Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24
Mark 6:7-13

Reflection:

Today the Gospel of Mark reveals the early invitation to evangelization, as Jesus sends out his Twelve.

I’m always a little amazed at how quickly Jesus has people began doing his work.  As a task oriented culture many of us would ask, "How, Lord, do you expect us to expel demons, or work these many cures?"  Jesus does not seem to be concerned with "how" this is done as much as the "whats" that are involved. " What you are to take with you; what you are to leave behind; what to do if you are not received.   The how questions are all resolved because he has given the Twelve authority (over the unclean spirits).

I just returned from a retreat for high school seniors.  I have never experienced reconciliation and healing to the degree I saw this week.  I was astonished at the number of people who had grudges against others, or who had judged others and would go up to the person who they had the grudge or the judgment against, confess their grudge or judgment, acknowledged a wedge had pushed them apart and a wall had separated them.  Instantly, walls turned into hugs and tears flowed—rivers of healing water. This behavior was manifested in individual one-on-one sessions, small group sessions, and large group sessions as well.  No one asked them to do this, nor did they ask "How should I do this?" They claimed the authority and took the initiative.  The "hows" were never a question because the "whats" were first dealt with.  And the rules around "what" included leaving behind the ipods, and the masks so frequently hidden behind.

In doing so they had a real encounter with Christ.  It was not, as the letter to the Hebrews would say, on an untouchable mountain, a blazing fire, or gloomy darkness.  Rather, it was to Jesus, mediator of a new covenant, whose blood speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

 

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is on the staff at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.

Scripture

Hebrews 12:1-4
Mark 5:21-43

Reflection

In our gospel today Mark shows us Jesus with a large crowd gathered around him, setting out to heal the daughter of Jairus but interrupted on his journey by a strange incident.  Thus we get two miraculous healings to consider, the first one occurring at this odd interruption.  Mark’s little sympathetic details give a clear picture: "She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors . . . ."   She touches Jesus’ cloak; he stops, turns, and asks who has touched his clothes.  You can see the disciples throwing up their hands in despair and saying, "Practically everyone is jostling you, and you ask, ‘Who touched my clothes?’  Oy veh!"  But Jesus had known at once that power had gone out from him.  He just didn’t know who had received it.  However, the woman knew, and she came forward to fall at his feet and tell everything.

"Power had gone out from him" – not felt by everyone around him, but only by this woman, so very much in need of it and who had sought it so ardently: "If I but touch his clothes, . . ."   What is this mysterious power that this very human Jesus exudes even through his clothes?  "Power had gone out from him."

Remember that in the readings five days ago Mark had described how Jesus taught his disciples by parables. Jesus told the parable of the lamp, not placed under a bushel or under a bed, but upon the lamp stand to send forth its light through the whole room. 

Today Mark shows us Jesus teaching not by words, but by action; not by parables but by the actions indicated in the parable.  He is the parable.  What is this mysterious power that goes out from Jesus?  It is light, it is compassion, it is healing: it is the love of God for us, dwelling in Jesus, made manifest by him – the great compassionate personal love that God has for this woman and pours forth upon her through Jesus.  Power went out from him, the Power of divine love.

An incident from over sixty years ago comes to my mind.  In my senior year after school I worked in a dry cleaning store.  During that year I got quite friendly with the Jewish druggist next door, where I would go for a break (every drug store in Brooklyn had a soda fountain-lunch counter in those days).  One day the druggist, Mr. Sands, talked to me a bit about his wife.  "When I am upstairs taking a nap and hear Mrs. Sands come in and start to move about, I feel a great peace come over me.  Everything calms down and I lie there perfectly content – just knowing she is there."  I thought it was marvelous – just her presence brought him perfect peace.   Power went out from her. 

Haven’t we often experienced something similar?  A smiling face, a smiling presence brightening our day, lifting up our spirits – making us feel it is good to be alive, good to be around that person, good to have that person around.  I am convinced that Jesus moved in Mrs. Sands and moves in us, pouring God’s love from one to the other.  Where do we get such power?  Like the woman who suffered from hemorrhages, we get it from Jesus.  We go to him, we contact him, we touch him, we sit in his presence – and his power goes out from him to us, enabling us, even when we are not aware, to bring his power to others.

 

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

Scripture:

Hebrews 11:32-40
Mark 5:1-20

Reflection:

Do you ever feel driven by forces that seemed beyond your control?  In today’s gospel, a man driven mad by the evil force of a legion found hope and help in the one person who could set him free.

 A legion is no small force–it is an army of 6000 strong!  The devils inside this man from Gerasene had taken control of his life from him.  Like a person struggling in quicksand, this man had fallen deeper and deeper into his pit of isolation, violence, anger, and hopelessness.  It is bad enough in life to be driven by one demon, but this poor man was possessed by so many that when Jesus asked their name, the terrible answer came back, "Legion is my name.  There are many of us."

As Jesus passed by, the Gerasene prostrated himself and asked for help.  Jesus always hears the cry of the poor and He responds immediately.  Jesus cast out the man’s demons and left him in control for the first time in a very long time. 

While this story is about the Gerasene demoniac, it is also our story.  The demons that besiege us–whether they be an addiction, or greed, or lust, or any other evil force–they are powers that are often beyond our control.   Like the Gerasene, we too can be freed from these demons if we are willing to ask for help.

This is the kind of thing that happens when Jesus passes by!  Just ask:  the woman at the well, bartimaeus, the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, the leper, the blind man, saul of Tarsus, Aacchaeus, Lazarus-and me!  This is my story.  On December 5, 1982, my experience may not have been as dramatic a story as some of those mentioned above, but what a powerful difference Jesus made in my life when he passed by where I was on that day!

 

Deacon Brian Clements is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.  [email protected]

Scripture:

Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 5:1-12a

Reflection:

How many of you were born in a castle or a palace?   Hmmm…  I don’t see any hands.  How many of you were born into a wealthy family like the Rockefeller’s, the Kennedy’s, or the Walton’s?  Are there any mayors, governors or presidents in your family?  Are you a millionaire, a famous movie star, or a super-bowl hero?

I don’t qualify, either.  Well, chances are, without much money, power or fame, you and I are not going to make much of an impact on life here on earth, right?

Wrong.  As a matter of fact, if we listen carefully to Paul’s letter to us today, we will see that you and I are very qualified to do great things.  Let me explain.

Where was Jesus born?  Not in a famous city.  In the little town of Bethlehem.  And not in a castle.  In a stable, of all places.  His mother and father were not famous.  Mary was an unknown maiden. Joseph was just a carpenter.  Both from the humble town of Nazareth.  The message it that God often chooses unlikely people from unlikely places to do his work.

Okay, maybe it’s a stretch to compare ourselves to Mary and Joseph.  So let’s look at the apostles.  Who were they?  Anybody outstanding?  A few were fishermen.  One was a tax collector.  The others were so unknown we don’t even know what they did.  These were the kind of people God choose then.  These are the kind of people God chooses now.

And why?  So that, as Paul tells us, humankind can do no boasting before the Lord.  "Let him who would boast, boast in the Lord."  That’s what Mary did.  She saw that God was doing great things through her.  So we have her beautiful hymn, the Magnificat, in which she proclaims, "God who is mighty has done great things to me.  Holy is God’s name."   Paul did a lot of boasting "in the Lord," wisely giving God all the credit for the success of his ministry.

The "poor in spirit" mentioned in our gospel today are those who are conscious of their total dependence upon God.  Consequently they are open to learn, to receive, to achieve, and then give thanks.  If we can bow low enough, hang on!  God will do great things through us.  Holy is God’s name.

 

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:

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Mark 4:35-41

Reflection:

What are you afraid of?

Scientists say that all animals, including human beings, are hardwired with a "fight or flight principle."

That is when we are confronted by some threatening entity, real or imagined, when we are afraid, our natural reaction is to flee or to fight. This "fight or flight principle", this gift of being afraid, is the principle that determines the survival of species as well as individuals!

Today’s Gospel finds Jesus and his disciples on a boat. A tremendous storm comes up and the boat is filling with water. The disciples are in a panic. They have lost control. Whatever they are trying to do to keep the boat afloat does not seem to be working. Faced with the threatening power of nature, all they can think about is how to flee from the situation. All the while, Jesus, their master, remains asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. They cry to Jesus. He wakes up. He says to the sea: "Quiet! Be still!"

The wind stops; the sea calms. And Jesus asks that pivotal question: "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

What are you afraid of?

While I agree with science that all human beings as members of the animal kingdom are endowed with a "flight or flight principle," I think we as disciples of Jesus must remember the old adage of "grace overcoming nature." "Flight or fight" are not the only two choices we as believers have. There is third choice and that choice is Trust. Scholars say that there are two lessons that Mark wants to teach in sharing this story about Jesus. One is to show that this Jesus was not just a magician who could entertain the crowds with amazing party tricks, but rather that this Jesus is truly Lord of All Creation and Master of Nature. He is truly the off-spring of the Creator God of the Book of Genesis. Secondly, he is the perfect faith-filled human being. He does rage against the storm he cannot control. He does not cowl in fear against the elements unleashed. Rather like a child in the arms of her mother, he trusts in his Father who has only the best in mind for him. He shows his disciples how to live by grace.

What are you afraid of?

Often times as people who have chosen to follow Jesus, we are faced with situations and events in our life in which our natural reaction is to run in fear or fight in fury. Perhaps today you find yourself in such a situation. If so, take a moment, take a deep breath, step back and listen to the words of our Lord to you: "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

What are you afraid of?  

Just trust.

 

Patrick Quinn ([email protected]) is the director of Planned Giving at the Passionist Development Office in Chicago.

 

Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas

 

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:32-39
Mark 4:26-34

 

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel includes one of the most well known of the parables-the parable of the mustard seed.  It is tempting to share thoughts on this beautiful parable.  But the last two lines of today’s Gospel are also worth contemplating. 

"With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private."

A parable is defined as the telling of a story to convey a message.  We often think of the parables as being only the Jesus’ parables of scripture, but I think we can find many great parables – or messages in everyday life.  I know a priest who takes great delight in going to movies.  And  in all the movies he sees, he looks for and almost always finds a moral – something he can use in a homily or in the counseling he does. 

Sometimes, when we are very quiet and listen, we can distinctly hear God’s message, God’s will for us.  At these times we are like the disciples, to whom Jesus explained things in private.  At other times, we need to search the world around us to find Jesus’ message.  Perhaps we walk down a tree lined street and see God’s care for all that grows and thus know that God loves us, or perhaps we see people involved in prison ministry and remember that all are called to practice justice and mercy.  Or perhaps we see a movie, read a book or even watch a TV show and find the kernel of morality there.  Maybe the reason Jesus uses parables, and the reason we should seek parables in our everyday life,  is partially because the time is taken to discern the message helps deepen and root the message in our hearts. 

Today is also the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, the great Doctor, philosopher and teacher of the Church.  Thomas changed our church with his profound writings and teachings.  I was recently reading of Thomas Aquinas’  love of poetry.  Since most poetry is a really a type of parable, perhaps we can assume that while God’s voice was undoubtedly heard distinctly by him, St. Thomas also listened  to and contemplated messages found in parables.

What parables do you find in your life?  And do you find time for quiet so that you can hear God’s voice?

 

Mary Lou Butler ([email protected])is the administrator of Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California. 

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:19-25
Mark 4:21-25

Reflection:

A U.S. Senator is reported to have asked Mother Teresa if she ever became discouraged when she sees the greatness of the world’s poverty and the little she and the Sisters are really able to do. Mother Teresa replied: "God does not call me to be successful. God calls me to be faithful." Faithfulness to God’s call was the measuring rod Mother Teresa wisely used when evaluating her and her Sisters’ effectiveness in the world – not numbers served or quotas met.

Faithfulness is not necessarily a virtue prized by our success, consumption driven society. From early on society’s message to us is to use our talents to advance ourselves: to achieve, to acquire, to amass, to possess…whether the goal is wealth, or success or fame or knowledge. Very rarely, if ever, are we told to use our talents to be faithful and committed to our life’s calling, whether that is being a good mom or dad, a holy priest or an honest politician, a compassionate boss or a diligent employee.

In today’s gospel Jesus calls all of us to use the talents God has given us in faithfulness to our life’s calling. We are told not to hide our lamp under a bushel basket or a lamp stand, but to let it shine for all to see. But here is the twist! We are not called to use our talents to advance ourselves, our needs, our wants, our desires. But rather we are called to use our talents in faithfulness to the values of the Kingdom proclaimed by the Christ.

For most of us that means putting aside our ego and its demands in order to demonstrate fidelity with regard to the day to day "little things" in life: the love we show to our husband or wife, to our parents or children.  The care we take in living out our vocations amidst the "daily grind." The respect we show each other as human persons valued by God. And the concern we demonstrate for those who live on the margins of society. That is the type of measure by which we will be measured; the message that anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.   

Let us pray that as we move throughout our day today we may truly enlighten the world with our talents, not advancing ourselves, but rather the Crucified One whom we so faithfully serve.

 

Patrick Quinn is the director of planned giving at the Passionist Development Office in Chicago. 

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:1-8 or
1 Timothy 1:1-5
Mark 3:22-30

Reflection:

On this day our Church invites us to remember St. Timothy and St. Titus, bishops of the early Church.  Yesterday, we celebrated St. Paul’s own conversion or call to faith in Jesus Christ.  Today, we see the fruits of St. Paul’s Apostolic mission-the encouragement of others to assume the pastoral leadership, thus supporting the faith on a local level. The Pastorals, as these letters are known, provide advise to local leaders-like Timothy and Titus.  Many biblical scholars believe that these letters were not written by St. Paul, but rather in Paul’s name by a disciple very close to Paul.  This does not diminish their impact as the author penned letters imbued with Pauline theology.  A wonderful line in our first reading reminds Timothy to "stir into flame" the gift of God that has been granted by "the imposition of my hands." 

How are your embers of faith?  Are they in need of a little stirring?   How do we do this stirring to ensure a bright and vital flame of faith in the Spirit?  A wonderful invitation for this new day-"stir into flame" our faith!

In addition, we are encouraged on this day to reflect on the role of a Bishop at the time of St. Paul, as well as the role of Bishops today.  We can see both parallels and new challenges and opportunities.  As our responsorial psalm extols, the faith has indeed been proclaimed "to all the nations."  To keep our community of faith supported and in communion throughout our worldwide Church (Paul’s dream!), our Bishops today are confronted with a very large and at times daunting job.  My own Regional Bishop, Gabino Zavala, has been named the new Chair of the Committee on Communications for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  As I pray for my bishop and his work, I cannot help but reflect on the changes in our Church since the time of St. Paul.  Today, we can read our Passionists faith reflections through web access on a Blackberry, listen to our local parish priest’s homily Podcast on our computer or iPod, surf the website of our parish or diocese/archdiocese for the latest news, listen to satellite broadcasts of daily or Sunday Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral on a Sirus-XM radio, attend a virtual audience with the Pope via internet (www.youtube.com/vatican) or watch Catholic programming through cable or satellite broadcasts on an HDTV.   What would Sts. Paul, Timothy or Titus think of all this?  I think they would be delighted.  Based on today’s first reading, I conjecture that St. Paul’s personal e-mail address might be: [email protected]. 

Together, let us pray for our Bishops as they engaged in their work for our local and global Church-in the name of Jesus Christ.   And, may we each support their efforts to promote the faith and keep the flame alive!

 

Angela Howell is a retreatant and volunteer at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.