Daily Scripture

 

Scripture:

Exodus 2:1-15a
Matthew 11:20-24

 

 

 

Reflection:

Listening to God’s Call to Conversion

Last weekend we had the archdiocesan Spanish vocation retreat "Vengan y Vean" (Come and See) here at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.  Most of the young men and women who attended the retreat expressed their personal fears and expectations for the vocation weekend.   They were afraid of ignoring God’s will and missing His call to religious life and/or priesthood.  Likewise, they expected to have a retreat that would help them deepen their vocation discernment by dispelling their fears and doubts and affirming their willingness and capacity for serving God and the Church as religious.

Today’s gospel reminds us of the Psalmist’s warning  words, that is, "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Psalm 95:7-8), which encourages us to be aware of God’s presence within and among us and not to miss the opportunity of acknowledging and appreciating the manifestation of God’s kingdom in the here and now of our everyday living.  For Jesus’ words indicate that God’s everlasting kingdom of love, justice, and peace always occurs in the present and local circumstances of our daily life.  That is why we hear Jesus reproaching "God’s chosen people" of the neighboring towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for not responding to the manifestations and the life-changing invitations of God’s kingdom occurring in their very midst, in and through Jesus’ preaching and miraculous deeds.  

The Psalmist’s warning words and Jesus’ reproaching words thus prove what some have already argued.  That is, opportunities are given to us only once, just as time passes only once.  In effect, the opportunities we miss to follow through on the invitation will be lost, just as the times we fail to do something prevent us from growing in God’s grace.  We might have other opportunities and times to do the same thing, but the experiences and circumstances of life will never be the same as the ones we missed.  That is why Jesus assures us that, at the final judgment, it will be more tolerable for Tyre, Sidon and Sodom, the pagan cities that refused to hear God’s message of repentance and conversion.  

Todays’ readings, therefore, invite us to be perceptive and appreciative of God’s living presence within and among us, and to be proactive to Jesus’ call to build up God’s kingdom by proclaiming and living out the gospel values of faith, love and justice.

 

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

 

Feast of St Bonaventure

Scripture:

Exodus1:8-14, 22
Matthew 10:34-11:1

Reflection:

We have just read the conclusion of Matthew’s effort to gather in one place (Chapter 10) Jesus’s instructions to his disciples as to how they should conduct their evangelization efforts, the challenges they would face when they undertook this task and the difference responding to the good news makes in the lives of those who accept this message. In the highly charged atmosphere of the Roman Empire of 50-100 AD the consequences of accepting the Christian message could and did divide families. In 2013 enthusiastically accepting and living the faith might more mean incomprehension on the part of family members and friends rather than outright hostility. Yet that is a price many are willing to pay as they enter RCIA programs in response to hearing the invitation of Jesus to follow him as a Catholic.

Jesus asks this question of every disciple: who or what do you really love?  That question has never changed down through the ages. The answer has not changed either. I must love Jesus more than any human person and be ready to sacrifice my life or possessions for his sake. In stark terms: I must "take up his cross and follow after him". Only in giving will I find the life that Jesus offers.

Jesus concludes by speaking of the reward that comes with responding to the good news. The mystery is that whoever accepts the message receives Jesus himself and "the one who sent him", the Father.  Accepting the message also demands action. Even the simple act of giving someone a cup of cold water will be rewarded. In the heat of this summer, with temperatures close to 100 degrees some days, we recognize how life saving and refreshing a cup of cool water is.

The core of message "The Kingdom of God is at hand for you" challenges us to live in the nearness of God’s reign. Like the wise scribe who answered with understanding we are not far from the kingdom.

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a
Matthew 10:24-33

Reflection:

Fr. Hugo Esparza Pérez, CP, currently serves in a very poor area of Mexico.  In the strength and determination of the people he encounters in his work, he sees the words of today’s Gospel lived out: 

´´…do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul¨

You may see us almost static, at the feet of the system that oppress us, that rapes the earth and our culture, but we are not. We walk in serine peace, for we know that the God of life is with us. No matter how many of us die or how much we continue to suffer, we know that at the end in God´s victory we will prevail. – An Elder from the Tojolabal People of Chiapas.

 

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

Scripture:
Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30
Matthew 10:16-23

Reflection:
The Gospel speaks to the "New Evangelization" as the apostles are sent out on their mission to spread God’s Word to all people. One verse that has always struck a chord in me as a missionary is "Be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves."

We must be wise about the culture we live in. We must be shrewd and crafty about how we proclaim the Gospel effectively in this day and age. We must understand exactly to whom we are talking. Often I will be in a parish preaching the "Call to the Mission" at the weekend Masses. This is the important homily that invites people to return and participate in the parish mission on Monday – Wednesday. Usually the final Mass of the four or five that weekend occurs on Sunday night and is often known as a "Life Teen Mass." I know from experience that the Mass will be attended by many teenagers, so I slightly change my stories to make them applicable to their lives. I call this "Youth-enizing" my homily.

We live in the midst of a sports culture. Many men and women spend hours watching sports on TV or in person each weekend. Sports are the great idol of American society. The reason why I wrote a book titled Golf and God isn’t simply because I like golf. Golf (sports) is the medium, the language, through which I present the Gospel (softly and clearly – like a dove) in the midst of a culture saturated with sporting activities. I’ve had numerous requests to write a book such as "Fishing and God." Perhaps as a sequel?

My books are unique because I have them printed with larger print. I move the margins away from the center and more toward the left and right edges to make them easier for older people to read. I know my clientele. I purposely use stories and easy-to-understand personal experiences the reader can relate to. I present the Gospel clearly, but in a way people can receive the message. As my editor says, "Your books are easy-to-read but are not an-easy-read."

Whether we proclaim the Gospel through writing, preaching, media, our presence, or by simple example, we must be familiar with our culture and the people we are sent to minister to. As the family of Passionists, Jesus has sent us to be effective missionaries and to bring the saving Gospel to all: elderly, youth, faithful, and fallen-away. As the Church considers "The New Evangelization" afresh, the words of Jesus echo true: "Be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves."

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 16 books and creator of the TV program Live with Passion! airing in many cities. You can learn more about his ministry at: http://www.frcedric.org/

 

Scripture:

Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5
Matthew 10:7-15

Reflection:

As Jesus sent out the 12 — this imperfect and frail bunch — to proclaim the good news, he gave them incredible gifts:

 

"Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons."  But perhaps the most powerful gift he gave them is one that easily overlooked.  It is the audacious gift of greeting — "As you enter a house, wish it peace."

What is so powerful, so audacious about the greeting "Peace be with you"?  It is the peace of God  that makes possible the curing of the sick, the raising of dead and all the other gifts.  These were Jesus’  first words after his resurrection.  It is the gift that allows us to be reconciled with God and reveals God’s extravagent love for us.  It is called the good news.  Proclaim this good news and then watch out.  Miracles will happen.

Jesus’ added another missionary directive to the 12.  Don’t bother taking gold or silver.  Take no bag, no extra clothes, or anything else.  He spoke words that would have been familiar to devout Jews of the day.  They would know what the Talmud says: "No one is to go the Temple Mount with staff, shoes, money purse or dusty feet."  The idea was that when a person entered the Temple, they must demonstrate that they have left behind everything that had to do with business and worldy affairs.  What Jesus was saying to the 12 is that they are to regard the whole world as the Temple of God.  He shattered the artificial divide between sacred and secular.

Little has changed in 2,000 years.  What was true for the 12 is still true for us today.  We — the imperfect and frail Body of Christ — gather at the Eucharist, where we bless one another with the sign of peace.  We receive the broken and fragile bread, the Body of Christ to nourish us and remind us that all we have to give God is our weakness and that in our weakness we find God’s power.  Only then, are we given our missionary directive and dismissed: "Go forth and proclaim the Good News to everyone."  We’re told: Go! Don’t stay inthe church.  The whole world and all God’s people are his Temple.  Go out and bless one another with the holy and audacious greeting: "Peace be with you."  Proclaim this good news.  And then watch out.  Miracles will happen.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Genesis 28:10-22
Matthew9:18-26

 

 

 

Reflection:

The Powerful Touch of Jesus

The daily Scriptures present stories of faith that lead to new and renewed life for many folks.  Jesus’ word of "courage!" is most appropriate!

The Genesis reading tells of Jacob on a journey to find a wife — stopping on the roadside for the night, sleeping on a rock, and having a fascinating dream of a ladder reaching to the heavens…complete with angels going up and down!  The dream opened Jacob’s heart, especially as the voice of the Lord in the dream promising him that the land he slept upon would become the home of his descendants.  Fulfilling that promise was part of a long and often shaky history of the chosen people from whom the Messiah, Jesus, would be born.

The Gospel selection from Matthew presents Jesus "at work" preaching…and ultimately healing.  An official approached Him and asked that He come and lay His hand on his daughter who had just died, believing that she would come alive again with his touch.  As Jesus and his disciples made their way to the official’s house, a woman with a long history of hemorrhages faithfully touched his cloak and was cured…receiving as well Jesus’ encouragement of "courage".  Arriving at the official’s house, Jesus put off the crowd that had gathered, took the girl by the hand — and she arose! 

The powerful touch of Jesus has changed many lives, and changed history itself.  For ourselves, whatever our nation of origin or our current citizenship, we "touch" God as we share in the Life of Jesus.  Freedom from sinfulness, peace with God and one another, life that lasts eternally, an abundance of gifts – all our ours in Jesus as we are touched by His Love in the Sacraments, the Scriptures, the Church, and the lives of one another. 

As we continue to face many challenges as Christians in the 21^st Century — and the opportunities which are ours as well – may Jesus walk with us, hand in hand, encouraging us as God did Jacob, and touching our lives as has happened for so many others.  God bless us all!

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a
Matthew 10:1-7

Reflection:

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus sends the Twelve to preach God’s reign, instructing them to deal only with the lost sheep of Israel and not with pagans or Samaritans. Clearly, this was not a permanent restriction, given Jesus’ later interactions, teachings, and healings precisely with pagans and Samaritans, plus his post-resurrection command to preach to all nations. Perhaps Jesus wisely provided a "safer" testing ground for the newly-minted Apostles, in which they could solidify their own faith and hone their skills in proclaiming it. (If you want to find out what you believe, try teaching someone!) Likewise, perhaps Jesus wished to get the house of Israel in order so it could be a more credible witness and model of faith to the world that God longs to save. In other words, Jesus began at the center and worked outward.

Joseph’s brothers, on the other hand, got caught up in exterior issues of family position, power, and control. As they allowed those issues to move from the outside in, these demons ruled their hearts and resulted in their joint conspiracy to eliminate the one who threatened their status. Years later, forced under threat of starvation to go to Egypt, the brothers unknowingly encountered the outcast. Rather than retaliate, Joseph’s challenge to them was to find the center again. Could they clean out those external forces, take responsibility for what they had done, and humbly commit to a different path? Could they change from the inside out?

Perhaps we all need to do some inner housecleaning. Individually and collectively, we need to begin at the center and work outward. The house of the Church is hardly a pristine model and witness for Jesus Christ in the world today and, led by Pope Francis, a breath of change seems to be blowing through, transforming many aspects from the inside out.

What about me? I constantly feel pulled in many directions and it is so easy to lose centeredness. I get off-center in my commitment to prayer, convincing myself I don’t have time to pray today. I get off-center in my life, working so hard I don’t have time for renewal and silence. I’ve been eating too much of the wrong foods despite my desire to stay centered on my health. I struggle with relationships in my extended family, and have to work hard to stay centered in integrity, forgiveness, and love. It isn’t easy to keep God as the center and focus of every aspect of my life.

As I struggle, it is comforting to watch my toddler grandson. When I hold out my arms to him, he doesn’t make a perfectly straight and accurate beeline to my embrace. He meanders a bit, picks up a toy along the way, or gets distracted by a dog barking. Yet eventually, he makes it and throws his little arms around my neck. He gets off-center, but he knows where he wants to go and through constant course corrections, he gets there. I hope I am like that in God’s eyes. I know where I want to be. Sometimes I know the path I really should follow to get there. I just hope God has patience, grace, and mercy for my meanderings and mistakes. I also hope that I have the strength to continually clean the inner house of my heart, so that as much as possible, I stay centered on the God who gives me life and become a more effective witness to the Gospel in the world.

 

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:

Genesis 32:23-33
Matthew 9:32-38

 

 

 

Reflection:

Martyrs, Pastors and Wrestlers

We look to summer for refreshment, a change of pace, vacations. Today’s readings may suggest that we do not take vacation from Our Lord or His call to discipleship. 

Martyrs. We begin with the feast of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and companions, martyrs.

This feast includes 120 Martyrs who died in China, eighty-seven who included children, catechists and parents. The remaining thirty-three were foreign born missionaries. The feast includes martyrs from different periods, between 1648 and 1930. The word ‘martyr’ carries with it a special love of Christ that flows over the ages and lives of these men, women and children. It is clearly defined in Augustine Zhao Rong whose name gives the title to the feastday. Augustine was a Chinese soldier who accompanied the prisoner Bishop John Dufresse to his martyrdom in Beijing early in 1800. Moved by the bishop’s courage Augustine would seek baptism, become a diocesan priest and die a martyr himself in 1815.When we sing the hymn ‘Faith of Our Fathers’, these men, women and children are the ones who have great love true to Jesus till death.

Pastor. The people whom Jesus looks upon in the gospel are described as, ‘harassed and torn apart’. I asked recently why a well-organized program had fallen apart. I was told simply, ‘they had no one to pastor them’. A job description for a pastor, I think, is in the area of one who is a loving presence and witness, who cares and takes the side his flock, who protects and prevents others from hurting the flock, and who leads them to what is good for them. In this section of Matthew’s Gospel Our Lord, who taught with authority, is being revealed as the One who comes to save, a true and good pastor.

Wrestler. Our Old Testament reading brings us to the ending of the first half of the Book of Genesis.

The second half, the story of Joseph, will begin tomorrow with Joseph already in charge of the food supply in Egypt during the time of famine. Today we hear the detail that Jacob has eleven sons. Besides his sons, Jacob puts Leah and Rachel his wives, on the other side of the river Jabbok. Jacob has grown spiritually. Yesterday’s reading told of the renewal of the covenant between Jacob and God: "Know that I am with you; I will protect you…I will never leave you…"(Gen 28:15). Now, without what follows coming as a shock, Jacob wrestles all night. It is not a slugfest. The opponents talk, ‘Let me go it is daybreak. I will not let you go till you bless me. What is your name? Jacob. Let it be Israel’. There is something of intimacy, gift giving, and some pain – Jacob will walk with a limp in the days that follow. But he tells us that he saw the face of God and lived. We are left to wrestle with what this meeting of God and Jacob might mean.

The Sunday readings from Luke overlap with those of Matthew these days. In both we are hearing teachings of being disciples, at times the same passage expressed in the unique voice of each evangelist. We are disciples. We might add to our summer reflections today how the three qualities expressed in our readings and liturgy – martyr, pastor and wrestler – are present in our discipleship.    

 

Fr. William Murphy, CP is the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Jamaica, New York.