Daily Scripture

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.

Scripture:

Acts 11:1-18
John 10:11-18

Reflection:

"…who was I to be able to hinder God?"
"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own."

 

It seems to me that, underlying everything, we have one important choice to make that will inform almost everything that comes after.

We have the choice, and it is a choice born of our free will, to surrender our will in order to be present to the will of God, or we can choose to negate God’s power in favor of our own, thereby closing the door to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the invitation to be part of something infinitely greater than anything our own self could create.

It takes a leap of faith and a leap of imagination to choose to surrender one’s given or chosen identity and beliefs; all those "markers" that make us feel a part of our tribe. Reflecting on the first reading, I conjure up the group I can least imagine as being a part of my "inner circle." It makes me squirm. This is how the Apostles-faithful Jewish men-must have felt to see their beloved but fledgling commitment to Jesus being shared by the Gentiles, the strange, even "unclean" other.

In the reading, Peter goes into great detail about how he came to share a meal, perhaps a humble bit of bread and wine, with the Gentiles, and then says, so simply, of this act that will help to usher in a momentous evolution in Christianity whose reverberation will echo down through the ages, "…who was I to be able to hinder God?"

Just as Jesus had taught him, Peter was serving as the good shepherd. With a mind perhaps threatened by terrible uncertainty, Peter lays down his own will faithfully despite all the preconceived notions, fears of change, and understandable concerns challenging the new followers of Jesus. Peter sacrifices his will to God’s so that the Gentiles, too, might know the life-giving repentance of the belief in Christ. Peter is tending to this new kind of far-reaching flock, a flock that is destined to grow and be inclusive, not turn inward and exclude.

We live, today, among so many "others," out in the world and inside our hearts. It can be dizzying, frightening, exhausting. It takes faith to let go of a notion of ourselves that we have been clinging to or a notion of someone else that seems to feel so right and even righteous. But who am I to hinder God? Who am I to block the sweep of history toward the good or the glory of God revealed intimately in my own life? Who am I to do that? My greatest power lies in my willingness to surrender, to show up, to try and hear God’s voice in me, in you, and in the world. It is my choice in the end, however, to let go, and, as the phrase so aptly says, let God.

 

Nancy Nickel is director of marketing and communications at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

 

Scripture:

Acts 2:14a, 36-41
1 Peter 2:20b-25
John 10:1-10

Reflection:

"… The sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." This Gospel passage echoes words I have used countless times when I baptize children.  "What name do you give this child?" A simple question I ask of the parents, and yet so profound.  It means that no one goes to the waters of baptism anonymously. There are no strangers in the shepherd’s flock.  God calls us by name to follow him.  That is our vocation, our calling.

As we do every year on the 4th Sunday of Easter, today on Good Shepherd Sunday we celebrate "World Day of Prayer for Vocations."  Today, the Church is asked to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

For more than a millennium, the Church has relied on a corps of priests to celebrate the sacraments and to guide the faithful. But the number of priests has plummeted dramatically in the past 40 years, while the Catholic population has increased.  Yes, we must pray fervently for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.  We need more pastors – more shepherds.

Indeed, when we are asked to pray for vocations, we know it means vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  This has been the common understanding of the word "vocations" for a long time.  Still, when we use the word so narrowly, we tend to lose sight of its fuller meaning.

Parenthetically, I recall my old Baltimore Catechism illustrating two kinds of vocations:

In one panel, were a husband and wife.  The caption read something like: "This is good."  The next panel showed a priest and a nun.  The caption read: "This is better."  Growing up, my understanding of vocation had this one meaning.

That is why Pope Francis’ Message for the 51st World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2014 is so refreshing.  He reminds us that we all have a true vocation.   By our baptism, we are called to holiness, our call to follow the Good Shepherd whatever our walk in life.  "Both in the married life and in the forms of religious consecration, as well as the priestly life," Pope Francis writes, "we must surmount the ways of thinking and acting that do not conform to the will of God.  We must be on a journey of adoration of the Lord and of service to him in our brothers and sisters."

This is a beautiful understanding of baptism.  It is the universal call to holiness.  Today, we urgently pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  But we also pray that those of us who may not be priests or religious, also remain faithful to our vocation – our baptismal call – by conforming ourselves to God’s will.  The Good Shepherd calls each of us by name to follow him in building up the Body of Christ.

 

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