Daily Scripture

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.

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.