Daily Scripture

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/.

Scripture:

Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5
Matthew 10:7-15

 

Reflection:

After Our Lord performed the final miracle of the series that we have read in the last two chapters, the Pharisees say, ‘by the prince of demons he casts out demons.’ Jesus continues his ministry, and moved with compassion for the crowds whom he describes as torn apart and harassed like a flock of sheep without a shepherd, he addresses his disciples, empowers the twelve and sends them on a mission to the People of Israel.

They do what Jesus did. If Jesus is rejected can they expect better? We will hear that as a disciple identifies with Jesus doing his works, so we can expect to share also in Jesus sufferings.

Jesus is willing to suffer because of his compassion to alleviate the pain of the people.  As a shepherd he will lead them to good pasture and flowing streams, binding up the injured and carrying the little ones; a strait highway he will layout before them, and they will know security in a shepherd they can trust, one who calls them by name. All of these ‘shepherd’ things we can translate into the actions that we do as disciples caring for family, fellow workers, friends and enemies; they are our flock of the People of God.

We cannot escape the Cross, it is rooted in our earth and its shadow falls over all of us. But the one we follow has mounted the Cross and instead of shadow there is a light that overcomes darkness. As we are privileged to do the works of Jesus, and unable to skip sharing in the Cross as we share the shepherding work of Jesus, we trust that this Cross we will encounter is changed by Jesus forever by his victory of love.

We read for only a few days what is perhaps the most beautiful story in the Old Testament. It is difficult to read the story of Joseph without tears filling our eyes. It is so human, a heart breaking story, a story of the mystery of not loving. Although it would seem God is absent, that is not so, the sins of Joseph’s brothers become a story of love. It is a story of forgiveness. Evil has been done and the one hurt sees God’s presence. Joseph confronts evil and does what seems impossible, he forgives. The ones who hurt seem unable to believe they can be forgiven. In Genesis all that God does is good, but there is the painful revelation that we can choose not to love. Joseph shows us that choosing love is possible and the better choice. His forgiveness overcomes so much pain and sorrow in the hearts of his brothers. In the end we are left crying with Joseph because his great act of love is unaccepted. His brothers are unable to believe that he can forgive them.

We are called as disciples to embrace the Cross as we do our work, our ministries.  Looking at the Cross we see Our Lord who throws light over the shadow. Like Joseph’s brothers we may expect less than what God’s love gives us, especially forgiveness that touches the heart of our world. As our care for others finds us touching the Cross may we be forgiving to those who hurt us as we serve them, and lead them to the Shepherd who cares tenderly and forgives eternally, and who wants to invite them to come follow in his footsteps also.

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a
Matthew 10:1-7

 

Reflection:

The story of Joseph and his brothers is one of the best known of the Old Testament.  Most of us are familiar with the boy who brags to his brothers and their treatment of him.  And we know how from that horrendous beginning, great things happen to Joseph.  As with so much of scripture, there is much of value to mine here.   One lesson we learn from today’s reading from Genesis is found in the last lines, “but turning away from them, he wept.”  Why do you think he wept?  In fact, Joseph was quite a weeper.  This was only one of several times we find Joseph in tears.  He cries again when he sees his younger brother, and when he sees his father, and when his brothers repent.  Weeping is a very human response from a heart filled with emotion. Perhaps, in this instance, he was saddened by seeing his brothers and thinking of the life he missed, or perhaps he cried from joy at seeing his family, or perhaps he cried because he had been bitter about what his brothers did to him and when he saw them, he realized his bitterness might not be warranted.  I rather hope this was the reason for his tears because it makes him even more human.  And yet God loves him.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus commissions the twelve Apostles.  Throughout the New Testament, we learn of the humanity of these men who Matthew names and who Jesus loves and trusts with continuing his mission.  They are from varied backgrounds. They doubt, question, argue, and betray.  They are human.  And Jesus loves them. So here’s the thing, if Joseph in his humanity was so loved by God and the Apostles in their humanity were so loved by Jesus, we can believe that we too are loved by God.  When we have reacted to a situation with a human but perhaps not so wise choice, when we do things we later regret, we can know that indeed, we are loved. We can know that God embraces us in our humanity, in our weaknesses, in the bad times as well as the good.  May you be filled with this love that God showers on us and may you proclaim that love wherever you go this day.

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 32:23-33
Matthew 9:32-38

 

Reflection:

It was a beautiful late summer day and I couldn’t wait to get my hands dirty. Little did I know, how dirty they would get. Arriving at Angelic Organics after a two-hour drive from the city, we parked and found our way to the farmhouse and reported for our day of volunteering at the Community Assisted Agriculture (CSA) where I had been a member for the past couple of years.

After a quick introduction and tour through the rustic living quarters where the interns on the farm lived, they quickly put us to work picking tomatoes. There were about a dozen volunteers and we all were given a row to pick up tomatoes from the ground (the tomatoes had already actually been picked) and put them on a conveyor belt that went the length of the field. It took the fruit to the truck at the end of the rows where other volunteers took them off the belt and put them gently into bushel baskets. The sun shone brightly, and the sweat began to pour. Up and down, up and down, we did this for about two hours.

The farmers knew how to handle us city folk, for after that we got to sit, rinse and pack the different lettuces that had been picked by another group of volunteers. After a brief respite for lunch it was back to the fields where we struggled with pulling weeds that didn’t want to leave their well-entrenched turfs. We finally ended the day by packing boxes for members that were loaded into a large refrigerated truck for delivery the next morning. Returning home that night, my body ached and it ached not only for that night but for the next week as well but I felt good.

Give me the courage and strength Lord to do the job I am called for in Your Kingdom, whether it is as shepherd, farmer, teacher, or mother… Like Jacob in today’s first scripture selection, who willingly “contended with divine and human beings” (GN 32:29) or your son Jesus in today’s Gospel selection, who “went around to all the towns and villages, teaching…proclaiming the Gospel…curing every disease and illness. (MT 9:35)

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 28:10-22a
Matthew 9:18-26

 

Reflection:

In today’s gospel reading we get two for one. Matthew wraps one miracle story within another miracle story. The official receives his daughter back from death, and the bleeding woman (considered impure and therefore she had to stay on the outside) is healed and restored to her family. Jesus acts quickly, gently and compassionately on behalf of these two suffering adults. I would expect nothing less. The heart of Jesus, overflowing with compassion, moves him to action. These brief nine verses that contain the stories are wonderful, exciting and inspiring. But I find myself asking: Why doesn’t Jesus respond to my petitions just as quickly?

At times I feel like Jacob sleeping on a rock, a rather uncomfortable pillow. If only God would answer my questions or respond to my petitions, I would have peace of mind and heart. Yet many questions remain unanswered and petitions seemingly lost in space. Why? People are quick to give an answer. You don’t have enough faith; you don’t ask in the correct way; you are not persistent; your prayer is too selfish; if God responded it might have negative effects on other people; etc.

We believe that God hears our prayers. “The Lord will hear when I call unto God.” Jesus told his apostles: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” That is the basis of our Prayers of the Faithful at Mass. We place our cares in the hands of God, hands strong and large enough to hold any of our concerns. We surrender our need to figure out how and when God will respond as we speak our prayer to the Lord. Now it is time to give thanks to God who loves to listen to us. In gratitude we can sleep peacefully at night.

 

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

Scripture:

Ezekiel 2:2-5
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6a

 

Reflection:

When people assemble for a sporting event they yell, shout, and scream. They are not afraid to be vocal and let it all out.  We all know that enthusiastic fans can’t actually win the game on their own, but most teams know the fans will give the home team an advantage.  Does this have anything to do with the readings today?  I think it does.  Because we are talking about an energy here which flows through us as people and which we don’t control. Yet there are things we can do to encourage this energy and there are things we can do to stifle it.

Ezekiel mentions that the Spirit entered him as he was listening to the LORD.  This spirit set him on his feet.  He was empowered.  Why did the spirit choose him?  What did Ezekiel do that made the energy flow through him?   Note—Ezekiel doesn’t control the details of the spirit.    The Gospel slants toward the converse of the Ezekiel story.  Jesus is the man whom the Spirit is supposed to enter so he can do the divine things of God.  However, even though he is divine, he can’t seem to do anything in the midst of his home town because of their lack of faith.   Recall the last two Sundays with the calming of the storm and the raising of Jairus’ daughter, respectively.  Mark displays Jesus as having a tremendous amount of power and authority.  And this Sunday, Jesus is in his hometown, and people are minimalizing his divinity. He seems powerless to do the remarkable things he has done at other places.   Does this challenge your understanding of Jesus?

As one who presides over the Eucharistic assembly, I notice this energy all the time. I also notice the lack of divine energy.  In fact, several years ago, during a priest’s retreat a few of us were sitting around after dinner socializing.  One of the priests on retreat spoke about a liturgy which was just so difficult.  He actually stopped in the middle of the Eucharistic Prayer and said, “Come on folks, I can’t do this by myself”.  I was shocked he would be so bold but I completely understood where he was coming from.   Then, just a couple of weeks ago I had the opposite experience.  The assembly was so spirit filled, so participatory, they so wanted to be there, they made themselves present and attentive.   It was truly a great prayerful liturgy.  It was so powerful I found myself treasuring it all week.

These are somewhat the two extremes.  Most liturgies are somewhere in between them.   There certainly is an energetic dynamic which happens when people get together. We see that in sporting events.  Yet Eucharist is different.  When we gather to listen to God’s word and to celebrate the Eucharist we don’t claim any allegiance for a particular team like we would at a sporting event. It is actually Christ who claims an allegiance for us.  And we are not there to cheer on the stars of the team, we are there because Jesus has asked us to gather together so we may share and celebrate our faith. When we are actively doing this, we are like Ezekiel, we listen to God’s Word and the Spirit enters us.  If we end up minimalizing Jesus in the Eucharistic assembly, then just like today’s gospel, how can Jesus do miraculous things?

Sandwiched between these readings is Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, (2 Cor 12).  This is Paul at his most vulnerable, telling us about a great paradox.  He talks about this thorn in his flesh.  While we don’t know for certain what that thorn was, we do hear how Paul wants God to take this from him. He even begs the Lord.  Most of us can identify with this.   When was the last time you told God to fix the thing you don’t like about yourself?   Frequently we presume that since we don’t like these parts, God must not like them either.  Yet God’s answer to Paul is clever and wise.  God tells Paul to trust his weakness, and to even lean on his weakness.  Rather than hiding or running away from the thing you dislike within yourself, how can you do the paradoxical thing and embrace it?  Can you let God redeem it?  People in recovery programs do this all the time and continue to show me the grace behind the paradox.

So we sit today with the these sacred texts:  Ezekiel, a man which the spirit enters and he gets sent forth with a mission, Jesus who is amazed at their lack of faith,  and Paul who paradoxically learns to accept what he doesn’t like in himself.  And all of them challenge me to simply stand before God and be in awe. It is much like Mary does in the Lucan infancy narratives.  She held all the things that were revealed to her and pondered them in her heart.   When we do this, our faith grows.

 

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