us to do what seems impossible, spurning one’s family, one’s possessions, one’s comfort, even one’s own life. The great teacher is now teaching through what it means to not be his disciple.

A few Sundays ago, we heard Jesus say that he would divide family members against each other (Luke 12:52-53). Now he tells the crowd that his disciples must hate their families (14:26). Is Jesus really anti-family? No, He is not anti-family, this is an old Semitic Idiom, which means He is more important. Perhaps He just wants to redefine “family.” Look at Onesimus in the second reading. Seen as a slave, he was excluded from Philemon’s family. But Paul is encouraging and positive, speaking of the conversion of someone who was once a slave, but is now a brother and partner. So Paul urges Philemon to welcome Onesimus as a partner and brother as well. Families are wonderful, but the Christian family can be so much more. Perhaps it’s not the members of one’s family Jesus is criticizing, but our narrow concept of “family.” School is in session today and Jesus is the teacher.

Deacon Peter Smith serves at St. Mary’s/Holy Family Parish in Alabama, a religion teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, and a member of our extended Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Colossians 1:21-23
Luke 6:1-5

Reflection:

My father loved animals, especially, dogs. As a kid growing up, I remember that love leading to some tense moments in our household. Mom did not share that same level of love for animals. One evening dad brought home Rusty, a beautiful purebred boxer. He walked in the back door with Rusty who immediately took off running through the house with seven kids chasing after him—all wanting to play. (Shortly before that, we lost our pet cocker spaniel). While we kids were all happy to have another dog, I imagine my mother was hoping for a bit longer respite before the inevitable next pet joined the family. An argument ensued. Luckily for us kids, we got to keep Rusty.

Today it’s “in” to love animals. At one time, however, the Irish people were made fun of and demeaned for their love of animals.  According to Wikipedia, Gerald of Wales took a trip to Ireland in 1185, and he later wrote disparagingly of the Irish: “…They depend on animals for their livelihood and they live like animals.” While I believe many of us today would think those laudable traits, Gerald evidently, did not.

Clearly Jesus had to deal with this same kind of criticism as we read in today’s scripture selection:

“While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath,
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” (LK 6:1-2)

Many more such differences occur between Jesus’ time and my mom and dad’s opposing views—living together can be challenging after all. Before Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, African Americans ballplayers could only play in their own, Negro League. Native Americans were considered inferior because they didn’t live in houses or cities or practice religion or dress the way the European settlers did. The list goes on…

In today’s scripture selection, Jesus tells us what is important:

“Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” (LK 6:3-5)

Help me today God to be less hasty to criticize people who see things or live differently than I do. Help me first to love them as you do and learn how to live with them in peace and harmony by changing me and not expecting them to change.

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

Scripture:

Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 5:33-39

Reflection:

One of my favorite photos of my parents is a small black and white snapshot taken with a Kodak Brownie camera in 1944, shortly after their marriage. Dad is a tall, thin Army Air Corps cadet in uniform, standing next to mother, who wore a light summer dress, her hair pulled back with a sash. Each is licking an ice cream cone while eyeing one another with unalloyed delight.

The picture captures the pure joy Jesus speaks of in today’s passage from St. Luke’s gospel. As a church, we are the bride of Christ. Indeed, the special grace given to newlyweds (and older weds!) is a near-blind joy at just being with one another.

This is not to say that eternal bliss is the staple of every marriage. Indeed, shortly after this photo of my parents was taken, dad spent months in the war zones of the South Pacific as a B-24 bomber pilot, escaping death numerous times. Mother kept vigil (fasting and praying?) back home, awaiting his safe return.

In our dark, difficult days, we rely on Christ to provide what we need. This may require great sacrifice on our part, maybe even death. But underneath the suffering, the struggle, the temptation to give up, we can find a deep, persistent joy.

This is the joy of knowing that, “He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.” (from the first reading today). He is the center of everything, including our lives. He will never abandon his bride, the Church and each member of the Church.

When I feel the joy of Christ in my life, holding me together, I like to compare it to the joy of mother and dad on that sunny day in Riverside, California, savoring ice cream and each other, seventy-five years ago.

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

Scripture:

Colossians 1:9-14
Luke 5:1-11

Reflection:

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”  Luke 5:4

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  Luke 5:8

You just have to love Peter. Once again, he bravely shows us the most common reaction to God’s working in our lives. God is always asking us to come nearer, to listen more closely, to love more dearly, to fish deeper. And we usually respond with, “Well, I tried that, so I’m pretty sure it won’t work.” But, just to prove God wrong, we sometimes give it one more try.

I once was helping coordinating an Easter retreat. With all of the liturgies, prayer services, devotions and behind-the-scene details to manage I found myself becoming frazzled and overwhelmed. I found myself wishing people would stop asking for special considerations and (what I perceived as) petty needs and just let me do my job. I was nearing my wits end with one request when I felt an inner prompting that asked, “What if you just meet this need as best you can and let go of any judgment about it?” I know, it sounds like a simple answer, but it shifted my entire experience of the retreat. I started enjoying the “problems.” I even found myself joyfully unclogging a toilet, happy I could help! My net was full to breaking.

But, like Peter, after the glow of the Triduum faded, I began to doubt God’s working in my life. I wonder if we don’t fear what we might accomplish if we really allowed God to use our hands to bring His kingdom about here on Earth. It’s that fear that drives us to say “Depart from me Lord, for I am sinful.” Lucky for us God doesn’t listen to us then. He only comes closer and whispers again, “Lower your nets.”

My prayer today is that I listen to God’s promptings in my life and that I put my hands into His service.

Along with working as an independent teacher, Talib Huff volunteers and works at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. You may contact him at [email protected].

Scripture:

Colossians 1:1-8
Luke 4:38-44

Reflection:

Man On A Mission…

Today’s Gospel portrait of Jesus provides a special insight into the power of love at work in the Person of Jesus.  St. Luke provides a snapshot of some 24 hours in the life of Jesus – and He was on the move!

His “day” included:  teaching in the synagogue, visiting Simon and his mother-in-law and curing her severe fever, curing the many sick people who came to be healed that evening, rebuking some demons, getting away to a deserted place (likely to have a prayer-break), handling the additional crowds that later came looking for him, and then heading off to continue preaching in the synagogues of Judea.  Jesus, a Man on a Mission:  sharing the Good News of God’s Love!  Considering our recent Labor Day celebration, truly Jesus “labored in love” of us all.

As we each face our personal busy-ness and the opportunities of life, Jesus invites us to follow His example.  He teams up with St. Paul in today’s first reading from his letter to the Colossians to encourage us, inviting us… perhaps…to:

• Embrace each day and all that God has in store for us – with faith and love.
• In everything, be grateful.
• Don’t be afraid to tell the devil to “go home”.
• We deserve a break each day; it’s important to step aside. Rest and prayer are critical to life.
• Friends and family are important. Treasure relationships.  Care for one another.
• Don’t forget: you are God’s beloved.  Help others to experience that Love.

At the end of today’s Gospel selection Jesus states that he must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to other towns.  He is a Man on a Mission – and it worked!  You and I are invited to share in His Life, and then reach out in love to those around us.  WE are people on a mission!  May our days be blessed.

Fr. John Schork, C.P., is a member of the Passionist community in Chicago, Illinois. 

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Luke 4:16-30

Reflection:

What would it be like if the Holy Spirit influenced all my decisions, and the attitudes and values that lie behind my actions?

Would my life then be one that is in regular relationship to God, a relationship I could live within and through the community that surrounds me? Would I be motivated to reach out to the poor and oppressed, to try to lift burdens from people’s shoulders – burdens that imprison them? Would I be such an example of joy in living for God that I might show others a way of life that has meaning and is orientated towards love above all – and thus be a light for them especially at those times when they seem lost and cannot find their own way forward?

Jesus certainly identified himself in this way to his townsfolk. In the passage from the prophet Isaiah, he recognises his own story. He affirms the truth that the prophet had also come to see in his life – that the Spirit of God can and does lead and guide us in all manner of ways. For Jesus it is so clear, this is his vocation, his way of being faithful to God to his very depths. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord”. 

 Jesus shares this insight and revelation with those who have known him since childhood. He takes a risk and reveals something of his intimate self to those around him. Indeed Jesus may have hoped that his own townsfolk, of all groups, would understand and welcome his trusting disclosure.

And they do know him well indeed. Perhaps too well. They are full of expectation and for a moment, brief and fleeting as it turns out to be, they are moved and take pride in what Jesus shares with them. But while moved by the initial revelation and disclosure their hearts cannot stay open and receptive. Instead, they allow doubts to intrude and perhaps look for proof – signs similar to the ones they have heard done in places like Capernaum.

But when confronted by Jesus and the painful truth dawns on them that they are no better than other places, and no more accepting of a home town prophet than any other place or time in Israeli’s history “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place” – their response is anger.

Strange how being confronted by a ‘home truth’ sometimes moves people to anger. They protect themselves from looking deeper and their defensive reaction is to remove the one who is naming their reality. So we see a group previously on the verge of joyfully accepting a new moment of revelation wherein a new prophet for the world is being commissioned by God’s own Spirit, now turning against the very one whose word’s had so transfixed them moments earlier! From admiration, their mood turns to anger and rejection!

It is hard to move from a mood of worship to that of a desire to kill. From the contemplation of God’s word to attempting to murder the Word made flesh. Yet that is exactly what we observe.

Perhaps then the Word today offers us a moment to review and reflect on our lives. Let us invite the Spirit to be our constant guide and companion so that we too can live like Jesus. Let us listen to any truth that may challenge us with an open mind and true humility. Let us hold fast to our values so that we can stand aside from the crowd and from angry reactions that deny people justice or dignity.

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

Scripture:

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
Luke 14:1, 7-14

Reflection:

The Book of Sirach, this Sunday’s first reading, sounds a fundamental motif of the Bible: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.”  “Humility” may not be a prized virtue for a lot of people today.  It conjures up “deference,” “inhibition,” perhaps signals a lack of ambition or self-confidence.  Yet for the Bible and for Jesus himself, “humility” is a strong virtue to be sought.

The biblical notion of humility is signaled in the etymology of the word, coming from the Latin root word, humus, meaning “earth” or “soil.”  The person who is humilis, “humble,” is someone planted firmly on the ground, in touch with reality and living without illusion.  Our designation as “humans” is also from the same root word and emphasizes our status as being “of the earth,” as the biblical accounts of creation remind us.  The Bible considers it proper to be “humble” because we are creatures who are not self-sufficient but ultimately depend on God for our very existence.  Before the majesty and overwhelming beauty of God, we stand in awe.  To think of ourselves as more than we are—to fall into arrogance—is an illusion and lacks the fundamental self-awareness that humility ensures. The person who is humble lives in gratitude, realizing that everything is gift—above all our existence as daughters and sons of God.

The wisdom of the Scriptures suggests that those who are self-satisfied and impressed by their own wealth and achievement, who think they are autonomous and self-sufficient, are not likely to be “humble.”  Often, however, the poor who realize they depend on others and ultimately on God for their very lives, are instinctively “humble,” without losing their sense of dignity and self-respect.  To be “humble” is not to grovel or degrade oneself but to live in awareness of the truth.

This may be the reason for one of the intriguing characteristics of God in the Bible.  God is repeatedly designated as one who cares for the poor and the humble, who sides with the outcast and the stranger.  Even God’s choice of Israel to be his people, the book of Deuteronomy reminds us, is because Israel was in fact a poor and enslaved people, the “least” of all peoples. We hear this refrain in the responsorial Psalm 68 for today: “God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.”  God is acclaimed as “the father of orphans and the defender of widows…God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners in prosperity.”

Jesus epitomizes this biblical favoring of the poor and humble. The gospel selection today from Luke is a prime example. Characteristically, Luke portrays Jesus at a meal, this time in the house of one of the “leading Pharisees,” and the guests, Luke notes, were observing [Jesus] carefully…”  Jesus does not disappoint them and tells a parable about a guest at a wedding feast who makes the mistake of taking a place reserved for a more distinguished guest and is embarrassed to be told by the host to move down the line.  The man, Jesus notes, lacked awareness of his true status.  The humble are those who are aware: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

But Jesus is not done…he challenges his host by recalling God’s “prejudice” in favor of the poor and humble.  Instead of inviting your friends or wealthy neighbors who will reciprocate and invite you to their gatherings, “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.”

I think most of us are repelled by arrogance, by attitudes that seem to despise others while being self-congratulatory.  Being a follower of Jesus means living and acknowledging the truth about ourselves.  That we are children of God, made in God’s own likeness.  That life is a pure gift. That, like the God who sustains us, we are to reach out to those in need, our fellow human beings, and welcome them.

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.