Daily Scripture

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Scripture:

Baruch 1:15-22
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Reflection:

Today’s feast of the Guardian Angels points to a surprising intersection between ancient belief and a central feature of modern, popular spirituality.  In the contemporary religious scene, angels are definitely "in", as TV shows, websites and blogs, pins and T-shirts indicate. What are we to make of this?

For one thing, this popular focus on angels tells us that, even in our seemingly secular culture, people experience divine presence and activity.  There is a mysterious, positive power that is felt and ‘seen’; it is found active in all dimensions of human existence.  Popular belief is echoing the Gospel story – God is for real and is active in our world.

And, popular attraction to angels is focused on our need for protection. Life is sometimes tough, unkind or cruel; we need more security than we can muster by ourselves.  Here, contemporary spiritual experience is catching up with the meaning of today’s feast.

In both Old and New Testaments, God’s provident care and compassion is often expressed through the activity of angels. An angel protects the three young men cast into the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:49); an angel counsels Joseph to protect Mary and the Infant Jesus (Mt 2:13); an angel supports Jesus himself in his garden agony (Luke 22:43); an angel frees Peter from prison (Acts 12:6 ff). And these examples just scratch the surface!

May today’s celebration deepen our trust in God’s protective compassion. Let us live in the conviction that our lives and destiny are cloaked in God’s invincible love.

 

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

Scripture:

Nehemiah 8:1-4A, 5-6, 7B-12
Psalm 19: 8-11
Luke 1-: 1-12

Reflection:

Our readings today reflect the spirit, depth of character and love of the young saint we celebrate today:  St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church ,who at 15 entered the Carmelites and died in their cloister at the age of 24.   A young woman of great love and fidelity in small things in every day life, Therese revealed her ‘little way" in her autobiography ‘Story of A Soul’.  Her "little way" was fidelity in the small things of everyday life with great love, trust and complete self-surrender to God.

Our first reading from Nehemiah, recounts Ezra’s proclamation of the Law in an open plain upon the Israelite’s joyful return to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon.  "Today is holy to the Lord your God.  Do not be sad and do not weep… rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength…" Was that not the source of the joy and strength of Therese?  Is it ours today?

Our Psalm today is a hymn of praise of praise of God’s law as an expression of God’s will for God’s people… St. Therese and each one of us… refreshing our souls, giving wisdom to the simple, rejoicing our hearts… sweeter than syrup or honey from the comb… In the spirit of today’s reading… can we find joy in hearts that the Lord has for us this day?

Jesus in today’s gospel of Luke, appoints disciples, prays for them as He asks the Father to send laborers to proclaim His Kingdom… As each of us prays this Gospel…Let us put ourselves into this scene… we too are appointed to go… like Therese, whatever our circumstances of life… to announce God’s love, presence and Kingdom… bringing peace and God’s love … even in the midst of trials, sufferings…always with great love… with joy…. with trust in our God who sends us forth
today… and let us pray for one another. 

 

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

 

Feast of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

 

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 7:9-10, 13-14 or Revelation 12:7-12a
Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
John 1:47-51

 

Reflection:

Supernatural beings, particularly angels, continue to hold sway in popular culture. A 2008 survey in the US states that of the 1,700 polled – 55%, including one in five who say they are not religious, believe in a guardian angel. Our Catholic belief in angels can easily be traced back to our Jewish origins. With his book, The Celestial Hierarchy, in the 4^th century C.E., the medieval theologian Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite classified angels into several orders ranked by importance. Angels and archangels were considered to be of the lowest order, primarily concerned with the affairs of men.

Why the fuss about these three angels in particular? Perhaps because they are named specifically in the Scriptures, perhaps because they each perform certain functions -Michael as defender, Gabriel as messenger and Raphael as healer – and also more importantly perhaps because they demonstrate God’s supernatural care and concern for each and everyone of us.

The gospel today records Jesus meeting with Nathanial, Philip’s brother. Jesus sizes up Nathanial quickly and realizes that there was "no duplicity in him." Nathanial was not one to be taken in by fast talk and overblown promises. He was not one to believe in pie-in-the-sky stories so it may seem a bit ironic that Jesus ends his conversation with Nathanial telling him that he will see "the heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Yet again, Jesus is making a significant point. Jesus is letting Nathanial know that to believe in him really means to embrace the totality of Him and his message. It is one thing to call someone a king; it is another to place your life at the king’s service. But as Jesus points out, once that is done, amazing things can happen!

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

 

Scripture:

Numbers 11:25-29
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Reflection:
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire."  Mark 9: 43-44

This past week, as I mulled over today’s readings, it was the passage from James that had me tossing and turning.  There is no subtlety about this message, "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you."  It’s a fitting time to be considering such a fate, I suppose.  It seems as though everywhere you turn there is some new story of the "Wall Street" executives and their deceit and mishandling of other people’s money.  You know who I am talking about.  These are the people who live in palatial homes and have personal assistants, cooks and drivers.  My friends and I have wasted many of our conversations wondering how anyone could be so greedy.  They made it pretty easy to throw stones.

And then I started to think on it a bit more.  I’m sure that all the other times I have come across this reading, I have easily shrugged it off as not applying to me since I am not "rich."  But that’s a relative term isn’t it?  Don’t we still live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world?  Don’t most of us have shelter, running water, food? 

We have become a nation obsessed with scrutinizing the state of the economy.  I certainly don’t mean to minimize the real struggles for the unemployed, those without insurance or those who are living in fear of homelessness or poverty.  But the truth is, for most of us, we saw our 401k’s dwindle.  We saw our house values plummet.  We had  to pass on this year’s vacation or hold on to that old car for another year–not exactly huge sacrifices.  I may not have a cook or a driver, but I often spend $3.00 on a cup of coffee.  We are so fearful of not having enough.  But I would ask all of you to consider that you probably threw away more food this week than some families had to eat. 

But we’ve become so accustomed to planning–for retirement, our kids’ education, or just a rainy day.  Much of that planning revolves around financial security.  Sure, we go to church, we pray.  But, the question is, where are we really putting our trust?  We seem now, more than ever, to be looking for some guarantees about the future.  But James tells us that even gold and silver will corrode; "Your wealth has rotted away."  We have become experts on mortgages and mutual funds.  What about our souls?  I’ll be honest, I spent far more time this past month thinking about the money in my bank account than the needs of my neighbor.  So, how do we begin to change?

I think the answer, in part, comes in Mark.  I remember hearing this gospel so may times and thinking how harsh a solution it seemed–if your hand is sinning, cut it off!  But we all know that the hand or the foot is not the culprit.  I may pay for my Starbucks with the money in my hands, but it’s me–my heart and mind–making the decision.  Jesus isn’t really telling us to cut off our hand, then.  Rather, we need to cut off that which is causing us to sin–the desire we hold in our hearts.  It’s going to be difficult and painful.  We may even feel like we have lost  something important  to us.  But indulging ourselves in this life will bring much greater loss in the next.  

Let’ s remember that It’s not wealth itself that is sinful.  God has created us in his own image.  We have talents and gifts beyond measure.  For some, this means material gain.  But when we elevate our worldly possessions above God, when we put our faith in our checking account over our Lord and Savior, we have gone astray.  Think about all that you have.  Think about what your real fears are when you think about the need for financial security.  Open yourself to the possibility that faith in God is the greatest investment.  And you can take that to the bank. 

 

Marlo Serritella ([email protected]) is on staff at the Holy Cross Province Development Office in Chicago.

Scripture:

Haggai 2:1-9
Psalm 43: 1-4
Luke 2:18-22

Reflection:

In today’s gospel Jesus has just fed the 5,000.  Jesus goes apart to pray.  He then asks the disciples "Who do the crowds say that I am?"  Then He asks the disciples: "Who do you say that I am?"   After Peter’s confession, Jesus makes His first Passion Prediction. 

Luke has Peter’s confession take place where Jesus prays.  In other word, what follows is God’s plan for Jesus and His disciples.  Luke has Jesus ask what the "crowds" say?  Jesus is referring to those "crowds" who experienced the Miracle of the Loaves.   Luke says that the crowds say Jesus is "one of the ancient prophets."  In other words, Jesus belongs to the long lineage of prophets God has sent to save Israel. 

The Jesus asks the disciples: "Who do you say that I am?"  Peter says: Jesus is "the Messiah of God!"  Like Peter, our knowledge has to be first hand. Disciples need to have a personal experience of Jesus.  After Peter’s confession Jesus predicts His passion.    Peter was not prepared to hear this.  Jesus tells Peter to be a disciple one must "pick up their cross daily and follow Him."  As Messiah Jesus is faithful to His mission and it leads to the cross.  Jesus rescues humanity from alienation from God.    

One of the most important questions in life has to do with identity and relationships. If we are disciples of Jesus it has to be a personal relationship.  This relationship defines our values, priorities, and commitment.  We are called to be people of   prayer and to make our life decisions out of our prayer.  We are called to have personal relationship with Jesus.  Our discipleship allows us to daily die to ourselves in service to the "crowds," the others.

 

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

Scripture:

Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20
Luke 8:19-21

Reflection:

"My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." Lk 8:19-21

When Julie was accepted to the Sisters of Life, we started hearing stories about the life of a postulant: no phone calls, no email, and you only write home once/month. She even heard she might not be able to take pictures of us with her to the convent.

After her second visit to their community she told me about her final conversation with Mother Agnes. Mother said to her, "I can’t wait until the day that I can call you daughter." When she told me that I felt a stab in my heart and immediately I thought, no one else can be your mother – that’s who I am! How dare she?! Almost immediately the Holy Spirit whispered in my heart, "You will always be Julie’s Mom. There is room for Mother Agnes too." Of course, I knew it was true. And actually, how fortunate for Julie that she will be loved and guided by this holy woman!

Mary too must have felt something when she heard that Jesus said others were his mother. And all of us can often take something someone says wrong and be hurt by it. Years ago I took a little line from "God Calling" (my favorite daily devotional) and have tried to live it: "I refuse to be offended". Some days I have to say it over and over, but it’s a good one! It helps me to keep my peace and look deeper at what the person might have meant. It helps me rely on God when I don’t understand.

We are back from our trip to New York where we got Julie settled into the convent and met many of her new sisters. We loved every one of them, and came away knowing in our hearts that Julie is exactly where she is meant to be. We do still get to be her family, just in a different way, and our family is now 69 members bigger and richer! God is SO good!!! Oh, and she did get to take some pics with her. 

 

Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. Janice also leads women’s retreats. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 2, soon to be 3. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.jcarleton.com/ or email her at janice@frcedric/org

Scripture:

Haggai 1:1-8
Luke 9:7-9

Reflection:

Today’s first reading in the liturgy is the opening of the prophet Haggai.  This is an interesting Book in the Bible because he is focused on one task, to rebuild the temple.

The people live in paneled houses, while God’s house lies in ruins.  The prophet is single-minded in his preaching: now is the time to build the temple.  The people keep saying: this is not the time.  In Hebrew it is: Lo ayth…not now.

All time belongs to God.  It is always His time.   Haggai reminds the people that everything is going wrong for them because they are not rebuilding the Temple.  "Now thus says the Lord of hosts: consider how you have fared.  You have sown much but harvested little: you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes."

Then Haggai gives this recurring theme: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: consider how you have fared".   In Hebrew he says: put your heart on your ways.   Put it in your heart that without God your lives are a disaster.

Probably today the biggest lie we hear is that God is not that important in our practical lives, nor do we have to be concerned about that temple of God’s presence that we are.

But Paul says: "do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?" 1 Cor 6:19    Temple maintenance is important: "If any man destroys the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, and such are you."  1 Cor 3:17

I think Haggai reminds us today, 2500 years later, how important it is that we rebuild this temple of ourselves that sadly can fall into ruin.   Paul again reminds us: "What agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God as God said: I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."  2 Cor 6:16

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. gives parish missions and retreats.  He is a member of the Passionist community in Detroit, Michigan. 

 

Feast of St. Matthew

Scripture: 

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Matthew 9:9-13

Reflection:

Accountants and auditors don’t sound like very exciting people.  Nor do tax collectors.  They seem to be the self-effacing type who wear inconspicuous clothing and prefer to be unnoticed.  They work away behind piles of books and papers, shying away from the limelight.  They need quiet time to cull "the books" and try to reconcile the facts of the case with the prevailing statutes and laws.  Their hope is to make as few waves as possible to avoid calling attention to themselves.  Colorless anonymity suits them fine.  Matthew probably fitted this description, since we’re not even sure about his name, given that at times he apparently went by another name-Levi (Mk 2.14).

Nonetheless, Matthew, a professional tax man and likely an accountant, still stands out:  he received a special call from Jesus.  Along with Peter, John, James and Andrew, his recruitment by Jesus merits attention.  Perhaps Jesus felt someone like him was needed to keep an eye on Judas, who apparently was not beyond purloining a few shekels (Jn 12.6) from the money bag.  But still, Matthew probably would have preferred that the banquet he gave after his call by Jesus remained low-key, but unfortunately it grew into a bit of a row as the Pharisees attacked his shady background, and that of his companions.

Matthew was quite a bit different from the other disciples-a company man with some professional credentials.  But his calling by Jesus served to highlight a major theme apparent in his later life: that of unity.  Already on the occasion of his calling, this unity theme was apparent because it gave Jesus the opportunity to clarify what He was about: calling sinners (as well as saints) to His discipleship.  He was pursuing the bad as well as the good, breaking down the wall of division between them, and unifying them in the great privilege of being companions of Jesus.

St. Paul picked up on this characteristic trait of Jesus in his words to the Ephesians where he clearly states that he is "…striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:…"  Paul spells out that unity in terms of one Lord, one faith, one baptism.  And he further describes it in terms of the diversified tasks in the early community: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers.  He doesn’t mention tax collectors, but Matthew slips in under the category of apostle.

Matthew was to live out his life pursuing this unity theme, trying to reconcile the implications of following Jesus Christ, with the Judaism that was so dear to Matthew and many of his converts.  He wanted no part of the ostracism he experienced earlier in life,  later on in life, whether for himself or for his converts.

 

Fr. Sebastian MacDonald, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois.