Daily Scripture

Ash Wednesday

Scripture:

Joel 2:12-18
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Reflection:

It is a human desire to want meaning in our lives and our deaths. We want to make a difference, and to leave a legacy behind. I remember riding in the car from the church to the cemetery on the day of my husband’s funeral, and I was shocked that people were going about their daily lives – shopping, gardening, and playing in the yard. I thought the world should stop, that flags should be lowered to half-mast, and everyone should note the death of this wonderful man.

After John died, our friends and colleagues were determined to make sure he did not “die in vain.” I’ve heard that phrase used so often, as we build memorials or foundations, rally to win a game or a season in their memory, or place their name on a building or street. In this case, John and I had done a lot of work with high school youth. So the town’s Jaycees created a scholarship in John’s name that would be given annually to a high school senior who showed outstanding service to others. I was deeply touched; especially when the first scholarship was awarded to a young woman we were particularly fond of who had truly stood out.

Yet, it has now been 35 years since John died, and 29 years since I moved away from the town. Neither the young people who receive the scholarship today nor most of the people giving the scholarship have a clue who he was or what his life meant. As I think about all that happened then and since, I’ve come to see that our lives are indeed lived in vain if all we leave behind are scholarships, awards, and recognitions with our names on them. Our lives and deaths are never in vain if we touch people’s hearts.

The young people John touched were forever changed by him, and that is how he lives on. I am a different person because John loved me, and that is how he lives on. His son is a funny, gracious, caring man, and that is how he lives on. Even though John’s life was far too brief, he did not live in vain, in ways that are more meaningful than any recognition or scholarship.

We are told today not to receive the grace of God in vain. While some of us may be called to do so, that doesn’t mean we have to proselytize on the street corners, or even work for the church. It doesn’t mean we have to lead fund-raising drives or be in the news. It certainly doesn’t mean we need to ensure we garner attention and praise for our service or our faith practices.

In fact, more often than not, it means we lead quiet lives focused on being fully transparent instruments of the grace we have received. It means we rend our hearts, not our garments, and allow God to change and mold us. It means we pray constantly, give alms, and love without measure. It means we consciously look for the divine in every person, even those who are different from ourselves, and that we treat each one with the dignity and respect due to Christ himself. It means we receive our “recognition” in smiles, hugs, and the knowledge that the love we give will be given to someone else in return.

As we begin Lent today, perhaps we can refocus on what it truly important, and renew our commitment to serve. May we live each day conscious of our privilege and responsibility as children of Love itself, and allow God to form us through this holy season, so we may not receive the grace of God in vain.

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:

James 1:1-11
Mark 8:11-13

Reflection:

During this past week, my family and I have been engrossed in the Olympic Games. Not only have the competitions, medal counts and uniforms caught our attention but also the stories of the athletes.  We hear that these athletes have been training since they were very young. Despite trials, hard times, broken bones, and homesickness, they persevered to attain their goal of becoming an Olympic athlete. The stories are truly inspiring.

In today’s first reading, we begin at the start of the Letter of James. Immediately after his greeting, he dives into the importance of trials and perseverance in our faith. “Consider it all joy my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2

We need perseverance to continue to grow in our lives and faith. As everyone knows, we have or will encounter trials often. Whether it be the loss of a job, illness, death of a loved one, or spiritual dryness; all of these trials and more can test our faith.

During these trying times in my life, I have always referred back to the saying “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Not particularly poetic, but there is some truth to it. Many of these trials do not kill us, but produce perseverance and endurance within us to run the race and fight the good fight. These trials remind us of the great grace, mercy and love that is bestowed on us by Christ.

From the example of the Olympic athletes, we know that this perseverance is not gained overnight. It is nurtured by a daily commitment to your passion. And in order to grow in our relationship with God, we must have passion for our faith. Making the daily effort to nurture this gift of faith will help to keep up our endurance and keep our eyes focused on Jesus.

So like these athletes, let us work hard towards our goals. “We will run and not grown weary, for our God will be our strength and we will fly like an eagle, we will rise again. We Will Rise Again.” David Haas

Kim Valdez is a former Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Mark 1:40-45

Reflection:

Today’s gospel is a story of risks, reversals and joyful disobedience.

In the times of Jesus, lepers were outcasts, condemned to live in isolation, ostracized from family, community, worship, marginalized even from hope.  Levitical law also required them to remain a safe distance from the general population in order avoid spreading their contagious disease.  Some believed that leprosy was God’s punishment for sin.

But the leper in today’s gospel is strikingly bold.  He disobeys Levitical restrictions and comes so close that Jesus can touch him.  “If you choose,” he tells Jesus, “you can make me clean.”  Without hesitation, with compassion, boldly, even recklessly Jesus touched the leper and said: “I do choose.  Be made clean.”  Immediately, the leprosy left him.  He ordered him to tell no one about this miracle, but to present himself to the priest to confirm that he is clean.  The man disobeys.  He does not go immediately to the priest.  He does not remain silent to the miracle.  Instead, he went out and proclaimed it everywhere.

By contrast, Jesus reversed places with the once leprous man.  Jesus, who had traveled freely everywhere, now was forced into isolation to avoid the crowds.  He now was forced to the margins.  In other words, Jesus took the place of the man he made clean.  Love always says and does what is necessary and works out the consequences later.

There is another reversal to consider.  By touching the leper, Jesus should have been contaminated.  However, it is not the leper who is contagious, but Jesus.  The leper does not transmit his disease to Jesus, but Jesus whose contagion of love transformed the leper to wholeness, making him clean, medically, spiritually and socially.  The Franciscan spiritual writer, Richard Rohr, says “pain that is not transformed is transmitted.”  Jesus lovingly touched his isolation and pain, and transformed him.

We are called imitate the leper’s bold faith and Jesus’ loving touch.  Like them, It demands of us that we risk crossing barriers and boundaries of convenience and comfort zone in order to reach out to the other, the one living in pain or loneliness.  Such faith and love begin with the words:  “I do choose.”

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

Scripture:

1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34
Mark 8:1-10

Reflection:

Throughout his public life, Jesus frequently lamented the misinterpretation of his message by those who used it to struggle for power. It began when he was a baby, when Herod so feared having his own power stripped away that he murdered innocent children in an effort to kill the newborn leader. Later, people throughout Judah, Galilee, and beyond thought Jesus should be a political Messiah, who would restore the Jews to greatness by throwing off Roman rule and regaining their power. The disciples argued about who would have the exalted position of sitting at his right hand when the kingdom of God came (obviously taking the word “kingdom” quite literally). All of them were focused on themselves, and especially on securing and ensuring as much power as they could achieve. And Jesus wept.

This contrast is clearly illustrated in today’s readings. Jereboam created golden idols and false temples, created his own version of the priesthood, and subverted his people in order to maintain his power, while Jesus sought solidarity with the thousands who had nothing to eat and set about feeding them without asking their credentials, verifying their culture or beliefs, or judging whether they were deserving. Jesus spent his entire ministry countering all the misguided attempts at overthrowing, regaining, retaining, or increasing the power of people, religions, or authorities. Instead, he went out of his way to heal anyone who came, to feed people body and soul, and to teach a message of inclusion, compassion, justice for the poor, and genuine love to the point of self-sacrifice. He tried mightily to correct the false beliefs about his Abba God, who is not a judgmental, vindictive force but a God of unconditional love who desires to be one with us and us with each other, imitating the bond of Jesus with God. He always considered others before himself, rather than shoving them aside and making sure he was first. In fact, he shed any semblance of power that others tried to thrust upon him, and worked for the common good and dignity of all.

So why, after all these years, do we still get it so wrong? It seems to me that too many of our political and legislative positions, with full backing and support by Christian and Catholic lawmakers, are aimed at cutting aid to the neediest and giving huge permanent tax breaks to the richest while “justifying” it with small temporary tax breaks for the lower and middle class. We turn a blind eye to the moral and ethical standing of our leadership, and ignore clear Catholic teaching that the means do not justify the ends, that evil and sin should not be tolerated even in order to get a desired result. We demean, insult, and exclude the “Gentiles” of our day – those of other countries, cultures, or faiths – rather than accepting them, welcoming them, and even learning from them. In an attempt to address this, when I talked with one pastor about the lack of preaching on Sundays about the Church’s social justice principles, he told me they are in the middle of a fund-raising campaign and can’t afford to alienate anyone. He, and many others, choose to remain silent and complacent.

My hope is that we may become an increasingly Christian country that is more like Jesus and more in line with Gospel principles. I fear that isn’t currently true. In the name of Christianity, our nation seems more focused on personal wealth, power and influence. We apathetically or even actively normalize abhorrent behavior and attitudes, and participate in misinformation or outright lies to cover it up. I believe Jesus weeps.

Of course, as always, I have to not only turn the lens on our political and national situation, but back onto myself. These things cannot happen without the acquiescence, or at least the apathy, of vast numbers of citizens. I try to act in my daily life. I do go out of my way to make people smile wherever I travel, to engage and value the cab drivers and hotel personnel who are so often of another culture or faith, and to do random acts of kindness many times a day. I facilitate a support group for widowed people who need healing. I march in protests, write to my Congressional representatives, and donate to organizations providing support, aid, and education to the poor. But no matter what I do it seems insufficient. I need to do more.

I admit that I have not written a letter to my bishop nor tried to encourage others to directly request parish-wide education and preaching on Catholic social justice. Outside of Church, I follow a growing trend in the U.S. of talking politics and justice mainly with people who agree with me about these issues, rather than seriously engaging and respectfully listening to those who take the opposite position, no matter how difficult those conversations may be. I must do better. Jesus’ words and life challenge me to see how I can act, in these and other ways, to become more like Him.

My ultimate goal is to be as transparent an instrument of Christ as I can be, bringing God’s peace, love, and justice to everyone I encounter. I hope that regardless of whether you agree with my political and religious positions, you may join me in that goal. May we also join in praying for worthy leaders willing to both live and enact Gospel principles, and direct our voting to that end. Let’s bring the reign of God to earth, so God’s will may be done and all people may see salvation together.

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 11:4-13
Mark 7:24-30

Reflection:

Perhaps there are many parents of young families who will readily identify with the need to ‘escape’ the daily demands of children even if for only a moment! Perhaps too there are numerous workers who will also resonate with the need to step aside from the hustle and bustle of daily pressures of the workplace and seek out a moment of solace.

At times I can truly envy a culture like that of Italy where many people actually stop in the middle of the day to rest and take ‘un riposo’ in the early afternoon. Even employees too far from their house to go home for such a rest, manage to sit quietly in a piazza sipping coffee and reading for an hour or two. Of course most then make up for this time by working till later in the day (with many families only eating their evening meal around 8pm).

But it is the idea of ‘rest’ that we might notice as we begin to contemplate today’s gospel. Jesus lived a public life and as such knew from time to time the need to step aside and rest awhile – a value he prescribed for his followers too.

However, today his plan is interrupted. Again it may be that only parents can connect with the desperation that drives this woman to invade the space and quiet that Jesus has sought. Her daughter is ill, and her love compels her to act unashamedly. She appeals and perseveres in her appeal even rebutting the responses that Jesus first says to her. Nevertheless she is undaunted and wins not only Jesus attention and admiration but also his help. He intervenes for her – even at a distance – and brings about recovery and new life for her daughter.

We might also notice the contrast between Solomon’s story in our first reading and that of the Syrophoenician woman in the gospel.  Here we have a telling contrast between a heart that is turned away from the Lord and one that is turning towards the Lord. Solomon with all his wisdom and a life history of a relationship with God experiences a time of weakness and falls away from God. In contrast a woman who represents a group who were not Jews turns to Jesus and presumes a favour from him.

Leaving the dialogue aside for a moment, let us simply notice the movement – to present oneself humbly and courageously to the Lord in all our joys and sorrows, in our rejoicing and in our times of need – it is one for us to imitate.

We are called to confidently approach Jesus at any and all times of need in our lives and to humbly and trustingly place our faith in his love for us and his desire to reach out to all men and women regardless of their situations. One does not have to be in a formal or organised group to be in relationship with Jesus. It is enough to desire his company and help and he will hear our cries.

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is a member of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.  He currently serves on the General Council and is stationed in Rome.

Scripture:

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13
Mark 6:53-56

Reflection:

I’m finding myself exhausted and exhilarated at the same time with the Gospels we have reflected on over the last three weeks.  The healing stories of Jesus in the early chapters of Mark’s gospel seem almost unlimited.  People bring to Jesus an endless line of people who are broken and the medical condition of many of these people is certainly not light.  Today’s gospel is no different.  Even in a new region, Jesus is identified and a whole new group of people are in need of his healing energy.   How does Jesus respond?  He responds with generosity and compassion.   It seems there is no limit to Jesus’ resourcefulness and his ability to restore.

And yet the church pairs today’s Gospel with the the Old Testament reading of Solomon dedicating the new temple and the Spirit of the Lord filling and occupying this dwelling.  This is a public communal display, a regal, majestic, ritual.  It is history in the making.  Recall where this story begins.  It was David saying here I am in this luxury palace while the Lord God dwells in a tent.  So David decides to build a dwelling that is befitting for the Lord God.  And the Lord humorously asks him, You are going to build me a house?   Of course David dies before this happens leaving his son Solomon the task of finishing his father’s desire.  Completely as a side note; How do you ask God to move into a building?  The thought of this reminds me of when I was a child and we built a little dog house for the puppy and the puppy didn’t really like his new house.  Yet Solomon’s desire and effort doesn’t get rejected by the Holy One.  On the contrary, God honors the work and dedication and the Glory of the Lord fills the Temple.  It must have been a celebrated day for the people of Jerusalem.

This reading leaves me reflecting on how we make items, events, places, special, significant, even holy or sacred.   As a priest, I’m frequently asked to bless rosaries, religious items and houses.   Bishops bless churches, altars and significant sacramental items.   Yet beyond the ecclesial structures we all have certain days that are special:  anniversaries, birthdays, graduations… We have sentimental items which connect us back to loving relationships.  We have objects such as wedding rings, which represent something so much more valuable than the object.  Perhaps we have china that is only used on special days thus stating today is a very special day.   Some of us have holy cards of people who have died that throwing them out would just feel wrong.  There are places which are special to us as well.  Perhaps it was an event that happened at that place or a feeling we have when we enter a place.   Regardless, part of being human is having the capacity to say certain places, events, items are special.  And when they transcend the human circle these things even become sacred.  With this in mind, the more we bring God into our lives the number of items, events and places which are special even sacred escalates.  I honestly couldn’t even begin to make a list of the holy places, people, events, or items which are sacred to me.

Invert this.  Instead of us trying to bring God into our realm, the incarnation is about God coming to us and suddenly we find Jesus who says, there really is something good about humanity.  Human life matters.    So in Mark’s gospel, when Jesus never seems to tire of healing the broken, each person Jesus encounters is a sacred encounter.  Each person Jesus heals is a sacred encounter.  Restoring people again to a place where God would intend them to be restores human dignity and is a sacred encounter.   Each person Jesus speaks to in any teaching is an encounter with the divine one of God and thus a sacred encounter.

And if I may take this one step further.  This is never a show for Jesus.  He never needs attention, nor does he act like raising someone from the dead is more exhausting than curing a simple headache.  Because it is not about comparisons; it is not about him.  He teaches and heals to reveal the Father and the love God has for us.   While some people in the Gospel stories may be bringing their loved ones to Jesus wondering if he has the ability to heal them, for Jesus it is not about his power or his giftedness.  It is about revealing the love of his father.  It’s all about proclaiming how much the Father loves and cares for us.  And in doing so, it is all sacred.

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Job 7:1-4,6-7
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23
Mark 1:29-39

Reflection:

No Rest for the Good…

Today’s Gospel selection from Mark has a very unique “mother-n-law” story.  Peter was worried about his mother-in-law, bedridden with a serious fever – perhaps like the current flu outbreak in the U.S.  Jesus is told of her condition, and He comes, takes her by the hand and helps her from her bed – and she’s healed!  But, surprisingly she begins to wait on Jesus and His disciples who were likely hungry (and perhaps road-worn) young adults.  No rest for her!  She mirrored Jesus generous, outgoing spirit in her “waiting on them”.

The Gospel narrative continues the story with Jesus again being called upon to heal the crowds that came to the door…people who were physically ill, some even possessed by demons.  And He healed them!  No rest for Him!  Rising early the next day, Jesus senses the need to get away and pray, perhaps to further ponder the physical and human suffering which He witnessed and was constantly being called upon to heal.  Still, “no rest for the good”; Simon looks for Jesus and tells Him that even more people are looking for Him and His healing love.  Jesus responds by saying He needs to move on and preach in the nearby villages…His mission.  No rest for the good!  Jesus generously ministers God’s gracious love!

Saint Paul in the reading from his 1^st letter to the Corinthians notes that his missionary work comes from stewardship of God’s love shared with him.  His sense of duty compels him to generously proclaim the Good News of Jesus; “woe to me if I do not preach it!” “…to save at least some.” No rest for the good:  Paul generously ministers God’s gracious love.

Thus, the Question:  As believers, how do we reflect the generous spirit of Jesus?  How do we spread the Good News in our day?  By virtue of our Baptism, we each have a vocation (married, single, priestly/religious) which is further focused in the talents and direction we’ve given our lives (e.g. parent, teacher, manager, professional person, student, health care worker, etc.).  How do we witness God’s Love, Life, Joy in our world of violence and fear, of poverty and loneliness, of mistrust and selfishness?  The needs are great; our resources seem limited; and, often…no rest for the good!  Jesus says:  let’s go!

We are to be grateful for our faith — however vibrant it is.  Following Jesus’ example and serving in His Name, God’s healing, transforming and exciting Love and Life transforms all of creation.  Our Super Bowl weekend cheer:  “Praise God, for God is good!” (Psalm 147)

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

Scripture:

1 Kings 3:4-13
Mark 6:30-34

Reflection:

In the first reading, Solomon asked God for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” (1 Kings 3:9) If you could have anything in the world, what would you ask for? Solomon showed such great wisdom with his request! I think most leaders today would ask for more power, wealth or territory.

In these tumultuous times, we need leaders who have understanding and compassionate hearts to govern wisely and to care for the least among us. We also need the world to realize that there is such a thing as right and wrong. Moral relativism is killing us. I hear this statement way too often: “Well, I’d never do that but I can’t say someone else shouldn’t do it.”

Aren’t we just like the “sheep without a shepherd” Jesus was talking about in today’s Gospel? The Good News is that Jesus was “moved with pity” for them. As Christians, we too need to be moved with pity for those who are lost and don’t know Jesus. We need to pray for our world, for our countries, for our family, friends, neighbors, and for the strangers among us. We need prayer warriors!

One of the treasures we have as Catholics is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Jim and I joined a little group at our parish that meets four times a week to pray the rosary. On Tuesdays, we pray the Chaplet. “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” Such a simple prayer, but so powerful! Jesus wants to flood our world with his love and mercy, and He needs us to be his instruments.

Thank you Lord for all those who intercede for our world, especially our vowed religious, who have sacrificed so much to follow You. May we all, empowered by our times of prayer with You, become joyful, loving, compassionate witnesses of your life-giving love.

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Bainbridge Island, Washington,  and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Janice also leads women’s retreats and recently published her second book: God IS with Us. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.janicecarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected].