Daily Scripture

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10
Matthew 23:13-22

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the Queenship of Our Blessed Mother. As I write this reflection, some of the pilgrims at World Youth Day (about 10,000 of them) are participating in a Marianfest at the Love and Life Center in Madrid. I pray that these young people will experience Mary’s love for them and develop a devotion to her. There is so much we can learn from the Mother of God.

Mary was very young when the angel came to her with the Lord’s invitation to bring Jesus into the world. At World Youth Day, many of the pilgrims are also young and it’s so exciting to know that they are also being commissioned to bring Jesus to the world, each back to his or her own country, city or town, neighborhood, school and family.

I bet Mary is smiling in heaven right now as she sees 400,000+ of her children coming together to worship her Son; excited to meet their brothers and sisters from around the world (some reports say 1.5 million!). What an amazing experience for these young people. Surely this must be a foretaste of heaven! And what an awesome testament this could be to the whole world!!!

I say "could be" because sadly, today’s media doesn’t think that 1.5 million people gathering joyfully and peacefully is something to cover. Rather, they write about the 5,000 who gathered to protest the Pope’s visit to Madrid. Still, a significant event is happening, and our young people are being strengthened with the truth and empowered to make a difference in our world in the future.

Our daughter Julie, Sr. Cecilia Rose, is helping at the Love and Life Center along with 47  other Sisters of Life, the Knights of Columbus, and many, many volunteers. We pray for all involved in World Youth Day and praise God for Mary who showed us by her life the power of giving God our total "yes".

 

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 4. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.jcarleton.com/ or email her at janice@frcedric/org

 

Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church

Scripture:
Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17
Matthew 23:1-12

Reflection:
Many of us can talk the talk, but how many of us actually walk the walk?  That’s the question that emerges for me from today’s Gospel reading. 

Jesus points out that the "scribes and the Pharisees" are very good at talking about the law, telling others what they should believe and how they should behave.  In doing this they lay heavy burdens on others and expect to be honored and given public marks of respect by everyone.  On those occasions when they do good works, they make sure everyone notices and gives them credit.

Clearly, Jesus doesn’t want us to behave in these ways.  He wants us to lift burdens from the people in our lives and do good works whether anyone notices or not.  He tells us that it is in serving others that we faithfully follow him. 

It sounds good and Jesus is really clear.  But, how do I follow these instructions of Jesus when I’m a parent and need to guide my children?  Or, a spouse and am in an argument with my mate?  Or, a supervisor at work who needs to make sure the job gets done?  Or, a priest who needs to teach the truths of the faith?

In every case it’s a lot easier to give instructions (talk the talk) than it is to treat those around us like Christ would (walk the walk).  Perhaps our prayer today is that God will help us to talk less and walk in Christ’s footsteps more!

 

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director the Development Office for Holy Cross Province  and is stationed at Immaculate Conception Community  in Chicago.

Scripture:

Isaiah 22:19-23
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

Reflection:

During this post-councilor period, some deconstructing has been taking place in the authority arrangements within the church.  Known over the centuries as an authoritarian institution, with authority vested in popes and bishops, the church has been evolving along more egalitarian lines.  This may be a harbinger of closer bonding with the Orthodox churches

This is apparent in today’s gospel reading, often interpreted as the origins of the Petrine principle in the church, as Peter received from Jesus the "power of the keys to the kingdom of heaven" so that what Peter decides within the church is echoed within the kingdom of heaven.

But there’s a more egalitarian element in today’s account than usually meets the eye.  In noting Jesus’ words: "…you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…" we should do so while also acknowledging that just prior to this, Peter had said to Jesus: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".  There is a kind of quid pro quo here, each bestowing on the other a significant title: a mutuality is at work here.

In addition, we hear Jesus proceeding to say:"…and upon this rock I will build my church…."  We frequently interpret this in strength terms against which nothing can prevail, and yet further reflection hints at the interlocking arrangement prevailing in a structure resting upon a foundational stone.  While the building will sag without the cornerstone in place, the cornerstone will serve little purpose without the edifice rising above and upon it: another instance of mutuality in place here, in this instance between Peter and the church at large.

And finally, a bilateral relationship is apparent in the interaction between heaven and earth, as Jesus clearly states that what Peter does in the church here on earth (binding, loosing) will have its counterpart in the kingdom of heaven: an exchange process in evidence once more.

This evocative interchange between Jesus and Peter updates and "improves" the effort at restructuring the authority arrangement described by Isaiah in the removal of Shebna from his authoritarian position as master of the palace, and replacing him with Eliakim: a peremptory demotion-promotion intervention, softened somewhat by the admonition to Eliakim to be "…a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah."

Today we can trace the origins of subsidiarity currently present within the ranks of the church, as in the Synods of Bishops, and we recognize the entire People of God as the voice of the faithful whose reception of the teaching authority of the church is needed for its efficacy, and whose access to a series of rights and privileges is now recognized in Canon Law (nn. 212, 213, 224-231).

In probing today’s word of God, we can move past first impressions and appreciate a wealth of meaning that has evolved with the passage of time, corroborating Paul’s exclamation today: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!"

 

Fr. Sebastian MacDonald, C.P. is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. 

 

Scripture:

Judges 11:29-39a
Matthew 22:1-14

Reflection:

In the first reading from Judges we read about Jephthah who was willing to lead an army against his enemies, the Ammonites.  He asked  the Lord to help him to defeat them. Jephthah made a vow to offer as a sacrifice the first person whom he would meet coming out of his house when he returned.  With the Lord’s help he defeated the Ammonites, his enemy.  On his return home it is his daughter who first comes out of his house, playing tambourines and dancing.  Jephthah as you can imagine is overwhelmed.  When he saw her, he ripped his garments and said, "Oh, my, daughter, you have struck me down and brought calamity upon me.  For I have made a vow to the LORD and I cannot retract."  She replied, "Father, you have made a vow to the LORD.   Do with me as you have vowed, because the LORD has wrought vengeance for you on your enemies the Ammonites."  Then she said to her father, "Let me have this favor.   Spare me for two months, that I may go off down the mountains to mourn my virginity with my companions."   "Go," he replied, and sent her away for two months."   So she departed with her companions and mourned her virginity on the mountains.   At the end of the two months she returned to her father, who did to her as he had vowed."  She was sacrificed.

We have a serious, painful situation.  Jephthah, himself, didn’t want to be killed along with his men by the Ammonites.  He asked the Lord for help.  He anchored it in a vow.  The Lord heard his vow and  Jephthah returns the victorious leader.  He couldn’t be happier.  But then he sees his daughter coming out of his house.  She is to be the one sacrificed!  Unfortunately, he blames her!  Yet he is the one who made the vow.  On the other hand, his daughter amazes me with her wisdom.0..that precious gift that helps us to see the whole picture.  "You made a vow.  You must keep it.  The Lord accepted your promise."  She has not lost her respect for her Lord.  She does not curse Him. She sees the truth that life here on earth is a gift that will continue to unfold in the afterlife.  She has she not lost her respect for her father.  She does not curse him.  But she does realize that her life is coming to an end.   She is a woman who is a virgin.  She is sad.  She asks for time to be with her friends, to mourn her loss of marriage and motherhood.

This all brings me to moment of truth.  There are many people like Jephthah’s daughter whose lives have been affected by the decisions of others.  We have feelings, we have dreams, hopes, plans for the future.  But death may come in unexpected ways: abuse, accidents, war, persecution, racial and  religious prejudice and violence, and many other ways.  These are not our choices.  Others have inflicted these on us.  And so, death deprives us of the fullness of life.

Do you and I need to slip into the Garden of Gethsemane to kneel with Jesus?  Jesus was not abandoned even though Jesus was well aware of the prophesies that the Messiah would be asked to give his life for the ransom of his people.  The disciples found great difficulty in accepting that Jesus was to suffer and die.  They will walk with him on the glorious Palm Sunday.  But, not on Good Friday.  Only later would they understand His great love and willingness to undergo the passion and death on the cross.  Almost all of them died a martyr’s death.

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus would face the reality of his suffering and death which would cause him to sweat blood, and to ask his Heavenly Father, "If it be possible, let this cup of suffering pass away from me."  The reality of His passion and death are there.  And He adds, "Not my will, but yours be done." His love for His Father is firm.  "Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.  And what about you and me?

Fr. Peter Berendt, C.P. is on the staff of Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center, Houston, Texas.

Scripture:

Judges 9:6-15
Matthew 20:1-16

Reflection:

Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last. Matthew 20:16

This is a passage that we hear often in the Christian faith but not in our society. From the time we enter school we are taught to get ahead, and to compete with one another. Being the first is best. Why would we want to be at the back of the line? Being in last place is disheartening. You do not become successful or popular if you put yourself last. And yet this is something that as part of our faith we are called to do. Lift others up so that they might succeed. Give what we have so that others might live. Being an active member of the body of Christ by placing ourselves behind others.

What are we doing to place ourselves last?

We may also feel disheartened when others are graced with something that we wanted or feel we worked harder for. We may feel cheated or abandoned like God has looked over us. Every time I feel this way, I look to what Jesus says to us in this passage:

"Are you jealous of my generosity?"Matthew 20:15

Even as Jesus points out this question it seems foolish that we would even think that. Why should we be jealous of someone’s good fortune? When one of us is lifted up, is not the whole Body of Christ lifted also? We should rejoice in others joys just as we rejoice in our own. God will give us what we need and are due.  He will give others the same. 

As Christians we are called to place ourselves in last place and to lift up our brothers and sisters who have fallen behind. We are to be servants of all. This mission cannot be carried out if we walk single file, not caring about the people behind. It can only be carried out if we walk beside each other, helping each other along the way. Part of putting ourselves last is asking God for help to truly open our eyes to those around us.

Open our eyes Lord. Help us to love, live and serve as you did.

 

Kim Garcia is on the staff of Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center, Houston, Texas.

 

Scripture:

Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17
Matthew 18:21-19:1

Reflection:

When I was stationed at our Christ the King Retreat in Citrus Heights, California, one friend, Mary, and I would sometimes visit her friend, Pat.  A very good person, and accomplished as a mother, quilt maker and baker, Pat could not tell any story without a lot of background information.  More than once, Mary would say to her: "Get to the point; you’re drowning us in minutiae!"  So, Pat would usually speed up her story and get to the point.  Yes, a wise person once said: "God is in the details." 

Today, we have a very detailed description of the continuing transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. God even says to him: "Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that I am with you, as I was with Moses."  Not only Joshua, but the whole people of Israel was in transition to the Promised Land, and God even dried out the riverbed of the Jordan to ease the people’s transition.  We are called to do the same for people in transition, especially the sick, those who have lost a loved one and those making significant changes in life, such as marriage vows or making vows in religious life. 

Peter, in our gospel today, seems very detailed when he asks Jesus: "Lord, if my brother (or sister) sins against me, how many times must I forgive him?  As many as seven times?"  Jesus then, in great descriptive detail, goes into the story of the wicked servant, who forgets his master’s loving forgiveness of his great debt and demands a fellow servant to pay a small debt. 

God is in the details…the details of family or community life, the details of how our country will deal with health care reform and so many other issues.  In all of these, Jesus reminds us of God’s hesed, God’s loving-kindness poured so deeply over all of us. 

May we follow the words of St. Paul, who wrote: "Owe no debt to anyone, except the bond of love."

 

Fr. Bob Bovenzi, C.P. is stationed in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Matthew 17:22-27

Reflection:

The O.P.s (Order of Preachers) and the C.P.s (Congregation of the Passion) sometimes get confused. Both are communities founded to preach. St. Dominic loved to proclaim the Gospel and founded a community that centers on preaching. His community’s motto is, "To praise, to bless, and to preach."

That is exactly what happened at the St. Ann Novena from July 16-26 at our basilica in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Every year the Eastern Province celebrates this novena that was attended by some 5,000 people daily. Passionist Bishop Neil Teidemann and I were invited to be the preachers this year. Each of us preached at five different services every other day. It was a workout to be sure.

First of all, we praised. There were at least six services and sometimes more each day. Some were Masses, one was a novena service only, but all of the services were geared toward prayer and the praise of God. The music was buoyant, and the singing was vibrant. Some services were outdoors and some in the basilica. The final Mass, presided over by Joseph Bambera the Bishop of Scranton, was replete with trumpets, incense, and a packed church. God was glorified in this triumphant liturgy.

Then, we blessed. The concluding part of every service was the blessing with the St. Ann relic. After our prayers and intercessions, ten of us, each with a relic, would fan out and bless some 1-200 people each. Words such as these were used: "Through the intercession of St. Ann, may God touch and bless you where you need it most." Many requested to have us touch their stomach, knee, eyes, or other hurting part of their body with the relic. I’ve never blessed so many people in my life — five services a day, times ten days!!

Lastly, we preached. This event was a preacher’s dream. I didn’t have to worry about attracting a crowd or keeping them there as at a parish mission. The Passionists are greatly loved and have a wonderful tradition at St. Ann’s. Individuals, families, and busloads from as far away as Pittsburgh came to take part in the novena. As I said, I preached at five services a day and six services on one day! (I preached at an Orthodox Mass as well.) Each day’s early service was recorded for TV and locally broadcast later. (These programs are also airing in NY.) The people gave us permission to preach and made us feel like royalty.

St. Dominic, like St. Paul of the Cross, wanted to proclaim the message of God’s love revealed in the Passion. He knew the hunger in peoples’ hearts. As disciples, we also are invited to praise, to bless and to preach! 

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 15 books and creator of the TV program Live with Passion! airing in many cities. You can learn more about his ministry at: http://www.frcedric.org/

Scripture:

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-33

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for Sunday (Matthew 14:22-33), we have the account of Jesus walking on the water. This feat of Jesus, and His exchange with Peter, have a lot to tell us about our relationship with God and what it means for our lives.

The first thing this account tells us is that God has the power. Jesus does have control over the elements. He is able to walk on the water! This is not to show us that God can do tricks for us. Jesus’ walking on the water reminds us that we can put our trust in what He can do.

The second thing is that we can have power in Him. After the disciples realize that it is Jesus, and not a ghost they are seeing, Peter says, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." And Jesus says, "Come." He doesn’t say, "That power is for me alone" (something we’re often tempted to say). He simply says, "Come." With Jesus we can do great things! Without Him, we can do nothing. The gift is there. We were given the Holy Spirit when we were baptized. The gift was confirmed at Confirmation. The miracles we are able to do may not be as awe-inspiring as walking on water, but they are remarkable nonetheless.

Another thing this account tells us is that difficulties do not magically disappear. When Peter does step out of the boat, and actually begins walking on the water, the winds have not subsided. At first, the winds do not deter Peter from walking, but then, when they continue, he begins to be afraid. Having a deep, personal relationship with God does not mean that He will wave some magic wand, and all our troubles will leave. It does not mean that we will have smooth sailing all the way. What it does mean is that the difficulties and crises we face do not need to deter us from answering God’s call and living good lives.

A fourth thing this account tells us is that Jesus is always with us. When Peter gets scared, he begins to sink in the water. He cries out, "Lord, save me!" Matthew tells us that "immediately" Jesus catches him and pulls him out of the water. At those times when we do get scared, or when we forget how much God loves us, or even when we are "walking on the water," Jesus is always there for us. Again, He may demonstrate His presence not in some spectacle, but in something like the "tiny whispering sound" that Elijah heard at the entrance to the cave on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11-13).

Our goal in life is not to do amazing tricks, or show how powerful we are. Instead, our goal is to believe and trust in God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, to let the Holy Spirit empower and guide us, even through the storms in our lives, and be faithful disciples. If we are willing to do that, we will hear Jesus say to us what he said to Peter on the water: "Come." "Come be with me forever."

 

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