Daily Scripture

 

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:

Mary’s Song is Ours

We celebrate the birthday of Mary each year on September 8. I had the privilege to profess my vows as a Passionist on this day 26 years ago. In the first reading, we see that "small" Bethlehem is chosen and is in no means least of the clans of Judah. In the genealogy, some obscure people with storied pasts are chosen to be a part of the lineage of the Messiah. In the alternate reading from Romans, we understand that we were chosen through God’s initiative.

Mary’s song of praise becomes ours when we realize that God has handpicked and favored us. Our lives are the result of divine election and providence. When I was in Scranton, PA preaching our novena to St. Ann, the Catholic TV station asked me to do an interview for them. During the interview, I was asked how it felt to minister on radio and television. I said, "I am well aware that God could have chosen people better looking, more articulate, and holier than I. God chooses the weak and the lowly on purpose to shame the strong." That is why my heart throbs with gratitude and praise when I consider the graciousness of God in my life. Thanks be to God for his gracious plan. We were predestined in Christ to be blessed and fruitful.  

Every evening in the Liturgy of the Hours, we sing Mary’s song of praise. Her song is ours on this day when we celebrate her birth and life. "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for God has looked with favor on his lowly servant…" 

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 15 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:

I Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 6:12-19

Reflection:

The apostle Paul, having expressed his love for and joy in the Colossian believers in the first chapter, now cautions against the errors of heathen philosophy, against Jewish traditions that interfere with true faith in Christ and against worshiping angels and other heavenly powers. In his arguments, Paul makes an interesting statement: "Even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Jesus brought you to life along with him." The gifts of faith and eternal life are not dependent upon the purity of our life or religious rituals. "But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). If Jesus brings us to new life along with him, in spite of our sins and weaknesses, how do we stay "along with him."

Turning to the Gospel we can understand a little more about this indispensable relationship. Jesus himself was doing the will of God. In order to fulfill that will, Jesus had to be "along" with his Father. Luke’s gospel tells us Jesus went up a mountain to pray and spend the night there in prayer to God. We might wonder what Jesus had to prayer about for so long of a time. This question reveals a limited understanding of prayer. It is not just a time of asking for this or that. It is more than just a religious duty of "saying our prayers." Prayer is ultimately making contact with God. Jesus wanted, needed, to be in contact with his Father in a simple relationship of presence, silence and listening with a quiet and open heart. Prayer was the one way of making sure that there was harmony with his Father’s will.

Our invitation today is to take time for this kind of quiet prayer, prayer with an open heart. Building a relationship with Jesus in prayer will enable us to be "along with" Jesus and in harmony with his will.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Ezekiel 33:7-9
Romans 13:8-10
Matthew 18:15-20

Reflection:

Love and Watchfulness

Today’s Scripture readings highlight the relationships that exist among believers:  Ezekiel uses the image of a watchman, St. Paul speaks of the practical and loving person, and Jesus encourages fraternal dialogue and even correction as needed.  No doubt, we human beings have deep bonds that join us as God’s family; to strengthen those bonds is truly a 21^st century challenge!

Recent weeks have seen those of us in the United States deal with Hurricane Irene – and remember similar tragedies in years past with Katrina, Gustav, Ike, etc.  Our lives have been touched by these powerful storms; a number of people lost their lives, some their property.  These powerful storms each began as tropical depressions, watched by weather officials; as they strengthened, warnings and even evacuations were ordered in a concerted effort to protect life and property.  The forecasters watch for us, helping us be aware and encouraging us to plan ahead.

The Liturgy reminds us that we have responsibilities to one another as "storms" and challenges arise in the lives of those we love.  We love one another by our watchfulness and warnings, as well as practically reaching out with help.  Like Ezekiel, God has appointed us watchpersons for one another, with a special relationship based on our belief in the person of Jesus.  We are to encourage one another, to challenge one another, to forgive one another…to foster relationships as best we can.  Practically, this means such activities as helping our children truly grow up as faith-filled human beings, dealing with struggles in marriage and jobs, dealing with health issues or addictive behaviors, and even challenging one another when laziness creeps into the practice of our faith.

No doubt the Scriptures challenge us, and we could easily respond "well, people won’t listen to me…I don’t want to upset so and so…I’m not good at this sort of thing".  Jesus reminds us of our obligation to love as He does:  credibly, practically, in both good times and not-so-good times.  We are to use our God-given awareness and abilities to build up one another, to help avoid the pitfalls and storms of life.

Today, we pray in gratitude for our many gifts and blessings, and ask for the grace to do the right thing as we love and watch for one another.  We pray together with the Church this Sunday…and as Jesus points out, there is power in people praying together…like the power of a hurricane!

May our love for God and one another help transform our world!

 

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

 

Scripture:

Colossians 1:24-2:3
Luke 6:6-11

Reflection:

"I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?"

 

Is the power of good really greater than the power of evil?  Or is the power of evil greater than the power of good?  As I think back over the past few weeks, looking at numerous situations and events, I can certainly see how the good is more prevalent than evil.  I’ve heard about communities rallying together in evacuation of towns and cities in anticipation of hurricane Irene.  Similar charity was prevalent here in Louisville, where a storm took down trees, blocked roads and power was out for many people over five days.  Moreover, numerous teens who have gone out of their way to hold a door open, and simply wish others a good day has amazed me.  Indeed, I’ve witnessed some truly good people expressing their goodness.  The flip side is certainly true as well.  I’ve seen people in need and I have watched others responding to these needs in selfish and cruel ways.  Both of these dynamics are active in the gospel today.  Again, Jesus asks, "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?"

Of course, Luke also tells us who Jesus is talking to.  He is talking to scribes and Pharisees who were watching him closely.  Their agenda was clear.  They were looking for a reason to accuse him.  I suspect we run into conflicting motivations and people with different agendas every day.  And these different motivations frequently lead to conflicting behaviors and differences of opinions.

For the scribes and Pharisees, if Jesus really is the messiah, then he must follow the prescribed Jewish law.  Yet Jesus implies how ignoring someone in need, or not making something right is an evil unto itself.  This is a very difficult teaching. Most of the time it is so much easier not to get involved, or even to choose ignorance.  Frequently we may find ourselves using phrases such as, "I don’t have time, it’s not in my job description, or I don’t know how", thereby justifying our own agendas.  

I suspect the first step here to get us beyond our personal excuses is to begin trying to accurately listen to the needs of others.  If we are capable of doing this then perhaps we are capable of stretching our understanding of the sacred.  When the Pharisees limited their ability to do work because it was the Sabbath, perhaps we could stretch our ability because it is what is sacred.  It is the right thing to do, just as Jesus realized when he saw this man’s hand.  The Sabbath expands from being a day of the week to being a realization of the sacred in our midst.

I’m left wondering today what would happen if Jesus wrote a specific job description for each of us.  It certainly would force us to modify our daily agendas.  And it may even change our perceptions of what is right and what is sacred.

 

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the pastor of St. Agnes Passionist parish in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 5:33-39

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel reading brings Luke’s 5^th chapter to a close. It is a passage with some perplexing parables, but can be better understood if we remember that Chapter 5 begins with the call of the first disciples (1-11). The call of Simon Peter, and of Zebedee’s sons, James and John, is achieved through the convincing great catch of fish, in spite of the fact that these professional fishermen had already called their efforts a failure.

As we worked our way through Chapter 5, we saw more signs of Jesus’ divine influence manifested in favor of a "leper" whose cure required an official confirmation (12-16); in favor of a paralyzed man who is first forgiven his sins, and then cured of his paralysis (17-26); and, finally, in the conversion of Levi, from Publican/Tax Collector, to disciple.

In each of these episodes, Jesus is the initiator, the one who takes hold of a situation in order to affirm some of the essential qualities of his mission.

Having invited Simon Peter to lend him his boat for his teaching the crowds, he moves on to the convincing catch of fish, and then to the solemn declaration, "I will make you fishers of people." Jesus commissioned his disciples for leadership.

The man with leprosy approaches Jesus with the conditional statement, "If you are willing you can make me clean."  The reply of Jesus is a simple affirmation of his purpose and mission, "I am willing." The healing of the leper required that he seek the certification of his healing by the priests, and a thanksgiving offering to be made. Jesus did not dispense the man from the requirement of the law, rather, Jesus told him not to publicize the healing, but to perform the requirement of the law.

Jesus uses the episode of the paralyzed man who is lowered through the roof to be placed at his feet as another affirmation of his mission; he offers the man forgiveness of sin.  It is only in response to the criticism he feels from the Pharisees and teachers of the law that he then removes the man’s paralysis in order to prove his ability to forgive sin.

When Jesus calls Levi to follow him, Levi responds immediately, and then has a supper party for Jesus to which he invites his Publican associates.  Once again, the Pharisees and teachers of the law criticize Jesus.  His response is a foundational statement for the Church, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

What has emerged from our reading of Luke’s Chapter 5?  We see that the underpinnings of the Church, its foundational tenets are being revealed by Jesus.  His leadership will be shared with a group of his disciples; the "will" of Jesus is that we be freed of the social discrimination exemplified by the way that leprosy isolated individuals; Jesus has come for the forgiveness of our sins and to restore our personal autonomy and responsibility; his followers will mesh and interact with the persons whom society denigrates.

In summarizing these events, Luke focuses on the question that has been dogging the Pharisees and the teachers of the law: why do your disciples engage in partying ("eating and drinking"), while our disciples and the disciples of John practice prayer and fasting?  Luke answers the question with his first cited "parables": The old and the new cloth; the old and the new wineskins; the old and the new wine.

We are used to thinking of parables as narrative "stories," used to teach by examples.  In later development they are.  When we find these first parables of Luke’s gospel, we are seeing the root expression of a parable, a "comparison" that teaches.  But these three parables are rather "un-instructive" if we don’t see them in connection with their context.

"No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one. Otherwise, he will tear the new and the piece from it will not match the old cloak."  The followers of Jesus will be experiencing something entirely new under the power of God’s Holy Spirit.  They must respect the integrity of their new life in Christ and his Church.

"Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins."  The religious traditions and priorities of the former "wineskins" are unable to serve the demands of a new fermentation which is to produce a new wine.  The mission of Jesus will bring new forms of leadership, and new standards of inclusive membership, both of which will shape the body of believers into the new Body of Christ.

"And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’"  The old wine has aged in its old wineskins, and those who have grown accustomed to its age and flavor will find the new wine overwhelmingly new.  But the old wine will be consumed and an empty wineskin be left behind.  The Church of Jesus Christ is always being renewed by the Sacramental vitality given it by the Holy Spirit; we need to entrust our newer generations with plenty of new wineskins into which they may pour their new wine.

 

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

 

 

 

Scripture:

Colossians 1:9-14
Luke 5:1-11

Reflection:

Today’s gospel presents us with Luke’s tale of the miraculous draught of fishes.  Luke takes material from Mark and John and redacts it to give us a lively, human scene.  He opens with the crowd at the lakeside enrapt in Jesus’s talk: Jesus is speaking to them "the word of God."  Feeling the people pressing upon him at the water’s edge, Jesus looks around and sees two empty fishing boats, one of them Simon’s.  He asks Simon to take him out a short distance from the shore.  From the boat he continues to speak to the crowd – and clearly over the water they hear his voice.  Jesus lures them with the word of God. 

Finished speaking, Jesus then tells Simon to put out into the deep and lower the nets for a catch.  Simon, weary and feeling perhaps a frustrated failure, honestly tells Jesus that they have worked hard all night and caught nothing, "but at your command I will lower the nets."  Then the hustle begins – the rush of straining and pulling, of calling to the second boat for help, of emptying the nets into both boats, of bailing and balancing to keep the boats from sinking with so much fish.  In all humility, wonder, and awe, Peter falls to his knees, saying, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

Luke is doing a number of things for us here – one of them is setting Peter up as the leader whom Jesus will choose for his intimate group.  Then, after a night of catching nothing without Jesus, Simon(Peter) and the group experience the immediate and overwhelming catch of fish.   Luke thereby enables Jesus to establish his credentials for what he is about to ask of them.  Astounded at the miracle, Peter responds with deep and humble faith in his Lord.  Jesus in turn then tells them all – "from now on (an expression always indicating a life’s turning point in Luke) you will be catching men."  And at that they leave everything and follow him.

Two days ago was the feast day of St. Jeanne Jugan, the Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor.  In reading about her, I was taken by her advice on what to do when, metaphorically, the fishing seems hopeless and the nets are frustratingly empty, when we seem to be unable to lure anyone with the word of God:  "When your patience and strength give out and you feel alone and helpless, go and find Jesus.  He is waiting for you in the chapel.  Say to him, ‘Jesus, you know exactly what is going on.  You are all I have, and you know all.  Come to my help.’  Then go and don’t worry about how you are going to manage.  That you have told God about it is enough.  He has a good memory."

 

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:

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11
Luke 4:31-37

 

 

 

Reflection:

A mother brings her young adult son to a Psychiatrist.  "Please help my son.  He thinks he is Julius Caesar."  So the doctor sees the young man for an hour session every week for a year.  Finally, the doctor says.  "Okay, young man, you are cured.  You don’t need to meet with me any more."

Two weeks later the mother brings her son back.  "Please help my son.  He is very depressed."  The psychiatrist looks at the young man and asks him, "Why are you depressed."  He answers, "Doctor, a year ago I was Julius Caesar.  Today, I’m nobody."

There is an inner need we all have to be "somebody," to feel important.  We want others to respect us and think well of us.  We want to feel that we are successful, valuable and worthwhile.  When we don’t possess a positive sell-image we get depressed. Depression holds us back from giving our best.  Not giving our best leads to failure.  And then we get more depressed.

Wisely St. Paul tells us today to "encourage one another and build up one another." He was always concerned about community.  He knew that negative criticism, complaining and fault-finding tear down.  Words of encouragement, praise and gratitude build up.

Using positive words is not just good manners or good psychology.  Positive words flow from being "children of the light."  With the light of faith we see the inner beauty of every person we meet.  With the light of hope we see the possibilities in every person we meet.  And with the light of love, we see what God’s sees, the inner goodness of every person we meet.  "God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good."(Genesis 1:31)

"Keep trying."  "You can do it."  "You’ve got what it takes."  "I believe in you."  "Nice going."   You’re so talented." "You’re wonderful."  "It’s so nice to have you around."  Positive words like these that we say to one another are as important as the prayers we say for one another. As food and water give life to the body, the right words give life and energy to the human spirit. 

We have been blessed with a great talent, the gift of speech.  I think we could easily add a line to the Lord’s parable of the talents in Matthew 25:21: "Well said, good and faithful servant."  And in Matthew 25:40: "As long as you said it to one of the least of my people, you said it to me."  When we hear those encouraging words addressed to us, then we know that we are truly "somebody" in the eyes of the only one who matters.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Jeremiah 20:7-9
Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 16:21-27

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel, once again Peter’s not "getting it."  And this time, it’s hard to blame him.  Here is his leader, his hero, the Messiah – the one he has followed all this time telling them that okay sure we’ve done all these miracles, we’ve cured the sick, fed the hungry but now the path ahead is for Jesus to be captured, tortured and crucified.  Every human fiber of Peter’s being must have cried out in protest.  "Oh, no, Lord.  No such thing can happen to you!"  And then comes the rest of the bad news.    "Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself and take up his cross…"   No royal palaces, no being recognized as the liberators, no winning, no success in human terms – just self-denial and crosses.  Peter must have wondered, is this what I signed up for?

I think we all sometimes echo Peter’s sentiments-at least when the going gets tough.  It’s easy enough to be a follower of Jesus when things are going well.  We can be pretty good about keeping the commandments, caring for our brothers and sisters, giving to the poor and so forth.  But what happens when the going gets tough.  When illness, rejection, economic disaster or some other crisis enters our life, what happens to our belief then?  Isn’t our reaction "surely a loving God couldn’t mean for me to embrace this Cross?"  Our prayer often becomes "dear God, where are you?  Why don’t you make this go away?" 

Jesus understands our reaction. That’s why he says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan…you are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."  And when on the Cross, Jesus, fully embracing his humanity, cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 

Jesus never promised us that he’d take away our crosses.  In fact, he said we’d have to carry them.  But he did promise to be with us and to understand our suffering..  When my husband died after a battle with lung cancer, a friend gave me a small holy card which really helped me through my grieving.   It was a picture of the Crucifixion and under it was written the simple words, "I am with you."

May you always know even in the hardest of life’s battles, Jesus is with you! 

 

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