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Scripture:

Acts 5:17-26
John 3:16-21

Reflection:

I feel great compassion for the Sadducees and Pharisees. They were not, after all, bad people. They were the religious authorities of their day. Being human, no doubt some became obsessed with or corrupted by power. Yet for the most part, these leaders believed they were safeguarding the truth, speaking for Yahweh, and enforcing the rules of the faith in ways they needed to be enforced. They honestly believed they were right and were offering valuable service.

Then this stranger comes and starts preaching about Yahweh in a completely different fashion. Rather than judgment, awe, and power, he speaks of love, forgiveness, humility, justice, and service. He touches people that the scriptures explicitly command no one should touch. He violates the rules of the Sabbath laid down in Yahweh’s law. He dishonors himself by eating with known sinners. He comes very close, or sometimes seems to cross the line, to blatant blasphemy. He challenges the religious authorities and leadership, and their interpretation of laws they’d studied from the time they were young boys.

Yes, this stranger also had incredible charisma and drawing power. From all reports, he healed people, walked on water, and performed miracles. Indeed, many Jews were following him, supporting him, and going out to preach the message themselves. But how could Jesus be doing these things in concert with Yahweh given such egregious violations of Yahweh’s laws combined with his refusal to submit to the divinely sanctioned authorities of the church? How were they to respond to this threat to the established system, their religion, and the way of life ordained in scripture? This man seemed too contrary to what they’d been taught and the principles on which they based their lives, faith, and ministries. He seemed dangerous – to them, to the faith, and to God’s chosen people.

The same dynamics are still in play two thousand years later. There is a lengthy list of contentious issues in our society and in the Catholic Church. It is incredibly difficult to discern whether different or even radical perspectives on these issues are dangers requiring condemnation and suppression, or whether they are strong movements of the Spirit trying to open us to God’s ever-surprising call.

We believe that God will never abandon the Church, and in the long run the Spirit will guide us on the right path. In the present moment, though, we are all human beings capable of mistakes, just as the faithful Pharisees and Sadducees were. Even those with knowledge, authority, and right intent can become whitewashed sepulchers who miss what God is trying so hard to do in our midst.  Today, as then, there are principles and doctrines we need to retain, and there are ways we need change or outright reform. I pray constantly for our Church leaders, that they may have the wisdom, insight, and openness to see the changes Christ desires in order to move us closer to the Reign of God.

The light has come into our world. Especially as we move forward with our new pope, may we not prefer the darkness, but open ourselves more fully to the dangerous, radical ideas of Jesus Christ.

 

Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she has partnered with the Passionists.  Visit Amy’s website: http://www.amyflorian.com/.

Solemnity of the Annunciation

Scripture:

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38

 

 

Reflection:

Years ago, filled with doubt and trepidation, I readied myself to embark on a major new challenge.  A good and wise friend said to me in response to my uncertainty, "You know what you’re doing.  You just don’t know what you’re getting into."

Today is one of the great feasts of the liturgical year.  The story of the Annunciation has been told and retold by the great masters of art throughout the ages.  A young girl is visited by an angel who tells her she is to conceive and bear a child, the Son of God.  She, of course, does not have the full knowledge of events yet to come as we do.  We can sit here with the advantage of time to say to Mary, "Go for it…it will all work out."

This feast of the Annunciation falls this year just after Holy Week.  That might help put into perspective Mary’s fiat, her "May it be done to me according to your word."  To what is she saying yes?  She knows there is risk for scandal ("I have no relations with a man.").  She knows the ordinary demands of motherhood.  And she knows that God is faithful.  So, knowing all this, Mary knew what she was doing.  But she certainly did not know what she was getting into.

The death of my brother when he was only 22 years old was heart-wrenching.  Great as that pain was – and is – it pales compared to my mother’s.  The horror of a mother losing a son to war, violence, disease or accident is a loss so deep that really only other mothers can know it.  Yet here we are on this feast contemplating Mary’s yes knowing that Good Friday brought her immense pain as she watched her son suffer and die.  We are forced to see the connection between saying yes to God and where that yes may take us. 

The yes we give to God takes us not just to the cross, but through that brokenness and loss to new life.  But simply because we know where our yes to God will take us ultimately – we know what we’re doing – it doesn’t mean we know what we’re getting ourselves into.  That journey of faith that continues with our saying yes today will certainly challenge us along the way to new life.

 

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and is the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Acts 5:12-16
Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31

Reflection:

I hate to say it, but I think old age is finally catching up with me. I live in Chicago, one of the most Catholic cities in the world, and what do I see? I see babies being shot and killed. I see church buildings that once were filled and buzzing with activity, now empty and shuttered. Public and church leaders alike insist we don’t have the money, we can’t afford the personnel. I see a public school system that spends more than ever before and yet fails to get the majority of their students through to graduation. Then I hear Pope Francis in his inauguration say the mission of the church: "means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about."

Truly, I feel like Thomas in today’s readings who says, I don’t believe and until I see Catholic politicians more concerned about making sure sick people are taken care of or school children get the care and attention they need than balancing their made up budgets, I will continue being the doubting Thomas.

 

Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists.  He lives in Chicago. 

Scripture:

Acts 4:13-21
Mark 16:9-15

Reflection:

"I believe; help my unbelief." Those are words, in Mark’s Gospel, of a father seeking a healing from Jesus for his sick child. Familiar words that we pray at times. Our faith is strong but not perfect. There are moments we don’t understand what God is doing in our life; we feel neglected; we are in pain; we are angry. "I believe; help my unbelief."

Talib Huff, in yesterday’s reflection, invited us to find Jesus not only in remarkable events but also in the familiar activities of our life, like eating a meal together. The readings today carry forward that theme that the risen Christ is present always and everywhere; he is not thwarted by locked doors, walls, fears or doubts.

The readings today describe the inconsistent sides of faith. We hear Jesus rebuke the apostles for their weak faith and stubborn hearts. They have heard two independent and reliable reports about the resurrection of Jesus, yet they didn’t believe. In the first reading, we listen to the story of Peter and John preaching in public. The religious leaders demanded that they stop. However, the two apostles firmly and boldly stand against the threats of the Jewish leaders. The apostles don’t back down but continue to proclaim the story of the resurrection. In one situation the apostles’ faith has been severely weakened; in another their faith is as strong as rock.

"I believe; help my unbelief." Both the good times and bad times of our faith journey are indispensable parts of the journey. Intellectual and emotional turmoil can plague any of us at a given moment in our lives. No one is characterized by a "red-hot" faith around the clock. We feel neglected; we don’t understand why the Lord doesn’t rush to our aid. We refuse to talk to him (i.e., we don’t pray). We think we can punish God by not going to Mass on Sunday. We may even say thoughtless things about God, figuratively shaking our fist in his face.

The locked door and the strong walls of the room in which the fearful and depressed apostles huddled after the death of Jesus did not keep Jesus out of their lives. He appears and says, "Peace be with you." When we close the door and shut ourselves up in self-pity or anger or despair, we have not truly isolated ourselves from the risen Christ. That is the very moment, if we are willing to patiently listen, we hear a quiet whisper, "Peace be with you."

 

Fr. Donald A. Webber, C.P., is Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province and resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:
Acts 3:1-10
Luke 24:13-35

Reflection:
"It is finished."  Mary, the wife of Clopas, trembled as she heard those dying words as Jesus bowed his head and surrendered his spirit.  Clopas gave way to tears as his wife repeated "It is finished." on Good Friday night.

Sunday brought strange stories of Jesus appearing to women folk.  Peter and John told of an empty tomb.  Hatred of Jesus pursuing Him even in his grave?  For Clopas the only message was "It is finished."  The hopes he had in Jesus were dead and buried.  It was time to move on.

So with Mary, his wife, he begins his journey to Emmeus.  Thoughts and feelings were shared with each sorrowful step.  Then a soft-spoken stranger was with them and reaching into the Scriptures to make sense of what seemed a meaningless, hopeless tragedy.  "Was it not necessary that the Messiah suffer and so enter His glory?"  A warming dawn in hearts growing cold!

Emmeus came into view.  This wise stranger must share bread with them.  And with the breaking of the bread, eyes, minds, hearts were opened.

 Oh yes, sin and sorrow are finished.  Clopas and Mary now become witnesses of the new beginning.  They are witnesses to the triumphal inauguration of the Kingdom of God.  Christ is risen.   In Clopas and Mary, in the charged and changed followers in Jerusalem "all things are new."   The never-ending of salvation and grace now prevails!   And as Clopas and Mary shared that good news, so must we do in our day!     

 

Fr. Fred Sucher, C.P. is retired and lives in the Sacred Heart Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.  For many years he taught philosophy to Passionist seminarians.                                                      

 

Scripture:

Acts of the Apostles 3:11-26
Psalm 8
Luke 24:35-48

 

 

Reflection:

The Easter Octave:  "Peace Be With You"

In almost all of his resurrection appearances, Jesus greets his disciples by words of "peace". He seems eager to dispel any fear in their hearts…and when you think about it, without faith we humans have every reason to fear.  Sickness, economic uncertainty, loneliness, violence, hunger, etc.:  all are too common in today’s world, just as it was in the time of Jesus.

The risen Jesus shows us that we have no reason to fear the future.  In His life, death, and resurrection, He triumphed over sin and death.  In his entire ministry of teaching, preaching and healing, Jesus revealed that he has fulfilled all the promises God made throughout the Old Testament era; such was the point St. Peter wanted to make in the sermon that is our first reading today.  We can thus be confident that both we and our entire world are in the loving hands of God…there’s no reason to fear.

Jesus’ words of "Peace be with you" are not an empty, casual greeting.  They express the great gift of God’s "shalom" which can dissipate all fear from our lives and embolden us to proclaim by word and deed God’s unconditional love for our needy world.  Are we women and men of Jesus’ peace?  Do we radiate that Christ-centered peace in the 1,001 details of modern life? 

As Easter People, alleluia is our song; Jesus’ gift of peace adds a richness that invites the world to sing along.  Let’s teach the world to sing…

 

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is the local leader of the Passionist community in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Scripture:

Acts 2:36-41
John 20:11-18

Reflection:

The days of Lent have passed; our Easter celebrations are waning, spring break has come to an end for many young people, and we look forward to the passing of our protracted winter weather.

Today’s first reading, from the Pentecost account of the Apostles’ first preaching foray into the streets of Jerusalem, will be back before us in a few weeks.  But the gospel passage is particularly relevant for us as we spend the Easter Season trying to embrace the meaning of the gospel acclamation, He is risen!

I say, "embrace" very deliberately.  This gospel passage is remarkable for its physicality.  The verbs emphasize that this is no dream, neither is it the "spiritualization" of a belief in the resurrection of Christ.  Mary Magdalen, weeping, bending over to peek into the tomb; two angels, sitting, where the Body of Jesus had been.  They said….She said, They have taken my Lord, I don’t know where they laid him.  She turned, and saw Jesus….Whom are you looking for?…Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him….Jesus said, Stop holding on to me, I have not yet ascended to the Father….go to my brothers and tell them….Mary went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he had told her.

This bit of the Gospel is rightly cited as an example of the preference given to women in the proclamation of the Gospel message.  It is also an example of how powerful the love of Mary was for her "teacher".  In spite of the ignominious death of Jesus only three days earlier, Mary is the one who retraces the steps of the burial party back to the tomb, to "peek into the tomb", and to engage those she finds there in the quest for his body.  Once she recognizes Jesus, she clings to his body. 

The message is clear; on the first day of the week following the crucifixion of Jesus, he is present among them; he seeks them out, he comforts and consoles them.  His presence is so powerful, that it gives courage and conviction to the small core of his followers who will be visited by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and it will continue to exist in the body of his followers who become the household, the eklesia of Jesus’ presence in the world.  It is a real presence, a tangible presence, a caring presence. 

As we continue to marvel at the grace given to the Church in the election of Pope Francis, let us remember that the same Holy Spirit of God abides and stirs and inspires us to be the body of the Risen Christ for the world today.

 

Fr. Arthur Carrillo, C.P.  is the director of the Missions for Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Chicago, Illinois. 

Scripture:

Acts 2:14, 22-33
Matthew 28:8-15

Reflection:

On this Monday of Easter Week the church calls upon us to continue to praise and thank our God, to rejoice and shout our alleluias from the housetops, from the streets, through the fields and from the hills and mountains.  We continue our joy, our hope and our love born in us yesterday, when God raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the tomb. Let us rejoice, for he who was dead is now alive, resurrected, and living among us and within us.  Alleluia!

Our readings begin actually with Pentecost Day, from the Acts of the Apostles.  Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, stands up with the other Apostles and declares to all the men of Jerusalem that this man Jesus, who had lived among them doing nothing but good works, miracles and signs of healing, even raising the dead; who had come to them  preaching the word of God and the coming of the kingdom of heaven; and whom they in turn had cruelly killed – that this man, Jesus the Nazorean, God had actually raised up from the dead.  He had brought him in the flesh to sit at His right hand in heavenly glory.  Peter declares to all, "God raised this Jesus: of this we are all witnesses.  Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear."

Matthew in the gospel returns us to Easter Day.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph had been to the tomb in the early morning only to find it empty.  There they had learned from the angel that Jesus had indeed been raised from the dead and that they were to go and tell the disciples.  Along their way Jesus suddenly met them – the risen Jesus in the flesh – and they embraced his feet.  Jesus repeats the message of the angel – "Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee and there they will see me."  

We end with the example of the women – overjoyed, let us with them go and announce the good news.  God so loved us that He sent his only son, and that son’s very human death in complete abandonment to His Father has saved him and us – made us all children of God, sisters and brothers to Jesus Christ – and he now lives within us through his Spirit. 

"Breathe on us, O Breath of God,
Fill us with life anew, 
That we may love what you do love,
And do what you would do."

 

Br. Peter A. Fitzpatrick, CFX, a Xaverian Brother, is a Passionist Associate at Ryken House, across the creek from the Passionist Monastery, in Louisville, Kentucky.