Daily Scripture

Thanksgiving Day (USA)

Scripture:

Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
Luke 21:20-28

Reflection:

In preparing this reflection I spent time in prayer with the scriptures of the day, looked at the history surrounding Thanksgiving Day celebrations past and present, and reflected on all that has and is happening in our nation in these post-election times.  Wow!  I’m not sure where to begin.  One thing is for sure , we are a blessed people!

The scriptures speak of God’s goodness and mercy, peace, compassion, patience and understanding for all God’s people no matter the circumstances.  In Sirach we are reminded of God’s deep love for us even before we were born.  St Paul tells us once again of God’s faithfulness in spite of our unfaithfulness!  In the Gospel we hear the familiar story of the ten lepers who were made clean with only one who returned to give thanks, and he was a Samaritan! Jesus asked the challenging question, “were not all 10 made clean, why is there only one who came back to give thanks?”  How often do we forget to say thanks for the bounty we enjoy?!

We will gather this day with family and friends to share food and fellowship, hopefully giving a prayerful and humble thanks to our generous God as well.  This day is also a challenging and sad time for many people of other cultures, especially our Native American sisters and brothers.  To native Americans, thanksgiving is a day of mourning and protest since it commemorates the arrival of settlers in North America and the centuries of oppression and genocide that followed.  Our Native Americans remind us that giving thanks was a Native American tradition for generations before the European settlers arrived and long before President Roosevelt declared it a national holiday in 1942.  Today, many Native people celebrate this long tradition of gratitude while others observe a day of mourning.

In the days following the election of new leadership in our country, ongoing strife in in our cities and towns, wars in too many parts of the world, it is difficult at times to remember we are a blessed people.  At the same time it is important for all believers to remember to put our faith and trust in a loving and benevolent Creator God!  We have been created in God’s image and that image is good.  May this day of thanks be celebrated each day of our lives.  Let us strive to see the good in all people especially those who don’t share our beliefs, thoughts or life decision.  May we continue to give praise and thanks for all the blessings we have been given.

Be Blessed, Be Thankful. Amen.

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

Scripture:

Revelation 15:1-4
Luke 21:12-19

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for today, as Jesus is speaking to the people about the end times, He also tells His disciples to expect being persecuted because of their faith in Him. And He says, “It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself will give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute…You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Jesus tells His disciples that some of them will be even put to death, so I don’t think Jesus is promising them some kind of physical invincibility. What He does promise them is that no matter what happens to them, that they will not lose the promise of eternal life.

And in that hope of eternal life, they can persevere in following Him. In the U.S. we are not persecuted as the early Christians were. But we face many difficulties and challenges in living out our faith. But even in the midst of all sorts of trials and tribulations, going on in our lives and in the world, we too can persevere in following Him. We can persevere in loving God and loving our neighbor, caring for the “least” of our brothers and sisters, and working for justice. And perhaps doing this is the “wisdom” our “adversaries” are “powerless to resist or refute.”

The world needs our perseverance in living out the faith, hope, and love we have in Jesus Christ.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

Revelation 14:14-19
Luke 21:5-11

Reflection:

We have often heard the saying, “Humans plan, and God laughs.” We like being in control. We like thinking we’re in control. We’re not good with being out of control.

In today’s Gospel from the Evangelist Luke, we can imagine Jesus smirking as the crowd eyes the beautifully adorned Temple, proudly marveling at what humans have created. He says, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Later this week we will gather in prayer and feasting to celebrate Thanksgiving. When growing up, the Pilgrims’ Story was, as I recall, a tale of amazing endurance and faith, and less about overeating. I had the sense that the plans of these early settlers did not go as expected. They were probably quite surprised they had lived to tell the tale and celebrate the largess of God’s bounty.

While maybe not as dramatic as the Pilgrims’ Story, our stories might be told similarly. We probably all can look back on our lives with some humility, maybe even surprise. I know that when I reflect back to my early 20s and what I thought my life would look like when I was in my late 40s (I’m way beyond that now!), it is rather humorous. Yes, I was planning and God was laughing. But I could not be more grateful, even if surprised and certainly humbled.

Rather than hold stubbornly to our plans, faith means being attentive to the Spirit. We need to be people of discernment. We need to be open to how God engages us and draws us forward. As the Prophet Jeremiah assures us: “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans of fullness and not of harm, plans to have you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11). Can we trust in this promise?

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:

Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
Luke 21:1-4

Reflection:

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

I’ll never forget a young family I met when I was a pastor. The wife/mom was a beautiful, Irish woman, radiant, red hair, beautiful green eyes. The husband and father, a handsome German guy, blond haired & blue eyed. Even as a high school student, he told me once that he already dreamed of having a family — and five children. And he also had chosen names: Frederick, Gretchen, Carl, Birgit. They did have four kids, but their names were Sean, Colleen, Patrick, Shannon!

One day when the mom was preparing supper, she heard the nine-year-old say to his little brother. “Say it again and I’ll give you my good ear.” The very next morning they were visiting the ENT specialist. The boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor… and the care they received was excellent. The tumor was benign.

I was in the hospital room when the siblings finally got to see their brother. Shortly after surgery, his head was shaved, he had a black eye and bandaged; he must have looked scary… as his little sister spontaneously burst into tears. Then, probably it was the culmination of all the raw emotion — fear & worry, gratitude & relief — well, it triggered chain reaction… Mom sobbing, then Dad broke down. But as minister, I held strong!

Back in the parking garage, however, sitting in my car, I lost it… yes, a complete meltdown. All I could think of was that Taizé chant, Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Where charity and love prevail, there is God.

Some cultures remove their shoes in God-presence, or take off hats or put on veils; sometimes all we can do is sob.

In today’s Gospel we again hear the consoling Jesus, the compassionate one who seeks to encourage. Jesus is not so much praising the widow but criticizing the religious culture that would expect such a donation.

In these final days of the liturgical year, maybe we aren’t expected to identify or imitate the extravagant descriptions of those worshipping the Lamb. After all, “unblemished” or “no deceit was found on their lips” (Revelation 14) sounds remote. Even the destitute but generous widow seems surely beyond my reach!  But the challenge is to trust that the Lord will transform our darkness to light, our anxiety to hope. We’re ready for Advent! Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Solemnity of Christ the King

Scripture:

Daniel 7:13-14
Revelation 1:5-8
John 18:33b-37

Reflection:

Christ the King

“You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John18:37f What a remarkable statement of Jesus!  The whole reason of the incarnation was to witness to the truth!

In response to the pronouncement of Jesus Pilate asks one of the most important questions of our life: “what is truth?”   The word in the inspired text of the Gospel is the Greek word for truth which is alētheia  from two words.  “Lanthano” which means to  be hid (3x), be ignorant of (2x), unawares (1x)    And with “a” which is a negative ie not unaware or not hid.  In plain English it is “reality” or existential.  The OT Hebrew word for truth is “emeth”  It is used absolutely to denote a reality which is to be regarded as “amen” “firm,” and therefore “solid,” “valid,” or “binding.” It thus signifies what is “true.” Our prayers are usually ended with “Amen” ie reality and a faithful God! 

The truth of Jesus is He is God plunging into our world with a human face and heart having a love for us that is completely beyond our wildest dreams!  Jesus tells us: “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” Jn 15:9 These are some of the most amazing words ever said!  The God creating and energizing the estimated trillions of Galaxies is deeply in love with flawed humanity to the point that He sent His Son to die and save us “while we were yet sinners”  This is the great hidden truth that so very many seem to be oblivious. 

This is the reason we call Christ our King!  The word King is not very impressive to Americans because of our history.  But Jesus said “You say correctly that I am a king.^”  He is our wonderful leader who takes with His pierced hand and holds us as we follow Him! 

Dear Jesus don’t go before me I might not be able to follow You. Don’t go behind me I might lead you astray with my desires. Please walk beside me holding my hand, as an amazing friend!

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

Scripture:

Revelation 11:4-12
Luke 20:27-40

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for today, the Sadducees, who don’t believe in the Resurrection, take their turn in trying to stump Jesus. They offer him a hypothetical situation in which a woman winds up marrying seven brothers because she has been widowed seven times without bearing children. They ask Jesus, “Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?” They think they’ve got Him. But Jesus responds that in the afterlife, things will not be as they are here on earth: “They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.” And then Jesus offers another proof for belief in resurrection: “That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Our belief in the Resurrection reminds us that our God is always oriented towards life and wants us to be oriented the same way. As Jesus says, all are alive to God. All are precious to God. All are beloved by God, even those who reject God.

The challenge for us is to look at the choices we make, about what we say, about what we do, about how we relate to others and to all of creation and determine whether they support life or death. May all our choices lead us to support life, as God supports us.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Memorial of the Presentation of Mary

Scripture:

Revelation 5: 1-10
Luke 19: 41-44

Revelation:

Although the Presentation of Mary cannot be proven historically, the feast does have an important theological purpose.  The presentation of Mary in the temple  continues the impact of the Immaculate Conception and the birth of Mary.  What does this mean?  This feast has an important truth to it. Mary was dedicated to God from the very beginning of her earthly existence.  The first reading focuses on the Jerusalem temple.  Mary is a greater temple than that made by hands.  We too, are temples of God and called to share in God’s saving work. 

In the First Reading from the Book of Revelation the New Jerusalem is described where true worship of God takes place.  The heavenly temple can never be destroyed.  In the Gospel reading Jesus weeps as he looks over the Jerusalem temple knowing that it would be destroyed in 40 to 45 yearss. 
This temple is where  he was dedicated to God and where he worshipped.

(reflectionsbybob.weebly.com/nov-21-2024—memorial-of-the-presentation-of-mary-readings-from-thu-of-33rd-week-in-ord-time.html) (Memorial of the Presentation of Mary, Tuesday, November 21, 2024, Reflections by Bob Kondraft.)

Our reading emphasizes the  experience the presence of God in the Jerusalem temple and God’s word in the scroll.

When have we experienced the presence of God?  What were we doing when we experienced God’s presence?  What sort of feelings do we get  when weI experience God’s presence?  Do we have a special place where we experience God.  What can we do to assist others to experience the presence of God. (Ibid,) 

Dear God,  we ask you to experience  you in the place where we very seldom realize and turn to, that is within my very self.  You are there within us 24-7, 365 days, every day of my life. Give us the grace to practice this presence of you within us each day.    

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