Daily Scripture

Feast of the The Presentation of the Lord

Scripture:

Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

Reflection:

When reading the appointed readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, I was struck by the incongruity of the first reading (Mal 3:1-4) with its responsorial psalm ("Who is this King of Glory?  It is the Lord." Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10) when read in the light of the second reading from Hebrews (2:14-18) and the Gospel (Lk 2:22-40).

Here’s the incongruity, the readings open up by proclaiming, practically shouting, "Here he comes!  It is the Lord; it is the King of Glory!"  These are rather jubilant shouts of praise and of submission to his power; after all, he is coming to refine the hearts of the sons of Levi so that these priests will offer worthy sacrifices "as in the days of old."

But when we read the second reading, we read of the humanity of Jesus, who became like his brothers and sisters, and suffered as they suffer, so that he could be a help, so that he could redeem their fallen humanity.  In the gospel, the "Lord" is presented to God in the temple as a humble and poor child, offering the oblation that was prescribed for the poor. 

The infancy narratives speak of Jesus’ being greeted by "Wise men" from the East.  They brought royal gifts to him.  But when Jesus is brought to the Temple, in fulfillment of the prescript of the law, he comes empty handed (but for the offering of the poor), and he is recognized and welcomed by two old folks whose days were running out, Simeon and Anna.

From his parents’ arms, he reaches out to the faithful Anna, who was among the first to preach the name of Jesus; and the watchful Simeon.  As he will do in his public ministry, he offers them a glimpse of the Kingdom now imminent. 

It is in the simplicity of his parents’ lives, and of his humble appearance in the temple, that the divinity of the child is cloaked. 

This portrayal of Jesus at his Presentation will later be the subject of the beautiful Pauline hymn in the letter to the Philippians (2:5-11), well worth recalling on this feast of the Presentation, his dedication to his Father was fulfilled in his "attitude" or "mindset" which Paul praises, and which is truly worthy of praise when we imitate Christ in this way:

Have among yourselves that same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who through he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 

Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,

he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the Glory of God the Father.

So, maybe there is no incongruity among the readings.  Beneath the traditions of the Jewish Scriptures we read as Reading 1 and its Responsorial Psalm, and the New Testament, Christian Scriptures we listen to as Reading 2 and the Gospel, there is the divine wisdom of salvation being borne to the temple in the arms of Mary and Joseph, recognized by the probably cataract-fogged eyes of Simeon and Anna, and proclaimed at once by Anna to the Temple precincts.  The first reading was right, …every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

 

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

 

Scripture:
Sirach 47:2-11
Mark 6:14-29

Reflection:
Take to prayer your most daunting personal challenge. Take to prayer the most painful social situation which invades your senses, and troubles your conscience. Put whichever into the hands of God along with your "will-to-act."

The act of prayer is based in belief in our relationship with Jesus, the Christ. The action to follow is based upon trust in Him. And it is all a matter of faith. But "he was too much for them. Where did he get all this? What kind of wisdom is he endowed with? How is it, such miraculous deeds are accomplished by his hands? Jesus was distressed at the lack of faith in him.  He could work no miracle there."

Baptism bestows a grace of destiny to eternal life, and a mission to further the building of the kingdom of God. Sts. Blasé and Ansgar were both zealous missionaries willing to publically contribute to the building of the kingdom in virtually non-Christian cultures of northern Europe (sounds contemporary).  What am I doing for the sake of the Kingdom today?

Traditionally, Catholics have their throats blessed on this day to guard against all diseases of the throat. Could the blessing also grant courage to find our voices in promoting peace and justice? What is needed to further the kingdom of God in a just way?  Thank God for the inspiration, in the first place, that we can pray and act in this tradition of the saints.

 

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

Scripture:

2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17
Mark 6:1-6

Reflection:

Today Mark shows us Jesus leaving the western side of the Sea of Galilee, where he had been teaching and healing the sick, (and working some mighty deeds such as the raising of Jairus’s daughter, the cure of the woman with the flow of blood, the cure of lepers, and the calling forth of demons).  He has turned inland "to his native place," to Nazareth, his home town.  And those who had been attracted to him by both his teaching and his miracles of healing, have continued along with him as disciples.

As has been his practice since he began his mission to the fallen of Israel, on the Sabbath he rose in the synagogue of Nazareth and began to teach.  Many of these Nazarenes were astonished, and then they began to question.  Unlike the disciples that had followed him to Nazareth, these people whom he knew, with whom he had grown up and lived and worked before going off into the desert to prepare for his mission, reacted quite negatively.  Their astonishment at this "new Jesus" turned to sarcastic questioning, insult, and rejection.  One can almost see the raised eyebrows, the sneers, and hear the comments among them: "Who does he think he is?  Where does he get off preaching to us?"  Mark states it succinctly: "They took offense at him."

Jesus replied by simply quoting the proverb: "A prophet is not without honor except . . . ."

The result – "he was not able to perform any mighty deed there."  These people, his own community, neighbors, friends, kith and kin, rejected him.  He was truly amazed at their lack of faith.

What put them off?  They knew him, he was one of their own. Why didn’t they welcome him with joy and bring out their sick?

Envy?  Pride?  Feelings of superiority?  Anger at his success among those who had followed him from western Galilee?

And what about me?  As a "cradle catholic," I’m "one of his own."  Do I hear his prophetic word every day?  Do I listen to his voice?  When he speaks to me through one of my companions, through a fellow worker, through an event in the news, through a word in conversation that catches me up short – do I listen, do I really listen?  Do I take it to my heart,  think it through, test it?  Or do I react from my own immediate feelings – annoyance, irritation, arrogance – and brush it off?  Do I too often react from my selfish self, my not-quite-fully-redeemed self, even though for many years now I claim to be "one of his own?"  Does the Lord from time to time stand in amazement at my lack of faith?

 

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,KY.

Scripture:

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3
Mark 5:21-43

Reflection:

"Do not be afraid, just have faith."                    

In today’s Gospel reading, St Mark uses a "sandwich" technique (one story in the middle of another), to highlight his message. 

We start out with the story of Jairus, a synagogue official, who requests that Jesus come to his house to heal his 12 year old daughter.  On the way, Jesus heals a woman who has suffered from hemorrhaging for 12 years.

Both of these persons in Mark’s Gospel had only heard about Jesus, but somehow knew that He was their last resort for healing.

The woman with the hemorrhage believed that if she could just touch the cloak of Jesus, she would be cured.  She did manage to touch His cloak the when she did, "the power went out from Him."  When Jesus learned who "touched" Him, He assured her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.  Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

Jesus also assured Jairus when the news came that his daughter had died, "Do not be afraid, just have faith."  And Jesus brings his daughter back to life.

How do we approach Jesus in our lives?  Do we approach in fear or faith?  Are we willing to touch His cloak and trust that he will take our concerns as His own?

There is a difference between knowing about Our Lord and knowing Him personally; between proximity to Christ and intimacy with Him; and between going through the motions and striving to live a spiritual life.

Because we know about Our Lord, we can simply go through the motions–be familiar with the Mass, recite the Creed and go to Communion because the rest of the community does it and because it happens every Sunday.  Or, we can turn our will and our lives over daily to His care and hear those same words, "Do not be afraid, just have faith."

Every prayer we speak, every Mass we attend, every Communion we receive, can be as our hand reaching out to Christ, seeking "the power that goes out from Him."  Jesus performed miracles in the lives of these two people, based on their faith.  Do we anticipate miracles in our own lives?

 

Deacon Brian Clements was formerly on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California

Scripture:
2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13
Mark 5:1-20

Reflection:
Throughout the gospels we see an ongoing battle between Jesus and the forces of evil.  Today’s gospel story is rather dramatic.  A legion of unclean spirits is sent into a herd of swine which then rush down a bluff into a lake and die.  Jesus triumphs. 

I am reminded of a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.  He stated, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only Light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.  Jesus was the living presence of love on this earth.  He could drive out hate.  His Resurrection was the ultimate triumph of love over evil.

 King went on to say, "Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction."   King was well aware of Jesus’ words, "All who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Matthew 26:52) 

 When will we humans ever learn that lesson?  Billions are spent every day on weapons, while nickels and dimes are spent on strategies for peace.   Our country spends more than $25,000.00 a second on "defense" while thousands die of hunger around the world

 Only love can end war.  If we had enough love, we would budget money, personnel, time and energy to feed the hungry, secure clean water, provide sanitation, teach the illiterate, cure diseases, and do all the things that turn enemies into friends.  Peace is possible if we put aside the profit motive and choose justice for all as our identity. 

 The gospel battles between good and evil continue to be waged in the hearts of human beings. Meditating on the words and actions of Jesus is the way to strengthen our wills for the test.  Uniting with him in love guides our hearts into peace.

 

 Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.   http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Scripture:

2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17
Mark 4:35-41

Reflection:

"Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey?"

Getting to know Jesus is one of our primary tasks as a Christian.  Just when you think you know who He is – you read a verse from scripture or meet someone who has a differing vision of Christianity or you encounter an unexpected challenge in life or you experience a miracle in your life – and you again wonder who is this Jesus?

In the Gospel, Jesus’ disciples were perplexed when they saw Jesus quiet the storm.  But didn’t they know?  These followers who recognized him as their leader and the worker of many miracles – of all his followers over the centuries, surely these first disciples shouldn’t have been surprised at Jesus’ power.   Is it any wonder that Jesus addresses them by saying, "Do you not yet have faith?" 

We know that Jesus is talking to us too when he utters these words.  Why is our faith not stronger?  Why do we still ask who is this Jesus? I think a big part of the answer is because we don’t stop often enough to listen.  The disciples were nodding their heads and saying – yes, yes, this is the Messiah – but they didn’t seem to hear his words.  That’s what we sometimes do.  "Yes, yes, we believe – Jesus is our Savior!"  But do we really stop and listen?  Do we ponder scripture, do we find time to sit in silence, do we quietly open our hearts to transformation? 

Another primary work of being a Christian is to teach and share this knowledge of Jesus with others.  We do this by living Christian lives – caring for others, telling those around us why we make the choices that we make, and by reading and discussing Christ with others. 

Today is also the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas – the great Dominican theologian.  At the end of St. Thomas’ life, he is reported to have said, "Thee have I preached; Thee have I taught."  St Thomas spent his life on the primary works of a Christian – getting to know Jesus and sharing that knowledge with others.   As Christians, may our lives be focused on getting to know Jesus and living lives that share that knowledge. 

 

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

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus 

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Mark 4:21-25

Reflection:

"For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light."

We all love knowing secrets.  It bestows privilege.  And being invited to share in a secret is nearly irresistible. Who has ever said no to the question, "Do you want to hear a secret?"  And what good is having a secret if I can’t tell someone? 

Today’s scripture readings on this memorial of two bishops of the early church urge us to pass on what we have received, to proclaim the Good News that has been passed on to us and now must be shared with others.  The gift of the Gospel is not a secret to hide.  It is a gift to be shared.  The Gospel brings light to all the darkness, sin, brokenness and secrets of our lives.

We may know for ourselves or through the experience of others the burden of a secret that is so terrible that it cannot be shared with anyone.  These long-buried secrets keep wonderful human beings from growing fully into the person God created them to be by sapping enormous energy needed to hide that secret from others.  Secrets uncovered are headlines in the news all too often.  The stories can be heartbreaking.

As baptized Christians – as fathers or mothers, as community and business leaders, as educators, as pastors, as preachers, and as friends and neighbors – we are sent to bring the Light of Christ to the dark regions of life, to bring life from death, freedom from slavery.  Far too many of us, though, live in fear that our secret will come to light.  Somehow we have come to believe that no one would love us if they really knew us, secrets and all. 

The readings during this time of the year focus on the ministry of Jesus.  Watch him carefully.  See how he frees people from their burdens.  Jesus proclaims time and again that that nothing is greater than God’s love – not suffering, not death, and certainly no secret. The Good News is passed on from Jesus to St. Paul to Timothy and Titus, and now to us, first, to free us from our own sin, and, second, to share this same Good News with others that they may be unburdened and set free from all that keeps them in the dark, especially those secrets.

 

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.

 

 

Feast of the Conversion
of Saint Paul the Apostle 

Scripture: 

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

Reflection: 

"Go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."

Paul also known as Saul was a faithful Jew, a Pharisee whose strict observance and interpretation of the Law led him to persecute those who chose to believe in the glorified and risen Lord and Savior. On the road to Damascus, Christ appeared to Saul, and completely changed his life and opened his eyes to the truth of the gospel. "And he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 20)

Today, as we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul, the Apostle, we are reminded of the mission entrusted to all of us, to proclaim the good news of the gospel.  In an address given by Benedict XVI on January 25, 2009 he reflected on the significance of Paul’s conversion for the Christian world.  There was one sentence in his address in particular that grabbed my attention – "Entrusting myself to the power of his forgiveness, letting myself be taken by his hand, I can come out of the quicksands of pride and sin, of deceit and sadness, of selfishness and of every false security, to know and live the richness of his love."  How can I go through life and not share with others such hope?

It is our mission to proclaim the richness of His love to every creature.  As human beings it is instinctual for us to share good news – an engagement, a promotion, we want to reach out to all who will listen.  The gospel and the anticipation of the resurrection is the ultimate good news for everyone, especially for those suffering in the world.  So get out there and spread the news.

 

 Angela Kwasinski is Director of Planned and Major Gifts for the Passionists of Holy Cross Province.