Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 Kings 17:7-16
Matthew 5:13-16

Reflection:

All it takes is music to get my 2-year-old grandson dancing with abandon, swaying, swirling, putting his arms in the air, and moving his body every which way. He reminds me of his father (my son) at the same age. He loved nothing more than to shimmy, bounce, and dance to music.

It’s a different story for my son now. Other than doing the obligatory dances at his wedding, he refuses to even approach a dance floor. What happened? Somewhere along the way, he became convinced that he could not dance, that he risked making a fool of himself if he even tried.  It saddens me to see such innate ability drummed out of him. He has, in effect, put his light under a bushel basket. Unfortunately, he is the rule rather than the exception.

How many of our innate God-given gifts suffer the same fate? I look around the pews at Mass and see people whose voice is stifled by their belief that they cannot sing. Others refuse to lead a ministry or even volunteer out of fear of failure or their certainty that someone else would do it better. Everywhere I look, people are afraid to risk, afraid to try, afraid to discover and use the gifts they’ve been given. Imagine what our church would look like if we all quit hiding our lights under bushel baskets and instead dared to push the boundaries and become the fullness of who God created us to be!

Of course, it’s much easier to make such comments about others than to turn the spotlight inward and examine myself. How many of my own gifts have I hidden? In what ways have I allowed society as a whole, my family members, or my own insecurities to stifle my willingness to try or keep me from even being aware of what I can do? Perhaps more importantly, is God calling me to minister in new ways and I am blind to that call because I have hidden too many lights?

I remember, for instance, when my husband died. There were so many things I didn’t know how to do and was convinced I could not do. Out of necessity, I had to try. Lo and behold, I discovered talents I didn’t know I had and strength I didn’t know existed. God used me in unexpected ways, and I grew and stretched beyond what I thought was possible. I bet God has given me other gifts, talents, and strengths that I haven’t even touched yet. Does it require a tragedy that knocks out all my defenses before I will allow God to show them to me?

Perhaps we all need to take the phrase "Oh, I could never do that" out of our lexicon. Perhaps even if we can’t remove the bushel basket altogether yet, we can lift it at least enough to look under it ourselves, so that in cooperation with the grace of God, we can discover what is hidden underneath. The light is there. We need only to let it shine.

               

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.amyflorian.com/.

Scripture:

Acts 18:9-18
John 16:20-23

Reflection:

Most of us are familiar with the Global Positioning System.  What does a GPS device do for us?  It gives us directions.  "Take this road; turn here; oops, recalculating; go straight ahead; get ready to turn; avoid cliff; stay the course."  But before the GPS can give us directions, we have to tell it our destination.  So what is our destination?

In John’s gospel, chapter 10, Jesus says, "I came so that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)  Life, abundant life.  That is our destination.  

In John’s gospel, chapter 14, Jesus says, "I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always…" (John 14:16)The Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete.  Paraclete means someone "called to the side" of another to be guide, protector, comforter, counselor and friend.  In other words, the Holy Spirit is like a GPS to life, to happiness.

During these days before Pentecost we are reminded of the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives.  If we listen carefully, we will hear the Holy Spirit guide us to our destination.  Among other directions, the Spirit will tell us not to be afraid and to keep on spreading the Good News (today’s Epistle).   The Spirit will lead us to shout to God with cries of gladness (Responsorial Psalm), filled with a joy no one can take from us (Gospel).

Come Holy Spirit, be our guide.  Give us the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do what is right.  Show us the way to abundant life.  And thank you for loving us.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

The Visitation of
the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Luke 1: 39-56

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel recalls the story of the Visitation – Mary visiting with Elizabeth.  On that special occasion, we learn about a very special gift that Mary brought to Elizabeth.  We are told that she brought just one thing: HERSELF.  She gave Elizabeth the gift of her very presence.  Mary gave her the gift, not out of her convenience, but out of the need that Elizabeth had.  It was not easy or convenient for Mary to travel that long, lonely, dangerous road from Galilee to the hills of Judea, but Elizabeth needed a helping hand preparing for the birth of her son, John the Baptist.

Mary was also a true Prophet in her time…a true prophet because she followed the same pattern as those prophets who went before her.  God calls the prophet.  The prophet says, "Here I am, Lord".  God says, Here’s what I want.

Some of the prophets put up a fight;  Jeremiah says he’s too young, Moses protests that he is slow of speech, Amos argues that he is only a herdsman, and Jonah doesn’t say anything…he just runs away!

Mary is called and is given a mission, and she has just one question about how this sign from God, this birth, can happen when she has no husband.  She doesn’t run off or avoid the call: in fact, she runs towards someone to begin proclaiming what she knows to be true.

Mary, the first disciple, in many ways prefigures all the disciples who would follow …those who traveled, mostly on foot, throughout the world to spread the gospel and proclaim the good news. Like those apostles, Mary was also a missionary – the first missionary, a woman who traveled and carried Christ to the world…he was a living tabernacle and Elizabeth became the first to experience Eucharistic adoration.

Salvation history ends up in the hands of a teenager and an elderly  woman, both preparing to give birth, both miraculous in their conception, and both who responded: Here I am, Lord. "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."

 

Deacon Brian Clements is a retired member of the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California

Scripture:

Acts 17:15, 22-18:1
John 16:12-15

Reflection:

Did you ever spend hours preparing a speech about a topic you were really passionate about only to have it fall on deaf ears or at the very least get a mediocre review?  Even though you were sure that the message would be well received and your listeners would surely give it the attention it warranted, but, alas, it just didn’t happen!

Well, we see this happening with Paul in his famous speech to the Athenians at the Areopagus as found in the first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles.  Paul prepared, planned and delivered what he thought to be a great philosophical message about Jesus.  The people did not want to hear anything about this Jesus and surely not in the manner that Paul was trying to tell them.

It was a hard lesson for Paul to learn.  He was not a philosopher, but, rather a tent maker converted to Christianity through his encounters with Jesus.  He was trying to be someone he wasn’t and it just wasn’t working.  So often we too try to be what we think others want us to be which in the end finds us disappointed and disillusioned.

Like Paul, we are called to be followers of Jesus Christ and to preach his message of love, compassion and mercy. May we recommit ourselves this day to give witness to the great love God has for us in how we live, love and care for ourselves and others.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Acts 16:22-34
John 16:5-11

 

 

 

Reflection:

Promise and Hope and Tenderness

Today’s Gospel, from Jesus’ Final Discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper, is filled with promise and hope and tenderness. Jesus is trying to encourage his followers for a time when he will no longer be physically present to them. I like to remember that these are the men who have argued among themselves who is number one, or they have asked to be the ones who sit at his right and left, then want to call down a scorched-earth policy (fire and brimstone) because Samaria didn’t offer them a warm welcome! Another disciple chastised Jesus for voicing his destiny to be suffering and death, and eventually another will say he’ll never believe until he sees.

Today’s first reading reminds us that the opposite is true: we will never see until we first believe. Maybe the jailer is transformed by Paul and Silas for the same reason that the centurion is transformed on Golgotha. He recognizes the Christ because he first was open and receptive to the promise and hope and tenderness.

Lately, when I think of witnessing to the Gospel, I can’t help but think of Pope Francis. His words – whether to women religious or gays and lesbians, Muslim prison inmates or Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres – are filled with encouragement. Most of us are called to evangelize, not by ringing doorbells or disseminating religious literature or preaching on a downtown street corner. We proclaim the Good News – whether at home with family, at work with colleagues and clients, or at leisure with friends –  by nurturing an atmosphere of compassion and mercy – promise and hope and tenderness.

 

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:

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
1 Peter 3:15-18
John 14:15-21

Reflection:

In Sunday’s second reading from 1 Peter (3:15-18), it says: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence…" As I was reflecting on this, I had to ask myself, "What is the reason for my hope?" And it occurred to me that the basis for my hope is not some abstract belief in the resurrection of a person named Jesus two thousand years ago. The reason for my hope is that I have been lifted up by this Jesus time and time again. The reason for my hope is that I have seen others lifted up. I have seen alcoholics and addicts stop using self-destructive drugs after they have turned to a Higher Power. I have seen others continue to work to help those in need. I have seen still others reach across the divisions and barriers that exist between people and work together to make their part of the world a better place. The reason for my hope is not a belief in an event that occurred so long ago. The reason for my hope is that I have seen the Risen Jesus at work in mine and in other people’s lives right here and now!

There is an old saying: "Where there’s life, there’s hope." We may be tempted to think otherwise, as we have witnessed so much evil and suffering in the world. As people of faith, though, I think we can add a bit to that saying. We can also say, "Where there’s love, there’s hope." I’m not talking necessarily about romantic love, but about Christian love. In our Gospel reading (John 14:15-21), Jesus predicts the coming of the Holy Spirit on His disciples, but warns them that the world will not recognize the Spirit, and reassures them that they will know the Spirit. He then says, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." Jesus declares His love for us, and continues to exhort us to love each other. If we have that kind of love for each other, there is still hope.

We might also say, "Where there are relationships, there’s hope." At the end of our Gospel reading, Jesus speaks about relationships: "In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and reveal myself to him." As long as we stay in that relationship with God, there is hope. And as long as we stay in relationship with others, there is hope. We see this in our first reading from Acts (8:5-8, 14-17)where Philip has gone to hated Samaria to proclaim the Good News, and has been accepted! And then Peter and John do not stay isolated in Jerusalem, but come to Samaria and pray with the people so that they, too, can receive the Holy Spirit. When there are people willing to reach across the divide, and build new relationships with people who may be different, there is hope! I am honored to be in relationship with people who are willing to do as Philip and Peter and John were willing to do!

Perhaps another way to say all this is to recognize that we are called to live our lives in Christ in such a way that it can be said, "Where there is us, there’s hope." We are called to bring hope. To give in to despair or selfishness or resentment or fear is not really an acceptable option for us. There may be times when we fall into those things, but we can’t stay there. As long as we are willing to follow Jesus, who "suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous," and are willing to accept that "it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil," than there is hope. May hope in Christ be evident through us!

 

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

Feast of the Ascension of the Lord

Scripture:

Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 4:1-13
Matthew 28:16-20

Reflection:

"When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight."

These words from the Acts of the Apostles describing the Ascension of the Lord, evoked many questions in my mind when I was a small child.  How high did Jesus rise before the cloud came?  Was it an immediate "whoosh" into the sky or a slower "up, up and away" type of ascension?  My approach to this Feast as a Catholic child was in language and pictures a child could understand and imagine. 

When I reflect on the Ascension as an adult, I ponder the wonder of a faith and a love without any boundaries.  There are no earthly boundaries when it comes to the presence of Christ in me, in others, in our world and beyond.  Christ is inside and outside, deep within me and all around me, beyond life and beyond death, no place and every place.  As Paul said in his letters, I no longer live but Christ lives in me!

The Ascension reminds us of a beautiful reality without boundaries!  On the Ascension of the Lord, I remember.  Nothing can separate us from Christ.  God’s love is always available to me and a deep river of compassion and love with God runs swiftly through my soul.  If I take time to prayerfully remember who I am in the present moment, I can drink deeply from this river of God’s love.  This beautiful reality evolves within me, and in everything and every person around me.  God’s love ascends within us all as we grow in Christ.

This Feast of the Ascension underlines the unity we all share in Jesus the Christ; who suffered and died, who rose from the dead, and who ascended into heaven.

 

Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Memorial Day in the USA

Scripture:

Acts 16:11-15
John 15:26-16:4a

Reflection:

At the start of every family car trip, my mother and father would intone, "Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary…" to entrust our safety to the Mother of God through praying the Memorare.  With reference to the same prayer when gathering for various occasions, my father enjoyed saying, "Here we are, sinful and sorrowful."

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a national holiday that invites us "to remember" those in our families and communities who have bravely served our country in time of war and strife, and who have died in this service.  The very word "remember" means so much more than just a simple recalling of past events or people.  The Latin root of the word is memor, which means being mindful or being aware.  It means making real again in our hearts and minds an important experience or person.

I have always been drawn to good storytellers.   A well written book, a classic movie, or a modern troubadour creates in very compelling ways an experience that draws me in because their story taps something profoundly important in me.  It helps me remember…to make real again what I may have forgotten.  The people of Israel were tremendous storytellers.  Throughout the scriptures, we hear prophets and kings pleading with the people to remember how gracious God has been to them.  They tell over and again the stories of God intervening in their lives.  It is when they forget (unable to remember) that disaster descends upon them.

So this day, let us remember.  Let us bring to heart and mind those people who have loved us and those events that have shaped us.  Let us find a way to tell one particular story that makes very real again our experience of how much God loves us.

 

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.