Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Isaiah 50:4-9a
Matthew 26:14-25

Reflection:

Today is traditionally known as “Spy Wednesday” at least it was when I was growing up in Ireland. However, that was a long time ago. Our son used to refer to those days as “the olden days.” If memory serves me correctly, we began our Easter observances on this day, and we would end on Easter Sunday. Schools would get their Easter vacation on this day.

On Spy Wednesday, we would attend Mass in the evening and every shop or retail store in our town would close to allow their associates the opportunity to attend Mass.  Yes, those were the “olden days.”

Our readings today point to Jesus’ betrayal by Judas in Matthews Gospel, this is the one incident that as a child, I often imagined, heaven and earth would hold their collective breath. It has begun. It, being salvation is upon us. There is mystery in the story. It has all been set up in preparation for this event. Could we stretch it to imagine that it goes all the way “from the beginning” as in the creation story in Genesis.

Our first reading from the prophet Isaiah offers us what is commonly known as the third Servant Song. These few lines are so familiar to us as most of us recognize the story of Jesus who has been called the suffering servant. He has been portrayed in all the Passion movies as the one who passively accepts his suffering—in love.

It tells us about the Lord God who seems to be the prime mover in these few short verses. They speak of resolve and deep faith in God and offer consolation to those who are suffering, almost like a case statement of faith. As the Psalm goes, “Lord, in your great love, answer me (Psalm 69).” How many times do we call out to our God? Jesus certainly called out to his Father in his hour, and he was comforted by an angel. Who are the angels in your life?

The verses of the Psalm for this day seem to echo the first reading. ”For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. In the same way, these verses loop in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians found in our entrance antiphon for this day. This was the thrust of St. Paul’s understanding of the sufferings of Jesus. He “suffers with us”  He understands our pain.

I must admit to being struck by the commitment of the Trinity, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Most of us are very familiar with God’s compassion being likened in the Hebrew Scriptures to a mother’s womb “with deep compassion.”

As a mother and grandmother, I am uplifted when I reflect on the closeness, faithfulness, and love that binds us in relationship, together. The self-sacrificing, I can understand, certainly, it is grounded in the love of the other. Yet, how could the Father and the Holy Spirit just allow Jesus to suffer alone; or did they?  When I find it very hard to deny a request of another little soul for their good. Not for the first time do I appreciate this commitment to the human race, to me and you. Can we learn from the Trinity in the context of “one-ness”? and new ways in expressing our committed togetherness

This Holy Week, may we come to appreciate the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanity in new ways. 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:

Isaiah 49:1-6
John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reflection:

The Sacred Story of The Passion of Our Lord unfolds within us this Holy Week because through our Baptism we are embodied in Christ. We are in His Passion and Death. We are on the cross with him. This belief raises one question within me:

“As I read this story, where do I see myself in it? Or where do I share in the Passion of Jesus Christ?”

Spend the rest of Holy Week through the day of Easter pondering this question. Repeat it like a mantra throughout the week.

Allow God who willed this week for our salvation to penetrate within you. You will become an answer to your own sacred question, through your perseverance in pouring over this question you become an answer, and an answer to other people’s prayers! That is ministry. And the confirmation that we are chosen by God to be other Christs for others is found in the very obstacles, setbacks, defeats and dissolution that we encounter. The prophet Isaiah was lead to await wonderful results, but instead, “…. I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly spent my strength.” (Isa. 49:4-5)

Both of those experiences (within you, and through you to others) have relevance if you ponder them with trust and anticipation.

Do not cheat or cut back on the time pondered or this. Trust and anticipation of what is to come is equivalent to faith. Recall Isaiah’s words again.  

I am very conscious of people I have encountered who have become

“islands unto themselves” and “distant peoples” especially with regard their relationship with God! A dream smashed, plans that just did not work out, an anticipated outcome that never worked out, all because “I relied on God, and prayed to Him, and He didn’t answer my prayer. I don’t trust Him anymore. I do not attend Church. What is the point?”

Consider this then in your prayer. This prophet and Jesus realized that where they were called into earthly life was not for their own ambition, but to achieve a fragile love and a faithful consecration with God and with their neighbors within the context of their particular earthly life! What does not seem to matter in the eyes of the world and its standards for happiness and success, makes all the difference in the eyes of God! Life’s most tragic events, through the faith demonstrated through Holy Week, can turn our mind and heart to the Lord’s glory and to our friendship with the Lord, in a more effective way than any other way in the world.

The first person in our lives must be the presence of God. Such was Jesus’ response to the following. In between announcements of the two betrayals, one by Judas and the other by Peter, Jesus declared: “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in Him.”(John 13:31)

Isaiah the prophet and Jesus relied totally on the Will and the Way of God as they lived through their own “death experiences.”

Pray for this wisdom and grace of “dying to rise” through the Grace of God. It could become an answer to someone else’s prayer.

This was written under the inspiration of Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P.

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P., is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Isaiah 42:1-7
John 12:1-11

Reflection:

It is Holy Week. We have entered the most profound time in the church year. We began yesterday with Palm Sunday by reliving both our high hopes with cries of “Hosanna” and the horror of the passion with cries of “crucify him!”  These holy days invite us to pay special attention to the readings offered to us during this time that leads up to the Triduum, or the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

It is not hard to see in today’s reading from the Prophet Isaiah references to Jesus. That is why they are offered to us for prayer and reflection. Jesus is God’s servant, the anointed one who brings justice to the nations through gentleness and healing. So if we are called to be disciples of Jesus, called to imitate him in our lives, then perhaps we too might hear God speaking about us through Isaiah.

I will use my name, but I invite you to say your own name in praying these verses:

“Bob, you are my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit.”

“Bob, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

We do not walk through this week as spectators. We engage the story of our Lord’s passion and resurrection as our own story. We learn how we can be a light to the world, open the eyes of the blind, or bring out prisoners from their darkness.  Perhaps this week you can ask yourself, “How do I feel called to live as a disciple of Jesus and the beloved of God?”

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.

Scripture:

Luke 19:28-40
Isaiah 50:4-7
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14-23:56

Reflection:

Sunday is Palm, or Passion, Sunday. We hear the account of the Passion of Jesus according to Luke (22:14-23:56). There are several things unique to Luke’s account. In the agony in the garden, Luke mentions that an angel ministers to Jesus. While Jesus is on the Cross, He makes an act of the forgiveness He has been preaching to the people: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Later on, Jesus goes beyond even forgiveness to do an act of mercy. When one criminal defends Jesus against the remarks made by the other, he asks, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus replies, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” And finally, when Jesus is about to die, He says, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

There is one other thing unique to Luke’s account. It comes before the actual crucifixion. At the Last Supper, after Peter avows, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you;” Jesus replies, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.” We know that Jesus’ prophecy comes true. What is unique to Luke’s account is that, after Peter’s denial, and the cock crows, Jesus looks at Peter, and Peter, remembering the prophecy, goes out and “weeps bitterly.”

I think it is important for us to reflect on what this meant for Peter, because it may mean something for us. As I reflected on this, I tried to imagine what Jesus’ expression was, and what was going on in Peter’s mind and heart.

I can’t imagine Jesus’ expression being one of anger, although it would have been understandable if it was. At the same time, I can’t imagine a reassuring smile. What I imagine is a penetrating gaze, again, without hostility, but a gaze that confronts you with the truth.

Peter is confronted with the truth of his giving in to fear. And just as Jesus would be stripped of His clothes before He is nailed to the Cross, Peter is stripped. He is stripped of any false bravado. He is stripped of reliance on his own strength. He is stripped of his own understanding of what the Messiah was meant to do. But he is not stripped of Jesus’ love for him! He is not stripped of hope, for Jesus told him that He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail, and that he would strengthen his brothers.

As we begin Holy Week, we might take the risk of letting Jesus look at us from the Cross with a penetrating gaze, and let ourselves be stripped; stripped of any reliance on our own power; stripped of any pretensions or masks behind which we hide ourselves; stripped of resentments and prejudices, and most of all, fears. And if we let ourselves be stripped in this way, we open ourselves to be penetrated with a love and hope that endures even as we carry our own crosses.

In the words of our second reading (Philippians 2:6-11), Jesus emptied Himself, and was “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” for our salvation. He sees us as we are, and loves us. May we let His gaze of love empty us of whatever gets in the way, and follow Him.

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

Scripture:

Genesis 17:3-9
John 8:51-59

Reflection:

“So they picked up stones to throw at him;
but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.” -John 8:59

Is it any wonder that Jesus’ contemporaries want to stone him? He told the rich young man that he had to sell all he had, give it to the poor and come follow him (Right!); He expelled the merchants from the temple (how did he expect them to manage?); He told prostitutes and tax collectors that God loves them (ok, then I am worthy despite my past mistakes). Unless I’m completely out of it, I hear Jesus telling me I must be willing to put sharing and caring above money making, and that no matter how shameful or sinful I am or feel, my creator God, loves me and wants to dance with me. (YIKES!)

Today, two thousand years later, we who claim to follow this Jesus, people who call ourselves Christians are: “…many of the world’s wealthiest and highest consuming citizens…” (Simplelivinghistorybook) To my problematic mind, that would mean either we, I count myself among the world’s wealthiest and highest consuming, didn’t understand what Jesus was all about, or we have chosen to ignore these more challenging aspects of His life and message.

Jesus, please don’t hide from me, from us, today. Let me see and hear your message and not run from it. Give me the courage to follow you, to be willing to leave it all and follow you, to take up my cross, not my brother or sister’s cross, but my cross, and carry it, being willing like You, to give my all, in the firm belief that I will share in the new life You promise.

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

Scripture:

Numbers 21:4-9
John 8:21-30

Reflection:

How is your Lenten journey coming along?   The reason the ancient season of Lent came into being was so that the church could prepare for the sacred celebrations of Holy Week.  These three days (Triduum) are the most sacred for us as Christians.  So, the Church takes some extended time for reflection and preparation.  You may have noticed that early in Lent the readings focused more on the triad of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Sprinkled throughout the 40 days are themes of sin and repentance.  Now as we press close to Holy Week, we begin getting glimpses which we are to etch on the memory tablets of our minds and familiarize ourselves with them so that when we see it again, we will clearly recognize it.  Such is the Gospel today.   

It is that central section of John’s Gospel when Jesus has gone up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles and gets in this conversation with the Jewish authorities.  Jesus clearly understands his role and authority.  He is his Father’s ambassador.  He also understands where this will lead him as he predicts his future to them.  He is to be “Lifted Up” On that day, no one would have expected that the lifting up would be on a cross, suffering the wretched punishment of crucifixion.

It is not a coincidence that this reading is paired with the Old Testament story from the book of Numbers whereby Moses lifts up the bronze image of a serpent who was biting the people.  And why were they getting bit?  Because they were complaining against God.  Just as a side note, both the Old and New Testaments, are consistent in revealing that God is intolerant towards grumbling, murmuring and complaining.  The text of the Book of Numbers states the seraph serpents bit the people in punishment.  Only after they have been bitten do they realize their sin.   Yet that is not the end of the story, for God acts with compassion on the people, forgives them and provides a remedy.  The remedy is to look at a bronze image of the very thing which bit them.  Hold it up and look at it.   And Jesus prophecy is that he will be held up so we can look at him. 

Some people are comfortable just keeping this as a historical event.  Others have etched the image on their minds so deeply that they begin to see innocent people who are crucified in today’s world by abusive power, injustice, ignorance, and justification.   If you think about the crucified of today, then let’s ask once more, how is your Lenten journey really coming along?  

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Daniel 13:1-62
John 8:12-20

Reflection:

Facing the Challenge of Judgement

Ah, the fifth week of Lent…our annual quest for renewed hearts!  Today’s Scriptures are loaded with intrigue and false accusations — all met by the power of God manifest in the insightful words of the young prophet Daniel and the selfless love of Jesus, “the Light of the World”. 

The reading from Daniel 13 relates the saga of Susanna, wife of Joachim, who was falsely accused of adultery by two scorned, lust-filled elders.  She stood condemned to death – until the “young boy” Daniel appeared on the scene and shrewdly defended Susanna from the perjury of the two elders; their individual testimony conflicted, and they both received the death sentence they sought for her. 

The Gospel selection from John 8 shares Jesus responding to the charges of blasphemy and deceit made against Him by some evil-spirited Pharisees.  Jesus had been teaching in the treasury of the temple area, proclaiming that He is the Light of the World, that God the Father had sent Him to share His life-giving message of selfless love.  In word and deed, Jesus reveals Himself as the Light of the World, penetrating the darkness of human wickedness so often displayed in selfish, careless, baseless judgements.

Today, April 4, 2022, is the 54^th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   He dreamed of the power of love to transform judgements, misconceptions, and injustice.  He is considered by many a contemporary “Apostle of Freedom”.

The message?  Prayer, penance, and almsgiving this Lent encourage a greater intimacy with God, and a greater love for our fellow human beings.  Our world scene?  We continue to rush in judgement of the gifts, the motivation, and the dignity of one another; at times we may work hard at trying to be and do good while selfishly comparing ourselves with others. 

May this Lenten season help us move beyond selfish judgements.  May our hearts be touched by the wisdom of the young prophet Daniel and the Light and Life which is Jesus.  May we be honestly renewed in heart and life, sharing the Jesus-inspired radiance and energy that help us lovingly embrace the opportunities and challenges of 21^st Century life. 

The Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 23, encourages: “The Lord is my shepherd…He guides me in right paths…I fear no evil…goodness and kindness follow me all the days…”  May we walk hand-in-hand, with Jesus Christ, our Easter Light.

Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.  

Scripture:

Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:8-14
John 8:1-11

Reflection:

The landscape of Israel is littered with stones. They stretch out across the sun-bleached land often as far as the eye can see. In such a setting it is not hard to appreciate how ‘stoning’ others became a form of defence, punishment, and assault. The means were there in almost every situation and place. In the heat of arguments people may have simply taken up stones are merely an arm’s length and thrown these at each other. But in cases of violations of the law, stoning was used to punish and at times to execute people.

In such a setting adultery was seen as a sin deserving capital punishment.  Of course, the woman is being use in this story, the real intent of the scribes and Pharisees is to trap Jesus and to find some cause to further criticise or condemn him.  Their intentions is far from the a desire to defend the law, and hypocritically their protestations about defending the law for the sake of tradition and out of respect for the Mosaic tradition is hollow and shallow.

How far is both the old law, and the misuse of its provisions by those with other agendas, from Jesus’ command ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Once again, we see Jesus create an answer that is unchallengeable, and which also confronts those who seek the woman’s stoning. Further, his intervention ensures the woman’s safety and freedom.

What can we learn today for our own spiritual growth? It seems that there is a strong warning about hypocrisy within this story (the false motives of the officials), there is inequality to confront (the partner of the woman is absent entirely and has gone unpunished or unexposed), and there is a misuse of office and power at work here (those with power are exercising it against one with little or no power).

The scene calls out to us to be aware and to base our behaviour on the standards that Jesus championed and not those of the crowd, the voyeur or the manipulative.

We are called to follow a compassionate leader, one who saw behaviour that needed to be challenged from time to time, but who did not condemn the person.

Let us do likewise.

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is a member of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.