Daily Scripture

Ash Wednesday

Scripture:

Joel 2:12-18
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Reflection:

As we begin our journey into Lent, we should not be thinking, "What are my personal goals for this Lent?  How do I want to change my life?  What problems do I want to deal with?"  Now, I am not saying that we cannot have some personal goals, but Lent is about the Church, the whole human family, and not just me.  It is possible that someone might say, "I have done quite well this past year.  I have my life in order.  My faith life is humming along.  I will not enter into Lent too much this year.  Maybe next year I will need it more." 

We are told that Jesus became sin for our sake.  He could have said, "I am without sin.  I will stay away from that mess."  Rather, he wrapped himself in our flesh and blood, taking upon himself our humanity.  Though born without sin, he covered himself with our sin, or as St. Paul would say, "The Father put our sins upon his son".

Lent is a season when we declare our oneness with the entire Church, even the whole human family.  We seek to cover ourselves with the fears, struggles, anxieties, even sins of all our brothers and sisters.  Many are starving to death.  Others are near despair because of the mess of the world economy.  How many there are caught in an addiction to drugs, to pornography, alcohol, etc.    We believe that our God is "gracious and merciful… and relenting in punishment."   Covering ourselves with the ashes, a reminder of our frailty and finality, we bow before God in prayer and penance, begging him to relent, and bestow great compassion on this suffering, struggling group of people.

Lent takes on a depth of meaning and a much greater emotional experience if I see it as the whole world, myself included, crying out for a great outpouring of God healing, love and compassion.

Scripture scholars speak of Jesus as a "corporate personality", one who represents all of us, taking us through death and resurrection.  During Lent, we should develop a sense of being a "corporate personality", a person who represents the whole human family.  We put that great grouping of people, in all its hurts and needs, before the flow of God’s blessings, streaming from the pierced side of his son, Jesus Christ.  You might be surprised how special this Lent will be if you approach it with this focus.

 

Fr. Blaise Czaja, C.P. gives parish missions and retreats.  He is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

Isaiah 58:1-9a
Matthew 9:14-15

Reflection:

The word of Isaiah today is challenging. The people have returned from exile in Babylon. The destroyed temple has been rebuilt. But it is like nothing has changed. These are the children and grandchildren of those who had lived through the surrender and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. It was a terrible punishment the Jewish nation endured for their sins of idolatry, for abandoning reliance on God alone, and for the lack of justice in society. But even after so much had happened God has to order his prophet again to "Cry out…Tell my people their wickedness, and the house of Jacob their sins". What is their sin? They are acting as if there was no sin among them. As if the nation was doing what is just. As if they had not abandoned their God once again. Oh they fast and publically do penance. Each bows "his head like a reed" and lies "in sackcloth and ashes".  But where are their hearts? The prophet tells them that the penance that is really acceptable to God is "releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own." Only by doing the corporate works of mercy will "your light break forth like the dawn and your wound…quickly be healed." (read Matthew 25)

Two days ago I did a public act of penance as the ashes were placed on my forehead in the sign of cross. I wonder if God was pleased. How do I stand with the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the oppressed? Am I just a comfortable Christian going through the motions? The words of scripture today should make me uncomfortable. 

 

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

 

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Luke 9:22-25

Reflection:

So what to do with that box of candy?  A seemingly trivial question given the depth and seriousness of the choices laid out in today’s readings but relevant for some as we rise this morning with hints of ashes still marking our foreheads taking in the gifts exchanged today in the name of friendship and love.  Per the National Confectioners Association 36 million heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate will be gifted for Valentine’s Day.  How ironic that this shower of love tops the list for our sacrificial offerings for Lent.  

One socially conscious website claims chocolate and sweets are second of ten in the items most given up for Lent along with alcohol, cursing, gossiping, social media, television, junk food, smoking and soda.  This list is only a small reflection of things that in excess can separate us from intimacy, presence and deeper connection to God, family, community and the outer world.

Lent can be a time to sacrifice something we "love" or peel away things we deem a hindrance in the greater scheme of things to create a space to open to and restore our intimate relationship with God.  A time where willpower alone does not keep us from succumbing to temptation but rather the realization of our renewed dependence on God’s grace working through us.  It is a time of disciplined practice, mini surrenders and acts of self-surrendering service which lead us towards the greater challenge and call to pick up our cross and follow Christ.

The other morning while walking I looked down at the sidewalk just as I was reframing a relationship struggle with a more positive, heart opening, life affirming response.  I realized when viewed with the eyes of grace that I wanted to and could respond from a place of greater love and intimacy.  Less affirming choices must be shed to make room for God to work in me.  In that moment I looked at the ground and smiled.  There lying at my feet were dried pine needles forming the letter "Y".   It seemed to me a whisper of grace rising to confirm my brewing "Yes," to the fullness of life and love as if to say "That’s it.   Move towards that which gives you the capacity of a greater, deeper love"   I picked up the pine needles and looking with fresh eyes at the lines of the "Y" spread upward and outward I thought,  "Those are resurrection arms."

We have grown up with the image of Christ’s arms stretched across the hard form of a cross.  Stripped. Nailed. Surrendered, with love.  Christ’s victory pose is one of arms reaching up and outward, breaking free of all the shackles that have held the human race in bondage throughout the ages.  Arms raised, breaking free of death and curse, leaving nothing untouched by grace.

As my brother-in-law Charley wisely shared, "The Lord can only open the door; the rest is up to us."  On this day of celebrating love, we remember love is a moment to moment choice.  It requires a leap of faith "Yes" into the Mystery with a heart of faith and Christ as our guide.

 

M. Walsh is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa in Sierra Madre and friend of the Passionist Community.

Scripture:

Genesis 1:20-2:4a
Mark 7:1-13

Reflection:

Humans have a habit of imposing order and maintaining control with long lists of rules and unnecessarily restrictive taboos.  In the process, we mature, obedient, compliant people can miss out on the wildly extravagant God of creation who longs to break every chain and open us to the unmitigated joy of life. 

For instance, I recently read an article about how a man should hug another man.  It was accompanied by pictures of President Obama giving a "proper man-hug" and a "too-close-for-comfort man-hug".  I was utterly dismayed.  Even in expressing genuine affection, we are supposed to abide by someone’s invented rules for appropriate hugging techniques?  Jesus would have a field day on that one!

I am usually very conscious of abiding by the rules.  I am aware that most rules have an invaluable function and were not simply "made to be broken."  Yet what if I decided to loosen up on "proper behavior" in my everyday life in order to partake more fully in the love and joy of God’s created world? 

Maybe once in a while I should:

… sing as I walk down the street.

…spend 20 whole minutes "wasting time", perhaps watching the ants, or silently observing the entire sun sink behind the horizon.

…refuse to say a critical word about any other person for at least one day.

…jump up and down when I pray, wave my hands, and praise God at the top of my voice.

… eat my dessert first, and consciously enjoy every bite.

…get some finger paints and large pieces of paper, put on some old clothes, and play with the colors, smearing them around any way I want without critiquing whether it is "good art".

…buy a bag of chocolates and just give them out to whomever I happen to encounter.

…go outside without an umbrella when it rains and raise my face to the sky, feeling the water wash over me.  If it rains hard enough to create puddles, stomp in them with abandon and giggle as the water flies everywhere.

…reach out to the kid with his pants hanging off his rear and try to learn something from him.

…allow myself to sob loudly when I am sad, to wail and moan and throw temper tantrums for as long as I can sustain the energy to do so.

…take a good look at my naked body and thank God for how each part functions and serves me.

…play with a frog.

…laugh long and loud, and smile so wide my cheeks hurt.

…notice cashiers’ name tags, call them by name, and thank them for serving me today.

…put on some music and dance, without judging whether or not I "can" dance.

…never go a day, even in the most miserable weather, without going outside for at least a moment, smelling the air, noticing the sky and trees, and shouting out my gratitude to God.

I’m sure you could add other things to this list.   Let go of at least a few reservations and fears and find ways to experience the sheer joy of living, even in the midst of trials and pain.  See the crazy, wondrous, wild abandon God instilled in creation and allow it to fill and inspire your spirit.  Lavishly spread compassion, love, and delight.  I suspect if we can do that well, God will look down and see that it is good. 

 

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 1:1-19
Mark 6:53-56

Reflection:

Often homes with young children have a space or a room which is disordered, cluttered, difficult to safely walk through and strewn with objects of various shapes, sizes and materials.  It is called the Toy Room, or in the case of my grandchildren, the Black Hole.  What goes in may never be seen again.  Periodically, the mother will feel compelled to bring order out of this chaos, to sort out the pieces, organize the games, reclothe the dolls, and establish some sense of purpose and potential wholeness to the randomly scattered components.  When finished, the mom will look about, smile in satisfaction, give and contented sigh and say to herself, "This is very good".

In the beginning, according to Genesis, God took the formless wasteland and dark abyss and brought life giving order and potential to all that was. The disparate parts became whole and bursting full of the living breath of God.  All forms of life were an inter-related completeness of divine creation and became plentiful and fruitful and reflected God’s loving glory.  And God saw that this was good.

Jesus was thrust into the chaos of his time.  People from all regions would rush to meet him bringing the sick and infirmed to be in his presence and to hopefully touch the tassel of his cloak.  Jesus was known to have the power to bring wholeness to broken bodies and spirits and healing to the diseased and ailing.  The creative Spirit of God worked through Jesus to bring order to those living in the chaos of all manner of broken lives.  And Jesus knew that this was good.

Each of us through Baptism has been called to continue the creative life giving process of God.  In family life, in ministry, in everyday interactions with others we have the opportunity to be experienced as one through whom the creative Spirit works to bring the love and acceptance and joy that the world needs so much today.  And God knows that this will be very good.

 

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

Reflection:

From the scripture stories of Isaiah, Paul, and Peter, they appear to be saintly and effective instruments of God. Yet each one first protested his unworthiness, and could easily have missed what God was calling him to do. Thousands of years later, that obstacle – the feeling of not being capable or worthy or perfect enough for the job – is still actively operating.

Try asking someone to serve on the pastoral council, as a catechist or lector, or any of the myriad roles of service in our parishes, schools, and communities. How many excuses do you hear? "I’m not good enough. I’m too busy with my work. Other people are better suited than I am. I don’t have sufficient experience." And on it goes. Those of us on the "asking" end get continually frustrated. We wouldn’t approach people unless we felt they had the necessary gifts, but too often they turn away.

What about me? Sometimes I honestly feel I am not worthy, gifted, or capable. Yet even honest doubts are complicated by the fact that I, too, would rather stick with what I know and avoid additional responsibilities.  I am afraid of failure, and prefer to let someone else take the risk and the job. Excuses are readily available, and I can rationalize my way into an abundance of them.

I suspect that my reluctance and self-protection too often frustrate God’s desires. What request is God placing in my lap that I am capable of fulfilling and yet I turn away? Perhaps more importantly, how is God calling me to stretch beyond what I believe I can do so greater work can be done? In what ways am I stuck (or even content) in the quagmire of unworthiness instead of praying that God purify my lips, give me all I need to accomplish the task, and grant me the courage to follow?

True discipleship is incredibly challenging. When I get too comfortable, or find myself making convenient excuses, I have to wonder whether God is calling. My task then is not to protest my unworthiness, but to prayerfully respond, "Here I am. Send me."

 

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:

Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Mark 6:30-34

 

 

 

Reflection:

The Great Shepherd of the Sheep

In of our readings and the twenty-third psalm today we meet Jesus the Shepherd.

We conclude our reading of the Letter to the Hebrews. For the past month we have been with an early community of Christians who have struggled with their Jewish brothers and sisters, and must leave behind the temple and synagogue. They suffer this loss but now build upon the faith they have received in Jesus. The letter to these Jewish Christians encourages them. Remember your history. Abraham, Joseph and Moses; Rahab and Gideon, the legion of unnamed men and women whose faith in God you know about. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. Draw upon their strength and example and persevere in your faith as they did.

These dispossessed have a new creed: having turned away from dead actions they turn their faith toward God; they have the teaching of baptisms and the laying-on of hands; they believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement. "God permitting, we shall advance". (6:2-3).

Today’s reading, the final verses of the Letter, is a beautiful blessing, "May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep in the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good….".

In Mark’s Gospel Jesus steps off the boat in which he and the apostles have set off to find an out-of-the-way place. Instead of solitude a crowed awaits them, and Jesus is moved with pity. They are like sheep without a shepherd. He begins to teach them at great length. Mark does not describe the people nor what Jesus teaches them. We can imagine a crowd hungry for the ‘Good News’. Our Lord will go on to feed them. The shepherd cares for is sheep.

Any of us, all of us, can find ourselves like our brothers and sisters addressed in the Letter to the Hebrews, feeling unwelcome in new situations of change, or when the tried and true of our routines and foundations are questioned. Hebrews says: draw strength from the ‘cloud of witnesses’ who have gone before us. Raised from the dead the Great Shepherd of the Sheep gives us a new and eternal covenant. In his sacrifice we see the love of the Son for the Father, a tender love like that of Abel for God. The love of the Father invites Jesus to sacrifice himself for us, making the eternal covenant, through which we are invited to embrace that love and follow Jesus.

Not only do we need the encouragement of the Hebrews but we need to know Jesus sees our ‘showing up’. How often we come before Our Lord, we await his coming to be with us and his word in our prayer. We look for him in daily life. And the Lord looks upon us with compassion. Sheep need to eat and Jesus will feed us with his Body and Blood.

Encouraged and knowing God’s love in Jesus, we advance. Tired, perhaps, but faithful, Jesus’ compassion accompanies us. This Great Shepherd of the sheep raised up from the dead is a Good Shepherd. In darkness he is by our side; where there is evil we need not fear. A banquet, anointing oil and overflowing cup, the Shepherd’s house all await us.

 

Fr. William Murphy, CP is the pastor of St. Joseph’s Monastery parish in Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Solemn Commemoration of the Passion 

Scripture:

Hebrews 13:1-8
Mark 6:14-29

 

 

Reflection:

May the Passion of Christ be always in our hearts!

Today we celebrate the title-feast of our Passionist Congregation – an annual celebration on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and the renewal season of Lent.  Today we join Passionists around the world in glorifying God through the vivid story of Love Personified in the Passion of Jesus.

The words from Scripture bear the deep reality of God’s love for each of us, encouraging us to open our hearts and "feel" the embrace of Jesus Crucified as he reaches out to each of us from the Cross.  Drawn in to the divine reality and nourished by Jesus’ Life in the Eucharist, we are sent with other members of the Passionist family to "preach Christ Crucified" by both word and deed…the power of God and the wisdom of God.

We Passionists follow in the footsteps of Jesus Crucified and share in the contemporary Passion so evident in our world.  We are called to share in the suffering of our sisters and brothers worldwide as they struggle with violence and war, as they strive for justice and a share of the basic goods of the earth, as they deal with natural disasters of earthquakes and floods and fires, as they bear the cross of sickness and loneliness, etc.  Along with our sisters and brothers, we find meaning and a new perspective in Jesus’ ‘’greatest love", and pray along with St. Paul of the Cross:  "…when you feel yourself on the cross, stripped of everything, gently stir up your faith in God’s presence, and abandon yourself in the immense sea of God’s love."

In union with Jesus Crucified, today we boldly proclaim God’s Love in the Passion of Jesus.  St. Paul of the Cross speaks to our hearts:  "…the world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus.  We must arouse the world from its slumber.  His Holy Spirit will teach us how."

Amen!

 

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