Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Acts 15:1-6
John 15:1-8

Reflection:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does, he prunes so that it bears more fruit."

As an amateur gardener, I find great joy, and put much energy, in the awakening of my garden from its winter slumber.  There is something spiritually fulfilling about nurturing plants to life, and then standing back to watch them bear fruit.   As a gardener, I welcome my role as steward, charged with guiding and directing my little piece of earth.

As I read today’s gospel, it was not difficult to embrace the importance of Jesus’ words.  Just as we feed and nurture our gardens, so should we feed and nurture our souls.  If left unattended by half-hearted commitment and contradiction it will certainly wither. In the true vine, we will find strength, to shed the non-productive and diseased. If cared for and fed with the love of God, our souls will be forever enriched with joy and hope, increasing the yield and quality of our lives and those who surround us.  As we welcome our roles this spring as stewards to the earth, so should we embrace and steward our relationships with the vine.

 

Angela Kwasinski is the Director of Donor Relations for the Holy Cross Province Development Office.

Scripture:

Acts 14:19-28
John 14:27-31a

Reflection:

How easily discouraged are you?  When things don’t go your way, or when people don’t agree with you, or you meet resistance to your ideas or beliefs, how do you respond?  Do you become quiet?  Do you give up?  Do you turn away in anger?  In our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about St. Paul the Apostle and his experience of preaching the Good News.

He’s down in the city of Laodicea, a thriving commercial town in southern Turkey.  He’s bringing the Good News to the people there and at first it seems they were receptive.  Then some Jews come down from nearby Iconium and Antioch and turn the people against Paul.  They don’t just get the crowed to stop listening, they incite the them to stone him; then they drag his apparently dead body outside the city walls and dump it.  A few of his remaining friends follow the crowd out of the city so they can bury him.  But, much to their surprise, his friends discover that Paul is still alive, though battered, bruised and unconscious.  As soon as Paul wakes up, he heads right back into the city.  Then, he continues his mission, returning to Antioch and Iconium and then off to other towns in the region:  Lystra, Derbe, Perga and the regions of Pisidia and Pamphylia.  We’re told many people came to believe in the Gospel as a result of Paul’s visits and preaching. 

What remarkable commitment to the Gospel.  It is no wonder the Gospel spread rapidly given the deep commitment Paul, Barnabas and the other Apostles and Disciples had to witnessing to the resurrection and teachings of Jesus Christ.  Nothing would deter them from spreading the Good News.

They certainly have set a high bar for those of us who follow in their footsteps.  But their fearless witness and great success encourage us to let go of our fears and rely on God’s presence in those we meet. 

 

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

Scripture:

Acts 13:44-52
John 14:7-14

Reflection:

As a preacher, the greatest "resistance" I experience from Catholics centers on 1) the interpretation of the Bible, and 2) what Cardinal John Henry Newman called "the development of Christian doctrine."

Today’s readings thunder with these kinds of controversies and disagreements.

I am repeatedly surprised with the number of Catholics who believe that the Sacred Scriptures are to be understood word-for-word, or literally, as if the Bible were a science or history book, or a manual – while, actually, it is a wonderful book of metaphor and story to help us on our journey to God. When Mark (chapter 9, verses 42-48) quotes Jesus, for example, saying that if our hand is a source of temptation, cut it off… or if our eye is a source of temptation, pluck it out – he doesn’t mean it literally!

Also, our faith and our understanding of religion and doctrine must develop, or evolve; it is not static or frozen, but fluid and dynamic. That is why Jesus says "no man born of woman is greater than John the Baptist, yet least born into the Kingdom is greater than he"!  This means that Jesus introduces a whole new world order, a completely new paradigm. Also, in today’s Gospel, when Jesus tells his disciples that "greater things than these you will do" he means religion and science must evolve and change.

Ever since Pope Benedict’s resignation and the conclave unfolded in March, the Catholic and secular media have been talking stridently about reforming the Church. Now more than ever it seems necessary to read and prayerfully ponder these middle chapters of the Acts of the Apostles (today’s first reading). The perennial disputes call us to that reform or personal and communal conversion.

Recently Archbishop John R. Quinn, emeritus ordinary of the San Francisco Archdiocese, wrote a book entitled Ever Ancient, Ever New: Structures of Communion in the Church. Archbishop Quinn speaks powerfully of the need for de-centralization in the Church, if we are serious about reform… a reform to be manifested in how bishops are appointed, the creation of dioceses, and the determination of liturgical texts.

The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit because they realized God’s plan was taking root.

 

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 1:12-14
1 Peter 4:13-16
John 17:1-11a

Reflection:

The readings for this Sunday are paired with those of Ascension Thursday and continue the mood of this special moment in the life of the Risen Christ (see the reflection for May 29 on Luke’s account of the Ascension in the opening chapter of the Acts of the Apostles).

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (1:12-14), Luke describes the disciples returning to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives immediately after Jesus had ascended into heaven and returned to his Father.  This is what they were told to do-instead of "looking up to heaven" and pining for the presence of the Jesus they loved, there were to go back to the city and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit that would given to them.  So the apostles, along with Mary the Mother of Jesus and other disciples, devote themselves to prayer, preparing for the incredible transformation that would come over them all.  That Spirit would come to them at Pentecost and turn fearful and uncertain followers of Jesus into dynamic witnesses of the gospel to the world.

In the Gospel selection we also witness the final moments of the disciples with Jesus.  This beautiful passage is from chapter 17 of John’s Gospel.  The setting is the final meal of Jesus with his disciples on the eve of the passion.  Here in one of the most striking passages of John’s Gospel, Jesus, aware that he is about to return to his Father, prays for the disciples who will be left behind.  Just as Jesus himself has been God’s incarnate Word of God’s love for the world (see the famous passage of John 3:16-17), so now the disciples will be God’s Word in the world, announcing through their own words and deeds Jesus’ message of redeeming love. "…the words you gave to me I have given to them."  

In John’s theology, it is also the Spirit-what he calls the "Paraclete," a Greek word that can mean "comforter" or "animator"-that will give his disciples the courage and strength they need to proclaim the gospel to the world.

The scripture readings this Sunday invite us to a moment of prayerful reflection and a readiness for our Christian mission in life.  Next Sunday is Pentecost, the moment when the Church was born through the power of the Spirit.  Each of us as followers of Jesus is called to mission-to be the presence of Christ in the midst of our world.  Pope Francis has said we should not think of ourselves simply as "disciples" or followers of Jesus but as "missionary disciples"-people who through the power of the Spirit can bring God’s love to our world in so many different ways in the varied circumstances of our daily lives.  Let us pray and be ready…

 

Fr. Donald Senior, C.P. is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union.  He lives at the Passionist residence in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Feast of Saint Gemma Galgani

Scripture:

Acts 13:26-33
John 14:1-6

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Gemma Galgani, one of our Passionist Saints.  We remember her extraordinary love for God and her intimate sharing in Jesus’ agonizing passion, for she used to refer to herself as being "the fruit of the passion of Jesus, an offspring of his wounds" (From the letters and ecstasies of St. Gemma).  In her Passionist spirituality, she certainly understood very well what it meant for her to say with Paul the Apostle: "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church." (Col 1:24).  Her living witness to the Passion Gospel of Jesus Christ is an inspiring example of enduring faith, hope and love to all Christians, because she endured and joined her sufferings to Christ’s and thus offered them to God for the conversion and salvation of all sinners.

In her letters and ecstasies, St. Gemma wrote: "I wish, oh Jesus, that my voice could reach to the ends of the world, to call all sinners and tell them to enter into Thy Heart. . . Oh, if only all sinners would come to Thy Heart! . . . [For] paradise is waiting for us.  If living for Jesus on earth makes us so happy, what must heaven be like where we shall see him and all his infinite greatness, goodness and beauty?  I hope for mercy from Jesus, mercy for me and for all poor sinners. If I could, I would atone for all of their sins and also for mine."

The above quotes of St. Gemma resonate with the Christian way, truth and life, the biblical theme of today’s readings.  In the first reading, we indeed hear Paul addressing the "children of the family of Abraham, and those others among [them] who are God-fearing," for whom God’s redeeming promises have been fulfilled in and through the dying and rising up of Jesus.  He has been given by the Father "the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession" (psalm).  That is why Jesus encourages us in the gospel not to "let our hearts be troubled," because our "faith in God" and his promise of resurrection and everlasting life assures us that, "if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be."

The discipleship of Ss. Paul and Thomas the Apostles, and Gemma reminds us that, at times, we might lose sense of "the way, the truth and the life" that are embodied in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  But, no matter what we do or fail to do, as Christians, we are always welcome to return to the merciful love of God and to entrust ourselves to Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, for he himself states it clear and plain for us: "No one comes to the Father except through me."  Therefore, let us keep in mind what one of the invocations of the Penitential Rite states in reference to Jesus Christ, namely that he is "the Way that leads to the Father, the Truth that enlightens all peoples, and the life that renews the world."  May we always draw and stay close to God through Jesus Christ and the personal experience of his passion, death and resurrection.

 

Fr. Alfredo Ocampo, C.P. gives retreats and parish missions.  He is stationed at Holy Name Passionist Community in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Acts 13: 13-25
John 13: 16-20

Reflection:

We are blessed to have Luke’s summary of Paul’s first missionary sermon. What we have in our reading today is just the first half of that inaugural discourse. The context and audience is important. Paul and Barnabas enter a synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia and take their seats. Immediately they are noticed as visitors and after the readings of the Law and the prophets are in invited to speak to the mixed congregation of Jews and God-fearing gentiles. That there are gentiles in the synagogue attests to the attractiveness of the Jewish faith for pagans. The monotheism of the Jewish religion contrasted sharply with the gods and goddesses of Greece and Rome. 

Paul recalls that God took the initiative and chose the Jewish people as his own, led them out of Egypt, and set them up in the Promised Land. He raised up judges, and Saul their first king, and then David. From David’s descendants "God, according to his promise has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus."  John was his herald and pointed to him: "Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet."  In identifying Jesus as "savior" Paul proclaims the great leap of faith that was the apostle’s experience of Jesus. For the pious Jew God alone saves his people, God alone redeems his people. Israel’s salvation is bestowed by God’s mercy. Now salvation and freedom from sin comes through Jesus.

During these fifty days the Church has been celebrating the glorious Resurrection of Jesus.  We have come to believe that Jesus is the I AM.  Like apostle Thomas we can only say "My Lord and my God".

 

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

Scripture:

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
John 15:9-17

Reflection:

The world we live in is pretty complicated.  We get so many mixed and conflicting messages.  Our Religion and our faith are constantly under attack.  Political correctness seems to rule the day.  Many basic Christian beliefs are increasingly not accepted, or put into question.  The open practice of faith is being challenged at every opportunity.  It was probably similar in Jesus’s time.  There were Roman’s and Jews and religious tension.  There were Sadducees and Pharisee’s and rules and laws with different interpretations.  In both times, the situation can seem intolerable with no way forward.  We see in today’s gospel, Jesus enters into that complex world,  as he does today, and gives His disciples a simple, yet profound message.  Love.  He tells them they are loved, and they should love in return.

Pretty basic stuff…but it cuts through all the noise.   Suffering, confusion, mixed messages and rejection will always be with us.  His answer to all that is that He loves us, and we should love others.  Then almost knowing that we might stray or become disheartened, that we will be tested in and by the world, He encourages them (and us) to "remain" in His love. Seemingly a reminder to just stay close to Him through thick and thin.  There is so much in the world we can’t control, but to love is our choice, something we can control.  He has so often shown us that He won’t abandon us.  To remain with Him is our choice.

Our reward for loving?  As if we should need one.  Jesus tells us it will be a joy that is complete.

No confusion, no lack of clarity, hard to misinterpret.  Love is the answer.  The way forward. It will bring us joy.  Good for us to remember when we are trying to overthink things or when we wonder how to respond in a world not always on our side.  I was at mass recently and rather than a homily, the priest just said let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the readings we just heard.  Maybe we can try a similar exercise.  Just sit and repeat the following…. (your name here), Jesus loves you.  How can I stay in that love and bring that love into the world?

 

Steve Walsh is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, and a good friend of the Passionist Community

Scripture:

Acts 11:19-26
John 10:22-30

Reflection:

We have a mission as Christians, to relay the Word of God. Just as the disciples were called to preach to the nations, we are also called to do so. As part of a large Christian community, we have an obligation to the other. We are called spread Christ’s love and mercy. While sometimes we may be proclaiming the love of Christ through our words, most of the time it is through our actions. Our actions can be relaying a completely different message than what we are proclaiming through word. Are we aware of this? That is what the disciples were called to do, to go out to preach to nations and tell the good news. In the first reading we see the disciples preaching to all nations and making those they preached to followers of Christ.

How are we bringing Christ to others?

As Christ says in the Gospel reading, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me." Are we always listening for the guiding voice of Christ? Do we always follow his will for us? I find that sometimes it can be hard to actively spread the Gospel message. Sure, we can say the words, go through the motions, but are we also exhibiting His love through our actions and works? By following the guiding voice of our Shepard, we can better understand His will and spread that to the nations.

So that we may not be discouraged we must keep in mind that we do not do this alone. He is always with us. We must be silent and vigilant in listening for his instructions to guide us to do His Holy Will. Much like a secret agent who has to "wait for further instructions", we must also be patient to hear what our "instructions" are from Christ. He will feed us, lead us, and care for us if we allow him to and listen for His voice. He speaks to us in so many ways, through prayer, people, but also in the silence of our hearts. Being a new member of the Retreat Preaching Team at Holy Name Retreat Center, I am so much more aware now and understand the saying "You cannot feed others unless you, yourself are also fed". In order to guide others we must also be willing to be guided.

Are we taking those silent moments every day to listen to what He has to say?

To be active witnesses proclaiming the Gospel, we must not only listen for Christ’s guiding voice but we must learn to be fed by Him. By doing these things we lay the foundation for us to be able to more effectively spread the Gospel not only through our words but our actions.

 

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