Claire Smith

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 11:1-11
Matthew 6:7-15

Reflection:

For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached.

Everywhere we turn today—on social media, in the news, even in our conversations—we hear cries about injustice. Constant noise. Voices shouting to be heard. Pointing fingers. If we’re not careful, we can get caught up in it, too.

And if we look closely at Second Corinthians, we hear a story all too familiar. In 1st Corinthians, Paul had previously established a church in Corinth.  Afterwards, he heard they were not living as followers of Christ. People were divided against each other. Choosing sides. Picking their favorite apostle rather than focusing on becoming a follower of Christ. They had fallen back into sexual immorality, selfishness, and pride—so Paul paid them a visit. It is in Second Corinthians that if we look around, we too find ourselves much like the people of Corinth.

We are in the same situation.

So not is it only St Paul the Apostle, but St Paul of the Cross all of the saints urging us to look – to listen. St Paul the Apostle writes in “anguish and tears.” He hears of new eloquent speakers. He points out that he is not one of these “superapostles.” He was acknowledging that he himself was not a great speaker. But the difference is he knew Christ. He lived as a follower of Christ. He didn’t ask for money, handouts or burden anyone. He was honest and worked for what he had. He lived simply. Humbly. Faithfully. He lived Christ crucified.

So here we are today, surrounded by the noise. Injustice. Division. We have eloquent preachers who affect our beliefs and influencers who sway opinions.

We see the same story after story in the Bible repeating: people who were once oppressed becoming oppressors, all in the name of justice and equality. It has become a vicious cycle. Division over who is right and who is wrong – sometimes even within the Church – not by the love of Christ, but by the love of ideology.

We find ourselves not promoting justice or equality but rather screaming in the name of justice, crucifying others.
Have we forgotten our calling?
Have we lost our focus?
We are called to breathe life, not more conflict. To be living vessels- of Christ’s love in Truth.

So today, let us return to that mission. Tune out the noise of the world. Strive to be authentic with passion not for applause like a “superapostle” but for purpose. May we follow Christ in His example – to forgive others as He has forgiven us and to faithfully preach Christ crucified—not just with our words, but with our very lives.

Lori Kananen, LMC is the lay Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Reflection:

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. . . -Matthew 6:5

One of the most common confessions that I have heard over the years, whether it be in serious conversations, spiritual direction or in the sacrament of reconciliation, is the acknowledgement of feeling like a hypocrite. Those of us who are making a thoughtful effort of doing good and avoiding evil will sometimes feel like hypocrites.

The reality is that we all struggle with sinful patterns. Many have the false notion that once we give ourselves over to the following of Jesus, as the disciples did, and have been anointed by the Holy Spirit, then we should not have to struggle with our sinful tendencies.

However, our struggle with sinful ways will always be with us. We waste a lot of our time and energy fighting the fact that temptation and sin is part of our everyday life and everyone’s life. But we want to be the exception.

Once we accept our sinful condition, then we can go about the business of becoming holy day by day. We can concentrate on being good rather than avoiding evil.

Sinful patterns are baked into our way of life. Those who struggle with anger, will end up dealing with anger issues. Those who are dishonest and tend to lie will find themselves fighting this for the rest of their lives. Everyone has sinful tendencies. They will be with us until death. And these tendencies are all different and personal.

So, when Jesus is talking about hypocrites, he is not talking about the human struggle to do good and avoid evil. Jesus is talking about a whole different reality. He is talking about people who choose to live a double life, a life of sin and a public life that looks sinless. A hypocrite’s life is all about the appearance of goodness, it was all about the mask, the role that one plays in public.

In Jesus’ day, a hypocrite was a common term for an actor. The actor took on the persona of a playwriter’s script. There was no personal connection to character in the play and the personal life of the actor. The hypocrite is very much aware that the role presented to the audience is not a real person, but a make-believe one. An actor wants to deceive. And a good actor studies and perfects the art of acting for an audience. This is the result of a personal decision, to live a double life, even if it’s just briefly.

Most of us will never be hypocrites. We want to be good people. We want to live lives of integrity. We want to be authentic followers of Jesus. We want to struggle with our evil tendencies to overcome them, with the grace of God. We want to be loving and compassionate as Jesus was.

Do we sometimes fail? Sure! Do we always do and say the right thing? No! But that does not make us hypocrites! It just makes us aware that but for the grace of God, there go I.

Yes, there are people who want to be hypocrites. And maybe, before our conversion, before Jesus called us to come and follow him, we lived as hypocrites, intentionally doing things just so people could judge us good, even though we lived a sinful life.

It is when we embrace our God as a loving God, a merciful God, a God who sees our heart with eyes of Love, that we begin the journey of holiness. The journey of holiness is not the journey of perfection, Rather is a journey that begins each day with a purity of intention of following Jesus, confident that the God who sees all, sees us with love!

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is the local superior of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Matthew 5:43-48

Reflection:

I once knew a woman whose fiercest enemy was her son. For years, her son crucified her. He blamed his mother for all his problems. He belittled and demeaned her. He could be relentlessly cruel in his words and his actions. On his better days, he simply ignored her, treating her with cold indifference as if she did not exist. But she never closed her heart to the son who could find no room for her in his. Instead, she insisted on loving this son who was proud to have become her enemy. To many, this mother’s love seemed not only unreasonable, but downright unnatural, even dangerous. But her love, though undeniably costly, was also surprisingly powerful, because over time it defused her son’s hatred, cooled his anger, and softened his stony, brittle heart. Eventually, the son was no longer dying from hatred but walking again in the way of love. He had been rescued and redeemed by love. Thanks to his mother, he was brought back to life.

In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us that we must love our enemies and pray for our persecutors. Yes, it makes sense to love only those who love us and to hate whoever hates us; but if, as this mother so poignantly demonstrated, we practice that kind of cozy and comfortable love, nothing ever changes. Enemies will never be reconciled, adversaries will never be friends, wounded hearts will never be healed because we remain stuck in a love that takes us nowhere, a love so conventional and predictable that truly nothing can come of it.

Jesus concludes this lesson on love by exhorting us to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We are to be as God is. And we are when we commit to a love that never dies, a love that refuses to give up, a love that always seeks to forgive, reconcile, heal, and make whole. That’s a love powerful enough to start something new. It may even bring the dead back to life.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology & Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the Passionist Family of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Matthew 5:38-42

Reflection:

“As your fellow workers, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:  In an acceptable time, I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.  Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

When I read these words from St. Paul writing to the Corinthians I find myself picturing this valiant disciple of the Lord feeling somewhat weary and filled with concern for the community of believers to whom he is writing.  It may be that in his own mind he is wondering, “when in the world are they going to get it!”  Now I must admit, I am one who is guilty of daydreaming a lot!  I tend, at times, not to live in the present, and do a lot of imagining about how things could be or even should be.  But then, when I read these words of St. Paul, I feel as if he is telling me to live in the present. 

The plan of salvation is unfolding now, not some distant time in the future.  God’s grace is sufficient now; God’s plan for me is taking place now; God’s calling is being announced now.  Live now; pay attention now; the Lord is speaking to me now!  So, I have to let go of my daydreaming sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, and live in the present.  It was Dr. Martin Luther King who once said that God’s plan for me is bigger than all my dreams!  How true are his words. 

So, St. Paul is inviting me, and all of us, to hear the word of the Lord now.  This will be enough for us.  This very moment the Lord is revealing to us his plan of salvation and how we are to be a part of it.  Now is the time of grace and blessing.  And all we have to do is to say, Yes, Lord, thank you Lord, and carry on from there!

Fr. Pat Brennan, C.P. is the director of Saint Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity

Scripture:

Proverbs 8:22-31
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

Reflection:

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, when we focus on how God has been revealed to us through Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit – that God is One, in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It seems too difficult and confusing to wrap our minds around such a belief. For me, and I think for many theologians throughout the years, the mystery of the Trinity is summed up in words that we get from our second reading (Romans 5:1-5). In our reading, St. Paul talks about being justified by faith, and even being able to boast of our afflictions, “knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us.”

The mystery of the Trinity is the mystery of God’s love “poured into our hearts.” I see it as God, this Being of perfect Love and perfect Relationship, demonstrating the perfection of Love by going outside of God’s self, and loving us into existence. And not only did God love us into existence, God gave us free will, because real love can only be given freely. And God loved us so much that the Father sent the Son, who became incarnate by the Holy Spirit, in order to save us from sin and the fear of death, and to be reconciled to God, in the hope of being with God forever.

In our Gospel reading (John 16:12-15), Jesus says to His disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth…He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” It seems to me that this incredible, inexplicable love of God is what the Holy Spirit has taken and declared to us.

But is that love still too much for us to bear? I see many people who can believe that God “so loved the world,” but cannot believe that God loves them. I see many others who believe that God loves them and others like them, but not “those people.” And I see many people who look on life as some kind of zero-sum affair; that somehow another’s gain is their loss. But when we buy into that kind of thinking, are we not refuting our faith in God? Are we not putting limits on God? But how can we reason that there are limits to God’s love, and God’s abundance, and God’s blessings, if we believe that God is love; if we believe in the Trinity?

The mystery of the Trinity reminds us that we were created out of love; we were created for love; we were created to love. To love as Jesus has commanded us, and the Holy Spirit keeps prompting us, we are simply being true to who God made us to be. When we choose to love, afflictions will come, because of our empathy with those who suffer; because of the sacrifices we are willing to make; because of resistance to justice and peace.

Having been loved so much, may we love each other and the whole world.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Matthew 5:33-37

Reflection:

The Mission of Reconciliation

Today’s reading from Saint Paul reminds us that God reconciled us to himself through Christ. This means our past sins are no longer held against us. We’re not only offered a fresh start with God, but we’re also given a vital mission: to be ministers and ambassadors of reconciliation to others.

The Challenges of Reconciliation

Achieving reconciliation in our world can be incredibly difficult. Sometimes, we’re lucky, and reconciliation helps mend friendships or family relationships, allowing for a clean slate. However, we often forgive but struggle to forget past hurts. Or, even if we offer forgiveness and are willing to move on, the other person may not reciprocate. True, full reconciliation is a tough road.

Delivering the Message

So, what does this “message of reconciliation” look like in practice?

• Offer forgiveness, even if it’s not reciprocated. You can choose to forgive someone, even if they don’t forgive you in return.
• Sometimes, reconciliation means distance. Two people might forgive each other, but decide it’s best for their reconciliation to keep their distance. For instance, after a major conflict, siblings might forgive each other but agree to limit their interactions to avoid future arguments.
• Even when forgiveness seems impossible, don’t give up entirely. Think about a long-standing family feud. While full reconciliation might not happen overnight, small steps, like acknowledging the other person’s perspective, can be a form of peacemaking.

Embracing Peacemaking

Perhaps the answer lies in one of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Jesus calls us to be God’s ministers and ambassadors for peace whenever we have the opportunity. And what sounds more like persistent peacemaking than patiently working towards reconciliation? God has reconciled with every single one of us forever. Can we try a little harder to add a few more people to our own reconciliation list?

Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting those who live in poverty; he is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Matthew 5:27-32

Reflection:

While reading through today’s scriptures, I kept coming back to the first line in St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, “We hold this treasure in earthen vessels. . .” (v.7).

In his Gospel, Matthew uses this word to share Jesus’ sayings. For example, “For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart” (6:21). Additionally, he writes “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 the field” (13:44).  There is no mention that he ever digs it up again. We might say that this field is essentially the container of a vital and rich treasure.

Jewish people understood the Torah—the book of the Law, as a container for the treasure of God’s revealed will for them, essentially serving as a blueprint for life. Jesus stated earlier that he hadn’t come to abolish the Law but rather its fulfillment (5:17). In today’s text, Jesus offers a fuller interpretation of the Torah. Some translations label these sayings as the “antitheses,” conveying the meaning of contrasts or opposites. This is not the case for these verses, as Jesus invites a deeper inward interpretation of the scripture. Going to the “root” of the commandment, lust is the origin of the act of adultery.  Therefore, before you have the outward action of adultery, it begins with an inner awareness of lust. This example of inner awareness is step one and can be used in all situations relating to our moral decision-making. We root out or cut off anything that causes separation in any way from God—our true treasure. However, following God’s design for our lives can be very challenging with interpreting scripture, differing viewpoints, etc. There can often be a clash of wills—mine, others and God’s as we live out our complex reality.

St. Paul takes up this concept with the Corinthian community. They were unhappy that he had broken his word to them by not returning as promised. In the meantime, “others” came and discredited his teachings. In this section of the letter, Paul defends his preaching ministry. The treasure is Christ and him crucified. We live to embrace his cross in our lives. However, this is not a burden that brings us to ruin, rather it brings us closer to Jesus—so close that we unite ourselves with his suffering. We carry his very life within us.

When our granddaughter Alice was about four years old, she would ask if I had any treasures. She had a habit of finding small items of any description and putting them in bags, purses, or boxes. When asked exactly what she meant by treasures, she replied that a treasure was anything she had not yet seen.  Her description of a treasure in this context rings true for us. This treasure we hold in earthen vessels, hidden in the field. . . (or in a purse in the playroom). . reflects Paul’s words in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him” (2:9). May we always hold fast to this hidden true treasure in our hearts. 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:

2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1, 3-6
Matthew 5:20-26

Reflection:

In the context of the commandments, Jesus challenges us today to move beyond the literal interpretation of each commandment and to adapt his loving attitude for each other.  He tells us to forgive those who have offended us or irritated us in any way. 

I am reminded of the times throughout the day, even when at Mass or in prayer, how frequently my mind wanders away to think about the people who have disagreed with me or hurt me in some way.  I include in that list the people that I myself have judged for any aspect of their behavior or lifestyle that I do not agree with.  How do I move beyond my feelings to forgive and reengage with each and every one of them?  Unfortunately, the list is more than just a handful of family, friends and acquaintances.  As I return to refocus on my prayer, I realize that the fundamental problem is not one that they have created, no matter what their transgression, if any, has been.  The problem is with my own attitude and feelings.  In the context of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians it is at these very times that a veil exists between myself and my Lord. 

The “new commandment” that Jesus engages us in today is not an easy one to follow.  It requires a “new attitude” toward everyone in my life.  It requires more prayer, quiet reflection, and ultimately forgiveness and reconciliation.  It requires me to lift the “veil” that separates me from what he has asked me to do.  It also requires patience with myself to be able to diligently but effectively seek such forgiveness from within my heart and then to turn to those who I am estranged from to try to reconcile with each of them as much as possible. 

It is clear from his own life what Jesus expects of us.  He has challenged us to love one another as he has loved us.  This is a lifelong and obviously not an easy challenge.  I am reconciled to the fact that I will never truly be able to love everyone around me in the exact way that Jesus did.  But I am okay with that so long as I do not let go of my determination to try to do so.  My continuing challenge is to be continually mindful of the people in my life who need my forgiveness, even if they aren’t aware of it.     

May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.

Bill Berger has had a lifelong relationship with the Passionist Family.  Bill and his wife, Linda, are currently leaders of the Community of Passionist Partners (CPPs) in Houston, Texas.