Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Genesis 18:1-10
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42

Reflection:

Here’s a gospel story for which we love to take sides! Those of us who feel we are always doing more than our share of what needs to be done, whether in our families, communities, or on our jobs, rally around a miffed Martha when she complains to Jesus that her dreamy sister needs to get up and lend a hand. But those of us who think that the way too industrious Marthas of this world need to chill a little before they drive everybody crazy, loyally align ourselves with Mary.

And yet, rather than seeing Mary and Martha as irreconcilable opposites, maybe we should see them as two essential dimensions of the Christian life that must be kept in balance. When Jesus tells Martha, “Mary has chosen the better part,” he reminds us that God must be the absolute center of our lives. No matter how much good we may do, if it leaves us so busy that we seldom have time for the prayer, solitude, and contemplative listening that is necessary to nurture our relationship with God, it is spiritually detrimental. That is why we need to be Mary, sitting “beside the Lord at his feet, listening to him speak.” But we also need to be Martha because the friendship with God that prayer cultivates should always open up in love and service of others.

Mary and Martha. When we strive to emulate what is best in both of them, we realize that Jesus speaks to us not only in prayer, but also in every neighbor who comes our way.

Paul 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:

Micah 2:1-5
Matthew 12:14-21

Reflection:

This periscope in Matthew happens the first time Jesus is in the Temple on the Sabbath. The disciples have also created a stir by harvesting the grain in the palm of their hands.  Jesus has also just healed the man with the withered hand. This upsets the Pharisees so they began to plot on how to get rid of Jesus. This is unique to Matthew because Matthew squarely places the responsibility of Jesus’ death on the Pharisees.  From this statement it is clear the Pharisees are also the enemy of Matthew’s community.

Jesus does not confuse recklessness with courage. First, Jesus withdraws from the crowds and Pharisees. Second, the present moment is not the appropriate time for Jesus to have a confrontation. Jesus has work to do before he takes up his cross. Third, he eschews any publicity and tells the by-standers to remain silent about his miracles.  Matthew emphasizes this by quoting the prophet Isaiah. This is the lengthiest passage of the Old Testament in the New Testament. It is taken from the prophet Second Isaiah who spoke these words during the Babylonian Captivity.

Jesus will preach his Gospel of Justice, which will conquer with Love, not strife. Like Isaiah Jesus includes the Gentiles along with Israel as Isaiah did. Jesus’ preaching will strengthen Israel. He will encourage and give hope to the Gentiles. Like Isaiah his message is for the poor and the oppressed – “the smallest of all nations.” Jesus ministers with love, kindliness, compassion, caring and humility. Jesus is fortified for his mission by immersing his disciple and himself in prayer.

Just as Isaiah and Jesus give us examples of how to deal with conflict, Others have learned how this is done. Peter Trucker, the father of modern management, would say in dealing with conflict, “Be fair, Be firm, and Be friendly. The Mennonites Peace Center in Lombard, Illinois have encouraged when dealing with conflict: Don’t deny, Don’t withdraw, and Don’t Argue. Military Officers when it came to disagreeing on strategies offer this advice: #1. Keep focused on the issue, and #2. Don’t get personal. The scriptures are an end list source of encouragement and hope. The example of Jesus in the Scripture is an endless model for our daily life.

Fr. Ken O’Malley, C.P., is the formation director and local superior at Holy Name Passionist Community in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8
Matthew 12:1-8

Reflection:
“Laws are made to be broken.” A statement we have all heard. Some might accept it as a universal truth, others would have serious reservations, and still others would reject it outright. Where did Jesus stand in this regard? We know that Jesus spoke in favor of the law: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law… I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Mt. 5:17). Regarding tax laws Jesus said: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar…” While accepting the importance of laws, Jesus also saw the need to redefine the laws. In several chapters of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells us, “You have heard it said…but I say to you.” Jesus invited the people listening to him to look deeper at the real meaning of a law. The law of love was not restricted to one’s neighbor and friends, but also was to include enemies.

In our gospel story today, the issue for the Pharisees is not that the disciples were taking grain from someone else’s land, but that they were “working” on the Sabbath, therefore breaking the law. Jesus turns the discussion from behavior on the Sabbath to the behavior of the Pharisees on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were being judgmental and malicious, sins not only against the Sabbath but against every day of the week. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

Human need is greater than the law. In this case, hunger is greater. Jesus healed on the Sabbath because there was a greater need than strict observance of the Sabbath. Love is greater than the law.

The Lord of the Sabbath invites us to be understanding rather than judgmental, compassionate rather than harsh, merciful rather than spiteful. Love your enemy, forgive the one who has hurt you, feed the hungry, protect the weak, etc. Do this even on the Sabbath, even when it breaks the law.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:

Come to me… for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.

I am one day home from the gift of a very unexpected trip to Rome in this year of Mercy.  As I approached the designated door of St. Peter’s basilica I stepped aside for a moment before entering, wondering if there had been a necessary preparation I might have missed.   And then thankfully I came across the sign that stood by the door that gifted a simple, direct invitation.   “As you pass through the holy door remember that Jesus is the door who introduces you to the embrace of God’s mercy.”

Once inside, the basilica was abuzz with as one passing person said “a sea of humanity.”    Wall to wall people in such a number that much effort was required to stay attuned to the flow so as not to bump into people gathered with a multitude of intentions – cameras, selfie sticks, tourist group leader flags, candles.  It was a buzz of voices.  On a certain level it felt like a bustling museum.

That is until I stepped behind the heavy dark grey curtains in the quiet of a hidden side chapel to find Jesus  waiting in the Blessed Sacrament.  Instantly I found the space transformed by the gift of quiet stillness and a sacred silence.  In this space of complete and real Presence with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament I was gifted with a deep sense of coming home with the chance to find rest in the love and mercy of God.  No matter how frazzled the journey was to get here or how much we will be swept back into the whirlwind of a life after, in this moment of meeting Christ, the Bread of Life, we always have this opportunity to be steeped in the Peace of His humble, always welcoming Presence.

Another day I headed to the church of San Pietro in Vincoli at someone’s suggestion.  It is known for Michelangelo’s sculpture commissioned for Pope Julius II’s tomb.  A giant Moses holding the tablets of the Law..  As the doors opened I entered along with a flood of tourists & pilgrims who had gathered in anticipation.  Looking for the flicker of a  candle in a red holder I headed towards the left side of the church; the only area with chairs and kneelers to pray in front of the tabernacle.   From the silence of this spot I turned to see the fullness of the crowd heading towards the statue of Moses.  Guidebooks and cameras in hand.  A buzz of sounds.  Deep rows of people pushing close just as they had in front of the Pieta at St. Peter’s vying for spots to see and adequately capture and experience this unique work of art.

With so much attention concentrated at the other side of the church I realized in a way I never experienced before how quietly humble Christ’s invitation and His Presence truly is.   This treasure of His presence, unmatched by any other, waits with a patience and love beyond any human comprehension. From behind a closed hidden spot in a tabernacle where only the keys of faith supply the map, it asks nothing but our own focused return of presence and surrendered love.  I write this knowing that I can find myself as both/and.  Consumed with a camera trying to capture some version of “must do or see” and as in this moment,  arriving with an open heart content to be filled with whatever it is God wants to teach or show me, desiring and tasting the relief and sweetness of His invitation.

M. Walsh, is a retreatant and friend of the Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center and the Passionist community.

Scripture:

Isaiah 7:1-9
Matthew 11:20-24

Reflection:

Wondrous deeds have been done by the Lord to us and in front of us. What else will it take for us to be strong in our faith and open ourselves up to a spiritual transformation?

In the readings for today, we see the Lord speaking to various cities and communities, and not in the most approving of ways. In both the first reading and the Gospel, the Lord has reproach for these cities which have seen the goodness of the Lord. Whether through action, scripture, preaching, or miracles they experienced God’s grace and yet did not repent. Today, our faith is countercultural drawing us away from our faith rather than towards God. Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm! Is 7:9.  If we start to view the trends of today as truth, what will come of us? If we dread, fear, or hate, what is inconvenient how we will ever become closer to God? We cannot expect something so glorious to be easily attainable, but have faith through the sufferings we incur along the way. It is through these sufferings that we are able to experience true peace and the love of God here on earth.

Do not be disturbed by the passing trials you are going through, since you must know that similar trials will come often. Our divine Savior visits those servants who are dear to him and purifies them with trials to develop their fidelity. – St. Paul of the Cross.

God graces us with His presence in our daily lives in order to transform us by His love and mercy into what He has planned for us. God places on our hearts his Word and Will for our lives. When we open ourselves up to this possibility and begin to live in faith, we realize that it is the only possibility and wish to be transformed. Why would we want to do anything else? We have free will and can make the active choice to open our lives to the will of God, or to turn down the wide and easy path. In what way will you choose to seek His Will today?

I seek nothing else, I long for nothing else…save in all things to be transformed by love in the divine will… – St. Paul of the Cross

 

Kim Valdez is a formet Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37

Reflection:

The parable of the Good Samaritan is so familiar to us that it may no longer surprise us as parables are meant to do.  Two modern-day stories may give us an idea of the shock of inconvenient faith Jesus conveyed to the lawyer who asked “who is my neighbor?”

One

Henri Nouwen tells the story of a conversation he had with an older experienced professor at the University of Notre Dame, who remarked: “You know…my whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted – until I discovered that my interruptions were my work.”

Two

On June 1, 1998, the Los Angeles Times ran a story about a 50-year-old man who suffered a heart attack while taking the grueling state bar exam. Two other students immediately stopped to help the man by administering CPR until the paramedics arrived, then they resumed taking their exam. Citing policy, the test supervisor refused to allow the two students additional time to make up for the 40 minutes they spent helping the victim. The state bar’s senior executive for admissions backed the decision stating, “If these two want to be lawyers, they should learn a lesson about priorities.”

Just so.  Our work of compassion requires us to interrupt what we are doing at the time and pay attention to what is really important.  In today’s gospel, Jesus taught the lawyer a lesson about priories.  Interrupt your state bar exam, he told him, and be neighbor to the man suffering a heart attack.

What Jesus said to the lawyer, he says to us: “Go and do likewise.”

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 6:1-8
Matthew 10:24-33

 

Reflection:

 Mary, Mother of Holy Hope

Emily Dickinson calls hope the thing with feathers. Like a singing bird it keeps spirits up in the chill, the dark or the storm. If I associate hope with a bird it would be because they flit around; they are here then they are there.

I received an email from a friend saying that her brother was on his way from Rome to Bologna to see a cancer specialist. The glioblastoma tumor was increasing and treatments ineffective. A second email two days later said that the doctor found no cancer, only a hole in the brain(!), but no cancer. She could not describe the joy of her brother and family on the train ride back to Rome. What a difference between two emails. The first asked for prayers that spoke of hope, but the ‘feathered thing’ looked a bit irrelevant, not at all up to a seemingly impossible task to me. In the second email ‘hope’ was not to be found, only celebration. Hope had been there and then flitted away.

Today the Word of God calls us to hope. The prophets offer hope despite some very hard word. Matthew overflows with hope- what you hear in darkness, speak in light; do not be afraid of anything; do not be intimidated but have hope.

The Passionist community today celebrates a feast observed from the time of its founding, ‘Mary, Mother of Hope’. Thomas Struzzeiri, CP, promoted this devotion. He carried a picture of Mary, Mother of Hope on his parish missions. Soon this picture was found in the rooms of the religious. The devotion invites all to ask Mary’s assistance in their spiritual need, and to see her as model and support of our hope.

Blessed Dominic Barberi, CP offers a reflection on Mary as a model of Hope: hope is an anchor that keeps the ship of our souls safe on the stormy sea of a troubled world. It enables us to confidently expect eternal life and the aids that lead to it. Since Mary possessed this virtue to an heroic degree she is appropriately called ‘Mother of Holy Hope’. Barberi gives a picture of hope from the Song of Songs: ‘who is this coming up from the desert, leaning upon her lover?’ Mary hoped on Calvary, when the disciples fled in fear, in the persecution of the infant Church. She remained firm in the midst of what seemed disaster and supported those who turned to her as to a mother. She encourages the weak, lifts those who fall and urges the strong to ever greater trust. Mary has not resigned from such maternal service in our day.

Dominic Barberi was a theologian and teacher, who went to England with hopes of enabling dialogue and union between the English Church and Rome. He suffered much from cultural and religious differences, and did not see ‘his hope’ realized. But he had a unique gift, a surprise: welcoming John Henry Newman into the Roman Church.

On June 27 as my friend’s brother went to see the doctor in Bologna. In her second email he shared with me her prayer, ‘that my mother, who had recently died, would accompany Mary, Jesus mother, to plead before her son for the recovery of my terminally ill brother’. In my prayer I had forgotten that Mary is the Mother of Hope. My friend did not!

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

Scripture:

Hosea 14:2-10
Matthew 10:16-23

Reflection:

The backdrop of today’s gospel is Jesus choosing and sending forth his disciples to preach, teach and heal in the towns and villages of Galilee.  In commissioning the disciples, Jesus warns them about persecutions they will face.  And he counsels them on how they are to respond: “so be as shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.”

In the Greek, shrewd means to be wise, to be with insight, to comprehend a situation and to respond prudently.  And simple means to be unmixed.  It once referred to things like pure gold or unmixed wine.  And so it means to have purity of motive.

In the communities of evangelists Matthew and Mark, it was dangerous to be Christian.  Nero and the Roman Empire like wolves were persecuting them.  But for us today, how do we balance being both serpent and dove among wolves while proclaiming the gospel?  What does this look like?

On the eve of World War II, the Nazis, like wolves, were persecuting Jews.  One individual, Sir Nicholas Winton, like a shrewd serpent, saw where this danger was leading.  He quickly organized a rescue operation that saved the lives of 669 Czechoslovakian children from Nazi death camps.  He brought them to the safety of Great Britain.  After the war, like a simple dove, Winton drew no attention to his heroic humanitarian effort.  Indeed, it went unnoticed for more than 50 years.  But in 1988, while his wife was cleaning their attic, she discovered the records, the children’s names and their parents, and those who harbored them.  At a surprise event to honor Winton, there sat many of the now grown children whose lives he saved.  They stood to thank him.  Dove-like, Winton said nothing.  He simply wiped away tears.

What does Jesus’ commissioning mean for us disciples today?  After all, we are threatened neither by Nero nor Nazi.  To be sure, we face hostility.  To live and express our faith in our culture is to incite ridicule and accusations of intolerance and hate. Our temptation to behave like frightened sheep.

In such times, we are to heed Jesus’ counsel.  We must discern the sign of the times; act prudently, proclaiming the gospel in the midst of growling wolves.  And we are to live out our faith boldly and selflessly.  In the Thomistic definition of Christian love, we are to will the good of the other – like serpent and dove.

 

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