Daily Scripture

The Presentation of the Lord

Scripture:

Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

Reflection:

Today’s Feast of the Presentation echoes the great Advent and Christmas themes of waiting and fulfillment.  In the Gospel, holy Simeon gives thanks that he has seen, at last, the promised "light of revelation for the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel." 

We celebrate this Feast while still deep in winter.  Spring is far off; this is the time when ‘cabin fever’ takes a deep hold!  The message of today’s Feast and our seasonal impatience are meant for one another.  Our world and our own ways of being make us impatient for the coming of good, for the arrival of beauty and warmth.  In the realm of the spirit, however, it is hope-kindled patience that sets the pace.

Holy Simeon is lifted up as our guide and model.  His patient waiting for the coming of the Light was fulfilled. His life captures the grand sweep of faith found in the Old Covenant:  the Light will come for God has promised it.  We can depend upon what God promises.

Life often places us in winter.  Ill, we yearn for healing and release from anxiety, pain and discomfort. Grieving, we yearn for reconnection with loved ones and the stilling of the heart’s empty ache.  Discouraged or doubtful, we become frantic for the electric spark of certainty and conviction.  Darkened by sin, disappointment and hurt, our gloomy spirits search squint-eyed for the Light that brings renewal and healing.

In all these moments we can only wait in hope.  Like the coming of Spring, God’s spirit gifts come gradually.  Sunrise cannot be rushed nor the dawning of renewal, life, hope and joy.  May holy Simeon quell our impatient anxiousness; like him, may we trust in the certainty of the Light’s rising.

 

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

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Mark 1:21-28

Reflection:

Few prophets are remembered for saying to God’s people: "Have a good day!" or "Go with the flow!"  Certainly not the Hebrew Prophets!  In the Hebrew and Christian tradition, the prophets are the ones who are not afraid to go face to face with God and to fight the demons within individuals and in the community. 

The promise made by Moses in the first reading is fulfilled and surpassed in Jesus, who in the gospel reading, is beginning to teach and act with authority and hold his listeners in the synagogue spellbound. The prophets of old prefaced their remarks "… Thus says the Lord."  But Jesus begins: "I say to you…" and His words are effective.  They cast out the evil powers and bring healing, revelation and the saving power of God. 

In the letter to the Corinthians today, Paul would like all to be free of anxieties in their relationships. He gives advice to those who are married as well as not married. In evaluating the situations of his own time in Corinth, he is careful to distinguish between what the Lord commands and what he, Paul is recommending.  His perspective is that the end is coming soon, and as we heard in last Sunday’s reading, "the world as we know it is passing away."  (Cor. 7: 29-31)  However, Paul is trying to suggest what he thinks is best for the Christian community, without imposing his interpretations on them. 

We still need prophetic voices in our time today to help us integrate the teaching of Jesus in whatever the circumstances of our lives are today.   

Take some time today to ponder: 

Who speaks to us with authority?  To whose voices do we listen?  Whom do we trust and follow?  To whom do we go to educate and form our conscience so that we might be able to recognize in the depth of our being, -the gospel teaching of Jesus, and the will of God for us? We cannot to this all by ourselves without help from others in our community of faith. 

Who will act with authority in our life?  Who will exorcise the demons of our day- demons that are as powerful as those Jesus confronts in the Gospel readings?  

In closing:  Let each of us pray our Responsorial Psalm for all who come to this website today.

 

Sr. Marcella Fabing, C.S.J. is on the staff at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.

Scripture:

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Mark 4:35-41

Reflection:

One of the wonderful traits that I see in our small grandchildren is that they have great faith in their parents.  They believe that their parents can do anything and as a result, these confident grandchildren seem to go about their play with great joy and freedom from fear.  If they get hurt, they go to their mother.  If some toy gets broken, they go to their father.  Their faith is very practical.  They know that their parents are powerful and loving.

This is the kind of faith that we encounter in today’s readings.

As Jesus and his apostles were crossing the lake, a storm arose.  For a while the apostles were managing……they were in control – if only barely.  In such instances, it’s easy to convince ourselves that we have faith. 

As the storm intensified and the boat was in danger of sinking, the apostles suddenly discovered that things were out of their control.

To find oneself in a situation like this is both humbling and terrifying.  But it is precisely in times like this that we discover whether or not we really have faith.

We need faith in all the moments of our lives.  Most everyone turns to God in times of great danger.  If we cannot or will not seek God in the quiet moments of our lives, we are not likely to find Him when trouble strikes.  If we have learned to seek Him and trust Him in quiet moments, then most certainly we will find Him when the going gets rough.

When a storm of confusion threatens us and the waters of life become troubled and turbulent, we can be comforted in faith when we hear His powerful and loving words, "Quiet. Be still."

 

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

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:32-39
Mark 4:26-34

Reflection:

In the first chapter of John’s gospel, we read about two disciples of John the Baptist who began to follow after Jesus.  Jesus asked them, "What are you looking for?"  There is another question that logically follows. "What is Jesus looking for?"   We soon find out that Jesus is looking for faith. 

He could not work many miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith. (cf. Matthew 13:58) He criticized his apostles in the rocking boat, "Why are you terrified, Oh you of little faith."  (Matthew 8:26)  He chided Peter who for a brief moment walked on water, than doubted. "Oh you of little faith.  Why did you waver?" (Matthew14:31)

On the other hand, Jesus cured the sick daughter of the Canaanite woman, telling her. "You have great faith.  Your wish will come to pass." (Matthew 15:28)  Jesus praised the woman who washed his feet and dried them with her hair, telling her, "Your faith has been your salvation." (Luke 7:50)  Jesus cured the Centurion’s son, saying, "I have never found this much faith in Israel" (Matthew 8:10)

In our first reading today we have the sentence, "The just man will live by faith."  Further it says, "We are… among those who have faith and live."  The faith Jesus is looking for is more than mere intellectual consent.  It is more than verbal agreement.  It is a passionate faith, a faith that floods our hearts, grips our souls, and reaches into the very core of our being.  This is the faith that began as a mere mustard seed when the apostles first started to follow Jesus, but it grew into a faith so strong that it blossomed into martyrdom and sainthood.  This is the faith that will see us through tough times, even enduring "a great contest of suffering," knowing we have "better and more permanent possessions," the love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

Fr. Alan Philip is a member of the Passionist Community in Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:1-10
Mark 3:31-35

Reflection:

In light of the latest events in Washington, today’s Gospel is especially timely.  No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it’s impossible not to wonder what could bring so many people-from so many walks of life-together in peaceful unity.  Today’s readings might give us a clue.

My thoughts about this Gospel have transformed over the years.  It used to sting a bit whenever I thought about Jesus acting so indifferent to the fact that his "mother and brothers" were stuck outside the crowds wanting to speak to him.  Looking around, Jesus rhetorically asks; "Who are my mother and my brothers?"  But I don’t believe this is Jesus being callus or unfeeling about his familial relationships. 

Here Jesus takes the opportunity to teach us about the importance of a spiritual family-perhaps not one you were born into, but a real family nonetheless-one formed by the shared belief in Christ.  Jesus looks out and proclaims: "whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."  As Christians, we are called the family of God.  By talking in these terms of brothers and sisters, Jesus demonstrates the importance of following him.  We can all understand the closeness within our own families.  Christ shares this same intimate bond with those who believe and follow him.

There is a bit of a catch, however.  Christ embraces a family far beyond those with whom he shares blood, but this invitation does not include just anyone.  Only those who do the will of God can be called brothers and sisters of Christ.  So, we have to ask ourselves the difficult question whether, in our own lives, we have accepted Christ’s invitation to join his family by doing the will of the Father.  The good news is that, if the answer is not what we had hoped, there is still time to accept the call.

The passage from Hebrews echoes this message.  It’s not outward, superficial sacrifices that the Father wants.  God is not impressed with "sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings."  That was the old way, before the Father sent his only son to be offered as a sacrifice for all humankind.  The Old Testament sacrifices were imperfect, a shadow of the true sacrifice that is to do the will of God; "Behold, I have come to do your will."  Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will through his death.  And in so doing, we have become "sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."  Now, we are asked each day to make this sacrifice in our own lives-to surrender to the will of God.

So, back to those millions gathered in Washington last week.  These were not people joined by blood.  They were not really brothers and sisters.  But they found a sameness of purpose perhaps in a love of country or a long-fought commitment to civil rights.  Surely, they were not all Christians.  But their peaceful gathering at such difficult times serves as an example that something even greater than family can bring people together for the common good.  Let’s pray that this "something" may be to carry out the will of God.

 

Marlo Serritella is on the staff at the Passionist Development Office in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Hebrews 10:11-18
Mark 4:1-20

Reflection:

All of us have heard Mark’s Gospel about the sowing of the seed many times.  I think it is one of those Gospel stories that because of its familiarity, we seldom think about the multitude of messages that it contains.

One of the primary messages in Mark is at the end of this Gospel when he tells us that we are the seeds called to hear the Word and to BEAR FRUIT.  

            But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it
           and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.

It is not enough to be the seed that falls on fertile ground, but to be truly Christian, we must bear fruit, we must ACT on the Word.  It is not enough to passively hear the Word, but we must follow Christ’s example and LIVE the gospel.  It was through the Crucifixion, Christ’s ultimate living out of the obedience and faith that he taught, that Christianity took root and grew.   As Christians, we must also be ACTIVE recipients of the Word.  We are called to bear fruit by spreading the Word to others through our ACTIONS.  

So we can preach the Word to our neighbor but if we do not extend a loving hand to them when they are in need, we are not truly spreading the Word.  We can tell our children about what God wants them to do, but if we don’t make our lives an example of the Gospel, we are not teaching the Word to them.  We can attend Mass and resonate in the certainty of our Catholicism, but if we don’t act with love of others, regardless of their religious beliefs, we are not spreading the Word. 

What an awesome responsibility Christ gives us.  Not just to be the fertile ground that will take the seed and nourish it, but to be the very seed that bears fruit.  Not just to listen to the Word and reflect on it, but to ACT on it.  To live the Word, to love the world, to be Christian – that is what we are each called to do.

 

Mary Lou Butler is a member of the board at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California

Scripture:

Jonah 3:1-5,10
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

Reflection:

The Book of Jonah tells about the reluctant preacher Jonah, who preaches to the people of Nineveh.  These are a notoriously wicked people, who hear the word of God and repent.  The good news of salvation is intended for all people.  The Epistle to the Corinthians also reminds us that time is limited so we must embrace the Gospel and be converted.  The Gospel of Mark recounts the call of four of the disciples.  Peter and Andrew are apparently older men, successful in that they owned their own boat.  James and John are younger men, who are still apprenticed to their father, who has a successful fishing business because he even has hired hands.  The Book of Jonah and the Gospel of Mark, are forceful reminders that God’s call is a summons, one we can’t refuse, as Jonah tried.  God calls us whenever it pleases him, when we are young or when we are older.  We are all summoned when it is God’s pleasure.

Today’s reading tells us that God finds us where we are and invites us to: 1. Reform our life.  2. Believe in the Gospel and 3.  Follow Jesus.  In return God makes these promises:  "I will make you fishers of people.  I will give you rest.  The reign of God will be yours’.  You will be consoled.  You will inherit the land.  You shall have your fill of holiness.  Your reward will be great. You will be the light of the world.  You will be the salt of the earth.  God who sees in secret will repay you.  God will forgive you.  Ask and you will receive.  You will be great in the Reign of God.  You shall be called "children of God."  You shall see God."

Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi  reminds us:  Evangelists must be worthy.  Have no doubt or fear.  Be unremitting. Be faithful.  Bring a new creation. Bring unity to community.  Bring sincerity and authenticity:  Holiness of life nourished by prayer and love of the Eucharist.  Simplicity of life.  Love for all, especially the poor and lowly.

Obedience and humility.  Self-forgetfulness and renunciation.  Reverence for truth.  Share the truth.

 

Fr.Kenneth O’Malley, C.P. is the archivist for Catholic Theological Union and lives with the Passionist formation community in Chicago, Illinois.

Scripture:

Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14
Mark 3:20-21

Reflection:

"When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is in ecstasy."  The Greek word here is ex-is’-tay-mee which means to stand outside oneself or to be amazed.  While those around Jesus thought He had lost his mind,He really was astonished at the importance of the poor humans around Him to the point He gave up his meals to be with them.

When we speak of ecstasy we are not speaking of the hallucinogenic drug.  Nor are we referring to some mysterious mystical experience.   We mean the shock and awe we experience the presence of God.

To achieve closeness to God we need ecstasy in our lives.   Einstein observed "He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed".   When people witnessed Jesus bringing the young girl back to life, "They were astonished (ex-is’-tay-mee) with great astonishment".  (Mark 5:42)  St Francis de Sales in his instruction on prayer says, "place yourself in the presence of God, beseech him to inspire you".

The Gospels are full of wonder and ecstasy.   When Jesus healed the palsied man,"they were all amazed (ex-is’-tay-mee)  and glorified God, saying, we have never seen anything like this". Mark 2:12.   I think that real closeness to God only comes with a profound sense of ecstasy and amazement that the Holy Spirit must give us.

The Hebrew scriptures exhort us many times to open our eyes to God’s marvelous works. "Stand still, and consider the wondrous works { paw-law’} of God."  Job 37:14  The natural world around us is full of the riches of His glory. "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done." Ps 40:5    The incredible size of the universe with itsgalaxies billions of light years away calls us to a deep spirit of awe.   Like childrenthe only response we often can have is "wow".  I love Bradbury’s quote: "Space travel has made children of us all again."

Ecstasy is the cradle of appreciation of God.   It puts our lives in a constant state of amazement.  
G K Chesterton observed years ago: "Ennui is indeed, the great sin, the sin by which the whole universe tends continually to be undervalued and vanish from the imagination".   Ecstasy gives birth to the spiritual life, but it also crowns the ultimate vision of Christ.   The old man Simeon with Christ in his arms prays: "my eyes have seen your salvation."   Indeed, ecstasy must accompany our entire spiritual journey, the beginning, the middle, and the end in the beatific vision.   St Thomas Aquinas tells us, "Amor facit ecstansans–love produces ecstasy"

 The most amazing thing in all creation is human nature, especially the human nature of Christ.  Jesus fulfills what God said in Genesis: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.  "And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him." Luke 2:33

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. lives with the Passionist community in Detroit, Michigan.  His primary ministry is preaching parish missions and retreats.