Daily Scripture

The Ascension of the Lord

Scripture:

Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 1:17-23
Matthew 28:16-20

Reflection:

When I was in Catholic elementary school, I was fascinated by paintings of the Ascension showing the apostles standing there looking up at the sky as Jesus ascended into heaven. Two angels appeared and said, “Men of Galilee why are you standing there looking at the sky.”   Our teachers usually told us we needed to get busy showing love to others through kind deeds and treating each other with respect. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus promises that he will always be with us. Do you and I really believe and live this truth on a daily basis?

In the second reading, “Jesus remains accessible to us now in the life-giving Holy Spirit, assuring us that one day we, too, if we live out our faith in Him through the mission of loving service, he calls us to we will experience the rewards of heaven.”  (Fr. Antony Kadavil, Reflections for the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord, Vatican News, 30 May 2019, 11:28)

In the gospel, just before the Ascension, Jesus entrusted to the disciples the mission of preaching the Good News and evangelizing the entire world by bearing witness to him through their lives. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit to energize us to spread the Good News throughout the world. (Fr. Antony Kadavil, Reflections for the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord, Vatican News, 30 May 2019, 11:28)

There is the story of Leonardo Da Vinci and the Unfinished Painting. The story goes that Leonardo had started work on a large canvas in his studio for a while he really worked hard on it measuring, studying colors, and applying the colors. Suddenly he stopped working on the canvas. He turned to one of his gifted students and asked him to complete the painting. The student protested saying he wasn’t a good enough artist to finish the painting. But da Vinci silenced him. “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?”  

Jesus spread the good news by what he said and what he did especially in suffering his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Jesus left us to finish the picture. Do we love Jesus enough to finish the picture. (http://frtonyshomilies.com/  )

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Acts 18: 23-28
John 16: 23b-28

Reflection:

In our first reading this morning we meet an interesting married couple, Priscilla and Aquila.  In today’s reading they clearly had a well-established reputation for being experts on the early Christian beliefs about Jesus.  An already famous preacher named Apollos comes to town and does an amazing job of preaching the Gospel.  However, it seems he is only aware of the baptism of John the Baptist and not that of the baptism Jesus gave the community.  So, it is members of that Community, Priscilla and Aquila, who take him aside and teach him about the baptism that Jesus taught.  Apollos seems to welcome their teachings and then continues on his apostolic way.

This early Christian couple appear in several places in the Acts of the Apostles as well as in Romans, First Corinthians and Second Timothy.  They apparently were tentmakers who fled from Rome to Corinth when Claudius Caesar forced all the Christians out of Rome.  In Corinth they hooked up with Paul the Apostle, another tentmaker(!), who refers to them as his “co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3).  Every time they are mentioned in the New Testament they are spoken of as important and influential leaders in the Christian Community and authentic witnesses to the Gospel.

Priscilla and Aquila remind us that it wasn’t just the “big time” Apostles like Peter, Paul, Apollos and the other Apostles and Evangelists mentioned in the New Testament who were important to the building up of the Christian Community.  From the very earliest days of the Community, Priscilla and Aquila along with so many other ordinary people, often not mentioned by name, were the bedrock of the proclamation and spread of the Gospel.

The same is true in the Church today.  There are those who are well known as preachers of the Gospel, for example, Our Holy Father, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and other public faith leaders.  But the truth is that it is the people in the pews, men and women, married and single, young and old, who have a living relationship with Christ and are faithful to Him, who are the most authentic and effective witnesses to Christ living amongst us.  It is their love for God, their families and the many other people in their lives that witness to God’s loving presence among us.

In truth, each of us is called to live in faith.  And, as we are able to grow in our ability to love those around us, Christ is made present.  Today we pray that we can cherish our own personal call to proclaim the Good News that God embraces us and our world through His Son, Jesus Christ.

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

Scripture:

Acts 18:9-18
John 16:20-23

Reflection:

As I read the gospel of John today, I think of my own life experiences. When we suffer grief, maybe the loss of a loved one or some other devastating change in our life, we may be in the depths of pain, but the rest of the world goes on, unknowing of what we have experienced. As women who give birth to a child, that pain and anguish can be horrible – in the moment. And then, as your newborn baby is placed in your arms moments later, you almost immediately forget the pain you had just experienced, because it is replaced with a joy that you never fathomed. 

Now, think of the day we may see Jesus face to face. This joy of Jesus’ presence is immeasurable compared to any other joy we may experience in our lifetime. All of our suffering, all of our heartache – will all be replaced with the joy of His presence. We will no longer be alone; we will no longer doubt or question what the Father has in store for us. All of those things we consider the mysteries of our faith will no longer exist for us. When all of that happens, we will know unending joy.

As we wait to see our Jesus face to face, let’s continue to work on our trust in God. Ensure that your relationship with him is solid and steadfast. Always remember his words, I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization for St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas.

Scripture:

Acts 18:1-8
John 16:16-20

Reflection:

As we get close to the end of the Easter Season, our readings take a turn towards the Ascension of Jesus and then to Pentecost. On this day in many places around the world, the feast of the Ascension is celebrated. Our readings for today offer a taste of the impending feasts that we will celebrate over the next few Sundays before we once again have Ordinary time. I have always loved this time of the year when our first reading is always taken from the Acts of the Apostles. We are treated to many stories of perseverance in the early Church. I think if they could speak to us, they might suggest that there was nothing ordinary about their struggle, either. Today’s Gospel offers us an insight into what the early Church understood about seeing Jesus again. Even, Paul was preaching that Jesus was coming back again and he was certain that he would have the whole Mediterranean world converted to Jesus. He worked diligently towards that goal. Jesus’ comments about “a little while” have now stretched to two millennia.  

In the Gospel, today, the disciples seem equally confused, having no context to understand Jesus’ words. As usual in the Gospels, the disciples seem not to understand what Jesus was saying. They simply had to wait in hope and trust, until they would see him.

I think the readings for today offer us the idea of perseverance. Paul is working diligently, daily for the church. Can you imagine running into Paul in those days? When Timothy and Silas arrived from Macedonia, he doubles down in his efforts to convert the Jews in Corinth to Jesus, and he finally gives up trying to get “his people” as he will mention in another letter.  Sometimes it is necessary to know when enough is enough and in the Scripture today, Paul walks away with a clear conscience and for the rest of his life, he ministers to “the Gentiles.”(v.6.) He still ministers to us today, through sacred Scriptures. He shares that message with us. I wonder did he think his words would live on and bring consolation, conversion, and nourishment to so many people?

Amazing, the strength, wisdom, and power of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone in our ministry labors.  Come Holy Spirit and fill the earth with your presence. Amen.

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Acts 16:22-34
John 16:5-11

Reflection:

The Holy Spirit Empowers

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the ^aHelper (parak’laetos) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” -John 16:7

One of the many beautiful words in the inspired Greek New Testament for prayer is parakaleo.   Kaleo in Greek means to call out to someone.   It can often mean calling for help.   The word para means to stand by,  or around me.      So the frequent word for prayer is para+kaleo or to call someone to be around me to help.  It is a wonderful call to God for Him to be close to me for help or comfort in His loving presence!   

Paraclete is someone who comforts us by His closeness.    The word for comfort in Greek is parak’lasis.   So the etymology of the Greek word for prayer or call for help is a great aid to understand what Scripture means for comfort and even a name for Holy Spirit.   He is called The Comforter, or the Advocate, as a good lawyer is a great help when we are in trouble.

The Holy Spirit has many vital functions in our life.  Perhaps the simplest one for us to understand is that He comes to our side when we desperately need help and call for assistance. 

I fell the other day and could not get up from the pavement.  I was helpless for about half an hour till I finally yelled for help when I saw somebody, and they kindly answered my call.  

The last words of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel He tells His Apostles don’t get started in evangelizing until I send the Holy Spirit to empower you.  The first thing we need to follow Jesus is empowerment from Holy Spirit!    “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Lk 24:49  Jesus repeats the same need in Act 1:8  “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  “No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.”  1 Corinthians 12:3  

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Acts 16:11-15
John 15:26-16:4a

Reflection:

You’ve probably heard the sad commentary about people who faithfully attend Mass on Sundays. Yet in the parking lot immediately after Mass, it’s as if none of what they heard, did, or sang at the liturgy “stuck” or made a difference in their lives. Attending Mass is just a rote exercise so they can fulfill the requirements for being a “good Catholic”, but their faith doesn’t change their hearts or affect their day.

Paul had the opposite experience in Phillipi. He and his companions went outside the city in search of a place to pray, but instead encountered a group of women and proceeded to talk with them about Jesus. Lydia, a prominent woman of the town, really let it sink in. She converted, had all the members of her household converted, and then opened her home to the disciples, begging them to stay with her. Think about that for a minute. When is the last time you celebrated Mass in the community and allowed the message to so deeply sink into you that it changed your plans and actions going forward?

It may seem unrealistic that such a conversion could happen every Sunday. But is it? Jesus’ teachings are deeply challenging, especially to those of us in privileged Western society. If we aren’t changing our actions and plans as a result, then we aren’t listening. It won’t always be such a major change as Lydia experienced. Although we need to remain open to that possibility, it is admittedly less frequent. Yet we need to constantly be growing and changing in our faith or risk having it die.

I am trying to better track the lessons I learn each week. I reflect on them, pray with them, open my heart to God, and challenge myself to let them affect my life in at least some way. I find that often the lessons build on each other, which means that over time I am learning significant lessons and making necessary adaptations. I am constantly being confronted with ways I fall short of the Gospel. It is humbling, sometimes to the point of discouragement. Yet God calls me on.   

Take some time today to think and reflect. What have you learned during Lent and Easter? What challenges do these Gospels and scripture readings hold for you? How can you let the scriptures sink in deeply and change your life? Let’s consciously try to be a little more like Lydia and a little less focused on getting out of the parking lot!

Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she has partnered with the Passionists.  Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.

Scripture:

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
1 Peter 3:15-18
John 14:15-21

Reflection:

In our first Scripture reading for this Sunday (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17), St. Luke writes: “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.” How I wish that would happen to me wherever I go to preach, but the thing I need to remember is the phrase “when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.” As a disciple, I cannot just “talk the talk,” I have to “walk the walk.”

The question I need to ask myself is “Is what I’m saying or doing a sign of God’s love in Jesus Christ?” A sign of God’s love doesn’t have to be some miracle of healing or some other supernatural feat. In our Gospel reading (John 14:15-21), Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” The signs we can do simply have to do with following Jesus’ commandment to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34 and John 15:12).

You see, God’s love for us in Jesus Christ is the reason for our hope (See our second reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18)! To know that God holds nothing back, even to the point of the Son of God dying for us on the Cross, means that we can trust in God’s love for us; the love that is the source of a mother’s love for her child, which we celebrate Sunday on Mother’s Day. To know that Jesus left the tomb empty on Easter means that we can trust in the power of God. And to trust in the love and the power of God means we can live in hope for the coming of God’s kingdom. It means we can do our part in helping build up that kingdom, even, as we hear in our second reading, that we might “suffer for doing good.”

We are called to work for justice and peace. We are called to work for a world in which every mother’s hopes for her children can be fulfilled, and every child can pursue his or her dreams. And thus we, like Philip and the early disciples, can do signs demonstrating God’s love, so that others can be led to Jesus and to hope.

In the love of God in Jesus Christ, I would like to end with a prayer for mothers:

We pray in thanksgiving for all mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers and beyond! We remember all those mothers who have gone before us. We pray for step mothers and those mothers who have adopted children. We pray for those grandmothers, who, because of varying circumstances, are raising their grandchildren.

We pray for those mothers who have lost a child, or are on the verge of losing a child. We pray for those in certain parts of the world whose children have “disappeared.”

We pray for expectant mothers, and for those who hope to be mothers.

We pray for those women who are pregnant, and are weighing what to do with their pregnancy. Some of them may not feel ready to be mothers, as their pregnancies were not planned or hoped for or even forced upon them. Others may feel that their options are very limited, and feel that there is no way they can raise a child. We pray that there are people who will not condemn them, but are willing to help them. And we pray for those women who are willing to adopt and take someone else’s child into their home.

And we pray for those who, like the character Big Mama in “Soul Food,” are considered everybody’s Mama.

Mary, our Blessed Mother, pray for us!

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

Acts 16:1-10
John 15:18-21

Reflection:

The Easter liturgical season reminds us of our church and its radical Spirit-led beginnings. Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles offers us the missionary focus and challenges of Paul and Silas. It is a lesson in perseverance for what we plan and an invitation to trust the possibilities of change. One might even suggest it highlights the tension between the two postures. I wonder what that “prevention” which Paul recounts looked like? For Paul, we will see in the next section of this chapter that the mission took a turn orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Even though he didn’t plan this voyage, he brought the Gospel to Europe. Going beyond Paul’s scope at the time, the mission grew exponentially from there.

Have you ever been “prevented” from doing something you believed necessary for your life’s journey? How can we perceive the difference between a challenge to persevere and the insight to change course? Sometimes, we may think the challenges and radical new ways presented to the early church were just “back in those days” and irrelevant today. I might suggest that is not the case.

Jesus in our Gospel offers the message of radical engagement in mission that is suitable for today. After all, this is the living word of God. Jesus’ words give reassurance and even a challenge in confusing times. We must remember that we are the chosen people he saved from sin for his purpose. It is both communal and personal, regardless of how convenient or inconvenient. For the sake of the world, we must become Christ’s presence. We find the strength and the gifts best expressed within community. Combined with the power of the Holy Spirit, we will move mountains. Today is no different than in the time of Paul. Perhaps we are not called to blaze a trail in the way of Paul but instead are invited to embrace the “Way” in our lives for the good of the mission of Christ.

Today we remember Our Lady of Fatima. Her life is a prime example to us. Her yes to the Angel Gabriel set off a chain of yesses that still has relevance today. She has continued to stay close to her children throughout history. To teach, to heal, and to inspire us. Paul was inspired to go a different way in a dream and knew this was a further call in his mission.

May we be ready to change our plans and go a different way for the glory of the Kingdom.

May our plans always align to the plans of the Holy Spirit for the greater glory of God. Alleluia, amen.

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.