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Scripture:

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23
Luke 9:51-56

Reflection:

Have you ever had one of those days when you wish you hadn’t been born?  That is how Job felt in our first reading today.  He was wallowing in pain and sorrow and wished he were dead.  Job was a good man and, despite his suffering, he remained faithful to God.  However he lived in Old Testament times.  He didn’t know Jesus and had no knowledge of baptism.  As a result, Job could see no meaning to his misery.

We who are baptized into the body of Christ Jesus have a strong motive for enduring suffering when it comes our way.  We know that we do not suffer alone.  In some way, because of our union with Christ, it is he who suffers in and through us.  And Christ does not suffer in vain.  Therefore, our suffering has eternal value.  Calvary continues in us.  How incomprehensible are God’s ways and how unsearchable are his judgments that he would involve you and me in the saving work of his Son!

The story of Job had a happy conclusion.  Eventually his suffering ended and he prospered for the rest of his life.  I suspect Job came to the same realization that the apostle Paul did.  In his letter to the Romans, Paul taught, "We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him."(Rom 8:28)  After Calvary came Easter.  From death comes life. 

May the Passion of Christ be always in our hearts.

 

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

Scripture:

Ezekiel 18:25-28
Philippians 2:1-11
Matthew 21:28-32

Reflection:

Henri Nouwen in the book "Compassion," draws on the beautiful hymn of Christ in Paul’s letter to the Philippians – today’s second reading- to help us see Christ’s role as servant and slave.  He speaks of humanity’s seeming wish to have something "from on high" something unusual, spectacular, magical to deliver us from our fears – be it natural disasters, nuclear wars, or increased crime.  But he says that Jesus did not reach down from above to pull us up, but rather he became one with us.  Jesus did not become human to remove us from pain, agony and distress – but to walk with us as we meet life’s problems and challenges.

If we are to be Christ-like, we are not called to reach down to pull up others to our status, but rather to be willing to walk with them where they are. 

What a radical thought that is!    While we are not all called to live in a third world country, we are all called to walk with compassion with those we know who are in need.  So perhaps that means not just offering to serve in a soup kitchen, but to sit down and share a meal.  Perhaps it means not just donating money to the Red Cross, but to also spend time sitting with someone who is receiving a chemo treatment.

I think of the times in my life when I have been most touched by another.  It is not when I was given financial help or a generous gift.  It was when a friend shed a tear for my loss; it was when a handclasp let me know of concern, it was when a quiet word spoken in an anxious whisper told me my worries were not carried alone.

I think that if we root our lives in these simplest and genuine signs of compassion, we will continue to grow in our efforts to be more Christ-like and we may be able to better walk the path of our God who

              " …became as we are,

                  and being as we are,

                  he was humbler yet

                  accepting death,

                  even death on a Cross."

 

Mary Lou Butler is a former staff member and is now a member of the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center Board, Sierra Madre, California. 

Scripture:
Eccl 11:9-12:8
Lk 9:43b-45

Reflection:

Today’s first reading is a sobering one. It could certainly give even a "cock-eyed" optimist pause.  At first we are encouraged to enjoy the delights of our young and carefree days, but then the pretty curtain is pulled away to reveal our humbling mortality-the fleeting gift we call "life" is terribly fragile and there are painful truths inevitably to be faced.  But denial is a tough nut to crack for us humans.  The Gospel reading bears this out as we witness the disciples themselves too afraid to even try to comprehend the uncertain future awaiting Jesus. If only they could understand that beyond the crushing reality of His death is the promise of His eternal life.

We live in an age of "spin," where often the truth gets packaged or managed or hidden or delivered in a way that will make us feel anything but uneasy.  And then when reality hits, we feel vulnerable, frantic over the loss of all that we thought we knew to be secure. One need look no further than this last week’s headlines and the current financial crisis to see unhappy truths revealing themselves and how devastating that may feel or be to many of us.

For me I guess the question is: why does the first reading present this fairly dismal picture of humanity in which all will ultimately return to dust? It makes me wonder if all our modern efforts to push unpleasantness away, to keep our mortality at bay and our options limitless are not actually preventing us from encountering God more fully. Today’s reading says it bluntly. Life really is short, often painful, and all things are vanity.  But as the Gospel will reveal, it is in embracing the "real reality," our journey to the Cross, that we are promised a new life, and in that there is hope beyond our wildest dreams.  

Nancy Nickel is the Communications Director for Holy Cross Province.

 

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Luke 9:18-22

Reflection:

Today is the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian.  If one wanders the area near the Forum in Rome, there is a very ancient church dedicated to these twin martyrs-physicians by trade.  Over the altar is a beautiful mosaic depicting the brothers on either side of Peter and Paul, flanking the central focus–Christ the Redeemer.  In the middle of this past century, Thomas Merton, in his famous autobiography the Seven Story Mountain, describes his own conversion as he wandered the streets of Rome.  In this ancient church, and others he visited, he saw the powerful iconic images of the Saints transformed by the Risen Christ.  Confronted by this powerful message, Merton began his own journey to a new life in Christ…a life which has inspired others on the journey.

In our first reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes, we encounter the beautiful poem which chronicles the joys and sorrows of life.  Despite times of sadness and destruction or loss and separation, God’s infinite promise is a new and transformed life.

In today’s gospel, Jesus asks his disciples the seminal question "Who do you say I am."  That was the same question that Cosmas and Damian had to answer.  It is also the same question that Thomas Merton and each of us must answer.  After the enlightened response of Peter, "You are the anointed one of God", Jesus went on to explain that the "Son of Man must suffer" for he knew he would die on the Cross.   Jesus is a true radical as he explains that the path to God involves suffering and death.  Cosmas and Damian shared in that suffering-first by fire-then beheaded.  And, Thomas Merton also experienced suffering during his lifetime, a life which ended abruptly by electrocution.  

Like the saints of the Early Church-Cosmas and Damian-or the everyday saints of our own age-we are each invited to a new life in Christ. So, begin anew today…take time to answer Jesus’ most personal question, "Who do you say I am?" 

Blessings on the journey!

Angela Howell is a retreatant and volunteer at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture: 

Eccl. 1:2-11
Ps. 90:3-6, 12-14, 17c
Lk  9:7-9

Reflection:

                The Gospel of Luke is characterized by individuals asking questions, e. g.  Zachariah, Mary, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Scribes and Pharisees, and in today’s gospel, Herod.  This device is used to explore the question of "Who is Jesus?"  Eventually, Jesus will ask the question and Peter will speak for the disciples and will declare that Jesus is the Messiah of God!

                Unfortunately, Herod asks the question, but for the wrong reason.  He is not a true seeker. He is curious because Jesus is the great miracle worker he has heard about from his courtiers.  But Herod’s personal life is in such disarray that he can’t entertain a truthful question.  He is married to his brother Philip’s wife Herodias.  His political life is being challenged.  The father of his former wife is the Nabatean king Aretas IV,  whose armies are circling Herod’s borders because of the treatment his daughter received from Herod.  So he can’t trust anyone, even his courtiers, to help him probe beyond the surface of the miracles, which give life and signal the in-breaking of the Reign of God in the person of Jesus.  Herod’s conscience is so clouded and guilt-ridden because he beheaded John the Baptist that he can’t see the Light or Hear the Word.

                The Church from the beginning of its history in its Councils struggled with this question of "Who is this Jesus?"  Is he human?  Is he divine?  It is the same question that we need to constantly ask also.  Who do we say Jesus is?  Unlike Herod, we do have guides to help us answer that question.  Henri Nouwen reminds us of what he called "disciplines."  We have the Church that makes Christ present to us through the sacraments, the preaching and teachings of the Church.  We have the book, the Bible, that speaks to us about God’s faithful love and who this person is we call Jesus.  We have the "disciplines of the heart," spiritual directors who accompany us on our journey, on our quest.  We have pilgrim companions who walk with us in search of the answer to our question.  As we mature in the life of Christ our questions deepen and our search is more profound.  Like the honest seekers:  Zachariah, Mary Elizabeth, John the Baptist, and Peter we can say that Jesus is the Messiah of God, our God, Redeemer, and Savior, who loved us so much He died on the cross for us, and overcame death in His resurrection. 

Kenneth O’Malley, CP, is an archivist at Catholic Theological Union

The Feast of St. Vincent Strambi, Passionist 

Scripture:

Proverbs 30:5-9
Luke 9:1-6

Reflection:

"And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere."
Luke 9:2,6

Today is the feast of St Vincent Strambi CP. He was a companion of Paul of the Cross and one of the greatest missionaries of our congregation. He read the beautiful love story of the Passion according to John to the dying Paul of the Cross.  He did this to envelop Paul with the overwhelming love of Christ. We read that Paul hearing the Passion "had a glow of heavenly radiance upon his dying face". "They looked {naw-bat’} unto him, and were radiant." Ps 34:5  The seriousness of the suffering and death of Christ is the greatest sign of God’s love.  Thus, it is the greatest cause of joy!  All who are dedicated to the suffering Christ, like Vincent Strambi, have a special charism of joy.

Despite the many sobering and fearful statements in the New Testament, the overriding mood is one of joyful news and healing. Gospel or jubilant news becomes an essential word to describe the message of Jesus. Hollywood loves to protray religious people as either hypocrites or morose. They think the ideals are too high so that it is impossible to live up to them, so people must be acting or wearing a mask. This is what the Scripture calls hypocrisy. They think they must be sad or morose because the followers of Christ often reject the only things that secular people think make you happy.

There is an astonishing number of different words for joy in New Testament. At the Annunciation Mary dances with joy {ag-al-lee-ah’-o} in God her Saviour. The unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy in the presence of the unborn Jesus: "the babe leaped {skeer-tah’o} in my womb for joy." Luke 1:44 The angels tell the shepherds: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy {khar-ah’}!" This word for joy or {hkarah} appears some 59 times in Scripture. When the Magi "saw the star, they rejoiced {khah’-ee-ro} with exceeding great joy." Mt 2:10 This word khaheero appears 74 times in SS.  In the story of the prodigal son the father says: "It was right that we should make merry {yoo-frah’-ee-no}, and  be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." Lk 15:32  Yoofraheeno (make glad) is used 13 times in New Testament. Joy is but a reflection of Our Father’s life in Heaven.

The Gospel comes to its culmination in the presence of the Risen Christ. The first words of Risen Jesus in Mt Gospel: Rejoice! {khah’-ee-ro} And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Mt 28:7 In Your presence is fullness of joy; Ps 16:11

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, CP, is an Itinerant Preacher who resides at St. Paul of the Cross Residence in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Proverbs 3:27-34
Luke 8:16-18

Reflection:

"Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him."
Proverbs 3:27

Our son and his family came over for dinner the other night. Three-year old Mayzie said, "Grandma, come and play with me." There was a pretty important conversation going on at the table, but I went with her to our "elevator". It’s the little space just inside our front door. She brings blankets and a pillow and stuffed animals and anything else we’ll need for our ride. We sit down on the rug and she pushes a "button" on the wall and we go up and down and up and down and sometimes we even let her little sister Addie go with us. It would have been so easy to miss this latest adventure with my granddaughter, but thankfully, I said yes and got on board. Just before I went back to the table, she gave me a big bear hug and said "I love you Grandma!" How many of those have I missed because I was too busy? And how many opportunities do we miss each day to "do good" for another when it is in our power to do it for them? Even a smile can make someone’s day brighter. I believe the Holy Spirit prompts us all the time with ideas for blessing someone else. Don’t miss those promptings! Let’s keep our hearts and minds open for ways to let God’s love touch another through us today.

 

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 2, soon to be 3.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
Luke 7:31-35

Reflection:

Today’s first reading is a beautiful passage and perhaps one of the most quoted in the New Testament. It is often read at marriage ceremonies or embraced by hopeful couples, flushed with an eagerness to embody love’s greatest ideals.

But in the Bible, the Scripture passage that immediately precedes today’s reading is not one in which Paul talks about romantic or individual love, but about the new Church that is being created, a gathering of spirit and people and talents and gifts that will form in its entirety the Living Body of Christ.

There is a powerful reminder in this reading that the old world and the old ways of serving God, of leading people, of demonstrating faithfulness, are passing away. We are called to let go of our former selves like the child who must now grow up to a mature, deeper self.  Love–patient, forgiving, just and enduring–is at the heart of the Body of Christ in this new world, and love gives value and meaning to all the actions of the Body. Without love–deep and committed and courageous–nothing is achieved and we can never be fully known.  Even the greatest spiritual gifts, which we are encouraged to strive for, are void of life’s breath if not imbued with love.

The passage is indeed a beautiful one, but it is not sentimental. It is filled with the fire of a vision of a new way of being.  We are called to be transformed through the power of love so that we shall know God fully as we are fully known by Him.

 

Nancy Nickel is the Director of Communications for the Holy Cross Province Development Office in Chicago.