Daily Scripture

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Scripture:

Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:119a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Luke 1:26-38 or 1:39-47

Reflection:

Let’s bring to prayer our present reality these dramatic and historical apparitions of Mary, the Mother of God, at the hill of Tepeyac (located in the present Mexico City) from the 9th – 12th, December, 1531 to  a native convert, St. Juan Diego. His name in native Chichimecan translates as “the eagle who speaks.”

Our Lady appeared four times to him. She appeared in an area know as “de Guadalupe,” meaning “she will crush the server of stone.” She appeared at the time of the terroristic Spanish annihilation of the native peoples of the region.

Through the incredulity-to-believability shown by Juan Diego, the message to the indigenous poor of Mexico and, subsequently, to the whole of North America, was “am I not here? I who am your mother? And, are you not under my shadow and my protection?”

While the Church in Mexico owed its foundation to the direct intervention by the Mother of God, is it not most relevant now in this world-wide threat of terror to speak of Our Lady’s role in forging a new people – a mestizo people (mixture/blend).

In meditation, this interpretation of the apparitions can affirm the continuation of native values, and social customs. It affirms the voice of Mary to women of color the world over, affording them personal dignity and respect, and, for immigrants and refugees alike the promise of sharing in the wealth and security of our country without a loss of national pride nor ethnic identity.

For those non-Hispanics the apparitions and message of our Blessed Mother remind us that one time there were no national boundaries dividing people of the Americas. In the apparition of Guadalupe, Our Lady promises to be the Mother of all who dwell in the land without borders.

Is this the Church in the world as it exists now? A spiritual and virtual borderless place of mercy, compassion, and equity.

As an out-grown from our prayer today, make a resolution, when in public to take the initiative and meet and greet the one who crosses your path, who obviously is different than you are. Is this individual, habitual act an act counter to terrorism (breeding fear and division). As the Church is living stones, so we build through inclusion of all, or else the building is not complete according to the Plan of God. Build relationships, not walls.

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 41:13-20
Matthew 11:11-15

Reflection:

“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.”

It’s hard to believe this statement was written 2000 years ago, given what is happening in our world today. From the birthplaces of Christianity, to Africa, to European nations, to the cities of our own country, we are engulfed in violence. Not only is violence committed against religion but it is too often committed in the name of religion or by fanatics who distort the religion they claim to represent. Commonly, innocent people are targeted as they go about their daily lives, shopping, eating, seeing a movie, going to school, or just walking down the street. It seems that no one is safe anywhere.

In the midst of this violence, Pope Francis declares a Year of Mercy. How can we bring God’s Mercy to bear? How can we proclaim our faith in the face of senseless aggression, killing, and violence? Gandhi gave us a clue when he said, “The enemy is fear. We think it is hate, but it is fear.”

As a nation, I believe the worst thing we can do is over-react out of fear. Japanese-Americans have nightmarish memories of being confined to camps during World War II based solely on their cultural origin. Yet there are calls to figuratively or literally do the same to Muslims, based solely on their faith. Then go on to condemn desperate families fleeing from war, rape, and horrific treatment. We are told to cower in fear, judging anyone whose skin color, culture, or religious beliefs are different. Slam and lock the doors, forget about your neighbor, and refuse to help anyone but your own.

This may give the appearance of safety. But it does not give security. It breeds more fear, and generates more violence.

So on the national level, I send donations of money, clothing, and food to organizations that support and re-settle refugees in our county. I have also written to my senators and representatives to plead for reason and well-considered responses instead of gut reactions. With each move, I pray that hearts may change and our leaders will have the wisdom to know how to proceed.

On a personal level, often the most effective tool against fear is understanding and personal engagement. I was seated by a young female maître’d wearing a Muslim headscarf. I thanked her for having the courage to profess her faith in public and showed her the cross around my own neck. Tears welled up in her eyes. She told me she never goes a day without facing hateful stares, hand gestures, and even spitting, insults she endures as gracefully as she can. Then she said, “I wish people knew how much this violence breaks my heart, and how hard my Muslim community tries to bring peace and live out the real truths of our faith. It helps me to know there are good people in this world. Thank you so much.”

What can you do? Who can you reach out to? This Advent season, as we anticipate the incarnation of God into a refugee family whose rulers practiced a different faith from their own, may we live out the Mercy of our God and work to bring peace.

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:

Isaiah 40:25-31
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:

Isaiah describes God’s work of delivering Israel as: making a highway through a transformed, beautiful desert. It is a safe route, and even fools can’t make a wrong turn! ‘It is for those who have a journey to make’ (Is. 35:8-9). As a community in preparation we have set out to celebrate the unfolding of our salvation. Our journey takes place during a season for distraction, but it is cushioned with beautiful readings and music.

Isaiah tries to convince Israel that their rough road will be smooth, ‘come, heed my words and let’s go’. We may be finding the opposite these days? We want to ‘do Advent’; we desire the grace of this season. Do the readings today know that we often find ourselves, not lost on the highway, (this can’t happen), but none the less a bit out of sorts, maybe disappointed by unrealized expectations, or having begun the Holy Year of Mercy, and feeling our Holy Door is the revolving type, we go in circles and are never quite sure as we begin the day in which direction we will be launched?

Today is the feast of Juan Diego. ‘My little Juan’ as Mary affectionately calls him. Did Mary see in Juan what the Father saw in Mary herself? Juan’s revolving door had shot him out as a follower of Jesus, in a culture greatly in flux. What intimacy and joy Juan receives as Mary focuses upon him. Through this humble man she embraces a whole people and leads them to her Son. There was a lot of Advent going on as Mary shows Juan what surrendering to God’s Will can accomplish!

Our worries, doubts, weariness and temptations are those of Israel. But we want to savor the gifts being given to us, our salvation and God’s creative love beyond expectation. About halfway through Advent God’s Word finds us as Mary found Juan. What advice do we weary travelers receive as we set out today?

The one you seek, ‘He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. (Is.40:28-31).

We might ask, ‘What direction?’ as we come closer to our goal?’ ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light. (Mt. 12:28-30). Don’t give up, the best is yet to come.

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

Feast of The Immaculate Conception
Beginning the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

Scripture:

Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11, 12
Luke 1:26-38

Reflection:

As I began to read today’s scripture, I thought about why Pope Francis chose the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to open the Year of Mercy.  Why not begin the year on the first Sunday of Advent or on January 1^st, and make it a calendar year?  However, I soon realized that this feast and today’s readings are filled with signs of God’s mercy.  In the first reading, God, in Divine Goodness, has created Adam and Eve and given them Paradise with just one rule to follow.  Afterwards how could God hold any mercy out to them (us) when they (we) couldn’t even follow one little command?  But God IS mercy and so really pulls out all the stops –  God gives his son to us.  The second reading elaborates on that gift, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ” and then our beautiful gospel tells us of the Angel’s visit to Mary.  Mary, this young girl, becomes the bearer of God’s mercy.  Wow!  She becomes the actual bearer of Jesus, who is God’s mercy for us.  Mary herself lives that mercy as she visits her cousin, Elizabeth, to help Elizabeth prepare for the birth of her child, John, and again, at the marriage feast at Cana as she asks Jesus to help the hosts.

Reading the scriptures and recalling our own lives, we know that our God is indeed a merciful God.  In fact, all of us and each of us are in need of forgiveness and of God’s love and mercy.  It is that very mercy that will enable us to see the love of God and be transformed by it.  It is that mercy that will help us understand God’s love and how we reflect that love when we show mercy to others.

Today as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and as we open this jubilee, we look to Mary, the very bearer of God’s gift of mercy, his Son.  In Pope Francis’ words, “”We entrust it as of now to the Mother of Mercy, because she looks to us with her gaze and watches over our way.”

And our question for today and for the next year must be how can I, like Mary, be a bearer of mercy, how can I, like Jesus, show mercy to all – sinners and saints, rich and poor, those in need and those with whom I walk daily.  During this special year, may God’s mercy touch our hearts and through us touch the hearts of all we meet.  May God’s mercy transform us and through us, transform the world.

Mary Lou Butler is a long-time friend and partner in ministry to the Passionists in California.

Scripture:

Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 5:17-26

Reflection:

Sitting in a meeting not long ago, the question arose on where we should start the evening’s reading. I offered what seemed to me a perfectly logical spot when the chair responded with another location a whole page before my suggestion. Thinking he had missed the obvious I repeated my recommendation. He again gave his original suggestion. After a few more back and forth banters (I don’t give up easily, especially when I think it’s obvious) the gathered community chose to start at the “wrong” spot.

Forgiving the chairperson did not come easily. As we reached the paragraph where I thought we should have begun, I was sure everyone including the moderator would then understand that my suggestion was surely the right place to start. In the comments afterwards however, a number of people said how happy they were that we started where we did. No one said they thought Dan’s suggestion was better.

I began to forgive the moderator for being right and accept that I may not always have the answer. The moderator eventually shared his reflection and I was able to hear what he was saying. He started with “I don’t believe in god…” (I let that go without a need to explain why I do believe). Then he shared a most inspiring and practical suggestion. He said instead of working at making an examination of conscience before going to sleep, he follows the Buddhist’s practice of listening to his thoughts, letting the spirit (he didn’t call it the spirit) lead the examen. With that practice he quickly falls asleep. I tried it and have continued doing it since then. It works!

Thank you God for giving me eyes to see and ears to hear. I’m often slow like the Scribes and Pharisees in today’s gospel selection.

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

Scripture:

Baruch 5:1-9
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6

Reflection:

On this Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist reminds us to be attentive and vigilant. Our redemption is near at hand and we don’t want to miss it. John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This advice remains appropriate for us today as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. John was not talking about the Sacrament of Baptism, but the ceremony of walking into the Jordan River and taking a bath, that is, washing away the grime that has collected in our thoughts and feelings, our values and attitudes, our desires and decisions. This is not a quick cure or an overnight miracle. John affirms that we need to be repentant, which means more than just feeling regretful for past sins. Repentance means a hard-hitting determination to change our life patterns by a deep conversion of heart.

As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to make low any mountains of arrogance or pride, to fill in any valleys of fear and disbelief, to make straight any twisted thoughts or attitudes. All roughness in us that causes people harm or wounds others is to be made smooth. This is how we open ourselves to the presence of Christ today. His saving power and caring presence Jesus healed the sick and helped the weak and forgave the sinner. Jesus generously gives us that same hope and life today as we open our minds and hearts to him.

As the priest lights the second Advent Candle, call to mind that Jesus is the light of the world who comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life and hope. We are to also remind ourselves that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God’s grace to others. In this way we become another John the Baptist today. Each of us has a mission to communicate the Spirit of Christ to others, to be a message of hope, love, peace and forgiveness…to help others fill their valleys and make their rough paths smoother.

We pray with St. Paul in today’s second reading: “May [my] love increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that [I] may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…”  May nothing hinder your progress till the day when Christ comes.

Father Don Webber, C.P., resides in Chicago.

No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, Isaiah 30:20

Scripture:

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Reflection:

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matthew 10:7

What great news there is in our readings today! Isaiah speaks of the goodness of God that is to come. He paints a beautiful picture of the abundant blessings that will be ours. And not only will there be material blessings, but God Himself will no longer be hidden from our eyes. All of our past hurts will be healed, and, even more important to those of us in California, there will be rain for our crops! And Jesus says that time is here! That time is now!

And yet, if we look around, we see something different. We seem to be farther away from the Kingdom of God than ever before. How can the Kingdom of God be “at hand,” when what we see about us is war and strife, pain and suffering, hatred and fear? We find ourselves surrounded by the deepest human suffering while heated discussions over whether a coffee cup’s design truly expresses the spirit of the season are big news.

The responsorial psalm tells us that, “blessed are all who wait for the Lord.” So maybe we just need to sit quietly and await that bright day when God will lift us up and bind our wounds. Perhaps, but I think Jesus is proposing another way to ‘wait for the Lord.’ Jesus instructs His followers to go out and seek those who are in pain and to give freely.

Maybe the way to truly see the Kingdom is to step forward and meet those who are suffering and give them aid. Curing the sick could be taking the time to speak with someone who is sick at heart with grief. Raising the dead could be giving hope to one who has lost it. No great miracle is needed.

There is a saying that goes, “Fake it till you make it.” Maybe if I go around, greeting people as if the Kingdom of God IS at hand, carrying the Kingdom of God in my heart, helping those around me, it really will be at hand.

Maybe the way to turn a holiday cup into a Christmas cup is to fill it and give it to someone who is thirsty.

Talib Huff works and volunteers at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. You can contact him at [email protected].

Scripture:

Isaiah 29:17-24
Matthew 9:27-31

 

Reflection:

Living with eyes open

The richness of the Advent season continues to unfold for us, and today’s Gospel selection presents Jesus dealing with the blindness of two men who cried to Him for help with their blindness.  Jesus asked about their faith in Him and his power to heal them, and with their statement of faith — they were cured!

As human beings if we had to be deprived of one of our faculties, most of us would probably be least willing to give up our sight.  To miss out on seeing people, the beauties of nature, movies, television – even this computer page – is indeed threatening.  We can close our eyes for some moments and try to imagine what totally blind people experience, but our experience is very limited:  we simply open our eyes and see again.  Even trying to see without our misplaced eyeglasses or contact lenses is frustrating for us.

The Scriptures frequently present personal sinfulness in terms of blindness, and redemption in terms of renewed sight.  At the moment of our baptism our eyes were opened to see the Lord Jesus in faith.  For many of us that Baptism experience was likely years ago, today’s celebration in the Advent Season asks us now:  What about our sight?  Are our eyes open?  Do we see our redemption at hand in the person of Jesus?

God is present to us everywhere, in the air we breathe, in nature – and especially in people.  God’s joy radiates in the smile of an infant, His acceptance in the affection of a young child, His vitality in the energy of an adolescent, His power in the strength of an athlete, His beauty in the loveliness of a human being, His concern in the devotion of a parent, His wisdom in the prudence and insight of the elderly.  As we look more deeply at life and faith this Advent season…oh the spiritual experiences, what “sights”!

This Advent calls us not to close our eyes to God’s presence, or to live imprisoned by darkness and gloom.  As did the two blind men, we’re invited to profess our faith in Jesus, to acknowledge His presence and power, and to serve Jesus with eyes wide open as we boldly follow Him as 21^st century disciples.  Today’s responsorial psalm adds to the picture:  “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?…wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted and wait for the Lord.”  This is truly Good News for our severely troubled world!

“Come, Lord Jesus.  Help us to see with the eyes of faith!”

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