Claire Smith

Scripture:

Isaiah 2:1-5
Matthew 8:5-11

Reflection:

Our Advent Call to Deeper Faith, Rooted in Humility

It’s early December and the sights and sounds of the Christmas season are ever more evident; there’s a special “beauty” and attraction as we approach Christmas 2023.  The holiday decorations, the classic carols and instrumentals we hear these days move us towards a special holiday mood, stirring up the Christmas spirit in these early days of Advent — while our world continues to struggle with wars, violence, injustice, and destruction.  Our faith in Jesus our Savior is foundational to the Life we hope to celebrate this Christmas 2023.

Today’s Scripture readings highlight the power of faith to enrich our outlook and motivate us to increased action on behalf of our troubled world.  With classic style Isaiah proclaims God’s transformative love, helping us embrace a new world order founded upon justice, goodness, and peace…enabling both personal and community transformation.  Jesus meets a centurion who needed help for his paralyzed servant who was in very poor health; with faith and humility, the centurion tells Jesus about the sick servant — and Jesus offers to come and visit.  As the centurion expresses his faith in Jesus, Jesus highlights the centurion’s deep faith…and the servant’s miraculous cure happened!  Both Isaiah and the centurion recognized God’s presence in their lives, and with humility and faith opened their hearts to God’s salvific action; life was changed! 

During these days of Advent 2023 we’re encouraged to pause in the midst of the Christmas “hoopla” and our world’s serious needs — to seriously reflect on how our faith in the loving presence of God enriches our relationships with all of creation.  These Advent days and their special Scripture selections challenge us to get ever more serious about putting our faith and love into practice — devoting time and energy to prayer and action so that God will be evermore present to us, motivating us to live as true children of God, children of the Kingdom of Jesus.  Perhaps…if we have a lasting change of heart and act upon it…the experience of Christmas can “flavor” every day of the year.  With Isaiah we can “…walk in the light of the Lord.”  These Advent days, may we be watchful in prayer, and exultant in God’s praise.

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:

Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37

Reflection:

History is full of stories and records of individuals and nations alike, who prepared for one eventuality only to be totally surprised by an unexpected turn of events. War accounts alone make up many of these incidents, but we see too in sporting contests that the aim is often to spring a surprise move to blindside one’s opponents.

To take the dynamic of ‘contest’ out of this reflection, we might say that preparation and anticipation are very real and necessary aspects of life. But they can be limiting too.

What Jesus calls for through our scriptures today is not so much a matter of having a grand plan or even minutely detailed preparations in place, rather he speaks of an inner disposition. If we are to glimpse or sense the presence of the Lord, if we are to see signs of the ‘reign’ of God that point to the presence of the divine, then we need to live with an active and dynamic attitude – one of being alert. Static plans and preparations will always be limited by the extent of the present moment’s agenda and vision, rather we need a more foundational attitude so that we can finely tune our perspectives, so that we can notice differences and subtle movements, so that we can ‘see’ what others cannot see or what is not at first obvious.

Jesus warns us of the same. We cannot ‘know’ the hour or the Lord’s presence in our lives with certainty – there are too many variables in life and love. We can only know that the Lord does enter our lives just as boldly as he has entered our world, and that he is among us and active still. We need to watch – not just with our eyes, but with our whole being.

We are called to openness and receptiveness, to an alertness that is quietly at work within every moment of the day. We watch with the ‘eyes’ of faith which see what is not visible and obvious.

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

Scripture:

Daniel 7:15-27
Luke 21:34-36

Reflection:

Tomorrow is the first day of Advent. Soon we will be singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. If we ever wondered if we need Jesus in our world, we only need watch the news these days. The suffering of innocent people, especially children, is so very painful to watch. It is heart wrenching to see war-torn areas where land is polluted with military hardware, and basic human needs are not being met. Powerful organizations and nations run roughshod over Creation and human rights, exercising their power and control, and violating the ancient commands from Genesis to “serve and protect” the Garden (Earth) and from Deuteronomy to “love your neighbor as yourself”.

In today’s first reading, Daniel was deeply disturbed over some similarly terrible scenes. He vividly saw the empires that dominated the world of his time, and he anguished as we do when cherished spiritual values were being violated. Daniel was one of the many Jews taken into exile in Babylon, who were persecuted for their faith. We recall the story of “Daniel in the Lion’s Den”, when Daniel and his companions were saved from being devoured by lions, by the power of God.

Jesus did not flee from this imperfect and hurting world either, and following His example, Christians work for justice and peace. In order for us to accompany those who are suffering, and to persevere in working for justice and peace, we need to be prepared spiritually. And in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples (and us) how to do that:

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.  –Luke 21:34-36

Could sobriety regarding substances, turning our lives over to God in trust, vigilance, and prayer be the spiritual practices we are called to do this Advent?

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She served on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit. She is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Scripture:

Daniel 7:2-14
Luke 21:29-33

Reflection:

We are one month away from finishing another calendar year. In the coming weeks, we will hear reflections on the events of this year in the worlds of news, music, entertainment, sports, and so forth. Those reviews are almost always followed by talk of New Year’s resolutions.

We are also in the final days of the liturgical year. Our readings today, and recently, are focused on the end times. Certainly, a focus on the long view of our salvation is important to keep in mind. I recommend that we borrow from the calendar year traditions and take a closer look at our current relationship with God.  

The close of the liturgical year is an appropriate time to reflect on our spiritual journey over the past year and prepare our new liturgical year resolutions. There is no formula to follow, no right or wrong process for your reflection. Just sit quietly with God and open your heart to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Here are some starter questions to assist your reflection. How have I grown spiritually? How have I fallen short in my growth? Have I made time in my life for meditation and conversations with God? In what ways did I follow the two greatest commandments:  love God and love my neighbor…and how and when did I fail to do so? How have I, as a member of the Passionist family, kept alive the memory of the Passion of Christ?

The act of remembering our past is a powerful way to connect with God. This is our opportunity to give thanks for the blessings we received, to ask forgiveness for our shortcomings, and to pray for the wisdom to carry forward the lessons we have learned into the new liturgical year.

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:

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28
Luke 21: 12-19

Reflection:

By your perseverance you will secure your lives. -Luke 21:19

In this last week of the liturgical year, we are reminded of many things. In the reading from Daniel, we are challenged to look at what our focus is in life. The King was so caught up in his party that he became carried away and brought the sacred vessels from the Temple to use for his own pleasure. This time of the year it is so easy to be caught up in the frenzy of Black Friday or Cyber Monday! Sale! Sale! Sale! Catch our eyes as we try and look for the bargain on those Christmas presents we are shopping for. Not that gift giving is a bad thing, it is just our focus and keeping ourselves focused on the true meaning of the coming season of Advent and Christmas. Are we focused on material things or the people and events around us? Are we using objects to assist us in our daily work or to help us become a better person? Saint Benedict reminds us to keep all things in moderation. It’s all about keeping our balance.

In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds us that it is not easy being a disciple. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is the most difficult thing we will do in our journey through our life. It requires daily attention to what we are doing and why we are doing it. It requires us to daily feed our spiritual life through our thoughts, words, and actions. We travel this journey with Christ by our side, protecting us and guiding us on both the smooth and rough paths.

May the new liturgical year bring many blessings and graces to you and your family.

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

Scripture:

Daniel 2:31-45
Luke 21:5-11

Reflection:

We are in the closing days of Ordinary Time with the season of Advent right around the corner!  The days have been busy with the celebration of Thanksgiving, a time when we pause to reflect on our many blessings.  Last Sunday we celebrated the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.  The scriptures on that day reminded us of our call to take care of the less fortunate among us and to share our wealth with those who have so little.  Today we hear Jesus warning us to stay focused on the new life we will enjoy in the Kingdom of God if we are faithful.  Jesus warned his followers and us as well, to watch for the signs that will lead us to the Kingdom.

Jesus talks about the importance of the signs all around us that can either keep us on the kingdom path or lead us away.  I was thinking about how we are inundated by signs, billboards, news feeds, commentaries, technology, etc.  I think that because there are so many signs and so many diverse messages with which we are inundated, we pretty much tune them out or prioritize a specific few we want to follow. 

The Five Man Electrical Band introduced the song SIGNS in 1971 which became very popular even to the present day.  The chorus goes like this:

                                    Sign, sign/Everywhere a sign/Blockin’ out the scenery/Breakin’ my mind.
                                    Do this, Don’t do that/Can’t you read the sign?

The artists tried to point out how society, especially at that time, imposed unhealthy and unjust restrictions on those persons unwilling to become part of the ‘in’ crowd.  When this happens, one becomes a puppet on a string, controlled by those around us who do not have our best interests at heart.  This is what Jesus was preaching against in the gospel.

In 2023 artist Michael W. Smith introduced a song by the same name, SIGNS. The lyrics in the chorus go like this:

                                    Follow the signs/open your eyes/Read between the lines of what you see
                                    Look into the soul of reality/open your mind/look at the signs/
                                    Never look back at yesterday/keep your gaze steady on the narrow way.

Michael W. Smith said that ‘Signs’ is a song about paying attention to the little things that often go unnoticed.  It reminds us to appreciate the moments that shape our existence and to be open to the signs that guide us along the way.

As we move through these last few days of the church year, let us remember to read the signs of the time, reject the temptations of the ‘in’ crowd and keep our gaze on the narrow way that Jesus sets before us.  Remember Jesus tells us ‘Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  It doesn’t get any better than that!  Advent Blessings!

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

Scripture:

Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20
Luke 21:1-4

Reflection:

Lord, I understand the message of Your parable of the poor woman tithing; that whatever gifts we are given we must share with a humble heart.  But surely someone with authority would have intervened to ensure that the poor woman had at least the essentials she needed before she gave to God what was left!  I mean, right? (?).  I mean, You were making a point but every sacrifice, every work in done Your name, is an attempt to thank You for Your love and the intent is always greater than the gift.    

I was a seminary freshman at the beginning of Lent 1965, full of pious devotion and attempting to find a suitably reverential penance to mark each day until Easter.  After due consideration, my bet thought was at first that I could give up lunch every day.  But then I brilliantly came to the conclusion that I should give up dinner each evening because that way it would be so much longer between meals!

As advised by Father Director, I shared my vision of saint-like self-denial with my spiritual advisor.   Fr. Randal Joyce, CP, listened patiently to my ambitious plan, then sat with his fingers clasped into a steeple pointed at his chin as he silently thought. Softly he asked a question; “What happens here, every day, at 3 p.m.?”  

   I was stumped. That was the middle of afternoon recreation, everybody was scattered everywhere and there generally were no scheduled activities.  But then I saw it… “The lunch cart?”

“Right.  And what are you entitled to from that cart?”    
           This was getting nowhere.  “Um… a carton of milk and two cookies”.
     Randal smiled and said, “Then you may give up one cookie each afternoon for Lent”.
      “Oh, come on Father!   That ain’t nothing!   I want to do something hard”. 

Still smiling, he nodded.  “I know, and it will be.  You trust me for one week then come back and tell me how little that one cookie is.” I left his office feeling pretty dejected. 

That first afternoon with one cookie was nothing, of course.  The next afternoon I remember thinking I hope we had something good for dinner because I was already hungry after snack.  By the end of the week, I meekly sank into one of Father’s two overstuffed English club chairs (which are still the most comfortable chairs I’ve ever sat in).   

 “How is Lent so far?” he asked grinning.    That second cookie each day had become more and more desirable as each afternoon passed.   I can’t believe how hard it was not to just reach in and grab a second cookie.  And it got tougher all through Lent until finally I didn’t take anything but a carton of milk, because that way I didn’t have to touch the cookie packages.  

I understand Lord. It wasn’t what the poor woman did, it was how she did it.  Others, with much more than she, made grand shows of giving money or dressing to appear piously suffering. 

We sometimes wear our Catholicism like a blazer emblem, giving to Catholic Charities, serving on non-profit boards, even working with St Vincent de Paul or inner city soup kitchens.  They’re good, corporal works of mercy, but you get something out of the giving: self-esteem, the admiration of others, the gratitude of recipients.   Giving is easy. Giving anonymously, without thought of return is difficult. 

So, I’m still learning from Fr Randal, (rest happily, Father).  And I give thanks for whatever I’ve been entrusted with, full knowing I will have to account for the gifts I’ve received.   Rest In Peace, President John F. Kennedy, November 22, 1963.

Ray Alonzo is the father of three children, grandfather of two, and husband to Jan for over 45 years. He is a USN Vietnam Veteran, and a 1969 graduate of Mother of Good Counsel Passionist Prep Seminary. Ray currently serves on the Passionist Alumni Council.

Solemnity of Christ the King

Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Matthew 25:31-46

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus gives a description of the Last Judgment. The people are separated into two groups. The ones who are welcomed into the kingdom of God are those who met the needs of others.  They fed the hungry and welcomed the stranger and clothed the naked and visited the sick and those in prison. They are welcomed into the kingdom, because, as the king says, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers [and sisters] of mine, you did for me. Conversely, those who did not do these things for “one of these least ones,” are condemned to eternal punishment.

Basically, the message is that if we are to follow our King, and enter eternal life, we are to minister to the needs of those who are the “least,” or for me, those who are considered “least.” But I also thought about what Jesus did, according to the Gospels. Besides the miraculous feeding of the thousands by the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, there are few, if any, more instances where He directly answers someone’s material needs. But He does give of Himself to those considered “least:” lepers, tax collectors, sinners, those possessed by demons, foreigners, the sick, the disabled, women, children, and others.

And then, the challenge hit me. Are we to minister to the ones we consider the “least?” Are we to minister to the ones we feel deserve our contempt? I can’t help but think the answer is “Yes.” Considerations like this do not mean we are free to ignore those in material need. Very often, when we meet someone’s material needs, we meet deeper needs as well. When Jesus feeds the thousands with the multiplication of the loaves and fish, He has been meeting their hearts’ yearning for Good News.

So, how do we answer the challenge? By doing the best we can in following Jesus, who gave of Himself for us. In Jesus, God makes good on the prophecy spoken by the prophet Ezekiel in our first reading (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17): “I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly.” We follow God’s mercy and generosity, but leave to God the condemnation.

There is a quote from St. Louise de Marillac, which I think is appropriate: “To share what one has is nothing if one does not give oneself.” Again, an almost impossible challenge, but God will give us what we need to do it, in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. May we follow our King, who in the words of the hymn, “looked beyond” our faults and saw our need.

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