Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
Luke 14:1, 7-14

Reflection:

The Book of Sirach, this Sunday’s first reading, sounds a fundamental motif of the Bible: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.”  “Humility” may not be a prized virtue for a lot of people today.  It conjures up “deference,” “inhibition,” perhaps signals a lack of ambition or self-confidence.  Yet for the Bible and for Jesus himself, “humility” is a strong virtue to be sought.

The biblical notion of humility is signaled in the etymology of the word, coming from the Latin root word, humus, meaning “earth” or “soil.”  The person who is humilis, “humble,” is someone planted firmly on the ground, in touch with reality and living without illusion.  Our designation as “humans” is also from the same root word and emphasizes our status as being “of the earth,” as the biblical accounts of creation remind us.  The Bible considers it proper to be “humble” because we are creatures who are not self-sufficient but ultimately depend on God for our very existence.  Before the majesty and overwhelming beauty of God, we stand in awe.  To think of ourselves as more than we are—to fall into arrogance—is an illusion and lacks the fundamental self-awareness that humility ensures. The person who is humble lives in gratitude, realizing that everything is gift—above all our existence as daughters and sons of God.

The wisdom of the Scriptures suggests that those who are self-satisfied and impressed by their own wealth and achievement, who think they are autonomous and self-sufficient, are not likely to be “humble.”  Often, however, the poor who realize they depend on others and ultimately on God for their very lives, are instinctively “humble,” without losing their sense of dignity and self-respect.  To be “humble” is not to grovel or degrade oneself but to live in awareness of the truth.

This may be the reason for one of the intriguing characteristics of God in the Bible.  God is repeatedly designated as one who cares for the poor and the humble, who sides with the outcast and the stranger.  Even God’s choice of Israel to be his people, the book of Deuteronomy reminds us, is because Israel was in fact a poor and enslaved people, the “least” of all peoples. We hear this refrain in the responsorial Psalm 68 for today: “God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.”  God is acclaimed as “the father of orphans and the defender of widows…God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners in prosperity.”

Jesus epitomizes this biblical favoring of the poor and humble. The gospel selection today from Luke is a prime example. Characteristically, Luke portrays Jesus at a meal, this time in the house of one of the “leading Pharisees,” and the guests, Luke notes, were observing [Jesus] carefully…”  Jesus does not disappoint them and tells a parable about a guest at a wedding feast who makes the mistake of taking a place reserved for a more distinguished guest and is embarrassed to be told by the host to move down the line.  The man, Jesus notes, lacked awareness of his true status.  The humble are those who are aware: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

But Jesus is not done…he challenges his host by recalling God’s “prejudice” in favor of the poor and humble.  Instead of inviting your friends or wealthy neighbors who will reciprocate and invite you to their gatherings, “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.”

I think most of us are repelled by arrogance, by attitudes that seem to despise others while being self-congratulatory.  Being a follower of Jesus means living and acknowledging the truth about ourselves.  That we are children of God, made in God’s own likeness.  That life is a pure gift. That, like the God who sustains us, we are to reach out to those in need, our fellow human beings, and welcome them.

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.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Matthew 25:14-30

Reflection:

When I think about all the decades I’ve been fortunate enough to know my parents, I always remember them both as being tremendously hard working professional musicians and teachers, working for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in many parishes and schools.  When my father was alive, he held other different jobs, all at the same time, in order to help make ends meet for the family.  And even now, my mother still works seven days a week in two parishes and two schools.  They drew (and she still does draw) on every facet of who they were/are.  Sure, it was hard, and not at all perfect, but wow; what hard workers and givers-back of the gifts they were given.

As we grew, my sister and I helped them as much as we could in all they did.  My sister (MUCH older than me, by two years) definitely took their example to heart, and diligently and lovingly did her part.  For my part, it included working at my Uncle Victor’s Italian market with my Pa making sandwiches and stocking the shelves, or playing and cantoring and directing the choir when there were Masses in two parishes at the same time, or helping my Ma with cooking at home, scheduling private students, preparing music for rehearsals and Liturgies, and so on…

Sometimes I didn’t do a perfect job.  Sometimes I did pretty OK.  And some-times, I did really well.  But my father and mother, no matter how whatever I produced turned out, would always thank me and tell me how proud they were… so long as I tried.  So long as I did something.  I remember their words of gratitude and grace, for sure.  But more than that, I remember the feeling:  so very helpful, so very needed, so special, so wonderful – so loved.

In Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, he exhorts, “We urge you, brothers & sisters, to progress even more … and to work with your own hands.”  I Thessalonians 4:10b,11b   In the Gospel, Jesus teaches with the parable of a man leaving town and trusting his “talents” (read “money”) with three of his servants.  Upon the master’s return, one servant gave back all the money, while the other two traded and invested and doubled all that the master had given them.  We hear the master proclaim to those who developed their talents, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Come, share in your master’s joy.”  Matthew 25:21

The readings today tell us that, whatever we do, we have to do something.  God showers us with so many gifts, and God doesn’t want us to hide them in the ground.  We are called to not just have, but to develop, cultivate, and use those gifts.  And, beautifully, it’s in the cultivating and sharing of our “talents” that we give them back to our Master.  Just as the flame of one candle can ignite another without losing it’s brightness, it’s in the sharing of our gifts that they’re doubled.

We are given the divine invitation to not stay where we are, but to do what we are called to do, even though our hands might need to get dirty in the process.  We must be good stewards of the gifts we’ve been given.  Let’s not bury ourselves in the ground and hide.  Let’s at least try!!!  It’s never too late to live as a Child of the Light.

And can you imagine how you’ll feel when you hear God say “Wonderful job, my good, faithful helper.  Thank you, friend.  Come to me – let me share all my joy and all my love… with you.”

Dear God of yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows, thank you for the gift of every turning season.  Please grant us the grace of always continuing to grow, right up until the day we get to hear You say to us; “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Amen.

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 Passionist Retreat Center.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Matthew 25:1-13

Reflection:

In our gospel today, the wise virgins were prepared to meet the bridegroom.  The foolish virgins were not.  So they missed him.

When we first hear this gospel we think of being prepared to meet the Lord at the time of our death, or we think of being prepared for the Second Coming if it occurs during our lifetime.  But if our attention is only focused on our final encounter with the Lord we are likely to miss him in our normal daily living.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting – a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Being prepared to meet the Lord means keeping our eyes open to see beautiful sights, our ears open to hear beautiful sounds, and our hearts open to welcome in beautiful people.  If we have trouble doing this, just watch a little child and learn how it’s done.  A child does not see Seven Wonders of the World; it sees seventy times seven wonders.

Endless.

In the book of Wisdom, we read, “For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.” (Wisdom 13:5)  Stop.  Look.  Listen.  The Lord is here – right now.  Go ahead.  Meet him.

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

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Scripture:

Jeremiah 1:17-19
Mark 6:17 – 29

Reflection:

With the reemergence of comic superheroes, a new phrase or question has developed, “What is your super power?” A question that helps us to think about the special gift or talent we possess that might assist others. The Church calls these charisms. They are the graces/gifts and talents given to us by God, intended to build up the Body of Christ.

Saint John the Baptist knew that his charism was to preach and proclaim the coming of the messiah. He held fast to his gift of preaching and teaching and put his life on the line to speak the truth when it came to confronting Herod Antipas about his marriage to his brother’s wife when his brother was still living. While Herod Antipas, a “king” with “power” could not stand up to the truth when his wife asked for the “head of John the Baptist”. He could not humble himself and say no to the request. It would have been “humbling” for him to do so. He might have seem weak. What would people think of a king not keeping a promise? Even a king of ancient Palestine felt pressure from his guests or at least he thought he knew what his guests wanted. Some might have been on the side of the Queen and some might have stood quietly by afraid to say something not wanting to go against the king or queen. Was there anyone there who did not agree with the request of the queen? Even in modern times not many people will step forward to ask questions or make objections when something is off track or unjust.

Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just?

When given power we need to know what to do with it. In the scriptures today we have great examples of the choices we have in using our “power” or charism. We can use it for a greater good and be humble to listen to others, they may be warning us that we are off track. Or we may use power to make us “king of the hill”. Walking over others and ignoring the truth as we climb up to what we think is our goal. Not an easy choice when “human wisdom”/society tells us that it is okay to climb our way up and if someone next to me is falling down well, too bad for them. Society may also tell us not to listen because the voices of others come from another group who is not for the same thing we are supporting. Wisdom comes when we have an openness to the voice of God that comes through others. Our faith says that we can all climb together helping each other to achieve our goals. In doing so we build up the “Body of Christ”

What are your gifts and talents? How are you using these to build up the “Body of Christ”?

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

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:27-32

Reflection:

You have searched me and know me, Lord!

Psalm 139 reminds us that no matter where we go or what we do, our God is always present.  For people of faith, I would think the reassuring presence of God in our life would be one of comfort and give one a sense of peace and being loved.

Sometimes we become frustrated and overwhelmed and feel alone when life seems too worrisome and unbearable.  Statistics tell us that anxiety and depression are on the rise in the young and the not so young.  We live in a world that moves too fast and urges us to climb on the bandwagon and ultimately find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of activity and pressure to be someone we were never meant to be.

When we take time to carve out spaces for quiet reflection and prayer, times to spend with family and friends for fun and relaxation or time to just BE, we keep the door open to God working in our lives.

This summer has been filled with times to step back and let God be in charge of what I do or where I am going.  In connecting with family and friends near and far, I have tried to just be present in the moment, whether that be an evening boat ride to catch the sunset, visit with a friend anticipating major surgery or just taking the time to pen a letter to God in my journal.  It has been a wonderful time to bask in the glory of God’s presence.

It is my prayer that in the busy days ahead I may recognize the God of sunsets, star-filled nights and summer fun days, is also the Lord who continues to search me and know me and walks with me.

This is my prayer for you as well.

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

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 23:23-26

Reflection:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. [But] these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.

This is the fourth of seven woes spoken directly by Jesus against the scribes and Pharisees. According to the Torah, the purpose of tithing was the support and upkeep of the temple cult and its officials, namely priests and levites. Jesus condemns the preoccupation with the concern over the smallest of herbs, while justice, mercy and faith are neglected.

Justice, mercy and faith – let’s start there. What do these words mean to us in our society today – in our jobs, our families, our friendships? We try to do the right thing, we show mercy and compassion to those around us, and we stay strong in our faith. But what if those we interact with don’t do these basic necessities to enable us to remain close to our God in heaven? What happens to us when we are placed in situations that seem hopeless; when we believe that we don’t have a voice; when we are made to feel small? Well then, we are losing sight of the beautiful and amazing gifts that God has in store for us – we should depend on Him alone, not solely in people. In our sensitivities and compassion for others, it becomes very difficult to maintain your beliefs when you surround yourself with those who make you feel small and insignificant – but we can’t allow anyone to make us feel that way! I am guilty of allowing it myself!

Secondly, do you know those who make themselves appear to be holy on the outside, but their heart isn’t a servant’s heart; their ears don’t listen to the truths around them; their mouths refuse to speak and accept the truth. In truth, are their intentions to make improvements and to live out their lives according to God’s almighty plan thwarted by pride and arrogance? Keep your vessel filled in order to do the work of the Holy Spirit, with a servant’s heart. Remain immersed in the faith, so that when you speak the truth, you speak with authority. And check your pride and arrogance at the door – that is one cup that does not need to be overflowing!

Patty Masson is a member of the Passionist Family in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Revelation: 21:9b-14
John 1:45-51

Reflection:

Come and See  -Matthew 1:46

There is a certain simplicity in the Gospels that for so many of us it is so very easy to miss. “Come and see.” These words of SS from today’s feast are some of the most important in the Bible! It contains the wisdom of the Gospels.

There is an important invitation: “come”. About one fifth on Gospels are accounts of simple people coming to Jesus for healing. They probably had little theology as to the nature of Christ, but they knew something we fail to appreciate. Jesus could make them well again! “And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them,” Mt 15:30

Among the first words of Jesus in John’s Gospel are: “Come and you will see.” In today’s Gospel Bartholomew heard these same words from Andrew “come and see”.  Among the first words of Jesus to all the Apostles were “come follow Me”. Jesus invites us with the greatest invitation we will ever receive. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28

The words “who labor” don’t seem to be the best translation.  The work in Greek is kopiao which means to be beat up or hit with a blow.    We find ourselves after a difficult day saying I’m beat. Jesus invites us to Himself when we feel we are down with the count.  Discouragement is an invitation to come to Jesus just as the “the beaten, the overburdened, the lame, the blind, the crippled” did in the Gospels.  It reminds one of the words of Jesus: “apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

I remember as a young struggling high school student seeing a Burma Shave sign from John 6:37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.^”  I thought then, and still do today at 82 that it is one of the most encouraging texts in the Scriptures!  I love the words of St Peter Julian Eymard who simply and deeply reflects the Scriptures: “go directly to Jesus without too much fuss.”  The final words of the New Testament is the beautiful petition: “come Lord Jesus”. Revelation 22:20

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.