Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:10b-16
Luke 4:31-37

Reflection:

Nazareth was a small town, with some authors suggesting its population was between 200-400 people, representing about ten families in total.

So, it is not surprising that Jesus would be well known and familiar to all and that this familiarity might incite both admiration and pride, but also be a point of vulnerability if expectations were not met.

Both dynamics are obvious today. Jesus is praised for his wisdom and clear articulation of the Word of God, and yet when he steps into a level of interpretation that is challenging then opinions quickly turn against him.

There is a fickleness in human nature, we see this all the time – a sporting personality is praised for her/his achievements one day and then ridiculed the next for some perceived failure.

It seems this has a long history and was certainly a dynamic at play in the public life of Jesus. Opinions and perceptions of him oscillated between admiration in one setting to disbelief or opposition in another.

What might be illustrative and sobering for us today is the rapidity of the ‘swing’ in his townsfolks’ opinion. The synagogue audience swings from admiration to opposition in what seems to be a very short interval.

We might feel we are more balanced and considerate in our views, but perhaps an ‘examen’ in the spirit of Ignatius of Loyola might serve us well from time to time.

Has social media or the ‘crowd’ over-influenced us in the formation of opinions or judgments? Have these same mediums limited our capacity to see widely and consider situations deeply? Have modern patterns of communication over-influenced us to the point where reactions overwhelm responses?

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is the Provincial Superior of Holy Spirit Province, Australia. 

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Luke 4:16-30

Reflection:

…so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.   -1 Corinthians 2:5

This is the time of year when I am once again recruiting people to register for our upcoming retreats at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit. There are no prerequisites for going on the retreat, for I know that whoever I invite to attend, from a casual searcher to a lifelong Catholic, that person will find something valuable for their spiritual growth. It amazes me sometimes how people with diverse experiences and worldviews all gather at the foot of the Cross and find nurture, while on retreat.

This is the gift of the Passionist charism lived out in the preaching at our retreat centers. In The Spirit of Passionist Retreat Centers, written in 2003, we find some explanation:

Passionists are highly educated men who grasp well the sometimes-subtle complexities of Scripture, theology, and modern culture. The “genius” of Passionist preaching, however, is found in an ability to interpret great truths in a manner comprehensible for ordinary Christian listeners.

And where does this ability come from? According to St. Paul the Apostle in today’s first reading, it is through the power of the Cross and God the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul the Apostle had tried rhetorical reasoning and lofty philosophical arguments in his preaching in Athens, and had failed, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 17. In his letter to the Christian community at Corinth, Paul explains that his success in delivering Christ’s message to them, and their reception of His message, were due to his focus on Christ Crucified and the movement of the Holy Spirit, not to any great rhetorical skills or knowledge on his part. He says:

I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. -1 Corinthians 2: 1-2

Like St. Paul, Passionists experience the power of the Cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. And like St. Paul, we hope and pray that our faith and the faith of all those with whom we live and minister “might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:5

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She serves on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan. Patty is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Reflection:

Today’s readings highlight the challenge of observing the letter of the law versus understanding and following the spirit of the law.

Moses gives the Israelites statutes and decrees as he prepares them to enter the Promised Land and instructs the Israelites not to add to or subtract from what he gives them. Following these will be enough and will give witness to the nations of the Israelites’ just and caring God.

The ruling classes in the centuries following Moses’ gift of the Law burdened the Jews with following strict precepts and extensive oral interpretations. For example, laws established for temple purity evolved into restrictions for all life. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, is challenged by the Pharisees and Scribes because some disciples ate their meals without cleaning their hands.

Jesus’ response pivots from the letter of the law, that is cleaning hands, to the spirit of the law, avoiding actions and behaviors which come from an unclean heart. In other words, washing hands is symbolic of purifying one’s heart. He does not say that the law should not be observed. Instead, He challenges His listeners to look beyond strict interpretations of laws and customs.

Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that, in the words of the apostle James, we become doers of the Word, not just hearers and care for the afflicted in the world—that our lives demonstrate our love for God, our neighbors and ourselves.

Mike Owens is coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 25:14-30

Reflection:

Happy Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time!

When I think about all the decades I’ve been fortunate enough to know my parents, I always remember them both as being tremendously hard-working professional musicians and teachers, working for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in many parishes and schools.  When my father was alive, he held other different jobs, all at the same time, in order to help make ends meet for the family.  And even now, my mother still works seven days a week in two parishes and two schools.  They drew (and she still does draw) on every facet of who they were/are.  Sure, it was hard, and not at all perfect, but wow; what hard workers and givers-back of the gifts they were given. 

As we grew, my sister and I helped them as much as we could in all they did.  My sister (MUCH older than me, by two years) definitely took their example to heart, and diligently and lovingly did her part.  For my part, it included working at my Uncle Victor’s Italian market with my Pa making sandwiches and stocking the shelves, or playing and cantoring and directing the choir when there were Masses in two parishes at the same time, or helping my Ma with cooking at home, scheduling private students, preparing music for rehearsals and Liturgies, and so on…

Sometimes I didn’t do a perfect job.  Sometimes I did pretty OK.  And *some* times, I did really well.  But my father and mother, no matter how whatever I produced turned out, would always thank me and tell me how proud they were… so long as I tried.  So long as I did something.  I remember their words of gratitude and grace, for sure.  But more than that, I remember the feeling:  so very helpful, so very needed, so special, so wonderful – so loved.

In Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, he exhorts, “We urge you, brothers & sisters, to progress even more … and to work with your own hands.”  I Thessalonians 4:10b,11b   In the Gospel, Jesus teaches with the parable of a man leaving town and trusting his “talents” (read “money”) with three of his servants.  Upon the master’s return, one servant gave back all the money, while the other two traded and invested and doubled all that the master had given them.  We hear the master proclaim to those who developed their talents, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Come, share in your master’s joy.”  Matthew 25:21

The readings today tell us that, whatever we do, we have to do something.  God showers us with so many gifts, and God doesn’t want us to hide them in the ground.  We are called to not just have, but to develop, cultivate, and use those gifts.  And, beautifully, it’s in the cultivating and sharing of our “talents” that we give them back to our Master.  Just as the flame of one candle can ignite another without losing it’s brightness, it’s in the sharing of our gifts that they’re doubled.

We are given the divine invitation to not stay where we are, but to do what we are called to do, even though our hands might need to get dirty in the process.  We must be good stewards of the gifts we’ve been given.  Let’s not bury ourselves in the ground and hide.  Let’s at least try!!!  It’s never too late to live as a Child of the Light. 

And can you imagine how you’ll feel when you hear God say “Wonderful job, my good, faithful helper.  Thank you, friend.  Come to me – let me share all my joy and all my love… with you.”

Dear God of yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows,
thank you for the gift of every turning season. 
Please grant us the grace
of always continuing to grow,
right up until the day we get to hear You say to us;
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Amen.

Peace and love to you, today and forever.

Paul Puccinelli is Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Rita Parish in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Matthew 1:1-13

Reflection:

Brothers and sisters, Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

This opening line from today’s reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians is like a mission statement for the Passionist Family. The cross to some looks like failure and folly. To others it is an expression of the outpouring of God’s love for us. I know, that sounds like foolishness, as Paul suggests. For as ubiquitous the cross is – with or without a corpus – we would be justified in wondering if the cross has been “emptied of its meaning.”

Today would have been my youngest brother’s 56^th birthday. But he died tragically at the age of 22. For the past 33 years, I have had to wrestle with the idea of “redemptive suffering.” Where is the wisdom of God in the folly of a senseless murder? How can good come from bad, life from death?

Yet, it has! I believe I am a more compassionate human being for having shared personally in the Passion of Christ. My brother’s death forced on me difficult questions about how I was going to live my life. The horror and sadness of that loss in our family endures. But we also realize that we are more closely bonded through our brother’s death. Did he have to die then? Of course not. Were we offended when some suggested that maybe God wanted him more than we did? Absolutely. Is there life that come from his death? We have to believe.

The Passionist Family can keep alive the memory of Christ’s Passion by taking a quiet, prayerful but hard look at the crucifix. Ponder it. See it for what it is, true suffering. But then see it for what it can be, a call to be the hands, eyes, heart, and words of Christ to the crucified and marginalized today.

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.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Mark 6:17-29

Reflection:

In the first reading today Saint Paul greetings and gives thanks to the Church in Corinth. He gives his credentials of being called by Christ to be an Apostle “by the will of God.” He affirms the spiritual gifts and the grace that has been given to the Church in Corinth and reminds them that they were called by God to be disciples of Christ. If we continue to read this first letter to the Corinthians, we will soon discover that the Church in Corinth is having a few difficulties. Thus, a letter to Saint Paul to help them iron things out.

In the Gospel, Saint John the Baptist knew that his call was to preach and proclaim the coming of the Messiah. He used his gift of preaching and teaching, putting his life on the line to speak the truth. He confronted Herod Antipas about his marriage to his brother’s wife when his brother was still living. Herod Antipas was a “king” with “power” who could not stand up to the truth when his wife asked for the “head of John the Baptist”. He could not humble himself and say no to her request. He would have appeared to be weak for refusing her request. What would people think of a king not keeping a promise? Even a king of ancient Palestine felt pressure from his guests or what he thought that his guests wanted. Some might have been on the side of the Queen. Some might have stood quietly, afraid to speak out, not wanting to go against the king or queen. Was there anyone there who did not agree with the request of the queen? Even in modern times not many people will step forward to ask questions or make objections when something is off track or unjust.

Both Saint John the Baptist and Saint Paul suffered much because of their refusal to give in to the power of secular leaders and trusted in the power of God. They are like bookends around the life, Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ. Two men who knew what they were called to do and were given grace and the spiritual insight to hold on to Christ. Saint John calling people to “prepare the way” and Saint Paul calling people to follow Jesus. Saint John knew Christ from the womb and Saint Paul on a road to Damascus, had a personal experience of Christ. Each had a call and each answered tapping into grace, and faithfulness.

Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just? Do I have enough faith to speak about my faith to others?

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Memorial of Saint Augustine

Scripture:

2 Thesslonians 3:6-10, 16-18
Matthew 23:27-32

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  We all know stories of ‘bad boy’ Augustine!  His early life was filled with revelry and sinfulness and his mother, Saint Monica prayed fervently for his conversion.  We also know that conversion did happen, he was baptized, later ordained and eventually became a Bishop.  During his lifetime he wrote thousands of letters of theological value.  He is best known for his philosophical works, The  Confessions and City of God.

Augustine has been described as an unlikely candidate for conversion based on his early days of wildness and unpredictability.  In spite of those days, we appreciate his conversion and hold him up as a true gift to our church.  I am reminded of the many conversion stories I have witnessed over the years in walking with candidates throughout the RCIA process.  We all have our own conversion stories, some more poignant than others, but still very important in our faith growth.  In walking the journey with many inquirers in RCIA I reminder two persons who gave our team some concern.  One young man came from another faith background, faithfully attended weekly sessions, asked questions and pondered the material presented, but he always had an edge, an angry disposition it seemed.  In the end he and the Holy Spirit went head to head leading him to a conversion that continues to sustain him today as an active and faith-filled part of our parish community. 

The other person, a young adult college student came to us interested in the faith, but she was a hit and miss attendee and we worried whether she was committed to the process at this time in her life.  We made the decision to suggest she take a break, spend some time in prayer, continue to meet with her sponsor and maybe reenter at another time.  We were very pleased when we heard several years later that she had reentered at another parish, was welcomed into full communion and happy in her new church home.

The Holy Spirit that led Saint Augustine and these two inquirers through a conversion in faith is the same spirit that led the Thessalonian community in faith and action. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy gave worthy praise to this community for their unceasing faith, love and endurance.  We are all frail human beings, we make rash decisions, we jump to conclusions, we are sinful.  We can take comfort in the responsorial psalm of today:

                        ‘The Lord takes delight in his people.’

God does indeed take delight in all that God has created, living and non-living creation.  We are called to do the same.  Having just returned from a month of traveling across the western USA and Canada, I was reminded time and again of the awesomeness of Gods creation and the unconditional love that went into its making and continues today.  Let us give thanks and praise for a God who takes great delight in all of creation!

Saint Augustine reminds us to take time out of our busyness to ‘rest in God’ and enjoy the peace that results because of it.

“You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

God’s peace to all!

Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17
Matthew 23:23-26

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel reading, we Continue to hear Jesus’ criticisms of the Scribes and Pharisees. Today, Jesus says “Woe” to them because they focused on the minutiae of the Law while they “neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity.” He also criticized them for dealing only with the externals, and not looking at their own need of conversion on the inside: in their hearts and minds.

This critique of the Pharisees and the scribes are not so much meant for them, but as a warning to us, that we do not fall into the same trap. And as I reflected on this, I began to wonder whether the Pharisees and the scribes focused on the small things and the externals because they thought they could have some control over these things, or thought they could control others over these things.

I don’t think I am the first one to point this kind of thing out when we look at some of the similar things we do. We do need to attend to the weightier things that are behind the rules and commandments that we have in our church: judgment (discernment), and mercy and fidelity and justice and peace, and overall, love. But we need to let go of trying to control others, or even ourselves in the process. Instead, we need to surrender and put our trust in God’s love and grace and will for us. Then, with God’s grace, we can take the actions that lead us to our inner conversion. As those who work the 12 Steps say, “Do the actions and the thoughts will follow.”

May we not browbeat each other over the small things, but help lift each other up, letting God into our hearts and minds, to heal us and heal the world in Jesus Christ.

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