Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Matthew 25:31-46

Reflection:

Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’ (Mt 25:34-36)

I’m not sure what this is all about, but when I make something, I want to share it with another. When I buy something, I want to keep it for myself, to satisfy my personal or perceived needs. Maybe it’s the difference between abundance and scarcity. Just out and out sharing seems so contradictory in my world, a world that has a price for everything. A price for my time as a teacher, a price for the fruits of the earth and a price for the products of my making. To just give these things away, or to share them freely with others as the above scripture seems to suggest, just doesn’t compute. How am I to live or survive?

I wonder what a world that did not have prices for everything would look like? Would everyone who was capable, do their “fair” share of work to grow, gather and prepare our food, to help shelter all from the cold by building housing and making clothing? Would I go hungry, or be left out in the cold in such a world?

What I do know is that I have and continue to be very blessed, having food, clothing and shelter. Today, I share in a lunch program for seniors that utilizes food from our local food depository system. According to its website, the food depository system gets it food from surpluses from farmers, wholesalers and retail grocers. Needless to say, we don’t get prime beef or lobster newburg. We do get a slice of pie however, from another group in Chicago that boasts of how many meals they serve to the Chicago’s hungry every month.

Throughout these past winters, I have been able to go outside and keep warm each day no matter how cold it was. That is due to the kindness of three of my friends, one who is dead. You see they have all given me items of clothing to keep me warm.

The first item of clothing is an Irish Fisherman’s sweater, that was given to me by my good friend Penny many years ago. I don’t remember the occasion for the gift, probably Christmas. It is a “Pure new wool, Hand knit Cardigan with an authentic pattern from the Republic of Ireland”. Well, Penny is gone now, but I still wear that beautiful sweater and yes, think of her every time I put it on.

The second piece of clothing is also a knit sweater. This sweater was knit by a good friend of mine, Spencer, who knits as an avocation. It is a tighter knit weave than the one above with patterns of browns, blues and whites yarn made from pure lambs’ wool. Every time I wear this sweater, someone will remark on how beautiful it is and want to know where I got it. Of course, I tell them of my good friend Spencer. Then they usually remark on how lucky I am to have such a good friend. I agree.

The third piece of clothing is a coat that another good friend, Makoto gave me. It’s a down winter coat made by a famous brand that is noted for its quality and earth friendliness. The coat has a hood that keeps me warm no matter how hard the wind blows. The coat is guaranteed for life and actually is the replacement of the original coat that I had for ten plus years. I brought the original coat back to the manufacturer for some repairs for the third time in ten years. This time, the clerk who was taking care of me said: “Oh, this coat has really been loved. I think it is too worn and we will have to replace it.” They did just that and at no cost to me.

Thank you, God, for good friends, the lambs who gave of their wool, the ducks of their down, our mother earth, the intelligence of reputable food and clothing manufacturers and distributors that have kept me warm and fed again these cold winter days. I pray that everyone will be as blessed and have clothing that will cover their nakedness, protecting them from the weather. Let me step up whenever possible to be your caring representative in my world today accepting each opportunity to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, visit the imprisoned and care for each person you let into my life.

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

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Romans 10: 8-13
Luke 4:1-13

Reflection:

Who owns your heart?

This is the question Jesus wrestles with while alone in the desert. After his baptism by John in the Jordon, his family, friends, the religious establishment were probably wondering about him, observing him, curious to find out what would come next in his young life.

Escaping society, going into the desert alone, Jesus is face to face with his core self. “Who am I? What is my purpose? What does my Father want from me?”

As he ponders his selfhood, The Evil One steps in to do his best to win his heart. Jesus might have asked himself, “Why not go for pleasures, possessions and glory?” The Evil One responds, “I can accommodate you easily if you let me. All you have to do is let me have your heart.”

Jesus knew every seduction. He flirted with being a well-respected liberator, who the Jewish community had long-awaited, to lead the offensive against the Romans. Or he could be a magician-healer who performed miracles to the ego-boosting applause of onlookers. Or, perhaps, growing up in a backwater town like Nazareth, he could use his intelligence and entrepreneurial skills to be a successful businessman, amassing wealth beyond that of his family and friends.  Better yet, as a young man well-formed as a good Jew, he could have joined the religious establishment and lived a comfortable life as a rabbi.

All of these options churned in him while he lie awake under the stars, alone in that big desert.

No doubt he took all his longings and urges to his Father in prayer while huddled against a rock, under a cloak to keep out the night chill.

At his most vulnerable state, having fasted for 40 days and nights, the Devil dropped by to greet him and offer the best of the best if Jesus would just give him his heart.

Jesus listened intently to the Evil One’s spiel. Lucifer talked a good game. Jesus surely envisioned scenarios that could really make life rewarding and pleasurable. Why not just give in?

But the Spirit, who led him to the waters of John’s baptism and then led him into this desert, stepped up to say, “Not so fast, Prince of Darkness!”

Back and forth Jesus went, losing sleep, shaken by the burden of freedom. Enfeebled by the harsh elements and his empty stomach, he remained undecided.

Then the Spirit, like a gust of hurricane wind, stirred in a powerful way. Surrendering totally to his Father, Jesus gave a resounding response, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God!”

And so the defeated Evil One backs off, “…he withdrew from him for a time.”

We know the rest of the story. Jesus’ final temptation, in the Garden of Gethsemane, will be his last and most important temptation, the Devil at his back again.

But for now, having given his heart entirely to his Father, he is ready for his life’s mission. Henceforth every action will be according to his Father’s will.

For 21^st Century radical disciples, this temptation story is one we each experience every day in our own unique lives. We can dismiss a face-to-face look at ourselves by getting absorbed in life’s superficial distractions, entertainments and busyness. Or we can stop and unplug from demands and expectations of others and let ourselves be transformed.

Lent is an opportune time to withdraw, to unplug. We might begin setting aside a special time for silent prayer daily. Better yet, we might schedule a retreat to deeply reflect on our lives as Christians and determine, under the guidance of the Spirit, if a new direction is necessary. Or we might just walk alone in the woods or along the shore, letting God speak to us in the quiet of our hearts.

Jesus gave his heart away and found the fullness of life. This Let he invites us to do the same.

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 58:9b-14
Luke 5:27-32

Reflection:

Thus says the LORD:

If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.   -Isaiah 58:9-10

I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.  -Luke 5:32

Have you ever noticed how God gives us very clear instructions on how He would like us to act towards each other? It’s not like these instructions are hidden in some obscure, esoteric text, requiring years of study to just begin to understand them. No, it would be hard even for God to put His desires in plainer language than what we find in the reading from Isaiah today: ‘Stop harming each other, take care of those less fortunate.’

And yet, we continue to miss the mark. Somehow, we interpret God’s word to mean we need to perform elaborate rituals, wear certain vestments, say certain incantations to gain His favor. While these actions all help us to open to and receive God’s love, are they all that God desires? What does He say in return? Love one another, as I love you. He shows His love by sending His own Son, who continues to preach this simple message.

In the Gospel today, Jesus reminds us that he came to reach those who miss the mark. Another interpretation of the above quote could be, “I have not come to call those who already believe they are righteous, but to call those who know they need help.” While it might be hard to admit that we have failed in what God calls us to do, that is the first step in the repentance that Jesus preaches.

My prayer today is that I have the ears to hear God’s simple message and the will to carry it out.

In addition to being an independent teacher (now online!), Talib Huff is on the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center In Citrus Heights, California. You can contact him at [email protected].

Scripture:

Isaiah 58:1-9
Matthew 9:14-15

Reflection:

Fasting…For Lent 2022 and Beyond

The keyword in both of today’s Scripture readings is “fasting”.  Both the Prophet Isaiah and Jesus Himself uphold the value and challenge of true fasting.  Pure and simple, fasting is a central Lenten practice along with prayer and almsgiving.

Fasting has long been considered a spiritual practice of self-discipline.  More recently fasting has emerged as a popular secular dieting practice.  For Catholics, fasting is a collective penitential practice of biblical origin, traditionally involving partial or complete abstinence from food or drink.  Contemporary approaches to fasting include many other forms — from discipline regarding social media to thoughts and words, to sleeping in… as well as limitation of food and drink.

Isaiah and Jesus both emphasize fasting as means to a change of heart, a sharpening of personal focus, a means of resisting sin, of growth in love of God and neighbor.  Jesus uses the image of the groom and guests at a wedding; He invites us to go beyond selfish ambitions and draw closer to Him, to love Him and share in His mission of sacrificial love.  Isaiah highlights the practical challenge of fasting as he speaks of setting free the oppressed, sharing bread with the hungry, clothing the naked, not turning your back on anyone – a vital message for 21^st Century folk as well as those of Isaiah’s day.

This Lent God invites us to go beyond ourselves and lovingly reach out to others, to be aware of others’ needs, to go out of ourselves in caring for others – as does Jesus!  Our love is to flow from our relationship with Jesus:  unselfish and self-sacrificing, practical, transformative – Jesus’ love for us flowing to all of God’s creation.  Today’s needs are great:  the COVID pandemic continues to sicken and kill many; nations are fiercely at war; poverty and injustice cry to us from our city streets; fear and hopelessness are all-too-evident; our common earthly home calls out for critical attention.  Loving change is needed!

This Lenten Season may our personal fasting help foster a feasting of lasting and fruitful change of heart in both thought, word, and deed – the transforming Life and Love of Jesus Crucified for all creation.  Amen!

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:

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Luke 9:22-25

Reflection:

“Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom”

It is a dramatic statement, but oh so true. True in this sense at least – we always retain the power of choice. Even in the most horrific circumstances, where one’s liberty, independence, and even life are threatened, our freedom to choose is something that cannot be taken away.

We can always turn towards the light and truth. In many cases, it will be possible to choose to act differently and so to move from a situation that may be detrimental to our well-being or the well-being of others. It might also be possible to choose to think differently about certain situations and thus to open ourselves to new ideas so that we can re-shape our approach to people or a situation and thus find new ways to respond rather than react to someone or something. Even in those times when we lack the power or potential to change the external situation in which we find ourselves, or indeed to extract ourselves from it, we still retain the capacity to choose the attitude we will adopt in this one moment.

We see this clearly in the life of Jesus. In the face of constant criticisms, persecution, dangers, and eventual arrest – he did not choose a path of ‘death’ i.e. surrender to what others wanted to impose or what the desire for safety may have offered.

No, Jesus chose a constant path of life. He acted in this way, he spoke and taught in this way, and when his physical freedom was denied he still thought and spoke in this way.

In this sense, his words ring out to us across the centuries. We are invited, commissioned even, to keep choosing the will of God above all else. To choose to live for God means at times that we do bear a cross and are asked to carry this bravely even as we live to serve and love others in the name of Jesus. Such crosses come in all shapes and sizes – it might take the form of personal costs and or suffering, it may be that we carry the burdens of another person or indeed that we carry someone else through a period of their lives or simply help them live with their limitations.

Jesus knows our hearts and knows those crosses we do bear for the sake of the love of Jesus and our neighbour.

As we enter the Season of Lent, we might imagine our journey to be like that of Simon of Cyrene – carrying a cross that was imposed upon us, but that we freely carry – knowing that Jesus is very close to us in such moments.

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

Ash Wednesday: March 2, 2022

Scripture:

Joel 2:12-18
2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Reflection:

Our first reading for today sets out the challenge of Lent for us: a call from God to “return to me with your whole heart.”  An expression of penance was to tear one’s clothing. But God says: “Rend your hearts, not your garments.” We are to tear our hearts open. The call is to go beyond an external return to God and return with our “whole heart.”

As Christians, our wholehearted turning to God is in many spiritual conversions throughout our lives, as we fall more deeply in love with God, and all that God loves, the whole world. We might ask ourselves: where does our love for God and God’s world call us into deeper conversion this Lent?

St. John Paul II was the first Pope to call us to “ecological conversion.” In 2001 he said that “humanity has disappointed God’s expectations” by devastating plains and valleys, polluting water and air, and disfiguring the Earth’s habitat. “We must therefore encourage and support the ‘ecological conversion’ which in recent decades has made humanity more sensitive to the catastrophe to which it has been heading,” St. John Paul II said.

In his encyclical Laudato Si’ released in 2015, Pope Francis echoes St. John Paul II. Pope Francis identifies our current ecological crisis as a “summons to profound interior conversion.” What everyone needs, he writes, is an “‘ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them.” (LS 217).

The Lenten tradition of fasting (“giving something up”) helps us experience our dependency on God. Perhaps this Lent our fasting will also help us experience our interdependence with all Life in our common journey on this planet. Pope Francis has some suggestions of what we can do, and some things we can give up:

“…….environmental responsibility can encourage ways of acting which directly and significantly affect the world around us, such as avoiding the use of plastic and paper, reducing water consumption, separating refuse, cooking only what can reasonably be consumed, showing care for other living beings, using public transport or car-pooling, planting trees, turning off unnecessary lights, or any number of other practices. All of these reflect a generous and worthy creativity which brings out the best in human beings.”

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:

1 Peter 1:10-16
Mark 10:28-31

Reflection:

Today is Mardi Gras— “Fat Tuesday”—the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  Apparently, the name comes from the ancient custom in France of eating rich, fatty foods before the fasting period of Lent kicks in! 

Another name for today is “Shrove” Tuesday.  “Shrove” is a derivative of the verb to “shrive” or “absolve”—the point here that one prepares for the penitential period of Lent by being aware of one’s sins and the opportunity to be absolved of them through the Lenten fasts and practices.

The Scripture readings for this day do not allude to either of these descriptions.  Rather than gearing up for the rigors of Lent or reflecting on our need for repentance, the Lectionary texts alert us to our dignity and “holiness” as followers of Jesus. 

The first reading is taken from the First Letter of Peter.  The author reminds the recipients of the letter (a string of local Christian communities in present day northern Turkey) of the exquisite grace they have received as Christians.  He portrays the prophets and their spiritual ancestors of the Old Testament as longing to see the grace that believers in Jesus now are privileged to experience.

The conclusion is that those so blessed should now “set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”  “Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.”

This last phrase— “be holy because I am holy” is a quotation from Leviticus 11:44 and reflects the biblical conviction that we are made “in the image and likeness of God” and can even dare to strive to be God-like by living lives of integrity.

The Gospel selection for today from Mark moves in a similar direction. While on the road to Jerusalem, Peter states to Jesus: “We have given up everything and followed you.”  The spirit of his question is, “so what do we get in return?”  Jesus’ response is strong: “Amen I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more…” both in this life and in eternal life to come.

Put another way, those whose lives are driven by love, reaching out to those in need and not just consumed with our own concerns, will live lives full of meaning.  I remember the words of Cardinal Francis George, the former Archbishop of Chicago, shortly before he died of cancer—words that also echo Jesus’ promise: “The only things you can take with you when you die are the things you have given away.”

We are all aware of our failures and weaknesses—we are, for sure, imperfect followers of Jesus (ask Peter!).  But the season of Lent is not just a time to be aware of our sins; it is also a celebration of abundant life—from death to resurrection.

Fr. Donald Senior, C.P. is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union.  He lives at the Passionist residence in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Scripture:

1 Peter 1:3-9
Mark 10:17-27

Reflection:

We are a blessed people!  In our reading from 1 Peter today, we are reminded of how truly blessed we are in receiving a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  We are told we have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept for us in heaven.  Then we hear Jesus telling us in the gospel that, while all are welcome, it will be harder for those who choose riches over love of neighbor. We have all been given the gift of faith, we are all called to live as faithful children of the one God, no matter our status, culture, state in life or life circumstances.

Jesus lovingly challenges all of us to; “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  Will we be like the man who went away sad because he had many possessions and was not willing to give them up or will we step up to the challenge Jesus puts before us this day.  We are called to clean out our physical closets that are crammed with ‘stuff’ we don’t need or haven’t used or never intend to use in our lifetime. We are called to share our wealth with those at the food pantry, clothes closet, homeless shelter and other organizations set up to help those less fortunate.

It is easy to share our wealth in a physical sense, but we are also called to look inside ourselves, check out how we are doing with our interior well-being, how are we growing in faith with each other and what does our relationship with our loving God look like?  Lent begins in just a few short days.  It is a time to clean out our soul closet and make room for that life-giving spirit of God to take center stage, a time to empty ourselves of the need for more and be open to the hope and promise that can only be found in service to God and our sisters and brothers in need.

Happy Lent!

Theresa Secord recently retired as a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.