Daily Scripture

The Exultation of the Holy Cross

Scripture:
Numbers 21:4b-9
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17

Reflection:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, a feast important to the universal Church and one which is very special to all Passionists and especially those of us who are privileged to be members of Holy Cross Province. In John’s Gospel we find an extraordinary verse that is often flashed on handheld placards at various sporting events as "Jn 3:16".  In this single verse we discover the very heart and summary of the proclamation of our salvation.  We are loved by God and we are saved by God’s beloved Son so that we might not die but live forever.

It doesn’t get any better than that when we speak of the Gospel as being the Good News of Jesus Christ, does it?  Yet, dear friends, in our readings for this wonderful feast, there is another message that we would do well to ponder.  In the Book of Numbers we see how the seraph mounted on a pole is transformed from a symbol of death and misery into a sign of healing and deliverance.  In a similar fashion the Cross itself, that very instrument by which the Savior is to be lifted up, becomes transformed from something that wields death to something new and wonderful, a source of salvation and eternal life.

But one of the things that I always find fascinating on this special feast is the message in the reading from Philippians that we find neatly placed in between the exceptionally graphic events in the Book of Numbers and John’s Gospel.  In this reading we are given a remarkable glimpse of how it is that the suffering and death of Jesus our savior actually brings about healing and salvation.  Paul, who is imprisoned, writes his inspiring letter to the Philippians encouraging them to love more deeply as Christ does.  The heart of Paul’s message is that in order to make love victorious we must empty ourselves of ourselves – just as Jesus the Christ did in his embrace of the Cross and in his obedience to the will of the Father.  Suffering and death is transformed; the Cross is no longer a symbol of death but signifies, instead, a victory over death.  Yet, all of this is accomplished by means of an emptying instead of a grasping; the greatest feat in human history is accomplished by the Lord who does all and accomplishes all in the name of Love and in the name of the God who has so loved each and every one of us. 

 

Fr. Pat Brennan, C.P. is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

Scripture:

Sirach 27:30-28:9
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

Reflection:

"How often must I forgive?"

Today we are painfully reminded it has been ten years since that terrible day when passenger jets, hijacked by radical terrorists crashed into New York’s Twin Towers, causing them to collapse, another crashed in a field in western Pennsylvania, and yet another jet breached the walls of the Pentagon in Washington.

Recalling the attack, the devastation, and the tragic loss of life, today’s gospel proclaims what we need to hear.  It is a message of forgiveness.

Peter asks Jesus: "How often must I forgive?  Seven times?"  Back then, the rabbinical standard of forgiveness was three times.  Seven being the sacred and complete number, perhaps Peter was asking whether there is to be some reasonable limit at which the need to forgive has been finally fulfilled and perfectly completed.

We cry out with the same question today.  How often must we forgive?  Is there not some reasonable limit to forgiveness?  At what point may we finally say "enough; no more forgiveness"?

Jesus’ reply to Peter echoes across the ages.  He speaks to us today.  Not seven times; but 70 times.  As long as it needs to be; there is no end point to forgiveness.

Does this sound radical, maybe even sacrificial?  No doubt.  Yet, that is the only way to breach the walls of anger and hatred.

 

Deacon Manuel Valencia is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

Scripture:

Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 6:20-26

Reflection:

There has been a tendency throughout human history, ancient as well as more recent, for groups to look at their society and culture and decide that it is irredeemably corrupt, evil and sinful.  They then conclude that to remain pure and undefiled themselves, they must break away and leave and form their own "perfect society" based on the values of the group.  The Essenes in biblical times fled to the desert to live a pure form of Judaism and more recently we can remember Jim Jones and his commune in South America, the compound in Waco, Texas, and even the current construction of a city in Florida which will be governed by "true" Roman Catholic values and teachings.  With few exceptions, history has shown that these attempts at escapism from the world are not successful and don’t work.

Is it strange that Jesus never asked or expected his followers to leave or escape from their culture or society?  He rather imagined the men and women whose lives he touched to become leaven or seeds in their world to transform the culture from within.  But Jesus did tell the people who listened to him, as the crowd in today’s gospel, not to believe or buy into how society defined them.  God valued them differently than the culture in which they lived. What their society held up for esteem and admiration is not what God values.  Luke’s version of the Beatitudes is a perfect example of Jesus encouraging people to live within, but not be of, their world.  It is certainly counterintuitive to think that the rich are not blest and the poor cursed; that the satisfied and full are not favored by God and the hungry and ostracized are not forgotten and cast aside by the Father.  But those are the standards of the world and are not the values of God.  Jesus did not let others define him, not even the religious authorities.  He did not buy into the values of his society or religion when he knew they went counter to the vision of his Father.  And Jesus did not take his disciples out into the wilderness to create the "perfect" society and religious culture.  Jesus stayed where he was to the end and did not try to escape even the cross.  He remained authentically the person he believed his Father knew him to be.

That is our challenge also.  To live life where we are, under the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but not to let others define us, whether culture, society or even the church.  We are called not to escape but to remain true to the person God sees us as being.

 

Cathy Anthony is on the staff of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan. 

 

Memorial of St. Peter Claver

Scripture:

1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14
Luke 6:39-42

 

 

Reflection:

Peter Claver, SJ –   Man of Vision

Luke’s vision in the Beatitudes shows God responding to us according to the way we treat others. "Forgive and you will be forgiven; do not judge and you will not be judged" (6:37). He continues to talk about vision, a blind person cannot be a guide; before removing a splinter in someone’s eye, tend to the log in yours!

Blindness, things in the eye, a vision of God seen through the lens of our way of loving – far from the revival of 3D or the breath taking pictures of swirling nebula and giant galaxies from outer space, Luke is dealing with the black and white, shadow and brightness.

I toured Cape Coast Castle in Ghana this summer. It is one of several trading posts along the Atlantic built in the 17^th century by the world powers of that age. A ramp exits the castle at water level where small boats would serve as ferries to the larger, ocean going vessels anchored off shore. The castle served as a holding place for those who would arrive at foreign destinations as slaves. The lower area of the castle was a maze of damp, crude, cave like chambers that would have been packed with people. Those who resisted were locked in another chamber, opened only when everyone in it had died. There were no windows, only vents that let in a little air along with some light. What a horrible experience in and of darkness.

At the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC there is a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Africa. On entering you step over the well-known diagram of a slave ship that shows where the ‘cargo’ was positioned to assure there would be no wasted space. It is black against the white stone of the floor.

In this world of black and white, extreme physical cruelty and no mercy, a Jesuit brother, Peter Claver, waited at the docks in Cartagena for the arrival of the slave ships. When his work was interrupted by illness in 1654 he had been doing it for 44 years! The prayer he taught the slaves was this, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, you will be my father and my mother and all my good. I love you much. I am sorry for having sinned against you. Lord, I love you much, much, much".

What would have been the very simple catechesis given to these sick, disoriented people sold into slavery? You have security in the love of a personal God. The story of Jesus suffering, with which they must have been able to identify. They were called to love, ‘much, much, much’, and be sorry the failures of love.

Peter Claver was for people in darkness and a world of shadows what Paul in his letter to the Romans calls, ‘a guide to the blind and a light in darkness’ (2:19). Enlightened as we are at Baptism, and fellow followers of the Risen One, symbolized in our procession behind the lit Paschal Candle at Easter, may we see with the vision of Luke, and be a bright light to help those dragged down into the shadow and darkness when that vision is lost, as was Peter Claver.

 

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

 

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.