Daily Scripture

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Scripture:

Isaiah 7:10-14
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24

 Reflection:

Fear or faith – these two stances are often gateways to a lesser or greater life.  Both stances are deeply imbedded in the human spirit. Fear often presents itself as an insistent, noisy, first reaction to a new situation whilst faith is a quieter force, one that announces itself slowly but with deep conviction. Where fear has the power to freeze us, to halt us in our tracts and to diminish life’s opportunities, faith holds the power to overcome so many obstacles, mysteries, hurts or sufferings and allows us to reach beyond ourselves to realise not only our potential, but often our deepest desires.

Thus it is understandable that in today’s gospel text Matthew presents Joseph as initially ‘afraid’; and to help him overcome his fear God’s word to him – imaged in the medium of ‘dream’ – is a message to not make fear a basis for his judgement, but rather to trust and have faith that God, through the Holy Spirit is active and creative in this moment.

As Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth unfolds, we see that Joseph chooses the way of faith, he puts his trust in God, and not withstanding whatever doubts, questions or puzzlement that might arise from that all too human incapacity to understand the ‘non-rational’ – Joseph chooses to respond to God’s will. “He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”

While Matthew highlights Joseph’s actions in the incarnation, (in contrast to Luke who will highlight Mary’s) we do see a consistent theme. Both are somewhat overcome by the announcement and discovery of Jesus’ impending birth, yet both put aside their initial puzzlement or fears and move in the direction of faith and wholehearted response to God.

In the light of faith Joseph and Mary glimpse the overwhelming majesty of God’s plan for us. A plan from all eternity; the Word becoming flesh and entering into deep communion with us – but beginning as all human life does, by being first conceived and formed within the womb.

But God’s plan also has to take shape in the hearts of Joseph and Mary too! Beyond pregnancy and birth lie parenting, witnessing, protecting and forming Jesus in all his growing years. Their trust in God will accompany them all through the years to come. For Jesus, as for each of us, new life announces itself in pregnancy, but is formed in family and through the sacrifice of those who surround us in life. The womb might be our first home on this earth, but the family and community into which we are born must also surround us with love, example, and witness in order to become that place we call ‘home’.

Perhaps this is why Matthew stresses (as will John at the end of his gospel) that Mary finds a ‘home’ with Joseph and his extended family – he took her into his home. Jesus is born of a woman, but will grow to maturity and ‘belong’ within a family and community.

As we prepare for the feast of Christmas, let us open our hearts to create a ‘home’ for the Lord and let us renew our resolve to be ‘family’ to each other in every way possible.

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 56:1-3a, 6-8
John 5:33-36

Reflection:

“Observe what is right, do what is just.” Isaiah 56:1

Have you ever met a person that you felt was holy, or the closest to holy that you might encounter as a person living in this day and age?

As I reflect back I think I’ve met a couple of people whom I would call holy.  My sense of their holiness had nothing to do with their status in or detachment from the world. Rather, they were engaged fully in life and were willing to let go of personal comfort in order to accomplish the works they felt called by God to do. They didn’t seem perfect; they just seemed very alive and committed. What stood out for me was that, without fanfare or self-aggrandizement, they really were observing what was right and doing what was just.

As I write this reflection, I find myself thinking about all the genuinely good people I know, each charting a path in the direction of kindness, compassion, and fairness. In fact, I believe the world is teeming with communities of good-hearted individuals. There really are saints and holy ones and an abundance of decent people among us. So with so much goodness in the world, how is it, then, that justice is so elusive?

As Christians during Advent, we are preparing our hearts to welcome Jesus into the world. God comes to us a helpless child; who doesn’t want to be ready to reach out in love to the baby in the manger? Who doesn’t want to draw closer to God as we gaze through our mind’s eye into the innocent eyes, the delicate cheeks, the tender mouth of the newborn Christ?

But the love we feel for the child at Christmas carries with it an awareness of the man he will become; the one who will go to the Cross and suffer. So as we buoyantly rejoice at his birth, we also remember those among us who carry a cross today. We make a sacrifice to help the poor; we say a prayer for the lonely and reach out to the forgotten. Justice cries out from the manger and is soothed by the love and care we generously give.

It seems to me that the genuinely holy ones among us hear the cry for justice throughout the year and sacrifice of themselves to answer it. That takes real guts. In the Gospel Jesus says that the works he performs are themselves testimony that God has sent him. What are the works that we are called to accomplish? How can we, who seek to be good and loving people, name and further the cause of justice? Christmas, perhaps, is a beautiful gift wrapped in a question: am I observing rightly; am I acting justly?

Nancy Nickel is the former director of communications at the Passionist Development Office in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Isaiah 54:1-10
Luke 7:24-30

Reflection:

Our Gospel passage is one of my favorites during this Advent season.  And the question contained within it parallels another “favorite” question of mine found in another Gospel passage.  In today’s Gospel from Luke we here the familiar dialog between Jesus and the disciples, those who had gone out into the desert to search for the Baptist.  Jesus simply asks them, ““What did you go out to the desert to see, a reed swayed by the wind?  Then what did you go out to see?  Someone dressed in fine garments?  Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces.  Then what did you go out to see?  A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.  Jesus is probing their hearts to see if they have listened to the words of the prophet, the only prophet of the New Testament, wondering if they have heard his message.  The one to come is the one you must look for, the anointed one, the promised Messiah of God!

On another occasion Jesus asked of his own disciples a similar and very probing question.  He was on the road with them and, as if out of the blue, he asks:  Who do people say that I am?”  I am sure we all remember this passage very well.  The disciples offered various opinions and then Jesus cuts straight to the quick: And you, who do you say that I am?”  On both of these occasions Jesus is asking those who are seekers, true seekers mind you, what are you looking for?  What are you searching for?  And in both instances the only true answer can be given from the heart, a heart prepared by grace and one filled with the message of all the prophets before John the Baptist himself.  There is only one we are to search for, only one, whether we are in the desert or on the road, in palaces or poor homes, the only one we can seek is Jesus the Lord, the promised one.  The messiah.  May this be the longing of our hearts now and during the rest of this Advent season.  God bless you.

Fr. Pat Brennan, C.P. is the director of Saint Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Isaiah 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25
Luke 7:18b-23

Reflection:

Today we read the profoundly beautiful words from Isaiah, chapter 45 when he declares:  “Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.”  In the beautiful liturgical tradition of the Church, this plaintiff cry is also called the “Rorate Coeli”, taken from the traditional and very poetic translation in Latin: “Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum” (Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just), and the response: “Aperiatur terra et germinet salvatorem” (Let the earth be opened and send forth a Savior.”)

You can just feel the deep longing in the soul of Isaiah when he shouts these words to the Heavens!  The northern kingdom of Israel had fallen to the Assyrian King.  The defeat appeared to be the beginning of gloom and utter destruction.  It was the task of Isaiah to remind the people of his time that, while all appeared lost, the Lord would not fail them.  He would send a savior and justice would rule the earth.

It is no different for us today.  Surely we all feel the same deep longing for justice to be planted firmly upon the earth and in our world.  It is so clear that all people of goodwill want goodness and kindness to take the place of greed, violence, and hatred.  And so, on this special day of Advent, we join our voices with Isaiah and cry out to the Lord, “Dear God, send us the long-awaited Savior.  Free us, free our world from the darkness and evil that takes place in our streets, in our cities, and in our homes.  Deliver us from all those who are corrupt and deceitful.  And may your justice reign as promised by sending to us Jesus, the Christ, our Savior.”

Rorate coeli desuper!  Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down!

Fr. Pat Brennan, C.P. is the director of Saint Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Matthew 21:28-32

Reflection:

Lip-service and empty words come to mind as I reflect on today’s Gospel. In our Gospel for this past Sunday, a sentence jumps out which may shed light on what we read today, “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” (Matt 11:6) Jesus was responding to the question from John the Baptist early on in his ministerial life as to “the One whom they should look for.” (11:3), the blind see, the lame walk…etc. It begs the question, why on earth would anyone “take offense” at these Messianic works—isn’t that what they were longing for?

Today, eleven chapters and many miracles and signs later, Matthew is highlighting the authority of Jesus as he (Jesus) has open confrontations with the religious leaders. They were most definitely taking “offense” at him. The question I pondered surrounds the heart of Jesus; how did he do it? How did he constantly show up in the temple day after day sharing the love of God? How did he not lose hope or be totally discouraged? If we are to comprehend that he was truly human—how did he process all this pain and rejection especially from those church leaders who proclaimed to know his Father!  Imagine the depth of that love!

We read that in the end the first son demonstrated self-less love while the second son demonstrated empty promises with no heart at all. It seems easy enough even for the leaders to see this truth. However, lest we see ourselves as the first son and get too puffed up with vainglory (Phil 2:3) we would do well to remember the type of love which Jesus taught and demonstrated. Agape—self-emptying love. As we unpack this scripture which combined with our first reading from Zephaniah is inviting us to see with the eyes of Jesus and live in awareness that those whom we judge as less or unworthy might just be responding to that self-emptying love in their lives.

Ah, there’s the rub! As I ponder Jesus’ response to his growing hostile circumstances, I ask for the grace of freedom to choose how I respond to the invitations for growth and truth in my own life. To be nourished as I “Immerse myself in the immensity of the Sea of God’s Love.” (St. Paul of the Cross)

May I always respond to any circumstances with his enduring heart for love and justice. May I never be blinded by preconceived ideas but see and hear the voice of love calling me forth. And as I sing the hymns of Advent—may my words be authentic—not empty. May I truly live into those words and not get side-tracked by all the demands of the season; may I wait in joyful hope.

May we all take to heart the words of our Psalm and “let our souls glory in the Lord.” (Psalm 34:3).

Come, Lord Jesus. Fill every corner of our world with your self-emptying love. Amen.

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

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Scripture:

Zechariah 2:14-17 or
Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Luke 1:26-38 or 1:39-47

Reflection:

I believe in the Word of God bringing us to the fulfillment of God’s Plan, the harmonization of all God’s creation, and the ultimate reunification with with our Creator, that “all be one again.” I believe in the Word, which we hold aloft, bless, incense, proclaim and, habitually, put into effect with a courageous trust. It is the Word that proclaims a non-violent response to the power of evil. It is the Word that teaches love of enemies and those who persecute us. It is the Word that asks us to submit to God’s loving Will in total surrender. It is the Word that attracts, in the most mysterious ways, that which is broken, abused, addicted, disrespected and scattered. This Word has uncanny way of gathering into that Body, which it inspires, the Church. The Word informs those who strive to fulfill it like the birthing of a child, birthpangs and all. Birthpangs continuing in the fight for justice for all . (Did you know that there is a new, national movement afoot to bring back a poor peoples’ fight for justice?)

This Word became flesh in a most dramatic fashion through the apparition of our Blessed Mother to a man named Juan Diego in December of 1531 on a hill called Tepeyac in Mexico. It could be considered the most provoking appearance of our Lady in history.

The Spaniards had entered into what was then the territory of Mexico to abscond gold from the land, in the cheapest way possible, through slavery of the native population.This master/slave relationship evolved into genocide of these tribes as the Spaniards gained a more commanding foothold. These horrific actions on the part of the Spaniards and this sudden appearance of our Blessed Mother reflect the imagery of the Book of Revelation and that of verses in the Gospel of Luke whereby our Blessed Mother stands, pregnant with Child face to face with the great red dragon who wanted to devour the newborn. Her strength would be revealed in her declaration that her “soul magnifies the Lord,” and her “spirit rejoices in God” her Savior. The 30,000,000 Hispanic people in our midst continue to remind all of us of our vigilant and strong “Virgencita” and her love for the oppressed and downtrodden.

Be mindful of the opening prayer on this feast, where we pray to seek with ever more lively faith the progress of peoples in the ways of justice and peace.

Let us celebrate this festival of our Lady of Guadalupe, as a reminder that the Word continues to become enfleshed through our activity to establish the reign of God.

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