Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Matthew 23:1-12

Reflection:

Well, it has been almost two weeks now since the first day of Lent, when most of us had our foreheads marked with a cross of ashes.  It’s a good time to ask ourselves how it’s going.

Today’s Gospel moves us deeper into the spirit of Lent and challenges us to carry the Cross of Jesus in our hearts rather than on our foreheads. 

Religion can sometimes be such a pretence–like the Pharisees in today’s Gospel who are mostly pretending to be righteous.  They paraded around in their religious "costumes" so that people could see how special they were.  It’s a comical image, as Jesus describes them, with their extra large phylacteries and streaming tassels. (Phylacteries are little boxes hung on the wrists and forehead and over the heart, usually containing Scriptural prayers like the Schema Israel: "Hear Israel, the Lord our god is Lord alone.  Therefore you shall love the Lord with all your heart, your mind and soul."  Religious people took literally the admonition to have the Law always at hand and before their eyes.  And tassels were attached to the four corners of their robes as a reminder that the Law extends in every direction.)

Jesus warns us today not to pretend to be something we are not.  When it comes to true religion, the simpler and more honest the better-because God knows everything and it doesn’t matter so much what everybody else thinks. 

There is a wonderful story that Viktor Frankl, the Jewish psychiatrist, tells in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, where he describes some of the horrors of the death camps in World War II.  When he was arrested he tried to hide in the lining of his coat his life’s work-a manuscript on psychiatry.  But they took everything from him, even his coat.  Eventually he was given the coat of another man who had been sent to the gas chamber. In the pocket, Frankl found a single page of Scripture-the Schema Israel.  It suddenly became clear to him that the real meaning of life was not in his great book, but in his simple relationship to God. 

So having begun our Lenten journey with an external mark on our foreheads, let us allow the grace of this season to transform our inner hearts.  In the words and after the example of St. Paul the Apostle, let us strive only to "put on Christ."

 

Fr. Jim Strommer, C.P. is on the Provincial Council and lives in Citrus Heights, CA.      

Scripture:

Daniel 9:4b-10
Luke 6:36-38

Reflection:

As the Japanese people continue their recovery efforts, following the devastations that overpowered parts of their nation, they are undoubtedly wondering how or whether they could have done anything differently, to either prevent it, or at least diminish its terrible effectiveness.  They are an intelligent, industrious and resilient people.  But we ask: are these endowments equal to the task of giving an affirmative answer to this question?  One thinks of the tsunami that struck Indonesia in 2004, recalling that the wildlife, the animals, knew ahead of time that the tsunami was moving their way, and they were already escaping to higher ground.  They were better equipped to deal with the imminent danger than human beings were.  Was that the case in Japan?

Heading to higher ground to avoid the threats of danger is an apt Lenten program.  Both Daniel and Luke help us in this trek.  Daniel exposes his awareness of a "higher power" at his beck and call: "Ah, Lord, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you….Justice, O Lord, is on your side….".  He also enjoys the kind of self-knowledge that makes him aware of a besetting problem: "We have sinned, been wicked and done evil…"  He knew where his weakness lay, in view of future onslaughts: "We are shamefaced…for having sinned against you."  With such attributes working for him, Daniel, rational animal that he was, was in position to compete with other animals of his environs to gain higher ground.

Luke recalls Jesus supporting this pursuit of self-preservation.  Jesus notes the waste of time and energy spent in judging others in a time of peril.  He urges His followers with vignettes that have proved helpful in gaining success: "Give and gifts will be given to you…poured into your lap.  For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."  Here Jesus provides the formula of success: giving more than getting.  This makes us masters of our own destiny.  For we know ahead of time exactly how we will manage in time of need, aware that the resources we have at hand are factored into our savings account by what we have given out to others.

Lent is the time before the storm, when we seek higher ground to escape the tsunami heading toward shore.  Veterans of past mistakes deterring us from the effort at climbing, we can now learn how to fashion our own future survival before the storms that lie ahead, by generously reaching out to help others in their upward climb.  If other animals have learned to move to higher ground, we can imitate them by mastering our own destinies through generously measuring out to others, what is ours.

 

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

 

Feast of Saint Joseph

Scripture:
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a

Reflection:
"When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home." (Matt. 1:24a)

I write this reflection in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG), just after attending one of the Sunday Masses at St. Joseph’s parish, a Passionist ministry here in PNG. It is about a two minute walk from our community residence, and I arrived as the previous Mass was ending, a Mass celebrated in Pidgin. The Church was full to overflowing and it holds a good 600 parishioners. I concelebrated the next Mass and even more people attended. Extra chairs were brought in.

The people of PNG have a special devotion to St. Joseph. It may be because they find it easy to identify with this humble man who is so central to our redemption. As I reread the Scripture reading for this Mass amidst the simple but highly complex life of PNG, I can begin to appreciate some of the reasons why the people here have fallen in love with St. Joseph. He represents a man who was obviously not highly educated but greatly skilled at listening to God and at understanding what God was asking of him. And Joseph was not afraid to act, to follow through on what God wanted from him.

Life in the United States can be quite complicated. Because so many of us are highly educated and at the same time, so many are school drop-outs but educated in the streets and/or by the media, we tend to believe that we have life figured out, how life should be lived, especially how others should live their lives, how others should behave, how others should organize their lives so that we don’t have to suffer personal discomforts and deprivations. The law is the law, and there are no exceptions, except when it comes to our own lives, of course. We can have friends of ours "fix" our speeding tickets, defraud our government by finding loop holes in the tax system and take advantage of gullible consumers by short-changing them in our business deals. But on the other hand, others have to abide by the letter of the law when it comes to our rights, our lives. Our self-centeredness can lead us to set up two sets of ethical and moral norms, one for ourselves and another for the rest of the world.

All of us face ethical and moral decisions during our life-times, and sometimes those decisions are very difficult ones to make indeed. St. Joseph faced an ethical and moral decision concerning his wife Mary, when he found out that she was with child, and the child was not his. By law, he needed to divorce her, either publically or privately, but divorce her nevertheless. But Joseph, a just man, a man of integrity, paid more attention to the voice of God than to the letter of the law. He did not arrive at this decision by just looking at his own self interest. His attitude was not, "how can I get out of this mess I’m in without getting hurt, while still looking good in the eyes of others?" Rather, his attitude was, "God seems to be asking me to do something that goes beyond the law, beyond the traditions. Should I do it?" Discernment, prayer, integrity, God-justice is what Joseph based his decision on to take Mary into his home.

One of the reasons why St. Joseph can be one of our best role models in life is because he was not a man who sat on his hands once he decided on a course of action. He took Mary into his home. He fled to Egypt when he had to. He came back to Nazareth when God said it was alright for him to do so. These were no small decisions. Yet, he carried them out. St. Joseph is a man of principle that we can all understand, no matter where we live, a Saint that we can admire, and most of all, a Saint we can pray to when we are having ethical and moral dilemmas. St. Joseph, pray for us!

 

Fr. Clemente Barron, C.P. is a member of the General Council of the Passionist Congregation and is stationed in Rome. 

 

Scripture:

Ezekiel 18:21-28
Matthew 5:20-26

 

 

 

Reflection:

"But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,
does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life;
since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,
he shall surely live, he shall not die."

I often wonder about the discouragement that hits a person who seems mired in sin.   It seems that try as hard as he/she does, nothing seems to work to get a person back on track.  An important question needs to be asked:  "Why am I doing what I do?"   To me this question is so important .   So often we get caught up in naming the sin or offense  along with the number of times it happened.   But lacking is the important question of "why do I continue to do this?". 

We would smile at someone who sat in a doctor’s office and complained that they "don’t feel too well.  I need some medicine."   The doctor would immediately ask, "Why are you saying this?   Where do you hurt?  How long have you felt this way?   I can’t prescribe a medicine or treatment to something.  Tell me what is causing it.  May we can figure out how to turn things around."  

So too in the matter of sin against God, neighbor or self.   There can be no "turning from sin" if we are not aware of why we are doing or avoiding what we need to do to correct our actions.   Take the matter of anger.   I often point out that I could stand in front of a group of ten men or women, asking them  "Do you ever get angry?"   As you might guess, I would receive some incredulous looks that shout, "Of course."   But in asking each one, "But why do you get angry?", I could get ten different answers.  One person may simply not tolerate mistakes.   They could live a very sheltered life, hiding the times they practice being perfect but not letting anyone see them in the process of making many mistakes to get there.    Another might find themselves angry at their College son or daughter who is partying 24/7!  "Whoopee…free at last from the domination of Mom and Dad…free at last!"  Yes, free to grow by learning to take responsibility for one’s actions.   A painful experience for trusting parents.   Another might hesitatingly admit being angry at God.   With trembling voice comes the angry question, "Why has my wife come down with cancer?  She has been a wonderful, loving wife and mother.   Why???"   Love knows both a tremendous joy when all is well and a tremendous sorrow when a loved one is hurting.   No one wants to give up the joys!   But sorrow is also a reality because death is inevitable.  Another might answer in a cold, angry voice, "34 years of loyal service to a company only to be let go because a younger worker won’t get the higher salary that I earned."   No salary can truthfully acknowledge the worth of a person.   We bring our worth to work.   True growth takes place when you and I deal with the truth.  It’s tough at times.   The scripture quote from Ezechiel points this out.  A simple "I won’t do that again" doesn’t quite work.   Knowing "why" I do what I do will lead us to seek the right help.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:10-11
Matthew 6:7-15

 

 

 

Reflection:

We often call the "Our Father" the Lord’s Prayer. But when I think about it isn’t a prayer that Jesus prayed for himself like his high priestly prayer at the Last Supper recounted by John or his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane reported by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This is a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

Obviously the disciples took it to heart. The Didache, the earliest account we have of the Eucharistic celebration in the Church, places the Our Father after the Canon of the Mass and just before Communion. Every catechumen was taught this prayer and recited it publicly for the first time at their baptism.

The question for ourselves who live 2000 years after Jesus taught this prayer is how it shapes our prayer life today. What attitudes and concerns do we bring to prayer?   

When we pray do we turn to the Father whose power is bringing his kingdom to fulfillment on earth? Our God is not remote, but present and active in our world. Do we thrill to the nearness and vitality of our God? Do we sense that we are cooperating with the Father’s grand plan of salvation?

Do we ask for nourishment of not only our body but our spirit? Do we yearn to be fed by the Lord?  What is the "bread" we seek? It is certainly mysterious bread because scholars today can only guess at the meaning of the adjective epiousion that modifies the bread we seek. The translation "daily" is a probable guess

When I come to prayer do I realize that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness? Am I even aware that my own willingness to forgive prepares me to receive

the Father’s forgiveness?  And finally am I ready to depend upon God in moments of temptation? Do I rightly fear the power of the evil one and look to God for deliverance?

Thank you Lord for teaching me HOW to pray.

 

Fr. Michael Hoolahan, C.P. is on the staff of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

First Sunday of Lent

 

Scripture:

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19
Matthew 4:1-11

 

Reflection:

Welcome to the first Sunday of Lent. While the church began lent four days ago on Ash Wednesday, the Lenten Sunday readings take us on a progressive spiritual journey which leads us to the heart of Triduum. 

It is kind of intriguing that the church starts this season of conversion and transformation with the gospel reading of Jesus in the desert being tempted. This alone shows the seriousness of this journey.  Temptations are interesting encounters. If we stand facing something that is good, right, beautiful,
even healthy, we can be fully attentive to that goodness. It has the ability to captivate us, inspiring us to rise to greater heights and gifting us with a sense of majestic awe.  It’s difficult to stay in this place, however. After all, we as human beings are people of distraction.  All of us are seduced by temptation on a daily basis.  It’s no different for us today than it was for the Israelites at Mt. Sinai, as they created their molten calf for worship. It’s a reality that we human beings have very short attention spans.  

If we are completely focused on something, after a while we have to blink or even take our eyes off of this profound goodness. Here’s where temptations  engage us. They can dance and perform as players in our opera of life. 

Frequently they even tap us on the shoulder distracting us to look away from that fundamental goodness, even over our shoulders. And now that we’ve been distracted we turn our gaze away from that which is ultimately good, right, and beautiful. Perhaps its curiosity or even intrigue, whatever we call it our energy shifts, our attention is redirected.  And when temptation dances its way out the door, sometimes we even follow turning our back on that which we have previously deemed to be right, good, and beautiful. We discover once again that we have fallen for temptation—hook, line, and sinker.  

This past Wednesday, when we received ashes on our foreheads, we were instructed to "turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel."  Temptations in a tricky little way entice us to turn away from that which is good and right.  This process happens to each of us hundreds of times each day. I don’t believe  our goal is to remove temptation.  We see in the gospel today that Jesus was tempted.  These temptations that Jesus faced were very strong and bold.  If Jesus was tempted, then who are we to expect that we would not be tempted? And if we look at those temptations of Jesus we see that not only was Jesus tempted with power, and authority, he was also tempted with the physical world and the spiritual world. Moreover, the tempter starts with the premise of the very core of who Jesus is, "If you are the Son of God…"

We see in this gospel that temptations can frequently start with things that are just so fundamentally good. Therefore, I don’t believe the goal is to remove the temptation as much as it is to begin purifying us.  Purification happens by realizing the temptation is distracting us from our goal and making a 
conscientious decision to focus again on what is right good and true.  As we do this, it’s easier to see temptations as distractive lies. With this insight we can freely choose that which is right, good, beautiful, light. We choose it not because someone told us to, rather we choose it because we know its
goodness. Thus, it is a process of purification.  

St. Paul of the Cross says, "Temptations are trials from God to purify us. Humble yourselves since this is what God wants, and after the storm you will experience the calm. Don’t worry about dreams, since when we are asleep we are not responsible. It is enough to fight temptations when we are awake. 

May the temptations you encounter today gift you with the strength and authority to see them for what they truly are. And in doing so may you find freedom within you.

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

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Scripture:

Isaiah 58:1-9a
Matthew 9:14-15

Reflection:

Lent is the time we’re supposed to give up things, right?  Television, golf, dessert. We’ve all heard the question: "What are you giving up for Lent?"   During my RCIA class, one candidate asked: "Do we give up something as a punishment?"

God, speaking through Isaiah, provides the correct response:  "Do you call this a fast?"

There is so much more to Lent than punishment or giving up chocolate or cookies or television.  There is taking on something: Christ.  Lent is all about Christ, about transformation – our transformation in Christ. 

We fast so that we may grow in Christ, to become more like Christ.  Prayer, almsgiving, and confession are part of that transformation.   Lent is a time of renewal. Anything less is superficial.

To the question, "what are you giving up for Lent?" perhaps the answer should be to:

Fast from judging others. Feast on God dwelling in us.
Fast from anger. Feast on patience.
Fast from worry. Feast on God’s providence.
Fast from complaining. Feast on appreciation.
Fast from self-concern. Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from discouragement. Feast on hope.
Fast from useless chatter. Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from bitterness. Feast on forgiveness.

That is transformation.  That is a fast.

 

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

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Scripture:

Isaiah 58:9b-14
Luke 5:27-32

Reflection:

How dark is it out there?  Clearly, it was very dark for the people of Israel at the time Isaiah proclaimed the message we have in our first reading.  At this point in Isaiah’s life his beloved Israel was crumbling before the military might of the Assyrians.  They were literally camped at the gate!  The political leadership was divided, the religious leaders were scrambling to keep their favored positions, the economy was close to collapse,  increasing poverty was the experience of the majority of people, justice served only the wealthy and powerful, instability and fear became a constant companion, and self-interest the ruling norm.  It was, indeed, a very dark time in the history of Israel.

Isaiah’s promise of "light" that would overcome all the darkness was a life-saving message.  But the "light" could only come if the people would live their lives differently.  They needed to put aside oppression, false accusation and malicious speech.  They needed to feed the hungry and offer succor to the afflicted.  They needed to cherish the Sabbath and give that day to the Lord.  All of these reformed ways of living would rekindle the light, dispel the darkness, and release the refreshing waters of God’s love into their lives.  It was a message of possibility that gave courage and hope to the people of Israel during the darkest moments of their history.

Is there any darkness in our lives?  Of course there is.  Some may even feel like they are living their whole lives in darkness.  But all of us struggle with darkness in our lives whether its source is sin, disappointment, betrayal, misunderstanding, personal mistakes, illness or death.  The reading from Isaiah is a welcome promise.

 Today’s Gospel is even more compelling.  It reminds us that Jesus came just for us who struggle with darkness.  Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees about his association with people who are clearly sinners, people outside the law.  Jesus’ response is very clear.  Such people are the very reason he came.  They are at the very center of his love and his mission.  The righteous don’t need him.  He has come for the sinners, the people lost in darkness.

During these weeks of Lent, we need to deepen our commitment to accepting Christ’s love.  He came for us.  Let’s make him welcome in our lives.  Christ will dispel our darkness whatever its source and bring us into his light and the refreshing love of God.

 

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of lay formation for Holy Cross Province and is stationed at Immaculate Conception Retreat in Chicago.