Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28
Mark 3:22-30

Reflection:

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the great theologian and Doctor of the Church.  St. Thomas is remembered for his great intelligence, his philosophy and his writing, The story of his life is fascinating reading.  Born to a relatively wealthy and devout family, he was the youngest of  9 children.  He was sent to a Benedictine Monastery at the age of 5.  Later, he found himself drawn to the religious orders that focused on spiritual service rather than a more isolated monastic life.  Because his family felt strongly that he should join the Benedictine Order, and he was attracted to the Dominican order, he decided to join the Dominican Order in secret.  When his family learned what he had done, they kidnapped him and for over a year, kept him in captivity, trying to change his thinking.  Eventually Thomas returned to the Dominicans, continued with his studies and became one of the world’s most recognized philosophers and theologians.

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus speaking about driving out Beelzebul and the scribes accusing Jesus of being from Beelzebul.  Jesus refutes this thinking of the scribes by telling them that Satan can not rise up against himself or he will not stand.  In the lines just preceding today’s readings, we hear how Jesus’ family, like Thomas Aquinas’ family sought to seize him and stop him from what he was doing.  Jesus’ family thought he was out of his mind – speaking to demons and defying the religious leaders.  Perhaps they thought he was becoming a religious fanatic; perhaps they were fearful that he would suffer physical harm because of the ways he was speaking out.

Both Jesus and St. Thomas could have chosen the less controversial path, avoided upsetting their families, avoided any physical harm.  Although not likely, we can’t know for sure if  St. Thomas would have still been a great Doctor of the Church without studying with the Dominicans, we do know that it was necessary for Jesus to follow the difficult way and that what seemed like foolish choices actually was the path that made him our Savior.

Every day of our life, we are called to make many decisions – for ourselves and for others.  It is so tempting to make decisions that will cause us the least stress and pain.   Let us pray in humility to the Holy Spirit for strength, wisdom and understanding in all our decisions, that we may never adopt a course of action just because it’s the easier way.

 

Mary Lou Butler is a long-time friend and partner in ministry to the Passionists in California. 

Scripture:

Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22
Mark 16:15-18

Reflection:

Conversion of St. Paul

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.  This great apostle, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, is one of the most important saints in the early Church.  Were it not for what happened that day on the road to Damascus we would be missing 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament canon and there would not have been Christianities early, dramatic expansion to the Gentile world. 

A while ago I read something that caught my attention. A number of years ago there was a survey of academics from a number of disciplines trying to compile a list of people who had the greatest influence on Western civilization. Who was number one? I was surprised to see it wasn’t Jesus. Actually number one was Alexander the Great because it was he who spread the Hellenistic culture throughout the known world and in the minds of those scholars that had a profound influence on the way we view and understand our natural and metaphysical world. In this survey Jesus was actually tied with St. Paul the Apostle for fifth place! The point is not that Jesus came in so far back.  Most people, in fact, would surely argue with that ranking. No, the point is that in the eyes of the academic community in this survey Paul was so high on the list. The impact of his important life and work lead directly to the spread and eventual success of the early Christian Church. With his dedicated evangelism of the gentiles, this small sect within the Judaism of Jesus became instead the major world religion that it is. 

Academicians aside, people of faith know that something powerful and of God’s Spirit was at work here.  Paul’s life took a new direction and so did the Church.  The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel tell his followers: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature!"  This has happened over the past two millennia and with the grace of God it will continue until all is accomplished. 

In 2009, we completed "The Year of Paul," marking the 2000^th anniversary of his birth.  From June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009, there were numerous celebrations, courses, workshops and study groups that took special note of this great saint and apostle.  Although the special year is over, the spirit of Paul remains. And so does the work that Jesus called us to:  Go out to all the world and proclaim the Good News!  

Fr. Jim Strommer, C.P. is the local superior of Christ the King Passionist Community in Citrus Heights, California. 

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales

Scripture:

Hebrews 7:25-8:6
Mark 3:7-12

Reflection: 

St Francis de Sales had a wonderful devotion to the Providence of God.  He would say that if something happens to you that you cannot change, that is the will of God.   Even if it is something that hurts us, He will bring something good from it.   God’s Will is His love for us.   In the last analysis we should never be afraid of his will.   God is love and the only thing he can do to us is to love us.   Our sins punish us, but we never have to be afraid of God’s plans for us.    God is in control of all reality.   "In whose hand is the life of every living thing" Job 12:10 

One of the beautiful images of God’s providence is taken  from Gen 22.  This is the story of God asking  Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.  "And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"   Abraham said,  God will provide it himself."   Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide.

Our Good shepherd will see to it that: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Ps 23   There is a Native American tradition that a young man is to be lead out of the village with a blindfold on dark night to a remote area and is expected by his father to remain alone with blindfold all night.   He thinks he is there all alone with wolves, mountain lions, bears and creatures of the night.  But unknown to him the father is close to watch over him.   We also live in a scary world, but unknown to us Our Father is close at hand to watch over us.   He gives us the opportunity to grow in faith. We call to mind the beautiful last words of Matthew’s Gospel: "behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

"Each new today is a gift.   That is why we call it the present!  And each tomorrow is another present we have not yet unwrapped!  I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future."  

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.                              

Scripture:
Hebrews 6:10-20
Mark 2:23-28

Reflection:
"We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises."  Hebrews 6:11

Do you sometimes grow weary of churchwork and service? Is it a drag to get to mass? Do you do the least you can do to ease your conscience, or are you on fire for the Lord and His Kingdom?

It’s not unusual to get tired of the same old routine. And sometimes with all of the busyness and stress of daily life in today’s world, we have a hard time squeezing in the good that God asks each of us to do.

I think one of the ways to stay excited about living our faith is to make sure we switch things up from time to time. Try a different prayer form; play some Christian music during your prayer time; read a good book about living our Catholic faith, or study the life of a saint you don’t know.

Do you find joy in whatever service you’re doing? If not, maybe it’s even time to volunteer for a new and different ministry? Be sure to pray about that, but if you don’t have a spark for your ministry, you may not be the best person for the job.

Take some time each day just remembering that Jesus went to the cross so that you could enter heaven someday. Whenever I really take time to quiet myself and thank Him for His sacrifice, my heart fills with joy and thanksgiving and I want everyone to hear the Good News.

May the Lord refill each of us with the fire we need to "demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end".

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. Janice also leads retreats and has written her first book called "God Speaks to Ordinary People – Like You and Me". She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.janicecarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected]

Scripture:

Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 2:18-22

Reflection:

In simpler days family weddings must have been really special.  How many times does Jesus in the Gospels compare the best and most important things to a wedding feast?

And look at the first miracle in John’s Gospel.  It was a celebration of abundance, ushering in a new and powerful sense of God’s presence in our world.  Can the wedding guests fast?  Surely not, says Jesus!  It is a time for new garments and new wine! 

The bridal metaphor favored by Jesus is so rich in its implications.  As the husband and wife start life anew, there is before them the adventure of an ever deepening relationship, filled with the promise of new life.  It is a relationship of intimacy and creativity.  It promises a future of fidelity and a long life of happiness. 

The Christian life is meant to be like a wedding feast at any surprising moment, if not all the time.  It is always possible for the spontaneous joy and the surprising love of God to break in upon our ordinary lives and make of them a feast.  We are invited by the Word of God today to take a contemplative stance that has us poised and ready "to meet the bridegroom when he comes." 

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." 

 

Fr. Jim Strommer, C.P. is the local superior of Christ the King Passionist Community in Citrus Heights, California. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 62: 1-5
1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
John 2: 1-11

Reflection:

Could it possibly get any clearer?  St. Paul the Apostle, in his first letter to the Corinthians, tells us that the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all the various forms of service for the Lord, and the remarkable "workings" of God all lie in the whole community, not in only a part of it.  It seems St. Paul was convinced that it took the whole Christian community to hold the many rich gifts and the wondrous works that the Holy Spirit showered upon the Church.  While it’s true that he did believe that there was a hierarchy of gifts and service, he nonetheless recognized that all of them were from the Spirit and all of them were needed by the community as they lived their life of faith.    He exhorted them over and over again to honor and value the variety of gifts that exist in every member of the Body of Christ.

I catch myself sometimes narrowing my understanding of the Church.  I tend to value some parts of the Church more than other parts.  For example, right now we all see headlines in the Catholic press about the conflict between the Vatican and the Women Religious in the U.S.  And, we, of course, are encouraged to see one group as "good" and the other group as "evil."  Other times we hear of conflict between the Bishops and some Catholic theologians.  For many, there is a chasm between the "conservatives" and the "liberals," or the "clergy" and the "laity," or the "institutional" and the "charismatic," etc., etc.  There seems to be no end to the differences that are possible to highlight.  And in almost every case, most of us are inclined to value those gifts and forms of service that are congenial to us and to dismiss the others.

The liturgical readings today remind us how blessed we are, "for the Lord delights in (us)…as the bridegroom delights in his bride."  And, of course, it is in all of us that the Lord delights!  Today we are invited to celebrate the wonder of who we are as Church and to open our eyes and hearts to every member, each of whom carries an authentic gift from God, meant to enrich us all.

 

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.

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11
Mark 2:1-12

Reflection:

There is quite a contrast laid out for us in our scriptural readings for today, a contrast that fits in well with what is going on around us these days.  In our first reading, in Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, we hear a very enticing theme, almost an invitation to "enter into the rest" that the Lord wants to give us.  It seems Paul is keenly aware of how their "ancestors" were not obedient or mindful of God’s action in their midst and, consequently, could not enter into the rest that the Lord promised them.  This idea of "rest" is pretty attractive to me, especially these days after very hectic Christmas and New Years observances.  And here we are beginning a very busy retreat season once again, one that will barely ease up until mid-summer!  Yes, I would love nothing more than to enter into that rest if only for a little while.

But with our Gospel comes the contrast that I referred to above.  Far from portraying a setting of serenity and calm in our Gospel we see that sometimes discipleship can be hectic, nearly frantic if we are chasing after the Lord.  And this is especially true if, in the chase.  we are running with the hope that he would bestow upon us and our friend healing and forgiveness.  In the Gospel, the crowds find out that Jesus is in town; and four good people come running with their paralytic friend (we can only imagine it was someone they love dearly or wanted very badly to help.)  And so sincere was their effort that they made their way to the rooftop and began to dismantle a space in the tiling so that they could lower their friend into the saving, healing presence of Jesus!  Imagine this scene.  Imagine the owner of the home as he sees his roof suddenly give way to clouds above and tile ripping hands hard at work!  So much for rest, at least for the Lord!  It made me realize that discipleship is about much more than rest, serenity, and peace.  Following the Lord is sometimes like trying to push ones way through the crowd just to be in his loving presence.  And even then we may have to make our way to the roof and tear it apart just to get in!   And then, wonder of wonders, there is not only the healing that Jesus can give but even more profoundly, there is that deep inner gift of forgiveness.  Now there is a healing worth running for!

So, these days when we seem to wonder what ever happened to that rest the Lord promises those who follow him, perhaps we should remember this moment in Capernaum, and this hectic, crowd-shoving and noisily shouting bunch of seekers, searching for the Lord, searching for whatever he might awaken in their hearts.  That is just where we find ourselves, too, right there in the middle of the horde trying so very hard to be disciples, wondering what ever happened to the rest and serenity, but thrilled to know that in his presence, even with the craziness of life, comes healing and inner peace.

 

Fr. Pat Brennan, CP is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 2:13-17

Reflection:

"As Jesus passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed Jesus. Mark 2:14

As Jesus begins his public ministry, he creates quite a stir. The Evangelist Luke has him going to his home town and preaching in the synagogue. At first, people are thrilled with his message, and then they turn against him (Luke 4:16 ff). The Evangelist John has Jesus attending a wedding feast with his mother, and he brought along his disciples. They run out of wine and his Mother Mary insists that he do something about it. Reluctantly, it seems, Jesus works his first sign, changing water into wine. The Evangelist Matthew, like Mark, whose account we read in today’s Gospel, has Jesus calling his disciples to follow him as he walked along the Sea of Galilee. Each Gospel gives us an image of Jesus that excites us, stirs us with awe and wonder and challenges us to be like Levi (who is identified as Matthew in the Gospel according to Matthew), to leave everything and follow Jesus. What a great way for Jesus to begin his mission.

Recently, I was talking to someone who is very excited about being a minister in his parish. While volunteering to help the parish at different Sunday Masses, he also goes to ongoing faith development talks when offered. He was telling me how exciting it would have been to have been alive during Jesus’ time and to have been part of his life and ministry back then. Many people feel the same way he does. They feel that if they were alive when Jesus walked the streets of Capernaum and Jerusalem, then they would be among the disciples that followed him. That could very well be.

However, more than likely, it would have been a difficult choice to make, because Jesus was a walking contradiction to his religious tradition. There were so many things that Jesus did that were contrary to the Jewish tradition that he quickly became the target of the hierarchy of his day. While some priests and synagogue officials welcomed him, the vast majority of them actively rejected him. Even in this account in today’s Gospel, Jesus’ invitation to a tax collector to become a disciple leads to controversy. Levi invites Jesus to his home for dinner along with other "tax collectors and public sinners." Scribes who were of the Pharisee tradition complained to Jesus’ disciples that they are eating with public sinners, putting themselves at risk for ritual impurity. For some, that was breaking the law. At that point, we bystanders would have had to start making the decision of whether to follow Jesus or the religious leaders of his day.

Today, like at the time of Jesus, there were many groups that claim some authority on what is acceptable and not acceptable as Jesus’ followers. Sometimes, following Jesus becomes more complicated and challenging when you are living the reality rather than seeing it from the outside. Since I was not there when Jesus called Levi to follow him, I cannot say with certain whether I would have approved or disapproved, if I would be sitting alongside Levi or be standing with the scribes criticizing Jesus. All I know is that Jesus is calling me today to follow him and as I do, I discover the decisions I make in doing so are difficult ones. I will put myself at risk for Christ and that will test me to my very core. We need to live in our present and make the right decisions for ourselves today.

Thank God that it is Jesus, the physician and healer, who has called me to follow him!

 

Fr. Clemente Barron, C.P. is stationed in San Antonio, Texas.