Claire Smith

Scripture:

Revelation 14:14-19
Luke 21:5-11

Reflection:

We have often heard the saying, “Humans plan, and God laughs.” We like being in control. We like thinking we’re in control. We’re not good with being out of control.

In today’s Gospel from the Evangelist Luke, we can imagine Jesus smirking as the crowd eyes the beautifully adorned Temple, proudly marveling at what humans have created. He says, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Later this week we will gather in prayer and feasting to celebrate Thanksgiving. When growing up, the Pilgrims’ Story was, as I recall, a tale of amazing endurance and faith, and less about overeating. I had the sense that the plans of these early settlers did not go as expected. They were probably quite surprised they had lived to tell the tale and celebrate the largess of God’s bounty.

While maybe not as dramatic as the Pilgrims’ Story, our stories might be told similarly. We probably all can look back on our lives with some humility, maybe even surprise. I know that when I reflect back to my early 20s and what I thought my life would look like when I was in my late 40s (I’m way beyond that now!), it is rather humorous. Yes, I was planning and God was laughing. But I could not be more grateful, even if surprised and certainly humbled.

Rather than hold stubbornly to our plans, faith means being attentive to the Spirit. We need to be people of discernment. We need to be open to how God engages us and draws us forward. As the Prophet Jeremiah assures us: “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans of fullness and not of harm, plans to have you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11). Can we trust in this promise?

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:

Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
Luke 21:1-4

Reflection:

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

I’ll never forget a young family I met when I was a pastor. The wife/mom was a beautiful, Irish woman, radiant, red hair, beautiful green eyes. The husband and father, a handsome German guy, blond haired & blue eyed. Even as a high school student, he told me once that he already dreamed of having a family — and five children. And he also had chosen names: Frederick, Gretchen, Carl, Birgit. They did have four kids, but their names were Sean, Colleen, Patrick, Shannon!

One day when the mom was preparing supper, she heard the nine-year-old say to his little brother. “Say it again and I’ll give you my good ear.” The very next morning they were visiting the ENT specialist. The boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor… and the care they received was excellent. The tumor was benign.

I was in the hospital room when the siblings finally got to see their brother. Shortly after surgery, his head was shaved, he had a black eye and bandaged; he must have looked scary… as his little sister spontaneously burst into tears. Then, probably it was the culmination of all the raw emotion — fear & worry, gratitude & relief — well, it triggered chain reaction… Mom sobbing, then Dad broke down. But as minister, I held strong!

Back in the parking garage, however, sitting in my car, I lost it… yes, a complete meltdown. All I could think of was that Taizé chant, Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Where charity and love prevail, there is God.

Some cultures remove their shoes in God-presence, or take off hats or put on veils; sometimes all we can do is sob.

In today’s Gospel we again hear the consoling Jesus, the compassionate one who seeks to encourage. Jesus is not so much praising the widow but criticizing the religious culture that would expect such a donation.

In these final days of the liturgical year, maybe we aren’t expected to identify or imitate the extravagant descriptions of those worshipping the Lamb. After all, “unblemished” or “no deceit was found on their lips” (Revelation 14) sounds remote. Even the destitute but generous widow seems surely beyond my reach!  But the challenge is to trust that the Lord will transform our darkness to light, our anxiety to hope. We’re ready for Advent! Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

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

Solemnity of Christ the King

Scripture:

Daniel 7:13-14
Revelation 1:5-8
John 18:33b-37

Reflection:

Christ the King

“You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John18:37f What a remarkable statement of Jesus!  The whole reason of the incarnation was to witness to the truth!

In response to the pronouncement of Jesus Pilate asks one of the most important questions of our life: “what is truth?”   The word in the inspired text of the Gospel is the Greek word for truth which is alētheia  from two words.  “Lanthano” which means to  be hid (3x), be ignorant of (2x), unawares (1x)    And with “a” which is a negative ie not unaware or not hid.  In plain English it is “reality” or existential.  The OT Hebrew word for truth is “emeth”  It is used absolutely to denote a reality which is to be regarded as “amen” “firm,” and therefore “solid,” “valid,” or “binding.” It thus signifies what is “true.” Our prayers are usually ended with “Amen” ie reality and a faithful God! 

The truth of Jesus is He is God plunging into our world with a human face and heart having a love for us that is completely beyond our wildest dreams!  Jesus tells us: “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” Jn 15:9 These are some of the most amazing words ever said!  The God creating and energizing the estimated trillions of Galaxies is deeply in love with flawed humanity to the point that He sent His Son to die and save us “while we were yet sinners”  This is the great hidden truth that so very many seem to be oblivious. 

This is the reason we call Christ our King!  The word King is not very impressive to Americans because of our history.  But Jesus said “You say correctly that I am a king.^”  He is our wonderful leader who takes with His pierced hand and holds us as we follow Him! 

Dear Jesus don’t go before me I might not be able to follow You. Don’t go behind me I might lead you astray with my desires. Please walk beside me holding my hand, as an amazing friend!

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

Scripture:

Revelation 11:4-12
Luke 20:27-40

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for today, the Sadducees, who don’t believe in the Resurrection, take their turn in trying to stump Jesus. They offer him a hypothetical situation in which a woman winds up marrying seven brothers because she has been widowed seven times without bearing children. They ask Jesus, “Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?” They think they’ve got Him. But Jesus responds that in the afterlife, things will not be as they are here on earth: “They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.” And then Jesus offers another proof for belief in resurrection: “That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Our belief in the Resurrection reminds us that our God is always oriented towards life and wants us to be oriented the same way. As Jesus says, all are alive to God. All are precious to God. All are beloved by God, even those who reject God.

The challenge for us is to look at the choices we make, about what we say, about what we do, about how we relate to others and to all of creation and determine whether they support life or death. May all our choices lead us to support life, as God supports us.

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

Memorial of the Presentation of Mary

Scripture:

Revelation 5: 1-10
Luke 19: 41-44

Revelation:

Although the Presentation of Mary cannot be proven historically, the feast does have an important theological purpose.  The presentation of Mary in the temple  continues the impact of the Immaculate Conception and the birth of Mary.  What does this mean?  This feast has an important truth to it. Mary was dedicated to God from the very beginning of her earthly existence.  The first reading focuses on the Jerusalem temple.  Mary is a greater temple than that made by hands.  We too, are temples of God and called to share in God’s saving work. 

In the First Reading from the Book of Revelation the New Jerusalem is described where true worship of God takes place.  The heavenly temple can never be destroyed.  In the Gospel reading Jesus weeps as he looks over the Jerusalem temple knowing that it would be destroyed in 40 to 45 yearss. 
This temple is where  he was dedicated to God and where he worshipped.

(reflectionsbybob.weebly.com/nov-21-2024—memorial-of-the-presentation-of-mary-readings-from-thu-of-33rd-week-in-ord-time.html) (Memorial of the Presentation of Mary, Tuesday, November 21, 2024, Reflections by Bob Kondraft.)

Our reading emphasizes the  experience the presence of God in the Jerusalem temple and God’s word in the scroll.

When have we experienced the presence of God?  What were we doing when we experienced God’s presence?  What sort of feelings do we get  when weI experience God’s presence?  Do we have a special place where we experience God.  What can we do to assist others to experience the presence of God. (Ibid,) 

Dear God,  we ask you to experience  you in the place where we very seldom realize and turn to, that is within my very self.  You are there within us 24-7, 365 days, every day of my life. Give us the grace to practice this presence of you within us each day.    

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Revelation 4:1-11
Luke 19:11-28

Reflection:

Engage in trade with these until I return….

I chose you from the world, to go forth and bear fruit that will last…

Yet another parable – two really – Jesus intertwines two into one – the king who seeks his kingdom, but the people don’t embrace him and entrusting the coins/talents to his servants to ‘trade’ in his absence.

Who is our king? And what do we do with the gifts/talents he entrusts to us?  It’s not enough for us to simply receive and preserve, or even hoard our gifts – we must share them – be willing to take risks and speak truth wherever we find ourselves.  The kingdom that we have been entrusted with –the kingdom of God, which Jesus reminded us begins now – is meant for all – Jews and Gentiles alike.  Are we ‘engaged in the trade’ – do we allow the Word of God to penetrate our hearts and open our eyes to the opportunities that surround us to share the Good News?  It is not meant to be hoarded or guarded, it’s meant to be planted in our hearts and the hearts of those we encounter, it’s meant to be ‘paid forward’ and produce a hundred fold.

How are we sharing our gifts and passing on the treasure of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness?  Are we willing to take it beyond the walls of our own hearts or do we ‘safeguard’ it comfortably in our subconscious where we quickly forget what we have received and ignore the mandate to embrace the trust God puts in us to multiply our gifts and build the Kingdom.

What do you do with your talents?  Pay them forward or cling to them in fear?  The choice – the response is yours!

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22
Luke 19:1-10

Reflection:

Sometimes our actions indicate one thing on the surface, but in fact betray a much deeper desire and longing – one we think is masked and well hidden. But while we think that our true motives are hidden, others can in fact see only too well what our true intent is.

The interaction between Zaccheus and Jesus seems to exemplify this dynamic quite well in today’s gospel reading.

By his public action (climbing a tree) Zaccheus seems to indicate he merely wants to satisfy his curiosity and ‘see’ Jesus; he is intrigued and wonders what this man is like. Perhaps in public Zaccheus can pretend that it is mere curiosity that drives him to climb the tree and that he exercises this amount of energy and enthusiasm solely because he is short in stature. At least this is a public face he can show – it does not reveal too much of his inner world and he can easily account for his actions by virtue of  his lack of height.

But clearly there is more at work in Zaccheus.

This becomes obvious when Jesus seeks him out and makes the extraordinary request to stay at his house! Symbolically Jesus asks to come ‘inside’ to enter into the home and thus personal life of Zaccheus.

The response of Zaccheus reveals much to us (and perhaps to himself too) in that it goes far beyond what someone merely seeking to ‘see’ what this man Jesus is like might reply.

That is, just at Jesus makes an extraordinary request to Zaccheus, so too Zaccheus makes an extraordinary response. He allows an inner, deeper spirit to exercise influence over him and he speaks from his heart. In a sense we hear a dialogue of heart speaking to heart. Jesus sees through Zaccheus’ actions to his deeper need, Zaccheus responds to such warmth and recognition by allowing his deeper aspirations – for belonging, for truth and honest and for renewal – to surface and he too speak from his heart to welcome Jesus.

Perhaps this is the essence of the gospel text that we might observe today and seek to make our own.

In this gospel as so often in life, Jesus speaks to us of his desire to ‘be’ with us, to make his home within us. This in turn can free us to allow our deeper desires for him to surface and we can dare to welcome him more deeply into our own lives. But the presence of Jesus sot us is not merely a passive one, no his grace at work within us can motive and empower us to try to recreate our lives once more for him.

Perhaps too Zaccheus can be a symbol of so many people in our world today who are aware of Jesus and indeed fascinated by him but their interest goes no deeper. They ‘know of’ him, but their interest stays at the intellectual level.

Let us not be mere observers.  The deeper and more important symbolism of the character of Zaccheus is to take up the challenge that his actions reveal to us. Let us  be the ones who welcome Jesus into our inner world, our home and allow him to dwell there.

For every day, for those who listen, the words of Jesus echo and re-echo “I must stay at your house today.”

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is the Provincial Superior of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.