• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Claire Smith

Daily Scripture, August 31, 2019

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Matthew 25:14-30

Reflection:

When I think about all the decades I’ve been fortunate enough to know my parents, I always remember them both as being tremendously hard working professional musicians and teachers, working for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in many parishes and schools.  When my father was alive, he held other different jobs, all at the same time, in order to help make ends meet for the family.  And even now, my mother still works seven days a week in two parishes and two schools.  They drew (and she still does draw) on every facet of who they were/are.  Sure, it was hard, and not at all perfect, but wow; what hard workers and givers-back of the gifts they were given.

As we grew, my sister and I helped them as much as we could in all they did.  My sister (MUCH older than me, by two years) definitely took their example to heart, and diligently and lovingly did her part.  For my part, it included working at my Uncle Victor’s Italian market with my Pa making sandwiches and stocking the shelves, or playing and cantoring and directing the choir when there were Masses in two parishes at the same time, or helping my Ma with cooking at home, scheduling private students, preparing music for rehearsals and Liturgies, and so on…

Sometimes I didn’t do a perfect job.  Sometimes I did pretty OK.  And some-times, I did really well.  But my father and mother, no matter how whatever I produced turned out, would always thank me and tell me how proud they were… so long as I tried.  So long as I did something.  I remember their words of gratitude and grace, for sure.  But more than that, I remember the feeling:  so very helpful, so very needed, so special, so wonderful – so loved.

In Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, he exhorts, “We urge you, brothers & sisters, to progress even more … and to work with your own hands.”  I Thessalonians 4:10b,11b   In the Gospel, Jesus teaches with the parable of a man leaving town and trusting his “talents” (read “money”) with three of his servants.  Upon the master’s return, one servant gave back all the money, while the other two traded and invested and doubled all that the master had given them.  We hear the master proclaim to those who developed their talents, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Come, share in your master’s joy.”  Matthew 25:21

The readings today tell us that, whatever we do, we have to do something.  God showers us with so many gifts, and God doesn’t want us to hide them in the ground.  We are called to not just have, but to develop, cultivate, and use those gifts.  And, beautifully, it’s in the cultivating and sharing of our “talents” that we give them back to our Master.  Just as the flame of one candle can ignite another without losing it’s brightness, it’s in the sharing of our gifts that they’re doubled.

We are given the divine invitation to not stay where we are, but to do what we are called to do, even though our hands might need to get dirty in the process.  We must be good stewards of the gifts we’ve been given.  Let’s not bury ourselves in the ground and hide.  Let’s at least try!!!  It’s never too late to live as a Child of the Light.

And can you imagine how you’ll feel when you hear God say “Wonderful job, my good, faithful helper.  Thank you, friend.  Come to me – let me share all my joy and all my love… with you.”

Dear God of yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows, thank you for the gift of every turning season.  Please grant us the grace of always continuing to grow, right up until the day we get to hear You say to us; “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Amen.

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.

Daily Scripture, August 29, 2019

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Scripture:

Jeremiah 1:17-19
Mark 6:17 – 29

Reflection:

With the reemergence of comic superheroes, a new phrase or question has developed, “What is your super power?” A question that helps us to think about the special gift or talent we possess that might assist others. The Church calls these charisms. They are the graces/gifts and talents given to us by God, intended to build up the Body of Christ.

Saint John the Baptist knew that his charism was to preach and proclaim the coming of the messiah. He held fast to his gift of preaching and teaching and put his life on the line to speak the truth when it came to confronting Herod Antipas about his marriage to his brother’s wife when his brother was still living. While Herod Antipas, a “king” with “power” could not stand up to the truth when his wife asked for the “head of John the Baptist”. He could not humble himself and say no to the request. It would have been “humbling” for him to do so. He might have seem weak. What would people think of a king not keeping a promise? Even a king of ancient Palestine felt pressure from his guests or at least he thought he knew what his guests wanted. Some might have been on the side of the Queen and some might have stood quietly by afraid to say something not wanting to go against the king or queen. Was there anyone there who did not agree with the request of the queen? Even in modern times not many people will step forward to ask questions or make objections when something is off track or unjust.

Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just?

When given power we need to know what to do with it. In the scriptures today we have great examples of the choices we have in using our “power” or charism. We can use it for a greater good and be humble to listen to others, they may be warning us that we are off track. Or we may use power to make us “king of the hill”. Walking over others and ignoring the truth as we climb up to what we think is our goal. Not an easy choice when “human wisdom”/society tells us that it is okay to climb our way up and if someone next to me is falling down well, too bad for them. Society may also tell us not to listen because the voices of others come from another group who is not for the same thing we are supporting. Wisdom comes when we have an openness to the voice of God that comes through others. Our faith says that we can all climb together helping each other to achieve our goals. In doing so we build up the “Body of Christ”

What are your gifts and talents? How are you using these to build up the “Body of Christ”?


Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daily Scripture, August 28, 2019

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:27-32

Reflection:

You have searched me and know me, Lord!

Psalm 139 reminds us that no matter where we go or what we do, our God is always present.  For people of faith, I would think the reassuring presence of God in our life would be one of comfort and give one a sense of peace and being loved.

Sometimes we become frustrated and overwhelmed and feel alone when life seems too worrisome and unbearable.  Statistics tell us that anxiety and depression are on the rise in the young and the not so young.  We live in a world that moves too fast and urges us to climb on the bandwagon and ultimately find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of activity and pressure to be someone we were never meant to be.

When we take time to carve out spaces for quiet reflection and prayer, times to spend with family and friends for fun and relaxation or time to just BE, we keep the door open to God working in our lives.

This summer has been filled with times to step back and let God be in charge of what I do or where I am going.  In connecting with family and friends near and far, I have tried to just be present in the moment, whether that be an evening boat ride to catch the sunset, visit with a friend anticipating major surgery or just taking the time to pen a letter to God in my journal.  It has been a wonderful time to bask in the glory of God’s presence.

It is my prayer that in the busy days ahead I may recognize the God of sunsets, star-filled nights and summer fun days, is also the Lord who continues to search me and know me and walks with me.

This is my prayer for you as well.


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

Daily Scripture, August 27, 2019

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 23:23-26

Reflection:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But] these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.

This is the fourth of seven woes spoken directly by Jesus against the scribes and Pharisees. According to the Torah, the purpose of tithing was the support and upkeep of the temple cult and its officials, namely priests and levites. Jesus condemns the preoccupation with the concern over the smallest of herbs, while justice, mercy and faith are neglected.

Justice, mercy and faith – let’s start there. What do these words mean to us in our society today – in our jobs, our families, our friendships? We try to do the right thing, we show mercy and compassion to those around us, and we stay strong in our faith. But what if those we interact with don’t do these basic necessities to enable us to remain close to our God in heaven? What happens to us when we are placed in situations that seem hopeless; when we believe that we don’t have a voice; when we are made to feel small? Well then, we are losing sight of the beautiful and amazing gifts that God has in store for us – we should depend on Him alone, not solely in people. In our sensitivities and compassion for others, it becomes very difficult to maintain your beliefs when you surround yourself with those who make you feel small and insignificant – but we can’t allow anyone to make us feel that way! I am guilty of allowing it myself!

Secondly, do you know those who make themselves appear to be holy on the outside, but their heart isn’t a servant’s heart; their ears don’t listen to the truths around them; their mouths refuse to speak and accept the truth. In truth, are their intentions to make improvements and to live out their lives according to God’s almighty plan thwarted by pride and arrogance? Keep your vessel filled in order to do the work of the Holy Spirit, with a servant’s heart. Remain immersed in the faith, so that when you speak the truth, you speak with authority. And check your pride and arrogance at the door – that is one cup that does not need to be overflowing!


Patty Masson is a member of the Passionist Family in Houston, Texas.

Daily Scripture, August 25, 2019

Scripture:

Isaiah 66:18-21
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13
Luke 13:22-30

Reflection:

Not too many years after the conclusion of World War II, membership concerns began to consume the leadership of the Catholic Church.  Up to and during that war, church membership was more or less an assured thing, and the maintenance of numbers in the church was not a major issue.

But, especially since Vatican Council II, church membership has taken a “hit”.  And, of course, Vatican Council II has been the obvious candidate for blame in this drop-off in attendance and membership.  What else could it be?  Well, it could be the simultaneous decrease in the membership of religious orders, both men’s and women’s, and their being forced to close many of their institutions, schools especially, because of lack of personnel.  Their gradual disappearance from the educational scene has deprived Catholic children of exposure to the lifestyle of consecrated men and women, and thereby of their example.

And the shift in the immigration influx into this country during these years has undergone a change during this time period.  While immigrants continue to flow into this country, their national origin has changed from a largely European stock to a mainly Latin American and Asian group, introducing a different kind of immigrant, whose practice of regular church attendance at times differs from that traditionally practiced in this country.

These are all likely reasons why church attendance has changed, toward obvious diminishment.  And there are other reasons not mentioned here.  But our scriptural reflections assigned for today address this issue, both unconcerned about diminishment while being more concerned about enlargement.  This corresponds to a venerable tradition in the church about a sense of mission.  It stems from the parting words of Jesus: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel  to every creature.” (Mk. 16.15)

Jesus picks up on this issue in the first reading today, taken from the prophet Isaiah: “I come to gather nations of every language…I will send fugitives to the nations…they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.”  This is the growth theme woven into the sense of mission that is so prominent in the bible.

At the same time, and with a touch of realism, we hear a message today that the success we all want to enjoy in our efforts at being faithful to the Lord is interwoven with “down” moments, when things are not going our way, and we need to hear: “…strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees…that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.”   And we are helped in recalling the observation of Jesus in the gospel” Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many will attempt to enter. but will not be strong enough.”  And the final observation of Jesus in today’s gospel: “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

This is a sobering reminder that the way things were years ago, when church attendance was an ever-growing phenomenon, need not be that way all the time, so that the current depleted church attendance need not be a negative feature but may be a harbinger of better days to come.  Jesus integrates a sense of realism into the practice of counting those whom we notice at church services. Their presence may generate an ill-founded optimism just as their absence may lead to wrong conclusions.  In this regard, we may recall King David’s unfortunate mistake in ordering Joab to register all the people over whom he ruled.  This God regarded as an act of pride on David’s part, that he governed such a large number of people, and God accordingly punished David for what amounted to a display of pride. (2 Sam 24).  So, sheer numbers is not always something of which to be proud.  For, as we hear from Job: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away…” (Job 1.21)

Fr. Sebastian MacDonald, C.P. is an active member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daily Scripture, August 24, 2019

Scripture:

Revelation: 21:9b-14
John 1:45-51

Reflection:

Come and See  -Matthew 1:46

There is a certain simplicity in the Gospels that for so many of us it is so very easy to miss. “Come and see.” These words of SS from today’s feast are some of the most important in the Bible! It contains the wisdom of the Gospels.

There is an important invitation: “come”. About one fifth on Gospels are accounts of simple people coming to Jesus for healing. They probably had little theology as to the nature of Christ, but they knew something we fail to appreciate. Jesus could make them well again! “And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them,” Mt 15:30

Among the first words of Jesus in John’s Gospel are: “Come and you will see.” In today’s Gospel Bartholomew heard these same words from Andrew “come and see”.  Among the first words of Jesus to all the Apostles were “come follow Me”. Jesus invites us with the greatest invitation we will ever receive. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28

The words “who labor” don’t seem to be the best translation.  The work in Greek is kopiao which means to be beat up or hit with a blow.    We find ourselves after a difficult day saying I’m beat. Jesus invites us to Himself when we feel we are down with the count.  Discouragement is an invitation to come to Jesus just as the “the beaten, the overburdened, the lame, the blind, the crippled” did in the Gospels.  It reminds one of the words of Jesus: “apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

I remember as a young struggling high school student seeing a Burma Shave sign from John 6:37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  I thought then, and still do today at 82 that it is one of the most encouraging texts in the Scriptures!  I love the words of St Peter Julian Eymard who simply and deeply reflects the Scriptures: “go directly to Jesus without too much fuss.”  The final words of the New Testament is the beautiful petition: “come Lord Jesus”. Revelation 22:20


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

Daily Scripture, August 22, 2019

Scripture:

Judges 11:29-39a
Matthew 22:1-14

Reflection:

Recently I was reflecting on a time in my life when God gave ‘stubborn’ me a little nudge to get me moving, (this happens more often than I like to admit)! I didn’t want to give up control of my situation. I was praying for help.

At Sunday Mass that week, after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, I was overwhelmed by the enormity of the Lord’s gift of Himself.  The choir started playing the beautiful song written by Catholic composer, Dan Schutte in 1981, ‘Here I am Lord’.

“Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord,
If You lead me…..”

It was like the Lord himself was calling me. From that moment, I gave control of that situation to the Lord. The beautiful lyrics reminding me, that with the Lord leading me, I can do anything.

Every time I hear that song or read those words, here from Psalm 40, I am again encouraged to give control to the Lord. To trust His leadership.

It sounds easy, but in following, you have to give control of where you go to the leader.  That, my friends, is the challenge for today.

Kate Mims is the Retreat Center Director at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Daily Scripture, August 21, 2019

Scripture:

Judges 9:6-15
Matthew 20: 1-16

Reflection:

For the average American understanding, today’s readings could be a challenge.  The first reading is from chapter 9 of the book of Judges. To understand this reading, you need to know the rest of the story.  Abimelch murders his brethren and is made king (1-6).  In the parable of the trees, Judge Jotham compares Abimelech to the bramble or thistle, a worthless plant, whose end is to be burned.

Today’s Gospel parable causes me angst. I want to say to Jesus “it is not right nor fair to pay the last workers hired the same as those who slaved all day long in the hot sun”.  In America, we insist that justice has to do with equality. Of course, it is not fair.  Jesus is teaching us that a God who is “just” is inclined to show special generosity to the poor and outcast.  Who spends the whole day waiting to be hired until the end of the day?  In Jesus’ time, this would have been the weak, infirm, disabled and elderly. The whole point is God’s generosity and bounteous love that God lavishes on saint and sinner alike.

Reflection Question:  How generous am I with my love for others?

Generous God help me to be generous in loving others today—especially upon those who seem undeserving, just as you generously love me.


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

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 251
  • Page 252
  • Page 253
  • Page 254
  • Page 255
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 371
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in