Daily Scripture

Daily Scripture, January 19, 2022

Scripture:

Reflection:

Everything that Jesus sought in his life and ministry is revealed in today’s gospel. Jesus walks into a synagogue where there was a man “who had a withered hand.” Like so many gospel stories, Jesus finds himself in the middle of a situation where good needs to be done. There is a man who is suffering, a man who is afflicted, and Jesus wants to heal him. And yet, this gospel story bristles with tension and ominous threats of violence because in the synagogue that day there is also a group of Pharisees. They see exactly what Jesus does—a man in need of a healing—but they perceive the situation quite differently. For them, the man with the withered hand represents not a possibility for good to be done, but the chance that a Sabbath law might be broken. Ironically, they want Jesus to cure the man precisely so they can accuse him of breaking the law.

Instead of being intimidated, Jesus speaks out: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” With that question, Jesus confronts us with the heart of the gospel. Yes, laws are important, but they should never get in the way of doing good. Yes, we need laws and traditions to guide us, but if they become obstacles to love, justice, and mercy, they need to be broken. In fact, to make any law, any practice, and any tradition more important than mercy, justice, and love is evil. There aren’t many times in the gospels that Jesus is angry, but Jesus is angry today because the Pharisees’ rigid legalism prevents them from seeing what really matters.

On the Sabbath, Jesus defies a law in order to set somebody free and in doing so tells us something about what it means to follow him. Like Jesus, we are called to be ministers of healing and life, instruments of God’s mercy and love. After all, if we don’t stand on the side of mercy, compassion, and love, we are not standing with Jesus, but against him.

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

Daily Scripture, January 18, 2022

Scripture:

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Mark 2:23-28

Reflection:

Jesus has just healed a man who was a paralytic. He also spoke of one of the great acts of religion which is fasting. The Pharisees notice that the disciples of Jesus are making a path through the wheat field. They also notice the disciples are grinding heads of wheat in their hands. This upsets the Pharisees because the disciples are breaking the Sabbath laws in the Torah. There are thirty-nine ways to violate the Sabbath. The disciples are being accused of three of these violations: Reaping, Winnowing, and Threshing.

What is happening here is that there are two schools of thought when it comes to interpreting the Torah. One is very strict and the other is more lenient. This is important because the Sabbath is unique to Israel; none of its neighbors have such a practice. The stricter interpretation of the Sabbath is supposed to remind Israel of God and the Act of Creation. The more lenient school of thought reminds Israel of the Exodus and God’s care for Israel. Mark’s text is reminding his own community that within Mark’s community there are two schools of thought. If one were to study the Torah more closely, the Pharisees would realize that the Torah allowed for pilgrims and travelers to help themselves to the wheat in the fields.

It is interesting that there is a little addendum to the disciples’ actions. They were creating a “path in the wheat field.” I don’t know the significance of this observation, but maybe it is saying that throughout all of our lives we leave our footprint whenever or wherever we walk. Mark is telling his community only decent human beings are able to be good instruments of the Reign of God. Generosity and hope are the hallmarks of discipleship. Life is a choice between law or life. It is not a choice between good and evil but good and phantasy.

Mark’s Gospel is clear that we need to choose life. Life is never so sacred as when it is used to feed the poor, or when it is used for those in need of help. The final arbiter is the use of all things is love. Victor Frankl tells us that if we want to live we must choose life. It we want to love we must Encounter. If we want to Grow we must suffer.

Fr. Ken O’Malley, C.P., is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Daily Scripture, January 17, 2022

Scripture:

1 Samuel 15:16-23
Mark 2:18-22

Reflection:

Today’s gospel poignantly illustrates how the activities and practices of our lives, even when they are unquestionably good and proper, can sometimes distract us from all the manifestations of God’s loveliness and graciousness so that we no longer realize how stupendously blessed we really are. Because we don’t see what we need to see, we miss the gifts that are all around us, especially the Gift-giver from whom all good things come.

In this gospel scene, some people, genuinely perplexed, approach Jesus, wondering why the disciples of John the Baptist as well as disciples of the Pharisees regularly fast while, when it comes to fasting, Jesus’ disciples seem pretty carefree. Jesus’ response (“How can the guests at a wedding fast as long as the groom is among them?”) lets them know that to draw away in fasting while he is in their midst is to completely misread the moment. People who fast at weddings when they ought to be feasting don’t have their priorities straight. How can they fast when Jesus is right before them? How can they keep from joyous celebration when the one who promises them everything is in their midst? At that moment, is fasting even defensible?

Like the misguided wedding guests in this gospel parable, we too can get so wrapped up in the habits and routines of our lives—or just the sheer busyness of life—that we grow numb to the outbursts of grace and goodness, of love and kindness, that happen all the time. Jesus reminds us that if our routines and practices dull us to the beckoning presence of God in our lives, then we need to fast and abstain from those routines and practices lest we miss the feast to which God calls us each day, the “feast” that is Jesus always among us, ready and eager to bless.

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.

Daily Scripture, January 16, 2022

Scripture:

Isaiah 62:1-5
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
John 2:1-11

Reflection:

One of the most beautiful movies of recent years told the story about the power of married friendship. The movie is “Shadowlands,” the story of the marriage of C.S. Lewis, the famous English author and philosopher, to Joy Gresham, an American poet. Lewis did not marry until late in life. For years he had been, and fully expected to remain, an inveterate bachelor. He liked the bachelor’s life, its cozy routines, its comfort and predictability.

But then Joy rushed in and his life was never quite the same. Their marriage lasted only a short time because Joy falls ill with cancer and dies. In those few years they had together, Joy Gresham changed C.S. Lewis’ life in surprising, unexpected ways. She drew him out of himself. She taught him lessons in trust and caring and openness. She educated him in those deep mysteries of love, suffering, loss and hope.

It is not surprising to hear C.S. Lewis say to Joy. “You were alive before. I wasn’t…. I started living when I started loving you, Joy. That makes me only a few months old.”

The beautiful and fantastic power of married friendship is used quite often in the Bible to describe God’s love for his highest creation, the human person. Isaiah tells a people who has been unfaithful to their God, that God will come and make things right again. “No more shall people call you ‘forsaken’, or your land ‘desolate’. But you shall be called ‘my delight’, and your land ‘espoused’.

St. Paul tells us that there are many varied and different gifts that must work together for the good of the church. We can find this same diversity in a marriage relationship. The couple must learn deep respect for each other. They must blend their different gifts so that each can be enriched and made a fuller person. This is what happened between C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham

I have a feeling that Jesus and his mother Mary were irresistibly drawn to a wedding and its festive celebration. The beauty and power of friendship love, its power to transform and make whole, were tangible and felt at this time.

It should not be surprising that Jesus used this kind of context, to begin manifesting his power of transforming love. He would be calling all of us, like C.S. Lewis was changed by his relationship with Joy, to be “born again” as we enter into friendship with our Savior.

Fr. Blaise Czaja, C.P. gives parish missions and retreats. He is a member of the Passionist Community in Houston, Texas.

Daily Scripture, January 15, 2022

Scripture:

1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a
Mark 2:13-17

Reflection:

“ those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do…”

Jesus called Levi to follow him, ate with him at his home. Levi, a tax collector, and thus despised by most people – tax collectors were known to exploit and ‘overtax’ everyday people to fill their own coffers. Tax collectors were notorious for being less than honest ‘bullies’ to get what they wanted at the expense of law-abiding people trying to make ends meet and take care of their families.

Yet, Jesus saw something in Levi – some glimmer of humanity, love or perhaps some kernel of righteousness. Jesus joined him and other tax collectors for dinner – maybe hoping to get an insight into their story, maybe even challenging some of their practices and ways of doing things.

The Pharisees, those who tightly embrace the ‘letter of the law’, challenge Jesus – how can you eat with these sinners, these tax collectors, these low life…? Once again, Jesus, confronts them and challenges them with their own (false) righteousness. The Pharisees saw themselves as above the law – the righteous enforcers and judges.

In essence, Jesus is saying, you think you are ‘perfect’, above the law and therefore not in need of God’s help. I can’t help but remember, when my kids were little how important the “well baby checks” were – we didn’t only take them to the doctor when they were sick, but we took them regularly – to prevent illness, to get the preventive shots, and to ‘catch’ anything that my lead to problems, unhealthy habits, or chronic illness BEFORE it became a problem. As adults we do that too, with annual check-ups, physicals and screenings – to insure as best we can that we will live healthy and catch potential difficulties and illnesses before they escalate.

So too with Jesus, we need to ‘check-in’ with him every day. Through prayer and conversation, by listening for his voice, noticing his presence or face in the midst of our everyday activities. To allow him to move us, shape us, and prevent us from getting too far from him. We, like Levi, need to allow Jesus to see something in us, to call us and we need to respond – we need to follow.

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Daily Scripture, January 14, 2022

Scripture:

1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a
Mark 2:1-12

Reflection:

The Hope in Miracles

Today’s reading talks specifically about the authority of kings in the Old Testament and Jesus’s authority in the New Testament. It has always been a topic that interests me, specifically, the miracles of the New Testament. In the early years of the Church, these acts, which we now call miracles, were known mainly as signs. Today we refer to them as both (signs and miracles), but over the years, we (the Church) have focused on the actual miracle, in this case, the cure of the paralytic. So there is a difference in these two words and even how we interpret them.

In other parts of scripture, Jesus tells us that in order to believe, you have to see.

John: 4:48 Jesus, therefore, said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

So, Jesus understood that a sign (or miracle) needed to be performed to have others understand He was here on a mission and that He held the authority to speak and act on God’s behalf. It was an encouragement to have the scribes, apostles, and other witnesses to see that Jesus was empowered to act, speak and operate with authority. Later, it became apparent (after many other signs and miracles) that Jesus was the Messiah, to at least some of His followers prior to the Resurrection; and many others afterward.

So, in many respects, we can consider the sign, the indicator that the authority in which Jesus was operating was more important than the actual miracle itself. Why is that? Well, if we concentrate on the outcome of the miracle, to a certain extent, we are missing the point. The point here is that God is with us, amongst us, operating at all times, but we continually require proof positive. The scribes are asking this question in the Gospel today, how often do we ask ourselves this very question?

The acceptance of God in our everyday lives this there for us all to see. We don’t need a miracle or something supernatural (to us) to prove it. Jesus demonstrated His authority through signs and miracles, we have the evidence in sacred scripture, but it is also closer to home if we look and listen carefully.

Perhaps today, we can examine the times when God has spoken to us in signs in our own lives. In our creation, our vocations, those around us, and the Pentecostal gifts. Hope is one of these virtues which provides this continued expectation; God and grace are not around the corner but are ever-present. Hope is always on if only we can recognize His presence.

Michael Cunningham, OFS, is the Director and CEO of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.

Daily Scripture, January 13, 2022

Scripture:

1 Samuel 4:1-11
Mark 1:40-45

Reflection:

Our Gospel readings are taken today from the Gospel of Mark who offers us a good insight into Jesus and his mission. The author of Mark, from the beginning of chapter one demonstrates Jesus as the suffering servant who like the leper he wished to heal finds himself now outside the town in a reversal of situations. Jesus desires healing for the leper, we read that he was moved with pity v. 41. The message for us today is the understanding of the word “pity” with which Jesus demonstrates, “I do will it. Be made clean. v.41. The word for pity has been described as womb or Rakhem in Hebrew.

Jesus had this deep desire to bring healing to this leper in an almost maternal way. This is such a profound insight offered to us in the text. Jesus came to show us the Father’s love and right at the beginning of Jesus’ life, we are invited to come to know the love of the Father.

In his book, Gazing on His Face, Robin Ryan, C.P. offers “Real Friendship is grounded in mutual concern. (Ryan, 8)” Can we begin to understand that Jesus’ desire for us is mutual concern of friendship and healing? He desires our healing so much so that he is now on the outside. Recently in Advent, Pope Francis invited us to reflect on the humility of Jesus. Can we encounter a more example of humility? Absolutely! Read on through this Gospel.

Can we make this our aim for the New Year? To come to know Jesus as a loving, caring and, humble friend? Like our first reading, it is easy to get drawn into chaos and strife around us. Today, in the Gospel, Jesus invites us to look to his love, care, and healing. He wills us to be healed.

Come, Lord, Jesus and fill our hearts with your humility. May we have Peace on Earth in this New Year. Bless, the Lord, O my soul. 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.

Daily Scripture, January 12, 2022

Scripture:

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
Mark 1:29-39

Reflection:

On this feast of the Baptism of the Lord, does this question cross your mind? “Am I going to heaven, into Eternal Life with our Creator, accompanied by my Lord and Savior, whom I have faithfully followed?” What will be asked of me?

Look at what was recited over you at your baptism. “You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of our Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven: ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:16)

Baptism has clothed us with Christ. We are “other Christ’s” in whatever that takes a form in our lives. We are to bring the Christian dignity of that garment unstained into everlasting life. St. Paul’s letter to Titus directs us in how to do that. We are to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.” (Titus 2: 12)

That is, we are to live with self-control, growing in justice, that is, working toward the establishment of right relationship with God and one another. We are to have a habit of prayer, however that comes out of us.

A realistic and honest way to live is to focus and concentrate on habits which lead us to sin. Bad habits. It is an honest way to confront sin within us. Identify a bad habit, (one), which leads to a particular sinful act. I am serious. It sounds “simplistic” it is a real approach to overcoming sin. Be patient with yourself, and, “begin again” when you falter. The important thing is to trust your baptismal relationship with God. Not only trust it, expect it.

Yes, we cannot always catch the Spirit immediately. The baptism of Jesus set Him onto his mission at thirty years of age. This week, take a little extra time to pray to the Holy Spirit: “Come Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” Then be ready for whatever comes! To what path is the Lord calling you in this New Year?

A small but significant footnote. Did it ever strike you as to what was the difference between Jesus’ experience of the Holy Spirit at his Baptism, and the hundreds of others who were baptized in the River Jordan that day. They all received the baptism from John. What was different for Jesus? St. Luke tells us that after Jesus had been baptized, he came out of the river and “was praying.”

An essential habit for our life in the Spirit.Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P., is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.

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