Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 2:13-17

Reflection:

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. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. (Letter to the Hebrews, 4:12 – 13)

Our Catholic tradition has always been fascinated with the word “word.” There are 284 references to the word “word” in the New Testament. Why so many references?

We are being called to reflect upon the impact that the Word of God has in our lives, the Incarnate Word as Son of God and Son of Mary and how we are challenged to pay attention to our own words as we speak to one another. Words matter. What we say matters. So, let us take a deeper look on how today’s Word of God impacts our lives.

If you are like me, you can remember words and phrases from your past, even from your earliest moments of awareness. They came to be in our awareness and now live on forever in our memory.

I remember words that made me smile and words that made me cry. I remember encouraging words and humiliating ones. I remember words that made me angry, that offended me, words that left me confused and speechless. I remember words that invited me to go beyond my personal best and prodded me to go beyond my comfort zone. I remember words of love and how these words made me feel. Yes, words are a two-edge sword.

Early on in our lives, we learn to use words to protect ourselves. We learn to use facile words, careless words. We may have even become accustomed to speaking falsehoods, thinking that our misstatements and lies can save us from the exposure of our true selves and innermost being. Falsehoods only lead to false security. Many of us have learned this lesson painfully.

How does the Word of God touch my life? How does God’s Word challenge me and call me to conversion? At what point will I become truly convinced that God’s Word is Truth, the kind of truth that will set me free? God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Most of us will agree that being true to our word can come at an awful price. To live a virtuous life will demand integrity, honesty and courage. We need courage to live trustworthy lives, for our yes to be yes and our no to be no. When we give our word, we give our very selves, a child of God.

Let us, then, meditate on this: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us! Today, at this moment, we are the Word of God in our world.

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P., is the is the local superior of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa in Sierra Madre, California. 

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
Mark 2:1-12

Reflection:

The evangelist Mark depicts today’s gospel story in such vivid and dramatic detail that we feel as if we are right there in Capernaum. This must have been what Jesus’ life was like once he began his public ministry—swarms of people beseeching him for help, exhausting him with endless pleas and petitions. One of those seeking Jesus on this day is a paralyzed man whose friends have brought him on a stretcher. With people spilling out of the house, they are desperate. If they cannot bring their friend through the door, what can they do? They know their friend will be devastated if he cannot get to Jesus, so they carry him up to the roof, pull away part of it, and slowly lower him down until he is at the feet of Jesus.

This riveting story carries an important reminder: All of us are called to Jesus, but none of us reaches Jesus on our own. We come to Jesus through the help, encouragement, support, and guidance of others, just as they come to Jesus through us. Today’s gospel offers a breathtaking picture of true friendship at work because the friends who bring the paralyzed man to Jesus do whatever is necessary—even if it means going to extremes—so that he can reach Jesus.

The Christian life is a journey to God, but we cannot manage that journey on our own. Like the man in today’s gospel, we need companions on our journey to help us stay close to Jesus and to draw us nearer to God. That’s the inescapable truth in this gospel story. If any of us are going to find Christ in our lives, we need others to help us. After all, if it is true that the paralyzed man could never have gotten so close to Jesus without the help of his friends, it is equally true that the paralyzed man, in his undisguised need, brought them to Jesus as well. When it comes to the Christian life, if we don’t do it together, we don’t do it at all.

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 of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Hebrews 3:7-14
Mark 1:40-45

Reflection:

When I read today’s Gospel, I think of and am struck by the faith of the leper. In his despair, in his loneliness, his aloneness, in his impossibly difficult situation, he seeks out the Lord, kneels before Him, and asks in faith to be made clean. And the Lord in His mercy and love, heals him. The leper’s request was no small ask. His healing would transform his life, his relationships, his very existence. Shouldn’t we approach the Lord with the same faith and desire as the leper?

In the Gospels Jesus speaks much to us about faith. “Go, your faith has saved you”, He says after performing so many of His healing miracles. ( eg:Mt 9:22 ) He also tells us we can move mountains if we have faith the size of a mustard seed (Mt 17:20 ). How strongly the Lord calls on us to have faith. We try, and when things are going along smoothly our faith can seem strong. Then when difficulty comes, when we are really struggling, our faith can falter.

Do we truly believe in all the Lord can accomplish in our life? That we can be healed or grow in virtue in an area of our life we never thought possible. That a loved one can return to the faith or that we can be reconciled with a family member or friend we haven’t talked to in forever. Do we believe Our Lord is present in the deep divisions in our country or in the isolation we are currently experiencing in the pandemic? Our Lord asks us to be like the leper. To trust in faith all He can do in our lives.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith and the mass gives us a beautiful moment to become like the leper in our faith, in our desire to be made clean, and in our plea before the Lord. On our knees as the priest holds up the host, believing in the Lord’s presence in the sacrament we are about to receive we say, “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof”. About 5 or so years ago, after completing that prayer, I began to add in silence the prayer of the leper…..”Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean”. I then proceed in faith to the altar to receive the Lord in the Eucharist, trusting He alone can heal me. He alone can transform me. He alone can save our world.

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

Scripture:

Hebrews 2:14-18
Mark 1:29-39

Reflection:

Whenever I hear this Gospel being proclaimed, I am reminded of our trip to the Holy Land and the Basilica of the Nativity in Nazareth. The Basilica is built over Peter’s house, or at least what was thought to be the original house of Peter. Our guide suggested that archaeologists suspected this to be Peter’s house as there was an outer layer build around it. It also had religious writings and drawings signifying that it was a special and revered place in early Christian times. What struck me as we looked over the glass floor into the space of the house was that Jesus’ very physical presence may have stood there The space where Peter’s mother-in-law was healed, not to mention the place where he healed and performed miracles for the people of the town. I have often wondered about my reaction—my excitement. Just to think that I was standing in a spot where Jesus may have stood so many years ago was such an unexpected and moving experience for me. Why would I be touched by the fact of Jesus’ physical presence when as a Catholic I am free to consume the real presence of Jesus at any time?  Perhaps our experience of Jesus is not limited to a few senses but is like a facet encompassing all our senses. We must always be open to surprises.

Paul in his letter to the Hebrews suggests the physical nature of Jesus as the Incarnation of the Word in blood and Flesh, who identifies with us as human beings. So, we identify with a human Jesus who can offer help. He does this by simply approaching and grasping the hand of Peter’s mother-in-law.

Come morning, following prayer, Jesus was moving on to the rest of the villages as Peter searched him out. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is always moving swiftly towards Jerusalem. “For this purpose, I have come.” echoes the words of our psalm, “The Lord remembers his covenant forever.” How wonderful to imagine that desire to heal, touch, and preach the good news to all humanity was real to Jesus.

Today, it is our turn to bring the healing presence of Jesus into our world. It is our turn to be Christ to others by our baptism—our Christening. Especially today amid so much suffering in the world. Is there anything you can do for a neighbor? A smile, a greeting, a soft word of encouragement.

We must take our cue from Jesus’ words and press on. We must never forget that we too, must be instruments of that same purpose. The Lord remembers his covenant forever. May we walk robustly into this day with the love of Christ to fulfill his purpose. 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:

Hebrews 2:5-12
Mark 1:21-28

Reflection:

Angels and Us

So, Jesus became human… like, way “lower than the angels,” right? Makes you wonder, will we humans still be the low-ranking ones in heaven? Some angels are even called “saints,” like Michael and Gabriel. Are they like VIP saints in the “Communion of Saints” party? Let’s leave that one to the theologians.

But seriously, those angels are amazing role models. In our own lives, how good are we at being guardians of one another? Do we help others grow in wisdom so they can make good choices? How quick are we to lend a hand, especially when someone asks? Does our presence make others feel safe? How dedicated are we to protecting people from harm and bad influences? Are we smart and generous supporters? Just some things to ponder…

Jack Dermody is president of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a proactive group founded by Passionist Alumni, dedicated to serving the poor and suffering. He is also editor of CrossRoads, the newsletter for the Passionist Alumni Association. He lives in Glendale, Arizona. 

Scripture:

Hebrews 1:1-6
Mark 1:14-20

Reflection:

Mark’s gospel has no Christmas story, no manger or shepherds in Bethlehem, no Magi or star to lead them.  And yet, the Christmas narrative is embedded within this gospel.  It begins with the words: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”  The word “gospel” had a double meaning in Mark’s time.  “Gospel” or “good news” was used in secular circles to announce an important event such as the birth of an heir to the Roman emperor.  Mark with Spirit-filled inspiration announced the good news of the birth of the true king, Jesus the Christ, the promised Messiah.  He embraced Isaiah’s use of “good news.”  Centuries before, the Prophet Isaiah proclaimed: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’” (Isaiah 52:7).   In today’s gospel, Jesus Christ is fulfilling Isaiah’s prophetic words. Jesus is announcing peace, bringing good news and salvation. 

But Mark first throws cold water in our face.  He writes these jarring words: “Now after John was arrested.”  Only then does Mark complete his sentence: “Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news’” (Mk 1:14-20 NRSV).  Mark is telling us that Jesus lived in dangerous times.  But that did not deter him from proclaiming the good news.

We live in a broken world.  Today, it is a world of a polarized society, of illness and unemployment, of loneliness and homelessness. The gospel never denies the reality in which we live. But the gospel also tells us that the world is filled with more, is charged with God’s grace and presence.  Jesus reminds us of this truth with his good news. 

Jesus invited his first disciples to follow him in proclaiming that good news – a time of peace and salvation in the midst of illness and darkness.  Peter, Andrew, James, and John left everything to follow Jesus.  They left behind emotional, social, and economic security.  Jesus challenged them to let go of everything they were familiar with in order to join him in a journey of spiritual growth and self-awareness.

Christ calls us too; right now.  The time – kairos time, God’s time – is fulfilled.  This is our decisive moment.  This kairos time divides our past from our future.  Christ invites us to new life.  It is time to repent, time to leave behind our old lives, time to drop those nets that tangle us in false security and detachments.  Only then can Jesus transform us into fishers of people by proclaiming the good news. 

The kingdom is near, the kingdom is among us.  In Jesus Christ, the kingdom has entered our time and place and circumstances.  It is time for us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ – as the Apostle Paul tells us “in season and out of season.”  Today, we find ourselves in the “out of season.”  Nevertheless, this present reality is the place where Christ meets us.  Here is where he beckons us: “follow me.”

Today, this kairos time.  God is very much with us in these times.  And yet, for us, the good news is also this: with Jesus Christ, in us, we proclaim the good news.

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

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Scripture:

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Reflection:

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. -Luke 3:16

A centuries-old question has circulated about why Jesus, born and living his entire life without sin, chose to be baptized.  While teaching adult Baptism classes at our local parish, I have long pondered what circumstances had occurred in Jesus’ life before his appearance at the Jordan to be baptized by John?  Remember that Jesus came to John to be baptized voluntarily.   John was seemingly not immediately cognizant of what was happening.

The events Luke records when Christ was twelve reveal several fascinating facts. They tell us that Jesus fully understood, at a young age, that God, not Joseph, was his true Father.  He also became aware, through scripture, prayer, fasting, meditation and dialogue with his mother about the circumstances of his birth, that the purpose of his life was to give his life for the salvation of all.  “And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’  But they did not understand what he said to them.  He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”  (L 2: 49-52)

The Catholic Catechism teaches that all sacraments are covenants with God.  They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church.  We are quite familiar with the multiple covenants that God entered with his chosen people in the Old Testament.  If indeed sacraments are covenants with God, is it not likely that Jesus, after 30 years of prayer, fasting, meditation and dialogue with His mother about the circumstances of his birth would enter into a covenant with His Father before he began his ministry?  His covenant might have gone something like this: “Father I will give up my life for our people, if you grant them salvation from their sins.”

Such a covenant could indeed have been sealed at the hands of John in the Jordan river. 

Scripture relates several immediate responses to Jesus’ baptism:

• “John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed him.”  (Mt 3: 14-15)
• “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him.  And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”  (Mt 3: 16-17)
• “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.”  (Mk 1: 9-13)

In the context of salvation history, would it not appear obvious that Jesus entered into his ministry, passion and death with a determined and agreeable spirit and approval of his Father in Heaven?  He had spent 30 years preparing for this monumental moment in human history. His baptism was something significantly more than a chance encounter with John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

Bill Berger has had a lifelong relationship with the Passionist Family.  Bill and his wife, Linda, are currently leaders of the Community of Passionist Partners (CPPs) in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

1 John 5:14-21
John 3:22-30

Reflection:

When John the Baptist declared of Jesus, “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3.30), he meant that for others to know Jesus, John must move to the background. The Baptist’s words also revealed two inseparable truths: If Jesus is to increase in our lives, we must decrease. For one to happen, the other must occur. These two realities are dependent on each other.

And if we somehow missed the message, the Baptist comes at it from another angle. He describes a wedding procession. Everyone waits in anticipation at the bride’s house for the bridegroom to come and lead his bride back to his own house, accompanied by her bridesmaids, family, and friends. When the best man hears the bridegroom’s voice and the nuptial procession has arrived, he announces that the wedding celebration may now begin. His duty has been completed. John, the best man, makes Jesus known to Israel, the Lord’s covenantal bride. With Jesus’s arrival, the Messianic wedding celebration may begin. In this relationship, too, the bridegroom increases, and the best man decreases.

We may mistakenly believe the way to magnify Jesus is through our worth, our success, and importance, but not through our weakness or brokenness. Yet, this is how God chooses to magnify his worth to us and the world. Mary, a humble girl from an obscure village, proclaimed this truth in her Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness the Lord…” (Lk 1:46.) So too did the Apostle Paul understand this paradoxical truth when he declared, “…when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12.10.)

Only when the best man fades to the background, only when the Baptist decreases, is he prepared to announce – in the present tense – that his joy is now full. But he doesn’t stop there. Like all good prophets, he points to us, challenges us to decrease, so that Christ may increase and assume his place at the center of our lives.

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