Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Galatians 3:22-29
Luke 11:27-28

Reflection:

A group of enthusiastic retreatants shouted “Amen!” one weekend when asked if they believe in the Communion of Saints.  They were affirming and celebrating an ancient truth – Yes, we, the Church Militant, are part of the Communion of Saints.

But later during Mass, the priest challenged them with another question: “Are you willing to put God before anything else in your life – before family, before material things, before your own needs?”  No shouts of Amen.  Just uncomfortable mumbling.

The woman in the crowd shouted her own enthusiastic Amen: “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that fed you.”  She was affirming and celebrating a truth – Yes, Mary was indeed privileged to be the mother of Jesus.

But Jesus responded to the crowd with what sounded almost like a denial of his mother: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

This was no repudiation.  On the contrary, Jesus proclaimed to the crowd – and to those tongue-tied retreatants – that there is a higher truth.  We are closest to God when we hear the word of God and obey it.

It’s not enough to be counted among the Communion of Saints.  Not enough to talk about the gospel.  Not even enough to claim blood relationship with Jesus. We cannot merely hear the radical words of Jesus. We must change our life to do the will of God.  And no one has heard and obeyed the word of God better than the Blessed Mother.  Jesus gave his mother the highest possible praise.

What about us?  Do we merely listen to Jesus’ words or do we really follow him by giving him our whole life?   The Blessed Mother and the saints glorify God in heaven, not for what they said, but for what they did.  They obeyed the will of God.

Jesus challenges us to do the same.  Can we shout “Amen” to that?

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

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Scripture:

Galatians 3:7-14
Luke 11:15-26

Reflection:

Eight German Jesuits lived about a mile from where the Enola Gay dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August of 1946. That bomb killed a half million people, and laid low the entire city, that is except for the home where these Jesuits lived. The church next to the home where they were huddled praying the rosary that day was completely demolished. When one of the survivors, Father Schiffer, S. J. was asked his reaction he said he thought it was simply the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Pope Saint John Paul II who introduced the world to the luminous mysteries of the rosary, survived an assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. Shot in the abdomen when he entered St. Peter’s Square for an audience that day, he was rushed to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome where the doctors had to operate. Regaining consciousness briefly before the operation, he asked the surgeons not to remove the brown scapular he wore, an external sign used by many who have entrusted themselves to Mary’s protection. That assassination attempt took place on the exact day and hour Mary first appeared to the three children at Fatima. St. Pope John Paul II forgave his assassin and expressed complete trust in him.

These two stories I share on this feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary make me think, maybe its time for me to stop fighting so much and get back to saying the rosary. We did that as a family when I was a kid in the 1950’s and as a high school seminarian in the 1960’s. Sadly, somewhere along the way, like many other good habits, I stopped it.

Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists.  He lives in Chicago. 
Jesuit story from epicPew link

http://epicpew.com/rosary-save-priest-atomic-bomb-hiroshima/

Scripture:

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14
Luke 11:1-4

Reflection:

How old were you when you learned and memorized “The Lord’s Prayer” or as we frequently call it, the “Our Father”?    Do you know which gospel version of that prayer you learned?  I’ll give you a hint.  It probably wasn’t from Luke’s gospel.  For today as the church reflects on Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer,  many will be struck by how short it appears.  It is only six lines.  Did Luke shorten the prayer?  Did he decide some of the lines of the prayer weren’t necessary?  Or perhaps the version we had to memorize was lengthened?  Or maybe there is another explanation.

Today’s gospel begins with a request.  “Lord teach us to pray as John taught his disciples to pray”.  What was the prayer which John the Baptist taught?  To my knowledge we don’t have a copy of it.  I also think it is important to distinguish that this isn’t merely a generic prayer from Jesus’ mouth.    While it may have been inspired by the historical Jesus, it is a prayer of a community of believers who have accepted to follow Jesus on his journey to God, and who press on in their mission toward the Father.  It is the prayer of those who have received the promise of the Holy Spirit, living it out in a post-resurrection age. This is a community who truly know that they are God’s sons and daughters.

Incidentally, the longer version we memorized in our childhood years is also from a community of believers.  It was a more Jewish oriented community who also became strong in their belief of the risen Lord.  They most likely share the same inspiration but different in their developments as the faith communities grew.  Pray again the prayer from Luke’s community.

Father, hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test.”

While thousands of words and volumes of books have been written on this prayer, today can we ponder some meaning deeper than words we have memorized?

• How do we acknowledge the holiness of God?
• What is our participation in building that kingdom? Luke’s community was meal oriented.  It was the Father who provided for them with a meal that was characteristic of their life relationships and open to all.  Through this meal which transcends all ethnic, social and economic differences, they strove to bring about the kingdom of God.  What kingdom attracts our attention?
• God forgives us from our sins. Appreciating this alone should make our day.
• Do we forgive EVERYONE in debt to us?

The wisdom of the church invites us to take time today to think about the meanings behind words we have known for most of our lives.

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Louisville, Kentucky.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Scripture:

Galatians 1:13-24
Luke 10:38-42

Reflection:

As the month of October unfolds and the lives of many religious founders are shared with us, today’s special scripture selections for the Feast of St. Francis help us celebrate the Franciscan “roots” of our Passionist family, and our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross.

In writing to the Galatians, Paul the Apostle could truly “boast” in Jesus Crucified and look to the Cross of Jesus as the means of salvation. Saint Francis of Assisi heard that call of Jesus in the 12^th Century, gave himself wholeheartedly to Jesus and began an exemplary life of praise and sacrifice; some six centuries later, St. Paul of the Cross was called to build upon that blessed foundation.

To “boast” of Jesus Crucified; to praise God in all aspects of creation; to “rest” in the Lord and “learn” what it means to really love God and neighbor:  Jesus offers a transformation of life through joyful love, poverty, humility, and simplicity.  How needed that transformation in our 21^st century!

The Scriptures came alive for Francis of Assisi.  His carefree youth was radically changed by the call of Jesus, and thus he renounced his personal possessions and changed his life to one of evangelical poverty and preaching.  Francis was truly charismatic, compassionate, and in love with all God’s creation; others were attracted to his style of living.  Francis was blessed to compile a “rule of life” and establish a number of religious communities of both men and women.  In the short 44 years of his life, he sparked a spiritual renewal that continues to thrive even today.

Today, in reflection:  how do I respect God’s presence in people, nature, created things?  How are simplicity and humility part of my life?  How am helping build up the Church?

Francis invites us to join him today in “boasting in Jesus Crucified”, and praising God in our simplicity and respect for all manifestations of God’s Life.  O Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Francis, Paul Daneo:  let us rejoice in the Lord, and as Passionists boast of the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

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

Scripture:

Galatians 1:6-12
Luke 10:25-37

Reflection:

“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10: 36-37

We are getting close to the end of the Year of Mercy that we have celebrated in the church this year. How have we done in learning to be more merciful? Where can we still grow in this area? One of the hard things for me to see is the growing number of homeless families in the city where we live. It a difficult problem, because many of the homeless need more than a home, they need help for mental illnesses. We are helping with a home in our area that is taking in eight families today, so that’s a start!

But what do we do when we see a person on the side of the road with a sign asking for help? Do we feel uncomfortable and look the other way? I have to admit that I do just that sometimes, because I’ve heard we shouldn’t give money to those who are on the street. The agencies that help the homeless suggest that it would be better to give them a meal, or at least a “goodie bag” filled with protein bars, soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, kleenex, shampoo, etc. It’s also nice to have smaller bags with doggie treats for those who have a dog.

Even if you don’t have food or money to give, you can give these people a smile. We can acknowledge them with a nod and smile and then say a prayer for them. At least you are noticing them. Many on the street feel invisible and forsaken because most ignore them and so many of us are uncomfortable looking at them when we don’t have anything to give.

Scripture reminds us, “Give to the one who asks you.” (Matthew 5:42) I plan on being prepared the next time someone asks me for help. I invite you to join me by making up some “goodie bags” to have in your car. Even if just one person does, that would be great! And if each of us notices and tries to help the “neighbor” we encounter in our own neighborhood, city or town – then one by one, we can make a difference in our world today. Let’s each do what we can to help those God puts in our path each day.

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR 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:

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Luke 17:5-10

Reflection:

What is being asked of us is not to have more knowledge of our catechism, but to have a much deeper and stronger trust and confidence that our God is near us, even when God seems so far away. That doesn’t mean our faith will eradicate hardships and difficulties. Being a faithful disciple of Christ is never going to be a tea party. God has promised his love but never promised us a life free of suffering. Let us not forget: “He did not spare his own Son.” In the darkness we ask only what Paul the Apostle asked:  “Stir into flame the gift of God… For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.”

The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus responds by speaking about a servant doing his duty. I believe what Jesus is saying is reflected in the words of Edgar Guest as found in “Doing the Gospel.”

I would rather see a sermon than to hear one any day…
I’d rather one should walk with me…than merely tell the way…

The best of all the preachers are the ones who live their creeds…
For to see good put to action…is what everybody needs…

I soon can learn to do it…if you will let me see it done…
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue, too fast may run…

And the lecture you deliver maybe e very wise and true…
But I’d rather get my lessons…by observing what you do…

For I might misunderstand you…and the high advice you give…
But there’s no misunderstanding…how you act and how you live.

“And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.'”

Fr. Don Webber, C.P., is the director of the Office of Mission Effectiveness. He resides in Chicago.

Scripture:

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
Luke 10:13-16

Reflection:

Each of us is just one of over seven billion people upon this plant Earth.  Earth is just one little speck in the vast galaxy called the Milky Way.  The Milky Way is just one of a hundred billion galaxies in our universe.  And scientists estimate that the universe is close to fourteen billion years old.

In both space and time, in both size and length of years, each one of us is so very, very, very small.  We are as a grain of sand in the vast Sahara Desert.  Our littleness is compounded by the fact that we have our share of weaknesses, sins and limitations.  We are of little account.

A rabbi was once asked to explain how is it that, in days long past, God was very visible and present.  But nowadays, hardly anyone sees him. The rabbi observed, “Nowadays there is no one who bows low enough.”

After a long dialogue with God, Job finally bowed low enough.  “Behold, I am of little account.”  He regained not only his possessions, but also his peace of mind, knowing who he was in the presence of God the Creator.

We read in the First Letter of St. Peter, “God resists the proud but gives his grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).”  Looking up at the stars and beyond to the Creator of the stars, we humbly respond with one word: “WOW!”   God’s grace follows.  And we live our lives in a constant attitude of gratitude.

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

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Scripture:

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
John 1:47-51

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.  Once again I find myself reflecting on angels, as I have since I opened the pages of the New Baltimore Catechism in the 1950’s.  Question #19 went straight to the heart of the matter.  “What are angels? Angels are created spirits without bodies.” Question #22 went further with a “job description.” “How do the good angels help us?  The good angels help us by praying for us, by acting as messengers from God to us, and by serving as our guardian angels.” So much for my understanding of angels in the 1950’s.

In the 1960’s (circa 1968), the “Dutch Catechism” gave me more to think about concerning angels. “Everything said about them (angels) in the Bible proclaims the marvelous truth: that God is concerned for us in a thousand ways. The names of the angels tell us this.  Gabriel means “strength of God”; Raphael, “God’s healing”; Michael, “Who is like God.”  This understanding is the one I hold today; God is concerned for me in ways I’ll never understand.  God just plain loves me without limits!

I like this understanding.  It is so good to know how deeply and uniquely God loves me. If I could fully explain angels, then my understanding of the ways God can love me would have the limits of my own mind. I prefer to feel the warmth of God’s love on this cool, fall day in Louisville, in unexpected, unknown and fully unlimited ways.

I’m getting too old to develop scholarly reflections on the Archangels!  But, God willing, I’ll never be too old to experience God’s immense and mysterious love for myself and each one of us.  May the angels always be with us and may they walk happily with us into the arms of God.  Amen.

 

Terry McDevitt, Ph.D., is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.