Daily Scripture

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Matthew 1:1-13

Reflection:

Today we read the parable of the ten virgins or bridesmaids.  The groom, in Jewish wedding custom, first celebrated a meal at home with family and friends.  Then the party moved to the bride’s family home.  The bridesmaids waited for the groom’s arrival at which time everyone entered the home for the wedding ceremony.  The groom’s meal in the parable lasted longer than expected, so the bridesmaids became sleepy.   Only the five bridesmaids who brought enough oil for their lamps were ready for the groom and welcomed into the home.  So many lessons in this parable!  For today’s reflection, let’s focus on the lessons of “waiting” and “filling our own lamps”. 

Jesus, like the groom in the parable, will return one day, but we do not know when.  The original context is the Second Coming, but the message equally applies to our personal time on earth.  Our challenge while waiting is to use the opportunity to prepare for Christ’s coming while avoiding the drowsiness of distractions.

The lesson of the lamps is that we are responsible for our own oil of preparation for heaven.  True, we must share with others.  However, when preparing for our salvation, each of us is on our own.  “Go instead to the merchants and buy some [oil] for yourselves.”  Even if the five wise bridesmaids wanted to share, they could not.  Spiritual directors, mentors and teachers may show us the way, but we are responsible for our own preparation.

Through prayer, reflection, and charitable works, we can use our waiting time productively while also filling the lamps for our spiritual journey.

Mike Owens is the coordinator of the Passionist Formation Alumni Association and a member of the Province Commission on Migration.  He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Matthew 24:42-51

Reflection:

Happy Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time!

Some years ago, I had cause to plead with God – to beg for something… anything that would help me through a challenge which, up until that point, was the worst moment of my life. 

Sure, every single day I’m in need.  And if I were a betting man, I’d bet that you also feel the same way.  But on this particular day, I was slapped in the face with something I could never have imagined, and certainly didn’t want.  It doesn’t really matter what it was, but it was palpable and intense.  Perhaps you’ve felt something similar at some point on your journey.

So, and as I usually do when things go wrong, I found myself in the sanctuary.  Sitting completely alone, isolated, and broken, I yelled, “God, are you even there?”

And then it happened.

In as clear and loud a voice as you could imagine — as though it came from someone sitting as uncomfortably close as they possibly could — in my left ear, I heard, “Well, Paul, I had to get your attention SOME-how.”

I spun to my left immediately, but the church was completely empty.  It took a few moments, but it hit me like a ton of bricks…  It was Jesus, Godself, who had to beat me over the head with a huge stick just so I would be able to recognize that he was there with me.

In our Gospel today (Matthew 24:42-51), Jesus says to his disciples: “Stay awake!  For at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

I sure didn’t know that Jesus would yell at me in that hour.  But the thing is that God is ALWAYS there, yelling at us.  If we would only keep our senses open to seeing him, we’d find God in every moment, in every person, in every experience.  Jesus walks with us in every step and in every occasion, whether we like it or not.  God is always there, pursuing us.  In our strength and in our sorrow, our joy and in our pain… In the extraordinary and the ordinary, God is there.

So where does God find you?  Is it only in the good?  Or could it also be in the bad?

Could it be in loss, or maybe an accident?  A diagnosis or breach of trust?
Could it be in the shame and regret of the mistakes of your past?

God is there. 
God is with you… especially when you least expect it. 
Always.

Open your eyes, your ears, your heart.  A tree.  A flower.  A bird.  A song.  A weed.  A phone call.  A broken bone.  A chance meeting.  A stranger appearing at the exact right moment.  A person saying, “I love you.”  That’s God, coming for you.  Wanting you. 

Holding you in the amazing expanse of his most holy arms. 

I don’t know when it’ll happen, but God does.  And all we have to do is keep our eyes peeled, and be open, be ready, be waiting.  Even in our darkest moment, it’s never too late to know and feel God’s loving presence.

So where is God in your life right now? 
Who is Jesus using to reach you, to walk with you?
Or, could it be that God is in you, acting though you, to reach out to another?

(scary!)

Stay awake… be ready.  Look.  Listen. 
God is with you,
even in the hour which you do not expect.

————

Dear God of all creation,
thank you for the gift of your most amazing presence in all things. 
Please,
grant us the faith to see you,
to hear you,
to call for you,
to reach for you,
and to know your healing
in your perfect way,
in your perfect time. 
Thy will be done.
Amen.

————

Peace and love to you, today and forever.

Paul Puccinelli is Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Rita Parish in Sierra Madre, California, and a member of the retreat team at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center.

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:27-32

Reflection:

Isn’t it funny that God knows everything about us, every hair on our head, every memory, activity, action. And yet there are still those who put on airs of grandeur. The pompous or self-righteous, those who seem beyond reproach and voice too loudly their thoughts and opinions.

And now think about this – WHO CARES? Why do we really care about how others present themselves? We need to get in the habit of focusing on ourselves – the good we do for others, corporal and spiritual works of mercy, maintaining a strong prayer life and constantly learning about our faith. We love and respect everyone, no matter how different they are from us in their thoughts or appearances. Why? Because that’s what Jesus would do…

Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas.

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
(A gentler way of saying the Beheading of John the Baptist)

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Mark 6:17-29

Reflection:

The readings today show the power of words. Someone who knows how to use words can motivate a group of people to do better. A coach of a sports team motivates athletes to win a championship. A leader of a military unit exhorts the troops to push forward under heavy artillery. A politician campaigning for an office rallies the supporters to gain voters. All have the gift of speech. This is a special gift that can have a positive or negative effect on individuals or on a group. The Word of God is powerful because it speaks to each soul in a special way. The Word of God is meant to bring us closer to God in our relationship with him. There are many graces/gifts that come through this Word which build up the Body of Christ.

In Saint Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he speaks of having the courage to proclaim the Gospel and that he and his companions speak to please God and not men. The focus of their words was to praise God through their teaching while preaching the truth of God’s Word. Saint Paul and his companions set out to build the Church one person at a time. We know that Saint Paul and the Apostles were mistreated many times as they went about spreading the Gospel message. In the end, all except Saint John, were martyred for their spreading of the Gospel.

In the Gospel, Saint John the Baptist knew that his call was to preach and proclaim the coming of the messiah. He held fast to his gift of preaching and teaching, putting his life on the line to speak the truth. He confronted Herod Antipas about his marriage to his brother’s wife when his brother was still living. Herod Antipas was a “king” with “power” who could not stand up to the truth when his wife asked for the “head of John the Baptist”. He could not humble himself and say no to her request. He would have appeared to be weak for refusing her request. What would people think of a king not keeping a promise? Even a king of ancient Palestine felt pressure from his guests or what he thought that his guests wanted. Some might have been on the side of the Queen. Some might have stood quietly, afraid to speak out, not wanting to go against the king or queen. Was there anyone there who did not agree with the request of the queen? Even in modern times not many people will step forward to ask questions or make objections when something is off track or unjust.

Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just? Do I have enough faith to speak about my faith to others?

Linda Schork is a theology teacher at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8b-10
Matthew 23:13-22

Reflection:

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  We all know stories of ‘bad boy’ Augustine!  His early life was filled with revelry and sinfulness and his Mother, Saint Monica prayed fervently for his conversion.  We also know that conversion did happen, he was baptized, later ordained and eventually became a Bishop.  During his lifetime it is said he wrote thousands of letters of theological value.  He is best known for his philosophical works, the Confessions and City of God.

Because of his wild and unpredictable early days, Augustine has been described as an ‘unlikely convert’.  We can see that this unlikely convert did experience conversion and went on to be a true gift of our church. Over the many years of walking with candidates through the RCIA process, I was given to remember the times that our team and myself would share concerns about the sincerity or intention of certain inquirers and question what our course of action should be.  There are two instances of this uncertainty that come to mind.  One young man who came faithfully through the process, asked questions, pondered the material presented, but always did so with an edge, an angry disposition.  In the end, the Holy Spirit won out and in turn he is one of the most faithful and active parishioners to this day. The other person, a young lady, college student, was a hit and miss inquirer.  When she did come, sometimes she actively participated in the process, but many times, just not real committed.  It was a difficult decision we made to suggest she take a break, spend some time in prayer and reflection with her sponsor and reenter at another time.  We were very pleased when we heard several years later she had gone through the process elsewhere and was welcomed into full communion and happy in her new church home.

The Holy Spirit that brought Saint Augustine and these two inquirers through a conversion in faith is the same spirit that led the Thessalonian community in faith and action. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy gave worthy praise to this community for their unceasing faith, love and endurance.  They put their faith in God rather than idols, just as Saint Augustine did and the inquirers we heard about in the previous paragraph.  We are all frail humans, we make rash decisions, we jump to conclusions, we are sinful and we all need to remember the responsorial psalm of today,

            ‘The Lord takes delight in his people.’

God takes delight in all that God has created, living and non-living creation.  We are called to do the same.  A favorite quote of mine attributed to Saint Augustine gives me pause to do just that.

         “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”  -Saint Augustine

May we all take time out of our busyness to ‘rest in God’ and enjoy the peace that comes through it.

Theresa Secord is a retired Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Isaiah 22:19-23
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

Reflection:

Who do you have faith in? Maybe your spouse, your parents, someone you work for? Maybe you have faith in the law, in government, or in your doctors and nurses.

The faith that Peter has for Jesus is such a blessing. That rock on which he will stand is a faith in God, so powerful that it will safeguard Peter for all eternity. Our faith can become stagnant, or it can grow, depending on what we do with our lives and our spirituality.

Working with people returning to the church or coming for the first time, I see a lot of opportunities that were missed in the form of guidance or prayer. And some try to find faith when they haven’t been involved in their faith for years – it’s almost like actually having that child-like spirit because it hasn’t been nurtured and fed. Some fall away because of false information, a lack of education, or just a lack of feeling the necessity for that one true faith.

Come back, come home – His love will never leave you if you just ask him to be with you. God bless you.

Patty Masson is the Director of Adult Formation and Evangelization at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring, Texas.

Scripture:

Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17
Matthew 23:1-12

Reflection:

My father taught me many important lessons that I have carried my entire life. Being kind, saying thank you, and telling the truth are basic tenets by which to live a good life. He lived these traits in his own life and tried to instill them in his children.

When reading today’s gospel story from Matthew about the hypocrisy of the scribes and pharisees, I thought about my dad always saying, “Don’t just put things back where you found them; leave things better than you found them.” When I was younger, I thought he was talking about putting the tools back where they belong. He was actually saying, “Do things the right way.” Leave the world a better place, even in small kindnesses.

Jesus says about the religious leaders of the day, “Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” Examples of this hypocrisy abound all around us still. Public and religious leaders say one thing but do the opposite. As the saying goes, “practice what you preach.”

“Crude” was the word my dad often used to describe others when they would behave poorly toward others. How, in mistreating others, mocking someone, or telling lies, can one leave the world a better place than when one found it? Have we become crude as a culture? How do we reconcile rhetoric that devalues and excludes others who are different than we are with Jesus saying, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”?

Let’s all make an effort to leave the world just a little bit better at the end of each day.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.

Scripture:

Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
Matthew 22:34-40

Reflection:

In our Gospel reading from Matthew, we hear a scholar of the law ask Jesus, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” And Jesus responds with the commandment to love God with everything you have and are. And then, Jesus goes further by talking about the second commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

As much as we may try to separate the two, we really cannot. How can the love of God be demonstrated in concrete ways unless we love each other? In our first reading from the beginning of the Book of Ruth, we see a great example of this love.

In fact, I see many things about love in what we hear about Ruth that would be good for us to remember. One is that love knows no false barriers. Naomi, an Israelite, moved to Moab with her husband. Her two sons took Moabite women for their wives. When Naomi’s husband dies, and then her two sons die, Naomi decides to go home and sends her daughters-in-law to their homes. But Ruth will not leave her side: “For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” It is such a touching scene, between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law, no less! But such is the power of love, flowing from the love of God for all.

At a time when there is great suspicion of those who are different, Ruth and Naomi show us how love, perhaps strengthened by understanding each other’s loss, can overcome the stereotypes and prejudices that seem almost taken for granted these days.

The two commandments of which Jesus speaks have been with us for a long time, and yet, when we follow them, we witness to a different idea of what the world can be. I would daresay that it is not only “the law and the prophets” which depend on these two commandments, but all of reality. As people of faith, we don’t need to ask which are the greatest commandments. All we need to do is to follow them.

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