The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

Daily Scripture

Upcoming Daily Scriptures

Daily Scripture, August 21, 2025

Scripture:

Judges 11:29-39a
Matthew 22:1-14

Reflection:

Here I am Lord; I come to do your will.  -Psalm 40:8-9

How challenging is figuring out God’s will for you currently? In our psalm response the psalmist is in transition from being disobedient to now wanting to do what is obedient and right in the eyes of God. The difficulty for most people is trying to discern the will of God especially in making major decisions.  Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines discernment as “the quality of being able to comprehend what is obscure.” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discernment)

Discerning the will of God has multiple  components within the process.  Key interfaith factors in discerning God’s will are:

  • Study Sacred Writings which include the Bible for Christians, the Torah for Jews and the Quran for Muslims. These sacred writings contain what people believe to be the revealed word of God and assist in determining God’s will.
  • Seek guidance and advice from spiritual mentors, Priests, Rabbis, Imams and others especially in regard to denominational teachings. 
  • Research and gather information regarding medical and clinical information or insights from psychology or business in making major decisions.
  • Pray to God/Power Greater Than Ourselves which puts us in the proper attitude and positive to openness to God’s will. Pay particular attention to God speaking and guiding us through the  promptings of the Holy Spirit.
  • Be sincere and honest with getting in touch with your own desires, fears, aspirations, and motivations regarding your mission in life.
  • Consult friends, relatives and trusted people in the community who will give you honest feedback and input.

This reflection shares a process of discerning God’s will and outlines key steps across faith traditions, including studying sacred texts, seeking counsel from religious leaders, conducting thorough research, engaging in sincere prayer, being honest with oneself, and consulting respected community members. Lord, guide and direct me in discerning your will.

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

Daily Scripture, August 20, 2025

Scripture:

Judges 9:6-15
Matthew 20:1-16

Reflection:

Are you envious because I am generous?

What is it about this parable that gets our attention?  What of our experience gets touched?  Challenged?  Often our first reaction is… well, that is not fair!, they shouldn’t all get the same wage, they didn’t work the same…

In Matthew’s Gospel, this story follows the rich young man who Jesus tells to sell everything and follow me – become a disciple – and he goes away sad.  Peter then says to Jesus – we have sold everything and followed you, what is in this for us?  And now this parable – everyone gets the same, regardless of when they begin to follow?!?  Our humanness cannot understand.  How can this be, we mumble and grumble and ultimately, go away sad…

But the owner of the vineyard, kept his deal, he paid everyone what he offered them – what they agreed to.  Maybe that is the real question – what do we agree to?  Are we really followers of Jesus?  Do we let the gospel guide us in all we do?  The whole gospel – not just what is easy or what we like to do – not just what is comfortable, but what is challenging as well?  Are we like Peter, who says, look, we have done this, this, and this – so what do we get, aren’t we better than him/her who hasn’t?  Or are we willing to do what we do out of love – love for God, for others and for self? 

When we notice ourselves reacting and getting defensive – do we pause to ask God to help us notice where this resistance or reaction is coming from – what is underneath this feeling, emotion, reaction – how can I open my heart to your generosity, love, mercy and forgiveness.  What does God want us to notice in ourselves, is there an opportunity for transformation?

Are we willing to leave everything – our judgments, biases, fears and defensiveness – to follow Jesus – can we be grateful that God is big enough for everyone – God’s generosity reaches everyone – does ours?

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Daily Scripture, August 19, 2025

Scripture:

Judges 6:11-24a
Matthew 19:23-30

Reflection:

Fables and ancient legends often tell of heroines and heroes being seduced away from their great task or journey by some momentary lapse, when they suddenly turn from their task, loose focus and reach out for a seeming good that appears attractive but often contains within itself the seeds for disaster. Often this momentary lapse gives rise to great difficulties in pursuing one’s original dream, or leads to a fall or even to disaster.

It may be only a momentary lapse but it often has long term implications.

Perhaps it is in this sense that Jesus speaks about riches in today’s gospel.

Jesus stresses it is not easy to enter the Kingdom and riches can impede one’s entry into living within God’s reign (just as many other concerns can and do). As for that dramatic image of camels passing through the eye of a needle – well perhaps this image is meant to shock and puzzle the disciple, and leave him or her ‘wondering’. For it is often in this state, where one’s mind is open, searching for answers and cleared of predispositions – that the Spirit can prompt a deeper awareness and whisper an answer to us.

I am sure preachers within every Christian tradition agonise over this text, trying to reconcile wealth and riches with discipleship. I don’t intend to go into that debate here. I think it is sufficient to say that Jesus saw the need to reach out beyond one’s needs and desires in order to adopt the right disposition if one wished to strive for the Kingdom of God and thus enter into it.

But Peter also names another dynamic that often puzzles people too. He speaks of the ‘recognition’ or ‘reward’ that a good disciple might desire or expect. Although the disciple may set out with an open heart, generous and willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom, he or she is only human. Thus the need for recognition, even reward can surface and at times hold one’s attention powerfully.

The danger at that moment, much like that of the great heroes in various myths, much like the pursuit of riches, is that the desire for recognition can lead one away from the mission. One begins to seek reward rather than the growth of the Kingdom.

Jesus speaks to this very feeling and longing. He affirms that it is true that if one is to live one’s marriage, relationships, single life or life as a religious or minster – for the sake of the kingdom – then this may mean the loss of many things in order to generously give one energy, love and service to others.

But Jesus does suggest too that so often in life generosity and self-sacrifice are returned to the one who gives. We have all experienced this I am sure – love begets love, generosity begets generosity and we find that what we give is so often returned in excess to us. Perhaps in different ways, perhaps not even in a manner that is obvious at the time, but we do receive. It may be in the form of thanks, it may be that we see someone else freed, it may be that we rejoice in the accomplishment and good ness of another enabled to be like this because of our efforts – whatever we can take great satisfaction in these moments.  So often too we discover reward in another powerful way – when one steps out towards the other be it partner, child, friend, or stranger seeking to help them only to discover that we are the one being helped, inspired or carried by them or their example.

So a lesson for us today may well be that if we set out to make our lives a ‘continual service’ to those we love and to those who need us, then although it is not our goal or aim, we will receive back in return.  Jesus saw this and experienced it himself, and he passes on his experience to us, that people respond to the good, that people are guided by and attracted to the light of kindness and compassion, and that when we love others unselfishly they will be inspired, enabled or moved to return such love. Love given freely may rebound to us, or it may radiate out and make the lives of still others better, but we will receive back gifts

 Fr. Denis Travers, CP, is the Provincial Superior of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.

 

Daily Scripture, August 18, 2025

Scripture:

Judges 2:11-19
Matthew 19:16-22

Reflection:

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”
Matt. 19:16

Did you ever wonder if you are on the right path to eternal life? Do you worry whether you are doing all you can to inherit everlasting life? Do you become anxious about wondering whether you are doing all needs to be done to follow Jesus?

During Jesus’ ministry, he had to deal with these question or similar ones. Today’s Gospel encounter is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. And there is a similar question posed to Jesus in the same three Gospels: What is the greatest commandment in the Law? Our questions and concerns for gaining everlasting life is as old as life itself!

This passage always reminds me of the old story of the two farm animals who had become friends, the hen and the pig. One morning the hen says, I will lay some eggs and we can have bacon and eggs for breakfast. The pig replies, for you, this is just involvement. But for me, it’s total commitment!

I believe that all of us are like the rich young man in today’s Gospel. We all have a deep longing to gain eternal life. We are constantly seeking ways to achieve our ultimate goal in life, getting to everlasting life. Most of us who are reading and reflecting on these scriptures and homilies are socially stable, have worked hard all our lives, are involved in our parishes and in ministry, attend retreats and do Holy Hours, go to confession regularly and strive to do all those things, like the rich young man, to gain eternal life.

The young man in today’s Gospel has followed the commands to the best of his abilities. And yet there is something lacking: “What do I still lack?” (In the other two Gospels, Jesus is the one who points out that there is still something lacking.)

This is when Jesus responds: go and sell what you have; give to the poor; follow me. The young man went away sad because he had many possessions.

This is when we take a deep breath and begin to ask ourselves, do our possessions own us or do we own our possessions. If we own our possessions, we can give them away. If they own us, we cannot.

What Jesus is reminding me in this passage is that it is easier to be involved, as difficult and sacrificial as that is, than to be totally committed to the following of Jesus. It also reminds me that discipleship or the following of Jesus is a journey.

By reading and reflecting and praying the Gospels, I begin to realize that I will always be asking the question, what must I do to gain eternal life and I will always get a response that challenges me to do more. I, like the rich young man, have many more possessions than I need. I can always give more to those in need and realize that I will always need God’s help to respond to discipleship with absolute commitment.

Just because I haven’t gotten there yet doesn’t mean that I must give up my quest of following Jesus. The first step toward total commitment to discipleship always begins with the unwavering desire to gain eternal life. If let go of my possessions, then God will do the rest!

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Daily Scripture, August 17, 2025

Scripture:

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10
Hebrews 12:1-4
Luke 12:49-53

Reflection:

“This is the Sunday of division and disturbance…of violence and outrage.” The late Passionist scripture scholar, Carroll Stuhlmueller, wrote that about today’s gospel and it would be hard to disagree. It is one of the most unnerving passages in the gospels because the Jesus we encounter this Sunday vehemently contradicts the kind of Jesus we find most attractive—a Jesus who is agreeable, congenial, and reassuring; a Jesus who unfailingly comforts and consoles, gratifies and pleases; and surely a Jesus who wouldn’t dare ask too much of us.

Today we meet a Jesus who stirs things up, who rattles, provokes, disturbs, and perhaps even frightens us. After all, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” is hardly a serene proclamation. Jesus’ promise of a ferocious conflagration is a violent image of all-consuming destruction and devastation; a terrifying transformation that suggests all the evil born from sin leaves the world so utterly at odds with the ways of God that nothing less than a total re-creation will suffice.

And when Jesus declares, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?”,  he leaves no doubt that if we live by the gospel, if we take his teaching to heart and strive to conform every dimension of our lives to it, we will find ourselves surrounded by enemies (like Jeremiah who was thrown into the cistern); indeed, animosity and division will penetrate into even the dearest and most intimate relationships of our lives.

To cast our lot with Jesus is to stand apart from all that opposes and undermines his mission of inaugurating the reign of God. There is no neutral zone, no safe place, no losing ourselves in the crowd. “I have come to set the earth on fire!” It may not be what we want to hear, but we can’t say we were never warned.

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

Daily Scripture, August 16, 2025

Scripture:

Joshua 24:14-29
Matthew 19: 13-15

Reflection:

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away. Matthew 19: 13 – 15

There are certain Scripture passages that are so iconic and visual that they have inspired artists from every century and culture. The Gospel passage we have for today’s Mass is certainly one of those inspirational and moving scenes. In fact, this is one of the few Gospel images that appeals to children. I remember having, as a child, two favorite holy cards: my guardian angel helping me over a bridge and Jesus blessing children. I didn’t need any lengthy theological explanations to understand the underlying messages that these two images represented. I needed a Guardian Angel to help me cross dangerous, broken down bridges in life and I needed Jesus to welcome me into his arms and bless me. Being protected, blest and loved as a child is so very important!

To this day, children spontaneously run to persons who represent God and God’s way of life, without having to understand that person’s theology. I don’t know how many times little children have come running out of Mass to hug me, the celebrant. They do this naturally. Anyone who has been close to a school yard and seen a religious sister, brother or a priest walk across the grounds will quickly see children running toward them and surrounding them with hugs and joy.

There is this little line in today’s Gospel that I believe makes it very challenging for us. It says, referring to the children that were being brought to Jesus for a blessing: “The disciples rebuked them.” At first glance, we can become very upset with those disciples. How dare they prevent those children from approaching Jesus!

I think if we were to look deeper into our own attitudes and concerns for children, we would see a lot of the disciples’ behavior in our own.

It is always amazing to me to see so many loving and caring families come to Church with their children. Some do this so very well. They come in ahead of time, bless themselves and encourage their children to do the same, holding their hands nicely and leading them to an appropriate place within Church. Some parents will give them prayer and song books. Regardless of the child’s attention span, there is nothing but patient attention given to their children.

On the other hand, I’ve seen families come in as if their children are a burden, correcting them, shoving them, and discipling them. At some point or another, all children tend to act out. But it is how we respond to them that will either encourage them to be at home within church or to see church just as a social obligation.

The way that people and parents speak to children about today’s priests, brothers and sisters, as well as today’s Church, will have a lot to do with the beliefs and assumptions that these children will have as adults. I remember talking to a young woman years ago, telling me that her dad told her never to trust priests because all they wanted was money. In today’s culture, it may be about priest abuse of children. Regardless the message, children will learn from our witness, our conversations, and our attitudes. This is how we prevent today’s children from approaching Jesus.

Jesus says to us today: “Let the children come to me.” How are we to respond?

Fr. Clemente Barrón, CP, is a member of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Daily Scripture, August 15, 2025

Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary

Scripture:

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Luke 1:39-56

Reflection:

Today we celebrate one of the most special feasts of our Blessed Mother, the feast of the Assumption.  This was declared to be a universal feast of the Church by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950.  In his own words, “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”  The Pope’s declaration, of course, was actually a formal announcement of what was already a commonly held belief of the faithful in the Catholic Church for centuries.

But what I personally most love about this special day is that, in a very unique way, for perhaps the first time ever, we are invited to think about the intimate relationship, not of Mary with her own beloved Son, Jesus, but with God the Father.  It was God who sent his only Son into the world to be our Savior (For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son) and it was God who sent the angel Gabriel to Mary to invite her to share in the mystery of the Incarnation.  There was a very special relationship already begun by the loving outreach of God.  And, in this feast of the Assumption, we are invited to reflect on how, at the end of the Blessed Mother’s life, in the mystery of her Assumption into Heaven, there is an expression of the wondrous faithfulness of God himself by drawing her to himself, body and soul, glorious in every way.

When people question me about this great mystery, my response is quite simply, “Well, God can do anything, right?”  But surely there is more to it than that!  The Assumption of Mary, just like the resurrection of Jesus himself from the dead, is the ultimate and clearest expression of the faithfulness of God, our God, who loves us in this way, too!  Our God is a faithful God, just as the hymn declares.  And our faithful God is with us in every moment, just as God was with Jesus, and just as God was always by Mary, as well.  Today, in all the events surrounding us, especially those things that test our faith, how important it is to remember: “Our God is faithful.  Our God is a faithful God.”  If we remember this, dear friends, then, just as did our Blessed Mother, we too can declare and sing with her those great words form her own Magnificat, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior…God who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”

Fr. Pat Brennan, C.P. is the director of Saint Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan

Daily Scripture, August 14, 2025

Scripture:

Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
Matthew 18:21-19:1

Reflection:

Acting Like God the Father?

Today’s Gospel finds Jesus saying his Father will punish us unless each of us forgives our brothers from our heart. It’s not hard to guess that this reading is part of the Gospel of Matthew, which again reminds us that we must be heartfully just, empathetic, kind, and forgiving.

So, shouldn’t we try to live by that part of the Our Father prayer where we say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”? If we ask God, our Father, to forgive us, then aren’t we being asked to forgive just as generously as God does? Or, ironically, are we asking God to only forgive us to the extent we forgive the people who have hurt us?

We all know that to forgive is not to write off someone else’s evil deeds suddenly. One healthy form of forgiveness is to “act like God” and give the hurtful person the challenge to renew their faith, start over, and do less evil in the future. And for ourselves, the very act of forgiveness prompts us to clear our minds and hearts, so we can refocus on building God’s kingdom, as Jesus asked.

.Jack Dermody is President of Share Our Gifts, Inc., a Passionist alumni organization dedicated to assisting those who live in poverty; he is also editor of CrossRoads, the Passionist Alumni Association’s newsletter.