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Our Lady of the Rosary

Scripture:

Jonah 1:1-2:2, 11
Luke 10:25-37

Reflection:

As a kid growing up in a family of seven kids, it seems we were always saying the family rosary. We always seemed to be like Jonah in today’s readings in the belly of the whale, lost and not knowing what to do. In the early 50’s my oldest brother came down with bulbar polio. My parents were told to go home and pray, that was all that was left to do. So we prayed. We prayed the family rosary. Each night after dinner we would gather in the living room. Everyone picked a chair where they would kneel while my father led us in the mysteries. Later, my parents noticed that my youngest sister Dee was not progressing as she should have been. After many visits to doctors at Illinois Research, Dee was diagnosed with profound retardation–that’s what they called it in those days. It was back to our knees to the family rosary. In 1954 my mother was diagnosed with cancer. More family rosary.

Some of our prayers seemed to be answered. My oldest brother, eventually left the iron lung in the contagious disease hospital and went on to live a normal life. At 75 today, he is the proud father of three and grandfather of three more. Some didn’t seem to be answered. Dee never did recover, but lived the rest of her twenty-two years needing twenty-four a day care. My mother died of her cancer two years after her diagnosis.

This is all very confusing to this simple man of Faith. Today’s feast is called the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. It used to be called Our Lady of Victory. Just for today, I will believe like Jonah that there is a loving God watching over me and all of us, leading us home to a strange land-to victory.

 

Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists.  He lives in Chicago.

 

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Scripture:

Galatians 6:14-18
Matthew 11:25-30

 

 

Reflection:

The month of October celebrates the lives of many founders of religious communities; today we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  The special scripture readings help us joyfully celebrate with our worldwide Franciscan sisters and brothers – as well as our Holy Father, Pope Francis, "Bishop of Rome", on his feast day.  (No doubt, the life and charism of St. Francis has received special attention in recent months!)

In the selection from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul truly "boasts" in Jesus Crucified and looks to the Cross of Jesus as the means of salvation.  Saint Matthew’s gospel selection shares the priestly prayer of Jesus — praising the Father, and inviting one and all to leave everything to come to Him and be refreshed and enlightened.  Saint Francis of Assisi heard that personal call of Jesus in the 12^th Century, gave himself wholeheartedly to Jesus, and began an exemplary life of praise, sacrifice and service,  Then some six centuries later, our own St. Paul of the Cross was called to further build upon the spiritual foundation of Francis’ life.

To "boast" of Jesus Crucified and God’s mercy; to praise God in all aspects of creation; to "rest" in the Lord and "learn" what it means to really love God and neighbor — Jesus offers a transformation of life through joyful love, poverty, humility, and simplicity.  What a message for our times!

The Scriptures came alive for Francis of Assisi.  His carefree youth was radically changed by the call of Jesus; he renounced his personal possessions and changed his life to one of evangelical poverty and preaching.  Francis’ life witness was truly charismatic, compassionate, and loving of all God’s creation; God called others to join him in community.  Francis compiled a "rule of life" and established a number of religious communities of both men and women.  In the 44 short years of his life, he sparked a spiritual renewal that continues to inspire men and women of all ages and walks of life, in all parts of the world.

Today, Francis challenges us:  how do I respect God’s presence in people, nature, created things?  How do I reflect simplicity and humility in my life?  How do I help reflect God’s mercy and compassion, and thus build up the Church?

Francis invites us to "boast in Jesus Crucified", and praise God in our simplicity and respect for God’s life in all creation.  And so we pray this day:  "O Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Francis and our Brother Passionist Paul Daneo:  together we rejoice in the Lord and boast in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ!"

 

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

 

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

Scripture:

Nehemiah 2:1-8
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

 

 

Reflection:

Today’s liturgical commemoration is "The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels."  It was deliberately placed so soon after the celebration of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael in order to complement the celebration of the Archangel Michael (September 29), who is often portrayed as a warrior archangel.

In fact, the idea of a warrior angel is quite contrary to what is probably the most popular angel story in U.S. popular culture, the angel, 2^nd Class, Clarence Odbody, in the Christmas classic, "It’s a Wonderful Life", known to most as the Frank Capra film which is broadcast traditionally during the Christmas season.

Although not a "guardian angel" in the traditional Catholic sense (Clarence is assigned to George Bailey, the film’s leading character, when a crisis looms over George Bailey’s life, unlike the traditional Catholic understanding that a guardian angel is one’s lifelong spiritual companion), the story does include the traditional elements of the angel’s being before God in heaven, having an awareness of the unfolding of the charge’s life, and intervening in favor of the charge at a time of critical decisions (whether to commit suicide or not), so that he will make the right decision, the one pleasing to God, and one which will enrich his own life. 

If Clarence Odbody (Guardian Angel, 2^nd Class) is one guardian angel that most of us in the United States will recognize, and perhaps even believe in, what does the day’s Gospel tell us of the Guardian Angels of our Catholic spirituality?

Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 18, is rich with descriptions and parables of the life to be achieved in the kingdom of heaven.  It also is a strongly worded, adult admonition of the challenges which will be faced in aspiring to that kingdom.

Our reading today begins Chapter 18.  In the first five verses, the focus is on the child that Jesus has brought into their midst in order to answer the disciples’ question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Three statements pivot on the child: 1) you must be converted, becoming like children; 2) you must humble yourself to be great in the kingdom of heaven; 3) if you receive a child "in my name", you receive Jesus himself. 

In the sixth verse (not included in the lectionary passage), the focus changes from the child, and perhaps at this moment, the child was set aside, away from the sound of their voices, because suddenly Jesus begins to talk of some very mature subject matter:  1) the scandal of sin and the guilt of those who lead others into sin; 2) physical mutilation is better than spiritual mutilation (hands and feet cut off, eyes plucked out!).

Finally, in the 10^th verse, the concluding passage of today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of "their angels in heaven," who always gaze on the face of the Father.

So, when Jesus says "do not despise one of these little ones," he is not using the expression of "little ones" in reference to the children of verses 1-5.  Matthew uses the expression in verse 6, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin," which apply to all believers in Jesus and his Church, not just to children.  In verse 10, it is our angels in heaven who always gaze on the face of the father. 

The picture of guardian angels which most of us carry in us is like the imagery in our childhood catechisms, the angel standing guard as a child crossed a road or a bridge; the angel who whispered "do not eat those donuts" into the child’s ear when mom was out of the kitchen; or the angel who led the soul of the deceased small child into the welcoming arms of the Father.

But Jesus is saying that it is our angels, whether we are 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 years of age, who gaze on the face of the Father.  They reflect the love of the Father for us into our hearts and minds.  They speak to us of the greatest work of love known to human history, the Incarnation of Jesus and his laying down his life for us on the Cross.  Our angels inspire us to remain humble, to be childlike in our complete dependence on God’s provident love for us.  Our angels guard us from the only power that can wrench us away from God, our self-love, our self-aggrandizement, our pride.

Let us celebrate with our Guardian Angels the great love which God has generously bestowed on each one of us through the person of Jesus Christ. 

 

Fr. Arthur Carrillo, C.P.  is the director of the Missions for Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Chicago, Illinois. 

 

 

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

Scripture:

Zechariah 8:20-23
Luke 9:51-56

 

 

Reflection:

Today is the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, and our entrance antiphon bursts upon us like a song from her heart.  "The Lord led her and taught her.  And he kept her as the apple of his eye.  Like an eagle spreading its wings, he took her up and bore her on his shoulders.  The Lord alone was her guide."  In her short life of 24 years (1873-1897) she came to know, to relish, and to proclaim the immeasurable, lavishing, overflowing love of God for her and for all the world.

Our scripture readings today, honoring her, proclaim that same over-powering love for all people everywhere – believers, agnostics, and unbelievers.

I delight in the details of the image of our first reading from Zechariah:

          Thus says the Lord of hosts: "In those days ten men of every nationality . . . shall
          take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, ‘Let us 
          go down with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’" 

I try to picture it – ten foreigners grabbing at the coat of every Jew to travel along with him.  I see Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof raising his eyebrows to heaven and giving God that look.  Yes, this is the teaching of the prophet and the teaching of St. Therese: God loves everyone and calls everyone to his love.

In the gospel Jesus rebukes James and John who want to call down fire upon the Samaritan village for not welcoming them.  But Jesus, on his way to his death, loves everyone, even those who reject him.  And in his death he will pour out his love through his blood, shedding it for every human person everywhere.  That is the teaching of St. Therese.

Therese goes to God not in anxiety and fear, but in trust and confidence.  She offers herself and all that she does not to a God who needs and wants to be appeased.  She goes in love and gratitude and offers herself to a God of all merciful love.  She knows that God loves her completely, with and in all her weaknesses, faults, and failings.  God loves her lavishly, as Mother and Father to her – so she does everything, every daily ordinary thing, in love of and for love of her God.  And now Therese spends her heaven in helping us here on earth to love God in that same trusting, confident, grateful way, in the way a loving child goes to its parents.  She invites each of us to learn her little way of love in the ordinary things we do each day

 

Br. Peter A. Fitzpatrick, CFX, a Xaverian Brother, is a Passionist Associate at Ryken House, across the creek from the Passionist Monastery, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Zechariah 8:1-8
Luke 9:46-50

Reflection:

I have always been a bit envious of those who have a distinct cultural or ethnic background.  My ancestors are a hodgepodge of different nationalities so when I was in school and we were told to bring food or clothing that was symbolic of our ancestors, I was always at a loss!  I wanted to wear the colorful garb of the Mexican culture, be able to claim the delicious Greek pastries or show off pictures of Indian ancestors in tribal splendor.  I wanted to belong!

I think it is part of the human condition to want to belong.  As infants, we long for the closeness of parents, and as children, we look to join our peers, and then as we get older we look to form families of our own.  Today’s popular techno fads of Facebook and twittering probably stem from this need to belong – to connect with others.

So today’s first reading should fill us with contentment.  We are God’s very own.  God claims us all as His people.  We have a distinct identity – we are children of God.  And think about the scene depicted in the reading –children playing in the streets, old people gathering, all reflecting the safety, security, and happiness of being protected and cared for by our loving God.  But as always, there is a flip side.  If God claims us as his own, what is our role as God’s people?

Today’s Gospel answers that question.  Once again, Jesus is telling us that we must turn our hearts and minds to the lowliest among us.  Jesus uses a small child, the lowliest of beings in Jesus’ time, to point this out.  He tells us to receive and accept this child as we would receive and accept God!   More than that, the Gospel goes on to encourage us to accept everyone.  "Whoever is not against you, is for you…"  Because we live in a materialistic society that seems to thrive on competition, Jesus’ teaching here is truly counter-cultural.  Perhaps in today’s world what we are particularly being called to do is put aside our differences, identify the ways in which we are alike and recognize the good in one another.

God loves and cares for us.  Can we, in turn, love and care for one another?

 

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

Scripture:

Haggai 2:1-9
Luke 9:18-22

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel is one of the "Passion prediction" narratives that the evangelists share with us. It seems that Jesus must repeat this message several times to his disciples; like the Twelve, we, too, don’t like hearing about suffering. But Jesus is patient as he invites them into greater intimacy, as he invites them into the Paschal Mystery.

When Jesus asks them, "Who do you say I am?" it is almost as if he is pleading for a time of serious conversation with them. "Do I make any difference in your life?  Please don’t’ respond in the abstract or the impersonal – some say Moses, Elijah, or one of the prophets. What about you?"

Sometimes the greatest obstacle, the greatest force against our faith can be "pie-in-the-sky" religion – doctrine or ritual or devotion that becomes ethereal, irrelevant. Jesus always challenges his followers to be practical. Remember when Jesus and his disciples were passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23ff) and his disciples began picking the heads of grain? The Pharisees immediately reprimanded them for violating the law. And Jesus replied, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Or when the Pharisees bring a woman caught in the act of adultery and again quote the law that she must be stoned. In time the woman walks away from the crowd transformed, not only with her life but a gulfstream of hope. Conversion happened not when the Torah was quoted, but when someone entered her world of suffering and despair.

Perhaps someone I love is asking for a serious conversation, a time for me to enter their world, a time we may both be transformed by Christ’s love.

 

Fr. Jack Conley, C.P. is the director of the Office of Mission Effectiveness.  He is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

This summer, my brothers and sisters helped our mother move.  It was our mother who initiated the move. She knew it was time for a little less stress and worry, and, at 88 years old, was ready for assisted living.  Besides this amazing attitude about moving, what equally amazed us was her utter freedom from things, beautiful as they are.  She knew what she wanted to take with her and what others were free to take, the rest to be sold or given away.

Her home was never confused for the house she lived in.  Houses served as a place to create a home.  As the need changed over time, as with the addition of children, the house changed.  She really was a "homemaker" in the very best sense of that identity. It was never about the house or the things that filled it, but about making a home, wherever that may have been.

From one of the shortest books of the Bible (two chapters), we hear today the Prophet Haggai encourage the rebuilding of the Temple after its destruction and the Babylonian exile.  The Temple represents God’s presence among the people; it is God at home among his people.  Yet the people, Haggai says, are not happy because they have pinned their meaning to things – their paneled houses, their crops, their food and drink, their clothes, their money.  But to them he says, "you have not been satisfied …exhilarated … kept warm … or secure."  The Temple is where God makes his home.  The Temple is the house; God is our home, and it was a home that the people needed to create for their God.

This reminds me of the opening chapter of the Gospel of John: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."  The Word of God, Jesus, made his dwelling, his home among us.  Jesus did not build a house among us.  He was at home among us – and not only among us, but in us.  Sister Lucretia’s admonition in fourth grade to be "temples of the Holy Spirit" actually makes more sense now than it did then.

I hope I never confuse my home with the house I live in.  Rather I hope my home is where I find myself in relationship with Christ who desires to dwell in me, who wants so much to be at home within me.  Where I live or work, what I have or own are only gifts that I hope help create a home where I can encounter Christ.

My mother’s move to a new house was not moving her home at all.  Her attitude reminded us that her home is where she is, wherever she is.  Perhaps in helping her with her move, I have moved to a deeper understanding that my home is when Christ makes his home within me.

 

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and is the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Ezra 9:5-9
Luke 9:1-6

Reflection:

Our Scripture readings today give testimony to what is going on in the world, and what our response might be. In our first reading Ezra prays to God, acknowledging the guilt of the people, which led up to their exile at the hands of the Babylonians. Even though our circumstances are different from those of Ezra’s time, his words can be descriptive of our situation today:

"… for our wicked deeds we have been delivered up, we and our kings and our priests, to the will of the kings of foreign lands, to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace, as is the case today."

We may not be under the rule of foreign leaders, but it can seem that we have been delivered up to the sword (violence), to captivity (addiction), to pillage (greed), and to disgrace (scandal).

What is our response? We find it in our Gospel reading. Jesus sends out the Twelve and gives them "power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases," and He sends them "to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick."

Our response to the ills of our world is the love of God in Jesus Christ. This is what we have received. This is what we are called to share. This is the basis for our concern for the environment, our thirst for justice, and our desire for peace. This is what gives meaning to the use of our gifts, talents, and resources. Perhaps this last is the lesson we learn from Jesus saying to the Twelve, "Take nothing for the journey." What we can bring to the building up of the Kingdom is not much without the love of God infusing everything we say and do.

Like Ezra, may we realize we have been given "new life" in Christ, and may we "raise again the house of our God" in our lives and hearts, our words and deeds.

 

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is on staff at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.