Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 John 4:11-18
Mark 6:45-52

Reflection:

"God has loved us and sent is Son as an expiation for our sins. If God has so loved us, we must have the same love for one another. (I Jn 4:11) We see that love in our flesh in the crib and on the cross. That is the measure of God’s love for each one of us. We are caught up in a Divine Mystery – even in the Infinite Love that God is! Shepherds and Wise Men were called to know that Love, that Mystery – and so are we!

When we come to know the reason for our creation and view the cost of our redemption, it is not only a moment for song and exaltation. The Beloved Disciple draws the consequence. God’s love is poured out for us as individual persons precisely that we may surrender to that love, live it and share it with one another.

John is simply echoing the words he heard Jesus utter in his heart to heart message at the Last Supper – "As I have loved you so you also should love one another."

We are to see ourselves as beloved of God and in that knowledge overcome our selfishness, our quick negative judgments.

We are beloved of God and every neighbor is so loved. If he is clearly sinfully evil, the forgiving love of God is pursuing him. At least our prayers must be for his good, his salvation. Chicago is apparently the murder-capital of the country. But in the midst of this rampant evil, there have been people alive with the life of Christ and capable of a word of forgiveness and a prayer for those who have wounded them so deeply.

Most of us are not called to this absolute and heroic living of love, we can be caught up our petty antagonisms where another’s voice or mannerism irritates and we close that person out of our consideration, he or she just doesn’t exist for us. Love that person? You must be kidding! No,

The Lord was not kidding, he did not love us in jest in the chill of the manger, and the rough rasping of the cross. Neither was he kidding when he demanded we copy his love.

Feelings of aggression and opposition come upon us unbidden, but we do not need to yield to them and feed them. We can turn to the Lord Jesus and ask. You loved me and died for me – you have done the same for this person who incites my rejection – but you love us both, help me.

Share your love with me." That is one way of allowing the love God flow through us, one of the ways we can show ourselves as members of Christ. It is the challenge of Bethlehem and Calvary.

 

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

Reflection:

The Gift of God’s Love Made Manifest

Today we celebrate the "manifestation" of God’s Love in the person of Jesus, the newborn Savior.  The earliest recipients of that manifestation were the simple shepherds, then the elder Simeon and the 84 year old widow Anna.  In today’s Gospel Matthew recounts the star-lit manifestation to the magi, whom we’ve come to call the kings or the wise men — noted as well for the special (and pricey) gifts they brought Jesus and the Holy Family:  gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Our current practice of Christmas gift-giving derives from the action of these "wise men".  Gifts can be practical, necessary, creative, simple, pricey, even fun – but the significance of the gifts is found in the meaning they bear.

I am remembering the familiar short story by the American author, O. Henry, called "The Gift of the Magi".  The story features a young married couple who were very poor but deeply in love.  The wife had long, beautiful, dark hair.  For Christmas her husband wanted to get her a set of expensive decorative combs to wear in her hair, and despite their poverty he was determined to get that gift for her.  The husband treasured a gold pocket watch handed down from his grandfather.  The wife found an elegant (and expensive) watch chain, and despite their poverty she was determined to get that gift for him.  Come Christmas eve, they both had bought their special gifts for the other.  In exchanging the gifts, they discovered that she had cut and sold her hair to a wig maker to buy the watch chain, and he had sold his treasured watch to buy the decorative combs.  After their initial "shock", they both broke into laughter and fell into each other’s arms, realizing that watch chains and combs mean nothing — it’s love that counts!

Today, the greatest "gift" for each of us and our world is Jesus himself.  Nothing is more perfect or more precious or more practical or more necessary.  He comes to us and our world revealing and sharing unconditional, eternal L O V E … Like the early Magi, may we do Him homage by faith-filled lives of love and service — rooted in simplicity, wisdom, and openness.  With the psalmist we pray, "may every nation on earth adore you."

 

Fr. John Schork is the local superior of Sacred Heart Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

1 John 2:22-28
John 1:19-28

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel passage focuses on St. John the Baptist.  It’s odd to have him appear on January 2!  We are accustomed to his presence in the midst of Advent, but now?  He seems out of place once we have celebrated the birth of Jesus.

Perhaps his presence in today’s reading will prompt reflection on our stance as Christians throughout the year we’ve just begun.

John the Baptist is a unique figure in the Gospels.  His sole reason for existence is as prophet of the Messiah; he lives only to point to Christ.  Nothing is more important for him than Jesus.  He will say "He (Jesus) must increase; I must decrease." (John 3:30)  John’s selfless commitment to Christ encourages us to make our own fearless surrender to the power of Jesus’ summons.

John’s commitment to his vocation is total.  He will be martyred by King Herod; his courage will cost him his head!  The Baptist challenges us to fearless dedication and absolute dedication to Christ and His Gospel.

Social commentators tell us that our age is characterized by a concern for "me".  Healthy self-regard is important, necessary and godly.  Yet, so much of our concern with self seems, instead, inappropriate, egotistical and relentlessly narcissistic.  Our recent financial crises seem rooted in an outrageous attitude of "me first".  A self-concern that blinds us to the presence and needs of others is hardly healthy, much less holy.

How refreshing is John the Baptist!  He is free, unfettered by the concerns of his ego.  His trust in the One beyond himself is complete, total.  May his example set the tone for us in 2009.  May we live totally for Christ, the True Light of the World proclaimed by the Baptizer.

 

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

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Scripture:

Numbers 6:22-27
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21

Reflection:

May the Lord Bless you and keep you!  May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!  May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!

Isn’t this a wonderful blessing to begin this New Year’s Day, 2009?

While Ps. 67, our Psalm Response, is considered to be a communal thanksgiving for a good agricultural year, it is also our prayer together today, as we seek God’s blessings in this New Year, "May God bless us in his mercy… May his face shine upon us…and bless us."

As we ponder the Gospel today, we join the shepherds as they go to Bethlehem and find Mary and Joseph, with the infant lying in the manger. My own personal reflection on this gospel leads me to bring to heart and mind my own journey to Bethlehem with the CTU Israel Study Program under the leadership of Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP. After a time of prayer in the large Church of the Nativity, Carroll led us down the narrow stairs to  the ancient caves below… in silence and awe we walked where believers had gone before us – marking the walls of the caves with their Christian symbols and words… such a sense of awe and presence, not only of Mary, Joseph, and  the newborn child, Jesus,  but of the faith of all believers … the people of God who, like the shepherds, made known what they saw experienced.

 Whenever we reflect on these profound mysteries, like Mary, let us hold them in our own hearts and minds… share and praise God for all that God continually gifts us now, in the past and in the year to come.

 Happy New Year!

 

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

Scripture:

Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14 or Genesis 15: 1-6, 21:1-3
Colossians 3: 12-21
Luke 2: 22-40

Reflection:

"The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
 and the favor of God was upon him."

The Feast of the Holy Family, coming as it does right after Christmas, reminds us of the total humanity of Christ.  The miracle of Christmas is that Christ was born fully human.  But this belief and the simplicity of the stable are sometimes belied by our celebrations as we see the Nativity scene portrayed in great glory and our churches bedecked in glorious adornment.  And while it is fitting that we give great emphasis and glory to the Christmas celebration, the feast of the Holy Family highlights Jesus’ total humanity.

So think now of this humble Jewish family.  Picture the Christ Child in Mary’s arms being presented at the temple — an ordinary act of an ordinary family.  Isn’t it easy to identify with the parents, Mary and Joseph, as they embark on raising their child? As parents or as our parents’ children, we can empathize with the love, joy, pride and fear that Mary and Joseph must have felt.

Mary must have held the baby close to her heart and we can visualize Joseph in a protective stance as they hear the words of Simon.  They must have wondered just what was he saying would happen to their little baby? 

Our faith is based on the miracle, not of a stable that witnessed Divinity, but of a Divinity that totally embraced humanity, thereby embracing each of us and bringing salvation to all periods of human life. God tells us this by not choosing to suddenly appear on a cloud, or as a mature, wise elder, but rather being born and raised in the loving bosom of an ordinary family–a simple, humble family dealing with many of the same pains and sorrows that every family faces.  Jesus took on not only the form of a man but the emotions, the growth, the learning and the connectedness that come from being part of a family.  How God must love us to give us this gift!

 

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

Scripture:

1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96
Luke 2:22-35

Reflection:

It only seems appropriate that our gaze these past few wonderful days has been directed to the Christ Child in the crib. Yet the readings today make clear that while we contemplate the magnificent mystery of the Christ made flesh, we are also called and challenged by it.

In his letter John reminds us that we only "know Christ" when we walk just as he walked.

Often we as believers can get so caught up in the sentimentality of the season that we forget exactly why God "en-fleshed" himself in Jesus and what exactly that means. By taking on our human estate, Jesus experienced both the positives and the negatives of all that life has to offer. Jesus laughed as well as cried. He knew hunger as well as plenty. He knew the love of friendship, as well as the pain of betrayal. Jesus took all that humanity had to offer without any vestige of sin. He never rebelled from God’s will, never shirked his destiny, and never severed his loving relationship with His Abba, Our Father.

Even as a child, Joseph and Mary did what was just and followed the law. They brought Jesus their first born into the Temple to make an offering as prescribed to God. And yet even there, Simeon prophesied that this child was different! He was "destined to be the fall and rise of many in Israel…and a sign of contradiction…"

If we are to walk as Jesus walked what then does it mean to be "a sign of contradiction?"

In human terms, we are often aggravated and irritated by those who contradict us. Often we find it difficult to reconsider closely held assumptions and examine inbred societal prejudices. Sometimes it is easier just to surrender to what the majority thinks, or what our personal preferences are.  

Yet to be "a sign of contradiction," to walk as Jesus walks, to embrace the mystery of the Crib as well as the Cross, means that we must dedicate ourselves to God’s revealed Truth in Justice tempered by Mercy. Easier said then done you may think! Yes, Jesus tells us (and the lives of the Saints confirm this)…it usually takes a lifetime!

"Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes." To be a sign of contradiction often means shining light where there is darkness, as we kneel before the Christ Child this day and contemplate him as the Light of the World, may we too in our own little worlds be that sign of contradiction, bringing the Just Light of Truth to those yearning to experience God’s Mercy.

 

Patrick Quinn is the Director of Planned Giving at the Passionist Development Office in Chicago, Illinois. 

Scripture:

1 John 1:1-4
John 20:1a, 2-8

Reflection:

It is just a few days after Christmas.  The tree is still aglow with twinkle lights, the kiddies have barely tired of their new toys, and the brave among us may have already ventured out to the sales in hopes of getting a jump on next year’s decorations.  But just as we may still be celebrating the birth of the Newborn King, we are reminded today exactly why such celebration is in order; Christ is Risen!  The tiny babe, born of such humble beginnings, is destined to be the Savior of the world.

We learn from John’s gospel that Mary Magdalene is first to discover that Jesus is gone from the tomb.  (And for those who sometimes question the prominence of women in the Church, take note that it is Mary Magdalene who is first to witness Jesus’ Resurrection.)  I can’t help but think of the despair that she must be feeling.  It has been just a few days since Jesus was crucified.  Mary can’t even wait for the sun to come up before she heads off to grieve at the burial site of her friend and teacher. 

When she sees the stone has been rolled away, her first reaction is to run to the other disciples.  But her message is not one of joy and salvation.  She believes Christ’s body has been stolen.  Perhaps we should take some comfort from the fact that even those closest to Jesus-those who left their lives behind to follow him-could not even have fully imagined the possibility of the Resurrection.  Let us be assured that our Lord understands too our doubt and disbelief at his living presence in our lives.  But we can aspire to the faith of the beloved disciple John, for he saw the empty tomb and believed. 

John begins his first letter by assuring the reader that not only has he seen with his own eyes, but has heard and even touched what he is about to tell them about.  In this way, John bears witness to the Word of Life as a concrete reality.  He tells us that the purpose of his letter is, first, "fellowship."  So it seems that sharing the knowledge of Christ’s victory over death brings us into communion with others. 

Secondly, he says that he is writing "that our joy may be complete."  This is quite a concept-complete joy!  It doesn’t seem like much of a reality in today’s world, does it?  Bills may be piling up, lay-offs are widespread and many American men and women are thousands of miles from home in harm’s way.  Perhaps then the simplicity of this message is even more pertinent. 

Acknowledging Christ as our Savior brings complete joy.  More specifically, in sharing God’s love, we can find this peace and contentment of complete and utter joy.  Now, this doesn’t mean that we go through life skipping and singing with a song in our heart, as we will all no doubt experience suffering and tragedy.  What John tells us is that, for the Christian, true inner peace does not fluctuate based on the goings on around us.  Rather, we must find this joy within ourselves.  And this joy-of Christ as our Savior-is ever true, unchanging and transformative in our lives.

 

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

Christmas Eve

Scripture:

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Luke 1:67-79

Reflection:

YOU WILL CALL HIM EMMANUEL,  Is 7:13.

Christmas above all is a time to celebrate that golden moment when the Son of God became a man.  It is also a time to remind ourselves that He must be reborn in the heart of each one of us.   God is indeed with us, our Emmanuel.

It is with shock and awe that we see the God of the galaxies chose to take on our flesh.  It is little wonder that the first heresies denied that God would so humble Himself to take on our nature.    Today we have a much clearer idea of the size of the universe.   We know there are hundreds of billions of stars in galaxies, and over a hundred billion galaxies.   They have taken a very small space in the night sky, the size of the eye of FDR in a dime, and counted 1,500 galaxies in it.  The God we worship is a lot bigger than we thought He was.

With childlike amazement we approach the little babe in the crib.  How could such a God who made the heavens and earth take on a human nature?   Yes, He is our Emmanuel.   God is with us beyond our wildest imaging!  But are we with Him?  Is our heart elsewhere?  Do I have a deep relationship with Him in prayer?

There is always a tendency to reduce this massive mystery of the Incarnation to a pure moralist response.    Faced with the massive impact of God’s giving Himself in the crib our response must go far beyond just social or private moral concerns.    We kneel with stunned wonder at God’s utter closeness to us.  

Christmas is God’s ultimate statement of His desire to enter a deep and personal relationship with Him in prayer.   The birth of Christ is a call to us of God’s intense desire to enter into an awe inspiring relationship with Him.   

 

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. gives parish missions and retreats.  He lives in the Passionist community in Detroit, Michigan.