Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Exodus 12:37-42
Matthew 12:14-21

 

Reflection:

As distinct from taking a life in a moment of unbridled passion or anger, to actively plot to murder someone reveals a stark, evil capacity lurking within a life that might on the surface look ordinary or even noble. To murder someone merely to protect one’s position or privilege or to silence a critic or one who knows a truth about oneself seems even more callous and cold blooded.

Yet sadly this is an age old pattern of behaviour and the judgement that one life is worth less than one’s own is a temptation to which men and women have surrendered over time and history. Thus we hear today that Jesus too lived in a world no less calculating and violent as we so often read about today in our own society and in those far beyond our shores.

We learn that the Pharisees are plotting against Jesus and Jesus’ response is to withdraw from both the place of danger and from a public profile. Nevertheless people seek him out and perhaps unaware of the danger to him, or perhaps unable to restrain their own needs, come to him seeking healing. In spite of the danger such a public role might entail Jesus responds to their needs and the only requirement he places upon them is a request that they not make his presence known.

Jesus balances his deep compassion and his instinct to help others with the very human predisposition for safety and self-preservation.

We get an insight into the inner world of Jesus in this text. In his use of the words of the prophet Isaiah we see Jesus placing images around his inner compassion – images that help us to understand its force and depth. For Jesus compassion is an uncontainable force within, moved by the very Spirit of God and oriented completely to the care of others. It flows out to heal, to cry out for justice, to support the broken and uphold the weak. It is a force that does not place burdens on people, but rather is exercised gently and often quietly. And perhaps most importantly, it not only brings healing in the present moment, but it brings hope for the future.

Like those in today’s gospel story and indeed like God’s people all through history, and imaged for us in the exodus story, we often find ourselves in deserted and isolated places where we do not have ‘food for the journey’ – a situation we can find ourselves in through illness, failed projects, social rejection or through our own selfishness. Such losses can leave us depleted and feeling a deep need for healing so that we might ‘enter’ into life in a more holistic way once again.

Thus the great power of hope. We need this powerful inner force all through the journey of life and in today’s gospel we see evidence to encourage us. No matter what the need, no matter how desperate feel and no matter how unprepared, he is ready to meet us and to heal us.

With such assurance, fuelled by hope, we know that we will be nourished and sustained for the journey, even for the journey though the valleys of darkness and violence that we see so often in our world. He is already there in its midst, and he awaits us with compassion and healing.

 

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is a member of Holy Spirit Province, Australia.  He currently serves on the General Council and is stationed in Rome.

 

 

 

Scripture:

Exodus 3:13-20
Matthew 11:28-30

 

Reflection:

Matthew in this passage portrays Jesus as the Wisdom of God. Matthew does not present Jesus as saying that he would put his disciples in touch with God who will give them peace.  Rather he tells them that he “will be their peace and rest!

The Rabbis in the time of Jesus spoke of the “yoke of the Torah.”  They had another saying “My yoke is my song!” The yoke and burden of Jesus is to submit to the Will of God.  It is also the surest way to the knowledge of the Father.

Readers of the Scriptures are stunned by this passage.  John the Baptist did not get it.  He knew his own unworthiness.  The scribes and pharisees did not understand what Jesus was saying about his yoke and burden.  The towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, where he performed his greatest miracles didn’t get it either.  Rather the unpretentious, the humble, the little ones did get Jesus and his message, which came from God.

Jesus does not promise to remove our burdens or yoke.  Instead he will refresh us and make it light.   Jesus speaks to all who are burdened.  Jesus promises grace is there whenever our yoke and burden becomes overwhelming.

The poet W.B. Yeats had this to say:  “Can one reach God by toil?  He gives himself to the pure of heart.  He asks nothing but our attention.”  The way to find God is by attention to Jesus Christ.

Victor Frankel, the holocaust survivor, tells us #1.  To live we must choose life, #2.  To love we must encounter life, and #3.  To grow we must suffer.  Henri Nouwen tells us that we have been given disciplines to help us with the yokes and burdens in our life.  #1.  The discipline of the Book, in other words the Bible is great source of understanding the Will of God in our life.  #2.  The discipline of the Sacraments which support us in our challenges. #3.  The discipline of the Heart, spiritual directors who accompany us on our journey of life

Jesus is the source of our peace and rest.  He it is who makes our yokes easy and our burdens light.

 

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

 

 

Scripture:

Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12
Matthew 11:25-27

 

Reflection:

Who finds God? The answer our scriptures give is that is that it is those who have lost much (Moses) and those who are “childlike” or as some translations say “like babies” or “mere children”.

Moses grew up in the palace of the pharaoh with all that it implies: fine clothing, social standing, education, power, and a life of security and comfort. Now he is presented to us in the lowly occupation of a shepherd of his father-in laws flocks. He is not wandering over lush green hills, but the semi-arid desert of Sinai under the blazing sun and choked with the dust and sand of that harsh land.

Jesus speaks out of his experience, the experience that the rabbis and the wise men rejected him, but the simple ordinary people of the land accepted him. In general the powerful and intellectuals had no use for him; but the poor and humble welcomed him. The most trusted of his disciples, Peter, James, and John were fishermen.

Yet it is not social class that matters, but the heart. Think of Nicodemus member of the Sanhedrin, the Roman centurion, Jairus the synagogue official, the well-to-do family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and Zacchaeus the chief tax-collector of Jericho. All of these had hearts that were open and ready to listen. What is the message we must hear? It is Jesus’ astonishing claim that only he can reveal the Father to us because he is the Son. If we want to see the mind of God, the heart of God, the nature of God, if we want to see God’s whole attitude toward us- Jesus says look at me!

And when we look we hear Jesus’ invitation: “..learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart…” Matthew 11:29.

 

Fr. Mike Hoolahan, C.P. is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Feast of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Scripture:

Exodus 2:1-15a
Matthew 11:20-24

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the feast of a very special saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha.  This brave young woman was born on the 17^th of April, 1656, and lived only 24 years, dying in 1680.  Kateri lived in what is now a part of New York State and after her conversion settled in a Jesuit mission in an area today just south of Montreal, Canada.

For those who may be interested in the way that Kateri would have spoken her name as a young Mohawk maiden it was pronounced “Gaderi dega’ gwita.  I have always been fascinated by her story because it tells how she faced even being shunned and cast aside by her very own people in order to follow Christ upon her conversion to the Catholic faith.  Embracing the faith and being a devoted follower of Jesus cost her dearly and is a good reminder to us that it is not always easy to say yes to the Lord and to follow the Lord daily.  Kateri did and it cost her family, tribe, and physical security.

In our readings today we see in the book of Exodus the dramatic, colorful story of an unnamed woman known only as a “Levite woman” who was married to “a certain man of the house of Levi.”  Yet, this nameless woman herself was a true hero, as well.  This brave mother, completely overshadowed by the child she bore, the great father and hero of the people of Israel, Moses, was clearly someone who was courageous, selfless, and who would make any sacrifice (not unlike Kateri) to preserve the goodness and the beauty of life and God’s sacred creation.  Exodus tells us that this anonymous hero went down to the river bank and placed her precious child in a basket that was “daubed with bitumen and pitch” into the reeds of the river.  As the Lord would have it, making this drama even more inviting, it was the very mother of Moses who would be selected by Pharaoh’s daughter to nurse the child until he had grown beyond infancy!  Pharaoh’s daughter, another nameless woman in the Old Testament, was also courageous and selfless, raising Moses as her very own child.

Of course, as they say, the rest of the story is history but what a history it is!  From a basket hidden in the reeds of the river all the way to leading God’s chosen people out of slavery, through the desert, and to the edge of the promised land, Moses is one of the most significant people found in the Jewish scriptures.

St. Kateri and the great Moses, two heroes of our faith who remind us that the Lord can work wonders in the most unexpected ways!  Let’s all of us keep our eyes and hearts open to the ways the Lord can work wonders even within us as he did with our two great saints of the day.

 

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

Scripture:

Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Matthew 10:34-11:1

 

Reflection:

Matthew’s gospel for today is taken from the end of the “Ministry and Mission in Galilee” section. We find at the beginning, this section speaks to the healing ministry of Jesus and today we read of Jesus giving final instruction to his disciples having called them and given them authority to heal and cure (10:1). He now prepares them for what to expect as they carry out his commands (11:1).

At first glance, the words used seem jarring. I found myself asking the questions: “Where does blessed are the peacemakers fit in (5:9)? What about the strategies of non-violence that suggests we among other things, “turn the other cheek” etc…. (5:38-48)? Later on in this gospel, Jesus instructs Peter to put his sword away (26:52). Does this mean a reversal of those other statements?

The first reader of this text—the Matthean Christian community made up primarily of Jew and Gentiles were being challenged to trust in their commitment to Jesus as they struggled to figure out their new identity.  In deciding to follow Jesus, some may have experienced the stress of family conflicts if their mother, father…etc… did not share their faith. Undoubtedly there was conflict from within the community as well. This, “Way,” as it was originally called, was such a radical walking away from the old world—all that was familiar—into the new and unknown.

And here we see the connection to the first reading—the Israelites had become a threat now that the Pharaoh didn’t know Joseph, they were being treated as slaves. We know that Moses was sent by God to lead them from their slavery into the Promised Land.  First they had to wander through the wilderness, their time of testing, searching and learning about whom they were as the Chosen People. From the old life to the new life; similarly the early Christian community was given that invitation and it is no less true for us today.

I might suggest that rather than hearing guilt in the context of our worthiness, we aspire instead to reach for our worthiness as our birthright as children of God. To claim it as we detach ourselves from all that keeps us bound to our old life. St. Paul assures us of our worthiness because Christ died for us.

We need to pay attention to the ways in which we are being called—commanded—to follow Jesus as his disciples. The cost of discipleship is not just to the Cross but through the Cross to new life!  Where we will recognize and welcome the prophet, the righteous and most especially Jesus who is the Word made flesh. He is that sharp edged sword that can cut through the indecisions of our life, to inspire us when we are being called to take that further step in following him.

 

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Amos 7:12-15
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:7-13

Reflection:

This reflection was written to all of our returning staff and faculty at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic H.S., going into our 9^th year of evangelization and academic achievement. Our school is guided by the Word of God. The Sacred Scripture, the Bible, is a Light which enlightens every experience we have in carrying out the mission of Cristo Rey. There are so many challenges that resist the coming of the Kingdom of God, that it takes a Light greater than human to guide us. Start with any sin that destroys dignity and trust between two people. The primary dimension of the HFCRCHS mission (there are three dimensions) is that we are building the Kingdom of God by providing a “Catholic environment.” You will hear me refer to “the Catholic Christian Tradition (CCT),” in respect to the various Christian denominations, and other religions to which our staff and students adhere. This weekend (7/12/15) the CCT has us reflect on being prophets in our very ordinary lives, and as bearers of the Good News, that we “stay where we are” as regards the people to whom we are sent. “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.” Mk. 6:10

Every student who enters our classrooms is entering a “safe” house where they can open up to you and can admit, “I don’t know this.” Surrender and vulnerability are fertile ground for learning. Yes, every faculty member commits to doing all that is possible to see all of our graduates succeed through college. When we welcome these students into our “house” we are providing the respect for each person’s inherent dignity. Pope Francis stated, “The mere fact that some people are born in places with fewer resources or less development does not justify the fact that they are living with less dignity.” (Joy of the Gospel, #90)

Creating this environment is being prophetic, like Amos, whom we read about in the Book of Amos 7, 12-15. He was chosen from a simple occupation (no royal patronage or privilege) and carried out what he was called to do. He called people to return to their integrity, because the opposite behavior is doom. Though he received resistance and rejection, his message was truthful, consistent and, eventually, fulfilled. Even though we will be up against unpredictable situations, feeling overwhelmed, and unprepared, God has equipped us with what we need to accomplish all, “so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.”  Eph. 1:8.

Essential to carrying out this mission to provide a “safe house” for our students is our close attachment to Christ Jesus in prayer. Providing Him with a residence, in our “intimate home of the heart,” we are allowing Christ’s saving power to take possession of us. We will further his prophetic ministry. We are actually chosen in all of our brokenness and vulnerability. So the question is: “do I accept that I am chosen to continue the work He had begun, to preach His Gospel and through healings, to conquer the forces of evil that threatens that reign?”  Too strong a question? Not really, given the environment in which we choose to locate ourselves with the mission that saves young lives. “Staying there” is the only witness that changes lives. My limitations are what allow the Gospel “to appear in all its power.” I depend upon entering into the minds and hearts of our students and parents through their welcome and openness to what I have to share, rather than, my power, privilege or popularity. We do this through His Bodily Presence in the Church and the Eucharist.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Genesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26a
Matthew 10:24-33

 

Reflection:

What does despair look like?  It looks like the experience of Joseph, who was thrown into a cistern by his jealous brothers, who then sold him into slavery to a caravan passing by.  In Egypt, he was falsely accused of trying to take sexual advantage of Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison.  Joseph suffered loneliness and despair.  Yet he never stopped trusting God.

Amazingly, years later, after Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, he was elevated to the lofty rank of Pharaoh’s Vizier.  In this position, Joseph was instrumental in saving the lives of countless many throughout the region during the severe famine.  Those lives included his own brothers and family who came to Egypt to buy bread.

After their father, Jacob, died, the brothers feared retribution for their cruel treatment of Joseph years earlier.  But Joseph saw through his suffering at the hands of his brothers.  He could see  the hand of God guiding him.  That is why he could he say to his brothers “even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good.”  He never stopped trusting God.

What does despair look like for us?  It may look like those moments of famine when our dreams are shattered, our hearts are broken, when grief seems unbearable, and illness unrelenting.  In the midst of our darkness, can we see the hand of God guiding us?  Can we say with Joseph that God means it for good?  Can we believe that we are “worth more than many sparrows?”  What does hope look like?  It looks like our trust in God’s providential love.

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30
Matthew 10:16-23

 

Reflection:

I am a Catholic woman. That sometimes makes me feel like I am constantly being put on trial. It is evident as I travel around the country teaching, especially in areas where spirituality in general and Catholicism in particular is disdainfully dismissed. Sometimes I hear: “Why would anyone choose to adhere to an outdated, patriarchal system run by celibate men in dresses who try to rule every aspect of life, particularly anything having to do with sex or reproduction? Are you a masochist or something?” Another version: “Why do you need to have an institution standing between you and God? Can’t you just have a relationship with God yourself?”

Questioning extends to my family. Of my nine siblings, only two still profess to be Catholic. The others looked back on our upbringing in a small rural town with lifeless Masses, poor religious education, and a highly judgmental attitude toward anyone who didn’t toe the line, and decided there were better ways to find meaning and purpose in life. They ask questions like: “How can an educated, intelligent woman like you remain in a hypocritical system built on rules that often deny reality, including those that specifically exclude you from any position of authority and influence?”

These are tough questions.

To be completely honest, I have asked them of myself countless times. I desperately want to defend the Church I love. I believe in the core doctrines, the Body of Christ, the beauty of the liturgy, the communion of saints, and so much more. Yet for most of my adult life, every time a new development or statement came from Rome – declaring gays to be disordered, forbidding even the discussion of women priests, silencing of faithfully dissenting theologians, changing liturgical language to make God more distant and Jesus more pompous (“chalice” instead of “cup”?), investigating nuns, covering up sexual abuse, and on and on – it brought a new wave of scoffing and a dagger to my heart. You may not feel similar dismay with everything on my list; perhaps you have your own. But I continually have to ask myself how I can keep defending the Church I love when so many rules, teachings, and actions are contrary to what I believe the Gospel asks of us. What do I say when I am challenged, especially when the challenges have the ring of truth?

I have developed a response that makes sense to me. I ask people what they disagree with about American foreign policy, and what they think of our grid-locked political system. I ask their opinion of domestic laws, and the fact that the wealthiest country in the world has such faulty healthcare, so many people living in poverty, and widespread crumbling infrastructure. I ask what they think of a society where women are paid 70% of what a man gets paid for doing the exact same job, where the focus is on profits over people, and where there is a rapidly widening gap between the top income tier and the lower/middle class. Again, their list of complaints may be different than mine, but everyone has disagreements (often vehement ones) with the laws, actions, and government of our country, and it doesn’t take much to set them off.

After allowing them to rant about their list of complaints I ask, “So why do you stay? Why are you American?” The answer invariably follows this line of reasoning: “Because for all of its faults and failings, this is still the best country in the world. I believe in the principles of democracy and the foundations of this country, however imperfectly they are sometimes carried out. I have hope that if we all stick with it and keep struggling to improve, eventually we will correct the wrongs and get on the right path. I’m in it to stay, and I can’t imagine choosing to live anywhere else.”

“Now you get it,” I say. ”Enough said?”

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/.