Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32

Reflection:

Today’s gospel begins with the Pharisees and scribes grumbling that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them,” implying he condones the behavior of sinners.  For Jesus, however, table fellowship implies full communion with him.

Their grumbling is the impetus for three parables that Jesus tells them – the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son and his father.  These parables share a common theme: that which was lost is now found, leading to boundless joy and celebration.  This is a joy that mirrors God’s joy when a sinner repents.

The story of the prodigal son and father is arguably the most memorable of the three parables.  Moreover, it serves as a metaphor for the Eucharist and the life of the Church.

It is the father who sacrifices all for his two sons, however divided they may be.  His gift to them is his love, his utter willingness to forgive, and to celebrate at the return of the lost son.  He invites all to join in communion with him.  Such is the gift of God in Christ in the Eucharist.

Our response should be the response should reflect that of the prodigal son – conversion, that is a return from our disobedience, from the “far country,” our return of mind and heart to the Father.  In the conversion, we are reconciled to the Father and to one another.  There is more.  We are invited to the table, to celebrate with and to dine with the Lord. we are transformed in Christ when we receive the Bread of Life.

The Pharisees and scribes, like the angry son the parable, may grumble and refuse to join in the celebration.  But like the father and the indignant son, he will never stop inviting even to them to the table.  Why?  Because God in Christ continues reconciling the world to himself.  And like the prodigal son robed in the finest, He robes us in new dignity for the celebration of the Eucharist.

With arms as wide as the universe, God the Father is ready to embrace everyone with a loving welcome.  No exceptions.  God does not say you are welcome “if” you meet these standards.

We too are called to welcome others as we have been welcomed, and to forgive others as we have been forgiven.  We who were lost have been found.  It’s time to celebrate.

Deacon Manuel Valencia is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Luke 6:43-49

Reflection:

Gandhi once said that Christianity is a wonderful religion, if only someone followed it. Jesus laments the same thing, frustrated with all who proclaim his name and yet do not do what he teaches. I don’t think that dynamic has changed since Jesus’ or Gandhi’s time.

After all, I read about Christians espousing the death penalty, as if Jesus taught us to kill someone who kills another. I observe Catholics who would deny Communion to people who don’t obey every letter of Church law, as if Jesus didn’t freely welcome sinners to the table (often preferring their company to the “righteous” ones and upholding their dignity). I hear Christians shouting hateful things accusing immigrants of taking away jobs or resources from those more entitled, as if Jesus taught us to hoard what we have, exclude the immigrant and the stranger, and assert our own rights over those of others. I see Christians who support any legislation that adds to their business profits or cuts their own taxes regardless of its impact on others, as if Jesus didn’t disdain the love of money and laud those who give even from their own need. Even more disconcerting, many Christians with these practices assert that they are following Jesus’ teachings and even “defending the faith.” What kind of a foundation are we building under our society, our Church, and our own souls?

I am challenged yet again to examine my actions and commitments in light of what Jesus said and how he lived. For instance, because of the circumstances of my upbringing, money became a form of security I crave (and yes, I love it when my taxes go down). A primary challenge for me, then, is to advocate to my representatives in Congress for tax reform that lifts up the needy more than those like myself who have enough. I commit to increasing my rate of giving and donations to the extent that it requires sacrifice in my own life. I pray to find my security in God rather than in something so fleeting as money.

Yet that is not enough. I will also write to my bishop and talk to my pastor, expressing my support for welcoming all to the table. When I am at Mass, I will look for ways to include, talk to, and sit next to those of another age, status, culture, or race. I will encourage and support those who work to overturn the death penalty and facilitate rehabilitation of people who commit crimes.    

The list could go on. What is yours? If we can each honestly examine ourselves and change the ways we fall short of the Gospel, we can build that strong foundation and be an authentic witness to what Jesus taught. Perhaps our witness could even be strong and authentically Christian enough to attract others to come and follow rather than to turn away in frustration.

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/.

Memorial of St. Peter Claver

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27
Luke 6:39-42

Reflection:

                                              Becoming Mystics of the Crucified                                                         

Today we are in a jury box listening to Paul defend his ministry of preaching. “I have no choice; I’m under compulsion” to do it. Free, he has made himself a slave wanting to be weak so that he can be one with the weak, to share with them the Good News, and win some of them over.

I thought I found myself in a jury box yesterday, where I and a few other Passionists sat judging two professional Catholic writers, a man and a woman, both people of color.

Could these professionals help us in our mission of preaching Christ Crucified? As they shared with us about their work of writing on injustice and the suffering of men women and children of color in our society, I found myself not in the jury box but being judged, judging myself. They knew the prejudice that keeps people on the margin. They voiced the hurt and suffering known to them as people of color. They showed the faces of the unjustly treated through there professional expertise, and invite compassion and conversion. They showed the gift of hope given to us at Baptism.

Paul is a mystic of the Passion who invites us to share an intimate association with Jesus the Crucified by being one with crucified people. We proclaim Christ Crucified whom we meet in our brothers and sisters, and we come to Christ Crucified by becoming one with them in their suffering. Paul speaks of discipline. Could his discipline be this work of making ourselves one with those who suffer the Passion of Christ, thus enabling them to come to know the Crucified Christ through us?

Imagine Peter Claver, whose feast we celebrate today, in light of the the words of Paul.

Peter who has been in Cartagena for 5 years, in 1615 prepares to go on board a slave ship just arrived. He has established a bit of a reputation and will call himself in the days ahead a ‘slave of slaves’. The owners probably thought he did no harm, indeed the little food or drink he could share, some superficial medicines, the gentleness and kindness wouldn’t hurt and maybe would help the slaves when they got to market.

Poor, disorientated people. Exhausted after a long frightening voyage away from what was known into a cruel unknown. Ahead was work in the fields if they were lucky, others would go into the mines. Another part of the Passion of Christ that Peter knew was the slave system and culture. Some Christians would not go into church or into a confessional if a slave was there before them. How to do good in a society that accepted such injustice, such inhumanity? Peter said, “speak with our hands before we speak with our lips”. He served his crucified Lord by being one with his crucified people. This was also his gift of grace to the unjust. In Columbia today is the Day of National Human Rights. His work was not unseen. Besides the slaves others heard the work of his hands.

No blind guide is Peter Claver, SJ. He is a teacher inviting us to become like him. He gives a vision, a mystic’s vision. He pulls the plank of prejudice out of our eyes enabling us to see the Crucified of today, and full of compassion respond to Christ whom we meet in them. I so look forward to working with our two new writers.    

Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Micah 5: 1-4 or Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Reflection:

An Amazing Day of Grace

Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God. “We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His decree.” –Romans 8:28

On this day when we celebrate Mary’s birthday, some of you are on the verge of divorce, in danger of death, or in agony. Jesus loves you infinitely and has died on the cross and risen from the dead for love of you. On this birthday celebration of Mary, expect Jesus to make “all things work together for the good” (Rm 8:28)

It is typical in the church to celebrate a saint’s death-day instead of the saint’s birthday. The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an exception because in her humanity, God “has prepared a living temple where his Son, made flesh, wanted to live among us and give us salvation”; she “reminds us that God is faithful to his promises” (Pope Francis). In fact, from the first moment of her existence God had a loving plan for her—and through her, for us! In honoring Mary on Her birthday, we honor God, for “He who established the heavens in wisdom has fashioned a living heaven” (Byzantine Liturgy).

Deacon Peter Smith serves at St. Mary’s/Holy Family Parish in Alabama, a retired Theology teacher from Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, a retired soldier from the US Air Force, and a member of our Passionist Family.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Luke 6:20-26

Reflection:

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man. -Luke 6:20-22

Counting each step on our way to base camp which was still hours away, I found myself in the middle of a single file line of fourteen people slowly following the person in front of me. Twelve of us had spent the last two days driving from Chicago, an elevation of 600 feet above sea level to Vail Colorado, an elevation of 8,000 feet. Upon arriving we had two more days to get used to breathing at the higher elevation, while also doing team-building exercises like scaling a 10-foot wall without the help of ropes and learning to rely on each other. On this day we headed up another thousand feet to what would become our base camp for the next five days—truly a life-changing hike. It was the early 1980’s and we were out to “Meet the Wilderness” yes, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, but also that wilderness that lies in each one of us when we isolate.

Here I am sharing this with you some forty years later and still learning how important it is not to isolate. I’m a slow learner, and I’m still not sure I get it—my wealth does not come from my bank account, my pension, my financial bottom line…life is not all due to my hard work, my toeing the line, my getting up early each morning, my praying to God, my doing chores…studying all about poverty, ignorance and crime, and racking up a bunch of letters behind my name, does not give me the secret formula that would do away with the world’s evils.

I’m learning, that only by me sharing my experience like I’m doing with the reflection, getting involved with my neighbors, helping tend the gardens…by my learning to live on less, less energy, less of the earth’s resources will there be enough for all of God’s (not Dan’s) creation. Yes, I am loved and can be part of that creation, but only if I join the we, meaning all of God’s creation.

Thank you, God, for sending us Jesus to remind us of our real wealth—one another and mother earth. Help me live those beatitudes recorded in today’s gospel selection, those paths up to a higher elevation. Yes, the going does get tough, but You are with us.

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

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Luke 6:12-19

Reflection:

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.  -Luke 6:12

Early in my life I, like most young people, caught the waves of activities all about me. Tasks to be finished, people to meet, events I did not want to miss, things I needed to buy, schedules to be filled.

Living frenetically, without self-reflection, without extended periods of silence, with rushed recognition of God’s presence, eventually led to a life of superficial experiences and minimal personal growth. And a frail relationship with God.

Under the gentle hand of a wise spiritual director, I gradually learned the satisfaction of extended prayer, but not without maximum resistance by me.

Making regular prayer a priority has, in time, shifted everything in my life.

What I thought I could not live without, I found out was false. What I thought I had to do, to achieve, to win, I found out were unnecessary efforts.

In time, I found a space of, what one spiritual guide called, “poised freedom.” It is a place, in God’s presence, where, in the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, “…in everyday life, we hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts as we have a choice and are not bound by some responsibility. We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a more loving response to our life forever with God. Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me.”

This experience of letting go frees us from urgencies, wishes and idols that our morally illiterate culture dictates we must follow.

When I make sure to take time each day for silent space in God’s presence, God seems to gradually seep into my awareness, giving me the wisdom to distinguish which things are ultimately important from the things that are imprisoning. By God’s grace I, step by step, am led to God’s deepening life in me.

This closeness is no doubt what Jesus experienced spending the night alone with God on that mountain. Throughout the gospels, he models for us how to pray. It is always done away from the activities and expectations of others. He sits alone with his Father, in silence.

By pulling back each day, finding a quiet space in a church, a closed room, a park, along a wooded path, or at the shore, and just sitting in silence before God, is absolutely necessary to deepen God’s life in us.

St Francis de Sales is said to have recommended we spend at least 30 minutes a day in prayer, except on days we are very busy. Then he recommended we spend an hour in prayer, no doubt because we have more to filter through the lens of God.

Trusting God will do what is necessary to draw us closer, we have to take the first step and be available for God to do the work. Otherwise, we drift through each day feeling and thinking of the immediate, the superficial, the urgent and the inconsequential demands of daily life.

God is offering each of us a lot more out of life than we realize unless we take time to stop, listen, and let God work God’s ways within us.

Jim Wayne is a board member of the Passionist Solidarity Network (PSN), and author of The Unfinished Man. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Luke 6:6-11

Reflection:

And you are inflated with pride. Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst.   -1 Corinthians 5:2

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”   -Luke 6:9

There is a great dichotomy in our readings this day. On the one hand we have Paul telling a church in Corinth that they must hold to the Law. He severely admonishes them for allowing sin to flourish in their midst. He doesn’t even suggest that they try to redeem the sinner! He encourages them to turn him loose and let him make his way alone.

On the other hand, we have Jesus in the synagogue. Before the gathered religious authorities He seems to define the Law. He heals on the Sabbath! Now, in our day and age, it’s hard to understand how strident the law against all activity on the Sabbath was at Jesus’s time. I mean, who among us has not done yard work or gone shopping on a Sunday? But to those gathered around Jesus this was not a minor bending of the rules but a flagrant disregard for accepted tradition. What is it that sets these two scenes apart?

I once asked a friend of mine who is a priest this question. “Why is it,” I asked, “that sometimes it seems the laws of the Church can be bent or even broken?” He answered me in a similar way as Jesus does: “Is the act life-giving or community building or does it break relationships, tear apart friendships, damage our relationship with God?”

No greater theologian than Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) said this about church authority: “Over the pope as expression of the binding claim of ecclesiastical authority, there stands one’s own conscience which must be obeyed before all else, even if necessary, against the requirement of ecclesiastical authority.”

My prayer today is that I develop a “well-formed conscience [that] is upright and truthful” as the Catechism instructs so that I can truly discern what is life-giving.

Talib Huff is a member of the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center In Citrus Heights, California. You can contact him at [email protected].