Daily Scripture

Scripture:

2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20
Matthew 6:19-23

Reflection:

Is it foolish to believe that goodness ultimately triumphs? That evil will not prevail?

It is hard to avoid these questions when considering the bloody spectacle recounted in today’s first reading. The story begins with a mass slaughter. Athaliah, driven by fierce ambition and unquenchable bitterness, murders “the whole royal family” and places herself on the throne where she rules unchallenged for six years. Treachery triumphs, evil succeeds.

Or so it seems. Athaliah’s hold on power eventually crumbles when Jehoash, the sole descendent of the king who escaped Athaliah’s wickedness, is anointed king by Jehoiada, a priest of the temple, and is joyfully acclaimed by the people. Suddenly, she who once felt invincible is dethroned and killed right before Jehoiada renews the covenant between God and the people, reminding them that their ultimate loyalty and trust should be given not to Athaliah or any other earthly ruler, but to God. The story abounds in irony because upon discovering that Jehoash has been made king, Athaliah accuses the people of treason, not realizing that she is the true traitor because she had abandoned the ways of God out of unbridled ambition and lust for power.

Athaliah’s fall into darkness is a particularly disturbing reminder that sin deceives and leads to death while goodness and faithfulness bring life. Or, as Jesus succinctly puts it in today’s gospel, if we set our hearts on earthly treasures (as Athaliah surely did), we not only will be disappointed, but will stray from the only sure path to life. But if we seek heavenly treasure, a richness that is found not in wealth and possessions, power or fame, but in praise and thanksgiving to God, in love of God and neighbor, and in true holiness of life, joy and peace will mark our days.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology & Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin,  and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Sirach 48:1-14
Matthew 6:7-15

Reflection:

“This is how you are to pray” Matthew 6:9

As a Passionist priest, I have given many a retreat conference on prayer, as well as some workshops on how to pray. There have also been many a conversation with people who wanted help with their prayer life. As I look back on these talks and conferences and conversations, I am not so sure how beneficial they were. So many times I approached this subject as a “teacher” and my objective was to help people learn how to pray in different ways.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear Jesus winding up his comments on prayer. It seems that he must have been reflecting on his experience of how people around him prayed every day. First, he describes the way many people were praying. Then, instead of giving another lecture on prayer, he gave his followers an example of how to pray by praying. What a great example this is for all of us!

There are certain kinds of prayers that are easy to recite. We can memorize them and then say them over and over again. And there are certain kinds of prayers that are experiences rather than litanies of prayers. The Eucharistic Prayers of the Mass is an example of this. The New Sacramentary that came out a couple of years ago gives us an awareness of just how many ways there are to pray a sacred prayer. These Eucharistic prayers emphasize aspects of our relationship to God and with each other. They connect us with our God in special ways. Truly they are prayer experiences.

My own personal experience of praying, I suspect, is similar to the vast majority of people who try to pray daily. There are some days that are better than others. But having the “Our Father” as the example of how we are to pray is so helpful, because we can begin to reflect on Jesus’ relationship with his Father and his desire for all of us: God’s will be done everywhere. This is not an asking prayer for those things of life that have no major consequence for us. We are to ask for our daily bread and that is truly all of the material things we need to ask for. We are also to ask for grace, the grace to forgive, the grace to avoid temptation and the grace to be delivered from all evil. What more do we need in this life?

My experience tells me that we will never learn how to pray successfully. However, we can try each day to pray better. Each day is a day to acknowledge God as our Father and to praise his holy name. Each day is a day to seek the Will of God. Each day is a day to ask for our daily bread. Each day is a day to ask for forgiveness and to extend unconditional forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Each day is a day we need help in avoiding temptation and to be delivered from evil. That is why we need to pray each and every day.

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

1 Kings 21:1-16
Matthew 5:38-42

Reflection:

It is hard to figure out what to make from our Scriptures today. I recently read in a biblical commentary about the Hebrew myth or tradition, they believe that the Word of God remains upon the earth as an indelible presence of God. And if Jesus Christ is the incarnated Word of God, then his Word remains upon the breath of the earth. Tradition offers if humanity were to remain in silence, then we could hear the Word of God from mount Tabor sharing the Ten Commandments with Moses.

This is the thrust of Naboth’s refusal to sell his land to King Ahaz. Seriously someone should have given him a strong and serious talk that you cannot get what you want. We are introduced to Queen Jezebel. Whose manipulation falls as abuse of power. We feel for Naboth who must have been confused for he was true to his calling in life. The section of today’s Gospel comes from Jesus famous sermon on the mount where he offers us a way to behave. His words are so confusing to our ears. He invites us to rehear the rule in Leviticus 9:24:20 termed non-retaliation. He (Jesus” takes on the culture of the day, “An eye for an eye” (ST.) Mother Teresa had a famous saying: “An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind” it simply makes no sense. In reflecting on my life, on those dear friends who have happily moved on from my life, I’m very grateful to those who have forgiven me. They have released me from my chains of bondage. Can you reflect on those who truly have been a Christ to you? or, how about you, have you liberated another?

Scholars in referring to this section of Matthew have offered their insight into breaking the cycle of peace.

I might go out on a limb and offer that Jesus, was well aware of the sacrifice, he wanted to get us to understand his motive so that we can feel liberated and trust in his love. His message was truly radical to us.

Our Psalm offers us beautiful words (psalm, 5), “Lord, listen to my groaning. help me realize your sacrifice for me and be mindful to forgive others.

May we rise today and share your code for humanity, Amen. On this feast of St. Anthony, the Doctor of the Church, may we find your love-in-action may we be surrounded by the newness of your Word, 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.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Scripture:

Proverbs 8:22-31
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

Reflection:

The Sunday following Pentecost is set aside in the church’s liturgical year to invite us to reflect on the essential tenet of our faith in God: The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity.  It is, as the Catechism states, “the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself.”

We will never be able to grasp the reality of the Trinity – one God, three persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit – until we experience the fullness of God’s love in our eternal life.  This has not stopped us, though, from trying to get our heads around this idea of the Trinity.  Church history is filled with attempts to tie down its meaning, all of them coming up short and many of them earning heresy status.

If we have failed to tie down the mystery of the Trinity through theological concepts, we moved to analogy and art.  Just a few examples include the equilateral triangle; three intersecting circles; circle within a triangle; St. Patrick’s shamrock; and the famous icon by Andrei Rublev depicting three identical persons around one altar.  Again, each comes up short.

But this should not surprise us. Imagine trying to perfectly represent love.  Imagine being asked to define in words or a picture a relationship that grips us at the very core of our life.  The love of a parent for a child, the bond of husband and wife, or the friendship with the one who knows us best are beyond words, beyond art, beyond poetry, beautiful as they might be.  They always come up short.

These profound relationships are what this Feast of the Holy Trinity celebrates.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the most real and profound relationship that exists.  The gospels tell the story of the Son of God sent by the Father to reveal the depth of God’s love for us, and how, through the Spirit, we are sent – in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – to love as we have been loved.

We enter the mystery of this Trinitarian relationship just as we do in any other relationship. We begin with a personal relationship, by coming to know the other and allowing the other to know us.  We begin by spending time with Jesus and opening ourselves up to him.  When this happens, all our other relationships begin to reflect – even if imperfectly – the perfect relationship of love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  It all begins with the mystery of falling in love, and allowing ourselves to be loved in return.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and is the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle

Scripture:

Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3
Matthew 5:33-37

Reflection:

Have you ever heard the term second fiddle? This idiom originated from the early days of orchestras. An orchestra has a first violinist, or first chair, who plays the melody and is regarded as the lead violinist. Then there is the second violin who leads the larger group of second violins who play a supporting role to the lead violinist.

In popular usage, playing second fiddle is not a flattering term. It means playing a supporting or minor role in relation to someone else: As in not good enough to take the lead.

I remember reading a story about Leonard Bernstein, the late, legendary conductor of the New York Philharmonic, giving an insightful answer during an interview. He was asked: “Mr. Bernstein, what is the most difficult instrument to play?” Without skipping a beat, he replied: “Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm . . . now that’s a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony.”

Such profound wisdom. By Leonard Bernstein’s definition, Barnabas must be the patron saint of second fiddles. Let me tell you why. Throughout the Acts of the Apostles, Paul is the major evangelist proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. His name always comes before that of Barnabas. Paul plays principal violin to Barnabas’ second fiddle. Barnabas stands in the shadow of the great Apostle Paul. Do you know what the name Barnabas means? The son of encouragement. And encouragement means to give heart, to make strong. 

We hear this in the first reading: “The news about them, that is the people who want to be followers of Jesus, reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all. He rejoiced and encouraged them all.”

Barnabas played second violin with gusto and humility.  As second fiddle, Barnabas gave his community beautiful harmony. Let’s be honest, though. For most of us, and I stand at the head of the line, it’s challenging to play Second Fiddle! Why? Because it takes humility. And humility is the bedrock foundation of faith.

There will be times when God calls us to take a position as first violin, to take the lead. But there will be many more times when God will say to us: I am moving you from first chair.  I need you to join the larger group. I already have enough Pauls. I need more Barnabases. I need you to give encouragement to your friend, to your community.  I need you to strengthen others, and who will strengthen you.  Joyful, selfless humility lets us know there is honor in playing second fiddle along side the patron saint of second fiddles.

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

Scripture:

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16
Matthew 5:27-32

Reflection:

I was running late and driving to an appointment in traffic. I got impatient with other drivers, and in the privacy of my car I called one of them a jerk and another an idiot. I didn’t start a road rage incident or even yell out of my window, but my words were certainly unkind.

After I returned home, I sat down and read today’s scriptures. Ouch! My behavior didn’t violate a commandment per se, but Jesus doesn’t want us to be content merely obeying the rules. We are to go above and beyond them as he did. Not only don’t kill anyone – that’s pretty easy to follow even when I’m upset with other drivers – but don’t even act out of anger and don’t demean anyone. That’s tough! Likewise, it’s easier to recognize someone else’s wrongs than to admit and rectify my own, yet Jesus commands us to constantly examine our behavior and reconcile with anyone we’ve hurt, not even approaching the altar unless we’ve done so.

I felt convicted and remorseful. Of course, I couldn’t directly reconcile with the unknown drivers I’d insulted. I did, however, drop to my knees and apologize for what I had done, asking God to forgive me and help me do better. I realize that my words and actions, even those done in private, can send God’s loving energy into the world or they can be conduits of anger, ridicule, superiority, and exclusion.

So this week I resolve to not just watch my tongue, but watch my mind and heart. I ask for the grace to be kind, patient, and loving regardless of the behaviors and words of those around me. I know I may fail as often as I succeed (especially in Chicago traffic or around people who annoy me!) but I know God is with me on the path, guiding my steps and giving me strength.

What situations or people are “trigger points” for you? When are you tempted to violate the deeper meaning of the commandments by giving in to frustration, anger, or ridicule? Perhaps we can all become more aware, so together we may witness more fully to the reign of God on this earth.

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/.

Scripture:

1 Kings 18:41-46
Matthew 5:20-26

Reflection:

Limitless Boundaries – Our Journey Into Ordinary Time

Did you know that when we are lost, we walk in circles? Imagine being in the middle of a great forest. We have walked a few hours from our camp, disoriented we begin to search.…and around and around we would go. This has been validated in my experience not once but twice, in Central Park in NY, (of all places!).

We find ourselves in the jungle of ordinary time. The Risen One has left this earth sending his shaky companions back to the city to await being clothed in power. With Pentecost, like their Jewish brothers and sisters who return to the fields to begin the next harvest, the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit, leave the upper room to begin a new harvest also. Jesus had told them it was ready and abundant. Their preaching on the temple steps reveal thousands who have been waiting for this Spirit. Having finished our Pentecost celebration, we join them to add new pages to the Acts.

Beginning our reading of Matthew’s gospel this week we hear the Good News of Jesus, the Messiah, whose first teaching is on the Kingdom of God. We ask, ‘where is the Kingdom of God in the midst of grief, poverty, the insanity of war and guns turned upon children, insecurity and suffering’? Christ’s love gives a victory that overcomes sin and death. We do not walk in circles full of fear, but are blessed because signs of the Kingdom give us have hope. That victory even replaces fear with joy.

When the first reading at Mass is from the Old Testament it will be about the prophets.

As we return to ordinary time we meet first the most powerful of them all, Elijah. He stood victorious over four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Elijah’s victory shows the people that the God of Israel is the one, true God. Elijah is on the run as the evil Queen, Jezebel wants him dead. Today he summons the King, Ahab, too see the power of God   as he calls down the heavy rain that ends a long drought that had plagued Samaria. When Ahab reaches his home he announces to Queen Jezebel that Elijah is in the neighborhood. She sends the army to find and kill him. What follows tomorrow is one of the most beautiful stories of the Old Testament. Elijah has never known failure before. Now, for the first time he is lost and going in circles. He wants to give up. But God will not abandon his prophet. He tells him, ‘it is a work day, go back to work’.

Now that Pentecost is over we have to go back to work, the harvest is ready. We might feel like Adam and Eve as a painting portrays them being ushered out of the garden by an angel. Eve, closes her eyes tightly and leans against Adam who has his hand over his eyes. They are blind as they leave the garden. When they open their eyes what do they see? A jungle, something like a neighbor’s untidy backyard, something simply unappealing and uninviting? There are no paths, they are lost. Ordinary time does not offer a specific prayer for mass each morning, only one is given for each Sunday. The prayer this tenth week of our ordinary time is wonderful when we feel lost. We don’t have to walk in circles. ‘Words do not measure the boundaries of your love for us reborn in Jesus. We trust you will take us beyond the limits this world imposes so we may be free to love.’

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

Scripture:

1 Kings 18:20-39
Matthew 5:17-19

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel continues the Sermon on the Mount theme from St. Matthew and is found immediately following the “salt of the earth” verses. Jesus reminds his audience of his purpose, he is the fulfillment of the law; not even the smallest part of a letter will pass until all has been accomplished. The last two verses seem to contain a tension on how to follow the commandments; especially for leaders in the community. I wonder if that was the struggle for Matthew’s community being made up largely of Jewish Christians? Where to from here? How do we find our way in this changing landscape of what we understood to be the law? No doubt there might have been some concerns about choosing the right way. Matthew has Jesus speak to those fears, I believe, by grounding them in the assurance that the law still counts but continues with the nuance in the verses following today’s text—”you have heard it said, but I say to you.”

It seems to me that we have a deep desire for safety and security. We don’t like change. In fact, might we treat it as a god? I know I often do. We can do our prophetic dances—like in the first reading—in denial of reality or set our sights on attaining things that are illusions, even harming ourselves along the way. Worse still, we might become the least if we lead others astray. Yet, Matthew 25:40 tells us exactly how we approach the least “as long as you did this to the least of mine, you did it to me.” We love them, we visit them, we clothe them, we feed them. We offer them the mercy of God and like Elijah the prophet, we must trust in the power of God to act through us.

One of the things I believe this text suggests is that Jesus came to show us how to live out the commandments; to make an adjustment to our lens to reflect mercy and to meet people where they are—to love them where we encounter them. Additionally, we become the greatest by living out those commandments; it’s very much a circular movement. Fundamentally, it’s about choosing the narrow road, by following the commandments we are walking towards the light and away from all that can harm us—spiritually and physically. So, let’s remember that Good News when we go astray worshiping false gods as we all do.

Creation is ongoing, the landscape of our lives must constantly be renewed, remade and restored by our encounters. Our lives must inform us, we must pay attention to the movements of God. That burning core at our center which bursts through—like molten lava—and changes everything. In accepting the least, we become the greatest. The paradox of our faith. In gratitude on this feast of St. Anthony de Padua, who was a noted preacher, a contemporary of St. Francis of Assisi and a Doctor of the Church for being one of the greatest.

As the Psalm (16:11) says,

“You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” 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.