Daily Scripture

Easter Sunday of the
Resurrection of the Lord

Scripture:

Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
John 20:1-9 or Mark 16:1-7

 

 

Reflection:

A blessed Easter to all of you who read our Passionist homilies and who are celebrating the Passionist Easter novena. Jesus is Risen!

In the Gospel reading, I was struck by the fact that Peter and John didn’t see the resurrection, but what they did see stirred faith in them. All they saw was an empty tomb and the rolled up burial cloths. The evidence of the resurrection was enough to evoke belief, which is the goal of John’s Gospel.

The evidence of the resurrection also abounds in our life. The sights, sounds, and smells of spring are in the air. Butterflies and seeds drift through the air. Azaleas and other new blossoms are breaking forth. The warmth and rains are making everything lush. Nature itself is a parable that speaks of the new life we long for. The evidence is everywhere.

I just finished a busy Lenten season of missions. The huge crowds struck me during my missions. The sheer numbers were evidence of God’s movement in people. One man came and shook my hand. "Father, I hadn’t been to confession in over 40 years. I went to one of the priests last night. Thank you!" A junior in high school student approached me. He is struggling with multiple addictions. He is now willing to do what it takes to come into recovery. In addition, I have been seeing a number of young people attending the parish missions. God is moving and calling all people to growth and faith.

1 Peter 1:18 tells us, "Even though you do not see him now, you believe in him." We may not "see" the actual resurrection either. But the signs are everywhere: in nature, in people’s willingness to change, in the wonderful hunger of those young and old. The evidence abounds and can evoke deeper faith and consoling hope in you and me! I pray that you will encounter plentiful evidence today and during this fifty-day Easter Season.

 

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:
Genesis 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a
Genesis 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18
Exodus 14:15-15:1
Isaiah 54:5-14
Isaiah 55:1-11
Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4
Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Romans 6:3-11
Mark 16:1-7

Reflection:

As a grammar school kid, I joined the Boy Scouts to go camping. While I never made it past Tenderfoot, I never missed a chance to go camping. Camping was fun. It was a chance to spend time with nature and my friends away from the ordinary everyday life at home. What I liked most about camping was the evening campfire where everyone would gather. We’d sit around and tell stories, usually scary ones, and sing songs until our leaders forced us to go to our tents where we were suppose to sleep. When I got older, long after I’d left the Boy Scouts, I continued to go camping with friends where we’d again, sit around the campfire to tell stories and sing songs until the wee hours of the morning.

Tonight is my favorite night of the year. I will once again join my local community to gather around a campfire and hear the greatest of all stories, the story of God’s working in our world as told in our sacred scriptures. Some of the stories seem so ordinary and others seem totally unbelievable, but as one theologian from Loyola of Chicago (I don’t remember who he was) put it: "It’s all true and some of it actually happened." I’ll hear how God created the world and said it was good. Wow! Our world really is good. I’ll hear how Moses led my forebears out of slavery into the Promised Land. Then I’ll hear that greatest of all songs, the Exultet or Easter Song.

Come and join me and the thousands, maybe millions who will gather at their local Parishes to hear and celebrate the Good News of our salvation at the Easter Vigil. Some parishes still go to the wee hours starting at 11:00 pm and going to 1:00 or 2:00 am. Many will start earlier near dusk and only go for a couple of hours.  Hope yours, like mine will go on and on and on…

 

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

 

Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord 

Scripture:

Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42

Reflection:

The Good Friday Liturgy is rich in images. Nevertheless, the liturgy is carried out in a very stark environment. There is no Eucharist, decorations are removed, the altar is stripped, the celebrant and servers enter in silence, and the prayers are simple. The Cross is to be the center of our attention today; everything else is a distraction and therefore located out-of-the-sight.

Paul the Apostle tells us that Jesus emptied himself. He emptied himself of all self-centeredness, of all resentment, fear, fretfulness, and the desire for respect in the sight of others (First Reading). In letting go of everything, Jesus would be filled with the gift of fidelity and love from his heavenly Father. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, says, "Jesus took away the sin of the community by taking in hatred and giving back love; by taking in anger and giving out graciousness; by taking in envy and giving back blessing; by taking in bitterness and giving out warmth; by taking in pettiness and giving back compassion; by taking in chaos and giving back peace; and by taking in sin and giving back forgiveness." In order to be this conduit of the Father’s love and forgiveness, Jesus had to continually empty himself of the natural tendency to give back in kind: hatred for hatred, revenge for hurt, and coldness when ignored or neglected.

St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionist Community, began many of his letters by writing: "May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ be always in our hearts." Both the Good Friday Liturgy and Paul of the Cross want us to remember the passion and death of Christ as the greatest act of God’s love for us. God can be trusted and Christ can be confidently approached in our own moment of darkness and temptation. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin" (Second Reading)

Now we are asked to do as Jesus did to help take away the sin of the world. We are asked to let go, to empty ourselves of darkness, so that we can receive and give back divine compassion, unmerited forgiveness, holy love, ceaseless blessing and a spirit of everlasting hope.

On this Good Friday, let us set aside the distractions in our hearts (fears, desires, ambitions, worries, deadlines, dreams) so that the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Cross) will be at the center of our hearts. This is the way that leads us to joy, new life and resurrection. "I live, no not I, but Christ lives in me."

 

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

Scripture:
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15

Reflection:
"Do you realize what I’ve done for you? "If I have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

There is an old saying "familiarity breeds contempt." But I think that often when it comes to scripture, a better way to phrase this would be "familiarity breeds complacency."

We have all heard many times the story told in today’s Gospel. As a young man serving Mass I even had one of my feet washed by the bishop. And so sometimes when I hear this story I find myself tempted to say inwardly "Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it before. I have to humble myself. Let’s go on to the next lesson."

But pause with me here for a moment, and let’s consider what’s really happening in this story. The disciples still believe that the Messiah is the one who is going to restore their nation’s former glory. The Christ will be the warrior king who drives out the Romans, unites the Hebrew people and establishes Israel as a beacon for all nations. And yet they find themselves in an upper room with the man they believe to be that Messiah and he strips himself naked, wraps a towel around his waist, kneels down before them and begins to wash their feet like a slave. And what’s more, from our perspective 2000 years later, we see that Jesus already knows that among these people whose feet he is washing is the one who will betray him, the one who will deny him, men who have bickered about who is greater and who will sit his left hand and his right hand. He has repeatedly asked them, "Don’t you get it yet? After all the time I’ve been with you?"

And he still kneels before them and washes their feet.

It is easy for us to look back and chuckle at the disciples who didn’t get it. And yet don’t we still find ourselves looking for that "messiah" who will establish our version of the kingdom of heaven on earth? Don’t we look for that pastor who will save us by truly honoring the spirit of Vatican II or faithfully upholding the Orthodox tradition as presented by the Magisterium? Don’t we campaign for that candidate who will restore our nation to its former greatness by promoting social justice or preserving religious freedom or maintaining 2nd amendment rights while fixing the  economy with just the right mix (in our minds) of taxation and spending?

Jesus said, "You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am." He acknowledges that He is our master, and still, He kneels before us.

This Triduum I pray that I let the words of Jesus deeply affect me, that instead of looking for a "savior" out there, I follow the model of the  Savior I carry in my heart and kneel before and wash the feet of those I encounter every day.

 

Talib Huff is a volunteer at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California.

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 50:4-9a
Matthew 26:14-25

Reflection:

The Challenge of Faith in Jesus

Today’s Gospel selection tells us how Judas finalized his plot to betray Jesus; in some places this day is referred to as "spy Wednesday".  Only God knows what was really in the heart of Judas; from our vantage point after the fact, we can easily wonder why he turned traitor.  Was it Power?  Avarice?  Greed?  Judas is often called a thief and reportedly stole from the common purse which he held for Jesus and the others…but we ask…if he had had faith in Jesus, surely his faith would have overcome his greed…right?  Well…

Nonetheless, Jesus knew that the time for his sacrificial death was drawing near.  He knew that one of the twelve was to betray him.  AND, he willingly accepted that death in loving obedience to the Father’s Will, and in fulfillment of the Scriptures.  The words of Jesus at the Last Supper as recorded in St. John’s Gospel (Jn. 15:13) give great supporting testimony to Jesus’ motivation in his sacrificial death:  "There is no greater love than this:  to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  And indeed he freely and lovingly laid down his life as he died upon the cross!

Whenever we look upon a crucifix, let us realize that Jesus died because he wanted to – a perfect expression of his free, unconditional and personal love for the Father and each of us.  As we prepare to celebrate tomorrow the institution of the Eucharist – Jesus’ Real Presence to people of all times – let us renew our humble profession of faith in Jesus.  May that profession of faith guide and strengthen us as we confidently face the challenges and temptations that come our way in following Jesus Crucified on our life’s journey.  And may God lovingly help the "Judases" who still struggle with their faith in Jesus.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 49:1-6
John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reflection:

Shelly Douglass, director of the local Catholic Worker House in Birmingham, AL, once commented that she always thought that "Jesus meant what he said in the gospels." But it was not until she was in college that she found anyone who agreed with her. She discovered a group of people "who thought Jesus meant what he said and they were trying to do it."

This week called "holy" by Christians is the "DNA," the blueprint, the "matrix" to following in the very footsteps of Jesus Christ, Son of God and our Savior. Consider the plight of this prophet seeking to speak the truth to a corrupt system. For the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 42 as well as for Jesus, disappointment and even betrayal led to their own glorification and the accomplishment of their God-given vocation. Remember "glorification / glory" actually means to fulfill one’s desires, dreams or hopes. We give God glory by fulfilling God’s Will, by living our lives as on mission to serve others, thus fulfilling the hope, the "dream," the Plan of God for the whole universe.  

A day does not go by in this mission at Holy Family Cristo Rey that we are not up against yet another obstacle in "breaking the ingrained cycle of poverty" in the minds and hearts of our students. One of those ingrained attitudes has to do with putting off the immediate gratification, that is, looking for the quick fix, the "short-cut," and not taking care of business – homework, applying oneself at the workplace, staying focused. In battling against the cycle, there is not a time where there is not a setback, a defeat, a disillusionment, a disappointment or some battle with oppressive systems. "I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly spent my strength for nothing and vanity;" (Is 42:7) Jesus faces two betrayals among his own followers at the most intimate moment with His closest disciples – announcing His faithful presence in the Eucharist.

The venerable Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P. once pointed out that "instead of dying with bitter frustrations both the servant as well as Jesus realized that they were called into earthly life, not for an earthly ambition, but to achieve a delicate love and a faithful consecration with God and with their neighbors within the scope of their earthly life." I ask myself this question in prayer, "Lord, as I face this challenge in the mission, right now, where can I find you, in my efforts to persevere?" Our choice to respond in faith is to give "glory" with Jesus to the Father. "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him." (Jn 13:36)

 

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P. is president of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, Birmingham, Alabama.

Monday of Holy Week

Scripture:

Isaiah 42:1-7
John 12:1-11

Reflection:

It’s Holy Week in the Western Christian World, there’s anticipation in the air.  Here, in Chicago, the Cub’s home opener is Holy Thursday, April 5; an early spring thaw at ground has produced blooms and blossoms that make one forget it was winter three weeks ago.  The official weather record says there are only 9 winters when snowfall averaged 20 inches or less (this year’s average), since 1885.  Many colleges and school districts let their students out for Spring Break over the last couple of weeks, and Easter frocks are on display at the traditional big merchandisers. Spring is definitely in the air.  It doesn’t feel much like Lent anymore.

However, Lent is for the rest of the week.  We read the Passion of Jesus at yesterday’s Palm Sunday liturgy, and it will be repeated for us during our Holy Week liturgies.  What began last Ash Wednesday with good intentions and determined sacrifices, a period of serious consideration of our need for conversion and repentance, is coming to an end. 

There are probably some who would anticipate this reflection’s admonishing us to "keep the Lenten promises and resolutions" for the rest of the year; it would be "good for us"!  Instead, however, we should listen to the undercurrents in the texts of the Prophet Isaiah and the Gospel of John.  They plunge deeply into the meaning of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah, and of the Passion of Jesus in John’s Gospel.  Isaiah proclaims the justice and mercy of God in His Servant.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus boldly proclaims his willingness to embrace his dying, so that belief in Him as the one who gave life to Lazarus could become the hope of all people.  Both texts can’t help but acknowledge that in the great mercy and love of God, the Passion of Jesus is the instrument of his Resurrection, which He will share with all who believe in Him.

We often ignore the Responsorial Song when preparing these reflections (speaking for myself, of course!), but today we hear the theme of Resurrection-after-defeat poetically proclaimed by the Psalmist in Psalm 27:

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
To open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

The Resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate victory of justice, for it is the victory of the Just One over all that is injustice.  The Resurrection of Jesus is the demonstrative sign of the Covenant God made with His People, more radiant than the rainbows that color the skies.  The Resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate liberation of those who have been imprisoned by sin and who have lived in the darkness of hopelessness or despair.

This week’s liturgies are the proclamation of the Church that we have embraced Jesus’ Resurrection because we are embracing his Cross as the instrument of our salvation.

 

Fr. Arthur Carrillo, C.P. is the director of the Office of Mission Effectiveness for Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Chicago, Illinois. 

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Scripture:

Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16
Isaiah 50:4-7
Philippians 2:6-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39

 

 

Reflection:

Today, Palm Sunday, the blessing of the palms followed by a procession into the church precedes the principal Mass. The gospel of Mark depicting the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is used at the blessing to help us enter the solemn mysteries of Holy Week: the Passion, Death, and Burial of Jesus, leading to his glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday.  During the Mass itself we enter into that very passion and death in the gospel of John.  In this opening gospel of Mark, however, Jesus asks us to contemplate his entry into the last week of his life.  His very entry is a parable for us – to ponder and understand what he is doing, to see who he really is – the messiah – and what he is taking upon himself, and how he takes it.

When Jesus and his disciples draw near to Jerusalem, he sends two of them into the neighboring village to procure a colt that seems to be tied there just for him, waiting to be picked up and brought to him.  Moreover he seems to have made his own arrangements ahead of time with the people who own this colt, without any of the disciples being aware of it.  The disciples then put their cloaks over the colt, and Jesus sits on it – he clearly had planned to enter Jerusalem at the beginning of the holy season mounted on the foal of a donkey.  He is quietly acting out what had been foretold by the prophets Isaiah and Zecharia.  Though his disciples may not see this at the time, afterwards they would recall it and record it.  Matthew, writing much later than Mark, makes it clear, quoting the prophets (Matt 21).

The people along the way, thinking of what he will do for them and the entire nation, throw their cloaks and palm branches before him, singing out his praises as their king to come.  And how does he come?  Quietly, riding a young donkey, not a glorious steed, with the common peoples’ cloaks to sit upon, not a fine leather saddle.  A humble messiah,  not an imperious king, but as one who teaches humility, kindness, compassionate care of the poor and the down trodden, as one who teaches  justice for all, but especially for the powerless.  A parable in action – and a sign of how he will live out his final week on this earth, a sign of how he will enter into his passion and death.

Jesus coming on this young donkey asks us, I think, to enter into this week in all humility and  to contemplate each day his great love for us.  He asks me to contemplate that his love brought him to this week.  That his love puts him on the cross, not my sins – his love prompted him to do this for me and for all.  That his love saves me and will save me from my sins if I but stay with him.   I think of the line from the prayer of St. Francis Xavier: "Thou, thou, my Jesus, whilst on the tree, didst in thine arms encompass me."  May he hold us tight to himself on the cross this week.          

                                                                                                           

Br. Peter A. Fitzpatrick, CFX, a Xaverian Brother, is a Passionist Associate at Ryken House, St. Xavier High School, across the creek from Sacred Heart Passionist Monastery in Louisville,Kentucky.