Daily Scripture

Feast of Saint Augustine

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Matthew 24:42-51

Reflection:

The Feast we celebrate today, that of St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, calls to mind the picture of one who spent most of his life undergoing a conversion process.  The life of this brilliant and worldly student of philosophy was not without a struggle until at long last, with God’s grace, Augustine humbly accepted Christ.

Augustine wrote in his Confessions, "You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you…You were with me, but I was not with you."  How often do we search outside for God’s grace and peace?  How often do we spend hours, days, even a lifetime searching for the relief that comes with accepting Christ.  We build our own little kingdoms centered on wealth, status, prestige, thinking these will lead to that satisfaction we so earnestly desire.

Recently our RCIA team met to prepare to welcome the new inquirers into the RCIA process.  The conversation centered around, ‘What Do I Believe About Conversion’?  A lively discussion ensued in response to the questions, ‘Is conversion private or public, Kept quiet or celebrated, Slow to happen or quickly, May occur only once or many times in a lifetime, Is a change of heart or mind?’  Other questions:  ‘Does it affect only parts of one’s life or all of our life, Does it lead us to question our faith more or does our faith become stronger in the process. Is it orderly or messy, Does it happen in church or out and lastly, Does conversion happen in daily living or only at prayer?’

We discovered everyone’s conversion story is different with some similarities and like experiences.  Conversion happens when we open ourselves up to letting God be God and embracing all that comes with being a faithful servant of God’s.  Jesus reminded his disciples:  ‘Stay awake!  For you do not know on which day your Lord will come."  We are all called to do the same!

 

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

 

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17
Matthew 23:23-26

Reflection:

Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

All that glitters is not gold.

These familiar idioms reflect our experiences of being led astray.  We hear news reports of scams all the time.  Not all of them rise to the level of Bernie Madoff, the admitted operator of a Ponzi scheme that is considered to be the largest financial fraud in U.S. history totaling $18 billion.  But we each have an experience of "being taken."

I want to trust others.  I really want to trust those who serve as leaders in government and the church.  And when those entrusted with our physical, financial and spiritual welfare, or the welfare of those we most love and care for, choose to disregard their obligation, they chisel away at my ability to trust anyone.

The scripture readings for today from St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians and the Gospel of St. Matthew should reassure us in some strange ways.  Deceit, poor leadership, and hypocrisy apparently abounded in the time of Jesus and the early church.  As we might imagine and quite understand, many probably became disillusioned and went in search of something or someone more trustworthy.  It is not an experience far from our own time as we deal with our own crisis of trust in government and church.

But our faith is in Jesus Christ.  He is the rock.  He is the truth and the way.  He is the light.  Frail human beings and institutions, no matter how good, can only approximate the truth that is Jesus Christ.  And no matter how many times we feel we have been duped or taken advantage of, Jesus remains our rock.  He will be faithful to us to the end of time.  It is to him that we go when others have let us down, or when we have let ourselves down. 

No doubt we can become discouraged when our trust is betrayed, and that is deeply sad even if understandable.  Jesus simply invites us never to lose hope and trust in him.

 

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

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12
Matthew 23:13-22

Reflection:

The community at Thessalonica consisted of Jews and Gentiles. Paul, along with Silvanus and Timothy, had made a great effort to preach the Gospel there. Apparently, some Jews did not take the message well. Fearing opposition from these people and his concern for the people, Paul had to leave the city earlier than expected leaving the newly converted to tend for themselves. Much to his surprise, the seeds of the Gospel took deep roots and bore fruit!

Like his first letter, Paul begins his second letter by thanking the Thessalonians for their great faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. They have kept the commandments, they have been faithful to the teaching that Paul, along with Silvanus and Timothy, had imparted onto them. They have remained ‘steadfast… amidst persecutions and the afflictions’. This would make any missionary proud!

Our own times continue to challenge us in many ways. The news from across the globe does not herald good news. Human values are at stake. Gospel values are being challenged. It is easy to lose focus, get angry, play blame games. There is much to learn from the community at Thessalonica! May God bless us with continued steadfastness, faith and wisdom!

 

Fr. Bruno D’Souza, CP, is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

Memorial of Saint Monica

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18
Matthew 23:27-32

 

 

 

Reflection:

The People of God Need to Be Comforted

Today’s readings appear rather abrasive – even for those who adhere strictly to the law. St. Paul tells us to "shun those who walk in a disorderly way," and Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees as "hypocrites and whitewashed tombs", full of dead bones and filth! As usual, we are invited deeper into the context and meaning of God’s Word, and perhaps today’s remembrance of St. Monica might assist us as well.

In the first reading, St. Paul confidently offers himself as a model to be imitated. Perhaps he is forgetting that he was willing, not only to die, but to kill in the name of his religion only a few years before (Acts 7:58, 9:2-3)!  Certitudes, even in faith, should not be our goal.

St. Monica might also serve as a model. For many years, she tried to live with integrity, to be an example for her violent husband and wayward and rebellious son. She shows us how to deal with people who do not live up to our expectations. She prayed. She was patient. She was non-judgmental. She was strong.

Or consider Pope Francis. His message to the Jesuits in Korea continues a familiar theme:

"The people of God need consolation, they need to be comforted, "consuelo" (the Spanish word for "comfort"). I see the Church as a field hospital right now. The people of God are asking us for consolation. There are so many wounds that need comforting … We need to listen to the words of Isaiah: "Comfort, comfort my people!" There are no wounds that cannot be consoled with God’s love. This is how we should live: searching for Jesus Christ so that this love brings comfort to people’s wounds and heals them." 

He said we are ministers of consolation that sometimes the Church goes through a tough time, sometimes it experiences wounds and sometimes the ministers of the Church are responsible for people’s wounds. And he spoke of the Church as a "field hospital", an image he used in the interview. He reiterated it, setting it in stone. This is his vision of the Church.

So, today’s readings must not be heard apart from the full body of Sacred Scripture… Paul telling the Church at Rome (chapter 8, verses 31-39) that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Nothing. Or Jesus telling us, his disciples, to come to him, we who are weary, because he is meek, and humble of heart and in him we will find comfort and rest.

 

Fr. Jack Conley, C.P. is the director of the Office of Mission Effectiveness.  He is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

 

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 22:19-23
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

 

 

 

Reflection:

Light for Sight

And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." Micah 16:17  Jesus reminds all of us along with Peter that we will never really see and understand Jesus unless the Father reveals Him.   Faith is our eye by which we perceive Him.  Faith is a gift we undeservedly receive that enables us to see and grasp Christ.  We need light for sight.  We need the light of revelation for the sight of Christ!  The closest friends of Christ like the apostles could not on their own see Jesus after his resurrection unless He revealed himself to them. 

The word for reveal in original Greek is apŏkaluptō.  It means to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up.   "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!" Romans 11:33  "And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him." Luke 24:31 The word for recognized in the inspired Greek is epiginōskō i.e., to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly.  

We desperately need the Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the dazzling light of Christ.    While reason is a wonderful gift of God, it alone will never bring us into a life of faith.  Faith is never against reason, but it is far beyond reason.   The practical result of this is that we must get on our knees and like the apostles of old and ask: "Add to our faith" Luke 17:5

In today’s world humility is not the most practiced virtue.   We are blessed with much more scientific knowledge now.   It is very impressive and very helpful.   We thank God for all our scientists who have made our life so much more wonderful.   But perhaps we are a bit more arrogant when it comes to religion. I am afraid we have a tendency to say if I don’t see it, it is not true.   Or, I will do it my way.   We must humble ourselves as we try to approach God.  We will never come into His friendship unless we have light for sight.  We must plead with Him that with open arms He says: "Come to Me"

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Scripture:

Ezekiel 43:1-7a
Matthew 23:1-12

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for today, we hear Jesus denouncing the scribes and Pharisees of His day. And at the end of this particular passage, He says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." It seems to me that humility is at the heart of the matter in Jesus’ denunciation. The Pharisees Jesus is talking about were too caught up in their own prestige in the community, and too often looked down on others.

It seems that the Pharisees and scribes failed to have the same attitude as Ezekiel does in our first reading. In that reading, Ezekiel has a vision in which he is brought into the presence of God. His attitude is one of humility: "I fell prone as the glory of the Lord entered the temple by way of the gate which faces the east."

Perhaps the Pharisees would prostrate themselves before God like Ezekiel, but if that humility was not extended to their views of themselves or others, then it would be a hollow gesture. When we recognize that we are not God, and that we do not have God all figured out, and that we rely so much on God’s love and mercy, we get a true perspective about ourselves and others.

Jesus accuses the Pharisees and the scribes of laying burdens on people’s shoulders, without doing anything to help them. We can’t even try to do that! In his vision, Ezekiel says that "spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court." Imperfect as we are, God lifts us up to do the work He has for us to do. We are called to be about lifting up others! As fellow pilgrims on the journey, there is no need to try to lord it over others, or make a spectacle of how holy we think we are! Instead, we are to help others along the way, as we are helped. May we follow the example of Jesus, and be humble servants of all.

 

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

 

Saint Pius X, Pope

Scripture:

Ezekiel 36:23-28
Matthew 22:1-14

Reflection:

Everyone makes adjustments and changes as he or she moves through life.  We normally do it to better meet our goals or ambitions at a certain stage of our life.  Even Popes do this, like St. Pius X, whom we recall today.   And God Himself makes adjustments which don’t affect Him, but they do concern us, as we hear in our readings.

Sometimes we welcome these developments, at other times they are painful for us.  The prophet Ezekiel points out the incessant problem afflicting his fellow Jews: falling away from their attachment to God.  No surprise here, from our familiarity with Jewish history in the bible.  But what should attract our attention is God’s response to it.  On this occasion He doesn’t lash out at them for their infidelities, as He has done at other times and places, but institutes some new procedures in their regard.  He is going to release them from their exile in a foreign land, and purify them from their faults and failures.  This will entail a new heart and a new spirit: a true make-over, enabling them to start over, and rewarding them with a renewed claim on the land that had been theirs in former times.  So we hear of the Jews becoming the beneficiaries of God’s change of plans in their regard.

A similar scenario presents itself in the gospel: a change of plans, originating with God, but impacting us.  It depicts a banquet that a king planned on the occasion of his son’s wedding.  The invited guests don’t show but went about their own business instead, which apparently was of more concern to them than wedding festivities.  In fact, they even got downright mean.  But this didn’t phase the king.  He simply made some adjustments in his program and issued a new invitation list.  He wasn’t to be outflanked by the disrespectful reactions of the original invitees.  Once again we note God, while sticking with His basic plan, yet more than ready to pursue a change to accomplish His original purpose.

Popes also are not above these maneuvers.  As, for instance, we note in the life of St. Pius X, whose memorial we recall today.  He inherited a fairly long-standing tradition of communion practice in the church of about a hundred years ago, when young people were not admitted to the eucharist until they had reached a certain age, such as well into the teens.  Pius thought this was much too late, and, mindful of Jesus’ fondness for small children, decided to advance the age for youngsters to the time when they were able to distinguish the eucharistic bread from other, ordinary bread-a practice most of us have been familiar with– around the age of 6 or 7

Another change this pope instituted was more frequent communion for adults.  Before his time, people, especially men, approached the eucharist very sparingly, often just once a year, such as Christmas time.  Perhaps they felt unworthy to do so more frequently, not realizing the eucharist was food to spiritually strengthen us, precisely so as to strengthen us.  It was Pius X who adverted to this practice, and urged the laity to be more frequent communicants.

So when we note how God, and the Pope, are ready and willing to change the way things have been done, often for centuries, we should not hesitate to adjust whatever  we have been doing, or not doing, and that may be proving detrimental to us.  This is not change for the sake of change, but change for the better.  Whatever improves our standing with God, and one another, is worth pursuing.   Certainly we can support this appreciation of God by engaging in petitionary prayer, knowing from today’s bible readings how accommodating God can be.

 

Fr. Sebastian MacDonald, C.P. is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. 

Feast of St. Bernard, Abbot

Scripture:

Ezekiel 34: 1-11
Matthew 20:1-16

Reflection:

In today’s first reading, Ezekiel is mandated by God to speak a word of judgment against the spiritual leaders of his time.  Ezekiel tells these spiritual leaders that their task is to Shepherd God’s people (the sheep).  Ezekiel condemns them because though "you have fed of their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings," you have not pastured the sheep.

What does it mean to "pasture the sheep"?  Ezekiel describes it this way, "You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured.  You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost…."  And so, they are condemned!

 Once again, in this morning’s reading from Ezekiel, we hear that God wants those who believe in Him, to reach out with compassion and generosity to the sick and the injured, to the lost and the wounded.  How many times have we heard that message?!  Yet, most of us know how difficult that is.  It’s easy to be so engaged in our own struggles, so lost in our own personal world, that we not only don’t reach out to those around us, we often don’t even notice them and their needs.

Today, we pray for the grace to see those in our lives who are lost or injured and we ask God to give us the courage to reach out to them with God’s love and ours.

 

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.