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Scripture:

Haggai 1:1-8
Luke 9:7-9

Reflection:

Today’s first reading in the liturgy is the opening of the prophet Haggai.  This is an interesting Book in the Bible because he is focused on one task, to rebuild the temple.

The people live in paneled houses, while God’s house lies in ruins.  The prophet is single-minded in his preaching: now is the time to build the temple.  The people keep saying: this is not the time.  In Hebrew it is: Lo ayth…not now.

All time belongs to God.  It is always His time.   Haggai reminds the people that everything is going wrong for them because they are not rebuilding the Temple.  "Now thus says the Lord of hosts: consider how you have fared.  You have sown much but harvested little: you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes."

Then Haggai gives this recurring theme: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: consider how you have fared".   In Hebrew he says: put your heart on your ways.   Put it in your heart that without God your lives are a disaster.

Probably today the biggest lie we hear is that God is not that important in our practical lives, nor do we have to be concerned about that temple of God’s presence that we are.

But Paul says: "do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?" 1 Cor 6:19    Temple maintenance is important: "If any man destroys the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, and such are you."  1 Cor 3:17

I think Haggai reminds us today, 2500 years later, how important it is that we rebuild this temple of ourselves that sadly can fall into ruin.   Paul again reminds us: "What agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God as God said: I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."  2 Cor 6:16

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. gives parish missions and retreats.  He is a member of the Passionist community in Detroit, Michigan. 

 

Feast of St. Matthew

Scripture: 

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection:

Accountants and auditors don’t sound like very exciting people.  Nor do tax collectors.  They seem to be the self-effacing type who wear inconspicuous clothing and prefer to be unnoticed.  They work away behind piles of books and papers, shying away from the limelight.  They need quiet time to cull "the books" and try to reconcile the facts of the case with the prevailing statutes and laws.  Their hope is to make as few waves as possible to avoid calling attention to themselves.  Colorless anonymity suits them fine.  Matthew probably fitted this description, since we’re not even sure about his name, given that at times he apparently went by another name-Levi (Mk 2.14).

Nonetheless, Matthew, a professional tax man and likely an accountant, still stands out:  he received a special call from Jesus.  Along with Peter, John, James and Andrew, his recruitment by Jesus merits attention.  Perhaps Jesus felt someone like him was needed to keep an eye on Judas, who apparently was not beyond purloining a few shekels (Jn 12.6) from the money bag.  But still, Matthew probably would have preferred that the banquet he gave after his call by Jesus remained low-key, but unfortunately it grew into a bit of a row as the Pharisees attacked his shady background, and that of his companions.

Matthew was quite a bit different from the other disciples-a company man with some professional credentials.  But his calling by Jesus served to highlight a major theme apparent in his later life: that of unity.  Already on the occasion of his calling, this unity theme was apparent because it gave Jesus the opportunity to clarify what He was about: calling sinners (as well as saints) to His discipleship.  He was pursuing the bad as well as the good, breaking down the wall of division between them, and unifying them in the great privilege of being companions of Jesus.

St. Paul picked up on this characteristic trait of Jesus in his words to the Ephesians where he clearly states that he is "…striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:…"  Paul spells out that unity in terms of one Lord, one faith, one baptism.  And he further describes it in terms of the diversified tasks in the early community: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers.  He doesn’t mention tax collectors, but Matthew slips in under the category of apostle.

Matthew was to live out his life pursuing this unity theme, trying to reconcile the implications of following Jesus Christ, with the Judaism that was so dear to Matthew and many of his converts.  He wanted no part of the ostracism he experienced earlier in life,  later on in life, whether for himself or for his converts.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
James 3:16-4:3
Mark 9:30-37

Reflection:

Do you ever feel like you’re being battered by all the people, issues, or ideas that are demanding your attention?  Whether it’s the family activities, work obligations, social expectations, religious and personal values, economic and political pressures, there can be no doubt that all of us are under great pressure to give our attention and commitment to a wide variety of people and issues.  It takes a great deal of stamina and wisdom to evaluate and balance all the demands that are placed upon us.

What’s our measure?  How do we decide, among all the clamoring demands, which is worthy of our attention, which will bring life?

In today’s reading from the letter of James, we find a very important measure.  James tells us that, "the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace."

In the first reading, from the book of Wisdom, we’re told that the "wicked" cynically seek to destroy the "just one."  In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus chides his disciples about their poor choice in pursuing the "first place," reminding them that giving themselves for the sake of others is the best choice.

Sometimes the beliefs we cherish and the things we pursue fill us with anger and judgment about others.  We become cynical and untrusting of others.  We become hardened to the concerns of others and unwilling to acknowledge their sincerity.  If we find ourselves locked into these feelings, it’s time to reassess our attitudes and commitments.  For James reminds us that the wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit nourishes peace and gentleness within us, mercy toward others, and self-gift so others can thrive.  May the wisdom of that comes from the Holy Spirit guide us all. 

 

Fr. Mike Higgins, C.P. is the director of lay formation for Holy Cross Province and lives in Chicago, IL. 

Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:13-16
Luke 8:4-15

Reflection:

"They may look but not see, and hear but not understand" (Luke 8:10)

 

I remember the time when one of our teachers looked at our class with frustration, with a look close to despair, and said, "Alright, I am going to explain this one more time, and those who get it, will get it and those who don’t will have to do a lot more work!" Of course, I didn’t get it. And I forget just how much more work I needed to do before I "got it."

Jesus quotes Isaiah in today’s Gospel, Isaiah 6:8, citing words that God spoke to this prophet right after that dramatic moment when Isaiah called out with intense conviction, "Send me!" God told him very clearly that he was being sent into a community with whom God had established a covenant of life, but a community who had lost their way to God, and would hear but not listen, see, but not understand. Nonetheless, Isaiah’s vocation was to speak the truth, whether it was convenient or inconvenient, as Paul says to his disciple, Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:2)

Many of us "preachers" (and that includes everyone who "bosses" someone else around, regardless of age) believe that our words are to be listened to, accepted and believed. Because we say it, we want everyone to believe it and accept it. We can get very upset when someone doesn’t listen to us or believe what we say. That is when we should begin to suspect that this spirit of righteousness, of explosive anger and rage, and even of malicious hatred and absolute disrespect is not from God. We can easily delude ourselves into thinking that just because we know the truth, we can tell lies to get our point across and we can dehumanize the other as stupid and crazy and unworthy of our respect.

We certainly have had many examples of this kind of behavior over the last few years. We have seen it over and over again on TV "news" shows, and we have heard it over and over again as "debates" take place on a great number of issues. We may have even participated in these behaviors to a lesser degree when we have dealt with family issues or relationship concerns. Whether we are screaming at the kids for doing something we have told them a thousand times not to do or tearing down a coworker because he or she does not agree with our religious or political "truth," we are the ones who just don’t "get it," "look, but do not see, hear but do not understand."

What Jesus is doing with his disciples (and with us) in today’s Gospel is helping them and us to be good teachers. Jesus is inviting us to take a deeper look into the mysteries of life and to find meaning where there is a lack of understanding. Jesus is inviting us to help people discover the Goodness of God, since God truly desires a rich harvest when the Word of God is sown upon good soil. A few Sundays back, we heard the testimony of people who witnessed Jesus’ work: "He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." All four Gospels give us dramatic accounts of Jesus curing the blind. There are 185 references to the word "see" in the Gospels, 96 to the word, "look" and 37 to the word "blindness." If we think that we are not the deaf and blind ones and those who need Jesus to make us whole, then we just don’t "get it."

Our vocation as followers of Jesus Christ is to preach the Gospel of peace and understanding, a Gospel of enlightenment and insight, a Gospel of love and compassion for every human being on earth, indeed, for all of God’s creation to everyone who is in relationship with us. If people don’t "get it" the first time, then we do this over and over and over again. There is no limit to God’s patience. For this, we are deeply grateful. And so we pray, "God, help me be a patient teacher and preacher." May we preach the Gospel always, and use words when we have to.

 

Fr. Clemente Barron, C.P. is a member of the General Council of the Passionist Congregation and is stationed in Rome.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:12-16
Luke 7:36-50

Reflection:

In our first reading today, taken from the Letter to Timothy, Paul offers Timothy, encouragement, support and advice.  Timothy is a young man, extremely talented and highly committed to Jesus Christ.  But, he is young.  He has a lot of energy and can rather easily dissipate his focus and energy by pursuing too many interests.  Paul tells Timothy to continue in love, faith and purity; devote yourself to Scripture, preaching and teaching; do not neglect your gifts; attend to your duties; watch yourself and watch your teaching; persevere; keep busy.  "As you attend to your duties, let them absorb you, so that everyone may see your progress."

For those of us living in today’s world, this advice sounds like calling someone to monastic living.  Close out the noisy world.  Keep focused on God and His Church! 

We are constantly having our consciousness pulled this way and that.  I get absorbed watching a pro football or baseball game, even shouting at the TV set on occasion.  I get captured by a good movie and just let it take me along.  I watch world news and let my consciousness travel to different time zones and mysterious places.  Most of us do not "empty" our world of the many distraction or stimuli that are there.  Does this mean we will be forever scatterbrained?  Not necessarily.

We are called to be "quick change artists".  I can enter this energy source or that.  For the moment I seem to be totally absorbed there.  But, almost instantaneously when I surface from that world, I can be back in the presence of God.  A medical doctor can spend the day seeing patients, viewing them as biological bodies to be treated.  When he gets home after a long day’s work and his young daughter greets him with a hug, she is a loving human being and not seen in biological terms.  He has developed that ability to go from seeing life in one dimension to being able to see it in a very different way.

Not to get caught in a one-dimensional world requires some practice and training.  We need to practice making these quick changes in consciousness.  There is the practice of doing the Jesus Prayer.  Say over and over again the little prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner".  This becomes the background music of your inner self.  It disappears when we must devote our attention to certain things but as soon as that attention is no longer needed, that little prayer is heard again.

It is amazing how we can live in such a busy and noisy world and still keep Jesus in the center of our hearts and lives. 

 

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

Memorial of the Sorrowful Mother

Scripture:

Hebrews 5:7-9
Stabat Mater
John 19:25-27

Reflection:

"At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, close the Jesus at the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, all his bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword had passed." As a young boy I was always moved when the verses of the Stabat Mater were sung as we made the Way of Cross. Little did I realize then that I would become a Passionist and be invited to learn from Mary that compassion that would open for me the meaning and power of the cross.

The thought meaning of the passage from Hebrews really begins in verse 4:15-16. when the writer assures us that we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. The reason of course is his solidarity with us. He has been tempted in every respect as we are. The writer then notes  important aspects of the Judaic high priesthood: offering sacrifice for sin, chosen from among men and called by God. He then emphasizes the appointment of Jesus as the Christ by his Father.

Now we come to our passage. Christ was in the flesh. In the face of death he cried out to God and shed tears. God heard him because of his reverence. He learned obedience from what he suffered. Finally, when perfected, i.e. when he had fully completed his mission by dying on the cross, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

John tells us that Mary stood nearby the cross on that fateful Friday. The sword predicted by Simeon was thrust deep into her heart. May our prayer be: "O sweet Mother! Font of love, touch my spirit from above, make my heart with yours accord. Make me feel as you have felt, make my soul to glow and melt, with the love of Christ my Lord. Holy Mother, pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior crucified."

 

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

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 50:5-9a
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35

Reflection:

The mystery of each human life both fascinates, and at times, frustrates us.  Since we can never know another person fully (’til heaven!), we’ll never completely know both the heights of their joys and the depths of their sorrows.  Yet, God gives us the "key" that unlocks a deeper understanding of and acceptance of others.  It is in service and suffering that we most deeply get to know and love others. 

In the Gospel, Peter knows that Jesus is the Christ.  Yet his knowledge of who the Christ would be was limited by the prevailing view of who the Messiah would be, what he would do.  Most of the Jewish people of that time looked for a triumphant, liberating Messiah, one who would free them from Roman rule.  The Suffering Servant of Isaiah was not their picture of Messiah.  Jesus would show in his Passion that he was indeed the one who :"…gave my back to those who beat me…my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting."  His whole life in service of others would be poured out on the wood of the cross.

Jesus told us that: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take us his cross and follow me."  We all know people who heroically serve others, a son or daughter dealing with autism, a relative who suffers from depression.  In taking up the cross in our lives, we most deeply enter into the sufferings of others.  The cross, freely accepted, becomes a source of strength, endurance and beauty for those who follow in Jesus’ steps.

I think of one of our parishoners from Holy Family parish in Birmingham, G., who cares for her brother who suffers from schizophrenia. She told me: "How could I abandon him?"  She has learned the message of Jesus deepy, she knows the sweet strength of the cross.

Lord, help us to be like her, like all of those who know your love and show it in deeds! 

 

Fr. Bob Bovenzi, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community stationed in Chicago, Illinois. 

Scripture:

1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14
Luke 6:39-42

Reflection:
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Plain to his disciples. But many who opposed him were also present — scribes and Pharisees, themselves teachers. Jesus warned his disciples about the danger of following the wrong teacher.

History is full of wrong teachers who have led others into destruction.  Most notorious in recent times are "teachers" like Jim Jones who led almost a thousand people to Guyana where they drank poisoned Kool-Aid.  David Koresh led an innocent group of people to a fiery death because they chose to follow his teachings.

Most of us are not so gullible as to follow fanatics like them.  Nevertheless, all too many unsuspecting people follow other kinds of false teachers.

After I had finished delivering a morning talk to retreatants, one individual rushed up to me insisting we needed to speak in my office right away.  There he told me gently, but firmly, that certain remarks in my talk were unwise and unsound.  He opened a well-worn, heavily underlined and highlighted book to quote a popular New Age author and public speaker as his authority.

"Do you read Scripture?" I asked him.  "Is your Catholic Catechism as dog-eared as that book?"  No, he answered.

But you do believe the Bible is divinely inspired and that the Church is its proper teacher?"

"Yes."

"Then why do you trust and quote someone whose work is neither of those rather than follow Scripture as taught by the Church for 2,000 years?"

He had no answer.  I strongly urged him to toss his New Age book and its unwise and, worse, false teachings, and instead to listen to a good teacher – The Church.

Otherwise, that New Age teacher will surely lead him into the ditch.

 

Deacon Manuel Valencia ([email protected]) is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.