Claire Smith

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Luke 5:1-11

Reflection:

So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you…
and you to Christ, and Christ to God.   -1 Corinthians 3:21,23

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’   -Luke 5:8

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that we are called to a personal relationship with God. And yet, time and time again, both in the stories from our faith tradition and our personal lives we find ourselves turning away from that relationship.

In our gospel today we hear the story of how Jesus was preaching at the edge the sea of Galilee (called Lake of Gennesaret in this passage) when He climbs into a boat and asked the fishermen to row out a short way because the crowd is pushing in so close. Of course, the boat belongs to Simon (later to be named Peter). After He is done preaching, He instructs Peter to put out into the water and drop his nets. After a short protest, Peter does so. And, lo and behold, the catch was so large that another boat is required to help haul it in.

And Peter responds the way most humans do when confronted with the vastness of God’s love and desire for relationship with us: he turns away. “Depart from me!” he cries. What is it about the goodness and greatness of God that causes us to turn away? Perhaps we become overwhelmed when confronted with the vast difference between our lowly selves and the immensity of God. But while that difference is true, God has told us again and again that He desires to bridge that gap and be in relationship with us. No matter how many times we turned away we find God calls us back.

The desire of God to be in relationship with His creation is so great that He sent His only son to live and be with us. Paul tells us we’re not to boast or place our trust in humans, for we have Christ in us and so we are in God.

My prayer today for myself and for everyone today is that we freely move into relationship with God and allow Him and Christ to be the center of our world.

Talib Huff is a retired teacher and a member of the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California. You can contact him at [email protected].

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Luke 4:38-44

Reflection:

21^st Century Belief

Today’s Gospel selection vividly recounts the scope of Jesus’ healing ministry:  the cure of Simon’s mother-in-law with her severe fever, the many other sick with various diseases – even people possessed by demons!  Crowds of people followed Jesus, and even tried to block his path as He left their town to move on to other towns and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.  What a powerful scene!

Jesus’ miraculous powers and persuasive words are inviting and inspirational, but our faith helps us see Jesus for Who He is:  the Son of God, the Word made flesh.  The demons driven out by Jesus declared to Jesus, “You are the Son of God.”  Jesus rebuked the demons because they knew He was the Christ.

Jesus cured Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of a severe fever – great, but there were undoubtedly many other sick whom He did not cure.  Jesus laid hands on those with various diseases and healed them, but there were many other sick throughout the world at that time whom Jesus never met.  Jesus worked His miracles out of a sense of loving compassion, but His mission was to draw people to a deep faith in Him.  The faith response is more important than a cure or a healing; our eternal life, not just our here-and-now life, depends on our faith.

We best not limit ourselves by accepting Jesus only if He fulfills our needs or our sense of values.  Jesus reveals himself to us as much more than our human “view”:  He is the Christ, the Word Made Flesh — and Son of God!  We’re invited to believe in and generously follow Him unconditionally.  As St. Paul stated in the first reading, we are called to personally grow in our faith and be co-workers in promoting faith in Jesus amongst our sisters and brothers – a labor of love to help promote the Kingdom of God!

Together may we embrace our needy 21^st Century world with the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.  May renewed faith and hope and healing abound in our world!

Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.  

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:10b-16
Luke 4:31-37

Reflection:

Nazareth was a small town, with some authors suggesting its population was between 200-400 people, representing about ten families in total.

So, it is not surprising that Jesus would be well known and familiar to all and that this familiarity might incite both admiration and pride, but also be a point of vulnerability if expectations were not met.

Both dynamics are obvious today. Jesus is praised for his wisdom and clear articulation of the Word of God, and yet when he steps into a level of interpretation that is challenging then opinions quickly turn against him.

There is a fickleness in human nature, we see this all the time – a sporting personality is praised for her/his achievements one day and then ridiculed the next for some perceived failure.

It seems this has a long history and was certainly a dynamic at play in the public life of Jesus. Opinions and perceptions of him oscillated between admiration in one setting to disbelief or opposition in another.

What might be illustrative and sobering for us today is the rapidity of the ‘swing’ in his townsfolks’ opinion. The synagogue audience swings from admiration to opposition in what seems to be a very short interval.

We might feel we are more balanced and considerate in our views, but perhaps an ‘examen’ in the spirit of Ignatius of Loyola might serve us well from time to time.

Has social media or the ‘crowd’ over-influenced us in the formation of opinions or judgments? Have these same mediums limited our capacity to see widely and consider situations deeply? Have modern patterns of communication over-influenced us to the point where reactions overwhelm responses?

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

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Luke 4:16-30

Reflection:

…so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.   -1 Corinthians 2:5

This is the time of year when I am once again recruiting people to register for our upcoming retreats at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit. There are no prerequisites for going on the retreat, for I know that whoever I invite to attend, from a casual searcher to a lifelong Catholic, that person will find something valuable for their spiritual growth. It amazes me sometimes how people with diverse experiences and worldviews all gather at the foot of the Cross and find nurture, while on retreat.

This is the gift of the Passionist charism lived out in the preaching at our retreat centers. In The Spirit of Passionist Retreat Centers, written in 2003, we find some explanation:

Passionists are highly educated men who grasp well the sometimes-subtle complexities of Scripture, theology, and modern culture. The “genius” of Passionist preaching, however, is found in an ability to interpret great truths in a manner comprehensible for ordinary Christian listeners.

And where does this ability come from? According to St. Paul the Apostle in today’s first reading, it is through the power of the Cross and God the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul the Apostle had tried rhetorical reasoning and lofty philosophical arguments in his preaching in Athens, and had failed, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 17. In his letter to the Christian community at Corinth, Paul explains that his success in delivering Christ’s message to them, and their reception of His message, were due to his focus on Christ Crucified and the movement of the Holy Spirit, not to any great rhetorical skills or knowledge on his part. He says:

I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. -1 Corinthians 2: 1-2

Like St. Paul, Passionists experience the power of the Cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. And like St. Paul, we hope and pray that our faith and the faith of all those with whom we live and minister “might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:5

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:

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Reflection:

Today’s readings highlight the challenge of observing the letter of the law versus understanding and following the spirit of the law.

Moses gives the Israelites statutes and decrees as he prepares them to enter the Promised Land and instructs the Israelites not to add to or subtract from what he gives them. Following these will be enough and will give witness to the nations of the Israelites’ just and caring God.

The ruling classes in the centuries following Moses’ gift of the Law burdened the Jews with following strict precepts and extensive oral interpretations. For example, laws established for temple purity evolved into restrictions for all life. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, is challenged by the Pharisees and Scribes because some disciples ate their meals without cleaning their hands.

Jesus’ response pivots from the letter of the law, that is cleaning hands, to the spirit of the law, avoiding actions and behaviors which come from an unclean heart. In other words, washing hands is symbolic of purifying one’s heart. He does not say that the law should not be observed. Instead, He challenges His listeners to look beyond strict interpretations of laws and customs.

Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that, in the words of the apostle James, we become doers of the Word, not just hearers and care for the afflicted in the world—that our lives demonstrate our love for God, our neighbors and ourselves.

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:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 25:14-30

Reflection:

Happy Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time!

When I think about all the decades I’ve been fortunate enough to know my parents, I always remember them both as being tremendously hard-working professional musicians and teachers, working for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in many parishes and schools.  When my father was alive, he held other different jobs, all at the same time, in order to help make ends meet for the family.  And even now, my mother still works seven days a week in two parishes and two schools.  They drew (and she still does draw) on every facet of who they were/are.  Sure, it was hard, and not at all perfect, but wow; what hard workers and givers-back of the gifts they were given. 

As we grew, my sister and I helped them as much as we could in all they did.  My sister (MUCH older than me, by two years) definitely took their example to heart, and diligently and lovingly did her part.  For my part, it included working at my Uncle Victor’s Italian market with my Pa making sandwiches and stocking the shelves, or playing and cantoring and directing the choir when there were Masses in two parishes at the same time, or helping my Ma with cooking at home, scheduling private students, preparing music for rehearsals and Liturgies, and so on…

Sometimes I didn’t do a perfect job.  Sometimes I did pretty OK.  And *some* times, I did really well.  But my father and mother, no matter how whatever I produced turned out, would always thank me and tell me how proud they were… so long as I tried.  So long as I did something.  I remember their words of gratitude and grace, for sure.  But more than that, I remember the feeling:  so very helpful, so very needed, so special, so wonderful – so loved.

In Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, he exhorts, “We urge you, brothers & sisters, to progress even more … and to work with your own hands.”  I Thessalonians 4:10b,11b   In the Gospel, Jesus teaches with the parable of a man leaving town and trusting his “talents” (read “money”) with three of his servants.  Upon the master’s return, one servant gave back all the money, while the other two traded and invested and doubled all that the master had given them.  We hear the master proclaim to those who developed their talents, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Come, share in your master’s joy.”  Matthew 25:21

The readings today tell us that, whatever we do, we have to do something.  God showers us with so many gifts, and God doesn’t want us to hide them in the ground.  We are called to not just have, but to develop, cultivate, and use those gifts.  And, beautifully, it’s in the cultivating and sharing of our “talents” that we give them back to our Master.  Just as the flame of one candle can ignite another without losing it’s brightness, it’s in the sharing of our gifts that they’re doubled.

We are given the divine invitation to not stay where we are, but to do what we are called to do, even though our hands might need to get dirty in the process.  We must be good stewards of the gifts we’ve been given.  Let’s not bury ourselves in the ground and hide.  Let’s at least try!!!  It’s never too late to live as a Child of the Light. 

And can you imagine how you’ll feel when you hear God say “Wonderful job, my good, faithful helper.  Thank you, friend.  Come to me – let me share all my joy and all my love… with you.”

Dear God of yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows,
thank you for the gift of every turning season. 
Please grant us the grace
of always continuing to grow,
right up until the day we get to hear You say to us;
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” 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:

1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Matthew 1:1-13

Reflection:

Brothers and sisters, Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

This opening line from today’s reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians is like a mission statement for the Passionist Family. The cross to some looks like failure and folly. To others it is an expression of the outpouring of God’s love for us. I know, that sounds like foolishness, as Paul suggests. For as ubiquitous the cross is – with or without a corpus – we would be justified in wondering if the cross has been “emptied of its meaning.”

Today would have been my youngest brother’s 56^th birthday. But he died tragically at the age of 22. For the past 33 years, I have had to wrestle with the idea of “redemptive suffering.” Where is the wisdom of God in the folly of a senseless murder? How can good come from bad, life from death?

Yet, it has! I believe I am a more compassionate human being for having shared personally in the Passion of Christ. My brother’s death forced on me difficult questions about how I was going to live my life. The horror and sadness of that loss in our family endures. But we also realize that we are more closely bonded through our brother’s death. Did he have to die then? Of course not. Were we offended when some suggested that maybe God wanted him more than we did? Absolutely. Is there life that come from his death? We have to believe.

The Passionist Family can keep alive the memory of Christ’s Passion by taking a quiet, prayerful but hard look at the crucifix. Ponder it. See it for what it is, true suffering. But then see it for what it can be, a call to be the hands, eyes, heart, and words of Christ to the crucified and marginalized today.

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.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Mark 6:17-29

Reflection:

In the first reading today Saint Paul greetings and gives thanks to the Church in Corinth. He gives his credentials of being called by Christ to be an Apostle “by the will of God.” He affirms the spiritual gifts and the grace that has been given to the Church in Corinth and reminds them that they were called by God to be disciples of Christ. If we continue to read this first letter to the Corinthians, we will soon discover that the Church in Corinth is having a few difficulties. Thus, a letter to Saint Paul to help them iron things out.

In the Gospel, Saint John the Baptist knew that his call was to preach and proclaim the coming of the Messiah. He used his gift of preaching and teaching, putting his life on the line to speak the truth. He confronted Herod Antipas about his marriage to his brother’s wife when his brother was still living. Herod Antipas was a “king” with “power” who could not stand up to the truth when his wife asked for the “head of John the Baptist”. He could not humble himself and say no to her request. He would have appeared to be weak for refusing her request. What would people think of a king not keeping a promise? Even a king of ancient Palestine felt pressure from his guests or what he thought that his guests wanted. Some might have been on the side of the Queen. Some might have stood quietly, afraid to speak out, not wanting to go against the king or queen. Was there anyone there who did not agree with the request of the queen? Even in modern times not many people will step forward to ask questions or make objections when something is off track or unjust.

Both Saint John the Baptist and Saint Paul suffered much because of their refusal to give in to the power of secular leaders and trusted in the power of God. They are like bookends around the life, Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ. Two men who knew what they were called to do and were given grace and the spiritual insight to hold on to Christ. Saint John calling people to “prepare the way” and Saint Paul calling people to follow Jesus. Saint John knew Christ from the womb and Saint Paul on a road to Damascus, had a personal experience of Christ. Each had a call and each answered tapping into grace, and faithfulness.

Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just? Do I have enough faith to speak about my faith to others?

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