Daily Scripture

Second Sunday of Lent

Scripture:

Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Romans 8:31b-34
Mark 9:2-10

Reflection:

Today’s readings are difficult to comprehend. Abraham, it seems, was misguided into thinking that God would want what the Canaanite gods wanted; so, Abraham, the faith-filled servant who, with his wife Sarah, left his homeland at an advanced age, who chose to obey God even at a tremendous sacrifice, now must wrestle with an even more difficult decision than leaving his past, he must sacrifice his only son, his only future.

We may look upon Israel’s culture at the time of Abraham as barbaric, gruesome, even grisly and archaic, and dismiss these so called “primitive” people who practiced human sacrifice — as ancient history. In the same breath, we like to think of ourselves as sophisticated, highly evolved, an advanced species: but it’s good to remind ourselves that from 1914-1953, upwards of 10 million people were killed… because of the Holocaust, two world wars, and revolutions. And recently another innocent life was again sacrificed at the Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, adding to a litany of sadness… Columbine. Sandy Hook. Orlando. San Bernardino, Minneapolis, Las Vegas… is this the development of human consciousness? Some years ago, one spiritual writer penned these words:

 “May we repent, and may God forgive us, as we worship at the altar of the gun, even to the point of sacrificing our own children. … May we repent, and may God forgive us, as we offer “thoughts and prayers” that cost us nothing, instead of real and lasting answers to the hatred we bear each other, to the fears that drive us to kill, to the violence that permeates our lives.” (Valerie Schultz, America Magazine, 2/16/2018)

When I was a student, I remember my formation director telling me, “Questions do not dampen faith, cheap answers do.”

If Karl Barth was correct, and theologians must clutch the newspaper in one hand and Sacred Scripture in the other, then today’s liturgy compels me to question: How can I help? How can I fight against gun violence? How can I urge my religious and political leaders to enact change? How can I help people understand that this is a pro-life issue? Today. In our second reading, St. Paul tells the church at Rome, “If God is for us, who can be against us? If God did not spare even his own Son, will he not give us everything else along with him?”

Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Matthew 5:43-48

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel tells us to be kind: “Be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous”. MT 5:45   Luke’s account adds: “and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. “LK 6:35 The word Kind comes from old English word for kinship.  We should be kind as much as to our closest relatives!  The Greek word for kindness in the inspired NT scriptural text is Chaestos which means being willing to be serviceable to someone!  The Old Testament Hebrew word with same meaning is “HINENI“   “Here I am” i.e. ready to help you!

Don’t you love kind people.  Their thoughtfulness for us is cemented to our memory!  I remember some 57 years ago I was driving down Interstate 70 when a tornado went right over my car, and I found myself and the car stuck deep in the mud off the road!  In less than 5 minutes a trucker stopped and pulled me out.   I don’t remember that good man’s name, but I vividly remember his kindness!

Mark Twain put it nicely when he wrote: “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see!” “Be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind,” “Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Rom 2:4   

I like to finish with a few poetic lines from Mark Twain:

A little more kindness, A little less speed, A little more giving, A little less greed, A little more smile, A little less frown, A little less kicking, A man while he’s down, A little more “We”, A little less “I”, A little more laugh, A little less cry, A little more flowers, On the pathway of life, And fewer on graves, At the end of the strife.

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Ezekiel 18:21-28
Matthew 5:20-26

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.”

As I was reflecting on this, several things came to mind. One was that it seems we as a society, or even as a world, seem to be more angry than we’ve ever been. Another was that anger can be a tricky thing. There are times when we just get angry. But perhaps how liable we are to judgment depends on what we do with our anger.

Do we let it fester and lead us to resentment and even violence? Calling someone “Raqa,” or “You fool,” can symbolize for us racial, ethnic, or other types of slurs, signifying a demonization or dehumanization of the other person or group of people. Or can it lead to something positive? It seems for some people that outrage has led them to work for justice. Maybe a positive outcome depends on whether our anger comes from not getting what we desire, or from a recognition that something is not just for everyone. But I wonder if even in those situations, getting stuck in anger can be harmful to oneself more than the other person, as it can result in bitterness and an inability to live in a healthy way.

After His admonition against anger, Jesus says, “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” If we come to Mass, for instance, loaded with resentments, can we truly offer the gift of our presence to God and to each other?

Perhaps the best way to deal with anger is to turn it over to God, and open ourselves to what God wants us to do with our anger: let it go, or let it be channeled into some positive action for the benefit of others. May we not give in to anger, but to God’s love and God’s will.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

1 Peter 5:1-4
Matthew 16: 13-16        

Reflection:

I read today’s gospel and wondered why St. Matthew made such a point of telling us they had entered the area called, Caesarea Philippi. I went back and checked the other gospels and sure enough, St. Mark made the same distinction before relating the great confession of Simon/Peter. I was also struck thinking it seemed really out of character for Christ to concern Himself with what people thought of Him.  

I learned the area of Caesarea Philippi has a cave that once honored the Greek god, Pan.  Inside that cave, a spring flows which even today is the largest source of water for the Jordan River, beginning by bubbling over a small thirty-foot waterfall before leaving the cavern and meandering across the desert to the Dead Sea.   Christ led His disciples to the head of this stream, which provided the waters John the Baptist had baptized Him with as He began His public ministry.  This pagan source of water was transformed in baptizing Christ, who is Himself the source of Living Waters.  

Some biblical scholars suggest that the Transfiguration when Jesus revealed Himself in glory to Peter, James and John, may have happened on Mount Hermon which overlooks Caesarea Philippi.   Christ and the disciples had been at the foot of that same mount just a week before when Peter made his statement of belief in Jesus.

Because it was so out of character for Jesus to ask what people thought of Him and who He was, we can understand why He asked the question, “Who do people say I am?”   The Great Teacher posed the question so Peter could make the most remarkable declaration in the history of mankind:  He said, “You are the Christ.  The Son of the living God”, with a faith-inspired and revealed by God the Father.   On this, the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, we remember the moment that Our Lord rechristened Peter and made him the rock foundation of our faith.  St Peter, we beg your intersession in these troubled times. Help us remember that Christ told us that the gates of Hell will not defeat His church.   

Heavenly Father, we ask You to protect, defend and revitalize our Faith and Church.  Help us gain more vocations, because there cannot be a bountiful harvest without workers in the fields. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen

Ray Alonzo is the father of three children, grandfather of two, and husband to Jan for over45 years. He is a USN Vietnam Veteran and a 1969 graduate of Mother of Good Counsel Passionist Prep Seminary. Ray currently serves on the Passionist Alumni Council.

Scripture:

Jonah 3:1-16
Luke 11:29-32

Reflection:

In our first reading Jonah is telling the Ninevites that if they don’t repent Nineveh will be destroyed.  (Jonah 3:1-3) The people of Nineveh didn’t want to be destroyed so they repented.  What is your image of God?  When very young I thought God was a judge ready to punish me (much like the Ninevites) and I could avoid punishment by jumping through various “I am sorry” hoops. 

In high school, God was a super-duper study buddy.  I would not study very hard throughout the semester but come final exam time: “Ok God, you and me, get me good grades.” Today, I am relationship-focused seeking God and Jesus as my friends that I take time to talk with. 

St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists shares the meaning of prayer:

“Prayer is accessible to us in every moment of every day. It is our immediate connection with a God who is both transcendent and immanent. Prayer can be verbal, meditative, or contemplative. We can pray with our whole body through movement, ritual actions or by serving others.” 
(~St. Paul of the Cross to Sister Maria Cherubina Bresciani, May 31, 1740)

“Be still and know that I am God”. (Psalm 46:10)

Lent is a time to renew and intensify our relationship with Jesus.  Let us take time out of the busyness of our daily lives and spend 15 minutes talking with our God or in silence just being.  You can pray while jogging or walking or just being still sitting and enjoying the silence.  How much time daily are you willing to enhance your relationship with God this Lent?

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:10-11
Matthew 6:7-15

Reflection:

Here we are at the very beginning of our Lenten Season.  It’s the very first week, just seven days into this forty-day journey.  As we began this Season on Ash Wednesday, we were encouraged to use this time to fast, pray and give alms; all in an effort to refresh, renew and deepen our relationship with God so we would be ready to celebrate the great feast of Easter.

So, it makes great sense for the Readings for today’s Eucharist are on prayer.  In our first Reading from Isaiah­­ we are reminded that God’s word is always effective in our lives.  Who needs to be reminded about that?  Most of us do.  We can tend to become pretty nonchalant with our daily prayer, or even let it go.  After all, our lives are so full of demands that we have to let go of something.  Also, many of us have had the experience of praying for something with all our hearts but not achieving what we want.  But Isaiah is trying to remind us that our prayer is never ineffective.  It is the path for God to enrich our lives, perhaps even in ways we don’t understand.  Without God’s Word we are impoverished indeed.

In the Gospel we are presented with the beautiful prayer, the Our Father.  This prayer was given to us by Jesus Himself and many of us pray these beautiful words daily, if not even more often.  Jesus begins by telling us to start with “Our Father.”  That beginning can renew in us an awareness of our intimate relationship with God.  Language experts tell us that a more accurate translation of Jesus Word, “Abba,” is “Dad” or “Daddy.”  It’s Jesus’ way of   inviting us to realize how cherished we are by our Father in heaven.  How privileged a place we have in God’s love.  Jesus then speaks about the Father’s holiness and our desire for God to reign over our lives.

While first looking at who God is, Jesus then turns to our needs for daily nourishment and consistent forgiveness.  Jesus wants us to know that God isn’t just interested in our praise of Him but is deeply involved in our everyday needs.  God is with us at every level of our human experience.

Finally, Jesus reminds us that God’s forgiveness isn’t just for us, but it is to become the way we relate to everyone in our lives. 

As we enter fully into this Holy Season, may our prayer be enriched through our daily practice.  For it truly reveals to us the constant and overwhelming love we are to share with one another.

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of retreats at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Matthew 25:31-46

Reflection:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  -Leviticus 19:18 

The Lord’s call to holiness for His people is consistent. Just as He told the Israelites through Moses, Jesus tells the disciples from His own lips that our responsibility to a neighbor is to love not only in word but also in deed as we love ourselves. Jesus goes further revealing that the concrete expressions of love for our neighbor will be the standard by which He will judge our love for Him and, ultimately, our salvation.  

If reading these words convicts our hearts, it is natural to move quickly to commitments to DO more. However, the doing is meant to flow from the loving. Thus, the first step is to LOVE more. Christ has identified Himself with the desperate and broken-hearted. To see Him in our neighbor’s need, we must first recognize that He is in our need. Can we acknowledge our own wretchedness and love the Lord present there? Until we can love Him in the darkest places within ourselves, we will struggle to see Him in the suffering of others.  

In this season of Lent, we have a beautiful opportunity to see Christ present to our need when we seek Him the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He has told us that the one who has been forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47). As we receive His loving forgiveness, we will be equipped to go forth and love our neighbor. 

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

First Sunday of Lent

Scripture:

Genesis 9:8-15
1 Peter 3:18-2
Mark: 1:12-15

Reflection:

“Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.  Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth” (Genesis 9:15-16)

When I was growing up it was difficult for me to decide what to give up for Lent such as candy or going to the movies.  As an adult, I look for opportunities to grow spiritually rather than give something up.  Slowing down for daily prayer allows us to bring our many concerns and questions to God. How long will we be cooped up?  How long will I have to work from home? How will I pay the bills being furloughed from my job?  Will my mother be healed from her cancer? Will I make it through the pandemic?  Why is God letting this happen to me?

In today’s first reading from the book of Genesis, God makes a covenant with Noah and his descendants and when a rainbow appears in the clouds we will remember God’s covenant with us.  For a rainbow to occur it requires both sun and rain.  God doesn’t promise us there will be no more storms with thunder and lightning.  God promises to always love us and be with us and there is life after the storm.  This Lent let us slow down and reflect upon our experiences of God’s covenant in our own life.  Let us slow down to marvel at the wonder of our rainbows.

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.