Claire Smith

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Matthew 16:24-28

Reflection:

Edith Stein, Finding What is Solid       

The opening prayers of Mass can be a bit of a stew. The ingredients remind us that we are unworthy, we are sinners, there is often a plea to strengthen our faith, and hope that we continue the journey that will bring us to eternal life. Other vegetables or a cube of meat are thrown in at times.

Examining this first course of our banquet at the table of the Eucharist I do not like to admit my human fragility or say I am a sinner. Humbly acknowledging how much I need this grace is not so appealing. Faith says much: the unearned, infinite and creative love of the Father, Jesus leading us to the Father, and the Holy Spirit with us. And finally, the journey leading us eternal life. This is a stew, nourishing, some un-tasty tidbits.

I have heard the expression, “I’m in a stew”. It’s not common. It describes a negative feeling we can have. We are swirling around. The events of life are all blending together and the definites of joy, goals, priorities or loves are not setting our compass. Life is just one course, and the solution is not adding a bit more spice!

Our Scriptures this week, today, and the feast day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, may speak to us in moments when we crave something solid.

This is the week of the Transfiguration. Tuesday, we heard Luke tell that event. Today and yesterday we hear what leads up to the Transfiguration in Matthew’s gospel. There is the first prediction of the passion, the rebuke to Peter after he acknowledges Jesus as Messiah (Peter and the disciples cannot comprehend that Messiah will suffer and so sagely suggest it be omitted!), Jesus then teaches all of us to follow him, taking up our cross. We must lose our life. Can we think of something to exchange for it? These are gospels that swirl us around.

Teresa Benedicta of the Cross had just completed her final book when soldiers came on August 2nd to take her, and her sister Rosa, from the Carmelite convent in Echt, Netherlands. They marched them down the street and put on a train to Auschwitz, their papers stamped, NO APPEAL. The punishment was swift, execution on August 9th. Tangential witnesses tell a little of the events, but we know from other Jewish people who rode the trains to the camps of the degrading treatment and cruelty inflicted on innocent men, women, and children. What a vortex of meaningless horror to be sucked into. Philosopher that she was she must have rewritten in her mind the pages of her last book, “The Science of the Cross” with these final experiences. A witness offers evidence of a commanding presence in a railroad yard at night, calling, really ordering water be bought to help her companions. With Rosa and a Sister of St. Joseph of Trevere, she went into the gas chamber to be one with her Jewish brothers and sisters.

Whatever our ‘being in a stew’ is, may the Scriptures nourish us, and the intercession, life, and death of Edith Stein help us. When life swirls around us, all that nourishes us, perhaps indistinguishable, is here. Take up the Cross, in losing life we will find.

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

Scripture:

Numbers 20:1-13
Matthew 16:13-23

Reflection:

Though Faith anything is possible

Faith is the foundation God wants us all to build from. Without faith everything seems to crumble and fall apart. Faith makes small things big. Faith makes the week strong. Faith can move mountains. Faith makes us see in the dark. Faith gives us courage. Faith is our foundation. God wants us to have faith in him and his divine plan so that we can be happy and look forward to the salvation that is promised to all who believe and have faith.

In the first reading, the whole congregation of Israel, which consisted of thousands of people were without water and their faith in God was completely gone. They had lost focus and were thinking about their immediate problems instead of what God had done for them and how mighty He is. The Israelites even held a council against Moses & Aaron because there was no water and demanded that they do something about it. Their faith was completely gone.

God told Moses to, “take your staff, assemble the community along with Aaron and order the rock to yield its waters.” All he wanted Moses to do was go out in faith and show the people of God that He is still in control and he will always take care of them. Moses went to do what God had asked but he did it with little faith, which caused him to strike the rock not once but twice in order for the water to come out and this act or the attitude that Moses had when he did this, did not show God’s full sanctity to the people. God said to Moses, “Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel, you shall not lead them into the land I will give them. God is faithful and he expects us to be faithful.

In today’s Gospel, God asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and they gave him all kinds of examples, Elijah, John the Baptist, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. They quoted what everyone else was saying but inside they all knew who he really was and they had faith in Him. Jesus then asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter was the only one mentioned, that spoke up and he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Simon Peter had faith in who Jesus was. Jesus said, “Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, the heavenly Father revealed this to you, not flesh & blood. Because Simon Peter had faith Jesus said, “You are Peter & upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the Netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Later, Jesus began to show them that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer at the hands of the Elders, Chief Priest and Scribes and be killed and rise on the third day. All he wanted them to do was have faith that this was for the good of all. Peter took Jesus aside and said, “God forbid, Lord, no such thing shall happen to you.” Peter’s faith was weakening just that fast. Without our faith and dependence on our Lord and Savior we are weak. Jesus said, “Get behind me Satan, you are an obstacle to me.” He told Peter, you are thinking not as God does but as human beings do without faith. Where is your faith?

In the end, The Church of Peter flourishes in faith and is immune from error. There is no need for us to wonder at this, since the Lord said to Peter, “I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail (Lk 22:32).

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:

Number 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29a, 34-35
Matthew 15:21-28

Reflection:

I knew all about plants, or so I thought. Then I started reading Brilliant Green, The Surprising History and Science of Plant Intelligence, by Stefano Mancuso and Alessandra (2015). Just reading the book’s title and inside jacket, I learned things that while I had heard, I never really thought about, like plants have been on earth longer than we have. Reading into the book I learned that plants possess fifteen more senses than we do. The following fact that was right in front of me all my life—you can cut plants, sometimes as much as 90% and get this—they don’t die, they keep right on growing. Of course, I knew that the more I cut the grass around my home, the more it grew. I always thought that was more a nuisance than amazing characteristic.

Like learning more about plants that have always been part of my life, I read today’s gospel and I find that even at my ripe old age of 74, I have more to learn. I was taught to follow Jesus, he had all the answers and could point out the way, especially in turbulent and confusing times. I also remember hearing that Jesus had to grow in his understanding of his mission, that Jesus was human and had to develop just like me, but I always assumed that was in the first 30 years of his life before we meet him in the gospels. In today’s gospel selection we see the mature Jesus learning from a Canaanite woman (a marginalized person in Jesus’ time) about his mission and widening his view as to whom he is being sent. The persistent woman seems to be a distraction to Jesus at first. He tells his disciples:

“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” MT 15:23)

The Canaanite woman perseveres, and Jesus has a change of heart:

“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour. (MT 15:28)

I know I can take this passage to suggest that I must hound God in prayer for what I want, but I can also see that even Jesus had to learn as he grew. Thank you, God for Matthew who told the story the way it actually happened, not the way he may have wanted it to play out. Help me today to continue to grow and to tell my story like it is and not like I might want it to seem.

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

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Scripture:

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
2 Peter 1:16-19
Luke 9:28b-36

Reflection:

On this day 74 years ago, the relationship between the earth and humans changed forever. Men and women have lived on our planet for about 200,000 years. During these 8,000 generations, with the exceptions of the last three, the forces of nature had directed and determined our relationship to our world.

With the development and deployment of the atom bomb, everything was irrevocably altered. We showed our full physical power to destroy, permanently, ourselves.

Today eight nations are stockpiling nearly 14,000 nuclear warheads, enough to obliterate multiple earths. Congress just passed funds to “modernize” our nuclear arsenal and treaties with Russia to curb the arsenal are being discarded.

How ironic that on this feast, celebrating the mystical experience of Peter, James and John with Jesus on a mountain when in deep prayer, that the very first destructive weapon was unleashed.

The Transfiguration recognizes the dignity of humans in our relationship with God and the unique role of Christ in this relationship. It was the turning point in Jesus’ life, setting him on the path to Jerusalem where he was to confront the deadly powers of evil. We are called to unity, to love for one another, to build a just world, to confront the powers of evil…all in imitation of Christ.

This is the reason Pope Francis decried, in 2017, not just the use of nuclear weapons, but even the possession of nuclear weapons. “The threat of their use as well as their very possession is to be firmly condemned,” the pope stated.

God is a God of life, not death. As God’s sons and daughters, we are to be God’s presence on earth, fostering life.

The pope stated the existence of nuclear weapons creates a false sense of security that holds hostage international relations and stifles peaceful coexistence. Our security is found in God alone, not in warheads.

Starting in my home, workplace and marketplaces, am I life-promoting? A Peacemaker? Merciful?

Taking time to reflect on the dramatic feast of the Transfiguration is more than remembering an event in the lives of the three apostles and Jesus. It is a time to reflect on our God-created dignity and the amazing love of our Creator for each of us. It is an occasion for my own mystical experience of God Almighty.

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

 

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
Colossians 3:1-5,9-11
Luke 12:13-21

Reflection:

The Real Treasure

The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are very direct and challenging: “Take care to guard against all greed.”  A question had come from the crowd about an inheritance issue and Jesus responds with both a direct answer and the supporting parable of a rich farmer with a bountiful harvest.

The Gospel story ties into our human desire for security…financial, health, independence, personal self-worth.  Jesus knows us well and tried to put our yearning for security in the proper perspective.  The rich farmer could be a successful Illinois farmer with a bumper corn crop and even-larger replacement grain bins.  The farmer works hard, is a good organizer, a respected citizen…but Jesus also uses the word “fool”.  The desire for security had led to greed; there’s no mention of sharing / helping others, or even a simple prayer of thanksgiving to God…a selfishness that blinds us to others and even God!

Jesus’ words are for “back when”…and now.  Greed and selfishness tempt us, especially in our society which often overwhelms us with a “need” for more money and possessions.  In our competitive society, we work and save, but we are easily mistaken if we think possessions alone will provide real security — if we think we can go it alone.  Even St. Paul in the reading from Colossians encourages us to “seek what is above”, to get outside our own circle of life.  Sure, we have our daily needs; the grocery clerk most likely won’t accept a promise of prayer to pay for a cartload of groceries!  Jesus and St. Paul are encouraging us to check our attitude about life and “things”:  don’t forget God, neighbor, and self…both “here” and in the “hereafter”.

We are challenged to cultivate a renewed generosity and an active love of God and neighbor…our real Treasure!  This begins at home and leads us out to others – especially those most in need…the least and the lost of our day, the stranger and the refugee.  We may try to hide behind our full grain bins, but Jesus encourages us to move out, to be grateful to God and generous with our sisters and brothers.

These summer days, may we be blessed with a renewed experience of humility, gratitude, and generosity!

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

Scripture:

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Matthew 13:54-58

Reflection:

God is so often closer than we think. It’s just that sometimes we don’t recognise God’s action and presence when it is right there in front of our faces.

Indeed, it’s one of the glaring faults in human nature that we so frequently see what we want to see.

There are numerous experiments showing instances of people being convinced or convincing themselves that they are going to see a certain object and that’s precisely what they do see when they look – even when it’s not there! Indeed, entertainers like magicians work not only by sleight of hand but by distracting us so that we see what they suggest we should see – i.e. ‘look there is nothing in this hand’ (whilst all the time the other hand is doing something quickly!)

It seems that a similar dynamic was at work when Jesus returns to his own village. For today’s reading places us, and Jesus, in the very heart of his ‘native place’ and amongst his townsfolk, many of whom would have known him well. The image or memory of Jesus who shared a family life in their midst prevails and that is all they see – the man they knew from the past through his family life and work in their midst.

Yet, despite his preaching which had evoked a powerful, approving response, and despite the deeds he had done which had revealed the healing hand of God at work Jesus is still doubted. The people do not see a prophet with a new liberating message, they do not see a healer who is bringing God’s vision to life in their midst. What the people of his own place prefer to see, and what in a sense they are programmed to see, is the young man who had grown up in their midst.

The key to seeing more – in Jesus own words – is faith. Faith is that gift that allows us to see many things that are beyond our own vision and asks us to both observe and listen so that our perception might be sharpened and our awareness be broadened.  God’s work in our midst is not always seen in healings or signs such as the people of Jesus village were privileged to witness. God’s work in our midst is often discerned – sifted, much like gold in the sands of a river. The tools we need for such discernment are all within us – we need only to become still, to embrace a humble posture and to allow our minds and hearts to be open to what we see, feel and experience. In such ways, we catch glimpses of God’s action and presence, sometimes clearly seen like a shaft of sunlight and sometimes more subtlety felt like a gentle breeze on our skin.

When I was a child, I was taught that before crossing a street, I should stop, look and listen. Only after these steps should I embark on a crossing of the road itself.

To ‘see’ God at work in the midst of our lives we might well have to do the same!

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

Feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Scripture:

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Matthew 13:47-53

Reflection:

Today is the feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists.  He was a bishop, a revered spiritual writer, and perhaps most notably, a leading moral theologian. In many ways, the Redemptorists and Passionists are “cousins.”  Both orders were founded in Italy at roughly the same period and both were part of a revival in the Church that brought a new spirit of devotion and religious fervor to the church of their times. Both religious communities also stressed God’s overwhelming love expressed in the cross of Jesus which secures our redemption.

In the case of Saint Alphonsus, his writings on moral theology moved away from the rigidity and distorted asceticism that characterized so-called Jansenism, a view of Catholic spirituality that had been in vogue in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, and which stressed human depravity caused by sin.  Alphonsus Liguori—similar to the message of Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists—stressed instead God’s love and mercy as the central focus of the Christian life.

The Lectionary readings for this day were not chosen specifically for the feast of St. Alphonsus.  Yet their message echoes the virtues of this great saint.  The reading from Exodus describes Moses preparing a simple portable shrine (referred to as the “Dwelling”) and placing the Ark of the Covenant within it and shrouding it with a veil.  This desert sanctuary became the visible sign of God’s loving and protective presence with the “children of Israel.”  That presence was signaled by a cloud during the day and by fire at night.  Most important, the Lord would be present to the people through “all the stages of their journey.”  This sense of God’s loving presence with us throughout our journey of life resonates with the emphasis on God’s love proclaimed by St. Alphonsus.

The gospel selection is from the closing section of the parable discourse found in chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel. The concluding saying of Jesus about the scribe trained for the Kingdom of heaven is viewed by many commentators on the Gospel as a kind of “signature” of the evangelist himself.  The “scribe”—that is, a person well-versed in God’s law—is “instructed” (literally, “made a disciple”) in the Kingdom of heaven.  Thus, this scribe knows the teaching of Jesus about God’s reign expressed in the healing and reconciling words and actions of Jesus himself. Additionally, this scribe is like “a head of a household”—that is, one who exercises leadership within the community of Jesus’ disciples.  And this scribe brings from his “treasure” (a more literal translation of the Greek than the term “storeroom”)—that is, the place where his most precious and valuable convictions are stored— “both the new and the old.”   In other words, the scribe nourishes the community of Jesus by holding on to what is most valuable in our tradition (“the old”) and, at the same time, bring forth things that are “new.”

That is precisely the role of the great saint and doctor of the Church whom we remember today. As a thoughtful “scribe,” Alphonsus Liguori remembered that trust in God’s enduring love and presence with us is a fundamental conviction never to be lost, and, at a time when some seemed to stray from that truth, he proclaimed it with new vigor and eloquence.

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.

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Scripture:

Exodus 34:29-35
Matthew 13:44-46

Reflection:

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.  When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

Take a moment and look around you.  What is most valuable in your sight?

When faced with major events and problems of our life – be it health, relationships, loss – I would bet that very few of us would concentrate on material items of “value.” I can’t remember a single funeral or memorial where someone stood to offer a eulogy and said, “I wish I’d had more money.” No – most often, the comments are about the time spent with one another, and then the call to “Tell people you love them while you have the chance.”

We, as a people, have forgotten that time waits for no-one. We have shifted from an outward focus to one that looks primarily at ourselves… We’ve turned away from the people around us and in our lives, and instead, we’ve directed our focus squarely on ourselves and our agenda.

I’ve seen scores of kids (and adults alike) together at amusement parks or in restaurants, but none of them interacting with each other. No treasures of laughter, smiles, or even just enjoying a “Hey – look at that over there.” Mostly it’s all heads down, staring at their screens.

Or on the road. Drivers staring at their devices instead of focusing on driving well. No treasure of protecting themselves or the other people driving or walking – better check email instead.

Or in our living rooms. The treasure of time spent sharing ourselves with the people we love has been replaced by any number of attractors which have significantly less worth.

In living this way, at the end of our day, we can look back and see how we’ve missed the most amazing opportunities to meet God, for the Lord comes to us in the face of every person and in every encounter. The people we love, those we’re called to love, those who love us, and those who don’t even know they love us – we all hold a treasure of untold value, for they, and you & I, are the vessels which bring the love of God to each other.

So, look around again – this time in your heart.
What would move you to sell absolutely everything?

What is your treasure?

Now, go and tell them – for when you say “I love you” to one of God’s children, you say “I love you” to God..

Peace and love to you today, and forever.

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 Retreat Center.