Daily Scripture

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. 

Scripture:

Tobit 2:9-17
Mark 12:13-17

Reflection:

Beneath the contentiousness that plays a large role in today’s readings – a marital spat between Tobit and his wife Anna, and Jesus’ verbal jousting with leading religious figures of his day over a simmering controversy – we may discover a call to integrity.  Tobit is reminded, by Anna’s sharp retort, that ‘charity begins at home’!  This genuinely good man who has earned a deserved reputation for charity and good deeds in the exiled Jewish community, is called to "walk the talk", to practice what he preaches, to include those he shares life with as objects of his kindness and charity.  He is called to integrity, to wholeness.  And, in Mark’s gospel reading we see Jesus ensnared in the "culture wars" of his own day.  It was dangerous to be honest!  Yet that is the course he chose, taking the risk of offending powerful people, incurring their wrath, getting on their ‘wrong’ side.  We could never imagine him doing anything less, so deeply committed to truthfulness was He!  The Jesus we know from the Gospel’s is one in whom the human trait of integrity has become a guiding force for his words and deeds.  One with the Father, he wants his human behavior to be one with, to be expressive of, the great inclinations of His heart.

Today’s readings are a challenging word for us religious people!  The true proof of a loving heart is our treatment of those God has given us, those familiar folks in our lives it is so easy to forget about.   The true test of religious conviction is public truthfulness, even when inconvenient, unpopular or controversial.  May we pray that His Word will find a true, welcome home in our hearts and shape us to be people of wholeness and integrity.

 

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Luke 1: 39-56

Reflection:

"…And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me…"

So many events in Scripture would never have occurred if humans had not believed enough to act in spite of their doubts and fears. In story after story we read that people are essential to carrying out God’s plan for humankind. From Abraham and Sarah to Mary and Elizabeth, and continuing right down through the centuries to the present day, God inspires us to speak those courageous words, to offer that consoling message, to say "Here I am" to what we are asked to do.           

Today’s Feast is the joining of the stories of two women, Mary, a teenager and Elizabeth, an elderly woman. The angel informs Mary that Elizabeth, her cousin, is pregnant, and immediately Mary begins her journey to see how she can help.  It was not easy or convenient for Mary to travel that long, lonely, dangerous road to the hills of Judea, but Mary knew that Elizabeth needed a helping hand to prepare for the birth of her son, John the Baptist.

Mary arrives at the door bearing Jesus in her womb.  That’s how simple it is sometimes to spread the Good News…show up with Christ formed deep within you…and you are indeed preaching,  without saying anything more than "Here I am."   

Mary, filled with grace, proclaims "…my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant…and has done great things for me…" 

When we come to Mass, we lay before Him all that we are, all that we need, and all that we can become.  We approach the Eucharistic table with a desire to become the best version of the person that God created us to be…to be FULL OF GRACE.  At the moment of Communion with the Lord, we become filled with the Divine Spirit…FULL OF GRACE, and in that experience of joining our lives to His, a spiritual connection between the Redeemer and the redeemed occurs, and God’s unconditional love abounds…AND CHARITY MUST FOLLOW…

Today’s Gospel is a celebration that seems to demonstrate that one of the blessings of a grace-filled life is a spirit of gratitude that results in generosity.  The MAGNIFICAT is an example of gratitude and the VISITATION teaches us generosity.

Salvation history ends up in the hands of a teenager and an elderly woman, both preparing to give birth, both miraculous in their conception, and both who responded, " Here I am."

 

Deacon Brian Clements is a retired member of the staff at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Sirach 42:15-25
Mark 10:46-52

Reflection:

 Our gospel today relates the cure of the blind man.  At first we may think, "This doesn’t apply to me.  I can see."  You and I may not be physically blind.  But oftentimes are suffer from spiritual blindness and fail to see the reality God is showing us. What are the things that may be blinding us?       

We may be blinded by self-pity and fail to see our own inner beauty.  We may be blinded by prejudice and fail to see the beauty of each human person.  We may be blinded by unforgiveness and fail to see our way to peace.        

We may be blinded by our desires for comfort and security and fail to see the needs of others.  We may be blinded by fear and fail to see the possibilities life holds out for us.       

We too ask, "Lord, remove our blindness. We want to see."   Give us eyes of wonder to see the beauty of creation. Give us eyes of courage to see the way through life’s trials.  Give us eyes of compassion to see how we can comfort others.       

Give us eyes of faith to see you dwelling within us.  Give us eyes of wisdom to see how short life is and the importance of each moment of each day.       

Our gospel says, "Immediately he (the blind man) received his sight and started to follow Jesus up the road."  He saw a new purpose, a new meaning, a new direction to his life, — to go with Jesus.  May nothing blind us from taking that path.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

Scripture:

Sirach 17:20-24
Mark 10:17-27

Reflection:     

Recently I attended a meeting for ministers of retreat centers; at one session we were asked to surface those issues which afflict contemporary people. I was stirred by the participants’ pastoral insight and sensitivity. Responses included joblessness, violence, forced migration of populations. But one retort really intrigued me: "the demonization of capitalism."

We’ve all heard the political arguments. Some say it takes the genius of a free market economy to conquer poverty, not wealth redistribution schemes. Others highlight the growing disparity between rich and poor. Last week Pope Francis said, "Unbridled capitalism has taught the logic of profit at any cost, of giving in order to receive, of exploitation without looking at the person…,", before adding that the results of such attitudes can be seen "in the crisis we are now living through." Later he added, "Modern men and women need to recover their understanding of what a gift is, what it means to offer something without expecting anything in return and what it means to be in solidarity with the suffering."

Today’s Gospel is another of the "hard sayings" of Jesus. But have you ever heard something like this? The preacher of the "prosperity Gospel" lessens the impact of Jesus’ powerful metaphor by saying that the "eye of the needle" was a small gate in first century Palestine, used after nightfall, when the main gates of the village were closed. Only by removing the load from the animal’s back, and with lots of pulling and pushing, could the camel get through. Jesus was simply exaggerating, they say, when teaching about the near impossibility of the rich person entering the Kingdom of God.

Could it be that both positions are correct?  Could it be that an "attitude adjustment" is necessary in many of our lives? Not the Conference of American Bishops, not the Nuns on the Bus. You and I. In other words, Jesus said if you have two coats give one to the poor. Jesus does not say to be poor, he says to give your surplus to the poor, to not keep two coats. Jesus’ response to the young man in today’s narrative is radical, it’s subversive. And no matter how we interpret the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, he tells us  it’s okay to be wealthy; it’s not okay to be selfish.

 

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:

1 Kings 17:17-24
Galatians 1:11-19
Luke 7:11-17

 

 

Reflection:

Being Compassionate Prophets

As we return to Luke’s gospel today we find ourselves like the disciples whom Jesus met on the road to Emmaus. We hear a story that may move us as it first moved Jesus himself. It is kindling to keep our hearts burning within us!

The gospel is a companion to the story that is read on the preceding Sunday. There Jesus meets a delegation who come interceding for a centurion, a God fearing gentile, whose servant is near death. Like Elisha who healed the general Naaman, and like Elijah who healed the son of a widow from Sarepta, Jesus’ heals an army officer and raises to life the son of a widow. Today’s gospel, which is a story unique to Luke, and his placing both stories together underline the goal of Luke to have us see Jesus as a prophet. 

In the verses following today’s miracle, disciples from John are given an answer to John the Baptist’s question, ‘are you the one who is coming or must we wait for another?’ ‘Tell John what you have seen and heard… dead people are being raised’ (7:22).

It is the compassion of Jesus, though, that jumps off the page of Scripture. Jesus ‘felt compassion toward her’. This is what can set our hearts aflame. Luke tells us that a father had this same feeling for his returning son who had taken his inheritance and squandered his money. This is the feeling of a Good Samaritan when he comes upon an injured and helpless robbery victim. Luke uses the same word to describe the feeling of compassion that Jesus experiences, something we have been instructed on earlier in the gospel, ‘become compassionate as your Father is compassionate’ (9:36).

At Baptism we are named priests and prophets. How do these titles take on meaning in our lives? Pope Francis spoke of Jesus the priest. (‘True Prayer Takes Us Out of Ourselves’ May 15, 2013). Trust in his passion, his victory, and his wounds. In the glorified body of Jesus the disfigurement of the Passion is no more, but the wounds remain. Jesus the priest offers the sacrifice of his wounds. "But….Look" they say to the Father. See the love I have shown, the love that you have for your adopted sons and daughters. This gives us confidence and courage to pray.

Today we can see how to be prophets. In Scripture prophets speak on behalf of the poor and they defend the defenseless. They advocate for justice. But Jesus shows the side of the prophet that is full of compassion. Hearts set on fire with compassion are hearts that will find a way to reach out to the poor and defenseless.

Let us become compassionate as our Father is compassionate; as Jesus is compassionate. As people of compassion we can fulfill our role as prophets by working in our daily lives to bring about what will give hope to the defenseless and poor.

 

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

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Scripture:

Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20
Luke 2:41-51

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  It is certainly the companion to yesterday’s feast of the Sacred Heart.  Clearly, the connection is the human hearts of Jesus and Mary.  Today’s feast is not about theology or the church.  It is, rather, about the human heart that symbolizes the power of life, the center of passion, the source of love and commitment.  And, the hearts of Jesus and Mary above all others reveal to us the very heart of God who is love.

We often tend to idealize Mary’s experience as a Mother.  After all, Jesus must have been the "perfect" son!  Yet, in the Gospel for today, we are reminded that being someone’s Mother is always filled with mystery, misunderstanding, hurt and sorrow.  Mary and Joseph are clearly frightened when they can’t find Jesus.  When they finally find him after a three-day search, the response Jesus gives them was not particularly satisfying.  The Gospel only comments, "his mother kept all these things in her heart."  That was the first of many occasions when Mary was confused and frightened by the actions of Jesus.

Yet, as Mary lives out her life, we witness the pure love of a Mother for her Son, but even more importantly, the love of the perfect follower of Jesus.  It is her total love of God that opens her to the request that she be the Mother of God’s Son.  It is her total love of Jesus that supports her through the heart-wrenching experience of watching her son rejected, brutalized, condemned and killed.  It is her undying love of those Jesus loved that makes her the central support of the early Christian community and all those who desire to follow Jesus.

An immaculate heart is an unwavering heart, a generous heart, a courageous heart, a totally faithful heart.  May Mary’s love of Jesus and the followers of Jesus, support us as we struggle with our faltering hearts!

 

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of the Development Office for Holy Cross Province and is stationed at Immaculate Conception Community in Chicago.