Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16
Matthew 5:27-32

Reflection:

As empowering and liberating as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was, he made no bones about adultery and divorce. “Tear out your right eye,” he said. “Cut off your right hand,” he said.

Gee, that sounds a little harsh, we might respond.

Among the sacraments, the commitment made at marriage is more than a wish or a hope. It’s a covenant, a profound promise, a vow. It is something more sacred than almost any other promise: a solemn promise witnessed by a packed church of witnesses and, dare we forget, by God himself.

Self-mutilation was more likely a metaphor, but why might Jesus have suggested mutilation at all?

Let us think about the children born of the vowed marriage. When divorce happens—often because of adultery—let us reflect on the thousands of books written by adults whose memoirs detail the lifelong pain that resulted from their parents’ divorce. Divorce scars the psyches of children and their adult selves. It engenders brutal destruction: the destruction of their belief system, trust in other human beings, confidence, and one’s entire belief system. The children might witness their role-modeling parents disintegrate into shallow versions of themselves. They can feel abandoned entirely for a lifetime. The feelings inside the mind, heart, and soul might be illustrated as the pillars of the Parthenon crumbling in front of their eyes. The ground has collapsed. There is no longer any centeredness.

So, yes, who among us, when breaking a solemn vow or not working hard enough to avoid adultery and divorce, would not look back and say, “If I could have prevented this devastation on my children by tearing out an eye or cutting off a hand, does that sound so harsh?”

Jack Dermody is the editor of the CrossRoads bulletin for the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission for Holy Cross Province. He lives in Glendale, Arizona. 

Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua

Scripture:

1 Kings 18:41-46
Matthew 5:20-26

Reflection:

Today’s gospel continues moving through the Sermon on the Mount. Here we are presented with the first of six “antitheses,” which essentially are a fuller understanding of the Commandments. We recall in 5:17-19, Jesus affirms that he has come to fulfill and not abolish the Law. Therefore, having stated its basic principles, he now offers six concrete examples of how Christian justice is expressed and lived. We recognize the familiar pattern of “you have heard it said…but I say to you” as he invites us to a deeper reflection on each one.

In this text Jesus is asking us not to move too swiftly beyond the commandment, “You shall not kill” but to reflect on the movements involved that result in this action. We pause to realize that the act of committing murder generally doesn’t happen in isolation. While the act of taking a life is never our desire, most of us can relate to being angry with another person and even to name-calling—even if only in our thoughts. I know, for example, silly little things like someone who cuts me off as I drive along or rudely jumps the line in a crowded grocery store finds me challenged to keep my attitude in line. Normally, I can let these things go, however, if I’m late for an appointment or stressed about getting my errands finished, it can easily unravel all my good intentions.

So, Jesus is asking us to consider our actions against another in an attitude of “nip it in the bud“ because lack of care, respect, and appreciation of our brother and sister kills. Maybe not physically but spiritually, it creates a rupture in relationships and increases the darkness. This idea paints a whole different understanding of our responsibility towards another, and I know that I am guilty of this “crime” daily…hourly, even.

Notice how the directive to be reconciled centers around ritual worship. “Therefore, if you bring your gifts to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gifts at the altar and go first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (v. 23-24). Throughout the Old Testament, God insists on authentic, heartfelt gift offerings, Jesus is highlighting the same by encouraging self-reflection.  Reconciliation is key to offering an authentic gift at the altar when we do so with our hearts fully engaged. In taking care to heal any breach in relationships, we increase the light of Christ.

In reality, there may be times when our request for forgiveness is rejected. Some wounds can take longer than others to heal, and we can feel at the mercy of another. However, in reaching out, we begin the process of reconciliation regardless of how much time it may take. Essentially, it’s our call to work towards unity and right relationship. God desires our full flourishing as humans living lives on this one planet. How beautiful to know that this directive is not only for the person I may have hurt but also for me. In repairing bonds, we bring the kingdom of God among us. On this feast of St. Anthony, we pray to find forgiveness, healing, and wholeness. That is certainly not a lost cause!

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:

1 Kings 18:20-39
Matthew 5:17-19

Reflection:

Today we are called to make resolute decisions about our life’s faith journey. 

In the first reading from the 1^st Book of Kings, “Elijah appealed to all the people and said, How long will you straddle the issue?  If the LORD is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.” The people, however, did not answer him.” 

In Matthew’s gospel reading, after informing his disciples that he had come to fulfill the law, Jesus admonishes them: “Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

Jesus, our own “prophet”, is calling us to accept his teachings, his kingdom, and his Father. He has fulfilled the law through his ministry, passion and death.  We have a continuous daily opportunity to choose between our God, who works miracles in our lives every day, just as he brought the fire to Elijah’s offering upon Elijah’s first call, or the many gods of the “four hundred and fifty prophets” calling us away in so many other ways. 

One tells us to cheat on an exam.  Another tells us to pass along a piece of gossip about someone who is struggling with a behavioral issue.  Another tells us to skip Mass on Sunday so we can sleep in, play that golf game that we have been longing to, or simply lounge around in front of the TV.  Yet another tempts us to lie about someone’s unique achievement that we are jealous of.  The list goes on and on every day of our lives.  We are all too familiar with such frequent temptations.  We might also sometimes find ourselves in the unenviable position of becoming one of those “four hundred and fifty prophets” tempting others to follow in our deceitful ways.  Jesus is quite clear that in such instances we “will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven”.

However, unlike the silent Israelites who did not answer Elijah, we have been blessed with the presence of Christ in our lives and can follow his example and proclaim his teachings.  Like the virgins before the wedding feast who had brought enough oil to trim their lamps, we can pray and focus on the good that we are each capable of as opposed to the evil that tempts us at every turn.  Through our faithful lives, we have the opportunity to be prepared to face the challenges and temptations of the potential evil that surrounds us. With conscious attentiveness to the godliness of our own decisions we can ourselves someday be “called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.   

I pray that each of us at the end of life’s journey will be honored to be one of those greatest in the Kingdom based on the decisions that we make every day of our life.

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:

Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
Matthew 5:13-16

Reflection:

We have all heard the derogatory term, “playing second fiddle.” As in: “I’m the star of this show, and I’m not playing second fiddle to anyone.” To play second fiddle means to play a secondary role in the shadow of someone else. called second fiddle means one is less important than someone else.

Now, consider Barnabas. He was an important leader in early Christianity’s mission work. He was top of mind, always first for his fellow Christians. And he was beloved among them. Why? Because he could see and believe in the goodness and potential in people.

Barnabas, for example, believed in Paul, even though Paul had once been a feared persecutor of Christians. But Paul insisted that on the road to Damascus a thunderous voice from heaven called him to become a follower of Christ. Nevertheless, no one believed him; they stayed away from him; refused to trust this Christian hater.

Not Barnabas. He saw something special in Paul. Barnabas was willing to stake his reputation on Paul. Barnabas invited Paul to work with him in mission.

Interestingly, the early chapters of Acts always spoke of “Barnabas and Paul.” Barnabas’ name always came first. Then in Acts 13, a subtle change occurred. Gradually, the Christian community began to respond to Paul’s mission to the Gentiles. Now, it was no longer “Barnabas and Paul.” Now it was “Paul and Barnabas.” Paul overshadowed Barnabas. Barnabas was relegated to playing second fiddle to the Apostle Paul. By the way, Barnabas was not his real name. Joseph was his name.

Barnabas was his nickname. They called him Barnabas because it best described the character of this man. The nickname Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” And so he was.

He encouraged Paul to join him in mission. And Paul became the great Apostle to the Gentiles and writer of many letters to the communities throughout the Roman World.

Barnabas encouraged his cousin Mark. Young John Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. But after a time, Mark became homesick, tired, unable to continue the difficult journey. So he quit. He went home.

Years later, John Mark asked to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their next missionary journey. Paul said “no. No quitters on my team.” Barnabas said “yes. Give this young man a second chance.” As a consequence, Paul and Barnabas had a parting of the ways. Paul went his way on mission, and Barnabas, with Mark, took another route on their missionary journey.

And what became of Mark? He became an evangelist of the Church, the first to write the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus. Ironically, Barnabas would play second fiddle to his younger cousin.

The second fiddle. That term originated in the early days of orchestra. An orchestra has the first violinist who sits at a prominent chair and to the immediate left of the conductor. The first violinist is the lead violinist and plays the melody in a symphony.

Then there is the second violinist who leads the group of second violins.

They play a subordinate and supportive role to the first violinist.

This second group gradually came to be referred to as the second fiddles, a rather unflattering term for those who sit in the shadow of the first violin.

Leonard Bernstein, the late conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, was asked during an interview to name the most difficult instrument in an orchestra. Without hesitation, Bernstein replied: “The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm, that’s a problem. If we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”

Barnabas, “the Son of Encouragement,” was the second fiddle who gave the early Church the harmony it needed in its nascent days.

The Church today is beset by polarization, division, and distrust. Barnabas nevertheless encourages us to become a Church where people of vastly different perspectives can build on a shared unity in Christ.

Barnabas invites us to join him with the second violins. Only then, will we second fiddles play the harmony of mystical music our Church sorely needs today.

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

Scripture:

1 Kings 17:1-6
Matthew 5:1-12

Reflection:

Any business consultant will advise having a mission behind the company, a vision for where you’re going, and strategies to help make that happen. When you create that vision, mission, and strategic plan, you aren’t there yet. But you believe with all your heart that it’s possible and you’re dedicated to acting in whatever ways you can to get there, keeping your eyes on the end result and adjusting what you do along the way as you work toward it.

Jesus’ recitation of the Beatitudes seems totally unrealistic in today’s world. The meek are inheriting the land? Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are satisfied? The merciful are shown mercy? Peacemakers are called children of God? And on it goes. Sometimes people interpret the entirety of the beatitudes as referring to our “great reward” in heaven. Yet didn’t Jesus tell us that the reign of God is among us right now? Don’t we pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven? So what’s the deal?

Just as with business, perhaps this is a case of “already but not yet”. Jesus does indeed paint an ideal picture. But it isn’t simply an explanation of what heaven will be like. Instead, it’s our mission and vision statement, and we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who dedicated his life to doing everything possible to enact it in this world.

So just as in business, we have to pause and see how we’re doing. In what ways do I fall short of God’s vision and mission for me and for this world? When do I fail to notice and uphold the meek ones who can fade into the background otherwise? When do I allow myself to become so disheartened and discouraged in my thirst for righteousness that I give up or sink into apathy? When do I fail to show mercy to others? In what ways do I feed divisions and animosity or cling to my own position instead of truly listening to another in a quest to find common ground, compromise, and go forward for the good of all? And on it goes.

Make no mistake about it: This is a demanding vision, and it involves real costs. For Jesus, it cost him his life. Our call is not to water it down or interpret it as merely God’s ultimate reward to us in heaven after we die. Working individually and together as disciples of Christ, what steps can each of us take today or this week to bring God’s vision to fruition?  

Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she has partnered with the Passionists.  Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.

Scripture:

Genesis 3:9-15
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
Mark 3:20-35

Reflection:

Again, and Always, the Good News of Jesus

A priest working in Africa taught the Bible in secondary school. The school included Christian and Muslim students, so the Bible was taught as a work of literature. The priest spoke of a student in the class as brilliant, always 100 and perfectly done assignments. He was passing the village mosque on his way home from school and saw the imam who was a good friend. As they talked, he remembered a paper written by the girl that he had with him. At the bottom corner were a few words written small in her own language that he did not understand. He asked the imam what they said. The imam laughed, ‘I hope you won’t be offended, she wrote, Allah, please forgive my blasphemy.’

She was often told that the Bible was the sacred book of Christians and not for her to read, doing so was wrong. But she was a student and had no choice. She was between a rock and a hard place. She did not condemn her teacher or see others doing wrong to her. She does her best, trusting in God’s mercy. What humility and sensitivity!

The Scribes who came from Jerusalem to Nazareth to Jesus’ home, accuse him of working for Beelzebul. But Jesus is doing the Father’s will. They are condemning the good work that Jesus does in the Father’s name.

We could change this to a ‘happy’ gospel. After the Scribes make their announcement the following sentence says that Jesus calls ‘them’ to sit down. What if in this combative situation the Scribes join the crowd and a synodal type meeting follows: each sharing, all listening, no interruptions or judgments, and a humble prayer asking the Spirit to open hearts to hear what God is saying in the words of one another. Would some hear that what Jesus does is not the work of Satan? Satan counts us as his possessions and deprives us of God’s glory. Jesus enters the strong man’s house and stealing his treasure, reclaims us for himself. In so doing he will give the Father glory.

Mary does suffer. In Luke the townspeople reject Jesus, even threatening his life. How did Mary endure such neighbors? But Mary hears the best of complements today. Jesus says, ‘do the will of God and you can be may sister, brother and mother’. Did Jesus look at his mother when he said that. ‘Friends, you have a  neighbor, my mother, who always does the will of my Father’.

We can change the narrative of the gospel today hearing hope for the Scribes, a singular compliment for Mary. Like the Moslem girl let us trust in God’s mercy, do our best amidst fragility, ours and others, and hear the truth that can be found in the hearts of others. Oh, to be brothers and sisters of Jesus together.

Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Scripture:

Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
John 19:31-37

Reflection:

“…My heart is overwhelmed,
my pity is stirred.
I will not give vent to my blazing anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again…” (Hos 11:8-9)

I saw a good movie the other day, “Ezra.” I cried through most of it. It’s all about a little boy, identified as having a prevalent disability today, who is imperfectly loved by three people: his mother, his father and his grandfather. I related best to the grandfather.

On another note, I get up each morning to the singing, chirping, or squawking of the birds. The adjective, I use all depends on how I’m feeling that day. You see, a few years ago I started making bread during the Covid lockdowns and despite the bread’s total imperfections, the birds never fail to eat whatever I have to offer them. I love the birds, but sometimes, I just wish they would be quiet and look for food elsewhere.

Speaking of animals, walking in my neighborhood, I come across many dog walkers doing their chores. Most of the walkers will not make eye contact with me. I suspect they are too busy or just don’t have time for a random stranger. The dogs on the other hand, almost always make eye contact with me. It’s usually brief, but the simple moment’s contact, seems to say: “You’re ok!”

In today’s scripture selection from the prophet Hosea, I once again hear of God’s undying love for me, Israel and all of creation, despite our often ignoring Him. I believe God, wants our attention: our eye contact; our smelling of the flowers; our acknowledgement of the beautiful people around us. God, thank you for Your creation. Help me today, to acknowledge Your love in my life and to share that with every person, every pet and every plant you put in my life today.

Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists.  He lives in Chicago.