Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Daniel 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95
John: 8: 31-42

Reflection:

Today we hear that wonderful story of the three brothers, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to worship a foreign god, even when directly confronted by the all-powerful King Nebuchadnezzar.  Their refusal to bend to the King’s command earned them a death sentence by fire.  God directly intervened and protected them from the fires of the furnace.  When he saw them walking around unharmed in the blazing furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar had a profound change of heart and not only freed them but also came to believe in the God of Israel.

In the Gospel, we find Jesus debating with Jews, trying to help them understand who He was and accept his mission.  Jesus wanted them to know that becoming his disciples was a path to true freedom and an unbreakable relationship with God.  Because of God’s faithful care for them in the past, they find it very hard to recognize the truth of Jesus’ teaching.  They rebel and many walk away. 

The contrast between King Nebuchadnezzar’s change of heart and the Jews hardness of heart is striking.  It’s almost as if the fact that the people of Israel had received so much already through Moses, their scriptures and traditions, that they were blinded to the fullness of the revelation of Jesus.  I wonder if that doesn’t sometimes happen to us.  We have already received so many blessings in our lives that we are afraid to risk recognizing Jesus in our midst right now.  Clearly, today’s readings invite us to both cherish the relationship we already have with God and to keep alert to God’s call to me today to recognize him active and present in our world.

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is a member of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Community in Sierra Madre, California.

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary

Scripture:

2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a

Reflection:

On this beautiful Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Church calls us to ponder the powerful witness of the foster father of Christ and spouse of Mary. He is a man we do not know by his words but rather by his actions. However, Scripture does supply us with one word to describe him…righteous. This is a word that is also used by St. Paul to describe Abraham in today’s second reading.

The word righteous today commonly carries with it a negative connotation, because we often tacitly attach the word “self” to it. The self-righteous person considers himself to be the measure of what is good and holy. He is the Pharisee who looks at the penitent tax collector and thinks he is blessed not to be like him. Jesus tells us that such a man will not be justified. (Luke 18:9-14)

One who is truly righteous, however, understands that only God can judge a person’s soul, even one’s own soul. Thus, a righteous heart is also a humble and merciful heart. When righteous, one also acknowledges the right order of reality where God is the both the source of all things and our ultimate goal. Jesus has promised that those who hunger and thirst for this understanding will be satisfied. (Matt 5:6) Abraham’s righteousness was satisfied through many sons. Joseph’s was satisfied through one, the Son of God.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Megan Silas is a Lay Passionist at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62, or 13:41c-62
John 8:1-11

Reflection:

Let the one among us without sin cast the first stone… 

I came to a very poignant realization as a group of very dear and important people in my life were made aware of a very delicate issue in society. This particular issue goes against the teachings of the church. 

And having discussed this issue with my group of married couples from our church, I came to another realization – I am a sinner. We are all sinners, in one way or another. I cannot throw the first stone. I cannot judge or condemn because there is One before me who will take that roll at the end of our days. But we can be unceasingly compassionate when we see those we love in pain, maybe from choices they have made for their children, or maybe from choices made for themselves. And haven’t we all, at some point, been unfaithful? Unfaithful to our dedication to God, our prayer life, our mission on earth? 

There is a condemnation of this woman of sin – people think that she should get what she deserves, just as many thought – no, believed – Jesus deserved crucifixion. In the adulterous woman, everyone sees their own sin. In my many years, I am learning that to write someone off for something they have done is not what Jesus wants from us. We must love everyone, as the products of a failed religious society, knowing that whatever they have decided to do with their lives we must be there for them to show our compassion. It doesn’t mean we shift our moral compass to make sure everyone gets what they believe they need. We follow the guidelines of our God to do what is right. 

The reflection of those around us can be similar to what we experience in our own lives. I see myself in others; but now I see and remember that I have sinned, and those around me are as perfect as I am. 

As you experience life around you, be the compassionate and merciful one, just as our God in Heaven.

God bless you all.

Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Hebrews 5:7-9
John 12:20-33

Reflection:

Life comes through death. That’s the unsettling, though absolutely unmistakable, message of the gospel for this Fifth Sunday of Lent. Jesus announces, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,” but proceeds to reveal that his unsurpassable glory will come in a way that not only confounds our ordinary understanding of glory but calls it completely into question. For Jesus, the path to glory is through suffering and death—through the scandal of the Cross. Indeed, it is precisely when Jesus seems absolutely powerless, broken and defeated, that his glory will be most resplendent. This means, shockingly, that God is most clearly revealed in the crucified Christ, in the scourged, wounded, and bloodied body of Jesus. Think back to the request with which today’s gospel begins: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” To see Jesus is the deepest desire of our lives—it’s what we want more than anything else—but this passage from John’s gospel insists that we cannot truly see Jesus without looking at the Cross; indeed, any attempt to see Jesus apart from the Cross is not to see him at all.

But if life comes through death for Jesus, life also comes through death for us. This is why in today’s gospel Jesus says: “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” If we cling tightly to our lives; if we never grow beyond ourselves; if we never bother to love; if we constantly take more than we give, valuing ourselves over others, making ourselves the center of our own puny universe, we will not have life at all. But if we “die to self” through acts of generosity; through practicing justice and embodying compassion; through heartfelt forgiveness and an endless supply of mercy; and especially if we commit to a love that never gives up, we will know fullness of life.

Life comes through death. It’s the paschal mystery, the heart of our faith and the source of our hope. And it’s a truth worth pondering in these last weeks of Lent.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the Passionist Family of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 11:18-20
John 7:40-53

Reflection:

The journey continues with our dive into the Gospel of John. The dispute between Jesus and the Jewish authorities is revving up. At the heart of the issue is Jesus’ declared relationship with the Father and healing on the Sabbath. The Jewish authorities stubbornly hold tightly to the Letter of the Law. Jesus observes the law but points to the Spirit of the Law.

Once there was a Japanese lieutenant in the Imperial Army during World War II. His name was Hiroo Onoda. Japan’s defeat was imminent, so the Japanese commanding forces sent him to the Philippines to sabotage the Allied Landing strips and to spy on Allied troops. To the rest of the world, the war ended in 1945, but not to Hiroo. He refused to go and stayed behind in the Philippines, 29 years until his commander came to reverse the order.

The Jewish Authorities had several encounters with Jesus but were not changed. The soldiers sent to arrest Jesus were struck by Jesus’ words. The authorities accuse the soldiers of being deceived. The leading authorities were spiritually blinded, certain of their own righteousness. The Scripture expands on the theme in John 9 with the healing of the man blind since birth and the reaction of the authorities.

In what areas of my life do I have spiritual blinders and stubbornness? The Lord touches our entire being with awesome words and deeds. May he touch our hearts in a special way this Lenten season! God’s blessings!

Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP, is the Associate Director of Ministry at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.

Scripture:

Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22
John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Reflection:

Our Lenten Gospel today begins by saying that Jesus didn’t travel to Judea because there was a group of people trying to kill him.  This is one of several instances where the author reveals to the reader how a group of people are out to get Jesus.  The attitude among Jesus’ enemies suggested that if Jesus could just be bumped off, life could be more predictable and they could get back to business as usual.  Jesus’ words and teachings highly influenced the common people. Yet at the same time these same words confronted the dishonesty of the religious leaders, who had grown very comfortable with their untruthfulness.  Impressive to me, as the gospel continues, is Jesus’ testimony to his Father even with the thoughts of death becoming a reality.

I’ve had a strongly similar inclination this Lenten season in praying the Stations of the Cross.  For some reason, the final two stations: station thirteen when Jesus is taken down from the cross and station fourteen, when Jesus’ body is laid in the tom, have both left me with a similar sentiment.   The religious leaders and the Romans are out of the picture.  Jesus is no more a threat to them and having achieved their task  the Sadducee’s can go back to life the way they want it to be.  For them, Jesus was a trouble maker who got in the way of their authority and challenged their moral code.

On a personal level, I’m left wondering about the times of past attitudes where I pondered fantasies of the grandiose lifestyle I would be living if I didn’t believe in Jesus or didn’t have a desire to follow his teachings.  If Jesus wasn’t part of my life, I know I would be justifying actions to get ahead, to make money, to push the envelope even at the expense of others.  At a simplistic level, if Jesus isn’t in the picture, then why I should return my neighbor’s property I borrowed last fall?

On the level of humanity I see this attitude flowing into weekly events in the news.  When I hear stories of price gouging or genocide, human experimentation where greed has taken over and the person being interviewed simply says that they, “didn’t do anything illegal.”  While it may not have violated a specific code of law, it was far from a moral code that thinks beyond one’s selfishness.  They may have not done anything illegal, but their actions have rippled waves of destruction even into future generations.   The bottom line is how easy it is to justify our actions and behaviors if we get Jesus out of the picture.

It certainly isn’t a new idea.  Today the book of Wisdom reminds us that this mode of thinking has been going on for centuries even before Jesus’ birth.  “Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings.” If we don’t have to act out of justice, if we govern our lives by the things we personally desire to give us personal fulfillment, temporary happiness, or false security, and we  selfishly make these decisions without any consideration of others, then we are probably in pretty sinful place as we justify our behaviors.  When we are in a good place we know how erroneous this thinking can become.  But when we are in that self-centered place it is truly difficult to see our blindedness.  The first reading concludes, “These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them.”

To me, as a Passionist, this is where the cross of Jesus comes back into the picture.  When I look at the cross I can’t push Jesus out of the picture.  In a real tangible way, Jesus once again is my savior, saving me from my sinfulness. The first week of Lent I did something a little unconventional.  I walked through the Stations of the Cross backwards.  Rather than start with Pilate and Jesus being condemned to death, I started at station fourteen when Jesus was finally out of the picture.  I never made it past station eleven, when Jesus is nailed to the Cross. I stood there thinking about times we have pushed Jesus out of the picture, and the salvation of Jesus on the cross.  And I understood salvation in a whole new way.

I pray you are having a blessed Lent.

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:31-47

Reflection:

Dare we compare the ‘molten calf’ of Moses’ time and today’s rampant materialism? Have we allowed ourselves to be ensnared in a culture where material possessions are deified, perhaps even worshipped? Could our devotion to material wealth, even subconscious devotion, have eclipsed our reverence for higher values? Has the pursuit of a kingdom possibly resembling Gordon Gekko’s overshadowed the importance of God’s Kingdom in our lives?

During Lent, we are called to rekindle our dedication to almsgiving. Almsgiving serves as a delightful departure from hoarding wealth, contrasting 180 degrees with the tendencies of unbridled materialism. It elevates the importance of connections and experiences over mere possessions. Rather than exerting control over others to safeguard our riches, almsgiving empowers others through support and aid. It steers us away from superficial joys tied to belongings, guiding us towards a more profound sense of fulfillment and authentic happiness as we choose to share our time and resources.

The avenues for almsgiving are plentiful and diverse. We can opt for home-cooked meals over dining out, curtail unused app subscriptions, and prioritize meeting others’ essential needs before indulging in self-fulfillment pursuits. By nurturing others with compassion, optimism, and dignity, we counteract the temptation to overspend on how we “look” in favor of genuine human connections.

Let us ask ourselves: Has a fixation on material wealth today, akin to Moses’ ‘molten calf,’ been overshadowing our reverence for God’s kingdom? If even slightly so, what steps can we take to realign our priorities toward values that truly matter?

Jack Dermody is the editor of the CrossRoads bulletin for the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission for Holy Cross Province. He lives in Glendale, Arizona. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 49:8-15
John 5:17-30

Reflection:

“Come out of the darkness, for the lord comforts his people and shows mercy.”

That cry of the prophet – an affirmation of God’s loving mercy, becomes enfleshed and visible in the life and mission of Jesus.

For as our gospel text reminds us in Jesus’’ own words, the mission of God – to love us and bring us to life – is one with the mission of Jesus in our world. Where we see Jesus’ at work we see the Father, where we hear his soothing and comforting worlds, we hear the Father and where we experience his loving, kindness and forgiveness we experience the gift God’s mercy itself.

Jesus is the living embodiment of the saving love of God. That love – which underpins and defines our relationship to God – is a never ending story of intimate, personal concern which uplifts us and brings us to life. Jesus lives out and reveals this love – a love which can be likened to a maternal love as imaged in the cry of God (through the Prophet), “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Yet even should she forget, I will never forget you”.

Our gospel text today is at pains to remind us of the unity of Jesus with the Father and of his living our of the Father’s will. “Amen, amen” he says to us, “the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also”

Jesus further spells out the dimensions of this love – the Father is constantly loving us, working to raise ‘the dead’ to new life, not judging us, but calling us to trust and believe in our salvation. God is for us a Father who is constantly wanting for us life to the full.

And all these actions and desires of God for us are entrusted to Jesus who does not seek to do his own will, but the will of the Father who sent him.

The life and witness of Jesus can at times stand in stark contrast to so many other messages we receive in life, sometimes even daily. The world might suggest to us, even promise us, that we can make our lives full and self fulfilling by our own actions, but Christian wisdom speaks to us in a different voice. Our view of life is founded on the vision of human life as life created in the image of God and brought to perfection in the person of Jesus. Thus we see and know that the essence of life is relational loving and that we live for the Other and find ourselves in loving and making sacrifices for another.

Indeed Jesus teaches us by his own life that the nature of love and of service to others involves sacrifice. For Jesus to be faithful to God’s dreams involved sacrifice and ultimately the loss of his own life.

As we continue our Lenten journey and reflect more deeply on the meaning of our lives in Christ, let us adhere to this standard and ask for the courage and grace to be of service to others in imitation of Jesus’ own service and witness.

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is the Provincial Superior of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.