Daily Scripture

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Scripture:

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
John 2:13-22

Reflection:

Why Do We Go to Church?

We may question, “why do we go to church”? Today we celebrate the dedication of the St. John Lateran, the first of the great churches built after Constantine ended Christian persecution in the 4th century. Our readings off us an answer to our question.

Ezekiel 43:1-2,4-7. To us, sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, is given a vision of the temple filled with God’s glory. Saying that in the temple is a throne for God and that the soles of God’s feet are planted there, is a way of saying God dwells among us.

All creation is God’s dwelling place, but it seems God’s presence sometimes shouts to us. Come to me. Moses had such an experience in the desert before the burning bush. It seems though, great visions are a bit too rich for our daily fare. But we do need ‘our’ place. A place we go to for peace, a place to speak with God, a place we approach with reverence because for some reason it is sacred to us. The kind of place where I feel I am loved, I can be with the loved one. A church is that! It is an inn of hospitality welcoming all. There we find a banquet table piled high with God’s graces, sagging under their weight. A seat is reserved for each of us at this table of abundance.

1 Corinthians 3:9-13,16—17. Our bodies are the temple where God dwells within us, we are holy. Our homes and offices, buildings of brick and mortar, no matter how large or humble, are transformed by our personality. They bear the marks of our children, our trophies, this favorite color, the smell of that recipe, my favorite chair. So our church buildings, similar in many features, are each unique by their moments in history and also by the ‘living temples’ that they welcome, and that bring them to new life.

Ezekiel speaks of the flowing water running out of the temple to bring God’s life and fertility. Paul speaks of the waters of Baptism that fill us with the Holy Spirit. Priests, prophets, kings and queens we become ‘other Christs’. When the perfumed oil of Chrism is placed upon our heads we are commissioned, even the tiniest of us, to go into the world to love as Christ, seeing Christ in others and in ourselves. In the garden of the church, we tend our hearts so that they may grow to the size of the heart of Christ.

John 4:19-24. At a deserted village well Jesus meets and asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. This woman is one who has not found her place. In the days ahead I suspect it will be this well. But right now she comes every day for the drudgery of carrying needed water for her house. Soon it will be her special place because here she falls in love. It would seem hard to refuse the request for a drink when you are standing at a well with a bucket full of water. More than asking Jesus is giving. ‘Whoever drinks the water I give will have a fountain leaping up to give eternal life’. ‘Give me this water, sir, so I shall not grow thirsty’. On the Cross Christ again is thirsty for us. From his side will flow life-giving water upon all who gather beneath the cross, those filled with the Spirit that Jesus breathes upon us in his final breath.

Answer: We are a holy people, together invited to be with our lover as we eat and drink, celebrating the mystery we are baptized into, our dying and rising with Christ.

Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.

Scripture:

Titus 2:1-8
Luke 17:7-10

Reflection:

The Attitude of a Servant of God: We are unprofitable servants: we have done what we were obliged to do.

We should serve God because we want to and out of the goodness of our heart, without earthly expectations in return. When we serve in this way, we are true servants, knowing that it is God’s grace that allows us to serve, period. We should be grateful that we can serve God in any kind of way. We could be enticed to serve other gods or earthly things and miss out on what is important or better for us. As a Deacon in the Catholic Church, I took a vow to serve the Lord until I die. My reward will come from God when I enter his kingdom as a child of God, and live serving, praising, and worshiping him forever.

Christ wants to give us more than our earthly sense of entitlement. Even once we have done what we have been commanded, we insist that “we are unprofitable servants” in order to remind ourselves that “the grace of God has appeared”—which is given to us because of his goodness and not because we are useful or beneficial to God. Jesus Christ cleanses us for himself as his own people, training us to reject godless ways.

It seems to us that different moments in our human existence make us either more objective or subjective in serving God, depending on each circumstance. Indeed, time does not always carry the same weight. When we are happy, we want to prevent the hours from ever passing. When we are near a dying person, we want the hours to go slowly so we can be near that person for as long as possible. When we are suffering, it seems that the hours stand still and never end. We should be ready to welcome whatever comes to us in times of joy, love, or intimacy.

Lord, we want to live each moment by filling it with our love and service, living each moment with greatest intensity, just as the saints in heaven live their eternity. Each of their moments is made of love, praise, and service. Their eternity is a beatitude that no tongue can ever describe. We must always live more intensely the time we have left. What counts is not so much how long we live, but how we lived the time, we had. You will not question us about the number of years, but about how we serve you and the weight of the love reaped every day of our existence. Amen

Deacon Peter Smith serves at St. Mary’s/Holy Family Parish in Alabama, a retired Theology teacher from Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, a retired soldier from the US Air Force, and a member of our Passionist Family.

Scripture:

Titus 1:1-9
Luke 17:1-6

Reflection:

The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”  -Luke 17:6

One of my most favorite songs (I would call it a hymn) of all times is the Lettermen’s “I Believe”. Looking back over my life, there have been two main forces, one that told me “You can’t do that” and the other that said “I’ll bet you can do that”. When I have listened to the voice of confidence, we did great things, things the first voice said were impossible.

I”m reminded of the first time I filled out the semester grades for my students. I completed the course books (report cards) and sent them down to the principal for his review. He later called me into his office and told me: “You can not give all your students A’s, you have to give some B’s, and C’s”. Mind you, I was a new teacher. I didn’t have tenure, and the principal could let me go (a nice way of saying fire me) for any reason in the first few years of my career.

I had kept a grade book and each Friday I would administer a test that I developed based upon the week’s lessons. As the students came into classroom. I would give them their test with the directions that once they finished it, give it back to me and then they could use the rest of the period to read, write or talk quietly with their chosen class mates. (I was a high school English teacher, teaching reading, writing, listening and speaking) All they had to do was hand in the test. As each student would hand in their test and I would mark the items they got right and then give it back to the student encouraging them to see if they could find the right answer(s). Newer students to the class would look at me in disbelief and ask: “But I already put down what I thought was correct—where am I suppose to find the right answer?” I suggested they might want to ask one of their fellow classmates or review the handouts or texts we had used to learn the material. They would look at me, and quickly follow my suggestions maybe having to come back more than once, but eventually getting all the answers on their test marked correctly. An so, when the principal challenged me, I showed him my grade book with each students’ scores and how they earned their A’s.

Many today continue to tell me that’s not the way to teach. My experience, told me and the principal, that it is the way. Not only did my students do well, they did so well, the principal eventually had me running the reading and math programs for the entire school where students who did not like to read were joining the “100 Book Club” whose requirements were to have read 100 books, writing articles for their neighborhood newspapers and applying their math skills in the wood, printing and other shops in our school. What is even more astounding, student who were sent to us because they didn’t like school, were coming everyday and having fun.

God, help my disbelief! Give me the faith, that even though I may be wrong, if I work with all those you put into my life, we will arrive at Your Good News.

Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists.  He lives in Chicago.  

Scripture:

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14
2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
Luke 20:27-38

Reflection:

Today’s dramatic readings give hints of the central mystery of human life: what happens when we are dead? It reminds me of a priest friend, reflecting on his father’s death years after the event, who observed, “we sure are dead a long time.” Yes, we are dead a long time, but as followers of Christ we know only our physical bodies are what is dead.

As people of faith, we believe we will rise, as reflected on the inscription on each monk’s head stone at St Anslem Abbey’s cemetery in Manchester, New Hampshire. Above each Benedictine’s name, dates of birth and death are the words “Here will rise.” What a beautiful statement of firm belief.

This belief in resurrection did not develop in the Jewish community until about 200 years before Christ. Every Jew didn’t buy it, including the priestly, aristocratic and merchant classes, collectively known as the Sadducees, who were the clever ones trying to embarrass Jesus in today’s Gospel. They seemed to want to box him in, to sham him and the movement that was developing around him. Maybe they felt threatened, wondering if his followers got the upper hand, they’d be left in a demoted social position.

But Jesus moves away from their literal thinking, which carries a misogynistic element, to a much more inclusive teaching, one that dismisses using a woman as a means to insure a legacy of children for each of the brothers. Jesus observes that Moses taught that life does continue beyond our last breath. And women aren’t just baby makers for men wanting to leave their mark.

No, the resurrection is real and the narrow-minded thinking of confirming one’s worth by fathering children doesn’t fit God’s ways. In fact, Jesus hints, the afterlife will include a transformation of ourselves into angelic creatures, heavenly messengers offering encouragement to the living during life’s most troubling times.

Seeing violence in our streets and in war-torn spots around the globe, witnessing the killing of our planet by global warming, experiencing illness, depression, stress and an inner sense of not- being-good-enough in a consumer, status-conscience culture, can leave even the most faith- filled person wondering if angels will support us, lift us up and sustain us.

In moments of darkness in our lives, only the grace of God can hold and console us. Our most frightening moment comes at the time of our own death, unless we are blessed with the gift Paul wishes for us in the Epistle today: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and straighten them in every good deed and word.”

Let us, in our frightened, confusing and sad moments ask God for this grace to be encouraged and strengthened until the hour of our death.Jim Wayne is a board member of the Passionist Solidarity Network (PSN), and author of The Unfinished Man. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Philippians 4:10-19
Luke 16:9-15

Reflection:

“…for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance.” -Philippians 4:11-12

Oh, that I could learn to live as Paul did. We are constantly bombarded with news that has many stories of both abundance and deprivation – billionaires (not just millionaires anymore!) with multiple yachts, houses on many continents, watches they wear on their wrists that are worth more than a year’s salary for most people. At the same time, we daily encounter those who are unhoused, that lack the basic needs for survival, for whom the price of a cup of coffee might sustain them for days.

And yet, Paul reminds us that at some level, we are all equal. Does this mean we should abandon our work for social justice? No! But we should be aware of our own desires. We can realize when we feel deprived that perhaps we are privileged.

I recently went to my local drive-through to purchase a cup of coffee (plain, no foo-foo drinks for me, thank you!). When I went to pay, I was informed that the person in front of me had already paid for it! I felt myself filled with delight and a sense of abundance. I told the barista I would like to pay for the person behind me to keep it going. It turned out to be three times what my single cup of coffee cost! I laughed in delight! Although it was much more than I expected to pay when I first turned into the parking lot, in no way did it seriously impact my financial situation.

The idea of sharing the feelings I experienced was well worth the few dollars it cost me. I said a quick prayer of thanks and went on with my day.

My prayer today is that I continue to experience God’s abundance and share it with others each and every day.

Talib Huff is a member of the retreat team at Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California. You can contact him at [email protected].

Feast of St. Charles Borromeo

Scripture:

Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 16:1-8

Reflection:

The Challenge of Stewardship

Today’s Gospel from Luke recounts Jesus’ parable regarding a “resourceful” steward who at first dishonestly squandered his master’s property, but then prudently tried to save face by dealing with his master’s debtors.  Though we might first be appalled at his dishonesty, in his moment of crisis he was decisive and acted quickly to prepare for his future.  Jesus highlights the steward’s “gifts” and limitations as a human person – and encourages us to be faith-filled and zealous in living out our faith in Him as “…children of the light…”

St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians encourages his followers to imitate his example as a convert-missionary, giving his life to help spread the Good News.  Paul’s many gifts, especially his ardent faith, were held up as a prime example to the many people he touched in his journeys; his last words of today’s scripture selection have encouraged many:  “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I Iove and long for, my joy and my crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.”  Stand firm in the Lord…

On this early November day, we also thank God for the person of St. Charles Borromeo.  He was a gifted and zealous steward of the 16^th Century, credited for helping reform and build up the Church in a variety of ways.

As Bishop and Cardinal, Charles Borromeo encouraged the intellectual and moral growth of clergy and religious, especially by forming new seminaries.  He helped author the catechism called for during the Council of Trent; he started the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) for children’s growth in their faith.  He held special meetings in his home diocese of Milan, seeking to incorporate the message of the Council of Trent.  He reached out to the poor and needy of his day, sacrificing wealth, honor, and influence to serve them – personally ministering to the sick, the hungry, and the dying.  Truly a gifted and zealous man who gave God his all during the 46 years of his life!

The Good News challenges us today:  zealously follow the words and deeds of Jesus; live as faith-filled, active stewards of God’s many gifts; learn from Sts. Paul and Charles Borromeo to share your gifts with the Church today, especially those most in need.  The “value” of such stewardship:  priceless…for ourselves and our world!!

Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.  

Scripture:

Philippians 3:3-8a
Luke 15:1-10

Reflection:

One of the frailties of human behaviour is our incapacity to see ourselves in the full light of day. So many tests – both simple exercises and the more deeply searching psychological tests – are designed precisely to help us see those parts of our own life that are hidden from us.

Jesus may not have had ‘tests’ through which to help people see themselves and their behaviour more clearly, but he certainly had a great gift for storytelling. In his stories and shorter parables, he not only revealed God’s love and mercy to us but helped his first audiences (and us today) to see themselves and our future safety in God’s loving embrace more clearly.

Today we see this dynamic once again. People were gathering to hear the Word that Jesus was revealing (notwithstanding of course, that apart from anything he said, Jesus was the Word of God).

The people divide neatly into two groups – those who would have seen themselves as outsiders on the one hand (the tax collectors and those labelled ‘sinners’) and on the other hand those who would have seen themselves as insiders (the Pharisees and Scribes).

Jesus gives two simple illustrations that do not favour the majority as one might have imagined but highlight the value of those who his society would have considered ‘lost’.

For our deeper consolation, and to strengthen our own trust and faith in God, we might notice two dynamics that Jesus highlights in the characters of the shepherd and woman.

The first is the great effort, energy, and commitment that they both bring to their search. The second is the joy the two protagonists exhibit upon finding the sheep or the coin. Jesus highlights God’s commitment to us and God’s delight that accompanies the return of the ‘lost’.

In faith, let us rest in the thought that every moment of conversion in our lives, every act of humility and reconciliation we enact is echoed in heaven by God’s delightful cry of ‘Rejoice with me for I have found that faithful part of my daughter/son’s life that had been lost for a time’

Fr. Denis Travers, C.P., is a member of Holy Spirit Province, Australia. 

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Scripture:

Wisdom 3:1-9
Romans 6:3-9
John 6:37-40

Reflection:

How consoling and encouraging it is to hear a family member or good friend say, “I wish you the best,” or “I am rooting for you.”  When we know our loved ones desire the highest good for us, we are encouraged to do our best, and we rest in the love they give . And so it is in our relationship with God. God desires our highest good. At the most vulnerable times in our lives, and especially at the moment of our death, we can rest in God’s love, knowing the “Souls of the just are in the hand of God.,” as we hear in today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom. And in today’s Gospel reading from John, Jesus confirms that God desires to share eternal life with us.

Today’s reading from Wisdom gives us two vivid descriptions of our souls, using the analogy of fire as a purifier. Fire is a symbol of the presence of God.

“As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
    and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.” (Wisdom 3:6)

The author of Wisdom shows how suffering can purify our souls of any selfishness and immaturity that would keep us from living in communion with God and others. Once a metal like gold is in its melted down state, the dross in the metal rises to the top and is then removed from the metal before it cools. And like our souls, what is left is pure gold that does not destruct.

“In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
    and shall dart about as sparks through stubble.” (Wisdom 3:7)

Using the analogy of purifying fire again, the author of Wisdom likens our souls to “sparks through stubble.” After the harvest of grain or corn, the farmers burn off the stems that are left, and the ashes become fertilizer for the next year. The farmers light the fire in the day and go back after dark to check the fire. Some embers might still be burning; and when the wind blows, those embers become bright sparks in the darkness, darting up from the burnt stubble in the ground. So too our souls, going towards God.

In the early days of Judaism, suffering was often seen as a sign of God’s displeasure; and material success and health were signs of God’s favor.  The author of Wisdom  sees our relationship with God differently: like our best friends, God is with us in joy and suffering. And if we trust God, God brings about the highest good in our lives in this world and in the next.

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She served on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit. She is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.