Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Wisdom 18:6-9
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Luke 12:32-48

Reflection:

Paul the Apostle was right.  We are fools for Christ.  How else can we make sense of the Gospel, the good news, where everything is upside down?

This is a world where the poor are blessed, where a Samaritan writes a blank check for a wounded Jew.  It’s a world where the shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to seek the one that is lost.

If that weren’t enough, in today’s gospel Jesus  says he’s like a master who returns unexpectedly late at night, then puts on an apron to serve his slaves at the dinner table. Jesus even says he like a thief who’ll break into our lives unexpectedly and the possessions we’ve been hording and protecting won’t matter.

Jesus has turned the expectations of the world — and ours — upside down.

The gospel makes sense only if we remember that out of sheer love, God created us to be with him in the kingdom, and that our lives should be directed to that end.  Sadly, we sometimes may forget this.  Instead, we may be tempted to let the world get such a grip on us that we have no time or thought for our true destination, the reason for our being.  The gospel warns us that our call to judgment will come on each of us of like a thief in the night, in a moment when we least expect it.

That Jesus is coming is certain; that we will one day die is also certain.  Only the moment is uncertain.  But we are not to be anxious about this.  Rather, we are to called to be ready.  How? By serving and caring for one other,  by walking in faith just like Abel, Abraham and Sarah, like Moses and all those giants of faith who came before us.  It’s a faith that guides our footsteps with the certainty of what we hope for: to be with God, a God who will put on his apron, wash our feet, and serve us at his messianic table.

This good news is so wild, so upside down, the only way we can finally prepare for the coming of the Lord is to behave like fools for Christ and to stand on our heads — with feet firmly planted in the kingdom.

 

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

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
John 12:24-26

Reflection:

When Jesus talks about the grain of wheat dying to give life, he isn’t primarily talking about physical death. The grain of wheat gives up its image of itself, its identity, and its closed-in existence in order to sprout into new life. It remains alive, but more fully so.

We who follow Jesus are called to do the same throughout our lives, in ways big and small, right up until the time of the physical deaths of our bodies. We have to let go of many things and die to many things, in order to become more alive in Christ.

Since I am a competent, independent, highly active person who travels the country for work, sometimes I have to be smacked hard to be reminded of this. My “smack” began on Mother’s Day weekend when a freak accidental fall broke my hip, requiring a total hip replacement. Suddenly, I was an invalid, dependent on others to even get out of bed. I had to cancel engagements and admit my frailty. I had to learn patience with a body that knew the slow path to healing and wasn’t about to be bullied into haste. I had to allow others to serve me instead of the other way around. I had to accept a different pace of life and a different sense of accomplishment. (When was the last time you celebrated the fact that you could bend down and tie your own shoes?) In short, I had to repeatedly let go of my self-defined identity and self-reliant existence.

As all these little deaths added up, our life-giving God slipped in. In the quiet and inactivity, God opened up the hurts and difficulties I had suppressed when I was “too busy” to pay attention to them. I reflected on my relationships, my goals, and where God was calling me. I adopted again the stance of a child – not proudly self-sufficient, but reliant on the one in whom I live and move and have my being. I let go. Necessary things died. I grew, even as I became more grounded.

I am still recovering as I write this. Yet I am again living in the sure knowledge that all I have, all I own, all of my abilities, and all of my successes can disappear in an instant. I am not in control. Yet no matter what happens, as Paul wrote: “God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” In every death, God will give me what I need to bring life. I am trying to do a better job of living into that reality. Even if it takes a good smack to remind me.

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:

Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Matthew 16:24-28

Reflection:

Edith Stein, Finding What is Solid       

The opening prayers of Mass can be a bit of a stew. The ingredients remind us that we are unworthy, we are sinners, there is often a plea to strengthen our faith, and hope that we continue the journey that will bring us to eternal life. Other vegetables or a cube of meat are thrown in at times.

Examining this first course of our banquet at the table of the Eucharist I do not like to admit my human fragility or say I am a sinner. Humbly acknowledging how much I need this grace is not so appealing. Faith says much: the unearned, infinite and creative love of the Father, Jesus leading us to the Father, and the Holy Spirit with us. And finally, the journey leading us eternal life. This is a stew, nourishing, some un-tasty tidbits.

I have heard the expression, “I’m in a stew”. It’s not common. It describes a negative feeling we can have. We are swirling around. The events of life are all blending together and the definites of joy, goals, priorities or loves are not setting our compass. Life is just one course, and the solution is not adding a bit more spice!

Our Scriptures this week, today, and the feast day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, may speak to us in moments when we crave something solid.

This is the week of the Transfiguration. Tuesday, we heard Luke tell that event. Today and yesterday we hear what leads up to the Transfiguration in Matthew’s gospel. There is the first prediction of the passion, the rebuke to Peter after he acknowledges Jesus as Messiah (Peter and the disciples cannot comprehend that Messiah will suffer and so sagely suggest it be omitted!), Jesus then teaches all of us to follow him, taking up our cross. We must lose our life. Can we think of something to exchange for it? These are gospels that swirl us around.

Teresa Benedicta of the Cross had just completed her final book when soldiers came on August 2nd to take her, and her sister Rosa, from the Carmelite convent in Echt, Netherlands. They marched them down the street and put on a train to Auschwitz, their papers stamped, NO APPEAL. The punishment was swift, execution on August 9th. Tangential witnesses tell a little of the events, but we know from other Jewish people who rode the trains to the camps of the degrading treatment and cruelty inflicted on innocent men, women, and children. What a vortex of meaningless horror to be sucked into. Philosopher that she was she must have rewritten in her mind the pages of her last book, “The Science of the Cross” with these final experiences. A witness offers evidence of a commanding presence in a railroad yard at night, calling, really ordering water be bought to help her companions. With Rosa and a Sister of St. Joseph of Trevere, she went into the gas chamber to be one with her Jewish brothers and sisters.

Whatever our ‘being in a stew’ is, may the Scriptures nourish us, and the intercession, life, and death of Edith Stein help us. When life swirls around us, all that nourishes us, perhaps indistinguishable, is here. Take up the Cross, in losing life we will find.

Fr. William Murphy, CP is the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Jamaica, New York.

Scripture:

Numbers 20:1-13
Matthew 16:13-23

Reflection:

Though Faith anything is possible

Faith is the foundation God wants us all to build from. Without faith everything seems to crumble and fall apart. Faith makes small things big. Faith makes the week strong. Faith can move mountains. Faith makes us see in the dark. Faith gives us courage. Faith is our foundation. God wants us to have faith in him and his divine plan so that we can be happy and look forward to the salvation that is promised to all who believe and have faith.

In the first reading, the whole congregation of Israel, which consisted of thousands of people were without water and their faith in God was completely gone. They had lost focus and were thinking about their immediate problems instead of what God had done for them and how mighty He is. The Israelites even held a council against Moses & Aaron because there was no water and demanded that they do something about it. Their faith was completely gone.

God told Moses to, “take your staff, assemble the community along with Aaron and order the rock to yield its waters.” All he wanted Moses to do was go out in faith and show the people of God that He is still in control and he will always take care of them. Moses went to do what God had asked but he did it with little faith, which caused him to strike the rock not once but twice in order for the water to come out and this act or the attitude that Moses had when he did this, did not show God’s full sanctity to the people. God said to Moses, “Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel, you shall not lead them into the land I will give them. God is faithful and he expects us to be faithful.

In today’s Gospel, God asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and they gave him all kinds of examples, Elijah, John the Baptist, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. They quoted what everyone else was saying but inside they all knew who he really was and they had faith in Him. Jesus then asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter was the only one mentioned, that spoke up and he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Simon Peter had faith in who Jesus was. Jesus said, “Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, the heavenly Father revealed this to you, not flesh & blood. Because Simon Peter had faith Jesus said, “You are Peter & upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the Netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Later, Jesus began to show them that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer at the hands of the Elders, Chief Priest and Scribes and be killed and rise on the third day. All he wanted them to do was have faith that this was for the good of all. Peter took Jesus aside and said, “God forbid, Lord, no such thing shall happen to you.” Peter’s faith was weakening just that fast. Without our faith and dependence on our Lord and Savior we are weak. Jesus said, “Get behind me Satan, you are an obstacle to me.” He told Peter, you are thinking not as God does but as human beings do without faith. Where is your faith?

In the end, The Church of Peter flourishes in faith and is immune from error. There is no need for us to wonder at this, since the Lord said to Peter, “I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail (Lk 22:32).

Deacon Peter Smith serves at St. Mary’s/Holy Family Parish in Alabama, a religion teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, and a member of our extended Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Number 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29a, 34-35
Matthew 15:21-28

Reflection:

I knew all about plants, or so I thought. Then I started reading Brilliant Green, The Surprising History and Science of Plant Intelligence, by Stefano Mancuso and Alessandra (2015). Just reading the book’s title and inside jacket, I learned things that while I had heard, I never really thought about, like plants have been on earth longer than we have. Reading into the book I learned that plants possess fifteen more senses than we do. The following fact that was right in front of me all my life—you can cut plants, sometimes as much as 90% and get this—they don’t die, they keep right on growing. Of course, I knew that the more I cut the grass around my home, the more it grew. I always thought that was more a nuisance than amazing characteristic.

Like learning more about plants that have always been part of my life, I read today’s gospel and I find that even at my ripe old age of 74, I have more to learn. I was taught to follow Jesus, he had all the answers and could point out the way, especially in turbulent and confusing times. I also remember hearing that Jesus had to grow in his understanding of his mission, that Jesus was human and had to develop just like me, but I always assumed that was in the first 30 years of his life before we meet him in the gospels. In today’s gospel selection we see the mature Jesus learning from a Canaanite woman (a marginalized person in Jesus’ time) about his mission and widening his view as to whom he is being sent. The persistent woman seems to be a distraction to Jesus at first. He tells his disciples:

“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” MT 15:23)

The Canaanite woman perseveres, and Jesus has a change of heart:

“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And her daughter was healed from that hour. (MT 15:28)

I know I can take this passage to suggest that I must hound God in prayer for what I want, but I can also see that even Jesus had to learn as he grew. Thank you, God for Matthew who told the story the way it actually happened, not the way he may have wanted it to play out. Help me today to continue to grow and to tell my story like it is and not like I might want it to seem.

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

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Scripture:

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
2 Peter 1:16-19
Luke 9:28b-36

Reflection:

On this day 74 years ago, the relationship between the earth and humans changed forever. Men and women have lived on our planet for about 200,000 years. During these 8,000 generations, with the exceptions of the last three, the forces of nature had directed and determined our relationship to our world.

With the development and deployment of the atom bomb, everything was irrevocably altered. We showed our full physical power to destroy, permanently, ourselves.

Today eight nations are stockpiling nearly 14,000 nuclear warheads, enough to obliterate multiple earths. Congress just passed funds to “modernize” our nuclear arsenal and treaties with Russia to curb the arsenal are being discarded.

How ironic that on this feast, celebrating the mystical experience of Peter, James and John with Jesus on a mountain when in deep prayer, that the very first destructive weapon was unleashed.

The Transfiguration recognizes the dignity of humans in our relationship with God and the unique role of Christ in this relationship. It was the turning point in Jesus’ life, setting him on the path to Jerusalem where he was to confront the deadly powers of evil. We are called to unity, to love for one another, to build a just world, to confront the powers of evil…all in imitation of Christ.

This is the reason Pope Francis decried, in 2017, not just the use of nuclear weapons, but even the possession of nuclear weapons. “The threat of their use as well as their very possession is to be firmly condemned,” the pope stated.

God is a God of life, not death. As God’s sons and daughters, we are to be God’s presence on earth, fostering life.

The pope stated the existence of nuclear weapons creates a false sense of security that holds hostage international relations and stifles peaceful coexistence. Our security is found in God alone, not in warheads.

Starting in my home, workplace and marketplaces, am I life-promoting? A Peacemaker? Merciful?

Taking time to reflect on the dramatic feast of the Transfiguration is more than remembering an event in the lives of the three apostles and Jesus. It is a time to reflect on our God-created dignity and the amazing love of our Creator for each of us. It is an occasion for my own mystical experience of God Almighty.

Jim Wayne is a board member of the Passionist Solidarity Network (PSN), and author of The Unfinished Man. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Scripture:

Numbers 11:4b-15
Matthew 14:13-21

Reflection:

“There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.”

The theme of today’s readings seems pretty obvious: God provides the nourishment we need. And yet, tucked in there like a salad between courses at a fine meal, is this phrase, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.”

What is it that Jesus is asking of His disciples?  He seems to think that anyone can do this. Are they to bend natural laws and produce food out of thin air? What did He do when they didn’t seem to understand what He wanted? He took the provisions they had brought for themselves, blessed them and then gave them freely away.

Now, I’ve heard this miracle explained this way: in those times everyone usually traveled with a small bag of provisions (after all, the chances of finding a 7-11 on the way were slim). But there they were at the end of day and their bags were all running low. Some were most likely empty. People may have been thinking of how little they had or whether the person next to them would expect them to share or even demand the right of hospitality of them. Some people might have been thinking of plans on how to share it all fairly. Others might be proposing alternative methods, with complicated formulas based on age, number of children, health, etc.

What did Jesus do? He took what He had, blessed it, gave it all away, and sat down. Maybe there was a stunned silence. Maybe some of the disciples gasped, thinking, “Wait, what am I going to eat?” Then, slowly at first, then gaining momentum, people opened their own sacks and handed what they had to the people around them, keeping nothing back. Where there were suspicious glances before, smiles broke out. People started swapping recipes, praising each other’s cooking, laughing and sharing. And in the end, “They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over- twelve wicker baskets full.”

Imagine the miracle of a crowd of over five thousand going from “Do I have enough and is someone going to take what little I have?” to “No, I couldn’t eat another bite, you take it, I insist!” Now, there is a miracle! All because one person gave freely of what he had to those around him.

May I find today the grace to freely share the abundance that God has given me, not only from my ‘sack of provisions,’ but from what He has placed in my heart.

Talib Huff works and volunteers at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights.

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
Colossians 3:1-5,9-11
Luke 12:13-21

Reflection:

The Real Treasure

The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are very direct and challenging: “Take care to guard against all greed.”  A question had come from the crowd about an inheritance issue and Jesus responds with both a direct answer and the supporting parable of a rich farmer with a bountiful harvest.

The Gospel story ties into our human desire for security…financial, health, independence, personal self-worth.  Jesus knows us well and tried to put our yearning for security in the proper perspective.  The rich farmer could be a successful Illinois farmer with a bumper corn crop and even-larger replacement grain bins.  The farmer works hard, is a good organizer, a respected citizen…but Jesus also uses the word “fool”.  The desire for security had led to greed; there’s no mention of sharing / helping others, or even a simple prayer of thanksgiving to God…a selfishness that blinds us to others and even God!

Jesus’ words are for “back when”…and now.  Greed and selfishness tempt us, especially in our society which often overwhelms us with a “need” for more money and possessions.  In our competitive society, we work and save, but we are easily mistaken if we think possessions alone will provide real security — if we think we can go it alone.  Even St. Paul in the reading from Colossians encourages us to “seek what is above”, to get outside our own circle of life.  Sure, we have our daily needs; the grocery clerk most likely won’t accept a promise of prayer to pay for a cartload of groceries!  Jesus and St. Paul are encouraging us to check our attitude about life and “things”:  don’t forget God, neighbor, and self…both “here” and in the “hereafter”.

We are challenged to cultivate a renewed generosity and an active love of God and neighbor…our real Treasure!  This begins at home and leads us out to others – especially those most in need…the least and the lost of our day, the stranger and the refugee.  We may try to hide behind our full grain bins, but Jesus encourages us to move out, to be grateful to God and generous with our sisters and brothers.

These summer days, may we be blessed with a renewed experience of humility, gratitude, and generosity!

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community in Chicago, Illinois.