Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Matthew 13:54-58

Reflection:

God is so often closer than we think. It’s just that sometimes we don’t recognise God’s action and presence when it is right there in front of our faces.

Indeed, it’s one of the glaring faults in human nature that we so frequently see what we want to see.

There are numerous experiments showing instances of people being convinced or convincing themselves that they are going to see a certain object and that’s precisely what they do see when they look – even when it’s not there! Indeed, entertainers like magicians work not only by sleight of hand but by distracting us so that we see what they suggest we should see – i.e. ‘look there is nothing in this hand’ (whilst all the time the other hand is doing something quickly!)

It seems that a similar dynamic was at work when Jesus returns to his own village. For today’s reading places us, and Jesus, in the very heart of his ‘native place’ and amongst his townsfolk, many of whom would have known him well. The image or memory of Jesus who shared a family life in their midst prevails and that is all they see – the man they knew from the past through his family life and work in their midst.

Yet, despite his preaching which had evoked a powerful, approving response, and despite the deeds he had done which had revealed the healing hand of God at work Jesus is still doubted. The people do not see a prophet with a new liberating message, they do not see a healer who is bringing God’s vision to life in their midst. What the people of his own place prefer to see, and what in a sense they are programmed to see, is the young man who had grown up in their midst.

The key to seeing more – in Jesus own words – is faith. Faith is that gift that allows us to see many things that are beyond our own vision and asks us to both observe and listen so that our perception might be sharpened and our awareness be broadened.  God’s work in our midst is not always seen in healings or signs such as the people of Jesus village were privileged to witness. God’s work in our midst is often discerned – sifted, much like gold in the sands of a river. The tools we need for such discernment are all within us – we need only to become still, to embrace a humble posture and to allow our minds and hearts to be open to what we see, feel and experience. In such ways, we catch glimpses of God’s action and presence, sometimes clearly seen like a shaft of sunlight and sometimes more subtlety felt like a gentle breeze on our skin.

When I was a child, I was taught that before crossing a street, I should stop, look and listen. Only after these steps should I embark on a crossing of the road itself.

To ‘see’ God at work in the midst of our lives we might well have to do the same!

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

Feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Scripture:

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Matthew 13:47-53

Reflection:

Today is the feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists.  He was a bishop, a revered spiritual writer, and perhaps most notably, a leading moral theologian. In many ways, the Redemptorists and Passionists are “cousins.”  Both orders were founded in Italy at roughly the same period and both were part of a revival in the Church that brought a new spirit of devotion and religious fervor to the church of their times. Both religious communities also stressed God’s overwhelming love expressed in the cross of Jesus which secures our redemption.

In the case of Saint Alphonsus, his writings on moral theology moved away from the rigidity and distorted asceticism that characterized so-called Jansenism, a view of Catholic spirituality that had been in vogue in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, and which stressed human depravity caused by sin.  Alphonsus Liguori—similar to the message of Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists—stressed instead God’s love and mercy as the central focus of the Christian life.

The Lectionary readings for this day were not chosen specifically for the feast of St. Alphonsus.  Yet their message echoes the virtues of this great saint.  The reading from Exodus describes Moses preparing a simple portable shrine (referred to as the “Dwelling”) and placing the Ark of the Covenant within it and shrouding it with a veil.  This desert sanctuary became the visible sign of God’s loving and protective presence with the “children of Israel.”  That presence was signaled by a cloud during the day and by fire at night.  Most important, the Lord would be present to the people through “all the stages of their journey.”  This sense of God’s loving presence with us throughout our journey of life resonates with the emphasis on God’s love proclaimed by St. Alphonsus.

The gospel selection is from the closing section of the parable discourse found in chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel. The concluding saying of Jesus about the scribe trained for the Kingdom of heaven is viewed by many commentators on the Gospel as a kind of “signature” of the evangelist himself.  The “scribe”—that is, a person well-versed in God’s law—is “instructed” (literally, “made a disciple”) in the Kingdom of heaven.  Thus, this scribe knows the teaching of Jesus about God’s reign expressed in the healing and reconciling words and actions of Jesus himself. Additionally, this scribe is like “a head of a household”—that is, one who exercises leadership within the community of Jesus’ disciples.  And this scribe brings from his “treasure” (a more literal translation of the Greek than the term “storeroom”)—that is, the place where his most precious and valuable convictions are stored— “both the new and the old.”   In other words, the scribe nourishes the community of Jesus by holding on to what is most valuable in our tradition (“the old”) and, at the same time, bring forth things that are “new.”

That is precisely the role of the great saint and doctor of the Church whom we remember today. As a thoughtful “scribe,” Alphonsus Liguori remembered that trust in God’s enduring love and presence with us is a fundamental conviction never to be lost, and, at a time when some seemed to stray from that truth, he proclaimed it with new vigor and eloquence.

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.

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Scripture:

Exodus 34:29-35
Matthew 13:44-46

Reflection:

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.  When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

Take a moment and look around you.  What is most valuable in your sight?

When faced with major events and problems of our life – be it health, relationships, loss – I would bet that very few of us would concentrate on material items of “value.” I can’t remember a single funeral or memorial where someone stood to offer a eulogy and said, “I wish I’d had more money.” No – most often, the comments are about the time spent with one another, and then the call to “Tell people you love them while you have the chance.”

We, as a people, have forgotten that time waits for no-one. We have shifted from an outward focus to one that looks primarily at ourselves… We’ve turned away from the people around us and in our lives, and instead, we’ve directed our focus squarely on ourselves and our agenda.

I’ve seen scores of kids (and adults alike) together at amusement parks or in restaurants, but none of them interacting with each other. No treasures of laughter, smiles, or even just enjoying a “Hey – look at that over there.” Mostly it’s all heads down, staring at their screens.

Or on the road. Drivers staring at their devices instead of focusing on driving well. No treasure of protecting themselves or the other people driving or walking – better check email instead.

Or in our living rooms. The treasure of time spent sharing ourselves with the people we love has been replaced by any number of attractors which have significantly less worth.

In living this way, at the end of our day, we can look back and see how we’ve missed the most amazing opportunities to meet God, for the Lord comes to us in the face of every person and in every encounter. The people we love, those we’re called to love, those who love us, and those who don’t even know they love us – we all hold a treasure of untold value, for they, and you & I, are the vessels which bring the love of God to each other.

So, look around again – this time in your heart.
What would move you to sell absolutely everything?

What is your treasure?

Now, go and tell them – for when you say “I love you” to one of God’s children, you say “I love you” to God..

Peace and love to you today, and forever.

Paul Puccinelli is Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Rita Parish in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center.

Feast of Saint Martha

Scripture:

Exodus 32:15–24; 30-34
John 11:19-27

Reflection:

      “. . . you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

In the first reading, Moses has come down from the mountain to the Hebrews praising a golden calf. Aaron explains the situation to Moses as if he had no control over the situation. I have this picture in my mind that Moses is looking at Aaron in disbelief and disappointment. In disgust, the next day, Moses again ascends the mountain to plead with the LORD, to make atonement for the Hebrew’s sin. He is not the one to atone for their sin. The LORD responds to Moses saying that the people are responsible for their own sin. Moses asks to be struck from the book that the LORD has written. This is in reference to those who are faithful to the LORD. Possible being struck from the book could mean death. The LORD’S response is to only strike from the book those who have sinned against the LORD. While Moses is the one chosen to lead the people to the Promise Land he is not the one to free them from their sin.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus and Martha have a conversation where Martha makes several faith statements about her belief “in the resurrection on the last day”. The last statement she makes is that she believes “you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” In the Gospels, when Jesus is healing someone it is through that person’s faith or the faith of others that the person is healed. Martha, a woman who is portrayed as to busy to pray in the Gospel of Luke, is the one who has faith that Jesus is going to heal her brother or raise him from the dead in the Gospel of John. Jesus responds to her with one of the “I Am” statements:

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

This conversation between Martha and Jesus might be a Covenant dialog. Martha makes her statements of faith and Jesus replies with the promise of eternal life. Martha’s faith and the faith of the Apostles was not perfect. They kept trying to understand the message. What Moses was not allowed to accomplish, Jesus is the one God has chosen to free people from their sin and to give eternal life. We are making our statement of faith as best as we can. Taking time to hear God’s response, engaging God in our own covenant dialog could possibly be an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and grow deeper in our faith.

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

Scripture:

Genesis 18:20-32
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13

Reflection:

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

Prayer has been defined in many ways.  Some of these include:

• An invocation or act that seeks a higher rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication.
• Intercession directed towards a deity or a deified ancestor.
• Can take on various forms; in liturgy or worship, music or the arts, etc
• Can be done individually or in groups.
• Is attested in written sources as early as 5000 years ago.
• Most major religions involve prayer in one way or another.

Everyone prays in different ways at different times depending on our state in life or circumstances we find ourselves in.  In our scriptures today, we hear Jesus telling his disciples how he prayers to his Father.  For many of us our earliest experiences of prayer happening in a familial setting. In my family, my siblings and I learned familiar prayers from our parents at a young age.  I remember saying the Angel of God prayer before bedtime, the meal prayer as we gathered to enjoy our family meals and the Rosary at other times.

As we grow in faith and maturity, our prayer experiences look and feel differently than they might have when we were younger.  Recently my friends and I took part in a prayer vigil focused on ending the dehumanization taking place in the detention camps at our border.  A few days later, several of us from our parish were privileged to attend the naturalization ceremony for members of one of our refugee families.  During this ceremony, we celebrated and gave thanks to God for the gifts of freedom and security they now have found in this gift of citizenship!

Last Sunday we gathered with one of our couples who will soon welcome twins to pray the blessing from the Rite of Blessing the Child within the Womb.  Members of our pastoral team often celebrate this rite within the context of a home visit during the pregnancy.

The scriptures are filled with accounts of Jesus praying by himself or with others.  This happens when he is visiting the sick, burying the dead, forgiving sinners and rejoicing in new life.  These are all ways in which he stays connected to his father.  He calls each of us to do the same.  Whatever form your prayer takes, as long as it is life-giving and sustains your God-relationship, keep on doing it!  Amen!

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

Scripture:

Exodus 24:3-8
Matthew 13:24-30

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel reading is the parable of the good seed, where an enemy plants weeds among the good seeds that the owner has planted.

We live in a world where the evil one exists. Those forces of evil are planted all around us, making us work even harder to establish a seat in God’s kingdom when the time comes. So, we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit to implant in us patience, wisdom, truth, and most importantly trust – trust in the strength and power of Almighty God to protect and guide us through life’s vast garden.

Think about your life, your garden and your weeds. You could pick out all of the bad influences, bad people, and unpleasant events from your life. But those influences and people and un-pleasantries are what have molded you into the person you are today. And if you try, you can allow those experiences to be a strength, not a weakness. We can’t be expected to clean out all of the chaff – the bad weeds – from our lives, because sometimes you need that experience to make you appreciate what you have, and what you have become – today.

I think of both the joyful and sad events I have experienced, and I know that my ministry today wouldn’t be as powerful if I had pulled up the weeds in the midst of the wheat – if I could have erased the sad times in my life. My weeds are my truth, my heritage, my history. I would miss the opportunity to learn so many important aspects of life, like tolerance of ideas and beliefs, charity, compassion, patience, wisdom – not to mention a faith and belief in God that has blossomed in the last few years – had I removed the weeds. People need love and respect, and my experiences have opened my heart to give others just that.

Learn the gift of working through the weeds. You may find a wealth of understanding in God’s wonderful plan – honestly, He has it all under control.

Patty Masson is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Exodus 20:1-17
Matthew 13:18-23

Reflection:

If there is anything that captures my experience of growing up Catholic, it would be the preparation for First Confession and First Communion in the second grade. Central to that preparation was memorizing the Ten Commandments that we again hear in today’s reading from the Book of Exodus.

1. I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any strange gods before Me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

My first experience in the confessional box did not go as planned. I got very anxious and forgot my rather long list of transgressions against God and others. The young assistant pastor was very kind and asked me if I knew the Commandments. You bet I did. So, I confessed that I had committed adultery. Really? he asked. Do you know what that means? No, not really. So, he suggested we talk about the 4^th Commandment instead.

It has been too long since I forced myself to recite the Ten Commandments in order. I probably could get them all, though slightly scrambled. I connect the guidance the Commandments provide with today’s feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the legendary parents of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Her parents, like mine and hopefully yours, provided the same guidance as the Commandments. Something like guardrails along the journey. There was lots of room to explore and grow into the person I am, with only minor scratches and dents.

For my parents and for the Ten Commandments, I am grateful.  Even though they have died, my parents continue to guide me. And re-reading the Commandments reminds me that they really are good guiderails in today’s world where too many are veering off the edge and we seem not to care or notice.

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.

Feast of St. James the Apostle

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Matthew 20:20-28

Reflection:

I grew up in the city, and long before recycling and composting were popular, my Dad had a “humus pile” in our back yard. Every time we cut the grass, the clippings went on top of the pile. When we raked leaves they, too, would cover that mound. So did potato peelings, coffee grounds, and eggshells. And we would keep turning the dirt with the refuse. Dad had made a sifting screen out of chicken wire and boards; every so often we would sift the humus pile — producing the richest, blackest soil you can imagine! Nature teaches us that fertility comes from rubbish, life comes from death.

The word “humus” in Latin means earth or ground. The English word, humility, comes from this origin. The fruitfulness of the earth depends on the decomposition of organic matter. Today’s readings remind us that the only abundance or prosperity that is real must come from the lowly garbage! James and John send their mother (how pathetic!) to secure a top position in Jesus’ cabinet, and Jesus reminds them of the need to embrace the lowly, the humble… to drink the cup that he has drunk. To be one with Jesus means not sitting in glory and honor, but powerlessness and vulnerability. This is the fragile, earthen vessel of which St. Paul speaks.  Dr. Albert Schweitzer, famous philosopher, theologian, physician, and missionary… once said, “I don’t know what your destiny will be. I do know that the only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

I suppose it’s easy to find the arrogance and smugness of politicians or entertainers and others. Today I need to look at my own egotism, my own desire for power-prestige-privilege, asking that I might drink Jesus’ cup of humility, and be healed and grounded.

Fr. Jack Conley, C.P. is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.