Claire Smith

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.

Scripture:

Judges 6: 11-24a
Matthew 19: 23-30

Reflection:

Among the many gifts that I’ve cherished over the years, are stories of the truly remarkable people who have given their lives to witness to the importance of the Gospel.  And today we’re invited to remember one of the truly great ones, St. Bernard Clairvaux.  He lived at a time when both the society and the Church were truly struggling with the chaos both within and all around them.  And, despite all the chaos, he lived his life in such a way that his peers, both friends, and foes, respected him.  As a result, he had a profound influence on the very best that emerged in his time.  He was born in 1090 and died in 1153 and created centers of stability and wisdom that helped hold his world together.

He was born into one of the noble families in Burgundy, France.  He had a great future before him in the society of his day but chose instead to give his life to God.  Against his family’s wishes, he rejected the ambitious plans they had for him and, instead, followed his heart and at age 23 entered one of the most austere religious orders in the Church, the Cistercians.  He was already so influential among his peers, he brought a total of 30 young nobles (among whom were several of his brothers) with him into religious life.  Even at the early age of 23, he was a man of prayer and his prayer life deepened quickly under the guidance of the Abbot of Citeaux, St. Stephen Harding.  Though the Cistercians lived a very austere life, they were growing so rapidly at that time that just two years after he entered, he and fifteen other companions were sent out to establish another abbey.  Bernard was elected the first abbot of this new abbey located in the Clair Valley.  He remained Abbot of Clairvaux until his death in 1153

As abbot, Bernard emphasized three important spiritual disciplines:  an austere and simple form of life, lectio divina and personal prayer, and finally, a deep personal devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  His Abbey flourished and Bernard founded three additional abbeys with the monks from Clairvaux.

But it wasn’t just within the confines of the Cistercians that Bernard exerted enormous influence.  He participated in several Church Councils, brought unity to the Papacy (persuaded most of the secular rulers to accept Innocent II over Anacletus II), and overcame several heresies that were rampant during his time.   In short, Bernard became one of the most significant religious figures of the 12th century.

As you remember St. Bernard today, I hope you have a chance to read more about his life.  He is a true example of a faithful disciple of Jesus who uses all his considerable gifts to build up the Kingdom of God.  We thank God for this remarkable man and ask for the grace to live our lives in a way that builds the Kingdom of God in our world.

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director retreats at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Judges 2:11-19
Matthew 19:16-22

Reflection:

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”
Matt. 19:16

Did you ever wonder if you are on the right path to eternal life? Do you worry whether you are doing all you can to inherit everlasting life? Do you become anxious about wondering whether you are doing all needs to be done to follow Jesus?

During Jesus’ ministry, he had to deal with these question or similar ones. Today’s Gospel encounter is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. And there is a similar question posed to Jesus in the same three Gospels: What is the greatest commandment in the Law? Our questions and concerns for gaining everlasting life is as old as life itself!

This passage always reminds me of the old story of the two farm animals who had become friends, the hen and the pig. One morning the hen says, I will lay some eggs and we can have bacon and eggs for breakfast. The pig replies, for you, this is just involvement. But for me, it’s total commitment!

I believe that all of us are like the rich young man in today’s Gospel. We all have a deep longing to gain eternal life. We are constantly seeking ways to achieve our ultimate goal in life, getting to everlasting life. Most of us who are reading and reflecting on these scriptures and homilies are socially stable, have worked hard all our lives, are involved in our parishes and in ministry, attend retreats and do Holy Hours, go to confession regularly and strive to do all those things, like the rich young man, to gain eternal life.

The young man in today’s Gospel has followed the commands to the best of his abilities. And yet there is something lacking: “What do I still lack?” (In the other two Gospels, Jesus is the one who points out that there is still something lacking.)

This is when Jesus responds: go and sell what you have; give to the poor; follow me. The young man went away sad because he had many possessions.

This is when we take a deep breath and begin to ask ourselves, do our possessions own us or do we own our possessions. If we own our possessions, we can give them away. If they own us, we cannot.

What Jesus is reminding me in this passage is that it is easier to be involved, as difficult and sacrificial as that is, than to be totally committed to the following of Jesus. It also reminds me that discipleship or the following of Jesus is a journey.

By reading and reflecting and praying the Gospels, I begin to realize that I will always be asking the question, what must I do to gain eternal life and I will always get a response that challenges me to do more. I, like the rich young man, have many more possessions than I need. I can always give more to those in need and realize that I will always need God’s help to respond to discipleship with absolute commitment.

Just because I haven’t gotten there yet doesn’t mean that I must give up my quest of following Jesus. The first step toward total commitment to discipleship always begins with the unwavering desire to gain eternal life. If let go of my possessions, then God will do the rest!

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

Scripture:

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53

Reflection:

I have come to light a fire on the earth.

 At first read, these words of Jesus make no sense – they seem so out of character – do you think I’ve come for peace…no division!…families will be divided…what are we to make of this?  But once we let these words sink in, once we realize that the ‘Peace’ Jesus is about is a ‘Peace’ that comes from truth – then we can begin to understand.

Truth is hard – hard on individuals, hard on families, communities, nations and the world.  Truth takes courage – courage to face truth, to speak truth, to live truth.  Truth often means change and we all know that change is never easy, never without challenges, and almost never welcomed.

When families stop pretending that Billy’s drinking is not really a problem and Sally’s perpetual lying is not something she will simply outgrow there is likely going to be struggle.  When a community acknowledges its ethnic or racial biases, there is going to be defensive kick-back.  When nations begin to address the inequities among peoples, there will be challenges and struggles.  Truth can lead to division and denial, truth can result in defensiveness and polarity.

But truth, if embraced, even when difficult and challenging, can also bring about peace – the peace Jesus spoke of – the peace that is the result of being immerged in God’s Word, God’s truth.  Are we willing to embrace our Baptism and claim the truth – even when difficult – and do what we know is right?  Are we able to look at the uncomfortable truth’s in our lives, families, nations and world and face them as a follower of Jesus?

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

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Luke 1:39-56

Reflection:

Today we lift our eyes to the Heavens as Our Lady is assumed into Heaven mind, body and spirit on this Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this day we hear some of the most eloquent words of Scripture as they appear in the first Chapter of Luke, in the Magnificat or Canticle of Mary where we here this eloquent expression of gratitude, humility and the mission of Our Lady. As always she points our attention away from her and directly to Jesus.

It comes to us in four main parts or themes that can be lessons to us all as we live our lives here on Earth with our eyes on the Heavens. First and foremost Mary expresses her gratitude to God as we hear, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”, then she praises God for his Glory in, “the Almighty has done great things for me”. In her humility she compares how God deals with the proud and the humble, “he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

Finally we hear that all the ancient prophecies to the Jews are now being fulfilled in the Messiah in her womb, “He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy,” The great poet Henry Wordsworth called Our Lady, “our tainted nature’s solitary boast” in his poem the Virgin. So let us turn our tainted nature to this great example of virtue in our quest for our own resurrection with our solitary boast and her son, our Savior!

Deacon James Anderson is the Administrator at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Reflection:

This summer we’ve been blessed to spend a lot of time with our five grandchildren who range in age from 11 years to two years. Children can teach us so much about ourselves if we are willing to take the time. It is hard for me not to list off all the qualities I’ve observed in them as I reflect on today’s Gospel. I wonder, was that the answer the disciples were expecting to their question about who was the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?  “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven” (v.3).

Children see so much that we miss in our surroundings; they will see the bug on the ground and delight over it. They are loving and quick to hug. They operate from a different rhythm and force me to slow down. They are much less interested in the tasks I need to get accomplished and respond to time spent playing, talking, or reading with them. They are not so interested in our worldly status rather they judge on kindness and accept us as we are. They delight in the simple things and have the innate ability to know authenticity when they see it. They are weak and vulnerable, totally dependent on the adults in their life to keep them safe. They are naturally trusting. Whatever happens in their childhood can frame how they view and live their adult lives. Rituals matter to them.

In the book, The Spiritual Child, author Lisa Miller Ph.D. suggests from her research that children are born hardwired for a relationship with God. I wonder if their very best quality is their ability to be taught, to learn. They are like sponges always ready to learn. Humility tells me that I have more to learn, that I do not yet know everything. As adults, we can fall prey to the idea that there is nothing more to learn in life. Our life is constantly speaking to us but are we listening?

The Gospel takes a turn in v. 10 and the focus switches to the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus warns us not to despise “one of these little ones…for.. their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” The Greek in little ones is not the same term used earlier in referring to children. Rather, it has been translated as weak(er) ones. Then we are presented with the parable of the heavenly Father going in search of the one who is missing from the 100.

In the context of the last few weeks with three mass shootings, this parable makes me wonder how we lost those men. What happened to them that led to the violent taking of precious lives?

It is very distressing and complex when I attempt to view this on a national level, it feels helpless and hopeless. Yet, Moses reminds us in our first reading from Deuteronomy that “God marches with us and he will never fail us” (v. 6). Each of us has been called to do something to make our world a better and more loving place. We may not be called to great things like Mother Theresa or Dorothy Day yet, our life must inform us as to that call. What is your life saying?

Lord, keep us listening to your voice in our lives. 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:

Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Matthew 17:22-27

Reflection:

“This great God, who became man and wanted to suffer for us, is nearer to you than you are to yourselves.” -From the Letters of St. Paul of the Cross

Remember, that the “nearness” goes with you through whoever crosses your path today.

The first two lines of today’s Gospel sum up so much of my life experiences, as the experiences of the disciples’ who had gathered with Jesus in Galilee. The gathering seems to indicate a growing sense of security and power. A few of them had just witnessed the appearances of Moses and Elijah with Jesus. Others had witnessed the recent healings, and, of course, the multiplication of bread and fish for thousands. And, yet, when Jesus tells them the truth, and He relates that He will be “handed over to men,” He lets them know that being the Messiah means embracing suffering. They are “overwhelmed with grief.”

While the “wonderful things” that God accomplishes catch our imagination, the disappointments, the losses, the injustices and the grieving in which we participate, often in others, can really be hard to face, and scary to address.

We have the experiences of two women to attest to life’s extreme difficulties.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal, mother of 4, loses her husband in a hunting accident and is pulled under by the riptide of grief and anger. She chose not to ignore her pain but shared it with family, God, and her spiritual director, Francis de Sales, and eventually, the man who killed her husband. Later she would offer this advice: “Put yourself very simply before God.”

The other is none other than Eunice Shriver, the fifth of nine children of Rose and Joseph Kennedy, and foundress of Special Olympics. She died on August 11, 2009.

She believed in the full humanity of all those with disabilities and would lead her to dedicate much of her life to their cause and the inauguration of the first Special Olympics in Chicago, 1968, only weeks after the assassination of her brother, Robert Kennedy. The Special Olympics oath simply states, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”  Once, speaking to the Olympians she said, “You are the stars and world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope, a message of victory.”

Re-read Moses’ code of conduct contained in today’s selection from Deuteronomy, and understand its extreme relevance for today, especially at our international borders. Indeed, God’s nearness within you makes all the difference for someone.

Fr. Paddy Gilger, S.J. helped me write this.

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P., will reside in the Holy Name Community of Passionists in Houston, Texas, effective September 2019.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
John 12:24-26

Reflection:

When Jesus talks about the grain of wheat dying to give life, he isn’t primarily talking about physical death. The grain of wheat gives up its image of itself, its identity, and its closed-in existence in order to sprout into new life. It remains alive, but more fully so.

We who follow Jesus are called to do the same throughout our lives, in ways big and small, right up until the time of the physical deaths of our bodies. We have to let go of many things and die to many things, in order to become more alive in Christ.

Since I am a competent, independent, highly active person who travels the country for work, sometimes I have to be smacked hard to be reminded of this. My “smack” began on Mother’s Day weekend when a freak accidental fall broke my hip, requiring a total hip replacement. Suddenly, I was an invalid, dependent on others to even get out of bed. I had to cancel engagements and admit my frailty. I had to learn patience with a body that knew the slow path to healing and wasn’t about to be bullied into haste. I had to allow others to serve me instead of the other way around. I had to accept a different pace of life and a different sense of accomplishment. (When was the last time you celebrated the fact that you could bend down and tie your own shoes?) In short, I had to repeatedly let go of my self-defined identity and self-reliant existence.

As all these little deaths added up, our life-giving God slipped in. In the quiet and inactivity, God opened up the hurts and difficulties I had suppressed when I was “too busy” to pay attention to them. I reflected on my relationships, my goals, and where God was calling me. I adopted again the stance of a child – not proudly self-sufficient, but reliant on the one in whom I live and move and have my being. I let go. Necessary things died. I grew, even as I became more grounded.

I am still recovering as I write this. Yet I am again living in the sure knowledge that all I have, all I own, all of my abilities, and all of my successes can disappear in an instant. I am not in control. Yet no matter what happens, as Paul wrote: “God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” In every death, God will give me what I need to bring life. I am trying to do a better job of living into that reality. Even if it takes a good smack to remind me.

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/.