Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Genesis 21:5, 8-20a
Matthew 8:28-34

Reflection:

As we travel along this pilgrimage we call life, we tend to gather things. Some of these are material goods: books, clothing, devices, projects, and such not. Some are thoughts, ideas, beliefs, or ways of seeing the world. Some are relationships, such as friends, colleagues, family, and acquaintances. As we grow and develop we may begin to examine these ‘things’ we have gathered with an eye to casting some of them off. There are many reasons to ‘cast off’ our things. Whether it’s to lighten our load, to let go of something that no longer serves us, or simply make room in our lives for something new, casting off burdens is something we all eventually have to do, even if it is our last act.

Today’s readings contain three ‘casting outs,’ all for different reasons. The first is when Sarah demands Abraham cast out Ishmael and Hagar. Abraham sees the chaos that will ensue if he doesn’t comply with Sarah’s wishes, but is distressed at the loss of the relationship with his firstborn son. At the same time, he is open to discernment with God. God assures him that this will be best for them all. Oh, how I wish my discernments came with such clear-cut answers! Abraham saw that, although he was distressed at giving up his relationship with Hagar and Ishmael, it was what was needed in this situation.

The second casting out, if simpler in determining the correct action, is still complicated. Jesus meets the savage demoniacs on a road that was no longer able to be used. The evil spirits had caused chaos in the lives of those they possessed, along with anyone who wanted to travel that road. Without Jesus saying anything, the demons recognize that He will not allow them to torment their hosts any longer and plead with Him to be sent into the nearby herd of swine. Oh, how I wish my demons were so compliant and ready to leave. Jesus agrees and, as a result, the herd of swine rush in to the sea and are lost.

The last casting out is when the people of the town plead with Jesus to leave their district. Maybe they are upset that He has caused economic loss (herds of swine can’t be cheap). Maybe He upset their accommodations with a difficult situation (‘Well, how about we just don’t use that road?’). Maybe they just didn’t want to deal with how awesome it was that the Son of God was in their midst. Oh, how I wish I was able to welcome Jesus into my life when I want to send Him away because it may upset my carefully laid plans. Peeking ahead to the next chapter of the gospel, we see that Jesus does just as they ask.

My prayer for myself today is that I turn to God when discerning what I need to cast out, that I listen to His answer although it may be hard to hear, and that I take care not to cast Jesus from my heart in order to take an easier path.

Talib Huff works and volunteers at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. You can reach him at [email protected].

 

Scripture:

Genesis 19:15-29
Matthew 8:23-27

(optional readings
for Independence Day):

Isaiah 57:15-19
Philippians 4:6-9
John 14:23-29

Reflection:

Our Challenge:  Lives of Courage and Peace

Today the liturgical guidelines encourage us to use the special prayers for Independence Day, and to select from a variety of Scripture selections related to “public needs” and “social justice”.

Interestingly, today’s “regular” readings are meaningful.  They tell of God’s directives to Lot and his family to run away from the punishing destruction of the evil people of Sodom and Gomorrah – and of Jesus’ dealings with his fearful disciples during a violent storm as they sailed upon the sea.  God is both loving and just, powerful in dealing with the forces of evil in the world; God knows us well and provides for us even when we are doubtful and afraid.  As we today ponder the gift of our freedom and independence as Americans, it is God who journeys with us and challenges us to confidently face the ups and downs of daily life as faithful citizens of our country and of our world.  No small task!

The optional readings given for Independence Day highlight another dimension of our heritage and our mission in everyday life:  we are called to be people of peace.  Isaiah calls out for peace, especially for those struggling or dejected in spirit; St. Paul writes to the Philippians and reminds us to have no anxiety, but to daily turn to God in prayer for our personal and communal needs; Jesus at the Last Supper gifts his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you”.  As we encounter in life the destructive power of evil and our human weakness, our faith in God fosters a sense of peace and perspective that gives us reason to celebrate and renew our commitment!

Jesus assures us of his love and gives us his peace – not simply total tranquility or the absence of suffering or uncertainty.  Jesus offers His peace that comes from the experience that God is with us, here and now, in all things and with all peoples — loving us unconditionally.  As contemporary disciples, we find meaning in the Cross of Jesus, as we seek peace and freedom in the hectic pace of life today, in our uncertainties and our suffering — and even in the violence and death which is so much a part of our culture.  With Jesus’ unconditional love and encouragement, we each are free to face the challenges of daily life, and see each day as a real blessing.

May today’s celebration of our United States “independence” help us be grateful and courageous in bringing about true peace, lovingly sharing our God-given blessings with all people!

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

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:19-22
John 20:24-29

Reflection:

“Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred to the Lord; in him you are also being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Eph. 2:19-22

How amazing that we are a part of this huge, wonderful conglomeration of God’s people! We are chosen! We are eternally loved! And we are part of a holy group that will one day all praise God together! It’s mind-boggling really – with Jesus as our foundation – we are a group of people who have chosen to follow Him. People for over 2,000 years who have found a purpose and a hope through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Think of all the saints who have gone before us, our older brothers and sisters who are at this very moment cheering us on to the finish line. Think of all the martyrs who have witnessed to the very truth we cherish today by giving up their lives so convinced were they of God’s eternal love. What courage we can draw from them!

Learning their stories can bless and encourage us in our own walk and our own witness. I love the stories of Pope John XXIII; St. Therese of Lisieux; and St. Faustina just to name a few. I see Christians today who aren’t ashamed of their faith and are sharing it whenever they get a chance. One of our sons lets the Holy Spirit prompt him daily if there is someone who needs prayer (usually strangers.) It takes great courage to walk up to someone out of the blue and ask if they need prayer. Our daughter is a Sister who proclaims God’s love each day by living her vows and by loving those who are most vulnerable. Another son and his wife love the Lord and are raising their four children to love Jesus too. They make their decisions by praying and letting the Holy Spirit lead them even to places they would rather not go. They willingly sold their home for less than market value to a single mom who has four young daughters and couldn’t have bought a home otherwise. Fr. Cedric Pisegna has helped thousands to come closer to Jesus and live their faith more passionately by his mission and TV ministry.

Are we willing to give a witness to God’s love too? Whether we help only one person find their way, that one person will be eternally grateful that we did. May we be ever open to sharing the great hope to which we are called by our words and more importantly by our actions.

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].

Scripture:

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a
Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
Matthew 10:37-42

Reflection:

This Sunday’s readings are interconnected by one of the most fundamental themes in our Christian life; i.e., God is the author of life, and those who serve God bring life into their world.

Elisha is the disciple-prophet of Elijah, who had been taken off into “heaven” by a chariot in a whirlwind. It falls on Elijah, who had asked to succeed Elijah as the leader of the group of prophets around Mount Carmel, to continue to point out God’s will for them and the blessings bestowed on the just. In today’s first reading, Elijah is invited to dine with a Shunemmite woman; her regard for the prophet is such that he had a place at her table “whenever he passed by”.

In the gospel, Jesus will speak of those who show generosity and hospitality to a prophet. Good deeds are rewarded. In the case of the prophet Elisha, he wants to reward her for her hospitality and sees the promise of life for her and her husband. He prophesies the coming birth of their son, and so it comes to pass.

The reward of the prophet, however, is not just the exchange of one benefit for another. In the case of the son born to the Shunemmite woman (as the biblical text will later unfold), he is taken ill (apparently by some sort of stroke or seizure), and he dies. Elijah is called, and after some homespun therapies, the boy comes back to life.

When my seminary class was studying philosophy so many years ago (1963-66), we learned a phrase that is born out here in this passage of the Second Book of Kings, “bonum diffusivum sui”(which is quoting from St. Thomas Aquinas: “dicendum quod bonum dicitur diffusivum sui esse…”). The phrase means that it is in the nature of goodness to spread itself about. Goodness is self-propagating.

What began with a dinner invitation for Elisha becomes a regular place at the table; the blessing of a son bestowed on the Shunemmite woman and her husband is an expression of the prophet’s appreciation. After the son dies, the prophet comes back and restores the gift of life to the son.

The lesson the scripture is giving us might be summarized as “God will not be outdone in generosity.” However the agent of God’s blessing is not always a religious “professional.” It could be the someone who shares God’s love with a neighbor; it could be someone who generously acknowledges a favor; or it could be someone who, without thinking of reward, simply shares a loving concern for another person.

In these challenging social and economic times, let us plant the seed of love around us; let us reward the goodness we experience with sincere acts of goodness of our own; let us experience love spreading out before us. Bonum diffusivum sui!

Fr. Arthur Carrillo, C.P.  is the director of the Missions for Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Chicago, Illinois. 

Scripture:

Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22
Matthew 8:1-4

Reflection:

In today’s gospel Jesus cures a person with leprosy.  We might think, “Well, that has nothing to do with me.  I don’t have leprosy.”

Think for a moment…  What is eating away at our society?  What are the cures?

Anger is eating away at harmony; understanding is the cure.  Fear is eating away at hope; courage is the cure.  Greed is eating up our planet Earth; sharing is the cure.  Hypocrisy is eating away at trust; truth is the cure.

Prejudice is eating away at unity; non-judging is the cure.  Unforgiveness is eating away at peace; compassion is the cure.  Violence in the womb and violence near the tomb (assisted suicide) is eating away at civilization; respect for all human life is the cure.

For many years a creeping dictatorship has been eating away at our freedoms; faithfulness to our constitution is the cure.  The “military industrial complex” is eating away at money and resources that could feed, house and heal the poor; justice is the cure.  War and violence are tearing apart the human family; belief in the Fatherhood of God and knowing we are all God’s children is the cure.

Yes, we are suffering leprosy on a global scale.

On an individual level…Self-doubt is eating away at our self-confidence; belief in God’s power in us is the cure.  Laziness is eating away at Sunday worship; faithfulness to God is the cure.  Sorrow is eating away at our joy; trust in God is the cure.  Selfishness is eating away at our hearts; love is the cure.

At Mass we bring up bread and wine.  We ask the Holy Spirit to come upon this bread and wine and transform it into the Body and Blood of Christ.  This bread and wine represent all of us present.  We ask the Holy Spirit to come upon us and transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ.  Then, nourished by Word and Sacrament, we who were once part of the problem are sent forth to be part of the cure.  The Body of Christ is one powerful body of healers!

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Scripture:

Acts of the Apostles 12: 1-11
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Matthew 16:13-19

Reflection:

Today we celebrate two great men of the Church, Saints Peter and Paul. Two ordinary men, one a fisherman and the other a Pharisee and a tentmaker. Two ordinary men who recognized that God had called them to be something greater than they thought themselves to be. Two ordinary men who had courage to speak the truth that was spoken to them through Christ. They endured suffering through many hardships and trials for their words and actions and yet they kept on believing in the truth that dwelt in their hearts.

“Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him .  .  .” Acts 12:7

Both Peter and Paul suffered greatly as they went about fulfilling their call to proclaim the Kingdom of God. In his letters, Paul, writes about numerous beatings, stonings, chained in prison and surviving three shipwrecks. Peter too was beaten and imprisoned as he went about his ministry. Suffering is not just a Christian condition, it is a human condition and while we suffer we don’t always recognize God’s presence with us. Peter did not realize the presence of the “angel of the Lord” until after the angel left. All the while, as the “angel of the Lord” led and guided Peter out of prison, he did not understand what was happening but faithfully followed the directions as the angel asked of him. Peter was open to the presence of God while he was suffering. When we suffer it is not always easy to look beyond to see a compassionate God standing with us in our suffering.

“The Lord stood by me and gave me strength .  .  .” 2Tim 4:17

In my younger years, when I was in pain, I would hold out as long as I could and try to work through it. Before I would ask for help. I would tell myself, “offer it up”. That’s okay for awhile, as long as there is nothing serious going on. Now that I have gained wisdom through experience, I’ve come to realize that God does stand by me and gives me strength through prayer and through others. There are family and friends willing to help and professionals in the healing arts that God sends into our lives to help us. So, in humility I stretch out my hand and ask for help.

When I suffer can I look beyond my pain to know the presence of a compassionate God?

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Matthew 7:15-20

Reflection:

In our gospel reading today, Jesus reminds us to beware of false prophets, who come to us in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves!  It seems everywhere we turn today we are confronted by these false prophets! Whether it be in family, friendships, community, business, government or church, these false prophets focus on their self-interests and ignore what is best for the greater good.

Pope Francis constantly challenges us to put the needs of others before our own.  These false prophets seem to have infiltrated our family and friend relationships when mistrust and bickering exist.  They are present in our local and world communities when the needs of the poor and minorities are ignored and greed and power become the only agenda items at city council meetings or corporate venues.  Our government seems obsessed with tearing down rather than building up past structures that focused on the God-given rights of justice and freedom for all!

These ravenous wolves that Jesus speaks of are also part and parcel of our church! I love the Catholic Church, the church of my baptism and the place I have ministered in for 35 years! The Church is made up of very fallible human beings, myself included!  False prophets challenged Jesus over 2000 years ago just as they do to us this day.  They take on the guise of Church leaders who focus on the letter of the law rather than the heart of the law.  They abuse their office when they refuse a catholic burial to someone who is LGBT, or when they choose to listen to the big ‘giver’ and only pay lip service to the ordained and lay whose ministry is based on the model of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes the People of God, as good and faithful as they are, fall prey to the self-centeredness that manifests itself as entitled false prophets when they cop the attitude, ‘My way or the Highway’ of their leaders.

As the covenant people God has created us to be, we must remember this gospel message:

‘Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.’

May we take to heart these words of Jesus and act accordingly!

Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Genesis: 13:2, 5-18
Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Reflection:

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.” These words from Jesus in today’s Gospel seem pretty straightforward. They raise the question, how do I want to be treated?

Treat me with kindness.

Give me your respect, even if I am different from you.

Treat me justly.

Remember we are all connected when you speak and behave.

Grant me your forgiveness quickly and easily when I make mistakes (and I will).

Remember we are all one.

Love me for who I am, not what I do.

Celebrate our common life in God together with me.

Share, protect and care for our common home and resources with me.

Listen, love, laugh, cry and suffer with me in the present moment.

Seems like these requests are not what we see reflected on social media and the news every day. We are divided. We live in the divisive hell of “I’m right and you’re wrong.” We don’t even venture into the territory of “both and and.”  We are so far from what we have come to know as the “golden rule” that we easily lose hope.

I guess there’s a reason Jesus seems to refer to the golden rule as the “narrow gate” in today’s reading from Matthew. It’s just not easy to live this way.  We have to learn to focus in an out of focus world. Take some time with me today and make a list of how you want to be treated. When the day comes to a close, ask yourself if you applied the list to others.  May God bless our efforts!

Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of the Passionist Family in Louisville, Kentucky.