Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Wisdom 6:1-11
Luke 17:11-19

Reflection:

Faith is central to Christianity. It is a fundamental feature of the spiritual life. Yet faith is often misunderstood as an assent to doctrinal statements. When Jesus says to the Samaritan leper, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you,” he is not suggesting the mended man has embraced a creedal statement or a philosophical principle. The faith Jesus speaks of is a capacity to affirm life, not a capability to believe a dogma.

Capability refers to a potential aptitude, skill or ability; while capacity indicates the possibility of containing something. A machine has the capability of accomplishing a task; a pitcher has capacity to hold water. Capability may get something accomplished; capacity is availability to receive.

To suggest that faith is a capacity implies that a certain feature of emptiness is necessary if we are to receive Spirit in any of its forms – graces or healings. Emptiness always means empty of something. A cup is empty of coffee. The tank is empty of gas. When we are empty of the ego we are available to be filled with Spirit.

The egocentric ego is full of itself. When in its grip, we take our thoughts, our opinions, our desires, and our self so seriously. The inflated sense of self revels in its capability to achieve and be productive.

Stress reduction programs are not the answer this problem. Ego reduction courses would be much more effective. Then, moving though life with an open mind and an open heart, we would be available for the surprising encounters with Spirit.

Fr. Joe Mitchell, CP is the director of the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

See his website: http://www.earthandspiritcenter.org/

Scripture:

Wisdom 2:23-3:9
Luke 17:7-10

Reflection:

My sister told me that when Dad knew he was dying, he looked at her and said, “Don’t forget me, OK?” The question might seem silly, as if any of his ten kids would ever forget their father. Yet I have seen it over and over again. Dying people want to know their life made a difference, had some meaning, touched someone, and left enough of a legacy to endure. Likewise, survivors of a loved one’s death are hungry to know that someone else remembers besides them, that their loved one’s absence leaves a void in the world and they will not be forgotten. There is a deep longing in the human soul to live on and to know our loved ones live on as well.

Scripture describes it best when it says that we were formed to be “imperishable” in the image of God’s own nature. Some theologians, in fact, argue that our deep-seated desire for immortality is evidence that we are indeed immortal, that there is life beyond our earthly tenure. However, it does not change the fact that we are anything but imperishable in this life.

In my work with grieving people, I have come to see how important it is to honor that desire for memory and legacy. I often use a quote from tribal tradition: “No one is ever truly dead from this earth until there is not a person left alive who speaks their name or tells their story.” Why, then, do we tell mourners to put it behind them and get on with life? Why do we talk about anyone and everyone except the person who died? Why do we literally avoid saying the name and telling the story? It is not what the grieving person wants. It is not what the deceased person deserves. But it sure does make it easier and more comfortable to avoid the topic.

In reality, we never “put it behind us and get on with life.” We have to let go of that person’s physical presence; we will not hear the laugh again, feel the hug, or see them in their favorite chair. But we heal by creating memories out of what can no longer be, and carrying them with us into the future. We carry the life, love, lessons, stories, and memories, knowing that we are different because this person lived and died.

If you want to support a grieving person, don’t be afraid to say the name and tell the stories. Call them on the person’s birthday. Take them for coffee and share stories about their loved one. (Yes, you can include the good and the bad. Recognize that we’re not perfect people; we’re just people doing the best we can with what we’ve got, and we all mess up). Send a card on some of the monthly anniversaries letting them know you’re thinking of them and remembering with them. Accompany them to an All Souls service. Deliver flowers or comfort food or a bottle of wine on the anniversary of the death. In big and small ways, help their loved one live on in memory and story.

It can seem counter-cultural in our society that wants to deny death and grief. Ignore society. Take the chance to love someone that well, to laugh and cry together, to help them heal, and to make a difference in another’s life. Be the face of Christ to them when they most need you.

Interestingly, the more you can do that, the more “imperishable” you become. You build a legacy of love and care that is more meaningful than any physical monument, accolade, or award, and people will remember you long after you are gone. And if we can all build that kind of legacy, who knows what might happen? I suspect we may bring about the kingdom of God on this earth.

 

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:

Wisdom 1:1-7
Luke 17:1-6

Reflection:

“Lord, increase our faith….” Is such a profound request by the disciples following Jesus’ teaching, because to truly live out what he suggests demands that our faith be strengthened. Frankly, unless we can better understand the mystery that our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3), his teaching makes no sense. We are told that sin never leaves us in this life; just like the parable of the weeds among the wheat, sin is to accompany us until the day we see God as followers of Christ—as we discern how to act.

What I find very tricky is the idea that I am “to rebuke” my brother when he sins; this feels as if I’m sitting in judgement on him. Even more challenging can be the infinite opportunities to forgive. This—forgiveness—can actually be seen as weakness, especially in our current culture where strong words of retribution flood and contaminate the airwaves. At the very least this can keep us off balance. Further, we may fear our voice will be drowned out; maybe we risk being dropped from our group of friends. This was true when Luke wrote to his audience and remains true today. So why even bother? No wonder the disciples asked for an increase of faith!

“Faith is letting God be God in your life,” says Fr. Bruno DeSouza C.P. of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center. It is an individual gift cultivated by prayer and surrender to God. It is knowing experientially that “the Spirit of the Lord fills the world and is all-embracing.” It is beholding all that is beautiful and tending to the holy in our midst as our first reading suggests. Letting go of all that contaminates our soul in these confusing times opens us up to savor the gift of life with thankful hearts; our Manna from heaven for today.

“Faith is stepping out into the unknown with nothing but a hand just beyond our grasp.” Fredrick Buechner

Faith helps us believe that God is present filling and embracing the whole world—somehow, someway—even as we witness acts of senseless violence and family discord. So, let us press on intentionally, to cultivate all that is true and pure in our hearts. Then we will know how to act in all situations by bringing the love of Christ to life. I believe what Christ is really saying here once again is to, “love one another.”

Lord Jesus, ignite in each of us the seed of love planted before the foundation of the world as we were formed in the silence of our mother’s womb.

May we set the world on fire with your love, today. Amen.

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:

Wisdom 6:12-16
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

Reflection:

A meditation on the symbolism of “oil” in those lamps of ours, and the grace of wisdom.

 There are times when the act of making a sacrifice” is to allow yourself, or even make yourself, take “time” (actual minutes) to do what you will do in eternity! (hopefully). Taking time is so valuable, enriching, life-giving, and, “saving” (as in resuscitation/revival). However, like every faith act, there are no guarantees because we are surrendering to God the outcome of our wishes and desires. It is out of our control as to the answer to our prayers.

 Remember St. Paul’s words last weekend? “The Word is uplifted and for this reason we, too, give thanks to God unceasingly, that in receiving the Word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the Word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.”

(1 Thess. 2:13) Yes, the key here is “you who believe.” No, I cannot rely on my own power here. But, oh my, if I can only act and let go. Remember faith is counter to anything in our world. Especially as regard “guaranteed results.”

First, dwell for a moment on the “energy” of wisdom. I define it as “grace with action.” Wisdom is not just something above the eyebrows, it moves us. Often we don’t realize till long after how something within caused us to act in an unexpected, but right, manner. It is not only the quality or state of being a wise person, it is the knowledge of what is true or right coupled with action upon our wisdom for other’s sake. Ponder the following as to what is said about her.

First, “she is readily perceived by those who love her.” Simply said, love is primarily “paying attention with care.” And, second, wisdom is found by those who deliberately ask or seek her. It does take your intention,  deliberate focus, for the Holy Spirit to fully engage with us. God’s love for us respects our free will. And, if you notice carefully, “in anticipation” means it takes a lot of “waiting,” but it is expectant, faith-filled waiting on the Lord.

All of this is said in order to “be prepared” on any given day, to be open to the Wisdom of the Spirit, for someone else’s sake. This gift of wisdom is a gift for others, not ourselves. That is why we are inspired with wisdom in the first place.

The oil in the parable of the foolish and wise virgins symbolizes our readiness for God’s grace today, just today. The oil could not be transferred to the foolish virgins because one cannot pass on to another the capability of “readiness.” Grace, wisdom teach us how to be ready. And because we are missionary disciples, sent by God to others, we assume trust, and anticipate that we will be prepared for whomever God sends on our path.The daily tasks necessary to prepare ourselves for doing something with the wisdom we receive through – prayer, acts of forgiveness and generosity, trust in providence.  These are comparable to the minor sacrifices and inconveniences of the wise virgins.

None of this “makes sense” until later, sometimes much later as to how you responded to or got through a critical, and personal situation where you trusted that God would come through with you lovingly acting, acting towards others with care, overcoming inconvenience and fear. Be wise through Christ.

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P., is the administrator at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Scripture:

Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27
Luke 16:9-15

Reflection:

At first glance, today’s gospel sounds rather disturbing.  “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings,” Jesus tells his disciples.  He had just shared a parable about a dishonest steward and his master.  It sounds as though Jesus is instructing his disciples to be as dishonest as that steward.  This, of course, is not the message.  What Jesus is saying is that we ought to use our spiritual wisdom with the same zeal and commitment as the steward used his dishonest business wisdom.

And while Jesus’ parable is ostensibly about money, it really is more about values.  It is quite possible to be wealthy and still enjoy God’s favor.  The question is not about how much money one has, but about how much one loves money and clings to it.  Jesus was challenging a popular belief of the times, that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, and poverty a sign of God’s displeasure – the prosperity theology popular even to day among some Christians.  Perhaps, this is why the Pharisees “sneered” at Jesus.  The word “sneer” in the Greek is ekmykterizo, and it means literally to turn one’s nose up at someone.  The Pharisees’ turned up their noses at Jesus’ warning about serving God or serving one’s wealth and possessions.

Mammon will do no good in the kingdom.  This currency will have no value.  True wealth comes from faithfulness in serving God and others.  The disciples of Jesus – that includes us – are called to use our resources generously so that when it’s gone, we will be welcomed into the kingdom.  But what is the welcome Jesus is referring to?  Is it the welcome of the angels and saints?  The rabbis of old may have the answer with their saying: “The rich help the poor in this world, but the poor help the rich in the world to come.”  That would be joyful welcome indeed.

A final thought.  Some may believe this gospel isn’t for them, since they’re not wealthy.  True, most of us may not have great financial wealth.  But we all have another kind of wealth, a more valuable wealth, like love, forgiveness, and compassion.  This is the wealth all can share with the poor.  This is the true coin of God’s realm.  Now who can turn their nose up at that wealth?

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

Scripture:

Romans 15:14-21
Luke 16:1-8

Reflection:

Today’s reading is hard because Jesus seems to be upholding being dishonest/unethical and protecting your own back as a prudent way of being. But I think the message goes deeper.

This steward didn’t care about the poor people who owed money and goods to his master…UNTIL… he saw things from the other side. He realized that he would soon be fired and therefore joining the ranks of those without money or resources. There is no substitute for truly encountering those in need and imagining oneself walking in their shoes for gaining motivation to help. In this case, yes, the steward was trying to pave his own path by having people feel grateful and indebted to him. But in the process, and through putting himself in their shoes, perhaps he realized the value of generosity, the reciprocity of compassion, and the fundamental truth that this is the way we should all be dealing with each other anyway.

Interestingly, the master wasn’t angry at him for depriving his business of payment, which may reflect the likelihood that those payments were inflated to the highest level possible, allowing the powerful master to take advantage of the powerless to line his own pockets. Perhaps, ironically, the master saw that a little easing of a debtor’s burden could be a way to increase his business even more, thereby generating good will and gratitude among customers who would spread the word about the benefits of working with him.

In other words, Jesus was pointing out that businesspeople who get in trouble or who act out of pure self-interest often act more kindly to people than so-called Christians act toward one another in the regular course of their day. In fact, our society today is rapidly turning viciously mean-spirited and judgmental, and the worst of the offenses are often led by people who claim they are Christians acting according to the Word of God. What an indictment! Christ is being crucified by his own followers.

There is a social experiment in which participants are asked to create laws for a society without knowing whether they will be at the top or the bottom of that society. The laws created were more just and equal than anything that currently exists. When we believe we honestly could be next in line to suffer whatever dignity or difficulty we see around us, it would change us profoundly.

For instance, what if every Christian of means lived for at least one week without the money, home, and privilege to which we are accustomed, to truly discover what it’s like for those without it to try to survive? What if non-minority Christians stood side-by-side with our minority brothers and sisters to insist on equal justice, equal opportunity, equal education, and equal wages? What if rather than trying to ban them from the country, Christians stood up for those of other faiths, learning from them, breaking bread together, and defending them from those who would do them harm simply because of their garments or beliefs? What if all Christians could truly listen to and have respectful dialogue with those who disagree politically so we could understand each other and find common ground instead of issuing death threats, refusing all compromise, cutting off connections, and proclaiming judgment on their souls?

Unlike the dishonest steward, we are called to compassion, empathy, and action, not because it enriches us financially, but because we are instruments of Christ in a hurting world. As St. Paul is fond of saying, we should out-do each other in generosity and love, rather than looking out for our own interests, building barriers that keep others away, judging as lazy or unworthy those of lesser means, and allowing fear and mistrust to define our interactions with those of a different skin color, culture, religion, or life.

Can we reverse the indictment? Can we stop putting our own interests first, and live as disciples of the Gospel? What lessons might we learn and what hard places in our hearts might be softened if we do whatever is necessary to share in the sufferings of others and experience the fact that all of us are children of the one God, intimately connected one to the other and deserving of utmost respect?

We need to stop operating by the rules of me-first business and instead operate as disciples of Jesus Christ. Our brothers and sisters cry out from one end of this nation to the other, from one end of the earth to the other. Can we hear? And can we act?

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/.

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Scripture:

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
John 2:13-22

Reflection:

The lectionary for today’s feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran offers a wide selection of readings on the Church.

The story of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10) is omitted this year, being replaced by the readings for the feast of the Presentation of Mary. Using it today links the Church to the mystery of the Kingdom of God. In contrast to the wealthy ruler who kept the commandments but grows sorrowful at Jesus’ invitation to leave his possessions and follow him, Zacchaeus, also a wealthy and powerful man, is a ‘sinner’. Joyfully he comes down the tree. His declaration that he is just and uses his money in a proper way is responded to by Jesus who calls him ‘a child of Abraham’. He opens the door for Jesus to enter his house; the door to the Kingdom has opened wide for him.

We may see the facet of Church, the house of the people of God, where we gather to meet Our Lord, and where our gracious host affirms us in generosity and love. We may catch glimpses of Our Lord in our daily game of hide and seek, but he we celebrate the Word and share the Eucharist , and like Zacchaeus, have a personal encounter.

The responsorial  Psalm 122 says ‘we go up to the house of the Lord’. Zacchaeus ‘comes down’. The humble are once again exalted.

We may ooh and ah at the beauty of a church building, perhaps our cathedral or the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Today we remember that our most humble church building finds meaning in its connection with St. John Lateran. As the cathedral of Rome, it is our Mother Church, we can feel at home there even from a distance, even if we have never seen it. John Chrysostom describes us in our new creation as the community of the baptized by comparing us to a church. Before baptism we are like a building with doors hanging off their hinges, neglected, run down, a place danger and chaos. After baptism we are beautiful, a place of welcome and gracious hospitality. We gather as Church, we are connected. In the reading of

1 Corinthians (3:9-13,16-17) Paul says that our foundation is Jesus, nothing other. Each of us builds upon that foundation. “The temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.” We bring our gifts; we make it beautiful and welcoming.

In the Church the table of bounteous blessing groans under the weight of what God sets before us. Here God listens to our prayer. We can be in speechless wonder (Isaiah 56:1,6-7). When the temple was blessed everyone fled as the cloud of God filled it. Isaiah sums up well our celebration, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people’…Here I will set the soles of my feet’, says God. Or as Annie Dillard suggests, we ought to wear crash helmets and fastener seat belts when we gather to praise God. We do not know the surprise of Our Lord’s coming among us.

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

Scripture:

Romans 13:8-10
Luke 14:25-33

Reflection:

To live in our Generalate House in Rome – the Monastery of Saints John and Paul (in Italian Ss. Giovanni e Paolo) – is literally to ‘live amidst history’!

Part of this history is the bell tower of the Basilica church next to our Monastery. This tower was built in the 12th Century upon the foundation stones of a 1st Century Temple (but that is another story!). The builder of our 12th century tower was a construction company that originated in either north Africa or Spain (which at the time was under the Moors). This ‘company’  came to Rome with a plan for towers and with the labour force and expertise to build them. They were commissioned by many people to build their towers all across Rome and Sts. John and Paul’s was one such customer.

But being a company with workers from countries under Islamic rule, and in order to keep good relations their Muslim workers, the supervisors would allow the workers to decorate parts of the tower with ceramic plates bearing Islamic designs and inscriptions dedicated to Allah. Thus our bell tower – although dedicated to a Christian site and bearing symbols of the cross – is in fact also partly decorated in an Islamic fashion. An early version of inter-faith collaboration, and certainly a sign of a more tolerant time perhaps! (Today the original Islamic plates have been replaced by replicas and the originals have been moved to a museum for safe preservation).

This simple account of the story behind our ‘tower’ might serve as an illustration for our gospel text today. For certainly construction in the time of Jesus, no less than the centuries to follow, was quite a specialised skill. Building skills were often limited to a select few and passed from generation to generation within the one family. One did not attempt major building projects without having the necessary finances, access to the appropriate stone resources and most importantly having the right workforce to build successfully.

Perhaps there had been spectacular failures to successfully construct small towers that dotted the landscape of Jesus’ world. These semi-completed or collapsed towers would form a clear backdrop, a glaring ‘visual’ prop for the lesson that Jesus was trying to teach.

And what is that lesson for us today?

Clearly this Gospel text refutes any suggestion that we can be satisfied to only follow Jesus in a superficial manner. Rather the words and illustrations that Jesus uses are a challenge, a call to embrace our discipleship wholeheartedly and to commit ourselves to the ‘journey’ of discipleship. It is a reminder that there will be difficulties along the way, but it also assures us that with awareness, with planning and preparation we can persevere and be successful.

Like the many crosses dotted in our tower, the Cross itself is the great symbol of Christian life – it is the sign of a salvation that has been won for us all. But the cross is also a symbol and powerful reminder that the way forward towards this inheritance, this free gift of God, is not without its costs and challenges.

Towers are built brick by brick, according to a clear vision and with commitment, daily labour and determination. Christian discipleship likewise is achieved by women and men taking up their crosses each day and following in the way of Jesus – step by step.

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.