Claire Smith

Scripture:

Sirach 27:4-7
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Luke 6:39-45

Reflection:

Has anyone ever told you the story about when an airplane is in trouble, each passenger is instructed to put on their own oxygen mask first before they help others put on their masks? When a friend or family member has told me this story, they were gently reminding me that I needed to take care of myself first, before I can care for someone else.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us two parables about our responsibility for caring for ourselves in our spiritual lives:

Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher. -Luke 6: 39-40

In the early 1980’s a close family member entered treatment for alcoholism after an intervention by members of our family. Thus began a 40 plus years journey in the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous for her, and Alanon for me. I learned about the disease of alcoholism and the disease of codependency. In both cases, we do not take care of ourselves. In codependence, we become outwardly focused, blind to our own needs for the sake of others, often with an air of superiority or feelings of martyrdom. We do not see clearly, and our relationships with God and others suffer. We can descend into manipulation, judgment, and despair.

And Jesus addresses this blindness in another parable in today’s Gospel:

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye. -Luke 6:41-42

How do we care for our spiritual lives? Lent begins this week, and once again we are called to the traditional practices of prayer, fasting, and giving alms. Each Lenten season is another opportunity to creatively use these three tools to heal our blind spots and see our lives as disciples of Jesus more clearly.

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She serves on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan. Patty is currently a member of the Laudato Si’ Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Scripture:

Sirach 17:1-15
Mark 10:13-16

Reflection:

Today’s readings could seem to be a paradox, which is a self-contradictory statement or situation.

The book of Sirach, sometimes called Ecclesiasticus, is part of the wisdom tradition in the Catholic bible. Ben Sira, a Jewish scribe, loved the law, priesthood, Temple, and divine worship. In his manuscript, written in the second century BC, he writes about the individual, family and community, and their relationship with one another and with God.

In the first reading, Ben Sira reflects on the abundant gifts that humans received from God plus their responsibility to avoid evil and remember that God’s eyes are ever watching. If the gifts in this reading sound familiar, the early Christian church identifies them among the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, fear of God, counsel, understanding, and knowledge of the Spirit.

Jesus, in Mark’s Gospel, is surrounded by the little children. Imagine this scene for a moment. Jesus resting on a seat and children surrounding him, laughing, dancing, everyone talking at the same time, giving him hugs, some even sitting on his lap. The disciples, trying to protect these few moments of rest for Jesus, attempt to send the children away. His message to the disciples is harsh: let the children come to me because whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.

So, Ben Sira speaks of how we must live as adults, but Jesus says we must be childlike if we are to enter heaven. While this seems to be a paradox or contradiction, both characteristics can exist together. God expects us to be good stewards of the gifts we received in our creation. If we conduct ourselves as adults while acting humbly, remaining teachable and trusting in God, then we have accepted the Kingdom of God like a child.

Mike Owens is coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Scripture:

Sirach 6:5-17
Mark 10:1-12

Reflection:

During my time serving in parish ministry as a pastoral associate, one of my treasured experiences would be the opportunity to prepare couples for their marriage.  Every couple brought a different story of how they came to meet each other and the ups and downs which led to their coming to the parish to ask for a Catholic wedding.  One of the things I would always stress was the importance for each of us to respect and trust one another.  Each relationship whether it is a life-long friendship, an occasional connection between persons, male or female must be based on a basic sense of trust and respect, but most of all be grounded in the model of Jesus.

Dr Robert Wicks is a clinical psychologist, spiritual director, author writes about the intersection of spirituality and psychology.  He spoke at a conference I attended many years ago.  Dr Wicks focused on the importance of making the ‘imago dei’ central to our growth as spiritual beings. Imago Dei is a Latin phrase that means “image of God”.  The phrase is used to describe the unique relationship between God and humans. It also means that humans should treat each other with dignity and respect, as they are all created in the image of God.

Relationships, however long or short, sacramental or secular do not just suddenly go awry for no reason.  When divorce happens between a couple, it is most often because one partner has strayed from the model of love and respect that Jesus modeled for us.  When friends or siblings fall out of touch it can often mean they have lost the focus Jesus calls us to as well.  In the book of Sirach we are reminded that a faithful friend is a life-saving remedy. I remember as I was growing up, I would get frustrated with friends who seemed to be what used to be referred to as a ‘fair weather friend’. Those people who didn’t seem to take our friendship as seriously as I felt it should be.  I wanted to wash my hands of that person and move on, deciding I didn’t need friends!  My mother would chide me and say how everyone needs a friend, just keep looking!  She was so right! My life ROCKS because of my friendships!

It’s very easy to focus only on our lives, our interests, our needs and fail to take the time to recognize the ‘imago Dei’ in those persons who surround us crying for our attention.  We live in a world where strife and conflict make front page news all the time!  I was reminded recently that all of creation is a reflection of the glory and wonder of God.  Jesus calls us to be that faithful friend, that imago Dei that can change our world into a nicer place to live and love. To have a friend is to be a friend. Blessings!

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

Scripture:

Sirach 4:11-19
Mark 9:38-40

Reflection:

Wisdom. We do not often enough reflect on this virtue. We are more familiar with “Faith, Hope, and Love.” But wisdom in today’s reading from Sirach is full of rich images, not the least of which is the reference to wisdom as a mother who “breathes life into her children.” We are called to be in this kind of intimate relationship with Wisdom.

More often we talk about someone being wise, usually someone with a perspective on life that’s been forged through long years with all the trials and triumphs that accumulate along the way. I think of a wise person finally getting to a place in life where she doesn’t have to prove herself and impress others. The wise are clear-sighted about what is right and what is wrong, and that relationships are more important than possessions.

Saint Thomas Aquinas believed that wisdom was the habit of choosing well, or “the right reason about things to be done.” It is not only knowing what is right but doing what is right. This means knowing and acting as best as we can by trying to see the world from God’s perspective.

But you might well ask, how can we know that perspective? It is not really that hard. Every day, we see beauty and recognize it as beautiful. Every day, we see the good in the goodness of others. And every day, we see sin and cruelty and greed, and we recognize it as an affront to God. We all know what is right and what is wrong when we see it—just look around and don’t turn away. So, the challenge is to take what we know is right and put it into practice.

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.

Scripture:

Sirach 2:1-11
Mark 9:30-37

Reflection:

In the Crucible of Humiliation

Some time ago I had a layover in the Denver airport. To pass the time I wandered over to a bookstore and noticed the titles of books in the window: “Think and Grow Rich,” “The Simple Path to Wealth,” “See You at the Top,” and “Strategies for Winning” were just a few of the covers that caught my attention. We may judge the disciples for their superficiality in today’s Gospel (“…they had been discussing among themselves along the way who was the greatest.”) but are we any different? While Jesus tries to prepare them for his suffering and death, they argue who is the most important, who is the big shot. And competition and winning seem to be our constant goal as well.

Perhaps it is because Pope Francis’ health is fragile now, but so many of his conferences and phrases come cascading over me these days: “to move to the margins”, or “a culture of encounter vs. a culture of indifference”, maybe “to smell like your sheep”.

Today’s readings truly are counter-intuitive, counter-cultural as we experience today. Phrases like “in the crucible of humiliation” or “in fire, gold and silver are tested” remind us to spend time pondering the richness of God’s dream.

Maybe we should write a book; we could entitle it “The Simple Path to Poverty” or “See You at the Bottom”!

Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Sirach 1:1-10
Mark 9:14-29

Reflection:

Encountering Christ

I have often thought about some of the most impressive people I have encountered.  It had to be Cardinal Ratzinger.  Years ago he came to our monastery in Germany where I had a private concelebrated Mass with him and his sister. He was a great theologian and held a very high position in the Vatican.  After our Mass, we had breakfast with him and his sister, with just me and another German Passionist.    He asked me about my ministry and conditions in the United States.  His English was very good and easy to understand.  He was very kind, and it was a memorable experience.   But I had no idea he would soon become our next Pope. If I knew I would have brought my camera and made extensive notes of our conversation. 

In the Gospels, we find a long list of encounters with Christ.  I counted 32 examples of people meeting and experiencing a personal encounter with Jesus.   I am sure there are many more.  In today’s Gospel in Mark, we find a distressed father of a possessed son meeting Christ and pleading for help. MK 9:22

Is this situation similar to when we meet Jesus?  We believe He is close, but like the distraught father, we say:     “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus answers: “If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” What a great answer the father gives! “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” The word “help” in the Greek-inspired NT is bo ae (cry out) and theo (run)  . Run to my crying out!  It is one of the beautiful words for prayer in NT 

I did not realize what a wonderful presence the future Pope Benedict was to me.  How very much more do we fail to recognize the constant and amazing presence of Christ with us twenty-four-seven!  “Help” is a great prayer.  What an opportunity when we encounter Jesus! “Until we’re convinced that prayer is the best way to spend our time, we will not find the time to pray”. Pope Benedict X111

I love the beautiful words of Pope Francis. “Every encounter with Jesus changes our lives, always! It is a step forward, a step closer to God. Thus, every encounter with Christ changes our lives.  It is always. Always this way!”

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