Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 Maccabees 6:1-13
Luke 20:27-40

Reflection:

Throughout my ministry, I have to confess that I haven’t really preached on either 1 or 2 Maccabees. These books are indeed filled with feats of heroism and victories on the battlefield against oppression, but I never warmed up to the readings. In today’s first reading from 1 Maccabees, however, I found something that spoke to me about what is going on in the U.S. and around the world.

In that first reading, King Antiochus IV, a Seleucid king, is defeated in his campaigns against the Israelites who rebelled against his rule. He had persecuted the Jews and tried by means of torture to get them to forsake their faith. In his defeat, Antiochus declines in health and knows that he is near death. The author of Maccabees writes: “So he called in all his Friends and said to them: ‘Sleep has departed from my eyes, for my heart is sinking with anxiety. I said to myself: ‘Into what tribulation I have come, and in what floods of sorrow am I now. Yet I was kindly and beloved in my rule.’ But I now recall the evils I did in Jerusalem …, and for no cause gave orders that the inhabitants of Judah be destroyed. I know that this is why these evils have overtaken me; and now I am dying, in bitter grief, in a foreign land.’”

I’m not sure how “kindly and beloved” Antiochus IV really was, but it wouldn’t be the first time in history that an otherwise solid leader had some fierce antipathy towards a particular group. One person that comes to mind is Woodrow Wilson, the President of the U.S. during WWI. After that war, he had come up with a blueprint for peace that called for the self-determination of peoples. Although his plan never came to complete fruition, due at least in some part, to the thirst for vengeance among the victors, the dismantling of some empires did give many peoples in Europe their first taste of self-determination.

But in the U.S., Wilson is pretty much seen as a racist. The champion of self-determination of peoples could not envision that same self-determination for African-Americans.

How we relate, not only to those who are like us, but also to those who are “other,” may be one of the criteria by which we are judged. In our Gospel reading, at the end of His debate with the Sadducees, who didn’t believe in resurrection, Jesus says “…he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” I believe that we can safely say that to God, all are also precious, even those we may consider enemies.

May God grant us the grace to extend love to all, not just some.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.

Scripture:

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59
Luke 19:45-48

Reflection:

Jesus had a very intense concern about prayer. ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” Nowhere in the Gospels is there such an emotional and physical expression of anger at the absence of prayer. ‘And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.’ Mk 11: 15. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen.”  John’s Gospel is even more animated “And he poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables.” John 2:15

We can hardly miss and are surprised to see how important prayer was to Jesus! The most used word for prayer in the Greek NT-inspired text is proseúchomai i.e., a deep mutual desire between God and man. Both the noun and verb together are mentioned like129 times in the New Testament! There are many other words for prayer!   How often we see Jesus at prayer! He spends all night in prayer before He picks his Apostles!  He prays in the Garden. The last prayer of Jesus before He dies on the Cross is in Luke’s Gospel.  “Into your hands, I commit my Spirit.”

Here are some inspiring quotes about prayer from the saints:

• To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.  -St Augustine      
• For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.  -Saint Theresa of Avila
• Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God.  -Billy Graham
• Quicken your faith in the Divine Presence and remain immersed in God, sunk in that immense sea of Love.  -L 1 73 St Paul of Cross
• What has a person to fear who lives in the arms and Bosom of God.  -1 154 St Paul of the Cross
• Big sign billboard: WE NEED TO TALK -signed God.

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Thanksgiving Day (USA)

Scripture:

Sirach 50:22-24
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Luke 17:11-19

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading for Thanksgiving Day, ten lepers approach Jesus, at a distance, as He is traveling through Samaria and Galilee on His way to Jerusalem. Jesus hears their plea for help, and tells them to show themselves to the priests. On their way, they are cleansed, and one of them comes back, “glorifying God in a loud voice.” This man was a Samaritan. Jesus then replies, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then Jesus says to the one who returned, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

Where were the other nine? If we think about what it meant to be a leper, maybe their actions may be a little better understood. To be a leper meant that you were an outcast. You couldn’t be with your family or at work or at the synagogue. Then this miracle happens, and you get your old life back, and it’s all you can think about, and you forget to thank God. For me, what is different about the one who came back to give thanks, is that he realized that he got more than just his old life back. He was given the gift of seeing God’s love at work in a dramatic way. His life was actually changed.

We may not have our lives changed in such a dramatic way, but we can always give thanks. Having an “attitude of gratitude” puts us in a better relationship with God and with each other. In our first reading from Sirach, the author writes, “May he [God] grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you.” Giving thanks and letting go of envy can lead us to joy of heart and peace among us. May we marvel at the generosity of God, and give thanks.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31
Luke 19:11-28

Reflection:

Lord, I thank you for these days of faux Summer, the warmth of which is made more glorious because we have already felt winter’s intentions of icy temps and biting winds.  We can more appreciatively give You thanks for Your gift of these last few golden days before the coming gray and cold.  

Your Gospel tells the familiar parable of three servants entrusted with their master’s wealth. You have entrusted me with Your wealth: my children, my grandsons, my parish, my community, my country. How will I account of my actions upon your return?  

These mature years of my life are a gift that not all your servants receive ~ a few more golden moments before the coming gray and cold.  Have I used them wisely to bring my charges closer to you with instruction, with modeling a good life, with providing opportunity to know and serve you?  And how quickly would those souls, who have passed on younger than I, eagerly accept the aches and pains I whine about, in exchange for the chance to serve You more faithfully? 

This is the month for remembrance, for giving thanks, and for being aware of the little time left to make amends, right the paths to You, and truly enjoy the extended years you have granted.  Please bless and bring into your Kingdom all our Passionist brothers and sisters who have gone before us this year.   Bless President John F Kennedy, assassinated 60 years ago today, and my mother, Shirley, who died 30 years ago today.  Bless all my Passionist family with a Happy and truly grateful Thanksgiving.     

Ray Alonzo is the father of three children, grandfather of two, and husband to Jan for over 45 years. He is a USN Vietnam Veteran and a 1969 graduate of Mother of Good Counsel Passionist Prep Seminary. Ray currently serves on the Passionist Alumni Council.

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Scripture:

2 Maccabees 6:18-31
Luke 19:1-10

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As with Mary’s birth, Mary’s presentation in the temple cannot be proven historically. “In what is recognized as an unhistorical account, the Protoevangelium of James tells us that Anna and Joachim offered Mary to God in the Temple when she was 3 years old. This was to conduct a promise made to God when Anna was still childless.” (Franciscan Media, November 21, 2023, Saint of the Day)

Even though the feast has no historical significance it should reflect upon an important truth about Mary. Mary, from the very beginning dedicated her life to God. While her parents dedicated her to God in the temple at the age of 3 years of age, she became a greater temple than any human could build. God graced her to share a unique role in God’s salvific work. (Franciscan Media, November 21, 2023, Saint of the Day)

We are created unique and precious and made to the image and likeness of God. We too, are temples of God and share in, enjoy, and benefit from God’s salvific work. There are some important questions to ask  ourselves on this special feast.  Am I living as a temple of the Holy Spirit? Do I have a daily plan to care for and grow in mind, body, and spirit. Who or what gives my life meaning? How much quiet time and prayer time do I take on a daily basis. What priorities do I have in this life?

Dear God, as you graced Mary to share a unique role in your salvific work, please grace me this day to live as a temple of the Holy Spirit living a life that is dedicated to you.

Carl Middleton is a theologian/ethicist and a member of the Passionist Family.

Scripture:

1 Maccabees 1: 10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
Luke 18: 35-43

Reflection:

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

The Scripture readings today present an interesting contrast.  The passage we have from the Book of Maccabees describes the decline of religious belief among the people of Israel during the second century BC.  As it is presented, the cause of the decline is pressure from the oppressive Seleucid empire combined with poor leadership both by the corrupt King of Israel and the religious leaders.  Weak leadership combined with the desire of many of the people to be accepted by their powerful conqueror and to take on their Hellenistic values led first to a decline in traditional Judaism and then to the outright persecution of those who wanted to follow the traditional Jewish laws and practices.  Our reading ends with the comment, “Terrible affliction was upon Israel.”

The Gospel for today narrates the encounter of Jesus with a blind man.  When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he calls out to him asking for pity.  The disciples tell the blind man to be quiet so as not to disturb Jesus.  However, Jesus, upon hearing the blind man’s cry, asks him what he wants from him.  The blind man asks for sight.  Jesus, commenting on the blind man’s faith, heals him.

The contrast present in the readings is the darkening of Israel’s faith and the consequent affliction it brought about in the first reading and the light and vision restored in the encounter of Jesus with the blind man in the Gospel.

Most all of us want to be respected and thought well of by our friends and neighbors.  We also do our best to become prosperous.  The question put to us by today’s readings is “To whom do we look for guidance in achieving our good name and our prosperity?”  In the Book of Maccabees so many of the people of Israel looked to outside forces and strange (Hellenistic) values to bolster themselves and their fortunes.  In the Gospel account we have today, the blind man looked with faith to Jesus.  One approach brought darkness, the other light.  Is there something here for us to ponder?

Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director of retreats at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

Scripture:

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

Reflection:

Last week we reflected upon wisdom. We reflected on taking a leap of faith that following the wisdom of God, in love and service of others, would lead us to a fulfilled and joyous life. It is with this understanding that we can hear the parable that Jesus tells in our Gospel reading for this Sunday (Matthew 25:14-30).

This parable is known as the “Parable of the Talents.” In the parable, a man goes off on a journey, but before he goes, he entrusts his possessions to three servants – “to each according to his ability.” To one he gives five talents. A talent was a unit of coinage of high monetary value. To another he gives two talents. And to the third he gives one talent. The first two servants trade with the talents they were given and double the amount given them. The third one, out of fear, buries the talent he was given, gives it back to the man, and is punished for being lazy.

If we take the talents as we understand the word “talent” today, the lesson of the parable is to use the talents, the gifts, that God has given us. But to use them for what purpose? In the parable, the servants use the talents to enrich their master. But for us, we are to use our talents to enrich the world, the world that is so beloved by God; the world for whom Jesus died and rose. As St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:7: “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” We are to use our talents, given by God, not so much for our benefit, but for the benefit of others. We are to be like the “worthy wife” described in our first reading from Proverbs (31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31).

Well, why would we do that? This is where that leap of faith comes in. We use our talents for the sake of the gospel, for the building up of the kingdom, in response to the love of God for us in Jesus Christ. We do so, trusting in God’s wisdom more than worldly wisdom. We do so, trusting that Jesus has shown us the way to a fulfilling life here on earth and eternal life with Him forever in heaven.

Often, we use the language of giving of our time, talent, and treasure to the Church. This is not to glorify the Church, but to help fulfill the mission the Church has to serve the world in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

So, we are to use the gifts we have been given. I like to focus on the one I call the “middle servant” in the parable – the one who was given two talents. He is not jealous of the one who received five, nor does he act superior to the one who was given one. He simply takes what he has received and does the most he can with it. We need not get jealous of, or feel superior to, others. Think of what the Church can do of service to a world desperately in need of what we have to offer: the love and wisdom of God in Jesus Christ.

Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Scripture:

Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9
Luke 18:1-8

Reflection:

Our readings today offer us an insight into the liturgical time of the year. Soon we will celebrate the feast of Christ the King, and then we are in the new year. So, our readings focus on readiness. In this section from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is “on the way up to Jerusalem.” Scholars will say that Luke’s Gospel gives a greater dimension to the present. Today’s text offers us a persistent widow and a dishonest judge. Who has been worn down by the persistent widow and is making his unjust judgment to save himself from this nasty widow. What are we to make of this text?

Jesus reminds the reader to “pay attention to what the dishonest judge says” (v. 6). He is saving his skin. Further, Jesus assures us that we must be mindful that God will continue to secure the rights of his “chosen ones.” God is the one watching out for us—there is no need for us to save our skin. Even when they (we) experience injustice and suffering. That means you and me!

Jesus is telling us to have faith in him and God. It is as if Jesus knows that his time is running out and he is giving us examples of how to conduct our lives and how to find peace in the middle of injustices.

Another way of looking at this text might be to ask ourselves; do we participate in bringing injustice to our brothers and sisters? In other words, as we near the end of our liturgical year we are asked to look within. We are given examples of how to conduct ourselves to bring about the Kingdom of God. This is echoed in today’s psalm, “Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord”  Jesus is anxious to be sure that we have faith in his Father.

In a similar fashion to the Sage of the book of Wisdom who offers us beautiful texts for reflection. The book of Wisdom was written in Alexandria, Egypt. It was a place where Jews migrated in ancient times. There they encountered Hellenism. There was tension among some in the community that they were no longer being faithful to their God. Today’s reading touches on this tension and offers us a rich pause in peaceful reflection. “For when peaceful stillness encompassed everything…” (v. 14). How we long for that peaceful stillness that our Creator offers. I believe this is the invitation given to us by Jesus in the Gospel. It invites us to reflect on the word stillness what does this word mean to us? Can I be still and rest in God’s presence completely?

 I often reflect on Jesus’ humanity. Luke has Jesus pray often; he must have felt very isolated as he tried to share the love of his Father. Today, we hear about the care we are to take from our heavenly Father and work on our growing our faith

In a similar invitation to “come to me all you who are weary” (Matt 11:28). So, our scriptures today come to us like a warm blanket on a chilly day. We are given the gift of relaxing in the stillness of God and the assurance that we are chosen, and our Father will not tire of keeping watch. We are not to worry.

May we keep close to our heavenly Father in the stillness of our hearts. Amen.

Jean Bowler is a retreatant at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the Office of Mission Effectiveness Board of Holy Cross Province.