Daily Scripture

The Feast of the Transfiguration

Scripture:

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
2 Peter 1:16-19
Luke 9:28b-36

Reflection:

At exactly 8:15 in the morning, Japanese time, on August 6, 1945, everything changed forever.

At that moment the bombardier on American B-29 plane unloaded a weapon more destructive than any in the previous 200,000 years of human existence.

With the unleashing of the first A-bomb, more than 100,000 Japanese lives were instantly obliterated.

But more than the tragic deaths, the event at Hiroshima altered forever how we humans understand what we can do to each other and to our fragile planet. We, the only rational beings on this orb floating in lonely space, now know we forever hold the ability to destroy all life…microorganisms, sea creatures, trees, butterflies, domestic and wild animals and every man, woman and child.

Never before had people known the immense power they hold to produce evil.

Now, despite 77 years to reflect on our potency and curb it, we have still failed to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Six popes have pleaded for nuclear disarmament, yet it remains an idealistic fantasy in the minds of political leaders. The strongest calls for laying down these weapons have come from Pope Francis, who asks all nations to abandon the insanity of deterrence by nuclear buildup.

What our Catholic leaders have preached is more than the destruction of these idols of death. The more radical message they offer is that, as much evil unleashed in a nuclear weapon, there is an even greater capacity of humans for good.

The Providential communiqué on this feast could not be clearer: the evil of Hiroshima is the extreme opposite of the event the universal Church celebrates on August 6 every year. At the Transfiguration, God the Father let the lead apostles glimpse the authority, power and transformation in the life of Jesus. But the peek at the glory of Jesus was but a foretaste of what His disciples themselves would be.  We, Jesus’ followers, are capable of doing good deeds beyond what even Jesus Himself did. We are charged with transforming our world from fear, hatred, divisions, destruction of one another and the earth into a world as God wants: peaceful, flourishing, fully alive in love.

Our work is serious and may cause suffering, setbacks, disappointment and even death. But, in doing our part in our spot on the earth we are assured of being united with the efforts of billions of good people around the globe, filled with grace, moving toward a unity with each other and God for good.

What is your job today in this universal effort?

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

Scripture:

Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7
Matthew 16:24-28

Reflection:

What does it mean to take up one’s cross?   Does it mean carrying something through life which feels like it has been forced upon you?  Does it mean that all of us have hardships and we shouldn’t complain about them?  And if we don’t feel like we have a heavy cross in life, does it mean that we should seek one out?  While we may be very familiar with this Gospel text from Matthew, reading it a little deeper reveals the invitation to embrace the paradox of losing our life in order to find it.  Moreover, trying to find our place in a world that has over 7 ¾ billion people can seem like a daunting task.  Yet this is a rite of passage all of us struggle with.   

As Passionists, taking our inspiration from the life and preaching of St. Paul of the Cross, we strive to prayerfully keep the cross before us.  The result is a deep familiarity with the Gospels and the ability to see the many facets of the passion narratives portrayed in the dynamics and activities of the circles of our lives. When we do this then we are capable of taking the next step, which includes helping people connect with the redemptive power of the cross rather than a burdensome cross.  This step frequently means a dying and rising as we live out the Paschal Mystery. It is a tangible way we live out this teaching given to us in today’s Gospel.

As the COVID pandemic has affected everyone, I’ve been keenly aware of the struggle of younger people trying to find their place in the world.  Some have completed college and are searching for their first career.   Others have worked for several years and are disillusioned by the path their life is taking and are searching for something with more meaning and purpose.  It may take decades for a person to find that place where they feel they truly discovered their real purpose in life.  In church language it is growing in a deeper understanding of the vocation to which we have been called.  For our vocation is a gift which we are invited to cultivate, live and embrace.  Our specific vocations are unique to each of us.  And when we find them, a sense of understanding and peace may come over us as we realize this is the reason I am here;  this is my purpose for being in the world. 

We will never find this if we haven’t first denied our own self interests attempting to live from a place other than our own self-centeredness.  Then we can ask ourselves some deeper questions of faith. Does the Cross of Christ have a power in my life to humble my attitude, allowing me to prayerfully embrace the greater paradoxes of faith?

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

Scripture:

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Matthew 16:13-23

Reflection:

People of Faith, Building the Church

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  Jesus’ question to his disciples in Caesarea Philippi continues to challenge us in our 21^st Century world.  His follow-up question is even more direct: “…who do you say that I am?”  Hopefully we can join St. Peter in faithfully responding “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus used this exchange with his disciples to help as a “rock-foundation” for Church, his Body on our earth.  “Building up the Church” would include Jesus’ rejection, suffering and death…and even his disciples’ lack of support in Jesus’ toughest hours.  Peter spoke from his heart when he cried out “God forbid, Lord…no such thing shall ever happen to you!”  Yet Jesus would lovingly embrace his suffering and death on the cross, then rise from the dead.  Later the outpouring of the Holy Spirit would give dynamic life to that small group of followers –motivating many people, helping us today be the Church.

Today we celebrate the life of a faithful 19^th Century “builder” of the Church, St. John Vianney.  A simple man of humble background, he zealously spread God’s love and helped build up the Church as a pastor.  He is especially known for his generous ministry of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at his parish in Ars, France — regularly spending long hours celebrating the Sacrament with thousands of penitents from near and far.  His ministry flowed from an intense spiritual life based on prayer and penance.  As a priest/pastor Saint John Vianney so witnessed the merciful love of the Jesus that in 2009 Pope Benedict XVI named him patron of priests.

Jesus and St. John Vianney challenge us as we help build up the Church in our day:  Do we…have a zealous faith…forgive those who hurt us…really listen to one another…generously serve our needy sisters and brothers…benefit by personally sharing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?  Much food for thought…

As today we honor the “patron of priests”, let’s pray for priests — active, retired, deceased — and prayerfully encourage those discerning a priestly or religious vocation:  that they may have deep faith and zealous, Christ-like love to help build up the Church.  Together with Sts. Peter, John Vianney, and our Passionist Holy Founder St. Paul of the Cross, may we lovingly proclaim Jesus as the Son of the living God, our Lord and Savior!

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:

Jeremiah 31:1-7
Matthew 15:21-28

Reflection:

One of the constants in the life and mission of Jesus was that of ‘crossing over’ – that is, going out to another place, reaching out to another person, or adopting a different point of view. We often see Jesus ‘crossing over’ not only geographically, but socially and theologically too. Here again in today’s readings, we see Jesus giving us yet another example of this dynamic feature of his ministry. We see him going over to the ‘other side’ and embracing a woman who is a Canaanite, a stranger or representative of ‘the others’ – and yet we see Jesus shift in his perspective and opinion to embrace the need of the woman (for a cure for her daughter).

This image might immediately call for our attention and offer us both an entry point for some personal review, and a possible future application for our own ministry as we too seek to accompany the Lord.

How are we also called to ‘cross over’ to the other side – to adopt new perspectives to open our thoughts and responses to embrace new perspectives and to be with those whom we may not first see as needing our care?

Further, what is also emphasised today is the reality that without the guidance of Jesus we too can be tempted to ‘send’ problems away rather than seeking the truth of a situation.

Jesus is our security, our centre, our support; and without his presence in our lives and work we will not succeed.

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

Scripture:

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
Matthew 14:22-36 or 15:1-2, 10-14

Reflection:

But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he (Peter) cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?  -Matthew 14:30-31

A member of my family, when she was struggling with alcohol addiction and depression, told me that her most heartfelt and honest prayer had been: “God, help me.” And we hear St. Peter utter this prayer in today’s Gospel too: “Lord, save me!” In the course of our lives, how often have we prayed this simple prayer that acknowledges our need for God and God’s help!

In today’s first reading , the prophet Jeremiah is once again giving a message of God’s love to a people in trouble. In the forty years that Jeremiah ministered as  prophet, there were many times when the people strayed from their relationship with God, causing Jeremiah much sorrow and the people much confusion and suffering, some of which is described in graphic detail in today’s first reading.

Like the people in difficult situations in today’s Scriptures, we sometimes feel vulnerable and powerless and even lost. Like St. Peter, we may fear we are sinking, or even drowning. Acknowledging our situation can bring us to a deeper dependency on God. But how do we keep our relationship with God alive?                                                                                                   

No relationship can survive without conversation; we call conversation with God “prayer”. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us an example of prayer. After long days of teaching and healing, “he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening He (Jesus) was there alone.”(Matthew 14:23) While Jeremiah was in prison (as often happens to prophets), he received this message: “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you great things beyond the reach of your knowledge.” (Jeremiah 33:3) Jeremiah’s prayer, like all good conversations, had some speaking and some listening. And these conversations with God sustained him in his forty difficult years as a prophet.

One of my favorite hymns about prayer is “Just as I Am” by Charlotte Elliot. Here is the second verse:

“Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fighting and fears within without
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

Like when we meet with a close friend, we come to God just as we are. And God meets us there, ready for a conversation.

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

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
Luke 12:13-21

Reflection:

Happy Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time!

You may be shocked to hear this, but I like funerals.

Now, just bear with me for a minute.  If you don’t know me well, let me tell you a little about myself.  I’m a father, a composer, musician, performer, director, writer, liturgist, speaker, minister – celebrating now 37 years working in and for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (I’m also outrageously handsome & so very humble).  In addition to the countless masses, services, liturgies, weddings, baptisms, and other events, as you might imagine. I have ministered at or attended so many funerals… I stopped counting after 1,000.

And I really like funerals.

No, I’m not nuts.  Well, perhaps a little bit, but in a good way.  See, while funerals are largely viewed as perhaps the saddest and wretchedly emotional time in people’s lives, they also are the ultimate celebration we have as humans.  The funeral mass, the Rite of Christian Burial, is the powerful celebration of the absolute culmination of our life, our purpose.  The race being won, the soul that once inhabited the tent that lays in that casket over there is now running in the vast playground of God’s loving arms.  As heartbroken as we, those left behind, may feel, the true glory isn’t that the person we mourn in this life is dead… it’s that they’ve never been more alive!

They’ve never been more alive.

Let me tell you about something interesting I hear it at just about every single funeral for which I minister or attend.  And if I were a betting man, I’d bet you’ve heard it as well.  Shoot… you’ve probably said it.  I have.

“Tell people you love them while they can still hear it.”

It’s a universal thing when people grieve, I think, that they want to help others not make the same mistakes they made, and so they offer suggestions like that one.  It’s so well meaning, and I think so beautiful, and absolutely we must do it.  We must.  And if you’re at all like me, you’ll get sidetracked and time passes and don’t do it at all.  We’re human, I guess.

“How many times must He call my name?”

That portion of lyric from the Praise & Worship song “I Will Choose Christ” by Tom Booth resonates with me deeply.  It always has.  It’s like the funeral-eulogizers… Over and over again, I hear it.  “Tell them you love them…”  “PAUL – I’m CALLING you….”  One thing I don’t want is to regret my lack of reaching out to people before they die.  I can’t get that time back, that’s for sure.  And still I sometimes forget (on purpose).

Today’s scripture lays it on the line.  In no uncertain terms, the readings tell us to guard against all greed, and focus on what matters to God.  In the First Reading, Qoheleth (the probable writer of this passage), says that working for purely wealth and possessions is not only foolish but results in sorrow, grief, and anxiety.   Jesus echoes this in no small way as he describes the rich man in the Gospel parable who believes he has stored up enough possessions to guarantee a good life without worries – or so he thinks.  See, any reliance on wealth and possessions is in vain, for both worldly possessions, and this life, are fleeting.  What truly matters is that finale – our inheritance that only God can give – eternal life. What “matters to God” is letting go of things which hinder us from growing into the fullness of life, because we, as people of faith, know our ultimate goal, and we must focus on that, and share it the good news with others.

“Tonight your very soul will be demanded of you,” Luke writes in today’s Gospel.  It’s true, “we know not the day, nor the hour,” and no matter what, we can’t take any of this world with us when we go.  Sure, in this world we all need currency and possessions that aid us in living the life to which God has beckoned us, but we are called not to love a floor-wax or a car, but to love each other. We are asked to serve, and to walk, humbly, the path to Heaven.

And, friends, I don’t know about you, but no matter how many times I mess it up, I’m going to stand when I hear Him call my name, drop the things I hold so tightly, and run past “Go,” do not collect $200.

What is it that you need to let go of today?   Let’s do it, together.

Dear God of all,
thank you for the gift of Eternal Life.
Grant us the grace to see you,
to hear you,
and to drop all that weighs us down,
so we may know what it’s like
to never be more alive. Amen.

Peace & 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:

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
Matthew 14:1-12

Reflection:

Today’s reading speaks volumes to us about integrity and the social pressures that become present in certain situations. How many times have we made decisions because of the pressures of others, or tried to defend what is right when you are surrounded by people who disagree? Do you act as John and lead a life of integrity, doing what is right despite of the pressures around you? Or are you Herod, one who gives in to his whims with no regard for right or wrong? 

We are called by God to be prophets – to lead lives that follow His teachings, and live lives that lead others to Christ. Both John and Jesus gave up their lives for the truth. Are we making that kind of commitment to our faith? Are we, like John and Jesus, ready to commit ourselves to that type of sacrifice? 

I pray for wisdom, and for courage to never say anything or defend anything that I don’t believe is true. I have lived through the sacrifice of speaking my truth and have been “unfriended” by people who I have worked with and for. I am okay with that, because I know in my heart that my integrity is intact, and I have tried to lead and make decisions in my life that will positively impact others. I am destined to suffer as a child of God, and I am happy that I am so loved by God. Lord, give me the strength to always do the right thing, and to turn to Jesus for his guidance.

Patty Masson supports the Passionists from Spring, Texas.