Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Jeremiah 26:1-9
Matthew 13:54-58

Reflection:

Two whistleblowers, Allan McDonald and Roger Boisjoly, engineers at Morton Thiokol Inc., testified before the Rogers Commission investigating the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. They said there had been ongoing problems with the rocket’s O-rings and that they had urged their supervisors and NASA officials to postpone the fatal launch. Following their testimony, the engineers were demoted to menial jobs. These men received the same treatment as over 65% of whistleblowers—they were either fired or demoted.

And so it is with the prophet Jeremiah in today’s first reading. When he tries to warn the Jewish people of impending spiritual, economic and political disaster, he is threatened with death. In today’s Gospel, Jesus, who knows well the history of the Jewish people and their prophets, reflects on his own rejection in his hometown of Nazareth: “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” Mt. 13:57

So why would someone put themselves in this unpleasant and even dangerous position?

Most whistleblowers and prophets are motivated by LOVE: love of the institution, be it church, agency, corporation, or country, AND love for the people who are part of the institution. And in the case of a prophet, there is also love for God. In his classic book “The Prophets”, Rabbi Abraham Heschel says the prophet’s eye is directed to the contemporary scene; the society and its conduct are the main theme of the speeches. Yet the prophet’s ear is inclined to God. The prophet is struck by the glory and presence of God, overpowered by the hand of God. Yet the prophet’s true greatness is the ability to hold God and humans in a single thought.

My favorite part of the Baptism of a child at my parish is this blessing following the anointing: “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of His body, sharing everlasting life.” I wonder where the child’s life will lead him or her……will they be so full of the love and mercy of God as to be extremely sensitive to injustice in any form, and be compelled to speak in prophetic ways? Will they be so struck by the glory of God that they cannot stomach the desolation of poverty and pollution that covers much of Earth?

Many of us will not experience death threats or loss of our job for speaking up for what is right and good. But hopefully, we will live out the promises made at our Baptism to share in the Prophetic life of Christ’s body, no matter the cost.

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She serves on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroi, Michigant. Patty is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 18:1-6
Matthews 13:47-53

Reflection:

Jesus, in the 13^th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, shares seven parables with the crowds and the apostles. In today’s reading, we hear about the net cast into the sea, which is the final parable in this chapter. He puts the following question to His apostles:

“Do you understand all these things? They answered, Yes.”

Certainly, the fishermen among them are intimately familiar with sorting through their catch. Each of the apostles can relate to one or more of the parables in this chapter. So, their “Yes” is an honest answer. However, they are still students and have much to learn as they listen to Jesus’s teachings and witness His ministry. Even following the Ascension, the apostles only have a surface grasp of what they have learned.

Jesus knows the apostles will need assistance to truly understand His teaching. In John’s Gospel, He tells the apostles, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.” The depth of Jesus’s message will become clearer when the apostles receive the gift of understanding from the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

How would we respond if Jesus asks us the same question He put to the apostles? How often have we heard the Gospel messages and truly grasped their meaning? Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for assistance to grow beyond our human understanding and comprehend the teachings of the Gospel with the mind of God.

Mike Owens is the coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Scripture:

Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Matthew 13:44-16

Reflection:

Happy Wednesday in the 17th Week of Ordinary Time!

“What would you do for a Klondike Bar?”

Do you remember the ad campaign for a chocolate-dipped square of vanilla ice-cream?  It had people doing the craziest things.  I recall watching people cluck like chickens, and sing  out-loud “I’m A Little Teapot” in a courtroom.  My favorite, though, was when they approached William Shakespeare himself and asked if he’d write a Sit-Com in exchange for the bar.

If you know me at all, you’d know that embarrassing myself is something I have learned to fully embrace, and have become quite good at.  But, truth be told, I never actually liked the bars all that much.  Sure, they were just fine, and came in different flavors and all, but there was never anything about them which would tempt me to embarrass myself in order to get one.  I just knew there was something better out there… I just needed to look for it.

It’s like that with most things, I think.  No matter if it’s a car or a house, a portfolio or bank account, honor or praise or awards — for me, everything always fails to satisfy.  No matter what I would possess, I find myself still feeling empty somehow.  If I was a betting man, I’d wager that it’s the same for many of us.

The Gospel today (Matthew 13:44-46) begins with Jesus comparing the kingdom of heaven to “a treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Just imagine finding that pearl… discovering that treasure.  What would you give in order that you might have it?  If we ponder the example we have in Jesus, Godself, we see that,  obviously, he thought of you and I as the most valuable thing of all time!  Just think about it… he gave  his love, his life, his all.

So, what is your “pearl of great value?”

What would do to get it?

The easy answer might have us eschew worldly things for the hope of Heaven and eternity with God.  But we can offer a glimpse of that amazing promise now, on earth. 

“Love one another.”

In loving others just as Jesus loved us, we give our lives and share the Kingdom of Heaven in our world right here, right now.  It could be as easy as sharing a kind word or smile.  Perhaps sharing in prayer with someone in need or someone in gratitude.  It could be taking food to someone who needs a meal.  Or giving that extra jacket to someone who’s cold.  What may seem like a simple visit to someone alone could result in the heavenly experience that you both were seeking.

In sharing ourselves in this loving way, we share God…

And in sharing God with others, we find God with us, in all things.
And that, my friends, is a share in the true Pearl of Greatest Value.
Peace and love to you, today and forever.

Paul Puccinelli is Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Rita Parish in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the preaching team at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 14:17-22
Matthew 13:36-43

Reflection:

Once again our Scriptures give us a blueprint to help us grow in relationship with our God if we so choose.

We read in the Alleluia verse:

“The seed is the Word of God, Christ is the Sower; All who come to him will live forever.”

And in the Gospel we read:

“Whoever has ears ought to hear!”

The Word of God planted by Christ in our hearts can give us everlasting peace and hope.  It can also challenge us to listen with our ears and respond accordingly.  During these pandemic times we are surrounded by so many voices, some that give us hope while others cause us to despair.  Even as we try to listen and follow the directives set forth from those who have our best interest and wellbeing at heart

It is difficult to remain positive and hopeful.

My faith tells me that no matter how bad things seem to be, God is in charge and we will get through this.  I also ask myself what are we supposed to learn from all of this?  I find my hope once again in the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel.  There are good seeds as well as weeds. There is the loving sower,Jesus, but also the evil one, the Devil!  If we are people of faith (the good seed) connected to the sower, Jesus, and make the effort to avoid the weeds sown by the Devil, we will produce a bountiful harvest of love, compassion and mercy!

There are multiple examples of love, compassion and mercy being sown on a daily basis in the midst of this pandemic! The challenge for us is to keep our ears open, our eyes focused and our hearts willing so that we can share the harvest of good news that Jesus continues to preach and respond accordingly!  AMEN!

Theresa Secord recently retired as a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Scripture:

1 John 4:7–16
Luke 10:38–42

Reflection:

   “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” 1Jn 4:16

Growing up in California I would spend some of my time in our, very large Mission fig tree, that was in our backyard. It was very old, and its branches were large enough to allow me to recline on them. I had one branch that was my favorite. I would climb up and lay back on the branch and watch the sunlight dance between the leaves. It was there that I would ask God many questions in my heart. The one most often asked was, “What is love?” Throughout my life I have continued to search for the answer and have found it in many ways. Through all the adventures and experiences of my life I have found that it has many forms and these all come back to its center which is God. Sometimes it is very easy to show love and other times it is difficult. For me, the difficult times are where I really learn about the blessings and graces that come from love.

The first reading from 1 John is a beautiful reflection on love. God loved us enough to send his Son to forgive our sins. Christ’s Passion was the greatest act of Love. Giving himself to allow us to be able to enter eternal life. When we make sacrifices for others or when we assist others without recognition, we perform small acts of love. These actions reflect God’s love and as God’s sons and daughters our acts of love help to bring the presence of God to others.

Martha and Mary are examples of the two types of Christian love. Love shown in the service to others and the love shown to God and both types of love are needed. Martha showed her love through preparing a place for Christ to stay and food for all of them to eat. Mary was taking time to be with Christ and to hear his words and take them into her heart. Active service and prayer or reflection are both ways in which we show and respond to God’s love. Neither one is better than the other, the key is balance. Putting God’s love into action and then finding time to reflect or just sit in your favorite spot and speak to God in your heart.

May you and your families enjoy this time of summer and may God’s peace and love continue to grow in your hearts.

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

2 Kings 4:42-44
Ephesians 4:1-6
John 6:1-15

Reflection:

Our readings today reflect the generosity of a loving, nurturing God.  Twenty barley loaves brought from a man from Baal-shalishah fed over a hundred people with some left over.  Five barley loaves and two fish were multiplied and fed over five thousand people with some left over as well.  God has planted a generous heart in each of us to share what we have with those who have so little.  As prisoners of the Lord, we are called to live in a manner worthy of this call.  A spirit of humility, gentleness, and patience must shine forth to those we serve in the name of Jesus Christ.  Our overall message must center around our call to profess one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all!  How do we do this, how do we answer this clarion call as mere human beings, sinful and in need of being fed ourselves?!

The responsorial psalm today gives us not only a reminder, but a blueprint as well on how we as prisoners of the Lord are called to serve.

            “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.”

My call to serve began at my premature birth and subsequent emergency baptism 71 years ago.  I come from a family of eight, watched over and guided by parents who celebrate 85 years of marriage on this day as they happily rest in peace and joy in the kingdom of God!  We grew up surrounded by love and care, knowing that we were indeed blessed by a God who answers all our needs!  We learned early on to care for others who were not as fortunate as us and to be generous and happy to do this.  Life was not always easy and oftentimes we did not agree with God’s timeline!  Overall, we found great joy in helping those in need in our family, church and community.  Whether it was shoveling walks for elderly neighbors, baking cakes for the local soup kitchen, reading to younger brothers and sisters, working to advance better living conditions as part of the fair housing community or being present and patient with our oldest brother living with cerebral palsy to accomplish even the smallest task.

There are many needs in our families, neighborhoods, communities locally and nationally.  We can get caught up in the big picture and get overwhelmed quite easily.  It is important to take time to feed ourselves, to withdraw as Jesus did, to replenish the well.  Summertime offers us more of an opportunity to do this.  I encourage all of us to go away to the mountain, the lakeshore, the woods.  Take time during these fleeting summer days to enjoy family and friend time on the deck, at cookouts, church gatherings.  Make it a point to celebrate eucharist wherever you find yourself, listen to the scripture proclaimed and be nourished at the Table of the Lord.  Feed others as you are being fed.  Summer blessings!

Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 7:1-11
Matthew 13:24-30

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus tells a parable about weeds and wheat. An enemy of a landowner has sowed weeds among the wheat of his field. When the owner’s servants ask him if they should pull up the weeds, he answers no, because they might pull up some of the wheat as well. He then says, “Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, ‘First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

For me, this shows the patience and mercy of God. We do not have to be stuck where we are but become the “wheat” God made us to be. The challenge sometimes is to be honest with ourselves as what kind of “wheat” or “weeds” we happen to be. In our first reading from Jeremiah, God confronts the people of Israel through the prophet: “Reform your ways and your deeds, so that I may remain with you in this place. Put not your trust in the deceitful words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord!’” People were taking God for granted because they figured they were exempt, so to speak, from any moral considerations because they worshiped in the Temple. We can’t presume we are “wheat,” simply because we belong to a certain group of people or a certain faith. Likewise, we can’t presume others are “weeds” simply because they don’t belong.

But if we are truly humble, knowing that we need God’s grace, and grateful that God loves us beyond anything we can deserve or imagine, then we will be open to God removing what leads us to be more like “weeds,” and letting God transform us into “wheat.” And even more, as in the parable the wheat grew up with the weeds, we can help others be healed and transformed by God’s love in Jesus Christ.

May the love of God prevail in our hearts and may no one be thrown away.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of Mary

Scripture:

Jeremiah 7:1-11
Matthew 13:18-23

Reflection:

I grew up in Nebraska, though I know almost nothing of farming or ranching. Our family would often enough drive through the countryside and see vast fields of corn or soybeans laid out in neat sections stretching to the horizon. Gigantic farm implements used to plant, cultivate, and harvest could be seen in the distance operated by a solitary farmer who knew the land and what it needed to bring in a robust harvest. It’s a very different industry today than the one described in the Parable of the Sower.

Today’s farmer is going to take as much of the mystery as possible out of how and when to plant the seed. Yet not every seed will take root and bear fruit. For all our efforts, some elements of mystery remain. The same can be said about parenting, since we are celebrating the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the traditionally named parents of Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Like Mary’s parents, my parents tried their best, but they had to be okay with the mystery of raising nine children, of where our lives would take us and what decisions we would make. We certainly disappointed them at times. There were struggles and there were triumphs. There were joys and plenty of sorrow. But what we always knew was we were loved…even if at times they shook their heads in dismay at what poor decisions we made. They sowed the seed as best they could and, overall, it mostly took.

There is no perfect parent. There is no perfect planting of the seed. There is no perfect knowledge of what will unfold in life. We have to be okay with mystery. The adage, “perfect is the enemy of good,” opens for us the possibility of seeing the good that comes our way, the good that we may miss if waiting for the perfect. God is going to keep sowing the seeds of love, and we—to the best of our ability—can prepare a fertile place for that love to take root and grow.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.