Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-33

Reflection:

Our readings for today offer us a rich view of humanity; in our first reading, the prophet, Elijah, fears for his life and unable to hear God’s voice hurries to the mountain of the Lord, Horeb. We have true desire demonstrated by Peter in our Gospel as well as deep and abiding love on the part of Paul in our second reading.

I have always viewed this Gospel passage as Peter’s lack of faith in Jesus which started him sinking. I now believe I was wrong. It is his little faith in himself that causes him to sink. He looked around, felt the strong wind, his courage failed him and he instantly called out, “Lord, save me.” Peter demonstrated incredible faith in Jesus by his original request to come to him on the water. Most people didn’t know how to swim in ancient times, there was much fear of deep water; monsters were thought to reside beneath the waves. What a crazy request! He believes that Jesus has all power. If he had little or some faith in Jesus—I do not think even Peter would have taken such a bold leap. Later, to save his own skin, he denies Jesus. As I see it, Peter’s faith in Jesus was seamless; he greatly underestimated his own capacity to overcome fear and doubt—thus far. Post-resurrection, we see a changed and courageous Peter.

What is fascinating to me is that the disciples in the boat can hear Jesus words of courage and comfort even as the wind and waves rage—wouldn’t that have been difficult to hear? Certainly, Elijah was unable to hear God’s voice in the loudness of nature surrounding him. Might it have been Elijah’s own fear preventing him from hearing? What I hear today, is that God’s voice will always break through. True, we often need to still the voices of fear and doubt which can and do rage inside us before we can actually hear. Yet, never underestimate the power of the “Son of God” to breakthrough under any conditions in life!

And what of Paul’s beautiful lament about his people, the Israelites, to whom the Messiah was sent? His agony at feeling the loss of his kindred, those who had cut themselves off from the Good News. No doubt his sorrow echoes many today; parents, grandparents, and others who mourn the loss of their kindred who seem to have turned away from God. Yet, he surrenders it all to, “God who is overall be blessed forever, Amen.”  So, must we.

Like Peter, do I doubt myself? Do you? I realize Jesus is asking me, “why did you doubt yourself? when I say, Come, you should not allow your doubts to drown out your desire to respond.” Every time I doubt and start to sink he plucks me out of the water and gets into the boat with me and the wind always dies down. I have only one response, “homage” praise you, Jesus. Alleluia to you! Jesus is always saying, “Come”.

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:

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
John 12:24-26

Reflection:

Jesus teaches that when the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces fruit. We often interpret that as dying to our false selves in this life, and I do believe that is a valid interpretation. However, as with many of Jesus’ teachings, it can go so much deeper, especially in combination with another statement in this periscope: “Whoever loves his life will lose it.” In this context, perhaps there are profound implications not only for how we live, but for how we die, a topic we are apt to avoid in our society. What if, as Cardinal Bernardin wrote in “The Gift of Peace”, death is not the enemy to be fought at all costs, but a friend that, like our lives, can also produce fruit?

Most people are not as afraid of death itself as they are afraid of dying, especially dying in pain. Family members who watch loved ones suffer at the end of their lives talk about it as a nightmare experience. The fear and negative situations have resulted in many states (and I believe eventually it will be all states) passing laws allowing assisted suicide. By definition, assisted suicide occurs when an “assistant” provides the means for ill or suffering persons to take their own lives – lethal medications, gun/ammunition, carbon monoxide hood, etc. – but the assistant does not participate in the act itself. The ill person chooses the time, place, and circumstances of their death, rather than allowing the dying process to proceed naturally.

The Catholic Church condemns assisted suicide, teaching instead that we need to alleviate end-of-life suffering by utilizing effective pain relief, employing hospice and palliative medications early in the process, and ensuring every patient has proper, compassionate care. Church documents say we must work diligently to achieve the more complicated task of alleviating the suffering of dying people, which is the ultimate goal of hospice services, rather than ending the suffering by killing the patient. Death should rightly occur because of disease, illness, or injury, not by human actions.

Yet the Church also clearly teaches that this does not mean we are morally bound to use every means known to humankind to keep our bodies alive until our bodies simply can’t take it anymore. Life is not the ultimate good. God created us as finite beings and death is a normal, natural, expected occurrence. We are not supposed to be here forever, and God has something better in store. At some point, it is time to let go of life, to die and go home.

Recognizing this fact, in document after document the Church calls for “acceptance in the face of death”, and weighing the potential burdens and costs of treatment against the potential benefits it could offer. It is morally and ethically OK to stop or refuse treatments that only serve to prolong dying or that cause increased pain and suffering in the dying process.

For instance, my brother is in an intense 6-month round of chemotherapy to treat his brain cancer, and says he understands as he never did before how a patient could reach a point where they decide to refuse further treatment. It saps so much energy, cognition, and life out of him that if his life becomes an endless cycle of chemo, it would not be worth it and he’ll stop. He believes continuing in that circumstance would prolong the dying process complete with painful, debilitating side effects, and he would choose instead to maximize the quality of whatever life remains. This is not assisted suicide. In line with Church teaching, his death would occur naturally, caused by the underlying disease, and foregoing further treatments would allow him to more fully enjoy his final days on earth surrounded by supportive family and friends.

Jim is not anywhere near that decision yet, but it’s clear he is thinking ahead. It’s very hard to hear him talk this way, because I love him and do not want him to die. As Jesus says, though, he is called to cling to nothing, not even life itself. And I am called not to cling to my beloved brother. While I would never participate in any action aimed at proactively causing his death, I also need to let go of my desire to have him on this earth beyond the time when his body is ready to empty itself and free his soul to return to the Source of love that created him. Standing in the way would be self-serving and actually detrimental to Jim. When the time comes, I, too, need to find “acceptance in the face of death.”

As a society and as a community of faith, instead of viewing death as the ultimate evil, as something that must be fought with every ounce of strength until the last moment, perhaps we can get better at accepting death with faith, dignity, and grace. Perhaps we can better utilize the benefits of hospice and palliative care for weeks or months instead of hours or days before death, enabling our loved ones to live with more comfort and quality of life and to be more present to us as they die. Perhaps we can thus help our loved ones achieve the goals they long for – whether reconciling with someone, tying up loose ends, or having time to properly say goodbye. Perhaps ultimately, by the way we die, we can be a visible sign to the world that we are part of something bigger, that this life is not the ultimate good, and that we can sink into the river of God’s peace and love as we take our last breath. And what a witness that would be!

I pray that not only my life but my death might produce much fruit and be a source of inspiration and hope to others. I pray for myself and for Jim, that we may each realize when the fight becomes futile and have the strength to stop, living fully whatever days remain and then going peacefully into the arms of God. I pray for you, too, that whether we live or we die, we may all be instruments of Christ.

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:

Numbers 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29a, 34-35
Matthew 15:21-28

Reflection:

To the Merest Child
is Revealed the Father’s Love

Jesus is the fullness of wisdom; the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the Son of the Father whom we meet as gentle and humble of heart. He refreshes us and gives us rest when we are burdened and weary. Like the Son of the Father, so our sons and daughters awaken in us values and truth.

We owe all little ones awesome respect for what they offer us. Sadly precious treasures are overlooked. The tragic number of infants who die in domestic violence, children caught in the crossfire of gang fights, the violation of the safety of schools, trafficking – the world of Charles Dickens or the coal mines of Pennsylvania of a century ago, bad though they were for children seem in second place to our present moment. And the above are overshadowed at least by volume when we see mothers in war torn countries or refuge camps with their malnourished children. Like Hagar who placed her son, Ishmael, under a tree and sat the distance of a bow shot away so she could not see him die of thirst, we sit and watch, we pray for a change, that God hears the cry of suffering and comes to our aid.

We hear the expression, ‘the tyranny of two’, implying that a third element is needed to get beyond impasses in life or to open new delights in love. (Some disagree saying the tricycle preceded the bicycle!). But with marriage as an example the love of two increases with a third, a baby. There is a gift given to parents, a gift they share together. The child is an object of their love, and also increases their love as mother and father which they share with one another. The burden and weary part of life, the yoke spoken of in the gospel are not unfamiliar to any couple who love one another, nor will their sons and daughters always lessen the weight of the burden they carry. We ask the grace to change what we can, accept what we cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.

A friend of mine who enjoys a dinner out, a party and a little dancing has been laid up with a back problem. After two weeks of rehab he was able to join the celebration of a wedding and, while still hobbling along with a cane, attend the reception. A sad thing happen. As the dancing began he found himself alone at his table when everyone else took to the dance floor. As he sat there it seems all the limitations he had been suffering for several weeks, the inability to do his ministry, the pain itself, all of this came crashing down upon him. He wasn’t very good at hiding his feelings either nor was he aware that he was under the scrutiny of a five year old. The little boy had a new small truck that he was playing with, his latest acquisition and new favorite toy. The child went to his mother and ask if he cold give the truck to Father, because ‘he looked so sad’.

We may have the joy of being around children or only enjoy them in passing or from afar. We may be moved with sorrow and just indignation where we see a child suffering or denied the right to grow up as a happy individual. May we care for children and support parents and all who work and care for children. We need what they offer us. We see in them a way of knowing Jesus, God’s love. He shows us the Father who looks upon us and loves us, seeing in us what he sees and loves in his Son.

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

Scripture:

Numbers 11:4b-15
Matthew 14:13-21

Reflection:

But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said…”
Matthew 14:17-18

I don’t know what it’s like to go to bed hungry. As a child more often than not I had to be told to finish my spinach or liver, whatever it was that I didn’t particularly like because there were children starving all over the world. As an adult, I’ve been blessed with nearby grocery stores with tens of thousands of items for my choosing as well as the ability to purchase them.

Despite what I read in the newspapers and hear on the evening news, as a 21st Century American It’s hard for me to believe that anyone anywhere is really hungry for food or for that matter the Good News of Jesus. I am led to believe that if I can feed myself and hear the gospel preached to me regularly, so can and does everyone else.

Maybe like the Israelites Moses led across the desert, I need to experience hunger or maybe like the apostles in today’s gospel selection I just need to trust God and do as He tells His apostles, i.e. send no one home hungry, but gather the bits of loaves and fishes I’ve been blessed with and share them with all those who hunger and thirst.

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

Transfiguration of the Lord

Scripture:

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
2 Peter 1:16-19
Matthew 17:1-9

Reflection:

Today, since it is August 6, we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus instead of the 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. On this feast we recall the account of Jesus taking Peter, James and John up a high mountain where He reveals Himself as not solely human but also divine. The three apostles get a glimpse of the glorified Jesus which they will see more fully at the Resurrection. They not only see Jesus, but they see both Moses and Elijah, and when a cloud comes over them, they hear a voice say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” When they hear the voice, they fall down and are very much afraid. Then Jesus touches them, and says, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

“Rise, and do not be afraid” is what I hear Jesus saying to us. While we do get glimpses of resurrection and life, we may still find the world a fearful place. But if we let the love of Jesus touch us, we can still get up and keep on going! In our second reading from 2 Peter, the author tells his fellow disciples that the “prophetic message is altogether reliable. You do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” No matter how dark the place may be where we are, we can look to Jesus, and let the “morning star” rise in our hearts!

Are we willing to listen to Jesus, as the voice from heaven told the three apostles to do? Are we willing to rise and let go of fear? Although it is so important to pray and spend time with God, we cannot, as Peter proposed to Jesus, stay on the mountain. Filled with the hope of resurrection, we are called to go out to the world, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. We’re called to share the love of God in Jesus Christ, even with the lowest of the low; even with those who seem to be against us. The peace which flows from justice is what we work for in this world in which we live.

If we wonder how in the world we can possibly do what Jesus asks of us, we need to remember that God can transfigure us! God can heal us of fear and prejudice and resentment and self-serving; of all those things that hinder us from our call. Dare we hope to be transfigured? I’ll go one better. Dare we hope that we can contribute to the transfiguration of the world? We may differ in what that looks like. We may even be in conflict about what should be done. But there is an option for the poor, and there is an element of caring for the earth, as Pope Francis may say. The Transfiguration reminds us that Jesus can lead us to resurrection. He is calling us: “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan. 

Feast of St. John Vianney

Scripture:

Leviticus 23:1,4-11,15-16,27,34-37
Matthew 13:54-58

 

Reflection:

Remembering, Celebrating, and Proclaiming…

Today’s Scripture readings and the feast of St. John Vianney challenge us to remember the “roots” of our faith, to celebrate God’s unconditional love for us, and then to use our talents – and even our limitations – to spread the Good News of God’s love…in the person of Jesus.  Definitely, God loves us!

The reading from Leviticus summarizes the liturgical year for the Israelites, helping them remember the great events of their history whereby God saved them and established them as his own people.  Sacred assemblies, consuming unleavened bread, refraining from work, making sacrifices and acts of mortification:  these various dimensions of their religious life were to be celebrated to help keep vital their relationship with God who loves and saves them…and ourselves, centuries later!

The selection from Matthew’s Gospel recalls Jesus’ rejection by the people of his home town.  A wise and powerful Man, a convincing Speaker…but where did He get these gifts?  Jesus, the son of Joseph the carpenter and Mary?  His message is one of repentance which challenges the hearts of his listeners of times past and present.  Deep faith is required to accept Him, faith rooted in God’s working throughout all of history – even from the earliest of times.

And today we celebrate the life of a 19^th century disciple of Jesus, St. John Vianney.  A simple man with a humble background and a simple theology, his zeal to spread God’s love helped build up the Church in his day.  He is especially known for his generous ministry of proclaiming God’s love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation at his parish in Ars, France — regularly spending hours sharing the Sacrament of Reconciliation with the thousands of penitents who traveled great distances for a few graced moments with him.  His loving priestly ministry flowed from his intense spiritual life based on both prayer and mortification, leading him to being named “patron of priests” by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

Let’s remember God’s love for us and celebrate our relationship with God and with one another as members of the Church – thus proclaiming God’s love in our vocations as married, single, or priestly/religious persons.  Moses, Jesus, and St. John Vianney challenge us to be zealous in living and sharing our faith.  Do we make the effort for special times of faith renewal and celebration (e.g., a retreat)?  Do we seek and offer forgiveness for the sinfulness we experience in ourselves or others?  Moses, Jesus, and St. John Vianney encourage 21^st Century disciples to sincerely pray the words of today’s response-Psalm 81:  “Sing with joy to God our help!”  May our lives say “Amen!”

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

Scripture:

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Matthew 13:47-53

Reflection:

“My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God… Happy they who dwell in your house!” Psalm 84: 3, 5

We all have a hunger that only God can fill. We try to fill it with new houses and new cars, promotions and food, vacations and so many things! But even when we get those things, if we are really honest with ourselves, we are never completely satisfied. We can’t be this side of heaven.

When we get home from our dream vacation, we start thinking about where we can go next. After a lovely meal, we get hungry a few hours later. When we get the dream job we worked so hard to get, we find out it has its own problems. New houses don’t stay new forever, new cars get dings. It’s surprising how quickly things aren’t new anymore and how even all of the lovely and beautiful things on earth are only a dim reflection of what we will see and experience in heaven.

This is good news really, because God made us for Himself, and we will only be completely happy and fulfilled when we meet Him face to face. It’s good to long for something more, and to have something to look forward to. But at some point, we need to shift our longing from things here on earth to God alone and to the day when we will stand in His Presence and experience His love for us completely as we never have before.

Our gospel today also mentions that the angels will separate the wicked from the righteous at the end of the age. This is our call to share the good news! Not by judging, but by loving those in our paths so that they may also fall in love with God. Once we have experienced the personal love of God, how can we not share it with others?

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:

Exodus 34:29-35
Matthew 13:44-46

Reflection:

The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds…Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant…When he finds a pearl of great price…

There is something idyllic in the parable Jesus tells about a person who just happens to find a treasure in a field, and out of a calculated “folly,” sells everything that he/she owns, in order to purchase the field, and thus take ownership of the treasure.

At the time of Jesus, and for the people of his time and place, the idea of gathering up one’s possessions and selling them might not have been very difficult because for most of the people who followed Jesus, their possessions might not add up to much when compared to our scale of possessions. Nothing “idyllic” about that.

Perhaps the “idyllic” is really in our contemporary hearing and interpreting the story because for many religious communities, this parable has served as a motivational story about the vocation to the religious life. We would have to give up not only possessions, but our claim to our will and our natural desire to find a marriageable mate.

Life eventually overtakes the idyllic dreams that may have brought us to religious life, and the cost of the sacrifice required to fulfill the calling to religious life becomes all too real. Over a period time, one either repeatedly commits to the invitation to “sell all” in order to follow Christ–the real treasure of the parable, or one chooses another way of life.

This summer, but throughout the year, there are other men and women, families and extended families, who find that they have given up all that they possess, but not of their own wills, and not in order to acquire the treasure in the field, or the pearl of great price. These are the families, couples, and individuals who lose “all they possess” after a tornado, a flood, a forest fire, or any of the other cataclysmic events that we read about daily in the newspapers. If you live in Chicago or other major cities, it can be the instant loss of a death caused by gunfire.

What does the parable say to us in this context. It says to me that Jesus gave up everything too. In finding himself crucified on the cross, he had put aside everything that a person can claim in this world. Naked and desolate on the cross, Jesus gave up everything so that we would know that we are not alone in enduring any loss, and that we might keep our eyes glued to the horizon of the resurrection.

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