The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

Daily Scripture

Upcoming Daily Scriptures

Daily Scripture, March 25, 2023

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Scripture:

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Hebrews 10:4-10
Luke 1:26-38

Reflection:

The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us!”   -Isaiah 7:14; 8:10.

Once again we hear in the readings for the Annunciation of the Lord that “God is with us!”  How do each of us hear these words at this moment in our lives?  What kind of images arise that give flesh to the words “God is with us”? Isaiah is filled with images that foreshadow what Jesus will embody in human form—in just the next chapter, we find Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Prince of Peace. These images can fill us with joy and wonder and love. Such is the goodness and gift of God given freely.

God is with us!

Yet, we also find ourselves on a Lenten journey, walking together toward Golgotha, toward the Passion of our Lord.  The God who is with us is also a God who knows suffering, who chose to endure suffering out of a love that is incomprehensible for most of us. Jesus freely submitted to the unjust systems of his time to share in the suffering of the people of his time.  Unjust systems still persist in our world today.  People across the globe continue to suffer today.  And Jesus continues to love incomprehensibly and to share in this suffering. We see him living and present today in all who suffer.

God is with us!

Earlier this week, I received a text from a Passionist friend in Birmingham, AL.  In the text was a newscast (https://www.cbs42.com/news/racist-sign-swastikas-painted-on-building-in-ensley/).  A hate group who espouses white ethnonationalism, had painted a sign on the abandoned hospital building across from the Passionist parish and elementary school of Holy Family. You can imagine the pain and suffering this caused within the community, young African American children confronted by a message of hate directly outside their school. I think of this Sunday’s Gospel reading, “And Jesus wept” (Jn 11:35). 

God is with us!

At the deepest level, God is not simply with us, God is within us.  One of the greatest challenges of our time is to touch into the goodness of God within us, opening our own hearts to see God within ourselves and the other—excluding no one, neither those who suffer nor those who cause suffering. Our God is so intimately with us, so interwoven into our being that we call ourselves—all of us—the Body of Christ.  May it be so.

Lissa Romell is the Administrator at St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Daily Scripture, March 24, 2023

Scripture:

Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22
John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Reflection:

The Closeness of God

In the responsorial Psalm 34:19 for today’s liturgy we find this beautiful text:

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted (shabar-Hebrew for break in peices) and saves those who are ccrushed in spirit.(dakka Hebrewroot; to crush)” PS 34:18  What a wonderful consolation it is that God is so very close to us when we are broken and crushed and most need of His help!

Ps 139 assures us that God is always near us!   “You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;  It is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Ps 139:5  Jesus in the NT stresses this marvelous closeness of God to us in His Divine life!   Christ says: “the kingdom of God is in your midst.”Lk 17:20   His first sermon He stresses: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Mt 4:17

 The  NT Greek word for close or at hand is engizo ( used 42 times and engus used 31 times)  which is a total of 73 times in NT.  This is formed from ἐν (in) and an unattested substitute guae or gus  which means in the hollow of the hand.  The most literal translation for the Greek word “close” is to be in the hand of God.   This is a very frequent theme in Bible.  He assures us of His constant nearness and help: “I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand.” Ps 73:23

What a breathtaking and astonishing teaching of Jesus that He is so close to us “at the door”! Rev 3:20

“While they were talking and discussing (at Emmaus), Jesus Himself approached (engizo) and began traveling with them. LK 24:15   The saints often spoke of the wonder of Christ’s presence. 

“I possess at all times and I hold in all places, the God of my heart and the Heart of my God.”  St Margaret Mary   “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Jam 4:8  A person may not have houses or lands or the admiration of others—but he has God, whose presence and protection is priceless!  “You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not fear!”  Lam 3:57

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

Daily Scripture, March 23, 2023

Scripture:

Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:31-47

Reflection:

“…you search the scriptures…yet you refuse to come to me…”

This passage seems to be a bit meandering…circling around…traversing.  Where are we supposed to land?  Why is it important to hear this in Lent?  Scriptures…witnesses…John the Baptist…Moses…God…

Jesus was right in their midst – in the flesh!!!  The Scriptures that they were so steeped in pointed to his coming…John the Baptist walked ahead and pointed the way…and yet they didn’t believe he could be from God – they could see him, hear him, touch him – they could interact with him and yet they didn’t recognize him for who he was.  How could this be, what got in their way?

It seems rather incredulous to us, how could they not – we would give anything to walk with the Lord – in the flesh!!  Or would we?  Maybe a better question is do we?  Jesus continues to call us, his presence is real among and within us – do we notice, do we trust?  Pride, fear and hardness of heart kept the people of his day from truly being present to him and allowing him to change their hearts of stone.  Sometimes those same things keep us from getting to close to him, from trusting him, and allowing him to change our hearts of stone. 

Are the Scriptures simply a book of stories for us, or is the Word alive for us?  Do we allow those words to draw us into a deeper relationship with the risen Lord? 

This Lent, as every Lent, we are invited to journey a bit closer to the Lord, to open our hearts anew to the challenge of responding as disciples.  Can we really let God love us?  If we do, we can’t help but be changed – and change is never easy – but Jesus is among us today – disguised as the stranger, do we allow the scriptures to expand our vision and our heart – or are they simply stories – we know them, we memorize them – but we only pick them up on occasion – are we afraid of the love they call us to? 

Maybe we should have a conversation with the Lord about our fears and step into a new awareness these last days of Lent.

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Daily Scripture, March 22, 2023

Scriptures:

Isaiah 49:8-15
John 5:17-30

Reflection:

Almost every day, we ask someone, “How are you?” I suspect most often they quickly respond: “I’m good,” or “I’m fine,” or perhaps even, “I’m great!” I don’t want to be a sourpuss, but occasionally I wish they’d answer: “Well, I’m a little desolate today,” or “If you really want to know, I’m missing a few pieces of happiness,” or, even better, “I certainly feel the need to be redeemed!” Not only would such unexpected proclamations get our attention, but they are also much more appropriate for this season of Lent. Lenten people don’t go around shouting, “All’s well with me!” Rather, they gladly acknowledge, “I need to be healed. I want to be restored.”

Today’s reading from Isaiah is an exultant declaration of God’s undying love for us and fervent desire to help us. Its joyous life-saving message is that God wants to heal, restore, liberate, and gently draw us back to life; but God’s extravagant blessings can only go as far as our confession of need. The passage overflows with images of restoration and redemption. Through the prophet, God declares this “the day of salvation.” God speaks of wanting to guide us to pastures where we shall neither “hunger nor thirst” and lead us to “springs of water” where we will forever be renewed. Isaiah tells us that God, like all good lovers, wants to comfort and care for us; heal every hurt and wounded place of our lives; free us from all that burdens and oppresses us; and do whatever is necessary to make us whole. Isaiah depicts a God eager to help and anxious to save. But God cannot do much for people who masquerade at wholeness and tiresomely pretend that all is well.

Lent is a time to be redeemed (really, every day is), but if all is well with us, there is little for a loving redeemer to do. That’s why the next time somebody asks, “How are you?” we should jubilantly respond, “I could certainly use a little salvation today!” If we do, the prophet guarantees us that amazing things will happen.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology & Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the Passionist Family.

Daily Scripture, March 21, 2023

Scripture:

Ezekiel 47:1-9.12
John 5:1-16

Reflection:

Lent: A Time for Healing

Can you imagine waiting 38 years to be healed. In today’s gospel story an invalid, by the pool at the Sheep Gate, is waiting for the water to be stirred up so he could be healed.  The invalid had no one to assist him into the pool.  Jesus, knowing the man’s desire to be healed asked him: “Do ‘you want to be well?” After all of these years the man could have lost hope of ever being healed. Jesus issues three commands: “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”  The man was healed. (Sacred Space: John 5:1-16, www.sacred space, a ministry of the Irish Jesuits.)

How long have you or other members of your family have been waiting to be healed or liberated from something.  Do we want to  be well?  Are we willing to do the things that we need to do to become well?  If you are concerned about your own health and well-being, bring your anxiety and concerns to the Lord. 

The first reading depicts an endless life-giving stream flowing out from the temple. This magnificent river flowing out from the temple  was life-giving and healing. The passage from Ezekiel is linked to today’s gospel story of the healing of the invalid who had been waiting for the waters to move.  In the Old Testament water symbolizes God’s blessing and drought signifies a curse. (Sacred Space: Ezekiel 47:1-9, www.sacred space, a ministry of the Irish Jesuits.)

Are we open to God’s blessings in our life?  Are we open to healing and changing our lives or have we given up.  Lent is not just a time for giving up something but about reflection, self-examination, healing and spiritual growth.  We are at the half-way  mark in Lent.  What healing, spiritual growth and progress have I made with God’s help.  Lord, help me to continue to heal and grow this day and every day.

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

Daily Scripture, March 20, 2023

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

2 Samuel 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Romans 4: 13, 16-18, 22
Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24a

Reflection:

There are a great many remarkable “fathers” in the Scriptures, all who have played an important role in our Salvation.  Recall Abraham, our Father in Faith, the Patriarch Joseph, the great liberator, Moses, David, Israel’s first King, Solomon the Wisest of all the Kings, as well as the many prophets who have nourished our awareness of God’s presence in our world and in our lives…to name just a few!

Today we remember and celebrate the father who is arguably the most important father to ever live, St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus.  The Scriptures don’t tell us a lot about him but do present us with important gifts he had.

First of all, he was described as a “just” man.  In the Scriptures a man was described as “just” because he embodied all the virtues held so dear by the faith community:  integrity, competence, compassion, gentleness, honesty, patience, piety, and an openness to God’s invitations to take risks.

A notable part of his character was his responsiveness to his dreams.  It was in his dream that he was encouraged to welcome Mary into his household even though she was already pregnant.  It was because of his dream that he fled with Mary and her newborn son into Egypt to flee the wrath of Herod. It was in his dream that he was told to return to Israel.

We hear again of Joseph when he and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old to dedicate him to God.  When they lost track of him for three days on the way home, we can only imagine his fear and foreboding.  What great relief he must have felt when he and Mary found his lost son teaching in the Temple.  He, then, returns home to Nazareth to raise Jesus and we don’t hear much more about him.  He seems to have been a skilled carpenter, a quiet man who loved his wife and son with all his heart.  What a great example for a father!

What a great model for all of us.  No doubt he had a profound influence on the man Jesus became.  Fathers are always a great influence on their children, for good or for ill.  And so, St. Joseph is the patron of the Universal Church.  His love of Christ, his devotion to Mary, and his unreserved faithfulness to God’s call are all powerful examples of the path to holiness.  We remember St. Joseph today with gratitude and deep admiration. 

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

Daily Scripture, March 19, 2023

Scripture:

1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41

Reflection:

My parents had a dear friend who, late in life, began losing her eyesight. She was a tall, elegant woman with beautiful white hair. But what remains with me most is the elegance with which she accepted her loss of sight. I am not suggesting she gave into it. Bernice embraced the new reality by learning Braille, testing out the public transit system, and practicing using a white cane before she lost entirely her ability to see. In losing her ability to see, she taught be to see.

Today’s readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent are all about seeing and not seeing. Those who are blind now see. Those who should be able to see are blind to what is right in front of them. Looking for what is not yet apparent and seeing past appearances and into the heart.

In the first reading from the Book of Samuel the Lord says, “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” Samuel is sent to anoint a new king from among Jesse’s sons. But Samuel does not see whom he needs to see and asks Jesse if he has any other sons. It was the youngest, David, who was tending the sheep, who was being called to lead the People of Israel.

Lent is a time to see what we need to see. To see Christ in every person and not to only see a skin tone. To see Christ within us and not to only see our sins and failings. To see Christ in the other and not to only see a stranger from a strange land, speaking a strange language, or practicing a strange religion. To see what we usually do not see.

Bernice taught me that seeing is much more than having the sense of sight. I am praying this Lent for the gift to see with the eyes of Christ who sees into the hearts of others.


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

Daily Scripture, March 18, 2023

Scripture:

Hosea 6:1-6
Luke 18:9-14

Reflection:

I taught a session at a church recently, and the issue of Lenten practices came up. It seemed that most people grew up with the idea of “giving things up” for the season. In their stories, I detected a bit of Publican-vs-Pharisee attitude – judging who was more virtuous, favored, or righteous based on the penitential practices they chose to endure. Unfortunately, it was not the first time I’ve encountered such attitudes, and I suspect it won’t be the last.

In fact, when I was raised in a small almost-100%-Catholic town in rural Iowa, everyone judged everyone that way. People believed they were righteous based on their actions – how many times they went to Mass in a week, how much money they donated to the parish, whether their kids attended the Catholic school (combined with whose kids were perfectly behaved and never in trouble), whether they wore modest clothing, and the list went on. The more items one could tick off, the more holy and upright that person was considered to be. At times, it seemed almost like a competition for God’s favor, judged according to human standards.

Yet, the scriptures tell us an entirely different story. In Hosea, God laments about the lack of genuine piety, saying to the chosen people: “It is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” The psalmist follows this up with: “For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.”

That presents a different perspective on Lent, doesn’t it? The purpose of Lent is not to change our eating behaviors or increase our worthy activities (especially if those changes only last until Easter). The purpose of Lent is to humble our hearts, to love, to offer mercy, and to become more like Christ. Any external behavior we choose must be directed toward that interior goal, or it is not only in vain but worthless. It is not what God seeks.

This means that I need to join the elect (those journeying toward celebrating their baptism, confirmation, and communion at the Easter Vigil), who on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent engage in The Scrutinies. They take a hard and exacting look at themselves, their motivations, and their actions, to discern ways in which they are allowing obstacles to exist between themselves and God. Then, with the prayer and support of the community, they are challenged to remove those obstacles, purify their hearts, and come to the waters of Easter with changed and softened hearts, open to receive God’s Spirit in its fullness.

What better goal could any of us have? Whether you began Lent deciding to give up the usual thing or you carefully chose to do something to make a difference, don’t stop there. Use the scriptures and liturgies, the inherent awareness of suffering and mortality, and the grace of this sacred season to go deeper. I don’t want to let myself get off easy with superficial piety or a too-quick skim over the surface of my fears, attempts at control, weaknesses, pride, and sin. I pray for the strength to ask hard questions, the insight to see where I fall short, and the wisdom to know what to do about it. I want to grow closer to God. I want to be vulnerable and pliable before the One who is the source of my life. I want to be an ever more transparent instrument of God’s healing and loving power.

I pray that through the rest of this Lenten season we may join together as a community in prayer more intensely and attentively than usual. May we, as examples and companions to the elect, unflinchingly and honestly uncover our faults and failings, and work hard to allow God to transform our hearts of stone. Perhaps then we can all come to the waters of Easter, and rejoice as we meaningfully renew our covenantal relationship with God and go out into the world more humbled, loving, contrite, and Christ-like. And perhaps (dare we hope?) our sincere example may inspire others to do the same, so that as a Body of Christ we can bring the reign of God to our needy, broken, and hurting world.

With all my energy and will, I’m going to try. Will you? Can we?

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/.