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Scripture:

Jeremiah 28:1-17
Matthew 14:22-36

Reflection:

The relationship between the two readings for today may not be immediately apparent.  The language of Jeremiah is dense, inviting a careful read.  In stark contrast, we have one of the most famous gospels written, so common that we might gloss over its finer points.  At their core, both of these passages pose similar questions about how, in a complicated, stormy world filled with uncertainty, even war, will we know where to place our trust.  Perhaps there is not a more relevant message for us in our times today.

I fear that we sometimes see passages like this one from Jeremiah, and that we are put off by references to figures such as Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar and Hananiah.  But if you look past the strange names, you’ll find a simple message; beware of false prophets. Hananiah is a self-proclaimed prophet who is weary of Jeremiah’s message of judgment, war and suffering.  In the course of a few short lines, Hananiah attempts to dismiss Jeremiah with a much more cheerful prediction, "[the Lord] will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’"  In response, Jeremiah writes, "Listen, Hananiah!  The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies." 

Now, there is much historical and theological background to this excerpt.  Earlier in the Book of Jeremiah, we learn that he has professed generations of bondage to the King of Babylon.  Jeremiah even wore a wooden yoke around his neck as symbol of this bondage.  Hananiah not only tells the people that the oppression of Nebuchadnezzar will last for just two years, but he goes so far as to smash Jeremiah’s symbolic yoke.  In case you need a bit more proof that this "prophet" does not speak with authority from God, note that Hananiah is dead by the end of the passage!

Yet we know from the reading that the people did in fact put their trust in Hananiah and his message of peace and prosperity.  Who wouldn’t want to believe this?  It isn’t always easy to see the false prophets in our own lives.  But Hananiah seems to promise abundance and a return to better days without any need for effort or repentance.  As much as this might be attractive, we have to know that it is not God’s will.  Our Lord is waiting for us (even for generations if need be) to return to him.  It may not be an easy road, but the reward is no less than eternal peace and happiness.

The question of true faith is next addressed most eloquently in Matthew’s gospel.  First, we should note that this passage follows immediately after Jesus has fed a crowd of thousands with just a few loaves and fishes.  And yet, the miracle that gets all the attention comes right after when Jesus goes to join the disciples on a boat.  It doesn’t seem very extraordinary until you find out he takes a short cut and simply walks across the sea to join the others.

When Peter sees this, he calls to Jesus, "Lord, if it’s you . . . tell me to come to you on the water."  And for a few steps, Peter too walks on the water.  But in a matter of moments, as the winds increase, fear and doubt creep in and Peter is literally sinking.  Of course, Jesus saves Peter and they both return safely to the boat.  The disciples seem truly astonished at this and immediately proclaim, "Truly you are the Son of God." 

 

Why are the disciples so amazed at this feat when Christ has just created a meal for thousands out of enough to feed only a few?  Perhaps it is because Christ is expected to nourish us.  Or maybe what is most impressive is not that Jesus walked on the water, but that he was able to somehow share this power with Peter.  Ah!  But, "you are little faith!"  Hasn’t this always been Christ’s message? 

With Christ, anything is possible.  When Peter falters, it is because he lets himself take notice of the wind instead of staying focused on Christ.  So, not only can Christ perform miracles in our lives (the loaves), he can help us to achieve miraculous accomplishments (Peter walks on water), but we must take an active role by believing whole-heartedly (Peter sinks when he doubts).   I will leave you with one last thought.  Maybe the bigger question here is; why did Peter even need to test Jesus in this way, "if it’s you . . . tell me to come to you."  Doesn’t this imply that Peter does not believe Christ can possibly be walking on water?  And if we approach Christ in this way, is it any wonder that we sink at the first sign of trouble . . .    

The Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Scripture:

Jeremiah 18:1-6
Matthew 13:47-53

Reflection:

On this feast of Ignatius of Loyola we have wonderful imagery presented to us in our readings, lively images that fill us with hope, on the one hand, and a bit of caution and trepidation, on the other.  We have potters and we have sorters!

First the potters!  Have you ever had one of those days when you’ve felt like a cracked pot?  I certainly have.  Those are the days when nothing I try to do goes right and it feels as if everything is just going wrong and I don’t know why!  I am sure you know the feeling only too well.  Just as we read in the passage from Jeremiah, we wish we could rise up and be off to the potter’s house, hoping that he can quickly fix this broken pot of ours or reshape and remold us all over again!

Unfortunately, in real life, we don’t have the potter’s house right around the corner where we can go to get everything fixed.  Not in real life.  In real life we have something even better!

If you follow Jeremiah’s beautiful passage about the potter hard at work at his wheel, we learn something very hopeful about potters and clay.  Jeremiah tells us,

Whenever the object of clay which he was making
turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making
of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.

What do we have that is even better than the hard working potter?  Why, we have the Lord!  We have the Lord who never gives up on us, his creation!  We have the Lord who will faithfully take us up into loving hands and reshape us, refashion us from a cracked pot into something that is once again useful and beautiful!

And thank God for that because, as we read in Matthew’s gospel, we have sorters out there, too, angels who will collect fish of every kind and put the good ones into buckets while the bad ones are thrown away only to be tossed into a fiery furnace!

So dear friends, while we might be fearful of those angelic sorters who only keep bucketfuls of the good ones, we know we will always be able to resort to the infinite mercy of our faithful, loving God who will never give up on us.  And like the divine Potter that he is, will continually reshape us, calling us back to the original goodness and beauty with which we were created. 

 

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

 

Scripture:

1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Matthew 13:44-52 or 13:44-46

Reflection:

Two weeks ago the Gospel pondered seeds, last week weeds, and this week needs. You know…cravings. Hunger. Cultural commentators remind us how many folks speak of their spiritual hunger. You’ve probably heard them: they want spirituality, they just don’t want religion. Today’s liturgy nudges us along this path of holy longing, wholeness and holiness, integration.

Once again, Jesus uses metaphors for the Kingdom. We may desire a firsthand experience of God, soul, or mystery. We may dream of hiking in the woods, strolling along the shore at sunset, or sharing a candlelight dinner with someone we love – and suddenly experiencing a breakthrough. Perhaps a deeper consciousness, heightened passion or pleasure or purpose. These "aha" moments can be exhilarating. Finding a treasure or a pearl of great price we thunder enthusiastically, "Yes!".

But it soon dawns on us that if we want to purchase the treasure or pearl we’ve got to sell all the trinkets we’ve zealously accumulated. Our spiritual core is the most valuable because it relates us to God and others, and positions us correctly in the world. It’s the one, true treasure. But it can’t be found in the surface of life, in the shallow and entertaining world of everyday gratification. It is hidden, buried in the field of ourselves. What is the one valuable pearl that I am willing to sacrifice everything in order to have? That’s the discomforting part.

The thing Solomon wanted most was an understanding heart. Trust wisdom. What would our nation and our world be like if, instead of possessions, personal security, pleasure, or comfort… our pearl of great price was world peace based on justice for everybody? And no longer does might make right? And my right to possess ends where another’s need begins? And the worship of God through prayer, service and a preferential option for the poor determines our identity. What would that be like? Jesus says it would be like the kingdom.

 

Fr. Jack Conley, C.P. is pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

The Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori

Scripture:

Jeremiah 26:1-9
Matthew 13:54-58

Reflection:

Today’s church calendar focuses attention on St. Alphonsus Liguori, the 18the Century founder of the Redemptorist Congregation.  Stark, challenging Scripture readings for today’s liturgy illuminate the spirit of St Alphonsus.

The Old Testament reading is a reminder of how costly obedience to God’s Word can be!  The prophet Jeremiah must deliver a difficult message. Not caring for his summons to fidelity, the people seize him with death threats on their lips!  The reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel voices the same theme.  Matthew recounts that Jesus’ own friends and neighbors "found him altogether too much for them."  This resistance, sadly, would grow into the terrible fear and hatred that ensnared Jesus in the Passion.

St. Alphonsus and his Redemptorist Congregation are noted for their zealous concentration on the love God has for us.  Of noble birth and high social standing, Alphonsus received excellent education and began a legal career.  Spiritually unsatisfied, he abandoned this path to the consternation and vigorous disapproval of his family.  Yet, in this rupture, he found peace and knew God’s guiding hand.  The more he gave himself to God’s inspirations, the more his spirit soared.

St. Alphonsus worked among the poor and forgotten of his time.  Their need for spiritual reassurance and practical moral guidance led him to fashion a new moral approach that echoed the Gospel practicality of Jesus himself.  Suspected of being wishy-washy and heretical, Alphonsus clung to the lights God gave him.  He is revered in the church today as the patron saint of moral theologians and confessors.

We pray today for courage to walk in fidelity to God’s summons.  Let no price be too great to pay in this great quest!  May the life witness of St. Alphonsus Liguori be comfort and reassurance for us.

 

Fr. Jim Thoman, C.P. is director of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center, Detroit, Michigan.

 

Scripture:

Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Matthew 13:44-46

Reflection:

Have you ever had a "Jeremiah Day"? We catch a glimpse of Jeremiah’s personal turmoil in today’s reading. God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, to warn the people that their ways were leading them to destruction. The people didn’t like hearing this and set themselves against the prophet, quarreled with him and desired to stop him. Jeremiah attempted to do good, yet the people were incensed against him and saw him as the enemy. Jeremiah begins to feel that it would have been better not to have been born. Then he complains to God that life is unfair.

I am sure we have had a "Jeremiah Day" or two. We try to do what is good, but it is misunderstood, made fun of or ignored. We wonder if doing good is worth it. We find ourselves getting ill-tempered. We wonder where is God; why doesn’t God do something? What can we learn from Jeremiah?

First, Jeremiah directed his affliction directly to God. Because he had a strong relationship with God (the treasure of the Gospel reading), the prophet could boldly and honestly admit his discouragement and tell God how God should  act:  "God, you need to change the attitudes of the people of Jerusalem."

Second, Jeremiah listened to God’s response. What did he hear? God did not say that the people needed to change, but that Jeremiah needed to change. "If you repent . . . and bring forth the precious without the vile you will be my mouthpiece." Jeremiah was becoming like the people: angry, resentful and contentious. If Jeremiah was to be a faithful prophet, he would have to let go of the "vile" and "bring forth the precious" (God’s love for the people).

When I feel life is unfair, can I be honest with God in expressing my despair, anger, resentment or desire for revenge? Can I keep my heart open to hear God’s response that maybe I am the one who needs to change my attitudes?  Then I can hear God’s words: "I am with you to deliver and rescue you…"

 

Fr. Don Webber, C.P., is Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province and resides in Chicago.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 13:1-11
Matthew 13:31-35

Reflection:

Sometimes the little things in life do matter! A loincloth, a mustard seed, a particle of yeast…seemingly insignificant items that reveal a most significant message!

The Prophet Jeremiah is one of the Hebrew Bible’s greatest and possibly "strangest figures." Although born to an educated priestly family, Jeremiah’s career as a prophet was fraught with disappointment, despair, deportation to Egypt, and most possibly, at his life’s end, betrayal. Often called by God to perform ridiculous acts in public in order to capture the attention of King and court; his use of poetic language and imagery nonetheless captures God’s enduring love for Judah and continued faithful call to be in covenant relationship with Israel’s God.

In this passage, God tells Jeremiah to use his loincloth (yes, a traditional undergarment) as a sign of God’s current relationship with Judah gone bad. This was an illustration of King Johoiakim’s attempt to play politics with the area’s two superpowers Egypt and Babylonia. Ultimately that policy game would fail. The nation of Judah along with the King’s son and successor would be captured, dragged in chains and die in exile in Babylon. Jeremiah tries to warn the King that just as a loincloth is worn close to the body and protects it, so too does God’s Covenantal love protect God’s people, if it is adhered to. Discarding the loincloth, like discarding the Covenant, only results in failure and despair.

Today in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus uses the example of a mustard seed and a bit of yeast to tell his listeners what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. These seemingly small, insignificant items reveal a much larger truth beyond themselves! As part of Jesus’ Kingdom teaching, what is hidden will ultimately be revealed; what is cast aside will be redeemed; what is dead will be brought to new life.

We live in a world today which is addicted to grandiosity and sensationalism. "The bigger the better" we often think…However the small, everyday events of life go by without notice or attention. Yet Jesus makes it clear that God uses such small, ordinary, seemingly insignificant things to bring us into contact with the reign of God. Jesus reminds us, just as Jeremiah reminded King Johoiakim, that it is our faithfulness, our love of God and our commitment to one another in the Lord that allows God’s redemptive power to transform, insignificantly at first, our personal lives, our communities and our world.

 

Patrick Quinn is the Director of Planned Giving for the Holy Cross Province Development Office.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 7:1-11
Matthew 13:24-30

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel is another of Jesus’ well-crafted parables:  interesting stories with a deeper meaning.  Here and now, in the heat of mid-summer, many of us can identify with weeds in our gardens – be it our backyard gardens or a large farm field.

Jesus’ parable recognizes the potential for a good yield, and the problem with an overgrowth of weeds.  He wisely suggests patience with the encroaching weeds:  let them grow together with the crop, and then separate them before the harvest.  Patience, leading to definitive action that yields the overall best results… 

We seek to grow in our lives of faith, to be fruitful and productive people.  The "weeds" of sinfulness (both personal and social) try to choke off the growth:  laziness, greed, lust, dishonesty, selfishness.  Jesus encourages both a patience and a persistence that will effectively deal with the sinfulness — a patience and persistence that He witnesses in His earthly life and ministry, and His ongoing presence in both Scripture and Eucharist.  A patience and persistence rooted in Love.

Two people likewise held up to us today for our encouragement are Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  They were people of great faith and love, who helped the Blessed Virgin to grow and ultimately say "yes" to her special vocation. 

May we accept the help and encouragement God offers us in dealing with the "weeds" of life, and thus may our lives yield a great harvest for God’s glory, and the good of our brothers and sisters.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
John 20:1-2, 11-18

Reflection:

Today’s gospel tells us Mary Magdalene is the first disciple to proclaim the Resurrection.   This passage also helps us understand some come to faith through the experience of the empty tomb.  The Gospel of John tells us Mary Magdalene was the first disciple to discover the empty tomb.

In John’s Gospel Mary Magdalene came to the tomb while it was still "dark."  She sees the stone rolled back.  She shares this information with the other disciples.  Mary Magdalene returns again to the empty tomb and this time looks inside to find two angels.  They ask her why it is she is weeping?  Jesus then appears to her, and also asks her why is she weeping?  She does not recognize Him and mistakes Him for a gardener.  The gospel tells us she turned twice to look at Him and did not recognize Him.  Only when He speaks her name, like the Good Shepherd, does she recognize Him.   

Mary responds by calling him "Rabbouni" i.e. master or teacher.  He instructs her He has to return to the Father.  Go and tell His brethren He has risen.  She does.  One lesson to be learned from this feast and the gospel is that sometimes it is in our darkest moments that we find the Risen Christ.  Sometime we have to weep and experience desolation and out of that Easter joy is given.  Sometimes we have to look twice before we recognize God’s presence in our sorrow.  If we are persistent in our faith resurrected life is given under the condition that it is to be shared with others.  It cannot be confined to an empty tomb.  Like Mary Magdalene we are encouraged to live through dashed hopes, misunderstandings, and tribulations.  If we stand at the foot of the cross and the empty tomb like Mary Magdalene we too will experience the joy of the resurrection. 

 

Fr. Kenneth O’Malley, C.P. is a member of the Passionist theologate formation community and archivist at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois.