Claire Smith

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:32-39
Mark 4:26-34

Reflection:

“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.”

Yesterday I read a story in the USA Today newspaper about a refugee camp mistakenly bombed in Nigeria. I could not take my eyes off the accompanying picture from the Doctors without Borders organization. It showed a wounded child caught in the bombing of the camp. The photograph mesmerized me, especially the child’s eyes, full of fear and longing for a comforting embrace. The story said there were casualties among the staff members of Doctors without Borders and the International Red Cross. Apparently, these courageous saints decided to plant their own mustard seeds in the midst of suffering children.

Where have we decided to plant our own mustard seeds? Are they planted in a comfortable, safe environment? Have we chosen to locate our houses of prayer and solitude on the outskirts and periphery of the world’s suffering people? Our current Pope Francis exhorts us to take on the “smell of the sheep” as we witness the gospel of Jesus.  Do we smell like the sheep? We all know that there are many diverse ways to serve the people of God and many different, wonderful fields to plant our mustard seeds in.

For me, the challenge is to make sure that my choice about where to plant my mustard seeds is an intentional choice. I need to consider, pray about and carefully discern this choice. For me, the choice seems somewhat limited because of my age and physical condition.

Or is it? I invite you to pray with me for generosity of heart and courage as we plant our own mustard seeds.

“But once the seed is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of the Passionist Family in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Mark 4:21-25

Reflection:

For us in the northern hemisphere, winter brings shortened days. The sun, when it breaks through the gloomy clouds, burns bright but not all that warm.  References to lamps and light and candles in today’s gospel make a lot of sense as we light our lamps in the darkness of morning and yet again in the early evening. Without the long days of summer when the sun provides most of the light we need for most of the day, we appreciate how a single lamp dispels the darkness. How the flame of a single candle can fill a room with warmth.

At our baptism, the priest or deacon handed to our parents and godparents a candle lit from the Easter Candle. He said to them…

 Parents and godparents,
this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.
This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ.
He/she is to walk always as a child of the light.
May he/she keep the flame of faith alive in his/her heart.
When the Lord comes, may he/she go out to meet him
with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.

We don’t light a lamp without thinking that it will help guide our way. The light helps us avoid stumbles. It gives us direction. If you have ever been in total darkness, you know a light provides a sense of where we are in relation to other people and objects. We often say, “We’ll leave a light on for you,” as a way to convey our hope that a loved one will safely come home.

The light of Christ burns within each of us. It is the joy we know, the kindness extended, the love shared. Our lamp is placed high on the lampstand when we say “thank you” to the store clerk or waitress, when we call a friend to simply say hello, or when we write a note of condolence. The light of Christ that burns within us can truly light up another’s life. That is why we have been given the light…so that it will be shared.

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

The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle

Scripture:

Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-11
Mark 16:15-18

Reflection:

With computers’ capabilities and social media technology continually increasing, transparency in government, church, and other institutions is enhanced as well. A painful realization for many folks today, however, is that our celebrities and even our heroes have clay feet. We are no longer shocked by moral lapses in the lives of politicians, entertainers, even ministers. And we hear about it every day!

Yet consider the great patriarch, Abraham.  He who is reverenced as father of the entire Judeo-Christian people — and Islam as well — he who generously offered to Lot the right to be the first among the two to pick the territory he desires,  he who warmly welcomed strangers, serving as the model of kindness and hospitality… Abraham couldn’t even care for his own child. He abandons his son, Ishmael, and the child’s mother, Hagar, in the desert wilderness, without food or water!

Or we might ponder the infidelity of David; though Israel’s greatest king, he was an adulterer and murderer, taking Bathsheba for his own, then quickly guaranteeing that her husband dies in battle.

Today we reflect on the life of Paul, the great Apostle to the Gentiles. Prior to his “conversion,” Saul of Tarsus was the greatest of rabbis, at the peak of his religious and political career. Yet it was Saul of Tarsus who concurred in the stoning of St. Stephan. He who was willing to die for his religious beliefs was also willing to kill for them.

What is to be learned from these scriptural narratives and liturgical celebrations?  It seems that certitude surely isn’t the best of virtues, when it is not accompanied by humility. An ISIS extremist has certitude, suicide bombers have no doubts. Today’s feast reminds me that I cannot always rigidly catalog others into my categories of right and wrong, good and evil.  Paul’s conversion… and mine… are constant reminders that canonizing or demonizing others, calling them saint or Satan, genius or jerk… is not only foolish or silly, but unchristian.

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

Scripture:

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28
Mark 3:22-30

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel reading from Mark, we see yet another instance when the religious leaders of the people are in conflict with Jesus, saying, “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Jesus proceeds to demonstrate the fallacy of this claim by reflecting that if “Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand.”

Then Jesus speaks about an “everlasting sin.” He says: “Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is attributing the work of the Spirit, i.e., driving out demons, to Satan.

I struggle with the concept of “no forgiveness” even though it is blasphemy against God. I would like to think that if the scribes and the Pharisees repented of this sin, they might have been forgiven. These words of Jesus also lead me to reflect on how easy it can be to “demonize” those who disagree with us or oppose us. Today is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and the bishops in the U.S. have called for a day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children. I keep hoping there is a way to stand up for what is right without characterizing those who are on the other side as evil. I have always admired those who would listen to those women who have had abortions, and those programs that seek to bring healing and reconciliation to those who have repented, as well as those who have worked with women (before and after) who are considering the best option when it comes to having a baby.

In upholding life and working against a culture of death, may we not in turn denigrate the life of others.

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 8:23-9:3
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Matthew 4:12-23

Reflection:

There are a limited number of days I rank highest on my list of favorites.  December 23 is one of those.  It is the winter solstice, the day with the least amount of light for us in the northern hemisphere.  From this day on, the amount of light we experience each day begins to grow again until we reach mid-summer when light begins to dwindle again.  In 1982, I was on a retreat team who hosted a two week Institute for men and women of religious communities.  I spent a good deal of time with 33 year old Brother Jerry who was from Nome, Alaska.  His full time ministry was suicide prevention and accompanying families of those who succeeded in ending their lives.  The pressing concern was focused on the fact that Nome has six months without sunlight. The darkness became oppressive and magnified whatever personal problems many faced.  I couldn’t even imagine what that might be like.  It takes an entirely different attitude of mind and heart than we have down here in the continental USA.  I came to admire him greatly and continue to pray for him and all who live in those circumstances.

Our Sacred Scriptures for today focus our attention on the light arriving and dispelling the darkness.  Isaiah prophesied about it to a conquered people of Israel and promised that the light would dispel the darkness of oppression and hopelessness in their lives.  Matthew tells us that the arrival of Jesus and the beginning of His public ministry was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy.  With Jesus and His message of the kingdom, the light has arrived to dispel the darkness.  Paul focuses on one particular form of darkness – disunity and petty divisions within the fledgling faith community and tells them in no uncertain terms that Jesus had come to dispel the darkness of jealousy, elitism, and divisiveness and gathered all into the unity that only He is able to enlighten.

Just as we in the north experience the increased darkness of winter and Brother Jerry lived through the months of wearying shadows, so we too might find ourselves in darkness within, perhaps of our own making or a darkness with which we must deal from outside ourselves.  Those kind of shadows affect our hearts and minds through realities  like abiding anger and resentments, inability to forgive, pride and elitism, factionalism and intolerance of those different than ourselves, self centeredness that is only interested in our own benefit, choices to refuse to accompany others in need with care, concern and compassion.  We are each able to draw up our own list.  When we recognize one or another of these forms of darkness lurking around our lives, like the first disciples in today’s gospel, we are invited by Jesus to deeper followership.  We are reminded that Jesus rejected the darkness of abiding anger and revenge and brought the light of forgiveness and reconciliation.  He brought sinners out of darkness into the light of God’s grace and love.  He called outcasts out of the darkness of rejection into the light of faith community acceptance.  He brought the sick and wounded out of the darkness of pain into the light of healing and wellness.  He brought Zacchaeus out of self-centeredness and greed into the light of sharing.  He brought Martha and Mary out of the darkness of grief into the light of hope and life.  As Jesus brought light to all in the various circumstances of their lives, so we, as called disciples, are invited to be avid messengers of the light, of His light to all in our lives.  We are called to be  children of the light at all times dispelling any darkness within or outside ourselves which might prevent or hamper a closer walk with God for ourselves, our families, our fellow parishioners, co-workers and social circles.  Living in His light and with His light empowers us to live through the prolonged darkness of winter and the gloom of sunless months in the far north.  It empowers us to live in the Light amidst whatever darkness or shadow we might find ourselves dealing with and work to dispel it in His name.  We are commissioned disciples of the Light who is the Lord Jesus.  In Him and with Him and through Him, we can make a difference in the world.

Fr. Richard Burke, CP, is a member of St. Paul of the Cross Province.  He lives at St. Ann’s Monastery in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The Feast of St. Agnes

Scripture:

Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14
Mark 3:20-21

Reflection:

St. Agnes is the name of a popular 3^rd century saint.  She is esteemed because of the way she prevailed against seemingly overwhelming odds against her, thanks to her dependency on God to protect her.  In Latin there is a close similarity between her name, Agnes, and the Latin word for lamb: Agnus.  This likeness can be construed in two different ways: one favorably to her, the other unfavorably.  The best way to appreciate this difference is from the scriptures, especially the New Testament.  The unfavorable way would be the references by Jesus in the gospels, to the tendency of sheep to get lost.  Jesus likely noticed, in His travels by foot along the pathways throughout Galilee, the flocks of sheep feeding in the fields bordering His route, usually with a shepherd nearby, and likely now and then, the shepherd departing from the main body of sheep to bring back a sheep that had wandered off by itself, thereby exposing itself to attack by more violent animals than sheep are.  This observation gives rise to the surprisingly frequent references of Jesus to sheep, in His parables and stories.  There was something about this animal that lent itself to a major lesson Jesus wanted to impart to us: that many of us are like sheep, wandering away from the straight and narrow path that promises safety and protection.  And He, like a Good Shepherd, came to show us the way to His Father in heaven.

The church too was quick to note the pertinence of this tendency of sheep, as Jesus likely hoped it would.  And an instance of this is her desire to vividly describe the role of the bishop as the shepherd of the flock committed to his care by prescribing a special vestment for him (primarily an archbishop).  It was a special kind of stole called a pallium, bestowed, in memory of St. Agnes, on a bishop elevated by the Pope to the rank of archbishop.  And the pallium was made from the wool of a lamb.  And given the conjunction of Agnes, Agnus, and pallium, this ceremony often occurs on the Feastday of St. Agnes, January 21.  It was an apt description of the job of a new archbishop to exercise care and caution over the “flock” committed to his care.

There is one area, however, where the comparison of this thirteen year old girl with the term “lamb”, usually thought of as a helpless creature before the onslaught of fierce animals, was somewhat inaccurate.  St. Agnes was the furthest thing from being like a weak and lost animal.  Many a suitor sought her hand in marriage, young though she was (thirteen years of age), because of her attractiveness and beauty, but she turned down each of the several proposals made her.  This led to a cabal of angry young men, humiliated by her refusal of them, they in turn spitefully reported her to the Roman authorities, pointing to her Christian commitment as the reason for her rejection of their proposals.  This in turn led to her arrest and the pressure brought to bear on her to abjure her Christian faith, which she steadfastly refused to do.  And from this situation came torture inflicted on her, and then her decapitation.  She was no wilting wallflower, nor a weak and lost lamb.  And, in this role too, she serves as an admirable example for the newly vested archbishops, some of whom may, like her, be called to suffer for their defense of the faith.  Like Jesus in today’s gospel, Who could not turn away from those at His door seeking His help in their need, she seized the opportunity to help others, such as ourselves, by her example of steadfastness and determination at times of pressure.  In this she was more like a lioness than a lamb.  And so we pray:

-for the strength to abide by our faith convictions/for the newly installed leaders of our nation/for a growing movement toward church unity/for the newly vested archbishops throughout the world.

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

Scripture:

Hebrews 7:25-8:6
Mark 3:7-12

Reflection:

He (Jesus) cured many and as a result those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. Mark 3:10

Recently, I received an urgent message for prayers. A dear friend of mine was suddenly taken to the hospital with severe stomach pains. I responded right away, saying that my prayers were not just for him, but also for the whole family.

About a minutes later, my phone message apt started pinging. I was not the only one who had received this message for urgent prayers. Many people began praying for my friend. Some were old friends going back some forty years, to the time when I met him. Others were new friends, people who had been touched by his generosity. We were all worried. About a couple of days later, we received the message: our prayers have been answered!

As I read this passage from today’s Gospel, I immediately identified with it. I could just imagine people coming to Jesus, people who were sick, hoping to touch the hem of his garment, hoping to catch his attention, and be healed. They believed in Jesus’ power to heal.

So many of us turn to prayer when we feel overwhelmed by life and its troubles.

Why do we pray? What motivates us to pray? When do we pray? These are questions that come to mind as I reflect upon this Gospel passage. I think prayers of petition, prayers for favors needed are probably on the top of everyone’s list of why we pray.

Such things as illnesses, tragedies, injuries, injustices, disasters, to name a few realities that drive us to prayer, make us feel helpless and powerless. We become aware that our personal efforts are not enough to overcome these overpowering happenings. We recognize that there is a Power greater than ourselves that is needed to lift us out of danger, to save us from the grip of sickness, to save us from the sufferings of this life. Prayer to a God who saves, a God who heals, a God who loves us is a very proper response to life’s troubles.

God invites us to pray so that we can develop a deep, personal relationship with our Loving God. Many people pray in order to get well, so that we can get out of difficulties, to help others in their times of trouble. Some even measure their faith in God on whether their prayers are answered or not. I don’t know how many stories or confessions I’ve heard over the years that began by relating a failed response to a prayer. They lost their faith in God and consequently, lost their way in life.

It is when we begin to understand that prayer is basically a deepening of our relationship with God, a loving God, a friendly God that we gain insight into prayer. St. Theresa of Avila says that prayer is a friendly conversation with God.  When we realize that, we begin to pray differently. We begin to pray like Jesus prayed, who said, “Not my Will by Thine be Done!” That is the kind of prayer that we are all called to make.

I often say to others who ask me for prayers: I will pray for you and your needs, but please pray for me. Let’s keep promising to pray for each other!

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Christ the King Community in Citrus Heights, California. 

Scripture:

Hebrews 6:10-20
Mark 2:23-28

Reflection

Today’s reading from Hebrews exhorts us “to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.” It summons us not to lose zeal for—and thus turn our hearts away from—the most promising possibility with which God wants to bless us.

Christianity is unabashedly a religion of hope and Christians are called to be shining and resilient witnesses of hope because Christians believe that the God who first blessed us with life wants us to share fully in the joy and love and beauty and goodness that is God. But the very nature of hope reminds us that we are on a journey toward a fulfillment that we can anticipate (and, in some way, already experience) but cannot yet completely enjoy. Hope orients our lives to a future good that absolutely transcends anything we could ever give ourselves but which, precisely because we do not yet possess it completely, we can begin to doubt.

The passage from Hebrews warns us not to become “sluggish” regarding the object of our hope but instead to keep our attention fixed on it. It is a perceptive and timely reminder that affirms not only how easy it is to turn away from the good that God has in store for us, but also to begin to doubt its very possibility. Or, perhaps more likely, we fill our lives with so many distractions and attach our hearts to so many lesser goods that we gradually forget that there is something greater, something far lovelier, and something infinitely more hopeful to which God calls us. In order to avoid those disheartening possibilities, there are two things we can do. First, as Hebrews reminds us, we must remember that all of us are heirs to the love, goodness, and mercy of God. God wants to bless us and will bless us because God, as the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus vividly testify, is faithful to his promises. Second, as our gospel today memorably illustrates, we keep hope alive not when we are gloomy legalists who live to find fault with others, but when we seek to do good in whatever way we can.

Paul Wadell is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the extended Passionist family.