Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Acts 15:22-31
John 15:12-17

Reflection:

‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'”  Acts 15: 28 – 29

None of us are immune from disputes or conflicts or differences of opinion. We may not be aware of how our early life experience shaped the way we respond to these very human occurrences. The vast majority of people who come to see me and are in crisis is because of a conflict with a spouse or a child. Most of the time, these people see me because they have failed to resolve their crisis over a period of time. The more they fail to resolve a crisis, the more frustrated and the more upset they become with themselves and with their opponents. They may come to a point where they cannot resolve their issues and will walk away from each other. Society has even coined a term for this: irreconcilable differences.

One of the reasons why I liked reading the Acts of the Apostles every Easter season is because we are given example of how to resolve conflicts. The religious and political leaders of their time had only one way: declare their opponents as lawbreakers and punish them severely, sometimes by death. They were under the false impression that “might makes right.” In several incidences in the Acts of the Apostles, conflicts are resolved by lying and false witnesses. Lies never stand the test of time. Lies never resolve conflicts.

In today’s first reading, we have a very good example of how the early church resolved a very difficult problem: what to do with those who profess their faith in Jesus the Christ as the Son of God and who were not born Jews. Some said that they needed to become Jews before they could become Christian. Those who were evangelizing Gentiles said “no” to that solution. So, they resolved the question by coming together for prayer, dialogue and consensus.

It took a lot of hard work to resolve this issue. This passage from the Acts shows us how the early Church resolved difficult problems. First, they trusted that the Holy Spirit would give the wisdom to decide for the common good. Second, they listened with respect to those who presented their case before the assembly, “the church.” Lastly, the decision was made by the whole church, even though some may still have been of a different opinion. Once, the decision was made, then it was communicated to everyone.

We should not shy away from difficult decisions. As we see from this example from the Acts of the Apostles, the resolution will lead to a strengthening of the bond between those in conflict. The Holy Spirit knows how to create new life and new energy resulting from conflict-resolution. This may help us to prepare for the coming of the Feast of Pentecost.

This reflection would not be complete without making a reference to the Gospel passage. Jesus had a profound understanding of human nature and had to settle many a conflict among his disciples. His solution was sacrificing self by means of Love. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus never lost confidence in loving us! May we continue to believe that Love Overcomes All!

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Christ the King Community in Citrus Heights, California. 

Scripture:

Acts 15:1-6
John 15:1-8

Reflection:

All of us center our lives in whatever we think will give us life. It is money and possessions for many of us, power and pleasure for others, and perhaps privilege and influence as well. But the message of today’s gospel is quite straightforward: To live is to be in Christ and not to be in Christ is not to live at all. There is no alternative life source; there is no other possibility for being. Jesus must be the source and center of our lives for apart from him we wither and die.

We should understand this not as a doleful warning but as a richly hopeful promise. Jesus says not just “Remain in me,” but “Remain in me, as I remain in you.” That is precisely our hope and the source of our joy. We can live with confidence and courage, with faith, hope, and love, and with absolutely resolute joy because as we make our way through life Christ is in us and with us. We are never alone, we are always with Christ. Christ strengthens us. Christ comforts us. Christ encourages, consoles, and supports us. Best of all, the Christ who lives in us works through us to bless and redeem the world.

We often wonder if our lives will make a difference or if our attempts to do good really matter. And yet, Jesus assures us: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit…” So what are we waiting for? If Christ lives in us and acts through us, then whether we see it or not, we are bringing the love, mercy, justice, and compassion of God to others. We are changing people’s lives and transforming the world. We are helping build the kingdom of God. And, as today’s gospel reminds us, we are glorifying God.

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

Scripture:

Acts 6:1-7
1 Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12

Reflection:

Finding one’s way in the dark when there is no light – literally or metaphorically – is not an easy thing. But in fact we rarely have total darkness, often we have just that little bit of light to assist us and allow us to be self reliant and independent of others’ help.

But what about when we have to go forward into the a new unknown reality – where there is no ‘light’ – no past experience to tell us all is well and we have to step out into something that can feel like the dark unknown?

Indeed anyone who has ever been ‘caving’ or any other kind of exploration of those often immense areas deep beneath the earth’s surface  –  can testify to the reality of ‘total darkness’.  I vividly recall a time when as part of a large group we were being conducted on a tour of a vast cave system with its wonderful underground chambers and vivid formations of stalactites and stalagmites – and all this illuminated by a powerfully bright lightening system. But to illustrate just how dark it truly was in the cave’s natural state, the guide said at one stage “I am just going to turn out the lights so that you’ll understand how dangerous it can be down here”. He did so, and I was stunned. I could not see the hand I held in front of my face.

I was surrounded by darkness or more so, by the absence of light itself. I hardly knew any perspective, I could see no one and felt absolutely powerless to find my own way out if it had come to that. I did not know the way and I could not find any path either.

We need light to see if we are to journey along our way, but if we do not have even this, then at least we need a guide to take our hand and to show us the way.

Perhaps this touches into the experience of not just the disciples in today’s gospel, but into the experience of every Christian in every age who contemplates the unknown. And indeed faith in Jesus so often calls us to go forward towards that which we do not yet know, or to further towards that which is frightening of challenging, or to step out into a situation that is act of pure trust.

To go forward even when we are ‘enlightened’ by faith can be a risk. And so often the Christian journey calls us to go forward into what is not known. ‘What will happen if… I forgive the other or I trust in this moment or I dare to ask for forgiveness etc?”

We do not always know these answers, in fact often we don’t know at all. But we can trust that Jesus has gone before us to enlighten our path, that he is present to our every moment guiding us, taking our hand, showing us the way by example, stirring us on through his Spirit, finding us companions for the journey or creating examples for us in the lives of those he has inspired before us.

This is part of the Easter promise. That we are never alone in our journey and that no matter how dark it seems he is there.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.. have faith in God; have faith also in me… I will come back again and take you to myself…I am the way and the truth and the life.”

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:

Acts 13:44-52
John 14:7-14

Reflection:

Today, the Last Supper Discourse continues and we are treated to such rich images from the Gospel of John. “If you know me then you will also know my Father” (v.7). And, I ask myself the question, is my Father visible through me? Isn’t that my call, to be that channel? That light? Jesus certainly shows us how to cultivate this posture throughout his life on earth. As he says in the previous verse to today’s Gospel, he is the way and the truth and the life (v.6). In seeing Jesus, we see God. The enormous gift—the unbelievable miracle of knowing Jesus allows us to do even greater works than he did. So, how is that going for me, or for you?

I have often thought that my faith would be much stronger if, as Philip says, I could see the Father. How glorious to be present for those Signs and Miracles—then, I would have enough. Yet, Jesus shatters that thinking with his self-emptying love of the Father. That is the way.

Perhaps, we think we already know the way; our way. Our biggest challenge can be our inability to see clearly, like Philip, we can have our own idea of what we are looking for and we can miss the Father. Like the Jews in our first reading, Jesus was simply not what they were expecting and they missed him. How often have I missed the Father in my daily life when I do not have eyes to see, to go where Jesus went?

Today, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. If there is ever a model to follow, she is it. Her yes, in faith to God, began the path of our salvation and made it possible for the Word to become flesh and “pitch his tent” among us. Can we hear the radical nature of this statement? Is there any doubt that our lives are to follow this pattern? Mary, and her Son, Jesus, our Immaculate Conception and our Incarnation. Today, we honor you.

It is my prayer that we can honor you by living lives of radical hope and radical works. This is not a story about what happened back then; this reaches through time and is happening now and now and now. Can you feel it? Can you hear it?

It is not so complicated, there is no secret formula. It is lived out in ordinary ways and in ordinary lives. Prayer first, then service as a response to the Spirit’s indwelling which we cultivate daily as we allow the will of God in our lives to be supreme. Once that happens—even for a moment—Jesus will answer our every need. Alleluia, alleluia.

Dear Lord, wash me clean of the debris of life, let there be nothing left of me but you.

 

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:

Acts 13:26-33
John 14:1-6

Reflection:

I have just taken on a pastoral assignment on Birmingham’s eastside. It is the most diverse parish that I have encountered in the diocese: African, Asian, Central American, Mexican and the diversity of the U.S.A.

The parish has no mission statement, no council, and the very competent pastoral team heads up most everything. We are under-taking four “meet and greet” sessions to address: “How is God calling the Body of Christ, our parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Roebuck/ Center Point area, to be a public witness/sign of God’s Way, Truth, and Life?” In other words, we are building a mission (how we are sent) out of a vision (what God wants us to see around us.)

I’ve been paying close attention to the building of the earliest Christian communities through the journeys of Paul, Barnabas, John Mark, and others in Acts.

Yesterday we were reminded by Jesus that He is the “I AM.” The God who brings us through everything that would distress us. Paul reminded us of the actions of God, the Moses-led Exodus, the over-coming of countless obstacles to establish a “Promised Land.” God sent bold leaders in Samuel, Saul, David, John the Baptist and Jesus the Son of God.

Paul continues his address in the synagogue today by reminding us that the witnesses to the resurrected life of Jesus continue to inspire, lead, and to act for the sake of building the kingdom of God.

This necessarily means a lot of courage. Not just facing into the bad news that comes from the ordinary sufferings due to our human fragility, but also the bad news caused by ignorance, greed, self-centeredness, and intolerance. ”Do not let your hearts by troubled.” Jesus advises us knowing full well that to seek Him means to be on the Way, to apply our skills to act in service of others is the truth backed up by actions, and not to count neither the cost or the results of our work is the Life that comes abundantly from “I AM,” Who says, “Nothing can stop me from loving you.”

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P. is president emeritus of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, Birmingham, Alabama.

Scripture:

Acts 13:13-25
John 13:16-20

Reflection:

“But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.”

Those brief words, buried in an episode on Paul’s “word of exhortation” at a synagogue in Antioch, foreshadow sharp disagreement ahead between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark who rather abruptly “left them and returned to Jerusalem.”  Those words also remind us there has never been a golden age in the life of the Church. Rather, it is a Church that from time to time has been pocked by disagreement, divisions, and debate regarding its mission in the world.

Why Mark ran for home we do not know.  Did he want to return to the nurture and support of his mother in Jerusalem? Was he fearful of the travels and labors?  It isn’t certain.  What is certain, however, is that Paul resented his departure.  And it laid the foundation for a sharp contention between him and Barnabas, who was Mark’s uncle.

When it came time for the second journey of Paul and Barnabas, the division erupted.  Barnabas was persistent in taking along Mark. Paul was adamantly opposed to this proposal, based on Mark’s desertion at Perga.

Knowing that Paul would not take him on his next journey must have stung Mark deeply, just as knowing that Barnabas was willing to give him a second chance gave Mark the encouragement he needed.

Both Paul’s negative response, combined with Barnabas’ positive action, must have had a profound effect on Mark.  In Jerusalem, Mark undoubtedly reflected on what had happened.  He listened to both Paul and Barnabas because both were right.  Both forced Mark to face himself and his mission.  His was a mission, not unlike Paul’s, who at that synagogue offered “a word of exhortation.”  Mark gave the Church the gift of his Gospel.

In our time, too, the Church has been characterized by division and occasional overheated debate.  Across 2,000 years, Paul and Barnabas still argue.  Should we be discouraged?  Not at all.

The words “But John left them and returned to Jerusalem,” should instead offer us encouragement.  They mean that the Holy Spirit can guide us through our very human, messy and contentious ways.  They mean that like Mark, we need to return to Jerusalem, home to the nurture of mother Church, to receive a word of exhortation, to reflect and understand more fully the needs of the world today and of our mission to address them — our gift to the world.

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

Scripture:

Acts 12:24-13:5a
John 12:44-50

Reflection:

There is a widespread theology that Jesus came primarily to die in order to satisfy the blood lust of a vengeful, angry God who had become so fed up with humans that the gates of heaven were closed off unless an innocent victim was brutally murdered. Yet after he rose, Jesus never said to his disciples, “There! Now your sins are forgiven and you can get into heaven again!” Instead, Jesus’ last messages to his disciples were centered on unity – between himself and God, between us as people, and between us and God. He charges his disciples to live out of that unity – forgiving sins, seeking the lost, and drawing all creation into one, with their primary task defined as “Love one another.” He plainly states that the Father is in him, he is in us, and therefore we are in the Father. This mirrors the Catholic teaching on the Trinity, in which God’s very nature is perfect relationship, a relationship that we, too, are called to participate in.

This raises alternate possibilities. For instance, did Jesus die to assuage the vengeance of an angry God disgusted with people, or did he die as a result of the vengeful fear of the powers that sought to control him and eliminate his threatening message? Was his purpose to “open the gates of heaven” that would otherwise remain closed forever, or to remain so true to his mission of love and union that he was willing to endure even death rather than abandon us? What if Jesus “saves” us, not by unilaterally bridging our estrangement from a rage-filled King, but by freeing us to live as divinely created human beings with one foot already in the Kingdom of God? What if “salvation” has more to do with understanding our genuine identity as members of the Body of Christ, responsible for each other and empowered to actively participate in the divinity that created us, if we would just let go of our narrow, rules-bound, exclusionary, power-driven view of God and the world?

This is a radical message for most. Yet it is a thread that runs throughout our Catholic Christian history, professed by wise theologians through the ages – Origen, Irenaeus, Maximus the Confessor, Hildegarde, Bonaventure, Francis, and many more. According to these recognized pillars of our faith, the incarnation is not primarily a remedy for sin, but the bodily enactment of the primacy of creative love. There are those who regard this theology of unity and love as cheapening or watering down the message. To the contrary, the depth and breadth of love that Jesus demands and illustrates is far more demanding and difficult to live out than clinging to a black-and-white view of sin, judgment, and condemnation. It can even get us crucified!

There is a song titled “The Deer’s Cry” based on an Irish prayer that echoes our call to union. Every time I hear that song, it brings me to tears. The lyrics include: “Christ beneath me. Christ above me. Christ on my right. Christ on my left. Christ in the mind of everyone who thinks of me; Christ in the mouths of everyone who speaks of me.”

This Easter season, then, as I reflect on Jesus’ last words to his beloved disciples, I resolve to grow into unity with Christ. I take into prayer my entire being, my assumptions, my beliefs, and my behaviors, and offer them all to God, that God may continually recreate me in the image of Christ. Perhaps, at least at times, I can live in such a way that those who speak of me speak of Christ, and those who think of me think of Christ. I fall so far short, yet I can think of no greater goal, and no higher calling. I will never fully reach it in this life, but by the grace of God, I’m going to try! Even if it gets me crucified.

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/.