Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Matthew 22:15-21

Reflection:

"I have called you by name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me." Isaiah 45:4

Growing up is never easy. For us boys, it was always a contest for recognition and acceptance. You were either well known or you were not. You were nameless until someone important called you by name. Anyway, that’s the way it seemed back then.

Once, the P.E. teacher gathered the 8^th classes together for a baseball game. The two "Jocks" were chosen to choose teammates. The good athletes were the first ones taken, of course. Then, there were a handful of us left to be chosen, the ones who were practically invisible and nameless. I was among that group. Finally, I got a "hey you" and put in right field. And all during the game, I kept praying, "don’t hit it my way, don’t hit it my way."

Ninth inning, one out, and we were winning by one run, two men on, first and second base. Plenty of balls hit to center and left field, and only a couple of grounders to right. Then it happened. A line drive came my way. Instinct took over. I caught it on the run, and threw to first base and caught the runner on his way to second. Double play, inning over, game over and suddenly, everyone knew my name!

God knows us by name. And God calls us by name.

When we become aware that God knows personally and calls us by name, not only do we begin to feel differently, we also begin to act differently. We begin to feel important, valued. We begin to get the sense that we are worthwhile. Having a sense of self-worth, a sense of dignity, we begin to act as if life is truly meaningful, that our lives count.

In the second reading for today’s Mass, Paul the Apostle had to remind the Thessalonians that they had received the Gospel, not only in word but with the power of the Holy Spirit. He reminds them that they were loved by God and were chosen by God to carry out the Gospel in their lives. Life can be overwhelming at times and so we may forget that God loves us, called us into life and called us to live the Gospel as proclaimed by Jesus, God’s Only Son.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to never forget that we belong to God. Once we become aware that we belong to God, we will not be confused as to what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God. What belongs to Caesar or to this "earthly existence" has no ultimate value. Wealth, fame and good standing are ours by God’s grace. Each of these social conditions bring with them responsibility and stewardship. Our wealth is for us to share with those who are in need, our fame enables us to spread Gospel values, and our social standing is an opportunity to give witness to God’s way of life.

We need to look no further than our present pope, Pope Francis. The vast majority of us did not know him before he was elected Pope. Now, we hear how his simplicity of life is a witness to Gospel values. Is he well off? Yes, he is, but see how he lives. Is he a powerful man? Yes he is, but see how he uses that authority. Does he have a prominent social position? Yes, he does, but see how his humility is the message. We always need to discern what belongs to God and what belongs to Caesar.

 

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Chicago, Illinois. 

 

Feast of Saint Luke

Scripture:                

2 Timothy 4:10-17b
Luke 10:1-9

Reflection:

An adventurous young woman Karen Davidson, once reflected after she had spent twelve months living with the nomadic tribesmen of northern Pakistan, that perhaps they were the last remaining true nomads of the world, people who travelled and camped wherever necessity led them, but at the same time were at home wherever they journeyed; whilst in our world today there are so many people who live nomadic lives but are ‘at home’ nowhere.

Certainly our age is one of travels and journeys. We make such preparations and take so many precautions, as does the state and various agencies, so that our journey will be safe and to an extent predictable. In nearly every case we know our destination, our expected arrival time and the arrangements that await us at our destination. So while we might wander far and wide,  we do have a home to come back to and so perhaps we can claim that whilst nomadic in part, we are also rooted in a home base.

The journey Jesus sends the disciples on in today’s gospel seems to combine many of these same themes.  The disciples are sent out into unknown places, but their base and their ‘home’ will be Jesus. They travel in his name and proclaim his message and he himself will follow to build on their work.

Certainly the instructions and details prepare the disciple for a more radical and open ended mission. However one must not be too distracted by the mere details – the lack of money, or absence of a carry sack or even spare sandals, and the instruction not to waste the day away spending exorbitant amounts to time talking to fellow travellers met along the roadway. No these details seem to be there  more to indicate the urgency of the mission and absolute need of the disciples to be completely focused on assisting the kingdom of God in its growth in our world.

But also of great importance is the fact that the kingdom seems to grow in and through relationships, hospitality and stability of commitment. Thus the disciple is encouraged to foster peace and to allow this gift to colour any relationships thus formed. Further, the disciple is not to wander from place to place, or more so from person to person if there is a better offer made.  Jesus encourages a certain stability and commitment to the person and the task at hand.  The kingdom grows in such environments.

We are all labourers in the harvest of the Lord; we are all called to proclaim and witness to the kingdom. And as Jesus also highlights, at the heart of our missionary presence to others is a message of healing. We are to heal the sick. Of course that can take many forms and thus we are invited to heal by kindles and presence, by our recognition of the dignity of the other, by our words of encouragement or support and perhaps most powerfully of all, by our capacity to forgive and to let go of hurts.

Yes there are dangers; many around us behave like wolves exploiting people and relationships for their own gain. By contrast we are to stand up for alternative values founded on the vision of Jesus. Yes at times we’ll feel somewhat powerless in the face of such force, but while Jesus uses the image of ‘sheep’ he does in fact ask for strength of spirit and loving generosity in his followers. These are the gifts we are to carry – rather than being burdened down by securities, possessions or concerns for wealth and personal comfort.

Today we can hear Jesus calling to us anew; the kingdom is still growing, it is a vital ingredient and force in our world and its growth is fundamental. We are its labourers in this day and age. Let us be about our mission.

 

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:

Ephesians 1:11-14
Luke 12:1-7

Reflection:

As a child, and even still now, I find immense comfort in my mother’s arms. It is a place of safety and love; a place where I do not have to be anything other than myself. She knows every freckle and dimple on my face. 

In the days leading up to our Gospel reading today, Jesus had denounced the Pharisees and scholars. They were restricting the love of God to their laws and restrictions. In today’s passage, Luke gives us sayings of Jesus as a comfort and reassurance to follow Him without fear, that the love of God is greater than we can imagine. 

"Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid" Luke 12:7a

This reminds me of a mother who has studied every part of her child. A beautiful sign of love. Our creator formed every part of us in His image. Imagine that love! In that love is our comfort and our place of surrender. Giving us the strength to of His will. 

How do you surrender daily to God’s will?

We are created for something great. We were created that in all we do "we might exist for the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:12

In what ways do you "praise" in your life?

For us to accept God’s Will and appreciate the great love that has been given for us, we must take time to surrender. To be still and know that he is God, and as Passionists, to sit and be still at the foot of the Cross. This is our hope in the midst of mystery and darkness. And in that hope we are able to carry on the will of God for us, knowing that we are loved fully and unconditionally. 

 

Kim Valdez is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

 

Feast of St. Teresa of Jesus

Scripture:

Galatians 5: 18-15
Luke 11: 42-45

Reflection:

The Apostle Paul is very much aware of that human beings are pulled in two directions. He often spoke of the struggle or warfare between the spirit and the flesh. These are two principles of action deep in human psyche.  Early in the twentieth century Freud described the Ego and Id in constant tension and how the Ego seeks to control and channel the impulses of the Id. Going back to the passage of scripture before us notice that the translator choose to capitalize "Spirit". That is because Paul uses the word spirit and Spirit interchangeably. Not all the sins listed are classic sins of the flesh, there are also actions in which others are hurt and excluded. Idolatry and sorcery are motifs of the pagan environment in which the Galatians lived. Those who live in such a manner will not inherit the Kingdom of God. If Paul was writing in 2014 he would probably come up with a somewhat different list. In his recent apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis has his own list: an economy of exclusion and inequality, the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose, unbridled consumerism, widespread and deeply rooted corruption found in many countries and unjust social structures that foster inequality. For Pope Francis these are the institutional sins that imped the coming of the Kingdom of God.

If allowing the flesh to rule brings such conflict and unhappiness In contrast Paul then enumerates the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace. These come from acts of patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To reach this point is hard work. Paul notes that "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires." But then we don’t do this on our own, we "follow the Spirit"

 

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

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:11-14
Luke 11:37-41

Reflection:

Jesus is invited by a Pharisee for a meal.  The Pharisee is astonished at Jesus because Jesus had not washed his hand before the meal was served.  This ritual involved a small amount of water was poured over the hands of each diner.  This amounted to enough water that would fill an egg and a half.  The water was first poured on the wrist, then the palm, and last to the finger tips.  The second time the finger tips were washed first, then the palms, and last the wrist.  Jesus response is s rather harsh and lengthy rebuke for the Pharisee.  What disturbed Jesus so much was not just the ritual but more than likely Jesus realizes that the invitation to dinner was not so much an act of hospitality but an opportunity to trap Jesus. 

Jesus knew that many of the Pharisees who are so insistent on ritual purity, but inside their hearts they are filled with greed and wickedness.  Jesus sees some Pharisees are fixated on externalism in religion, of legalistic pedantry, of religious ostentation, and pious hypocrisy.  What Jesus is concerned about is both the inside and the outside of a person.  Pope Francis is preaching a similar message in his references to the broader tent, a Church of joy, a Church of love, mercy and forgiveness.  Pope Francis a pleading for bishops and priests to not get lost in unimportant details of ecclesiastical management, and even encourages them to remember the important realities of Christian life.  The Pharisees in Luke’s gospel neglected justice and forgot love. They never forgot the tithing!

Recently at a priests retreat, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo preached a very moving sermon to the clergy of the Diocese.  He ended by pleading with the priests that there should be "No more harshness, No more harshness." This is what Jesus was telling the Pharisees.  Their insidious harshness was driving people away from God.  Jesus points out all things are clean and by crossing boundaries to care for those in need one is automatically rendered clean. 

 

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 25:6-10a
Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Matthew 22:1-14

Reflection:

Sometimes when I watch TV, I not only pay attention to the program I’m watching, but also the commercials. Actually, I often speculate as to whom these commercials are targeted. Many people have commented that the commercials on the evening network news seem to be oriented towards older people. I can look at other commercials, and know that they are oriented towards people my age, drumming up nostalgia for us baby boomers. Other commercials are obviously trying to reach a younger demographic for an old established product.

When Jesus tells the parable about a king eventually having his servants bring people off the streets to come to the wedding feast of his son (Matthew 22:1-14), He reminds us that the invitation to the heavenly banquet is not just targeted to a particular demographic, but to everyone. In the parable, the servants gather all the people they can find, "bad and good alike."

In the parable, the king does this because the invited guests refuse to come. In the parable there are three responses to the invitation. One response is to ignore the invitation. These people went instead to their farm or business. Another response is open hostility. These people mistreat and even kill the servants that the king sends. The third response is coming to the banquet but not being appropriately dressed. If we correspond the invitation to the wedding feast in the parable to the invitation by Jesus to follow Him to the kingdom of heaven, we see all three responses today.

There are places in the world in which there is open hostility to following Christ. There are people still being persecuted, even killed, for the faith. But for most, if not all, the people who will read this, this is not a response we normally see. Instead, we often see the other two. The people in the parable who ignored the invitation and went home to their farm or business are people who see other things, like making a lot of money, or having worldly power, as much more important than sharing God’s love or spreading the Good News. The guest who is not properly dressed does not represent those who we think aren’t dressed right for Mass. The guest who is not wearing a wedding garment represents for me those who say they are Christian but are unwilling to be changed by their faith. Their ideal religion is one that does not demand any conversion of heart.

Do we at times fall into one of these categories? That’s the question this parable presents to us. The invitation is there. It doesn’t matter whether we think we’re too far gone, or we think we don’t have the proper pedigree. God is still calling us and everyone to Himself! Listen to what God promises in our first reading for Sunday from Isaiah (25:6-10a): "On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples … On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, … he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face." God is telling the Israelites that He will do this for "all peoples!"

So, what is our response? Are we willing to see the kingdom as more important than what the world tells us is important? Are we willing to respond to the love God gives us through Jesus Christ? Are we willing to be changed by our relationship with Jesus? If we worry about what kind and how much of a response we can make, listen to St. Paul in our second reading from Philippians (4:12-14, 19-20): "I can do all things in him who strengthens me." God, in His love not only invites us to the heavenly banquet, but He gives us what we need to respond to the invitation! RSVP today!

 

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is on staff at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan. 

 

 

Scripture:

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1
Luke 11:29-32

Reflection:

As Jesus teaches the large crowds and his disciples; what stands out in this text is the idea of "something greater" present. Throughout scripture we have stories of God’s abundance and mercy available to all who call on him. Jesus admonishes those who seem blind to the true sign as he points to the sign of Jonah.  Jonah’s story guides us in understanding God’s dynamic seeking out the lost by sending messengers to bring the good news of salvation. Might the something greater be understood in Jonah’s response to the outcome of a successful mission?

 When the Ninevites -the torturous enemy-did listen and repent, Jonah was distraught!  He couldn’t accept that his enemy would be saved. This was not his idea of fairness or justice.  Could the something greater here be Jesus radical message to love your enemy; pray for those who persecute you? Might I lose out if I am blind to the true sign?

Luke’s challenge to his gentile audience is no less a challenge for us today. Something greater here beckons us to ponder our deepest ideas of fairness and justice and to cultivate a loving response to all the enemies in our lives. No doubt we will be invited into this practice often…from driving in traffic; to forgiving a loved one; to our modern day Ninevites; and beyond. "This is my commandment: love, one another as I have loved you" John 15:12.

For our journey, Jesus gives us "something greater" in his Body and Blood-our Manna for today and everywhere two or more are gathered in his name. As St. Paul affirms in the first reading-we are born free to choose to see, to love, and to forgive. May I cultivate this virtue in my life today.  

 

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:

Galatians 3:22-29
Luke 11:27-28

Reflection:

"Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed!"

What the woman declared is true.  Mary was blessed to be the mother of Jesus incarnate.  She herself sings in her Magnificat: "Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

But Jesus shocked this woman and the world when he responded: "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."  He words still reverberate today, sounding as they do as a rejection of his family.

Yet, if we listen closely, Jesus could not have praised his mother more highly.  No one heard the word of God more clearly and observed it better than his mother.  But Jesus was making an even bolder claim.  He was announcing that true blessing doesn’t come by being physically related to him, and in doing so he redefined the meaning of family.  Those who are truly blessed, those who are his true family are those who hear the word of God and keep it, beginning with his mother and – by extended invitation – to us.

Are Jesus’ words simply a pious sentiment, but without real meaning in today?  Or is there evidence of such family among us right now?  The answer, of course, is a resounding yes.  It is the Body of Christ, us, imperfect as we are.  Closer to home, I have seen such a family from my teenage years, right up until today.  The Passionist Community is this blessing, this family.

Fr. Bruno D’Souza is a good example.  A young Passionist priest from India, he has been for three years part of our retreat preaching team at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, Calif.  My wife and I ask him from time to time, if he gets homesick for his family in Bombay.  He always answers "No.  Wherever I live with my community, I am with my family."  His response doesn’t please my wife with her motherly instincts.  She keeps pushing: "Don’t you miss your mother and father?  Don’t you miss your mother’s cooking?"  Fr. Bruno smiles but nods no.

Recently, Fr. Bernard Weber, a wonderful preacher, died suddenly.  His Passionist family around the world grieved his loss.  The same Saturday he died, several of us on the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa were in the staff room having dinner.  Br. John Rockenbach, who speaks so little he rarely threads even five words together, seized the moment to honor Fr. Bernie by inviting us to raise a glass of wine with the words "To Fr. Bernie, a great Passionist!"  My wife and I were touched by his warm gesture.

I consider myself part of the Passionist extended family, as a seminarian and novice who lived with them for five years.  One of my favorite Passionists was Fr. Damian McHale, who lived most of his life in the Sierra Madre area.  He was a man of compassion, but with a wicked sense of humor.  Sometimes that humor edged on being blunt, even caustic.  He could be, to put it charitably, rather prickly.  While I was at breakfast with him and others one morning, Fr. Damian made a rather biting comment to one of his brother Passionists.  I immediately told him that when he dies, the Pope will proclaim him the patron saint of porcupines – to which all at the table laughed.  After he died, I took possession of his Liturgy of the Hours.  Occasionally, I pray my office from his old book, its pages worn and wrinkled.  This is my connection with this holy and charmingly cantankerous man.

It’s no wonder that Fr. Alan Phillip, the local superior at Mater Dolorosa, insists that the special charism of the Passionists is eccentricity.  Am I shocked at Jesus’ words about who is blessed and who his true family is?  No.  In the Passionist community, I see his family every day.

 

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