Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Psalm: 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Reflection:

Strong words come forth from today’s readings!  Moses, the prophet of the Passover and Exodus, clearly asks the people to reconcile themselves to the power of the commandments of the Lord over them.  Their public behavior will be the "evidence" that will move other nations and peoples to recognize the covenant relationship that exists between the Israelites and God.

The meaning of the commandments and the underlying covenant is made explicit in the Responsorial Psalm, which names the practical expression of a just life.

Our second reading from James emphasizes the importance of a coherence between what we believe and what we do.  "Be doers of the word and not hearers only…."  In harmony with what the Psalmist had made explicit, James names the practical exercise of the commandments that reflect this first generation of the Christian community: "to care for orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Finally, in the gospel selection from Mark, Jesus is presented in dialogue with the Pharisees and scribes, the usual framing of a discussion that would exact from later hearers the clearer understanding of how Jesus was setting his followers apart from "traditional" Judaism.

Some scripture scholars attribute this concern over the rituals of the Jewish purification practices to be a response to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple by the Romans in 70 A.D.  Having been denied the supreme physical place of worship, the Jewish community began to magnify the importance of the domestic rituals and practices of the Law, as a sign of the fidelity of the community in spite of the loss of the Temple.

The response of Jesus to the implicit accusation that his followers are less devout and less observant because they do not perform the purification rites, is that these rites are merely external rituals which cannot redeem the individual from the truly "impure" motives and behaviors that flow from within the individual, from his or her heart.  Just as what enters from without cannot defile, so the washing from without does not wash the guilty heart within.  "From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile."

One cannot reflect on the Scriptures these days that lie amid the two national political conventions, and not ask whether our Scriptures should enlighten the discourse taking place.  Upon listening to the hours and hours of speech-making, one might be inclined to believe that certain basic Christian tenets have been dispensed for the campaigning: "thou shalt not bear false witness" comes to mind.

However, what is even more contrary to the Gospel of Jesus is the sentiment that "economy" trumps "human dignity", or that "wealth" is a sign of "goodness".  Both points of view are markedly contrary to the teachings of Jesus.  When economic principles (whether proven or unproven) are actively debasing human dignity, can we support them in good conscience?  It seems to be a principle that giving money to wealthy people (tax cuts) is good, but giving money to poor people (health care/medicare) is bad.  Underlying this polarity is probably the bias we have about success equals goodness and indigence or need equals badness.

Let us pray that the pivotal decisions that will be made about the future leadership of our country will be, as the first reading points out to us, a witness to the presence of God in our lives and in our consciences.  Let us show the other nations that in our country the value of human being and human goodness is not measured by the dollars in the bank account, whether onshore or offshore.

 

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

 

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31  
Matthew 25:14-30

Reflection:

In the opening reading the first line captures me: "Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters." 

When I reflect seriously upon my own calling, I recognize immediately that Paul’s description of the origins of the Corinthians fits me. Born a year just before the Crash of ‘29, raised a child of working class immigrants during the Great Depression, I was certainly one of "the weak of this world."  Living in a city parish of 20,000 families, I was one of a vast majority of the lower middle-class who packed the churches on Sundays (upper church, lower church, and the auditorium – six Masses in each church and three in the auditorium).  What was my calling?  I was called to be a good Catholic – a child of God, a follower of Jesus, a good boy at home and at school, and an active member of the parish to the degree that my age would allow.  And as I grew and developed, so my calling developed.  It deepened and I came to understand more and more what Paul goes on to say – that I am called to be one in and with Jesus Christ, who wants me to let him manifest himself through me and in me.

"Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters."  The Gospel parable of Matthew carries this directive of Paul into my practical daily life.  It is the parable of the talents.  The master on returning found that the first servant had doubled his five talents into ten; the second had done likewise, doubling his two into four, while the third in his fear had buried his one and made nothing.  God has gifted me not with silver or gold but with himself, Jesus His only Son.  And He renews that gift each day; in fact in every moment of each day.  My calling is to take my human personality and put it to work for Christ – to let him fulfill himself through me.  Do I give myself over to him in prayer every day so that this may become possible?  Do I look for him in all those I meet?  Am I kind and gentle, giving of myself to them so that they see him in me?  When eventually I go to meet him in death, will he find himself in me? Will he see himself in me – a humble, kind, and gentle old man, pouring himself out in love, as he does for me?  I pray in hope that that may be so – and I hear another question, "How well are you working on it?"

Give me the desire To know Thee more intimately, love Thee more deeply, follow Thee more closely, and serve Thee more faithfully. (Ignatius Loyola)  Live Jesus in our hearts forever. (John Baptist De la Salle)  May the Passion of Christ be ever in our hearts. (Paul of the Cross)  Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.  What you are in love with seizes your imagination, will affect everything.  It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends . . .  Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. (Pedro Arrupe) 

 

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

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Matthew 25:1-13

Reflection:

"Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Today’s Gospel story of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish (who ran out of oil), comes in the middle of Jesus’ teaching about the end of the age and the signs of His coming.  He will come as a thief in the night, when least expected, like the bridegroom at midnight.  No one can say when He will come.  It may be this afternoon, but it might be another thousand years from now.  Be prepared, like the Boy Scout motto reminds us.

This parable of the wise and foolish virgins could be seen as the first recorded oil crisis in the East!  This story is really about "Wisdom"–one of the great themes in Scripture.

One of the blessings I receive from prison ministry is encountering individuals who have gleaned wisdom along the path of life.  These are people who made poor choices and while experiencing the consequences of those choices, utilized God’s "second chance" opportunity to acquire wisdom, and made profound changes in their lives.

Through wisdom, God communicates to us the meaning of life and the nature of our destiny, which is to be with God, a greater good than life itself.  Wisdom is a gift from God and is found by those who desire and seek it.

In today’s Gospel, we are not talking about a momentary lapse of memory on the part of the foolish virgins – forgetting to bring along extra oil for their lamps.  We are dealing with two contrasting attitudes towards the wedding feast.  For the wise virgins, it was "the chance of a lifetime" to meet the Bridegroom.  For the foolish ones, the event didn’t seem to be all that important.  Hopefully, we are like the wise virgins who realize that the journey of our life is about preparing ourselves to enter the Kingdom of heaven, utilizing any "second chance" opportunities we get along the way.

In my experience, wisdom teaches us that the best way to prepare for the future is to grow from our past and live in the grace of the present moment.  The Holy Spirit helps us to see what needs to be done today and what preparation is necessary for tomorrow. 

Alcoholics Anonymous sums it up best by reminding us to take life "one day at a time," which is another way of saying what Matthew’s community came to see, "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

 

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

Scripture:

Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b
Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, 25-32
John 6:60-69

Reflection:

"So, what are you going to do?"

This basic question about what is fundamentally important in our lives links today’s first reading from the Book of Joshua and the selection from John’s Gospel.  In the first, Joshua asks the People of Israel to "decide today whom you will serve."  In the gospel, Jesus asks the disciples, "Do you want to leave?"  In each case, it’s a moment of decision.  Yes or no?  Leave or stay?  Serve God or not?

Perhaps the stark yes/no question strikes us as silly.  We all think we will say, "Yes, of course, we’re in; we’re staying with the Lord until the end."  But the question usually gets asked at moments when we understand that there is a junction that will define us well into the future.  In the gospel, there were those who just couldn’t understand Jesus or what he was teaching.  "Many returned to their former way of life," the gospel reports.  There is no calling down fire or brimstone on them.  They simply went home.  They made a decision.  Peter decides to stay…at least for now.

Today, my youngest brother would have turned 46 had he lived.  But he was killed 23 years ago.  That was a moment in my life where I struggled with the question, "So, what are you going to do now?"  He didn’t have to die.  In a senseless moment, two young men caused his death.  I had to ask myself some fundamentally important questions about how I was going to choose to live my life from that moment on.  Not quite as simple as a yes/no question.

Moments of considering a proposal of marriage, welcoming a new child, moving to a new city, or discerning life in a religious community are opportunities to sharpen our commitment to living lives of service by following Christ.  Moments of dealing with loss and death and disappointment – just like the People of Israel and the disciples – force us to ask, "What now?"

The question leads us to the very core of our identity, as it should.  There we encounter God-within-us, the Holy Spirit dwelling in each of us.  And in that encounter we listen to God’s question that Jesus asked the first disciples:  "What are you looking for?" (John 1:38).  These moments, scary or intimidating as they might be, require an answer.  But the answer already is deep within us.  We know the kind of person we want to be and become.  And we know that our joy is in being faithful to the people God created us to be.  When we are honest with ourselves and admit our deepest desires, we’ll know what we need to do.

 

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and is the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Revelation: 21:9b-14
John 1:45-51

Reflection:

A small fortune is spent each year on fishing baits.   A bait is a lie.   We cleverly trick the fish into thinking there is a nice, fat tasty worm for him to eat, but he ends up getting eaten instead.  The New Testament word for bait is dolos.  It is used to entice an animal or human to benefit my own personal needs without any real care for the one deluded. 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit (dolos)!"   Jesus liked Nathanael because he was open and sincere even to the point of expressing that nothing of any merit could come from an insignificant town like Nazareth.  Jesus dismissed Nathanael’s insult and loved his open honesty.   Thus it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

It is always good to see what pleases Jesus.   Candor and straightforwardness in our dealings reveal us as far from being perfect, but our sincerity will always be refreshing to Jesus. Unfortunately it is so terribly easy to be deceptive.    I think there are two significant reasons for our failure to be truthful.  

The least obnoxious of these reasons is that we are afraid of being exposed as morally flawed.  We love to fix ourselves up in the mirror before we appear in public.  Many of us have very unsettling thoughts about our value.   Maybe we have to learn what St Paul says "when I am weak then am I strong".  I suspect if we do not have inferiority feelings we might fall into a far worse condition of arrogance.

A far more serious reason for not being candid is a desire to use others, even God for our own advantage.    We do not want our real motives to be seen.    We make sure the hook is totally covered by the fat, juicy worm.  Many of us can go thru our whole life using people.   We never really understand those beautiful words of Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."   

 

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

Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:1-11
Matthew 20:1-16

Reflection:

"The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." Psalm 23:1

I have been struggling to write this reflection… the reason being: I do want something… even though the scripture says "there is nothing I shall want." I want to live closer to our daughter, Sr. Cecilia Rose. She was just home for a visit after professing her first vows as a Sister of Life in New York. She hadn’t been home for over two years and it was so great having her with us again!

Julie is one of my most favorite people in the world. She is joyful, thoughtful, full of life, and she is our only daughter! She inspires me to be a better person, she teaches me about prayer and sacrifice and obedience. She lights up the room with her smile and she makes me proud to be Catholic.

And yet, as I ponder my deep longings to have more time with her, I realize that I am being selfish. God has called her to be a witness in the world and to minister to many, many people as a sister. She is too busy doing God’s work to hang out with me (even if I lived in New York!) She just gave herself totally to the Lord and she belongs to Him now, and part of her sacrifice and ours is that she only gets to come home once a year.

As I give her back to God (again), and realize that I too want His will more than mine, I find great comfort. I am thankful for her vocation and can draw close to Him whenever I am missing her. I can offer up my sadness for someone who needs my prayers, and I can rejoice that we will have forever in heaven to be together. I can also focus on what I do have: a lively faith and a beautiful family – my best friend and husband Jim, three amazing sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and six delightful grandchildren.

If we keep our eyes on Jesus and let Him shepherd us, there is truly nothing we will want.

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. Janice also leads women’s retreats. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.jcarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected]

 

Scripture:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17
Matthew 23:23-26

Reflection:

Jesus speaks often of the sin of hypocrisy.  It certainly seems that this was one of the sins that dismayed Jesus the most. In today’s Gospel, he is rebuking the scribes and Pharisees for making a big deal of paying their tithes, but neglecting the more important part of the law: justice, mercy and fidelity.

Jesus calls the religious leaders of his day blind Pharisees and hypocrites.  A hypocrite is defined as a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs and principles, that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie their stated beliefs. The Pharisees and the scribes of the time were very exacting in their interpretation of the law.  And they were very careful to obey the minutest detail of that law – thus the expression, "the letter of the law."  Jesus is scolding them for doing this instead of paying attention to the more important matters of religion.  They didn’t have the spirit of the law.   In their misguided zeal they had lost sight of God and of his purpose for the law.   If they had followed the spirit of the law, they would have understood that God didn’t want them to tithe for the sake of tithing but to care for the needy and the weak.  Instead the Pharisees used their exactness in tithing and insisting on the minute regulations to think of themselves in a selfish and prideful way and to hold those who did not or who were not able to follow these standards in contempt.

Giving to the Church or to the people of God, whether through tithing or a general spirit of stewardship should always be an expression of thanksgiving and a willingness to do God’s will.  The scribes, however, went to extreme lengths to tithe on insignificant things (such as tiny plants) with great mathematical accuracy but neglected the more important part of God’s commandments.

In today’s world, there is still the temptation to be hypocritical in the practice of our Faith.  God does not want us to strike our breasts, make a show of spending time in prayer or use our devotions to ignore the work he has called us to.  God wants us to be filled with a sense of thanksgiving as we give of ourselves in prayer and in the sharing of our time, talent and treasure.  Most of all, God wants us to hear the words of His Son and be persons of "justice, mercy and fidelity." 

 

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

Scripture:

Ezekiel 36:23-28
Matthew 22:1-14

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells a parable about a feast that a king gave for his son’s wedding. People are invited, but they refuse to come. When the king sends out other servants, some do violence to the servants that are sent. In frustration, the king tells his servants to go everywhere and bring whomever they can find. And so now, the hall is finally filled. But when the king comes in, he notices that there is a person who is not dressed for the occasion, and after some questioning, the person is thrown out into the darkness. Jesus ends His parable saying, "Many are invited, but few are chosen."

Most times when I have read this parable, I have found myself feeling sorry for the one who was not dressed properly. Why should he get kicked out for not wearing the proper attire? Then I remember that Jesus’ parables are often not about what they appear to be about. This is not a parable on fashion, or even on what people should wear to Mass. It’s about our response to the invitation.

We have been invited to the banquet! We have been invited to the feast prepared for us in heaven! In our case,  Jesus offered Himself in sacrifice so that we might be invited! If we take the invitation seriously, then our lives are not to continue as before; our lives need to change, just as that wedding guest in the parable was to change into the proper garments for a banquet.

I think we can sometimes forget how remarkable it is to get an invitation. We are sinners, and yet we have grace and love showered upon us all the time by God! God gives us chance after chance to come closer to Him, and follow His will. God continues to work in our lives, even when we cannot feel His presence. Thanks be to God!

We’ve been invited. May we take the risk, and have God change our lives. May we take the risk, and share the invitation; and may we all one day be at the banquet prepared for us!

 

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is the director of St. Paul of the Cross Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.