Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Acts 4:1-12
John 21:1-14

Reflection:

"There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved."  These words of St. Peter, which conclude our first reading today, thrill and disturb, depending at what point in history you are living.  For centuries, Europe and America prided itself on being "Christian" and readily accepted this belief.  But how things have changed!  Today, as some call all people to a "New  World Order," they are demanding that we give up these divisive beliefs of uniqueness and all go into a psychotic regression where we fall to pieces.  The "Big Daddies" standing by will then take the pieces and build a unified, look-alike human family.  Have you ever heard of anything so sickening and lacking in Gospel truthfulness?

When the early Christians moved into the Roman world, they were confronted with the same issues.  The Romans prided themselves on knowing how to create a unity and peace amid very diverse peoples and beliefs.  When this small, strange group of people called Christians came along, the Romans had the solution.  Their God was given a space on shelf 17, in the 23^rd spot among all the other gods.  The Christians said, NO.  There is but one God and we believe in this one God.  This immediately made the Christians troublemakers, disturbing the wonderful order established by the Romans.  This, along with other factors, like charges of cannibalism at worship services, brought persecution upon them.  Judaism lived peacefully in the Roman world even though it believed in one God.  The Romans had great respect for antiquity, so the Jews were well tolerated.

The defenders of the early Church tried to show that Christianity was but a blossoming of this antiquity and bringing it to its fullness.  I am not sure how well they sold this to the Romans.

With the conversion of Constantine, the great Christian era began.  This need to defend your uniqueness in a very pluralistic world subsided, until recent times.

We live in a world of movement and sound, that gets bored with silence and permanence.  Jesus was born as an actual human being, into history, into time and said certain defined things.  How Boring!!  This can get old very fast.  Wouldn’t it be better to have a religion defined by myths, which can change by addition whenever you desire.  Religion should have the changeability of a snake that sheds its skin and gets a new one.  Jesus is the same, today, yesterday and forever.  That sounds like one of those old bodies found in the frozen glaciers of Alaska.  The frenetic nature of the modern mind, which gets bored with its own boredom, can find it very difficult to believe that Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved.  There must be many ways, doors through which we can enter, many vines to which we can be attached and draw our spiritual life!  Toleration is the great virtue of today.  Truth is all things, opinions, well tolerated and kept down with a heavy does of antacids or should we say, the lack of reflection. 

St. Paul tells us that Jesus ascended so that he can fill the whole world.  Our Risen Lord is not restricted to time and space but he fills the world, radiating his Holy Spirit, calling all people to God’s life and love.  There may well be many who do not know the name of "Jesus" but who feel and respond to the call of the Risen Christ, the King of the Universe.  They are saved through Christ.  Others may dislike the imagined arrogance of the Christians, telling them how they are saved but then just think of all the absolute statements they make that we must let be.  The unity that God seeks is the community of diverse peoples, living with and respecting each other in a loving way.  He is not seeking a unity that comes from the psychotic dismantling of humanity and a new putting together based on human greed and idolatry. 

 

Fr. Blaise Czaja, C.P. gives parish missions and retreats.  He is a member of the Passionist Community in Detroit, Michigan. 

Scripture:

Acts 3:1-10
Luke 24:13-35

Reflection:

The joy, power, and wonder of the Resurrection are in every sentence of our readings. Peter’s words to the cripple beggar "in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk!" carry the conviction that the power of the Risen Christ is available to heal crippled limbs. The surprise and joy of the beggar leaping up and then "walking and jumping and praising God" as he accompanied Peter and John into the temple is our own experience of  the Alleluias of Easter.

Jesus met the two disciples on the road "and walked with them". We believe that as we journey Jesus will walk with us. The whole story of the Hebrew people from Abraham’s journey from Ur,  the going down into Egypt and then the  exodus out of Egypt and through the desert and into the promised land, the Exile and Return, all show the God journeys with his people. He overcomes the obstacles and invites his people to faith.

Finally the moment of revelation as Jesus "took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them". With that "their eyes were opened and they recognized him". So many meals with prostitutes and tax collectors, miraculous feedings of thousands, the Passover celebration in the Upper Room that becomes the first Eucharist, and now Jesus gives them himself sacra mentally and, no longer needing to be present, "he vanished from their sight". May we cherish the sacramental presence of Jesus as we go to the table to be nourished by the body and blood of Jesus.

 

Fr. Mike Hoolahan, C.P. is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Acts 2:14, 22-33
Matthew 28:8-15

Reflection:

Easter Monday (or Bright Monday, as our Orthodox sisters and brothers call it), continues the mystery of Jesus Risen, as we will celebrate this gift during the next 50 days.         

Some wise one once said: "Life is what happens to us when we’re planning something else."  Thank God for the interruptions of life! Sometimes we’re out of sorts if the doorbell rings during our favorite TV show, or if someone breaks our routine at work.  Yet how often interruptions prove not only necessary, but life-giving.  The story goes that as Michelangelo was working to raise the great obelisk that still stands in the center of St. Peter’s square, he had given strict orders that absolute silence was to be kept during the raising.  The penalty was severe, at least jail time, I believe.  As the great piece was being raised, a worker noticed that one of the huge ropes, from all the strain, had begun to smoke.  He yelled: "FIRE", another worker grabbed a bucket of water nearby, the fire was put out and the obelisk raised.  A timely interruption, to say the least.     

Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, going away quickly from the empty tomb, and intent on sharing the news with Jesus’ disciples, were Surprised by him on the way.  He will continue to surprise, break in on and interrupt hundreds of disciples after his resurrection.  God’s great project, raising Jesus from the dead is over!  The silence of Good Friday and Holy Saturday has given way to shouts and songs of Alleluia!     

By the way, the worker who interrupted Michelangelo’s work was given a tremendous bonus, where he did not have to work another day in his life.  Jesus, whose Resurrection not only interrupts, but changes forever life as it was, gives us the greatest gift, a share in his resurrected life forever.

Holy Saturday 

Scripture:

Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28
Romans 6:3-11
Mark 16:1-7

 

 

Reflection:

On this day, all is quiet.  This day is broken by no liturgical function. Christ lies in the tomb.  The Church sits near and mourns.  We wait in holy darkness.

We wait and we reflect on all that has happened during this week:

How we waved palm branches to greet our Messiah as he entered Jerusalem; all our hopes wrapped up in him. 

By Good Friday, however, we discovered that hope can have its dark side.  When our hopes are crushed, we blame our spouse, blame our family, our boss or our nation’s president.  When our hopes are shattered, we may even blame our God.  Where were you when I needed you?  What kind of God permits this suffering?  Then we toss aside our palm branches.  We may even join the crowd shouting, "Crucify him."

Yet, if we have courage to climb Calvary to die with the Lord, we can discover real hope; hope in God’s promise that in dying to our old self, we too will rise again to new life.

But, for now we sit by the tomb.  We wait in holy darkness.

"Holy darkness, blessed night,
heaven’s answer hidden from our sight.
As we await you, O God of silence,
we embrace your holy night."

 

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

Holy Thursday 

Scripture:

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-15

Reflection:

Tonight we begin the three day feast of the Triduum that takes us to our roots and causes us to ponder who we are, where we have come from and, most importantly, why we stay.  The stories we will hear in the readings from these days are familiar but can still hold an excitement and depth of meaning if we allow them to really penetrate us to the core.  They provide a sense of continuity and connection as well as, if accepted, challenge and confrontation.  Most of all, these scriptures, should lead to a deep, inner reflection, which can cause us to own or possibly even reject, who we claim to be.

We have been through the waters of Baptism and have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection.  These are wonderful images and reassuring promises but in listening to the scriptures and especially the parts about washing feet, accepting imposed suffering without resistance or defense, each of us must wonder if we would be willing to not just wash feet but possibly even provide more intimate care for those debilitated or unable to care for themselves.  And more importantly, would we be willing to humbly, graciously and gratefully accept such care when our age and or physical condition makes dependence a necessity?  Are we REALLY who we claim to be?

The reading tonight from Paul begins with "I received from the Lord what I passed on to you…"  Yet we know that Paul never met Jesus of Nazareth in the flesh.  What Paul received from the Lord came through the community of disciples of which he became a part.  Our faith has come to us through countless generations of Christians, some of whom may have experienced faith as a relationship with the Lord and others whose faith was fundamentally rooted in family or culture or national identity.  All of these from whom we have descended claimed in some way to be connected to the Lord.  Are we REALLY connected to the Lord, or do we have loyalties, even if to the Church, which more deeply anchor our identities?

Finally, why do we stay?  The Church today is far from ideal and certainly not an unblemished expression of the Gospel.  Nor is any parish or religious community or even family a pure example of unwavering discipleship.  The challenge of these High Holy Days is great and may be a cause for deep personal honesty.  Are we REALLY who we claim to be?

 

Cathy Anthony is on the staff of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan. 

Good Friday

Scripture:

Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42

Reflection:

Have you ever met a complainer?  You know the type – a slight inconvenience becomes a major catastrophe and every little pain becomes an intolerable burden.  Their constant complaints may serve a variety of purposes – i.e. bids for recognition as a "saint", indirect pleas for assistance (whether truly needed or not), or a means to gain pity.  Regardless, they use their suffering in selfish pursuits, entirely focused on filling their own needs. 

Then there is the attitude with which my siblings (and many other Catholics) were raised.  Whenever we complained, we were admonished to offer it up for a greater good – for poor souls in purgatory, starving babies in Africa, leaders of our country, or those who were dying that day.  Our suffering was always to be focused on the other.  This gave meaning to our suffering and also, by imbuing it with purpose, made it easier to endure. 

Today’s readings stretch that principle to incalculable depths.  We are told of the unnamed Servant who suffered rejection, humiliation, and death on behalf of his people, paving the way for them to return from exile and rebuild their lives in Jerusalem.  Then we re-live the passion of Jesus, who was betrayed, tortured, disgraced and put to death for us that we might know the infinite love and mercy of the God who always works to bring life out of death.  Both innocent, they freely accepted public degradation and offered up their lives.  God then gathered up their sufferings and used them as conduits of redemption in a world fraught with sin.

Can God so use me?  Though they pale in comparison, can my sufferings, willingly endured, somehow be gathered up into God and transformed?  Can I "die" so that others might live?  I don’t understand how this can be; my logical American mind wants to reject it outright.  And yet, my heart keeps returning to these readings, and even in the midst of pain, they lift my eyes in hope.  Though I have no answers, proof, or assurance of efficacy, I kneel as at Gethsemane.  Trembling with the weight of the words, I ask that God’s will be done above my own and I pray for the strength to place my life into the hands of God.

 

Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she has partnered with the Passionists.  Visit Amy’s  website: http://www.amyflorian.com/.

Scripture:

Isaiah 50:4-9a
Matthew 26:14-25

Reflection:

Throughout his career and especially during Holy Week Jesus has keen insight into events (such as his betrayal in today’s Gospel). When people heard him preach they marveled, "Where did he get all this?" Today’s servant song gives us a clue, "Morning after morning God opens my ear that I may hear." St. Paul of the Cross called this "impressions." This reality is the secret behind preaching and wisdom in life. I call this spiritual reality being led by the Holy Spirit.

I once discussed this verse with my preaching teacher at our theologate at Catholic Theological Union. I talked about these inspirations as a crucial key to preaching as well as life in general. She (a Dominican nun) remembered our conversations and gave me a gift when I graduated. It was a framed lithograph that said, "Morning after morning God wakens my ear that I may hear."

It is God who gives a well trained tongue. Formation, learning and experience sharpen the gift. God is the one who gives us insight into how to rouse those who are "weary." Today, people are weary. The Bishops’ document Fulfilled in your hearing tells us, when it comes to preaching, that we must start with the assembly. People are tired of low interest rates, joblessness, being betrayed by the stock market as well as dealing with many relationship and personal sufferings.

Perhaps the biggest critique on Catholic preaching today is that it is not relevant. God opens our ears to listen to our culture and most of all what our people are going through. Preaching is like medicine that anoints peoples’ wounds. Jesus used the medium of story and parable to capture his hearers’ attention and make them think. Today’s preaching must include personal witness as well, an authority that flows from God.

As Passionists we have a rich tradition of reaching the weary through preaching. Day after day God inspires us to reach out to the weary efficaciously. As we journey through Holy Week with Jesus, we watch and learn from the Master. We marvel at his wisdom and see the secret of his success. "The Lord God is my help."

 

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:

Isaiah 49:1-6
John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reflection:

The Evangelist, John, tells of the inner soul of Jesus at the Last Supper.  "He loved his own in the world and loved them to the end."  This becomes evident in every word spoken and every gesture of friendship.  Our text reveals the loving concern Jesus showed to his bold, brash vicar, Peter.  Jesus persuades Peter to allow Jesus to wash his feet.  After the meal he warns Peter of the crisis ahead and even as his tells Peter he will deny ever knowing Jesus, he has a word of comfort.  Peter will recover, regain his composure and his loyalty and become the Rock of support for those who would so soon take to flight.

With that solemn supper, the great drama of redemption was opening.  The villain, Satan, was exulting over his success with Judas and counting on crushing Peter and his companions beneath his feet.  That proud personification of evil could not comprehend that his proud arrogance would be crushed by the humiliation of the very Son of God!

The Divine Mind does not strain in governing galaxies and their billions of stars, that Divine Mind and the human love of Jesus turned fully on one frail human being, Peter, called to be Rock.  The words of Jesus in the Upper Room were loving and gentle.  His glance at Peter even as the cock crowed had the warmth to melt Peter’s heart and cause his rush of tears.

Jesus acts the same way with us.  He well knows our weakness and has come to our aid in so many ways.  Our baptism unites us with his death and the power of his resurrection.  In every Mass he offers himself for us and nourishes us with his Body and Blood.  He embraces us in our encounter with him in Reconciliation.  Jesus loved Peter to the end.  He does the same for us! 

 

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