Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:25-31
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:

The Isaiah reading for today provides the text for one of the most frequently used hymns at funerals – On Eagle’s Wings by Michael Joncas.  Like so many other songs this one bears memories, but they are memories of grief.  In fact, many people burst into tears within two measures, a testimony to the powerful emotions forever tied to this melodic strain.

Perhaps that is not a bad thing during Advent.  Remember, Christmas is not just a birthday party, the celebration of Jesus’ coming 2000 years ago.  It is also about Jesus coming again.   That’s why the readings on the first Sunday of Advent caution us to remain awake and alert, because we do not know the day or hour of the Lord’s coming.  So today, even as we hear the reassurance of Jesus, the words that promise us soaring freedom and light burdens, these very words remind us that we are all terminal.  As was true for Jesus in the moment he proclaimed gospel comfort, we all are approaching our deaths, slowly spending the sands in our personal hourglass. 

You may think this a morbid thought to bring into a discussion of Christmas.  I beg to differ.  Advent and Christmas remind me to remain awake and alert, knowing that time, and especially time with loved ones, is precious and not guaranteed for another year.  They urge me to appreciate who and what I have while I have it.  They help me approach all of life as a fragile and temporary gift from a loving God.

And because time is short, Advent and Christmas remind me that I am to work tirelessly to help birth the reign of God into the world, using my gifts and talents to their full.  Yet I need to stay grounded in God and wisely discern the tasks I am called to do.  If I don’t take time to pray, to listen carefully to God and rely on God’s word, then I become less effective or even burnt out.  If I try to do too much, taking on the work of others and bearing more of a burden than my shoulders were intended to bear, I disconnect myself from God’s yoke and I break under the weight.  Instead, the One who has no equal, who never tires nor faints, is born in me and holds me close.  I never walk alone; I am supported, strengthened, and guided by the Creator of all things. 

If I can take these lessons with me into my celebrations, then surely the songs and memories of Advent and Christmas will indeed soar like eagle’s wings, lighten my load, and bring the comfort and peace for which my soul longs.

 

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 25:6-10a
Matthew 15:29-37

Reflection:

Last Sunday inaugurated Advent with Jesus urging "vigilance," "watchfulness,"  "and "attentiveness." Why? To allow His presence to more fully embrace us, become part of us.  Other synonymous words come to mind that help me take these 24 days seriously, such as "sober," "steady," and "calm." In other words, we are asked by the Church to take more time than usual to live more intensely in God’s presence. A modest suggestion, take a "disciplined" minute each day to be in the presence of God. Not to worry about what happens during that minute except that I do not use words. A selection from scripture may help, but trust God "beyond the human" to know what to "say" to us. We are actually training ourselves to look ever more keenly and continuously toward Jesus. Is it no wonder that Jesus’ compassion for the crowd was preceded by time spent away in prayer? Mountains, in the Scripture, are the places where God dwells. That is where Jesus found nourishment and strength. Consider just that minute each day during Advent, "on the mountain" with God.

 

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

Scripture:

Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke 10:21-24

Reflection:

The Advent Season is a time for travel!  We recall pregnant Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth; we accompany Mary and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem; we rejoice as shepherds and kings make their way to the manger to adore Him.  Our own Advent will be filled with frantic last-minute shopping trips and holiday traffic jams, and journeys that reunite us with distant loved ones.

In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah would have us travel to that blessed place where God’s love reigns triumphant.  Here, the ideal ruler, who "judges the poor with justice", presides over the ideal kingdom where "the baby shall play by the cobra’s den." The prophet’s majestic verse maps the God-given destination for the human race.  Like impatient children, we may ask, "Are we there yet?"  As experienced adults we know too well the humbling answer, "Not even close!"

And yet!  Our times do witness God at work.  Evidence of grace is all around us:  the long-suffering people of Eastern Europe are free; the terrible racial hatred found in South Africa and our own country recede into our rearview mirror; Europe has been continuously at peace for the longest period in over 1000 years; men and women of faith and goodwill still strive to lift the burdens of suffering, doubt and oppression that detour the full arrival of God’s vision for us. 

Isaiah’s stunning dream, then, is also a roadmap.  And, Advent summons us to "hit the road", eagerly anticipating our destination and determined to reach the goal.  May this holy Season be a ‘bon voyage’.

 

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

Scripture:

Revelations 15:1-4
Luke 21:12-19

Reflection:

"Sing to the Lord a new song…
Let the rivers clap their hands,
The mountains shout with joy."

 

So rings today’s Psalm, calling in us a response of jubilant gratitude.

Last week I was invited to an extraordinary luncheon in honor of a woman religious, Sr. Monica, visiting California from Nigeria.  Before lunch, our small group stood in a circle and we invited Sr. Monica to lead us in grace.  What happened next was a far cry from a "Bless us oh Lord for these our gifts."  Instead, Sr. Monica led us in making the sign of the cross and then she broke into song, clapping her hands, singing gratitude for the goodness of our fellowship in Christ and the meal we were about to share.  After she concluded her joyous, spontaneous song, we made the sign of the cross and began our meal.  We all agreed that we loved her blessing which truly proclaimed (in her own wise words) how "Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!"  Sister let out a most joyful laugh when she heard our reaction and said, "If we were home in Nigeria, there would have been dancing too!"

Our mood went from exuberant song to somber reflection as Sister then told us of her work in Nigeria.  Sr. Monica has dedicated much of her religious life to working with young women who are victims of human trafficking.  Incredibly, many girls are submitted to this lifestyle by family members; mothers, fathers, aunts or uncles.  (Sound like today’s Gospel?) The innocent girls leave Nigeria thinking they are "going abroad to study."  Sr. Monica lovingly supports these young women as they return to Nigeria-marked by the stigma of their past.  Reconciling families and healing the hearts of the young women is her mission-in the name of Christ. 

As we pray this Thanksgiving…let us do so in song.  Let us make the sign of the cross.  Then, let us clap our hands…and if we are bold and brave…let us dance.  And, for the sake of those who suffer and are persecuted today, let us speak out with wisdom and compassion and take action to give witness to the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And, as always, let us conclude our Thanksgiving prayer with the sign of the cross…lest we forget!

 

Angela Howell is a retreatant and volunteer at Mater Dolorosa Passionists Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.

First Sunday of Advent 

Scripture:

Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37

Reflection:

Yogi Berra was once asked, "What time is it?"  Yogi responded, "You mean now?"

 The time right now is Advent.  We begin four weeks of preparing for and longing for Christmas.

We can begin this time by becoming once again a little child – filed with wonder at God’s creation, filled with awe at God’s power, and trusting in God’s love.  This is the time to give ourselves over to being playful, and cheerful and song-filled.

Advent is also a good time to once again become a teenager, to dream big dreams, to hope big hopes, to see all the possibilities that lie before us and our world, if only we let God come more fully into our lives.

Advent is a time to capture the energy and enthusiasm of early middle age, a time to stretch ourselves to do meaningful deeds, to reach out to the needs of the poor, to work for justice, to commit ourselves to life, and making life better for others.

Advent is a time to catch the spirit of later middle age, a time to realize the limitation of material possessions, to be finally free of concern about what others think or say, and to spend more time enjoying the family and friends whom God has gifted us with. 

And Advent is a time to welcome the gift of wisdom that usually comes from living a long life.  True wisdom teaches us that the best use of time is to spend it on those things that outlast it.  Included in that list the time spent in prayer.

Yes, Advent can be a beautiful experience of the many ages that can exist within us at any given moment, if we let them.  Advent can be a time of growth into the fullness of human life.  As Isaiah reminds us in our first reading, we are the clay and God is the potter.  All we have to do is say "Yes" to his will.

 

Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P. ministers as a preacher and writer. He lives in the Passionist community at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California. 

Scripture:

Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 127
Matthew 8:5-11

Reflection:

The news today is good!  Let us open our minds and hearts to hear the message of the Lord, so as to make it known to the ends of the earth.

Our Savior is coming, have no fear.  (Antiphon)

As we ponder and pray our readings together today, Isaiah calls us to climb the Lord’s mountain, to listen as our loving God instructs us in God’s way, and calls us to walk in God’s path – the path of peace!   

God’s word is clear and asks each of us today to look within ourselves and at how we act toward one another in our common task to bring about peace. Where in our lives are we called to ‘beat our own swords into plowshares, our own spears into pruning hooks’? Where do we need to drop our swords against each other and to train for war–never again;  Let us seek and find God’s own peace within our own walls, (in our hearts, homes, community, world) so that  we can say to relatives and friends (and that includes even our enemies) ‘Peace be within you! 

If our own strength, as individuals, communities and nations, relies on weapons, fences and power and we do not work together to change and work to deepen just and right relationships, how can there be peace and healing in our world that we are called to in today’s readings? 

Let us then, in prayer, ask the Lord to give each of us the grace to be peacemakers in all the events and people we encounter today.    

 

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

Scripture:

Revelations 20:1-4, 11-21:2
Luke 21:29-33

Reflection:

When I was a young child, and would hear the words of the Book of Revelation, I would think of it a bit like one of today’s horror movies – frightening and a little unreal.  I remember that I used to think that I certainly didn’t want to be around for this Second Coming that the Scriptures were talking about.  I didn’t want to see all the dead coming back to life and dragons, and locusts, fires and torment.  No way was that a future I wanted to experience.

It is easy to see why so many people generation after generation view Revelations as a prediction that the last days are upon us.  Certainly in today’s world, with genocides, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, wars and so many other torments, these might be seen as signs of the end days. 

Luke’s Gospel paints a different picture.  In the verses just before today’s reading, he talks about how we will see the Son of God coming with power and great glory!  Now, that would be something to witness! 

And maybe we can take yet another meaning from these readings.  Maybe all the horrible things happening in our world today are not a sign of the End Time, but rather an invitation to us to bring about the Kingdom of God here and now.

In a homily I recently heard, the Deacon who was preaching, was talking about the Kingdom of God and he said,   "I don’t believe that the Kingdom of God is only in some faraway place; I believe the Kingdom of God is here in this Church, right here in this building."

I think when we hear about the tragedies of today, suffering or hunger, injustice and inhumanity, we are being called to make this true.  In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and perform the other works of mercy.  When we do these things, we do indeed fulfill our destiny to be the Kingdom of God, and we can say "The Kingdom of God is near" regardless of whether the Second Coming is in our lifetime or far off in the future.

 

Mary Lou Butler is a former staff member and is now a member of the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center Board, Sierra Madre, California. 

Scripture:

Revelations 18:1-2, 21-23, 19:1-3, 9a
Luke 21:20-28

Reflection:

Today, as the calendar informs us, is a day to give thanks.  Given recent events, this day may have a very different meaning than it did just a year ago.  Perhaps we are surrounded with food, family and friends and find ourselves feeling especially blessed for all that we have.  Or maybe in recent months, we, or someone close to us, have lost a job, a home, or even a loved one fighting overseas.  Maybe we are reflecting on years past and regretting taking our bounty for granted.  If we believe what we see on television (and so often we do), today is a day for football and parades, eating too much pumpkin pie and getting ready for a big weekend of Christmas shopping. 

And so, with such important things as these already heavy on our minds (I ask, what could be more important than football?), we might wonder why we are asked to consider the serious subject of God’s final judgment on humankind in today’s readings: "for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people" (Luke 21:23).  Jesus tells his followers of the "desolation" to come while Revelation warns that "Babylon the great city [will] be thrown down, and will never be found again" (Rev 18:21).  All this when we haven’t even had our first taste of Thanksgiving leftovers!

While much ink has been spilled over the vivid and often mysterious imagery in the verses of Revelation that foretell the end of days, I think the important lessons from today’s readings are not particularly complicated.  We need to be aware of the presence of God in our lives, take off our spiritual blinders and pay attention to the signs that might give us caution for the future.  No, an angel of the Lord is probably not going to come down from heaven bathed in light to show us the way.  This is the challenge that we face, especially in these uncertain times, to use our own judgment tin making sound choices in the face of what may be impending disaster.  Think how different this day of thanks might look had those on Wall Street paid attention to the signs all around them instead of forging ahead based on greed?   

The ultimate message from today’s scripture is one of hope.  Jesus never hid the fact from his disciples that following him would come with a price.  The Bible is filled with prophecies of the end of the world and the suffering promised from such devastation.  But Jesus offers refuge from the storm-whether it be a diminishing bank account or dwindling college fund.  We need not fear earthly loss and destruction: "Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God" (Rev 19: 1).  As Christians, we have been saved.  We have been given the gift of redemption and freedom from sin and death.  And for that, let us all give thanks.

 

Marlo Serritella is on staff at the Holy Cross Province Development Office in Chicago.