Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1
Luke 11:29-32

Reflection:

On my mom’s first visit to Immaculate Conception rectory, Fr. Eric said to her: "How does it feel to have a son who is a slave of the church?"  The question startled her, and she really didn’t reply.  It has caused me to reflect over the years on the nature of our life in Christ, on ministry and the reality of our freedom in Christ.

St. Paul knew how terrible human slavery could be in his time.  As a Roman citizen, he knew how widespread it was….a slave was property, pure and simple.  Many slaveowners worked their slaves to death.  Others treated them more humanely and even allowed them to buy their freedom.  As terrible as slavery was, Paul knew that slavery to sin was even worse.  So he says in our reading today: "For freedom, Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."  These words are echoed in his advice to Philemon, the owner of the slave Onesimus, who had run away.  Paul wrote:" I know you ahve been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back for ever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother (Philemon 1:15-16).

Slavery still exists in our day….people trapped in subhuman working and living situations.  The slavery of sin still exists for many, through addiction to drugs or alcohol, the sins of social injustice and racism.  The church’s mission continues the work of Jesus is breaking the bonds of slavery of all kinds.  The church’s ministers in a special way share in the exhileration of people set free.  As all Christians, they model themselves on Jesus, who though divine, "emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave."

An old folk song has the refrain: "It’s a long, long way to freedom."  In Christ, we have the gift of freedom.  Let us rejoice in it and share this gift with others!

 

Fr. Bob Bovenzi lives in Chicago. 

 

Scripture:

Galatians 3:7-14
Luke 11:15-26

Reflection:

 In Jesus’ day, the factions of the religious elite pitted themselves against each other.  They so emphasized the letter of the law that they lost sight of the spirit and faith behind it.  They judged others harshly and negatively, even accusing Jesus of cooperating with the devil.  They resented any perceived loss of power or status, clinging to their own positions at all costs.  By so living, they lost sight of the ultimate goal – the Kingdom of God. 

I see too much of the same in our public sphere these days.  Character accusations and half-truths fly from both political parties.   Integrity, wisdom, truth, and the issues themselves take a back seat as the demons invade.  Labels are applied with ruthless abandon, and each side accuses the other of operating by Beelzubul.  There appears to be no common ground as battles are waged for power, prestige, and control.  We divide our own house at a time when our survival is at stake.

Sadly, I can do little to stop this madness on the national stage.  I can, however, try to reverse it in my own life.  I can live with integrity and promote it in others.  Against the rush of negativity, I can uphold the good and attempt to keep my faith and God-given intelligence at the core of my politics.

Therefore, I hereby resolve to:

Refuse to participate in bashing any politician of any political party.

Ignore the ads and learn the true facts about each person’s background and positions.

Have respectful discussions about the differences between policies, trying to find points on which we can agree while allowing room for thoughtful disagreement.

Pray for everyone who will cast a vote, that their choice may be governed by sound thinking instead of hysteria or hype.

Pray every day for our political leaders, both those presently in office and those who will be elected in November.

Pray for myself, that I resist the temptation to unfairly characterize or harshly judge.

Pray for our country, that we not remain a house divided, but that the spirit of faith and wisdom will bring us together for the good of all God’s people.

Amen.

               

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:

Galatians 5:18-25
Luke 11:42-46

Reflection:

St. Theresa of Avila was a great mystic of the sixteenth century and reformer of the Carmelite Nuns. The reading from Romans defines her life. Theresa led the reform of Carmel against strong internal opposition. She had to be a woman of hope "for it is in hope that we are saved." She pressed on toward the future goal trusting that God would bring it about. Though she did not see it, she "waited with endurance."  We are asked to have that same spirit of trust and perseverance as we face challenges and difficulties.

Theresa wrote three classics on prayer and the spiritual life: her Autobiogaphy, The Way of Perfection, and The Interior Castle. They have been sure guides for many people. Romans 8:26-27 is Paul’s great teaching on prayer. Paul tells us that because of our human weakness we do not know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays the correct prayer for us. In any situation we simply do not know what is best for us. The perfect prayer is simply, "Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. Not my will, but Thine be done."

Finally for a mystic and any person of prayer the passage from John’s gospel is very appropriate. Every Christian is vitally connected to Jesus. He is the vine and we are the branches. He invites us to "Remain in me, as I remain in you."  Let us make Him the center of our lives so that, like Theresa, we fulfill the prayer of Jesus to "bear much fruit and become my disciple".

 

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

Scripture:

Galatians 3:1-5
Luke 11:5-13

Reflection:

The baby had a stuffy nose, the kind of yucky, mucous congestion so common in infants.  The mother heard the whimpering and fussing begin, again, and turned over to look at the clock: 3:45. The fourth time in what had become a night of non- sleep.  But the baby was miserable and needed comforting.  As much as the mother loved her warm bed and pillow, she loved the baby even more and got up, again, to soothe, rock and comfort the helpless infant.  It had become a reflexive response beyond conscious thought.  The baby is in need and I will respond.

Love is not mentioned in this reading from Luke.  A neighbor knocks on the door of his friend asking for bread for an unexpected visitor.  He is told to go away – the door is locked and the family is trying to sleep.  Seemingly, the boundary of friendship is the night and a locked door. But the neighbor trusts his friend despite his irritation and annoyance and persists with knocking.  He ultimately receives what he needs.  There was a fundamental belief in the goodness of the other.

Eventually we all grow up and there comes a time when we realize that Mom can’t always make things better; that we don’t always get what we ask, no matter how altruistic the request may be; that friends sometimes come up short.  And then we hear Jesus saying "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened for you".  And we know that at a literal level this is not always true.

We also know that our own responses to those who seek us out can be limited and that we can pretend not to hear the knocking at our own door.  It is possible to just turn over and try to go back to sleep thinking that the baby will eventually cry herself to sleep.

But it is the promise of "how much more" God will give out of limitless love for us that is the response to our prayers. It is the deepening relationship that comes with the asking and seeking and knocking and desiring the ultimate union with God that brings us the comfort and wholeness that is our primal longing.  And it is the promised gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to be for others what we ask for ourselves.

 

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

 

Scripture:

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14
Luke 11:1-4

Reflection:

During this Jubilee year of St. Paul the Apostle, his letter to the Galatians gives us insight into Paul’s character. Paul was a courageous man who lived without compromise. In the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 24 we see Paul held by the governor Felix in Caesarea Maritima. Paul was held there for some two long years. Felix was waiting for a bribe, but Paul would have none of it. He would rather suffer the horrors of a prison cell than compromise his values. In fact, when he spoke to the hedonistic governor, he spoke of "self-control," something Felix needed, but the last topic that would have led to Paul’s freedom. Paul’s character shines again in today’s reading when he confronted the pillar and rock of the Church, Peter. Ever the champion of our freedom in Christ, he confronted Peter about his hypocrisy. Paul’s courage impelled him to speak nothing but the truth to political leaders as well as popes. Where did Paul get this audacity?

"Teach us to pray," we hear the disciples ask Jesus in the Gospel. I have been studying the prayers of Paul the apostle in his many epistles for some talks I am presently giving. I call Paul’s prayers "wisdom" prayers. Rather than praying for release from suffering, he prays to grow in character from his trials. He never asks to be delivered, but rather to be rooted in God’s love. Yes, we need to be "taught" how to pray "according to God’s will." It is the Spirit who helps us in our weakness.

Paul’s courage, character and non-compromising virtues were developed. Through prayer he saw God at work for good in all situations. We too can have the courage to be forthright, courageous and self-controlled as we discover who God is and ultimately who we can be through prayer.

 

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:

Galatians 1:13-24
Luke 10:38-42

Reflection:

"You kids are not like Jesus, he would be in church saying the Rosary, but you raise a riot and keep your pastor awake!" Not a true story, but it ought to be! The Rosary came in as a devotion around the year 1000 and has taken different forms in the course of time. Most recently, Pope John Paul II suggested the addition of the 5 Mysteries of Light.

From the early origins until now, the Rosary has been a way of viewing the life and meaning of Jesus through the mind and eyes of Mary his mother. The Gospel for today’s feast takes us to the first joyful mystery, the Incarnation of God’s Son when the angel Gabriel brings God’s proposal to Mary.

The universe was more than 13 billion years developing on that day. The beautiful planet we call our home was some 5 billion years circling our sun – but now God wanted to actually become physically a part of it in becoming flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Just how far in the past the human race lost its way, we cannot be sure. But the Annunciation is the joyful news that God Himself has come to our rescue. The Son of Mary is Son of God come to redeem us.

This is a universal gift, it is meant for all human kind – this is a personal gift to each one of us. As we turn to Our Father to begin the first joyful mystery, we can express our joyful thanks that God does love even me! Our Father loves us and offers us his very Son! The Son of God loves me and delivers himself for me. He begins his mission by becoming our brother in the flesh.

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

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Scripture:

Galatians 6:14-18
Matthew 11:25-30

Reflection:

As the month of October continues to unfold and the lives of many religious founders are shared with us, today’s special scripture selections for the Feast of St. Francis help us recognize and celebrate the Franciscan "roots" of our Passionist family, and our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross. 

In writing to the Galatians, Paul the Apostle could truly "boast" in Jesus Crucified and look to the Cross of Jesus as the means of salvation.  Matthew today relates the priestly prayer of Jesus, praising the Father, and inviting one and all to leave everything, come to Him and be refreshed and enlightened.  St. Francis of Assisi heard that call of Jesus in the 12^th Century, gave himself wholeheartedly to Jesus and began an exemplary life of praise and sacrifice; then some 6 centuries later, St. Paul of the Cross was called to build upon that blessed foundation.

To "boast" of Jesus Crucified; to praise God in all aspects of creation; to "rest" in the Lord and "learn" what it means to really love God and neighbor:  Jesus offers a transformation of life through joyful love, poverty, humility, and simplicity.  How needed that transformation in our 21^st century, with today’s experience of short-sightedness, selfishness, suffering and individualism!

The Scriptures came alive for Francis of Assisi.  His carefree youth was changed by the call of Jesus, and he thus renounced his personal possessions and changed his life to one of evangelical poverty and preaching.  Francis was truly charismatic, compassionate, and in love with all God’s creation; others were attracted to his style of living, and Francis was blessed to compile a "rule of life" and establish a number of religious communities of both men and women.  In the short 44 years of his life, he sparked a spiritual renewal that continues to thrive even today.

Today, in reflection:  how do I respect God’s presence in people, nature, created things?  How are simplicity and humility part of my life?  How am helping build up the Church?

Francis invites us to join him today in "boasting in Jesus Crucified", and praising God in our simplicity and respect for all manifestations of God’s Life.  O Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Francis, Paul Daneo:  let us rejoice in the Lord, and as Passionists boast of the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ! 

 

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

Feast of Blessed Isidore DeLoor, Passionist

Scripture:

Galatians 1:6-12
Luke 10:25-37

Reflection:

If a person does a good deed for someone, that person is referred to as a "Good Samaritan."

That phrase has worked its way into our common language. But it is not a phrase used by Jews of Jesus’ day. For them there were no "Good Samaritans." Samaritans were bad, unclean people who were to be avoided. When Jesus used the Samaritan as the hero of his parable, it would have caused raised eyebrows and resentment. The parable was even more shocking to the ordinary Jew because Jesus described the priest and the Levite as having religious flaws. The priest was considered the holiest person among the Jews. Levites assisted in the Temple worship and were highly regarded. If anyone reflected the character of God, it would be a servant of the Temple.  But both the priest and the Levite crossed to the other side of the road, ignored the man lying on the side of the road, and went on their way.

It was the Samaritan who obeyed the Law, not the holy priest or Levite: "Love your neighbor as yourself." The priest and Levite were moved by fear and therefore could not love. The Samaritan "was moved with compassion." The word ‘compassion’ might be equivalent to what we mean when we say "gut feeling." A gut feeling is one that comes from the deepest part of who we are. ‘Compassion’ is usually used in the New Testament to refer to the love of Jesus or of God for others. It is a deep and inescapable compassion, a gut feeling that insists on taking action. When that Samaritan looked at the victim lying half-dead by the side of the road, something happened in his gut, making it impossible for him to walk away. He didn’t decide to help this guy on the basis of how worthy the victim was. He helped him because of how needy he was. Not only was the Samaritan’s compassion based on need, it also was expressed in action. He didn’t just say, "Boy, that’s tough! I’ll pray for you." He didn’t just say he cared, he showed he cared. Even though it cost him time, energy and money.

Mother Teresa, when asked how she had accomplished such great things in her life, said this: "None of us can do anything great on our own, but we all can do a small thing with great love." Real Christians display real love to those who need it most to those traveling the same road.

Today is a special feast day for Passionists. Blessed Isidore De Loor (1881-1916) was born in Flanders on the family farm. He joined the Passionists in1908. Among the Passionist religious, and among the laity, he was admired for his charity and simplicity, his dedication to work and his spirit of recollection. His right eye had to be removed in 1911, because of a tumor. Having suffered through several months of intense pain, he succumbed to cancer and pleurisy on October 6, 1916. We ask Blessed Isidore to strengthen all those struggling today with cancer.

 

Fr. Don Webber, C.P. is the Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province and lives in Chicago, Illinois.