Daily Scripture

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:11-16
Romans 5:5b-11
Luke 15:3-7

Reflection:

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the symbol of the fidelity of the love of God.  This ancient symbol reminds us that God loves us unconditionally with a love we cannot earn or ever be worthy of.  He loves us as we are right now, at this moment, not as we should be, or possibly could be, but as we are with all of the physical warts, psychological quirks and spiritual infidelities.

If such a love seems almost too difficult to believe, perhaps even too shocking to believe, then we must reflect on the tender passage of Ezekiel in today’s readings.  The Word of God tells how the Sacred Heart of Jesus loves us and remains faithful to us:

Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark.
I myself will pasture my sheep;
I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.
The lost I will seek out,
the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up,
the sick I will heal…         Ez 34:11-16

Jesus is our shepherd, who rescues us when all seems cloudy and dark, when we have strayed.  This is the unconditional, unqualified, unreserved, unrestricted, unlimited, no strings attached love that the Sacred Heart of Jesus has for you, for me.

 

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

Scripture:

1 Kings 17:7-16
Matthew 5:13-16

Reflection:

There is a story told of Mahatma Gandhi getting on a train just as the train starts to pull away from the station. As he jumps onto the train, one of his sandals falls off onto the tracks. Gandhi quickly slips off the other sandal and lets it fall onto the tracks too. Someone observed his gesture and asks, "Why did you do that?" Gandhi replied, "Now someone will have a whole pair of shoes to wear." When people see our compassion, observe our selflessness and hear our words, may they glorify our heavenly Father.

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 14 books and creator of the TV program Live with Passion! airing in many cities. You can learn more about his ministry at: http://www.frcedric.org/

Scripture:

1 Kings 17:1-6
Matthew 5:1-12

Reflection:

It was around the year 85 of the first century, that the Evangelist, St. Matthew, perused a manuscript copy of the Gospel of St. Mark and asked himself, "What could I add to this clear proof that Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God?  What would be of benefit to my part of the New Israel and made up of converts from Judaism and Greeks, Arabs, Syrians, Romans?  How can I bring harmony and appreciation of what Jesus saw as valid in the Law of Moses and its deepening in the Law of Love given by Jesus?"

Matthew’s answer involved him with weeks and months of research and writing.  He saw Jesus as did Mark as Son of God.  He saw Jesus as renewing the Law of Moses and the demands of the prophets.

"Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand."  The aims and law of that Kingdom would be spelled out by Matthew in five discourses that gathered together the teaching of Jesus–a hand book for his flock and for the Church at large

The first great discourse we know as the Sermon on the Mount. It begins with startling paradoxes by asserting where true happiness is to be found.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  

Surely many who heard what Jesus proclaimed were shocked and thought:  "Is this Jesus person serious?  Aren’t we children of Abraham to whom God promised land, children and prosperity? "   And the mighty of Wall Street who boasted of the value of greed would repeat their unbelief.

Who are these "poor in spirit"?  In Israel they were the Anawim– a remnant chastened, humble,  who take refuge in the name of the Lord.  Such are the "poor in spirit" for Jesus as he joins the law of Moses to the renewal he is achieving  by himself as the Living God!

The message telling of true happiness was not merely for those assembled on the Mount of Beatitudes, it is valid for us today.

You are "poor in spirit" if  your drive in life is not the size of your bank account, or the car you drive or the gratifying pleasures you can afford.  One who is poor in spirit is keenly aware that he or she was created to know God, love God, serve God in this life and look forward to an eternity in glory with the Lord.  If such is your aim, then surely you are blessed and even now truly happy.

Each of the beatitudes speaks of the attitude of mind and heart those who put their trust in God.  Desire to put down others is controlled by meekness.  Simplicity gives us the mind of God.

Jesus gives the life-plan that makes for assured happiness in time and eternity.  It may well demand a repentance, a change of mind and heart, but it gives peace of soul now and assurance of a joy that will never end.

 

Fr. Fred Sucher, C.P. is retired and lives in the Passionist community in Chicago.  For many years he taught philosophy to Passionist seminarians.  

 

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Scripture:

Genesis 14: 18-20
I Corinthians 11: 23-26
Luke 9: 11b-17

 

 

Reflection:

In 1970, the separate feasts for the Body of Christ, held on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, and the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, on July 1, were combined into The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.

There are many ways to describe the Eucharist. On Holy Thursday, the emphasis is on the institution of the Eucharist as one of Jesus’ last acts before his suffering and death. I would like to reflect on the "community" aspect of the Eucharist.

Pope John Paul II said: "The celebration of the Eucharist, however, cannot be the starting point for communion; it presupposes that communion already exits, a communion which it seeks to consolidate and bring to perfection."

We can tend to think of "going to Mass" as an individual duty. People talk about "hearing Mass" or being "at Mass." People ask questions, like, "Who said the Mass?" Being at Mass can become a private affair. I might wish to be left alone in a secluded pew, closing my eyes to block out all those faces around me so that I can pray to God about my concerns and my needs.

The whole point of being at Mass is to celebrate joyfully together our common discipleship as a community of Christ. What we celebrate tells us who we are: the Body of Christ. Together we celebrate, together we give praise and thanksgiving, together we pray for one another, together we are nourished by the Word and the Body and Blood of Christ, together we become the Eucharist for each other.

The Mass challenges us to become community. At the beginning of Mass we are invited to sing, make the sign of the cross, reflect on God’s mercy, offer God praise and present to God our concerns in the opening prayer. All these elements have one purpose: to draw us into being a community, to help take us from our private, individual world to a communal world as baptized followers of Christ. The sign of the cross and the sprinkling of water remind of us our Baptism, by which we have become brothers and sisters in Christ.

A few years ago I remember a priest using the image of a jigsaw puzzle to describe the Eucharist. The puzzle in the box contains a picture. You cannot tell what that picture is until you assemble the puzzle. When you take the puzzle out of the box and fit the pieces together, the picture then becomes visible. When we assemble at Mass and connect with each other as a community, we make visible who we are as Church

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P., in his new book, "Our Hearts at Sunday Mass", stated, "A congregation that participates together with full, heart-felt and Spirit-inspired worship will have great things happen to them and through them."

Why do you go to Mass?

 

Fr. Don Webber, C.P., is Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province and resides in Chicago.

Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr
Scripture:

2 Timothy 4:1-8
Mark 12:38-44

Reflection:

Today the church remembers a man who went out of his way to live and proclaim the Gospel.  His name is St. Boniface.  While in his youth he heard a missionary speaking of the power and word of God and he was left with a conviction that would change his life forever.  The conviction of this missionary entered into Boniface’s heart, and remained with him his entire life.  He would live his life speaking, proclaiming, in word and in daily deeds from this conviction.  Even his death and martyrdom was interpreted by St. Boniface as the fulfillment of this conviction.

As I attend to the readings of the day, I find St. Boniface stands as a bridge between the two main characters of our gospel story.  Jesus begins by telling us about some of the scribes who do many things for self-promotion.  Jesus cautions his disciples about this kind of people.  They are easy to spot.  For they frequently put themselves in the spotlight.  And the Gospel writer contrasts these loud, somewhat narcissistic men with an invisible woman.  She is not born into a situation of honor, nor is she calling any spotlights onto herself.  Jesus sees her because she is quietly contributing to something beyond herself, sharing the desire to see the Glory of God yet again. The scribe on the other hand is certainly not seeing his life in terms of service to God.  He is simply using God to try to puff himself up.  Yet it is the woman who demonstrates her trust and reliance upon the Lord.   St. Boniface for me is the bridge which links action, faith, belief, trust and passion.  He backs up his loud proclamations with actions and deeds.  As a result, he will die a martyr.  

Back in the Gospel story, one of the pieces which intrigues me is the recognition of what Jesus sees.  He not only sees the invisible woman (and by invisible I mean that she has been overlooked by nearly every person in the temple area), Jesus actually sees into her heart.  Her heart and her motivation resonates with his own as they both share a fundamental  trust in the faithfulness and the promise of their heavenly father.  Jesus goes so far as to acknowledge this woman whom all others choose not to see.    The reward then for the woman is not that perhaps Jesus will recognize her.  The reward is that today the Glory of God is going to be made manifest.  And it is only going to cost a few cents.  

 Throughout this past retreat season, I have been amazed at how many retreatants have been able to articulate their inability to trust God.  Of course, I certainly don’t deny the severity and unpredictability of external forces.  However, doesn’t this Gospel reading speak profoundly to us today?  Doesn’t this Gospel reading invite us to trust a little more deeply?  I guarantee, if you pay attention you will see people today trying to convince others how important they think they are.  And perhaps if you are attentive today, you may just see someone inviting you to see the Glory of God.  It will only cost you a few small coins.

 

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

 

Scripture:
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Mark 12:35-37

Reflection: 

A Love Story!

Today’s Scriptures help us focus on and appreciate the value of the Scriptures themselves.  More than simple words on nice paper for an elegant book that sits on a coffee table, the Scriptures are indeed a "handbook to holiness" for we who believe!

The selection from Paul’s second letter to Timothy cited today wisely contains a summary of the value of the Scriptures:  "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work".  God continues to use the Scriptures to reveal divine Life and Love in our day – and then challenge us to live the Message we have received. 

I readily remember my days of initial formation as a Passionist, and some fellow Passionists of Holy Cross Province who have excelled in promoting Scripture studies:  Fr. Barnabas Ahern, CP, Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP, Fr. Don Senior, CP – men for whom Paul’s words cited above were a motivation to probe the richness of the Scriptures and then share their insights in their classes, workshops, books and other communications.  Their love for the Scriptures continues to inspire thousands of people on a daily basis.

We are reminded that God used the sacred authors of the Scriptures to write the words we treasure — we are to read and be inspired to follow their teachings…and grow in holiness!  The Bible contains thousands of chapters and verses in its books; indeed The Bible is one long, beautiful and enduring love story, God speaking words of love for each of us.

As we move into the "lazy, hazy" days of summer, perhaps we can carve out some special time to take up our Bibles and let that "love story" once again come alive in our hearts…  May we too hear with delight:  Jesus is Lord, and his words are spirit and truth. 

 

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is the local leader of the Passionist community in Louisville, Kentucky

Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga, martyr, and his companions, martyrs

Scripture:

2 Timothy 2:8-15
Mark 12:28-34

Reflection:

Today the Church remembers St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, protomartyrs of Uganda, Africa.  Along with Charles there were twenty-two Catholic men, including seventeen young pages between the ages of 13 and 30, plus several Anglican youth, martyred by King Mwanga of Uganda.  Their heroic courage echoes the stories told of our Biblical ancestors and those of the Golden Age of Martyrdom in the Early Church.

Charles Lwanga was born in the kingdom of Buganda in the southern part of modern Uganda, and served as a page in the court of King Mwanga II. King Mwanga in his hatred for the faith began to insist Christian converts abandon their new faith, and executed many newly baptized Roman and Anglo-Catholics between 1885 and 1887.  Many of them were officials in the court of the king or otherwise very close to him, including Charles Lwanga. After a massacre of Anglicans in 1885, the court’s resident Catholic priest, Joseph Mukasa reproached the king for his acts of violence. Mwanga had Mukasa beheaded and arrested all of his followers. Charles Lwanga took up Fr. Mukasa’s duties, and secretly baptized those of his pupils who had only been catechumens on May 26, 1886. In retaliation, Carl Lwanga and 11 other Catholics were burned alive on June 3, 1886.  Charles Lwanga and his companions were canonized in 1964 by Pope Paul VI.  

"The African martyrs add another page to the Church’s roll of honor — an occasion both of mourning and of joy. These African martyrs herald the dawn of a new age. If only the human mind might be directed not toward persecutions and religious conflicts but toward a rebirth of Christianity and civilization! Africa has been washed by the blood of these latest martyrs, and first of this new age (and, God willing, let them be the last, although such a holocaust is precious indeed). Africa is reborn free and independent." 
– from the homily at the canonization of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions by Pope Paul VI

We have in today’s Liturgy the words of Paul the Apostle, a martyr himself, in his letter to Timothy.  He speaks for Charles Lwanga and his companions with a martyr’s courage and faith:

"Beloved…such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory.

This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him."

Fr. Jim Strommer, C.P., is a member of the Provincial Council and resides in Chicago, Illinois. 

Feast of St. Justin, Martyr

Scripture:

2 Peter 3: 12-18
 Mark 12: 13-17

Reflection:

Peter, in our first reading today, challenges us to "Wait…" for our true security lies in our faith and trust in God’s promises, as we "…await a new heaven and a new earth where justice dwells."   Justice in the biblical sense means the fulfillment of all God’s promises in the reality of our lives.  Therefore we are called to act justly as we "wait" …called to be honest and conscientious according to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our hearts…so as to …grow in peace in the knowledge and patience of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.  This peace through justice in our hearts and lives includes our families, neighbors, co-workers, and other members of our faith communities…our neighborhood, our cities and our world. 

Our question to ponder today: Where are we called to work to bring peace through justice?

Our Psalm response reminds us that as we work for justice. "In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge".  And so we pray with the Church today:  "Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy all our days.  Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children."

In today’s gospel, we see Pharisees and Herodians attempting to trap Jesus…first by compliments…then a question: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their hypocrisy, Jesus asked:   "Why are you testing me?" Requesting a coin, Jesus asks whose image and inscription is on this?  They respond: "Caesar’s," Jesus responses: then "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

The Gospel ends with no specific answer, because they were not seeking an honest answer but were trying to find something that would incriminate Jesus himself

And validate their own hypocrisy.

As we ponder and enter into these readings today, especially as we are preparing to vote in some of our areas: Where in our lives now are we called to Biblical Justice, personally and in our communities?  Where are we called to distinguish who and what belongs to God, so as to respond to God’s will… and what belongs to legitimately earthly authority for the good of all.

 

Sr. Marcella Fabing, CSJ, is on the staff of Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.