Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Revelations 11:4-12
Luke 20:27-40

Reflection:

Do you remember the difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees? The Sadducees don’t believe in life after death – that’s why they’re "sad you see" (tee hee). I couldn’t resist sharing that little joke – it always makes me smile, and I’ve always remembered the difference between the two groups since I first heard it.

How would our lives be different if we didn’t believe in the resurrection from the dead?  I think it’s so important to hold the hope of heaven in our hearts everyday.

I remember a time several years ago when I felt very homesick. It was like when I was 9 and tried to spend the night with a friend – I had a stomachache, and couldn’t go to sleep. (I finally called my mom and went back home!) I was trying to figure out why I was feeling like that… was it because we had moved to California and I was missing my family? No, it wasn’t that… was it because my kids were growing up and moving away from home? No… it wasn’t that either. What’s wrong with me?

Then in prayer, I heard the Lord say to me "You’re just homesick for heaven." And as I thought about it, I knew it was true. We were created for eternity and for union with our awesome, loving God, and that won’t be realized until we finally go home. We aren’t meant to settle in here forever. We should feel homesick sometimes for the glory that awaits us when we meet our Savior face to face!

The very first song I wrote is called "Longing for Heaven".  Here’s one of the verses:

"When I look up to the heavens, in the clouds I look for You.
Coming down to take us with You to the place You have prepared. 
With no darkness, no more sorrow, only peace eternally. 
Come Lord Jesus, precious Savior, take us home."

I pray that we will let our belief in heaven help us face our challenges with courage and conviction and help us keep our eyes on the prize – life eternal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

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.

The Feast of Christ the King

Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Matthew 25:31-46

Reflection:

I am a movie fan. Some of the movies I like to watch are historical epics, or sword-and sorcery films. In those films, of course, are many depictions of kings and queens. Usually, the ruler judges his or her subject by how the person has served him or her.

As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, we listen to Jesus describe (in our Gospel reading from Matthew) how, He as King, will judge people. In much the same way as the rulers of old, Jesus tells us that He will judge us by how we serve Him. But then Jesus adds something new: How we serve Him is demonstrated in how we serve the least of our brothers and sisters.

I say that Jesus adds something new because the idea is still radical: Those whom the world tends to disregard or ignore, are the same ones that represent Jesus! Recognizing Jesus in those who are in need takes us beyond pity and the discomfort we can sometimes feel when we are confronted by people in distress. Even when we do help someone there is a temptation to regard him or her as "less than" ourselves. But Jesus reminds us that when we respond to the needs of the hungry and the homeless, the sick and the prisoners, we serve our King.

Today’s feast calls us to listen to our King, and obey Him (that’s the tough part!). It will probably make us uncomfortable. We will not always be thanked by those we help. And sometimes the need can be so great that our efforts seem futile. But if we trust in the power of our King, we will receive the grace to serve Him in those the world considers "least." May we serve our King with generosity and joy.

 

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, Fairfield, Alabama.

Scripture:

Revelations 4:1-11
Luke 19:11-28

Reflection:

"I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven…"

In the history of great opening lines, this one truly gives one pause.  The ensuing passages from Revelations are, of course, dazzling, powerful and awe-inspiring. Weaving a tapestry of visions both personal and inspired by sacred texts, John brings us into a world where the God of All reigns supreme; the pettiness of human daily life, worries, shortcomings and even successes, have all fallen away. There is only the power of the Almighty Mystery that is God.

I find myself coming back, after several readings, to that single opening statement and really trying to take in the magnitude of it: "I…had a vision of an open door to heaven."  What a concept! What a possibility, what a comfort, what a breath of fresh air, fresher and more life-giving than anything one could ever imagine or adequately describe…

For me, much of life is lived in the details of daily existence. Many of them are beautiful and wonderful "details" of course – cherished moments of closeness with family and friends, laughter over the silly things that happen, meaningful work, even the acceptance of best efforts that somehow go awry – but a large part of our faith is a belief in, and a preparation for – the transcendent.

As Christians, our belief in Christ is our pathway to the door to heaven. And the door is open to each of us. Our way to God is not barred or hidden; the magnificence of all time and eternity is not beyond our reach. It has been given to us in Christ, with a free hand, a loving heart, through an open door.

I cannot describe my vision of heaven. I leave that to the prophets. But I feel extraordinarily loved to know that I am invited, welcomed even, to let the fresh air from God’s open door sweep over me, comfort me, sustain me.

 

Nancy Nickel is the Director of Communications for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Revelations 22:1-7
Luke 21:34-36

Reflection:

Today is the last day of the Church’s liturgical year. Tomorrow begins the season of Advent, a time of hope, expectation and joy as we the Church prepare to celebrate the mystery of the incarnation, God made flesh in Jesus the Christ.

On this last day of the year, however, the Church’s attention is drawn appropriately not to new beginnings – however imminent – but rather to the end-times. The first reading shares with us the last chapter of John’s apocalyptic vision. Rather than inspiring fear and dread, the vision ends on a note of promise and redemption. It speaks of Old Testament images – "life-giving water," "the tree of life," "the throne of God" – all of which was intended to give readers, then and now, reason for hope.

In a more balanced, practical, down-to-earth way, Luke in today’s Gospel recalls Jesus’ words telling us to be vigilant and to pray that we might be worthy of the promise of his coming. Eternal life is something we as disciples should not take for granted, but rather that we should embrace with all of our mind, body and soul. Jesus’ promises are not meant to lull us into a selfish stupor in which we focus solely on our own personal salvation. Rather, they should energize us in the here and now to be instruments of His redemption – we are Christ’s real, living and breathing invitation to others who do not know Him to escape "the tribulations that are imminent" and rejoice in standing "before the Son of Man."

What will be our response when all of this takes place? When our work is finally done and Jesus comes…it will be simply to repeat the refrain from today’s psalm – the words sung by our earliest mothers and fathers in the Faith: Marana tha! Come Lord Jesus!! Come!!!!

 

Patrick Quinn is the director of Planned Giving at the Passionist Development Office in Chicago.

 

Readings:

Revelations 1:1-4; 2:1-5
Luke 18:35-43

Reflection:

There is something so beautiful in the simplicity of today’s Gospel. A man without sight cries out in the darkness to Jesus for healing. His call is heard and he is healed.

I can think of so many times in my own life when I have wandered about, metaphorically blind. I couldn’t, or didn’t want to see what was right in front of me. I wanted to fix a problem myself, ignore an important issue, or blame others for causing a situation that was affecting me. I was truly without sight.

But the humble cry for mercy is really a divine moment of grace in which we acknowledge that we cannot restore sight, or insight, to ourselves; we cannot right the wrong, modify the course of events, change other people on our own. In our own human woundedness, we just need pity from our loving God.

In the Gospel, the blind man’s sight is restored. He had only to ask Jesus for healing and it was given. In one sense, sometimes the exact thing we ask God for doesn’t seem to appear as obviously as the blind man’s sight was restored. And yet if we only surrender to God and to His loving goodness then healing is possible – the healing that only God knows is ours to receive.

Today perhaps we can remember the ways in which God has, and continues, to heal our hearts and lessen our wounds. Perhaps we can be humble enough to just say, "Lord, help me."

 Nancy Nickel is the Director of Communications for Holy Cross Province.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

Revelation 10:8-11
Luke 19:45-48

Reflection:

St. Paul of the Cross was devoted to this memorial.  He named his first monastery The Presentation, and an early province of the Congregation was named Presentation.  In fact, it is currently linked to Holy Cross province in the proposed configuration of provinces, forthcoming from the Cuernevaca synod of provincials.

There is no exact biblical basis for this commemoration, but there are tangential ones, such as Hannah’s presentation of her son Samuel, in the temple.  Nonetheless, the bible need not be the source of every bit of information regarding these matters.  It was likely a religious practice of devout Jews, cementing bonds of affiliation between a young person and God.  We Catholics are familiar with similar practices, which we sometimes describe as devotions.

One such practice of ours is infant baptism, which we vigorously support, realizing its importance in establishing an important personal linkage in the life of the infant.  It’s an incorporation of the child into the full dimension of church membership-a safe harbor against the coldness of unattachment.

Jesus exhibits concern about personal attachments in the day’s gospel.  He wants them to be expansive-not restricted just to blood relatives like mothers and brothers.  Whoever does His Father’s will is brother, sister and mother to Him.  Likewise the prophet Zechariah is happy at the prospect of expanding God’s people to include "many peoples".

This enlarged view of significant persons in our lives works not only to our own personal enrichment, but also to the enhancement of the church.  It is an early version of mission, reaching out to others on behalf of God, calling them into relationship with Him.  Mary’s presentation to God by Joachim and Anne was a first step in this regard, an outreach to Another Who would be of such benefit to her, and to us who follow her example.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21

Reflection:

I grew up the child of Depression-era parents. My dad turned off the lights constantly, he saved string and rubber bands, balled up to a size he could never fully use; he hated waste. So when I read today’s Gospel, I often feel a little sorry for the servant who, out of fear, goes and buries the little that he has been given for fear of losing it. I can relate! It reminds me of how my parents must have juggled risk versus security, trust versus fear, holding on tight versus letting go. Given today’s financial climate, that doesn’t seem like a bad thing after all.

But the readings today aren’t really talking about finances, are they? I love the line in the second reading: "For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness…"  And the reader might think the next line will be, "So RELAX. Have fun!"

But instead, the next line is a call to consciousness, to awareness: "Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober."

All three of today’s readings celebrate rightful action, trust in God, and a desire to take whatever one is given and use it to its full promise.  The worthy wife of the first reading is not to be prized because of her charm or looks, but because of her charity, her dutiful labor and obedience to God.  The servants in the Gospel took unquestioningly what the master had given them and faithfully made more of it. They did not mourn that they had not been given enough; they went about their labors and glorified the master with what they could bring forth.

Perhaps these readings can help us to remember to let our trust in God be the center of our lives and to put our labors to good and loving use.  And that extra string? Well, maybe we can tie it around our finger as a reminder of how rich God has been making us all along.

 

Nancy Nickel works with the Passionist Development Office in Chicago.

Scripture:

2 John 4-6
Luke 17:26-37

Reflection:

Just the other day I had an x-ray done of my left foot in order to see if I had torn a tendon while doing some steep climbing (crazy things like that seem to happen these days in my older years!)  X-rays are amazing things aren’t they?  Imagine seeing beneath the surface, through muscle and flesh, nerves and ligaments, all the way down to the bone!  What a great thing to have x-ray vision!  It struck me as I was reading our scripture passages for today that once in a while God’s holy word is much like an x-ray, too.  It cuts right through to the bone, giving us a view below the surface, and revealing for us a message that is so crisp and clear that we can only be amazed at the way the Lord shares his divine plan with us.

Today is one of those days.  In the second letter of John we are told that what it means to love is not something obscure or hidden at all.  In fact, to love as God wants us to love means only one thing: to walk according to God’s commandments, loving God above all else and, as we remember so well, loving our neighbor as our very self.  If we do this we will be living in love, and if we live in love, we will possess the very living presence of God and God’s Holy Spirit.  Surely it is the certainty and joy that comes from living in God’s love that makes Luke’s Gospel warnings about the end of time something not to be feared but rather, a future to be embraced and looked forward to with eagerness and hope.

 

Fr. Pat Brennan, CP is the director of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.