Daily Scripture

Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:19-22
John 20:24-29

Reflection:

Thomas does not appear all that often in the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. But when he does, we might say it is with aplomb!

In St. John’s gospel when Jesus decides to go to see Lazarus – rather than affirm the decision of Jesus Thomas doubts its wisdom and fears its outcome. Thomas says: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Again, when Jesus announces himself as the way, the truth and the life and indicates he is going ahead and that they know the path to follow, Thomas speaks again “‘No, we don’t know, Lord,’ Thomas said. ‘We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?’

It is no wonder he inherits the title of ‘doubting Thomas’. It might indicate a certain cautious disposition in life or simply indicate to us a person who struggles with issue of trust. Nevertheless, it is today’s gospel account that is most associated with Thomas and his doubts.

One of the great contributions that St. Thomas makes for us is to expose a tendency, one that can touch us all from time to time, namely the power of doubt. Doubt tends to be a latent capacity in the human mind – one that waits till we are confronted with a variation of the familiar and faced with uncertainty. Into this moment enters doubt with its capacity to throw us into confusion. Knowledge that we had, trust that we had held, even love that we bore for another can all be drowned by doubt. These key capacities of being human are not necessarily destroyed by doubts, but doubt has a power to pull us away from the direction we had intended and lead us down a new, often confusing, pathway.

Have you ever felt you know the answer to give or the way to go, and yet doubt intervenes and disrupts your thinking process? Thus, instead of trusting our first instinct, or our common sense, we go against these and so often find ourselves travelling in the wrong direction.

Thomas exposes this tendency as being operative too in matters of belief and alerts us to the power of doubt to sabotage one’s living faith.

But thankfully, Thomas also inadvertently reveals to us one strategy to deal with, and perhaps even overcome, doubts.

When Thomas is alone, he does not have the reassuring presence of the community, and their common experience of the resurrection to guide his thinking and influence his behaviour. Instead, he resorts to demanding ‘proof’. Yet when he is with the community, experiencing with them the presence of Jesus, his doubts disappear and even when it is offered, he does not need any proof that he is in the presence of Jesus.

Thus, we each have a strong role to play to strengthen the faith of others. By our witness within the community and by our experiences of being carried by the community we are strengthened and in turn strengthen others. By witnessing to the resurrection through our own love of and trust in Jesus, we can strengthen others and shore up their faith.

Perhaps this is what Paul means when he writes to those early Christians in Ephesus “You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God…” and that together we the “dwelling place of God in the Spirit”.

In such light we can illuminate the way for others and live out the prophecy of the Lord “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

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

Scripture:

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67                                                                                    
Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection:

How often do we ask God: “When will my prayers be answered?”
Or we may ask a friend or spiritual advisor: “How will my prayers be answered?”

In today’s Scripture readings we see God working through people to answer prayers.

In the first reading from Genesis, we find Abraham, our father in faith, burying his wife, Sarah. He believes what God has promised him, that his descendants will inherit the land and be as numerous as the stars. So, he prays for the next generation, and enlists his trusted servant to find his son Isaac a suitable wife. This leads to a series of conversations: between Abraham and his servant, between the servant and God, between the servant and Rebekah, and with her family. In the end, Rebekah agrees to leave her family and home, and go with the servant and marry Isaac.

In the Gospel reading for today, we hear Jesus call Matthew the tax collector to be one of his apostles. Matthew agrees and invites Jesus to his home for dinner. Matthew and his fellow tax collectors were despised social outcasts because they collaborated with the foreign occupying power, the Romans, to extract taxes from their own people.Yet Jesus and the other apostles eat at their table and converse with them. Everyone there heard Jesus say: “I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Matthew changed his life and became a leader in the early Church after Jesus died.

Some doubt God’s presence working in our world today because they do not see overt divine interventions. In today’s Scriptures we see God working through ordinary people who were open and willing, who entered into conversations and built relationships. Rebekah is revered as a matriarch in Judaism and Christianity, and St. Matthew is a pillar of the Christian faith.

We may ask ourselves: Are my conversations today building up community, and promoting justice and peace? How am I the answer to someone’s prayer?

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:

Genesis 22:1-19
Matthew 9:1-8

Reflection:

The first reading for today’s Mass is one of the Bible’s most challenging texts—the story of Abraham and Isaac.  Jewish tradition refers to it as the akedah, “the binding” of Isaac.  Christian tradition usually refers to this as the “sacrifice” of Isaac, seeing this mysterious story as an anticipation of the sacrifice of Jesus’ own life, God’s only son.

The basics of the story are clear but baffling and frightening.  God decides to put Abraham to the “test” by commanding the patriarch to take his only son Isaac (“whom you love”) to the land of Moriah and there to offer his beloved son as a “burnt offering” or sacrifice.  (Moriah refers to the mountainous region of Judea; later Jewish tradition would identify Mt. Moriah as the central hill on which the Jerusalem Temple would be built.).

The next morning, Abraham dutifully saddles his donkey and takes with him Isaac and two servants, as well as wood for the burnt offering of his only son.  When they near the place, Abraham instructs the servants to remain with the donkey and he takes his son with him, placing on Isaac’s shoulders the wood that would be used for the fire of sacrifice, while Abraham himself carried a knife and the fire.  Innocently, Isaac asks his father, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering.”  Abraham assures his son, “God himself will provide the sheep for the burnt offering.”  When they arrive at the summit, Abraham dutifully prepares for the sacrifice, binding his son and putting him on the wood piled on the altar.  And then takes up the knife to kill his son.

At this last moment, God’s messenger intervenes.  “Abraham, Abraham, do not lay your hand on the boy…do not do the least thing to him.”  Abraham has passed this incredible and dangerous test of his trust in God: “I know now,” God’s messenger declares, “how devoted you are to God.”  For his faith, God “swears” to bless Abraham abundantly, making his descendants “as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore…and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing.”

What are we to make of this story?  Some interpreters believe that the original purpose of the story was to forbid child sacrifice—a terrible form of homage to the gods practiced by some ancient religions.  In Jewish tradition, the story underscores Abraham’s incredible faith and trust in God—a faith that becomes the very foundation for Israel’s role as God’s own people.  Paul the Apostle, himself steeped in Jewish tradition, also points to Abraham as the exemplar of faith in God (see Romans 4) and uses the example of the patriarch to make his case that salvation comes not through any merit on our part but through God’s free gift of love revealed in Jesus.

Later Christian tradition makes the parallel between the role of Isaac and that of Jesus himself, who is “sacrificed” that we might live.  The parallel is not perfect since in the Abraham story God ultimately stops Abraham from sacrificing his son. 

Given our contemporary concerns about the protection of children and the prevalence of violence often wreaked on children and the vulnerable, this biblical account has ambivalent meaning.  Perhaps the most meaningful aspect of this story is the example of Abraham’s trust in God even when circumstances are threatening and baffling.  And, equally important, the fundamental outcome of the story is God’s enduring love for Abraham and Isaac.  God’s command remains: “Do not lay your hand on the child.  Do not do the least thing to him.”  The God of our Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, portrays a God, ultimately revealed by Jesus, who loves and protects the “least.”

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:

Genesis 21:5, 8-20a
Matthew 8:28-34

Reflection:

As I read today’s gospel, I can’t help but think about the vision of these demonically possessed men begging to be exorcised into a herd of swine. This happened in what I imagine, was a fairly non-Jewish area, hence the abundance of pigs. Did Jesus feel this was a perfect punishment, to have these evil spirits sent into an animal that the Jewish people felt was so vile and filthy as a pig? Sounds like a perfectly disgusting place that would be fitting for an evil spirit!

So, the evil spirits are sent into the herd of pigs, and they stampede and die. I think it’s safe for us to understand that among Jesus’ disciples, and the evil spirits, and those who resided in the area, that they all realized one thing – that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He could cure the leper, and give sight to the blind, and cleanse the evil spirit. 

What do you need release from today? What do you need purged from your life that is causing you misery or pain? I personally have been battling health issues, past hurts, ulcers, dry eyes, and a multitude of other things that I can only blame on my age and my lack of faith – why can’t we just release those things that continue to weigh us down? I try so hard to exorcise my own demons, rather than allowing Jesus to take the load – those thoughts and memories that torture me daily. And no matter how hard I try, I have a very difficult time moving away and finding lasting peace. There are days I wish Jesus was here, in the flesh – so many times I throw my hands up in despair and say, “Enough – I’m done.” But I have to find the trust and strength in Him to keep moving on, to believe that in all of this suffering I will again find a purpose, and find that everlasting peace that will calm my soul and renew my spirit. 

Patty Masson supports the Passionists from Spring, Texas.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Scripture:

Acts of the Apostles 12: 1-11
2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18
Matthew 16: 13 -19

Reflection:

Today we celebrate two great men of the Church, Saints Peter and Paul. Two ordinary men, one a fisherman and the other a Pharisee and a tentmaker. Two ordinary men who recognized that God had called them to be something greater than they thought themselves to be. Two ordinary men who had courage to speak the truth that was spoken to them through Christ. They endured many hardships and trials for their words and actions and yet they kept on believing in the truth that dwelt in their hearts.

How could ordinary men come to do extraordinary things?

“The angel said to Peter, “Put on your belt and your sandals. “ He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” “ Acts 12:8

Even in prison Saint Peter did not give up hope in Jesus Christ. He listened and followed the angel out of the prison. The angel had to awaken him from his sleep. If Saint Peter was asleep he certainly was not afraid of the trial that was to take place the next day. The passion that he felt in his heart, about who he had spent three years following and all that he had seen Jesus Christ do for others, must have been a source of his hope and courage. He was open to the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah and confirmed it when Jesus asked him “Who do you say that I am?” Mt 16: 15-16.

“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” 2Tim 4:7

Saint Paul was also in prison and did not fear death. He knew that he had completed what Christ had called him to do for the proclamation of the Kingdom. An ordinary man who was passionate about his faith to the point of persecuting the first Christians. Then Jesus caught his attention with a flash of light and a bit of a humbling fall to the ground. A “snap out of it” moment. He would carry the message of Christ to the Gentiles beyond Jerusalem to the end of the world; that time the Roman world. Again, his passion came from the truth that dwelt in his heart and he was not afraid to recognize it and act upon it.

Each of us are called to become something greater than what we think we are. This can only occur through faith, prayer, hope and trust in Christ. What is Christ calling you to today?

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Mark 5:21-43

Reflection:

When we hear of Jesus’ healings, we must realize that he doesn’t ask people to follow him and believe in him because he needs to inflate his ego, but he encourages them to follow him for their own salvation! He wants them to know the one true God, and he wants them to enjoy the gifts that will come to them through that relationship with their heavenly Father.

He knows what we need when we need it. He knew exactly who touched his cloak because he knows his faithful ones. It was not just the touching of a cloak that he felt, but the sensing of her faith and her trusting belief in his healing.

We can’t be afraid of life or live in the fear of what was or what may be, or the uncertainty of changing our lives to live more closely to God. He tells us, “Be not afraid”!! Today’s gospel reading reflects examples of faith – a promise of salvation through the one true God.

My prayer today is that you open your hearts to the grace of God. Place your trust in him alone. I pray for you all and ask that you keep me in yours! God bless you!

Patty Masson supports the Passionists from Spring, Texas.

Scripture:

Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22
Matthew 8:1-4

Reflection:

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
and then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,
“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,
“I will do it. Be made clean.”
His leprosy was cleansed immediately.
-Matthew 8:1-3
 

Today’s reading from Matthew begins with Jesus coming “down from the mountain.” He has just completed his “Sermon on the Mount” with so many of our most cherished teachings: the beatitudes, the Lord’s prayer, the golden rule, as well as teachings on anger, almsgiving, false prophets, judging, money, shining our light–most of which turned traditional social and economic paradigms upside down. Love our enemies? Store up treasures in heaven?

So as we begin today’s gospel reading, “great crowds” are following Jesus “down the mountain” after hearing an astounding call to love as God loves us.  Yet, as we all know, it is one thing to hear a teaching, particularly one that stretches what we think is our reality.  It is quite another thing to take it in, to let it shape us, to be willing to let go of what we thought were the parameters of who we are and who are neighbor is.  And then to act.

So Jesus teaches us how to do that too.  Enter the leper.  Jerome Neyrey, SJ, a professor of New Testament at Notre Dame, explains that lepers were considered physically unclean and would have been on the margins of Israelite society. He goes on to say “it is safe to say that Israel was both intensely concerned with purity and with the appropriate lines and boundaries.” So it is particularly significant that Jesus transgresses these boundaries and touches the leper. This is no healing from afar, like the Syro-phoenician woman’s daughter or the centurion’s servant.  This is intimate, physical touch.  And rather than Jesus becoming unclean, in an extraordinary reversal, the leper becomes clean.

Mind blowing really.  Unthinkable.  Rather than contamination being transmitted, love and healing flow in intimate physical touch between Jesus and the leper.  Divine love flowing through human flesh, not accidentally, but as an action of will: “I will do it.”

For me, this is the model to which Jesus invites us all. First, we are called to listen deeply to his words, taking in as best as we can these teachings that still turn our social and economic paradigms upside down today.  Spend time on the mountain with Jesus. 

Then, we are invited to follow Jesus “down the mountain,” into a world which too often tells us who is clean and who is unclean.  My prayer today is for the grace to see the other, particularly those on the margins, as Jesus sees the leper–and to choose to participate in the divine love Jesus offers us all.  I think of Pope Francis’ invitation to work for a “culture of encounter.”  He describes it as “not just seeing, but looking; not just hearing, but listening; not just passing people by, but stopping with them, allowing yourself to be moved with compassion, and then to draw near, to touch…”

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