Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Isaiah 26:1-6
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Reflection:

It is hard to reflect on the reading from Isaiah and the reading from the Gospel of Matthew and not realize how timely these readings are for us in the United States of America today.

Both of these readings challenge some of the common notions of what makes for a Godly strength.  The "city" in Isaiah’s passage is brought to ruin because of the way it disregarded the poorest and weakest of its citizens.  "It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor".

In Matthew, the passage comes after the "Sermon on the Mount," the proclaiming of the "Beatitudes"…which must not remain slogans, but which must be converted into patterns of behavior.  Those beatitudes remind us that there is strength in weakness and greatness in humility.  Listening to the words of Jesus and not putting them into action will be like a person whose house is built on sand, and which will come tumbling down in the next storm.

As the new legislature gathers to make the decisions which will prevail in our country, and as we put our support behind those whom we have elected, let us also remind them that our strength will be built on the way that we respond to the real needs of those whose lives are lived in poverty and in weakness.

December 2, 2010, is the 30^th anniversary of the killing of Sister Maura Clarke, M.M., Sister Dorothy Kazel, O.S.U., Sister Ita Ford, M.M., and Jean Donovan, a lay missionary, in El Salvador, Central America.  They were a voice for the poor and an expression of the beatitudes-in-action.

Their deaths followed by nine months the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero in San Salvador.  Nine years later, on November 16, six Jesuits and a mother and daughter were executed at their residence in the Jesuit University of Central America.  Archbishop Romero and the Jesuits were a loud voice for justice, and a condemnation of the evil being delivered on the people of the nation.

The United States played a decisive role in that country’s civil war.  U.S. Dollars, arms and leadership steered the decision-making that kept the poor and needy populace of El Salvador under threat of death for more than ten years.

A strong nation does not derive its strength from trampling on the poor, or from waging war on a weak nation.  The voice of Isaiah is heard crying out: "He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down."  Matthew’s refrain echoes: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven…"

 

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 25:6-10a
Matthew 15:29-37

Reflection:

I received an e-mail recently, with this subject: "Tell me how he did it, and I’ll give you a thanksgiving turkey."  The "it" was a video of a card trick that was truly amazing; it seemed to nullify any effect of shuffling the cards, which were dealt out in an obviously pre-arranged order.  But, like any card trick, there was a skillful manipulation of cards and audience in order to make something appear to be what it was not.  The e-mail made me consider how easily we pass from "wonder" at our observations, to the skeptical, "tell me how he did it". 

Today’s readings (Isaiah 25:6-10a and Matthew 15:29-37) are like that.  We read in the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus cured persons who could barely walk, whose eyes did not work, whose joints were misshapen, and whose speech was held back.  "They placed them at his feet, and he cured them."  In Isaiah’s passage, the mortality of the people, the sentence of death under which we all live, is cancelled; "the web that is woven over all nations" and the "reproach of his people" will be removed.

Our human curiosity and desire to know drive us to ask "how did Jesus do that?"  How does Jesus bring healing into our lives?  How did Jesus satisfy the hunger of thousands on the Galilean mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee?  Surreptitiously, we pass into the skepticism that makes us want to know "how".  Perhaps if we only knew how Jesus performed his saving miracles, then we might be better positioned to share in his healing, in his satisfying of our hungers, in his gift of everlasting life.  Perhaps if we knew "how" Jesus performed these wonders, then we might better believe that he is truly "the Son of God."

The truth of the life-giving work of Jesus is not found in the knowledge of "HOW he did these wonders".  It is in our faith’s insight into the fact "THAT he did these wonders".  The "how" may tantalize us, but the "that" of Jesus as our Savior has saved us.  Let us remember the conversation of the women on their way to the tomb on Easter Sunday morning, "Who will roll the stone away?", of Mary at the sight of the one she believed to be the gardener, "If you took him away, tell me where you laid him."  These questions and doubts are erased by the conviction THAT Jesus is raised, he goes before them.  May we find in today’s Scripture, the encouragement to place our faith in what God, through Jesus, does for us daily; and in the conviction that God will continue to heal, comfort and nourish us forever.

Father Arthur Carrillo, CP, is the director of the Office of Mission Effectiveness and Mission Director for Holy Cross Province and resides in Chicago.

Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Scripture:

Romans 10:9-18
Matthew 4:18-22

Reflection:

Do you know what a relay race is?  One runner runs with a baton, a special stick, and when he or she finishes their part of the course, they hand off the baton to another runner who runs, and then hands it off to a third runner, then a fourth runner and so on.  A race may even go on for a full day and go over a hundred miles.

In a sense, there is a race which began 2000 years ago with messengers we call the apostles.  They started in Jerusalem in the upper room at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them.  These apostles were sent out to proclaim a very important message.

St. Paul summed it up when he said, "I preach Christ and him crucified."  When people wondered how much God’s loved them, the apostles could simply remind them of the crucifixion and say, "This much."

The apostles proclaimed this message, and then passed it on to the next generation of messengers, and then to the next generation of messengers, down through the centuries to our own day.   

You and I became official proclaimers of this message when we were baptized.  The baton given to us was the crucifix.  We were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  The sign of the cross was made on our foreheads by the priest and our parents.  We were sent out to proclaim the same message that the apostles proclaimed.  "How much does God love?"  We can point to a crucifix and say, "This much."

Most Christians don’t preach this message with words from a pulpit or ambo as I do.  Most preach it by example.

At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and wine and gave them to his disciples.  He said "This is my body and my blood given for you….   Do this in memory of me." Do what in memory of him?  Give your life for others like Jesus did.  Give generously of your time, of your talents, and of your possessions for the happiness of others. Be kind.  Speak the truth.  Be just.  Help one another.  Share your blessings.  Share your heart.  In other words, love one another.

When people see us, the followers of Jesus, loving others so totally, they will wonder.  Then they will conclude that the God we serve must be a God of love.  If our lives have said that, we’ve said it all.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California  http://www.alanphillipcp.com/

 

 

First Sunday of Advent 

Scripture:

Isaiah 2:1-5, 
Roman 13:11-15
Matthew 24:37-44 

Reflection:

"Stay awake!" We begin our new year in the Church with these words. 

How apt for our world today with the many distractions, with the busy-ness that keeps us moving 24 /7!  We may not actually be sleeping, but we certainly need to get the wake up call.  We have numbed our souls with so many other activities, that we are, in today’s vernacular "out of it!"  Matthew calls us to stop and be aware.  This is our wake up call.  Stop!  Listen!  Learn the ways of the Lord.   Climb the Lord’s mountain, walk in His path.  Prepare…

I am struck by the many contrasts in today’s readings.  A God who wipes out most of humanity in the great flood; a God who is warning his people that there is a 50/50 chance they won’t make it in the last days, but then we hear this God tell us through Isaiah that swords will be turned into plowshares; that all peoples shall stream toward the mountain of the Lord!  That there will be no more war!  And if that isn’t enough, God calls us to get ready because he is going to send His Son to save us!   

And so, we stay awake and we prepare…we get ready for the coming of  our Savior, we get ready for the judgment day, we get ready for the Kingdom.  We get ready by following Jesus, by doing whatever we can to bring about a better world. 

How are you preparing this Advent?  Perhaps you will stop and listen to the Word.  Perhaps you will do something to help "turn swords into plowshares."  Perhaps you will find ways to stop the insanity that has become the way our culture celebrates Christmas. 

 As we begin Advent, a time that has not yet seen the Promise fulfilled, we prepare to continue in a world that does not yet recognize the hope of the promise and we prepare our hearts for the coming of Our Savior.  And we remind ourselves that God wants us to stay awake, to stop and listen. 

May you be blessed with many graces during this Advent season!

 

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

Scripture:

Revelation 22:1-7
Luke 21:34-36

 

Reflection:

"Be vigilant at all times"

 

I must admit, I have been more than a little worried since reading and reflecting on today’s gospel.  This is ironic of course, as today’s gospel warns against worrying.  That’s the thing about worry-it’s a vicious cycle.

In telling of the coming of the kingdom, Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from  . . . the anxieties of daily life and that day catch you by surprise like a trap."  Throughout the gospels, Christ has warned us again and again that the coming of the Kingdom will be unexpected.  We won’t be getting a notice in the mail.  There won’t be a designated period of preparation where we can finally get around to living our lives the way we know we should-it will be like lightening, like a thief in the night, or here, like a trap.  This isn’t news, right?  I know I heard my mom say "like a thief in the night" more than a few times growing up when my behavior warranted it.

But, what I seem to have missed was this message about worry.  (Our Lord also cautions against "carousing and drunkenness," but it’s this last one that has me most concerned today.)  Worry seems such a part of my nature.  I know I am not alone in this, whether or not you are willing to admit it.  Just watch the news sometime-the media thrives on stirring up a frenzy of worry about everything from swine flu to terrorism.  It’s almost become a national pastime.  But it’s so much broader than that.

Here, Jesus calls out the "anxieties of daily life" as one of the chief culprits that can desensitize and distract us from God.  What are you anxious about in your daily life?  These days I think it would be easier to list what we aren’t anxious about.  There’s our jobs, families, debts, safety, health, education.  Need I go on?  In know, as of late especially, I have almost convinced myself that preoccupation with all these things is perfectly legitimate.  But when our whole focus is on these earthly fears, how can we be spiritually watchful?   Simply put, we need to shift our attention back to God. 

How do we do that?  Well, easier said than done of course.  But our Lord does give us some advice: "Be vigilant . . . and pray."  In other words, be awake and conscious of God in our lives.  He speaks to us all the time, but I bet we are so centered on other things that we often miss it.  And perhaps most importantly, He tells us to pray.  But I don’t think He is only talking about stealing away somewhere to meditation and prayer.  We need to remember that we can be in constant conversation with the Father no matter where we are or what we are doing.  And perhaps if we make this a habit, we can stop worrying about worry.

 

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

Scripture:

Revelations 15:1-4
Luke 21:12-19

Reflection:

"Sing to the Lord a new song…
Let the rivers clap their hands,
The mountains shout with joy."

 

So rings today’s Psalm, calling in us a response of jubilant gratitude.

A few years ago I was invited to an extraordinary luncheon in honor of a woman religious, Sr. Monica, visiting California from Nigeria.  Before lunch, our small group stood in a circle and we invited Sr. Monica to lead us in grace.  What happened next was a far cry from a "Bless us oh Lord for these our gifts."  Instead, Sr. Monica led us in making the sign of the cross and then she broke into song, clapping her hands, singing gratitude for the goodness of our fellowship in Christ and the meal we were about to share.  After she concluded her joyous, spontaneous song, we made the sign of the cross and began our meal.  We all agreed that we loved her blessing which truly proclaimed (in her own wise words) how "Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!"  Sister let out a most joyful laugh when she heard our reaction and said, "If we were home in Nigeria, there would have been dancing too!"

Our mood went from exuberant song to somber reflection as Sister then told us of her work in Nigeria.  Sr. Monica has dedicated much of her religious life to working with young women who are victims of human trafficking.  Incredibly, many girls are submitted to this lifestyle by family members; mothers, fathers, aunts or uncles.  (Sound like today’s Gospel?) The innocent girls leave Nigeria thinking they are "going abroad to study."  Sr. Monica lovingly supports these young women as they return to Nigeria-marked by the stigma of their past.  Reconciling families and healing the hearts of the young women is her mission-in the name of Christ. 

As we pray this Thanksgiving…let us do so in song.  Let us make the sign of the cross.  Then, let us clap our hands…and if we are bold and brave…let us dance.  And, for the sake of those who suffer and are persecuted today, let us speak out with wisdom and compassion and take action to give witness to the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And, as always, let us conclude our Thanksgiving prayer with the sign of the cross…lest we forget!

 

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

Thanksgiving Day (USA) 

Scripture:

Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9
Psalm 100:1-5
Luke 21:20-28

Reflection:

During the first winter in New England, the English Calvinist settlers of Massachusetts lost half their community to cold and starvation.  In the Spring, they were aided by the Pawtuxet Indians.  Because of the generosity of the Pawtuxet Indians, William Bradford in the Fall of 1621, announced a three day festival of thanksgiving in gratitude to their benefactors.

In 1798 President George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving.  It was celebrated on different days by different states.  In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday of November the official day of Thanksgiving for the nation. 

The Puritans of Massachusetts Colony believed they were a remnant of God’s chosen people, sent into the wilderness to find a New Jerusalem, "The city on the Hill."  Today we still hope and pray that this dream be realized and true.

Today we give thanks for our experience of all God’s gifts and we are moved to say:  Thanks Be to God!" 

Like the Puritans we have survived the bitter harshness of winters.  Winters of conflict, of recessions, and the winters of the spirit as much as of the years.  We have experienced the love and understanding of people and also the incorrigibility of people from whom we have hoped for love and understanding.  We have tasted of health and life as well as of illness and death.  God’s promise of faithful presence has sustained us.  God’s presence has been present to us in our springs and summers as well as in our  winters.

So we come to this day of Thanksgiving to remember again God Incarnate, whose fidelity to us is a redeeming presence.  We pray for Springs of promise, Summers of growth, and a Falls of fruitful harvest. 

Gratitude and thanksgiving are both signs of self-transcendence in response to life that is gift.  Fundamental to both is the mature realization of our relationship with God Whose gift is life itself.

Today’s Gospel is a source of hope.  Jesus tells us to choose life since we are made in the Image of god.  We are reminded like the pilgrims it is by our endurance we will gain our souls.  If we do this, if we stand up and raise our heads – we will find our redemption which is near at hand.  It is because of this God’s promises and fidelity that we give Thanks today. 

 

Fr. Kenneth O’Malley, C.P. is the archivist at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.  

Scripture:

Revelations 20:1-4, 11-21:2
Luke 21:29-33

Reflection:

When I was a young child, and would hear the words of the Book of Revelation, I would think of it a bit like one of today’s horror movies – frightening and a little unreal.  I remember that I used to think that I certainly didn’t want to be around for this Second Coming that the Scriptures were talking about.  I didn’t want to see all the dead coming back to life and dragons, and locusts, fires and torment.  No way was that a future I wanted to experience.

It is easy to see why so many people generation after generation view Revelations as a prediction that the last days are upon us.  Certainly in today’s world, with genocides, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, wars and so many other torments, these might be seen as signs of the end days. 

Luke’s Gospel paints a different picture.  In the verses just before today’s reading, he talks about how we will see the Son of God coming with power and great glory!  Now, that would be something to witness! 

And maybe we can take yet another meaning from these readings.  Maybe all the horrible things happening in our world today are not a sign of the End Time, but rather an invitation to us to bring about the Kingdom of God here and now.

In a homily I recently heard, the Deacon who was preaching, was talking about the Kingdom of God and he said,   "I don’t believe that the Kingdom of God is only in some faraway place; I believe the Kingdom of God is here in this Church, right here in this building."

I think when we hear about the tragedies of today, suffering or hunger, injustice and inhumanity, we are being called to make this true.  In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and perform the other works of mercy.  When we do these things, we do indeed fulfill our destiny to be the Kingdom of God, and we can say "The Kingdom of God is near" regardless of whether the Second Coming is in our lifetime or far off in the future.

  

Mary Lou Butler is a former staff member and is now a member of the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center Board, Sierra Madre, California.