Claire Smith

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Scripture:

Wisdom 3:1-9
Romans 6:3-9
John 6:37-40

Reflection:

Yesterday, when we celebrated All Saints Day, we remembered those recognized by the Church as saints. And today we commemorate all others who have passed away in union with Christ, the “faithful departed”. These people are described as “the souls of the just” in today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom.

In our funeral liturgies, the priest says: ‘Life is changed, not ended”. The funeral liturgy also proclaims that death does not break the bonds forged in life. And those who have lost a loved one understand that love does not end, and communion with the dead continues, even as we live our lives without their physical presence.

Our loving connection with those who have passed away from our sight has been referred to as the “Communion of Saints”. The Communion of Saints is the spiritual unity of the Church, which includes all members, both living and dead.

Theologian Sr. Elizabeth Johnson says the Communion of Saints “signifies the relationship flowing among an intergenerational company of persons profoundly touched by the sacred, sharing in the cosmic community of life which is also sacred.”

When we journey with others in this life, as well as learn the stories of our spiritual ancestors, we inspire, challenge, and encourage each other as the Communion of Saints. This is especially true for Black Catholics in the US in the month of November: in 1990 the US National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus designated November as Black Catholic History Month.

As the Church prays for saints and faithful souls in loving remembrance during November, we lift up these six inspirational African Americans who are on the path to sainthood: Pierre Toussaint, Mother Mary Lange, Henriette DeLille, Father Augustus Tolton, Julia Greeley, and Sister Thea Bowman. Each of them lived a compelling, creative, and heroic life under difficult circumstances.

With Black Catholics, we also commemorate those often anonymous and faithful souls who endured slavery, Jim Crow, prejudice, and institutional racism, and still found the strength to help others survive and thrive. They identified their suffering with the sufferings of Jesus, and they died with Christ. Now they live with Him. In today’s second reading, St. Paul’s says:

“If then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;
death no longer has power over him.” -Romans 6:8-9

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 Detroi, Michigant. Patty is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Solemnity of All Saints

Scripture:

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
1 John 3: 1-3
Matthew 5:1-12a

Reflection:

As we celebrate All Saints Day, many Catholics would likely describe sainthood in terms of a formal canonization process or would define the ‘communion of saints’ as those who have entered heaven. Certainly, those observations are correct. The church recognizes these holy women and men as models for our own lives and recommends we pray with them and ask for their intercession on our behalf.

The church likewise encourages us to pursue a life of holiness and virtue so that we too become saints. However, the lives of great missionaries like St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Francis Xavier, or holy persons like St. Therese of Lisieux and our own St. Paul of the Cross, present difficult, if seemingly impossible, examples for our own spiritual growth.

Soon after Thomas Merton became a Catholic, his close friend Robert Lax asked him “What do you want to be?” Merton’s response was, “Well I guess I want to be a good Catholic.” Lax then said, “What you should say is that you want to be a saint.” Merton asked, “How do you expect me to be a saint?” “’By wanting to, said Lax, simply…’All that is necessary to be a saint is to want to be one. Don’t you believe that God will make you what He created you to be, if you will consent to let Him do it? All you have to do is desire it’” (Seven Storey Mountain 260-261)

This exchange between Lax and Merton provides a fresh insight into our personal search for becoming a saint. God does not love us because of what we do, what possessions we have, what accomplishments we have made. God simply asks us to be who we are created to be. We are not expected to be perfect. St. Augustine wrote, “there is no saint without a past and no sinner without a future.” God does expect us to discover and be our true selves…and along the way we, too, will become saints!

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:

Ephesians 6:10-20
Luke 13:31-35

Reflection:

Happy Thursday in the 30th Week of Ordinary Time!

Our time on earth is filled with beautiful moments. Gifts from God of incredible grandeur and intense simplicity flood our days and our nights. From the Great Artist painting every sunrise and every sunset to the flowers and trees, the love of friends and family to a joyful smile from a stranger, God showers us all with the most amazing gifts.

And yet, there are times – many, I’d venture to guess – we must face things we don’t want… times we must face things that are difficult, things which we know will hurt us.  From something as simple as an awkward conversation with a coworker, or perhaps an honest talk with a friend that hurt you, to more challenging things like standing up to a bully (of any age in life) or jumping in to protect the innocent.  Perhaps being forced to accept a medical diagnosis you just don’t want to hear or having to watch a parent age quickly. Losing all you have due to theft or natural disaster.  It can be as terrible as being dragged through the death of a relationship or experiencing the dying of someone you deeply love.  These are all points when we have to stand on the rubble of the moment, and of all the past moments, and wonder about the journey, the purpose of it all, the plan God has for us.

As ashamed as I am to admit it, I sometimes try to run away.

No one is immune from the horrors of this earthly life.  Not even those who are the writers of all of Sacred Scripture — not Saint Paul, not the Psalmist, not even Jesus — were shielded from the pains and inflictions that haunt us.  In his letter to Timothy, Saint Paul reflected on his situation at the time.  Being imprisoned and awaiting punishment, he said, “I am already being poured out like a libation.” (II Timothy 4:6)   And in his letter to the Romans, he declares, “We are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered,” (Romans 8:36). 

In today’s First Reading (Ephesians 6:10-20), Paul is in chains and asking that they pray for him to have courage.  And in today’s Gospel, even Jesus hears the warning, “Go, leave this place, for Herod wants to kill you.”  (Luke 13:31)

Wow… I surely want to run away now!  But Jesus sets the ultimate example.

As terrifying and saddening as these statements — these realities — are, in nearly the same breath, we are reminded to not lose hope, to be patient, and to seek the great joy and love of God.  Saint Paul also writes, “Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.  Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11) And in our Psalm today, we sing, “Blessed be the LORD, my rock — my mercy and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust.” (Psalm144:1B, 2) And Jesus, in the Gospel today, replies to that stark warning by standing up and calling Herod a “fox” (the literal translation would be closer to “jackal,” an insult in ancient Greece).  He says, “You go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.  I must continue on my way.”  (Luke 13:32-33a)

Yes, With Jesus at our side, we can weather the storms of life.  Saint Paul hammers it home to us as completely as I think possible: “If God is for us, then who can be against us?  All these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.”  (Romans 8:31b, 37)

As Christians, we know the glorious dawning of life that blasts forth from the tomb of darkness.  Sometimes, we have to wade through the muck – sometimes, we have to be covered with manure – sometimes, we must be nailed to the cross and face our trials.  But on the other side, friends, with Jesus walking with us, is joy, love, and a new life beyond all imagination.

Dear God,
Thank you for the gift of all the gifts you give us.
Grant us the strength to stand on the rubble,
hold our heads high,
and look to the light
as we step forward
on the path laid before us. Amen.

Peace and love to you today, and forever.

Paul Puccinelli is Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Rita Parish in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center.

Scripture:

Ephesians 6:1-9
Luke 13:22-30

Reflection:

I wonder how presiders and preachers will handle today’s readings. This is complicated. Masters. Slaves. Who is in? Who is out? First. The Last. Maybe they’ll pass and invite their congregation to enjoy a moment of personal prayer.

Biblical interpretation is tricky. Literalists might argue that St. Paul’s reference to slavery in today’s first reading from Ephesians would suggest “The Bible says slavery is permissible.” We know that not to be true. This selection from Ephesians is more about how we are to treat one another, and, maybe in our contemporary context, how employers and employees might honor and respect one another.

Then what are we to make of the Master in the Gospel story who locks everyone out. Maybe this story complements the first reading, calling us to recognize and respect others, even if they are not “from the south” or “look like us.” Those who would have thought they have an easy entry into the Kingdom of God are shocked that they are locked out. So, who’s in? Well, as Luke tells is, “People will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.” What?! Those outsiders? They don’t look like us. They don’t speak the same language as we do. They do not profess the same faith as we do. Yet, there they are, at the table of the Kingdom of God.

What most inspires me is that I believe Jesus, the Lord of Life and Son of God, is generous. No insider-outsider, master-slave, or us-them. And the basic gesture of generosity is to include, not exclude. In a cultural/political world of us-them, we should exercise our faith by gestures of welcome and inclusion, even if we don’t always agree. We can still be friends in the Lord.

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:

Ephesians 5:21-33
Luke 13:18-21

Reflection:

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?”

The first reading today contains a beautiful description of how Christ is the perfect spouse of the Church and how this relationship is embodied in the Sacrament of Marriage. In His relationship with the Church, Christ the Bridegroom takes care of the Church and protects it as a spouse would protect and care for his wife. The Church then becomes a vessel through which we are made holy and presentable before God. This is all made possible through Christ’s Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension. The Paschal Mystery makes the Church and the People of God holy.

In the Gospel reading, Christ is sharing two parables that describe what the Kingdom of God is like. Both of these stories relate something small like a mustard seed or yeast can yield something much larger. In its early days the Church was like a mustard seed or the yeast. The early Church started with a very small group of twelve men and a handful of women growing to 1.39 billion baptized Catholics making up almost 18% of the world’s population. (Vatican News April 2024)

Our relationship with the Church is not limited to the Sacraments and getting into heaven. It is about growing what Christ established over two thousand years ago. What is so awesome to me is that we are in communion with all Christians throughout the ages in building the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a community of believers, not individuals, that have been made holy in the Blood of Christ. The Kingdom of God on earth is a reflection of the Kingdom of God in Heaven. We pray for those who have gone before us. We pray to the Saints to assist us. And they pray for us in turn. It is a Kingdom without limit, where Christ cares for us all.

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

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:19-22
Luke 6:12-16

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles.  We celebrate these two ordinary men chosen by Jesus himself to teach others about God’s love and to “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19).  In today’s Gospel reading we read about Jesus choosing the twelve apostles which included Simon and Jude.  Simon was often called “the Zealot”, so as not to be confused with Simon Peter.  By the same token, Jude is known as Jude Thaddeus so not to be confused with Judas Iscariot.  Simon and Jude traveled together throughout Persia preaching and teaching about Jesus and led many people to become believers and be baptized.  They died for their faith on the same day in Beirut.

We are told that Simon and Jude as well as the other apostles were ordinary people chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel message.  I think it is important to remember that we are also  ‘ordinary people’ called by Jesus to spread the good news.  We are reminded in the reading from Ephesians that:

You are no longer strangers and sojourners,          
but fellow citizens with the holy ones
And members of the household of God.

This means we are all on the same playing field, so to speak, as the apostles called by Jesus in the gospel today.  We are all ordinary people washed in the waters of baptism, loved by the same God who loves everyone unconditionally.  We may not be called to suffer as the early apostles and followers of Christ did, but we have been chosen to live a life of service modeled on the life and death of Jesus Christ!

As members of the household of God, we are called to a holiness that can be challenging.  We live in a society that oftentimes seems to be very un-Christlike where we can become easily frustrated and wonder if others will ever understand the gospel message that we are trying to live by and share.  One of the exciting things that is happening in our Church presently is the Synod that is taking place in Rome. Pope Francis has invited several hundred women and men, ordained, religious and laity to take part in this synodal gathering. This is an opportunity for both hierarchy and laity to join hands and hearts as members of the one household of God to pray, dialogue and most especially to listen to where the Holy Spirit is leading us as Church today and into the future.

It is time for all of us who call ourselves Church to realize that we are no longer strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the holy ones, like Saint Simon and St Jude.  It is time for us to be who we say we are and make the love and presence of Jesus Christ visible in our families, neighborhoods, communities and churches.

Saint Simon, the Zealot and Saint Jude Thaddeus, pray for us!  Amen.

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

Scripture:

Jeremiah 31:7-9
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for this Sunday (Mark 10:46-52), Jesus is leaving Jericho. By the roadside, a man named Bartimaeus is begging. He is blind. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he cries out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” When others tell him to be quiet, he just cries out again, “Son of David, have pity on me.” So, as is often the case, Jesus stops. And He tells the others to call Bartimaeus over. When the people tell Bartimaeus to go to Jesus, Mark tells us that “He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.” When Jesus asks him what he wants, Bartimaeus says, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus tells him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Bartimaeus receives his sight and proceeds to follow Jesus.

There is much symbolism connected with sight, and this encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus has so much to teach us. To state the obvious, Bartimaeus cannot help but know he is physically blind. But he has faith enough to see that Jesus can help him. And what he is yearning for is to see.

When it comes to the commandment to love God and to love our neighbor, are we humble enough to recognize that we may be blind with respect to other persons or groups of people, or even to the rest of creation? When I get in my car, I have enough sense and humility to know that I can have blind spots when I’m driving. The car has a rearview mirror, and side mirrors, and in the case of the car I drive, a system that has a light that blinks when there is another vehicle coming up on one side of me or the other. I also have the sense to follow my training, and look to the side and a little behind when I want to change lanes. But can I have enough humility to recognize that I may have a blind spot when it comes to certain people or groups of people? And am I willing to ask God to let me see?

When we have trouble seeing others as God sees them: as those beloved of God, there is blindness there. It can be comfortable to stay in our blindness. We may be more apt to jump to conclusions than to be like Bartimaeus and jump up to be healed of our blindness.

Does this mean we should turn a blind eye, so to speak, to evil and injustice? No, we may have to speak up for what is right and just. We are to work for justice and peace and the common good as our way of helping build up the kingdom, and following the commandment to love. But does that have to involve being blind to the humanity of the “other?” Does it mean we try to take God’s place in condemning others? I don’t believe so.

Bartimaeus reminds us to ask for God’s grace to see clearly; to see others and all of creation as we are meant to see them. Perhaps we can add an intention to our daily prayers: “Master, where I am blind, I want to see.”

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

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:7-16
Luke 13:1-9

Reflection:

My father could not abide those whom he described as “vulgar” or “crass.” He believed people were better than that and expected his children to be better than that. He was an attorney and had served in the US Navy, so he knew something of vulgar and crass characters. Were he alive today, the level of vulgarity and crassness would disappoint him greatly.

In his Letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wrote about the work of the Christian community in building up the Body of Christ. The community had to avoid human trickery or deceitful scheming, he wrote, in order to live into the truth in love, to grow into Christ. The metaphor of the body as community is familiar to us. We approach the altar and say “Amen” to the Eucharistic minister’s declaration, “The Body of Christ.”  Not just receiving the Body of Christ but becoming the Body the Christ in the world today.

We hear vulgar and crass language used everywhere, but it is inimical to building up the community. When civic, church, and political leaders use it, the Body of Christ is especially diminished. When we ridicule someone who’s different than we are, when politicians mock others, when Christians make crude remarks about another person’s looks or religion or gender or whom they love, we harm the Body of Christ. How did we get to this place?

We all know that in our own physical bodies, there are less than perfect parts. But they are a part of who we are. We might well work at strengthening them or improving them, but they are members of this body called “me.” We need to hear Jesus say to us as individuals and as the Body of Christ, “You are my beloved, in you I am well pleased.” And I might imagine him adding, “So stop being so vulgar and crass.”

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.