Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 John 4:7-10
Mark 6:34-44

Reflection:

Have you ever seen Rembrandt’s painting of the prodigal son?  One of the remarkable details of the painting is that the father seems to be blind. And so to see his son he doesn’t try to look at him with the eyes of his head.  Instead he holds the son’s head close to his heart. I’ve noticed that there are different ways that people see.  Some see only with their mind. Others have the ability to see a little deeper. Frequently it’s that motherly love, which can hear and listen at the level of the human heart, which a child responds to most authentically.   

Our retreat theme this year at Christ the King is based on opening the eyes of our heart.  And one of the graces I am continually blessed to see on retreat weekends is how the totality of the person grows and expands simply over the course of 40 hours.  When people begin seeing with the eyes of their hearts, their ability to love and extend compassion is immensely multiplied.  

When I look at the gospel today, before jumping too quickly to the miracle of the event, I think we must start by seeing the energy and motivation which flows through Jesus.  I don’t mean to downplay Mark’s testimony of the feeding of the five thousand.  I simply think we need to highlight this divine energy and motivation which Jesus capitalizes on. In the first line of today’s gospel Jesus "sees" the crowds. He obviously didn’t see them only with the eyes of his mind, because Mark’s next phrase is an emotional reaction and outreach towards the people.  Mark says that Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them.  Jesus sees them with the eyes of his heart.  Now interestingly, this is one of the few places we can know
what is going on in Jesus’ mind.  Mark tells us that an image comes to Jesus and that is the image of sheep without a shepherd. I think all of us have had at different times in our lives, images come to our minds. And sometimes, the image is so profound it speaks to depth of your vision and begins to tell you who you are. Specifically in this case—yes, Jesus, you are  the shepherd.  And so Jesus does what a shepherd does, he tends his sheep.  This is why we see in John’s Gospel, when he can’t do it anymore, he tells Peter to "feed my lambs, and tend my sheep" (John 21:15-16).

Jesus is the manifestation of the Father. And the divine energy at play here is that of compassion. When he invites his disciples to give the crowd something to eat, their response is not one of compassion but of the practicality of the situation. They simply revert back to what they see with their minds and the result is not something which build faith as much as it is something which scatters doubt.

Perhaps instead of naming this gospel, "Jesus feeds five thousand" a better title could be, "The disciples receive another lesson on seeing with the eyes of Jesus and responding with the compassion of the Father". Again and again I’ve been amazed at the miracles of healing parents have through that divine energy of love and compassion.  I’ve watched parents literally will or lift the pain which their child carries out of their child and carry it themselves. And it is merely the miracle of compassion. I’ve seen walls which took years of anger and hate to build so sturdy and solid simply crumble under a moment of compassion and grace. 

Today, as I hold this gospel, I see it not as historical story which demonstrates how Jesus had authority over fish and loaves as much as a spiritual lesson of life that is frequently played out in our present world.  I suspect you know this in your own experience.

I invite you today to reflect a little on your experiences of compassion. What miracles happened because of this grace? Do you find yourself having any more compassion since the celebration of the birth of Jesus, or even Epiphany?

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

  

Epiphany of the Lord

Scripture:

Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

 

 

Reflection:

The Gift of God’s Love Made Manifest

Today we celebrate the "manifestation" of God’s Love in the person of Jesus, the newborn Savior.  The earliest recipients of that manifestation were the simple shepherds, then the elder Simeon and the 84 year old widow Anna.  In today’s Gospel Matthew recounts the star-lit manifestation to the magi, whom we’ve come to call the kings or the wise men — noted as well for the special (and pricey) gifts they brought Jesus and the Holy Family:  gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Our current practice of Christmas gift-giving derives from the action of these "wise men".  Gifts can be practical, necessary, creative, simple, pricey, even fun – but the significance of the gifts is found in the meaning they bear.

I am remembering the familiar short story by the American author, O. Henry, called "The Gift of the Magi".  The story features a young married couple who were very poor but deeply in love.  The wife had long, beautiful, dark hair.  For Christmas her husband wanted to get her a set of expensive decorative combs to wear in her hair, and despite their poverty he was determined to get that gift for her.  The husband treasured a gold pocket watch handed down from his grandfather.  The wife found an elegant (and expensive) watch chain, and despite their poverty she was determined to get that gift for him.  Come Christmas eve, they both had bought their special gifts for the other.  In exchanging the gifts, they discovered that she had cut and sold her hair to a wig maker to buy the watch chain, and he had sold his treasured watch to buy the decorative combs.  After their initial "shock", they both broke into laughter and fell into each other’s arms, realizing that watch chains and combs mean nothing — it’s love that counts!

Today, the greatest "gift" for each of us and our world is Jesus himself.  Nothing is more perfect or more precious or more practical or more necessary.  He comes to us and our world revealing and sharing unconditional, eternal L O V E … Like the early Magi, may we do Him homage by faith-filled lives of love and service — rooted in simplicity, wisdom, and openness.  With the psalmist we pray, "may every nation on earth adore you."

 

Fr. John Schork is the local superior of Sacred Heart Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Feast of Sts Basil the Great and Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors

Scripture:

1 John 2:22-28
John 1:19-28

Reflection:

Today’s first reading, a passage from the first Letter of John, puts us immediately into the cauldron of the Arian Century (4^th Century).  Although not written at that time, nor for that purpose, the admonitions in the first Letter of John are pointedly relevant for a church beset by heresy and by the adherence of the political powers, the Emperors of the Roman Empire, to that heresy.

Arianism alleged an inferior status of the second Person of the Blessed Trinity to God the Father.  Only God the Father is eternal and perfectly divine.  Jesus, although exalted, and brought into being prior to the creation of the universe, is still secondary to the Father.

In the first Letter of John, and probably in response to the anticipation of the trials (the "antichrist", "those who would deceive you") that would beset the faithful believers who awaited the second coming of Christ, the church is asked to remain faithful, to hold fast to the truths which have been revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, God’s "anointing".

As the generations passed, the admonition was still valid, and remains so for us today: be confident in our belief, acknowledge the unity of the Blessed Trinity as the life-giving presence of God among us; "remain in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming."

Both St. Basil the Great (329-379) and St. Gregory Nazianzen (329-390) had to confront the power of the Arian heresy in their respective dioceses; they both held strong against the efforts of the Arian emperor, Valens, to promote Arianism in the Empire.  Following the death of the emperor Valens, they both worked to rebuild the faith of their flocks (Basil in Caesarea, and Gregory in Constantinople). 

Today’s Gospel reading from John reminds us that there will always be a curiosity about Jesus Christ.  It was there at the time of John the Baptist’s preaching and baptizing, it would continue through the public life of Christ, and it would culminate, in Jesus’ lifetime, on the stage of our redemption, on the cross of Calvary: "If you really are the Son of God…"  Not everyone was able to grasp the answer that they received.  Some simply "up and went".

We believe that Jesus is the Christ.  Let us pray today to live the life of Christ in the daily actions of working, homemaking, studying, keeping company, and relaxing.  May the light of Christ shine through us and into the shadows and recesses that need his light. 

 

Fr. Arthur Carrillo is the local leader of the Passionist Community in Houston, Texas. 

 

Scripture:

1 John 2:12-17
Luke 2:36-40

 

 

 

Reflection:

As we continue celebrating the Christmas season, we might quietly wonder…  Why did Jesus come among us as a baby?  Whey didn’t he come upon this earth as a warrior on a horse, or as a king in a castle, or as a fifty foot giant commanding our attention. Why did he come as a little baby? 

I think he came as a baby, first of all, to show us that we have nothing to be afraid of.  The angel Gabriel told Mary, "Do not be afraid."  The angel told Joseph, "Do not be afraid."  The angels told the shepherds, "Do not be afraid."  So many times Jesus tells his followers, "Do not be afraid."  Jesus came to cast out fear.  Do not be afraid of God.  Do not be afraid of death.  Do not be afraid of those who can harm the body but cannot harm the soul.  Do not be afraid to live.

Secondly, a baby wants to be held and loved.  Jesus comes as a baby to tell us that he wants our love.

And thirdly, it is natural to pass a little baby around for others to hold.  Once held, Jesus says, "Now give me away.  Give me to others so that I may bring them joy. And when you give me away, you receive more of me."

     Yes, Jesus came as a little baby so that we would not be afraid.
     He came as a little baby so that we would love him.
     He came as a little baby so that we could give him to others.

In Luke’s gospel we read about Mary visiting her cousin, Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy!  The baby was John the Baptist.  It was the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary that caused John to leap for joy.  Christmas calls upon each of us to be like Mary, that is, to bring joy to others by bringing Christ to others.

 

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:
1 John 2:18-21
John 1:1-18

Reflection:
"In the beginning was the Word and the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."

As this year draws to a close, the words of John’s gospel give us some thoughts to ponder as we prepare for the New Year.

Words are important. Words have power.  Words help us express our feelings and emotions, our hopes and our dreams.  Words enable us to communicate ideas and thoughts.  Words can unite us with others or separate us from one another. Words are significant.

In the beginning, God spoke and the world was created.  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Somehow, before the beginning of time, this Christ child existed, not as a human being, but as God himself, as what we call the WORD. 

This Christ had something to do with the creation of every single thing that we have in our lives. And also, He had something to do with the creation of YOU and of ME. 

Sometimes, when we consider the vast expanse of the universe, we might think that you and I are very insignificant, but then we learn that this Christ-God, became just like you and me, He became a little child, a person just like us in all things except sin. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."

 This Word, has graced us with many blessings:  The gift of power, God’s power; the gift of light, a light that shines in the darkness but will never be overcome by the darkness; and the gifts of perfect grace and truth, gifts that we receive everyday of our lives.

Words are important. Actions are important.

As we cross the bridge into 2010, let us walk humbly with our God, trusting that He will help us to: CARE DEEPLY, GIVE FREELY, THINK KINDLY, ACT GENTLY, AND BE AT PEACE WITH THE WORLD. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Deacon Brian Clements is a member of the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, Ca.

 

Scripture:

1 John 2:3-11
Luke 2:22-35

Reflection:

I had the privilege for many years of being on staff at one of the country’s largest Cathedrals. And while there I had pleasure of working with many fine individuals, both lay and cleric. However, looking back now, one of the individuals who touched my life the most was a little woman that very few people hardly ever noticed. She was not considered an important person on staff, like the bishop, priests, deacons, musicians, catechists, and other so-called "church professionals." She was just the lady who cleaned the back of the church. And her name was Martha.

Martha stood a towering 5 ft tall. She was incredibly thin and kept a huge turban- like scarf wrapped around her hair at all times. Even in the hot summers she wore three sets of clothing. Her footwear were always boots, not the shiny fancy leather knee boots that some women wear today, but rather the old zipped up rubber galoshes that my mother used to make me wear as a youngster that I despised. She always carried shopping bags with her that were never far from her sight. I never found out exactly what was in those shopping bags, but my suspicious mind guessed they contained all her worldly possessions.

Martha was very proud of her place at the Cathedral and very solicitous of the building itself. Martha arrived at the church at 5:30 am sharp everyday when it opened. She left at 8:30pm every night when it closed. After every service Martha went through the aisles and picked up the remaining odd piece of paper or placed the hymnals back in their racks. After a wedding she would remove the runner from the main aisle, make sure the flowers on the altar were watered and lower level washrooms were cleaned and stocked. And when there was no activity in the Cathedral proper, she would just sit in the back of this massive edifice to God’s glory and pray. She simply prayed and prayed and prayed.

She treated everyone she met equally. She greeted the Cardinal Archbishops the same way she greeted the local panhandlers – with a gentle smile and a shy hello.  She rarely talked about herself, even when asked. I heard that at night she slept in a shelter in a dicey part of town, and when not working at the church, served meals in the shelter soup kitchen.

I left the staff of the Cathedral after six years. I never heard what had happened to Martha. But for some reason, her faithfulness, her selflessness, and her gentle presence continue to haunt my memory.

Over the next two days we will hear in Luke’s gospel about Simeon and Anna. People who I imagine are very much like my Martha – faithful, selfless, observant and kind – people whom others may not notice or just dismiss as unimportant. But it was exactly to these folks that God revealed his Christ to.  

So the next time you happen to be in a church, whether a grand Cathedral or a tiny chapel in the middle of nowhere, think of the Simeons, the Annas and the Marthas and say a prayer for them. Perhaps they will ask God to reveal his Christ to you anew!

 

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

 

 

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Scripture:

1 John 1:5-2.2
Matthew 2:13-18

Reflection:

Today is the feast day of the Holy Innocents.  Just a few days ago, our readings were filled with joy and wonder!  The Christ Child was born.  But now so soon after, we hear this horrendous account of the killing of babies.    Herod looking to destroy Jesus sends his soldiers out to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem.  How can God allow this to happen?

Why does God allow bad things to happen?  "Why, God, why?" That’s a question that most of us have asked at some time in our lives.  Some people even denounce the existence of God with the argument, "If your God is good, why doesn’t he do something about all this suffering?"

But they just don’t get it!  The Gospel message is not that God will wipe out all suffering.   The message of scripture is rather that God will be with us in our suffering.  God so wants us to hear this message, He even sends His Son to become human, to embrace humanity, to walk with us in all ways. 

Jesus throughout His life delivers this message.  Born in a stable, living a simple life, risking all to preach about the Father and finally suffering a humiliating, painful passion and death-this is the Jesus we see in the Gospel.  The joy of being Christian does not mean that we can expect to pray for a miracle and if we’re good all suffering will be removed from our lives.  Christian joy is rather that we do not face that suffering alone.  As Christians, we know that Christ is one with us – in our joys and in our sufferings. 

"My kingdom is not of this world," Christ tells us. That’s why the the Resurrection and Ascension are needed to complete the Gospel message. Christ came to be one with us in this life and to prepare the way for us in the heavenly kingdom.   This is the promise.  This is the message.  This is why we are joy-filled to be Christian and no amount of suffering will remove that joy!

 

Mary Lou Butler ([email protected])is a former staff member and is now a member of the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center Board, Sierra Madre, California. 

 

Christmas Day

Scripture:

Isaiah 9:1-6 
Psalm 96:1-3, -13 
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

 

Reflection:

In 1983 I was in Ireland at the end of the Jubilee Year.  Throughout all of the country you could find in every church a banner.  On this banner was the image of a Celtic cross.  Within the cross, there were eight frames each depicting the Advent/Christmas event.  This started with the four Sundays of Advent followed by Christmas, Feast of Mary the Mother of God, Jesus’ temptations in the desert, and finally the Baptism of Jesus.                              

Just as it took a number of events in the life of Jesus to celebrate appropriately His truth for the Jubilee Year, so too at Christmas.  The church finds it impossible to express in one liturgy the richness of this day.  The Feast of Christmas is so rich the church assigns three masses to this day to capture the theological truth of this celebration.  The Mass at Midnight celebrates the historical birth of Jesus.  The Mass at Dawn celebrates the birth of Jesus as a liberating king, living among us.  The Mass at Day celebrates the new age inaugurated in us the baptized. 

Most children can relate to the Christmas story very readily.  The birth of Jesus, the visit of the shepherds, the manger, the swaddling clothes, and the song of the angels.  What is said beneath all the images is that #1. The incarnation of Christ happened among us in a very human condition.  #2. The Divine is known in the Child (the angels sing, the night is illumined).  #3. Only those of humble heart can know this Wonder.  #4.  It is the poor, the outcasts, the shepherds who see and believe.  #5.  The Child weak and voiceless, with neither legal rights or power will shake the kingdom and destroy evil.  All this will be accomplished through a helpless child who comes to us in the middle of the night. 

 

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