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The Love that Compels

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Daily Scripture

Upcoming Daily Scriptures

Daily Scripture, July 27, 2022

Scripture:

Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Matthew 13:44-46

Reflection:

“The Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.  When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”  The pearl of great price sounds like the ultimate “impulse item!”   If you want it you need to drop everything and sell everything to get it.  You need to do it right now.

As I reflect on these words from our reading today I am impressed with both the urgency and “all or nothing” description surrounding the Kingdom of heaven.  I really don’t know many people who respond this way to the Kingdom of God.  I certainly don’t.

I tend to cling to all the distractions of middle-class existence.  I also tend to drift away from the present moment where the Kingdom of God is located (I think) and think about the past and/or the future.  Nor do I “sell everything.”  I guess I am like most of us who hear these words and wonder.  Even those who renounce possessions sometimes end up living a fairly cozy and well provided for life, with no apparent connection to God’s Kingdom.

I don’t have an easy answer to the obvious questions flowing from the gospel description of the Kingdom of heaven.  And maybe that’s what I do today as I reflect on this passage from Scripture.  I don’t obsess over the question “Am I going to separate myself from all my little treasures to immediately and always focus on the Kingdom of God?”  Maybe today I just sit with this description of the Kingdom, wondering and marveling at its urgency and cost.


Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of the Passionist Family in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daily Scripture, July 26, 2016

Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne,
Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Jeremiah 14:17-22
Matthew 13:36-43

Reflection:

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

This opening verse from today’s gospel reading from St. Matthew leads the gospel writer to explain in clear language the variety of seeds and plants found all around. The imagery would have been even more familiar in an agrarian culture living close to the land.

In the midst of so many disheartening headlines and “breaking news” coverage on television; with all the political banter that seems disconnected from our ordinary lives; with all the hurt and violence humans inflict on one another, we would have every right to believe the “weeds” are taking over the field. We can feel overwhelmed and hopeless…a sure sign of the Evil One at work.  Even Jeremiah the Prophet in the first reading today is tempted to give up hope and wonders aloud, “Have you [Lord] cast Judah off completely? Is Zion loathsome to you?”

We need to hear the rest of the story of today’s gospel. The “weeds” do not win. By our own hope and faith, by our own good words and good works we plant seeds that will yield a great harvest. In refusing to participate in vulgarities that demean others or to lose faith in the promise of Jesus that he will remain in our midst, we proclaim the Good News that love and faith in Jesus are greater than death and evil.


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.

Daily Scripture, July 25, 2022

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:7-17
Matthew 20:20-28

Reflection:

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. -Matthew 20:28

When the disciples heard Jesus say this, I imagine they must have wondered what this meant.  It likely stirred lively and concerned conversation. “What does he mean ‘give his life as a ransom for many’?”  At this point in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus has now three times foretold his Passion. How the disciples must have wondered and worried over this among themselves.

From our vantage point almost two millennia later, we do not have to wonder.  We know what this meant for Jesus.  And we know what it means for us: an overwhelming self-giving love so that we might have life. All of us.  Not one exception.  A incomprehensible price.  An incomprehensible ransom.

Yet we can still find ourselves back at that place of misunderstanding the essence of the Kingdom to which we are ransomed. We think, like the sons of Zebedee, that security will come if we are in what has long been thought to be a position of power, sitting beside a king who has power over his people, who wields “authority” over subjects.  We human beings strive to maneuver ourselves into positions of power over others and all of of creation. We see this misunderstanding operative in so many ways–from the war in Ukraine to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church to all the ways we as human beings are harming creation and our common home.

These are just some of the blatant examples, yet I suspect from my own thoughts and struggles that this likely operates subtly in all our lives: each time we feel ourselves superior to or judge someone else; each time we retreat inward believing that we will not have enough if we share with someone else; each time we surrender to the pervasive forces today that call us to fear one another.  Jesus does not call us to power over others but rather to power with all of our brothers and sisters, all of creation, not one exception. The power Jesus describes and lives turns upside down how we normally think of power.  He invites us to mutual care of each other, to loving encounter and deep listening, to nourishing and uplifting the unique treasure that each of us holds in an earthen vessel.

This too is powerfully operative in the world today.  Striking examples can be found in both Laudato Si’ and the current synodal process we as the Church are now living. Both call us into an inter-being which is dazzlingly inclusive, and manifests the “life of Jesus” in our body in this present moment–the Body of Christ. As Laudato Si’ 240 says so beautifully, “Everything is interconnected, and this invites us to develop a spirituality of that global solidarity which flows from the mystery of the Trinity.”

And Synodality presents us a path forward–not an easy one for those of us who like details and want to know every twist and turn of the journey.  It is rather a way which requires surrender together to the movement of the Spirit: “a true season of the Spirit!  For we need the Spirit, the ever new breath of God, who sets us free from every form of self-absorption, revives what is moribund, loosens shackles and spreads joy” (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2021/october/documents/20211009-apertura-camminosinodale.html).

May it be so.

Lissa Romell is the Administrator at St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Daily Scripture, July 24, 2022

Scripture:

Genesis 18:20-32
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13

Reflection:

Awesome Presence and Wonderful Intimacy

In our experience of God, it is important that we try to be conscious of both His majesty and the warmth of His intimacy.  In today’s liturgy Luke relates an essential reading of the Our Father.  In the very first words he sets before us the foundations of prayer, the transcendence and intimacy of God!  “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name!” Lk 11:2   Our prayer will limp badly if we fail to appreciate by grace the Holiness of God and the depth of His love for us.

First of all, Jesus tells us to start our prayer with Father.  The word father is treated 414 times in NT.   The most important father Jesus knew as a child was Joseph.  Father is Jesus’s primary word for God.   It is the most important metaphor of Jesus’s teaching.  It is of great interest that every reported prayer of Jesus in the New Testament starts with the word Father!   What a beautiful compliment to Joseph!  So we begin our prayer with the intimate word father!  St Paul of the Cross would spend two hours on first word of the Our Father!

Luke next relates the words “hallowed be Your name!”    The idea of “holy” in the Scriptures is in Hebrew qadosh.  It is used 115 in OT.  “I am the Lord, your Holy One” Is 43:15. The angels cry out which shakes the heavens.“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,   The whole earth is full of His glory.” Is 6:3     Holy in the Latin phrase is: mysterium tremendum et fascinans.   As mysterium, the numinous is “wholly other”– entirely different from anything we experience in ordinary life.

In NT Greek holy is hagiosand is used 233 times. In Mary’s beautiful prayer she exults: “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.” Lk 1:49  When we view the Universe now with the new eyes of science, we indeed can see how great God is!  Our sun with its planets is speeding around our Galaxy, the Milky Way, about 500,000 miles an hour!  Even at this prodigious speed it will take about 250 million years to make the trip once!  Our Milky Way is just one of 100 billon galaxies.   “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made” Ps 33:6    This welcoming God is indeed incredibly big!

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daily Scripture, July 22, 2022

Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

Scripture:

Song of Songs 3:1-4b or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
John 20:1-2, 11-18

Reflection:

There it is. The simple, one word lesson that encompasses all that Christ has tried to teach us.  The one word which conveys all the love Christ proclaimed with His suffering death. He whispers “Mary” in the dim light before new day.  She, undoubtedly beaten down by the emotions and images of the prior day, may well have not slept.  She returned before dawn to the tomb, compelled to complete the burial rituals they had been unable to complete the day before because of the impending Sabbath.

Even in the darkness, she saw that the immense stone blocking the tomb had been rolled away.  Surely her first thoughts were those of panic and even anger because she had witnessed the vicious, evil and unfair treatment Jesus had suffered the day before by those who tormented and put Him finally, to death. They might have stolen his body as another way of inflicting injury on Him.   

She saw a man standing at the head of the burial bench, and in the darkness, blinded by her tears, she failed to recognize Jesus until He spoke that one simple word which encompassed all of Christ’s love: “Mary”.     

No other words were necessary to impart His love for not only Mary, but for all of us, His people.    Upon hearing her name, Mary’s choked reply was simply, “Rabbi”, addressing Him not as the Man she knew, but in the redemptive role His life had always been. Do I know you when You call me, Lord, or am I blinded by the pain and anger of this world?   

Ray Alonzo is the father of three children, grandfather of two, and husband to Jan for 45 years. He is a USN Vietnam Veteran, and a 1969 graduate of Mother of Good Counsel Passionist Prep Seminary. Ray currently serves on the Passionist Alumni Council.

Daily Scripture, July 21, 2022

Scripture:

Jeremiah 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13
Matthew 13:10-17

Reflection:

Many of us remember Paul Simon’s song “The Boxer,” “Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest,” (The Boxer lyrics © Mca Music Ltd., Paul Simon Music, Sony/atv Songs Llc, Warner/chappell Music Ltd) 

Both readings today have a common theme: people hear but don’t really listen or we selectively hear what we want to hear. In the first reading, people are not listening to the prophet Jeremiah. He is reminding them of how great God has been to them in leading them out of Egypt and into the promised land. But soon they forgot God’s goodness and got busy going their own way including idolatry to Baal. Jeremiah states the priests don’t even try and seek the Lord. Israel has forsaken the Lord and refuses to listen to Jeremiah. In today’s gospel reading Jesus urges us to open our eyes and really see, open our ears, and not just hear but listen and understand with our hearts. We all know how easy it is to get super busy, easily distracted and be overwhelmed work demands, family responsibilities and variety of other challenges.

Am I one of those persons who are so busy that I  look without seeing, or hear without understanding? (https://www.sacredspace.ie/scripture/matthew-1310-17)  Take some time this day to be still and listen to what God might be saying to you, wanting you to see and understand.  O Lord help me to slow down and listen to your speaking and to see your presence and understand how much you love me.

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.

Daily Scripture, July 20, 2022

Scripture:

Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Matthew 13: 1-9

Reflection:

How does the Word of God affect us?  What do we expect to receive from God?  And, what are we to do with whatever we receive?  Those are surely questions that can emerge from our Scripture readings today.

In our first reading, we learn that Jeremiah’s first reaction to the Word of God that came to him was a deep sense of inadequacy.  “I cannot speak; I am too young,” he responds.  It’s no wonder he feels that way given that God’s Word asked him to speak on God’s behalf and call the people back to faithfulness.  Jeremiah could not help but wonder, “Why should the people listen to me?”  After all, he was neither experienced nor wise…nor could he speak effectively.  At least that was his first reaction.  But as is the case with just about everyone God calls, God does not accept excuses based on the person’s lack of maturity or skill.  Rather God promises to be with them and give them what they need to fulfill God’s charge.  As it turns out, God kept his promises and filled Jeremiah with great wisdom and great eloquence.  Jeremiah’s Word that he received from God inspires us to this day.

The parable Jesus tells in today’s Gospel is also about the Word of God.  The story tells us that God is not stingy with His Word but rather spreads it extravagantly, almost wastefully.   God doesn’t restrict his sowing the seed of His Word to the fertile ground where He receives back more than He sows.  No, he scatters the seed of His Word everywhere and lets the result follow naturally.

These readings today remind us that God continues to bless us greatly and offer us ever new possibilities to respond to His love even though there are rocky and weed-covered parts of us.  God doesn’t demand that we get rid of all the rocks, weeds and hard ground in our lives before He gives us life-saving Word.  No, God just keeps showering every part of us with His Word.  So, let’s give thanks for God’s foolish generosity…and welcome Him into every part of our life!


Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Daily Scripture, July 19, 2022

Scripture:

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Matthew 12:46-50

Reflection:

“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:47-50)

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus asking: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” For many of us, we think we know the answer to those questions. But Jesus gives us an answer that we do not expect: the ones who do the Will of His Heavenly Father.

Being family goes way beyond being blood. Most of all, it has to do with the recognition of a God who is the author of all life, the good and the bad, and the recognition that we all are brothers and sisters. We are all called to love one another as brothers and sisters and we are all called to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two new teachings from Jesus are very closely tied to each other.

Here in the United States and across the world, we have been shocked by the multiple news stories of hatred of other peoples, revenge killings and the taking of human life in order to make a statement about “God and Justice.”

Our human response is to respond in kind: anger, hatred, and a hundred deaths for everyone you kill one of ours. We dehumanize the people who hate us. We depersonalize the enemy. They are no longer our neighbor, our mother, our brother and sister.

Yet, this response has never worked. The only way forward is to take the teachings of Jesus to heart and not allow the angry voices full of revenge and injustice and blame to take over our soul. Jesus also told us not fear those who can harm the body, but those who can harm our very soul. Hatred destroys the person who hates, revenge destroys the person who harms. Violence only begets more violence.

So, when we read these news stories, hear the rhetoric of hatred and violence, and see the devastation that bullets and bombs can cause because of hatred, we do have a choice. We can choose life. We can choose to follow Jesus and his teachings. We can choose to be missionaries of love and compassion.

Difficult? Yes. But doable, yes, but only with the grace of God! May we always be good neighbors and do the Will of Jesus’ Heavenly Father!

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

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