Daily Scripture

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 10:14-22
John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35

Reflection:

For all Passionists and the larger Passionist family of those associated with them this is an important liturgical feast. It has been celebrated since the 13^th century and is connected to the Servants of Mary (Servites) who were established at that time. Its place in the calendar, immediately after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, occurred in the 19^th century. St. Paul of the Cross was especially devoted to Mary under the title of the Sorrowful Mother. The Passionists Regulations which go back to Paul state: "Both the members and the works of the Congregation are entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Lady of Sorrows, as patroness of the Congregation…"

In this context let us look at the first reading the church has given us. The continuous reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians at first seems little connected to the feast we are celebrating. The reality of the Eucharist as the sacrifice of Christ in which he offered his body and blood to his Father for the redemption of humankind is boldly proclaimed by St. Paul. Through the Eucharist he says that we participate in that mystery and are united as one with all those who drink from the "blessing cup" and "partake of the one loaf".  So, all the members of the larger Passionist family are intimately united with one another and with their Lord every time they gather around the table and receive his Body and Blood. And also, are we not joined in heart and mind with the Sorrowful Mother? She was there with Jesus, standing beneath the cross, offering him to the Father, in a real but different way, as he offered the sacrifice of himself to his Father. If we ask her, can she not help us to participate more fully and consciously in the sacrifice of the Mass?  

 

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

Scripture:
1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13
Luke 6:27-38

Reflection:
Scandal! Jesus words are outrageous:  " . . .rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked."

More than 150,000 deaths were caused by Mexican narco-traffickers, governmental corruption, and weapons brought illegally from the United States.  Just two days ago there was a scare in the municipality in Coyoacan, in the northern region of Mexico City. The threats of possible mass killings by drug-lords paralyzed the whole region. The signs of desperation and fear have permeated even remote towns.  In the small town of Tumbala of about 10,000, where I now reside, people complain with a great sense of melancholy and concern about the infestation of drugs and increase of violence in their streets.

In the midst of this darkness there are sparks of hope. Javier Sicilia’s Caravan for Peace with Justice and Integrity is a movement that has challenged the modus operandi of the Mexican Government regarding the "War on Drugs." Influenced by the USA, the Mexican State has used the military as the only strategy to counter the cartels. According to a political analyst this is a flawed strategy. Although enforcement worked in the USA to contain the great Mafia families, in Mexico there is not a sufficiently competent federal judicial system that can incarcerate the heads of the different drug cartels. This has also brought about abuses by the military, who themselves have been accused of murder, torture and intimidation.   Javier Sicilia’s movement has also opened up a space for healing the family members of the victims of this "war." First and foremost, Sicilia’s movement was the first one to name the suffering of thousands of faceless victims. These families of victims gathered to mourn and to seek justice in a way that runs counter to paramilitary groups who have taken the law in their own hands by killing the so called traffickers as retribution for the death of their family members. Sicilia’s group seeks peace. They seek peace with justice and dignity, the justice that the State is unable to provide, and the dignity that also upholds the ungrateful and the wicked.

As long as we allow the dehumanization of those that we may consider scum of the earth, namely, rapists, murderers, greedy bankers, and corrupt clergy, then Jesus’ words will only cause scandal. Jesus’ life and words uphold both the victim and the victimizer. How far does this conviction guide our own opinions or public policy?

 

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

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Luke 6:20-26

Reflection:

I am the 3^rd of 10 children.  There are wonderful things about such a large family, and I am grateful for them.  There are also disadvantages.  For instance, it can be very hard to get any attention.  My older brother and sister handled that through rebellion, causing endless trouble and heartache for my parents and yes, commanding attention.

I handled it by being perfect.  I strove to be the best, always doing an outstanding job, achieving excellent grades, and capably handling heavy responsibilities.  I lived for the praise of my parents and teachers, and indeed felt their praise proved my worth as a person.

Perfectionism carried over into my adult life.  I have tried so hard to be the perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect teacher, perfect employee, perfect friend, and perfect Christian.  I always gave 100% or more, sometimes even to my detriment.  Doing one’s best, of course, is admirable.  However, for too much of my life the goal was not really to do my best, but to be praised. 

In the gospel, Jesus teaches that the desire for praise, along with the desires for wealth and easy life, are hollow. My worth in God’s eyes does not result from awards, achievements, or applause.  Instead, I need to continue letting go of any need for glowing accolades.  My task is to use my gifts to the best of my abilities, to serve God and God’s people, and to empty myself. 

If the result is misunderstanding, slander, or denigration, then so be it.  It is really none of my business what other people think of me.  If the result is tributes and recognition, then so be it.  They are wonderful to receive and can still energize me, but they are not necessary for my self-worth.

The beatitudes are challenging.  In our praise-driven society, I need to daily choose to be meek, lowly, and even imperfect.

 

Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she partnered with the Passionists.  See her website: http://www.amyflorian.com/.

 

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Scripture:

Numbers 21:4b-9
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17

Reflection:

As I was reflecting on Friday’s Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I was struck by the Gospel selection. "God so loved the world He gave His only Son." In some ways the greatest, most recognized symbol of Christianity, the cross, is matched with probably the most recognized scripture passage in the Bible, John 3:16. The cross and God’s love! Doesn’t that seem like a contrast? I often struggle with the idea of the cross. It conjures up thoughts of suffering, pain, struggle, and even death. Not a lot of love in that. Didn’t St. Paul tell us the cross was "folly" for unbelievers and a "stumbling block?" I am a Christian and the latter sure can be for me. In our lives we can struggle with our circumstances, suffer with the illness of one close to us, or have the pain of loosing a loved one. Where is God’s love in all that?

As Christians we are called to see the connection, not contrast, in the cross and His gift of love. To lift high the cross and to see gift in our struggles, and believe that growth and healing come from the crosses in our lives. To see hope and resurrection. That’s not easy. It sounds good when preached from the pulpit, but it is sometimes hard to understand in the realities of our lives.

A close relative recently died after weeks of struggle and pain. For sure this was a cross for those who were losing a loved one. As the family circled the bed during her last hour of life, they sang a long treasured and favorite song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." On the ride home from the hospital after she died, some family members sat quietly in the car just beginning to grieve their loss. It was raining lightly. Out of the car window on the horizon they saw a bright, bold rainbow clear as day. In the inexplicable pain and loss that comes with the death of someone close, came Gods love in the presence of a rainbow, allowing them to feel, if for a moment, that God was with them. And, being touched by His love, gave them the hope that in time they could heal.

Yes, the cross and God’s love do go together.

 

Steve Walsh is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, and a good friend of the Passionist Community. 

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Luke 6:6-11

Reflection:

The law is clear: No one is supposed to work on the Sabbath. This sacred written law was given directly by God to Moses. You can’t get much more authoritative than that. When it became apparent that Jesus was about to violate that law in order to cure a man’s withered hand, I can imagine the Pharisees asking him, "What is it you don’t understand? Can you not see how clearly this is written in the law? In order to call yourself a Jew, you must obey the law without exceptions.  It is a black-and-white, open-and-shut case. This is God’s word and you may not violate it."

Yet Jesus turns the law on its head by asking whether the Sabbath is intended to give life or take life. Knowing that giving life is the answer, he heals the man’s hand and ignites the fury of the hierarchy of his day. They condemn him as a notorious lawbreaker leading people astray from the truths and authentic practice of their faith.

I understand the desire of so many people in our church today to uphold the law. We need to have rules, boundaries, and guidelines. We need to retain our sense of sin, right and wrong, and faithfulness to the tradition. But I wonder what would happen if Jesus were here today. I wonder how often, and in how many ways, he would point out that we rely too heavily on the rules and the letter of the law instead of looking at the underlying goals of discipleship and faith.

For example: Would Jesus dictate that hosts could be made only of wheat, even for people with gluten intolerance or in cultures where wheat is rare and other grains are a staple? Would Jesus deny communion to a sinner? Would Jesus cling to a human law on celibacy if it meant large numbers of the faithful could no longer celebrate full Eucharist on a daily or even weekly basis? Would Jesus condemn a Church official who invites the President of the United States to a lunch he is hosting, or refuse to allow a respected speaker at a Catholic university unless every one of the speaker’s positions (even those not addressed at the event) were in line with official Church teaching? Whether you would answer "yes" or "no", the list could go on endlessly as we examine the rubrics of our sacraments and our worship, the services we offer or refuse to offer, our willingness to communicate/collaborate rather than adamantly refusing to engage, our ecclesial structures and decision-making authority, our accountability (or lack thereof) for actions we condemn in others, and more.  In other words, how dramatically different would our church be if we viewed every issue with the law in mind but with the primacy of love, inclusion, and pastoral service at heart?

I do not pretend to have the answers. I know the issues are complex and deeply rooted. I do suspect there are too many ways in which the reality of our church today is at odds with the ideal Jesus upheld. I also mourn the frequency and virulence with which people who sincerely work for the vision they believe embodies that ideal are summarily dismissed or condemned as notorious lawbreakers leading others astray from the truths and authentic practice of their faith.

So I begin by examining my own practices, always seriously considering the law and teaching authority of the Church while opening my heart of stone to the Spirit in prayer, reaching out in love even when it is costly, and proactively making changes in my life to conform more completely to the model of Jesus’ love, inclusivity, and pastoral practice. At the same time, I pray for the wider Church, that there may be more openness and dialogue, more flexibility for pastoral application, more gentleness and compassion, more soul-searching and perhaps even a bit of law-changing.

 

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:
1 Corinthians 3: 18-23
Luke 5: 1-11

Reflection:
The gospel story about Jesus calling Peter to be a disciple is familiar. Luke tells us the people were "pressing in" to hear the word of God. Some were there to get a healing miracle, others simply to see this famous healer who spoke with authority.

Simon Peter is off to the side, cleaning his nets after a long and failed night of fishing. He is brought into the story when Jesus climbs aboard his boat and continues his teaching. This is the beginning of a remarkable change in Peter’s life. Peter was a professional fisherman, owned his boat, had a couple partners, and earned his living on the lake. His occupation defined who he was. By Jesus stepping into Peter’s boat, the fisherman, an occupation not high in the social ladder, received an honor that perhaps raised his reputation a little higher. Who of us doesn’t feel more important when we are connected to someone famous: "I know the mayor." "I was just fifty feet from the Pope." Peter, occupied with this honor, did not recognize that Jesus was going to change his life forever.

"Peter, go out to the deep and lower your nets." Maybe we are surprised that Peter didn’t object more strongly. He was the fisherman who knew where to fish and the best time to fish. What does a carpenter, a preacher, a miracle worker know about this lake? "At your word I will do so," Peter responds; he is obedient. We don’t know why Peter went out to the lake again after a night of disappointment. Perhaps he trusted the reputation of Jesus. As Peter tossed the nets into the lake, the nets caught a huge haul of fish, so great that there was immediate need for other fishermen to help.

This incredible catch brings Peter to his knees; Peter is humbled. His first words are to tell Jesus to go away. That reaction is normal. People who are smarter, more talented or stronger than I can make me feel inadequate. We like to be king of the hill and don’t like anyone else ousting us from our hill or comfort zone. Peter sees the holiness of Jesus and his own sinfulness.

This dynamic story reminds us that a divine encounter can happen at any time and in any place. Peter was cleaning the nets when Jesus came into his life. The encounter didn’t happen at a synagogue or at the temple or when Peter was deep in prayer. The same can happen to us. We don’t need to go to a special shrine. Jesus is with us as we work at the desk, clean the dishes, wash the car, entertain friends or set up a yard sale. Are we listening?

Sometimes in our encounter with Jesus, we don’t like what we hear and we feel resistance, like Peter. But ultimately we are asked to trust Jesus, to bend our knee, see our own limitations and follow Jesus. This is not easy, but the opportunity is always there to go fishing with Jesus.

 

Fr. Don Webber, C.P., is Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province and resides in Chicago.

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23

Reflection:

Hanging on a retreat center wall in Lake Charles, La. is a portrait of the annunciation. A radiant angel stands before Mary. Her posture is one of humble submission. It is the moment of surrender. She says "yes" to God’s plan for her and humanity.

I believe surrender is the fundamental act of the Christian life. More than praying a prayer, it is a posture from which we can live our life. Surrender is a daily, sometimes hourly abandonment of our person and will to God who always wants the best for us. Living a surrendered life is far from being passive or resigned. It was because of Mother Teresa’s daily surrender that she ministered to the poorest of the poor. Maximillian Kolbe’s surrender impelled him to give his life in the place of a married man in a concentration camp’s starvation bunker. It is through surrender that people who are bound come into recovery. People who live surrendered lives are among the most proactive, passionate people alive.

There were two memorable moments of surrender in my life. One was lying prostrate in the sanctuary at Immaculate Conception Church as the litany of the saints was being sung. That occasion was my ordination to the priesthood in 1991. The other was proclaiming my vows to the passion, poverty, chastity, and obedience to God on this day 27 years ago. Peak moments of surrender help shape our lives and define the way we live each day. 

God is so worthy of all that we are. As we heard in the readings, God chooses the lowly. He predestines us for glory in love. God works through our sometimes splintered family tree to bring about good. God is gracious, kind, and merciful. God never forces our surrender but captivates us and allures us to freely give ourselves fully in the context of a love relationship.

Today we celebrate the birth of the one who’s "yes" would change the destiny of humanity. Our daily "yes" can affect people too.

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 16 books and creator of television and radio programs airing in many cities. You can learn more about his ministry at: http://www.frcedric.org/

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Luke 5:33-36

Reflection:

On working the world famous 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, I found myself confronted with step eight: "Made a list of those persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all." Every time I sat down to make that list, I would think of someone, and then rationalize: "No, that son of a gun owes me more amends than I owe him." I struggled with that for over a year, before I remembered that I was counseled to put God and myself on the top of that list. So I did that. I put God and myself on the top of the list.

Now I had to figure out how I harmed God and myself. My first reaction to trying to determine how I harmed God was that I couldn’t harm him-what does He care about this little old nothing me? God doesn’t need me. I put God aside for awhile and began trying to figure out how I harmed myself. The answer came almost immediately. I had harmed myself by not allowing me to be me. I had spent my life trying to live up to what I thought you expected of me. I had spent little energy trying to figure out who I was and to live faithfully to that truth.

After a little further thought I began to realize that I treated others, especially those near and dear to me, the same way. I wouldn’t let you be who you really are. I wouldn’t let God be God, i.e. able to love me and every member of His creation, no matter how seemingly unimportant with an everlasting, infinite love. WOW!

I learned that if I listened with compassionate ears and eyes, I could learn about who you really are-even if you don’t know who that is. I learned that I had to stop judging people from my myopic perspective and open myself to the wonders of diversity and beauty beyond my wildest dreams. I had to as Paul tells us today: "not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God."

 

Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists.  He lives in Chicago.