Daily Scripture

Scripture:
Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23

Reflection:

"Those whom God predestined God also called." (Ro. 8:30) I was professed as a Passionist in Pittsburgh on this day in 1985. The church was packed with our friends, family, and benefactors. As the priests, provincials, and we eight novices gathered outside to form the procession, I remember the nervous anticipation. Suddenly the opening song "Before the Sun Burned Bright" started. The first verse contains these words: "Before the sun burned bright, or rivers flowed, I called you each by name…" As the procession began, the truth of these words washed over me. A year’s worth of prayer, discernment, confusion, and uncertainty all came together for me in an instant. We had entered sacred time and I felt confirmed in my divine call and destiny as a Passionist.

Recently I preached at a church in Lawrenceville, NJ. The Church of St. Ann is only five miles from Princeton University, which I toured. Perhaps it was the proximity to this venerable Presbyterian University that prompted a question I received from a parishioner: "Is there such a thing as predestination?" Presbyterians, you may recall, have predestination as one of the tenets of their faith. I answered by saying that our Church has always upheld free will and choice. None of our lives are determined; however, God does have a plan for us. We must choose this plan and if we say, "Yes" to God, we can walk in a glorious destiny.

We celebrate a woman who was predestined for greatness. Mary was born and chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. While she was predestined for this great honor, she still had to give her assent and say "Yes" to God. Her fiat set our redemption and salvation into motion. Our "Yes" to God today continues his saving work in and through us.

 

Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a missionary preacher, author of 12 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:

Colossians 1:24-2:3
Luke 6:6-11

Reflection:

In my flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the Church.  Col:  1:24.

 

The Apostle Paul is not referring to the sufferings Christ endured on the cross for our salvation, but to the suffering and fatigue Jesus experienced  as he trudged up and down the rugged paths of Galilee and Judea.  Paul was going where Jesus did not go. He saw the narrow paths of the Taurus mountains, he survived shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea, he walked the muddy streets and cobble stones of Corinth and Athens.

He would tell of floggings and stonings.  He knew the pain of betrayals. He suffered misunderstandings, insults, rejections, desertions.  He took all this in stride because he was determined to spread the good news that the Son of God had died on a cross to redeem human kind.

And today hundreds – priests, religious men and women, lay apostles – endure hardship even assassination to spread the Kingdom of God.  Fr. Carl Schmitz, a Passionist priest, was shot dead because he opposed those who would try to force his native people into crime.  There are hundreds of 21st century apostles who have surrendered life in the cause of the Gospel.

All of us are called to spread our faith by living it.  In the process, insult, hardship may come our way and for us as for the Apostle Paul, this is our share in the sufferings Christ knew in his public ministry.

Jesus was worn out and thirsty when he sat down at Jacob’s well and startled a Samaritan woman by asking her to give him a drink of water. Paul had to thank many for helping him endure prison for his work of proclaiming the message of Jesus. We know our efforts seem so puny in comparison to those of the heroes of yesterday and today.  But Jesus himself, assures us that even one who "gives only a cup of cold water will surely not lose the reward."  Mt. 10: 42

 

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

Scripture:

Colossians 1:21-23
Luke 6:1-5

Reflection:

For a young person growing up, there are lots of rules to learn.  There are family rules, society rules, cultural rules, religious rules, house rules, school rules, and of course numerous rules for proper behavior when out in public.  Some rules are specific to a particular day such as a weekday or a Saturday or a Sunday.

There are rules about how you treat others.  How a child learns to treat their peers is different than how they treat their teachers or even their parents.   Children are taught they are supposed to love people but the behavior they learn from watching adults is frequently less then loving.  It can be very confusing simply trying to grow up and learn the rules. Yet, learning the "do’s" and the "don’t do’s" is necessary in childhood development and formation.  And if a child doesn’t learn these, then their ability to integrate into society at a later stage will be more difficult.

I can recall a very conflicting point for myself was the first time I visited a big city and saw someone passed out on the sidewalk.  It seems the rules here were different than any other rules I had been taught.  But nobody cared, nobody tried to help and most people pretended the man wasn’t even there.   And I was very confused.

To contrast this to the other situation whereby someone got hurt, or was suffering from loss, grief or pain.  In these situations ALL the rules changed.  The necessity to attend school or work was instantly retracted.  Rules around productivity were suspended. The only thing that was important was attending to the person or people who were suffering.

I spend time looking at rules in our lives because I believe it helps us understand the Pharisee mentality.  The Pharisees were more focused on living and preserving the letter of the law, keeping the rules because they understood these rules came from God.   And if that is the case then these are the highest degree of perfection.  The problem with this mentality is that it neglects the human person.  Jesus focuses on the needs of the human person.  Jesus will continue to live and teach that the needs of a human person must be greater than the need to keep the law.   This will cause many of the Pharisees to say to Jesus, So who are you?  You don’t have the authority to change God’s law.  So the Pharisee clearly refuses to recognize the authority of Jesus, or that Jesus is God’s chosen one.   They cling instead to a tradition whereby following the rules of the law set them free from having to look at the needs of people.  Their system perpetuated a blindness of humanity.  It’s not a wonder that in Jesus’ time there were so many people living such poor lives.   But then it always is a lot easier to do what we were taught in our formative years than to open our eyes and see the needs of humanity around us.

And getting back to the man passed out on the sidewalk, it happened to be a Sunday morning as we were departing the cathedral after mass. 

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

Feast of St. Gregory the Great

Scripture:
Colossians 1:9-14
Luke 5:1-11

Reflection:
"He opened his treasures and made him rich in all goodness. " That is the antiphon at the beginning of today’s liturgy. Do I believe and trust in the reality that God opens The Treasure for all of us?

I enjoy reading about these saints, like Gregory, because they model how The Treasure makes life rich…for  others.  Gregory was born into a well-to-do family.  As an adult he was positioned to become a chief magistrate in Rome, which gave him lucrative opportunities. But that was not enough. There was more in The Treasure. He knew that. He wanted to pursue that treasure. So he became a Benedictine monk. He left it all,  and opened a treasure which eventually would lead him to the papacy at 50 years old. But prior to that he literally gave away his wealth by building monasteries  and inviting men, and later, women to join the search for The Treasure. The Treasure is never exhausted. There is always more to our lives. During the 14 years of his papacy he addressed such issues as the starvation among the poor in Rome, protecting the Jews from persecution and the building of  better (not belligerent) relations with other monarchies, which could have been bitter enemies, due to the crushing dominance of the Roman Empire.

St. Paul prays that we are filled with the knowledge of God’s will, to bear fruit in every good work. To be "filled" means to accept the Knower inside of me.

That knowledge comes from deep within. It is not earned or acquired or taught. It is The Knower within us. The Knower was in Jesus when he told the apostles to put out into the deep water. The Knower was in them that they should do this, even though it went against common sense.

Grace is Jesus’ knowledge dwelling in us. Jesus’ knowledge is translated into our actions. We are not to worry about our own unworthiness (like Peter). It is all about catching people.  Do you believe? Gregory’s generosity brought men and women into holiness through the monasteries which he built. This tradition last to this day. Talk about The Treasure never ending.

Is it possible that our God provides the knowledge for us to bring others to an understanding of the Knower present in all of us?  One practical way of doing that is to remind one another that nothing is just accidental, or coincidental, but providential. It is all about the Treasure and the Knower opening the richness therein, for the sake of doing good today. It’s all providential. Trust the Knower within and help others to do the same. That’s the catch.

 

Fr. Alex Steinmiller, C.P. is president of Holy Family Cristo Rey High School, Birmingham, Alabama.

Scripture:

Colossians 1:1-8
Luke 4:38-44

Reflection:

Today’s readings are familiar ones – the story of Israel’ complaint over having to eat manna, provided by God in the desert, instead of the rich menus they had known in Egypt.  And, the Gospel is the beautiful scene of Jesus miraculous work to feed a large crowd by multiplying a small amount of loaves and fishes.  What can we draw from these familiar scenes?  What can they provide us?

We reverence the Scripture as the Word of God, as that document in which we are able to discover, with the eyes of faith, the nature of who God is.  We cherish the Scripture as God’s revelation, as his opening to our human understanding the mystery of his own eternal self.

The readings given for today’s Mass draw a rich and comforting image of the nature of God.  The Numbers reading depicts the Hebrew people, recently freed from bondage in Egypt, in the desert and facing starvation,struggling for survival.  God has provided for them – manna, bread from heaven,which they now find tastless! But in so doing, God has provided richer fare, a glimpse into his own inner being.  And he is revealed as one who understands human need, who is close to those he calls his own; he is revealed as Compassion itself.  That is the tragedy of Israel’s complaint – it blinds them to the great gift they received along with the manna: the knowledge of God’s own inner being as Compassion.

The Gospel reading, taken from St. Matthew, has echoes of the gift of manna in the desert.  And of course, it is the disciples who voice a complaint – of the impossibility of feeding so many with so few resources.  Jesus action reveals the nature of the God he has come to reveal.  And, again, it is a God close to people, understanding of human need, not afraid to intervene, to help.  His action reveals a God whose name is Compassion.

This day, may we be alert for the signs of God’s ever-present Compassion.  And may we be willing to be its agents, extending compassion, divine mercy to those about us in need.  And may the God who is Compassion, act in the lives of those unemployed, those facing starvation, those knowing spiritual starvation.  May we know the mercy and compassion of our God.

 

Fr. Jim Thoman, C.P. is the director of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6, 9-11  
Psalm 27: 1-4, 13-14 
Luke 4: 31-27.

Reflection:
Take a moment to get in touch with what is going on in your life now…what you would like to bring to prayer and reflection on today’s readings, this September 1, 2009.

The Psalmist in our entrance antiphon has wisdom and insight to share for our life experience today… "Lord, hear my voice when I call to you…You are my help; do not cast me off.  Do not desert me, my Savior God."  Ponder these words… what do they say to you today in the midst of your life experience?   Take time to ponder and pray …

Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians reminds all of us that no matter the struggles and sufferings in our lives, we are ‘children of light, children of the day…’… not to sleep but be alert and sober…remember we are united together with Christ, who died for us and that we live together in Him…

Paul also reminds us that we are part of the community of faith, called to encourage one another.  Thus, we are never alone. Who and how might we be that supportive, encouraging community to build up another today.  How might we be open to another in our community with our own struggles today? What does Paul say to you in the midst of your life experience?  Take time to ponder and pray…

Our Gospel today tells us the familiar story of Jesus healing the man with an ‘unclean spirit" in the mist of the people gathered in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The people were amazed and said to one another… ‘What is there about his word?  For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits and they come out… 

Again, let us bring our life, as it is today and enter into this scene. Is there anything within is… that needs healing within us that we bring to Jesus this day?  Take time to talk to Jesus … ponder and pray.

In closing, Say today’s responsorial Psalm 27: 1,4, 13-14.
Response:  I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the
land of the living.
        The Lord is my light and my salvation:  whom shall I fear"
        The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?
(Response)
        One thing I seek of the Lord:  (you may want to add your own
words here too) this I seek:  To dwell in the house of the Lord all the
days of my life. That I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his
temple. 

(Response)
        I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of
the living. Wait for the Lord with courage. Be stouthearted and wait for the
Lord.

(Response)

Peace and Prayer. 

 

St. Marcella Fabing, csj, is on the staff at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center,
Citrus Height, California..

 

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Reflection:

We’ve all seen the bumper sticker that says, Think Peace.  I like the one that says, Forget peace.  Think about using your left turn signal!

These bumper stickers remind us of a most basic psychological law.  Marcus Aurelius Antonius said, "Our life is what our thoughts make it."   James Allen stated, "You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."

In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that "wicked designs come from the deep recesses of the heart."  If wicked designs come from the deep recesses of the heart, then just and loving designs come from there too.  Today’s gospel can be complimented with St. Paul’s words to the Philippians, "Whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of  praise, think about these things."(Philippians 4:8)  If more and more people follow this advice, then our world will have solid hope for peace.  As the Constitution of the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (1946) reminds us, "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed."

There is a transforming power in our thoughts. Thoughts focus our attention.  Thoughts place a goal before our eyes.  Thoughts mobilize our energy.  After that, our bodies and emotions spring into action.  Yes, as the bumper sticker declares, if we think peace, we will get peace.  If we think war, we will get war.  If we envision ourselves as a loving person, we will become a loving person.  If we think angry thoughts, we will become an angry person.  Garbage in, garbage out.  Diamonds in, diamonds out. The choice is ours.

So we humbly welcome the Word, as St. James tells us today, and dwell upon it.  Then, as it takes root, the actions that follow will certainly fulfill the will of God.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. is a member of the Passionist Community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Matthew 25:1-13

Reflection:
Be prepared!  That seems to be a mantra for much of the western world. From Boy Scouts to financial planning, preparedness is a way of life.  Here in California, earthquake country, everyone is even urged to put together a preparedness kit! 

Today’s Gospel calls us to think about our spiritual preparedness kit.  Just as we do not know when the next earthquake–maybe even "the big one"–will hit, so too, we do not know when God will call us. 

A common way of looking at this reading is to consider it a call to stay free from sin, but there is another message here.  Each of us is given only so much time to be disciples of Christ on earth.  I think this Gospel warns us to listen for God’s call.  To be alert for those times when we are called to be witnesses of Christ through our words and actions. Sometimes opportunities to be disciples appear when we least expect them.  Hearing about a family in need, or an offer to join in a prison ministry, or meeting someone who needs consoling are all opportunities for us to serve God.  Are we awake to the call? 

This is also the Feast Day of St. Augustine, the great Doctor of the Church.  St. Augustine left us with much theological richness in his writings and his preaching.  Augustine went from an ardent critic of Christianity, leading a life of self-indulgence to a Bishop, a great saint and one of the most influential figures in our Church history.  His teaching included many aspects of our Faith.   Perhaps one of the most important of these is his deep appreciation for the Eucharist and for the Church as the Body of Christ.  He exhorted his flock to recognize themselves in the bread and wine they received, to allow it to turn them into itself, so that they would always belong to the Body of Christ. 

Looking at St. Augustine’s life in light of today’s reading, we see how recognizing God’s call radically changed his life.  Christianity – being a disciple of Christ – was not the path he chose for himself, but he was awake when God called, he listened and followed. 

When do we hear God’s call?  What opportunities to be disciples are presented in our lives?  How do we respond?

 

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.