Daily Scripture

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Matthew 5:38-42

Reflection:

To understand the wisdom behind the selection of readings, step backward two thousand years into the community of believers situated in Corinth. Corinth was a major city of trade, commerce, and was a melting pot of various beliefs and traditions. Several famous pagan temples were situated there and traffic going to and from such areas was probably fairly high. Paul makes at least three trips to Corinth in his ministry, and the fact that we have two letters addressed to the Corinthians in our New Testament is proof alone that Paul had strong feelings, both negative and positive, about the believers that resided there. This second letter was addressed in the hopes of resolving problems within the community of believers that had not been resolved with his first letter.

Corinth’s believers had faced many different types of challenges in the face of "afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings, imprisonments, riots, and labors." Paul’s letter is an encouragement to the Corinthians to remain strong by the grace of the Holy Spirit which dwells within their community of believers. It is also an invitation to deepen their lives by realizing that, by this grace of Spirit, their lives are radically different. They are dying yet alive, sorrowful yet rejoicing, having nothing yet possessing everything…they need to take this message of grace and no longer be passive-they need to be active participants in what God is doing in their community.

Does this community sound any different from our own?

Jump backward a couple more years and listen to the words that are spoken to Matthew’s community from today’s Gospel reading. This passage from the famous, "Sermon on the Mount" is often used to advocate nonviolent retribution. Yet Jesus’ words are reaching a community of people separated from their Jewish sisters and brothers. These new "Christians" are struggling to find their identity amidst persecution and hardship. The invitation they are receiving from Jesus is similar to what Paul extends to the Corinthians: do not live the same life that you led before. Go two miles instead of one. Offer your cloak as well as your tunic.

What comes from the Spirit at Pentecost and baptism is not a transformation that leaves us entirely different people than we were before. If this was to happen, there would be no room for us to witness this active Spirit participating in our lives. What does come from the Spirit is an invitation to transformation. Just like in the communities of Corinth and Matthew, every opportunity for both growth and recession that was there before Lent, Easter and Pentecost is still present in our community today. It’s still "ordinary", and it hasn’t changed; we have. We are challenged to answer this invitation to be different by recalling that it is in these everyday circumstances of our lives that we are called to bring God to others. It is in encountering the people around us that we find God, and we see that though we are dying we live, though we are sad we rejoice, and we find the strength to go two miles instead of one.

Set aside some time to thank the Spirit for this day of opportunity for growth in the midst of challenge. Is there a place you feel you are being challenged more than others? How so? How do you intend to respond to this call?

 

Sandy Santacruz is a young volunteer at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1, 3-6
Matthew 5:20-26

Reflection:

Three weeks ago, Presbyterian brothers and sisters attacked six Pentecostals about an hour away from where I live. Four people received knife wounds, a car was burned, a house was vandalized and most of the religious and civic authorities remained silent here in Chiapas. Apparently, this is not new phenomena. In the past, Catholics have done the same to Christians of others denominations. The attack on the Pentecostal family was not only caused by religious fanaticism but, also, because of political power. The Presbyterian pastor is also the judge of the region, and the elders of the church are his council. A new church would challenge not only the attendance to their church but their monopoly on political power. Unlike the Presbyterians of this area, the Pentecostal family was known to be critical of the government and to participate with the government and its projects. The Mexican Government has used welfare-like programs to gain alliances and shut any criticism of their blatant corruption.  At the end, those who professed faith in Jesus, the Son of God, used his name to provoke and cause violence on others. May God’s merciful judgment come upon us, if we are even to remain silent when violence is perpetuated on others.

 

Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. is a Passionist of Holy Cross Province now working in Mexico with the Province of Cristo Rey.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Matthew 5:17-19

Reflection:

Jesus took the law seriously and wherever possible he obeyed it.  He knew that the spirit of the law was only possible because the letter of the law existed.  Yet when he found a law whose practice betrayed the spirit behind it, a law that put undue burden on God’s people or especially one that perpetuated injustice and oppression, he fearlessly stood against it or outright broke it.  He ate with sinners, threw marketers out of the temple, healed on the Sabbath, and included women, tax collectors, and other marginalized people in his inner circle.  He challenged the religious and civil authorities of his day, working always to make the law conform to the Kingdom of God. 

How then can we resolve the dilemma of the scriptures today?  How can we abide by the smallest letter of the law, and yet honor the admonishment that the letter of the law brings death?  How can we live by even the least of the law’s commands and yet follow Jesus’ example of challenging authority?  When do we obey the law because it is the law, and when do we resist a law because it is unjust and needs to be changed? 

Rather than resolving this conundrum for us, today’s readings intensify it.  Because there are few clear answers, good people of faith often clash over the laws surrounding questions of orthodoxy, punishment, unity, pastoral norms, and more.   Competing theologies of the Eucharist occupy every pew.  Debates rage over the best political strategies to combat moral evils.  Dissent, even from careful and studied positions, is silenced as disloyalty.  Affording legal rights to one or another demographic group triggers explosive arguments on both sides.  Defiance of unjust civil law is sometimes enshrined as God-like and other times condemned as crossing the church-state boundary. 

What are we to do when interpretations of laws and their intent are so much at odds?  Can the Spirit hold us together in the midst of these clashes?   Sometimes I wonder; it is easy to get discouraged.   But my hope is sustained by the struggle itself.  Good and sincere people are working to envision and build a Kingdom where God’s will is done on earth just as surely as it is in heaven.   Although issues about which specific laws and practices bring about such a world need to be questioned, debated, and challenged, the fact remains that much human energy is devoted to the pursuit of holiness and justice.  Surely our God will honor that.  And perhaps, as Paul proclaims, that which endures in the long run will indeed be glorious.

 

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

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Scripture:

Acts 11:21b – 26; 13:1-3
Matthew 5:13-16

Reflection:

The first violin in an orchestra, also called the concertmaster, is the leader not only of the string section, but of the entire orchestra. Just before a performance, the first violin leads the orchestra in tuning to make sure that all the instruments are in harmony. The first violin, subordinate only to the conductor, sits to the conductor’s left, closest to the audience. The first violin no doubt must have the most challenging, most important role in an orchestra.

American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein was asked which instrument was most difficult to play. After some thought, he replied, "The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiam — that is a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony."

Anyone willing to play second fiddle? The Church, the Body of Christ, needs lots of them.  Barnabas, whose memorial we celebrate today, might be called the patron saint of "second fiddles." In the Acts of the Apostles, Barnabas surfaces as an important leader in the early Church, encouraging and building up the Body of Christ. 

One of those individuals he took under his wing was a man named Saul, who not many years earlier had been a hunter and zealous persecutor of Christians. The fear of Paul’s murderous threats toward them was still very much a reality when Barnabas took Paul to the apostles and vouched for him, encouraged him. But before long, Saul was transformed. He became Paul, one of the giants of the Church, a concertmaster.  And Barnabas — he gradually faded into the shadow of Paul, to play second fiddle.

Yet, one can only wonder if Paul would have made it without Barnabas. Paul needed the enthusiam, the encouragement, the harmony of Barnabas. In fulling his mission, Barnabas touched the life of Paul and of countless people through the ages. Like salt that seasons and brings out the full flavor of the main dish, Barnabas brought out the flavor of the Gospel to the world.

We too have a mission — no exceptions. We too are called to embrace the primary characteristic of our identity, which is proclaimed in the Gospel and reaffirmed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "Its mission is to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world."  We must not lose or give up our ability to season the world with the life of Christ.

Sometimes, we may be called to share our gift by leading. Other times, like Barnabas, we may be called to play second fiddle and to encourage harmony within the Body of Christ. If there is no second fiddle, there is no harmony. But at all times, we are called to proclaim the good news to all — taking our cue from the Master Conductor.

 

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

Scripture:

Sirach 51:12cd-20
Mark 11:27-33

Reflection:

Today the Old Testament writer Sirach introduces us to the pursuit of wisdom by relating his own experience: "When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer – I prayed for her before the temple and I will seek her until the end."  He goes on to say what she did for him, how he delighted in her, and how he attained her.  It reminds me of an incident in my own pursuit of wisdom at an earlier time. 

In the early sixties our entire province engaged in area meetings to help us change our constitutions and customs in order to enter into the age of a new world rapidly evolving.   Paul Boyle, C.P., had agreed to be the main presenter at one of these meetings for our Washington-Baltimore-Southern Maryland area.  After we had gotten well into the topic with Paul’s presentation and follow-up discussions, I asked Paul the following question: How can you tell if the idea you have for change is really an inspiration from the Holy Spirit and not just something from your own ego – that it comes from God and not from your own desires and wants?

In reply, Paul gave us the advice of St. John of the Cross: First, if you’re coming in on a white charger, your visor down and your lance leveled, the idea is very suspect.  It doesn’t mean that the idea is necessarily not from the Holy Spirit, but it is suspect, very suspect – watch it.  Secondly, have you discussed your proposal honestly with others?  Not with those who like you and will support and affirm everything you come up with.  Nor with those who don’t like you and will never accept or agree with anything you propose.  But with people known for their knowledge and wisdom, for their clear thinking and sound judgment, respected for their integrity – who will honestly tell you what they think.  If such persons agree with you, you have  a good sign that the idea may well be from God.

The third sign, however, is the most important one.   Does your idea or proposal help to promote the common good?  Does it bring about and strengthen the unity of the community, help resolve difficulties, heal division?  Does it promote the welfare not just of individuals but also of the group as a whole?  Promoting the common good is the most important sign; if it doesn’t do that, you can be sure that the inspiration is not from God. 

That our world and our Church is at a time of crisis is a commonplace.  I find the incident with Paul Boyle and his advice from John of the Cross coming to mind often.  I pray that we all may discern what to do in wisdom and truth.

 

Br. Peter A. Fitzpatrick, CFX, a Xaverian Brother, is a Passionist Associate at Ryken House, across the creek from the Passionist Monastery, in Louisville, Kentucky

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Matthew 5:1-12

Reflection:

Recently, an atheist challenged me with his belief that there is no purely selfless giving or true altruism. He declared that no matter how great or heroic the deed, the satisfaction gained from feeling altruistic and believing we have benefitted another person is its own motivating reward. He pointed out, for instance, that I facilitate a support group for widowed people and I receive no pay for the hundreds of hours I devote to the group each year. Yet he hears me say, "I receive so much more than I could ever give." Even the Beatitudes are set up that way, promising that the merciful will be shown mercy and the peacemakers will be called children of God. He says that we give because of what we get, whether or not the payback is tangible.

I am still pondering this concept of persistent self-interest. So far, a couple of thoughts occur to me. First, there seems to be a difference in both degree and kind when comparing tangible vs. intangible rewards. Giving a large donation to charity when I know they will prominently display my name on a plaque is less selfless than making the donation in secret.  If I work long hours on the project of someone who will cover for me the next week, it is different than if a co-worker is going through a family crisis so I voluntarily do that person’s work on my own time for no pay. In my experience, in fact, there is greater personal satisfaction when there are not external rewards.

Yet, is this satisfaction the only (or even a sufficient) reward for great sacrifice, or is there something deeper? There are many examples of God’s overflowing and joyous generosity throughout scripture that lead me to wonder whether the satisfaction derived from selfless giving is a characteristic of Godself, built into us because we are created in the image of God. In other words, there may be something in our nature as God’s children that delights in giving. Perhaps, in fact, we cannot be fully human or live a meaningful life in any other way.

I notice in my work how important it is for those approaching death to believe they made a difference somehow. We seem to have an inborn sense that life is not just about ourselves, that making a positive impact on others and the world is critical. It may even be possible that God imbued such situations with intangible benefits precisely so we would be attracted to giving for another’s sake and thereby discover the deeper meaning it brings. We give partly because, yes, it does feel good to give. Yet if I give only because it feels good to me, it remains superficial and I am liable to burn out.

Perhaps, then, the definition of altruism is not that we give with no reward whatsoever. Rather, we give because it is our God-given nature to give, even when we know our only reward will be the satisfaction of helping another person or doing the right thing. It fulfills who we are as human people. We don’t give because it will bring satisfaction, even though we discover that it does indeed feel good.

Of course, all of this is speculation. My atheist friend may be right and I am fooling myself with smoke and mirrors. However, I see too many examples of selfless giving, risking of one’s life for another, and overflowing generosity of spirit to believe it is all done for self-interested rewards. Instead, I choose to freely give of myself regardless of tangible payback, to live the demands of the Beatitudes, to comfort others with the comfort I myself have been given and to join with Christ’s suffering in order to help those who suffer, knowing that doing so helps me become who God created me to be. That is reward enough.

 

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:

Tobit 3:1-11a, 16-17a
Mark 12:18-27

Reflection:

"Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?"

Have you ever been in a situation that was so distressful that you just wished you could walk away? Or have you ever been pushed to the point where you wanted to give it all up? I’m not speaking here of the illness of depression, but of those times when life presses in so hard, on so many sides that it seems as if you have no power to go forward. In the first reading today we find two people in that very situation.

Tobit is a righteous man. He not only does what is commanded by the Law, but also those things that he knows to be right and just even though they are proscribed by the civil authorities. For this he earns the scorn of his neighbors, the loss of all of his possessions and, in the end, he even loses his sight.

Meanwhile, in another city, Sarah finds herself pushed to her limits. She has been married seven times and in each case a demon has taken her husband from her, leaving her childless. In society at this time this is a great shame upon her and her family. Like Tobit, she prays to the Lord, ‘Take this all away from me. It would be better that I were dead." She even finds herself contemplating suicide.

Even Jesus Himself came to a point in his life where He asked the Father to "Take this cup away." But, like Jesus, Tobit and Sarah carry on, trusting that God has heard their prayer and that they have done all they can. And in the story from Tobit, we see an amazing miracle! God is pulling strings, organizing meetings, planting seeds of thought in peoples’ minds, even sending angels to Earth to serve those in need.

I once confided to a colleague that I felt completely unable to deal with a new responsibility that was asked of me at work. There was a critical position that needed to be filled for the good of our school and, as unprepared as I was, I was the best fit for the position. He shared that in his experience, when we step forward to take up new work in service to others, the spiritual world sends forth help that we cannot even imagine.

My prayer for today is that I trust in the help that God sends to me, even when I don’t recognize the angels.

 

Talib Huff is a volunteer at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Scripture:

Genesis 14:18-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Luke 9:11B-17

 

 

Reflection:

This is a liturgical celebration of the Body of Christ, "Corpus Christi."  As such, emphasis is duly placed on the Bread and Wine which used to be simply bread and wine, but following their consecration/transubstantiation have become the true Body of Christ.

This celebration looks in two directions.  On the one hand, it looks with reverence and respect at the bread and wine, the elements which are the fruit of the earth and of persons’ labor (as we say in the offertory prayers of the Mass).

On the other hand, it looks with adoration and wondrous awe at the "Sacred Species," the consecrated host which is to be borne in procession and amidst song, incense and genuflections, to be upheld before us in benediction.

Today’s readings anchor the gaze of the faithful on the texts of the revealed Word of God.  Melchizedek pays tribute to Abraham with a blessing and a gift of bread and wine.  Because Melchizedek is a priest and a king, these offerings are a sign of the gift that will be given by the Eternal High Priest in due time.  Abraham responds to the gift of Melchizedek with a tenth of his spoils from his victorious battle.  But these are only signs of something more significant which is taking place; in the exchange of gifts is the recognition of what God has accomplished in each of them and for each of them.

The second reading, from the First Letter to the Corinthians again pulls our attention in two directions.  Paul reminds the people that what has handed down from Jesus is not just a ritual with blessing of bread and wine, but that these elements bring about covenant and proclamation.  The covenant is renewed in the celebration of the Eucharist, and the saving death of Christ is proclaimed.  They are bread and wine no longer, but covenant for and proclamation of redemption.

Finally, we have the savory reading from Luke’s ninth chapter, the feeding of the five thousand men.  There is once again, a Eucharistic motif in the way that Jesus collects some fish and bread, blesses it, and gives it out for the people to eat.  Once again, there are two directions that compete for the focus.  One direction is that of the "surrounding villages and farms," where the apostles think that the people might go to "find lodging and provisions."  The second direction is that of the very place where they are standing: "for we are in a deserted place here."  The apostles don’t see very much potential in the place they are gathered with Jesus. 

Jesus takes the occasion to demonstrate to the apostles that wherever he is, nothing is lacking.  The Eucharistic tone of the miracle is not about the bread and fish that he is giving them for this meal, it is about the life eternal that he is giving them through the recognition of his Eucharistic presence in their midst.  The apostles had quite mistakenly thought that food and lodging would be found away from Jesus, in the village and farms.  Jesus calls them back to himself for all that they would need.  The scene could be a prelude to Peter’s later act of faith: Lord, to whom can we go, you have the words of eternal life (cf., Jn 6, 67-69).

There is very naturally a vying for focus as we celebrate the Mass, and perhaps the procession, of Corpus Christi.  On the one hand, we want to acknowledge, reverence and adore the Body of Christ in the sacred host.  On the other hand, we know that the Body of Christ in the host is "given for us", that we are truly members of His Body, and that if we do not recognize Him in the body of believers, we are not making Eucharist.

In verses 18-22, just preceding the selection of today’s second reading, Paul rebukes the Corinthian community because it has failed to recognize Him in the Eucharistic meal.  "…when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers.  As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.  Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing?"

Is there a happy, middle ground?  Can one reverence and worship Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, without turning one’s back on the real presence of Christ in the body of the faithful?  Is it possible to say "Amen" to the host in the hand of the Eucharistic Minister, without recognizing the presence of Christ in the person of the one ahead of us or behind us in the communion line?

Only you can answer that question.

 

Fr. Arthur Carrillo, C.P., is the director of the Missions for Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Chicago, Illinois.