Daily Scripture

Feast of St. Albert the Great

Scripture:

3 John 5-8
Luke 18:1-8

Reflection:

There are many forms of prayer: praise, thanksgiving, and petition. Jesus begins this teaching by speaking about prayer in general. He says it should have two qualities. First we should "pray always". For St. Paul of the Cross this means we must cultivate a deep interiority. Paul was a man of action. He founded thirteen monasteries, preached over two hundred missions, directed eighty retreats, and wrote about 10,000 letters of spiritual direction. But the foundation of all this work was his union with God. He valued solitude, quiet, silence, and spent hours each day in prayer. We could say that he walked in the presence of God.  We need to cultivate a like interiority in our own lives. Achieving it is a challenge. Jesus recognizes this by making a second point. He notes that we should pray "without becoming weary". What does he mean?  Maybe the Revised Standard Version catches the meaning more clearly when it translates the Greek as "pray and not lose heart".  At times it seems that our prayer is not getting us anywhere. The same old stuff comes up when we prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What’s the use? The temptation to give up prayer or let it slip is subtle, almost not a conscious decision. Paul of the Cross had to face this often in the people he directed. Again and again he encourages them to be faithful to prayer. If they can do nothing else they should just gaze at the crucifix, the sign of God’s overwhelming love.  

 

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

Dedication of St. John Lateran

Scripture:

Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Corinthians 3: 9c-11, 16-17
John 2: 13-22

Reflection:

For most people, individuals as well as cultures, tribes, societies and families, a place can have great importance and a deep meaning.  A place, whether land or structure, can evoke memories of home and roots; battles won or lost; historical events which give meaning to the present; and especially a connection with the Holy.  But it is not merely geography or edifice which anchors reverence most deeply in the human heart.  Rather reverence is developed for a place because of the connection it provides with others, living or dead, past, present or even future.  A place becomes sacred because of the connections it provides with others and with the Holy.

Today’s feast celebrates such a reality.  The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the official parish church of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.  Its origin can be traced back to 333 and the Emperor Constantine.  It has been destroyed, rebuilt and restored multiple times over the centuries.  At one time there was a palace connected with the church which became the residence of the Pope. In the early centuries, St. John Lateran was viewed as the Mother Church of Christendom, the symbol of the oneness of the people of God and their unity with Christ. After the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in a more favorable location in the 16^th century, the symbol of unity was transferred to that larger structure and the importance of St. John Lateran faded from peoples’ memory.  However, the significance of this particular church expanded and has developed into a theology of the indwelling of Christ with the community that has come to be what we celebrate today.

The reading from Ezekiel describes the Temple in Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God, and the life-giving waters that flow from it.  The water is fresh and flows into the salt sea giving life to the dead waters. The water flowing from the sanctuary provides abundant life to all it touches.  The life giving presence of God is not meant to be contained within the physical confines of the Temple.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is seen driving out merchants and money changers who are desecrating the Temple, the house of his Father.  The building is a sacred structure and a location of the Holy for the Israelites, the sign of the indwelling of God with them.  But Jesus expanded the image of the location of God’s presence to himself, the temple of his body.  God was to be experienced in the actual living historical presence of Jesus.

It is Paul who expresses most succinctly what this feast has come to represent today, the focus of our celebration.  The presence of God is not confined to a building or a particular location.  Jesus was certainly the presence of God in a unique way to the people of his time.  But most amazingly, says Paul, we, by the grace of God in baptism, are actually the presence of God, the holy temple of God, today.  Our foundation is Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Christ is alive in us and makes us who we are called to be.  And this is a truly challenging belief to understand, live out and make real.  If we really believe we are the body of Christ, the presence of God in the world today, then we must accept the challenge to live what we are.  In our treatment of family, strangers, friends or those we don’t really like, we must in some way give them a sense of the goodness and love of God, not in a forced artificial pietistic way of acting but as an unspoken manifestation of our inner reality.

A church, The Church is not a building or a single person but the people of God together, growing in holiness though not yet completely holy but unable to be confined or limited by walls or boundaries and constantly spreading outwards  to provide new life for others.

 

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

Scripture:

Philippians 4:10-19
Luke 16:9-15

Reflection:

This is the Jubilee year of St. Paul the Apostle. This selection from Philippians 4 highlights one of his most famous teachings: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Paul does not mean succeeding at a job or doing impressive feats like many think. Rather, he is writing about contentment or happiness.

As a missionary, I’ve experienced that some weeks the food is great, the crowds large and the bed soft. Other weeks the water is soft (ever try to get that off of you?) the sound system sputters and there is no cook. Yet, despite the abundance or the difficulties there is a tranquility through Christ who infuses grace and strength in us. I’ve discovered, strangely, that sometimes when I have the least, I am the happiest.  It is not circumstances that determine our attitude, rather our attitude colors our circumstances.

Many look for contentment in riches and money. The Gospel goes deeper. It is God, not mammon whom we must serve. God alone brings the contentment we crave. Contentment is not only possible, but is a fruit of living a deeper life with God. Happiness is not based on things.

I heard a verse from a song from Sheryl Crow’s "Soak up the Sun" that applies here: "It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got."

Contentment and happiness are our right in Christ. No matter what you are going through right now, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

 

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:

Philippians 3:3-8a
Luke 15:1-10

Reflection:

The Pharisees and scribes were enjoying their time with Jesus until the tax collectors and sinners started joining the crowd to listen to Jesus. In fact, the gospel story says the tax collectors and sinners were "drawing near" and that made the Pharisees and scribes very uncomfortable. Jesus should know better than to associate with or to have meals with tax collectors and known sinners. When they complained, Jesus told them three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (not included in today’s reading). Each of the parables is a story about God’s attitude toward sinners, which was in opposition to the attitude of the religious leaders.

It’s a matter of motivation. The Pharisees and scribes were looking out for themselves. They didn’t want to be contaminated by sinners. They looked upon sinners as non-people to be ignored and rejected. But Jesus tells us God is very willing to be with sinners; in fact, that is why God sent his only Son in the world. Jesus thought of the other person, the one who was lost and needed help. The sinner doesn’t need to be rejected, but included with compassion, understanding and forgiveness.

With these parables Jesus is teaching the religious leaders that God loves and searches for lost and sinful people. These tax collectors and sinners were of infinite value to God. Jesus understood this and that is why he reached out to sinners. In fact, Jesus said: "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

It’s exciting and reassuring to know that our God’s circle of love is infinitely large and embraces saint and sinner. To believe this is critical when I know myself to be a sinner! I’m not rejected, but valued, searched for and invited back into the Kingdom.

The parables challenge us to enlarge our circle of love.

 

Fr. Don Webber, C.P., is Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province and resides in Chicago at Immaculate Conception Monastery.

 

Scripture:

Philippians 2:12-18
Luke 14:25-33

Reflection:

As we move toward the end of the Liturgical Year, the liturgical readings become very strong and the challenges are quite focused. This is always a time where the eschaton, or the end times becomes the energy which challenges the church.  Just as it did in the apostolic period, so too, we are challenged and asked if we are taking Jesus’ coming seriously.  And today is no different, as the church invites us into our reflections on discipleship.

In the Gospel today, we see a strong sense of division.  Jesus says we have to turn our backs on our fathers and mothers, wives and children, brothers and sisters, and indeed our very self.  Otherwise we can not be his followers.  This is a rather strong statement.  But I think it touches the very seed of free choice and thus discipleship.  In order to freely choose something for my life means something else will get excluded.  Saying "Yes" to something means I must also say "No" to something else.  So turning our backs toward something means we also turn our faces toward something.  This is what discipleship is—taking a radical stand against what might be popular or profitable to say "Yes" to the call of Jesus and the challenge of the gospel.

Certainly Jesus isn’t speaking literally here because there is no possible way for a person to turn their back on themselves. So what is it that we need to turn our backs toward would be those things that hinder or obstruct our growth.  In doing so our eyes and ears are now focused toward the one who calls us.  (Have you ever noticed how deep and rich the call of the Lord is in Scripture?) 

Luke reminds us that this call to discipleship has a price.  As the man who builds the tower, or the king who marches into battle do their calculations previous to accepting the task, so too does a disciple know of the price.  Are you aware of what price you pay to be a disciple of Jesus?

Paul the apostle certainly knew the price.  He asks the Philippian’s community to get in touch with the goodness of God which had been poured out upon them.  Reflection upon this doesn’t leave room for grumbling and complaining because it is more prone to honor, gratitude and thanksgiving.   Paul’s instruction challenges one to choose the things which are good and right.  In doing so, there will be no room for grumbling or arguing.    Again, turning towards something means turning one’s back towards something else.
 
Paul of the Cross used to teach the same truth.  So frequently in his letters he invited people to know the divine good in their life and want it, pursue it, desire it.  In doing so you choose that which is good.

When I know and understand divine good, it is something I pursue.  It is then easier to turn my back towards whatever hinders this pursuit; simply because the light, goodness, truth, wisdom and beauty of the grace calling me is so loud and so profound that it is worth the ultimate sacrifice–my life.

 

Fr. David Colhour, C.P. is on the staff at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center, Citrus Heights, California.

Scripture:

Philippians 2:1-4
Luke 14:12-14

Reflection:

We understand that there is a direct relationship between how we relate to God and how we relate to others with whom we live, work and play. To be "of the same mind, with the same love" as St. Paul, we are to "do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory." The constant challenge is to want to do our own will and to have others do the same. It is a control thing. Relationships are not healthy when my control of you is the order of the day. We think, for example, that we know what the poor need. We may give, in charity, when we do not understand in which way the needy are really in need. Dolling out charity does not empower. But "looking out for the interest of another," means that I am willing to let go of my control of the situation and outcome! Is not that which Jesus asks the Pharisee to do when He asks him to "invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind?" Control needs are our desire for a certain outcome. The poor cannot repay with the outcome I want. Example: what happens when they don’t need me anymore? To be one with Christ through the example of Paul, let’s look at our willingness to see the other as "more important than ourselves", and let God work in this relationship.  Is not our daily prayer "your will be done, your kingdom come?"

 

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

Feast of St. Charles Borromeo 

Scripture:

Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 14:15-24

Reflection:

Jesus’ skill as a prophetic story-teller reaches across the ages to challenge us in the 21^st century:  what does it mean to follow him as his disciple?  Our response is based on both faith, a generous heart, and the example of fellow believers.

Our reading from Philippians 2 is "classic":  this "Song of the Philippians" highlights Jesus’ free gift of himself in the great plan of salvation.  He came among us, humbled himself — even to death on the Cross!  The words of verses 10 and 11 are used by many Passionists to begin their praying of the Liturgy of the Hours; indeed, we bend our knees and confess that Jesus is Lord!  No doubt these deeply meaningful words regularly guided the prayer of our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross.

Luke’s Gospel selection contains Jesus’ parable of the great dinner to which many were invited, but few willingly came.  Their excuses "I’ve purchased a field…I’ve purchased some oxen…I’m newly married…" all border on the ridiculous for such a great dinner invitation.  Others were then invited — the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame — and the banquet hall was filled.  No doubt, quite a party — as only Jesus could "throw"!

Jesus, our Crucified Savior, invites us to join in His Banquet of Life, to follow Him in the 21^st century by lives of Christ-like virtue and civic responsibility.  Faith, generosity, and determination help us to say "yes" each day — summarized by those few words of the Lord’s Prayer:  "your Will be done".

In the 16^th Century, St. Charles Borromeo was invited to use his personal and spiritual talents to help reform the Church.  As a bishop, he encouraged good example and an apostolic spirit in the lives of the religious leaders of his day.  He himself sacrificed greatly, giving his time & treasure, caring for the poor and sick of his own day.  Charles saw Jesus Crucified in his neighbor, and responded generously to the invitation to selfless love and service.

Today, may Jesus — and St. Charles Borromeo — inspire us in our service of God and one another, especially the faith-witness of our responsible voting.  Jesus is Lord!

 

Fr. John Schork, C.P. is the local leader of the Passionist community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Feast of All Saints

Scripture:

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12

Reflection:

Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?" (Rev. 7:9)"

 As we ponder the vision of the great multitude of holy men and women from every nation presented to us in our first reading on this feast of All Saints, let us focus our reflection on "… where do saints come from and how do the readings today help each of us to become saints.

 As we pray our Psalm response together this day, we come before the Lord as "…the people who long to see your face."  What a beautiful and ancient prayer of yearning, seeking, expressing our desire to receive the Lord’s blessings in His holy place! Yet, we are called to come with hands that are sinless, a heart that is clean and our desire not for what is vain…

John, in our second reading, reminds that we are beloved of God… God’s children now… and in this reality is our hope.

 But it is in our Gospel today that Jesus himself teaches us where saints come from … and how each of us… everyday people become saints. His teaching is a summary of how to live the whole gospel… They are the foundation statements for the life and community of his followers, his disciples…that’s each of us! They are a summary of living the whole gospel. We know them as the Beatitudes. They invite each of us to examine our lives and values carefully and honestly; to look at what is important and what is not; to experience what brings real happiness and what does not. 

  As each of us pray these reading together today, let us pray for one another as we are all in the process of becoming "Saints"!

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