Daily Scripture

Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist

Scripture:

1 Peter 5:5b-14
Mark 16:15-20

Reflection:

Courage

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Mark, whose Gospel is the earliest of the four evangelists. Mark’s Gospel is symbolized by the lion (Matthew, Luke and John depicted as angel, ox and eagle, respectively) mirroring courage.  We imagine the courageous person as one possessing valor or guts, but the word actually comes from the Latin, cor (heart) and agere (to act); so, to be courageous means to have the strength of “acting from the heart.”

Years ago, while directing a retreat for college students, I remember asking these salt-of-the-earth good young people what the most important attribute or virtue might be in their choices of friendship. Nearly all of them said they look for integrity or authenticity in others… that people be true to their hearts, not so much their thoughts or abstract ideas.

Our liturgical readings during these days of basking in the shadow of Eastertide we keep hearing (especially from the Acts of the Apostles) those stories about the early followers of Jesus being transformed… converted from being a scattered group of frightened and suspicious independents, they were suddenly galvanized into a believing community.

Perhaps one of the reasons many young people today are drifting away from the structures of participation — in politics and government and church — could be a call for all of us to be more authentic or genuine, to act from the heart. Courage. Saint Mark.

Fr. Jack Conley, CP, is the local superior of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Acts 12:24-13:5a
John 12:44-50

Reflection:

The Word

Today’s readings in Acts starts and ends with “The Word”.  “The Word of God continued to spread and grow”  Act 12:24. “They proclaimed the Word of God,”  The Word (logos’) is used some 318 times in New Testament. Other expressions for  word in NT  are “sayings” (raymah)  64 /  speaking gently (laleo)  / voice (phonae) 128 times   “The Word” is an ancient expression used for the Gospel.  The nature of God has this overwhelming and consuming desire to speak to His children!  “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” John 8:37     In the OT God is said to speak (debar etc) thousands of times!

In today’s Gospel Jesus cautions   “If anyone hears My sayings (raymah) and does not keep (phylassō) them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.  He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. John 12:47

The inspired Greek NT word  is to be carefully guarded (phylássō) or keep.  Jesus strongly advises us to treasure the tremendous value of His words!  The spoken Word of God is tremendously priceless!   With His Word comes the wonderful intelligence of God Who not only knows all things but designs and creates them!   Even greater than the intelligence and knowledge of God’s Word is His immensurable love embracing it.   John even says “the Word is with God and is God!”  Not only does God’s Word contain prodigious wisdom and engulfing love but awesome creative  power!   “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made!” Ps 33:6  “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice (phonae) of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. John 5:29   So many years ago Saint Ephrem +373 said : “Who is able to understand, Lord, all the richness of even one of your words?”

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

Scripture:

Acts 11:19-26
John 10:22-30

Reflection:

In our gospel reading, the people complain to Jesus: “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus responds, “I told you and you do not believe.” Then He continues to use the image of a shepherd to refer to Himself: “The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

When we think of sheep, and when we think of ourselves as sheep, it can be pretty humbling, and perhaps we resist the idea of being sheep, even when it comes to Jesus as the Shepherd. But we are still free to choose. Why would I choose to be a sheep, even to Jesus? Because life has shown me that following myself as the shepherd has not worked. But if I want serenity of heart and peace of mind, I will follow Jesus as the Good Shepherd, even when it comes to carrying a cross.

And I know that I am in Jesus’ hands. He will not abandon me or leave me behind: “No one can take them out of my hand.” The only way I can be out of Jesus’ hands is if I choose to leave Him. It is still my choice.

Now, the thing is, by the grace and love of God, I can still do great things as a sheep. And by an even greater grace, I won’t care who gets the credit! I will just be able to abide in the love of my Shepherd, and follow Him by bringing more love and hope into the world. May God grant us the grace to be good sheep.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

Acts 11:1-18
John 10:1-10

Reflection:

As the hind longs for the running stream, my soul longs for you, oh Lord. Bring me to your holy mountain….   -Psalm 42

My soul has been in a dark place, Lord.  I have been in what Fr. Randal called “the dry times of prayer”; the times when I reached out to You, my Father, but somehow received nothing in return.  It seemed no matter how long or how hard I listened, I could not feel your voice within me.   I needed Your counsel and peace so very much those past dimly lit days, as I struggled with the challenges of aging, injury and pain.   

I feel ashamed when I think of the self-pitying visions of abandonment I allowed to grow in my heart during those empty times. Mea culpa, my Father. You are truly ever faithful. You answered my prayers in a way I couldn’t understand because it was not what I wanted/anticipated hearing.  

Today’s readings show Peter answering his Jewish followers who criticize his actions in dealing with Gentiles.  He relates his dream/vision that ended with a voice that told him, “What God has made clean, you shall not profane.” Peter answered them but they would not / could not hear his voice. Trials sent to me are made clean by You, Lord.  I must not make them profane by reacting with anger or despair. Only You know the pathways we are destined to travel before we can attain entrance to your holy mountain, Your heavenly Kingdom. I beg your forgiveness for my lack of faith, my Father.  Help me grasp that I must endure whatever is sent to me with patience and in peace, understanding and acceptance ~  I will seek You first to understand that the ragged rocks in the stream my soul tumbles over must be endured as they scour and sanctify me.  Then may I be made worthy of the place You have prepared for me in Your Heavenly kingdom. Jesus and Mary be praised forever and ever. 

Ray Alonzo is the father of three children, grandfather of two, and husband to Jan. He is a USN Vietnam Veteran and a 1969 graduate of Mother of Good Counsel Passionist Prep Seminary. Ray currently serves on the Passionist Alumni Council.

Good Shepherd Sunday

Scripture:

Acts 4:8-12
1 John 83:1-2
John 10:11-18

Reflection:

Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday. There are certain elements that stand out in the gospel and are highlighted by Sister Faustine Maria Pia, S.V. (Magnificat, April 20224, Vol. 26, No. 2 pp-323-324). The first element is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the sheep  recognize his voice. I once asked a farmer how do sheep learn to heed the shepherd’s voice? The farmer responded, the sheep are with the shepherd night and day from birth. Jesus calls us to good pasture which is life with him.

The second element is the sheepfold of this life is shown as a vulnerable place. “My sheep hear my voice…and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them  out of my hand (Jn 10: 27-28). When the wolf comes, the hirelings flee abandoning the sheep. Jesus lays down his life for his sheep calling us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you (MT 5:44). (Ibid. p. 324.)

The third element is the Good Shepherd shows the sheep their worth. We all were created by God as unique, precious, most loveable and loved. Listening to Jesus’ voice we come to realize that “I know my own and my own know me. (Johnn 10:14)” Listening to Jesus we experience how loveable and how loved we are because of Jesus’ infinite love for us.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, let us find a quiet place to just listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice speaking to us. What is he saying? What is he calling us to do? The Good shepherd promises: “I am with you always” (MT 28:20) (Ibid. p. 324)

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Acts 9:31-42
John 6:60-69

Reflection:

Walking with Jesus

One of the saddest lines in New Testament is “many of his disciples went back to the things behind (what they left to follow Jesus) and were not walking with Him anymore”. John 6:66   The teaching of Jesus on the Eucharist was too difficult to understand and they walked away from Him.  The word for walk away is the NT Greek ap er chomai; from “apo”( away from) and erchomai;( to go)   The sentence ends with “they were not walking with Him anymore!”   The English translation fails to give us the total sadness of the great walk away from Christ.

In the 56 years of my priesthood I sadly saw this great “walk away” by so many Catholics in our country.  Years ago it was estimated by some that about 70% of our Catholics in this country were faithful to Mass attendance while now something less than 50% are attending with regularity.   To add to our concern the Covid 19 health threat has deeply deprived so many from having the faith experience of the centuries, the Eucharist! 

The haunting question of Jesus commands our attention: “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Jn 6:67  The Eucharist is momentously important for us as it contains Jesus Himself!    Experiencing the Eucharist is just as awesome an event as was the post Resurrection visit to the apostles of the Risen Jesus showing His wounds!  See my wounded and scared hands pierced by large nails!  Place your hand close to my open wounded Heart and be not unbelieving but believing!

The Second Vatican Council rightly proclaimed that the Eucharistic sacrifice is “the source and summit of the Christian life”.“For the most holy Eucharist contains the Church’s entire spiritual wealth: Christ Himself, our Passover and living Bread. Through his own flesh, now made living and life-giving by the Holy Spirit, he offers life to men”.Consequently the gaze of the Church is constantly turned to her Lord, present in the Sacrament of the Altar, in which she discovers the full manifestation of his boundless love.” 

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

Scripture:

Acts 9:1-20
John 6:52-59

Reflection:

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus is truly one of the most compelling stories in the New Testament. In only 20 verses, we see a man so profoundly impacted by an encounter with Jesus that he goes from seeking to kill Christians to preaching to convert Jews. However, the change was not immediate. St. Luke recounts that after his experience of Jesus, Saul was unable to see for three days. When we seek encounters with the Lord, we tend to want Him to make Himself immediately clear in His answers to our questions. Yet, as with Saul, the Lord may withhold clarity from us for a time. In so doing, He asks us to trust Him and be willing to walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7)

As Saul waits in darkness, the Lord Is at work calling Ananias to go to him. Jesus claims Saul as one who is chosen for a great mission, but He also reveals that Saul will suffer for His name. In His great mercy, Jesus does not want the man who will become St. Paul to begin his difficult journey alone. Instead, He sends a brother to lead him to the Holy Spirit.

If we are feeling blind and uncertain even after encountering the Lord in prayer, let us remember the story of Saul’s conversion. What we perceive as darkness and confusion might be what the Lord is allowing to prepare us to receive the help we need for the important journey He has planned.

Megan Silas is a Lay Passionist at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Acts 8:26-40
John 6:44-51

Reflection:

The Necessary Passion of the Lord

As we follow the Scriptures during the fifty days of Easter we can see a great contrast between John’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. For John coming to believe is gradual, for the author of Acts (Luke) it can be instantaneous. But for both, John and Acts, the mystery of the Cross is indispensable in coming to believe in Jesus as Lord.

In John’s Gospel, the first believer is the beloved disciple who runs to the tomb with Peter. He looks into the tomb and believes, Peter is only amazed. John is the disciple closest to the act of Jesus’ life-giving love, with Mary he stands by the Cross. Could that be why he can believe? Could this also be why we do not hear of Mary in the resurrection stories of John’s gospel? Mary is the disciple who does not need this gradual growth in God’s love to come to believe. She is there already!

Mary Magdalene, first to the tomb to care for the body of Jesus with spices and perfume, comes back again looking for Our Lord. She asks the supposed gardener if he has taken the body to please tell her where it is so she can care for it. Mary does not yet believe, cannot see, Jesus is her Lord. The Good Shepherd who will not lose any of his beloved flock calls her by name, ‘Mary’, and like the Apostles at their first meeting with Jesus calls him “Rabbi”. Mary is like the woman at the well, Martha, the blind man of Siloam and Nicodemus. They all come to name Jesus the Lord gradually. Finally, Mary says, “My Master,” and goes to tell the others that she has seen, “the Lord”.

Mary Magdalene shared the Passion. She now can recognize the Lord.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we see immediate professions of faith and baptisms: the lame man who sat by the Beautiful Gate of the temple and the crowds who are added to the community of believers. The Passion is around them in the apostles who are being punished, in Stephen, and in those whom Saul will persecute.

Today we see another class of people represented by the Ethiopian Eunuch, who is also like the Apostles on the road to Emmaus. They meet the suffering Messiah through the Scriptures. The Emmaus disciples and the Eunuch have their hearts set on fire as they learn the Messiah must suffer and so come to glory. The disciples of Emmaus end up in Jerusalem that first Easter night united with the apostles as believers. The Eunuch enters into water of baptism, he believes, as the Spirit takes Philip off to announce the Good News elsewhere.

May the Word of the Scriptures continue to keep before us the Passion of Jesus through which we come to know the Lord. It is the unspoken word of the wounds that Jesus so often shows his disciples. It is the necessary step that reveals Jesus’ love and that he is the Messiah and Lord.

Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.