Daily Scripture

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12
Mark 12:18-27

Reflection:

In reading the four Gospels, it’s not uncommon to find people in the story who are confused by Jesus’s teaching and what he stands for.  Over the last couple of weeks, the Gospel readings reveal Jesus as a teacher, speaking about the ways of the Kingdom of God, while the people of the stories are trying to interpret him from the ways of the world.  This, of course, leads to misunderstandings. And we all know from human experience how our tendency is to dig in our heels to prove that we are right.  Have you noticed how many times in scripture people come to Jesus to test him? 

Today, for example, we have the Sadducees approaching Jesus with an absurd and ludicrous scenario.  It is the story of a woman whose husband dies after she gets married.  Thus begins a succession of marrying the next sequential brother in the family after each of the husbands die.  The idea that this could actually happen in real life is highly unlikely.    But the real argument is not about the question they throw at Jesus which is whose wife will she be?  The real issue is that the Sadducees are standing before Jesus holding firm to their belief that there is no resurrection, going so far as to mock anyone who does believe in resurrection.  There is an intense inability of the Sadducees to see anything beyond their personal belief.   How is this any different than the polarized world we live in two millenniums later?  The desire to hold so firmly to one’s personal belief, to even wish harm upon others whose opinions and beliefs are contrary to one’s own, is a daily reality for us. 

Just a few months ago, a woman on retreat said to me, “I can’t talk with people anymore about anything.  We can’t talk about current events. We definitely can’t talk about anything political.  I can’t even mention the atrocities of war that are taking place.  Religious ideas are certainly out of the question.  And with some people, I can’t even talk about the weather because it brings up global warming!   It just seems so unsocial and unhuman.” 

Remember, the Sadducees come to Jesus to put him to the test.  They are overconfident and blind to how they are misinformed.    Jesus throws them a zinger.  He calls them “greatly misled because they do not know the scriptures or the power of God”.   Saying that to upper echelon religious leaders had to sting! We are not told how the Sadducees hear Jesus’ words or how they respond.  I personally can’t believe that was the end of the dialogue because humanity, as I know it, in this level of confrontation, frequently chooses to respond with more aggression.

Lastly, I want to highlight a gospel story from last week.  It is the story of Bartimaeus, the blind man who, in desperation, was calling out to Jesus as Jesus walked up the road toward Jerusalem.   Bartimaeus wanted the gift of site.  He knew he was blind, and he wanted the ability to see.  I have been pondering how we recognize our own blindness.  Does human pride block the possibility that we may actually hold some ignorance?  Perhaps there is an element of superiority?  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor, and theologian who was executed in 1945 in Nazi Germany, suggested that this kind of blindness is more of a sociological problem than a psychological problem.  It frequently begins in groups of like-minded people.  And they can bond together in such a way that identity with the group supersedes the need for greater understanding or finding truth.  Bartimaeus approaches Jesus not from a place of comfort, or strength. He defies the voices of the populace, the group surrounding Jesus. He approaches Jesus from his deficiency and his vulnerability. Having thrown his cloak aside, he boldly states, Master, I want to see”.

Jesus’ answer back to the Sadducees is that you are not what you claim to be.  What challenging words these are for us as we live in such challenging times.

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is the Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province. He resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

2 Peter 3:12-15,17-18
Mark 12:13-17

Reflection:

“…a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells…”

Today’s two Scripture readings shine a light on our 21^st Century world scene: many challenges face us, and Jesus reminds us that we are to live our faith in the day-to-day events that at times can cause us trouble — and at other times feed our souls. 

The letter of St. Peter encourages his readers to be on guard against the temptations and errors of their contemporary world: injustice, fears, poverty, hopelessness, etc. are all too rampant back then and now.  He reminds his readers that the day of the Lord will come, after a time of purification, with a new earth and a special grace to help all be renewed and thus glorify God in every part of life. 

Mark’s Gospel selection shares Jesus being addressed by some Pharisees and Herodians who were sent to Jesus to trap him in His speech.  They first flattered Him as truthful and concerned.  Then their question about paying the census tax: yes, or no?  With few chosen words, Jesus encourages paying to Caesar what belongs to Caesar…and to God what belongs to God.  Human laws are one thing, but God is the ultimate giver of all else.  We belong to the human world, but also are destined for a new earth and a new heaven with God.  In every part of life we are to remember that our dignity, worth and sense of belonging cannot be taken from us:  we “belong” to God as members of God’s family.

Life today presents us with many challenges to live as credible disciples of Jesus. Our 21^st Century world has its “Caesars” with perhaps evil and selfish spirits, and we have Jesus and our Christ-like leaders encouraging us to live faithful lives and treasure our common home. As Church, we thank God for the blessings of each day, and offer our lives to help spread the Good News.  With God’s grace, as Psalm 90 reminds us:  “…may we shout for joy and gladness all our days…”

Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.  

Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs

Scripture:

2 Peter 1:2-7
Mark 12:1-12

Reflection:

I often notice that a cartoon, or even a stand-up comedian in his or her act, can ‘say’ things that might in other contexts lead to prosecution. Society at large, let alone rich and powerful individuals, make allowances for some message delivered in a way that makes the recipient laugh – often at themselves.

This is not a new phenomenon, allegory, satire and humour have been a way of influencing those with power throughout history. Witness the important role across cultures and history of the Court Jester! This seemingly powerless, clown-like person was often the one to change a ruler’s heart by alluding to some truth, or personal foible of the ruler himself or herself, and thus changing their mood or decisions.

Jesus likewise used allegory in the form of parables to ‘paint’ a word-picture that revealed deeper truths and clear messages of a moral or instructional kind.  The genius of the stories was that the interpretation was not given, the listener remained free to ‘hear’ at the level they were capable of, and to act in accord with the message.

So often the poor and disposed heard the truth enshrined in these parables, and responded, whilst the rich and powerful were confronted and challenged and so often choose not to respond. 

The courage of Jesus is often witnessed in the crafting of the parables too. His capacity to make a parable a microcosm of the crowd around him, and of their behaviour, was astounding.

Here today we see the same dynamic. Jesus addresses the scribes, chief priests, and elders, who are a part of his audience. They are listening to their own story and behaviour, acted out for them by the characters in the parable – the tenant farmers. They see their own violence, their selfishness and their unadulterated desire for possession of that is not theirs to own – all on display.

The truth confronts them deeply, and they are tempted to act out in a manner exactly as the parable portrays the actions of the tenants – but fear prevails, and they slip away. 

They miss the opportunity for a conversion of heart inspired by the truth as revealed in the parable. Rather, they demonstrate a lack of capacity to hear and respond, and merely hear and react. As we will see, they  allow self-deception to reign within their consciousness till it overwhelms them. In the course of the life of Jesus, they will become the ‘tenant farmers’ and act out the parable to its bitter and sad conclusion. Rather than face the truth they destroy the source of the truth.  

The ‘vineyard’ has now been given to us – we are the stewards of God’s creation and caretakers of the people of God. Let us serve with distinction.

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is the Provincial Superior of Holy Spirit Province, Australia. 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Scripture:

Exodus 24:3-8
Hebrews 9:11-15
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Reflection:

Be then what you see and receive what you are.  -St. Augustine of Hippo

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which translates from Latin to “Body of Christ.” This feast is celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday or, as in the USA, on the Sunday following that feast.

We celebrate the Eucharist at every Mass, and this solemn feast serves to remind us once each year of the tremendous gifts of the Eucharist:

—the Real Presence of Christ in the bread and wine, His Body and Blood, and                         
—the Body of Christ as it is present in the Church.

The Church is the Body of Christ because of the intimate communion which Jesus shares with us. He nurtures us with His own Body and Blood, his Life Force. “Take it; this is my body.” (Mark 14:22)
This allows both unity and diversity in the Church.

At my parish in downtown Detroit, I love to watch people process to the front of church to receive Holy Communion. The retired judge and his wife from the suburbs walk up the middle aisle with a man with a limp, who comes to church on a bike. Both have found a new church home at my parish after their parishes closed. The woman who was sleeping in her car two years ago is now studying to make vows with the Secular Franciscans. A single mother and her 19-year-old daughter are celebrating the Mom’s last chemo treatment. A woman brings Communion to her husband who waits for her in their pew; he cannot make it to the front anymore. It is very touching to witness the vulnerability and the faithfulness of my fellow parishioners.

After more than twenty years in my parish, I know many of the parishioners well. They know my story, and I know theirs. Despite our differences, our bonds of friendship are strong—when we walk together toward the altar to receive Communion, we share something that binds us together: the Life of Christ which nourishes each of us as individuals and as a community. In the words of St. Augustine, we become what we receive.

In a sermon to some new members of the Church, St. Augustine, bishop of Hippo in north Africa said: “You hear the words, the “Body of Christ’ and you reply “Amen”. Be then a member of Christ’s body, so that your ‘Amen” may accord with the truth…Be then what you see and receive what you are.”

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She served on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit. She is currently a member of the Laudato Si’ Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Scripture:

Jude 17, 20b-25
Mark 11: 27-33

Reflection:

The author of Mark’s Gospel writes just enough to catch our attention, and then leaves us to consider the depths of the passage.  That is the case with today’s reading. The chief priests, elders and scribes are again trying to trap Jesus. He agrees to answer their questions, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you the authority to do them?”, if they first answer His question, “Was John’s baptism of heavenly or human origin?” They are so afraid of the crowd they cannot agree among themselves how to answer Jesus, so He refuses to answer their question.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Justin the Martyr, a Greek philosopher in the early church.  He debated with and preached to Greek and Roman pagans which ultimately led to his death.  Unlike the chief priests, elders and scribes, Justin bravely answered questions while preaching an unpopular and ultimately dangerous message. Justin’s life was a living witness of the Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude. 

Most of us will never face life threatening challenges for our beliefs, but we may be in situations that challenge us to speak out on our Christian beliefs. Perhaps we are worn down with the difficulties of daily living due to financial burden, illness, addiction, and difficult relationships. In those moments, we should keep in mind the words of Pope Francis:

“Dear friends, sometimes we may be tempted to give in to laziness, or worse, to discouragement, especially when faced with the hardships and trials of life. In these cases, let us not lose heart, let us invoke the Holy Spirit so that through the gift of fortitude he may lift our heart and communicate new strength and enthusiasm to our life and to our following of Jesus.”

Mike Owens is coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission of Holy Cross Province.  He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Memorial of Saint Paul VI, Pope

Scripture:

1 Peter 1:18-25
Mark 10:32-45

Reflection:              

“. . . the word of the Lord remains forever.”

Today we remember Saint Paul VI, one of many Italian born popes, he was elected to the papacy after the death of Saint John XXIII. He saw the Second Vatican Council through to its closing in 1965. He was now tasked with leading the Church into the modern world. In his just over fifteen-year papacy he had a historic meeting with the Greek Patriarch. He established World Peace Day and wrote an encyclical, Humanae Vitae, that has had an impact not only on Catholics around the world but how the world needs to view human life.

The first reading from the first letter of Peter speaks to us of the importance of the death and Resurrection of Christ. The image of the “spotless unblemished Lamb” sacrificed on the altar of the Cross bought for us eternal life with God. Not only is the “Blood of Christ imperishable” but his word as well. We know this to be true because the Gospel message has impacted the followers of Christ for over two thousand years. I have a few scripture passages and a psalm or two that I have memorized or have heard so many times in my life that they are etched into me. I sometimes find myself thinking about those words unconsciously. This would not happen if they were not also part of my deepest self. These words give me hope and support me in my faith journey.

What words from the Scriptures are etched into your deepest self?

The Gospel speaks of the challenge of drinking from the “chalice” that Christ drinks from and being baptized with Christ as well. He was speaking to James and John who were seeking places of power or rank in the “kingdom” of Christ. They did not fully understand what they were truly asking for and most likely did not until the day of Pentecost and their own deaths. Just as we grow into our faith and what it means to truly be a Christian, we do not fully understand our own Baptism and Confirmation unless we immerse ourselves into the words and deeds of following Christ. For me, the most challenging thing about life is to live it as a Christian. And I am grateful that the Church gives the Sacraments to assist me in my faith journey because I cannot do it alone. The gifts and graces that come through the Sacraments challenge me to grow into the person that God created me to be. Remembering that God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness is beyond what I could ever imagine gives us hope that whether we are doing God’s will or not, as Thomas Merton prayed, we still please God. And that is faith.

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

1 Peter 1:10-16
Mark 10:28-31

Reflection:

Last weekend we celebrated the great feast of Pentecost!  Happy Birthday Church!!  In the coming weeks, we will celebrate the special Eucharistic feasts, but for the most part, we have entered into that long liturgical season of Ordinary Time!  I think you will all agree that for most of us, our lives are anything but ordinary!  We stand at the cusp of summertime; school’s out, vacation plans are being set, and springtime is giving way to warmer weather, longer days, and more time to spend relaxing, and enjoying a slower pace of life for the next few months.

My friends and I just spent several days planning a three-week camping trip out west for this coming month of August.  We pored over maps and travel books for many hours as we set up our itinerary for this long-awaited vacation.  We laughed a lot, we got frustrated at times when the places we wanted to go, and the times we had to see things, were sometimes all filled up.  We rejoiced when in some instances we got the last places on the boat excursion or gondola ride.  Several times we had to walk away from the planning, take a walk, enjoy ice cream or the hot tub, in order to refresh ourselves.  The ordinary lives we thought we had been leading up to this point took on a new aura as the excitement of the trip began to take hold of us!  At the end of the week, planning completed, reservations made, deposits sent, we returned to our ordinary lives to await the adventures to come in a few short months!

Our scriptures today give us some ideas or practices on how to make the best of this time of the church year called Ordinary.  Being the ordinary human beings we are, trying to navigate life in the fast lane, we need to pay attention to growing our spiritual life in the midst of vacation planning.  In 1^st Peter, we are called to ‘be holy just as He is holy’!  In the gospel, Jesus reiterates that for those of us who accept the challenge and gift of being a believer in Christ, in enduring the highs and lows that this life brings to it, we will in the end be rewarded.

This Ordinary time calls us to take time to recognize the holiness all around us; in the faces of our children playing at water’s edge, hiking with our friends along Canyon Pass, or celebrating the life and times of a loved one gone before us. May this Ordinary Time call us to celebrate our holiness, and to recognize the holy in those we love, as well as those we find it hard to love.  Have a safe and blessed Summer and together celebrate the Ordinary in extraordinary ways!

Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.