Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Acts 8:26-40
John 6:44-51

Reflection:

Twice in John’s gospel, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” (Cf. John 6: 35, 38)  It was an early teaching about the Eucharist to come.

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave us that Eucharist.  “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body’” (Matthew 26:26).

He broke the bread.  Only bread that is broken can be shared.  On the cross Jesus’ body was broken.  Now he shares his body for those who need to be nourished,

Since we are members of his body through Baptism, we can say that at Mass Jesus takes us, blesses us, breaks us, and gives us as food to those who need to be nourished.

— He breaks apart our fears.
— He breaks down our prejudices.
— He breaks apart our selfishness.
— He breaks down any unforgiveness.
— Then He breaks open our hearts that love may pour out.

He does all this so that, as broken bread, we are now able to feed those in need.

Yes, feed those in need.  At Mass we receive Jesus, the Bread of Life.  Pope Leo I said, “We are transformed into what we have consumed.”  That means we become, like Christ, the bread of life.  We become bread for others.  We are then sent forth to feed those who hunger. We are sent forth to feed:

— The bereaved, who hunger for the bread of compassion.
— The fearful, who hunger for the bread of encouragement.
— The ignorant, who hunger for the bread of truth.
— The lonely, who hunger for bread of understanding.
— The oppressed, who hunger for the bread of justice.
— The repentant, who hunger for the bread of forgiveness.
— Our world, that hungers for the bread of peace.

At the Last Supper, after giving us his body and blood, Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)   Do what in memory of Him?  Jesus challenges us to give up our bodies and pour out our blood, to give our lives for others as he did, and to do it in memory of him.

To participate in Sunday Mass is to be involved in a lifelong process of dying to self that we may give our lives as Jesus did.  By God’s grace, in the course of our lifetime, we will feed many thousands.

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor of the Church

Scripture:

Acts 8:1b-8
John 6:35-40

Reflection:

He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.– 1 John 2:2

Today the Church celebrates the feast day of one of the few women Doctors of the Church, Catherine of Siena. Her influence on Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon, France was Divine intervention only because she listened to God with deep love and was open to the Holy Spirit.

In her Dialogue, she writes about many visions and experiences and conversations she had with God. About midway through her Dialogue, she writes about Christ being the Bridge for those on earth to be able to travel to heaven. The bridge has three steps or levels. These levels relate to the spiritual life. Under the bridge are the raging waters of sin. Those who choose the waters of the earthly distractions will drown. Those who take hold of the feet of Christ have begun their journey in the Light. The feet are where the person becomes a servant, a follower and is “lifting her from the affections of the earth”. As the person continues the journey they move higher towards the heart of Christ where “she fills herself with love and virtue”. And then climbing higher reaches the mouth where there is an experience of great peace. The importance of the Cross is that it never leaves the earth but remains rooted so that Divinity remains with the “humanity of the earth”. This is the Bridge that frees those who wish to climb from earth to heaven. Through the suffering of Christ. The stones are what the bridge is made of and are the virtues. These stones are cemented together with the Blood of Christ.

This is only a brief description of what is eight pages long and goes into much greater detail.  This image is an important one as we make our way through the Easter Season. We traveled forty days through Lent. The last couple of weeks took on a new meaning with the COVID virus began making its way through the United States. We were asked to stay in our homes and away from each other. What began as a couple of weeks has now stretched out into six weeks. We looked to Easter to celebrate and ease our struggles during this time. And yet Catherine draws us back to the Cross, the Blood, Humanity, and Divinity. The crosses have been many for all of us in different ways. Has it been a time where we grew closer to God moving from the feet of Christ to His heart? Are we moving from his heart to his mouth to find great peace? It is not an easy climb one that takes inner sacrifice and reflection and conversion. A time of great challenge physically, mentally and spiritually. I wonder what St Catherine would say to us today? I am certainly going to reread this section. I found that her words fed my soul and gave me much to reflect upon during these days.

May God bless you and your families. Stay healthy and safe.

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

Scripture:

Acts 7:51-8:1a
John 6:30-35

Reflection:

Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’

These words from John’s Gospel are very familiar to most of us.  We believe that it is the bread of God which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world, our world. This bread of life feeds our souls and nurtures our spirit so that we may live as the children of God.

I have always loved the scriptures we read and hear proclaimed during the Easter Season.  I can so relate to the ups and downs of the apostles in the early church going on about their ministry on their own without Jesus physically present.  Even though we believe in the promise that no matter what, Jesus would always be with us.  In our humanness we fall short at times and doubt his presence and concern! This year in the midst of the pandemic, it seems even more of a challenge!  Our days are filled with worry and uncertainty as death and sickness run rampant in our communities and around the world.  We are being challenged to believe that our God is alive and in our midst especially on the most hopeless of days.

So, for many weeks now, COVID-19 has forced us to look at our comfortable lives in a different way.  It continues to test our faith and leads some to wonder where God is in all of this suffering and chaos!  In a way we are like the apostles in the early church, who must have felt very alone and scared without their friend Jesus by their side.  Jesus told them many times he would not be with them forever in the same way, but they didn’t really believe he would really leave them. As believers we know God is right here in the midst of our suffering. Just because our God chooses to be present in ways we do not expect does not mean we have been abandoned by a God who promises us we would never be hungry or thirsty if we put our faith and trust in him.

Our hungers and thirst are satisfied as we grow closer to family who we may not have taken the time to stay in touch with in our busyness.  My blood family are all in Michigan and we don’t always stay in touch as much as we would like.  During these past weeks several of us have used the app Marco Polo to check in with each other almost daily.  It is reminding us of how important we all are to one another.  It’s amazing how much time we spend laughing and teasing each other and come away missing each other a little bit less.  In the parish and school where I serve as pastoral associate there are many innovative ways everyone is using to teach, learn and pray together.  Each Sunday a small group of us meet to livestream the Sunday liturgy so that our parishioners have an opportunity to stay connected in some small way with the bigger church.

My plan is to retire from ministry this summer.  COVID-19 is giving me a different exit plan then I had anticipated!  Instead of spending these final months breaking in my successor, tying up loose ends in the office, spending quality time with the community I love, I am working mostly from home in a virtual setting with those I minister with.  My time has largely been spent in planning and preparing through zoom, live stream, U-tube, etc.  We stay connected to RCIA via weekly Zoom, emailing with families with catechetical programs, online conversing with colleagues and parishioners for a variety of needs.  My hungers and thirsts are being met in different ways as I enjoy the time spent out of doors when able, to see the hand of God in nature all around me.  To hear and see so many people doing so many wonderful things in our community to help one another and taking the time to get to know our neighbors has all been an unexpected gift to pave the way into a new life to come in the months ahead.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!!!  Jesus is Risen and with us always!!!

Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Acts 6:8-15
John 6:22-29

Reflection:

Today’s reading is so true –

Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
…Jesus said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

I see it so often – people touting their monetary wealth, putting on airs and bragging about what they have and do with their money. For those of us who live simply, and are quite content with that opportunity, we know that the gospel of prosperity is not the bread of Heaven. God provides us with everything we need – food for the soul! We have to believe and trust in God, our father.

If you are feeling overwhelmed during this difficult time of change and unpredictability, trust in Him! These days are opportunities to grow closer to Him – clean your house (both your spiritual home and the one that is overdue for a dusting), donate your excess to an assistance ministry, deliver food to seniors in your area – I have been volunteering with a Houston non-profit for the last three weeks and it has been such a joy to see them waving to me in thanks, or coming out of their garage to talk to me as I sit in my car and carry on a distant but lovely conversation!) And take this time to read your bible. I found so many great books of inspiration in my office that I bought with great intention of reading and never opened!

This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent!! God bless you all and know that I hold you in my prayers.

Patty Masson resides in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Acts 2:14, 22-33
1 Peter 1:17-21
Luke 24:13-35

Reflection:

The Gospel story of the disciples on their way to Emmaus is even more real this year, the year of the coronavirus pandemic. These unnamed disciples are trying to escape the confusion and turmoil of the days that saw the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. And then came stories of empty tombs and angel messengers. It is just better, they must of thought, that they get out of town.

We all are in the midst of confusion and turmoil. We all wonder how this crisis will play itself out.  We look around to see so many sick and dying. We grieve for families never able to say a final farewell to those they love. Some, like me, wondered while in the throes of the virus’ ravages what separates me from those on life support.

The weeks following Easter have always provided time to meditate on what the Resurrection story means for us and our world. But truth be told, what did we really learn? Did it really matter? This year, the Resurrection story is raw. How do we come through so much death and suffering to find new life in Jesus, the Risen One?

The news of death counts and infection rates is our Golgotha. Yet I can’t stay there.  Where I have chosen to go is to online virtual choral or orchestral performances. Individuals in their homes linking their voices and their musical talent to create a glorious noise unto the Lord. They tell me that within their very souls the Spirit lives. And when that Spirit searches to join with the Spirit of others in song and music, I know that life is greater than death. And for now, that’s all I can hold onto.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Acts 5:27-33
John 3:31-36

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for today, we hear testimony about Jesus, and the verse that struck me is: “For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.” As the Son of God become human, Jesus was not partially, but fully, imbued with the Holy Spirit. And in Christ, we, too, have been given the Spirit without reserve.

We see this in our reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and the others are no longer afraid, locking themselves in the upper room. Instead, they proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Brought before the Sanhedrin, Peter no longer denies that he knew Jesus, he willingly gives testimony about Him: “God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”

Even though social distancing and shelter-in-place have become a way of life with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Holy Spirit finds ways for us to still proclaim the Good News in all the ways we can communicate with each other. By the things we do, and even by the things we don’t do, we somehow share God’s love in Jesus Christ.

God does not “ration” his gift of the Spirit on us, but perhaps we might. These times are marked with much grief and pain and unease. In our hurt, we might not feel able to reach out to others. But in the hope we have in the Resurrection, and by the power of the Spirit, we can be healed, and share with others what God has given to us.  We have seen the Spirit at work. We have seen much compassion and generosity. Such is the power of the Spirit!

So, we do not hold back the gift of the Spirit given to us. Instead, may we let Jesus into our hearts and be healed. May we follow where the Spirit leads us, and may the Good News, even in times like this, be proclaimed!

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