Daily Scripture

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.

Scripture:

Acts 4:32-37
John 3:7b-15

Reflection:

“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and…they had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32)

Today’s reading from the Acts of Apostles has always been an inspiration to me. I dreamed of a community where all shared their goods and goals, and all collaborated to achieve them. This reading is especially inspirational given the current social distancing and quarantine. This past month we have witnessed an estimated 22 million become unemployed, food bank lines of hungry people, loss of businesses and thousands of people dying from COVID-19.

I see evidence of this passage being lived out during this horrible worldwide pandemic. We have witnessed doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, first responders, front line caregivers, risking their lives to save lives. Of “one heart and mind” includes truck drivers, postal workers, grocery store workers, and teachers. We have witnessed people donate money for masks, face shields and ventilators and farmers giving their crops to food banks. Business leaders and entertainers have come forth to donate millions to food banks around the world.

The dream of the early Christian community lives on in religious communities such as the Passionists and lay movements within the Church. This dream is of God and every attempt to live this dream, even during the time of a pandemic, is a sign of God’s kingdom. (Living with Christ, April 2020, Today’s God News, Paige Byrne Shortal, p. 114)

Lord, help me to respond to those who are in need today.

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

Scripture:

Acts 4:13-21
Mark 16:9-15

Reflection:

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature”

Mark’s gospel is likely the first of the gospels written, it is the shortest and very fast-paced.  I often think of the old Dragnet TV series – “..the facts, just the facts…”  Mark is determined to share the ‘Good News’ – the in-breaking of God into human life.  The story of Jesus!  And for Mark, there is a certain sense of urgency!

Today’s passage from Mark, many commentators agree, was likely not written by Mark, not part of his original manuscript.  But they fit with Mark – his succinctness, his urgency, his facts.  This short passage summarizes passages from the other gospel writers – the appearance of Mary Magdalene from John and Luke; the two travelers from Luke, the gathering of the eleven from Matthew, Luke and John, the Ascension and mission from Luke and Acts.

Again, this summation compels the reader to get busy, get out into the world and proclaim the Good News!  It’s not good enough to sit in disbelief; it’s not okay to let fear overcome you;  do not wallow in your grief;  you can’t just hear something – you have to embrace it and believe it!!

Do we believe it?  Are we allowing ourselves to live into the ‘Alleluia’s’?  Are we letting God ‘Easter’ in us?

As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, how are we proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel?  How are we present to God, to self and to others?  Are we making the best of ‘shelter in place’ or are we whining and complaining?  Are we willing to stay home so others can stay safe?  Are we taking time to ‘savor’ the quiet space long enough to hear the voice and movement of God?   How might God be rebuking us in our unbelief and hardness of heart – what is he asking us to do to build the kingdom, to recognize our connectedness – who are the ‘creatures’ that need to hear the Good News of the Gospel from us??

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

Scripture:

Acts 4:1-12
John 21:1-14

Reflection:

With Jesus at the center of our lives, unimaginable things are possible. That is the message of our readings on this Friday of Easter week. Today’s gospel begins in a most ordinary way. These disciples, who are fishermen and have to support themselves, go to work; however, after a whole night of fishing, they’ve come up with nothing but an empty net. Just after dawn, the risen Christ appears to them, but none of the disciples recognizes him, a fact that makes us wonder how many times Jesus has been among us—in a family member or friend, in the face of a stranger, in the plea of a person in need—and we didn’t realize it. Still, even though they do not know it is Jesus, they follow his advice to cast their net on the opposite side of the boat; when they do, their net overflows with an abundance of fish. Something unimaginable happens and their eyes are opened to Christ in their midst. The gospel story ends with an unmistakable allusion to the Last Supper because here, again, Jesus, the host, prepares a meal for them, this time with bread and some of the fish they just caught. In the early church, a fish was a symbol for both Christ and the Eucharist. The first Christians knew—and we do too—that the risen Christ is the bread of life and if we feed on him unimaginable things can happen in the most ordinary circumstances of our lives.

Proof of that is the riveting story recounted from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and John are brought before the Jewish leaders who ask them to explain how they were able to heal a man who had been crippled from birth. Peter boldly declares that “it was done in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead.” Empowered by the Spirit and transformed by the risen Christ, they did what Jesus did so many times in his ministry.

We may not, like Peter and John, heal the lame, but we can bring healing and hope to every neighbor who comes our way when we love, extend kindness, listen, are patient and compassionate, and share what we have with them. When we do, unimaginable things continue to happen in a world that desperately needs the hope that Easter brings.

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.