wpengine

Scripture:

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14
Luke 11:1-4

Reflection:

My one-year-old grandson John constantly looks to his parents for approval. If he gets encouragement or a hearty "Good for you!" he breaks into a huge grin and often claps with delight. When he gets a stern look or a reprimand, he lowers his head and sulks away. His parents’ reactions are helping John learn appropriate and acceptable behavior.

As we get older, our most-highly-desired approval may not come from our parents. Yet we still rely on the reactions of others to determine the acceptability of our actions. The problem occurs when we are so dependent on the approval of others that we compromise our beliefs or integrity in order to win it.

Peter was called to task by Paul for acting differently with the Gentiles when no Jews were present than he did when Jews were there. We have certainly seen our politicians act one way in front of a particular audience and a very different way in front of another.  

This is not to say we can’t tailor a message to an audience; I speak differently to a meeting in a church than I do to a group of financial advisors. The key lies in determining whether I remain true to my beliefs and principles in all settings, allowing the message to be delivered in different ways or at a different pace but not changing the message itself in order to gain that group’s approval. I need to ensure I am not so dependent on the approval of others that I say something I don’t believe, or act in a way I would not act if that particular group of people were not watching.

We are created with a craving for love – not just divine but human – and much of what we do is a quest to gain it. We so often go for human adulation because we can hear the applause of human beings; we can’t hear God clapping. Indeed, we live in a world where God’s voice is frequently silenced or drowned out. We need "God with skin on" so we experience the truth and know in tactile, sensate, visible ways that we are loved and lovable, accepted and acceptable.

Our appointed task, then, is multi-layered. We need to consistently critique our own behavior and pray that we may strive more to follow Jesus than to gain the approval of human beings. At the same time, we need to seek out faithful, trustworthy servants of God who can be sounding boards for us, challenging us as Paul challenged Peter whenever we are going astray. Finally, we need to be "God with skin on" for others. We need to be instruments of healing who reassure others of their innate approval before God, who help ensure they have their daily bread (in every nuance of its meaning), who help them resist temptation, who forgive  without measure, and who companion, instruct, challenge, and love them as Jesus would if he were here today.

It is very difficult to seek God’s approval, which we cannot visibly see, over the approval of those we can see. It is very difficult to keep our allegiance to the gospel strong and true even in the midst of human disapproval. It is very difficult to be such a model of Christ that others come to prefer discipleship to human praise. But if we don’t, what will children like John learn, whose approval will they crave, and ultimately, who will they follow?

 

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/.

Scripture:

Galatians 1:6-12
Luke 10:25-37

Reflection:

Our church begins the "Year of Faith" on Thursday. How appropriate that we are reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians as this year commences. This letter could be called the Magna Carta of faith and grace. Throughout the letter Paul makes his case that we are saved by faith, not works and "the one who through faith is righteous shall live." A Gospel of salvation by works is the "different" or "other" Gospel that he vehemently mitigates against.

The Gospel presents us with the story of the Good Samaritan. The fathers of Vatican II used this story as the symbol of the church. As the body of Christ in the world today, we are to abound in good works, compassion and service to the needy.

The question isn’t whether or not we are saved by faith (we are), the question, as we commence with the year of faith, is "what is faith?" Certainly faith means that we believe in Jesus as our savior. Faith is an inner assent and confidence that Jesus loved us and died for us. But a key ingredient in the virtue of faith is action and involvement. Service, love, and getting involved with people "makes effective" our faith as Paul writes in 5:6. James tells us that faith without works is dead. Action vivifies and completes faith! Confident assent that shows itself in action and love is the faith that will move mountains, open doors and comfort us with blessed assurance.  

May this year of faith move us to believe and love like never before.

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 16 books and creator of television and radio programs airing in many cities. You can learn more about his ministry at: http://www.frcedric.org/

 

Scripture:

Galatians 1:13-24
Luke 10:38-42

 

 

 

Reflection:

                                                                A Story of Transforming Grace                                       

Martha and Mary figure large in our religious imaginations. Luke gives us this first meeting, but John will show us two more times when Martha and Mary are with Jesus. Today’s reading opens up a larger meditation upon the working of grace in the lives of these two sisters.

This story of hospitality stands in contrast to the opening story of Luke 10, where the Samaritans refuse to welcome to Jesus. We will meet Mary who welcomes the words of the Word of God. But what do we see first? We see Martha. We could say that she is "Out There". She welcomes Jesus, she calls to his attention, and probably to everyone else, that her sister, Mary, is not doing her share of the work.

We jump to the next meeting of the sisters, in John’s Gospel, the great sign of the raising of Lazarus. When Jesus goes to Bethany Mary stays at home, but Martha goes to meet him. She does not hide her feelings of disappointment and sorrow in the least as she says to Jesus, "Had you been here my brother would never have died."

We may well have considered the psychology at work between the two sisters or decided who is our favorite, and we can agree that Martha and Mary are quite different. There does not seem to be a war between the two, but one could imagine that Lazarus lived amidst a bit of tension.

Then, in conclusion John shows us a beautiful family picture. Tension is gone, there is a new freedom and the grace of Jesus has grown each person to a greater stature. The banquet celebrates Lazarus’ return from the dead. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with rich oil drying them with her hair; Martha serves. It is a picture of reconciliation. No complaints, no reluctance to come out and be with Jesus, no words. Martha does what she does best, Mary too, as she has taken in God’s word and responds now fittingly, warmly. Lazarus probably just smiled and ate. Grace has come to this family and worked among them. Things are different because they have welcomed Jesus. As we put the whole story together we see it took some time, there were tears, dying and rising, the humanness of anger being transformed into tenderness, and service, no quick meal this time but a banquet. Grace is at work.

Today in the Passionist family is the anniversary of the death of Father Theodore Foley, CP who died in Rome in 1976 after a short illness. Fr. Theodore was serving as the General of the Passionist Community.

He has received the title, ‘Servant of God’ and his cause for sainthood has been introduced to the Church.

Theodore, was a soldier who stood beneath the banner of the Cross, and like Mary, he reached out in his humanness to comfort Our Lord in his Passion and to comfort those who were suffering the Passion in their lives. Like Martha he served. It was charity that made his service a banquet to his brothers in community.

As we consider Martha and Mary transformed by the grace of Jesus, we might also see Fr. Theodore Foley, ‘Servant of God’, as a man also transformed. He served, he welcomed the Word of God. May we ask his prayer, and remembering him, approach with love the mystery of Christ Crucified.

 

Fr. William Murphy, CP is the pastor of St. Joseph’s Monastery parish in Baltimore, Maryland.

Scripture:

Job 38:1, 12-21, 40:3-5
Luke 10:13-16

Reflection:

Metanoeo – Greek – To turn around, to change one’s thinking, to repent.

Today’s readings all deal with repentance. But they look at it from three different views. Before we begin, let’s look at the word  "repent." We often think of repentance as connected with guilt and suffering. But the Greek word used in the New Testament that is translated as "to repent" is closer to "changing one’s thought, to reconsider, to think in a different way."

In the first reading we have God’s answer to Job after Job demanded, ‘Show me where I have sinned. If I am punished so, where is my fault?’ God answers with some difficult questions: "Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place for taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?" After hearing God’s answer, Job repents, he experiences metanoia. That is, he reconsiders his thoughts, he turns his mind around. He recognizes the narrowness of his own view. He sees that his previous way of thinking (if bad things happen to me, I must have done something wrong) does not bring him any closer to God. He vows to stop seeing the circumstances of his life from this narrow point of view.

In the second reading the psalmist is speaking after he has experienced metanoia. He sees that there is nothing he can do to escape God. He surrenders his previous way of thinking and calls on God to lead him.

To understand today’s gospel passage takes some work. Not so much intellectual struggling as plain research. If we only read the quoted verses, at first it seems as if Jesus is saying how poorly He was received in Chorizan, Bethsaida, and Capernaum (His home town!) but then, He compliments them! After His condemnation He says, "Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me…" How does this follow? Going back to the full gospel provides the answer. Jesus is addressing the 72 disciples He is sending forth to perform great deeds. It is to them that He says "Whoever listens to you listens to me." Jesus is speaking of the repentance of entire towns and lands. He is sending His disciples out to accomplish this.

It is sometimes easy to despair when it seems that everyone in our organization, our city, our country, our world is in need of repentance (a change of thinking). And yet, we see that this is possible. The Civil Rights movement in the 60’s, Ghandi’s march across India, the end of apartheid in South Africa, these all show that God can call entire nations to repentance through the work of individuals.

My prayer for today is that I listen for God’s call to repentance in my own life and that I have the courage and strength to call others by example.

 

Talib Huff is a volunteer at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Scripture:

Galatians 6:14-18
Matthew 11:25-30

Reflection:

During this month of October the lives of many religious founders are celebrated; today’s special scripture selections for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi help us celebrate with our worldwide Franciscan sisters and brothers – and help us acknowledge the Franciscan "roots" of our Passionist family and our Founder, St. Paul of the Cross. 

In writing to the Galatians, Paul the Apostle could truly "boast" in Jesus Crucified and look to the Cross of Jesus as the means of salvation.  Saint Matthew’s gospel selection shares the priestly prayer of Jesus — praising the Father, and inviting one and all to leave everything, come to Him and be refreshed and enlightened.  Saint Francis of Assisi heard that call of Jesus in the 12^th Century, gave himself wholeheartedly to Jesus and began an exemplary life of praise and sacrifice; some six centuries later, St. Paul of the Cross was called to build upon that blessed spiritual foundation.

To "boast" of Jesus Crucified; to praise God in all aspects of creation; to "rest" in the Lord and "learn" what it means to really love God and neighbor:  Jesus offers a transformation of life through joyful love, poverty, humility, and simplicity.  That’s a special message for our 21^st century!

The Scriptures came alive for Francis of Assisi.  His carefree youth was radically changed by the call of Jesus; he renounced his personal possessions and changed his life to one of evangelical poverty and preaching.  Francis was truly charismatic, compassionate, and in love with all God’s creation; soon others were attracted to his lifestyle.  Francis was blessed to compile a "rule of life" and establish a number of religious communities of both men and women.  In the short 44 years of his life, he sparked a spiritual renewal that continues to thrive over the centuries.

Today, Francis invites us to reflect:  how do I respect God’s presence in people, nature, created things?  How do I reflect simplicity and humility in my life?  How do I help build up the Church?

Francis invites us to join him today in "boasting in Jesus Crucified", and praising God in our simplicity and respect for God’s life in all its manifestations.  We pray:  O Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Francis, Paul Daneo:  together we rejoice in the Lord and boast in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 2:18-24
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

Reflection:

Riding the number 36 Broadway bus in Chicago can be quite an adventure. It winds its way through some gentrifying neighborhoods as well as some of the most affluent. I usually board on the edge of the developing neighborhood. Unlike the bus routes along Lake Michigan where I love to just sit and watch the passing scenery, on the 36, I usually open a book or work a crossword puzzle, avoiding any contact with my fellow passengers. That’s often not possible. One morning about 11:00 a.m. I boarded the number 36. It was crowded as usual with passengers boarding and getting off at every stop along the way. A couple of young mothers with strollers sat in the front seats reserved for people with disabilities blocking the aisle making all boarding passengers maneuver carefully around them to proceed to the back. At one stop an older gentleman got on with his walker. He wasn’t willing or able to get around the strollers and so he gruffly asked one of the women if they would move and allow him to sit in the seat he thought he deserved. Evidently, the woman didn’t hear or understand, so the gentleman spoke louder and louder.  As he raised his voice I and the rest of the passengers started noticing. The woman with her stroller continued to ignore the man, so he started moving the stroller with the baby in it himself. He got the woman’s attention now along with every other woman on the bus and they let their voices be heard. It was beginning to look like a riot was brewing and I started looking for a way out. There was no easy way. This yelling and screaming, the old man with the walker vs. the women on the bus continued until finally, the police arrived and took the old man and the woman with her child off the bus, and we were allowed to proceed.

Often a woman with a child or two or three will be on the bus and the youngest one will become the center of attention for all those near by, catching passengers eyes, giggling, saying hi as well as waving goodbye to all on their way out.

In the scripture readings lately, Jesus has been telling us we must become like little children. In today’s readings this admonition follows St. Paul’s recommendations to married couples. I wondered what’s the connection? "It is a puzzlement" I thought, to quote the king in the King and I.

Maybe, I’m not sure, it’s the child’s seeming inability to see themselves as anything but part of the life around them. They don’t seem to discriminate. They smile, say goodbye and connect to everyone and anyone. And maybe that’s the married couples goal, to stay connected as well. Lord, help me to bloom where I am planted today, being totally connected to the people and places you bless me with today, even the ones on the number 36.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Job 9:1-12, 14-16
Luke 9;57-62

 

 

 

Reflection:
One day I took part in a discussion with a group of high school seniors.  The leader of the discussion asked the question, "How do you guys evaluate your class spirit this year?"  One of the participants spoke up.  "I think there is too much apathy in our class."  The young man sitting next to me mumbled, "So what?"

What drives away the "So what?" attitude and generates an attitude of joy is commitment.  Those who feel committed to a cause, a purpose, or a person are excited to get out of bed in the morning.  They are energized for hard work.  They are stimulated to learn and grow.  They are prepared to deal with obstacles.  They inspire others to join in.  People lacking in commitment wallow in cynicism, don’t see much meaning in their lives, are unfocused in their thinking and disorganized in their activities.  As a result they flounder about, don’t accomplish much, and get depressed.

It has been wisely noted that little people have wishes, while great people have a purpose.  Great people pursue that purpose with their chin firmly facing the wind, their eyes never looking back.  Committed people are stickers and fighters, not escape artists.  They keep focused at all times. Those who signed the Declaration of Independence said "We pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." Patrick Henry proclaimed, "Give me liberty or give me death."  These people were totally and unconditionally committed to the cause of freedom, and they got the job done…

In today’s gospel Jesus is asking for that same dedication.  He declares that even the most sacred obligation of burying our parents comes after allegiance to him.  He knew that his followers would one day see him hanging on a cross.  They must be prepared for the worst of days.  But with committed hearts, they will endure.  With trust in him, they will hang on.  And with faith in his love for them, they will be able to go forth and shepherd his people.

Jules Ellinger said, "There has never been a statue erected to the memory of someone who let well enough alone."  The problems our world faces today challenge us to recommit ourselves to the Lord Jesus and to proclaim his message with unwavering hearts.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

Scripture:

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Reflection:

As I write this reflection, I am finishing a month’s duty in Rome, as interpreter for our Passionist General Chapter.  This morning, Sunday, I took a walk to the Vatican, and stopped at a Roman parish church for Mass.  There were about 40 Scouts present for mass, most of them around 10 years of age.

This Sunday gospel was about millstones around the neck and being tossed into the sea, lopping off hands or feet, and plucking out eyes.  Faced with the young Scouts, the celebrant of the Sunday Mass must have felt a little like Job in today’s reading.  There are some frightfully tragic realities in our world, and many times, they involve the innocent and the young.  Being a child in many countries exposes children to hunger, thirst, warfare, exploitation, illiteracy, and chronic illness.

How does one reconcile belief in a loving Creator, who sent his Only Begotten Son for our Salvation, with the power of evil in our lives and in our world?

The story of Job is a "story", a drama in poetry that begins with a cosmic debate between God and Satan.  Job is a faithful man, and clutches onto his fundamental belief in God’s providence, come what may.  The relevance for today’s Memorial celebration is not quoted in the selected passage, but lies in the sixteenth chapter, verses 18-21.  There, Job expresses his confidence that he will be justified by an advocate who will plead his cause before God.  "Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high." (Job 16:19).  This intercessory role, not the role of Savior, but of intermediacy, is what the Church celebrates in its celebration of "Guardian Angels."

Against that Old Testament belief, we can read the New Testament passage from Matthew.  There Jesus connects the care that children need, their innocence and their closeness to God, with their "advocates", the Angels in heaven.

Whether or not we consider Scouting a timely environment for raising our children, the investment of time and talents which it represents is a response to the Gospel’s appeal that we look after the good of our children.  So are athletic programs, and after-school activities.  Let us not forget time spent together at home, with one another and not in front of an electronic diversion.  Youth activities at Church could benefit from greater parishioner support and creative energy.  When it comes time to make your political decisions at the ballot box, think about your vote as a statement of your commitment to help children and their families to be less insecure and more confident that ours is a Godly nation.

 

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