Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Exodus 3:13-20
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:

As I read today’s Gospel, I am struck by the personal invitations Jesus gives us in this brief passage. Our Lord starts with such a beautiful, open invitation to come to Him. Not when we are filled with self-reliance, feel like we have our ducks in a row or our life in order but when we are in need, laboring, struggling, or going through difficulty. Maybe on our knees.

It is in these more challenging moments when He invites us to come to Him. How often I make things worse by not coming to Him in these moments thinking my challenge is too insignificant, that He doesn’t care, or I can handle it. No, He asks, come to me. Rest in me.

From there He gives us a second invitation, to

take His yoke. A yoke is a wooden collar made for 2, which really doesn’t sound so inviting. And yet, His tone seems one of assurance. He will be close to us. He will carry His share and more of our burden. He will stay with us, and we will be close to Him. Always. Where we go, He will be, where He goes, we will follow. Jesus is telling us, “We are in this together “.

There is another aspect to the invitation to take His yoke. He is giving us what is His. There is something very tender in that. The Lord then invites us to learn from Him. He who is truth, who is wisdom, who is Love, says, learn from me.

We might feel uncomfortable being so close, so connected to the Lord with our burdens, our struggles, and our sin. With no place to hide. Maybe I would rather not have the Lord see me in this way. Almost anticipating our worry about being so close, or opening and revealing so much to Him, He speaks to us, “I am gentle and humble of heart.” As if to say, “don’t worry, I know you”.

Such a beautiful invitation to be with Him, close to Him, to bring everything to Him. How much He desires that we live this way. For He knows, only being close to Him, connected to Him and trusting in Him will we truly find rest. A rest only He can give, rest for our souls.

Steve Walsh is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, and a good friend of the Passionist Community

Scripture:

Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12
Matthew 11:25-27

Reflection:

The Gospel today is an invitation to a more uncomplicated relationship with God. We have all returned to times as a child when all seemed simpler and easier. While this may not be true of all childhoods, I can certainly return to mine and see it was a time with fewer distractions than my teenage years.

As someone who has been involved in ministry with children and having four of my own, and through the grace of God, nine grandchildren, I often look at things through their lens. But, while there are benefits of being childlike, there are also complications.

You must follow the guidelines/rules of others; life is pretty structured without much “downtime” included, and of course, we are ALWAYS relying on someone else to get us where we need to go. However, when I look back on my faith life, there was much to be pleased about as a child. While I learned about my faith through the strict governance of the Dominican nuns at my elementary school, and an Irish priest who dispensed his own, unique form of ministry, I was, for the most part, surrounded by love. It was love with strings attached for sure, but it was love. They cared for me and even more for my soul. I can still hear the words, “ for what does it matter if you suffer the loss of your soul …”

This lament, even though I did not really know what it meant, it started me out on a journey as a child. A journey to discover this invisible but essential part of me, my soul!

I wonder what your experience of this inner search for your soul, its content, character, how it looked affected your faith? How does it affect your faith today? Have you come to terms with what your soul is today? How would you describe its condition? Excellent? Slightly used? Low mileage? Never been wrecked?

Taking a journey back to those early days may help you find some answers. To this childlike repose, Jesus invites us all.  After all, we use the words “soul-searching” often. But what does it mean to us?

God Bless.

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

Scripture:

Exodus 2:1-15a
Matthew 11:20-24

Reflection:

Several years ago, I overheard a gentleman say to his traveling partner, “we have arrived in Sodom and Gomorrah.” I was a bit taken aback as I had thought we had landed in Los Angeles, California. They were traveling on to Hawaii, and I guess before they traveled on to paradise, they had to wait with the sinners in Sodom and Gomorrah. 😊

I always remember that comment every time I hear those ancient cities mentioned. My Logics teacher would have labeled that the presumed fallacy of hasty generalization. You may remember the story about Abraham who could not find even 10 innocent people in either city. (Genesis 18: 22FF).  I know of many wonderful and holy people who live here and that was most definitely not an accurate statement. We must be careful not to overlook the holy.

In today’s Gospel, we might ask, what did Jesus wish to convey to us? These simple four verses we are presented with today have been labeled in Biblical commentaries “the consequences of rejection” as we begin to learn of the opposition which Jesus will get from Israel and his community. In short, Jesus was rejected by his native home of Capernaum, and we hear “woes” on the lips of Jesus.  The cities of Tyre and Sidon were frequently denounced by the prophets for their corruption. Here, Jesus quotes Isaiah (14:12:20), and includes Capernaum. These few verses of Jesus can make us a little uncomfortable. It is good to take a pause out, recognize the discomfort, and allow the scripture to inform you. Verses like the ones that follow soon after these can bring calmness to me.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.” Vs. 28-29

In our first reading from the beginning of Exodus, we hear about the story of Moses and how his mother managed to save him from the Egyptian Pharoah. Scholars have compared this story to earlier stories of Egyptian Gods. The ancient Biblical writers took what sounded good and incorporated it into the beginning of Exodus. This is a motif employed by the ancient writers, they borrowed several stories, especially the Genesis creation story. Through these stories, they incorporated God at work and involved in their lives. To us, it may make it sound a bit questionable however, to the ancients it reflected how they considered God to be active in their lives.

Their intimate faith reached far beyond their current situation and gave inspiration to their understanding of their creator God. They were able to navigate their lives and find hope. The Psalm used in today’s readings adds further:

“Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.” (69)

When I reflect on these readings, I can find myself confident in being among the “sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah” and trust in God’s providence in my life. How about you?

May we be nourished by the Word of God this day. May we live out our faith in confidence regardless of where we live. 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.

Scripture:

Amos 7:12-15
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:7-13

Reflection:

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two…” (Mark 6:7)

Some quick Greek and Latin lessons in order to better appreciate today’s Gospel.  The Greek word for “to send out” is apostello.  The term “apostle” comes from it.  Jesus sent out his apostles for the purpose of “preaching repentance,” that is, to proclaim the good news, the Gospel, the euangelion in Greek.  The heart of the good news that Jesus announced is this: “Repent.  The Reign of God is at hand.”  The word, repent, comes from the Greek, metanoia.  It literally means to make a spiritual U-turn from our sinful, self-willful ways and to turn our hearts and minds in an outwardly oriented direction to God. 

Just as Jesus summoned the Twelve and sent them out to preach repentance, so too does he summon us to do the same.  Jesus summons us every time we celebrate at Mass.  Let me explain.  The Mass ends, not with the priest’s final blessing, but with the dismissal.  The priest, or deacon, if there is one, dismisses the congregation.  Many years back, the words of dismissal were announced in Latin: “Ite, missa est,” which translates to “Go, you are dismissed.”  The term, Mass, carries the sense of mission.  That word, “missa,” eventually became the name of the Eucharist, the Mass.  Today, the priest or deacon pronounces the words, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

The dismissal is not some ceremonial afterthought.  No.  The dismissal links the Eucharistic celebration with our mission in the world.  The whole point of the Eucharist is mission.  We are nourished first by the Word of God, then by the Body and Blood of Christ.  Then Christ, through his ordained minister, summons us.  Go.  The Mass is ended.  Christ, through the priest or deacon, calls us to mission, one that demands an authentic witness to the Gospel. 

Our mission, “to glorify the Lord by your life,” simply means that we are live out our lives in accord with the Gospel message and to carry that message to our families, our neighbors, and the world.  Like the Twelve, Jesus has summoned us to mission.  He sends out to evangelize with the ancient words, “Ite! Missa est.”

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

Scripture:

Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a
Matthew 10:24-33

Reflection:

Recently it hit the news that emails of government and health officials have been made public. This is not the first time. We know that such email messages convey comprehensive information about the writer, including what that person believed, how they interacted with others, their level of respect for those who disagreed, and more. It made me think: If all of my personal emails were made public, what picture would they paint of me? Which of my attitudes or conversations would be an embarrassment if they were made known? Are my interactions and messages consistent with who I believe myself to be and what people to know about me, or do I have one persona for my “public face” and a different one in private?

These are important questions for Christian disciples to ask themselves. Jesus tells us that nothing done in secret will remain hidden, but rather will be brought to light. I don’t believe he means literally that everything we do, say, and write in private will be in the news. Instead, I believe he wants to emphasize how important it is to live our lives and conduct our relationships as if they could be. We need to always act in ways that are consistent with our calling, even when others are not watching or when we get no reward. It is simply unacceptable to be kind in one setting and stab someone in the back in another (in general, of course, but especially if it’s the same person). It is against the Gospel to project a saintly image while harboring prejudice, greed, envy, resentment, pettiness, jealousy, vengeance, or any other sinful attitudes behind the scenes. In simplest language, we must always do the right thing because it is the right thing, whether in private or in full view.

With that in mind, I commit to more carefully monitoring myself. I will start by looking back at some of my emails, texts, and phone messages, as well as my everyday conversations, especially those that are critical of someone else. Am I acting in charity, kindness, and patience? Am I calling out injustice and wrong without condemning the person? In what ways do I act or speak differently when in a more public or visible setting vs. in the privacy of my own heart? And what can I do to allow God to transform my heart so that it is shaped in God’s image and flows into all that I say and do?

I pray that as I ponder these questions, it will help me become an ever more transparent instrument of God’s loving and healing power. May we all be!

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:

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30
Matthew 10:16-23

Reflection:

                                          Jacob, Guide for the Late Life Journey

This is a scene played out often enough. Father or mother in the car accompanied by the family and going to a foreign land, maybe the home of one of the children, or assisted care or nursing home. Jacob answers God’s vision quickly, “Here I am.” Egypt! Of all places in my old age to have to go. But Joseph is there. I must see Joseph with my own eyes. Joseph holds Jacob tightly around the neck weeping for a long time. “At last I can die now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive.” 

Kathleen Fischer tells us that in the aging process we have a natural preparation for prayer. “The late life journey heightens the importance of the present moment, confronts us with darkness and loss, and leads us to probe the meaning of our life stories”.

How many moments passed since Jacob said goodbye to young Joseph, and how much time was spent imagining a happy turn to the long ago sad event of Joseph’s disappearance. Nothing else matters now in this moment of precious embrace with Joseph. It is like the prayer Fr. Padro Arrupe, S.J. who suffered a stroke that debilitated him for the last 10 years of his life:

    ‘More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what
     I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now there is a difference:
     the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to
know and feel myself so totally in God’s hands’.

Jacob knew gratitude.

Jacob knew darkness and loss. But he kept faith in the promise to return home. A promise kept by Joseph who buried his father in the cave in the field bought from the Hittites, where Abraham and Sarah, Issac and Rebecca, and Leah also rested.

His life had plenty of stories. Did he realize that the best one was being written during his final days? Jacob tells us elders today that we may draw strength and guidance from his later years. A poem is written from the woman’s perspective, which Jacob would approve. He worked hard to keep his wives happy! They are a big part of his story, and we are all, each part of one another’s stories. May Jacob invite us to probe the meaning of our stories….

Always she carries in the arms of her heart,
Uphill and down, and in all weathers the child she was.
And beside her walks the bride, striding with fire and passion,
Hiding the fear,
Still another comes- but slowly, the mother, laden, filled with joy.
Never alone, she walks accompanied by all her past.

-Anne Keith

Scripture:

Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29, 45:1-5
Matthew 10:7-15

Reflection:

Salvation and Peace

God is into saving lives not destroying them. We save lives when we bring the word of God to people who do not know Him. People bring peace to their homes when they acknowledge him and do not deny him. God loves us and want us to experience salvation with him in heaven. At the same time, he will not force himself upon anyone. In both readings today God demonstrates his desire to save lives.

In the 1^st reading, the salvation He brings is demonstrated in the words of Joseph, “Come closer to me…. I am your brother…It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.” God gives us the command that, without cost you received, without cost you are to give.

In the Gospel reading Jesus sends his Apostles to those burdened with insurmountable problems, and he commands them, “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons.” God is so good that he orders his representatives to utter these words each time they enter a home, “Peace to this home.” He commits himself to make such words effective by bringing forth the peace they express into these homes at the very moment these words are uttered, provided that the souls inhabiting it do not of themselves reject peace through ill will.

Let us hope because our Lord sets a very easy price for our salvation: to acknowledge him, not to deny him in thoughts, words, or deeds, not to blush because of him, not to be ashamed of what he was or the features of his life (poverty, abjection, and work). There is one thing only that should put us to shame, and that is not loving him enough. Let us do this. In fact, let us love him and keep our hope. For then, he will acknowledge us in heaven!

Deacon Peter Smith serves at St. Mary’s and Holy Family Parish in Alabama. He is also the Athletic Director and Facility Manager at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, Alabama, and a member of our Passionist Family.