Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:1-11
Matthew 18:12-14

Reflection:

Have you ever had a song or melody in your head and were not able to shake it no matter how hard you tried?  It just went round and round and on and on in your brain.  Occasionally it may have even forced its way out of the inside of your head in the form of humming, whistling or even operatic singing, much to the enjoyment or discomfort of anyone within earshot.  Advent and Christmas are seasons filled with music that stays with us.  Both the melodies and the songs are often uplifting (Joy to the World), wistful (O Come Emmanuel) or unabashedly boisterous (the Halleluiah Chorus). Much of it is based on Scripture such as today’s reading from Isaiah.  This reading has provided the inspiration for at least two movements of Handel’s Messiah, "Comfort, Comfort My People" and "Every Valley".  Also several versions of "Like a Shepherd", contemporary as well as from older traditions, have their roots in this Scripture. And this is just one reading from the Advent cycle!

Christians often bemoan the belief that "Christ has been taken out of Christmas" in our secular American society and that the separation of Church and state must be absolute even in Holiday culture.  But to even the most strident of secularists jingling bells and frosty snowmen and red nosed reindeer can wear thin when those superficial songs are heard over and over.  There comes a longing for melody and lyrics of depth and meaning that can move the inner spirit to heights of hope and peace, to love, kindness and unity with others that may not last but at least comes once a year.  May our prayer today be one of thanks for musicians and composers, ancient and contemporary, who have given us a very simple way to carry the meaning of Christmas in our minds, hearts and even voices.  

 

Cathy Anthony is on the staff of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center, Detroit, Michigan. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 26:1-6
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Reflection:

We’re early into Advent, with some three weeks of growth ahead of us before the great Christmas celebration.  The Christmas music has already started to build up that special "spirit" which is this season; those marvelous carols and traditional melodies stir up within us the Spirit whereby we really want to have good will towards all.  Sad to say, come December 26^th this special music comes to an end — and usually so does the Christmas spirit!

Today’s Gospel cites Jesus calling for renewed hearts in his disciples:  "not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."  Perhaps our experience of Christmas music is like crying out "Lord, Lord", without any ongoing effort to carry out God’s will.  In Jesus, God wants us to learn to live together as brothers and sisters, to love, to accept, to be patient.  Oh, the feelings are good, but they can change; God desires that we "build our house on rock" and be determined to live like Christ himself: utterly selfless, relentless in day-by-day love.

Advent invites us to look around us, at Christ present to us in one another and our world.  Are we serious about our faith?  Does our prayer nourish that special relationship with God?  Do we love in practice, as well as in our feelings?  Do we keep on trying, even though our efforts seem feeble?

As we listen to Jesus’ words these Advent days, and witness his presence in our midst, may we ACT on those words and experience the spirit of Christmas — Jesus — every day of the year.

 

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is the local leader of the Passionist community in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 29:17-24
Matthew 9:27-31

Reflection:

What is the relationship between faith and good works?   This has always been a difficult issue.  Some may say they have faith, while being criticized even by their own children that they never put it into action.   Others have tremendous action but would deny that it comes from their faith.

The two blind men in the Gospel today are healed "because of their faith." The question Jesus asks them, "Are you confident I can do this?" seems a verbal confirmation to something which is much deeper.  For if they weren’t confident that Jesus could do this, then why would they have risked walking the journey behind Jesus shouting at him, "Son of David have pity on us!"  I would think it would be very difficult for a blind person to walk down a narrow stony path at the rate a person with vision can walk.  A blind person would have to be assured of every step along the path.  This would take more time.  So to move faster would involve physical risk even to the point of recklessness and endangerment.  Even though the Gospel says they were traveling in pairs, it would take great motivation to try to keep up the pace and to persistently call out.  So when Jesus says, "Because of your faith it shall be done to you," certainly the action of trying to walk, shouting out, and not quitting, spoke louder than a simple question, "Are you confident I can do this?"

But the deeper issue is, are we willing to pursue Jesus in our blindness?    Isaiah, in the first reading prophesies, "Out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see."  And he goes on to add, "When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel."  Isn’t this what vision does?  It brightens our insight, understanding, wonder and awe.

The origin of Advent was a time of sitting in darkness, perhaps even getting more in touch with our blindness.  And in that darkness we light more and more candles and chant, "Oh come, oh come Emmanuel."  Come into our darkness, come into our blindness, come and illumine our lack of faith so that our praise of you will be more authentic and our illumination of you will resound with reverence and awe.  Then the works we do will be a result of the faith we have in you!

 

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is on the staff at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:25-31
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:

The Isaiah reading for today provides the text for one of the most frequently used hymns at funerals – On Eagle’s Wings by Michael Joncas.  Like so many other songs this one bears memories, but they are memories of grief.  In fact, many people burst into tears within two measures, a testimony to the powerful emotions forever tied to this melodic strain.

Perhaps that is not a bad thing during Advent.  Remember, Christmas is not just a birthday party, the celebration of Jesus’ coming 2000 years ago.  It is also about Jesus coming again.   That’s why the readings on the first Sunday of Advent caution us to remain awake and alert, because we do not know the day or hour of the Lord’s coming.  So today, even as we hear the reassurance of Jesus, the words that promise us soaring freedom and light burdens, these very words remind us that we are all terminal.  As was true for Jesus in the moment he proclaimed gospel comfort, we all are approaching our deaths, slowly spending the sands in our personal hourglass. 

You may think this a morbid thought to bring into a discussion of Christmas.  I beg to differ.  Advent and Christmas remind me to remain awake and alert, knowing that time, and especially time with loved ones, is precious and not guaranteed for another year.  They urge me to appreciate who and what I have while I have it.  They help me approach all of life as a fragile and temporary gift from a loving God.

And because time is short, Advent and Christmas remind me that I am to work tirelessly to help birth the reign of God into the world, using my gifts and talents to their full.  Yet I need to stay grounded in God and wisely discern the tasks I am called to do.  If I don’t take time to pray, to listen carefully to God and rely on God’s word, then I become less effective or even burnt out.  If I try to do too much, taking on the work of others and bearing more of a burden than my shoulders were intended to bear, I disconnect myself from God’s yoke and I break under the weight.  Instead, the One who has no equal, who never tires nor faints, is born in me and holds me close.  I never walk alone; I am supported, strengthened, and guided by the Creator of all things. 

If I can take these lessons with me into my celebrations, then surely the songs and memories of Advent and Christmas will indeed soar like eagle’s wings, lighten my load, and bring the comfort and peace for which my soul longs.

 

Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she has  partnered with the Passionists.  See Amy’s  website: http://www.amyflorian.com/.

Scripture:

Isaiah 25:6-10a
Matthew 15:29-37

Reflection:

Last Sunday inaugurated Advent with Jesus urging "vigilance," "watchfulness,"  "and "attentiveness." Why? To allow His presence to more fully embrace us, become part of us.  Other synonymous words come to mind that help me take these 24 days seriously, such as "sober," "steady," and "calm." In other words, we are asked by the Church to take more time than usual to live more intensely in God’s presence. A modest suggestion, take a "disciplined" minute each day to be in the presence of God. Not to worry about what happens during that minute except that I do not use words. A selection from scripture may help, but trust God "beyond the human" to know what to "say" to us. We are actually training ourselves to look ever more keenly and continuously toward Jesus. Is it no wonder that Jesus’ compassion for the crowd was preceded by time spent away in prayer? Mountains, in the Scripture, are the places where God dwells. That is where Jesus found nourishment and strength. Consider just that minute each day during Advent, "on the mountain" with God.

 

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P. is president of Holy Family Cristo Rey High School, Birmingham, Alabama.

Scripture:

Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke 10:21-24

Reflection:

The Advent Season is a time for travel!  We recall pregnant Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth; we accompany Mary and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem; we rejoice as shepherds and kings make their way to the manger to adore Him.  Our own Advent will be filled with frantic last-minute shopping trips and holiday traffic jams, and journeys that reunite us with distant loved ones.

In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah would have us travel to that blessed place where God’s love reigns triumphant.  Here, the ideal ruler, who "judges the poor with justice", presides over the ideal kingdom where "the baby shall play by the cobra’s den." The prophet’s majestic verse maps the God-given destination for the human race.  Like impatient children, we may ask, "Are we there yet?"  As experienced adults we know too well the humbling answer, "Not even close!"

And yet!  Our times do witness God at work.  Evidence of grace is all around us:  the long-suffering people of Eastern Europe are free; the terrible racial hatred found in South Africa and our own country recede into our rearview mirror; Europe has been continuously at peace for the longest period in over 1000 years; men and women of faith and goodwill still strive to lift the burdens of suffering, doubt and oppression that detour the full arrival of God’s vision for us. 

Isaiah’s stunning dream, then, is also a roadmap.  And, Advent summons us to "hit the road", eagerly anticipating our destination and determined to reach the goal.  May this holy Season be a ‘bon voyage’.

 

Fr. Jim Thoman, C.P. is the director of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Revelations 15:1-4
Luke 21:12-19

Reflection:

"Sing to the Lord a new song…
Let the rivers clap their hands,
The mountains shout with joy."

 

So rings today’s Psalm, calling in us a response of jubilant gratitude.

Last week I was invited to an extraordinary luncheon in honor of a woman religious, Sr. Monica, visiting California from Nigeria.  Before lunch, our small group stood in a circle and we invited Sr. Monica to lead us in grace.  What happened next was a far cry from a "Bless us oh Lord for these our gifts."  Instead, Sr. Monica led us in making the sign of the cross and then she broke into song, clapping her hands, singing gratitude for the goodness of our fellowship in Christ and the meal we were about to share.  After she concluded her joyous, spontaneous song, we made the sign of the cross and began our meal.  We all agreed that we loved her blessing which truly proclaimed (in her own wise words) how "Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!"  Sister let out a most joyful laugh when she heard our reaction and said, "If we were home in Nigeria, there would have been dancing too!"

Our mood went from exuberant song to somber reflection as Sister then told us of her work in Nigeria.  Sr. Monica has dedicated much of her religious life to working with young women who are victims of human trafficking.  Incredibly, many girls are submitted to this lifestyle by family members; mothers, fathers, aunts or uncles.  (Sound like today’s Gospel?) The innocent girls leave Nigeria thinking they are "going abroad to study."  Sr. Monica lovingly supports these young women as they return to Nigeria-marked by the stigma of their past.  Reconciling families and healing the hearts of the young women is her mission-in the name of Christ. 

As we pray this Thanksgiving…let us do so in song.  Let us make the sign of the cross.  Then, let us clap our hands…and if we are bold and brave…let us dance.  And, for the sake of those who suffer and are persecuted today, let us speak out with wisdom and compassion and take action to give witness to the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And, as always, let us conclude our Thanksgiving prayer with the sign of the cross…lest we forget!

 

Angela Howell is a retreatant and volunteer at Mater Dolorosa Passionists Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.

First Sunday of Advent 

Scripture:

Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37

Reflection:

Yogi Berra was once asked, "What time is it?"  Yogi responded, "You mean now?"

 The time right now is Advent.  We begin four weeks of preparing for and longing for Christmas.

We can begin this time by becoming once again a little child – filed with wonder at God’s creation, filled with awe at God’s power, and trusting in God’s love.  This is the time to give ourselves over to being playful, and cheerful and song-filled.

Advent is also a good time to once again become a teenager, to dream big dreams, to hope big hopes, to see all the possibilities that lie before us and our world, if only we let God come more fully into our lives.

Advent is a time to capture the energy and enthusiasm of early middle age, a time to stretch ourselves to do meaningful deeds, to reach out to the needs of the poor, to work for justice, to commit ourselves to life, and making life better for others.

Advent is a time to catch the spirit of later middle age, a time to realize the limitation of material possessions, to be finally free of concern about what others think or say, and to spend more time enjoying the family and friends whom God has gifted us with. 

And Advent is a time to welcome the gift of wisdom that usually comes from living a long life.  True wisdom teaches us that the best use of time is to spend it on those things that outlast it.  Included in that list the time spent in prayer.

Yes, Advent can be a beautiful experience of the many ages that can exist within us at any given moment, if we let them.  Advent can be a time of growth into the fullness of human life.  As Isaiah reminds us in our first reading, we are the clay and God is the potter.  All we have to do is say "Yes" to his will.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. ministers as a preacher and writer. He lives in the Passionist community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.