Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Genesis 32:23-33
Matthew 9:32-38

Reflection:

The gospel today provides a tremendous snapshot of the mind and heart of Jesus.  First, it speaks of casting out a demon so that a man who was mute can now speak.  Secondly, we see Jesus’ itinerate and mobile desire.  He travels about teaching, and proclaiming the kingdom.  Additionally, he is healing people and curing diseases.  Ultimately, this is who Jesus is.  He is the one who takes that which is broken or not right and restores it.  He has the ability to make things right.  That is why he is the righteous one.  Not only is this what Jesus does, this is how Jesus sees himself and who Jesus is.  With this being Jesus’ mission in life, he is going to become quite popular.  After all, he is giving people free health care. Isn’t this quite attractive?

The powers to be begin reacting against him.  Jesus’ popularity is escalating.  They attempt to discredit him through something everyone is afraid of, the reality of evil.  This is an ingenious idea.  The religious leaders know that if they can simply spoil Jesus’ popularity, they can easily take power away from him.  They can not take away the power or authority that Jesus has received from his Father.  They can, however, discredit Jesus, diminishing the power and authority that the populace give him.  This old tactic is frequently used in contemporary politics.  In Mark’s gospel, Jesus will address this discrediting comment made to him.  However, here in Matthew’s gospel Jesus purely focuses on his mission and continues on.  Why? Matthew tells us why; because the harvest is abundant and the laborers are few.

Is this still true today?  Is the harvest still abundant? What is this harvest that Jesus is talking about?  Is it different today in the twenty-first century than it was in the first century?  How is it different or the same as the harvest in any other century in church history?  As the church continues to grow in it’s global awareness, is the harvest of the global church different from the harvest of your local parish?  Today, I would invite you to think about this concept of harvest. Keep in mind, Jesus’ mission is to restore that which is broken.  Secondly, Matthew says that Jesus sees people as, "troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd".  Jesus invites you into this mission today. What is your response?

 

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

Scripture:

Zechariah 9:9-10
Romans 8:9, 11-13
Matthew 11:25-30

Reflection:

In Sunday’s Gospel reading from Matthew (11:25-30), we hear these familiar words from Jesus: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Many of the Scripture commentaries I have read about these verses say that Jesus is comparing Himself with the Pharisees and scribes who put burdens on the people with regards to obeying the Law, without offering any compassion or help. Jesus is offering comfort and mercy and rest.

For many of us today, the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders of His time is not part of our experience. But we are invited by Jesus to come to Him, and I think it can be helpful to look at these verses more closely.

"all you who labor…" – As I was reflecting on these words, it came to me about how many ways we are often judged by the world, and what we do in response. Very often we find ourselves evaluating our own worth according to what other people think, or by what or how much we do, or by what we possess, or by whom we are with. And so we can spend a lot of our energy trying to make others (even God) like us, or trying to validate our worth. Sometimes we resort to putting others down in order to feel better about ourselves. Sometimes we work very hard trying to make money or have power, so we can feel we are "somebody." And sometimes we even disrespect ourselves in order to be "loved." But isn’t there more to life than that?

"and are burdened…" – Sometimes we carry heavy burdens. Some of us are in our addictions. Some of us are grieving. Others are burdened by unemployment. Others are not only caring for their children, but also their parents. Others have had to bring up their grandchildren. There are still others of us who are under a lot of stress, trying to juggle several things at once. And we can wonder if there might be any relief for us.

"Come to me…and I will give you rest." – For those who are trying so hard to validate their worth, come to Jesus, and know that your worth comes from the fact that God loves you very much. You need not be false to who you are and whose you are in order to be accepted by others. Those who are real friends will not require that of you, and it is God who has made the sacrifice for your salvation, not the world. Trust in the love of God for you.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves." – If we are willing to come to Jesus and know His love for us, we become willing to do as He did. We are willing to see with His eyes. For there are so many in our world who are also burdened. So many burdened by poverty and hunger and disease. There are so many deprived of necessities and basic human rights. So many burdened by war and conflict and violence and even attempts at genocide. So many being exploited and even sold into slavery. We need to learn from Jesus, who showed mercy and compassion, and loved His enemies, while at the same time proclaiming the need for justice. And as we follow Him in loving others, and working for peace, we will find "rest" for ourselves that the world cannot give.

Happy Fourth of July!

 

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

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Scripture: 

Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29
Luke 2:41-51

Reflection:

Sometimes the religious world reveals its all too human frailty. We know that even today, the world is split apart by religious differences both among and within religious families. The Islamic faith and the Christian faith challenge one another for each one’s desired religious liberty and liberty of religious expression. Among Christians in the United States of America, the protection of human life at all of its stages and the guarantees for life sought from the governments of state and nation divide churches, and ultimately, divide families.

In choosing the readings for today’s "feast"/Memorial, the Church seems to give echo to one of our decidedly human maxims: "There’s no love like a mother’s love." Rebekah, wife to Isaac and mother of Jacob and Essau, very humanly bonds with her younger twin son, Jacob, while Isaac favors Essau, the huntsman and herder. Still the divine plan for the generation of the Messiah is fulfilled through the craftily arranged impersonation of Essau by his brother, Jacob. Jacob receives his father’s blessing, which is to carry on the promise given to his father, Abraham. A mother’s love is a formidable strength.

The Gospel asks us to consider Mary, mother of a twelve year old Jesus, who gets separated from his family which is in Jerusalem for the annual feast of Passover. Her mother’s heart is wounded by his being lost. It is not the first time that she fears for the life of her son. Probably, on the way to Bethlehem in the last weeks of pregnancy, she feared the stress of the journey and its effect on her unborn child. Shortly after the departure of the Magi, she feared for her son’s life as the Holy Family fled to Egypt. Now, in Jerusalem, she and Joseph search for their son. Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety. Finding their son among the elders in the Temple, the fear for him does not subside as she recognizes that he is no longer a young boy to have at home, but at twelve years of age, he is taking his place in the public sphere overseen by the Temple. Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?

…and his mother kept all these things in her heart. Mary is constant in her concern for her son, and appears so throughout the Gospel narratives.

Today, we believe Jesus’ words from the Cross, "behold your mother," (John 19,27) spoken to John the Beloved Apostle, are words that unite us to Mary’s loving and compassionate heart. She is our mother, whose heart is full of concern for each of us, who are inextricably bound to her son, Jesus, by baptism.

The manifold apparitions of Mary over the course of centuries repeatedly reveal her mother’s heart toward her children. In her apparitions to St Juan Diego, in Mexico, in 1531, she says explicitly, Do not be afraid. Am I not with you, who am your mother?

There is no love like a mother’s love; Mary’s maternal love for her son is graciously and generously shared with each one of us. Thanks be to God!

 

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

Scripture:

Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a
Matthew 10:24-33

Reflection:

A Happy Ending Just Out of Reach

We conclude today our reading of the Book of Genesis. It’s ending is the ending of the story of Joseph, which we have read for four days; a profoundly meaningful and tender story, hard to read without a tear. Joseph himself cries each of the four days, as do his brothers with him today.

We may think of creation when we hear the Book of Genesis. We have wondrous beginnings indeed, but it lasts only two chapters! The other forty-eight chapters are taken up with a great mystery. How can creation not love the creator? How can it not love the rest of creation? Things get bad: Cain and Able, Sodom and Gomorrah, the flood and the Tower of Babel. Is there a way out?

The final fourteen chapters of Genesis are the story of Joseph. Sold as a slave by his brothers, he is presumed dead by his Father, Jacob. Joseph finds himself a powerful man in the land of Egypt. There is the refrain, "God meant it for the good, to achieve his present end, the survival of my people" (50:20). Our story on Wednesday began when Joseph’s brothers stand before him; he recognizes them, they do not recognize him, but see a severe man of authority. His tenderness is revealed when unable restrain himself he bursts out crying, "I am Joseph…Is my father in good health….I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into slavery…do not reproach yourselves…God sent me here ahead of you."

As Genesis ends it would appear that we have found the solution to all the bad we have heard in the Book of Genesis. Joseph is a man who can forgive those who have sinned against him. He is like God, "a God-fearing man"(42:18). Are our problems resolved. Have we come to a happy ending? Unfortunately, no, we have not.

Jacob dies. The brothers of Joseph are so afraid that they imagine Joseph has kept them alive so as not to upset their elderly, infirm father. They concoct a story saying that Jacob’s final request is a plea for mercy, a plea for their lives from Joseph. Joseph breaks into tears. The brothers throw themselves on the ground before Joseph begging that they become his slaves!

As we conclude our meditation on brokenness in God’s wonderful creation we find a man who forgives injustice and the wrongs against him. He may forgive better than anyone in the Scriptures? But it is not quite enough. His brothers cannot grasp his mercy and forgiveness. Truly this is something to cry about.

We leave Genesis now having seen God’s mercy, and the mercy of a God-like man, Joseph. We are invited to ponder how we the daughters and sons of Eve and Adam, will accept this mercy. It may not be easy? But in the beginning there is creation, there is mercy, and there is the need to embrace that forgiveness.

 

Fr. William Murphy, CP is pastor of St. Joseph’s Monastery parish in Baltimore, Maryland.    

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 7:6-11
1 John 4:7-16
Matthew 11:25-30

Reflection

The readings today are all about love: The Love that God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) has for us.  The love with which the Holy Spirit enables us to love one another.  The love we have for one another and give to each other.  Love is the theme – Divine love, for "God is Love."  Divine human love – God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another.  For it is God loving in us when we truly love others.   That is the theme of our readings today, the great mystery of God’s love.

Through Moses, the first reading points out that we are a people "sacred to the Lord, our God" – that "the Lord has set his heart on us."   To "set one’s heart on someone": to fall in love with someone and determine to love that person; to seek someone out in love and love him or her.  From the beginning God has actually set his heart on each of us.  It makes you wonder, or as the old spiritual sings, "causes me to tremble, tremble."

St. John in the second reading amplifies this theme to over-flowing.  In the ten verses of this passage the word love appears sixteen times.  Each of those ten verses is packed with the meaning and power of love.  "Let us love one another because love is of God."  "Everyone who loves is begotten of God."  "Everyone who loves knows God."  "For God is Love."  John emphasizes two truths of this great mystery; First, that God loves us, and loves us so much that He sends His Son to us and for us.  Second, that since God loves us, in turn then we must love one another.  We love God only by loving others.

The third reading is from the gospel of Matthew.  We come upon Jesus as he bursts into praise to his great and loving Father.  Then he turns to us with that truly wonderful invitation: "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened . . . .  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves."  How can I resist this invitation?  Jesus wants me to meet him, talk to him, share with him – heart to heart.  He wants me to join with him, yoke myself to him, heart with heart and heart to heart – and to love all others then with his own human heart -a human heart overflowing with divine love.

Today is the "Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus," celebrating Jesus and his human heart, the living symbol of God’s love.  May we find each other in the heart of Jesus, who "whilst on the tree," poured out blood and water for the whole world.

 

Peter Fitzpatrick, CFX, is a Xaverian Brother living at Ryken House, Louisville, across Bear Grass Creek from the Passionist Community Sacred Heart Monastery.

Scripture:
Genesis 22:1b-19
Matthew 9:1-8

Reflection:
Before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to Joseph and said, "You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 Right from the very beginning of his earthly life, Jesus’ identity was wrapped up in forgiveness.

Throughout his public ministry, Jesus taught forgiveness.  When Peter asked him how often he must forgive his brother or sister, Jesus answered, "not seven times but seventy-times seven" (Mathew 18:22).  In the Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s gospel, Jesus says, "Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).  With the parable of the prodigal son Jesus gave a profound teaching about forgiveness (cf. Luke 15:11-32).

Throughout his public ministry, Jesus showed forgiveness.  In today’s gospel he forgives the paralytic. "Courage child, your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:1-7).  When a sinful woman washed Jesus feet, a Pharisee was very upset.  Jesus responded, "Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love" (Luke 7:36 -50).  On the cross Jesus forgave those who were killing him.  "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Luke 23:24).

There was a convert on Calvary.  In Mark’s gospel we read that the centurion who stood guard over Jesus "on seeing the manner of his death, declared, ‘Clearly this man was the Son of God’" (Mark 15:39).  What did the centurion see?  He had seen many crucifixions.  That wouldn’t impress him. However, the centurion had never seen anyone hanging on a cross, in agonizing pain, cry out, "Forgive them!"  Seeing the gracious forgiveness in the heart of Jesus convinced the centurion that this was the Son of God.

There is much concern about the lack of faith in our modern world.  How are we to lead people to believe?  Yes, we can try to bring them to church. Yes, we can try to get them to read the bible.  But when non-believers see us, the followers of Jesus, forgive everyone, everything, totally, unconditionally, day after day, year after year, "seventy-times seven times," they will come to see with their own eyes what our God is like.  For the power to forgive like that can only come from on high.

Gandhi said, "The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."  And our God is the strongest of all.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Genesis 19:15-29
Matthew 8:23-27

Reflection:

In Chapter 8, Matthew recounts the stories of Jesus miracles.  We hear of the cleansing of the leper, how the centurion’s servant was cured, and that by just laying his hand on her forehead, Jesus cured the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law.  Jesus has performed many miracles.  The apostles saw all this and they witnessed Jesus driving out the demons.  They have seen his power and have acclaimed their belief in him. 

But in today’s reading, they themselves are now in imminent danger, the sudden storm is violent and unexpected, their boat is near capsizing.  They must have been terrorized; they must have been overcome with fear that they wouldn’t survive the night; that they would perish at sea.  With faith in Jesus’ power, they wake him and ask him to save them.  For they knew that Jesus could save them.  And while Jesus does save them and calms the seas, he also chastises them.   

Listen carefully to Jesus’ lesson in this gospel.    He isn’t saying, if you have faith, you’ll ask God for help.  Rather, he tells them that their very fear demonstrates that they have only a little faith. The picture painted offers us a stark contrast in ways of dealing with the storms of our lives.  We see the Apostles in turmoil – fear and terror literally paralyzing them.   Here they are fishermen, men of the sea, but they are so anxious that they don’t seem to know what to do.    And what is Jesus doing during this tremulous time?  With waves swamping the boat and the noises of the storm surrounding them, he is calmly sleeping. 

When we face storms in our lives, how do we react?  Are we paralyzed by fear, by worry and anxiety?  Or do we truly trust in God’s promise that we will not perish; and that God’s hand will be with us?

Let us pray for a deeper faith that we can stay calm through the storms of our lives.

 

Mary Lou Butler is a former staff member and a long-time partner of the Passionists at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Genesis 18:16-33
Matthew 8:18-22

Reflection:

Two years ago, I got a horrible phone call.  I’m sorry to say that many of you have gotten this same call.  Perhaps yours came on a warm, sunny day or in the middle of the night.  Mine came unexpectedly on an otherwise uneventful Saturday evening in February, when I was gathered with some friends.  It ended with me racing down the expressway to my father’s bedside.

He never did open his eyes or even squeeze my hand.  But I stayed close by.  As the doctors’ prognosis got more and more bleak, I kept almost constant vigil.  I slept on awful, creaky chairs and didn’t shower.  I’d worry even if I ran to the cafeteria.  I talked to him a lot.  I read to him.  I combed his hair.  I washed his face.  I answered a million of the same questions over and over again as the doctors streamed in and out.  I asked my own millions of questions to doctors and nurses and God.  I made phone calls furiously, as if this would somehow help.  I wept and prayed.  And in the week that followed, I buried my dad. 

What I was doing at the time felt like absolute necessity.  I don’t know that I thought about it in these terms, but I certainly felt like I was doing the right thing in forsaking other responsibilities for my dad.  And yet, we read in today’s gospel what might sound like an oddly callous response to one disciples request.

Two disciples are pledging themselves as devoted followers of Christ.  But one has some important tasks to first attend to:  "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."  Upon hearing this, Jesus answered, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead."  Are you thinking what I’m thinking?  Yikes!  Christ in all His love and compassion is telling this man to just leave his father?

I am far from a Theologian.  But, I certainly don’t think that Christ is somehow saying that tending to our parents-that caring for them especially in times of great need-is not a good and honorable undertaking.  But He is not one to mince words.  If there was an example that would get our attention, this is sure it. 

Following Christ is a real commitment, and one not to be taken lightly.  If there are other obligations you have that precede that commitment, then perhaps, what our Lord is saying,  maybe you need to realign your priorities.  I think the dilemma that Jesus poses here is-what will keep you from Christ?

As I sat with my father, I thought about all the things I didn’t get to say to him (and all the unkind things I did say to him in life).  I worried about how I would take care of my mom.  I thought about what our first Christmas would look like without him.  In other words, so much of my energy was spent on fear and anxiety about dad missing from the world and what it would mean for me.  And so, in some ways, this worldly task of "burying" my father did in fact keep me from Christ.

What I think we often forget is that following Christ isn’t another task in our daily life, it is life.

 

Marlo Serritella is on staff at the Holy Cross Province Development Office in Chicago, Illinois.