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Scripture:
Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
Luke 21:20-28

Reflection:
Today’s readings are not easy subjects for our reflection.  The interpretation of these readings from Revelation and Luke can require a scholarly knowledge of scripture.  I prefer the simple approach.

In our readings the residents of Babylon and Jerusalem "take it on the chin."  Both cities are left in ruins and walloped in various ways.  In Babylon "No melodies of harpists and musicians, flutists and trumpeters, will ever be heard in you again"; truly the "day the music died."  In Jerusalem "They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives"; not a good outcome by anyone’s standards.  We see here a Biblical "High Noon".  If you are on the side of good you win!  Otherwise, you are going to have a very bad hair day.

There is a certain comfort one can take in knowing that in the end, good wins.  As Passionists we often find ourselves wrapped up in the daily struggles of building the Kingdom of God.  This work can be exhausting and sometimes even discouraging.  As we engage our world to defeat injustice, encourage those who suffer and heal an endless stream of people impacted by evil, we sometimes lose sight of the end game.  Today’s readings remind us of the final outcome.  The headline of today’s readings is a simple one.  The Kingdom of God wins, evil loses!

So as we reflect on today’s readings, we can choose to concentrate on the carnage or the comfort.  Let’s concentrate on the comfort of knowing that the victory of the Kingdom of God will most certainly be the end result of our work and the grace of God.  Today’s experience of the Passion of Jesus in our world will lead to tomorrow’s invitation; an invitation, as our Responsorial Psalm proclaims, to the "wedding feast of the Lamb!"

 

Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Revelation 15:1-4
Luke 21:12-19

Reflection:

Today’s readings along with the other readings of this week speak of the last days, of suffering and of the cost of being a disciple of Christ.  It is somewhat difficult to hear and take to heart these readings, just as it must have been difficult for the Apostles in Jesus’ time.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Apostles and us that we will be persecuted and suffer because of our Faith.  The words carry an important message, reminding us that it is the cross that marks us as Christian and that accepting the cross means we accept our Christianity.  The good news is that the Gospel also tell us that even though families might reject and desert us, Jesus will always be there for us, and that if we persevere, we will have everlasting life. 

This last week of the liturgical year is a good time to appreciate the wisdom of the Church in giving us this cyclical liturgical year.  Just as God has given us the seasons that make up our seasons of the year to guide our physical life, the Church gives us the seasons of the liturgical year to guide our spiritual life.  Each season should evoke in us a response in the way we pray.  In Advent, we pray filled with hope, seeking the Light, and during the Christmas season, our prayer celebrates that Light given to us in Christ’s birth.  In Ordinary time, we pray for an understanding and growth in our faith as we listen to the lessons of the Gospel that Christ shared with His Apostles.  In Lent, we pray to atone for our sins and to purify our souls.  And at the Triduum, we pray that we can accept suffering knowing that it brings Resurrection.  Our prayers celebrate the glory of the Resurrection and give thanks for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and we follow Jesus’ admonition to "preach the Gospel to all nations…"  Back to Ordinary time, where now we hear Jesus’ words calling us to a life of care for our brothers and sisters and we realize that we also pray with our actions.  And our prayer journey continues until again we finish our liturgical year prayerfully hearing Jesus’ admonitions to be prepared and to trust always in our God whose works are great and wonderful!

 

Mary Lou Butler is a long-time friend and partner in ministry to the Passionists in California. 

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

Our Scripture readings for today speak about the end times. Our reading from Revelation has a vision of two angels reaping a harvest from the earth: one to gather those who are to be saved; the other to gather those who are condemned. In our Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. He also tells them about signs indicating the end of the world: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place."

Throughout the centuries, people have looked at the turmoil going on in the world, and have wondered whether the events of their time were THE signs of which Jesus spoke. As we look upon the events of our time, we may be wondering the same thing.

Even though I may worry too much about this or that detail of my life or ministry, I don’t find speculation about whether these are the end times or not, very helpful. In other parts of the Gospel Jesus tells the people that they do not know the time or the hour in which all these things will occur.

If we can accept the love God has for us in Jesus Christ, and if we are willing to follow Jesus, and work for the building up of the kingdom, then, I believe, the events of the world need not cause us to fear, but call us to love. While there is war, we are called to work for peace. While there are famines, we are called to feed the hungry. While there are people devastated by natural disasters, we are called to reach out to them, and to all those who are oppressed by poverty and violence.

May God give us the grace to be faithful disciples, in troubling times or not, until the time when we may be with God forever.

 

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is the director of St. Paul of the Cross Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan. 

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

I admit that today’s gospel story of the widow’s offering of two small coins is a real challenge for a fundraiser like me.  We always say that every gift counts and we are grateful for gifts of every amount.  And we mean it.  But, the fact is those larger gifts do matter and help enormously in meeting urgent and important needs.  

But today’s story is not about the coins.  It’s about the heart.  

The professional journal, Chronicle of Philanthropy consistently reports that higher income families share with charities a smaller percent of their household income than do lower and middle income families.  And those families with deep religious traditions give even more.  The reason why those of more modest means are proportionally more generous keeps researchers busy studying complex social and economic factors.  Perhaps it’s not all that complex.  

Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s situation, feelings, and motives.  Maybe I was the one without a job or who lost a child to disease.  Maybe I was the one homeless for a time or cared for when sick.  Maybe I was the one who received a need-based scholarship or witnessed during a service trip the suffering brought on by persistent poverty.  For whatever reason, my heart was vulnerable and I am moved to give.  

Maybe I give because I am grateful others helped me at some point in my life.  Maybe I give because I want to make the world a better place for someone else.  Maybe I give because I feel so blessed to have so much when so many have so little.  All I know is that I need to do something to help.  I need to share not only my coins, but my heart as well.  

When Jesus sees the widow "giving from her poverty," as compared to those who gave from their surplus, he was not counting the coins.  He was looking into their hearts and into what motivates them in this life as a lesson to us about being in right relation with God and with the gifts we have been given.  In the very next chapter in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus begins his final journey to the Cross where he will give to us everything he is.  He gives us his unconditional love.  No holding back.  Everything, just like the widow.

 

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.

The Solemnity of Christ the King

 

Scripture:

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

 

Reflection:

"Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever.  Amen." Rev. 1: 5-6

Today is one of the great solemnities of the church, "Christ the King". We celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death, His splendor and majesty as King of all creation and we look forward to His second coming when He will reign in peace forever in the kingdom of heaven. We revel in his glory and proclaim Him as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords for He alone is worthy of our praise and His is the Name above all names. Praise You Jesus!!!

Jesus is Lord of the universe and will reign forever, but is He the Lord of our lives? I shared last month about my struggle with over-eating and God has helped me make some big changes in my life. Because I have a lot of weight to lose, I have pretty much cut sugar from my diet and cut way back on fat. I’m learning to balance slow carbs, fast carbs and proteins, and to eat fresh, whole foods versus processed ones. I also eat every three hours and drink a lot of water to keep my metabolism burning fat rather than storing it.

The surprising benefit is that when I go shopping, I’m not even tempted to buy the food I used to eat, because it isn’t an option for me right now. Rather than feeling deprived, I’m experiencing incredible freedom. It’s so wonderful to have some self-control again (or is that Holy Spirit control?) and not let food control me! The fruit of obedience is freedom! Where do you need more balance in your life? Ask God to show you, and then let Him help you do it!

What I love about the Lord is how patient and gentle He is with us. He never forces us to grow and change, but constantly invites us to go deeper in our relationship with Him. May we each put God alone on the throne of our hearts and invite Him into every area of our lives. Rejoice today in God’s awesome love for you, and worship Christ the King!!!

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. Janice also leads women’s retreats. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.jcarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected] 

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

Have you ever made an assumption about a situation or person only to learn later that your assumption wasn’t right?  If you haven’t done this, I want to meet you for you are very unique!

When one of my nieces was a senior in high school, she was in the process of selecting a college.  During one of our conversations about her college plans, she confided in me that she was afraid that she was going to disappoint her parents.  I asked why.  She said that her parents wanted her to choose a college that had a strong soccer program since she was such a fine soccer player.  Throughout high school she had played soccer and it was a big part of her life.  But, she told me, she wasn’t so sure she wanted to play soccer in college.  But, she didn’t want to disappoint her parents.

As we talked I suggested to her that the main reason her parents were so enthusiastic about soccer was their belief that she wanted to continue to play when she went to college.  I assured her that they would support her in whatever decision she made about soccer, and that it was highly unlikely they would be disappointed in any way.  So, she took the risk and told her parents what she really wanted.  And, of course her parents were fine with it.

Assumptions that aren’t accurate can really blind us to possibilities.  Such was the situation in today’s Gospel when the Sadducees were blind to the possibility of life after death.  They assumed that if such a life existed it would have the same limitations our current life has.  Jesus refused to accept their assumptions and opened a whole new vision for them.

Sometimes I wonder what possibilities we don’t see because we are limited by the assumptions we make.  In today’s Gospel we are encouraged not to be limited to our ordinary assumptions.  We pray today for the grace not to be trapped by our assumptions but to be open to hearing the freeing words of the Gospel. 

 

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of the Passionist Development Office and lives in Chicago, Illinois. 

 

Celebration of Thanksgiving
in the United States 

Scripture:

Sirach 50:22-24
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Luke 17:11-19

 

Reflection:

Thanksgiving Day, 2012, what am I thankful for?
I’m thankful for the gift of faith, for love and so much more. . .

I’m thankful for a husband, who loves me oh so much;
For food and shelter, light and warmth, for sight and sound and touch!

I"m thankful for our children – such gifts from God above;
For all the times we get to share and celebrate our love!

For Mass, God’s Word, for living faith; for walking in the Spirit;
For hope and joy and God’s sweet peace; for mercy with no limits!

For beauty all around us, for the blessing of this day;
Each breath we take a gift from God, we never can repay.

But most of all to know the truth that Jesus paid the price;
He conquered death and rose again and we will never die!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. Janice also leads women’s retreats. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.jcarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected]

The Presentation of Mary

Scripture:

Zecariah 2:14-17
Luke 11:27-28

Reflection:

St. Paul of the Cross fostered a special devotion to this feast commemorating an event in the life of Mary.  He manifested this by naming his first community residences for both Passionist men religious and Passionist women religious in honor of Mary’s Presentation as a child in the temple, by her devout parents.  Paul did this so as to indicate the sense of mission that impelled him to begin the Passionist community, in the first place.

We know his mission orientation was centered on the preaching of Christ Crucified to those in need of appreciating God’s outreach to them.  As he often remarked, the Passion was the greatest manifestation of God’s love for us.  It is this same notion of God’s care for us that underlies this feast of Mary’s Presentation.  Presented to God (in the temple) by her devoted parents, she became a sign and a major instance of all those presentations of God’s presence that can occur in life to open peoples’ eyes to His loving concern for us.  This is mission, alerting us to God acting on our behalf.

So when Luke, in the day’s gospel, records the event in which a woman admirer of Jesus praised his mother for bringing Him forth and nourishing Him, to the benefit of so many like herself, Jesus moves beyond that testimony to recognize all those who hear His preaching and follow His direction.  In other words, Jesus extends the witness His mother provides, to God’s activity on behalf of the rest of us who cannot bring Him into the world as His mother did through birth and upbringing, but who can imitate that broader witness she provides of  hearing God’s word and acting on it-a witness that can engage us all.   We see Mary thereby initiating a way of witnessing  God to others, that is available to us: not a physical accomplishment, but the way of discipleship .   By her presentation Mary is on mission to us, so that we in turn can go out on mission to others by presenting our way of encountering God to them. 

A similar message is found in the prophet Zechariah today.  He foresees the city of Jerusalem emerging in significance before God, because it so clearly manifests God’s predilection and favor among the peoples of the world.   In this way Jerusalem goes out on mission to other places, as they become aware of God’s presence within it.  This is very apropos of Mary, in the way she manifests to others God’s favors to her.  She is a presentation of God to them in the same way Jerusalem is a presentation of God to others.

Describing In this way Mary’s function in our lives, these scriptural readings open up new avenues for appreciating her capacity to present God to us, and, in the process, they alert us to the fact that, in our own way, we can do much the same thing.  For example, we can illustrate for others, from our own enrichment by the word of God, that they too can be similarly favored, and we can also model for others the way we try to center our lives on God.   We thereby go out on mission to them, presenting them ways and means of coming to terms with God by their observation of the way we lead our lives.  By absorbing the meaning of Mary’s presentation in our lives, we become a facsimile of her presentation, and carry on the mission St. Paul of the Cross that he had in mind by naming two important foundations of his nascent community after the feast of Mary’s Presentation.

 

Fr. Sebastian MacDonald, C.P. is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.