wpengine

Scripture:

1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a
Mark 2:13-17

Reflection:

In the first chapter of Mark’s gospel Jesus announces the Kingdom and calls people to a change of heart. He then shows himself as one who has power to heal and drive out demons. A new voice is being heard in Israel and a miraculous power breaks into the ordinary lives of men and women. Jesus caused a sensation. People want to see him and hear what he had to say. Even representatives of the religious leadership join the crowds to size him up. Up to this point Jesus hadn’t really broken any expected molds. There were prophets and healers before him in Israel.

But Jesus was about to reveal something that would become fully known and understood only in the light of his death and resurrection. Four men carry a paralytic to Jesus, but can’t get near him because of the crowds. Not to be stopped, they go up on the roof, separate the tiles, and lower the mat upon which paralytic was lying into Jesus’ presence.

We can sense their enthusiasm and determination by their boldness.

Jesus senses much more: faith! We expect Jesus to act as he had done before and cure the paralytic. But the does a new thing. “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Wow! The scribes are shocked. “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”  They got that right.

“Child, your sins are forgiven!” These are words that people longed to hear. They are words that I need to hear. May my wounded heart always have the faith that brings me to the sacrament of Reconciliation to hear the same words spoken to me by Christ’s representative: “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

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

Scripture:

1 John 4:7-10
Mark 6:34-44

Reflection:

Decorating the Christmas tree this holiday season has got me thinking.  Have you ever reflected on the items we place on the top of our Christmas trees, as compared to the items we place beneath our trees?  Many people put a star or an angel at the top of their tree. Underneath, people put presents, a nativity set, a train set, or perhaps a small village.  We tend to put the things of heaven at the top of trees and the things of earth underneath them.  It is almost as though the Christmas tree has this ability to connect us again.  Symbolically, the tree unites the heavens and the earth.  And the space in between we fill with ornaments, decorations and lights.  These are all things which lift us beyond the hum-drums of daily routine.   Many times the ornaments themselves are symbolic of family experiences.

Fascinating, for so many people these few days of Christmas actually change us. We change our schedules, our priorities, and we let go of productivities. We literally move into a different frame of time and in doing so the magic of reconnecting happens.  We take time to connect and reconnect with family and friends.  And suddenly, right there in our midst is the Prince of Peace.  It’s delightful and miraculous how we actually live for a few days out of the truth of this connection. We afford ourselves time to tell sacred stories and to listen to how the one from heaven comes to us.  And for a brief time, we find ourselves at one with God.

I noticed this year, that it really doesn’t matter how many unexpected people stop by.  There’s always enough to go around;  enough food, enough hospitality, enough laughter, and certainly enough  stories.  There’s enough for everyone.  Mixed in with this is a sense of sharing in the blessedness of the season and never any worries of scarcity.  Isn’t this the kingdom which Jesus proclaims?  When I read today’s gospel, I read it from the satisfaction of this blessed Christmas season.  Where some only saw scarcity and limitation, Jesus says there is enough for everyone, not just the 5000 men but also anyone else who would have showed up.  Jesus looks beyond the smallness of a limited existence.  He looks beyond what merely exists at the bottom of the tree to the abundance in that place where heaven and earth come together.  He is able to take, bless, break, and give beyond the limitations of what his disciples see.

Two chapters later in Mark’s gospel Jesus challenges his disciples to reflect on this experience.  He asks them specifically about the numbers to jog their memory and have them recall that it is more than a miraculous event.  As we do the same thing today, we see the event begins with the mercy of Jesus seeing the crowd.  He then spends time teaching them as if to get them to look beyond their mere existence.  And as he begins to raise his eyes to heaven, I can’t help but think that those watching Jesus began to raise theirs too, if only to see what Jesus is seeing.  And somehow that star, sitting at the top of the tree, shines light on that humble little place of our existence.   I love GK Chesterton’s quote that logicians are seeking to get the heavens into their head, while the poet only asks to get his head into the heavens.

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Louisville, Kentucky.

Feast of the Holy Innocents 

Scripture:

1 John 1:5-2:2
Matthew 2:13-18

Reflection:

Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This feast can highlight for us the difference between the Christian celebration of Christmas and the secular celebration that most of us indulge in to some extent.  Our secular Christmas is over, the paper has been torn from the gifts, most of the lovingly prepared food consumed, there is not a Christmas Carol to be heard in the stores or on the radio, the decorations have already begun to wither, in fact, where I live the day after Christmas, folks are already starting to take down their trees and the trees begin to line the streets for pick-up.

But in our churches, it is still Christmas. And as Christians, we remember that Christmas day is only one day in the Christmas season, and the Christmas story is only one chapter in the epic of salvation, and only one chapter in our liturgical year.  So at Christmas we sing Glory to God in the highest…we give praise and celebrate, our Savior has come, but we remember that the cross is also part of the Nativity.  The reason for the celebration is that we will be saved, and we remember that it is on the Cross that salvation happens.

The Church gives us a reminder with this Feast of the Holy Innocents that even in the midst of great rejoicing, there can be sorrow.  For us, it is still the Christmas season, but we mourn this day.  Most of us experience this in our lives.  We know that all that happens to us is part of our life journey and part of God’s plan.   Pain and sorrow walk with us just as do joy and hope.

These innocent baby boys that were slaughtered by Herod’s soldiers must indeed have a very special place in heaven.  They died like all martyrs for Christ, but they also died IN PLACE of Christ.  In Matthew, we read that Herod was so angry when he discovered that the Magi had deceived him that he had all the male babies killed.  And the people mourned.

The Feast of the Holy Innocents is part of the liturgical Christmas season.  It’s a good time to remember that for many today even in this season of rejoicing, there is pain and sorrow.  Let’s temper our rejoicing.  Let’s pray for our sisters and brothers who are suffering and let’s reach out where we can to alleviate that suffering.  For we are Christians and for us the message of Christmas is not just about Christmas day.

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

The Solemnity of Christmas

Scripture:

Isaiah 52:7-10
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18

Reflection:

Christmas is such an important liturgical event in the Church’s calendar that it have given us three Masses to lift up the importance of this day.  There is the Mass at Midnight, at Dawn, and for the Day.

The gospels for the first two Masses are taken from the Gospel of Luke, and the Mass for the Day, uses the Prologue from the Gospel of John.  The Vigil Mass for Christmas uses the Gospel of Matthew.

Luke is the only synoptic to develop the nativity event.  Luke is the only synoptic to use the term “Savior.”  It is the text used in the Midnight Mass.  We are told that Mary and Joseph have to leave Nazareth to go to Bethlehem, about eighty miles, to complete a census required by the Roman Government.  Every fourteen year such a census was demanded.  Right off we are told that Israel is occupied by a foreign forces.  Citizen regardless of their conditions must comply.  Israel was a land of anguish, destruction, forced deportation, filled with outcasts.

Luke also tells us that when it was time for Mary to deliver her child, there was no room for them in the Inn.  An Inn is simply a fenced in area where animals and their owners can settle.  The implication is that Mary and Joseph deliberately chose to stay in a stable, where there would be more privacy.

Luke further tells us the first to know about the birth of the child, were shepherds in a field tending their sheep.  What is unusual about this is that shepherds were considered outcasts of society.  In the eyes of society they were considered to be of shiftless and dishonest character.  In the Old Testament they were classified along with prostitutes, publicans, and tax collectors. They were selected to be the first to hear the Good News that the Messiah was born, the Savior.  They received the message and went to witness the Child wrapped I swaddling clothes, with Mary and Joseph.

It is important to note that the Shepherds announced to Mary and Joseph what they were told by the Angels.  They also proclaimed the good news to all they met, and were filled with joy.  It is not to be missed that the first to preach and proclaim the Good News of the Incarnation were these shepherds, the poor, the despised, the outcasts of society.  Everyone is responsible for sharing the Good News, no matter who we are, and what our circumstance may be.  And it also important for us to listen to the Good News, Salvation is present to us.

We are moved with humility, because God loved us so much the Son, became incarnate, one with us.

He was born in need, a prerequisite for the Reign of God.  He was born of a young couple on the road, in a manger.  He was first recognized  and proclaimed by shepherds, societies outcasts, not royalty, or wealthy, but the poor and lowly.

How do we get to Bethlehem?  Like Mary and Joseph, by our routine family responsibilities.  Like the shepherds, we need to listen for the messengers of God, who bring the Good News to us.  When this happens we are restored to wholeness, which the Incarnation brings.  We are rescued from sin and our alienation from God.  And, God become immanent.  Through us God is made present to the outcasts.  Jesus, who became one with us, saves us from destruction and self isolation.  Karl Barth said that “The Incarnation, is God’s search for human kind.”  This search is continued through you and me as we live out the mystery of God taking on human nature.  This continues through the Church.  This continues the reality that is Christmas.  Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Fr. Ken O’Malley, C.P., is the formation director and local superior at Holy Name Passionist Community in Houston, Texas.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Scripture:

Micah 5:1-4a
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45

Reflection:

The readings for this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the final Sunday before the Feast of Christmas, ponder some of the mysteries that underlie God’s birth into the human family.

Micah prophesies that, when the Savior comes into the world, he will be born in a place so small and insignificant that it is not even identified “among the clans of Judah.”  Yet, despite the insignificance of the place of his birth, the Savior will “stand firm and shepherd his flock…”and “his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth….”

In the Gospel Luke recounts for us Mary’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, after the angel revealed to Mary that her cousin, too, was “with child.”  Elizabeth, too old to conceive, and Mary, who had no relations with a man, both pregnant through the power of God.  Two women, who couldn’t possibly bring forth life, are the mothers of the two greatest figures in human history: John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets, and Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Through these readings we are invited to recall that our salvation comes through the gracious goodness of God.  Our hope does not come from our plans, our talents or our accomplishments.  When God comes into our lives, he does so from places we’ve never heard of, through people who are often beneath our notice and in events that we least expect.  Mary and Elizabeth illustrate for us the attitude of heart we must cultivate, a deep trust in God and an openness to God’s invitations.

 

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P., is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

Scripture:

Genesis 49:2, 8-10
Matthew 1:1-17

Reflection:

As a child I always wondered why today’s Gospel was necessary.  Why is it important that I know who came before whom, especially when I cannot pronounce half of the names included. As I became older, I yearned to know more about my own family heritage: people, names, places–things that could give me any indication of who I am and where I came from. The same applies to those readings during Advent that give us a genealogy, lists of animals and songs of praise. With these we are taken back to where it all began and are shown us how we arrived at where we are today. As we continue on our Advent journey, we are given ample occasion to turn and look back. We need that reminder of where we have come from so that we can continue to journey on to the future. This look back allows us to prepare the way of the Lord at Christmas and to open up our lives to the Christ-child.

The commercial effect of Christmas can be taxing on us.  We are constantly, from the day after Thanksgiving, preparing for the next major holiday milestone, December 25^th. Whether we are in line getting the best discount, gathering groceries, or wrapping gifts, we are preparing to make Christmas Day happen. If you were to ask anyone why they make all of these extraneous preparations, they will tell you -“I want my family and me to enjoy Christmas Day.” And that is rightfully so.

Advent is a time for us to enjoy, prepare ourselves for His coming, and reflect on the rich history that has brought us here. Instead of blinding ourselves to everything but Christmas, we should enjoy the journey beforehand. Throughout Advent we are graced with readings, traditions and music that exude our faith and give us the opportunity to prepare. Taking the time to prepare helps us to better enjoy the celebration, just as it would be if we were preparing for Christmas dinner.  So as we prepare in these final days of Advent for the coming of Christ at Christmas, let us remind ourselves that we must take the time to prepare, to reflect upon our Salvation History.

 

KimValdez is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Baruch 5:1-9
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6

Reflection:

On this Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist reminds us to be attentive and vigilant. Our redemption is near at hand and we don’t want to miss it. John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This advice remains appropriate for us today as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. John was not talking about the Sacrament of Baptism, but the ceremony of walking into the Jordan River and taking a bath, that is, washing away the grime that has collected in our thoughts and feelings, our values and attitudes, our desires and decisions. This is not a quick cure or an overnight miracle. John affirms that we need to be repentant, which means more than just feeling regretful for past sins. Repentance means a hard-hitting determination to change our life patterns by a deep conversion of heart.

As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to make low any mountains of arrogance or pride, to fill in any valleys of fear and disbelief, to make straight any twisted thoughts or attitudes. All roughness in us that causes people harm or wounds others is to be made smooth. This is how we open ourselves to the presence of Christ today. His saving power and caring presence Jesus healed the sick and helped the weak and forgave the sinner. Jesus generously gives us that same hope and life today as we open our minds and hearts to him.

As the priest lights the second Advent Candle, call to mind that Jesus is the light of the world who comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life and hope. We are to also remind ourselves that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God’s grace to others. In this way we become another John the Baptist today. Each of us has a mission to communicate the Spirit of Christ to others, to be a message of hope, love, peace and forgiveness…to help others fill their valleys and make their rough paths smoother.

We pray with St. Paul in today’s second reading: “May [my] love increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that [I] may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…”  May nothing hinder your progress till the day when Christ comes.

Father Don Webber, C.P., resides in Chicago.

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

Jesus has just recounted probably one of the most significant financial transactions recorded in the scriptures.  It is the story of the Widow’s Mite.  A person who gave her last cent to the temple treasury.  This theme of generosity without counting the cost is carried on as this chapter continues.  Jesus speaks of the sufferings of the Messiah, and almost parenthetically about the sufferings the disciples will have to endure.

Jesus does not promise that things will get better and better.  Jesus does say that God can bring good out of evil, right will triumph over wrong.  The disciples will be “handed over” to the religious leaders of the synagogues and the Roman authorities. Words that appear again in the Passion Narratives.  These atrocities will be done by their parents, their siblings, and their friends.  Some will even be put to death.  These things were actually happening to the Lucan Community to whom these words are addressed.

Jesus tells his listeners #1. In these times of trial and persecution do not worry, the words you need will be given to you.  They will be so profound the enemy will be muted. #2. You will need patient endurance and you will be saved.  The severity of the persecution will be measured by the certainty of God’s protection.

Jesus tells us we can not escape from life, but must enter into it. Disciples can not be by-standers to life.  When Christians enter into life it takes on meaning, by entering into suffering (addiction, pain, etc.) freedom is found, etc.  We do it “for my sake!”  Victor Frankel, a survivor of the holocaust, said: “A life without meaning is not a life.  To live we must choose. To love we must encounter.  To grow we must suffer.”

In this little periscope there are clues of how to encounter God.  Like the widow we have to reach into the purse of our minds and hearts and find the patience, the kindness, the generosity we need when our lives are interrupted by the unexpected.  When we think we have given our all, we are reminded to find within the “patient endurance” needed to encounter life’s setbacks.  Jacob had to wrestle with the angel and wouldn’t let him go.  He said (Gn. 32:25-26) “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Sometimes people or circumstances appear out of the unexpected and must be addressed.  We can not let them go until we realize they are a blessing for us.  We know like Jacob, the widow and the disciples if we engage life generously we can expect to encounter God.

 

 Fr. Ken O’Malley, C.P., is the local superior at Holy Name Passionist Community in Houston, Texas.