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Scripture:

Exodus 17:8-13
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Luke 18:1-8

Reflection:

Our readings today are permeated with the theme of perseverance.  As long as Moses is able, with the help of Aaron and Hur, to keep his hands held high, the Israelite troops, led by Joshua, were able to gain victory.  This was a team or community effort at perseverance.  We could reflect on this dimension alone and find a great deal of richness and wisdom.

St. Paul commends Timothy for his faithful perseverance going all the way back to his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.  From his infancy he was given the foundation of Holy Scriptures to stand on.  Paul challenges Timothy to "be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

In our Gospel parable Jesus teaches us the power of persistence.  The widow wore down the judge and finally got him to render a just decision in her favor.

Our inner psyche is often full of urges, quick and undigested ideas and plans.  Sometimes our feelings are off the wall.  In this state we can come to God and jabber away asking Him all kinds of things.  God will, thankfully, not rush to answer our requests.  We need time for things to settle down and come to see more clearly just what it is we really want God to do for us.  Perseverance is a virtue that keeps us before God while the inner sorting out is take place within us. 

The virtue of fidelity is a type of perseverance.  It keeps a couple together, giving them time to figure out what this relationship of marriage is all about.  Many marriages end when they should not because the couple are following their present urges, hurt feelings and lack of deep understanding of their partner.

Today, we speak of soaking prayer.  God often wants us to soak our needs, day after day, in his healing and merciful love.  He does not want us to just run up and ask for something and then leave the response totally up to God.  If we come back day after day and soak our intention in his healing love again and again, the chances are we not only deeply understand our need but we are ready to prove our trust in God by this long range soaking approach.

Many years ago, when I was a novice, we were swimming, as a class, in the Neosho River in southeast Kansas.  One of my classmates, very dependant on his glasses, lost them in the water.  There was a frantic search for them that lasted about two minutes then everyone gave up the search and went about their swimming business.  I continued the search, trying to calculate the direction and force of the current.  With about ten more minutes of searching, I found the glasses.  My classmate was delighted that I did not give up but continued to look for his lost glasses.  Perseverance has it own rewards.

 

Fr. Blaise Czaja, C.P. gives parish missions and retreats.  He is a member of the Passionist Community in Houston, Texas.

 

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 12:8-12

Reflection:

"Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

I had never considered this passage before-truthfully, I didn’t know what to make of it-and so I took myself out of my office and went to the office next door to consult with the nearest Passionist. "Why," I wondered, "was it forgivable to speak against Jesus but not the Holy Spirit?"

One of the theological points of view, I learned, is that when one turns away from the Holy Spirit then one willfully rejects God’s mercy and all those spiritual gifts from God that are life-giving and transformative of our very being. God has no entrance into our hearts. And so we become dead inside. And, worse than that, it is we ourselves who have chosen this terrible path of being dead rather than alive.

The lure of "feeling nothing" and opting to check out of life, or resigning oneself to being a hardened vessel filled with too much grief, too much anger, and too great a sense of powerlessness, is tempting at times. Some days I get fed up with someone’s behavior, feel wounded by a loss, or I turn on the news and think, "That’s it; I’ve had it." I can feel my heart steeling itself against this person or that, this group or that, and there might even be a momentary sense of relief. "Yes," I think, "maybe it’s better just not to care or write them off."

But that is a rejection of life and the possibility of grace. Here is one of the hardest things about being human, I think. To embrace life is to embrace messiness and suffering and frustration and disappointment. It is to accept that perfection will never be ours, only God’s. But the blessing is that in walking through what may feel like a pain that will never end, if we remain open to the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, then we are helping to create the place within us where transformation can occur, where joy can be reborn, and where hope can become real.

Drawing upon the words of today’s first reading, from Paul to the Ephesians: May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call…

 

Nancy Nickel is director of communications at the Passionist Development Office in Chicago.

Feast of St. Teresa of Jesus 

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:11-14
Luke 12:1-7

Reflection:

The high Christology of Paul’s letter is breathtaking. Verses 3-14 are one sentence in the Greek. Thoughts are just pouring out of Paul’s mind and his secretary can bearing keep up with him. The great mystery of God’s plan revealed in the fullness of time was to "bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ’s headship" (v 10). The "we" in verse 11 refers to the Jewish people, "who first hoped in Christ".  The "you" of verse 13 are the Gentiles who on hearing the Gospel believed and were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Finally Jew and Gentile together are redeemed as God’s people, his possession, to the ultimate praise of his glory (v 14).

St Teresa of Jesus certainly was consumed by her love for the Lord. As her religious title she took "of Jesus". Going right to the very heart of Christian life, the person of Jesus is the center, the goal, the life of the disciple. I personally resonate with this choice. My own religious title that I took as a 21 year old novice so long ago was "of Christ the King". Little did I realize at that time the depth and beauty of God’s purpose for his creation, to bring all things under the headship of Christ.  May we all cooperate with this great plan of God by opening our hearts to his Spirit who draws us ever closer into the mystery of Father, Son, and Spirit.

 

Fr. Michael Hoolahan, C.P. is on the staff of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

 

 

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:1-10
Luke 11:47-54

Reflection:

Today is a pretty ordinary day in the liturgy of the Church.  It is simply "Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week" in what we call "ordinary time."  Yet, my friends, there is nothing ordinary at all about the first reading we have for the celebration of the Eucharist on this plain, old Thursday.  In fact, far from ordinary, the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is incredible, extraordinary!  Why do I say this?

Paul is writing to the Ephesians to simply encourage them in their faith, in their discipleship, and to urge the faithful to remember who they are as men and women redeemed by the blood of Christ.  It is very likely that Paul sent this letter to other eastern/Asian communities as well.  But his purpose is totally uncomplicated.  Rather than address problems that may exist in the community of the Church as Paul often did, in this letter written to the community of the Church in Ephesus Paul’s intention is clearly to sing God’s praise and to inspire the readers of his letter so that they will do the same.  Paul cries out words of praise; Paul exhorts the faithful to remember their great dignity as destined "for adoption" and to belong to God himself!

            "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
             blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens…"

Paul sings out his praise of God.  Today, on this ordinary day, we are invited to call out to God with songs and hymns of praise.  And what is it that can possibly call forth such praise and emotion?  Paul puts it very clearly when he says,

            "God chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy
            and without blemish before him.  In love he destined us for adoption
            to himself through Jesus Christ.."

And this is how Paul exhorts us to remember who we are my friends.  Why, we are chosen by God himself from before the very foundation of the world, chosen to be holy and without blemish!  And we who are chosen are to be known as God’s very own beloved sons and daughters.  Certainly nothing ordinary about this message on this Thursday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time!  In fact, this is the Good News that we need to hear so very much.  How easy it is to forget when we are surrounded by such bad news in our world today.  How easy to forget that we have been chosen by God to be God’s very own.  How easy it is to forget that the best thing we can do today is to praise God, to sing out God’s praises!  Yes, my brothers and sisters, today is certainly not an ordinary day!  Or is it?

 

Fr. Pat Brennan, CP is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

 

Scripture:

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1
Luke 11:29-32

Reflection:

On my mom’s first visit to Immaculate Conception rectory, Fr. Eric said to her: "How does it feel to have a son who is a slave of the church?"  The question startled her, and she really didn’t reply.  It has caused me to reflect over the years on the nature of our life in Christ, on ministry and the reality of our freedom in Christ.

St. Paul knew how terrible human slavery could be in his time.  As a Roman citizen, he knew how widespread it was….a slave was property, pure and simple.  Many slaveowners worked their slaves to death.  Others treated them more humanely and even allowed them to buy their freedom.  As terrible as slavery was, Paul knew that slavery to sin was even worse.  So he says in our reading today: "For freedom, Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."  These words are echoed in his advice to Philemon, the owner of the slave Onesimus, who had run away.  Paul wrote:" I know you ahve been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back for ever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother (Philemon 1:15-16).

Slavery still exists in our day….people trapped in subhuman working and living situations.  The slavery of sin still exists for many, through addiction to drugs or alcohol, the sins of social injustice and racism.  The church’s mission continues the work of Jesus is breaking the bonds of slavery of all kinds.  The church’s ministers in a special way share in the exhileration of people set free.  As all Christians, they model themselves on Jesus, who though divine, "emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave."

An old folk song has the refrain: "It’s a long, long way to freedom."  In Christ, we have the gift of freedom.  Let us rejoice in it and share this gift with others!

 

Fr. Bob Bovenzi lives in Chicago. 

Scripture:

2 Kings 5:14-17
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Luke 17:11-19

Reflection:

In the first reading today, Namaan is so grateful for his healing that he takes mule-loads of dirt back to his home so he can worship God on holy ground.  This contrasts to the Gospel, in which 9 out of 10 lepers take their healing so for granted that they fail to even say "Thank you".  I suspect most of us read these stories and believe that if something wonderful happened in our lives, we would surely be among the grateful ones.  Would we?  In fact, are we?

How many wonderful things have happened in my life today that I failed to even notice, much less be thankful for?  Have I stopped noticing blue sky, trees, or the remarkable creation that frames my day?  Do I "deserve" my talents or all the good things in my life?  When I think of the people I love, how often in the course of a week do I speak words of appreciation or praise vs. criticism or frustration?  Perhaps I need a load full of Namaan’s dirt sitting in my living room to remind me to return to the giver of all good gifts overwhelmed with gratitude and singing "Thank you".

I think particularly of my experience working with grieving people for well over 20 years.  Inevitably they say things like:

"If I had known it would be the last time I’d see her, I would have given her a hug."
"We argued so much that I started to think I’d be relieved if he weren’t there.  How could I be so blind?"
"If I had to do it over again, I would have listened to her more, and been less stubborn in holding onto my own positions." 
"He was such a good man.  Why did I criticize him instead of thanking him every morning and night?" 

The truth is, in over 20 years, I have never heard anyone say "I told her I loved her too often," or "I appreciated him too much."   For whom are you thankful?  How big a wake-up call will it take before you tell them so? 

The night my husband died in a car accident, he called me from the road and we talked for a few minutes.  The last thing he said to me was "I love you" and the last thing I said to him was "I love you, too."  I try now to ensure that the last words people hear from me before we part are kind and loving, just in case they are the last words they ever hear from me.  (I’ve even said to my son, "I am so angry with you right now I could spit, but even when I am this angry with you, I still love you!")  I want to live my life thankful, aware that nothing I own, nothing I count on, and no one I love is truly mine.  I am not in control, and any or all of it could disappear tomorrow, so I want to appreciate what I have while I have it. 

May I, like Namaan, fall to my knees on holy ground every day, thanking God and those I love for the many gifts they bring to my life. 

 

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 3:7-14
Luke 11:15-26

Reflection:

For some days now we’ve been hearing Paul teach about faith. In the strongest of terms (you stupid Galatians!) he wanted the Galatians to know that they received the Spirit and salvation itself through faith. Today he emphasized that faith is the way we must live our everyday life. "The just shall live by faith." (Hab. 2:4)

The virtue of faith is both a gift from God as well as our responsibility to choose it and exercise it daily. Faith is a positive energizing force within each of us. Abraham, whom Paul alluded to, was a wandering Aramean, our ancestor in faith. So too, we must "walk by faith, and not by sight." There is a difference between a journey and a pilgrimage. One is movement through life. A pilgrimage is travelling by faith.

As you read this today, I am off on another mission, another pilgrimage of faith in my life’s journey. I’m flying to Pittsburgh and a parish mission in Glenshaw, PA. I will encounter people whom I’ve never met, new situations and various challenging circumstances. I am required to meet all of these in faith. Whether I write books, create talks, TV or radio programs, I must initiate and establish them by faith. The just shall live by their faith. God doesn’t require that we be perfect humans, but that we live by faith.

Faith is adherence to and confidence in God. It is written that without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Faith is not so much believing that God exists, or course God does, but having confidence that he is with us and at work in our daily life.) Whenever I start any project or depart on any mission, I have confidence that God goes before me and will see me through victoriously. Faith opens doors for God’s wonder-working power to manifest itself. (Read the testimonies of Hebrews chapter 11.)

Once Paul the apostle was in a mighty storm and all hope was lost. His response? "I have faith in God." (Acts 27:25) Radical dependence in God is a must for our daily ordinary journey, but especially when we encounter misfortunes, sufferings and storms. Whatever opportunity, difficulty or trial you are facing right now, have faith in God. God will open a door. God will take you through. God will make a way. Our lives are in the gracious hands of our heavenly Father who always has our best interest in mind. Our responsibility is to exercise the gift of faith given us by thanking God beforehand and speaking positive realities out of our mouth. Praying, speaking positives and thanking God is how we exercise and "release" our faith.

The just shall live by their faith. This is the New Testament notion of discipleship. Give God something to work with! In your pilgrimage, exercise your faith, no matter what you are facing right now.  

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 14 books and creator of television and radio programs airing in many cities. You can learn more about his ministry at: http://www.frcedric.org/

 

Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

 

Scripture:

Galatians 3:1-5
Luke 11:5-13

 

Reflection:

In 1571, all Europe trembled as the Sultan prepared a mighty  naval armada for a strong assault on the West.  Pope St. Pius V asked Christians to pray the rosary and on October 7th the Pope was given sight of  the victory of Don John of Austria and the Christian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto.

In our day Pope John Paul II renewed the plea for Catholics across the world to pray the Rosary.  We know that prayer is not simply a repetition of Our Fathers and Hail Marys.  It is meant to allow us to view the wonderful works of Christ through the eyes and heart of Mary, his Mother.

Pope John Paul gave us the Mysteries of Light – Five incidents in the life of Christ that have an uplifting meaning for us today.

We reflect on these grace-filled actions of Jesus and find their impact on our life today.  The mysteries we are invited to contemplate are: (1) The Miracle at the Wedding Feat at Cana.   The Jesus who supplied the best wine for the newly-weds is interested in all our needs and desires we can ask him through Mary.  (2.) Jesus is baptized in the Jordan.  He is sinless but embraces us with our sins.  Our baptism has power from his. (3) Jesus teaches and  preaches, he has words of eternal life  only if we listen.  (4) Jesus is Transfigured.  Yes, he is our brother, but he is also Son of God in our flesh, there is no limit to his power and he uses that power to give us a share in his  glory. That is our call, our meaning.  (5) The Eucharist,  "Jesus having loved his own who were in the world, loved them to he end."  In flesh and blood, divinity and humanity he pours out his love and life for us.  As we reflect on this mystery we can renew our thanks for our every Communion.

Mary’s chain of prayer brings us deeply into the love and life of Jesus.

 

Fr. Fred Sucher, C.P. is retired and lives in the Passionist community in Chicago.  For many years he taught philosophy to Passionist seminarians.