Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Titus 1:1-9
Luke 17:1-6

Reflection:

In his letter to Titus, Paul lists a sobering set of qualifications for a bishop or church leader: blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain, hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled, holding fast to the true message as taught, and able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents. Of course, Paul also says a presbyter is supposed to have children who are believers and who are not rebellious. Really? Maybe that’s why the Church instituted a celibate priesthood, because if a man had kids, he could hardly ever qualify!

In all seriousness, though, Paul’s extensive and demanding list of requirements takes particular import as we continue to grapple with the sexual abuse crisis, and as we examine more closely how priests, bishops, and members of the Church hierarchy exercise their power.  Pope Francis has issued strong challenges, and it seems the leadership of the Church has a long way to go and much reform to undertake before we reach the ideals Paul set forth.

Yet I don’t believe this list should apply only to priests, bishops, and church leaders. As with all of scripture, we need to examine the logs in our own eyes before looking for the specks (or logs) in the eyes of others. So what about us in the pews? Would people outside the Church recognize this list as an accurate depiction of a Catholic congregation? In our parishes, are we humble, hospitable, just, holy, and self-controlled? Are we living models of Christian discipleship?

Ultimately, of course, the parish will not reflect those values until the people within the parish do. So each of us must take a hard look at ourselves. In that light, I began down the list and compared my own behavior. I am not a drunkard, as I rarely have more than a glass of wine at any one time. But I reluctantly must admit that at least at times I have fallen down in each of the other areas, especially the one about being irritable! We all fall short of the ideal. We all have a long way to go and much reform to undertake before our parishes, liturgies, ministries, and lives individually and collectively reflect Christ.

Since change has to start with each one of us, for this month I resolve to post Paul’s list on my bathroom mirror. Each morning when I arise, I will remind myself of who I want to be, how I want to treat people, and what God is calling me to become. When I get ready for bed, I will read the list again and reflect on how I did that day and where I could do better. It won’t change the Church in a day. But it will change me, and allow God to better use me as an instrument of healing, faith, and love. If we all do that, we will change the Church. Do you have any space on your mirror?

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:

1 Kings 17:10-16
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44

Reflection:

What a powerful study in contrast Mark’s gospel passage offers us.  But let’s be clear about something right away.  Jesus does not praise the economic poverty of a widow.  He laments the privilege and affluence that can easily corrupt us.

First, there are some scribes – and by implication, Sadducees, the priestly royalty who control the Temple in Jerusalem.  They are the learned, the scholars of Torah among the majority who were illiterate and poor.  This elite minority relished the public honors that accompanied their positions.  In the marketplace, they expected people to rise respectfully when they approached.  In the synagogue, they sat in seats of honor on the dais facing the congregation — seeing, but more importantly, being seen.  A public piety designed to elicit public adulation.

These are temptations for every age.  Who does not like red carpet treatment? Who does not enjoy wearing finely tailored clothes, civilian or clerical?  Who does not enjoy being addressed by honorific title?  All these can be innocent or corrosive, depending on how they affect our relationships.

Not all scribes were guilty.  Jesus had just finished a conversation with a scribe whom he pronounced to be not far from the kingdom (Mk12:34).  And Jesus repeatedly taught his disciples, who argued about their place of honor in the kingdom: “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mk 9:35).  He taught, “For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).

Then, the gospel rather abruptly spotlights someone invisible to all, except to Jesus.  This is the widow, who is unlike the wealthy who made large and ostentatious donations to the Temple.  She donated but two pennies, all she had to give.  Again, let’s be clear.  Jesus praises her, not for what may seem like economic martyrdom, but for her absolute trust in God.  Even as Jesus praised the widow, he was lamenting and condemning a religious system that took the last two coins of a poor woman for the upkeep of an extravagant Temple and those who controlled it.

In this gospel, Mark – through Jesus – forcefully reminds us – to pay attention to the widow, who symbolizes all the poor and marginalized, not the wealthy and powerful and publicly pious.  The widow is a member of what Scripture calls in the Hebrew, the anawim.  They are the poor of God – the weak, devalued, outcast, and totally dependent on God.  This widow calls to mind the strains of Psalm 34: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.  Blessed be the Lord!”  And the only way God will hear the cry of the poor is through us – through our ears, our eyes, our compassion, our actions.

This otherwise invisible widow enriches us by her example – and her two pennies.

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

Scripture:

Philippians 4:10-19
Luke 16:9-15

Reflection:

I see a continuous stream of articles decrying the fact that so few Americans have money saved for retirement. The current economic and political climate makes this more serious, as many are concerned (and quite reasonably so) that Social Security and Medicare are going to be cut or eliminated in the near future and the situation will become exponentially worse. As I continue to rack up birthdays, I speculate on whether or when I could retire myself. It’s a question of money, and money is a thorny issue all the way around.

All of scripture, including the Gospels and the life of Jesus in particular, highlight our duty and responsibility to share what we have, taking great care to tend to the poor, marginalized, and ill among us. If we all did that, the retirement issue would not be so problematic. But I do not see it being lived out in our current laws, politics, and social media discourse. Although a tiny portion of elders are independently wealthy, there are huge populations barely getting by, who are forced to decide between paying for medicine vs. paying for food, or who live (and often die) on the margins of society. Instead of increasing social aid,  giving needy people assistance that allows them to improve their condition, providing medicines and healthcare that isn’t dependent on one’s wealth, and enacting equitable tax structures, decisions seem to be aimed at protecting the wealth of the wealthiest and making every decision based on what is best for “business”.

How are those of us in the middle supposed to react? If we have more than just the bare minimum to survive, should we save more, or share more? Is there a difference between an unhealthy love of money (which Jesus warned so strongly against) and a healthy desire to have enough to ensure one isn’t a burden on family or society? Is it morally wrong to save money for oneself in a world in which so many others have little to nothing? Indeed, how much is “enough” and who gets to decide? Can I (and should I) avoid judging those who clearly hold a disproportionately high percentage of the world’s wealth, but who fight to keep it for themselves while disparaging and cutting off those who work endless hours just trying to provide the basics of life?

I wrestle on a personal and societal level, and there are no easy answers. I know that on the societal level I need to raise my voice and to vote to see less emphasis on unfettered protections for whatever is “good for business” and whatever allows the ultra-wealthy to get wealthier yet. I want laws and tax structures that increase aid, allow for expenditures on infrastructure, build strong and ethical police and first responder services, and provide for quality education for every child regardless of economic status or location. I will continue to work for these things, even as I see them being increasingly gutted in order to line the pockets of the already-rich and powerful.

The personal level is more difficult. I have saved over the years for my retirement, and as I navigate my 60’s I am saving as much more as I reasonably can. My heart breaks when I see the economic disparity in our country and I pray I am not contributing to it. I am challenged when I face the reality that my savings could be considered an unjust or selfish accumulation of wealth, that even though my accumulation seems tiny by comparison, it makes me part of the “haves” that I rail against. I want to believe that I will be OK as I age, that as Paul says, I can rely on my faith to see me through anything, and that I will find a way to manage. But honestly I am scared. I also believe that if no one ever saved for retirement or to provide for themselves, it would make the situation worse overall and create even greater disparity. Am I doing the right thing? I don’t know.

So for me, for now, I have decided to continue giving time, money, and talent to those in need. I refuse to close a blind eye to the desperate circumstances of too many people’s lives and will do what I can to bring greater justice and equity, and to enact policies that aid and protect the most vulnerable. At the same time, though, I am taking steps to hopefully prevent sinking into desperate circumstances myself. I don’t want to be a burden to my family or to society. Even so, my prayers and struggle are not over. I imagine I will wrestle with these questions my entire life, and my decisions may change in the future.

What about you? What are you doing with your money, both now and into the future? How does it fit into your faith perspective and Jesus’ example? I believe each one of us has to wrestle with our own circumstances, and make the best decisions we can to follow the Gospel. I ask your prayers in this struggle, and I promise to likewise pray for you.

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:

Philippians 3:3-8a
Luke 15:1-10

Reflection:

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house,
searching carefully until she finds it?”

What would you do if money you were saving for your own wedding went astray?

While we cannot know for certain that the coin the woman had lost was one destined to be part of her wedding dowry, and in fact we do not know what the coins were to be used for, but that they were part of a wedding dowry is one suggestion. Whatever the reason, in the context of life in Palestine in the day of Jesus, ten such coins did represent something of great value (each probably worth a day’s labour), so to lose one was a real loss. Further, houses of the day while small were usually windowless and consequently dark, thus a sweeping search, even in daytime, necessitated using candles and small oil lamps which of course only generated limited light. To search diligently and for a long period would have been certainly stressful and difficult.

All of this enables us to understand a little more deeply the significance of the central image of the parable – that of searching. It is this symbol which most illustrates the deeper dynamic Jesus wants to illustrate. The truth to be conveyed is that the Father is the one who likewise searches diligently and constantly for us (especially when we are ‘lost’).

The ‘searching’ dynamic is further illustrated by the other parable – that of the shepherd who leaves all behind whilst he goes to search for the one sheep who is lost.

And let us not overlook the other wonderful image revealed within both parables – the rejoicing and celebration that accompanies the finding of the one that was lost. In the words of Jesus there is great ‘rejoicing in heaven’ when any one of us is repentant and is lead home or returns home, to God.

God will never abandon us and God will be always be prompting us to return to the way of life and love. God’s active searching for us will never cease. It may take the form of the voice of a friend or indeed stranger, encouraging us to try again or to turn back from a destructive path. God’s searching for us may take the form of a loved one offering us his or her hand to support or guide us. God’s searching for us may take the form of an inner voice – that of the Spirit within – prompting us to choose life over whatever holds us down or prevents us from loving at any particular moment.

This is our inheritance, our rich treasure – nothing can surpass this gift.

With Paul we too can cry “More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”

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

Scripture:

Philippians 2:12-18
Luke 14:25-33

Reflection:

…In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

I have a love/hate relationship with change. Recently I brought my lifetime guaranteed winter coat in for repairs. The woman I gave it to at the store looked at it pitifully and said: “This coat has really been loved. I don’t think we can repair it but we can replace it.” She showed me a new version of my coat. Hesitantly, I tried the latest model on and told her it didn’t feel at all like my coat. She looked at me sympathetically and assured me it was better. Having no other options, I took the new version. I have yet to wear that coat, but I’m sure I won’t like it as much as my ten-year-old model, at least at first. I don’t like change.

In the early ‘90’s, at the urging of my good friend Fr. Rian Clancy, C.P, and after months, actually years of prayer and meditation, I cautiously moved into the city. I had been living on the fringes of the city in an area where I grew up. The final impetus for that life-changing move was the demise of my ten-year-old car. It died once again, only this time in the middle of an intersection. I had to let it go, but as you might imagine, I had gotten pretty attached to my car.  I called a friend in the junk business and asked him to pick it up, and told him he could do whatever he wanted with it. I was through with it.

While the verdict is still out on my winter coat, that not so simple act of letting go of my car almost thirty years ago, led to a revolution in my life. I moved into the city. I quit my job in the insurance business where I had been working for sixteen years and returned to teaching, a job I truly loved. I reduced my carbon footprint and started saving tons of money. I quickly learned to love my new home, job and life. It, as Clancy had been suggesting all along, was where I belonged.

Now, I have a long way before I can claim to be following Jesus’ call in today’s scripture selection, to renounce all my possessions, but I’ve heard it said the trip of a thousand miles begins with the first step. I hope and pray today that I am on the right way. If happiness is any measure, then truly I am.

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

Scripture:

Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 14:15-24

Reflection:

I’m pretty good at finding excuses when given a choice between something fun and something that requires work, even when I know the payoff for the work is greater than the payoff for a momentary amusement.

Time for prayer or a reflection on Scripture at the same time a tempting movie is available on Netflix?

Time for my annual retreat when a great concert is in town that weekend?

Time for Sunday liturgy when I am out of town for a weekend of fun with friends?

Our culture, especially as we develop more and more ways of entertaining ourselves with electronics, is filled with distractions, sports, performing arts and excitement of all kinds.

We are highly developed in our consuming habits as well. Some seek comfort with the purchase of the latest in fashion, cars, trips and gathering new toys for our garages, entertainment centers and kitchens.

In today’s Gospel Jesus invites us to go deeper. A lot deeper. He wants us to recognize a reverse society. The poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame and street people…the fringe and the rejects…are to make up the crowd around the table at God’s banquet.

If I am too distracted by the world’s tinsel and glitter, I’ll miss what’s really important. I’ll feel self-sufficient and in control, the opposite feeling of the weak and vulnerable They can’t do for themselves and have little or no control. Yet, these are the one’s God assures will dine with him at the banquet.

To experience the joy of eating and drinking with the Lord at the Lord’s table, Jesus makes clear, we must set aside all that distracts us and feel the absolute dependence on God in every aspect of our brief lives.

Then we will savor every morsel at the Lord’s banquet.

Jim Wayne is a board member of the Passionists Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Office, state legislator, and author of The Unfinished Man. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Philippians 2:1-4
Luke 14:12-14

Reflection:

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves…  ~Philippians 2:3-4

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…  Luke 14:12-13

Why do we find it so difficult to accept and live the simple message of Jesus Christ, the son of God? If indeed we believe that he is God incarnate, shouldn’t we hold all of his instructions in the highest regard? Shouldn’t our days be filled with caring for others?

It is part of our human (you could say fallen) nature to disregard others. By default we believe WE are the center of the universe. We go about our days trying to avoid perceived threats and embarrassments. A close study of human behavior and even modern brain science shows this to be true. We forget that we are enjoined by our God to think of others before ourselves. At least for myself, I find that is only through prayer and meditation that I am even able to begin to approach holding my neighbor as a beloved child of God.

And, when I am able to truly see others as my brothers and sisters in Christ, it radically changes the way I approach my interactions with them.

It is said that we judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions. When I look at another as a child of God I begin to question my own judgment. I’m open to the possibility that they may also be working out of their best intentions and I simply misunderstand them. I find myself open to dialogue with them, to maintaining a relationship of understanding.

My prayer for today is that I see others through the eyes of Christ.

Talib Huff is a lay member of the retreat team at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. He may be reached at [email protected].