Claire Smith

Feast of Saint Martha

Scripture:

Exodus 32:15–24; 30-34
John 11:19-27

Reflection:

      “. . . you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

In the first reading, Moses has come down from the mountain to the Hebrews praising a golden calf. Aaron explains the situation to Moses as if he had no control over the situation. I have this picture in my mind that Moses is looking at Aaron in disbelief and disappointment. In disgust, the next day, Moses again ascends the mountain to plead with the LORD, to make atonement for the Hebrew’s sin. He is not the one to atone for their sin. The LORD responds to Moses saying that the people are responsible for their own sin. Moses asks to be struck from the book that the LORD has written. This is in reference to those who are faithful to the LORD. Possible being struck from the book could mean death. The LORD’S response is to only strike from the book those who have sinned against the LORD. While Moses is the one chosen to lead the people to the Promise Land he is not the one to free them from their sin.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus and Martha have a conversation where Martha makes several faith statements about her belief “in the resurrection on the last day”. The last statement she makes is that she believes “you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” In the Gospels, when Jesus is healing someone it is through that person’s faith or the faith of others that the person is healed. Martha, a woman who is portrayed as to busy to pray in the Gospel of Luke, is the one who has faith that Jesus is going to heal her brother or raise him from the dead in the Gospel of John. Jesus responds to her with one of the “I Am” statements:

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

This conversation between Martha and Jesus might be a Covenant dialog. Martha makes her statements of faith and Jesus replies with the promise of eternal life. Martha’s faith and the faith of the Apostles was not perfect. They kept trying to understand the message. What Moses was not allowed to accomplish, Jesus is the one God has chosen to free people from their sin and to give eternal life. We are making our statement of faith as best as we can. Taking time to hear God’s response, engaging God in our own covenant dialog could possibly be an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and grow deeper in our faith.

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

Scripture:

Genesis 18:20-32
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13

Reflection:

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

Prayer has been defined in many ways.  Some of these include:

• An invocation or act that seeks a higher rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication.
• Intercession directed towards a deity or a deified ancestor.
• Can take on various forms; in liturgy or worship, music or the arts, etc
• Can be done individually or in groups.
• Is attested in written sources as early as 5000 years ago.
• Most major religions involve prayer in one way or another.

Everyone prays in different ways at different times depending on our state in life or circumstances we find ourselves in.  In our scriptures today, we hear Jesus telling his disciples how he prayers to his Father.  For many of us our earliest experiences of prayer happening in a familial setting. In my family, my siblings and I learned familiar prayers from our parents at a young age.  I remember saying the Angel of God prayer before bedtime, the meal prayer as we gathered to enjoy our family meals and the Rosary at other times.

As we grow in faith and maturity, our prayer experiences look and feel differently than they might have when we were younger.  Recently my friends and I took part in a prayer vigil focused on ending the dehumanization taking place in the detention camps at our border.  A few days later, several of us from our parish were privileged to attend the naturalization ceremony for members of one of our refugee families.  During this ceremony, we celebrated and gave thanks to God for the gifts of freedom and security they now have found in this gift of citizenship!

Last Sunday we gathered with one of our couples who will soon welcome twins to pray the blessing from the Rite of Blessing the Child within the Womb.  Members of our pastoral team often celebrate this rite within the context of a home visit during the pregnancy.

The scriptures are filled with accounts of Jesus praying by himself or with others.  This happens when he is visiting the sick, burying the dead, forgiving sinners and rejoicing in new life.  These are all ways in which he stays connected to his father.  He calls each of us to do the same.  Whatever form your prayer takes, as long as it is life-giving and sustains your God-relationship, keep on doing it!  Amen!

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

Scripture:

Exodus 24:3-8
Matthew 13:24-30

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel reading is the parable of the good seed, where an enemy plants weeds among the good seeds that the owner has planted.

We live in a world where the evil one exists. Those forces of evil are planted all around us, making us work even harder to establish a seat in God’s kingdom when the time comes. So, we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit to implant in us patience, wisdom, truth, and most importantly trust – trust in the strength and power of Almighty God to protect and guide us through life’s vast garden.

Think about your life, your garden and your weeds. You could pick out all of the bad influences, bad people, and unpleasant events from your life. But those influences and people and un-pleasantries are what have molded you into the person you are today. And if you try, you can allow those experiences to be a strength, not a weakness. We can’t be expected to clean out all of the chaff – the bad weeds – from our lives, because sometimes you need that experience to make you appreciate what you have, and what you have become – today.

I think of both the joyful and sad events I have experienced, and I know that my ministry today wouldn’t be as powerful if I had pulled up the weeds in the midst of the wheat – if I could have erased the sad times in my life. My weeds are my truth, my heritage, my history. I would miss the opportunity to learn so many important aspects of life, like tolerance of ideas and beliefs, charity, compassion, patience, wisdom – not to mention a faith and belief in God that has blossomed in the last few years – had I removed the weeds. People need love and respect, and my experiences have opened my heart to give others just that.

Learn the gift of working through the weeds. You may find a wealth of understanding in God’s wonderful plan – honestly, He has it all under control.

Patty Masson is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Exodus 20:1-17
Matthew 13:18-23

Reflection:

If there is anything that captures my experience of growing up Catholic, it would be the preparation for First Confession and First Communion in the second grade. Central to that preparation was memorizing the Ten Commandments that we again hear in today’s reading from the Book of Exodus.

1. I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any strange gods before Me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

My first experience in the confessional box did not go as planned. I got very anxious and forgot my rather long list of transgressions against God and others. The young assistant pastor was very kind and asked me if I knew the Commandments. You bet I did. So, I confessed that I had committed adultery. Really? he asked. Do you know what that means? No, not really. So, he suggested we talk about the 4^th Commandment instead.

It has been too long since I forced myself to recite the Ten Commandments in order. I probably could get them all, though slightly scrambled. I connect the guidance the Commandments provide with today’s feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the legendary parents of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Her parents, like mine and hopefully yours, provided the same guidance as the Commandments. Something like guardrails along the journey. There was lots of room to explore and grow into the person I am, with only minor scratches and dents.

For my parents and for the Ten Commandments, I am grateful.  Even though they have died, my parents continue to guide me. And re-reading the Commandments reminds me that they really are good guiderails in today’s world where too many are veering off the edge and we seem not to care or notice.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Feast of St. James the Apostle

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Matthew 20:20-28

Reflection:

I grew up in the city, and long before recycling and composting were popular, my Dad had a “humus pile” in our back yard. Every time we cut the grass, the clippings went on top of the pile. When we raked leaves they, too, would cover that mound. So did potato peelings, coffee grounds, and eggshells. And we would keep turning the dirt with the refuse. Dad had made a sifting screen out of chicken wire and boards; every so often we would sift the humus pile — producing the richest, blackest soil you can imagine! Nature teaches us that fertility comes from rubbish, life comes from death.

The word “humus” in Latin means earth or ground. The English word, humility, comes from this origin. The fruitfulness of the earth depends on the decomposition of organic matter. Today’s readings remind us that the only abundance or prosperity that is real must come from the lowly garbage! James and John send their mother (how pathetic!) to secure a top position in Jesus’ cabinet, and Jesus reminds them of the need to embrace the lowly, the humble… to drink the cup that he has drunk. To be one with Jesus means not sitting in glory and honor, but powerlessness and vulnerability. This is the fragile, earthen vessel of which St. Paul speaks.  Dr. Albert Schweitzer, famous philosopher, theologian, physician, and missionary… once said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be. I do know that the only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

I suppose it’s easy to find the arrogance and smugness of politicians or entertainers and others. Today I need to look at my own egotism, my own desire for power-prestige-privilege, asking that I might drink Jesus’ cup of humility, and be healed and grounded.

Fr. Jack Conley, C.P. is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Scripture:

Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15
Matthew 13:1-9

Reflection:

Grumbling

And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,” Ex 16:2. The Hebrew word for grumble is “lun”. It a sound word meaning growl like a dog.

“And the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Ex 16:3

The problem with grumbling is a failure to believe in the loving care of God and His guidance in their lives!  They even blamed God for leading them into the desert to kill them!  For a person in great pain it is terribly hard to see God’s provident love in their lives.  Pain and loss is a wonderful opportunity to grow and exercise our faith in the incredible care that God has for us!

In Scripture God often tests us!  The translation of the word temptation into English is misleading. We are closer to the real meaning of this word by using “testing” When Jesus was said to be tempted it was not to do evil but the pain which he experienced in doing his Father’s will!  It was an opportunity in His human nature to “do the will of His Father”.  Our love and trust in God best grows in pain.  Our greatest acts of love for God are often in our greatest hurts.

A person once said when we grumble 80 % of people don’t care, and the remaining 20% are glad we are getting what we deserve.  “God is love” and the only thing He can do to us is to love us!  A grumbling person fails as the Apostles did in the storm at sea.  In their fear they woke up the sleeping Jesus and said to Him what might be the worst thing we can say: “It does not matter To You that we are perishing”. He cares for us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die a terrible death on the cross.  It was the ultimate act of loving care for us!

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

Scripture:

Exodus 14:21-15:1
Matthew 12:46-50

Reflection:

In our first reading for today, we hear the dramatic account of God, through Moses, parting the waters of the Red Sea so that the Israelites can cross to the other side. When the Egyptians come after them, Moses is told again to stretch out his hand, and the waters overcome them! The Israelites are freed from the power of the Egyptians.

In our Gospel reading, we see a different kind of freedom. Jesus is speaking to the crowds when He is told that His mother and brothers are outside, waiting to speak to Him. Instead of stopping, Jesus says, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, my sister, and mother.” Jesus is not showing disrespect to His blood relatives. Rather, He is indicating that, in Him, we are to see each other as sisters and brothers. Just as God saved the Israelites from the Egyptians by parting the water, God has saved the whole world in Jesus Christ.

In contrast to the waters of the sea drowning the Egyptians, thereby freeing the Israelites, can we let ourselves be washed over by the love of God in Jesus Christ and set free; free from the hatred and the fear and the divisions that lead to violence and discrimination? Are we willing to be free to see each other as sisters and brothers? In our world today, this is not a rhetorical question but indicates a choice we have to make.

May God’s love for us in Jesus Christ wash over us and set us free. May we work towards the freedom of all.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.  

Scripture:

Song of Songs 3:1-4b, or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
John 20:1-2, 11-18

Reflection:

Mary Magdalene, Oh I love this girl. She makes me want to Go and tell the good news!

Cardinal Sarah of the Congregation for Divine Worship tells us:

… precisely because she (St. Mary Magdalene) was an eyewitness to the risen Christ, she was also the first one to bear witness to him before the Apostles…Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples ‘I have seen the Lord’ (Jn 20:17-18). Thus, she becomes an evangelist.

Saint Thomas Aquinas says, she becomes the “apostolorum apostola” [apostle to the Apostles].

Saint Mary Magdalene was the first person to whom Jesus directly appeared after His resurrection, the first to be sent by him as an apostle to evangelize.  “Don’t cling to me,” he told her. “Go!” And she did.

That’s it!!  Mary Magdalene loved Jesus, she stayed at the tomb to mourn him and He came to console her, to tell her the good news. He was her friend. That is the challenge for each of us. Not just the good times because she also shared in His agony, but through the best and the worst, isn’t that the way of real friendship?

It seems so simple, just love Jesus! Love Jesus through His cross and to His resurrection.   When you do that, you can’t help but be an evangelist too, to ‘GO’ and tell others of His love.

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