Daily Scripture

Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection:

Today is the feast of St. Matthew Apostle and Evangelist and little is known about him. He was a tax collector and in other synoptic gospels referred to as Levi. The story of Matthew’s call is found in Matthew 9:9 “As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.  He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him”.

The “Call of Matthew” is captured on canvas by the  Italian Baroque painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610).  Caravaggio focuses on the first moment that Matthew realizes he is being called. 

Do you remember when Jesus called you to follow him?  In our first reading, St. Paul urges us to ”live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and

gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…” Jesus calls all of us baptized Christians to follow him. Like St. Matthew and St. Paul that ought to make a significant difference in our lives and influence how we behave. God has given all of us gifts.  Are we living in a manner worthy of our call and gifts?  Are we humble and gentle, caring for one another through love? Are we daily building up the Body of Christ by our mercy, and compassion including self-compassion?

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:6-9
Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a
Matthew 20:1-16a

Reflection:

In Sunday’s Gospel reading (Matthew 20:1-16a), Jesus tells another parable, this one about a landowner and the laborers he hires to work in his vineyard. If Jesus was talking about hourly wages and eight-hour days, we might find ourselves sympathizing with the ones who worked all day and yet received the same wage as the ones who only worked one hour. But the parable is not about that. It is about the kingdom of heaven. And that changes how we are to hear this parable.

In the parable, the landowner decides to pay the laborers who were hired last, first. In his generosity, he pays them the same amount that the ones who were hired first, which causes grumbling among the latter group. But if you take the “wage” as entrance into the kingdom, there is no way for one person or group of persons to get “more” of a wage! If I get into heaven, by the grace of God, there’s nothing more to get. And even if you get away from thinking about eternal life, how much more can one receive from God than unconditional love culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus?

But we human beings are tempted to envy, and the desire for some higher status than the next person. Listen to the complaint that the first laborers make to the landowner: “These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us…” Over these past few months, when the country, along with contending with Covid-19, is looking at race relations and the issue of real equality, I have been asked by some people to explain the viewpoint of white supremacists. I can only respond with speculation, because I do not subscribe to the idea of white supremacy. So one theory I propose is that some people have what is called a “zero-sum game” mentality. This mentality often leads people to feel “If you gain, then somehow I lose (“you have made them equal to us”).”

But when it comes to the kingdom of heaven, there is no zero-sum game. There is no limit to God’s love and God’s promise of everlasting life! There is no limit to the extent God will go to save God’s people! If you get to heaven before I do, that doesn’t keep me from getting there. But, again, we human beings put such a premium on status. Dr. King preached about this with “The Drum Major Instinct.” But there is no superiority before God. As we hear from our first reading (Isaiah 55:6-9), God’s ways are above our ways, and God’s thoughts are above our thoughts. If we work for real justice and real peace, everyone can win!

Are we willing to let go of envy and concern about status? Can we have the same generosity of spirit towards others that God has with us, and can we recognize that another’s gain, especially when it comes to the demands of justice, does not constitute a loss on our part?

God is calling us to work in the “vineyard,” with the promise of the kingdom. May we accept the call, and welcome others to work with us.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49
Luke 8:4-15

Reflection:

“But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart and bear fruit through perseverance.” -Luke 18:15

Some of us are good at taking care of plants and planting gardens. Before many people could afford a landscaper and a gardener, planting a garden and taking care of plants was a family affair. My mom would plant roses that survived and thrived. My dad would plant vegetable gardens year after year, and never had a bumper crop. We always managed to have some home-grown vegetables, but not consistently. One year it would be tomatoes, another year, carrots and yet another year, onions. After the planting of the seeds, he was constantly weeding and watering them. It was hard work, after a full day of labor. But he never gave up.

In today’s Gospel, St. Luke tells us the well-known parable of the sower to a big crowd of people who follow him. We are familiar with it: a farmer sowing seeds in a field that fall on different parts of the ground, the path he is walking, places where not all of the rocks had been removed, some where not all of the thorns had been weeded and the good ground that was well prepared.

The disciples needed an explanation, and Jesus gives it to them. Not all of the seed will produce a good harvest.

The Gospel ends with these words, “But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart and bear fruit through perseverance.”

It doesn’t take a scripture scholar to see that Jesus is really talking about us as the rich soil of good ground that receives the seed (the Word of God) for harvest. But it is these last words that leave me wondering whether I truly embrace the Word of God when I hear it, not only embrace it, but embrace it generously. What does that mean?

The letter to the Hebrews describes the Word of God in this way: “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. We cannot hide from the Word of God, from its saving power and its call to conversion. It penetrates us to the core when we are ignoring it, turning our back on it, trampling it underfoot. It fills us with love and resolve when we embrace it generously. It is our Salvation!

Especially today, we need the grace of perseverance, to hang onto the Word of God when words of despair and powerlessness consume us, choke us with the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life. After all, the Word of God is the Word made Flesh, Jesus the Christ. He is our Lord and Savior!

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

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Luke 8:1-3

Reflection:

“…Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women…”

I write this on September 17, the Feast of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), Saint, Doctor of the Church, prophet, and preacher, musician and composer, poet and artist, doctor and pharmacist.  Author Robert Ellsberg states, “Hildegard presented a picture of human beings and the cosmos as emanations of God’s love, “living sparks” or “rays of his splendor, just as the rays of the sun proceed from the sun itself”…human beings are the thinking heart, called to be co-creators with God in shaping the world” (Blessed Among Us, p536)

These words came to me as I read the beautiful words of today’s Gospel – Jesus traveling from town to town, not alone but with others who knew him and his father.  Others who struggle throughout their human lives to stay connected to the God who loves them, and overcome temptations to falter.  Men and women with very human struggles, foibles, and transgressions – yet – willing to travel with Jesus to build the kingdom.  Willing to attempt to be that ray of splendor, that thinking heart – to trust that they could be co-creators with Jesus, with God!!

We, too, travel with Jesus from home to work, from town to town, from person to person – from situation to situation – do we emanate God’s love?  Do we strive to be a living spark or ray of splendor?  Do we connect with Jesus before we react?  Are our hearts open to the love that is called forth in every encounter we find ourselves in?  

Our nation is filled with strife, unrest, fear, anxiety, stress – Can we be a voice of love in the midst of all the opinion?  Can we travel with Jesus and let Him guide our humanity and respond as co-creators…Jesus thinks we can and invites us to join Him.

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

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
Luke 7:31-35

Reflection:

In this passage, John the Baptist sends some of his disciples to search out Jesus and his message.  Jesus is discouraged in this scene: John the Baptist has preached his message of austerity, whereas Jesus brings his message of joy and wisdom.  What is confusing is that the crowds listened to Jesus, their leaders did not accept his message, Jesus tells his listeners that they are like children.  If he plays them a song or game of joy and celebration, they reject it, if he plays them a game of sadness. They will reject it!  Jesus says they are like children who demand everyone should adjust to the changes in their moods. Jesus says he understands their doubts, but their indifference and confusion are what will destroy them.

Several years ago, the Museum of Modern Art in Chicago had a wonderful exhibit.  One of the rooms was a large room with strings of plastic that extended from the ceiling to the floor. It was entitled something like “Rain Forest.” As you might suspect everyone walked by very careful to avoid “Getting wet!” However, one little fellow broke rank and stepped into the “rain.”  Very soon other little ones enjoined running in the rain and not getting wet. Needless to say, some of the adults joined in the innocence of joy.

What Luke tells us is that Jesus came to spread the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand.  To join in this community, one needs to seek the will of God and be of service to one another.

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

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a
John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35

Reflection:

Behold your Mother! In life we never quite know what tomorrow holds, whether our next days will be bright and sunny, painful and challenging or full of sorrow is a mystery. But one thing that we as Catholic Christians can count on is that there will always be hope. There is always hope because we have a Mother and a Savior who love us in a way that we will never quite understand. He loves us so much that He gives us His Mother and she loves us so much so as to point us back to Him, this is a true love triangle!

Today we celebrate the feast of the Sorrowful Virgin Mary, by apostolic letter, Pope Paul the VI constituted and proclaimed the Sorrowful Virgin Mary as the principal patroness of the Passionist Congregation. The celebration of this feast of our Lady of Sorrows offers us all the opportunity to deepen our participation with her in the mystery of Christ’s passion. From the very instrument of His crucifixion, the cross, Our Lord offered His mother to all of humanity as He proclaimed, “Behold your Mother” and His Mother in turn points all of humanity back to her son offering reconciliation with him.

In the hymn, Stabat Mater which we sing on this day we hear the line, “at the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last” and it reminds us of the ultimate sorrow of a mother who witnesses the pain and suffering of her only son who is fully human and fully divine. In His divinity He is the Alpha and the Omega and in His humanity He feels the nails, the wounds, and the pain that cut to His very being. She is close to Jesus to the last and as such He offers her to us, to heal our wounds, to bring us hope and to love us. So, Behold your Mother!

Deacon James Anderson is the Administrator at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

https://passionist.org/daily-scripture-september-15-2020/

Scripture:

Numbers 21:4b-9
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17

Reflection:

In the complexity of these times with anger and division, violence in both actions and words, how am I called as a Christian to find a different way? Not to turn a blind eye, or to shrink from standing with what is right, rather to rise as a new creation with a conviction that is transformative.

In times of great oppression Jesus, is nailed to a cross to die. True to His mission and Word. Falsely accused. Triumphant after death. What was supposed to destroy Him becoming a pathway in which all people could walk. Holding the challenge that is so hard to understand or see without the intricate knowledge of His heart and the meaning of the cross. 

Who, both past and present, will come to stand with Him? Who as a follower of Christ will inspire us to rise with and through the cross on the path laid before us? Who are the saints in waiting? Will we istand with Our Savior who asks so much more of us emptying His life on the cross, in brutal, unrelenting suffering so that there could be a new way paved with forgiveness, redemption, mercy and compassion for all. 

I found one such person, a priest, whose life is a testament to the struggle of standing with and overcoming. A life story to be read slowly to take in the gravity and the grace. Father Augustus Tolton, was born in the United States into the brutality of slavery and through the courage of his mother, took the harrowing path to freedom. In a surprising twist, his family was all baptized Catholic, by slave owners, which gives deep pause for thought on how one lives out their faith. Augustus’ mother and the children landed in Illinois and sought out a church. 

His vocation would arise and be lived out in the very country of which he was and had been subjected to brutality and his own diminished sense of identity in the outer world. He felt the magnitude of both the ramifications and the outright prejudice that tried to be a stumbling block. Some out of ignorance. Some out of fear. Some spread too thin and afraid to grow thinner. Moved by his desire, hard work and passion, a few immigrant priests and a religious sister with a heart for the mission, helped him prepare for his call in any way they could when there was no clear vision of a school or seminary willing to accept him. 

Beaten as a young slave Father Tolton, ministered relentlessly, fervently, faithfully persevering, emptying his life, despite every entanglement of the harsh faces of bigotry, both in systems and in persons. His heart was made heavy by the lives he so wanted to help as they fell deeper into the void that brought despair. A place he understood, yet rose from, as he began following the only way and vocation he believed could bring hope and redemption.

He learned who he was through the eyes of God. Through the gift of a sacramental life. Through the love of his mother. Through those who believed in him and acted in his behalf. It is from this place of conviction that he chose to pick up and carry the cross. 

Christ did not die on the cross for us to dissolve into the divisive ranks of separation. Christ died to unify us under his singular redemptive sacrifice for all times, inviting, commanding, those who follow to remain strong in compassion, forgiveness, healing and the ongoing conversion of heart. 

How will I respond to the call of the cross in these times? 

M. Callahan, written with deep gratitude for the Passionist community and their charism with prayers for vocation. 

https://passionist.org/daily-scripture-september-14-2020/

Scripture:

Sirach 27:30-28:7
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

Reflection:

Recently, I caught an interview with a Holocaust survivor. He was in his 90’s and if I remember correctly, he was the only one in his family to survive. What struck me at the time were his comments on forgiveness. When asked by the interviewer about his approach to his captors, he offered that his journey to forgiveness was an act of self-healing. He shared that he had lived with hate for many years and discovered that he was the one keeping himself in prison. Forgiveness, according to this Holocaust survivor was a journey to “self-healing, self-empowerment, and self-liberation.”

Today’s Gospel, taken from the end of the 18^th chapter of Matthew is Jesus’ fifth discourse, or teaching, to his community. Scholars suggest that this discourse is connected to Chapters Nine and Ten where Jesus is teaching the disciples about mission, his disciples are named and summoned into mission. We come to the end of this chapter which began with Jesus teaching on becoming like little children and encouraging us to take great care not to cause any harm to the little ones. We hear about the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd leaves the 99 to go find the 1. Being in community is that important to the shepherd. Each of us counts in the eyes of God. Today’s text corresponds with Jesus reminding the community about how they are to behave towards each other. We are to live in harmony with the community, always in right relationship because this is our true freedom. One commentary I read recently suggested that perhaps Jesus knew well the challenges of living in community and how our personalities would clash. We hold on to unforgiveness like a dear friend. When we are out of step with our true nature, we are essentially off-balance and out of harmony with God’s desire for our lives.

We are reminded of a debt that is impossible to repay and like the unforgiving servant, we can often impose that debt of unforgiveness on others. We put them in prison even while we know we have been released from our debt. Does this make sense? Jesus’ warning is clear, we have been forgiven and so we must make every effort to offer that freedom to others. This is how we are to conduct ourselves; this is true liberation. 

The Book of Sirach reflects the same idea in our first reading, taken from the Wisdom writings of the Hebrew Bible. It offers a reflection of Jesus’ teachings which would not be new to his audience. In our journey to forgiveness, we learn more about life and ourselves. It asks us to offer mercy to each other and in so doing we can recognize mercy for ourselves. The psalmist endorses this, “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion.” Similarly, Paul’s words to the Romans build on this, “no one lives for oneself… whether we live or die, we are the Lords” (v.7). As Christians, we are all called to live in unity. Jesus offers us his final teaching on how to be community. We must be awake and prevent our humanity from getting in the way of abundant life. (John 10:10) 

May we live in such a way as to recognize the gift of mercy and offer that to others. Come, Lord, change our hearts and make us truly united in your Spirit. 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.

https://passionist.org/daily-scripture-september-13-2020/