Daily Scripture

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. 

Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr 

Scripture:

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Matthew 10:17-22

Reflection:

With the glorious celebration of Christmas so fresh in our minds and hearts, the Church abruptly shifts our focus from cradle to Christian death.  Each December 26^th we celebrate together the Feast Day of St. Stephen. 

At my parish church, there is a beautiful stained glass window depicting the Nativity.  The window shows the Magi joining shepherds, sheep and oxen, paying homage to the newborn Christ Child.  What makes this vibrant window unique, however, is that the infant Jesus has his arms stretched out as if on the cross and the palms of his tender little hands bear the marks of his future crucifixion.  This window reminds us that the future of this newborn King will involve suffering and death.  Indeed, the stained glass window foretells the Passion-our ultimate experience as Christians.  As Christians, born of the Spirit, we are taught not only how to live, preach and witness our faith, but our Christian community also teaches us how to die.  By embracing this faith journey, we move ever closer to our eternal life in Christ. 

Today’s Feast of St. Stephen provides us with a holy witness to this mission of death and new life.  St. Stephen was clearly an inspiration to the early Christian community who suffered great persecutions.  While you and I may not relate to his martyrdom by torture (or so we hope!), we can relate to St. Stephen’s life, mission and example.  According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Stephen had been commissioned to take bold action to care for those in need.  He worked wonders, and his proclamation of the Good News was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Stephen verbally challenged the religious authorities and his prophetic speech got him in great trouble-it cost him his life. 

We too must trust that the Holy Spirit will support us as we serve and support our community, and as we boldly speak out-even at the cost of upsetting authorities.  Like Stephen, it is our call to proclaim in word and actions the hope revealed in Jesus Christ.  St. Stephen was stoned to death for his bold witness.  Despite the cruelty of his brutal murder, St. Stephen prayed to the end for those who tortured him.  As he died, he verbally turned his spirit over to the Lord.  It is important to note that Paul (then Saul) heard St. Stephen pray to his death. How could St. Paul ever forget this witness of Stephen?  He too would follow in Stephen’s footsteps. 

While you and I may not be stoned literally, there are times when we are stoned by others’ harsh words, cruel actions or unjust accusations.  At these times, how willing are we to forgive our enemies and pray for them?   And, like St. Stephen, would it not be wonderful to leave this world proclaiming aloud "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  St. Matthew clearly has it right as he writes, "whoever endures to the end will be saved."  Let us live in this hope!

And…so the Christmas Season begins!

 

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

Scripture:

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
Luke 1:5-25

Reflection:

Most of our attention in the Christmas story goes to Mary and Joseph and Jesus, but in today’s Scripture readings we are invited into the lives of two other families who experience the wonderful gift of new life.  In the Book of Judges the parents of Samson receive the surprise announcement from an angel that is repeated twice in the Gospel of Luke.  Elizabeth and Zechariah meet the same Angel Gabriel today who carries the same good news. You are chosen by God!  You will bear a child! Then, of course, Gabriel visits Mary. 

Advent and Christmas are God’s ways of sending a powerful signal of hope to remind us that life is stronger than death. Light is more powerful than darkness. Good is more powerful than evil. God’s blessings will replace barrenness in the Kingdom that is coming. That’s the message of Christmas!

Aren’t there hundreds of Christmas stories again this season?  I heard yesterday that in early January there will be a sit-down dinner with all the living U.S. presidents, past, present and future.  They will gather at the White House for a pre-inaugural celebration that will leave behind for the moment their political disagreements.  Not as dramatic perhaps as Isaiah’s lion and lamb, but still a minor tableau of the "Peaceable Kingdom."

These are the days to look around and see the wonders of the Lord.  They are told in song and story-in the Scriptures, on the evening news, in family gatherings, and if we take the time, in the quiet reflections of our hearts. 

Let us pray today’s Psalm response:

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Fr. Jim Strommer, C.P. is on the provincial leadership team and is stationed in Chicago, Illinois.