Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Sirach 51:12cd-20
Mark 11:27-33

Reflection:

Two realities emerge from the gospel today. One is the fact that Jesus lived each day in the face of criticism, opposition, and risk. We take for granted that his life was mobile and missionary, but we often do not see that this same itinerant preaching life was one surrounded by constant ridicule, challenge and at times insult.

Many encounters, from which we often glean real treasures of teaching and revelation, are in fact moments for Jesus when he is ‘on trial’. Times like that of today’s passage from Mark are all too typical of the daily life of Jesus. We hear a challenge about the origins of his authority, designed no doubt to elicit a response that might be used against him, but his answer not only reveals the true origin of his authority, but silences his critics.

Jesus parallels his own situation with that of John – and the chief priests, scribes and elders find themselves trapped in their own question and its implications. Jesus can be seen as having authority conferred by God and proclaiming a message that is not only comforting, but well received by the people.

The second learning for us who are privileged to enter this encounter through the scriptural witness, is to see that Jesus’ authority is not only founded on God, but that it also has its own provenance. That is, Jesus himself, his courageous witness, his vision, and his teaching are all compelling and attract people drawing them in to relationship and response.  There is an authority born by the very fact that his teaching is accepted and welcomed by all who hunger for new life and good news. The truth has its own power and Jesus spoke the truth.

Ironically the setting of today’s gospel is the Temple precinct, in many ways the centre of authority, wealth and power in his society. Yet here speaking and teaching is the real centre of relationship to God and the revelation of the truth about God.

His message is our truth too, let us treasure it.

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

Scripture:

Sirach 44:1, 9-13
Mark 11:11-26

Reflection:

Last Sunday’s Pentecost liturgy reminded me of the time when I served as a pastoral minister in a parish. We were blessed to be a multicultural community; and people from the parish offered the Prayers of the Faithful in their many languages, our small experience of the miracle at the first Pentecost! I also enjoyed handing out pieces of paper to the parishioners, each paper with a different gift of the Holy Spirit. During the liturgy, we reflected on how we use those gifts personally and for our parish and wider community.

My favorite gift of the Spirit is the gift of wisdom, which can be defined as the “understanding and knowledge that comes from a deep connection to one’s inner self and the divine.: In today’s first reading from Sirach, the author wants us to know that true wisdom resides in the people of Israel, because they have a deep connection with God, and so they share in God’s wisdom. Yahweh is their God, and they are God’s people.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is angry. When he comes to the Temple where God’s people worship, he sees the abuses in Temple worship. He does not see the true wisdom that Sirach speaks of there in the Temple. Instead, He sees foolishness, greed, and thoughtlessness.

And Jesus acts out a parable by cursing the barren fig tree. The fig tree, long used as a symbol for the people of Israel, has become barren, like the people Jesus encountered in the Temple. Somehow, they have lost their true wisdom, their understanding and knowledge that comes from a deep connection to one’s inner self and the divine.

The last part of today’s Gospel is Jesus’ exhortation to return to God, the Source of Wisdom:

“Have faith in God.
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’
and does not doubt in his heart
but believes that what he says will happen,
it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,
believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” Mark 11: 22-25

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.

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3:14-18a or Romans 12:9-16
Luke 1:39-56

Reflection:

Happy Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

If you’re at all like me, you’ll have asked yourself The Question: “What is my purpose?  Why am I here?  Why was I born?”  I suppose that’s the question most often asked of Spiritual Advisors and religious leaders by seekers.  Part of our journey seems to be the ever-evolving focus of our vocation.  I know that what I wanted when I was 20 was vastly different when I hit 30.  And 40.  And…

I’m relatively certain most of us know today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke  (Luke 1:39-56).  After hearing the news from the angel that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary traveled “in haste” from Nazareth to the house of her cousin Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, which was in a village in the hill country of Judea. When Mary arrived, she found her elderly cousin also pregnant.

There are so many moments in this passage about which I could write.  Elizabeth was thought barren, but was now carrying John the Baptist.  And Mary, in the midst of a very interesting marital situation, has a heavenly messenger tell her she’s carrying the Son of God.  Both of these women were in the middle of truly miraculous pregnancies, having had remarkable and world-changing encounters with God.  And then there’s the fact that, in those days, the lengthy and difficult journey for someone entering her  (probably) 2nd trimester could have been disastrous.  Or that God inspired Mary to go on this journey and be with her family.  And what about Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary? “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does it happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” Mary’s response is equally amazing, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…” which we now pray as the Magnificat.

Such wonder, richness, and depth. 

But there’s something else in this passage… something that hit me like a ton of bricks.  It happens just as the mother of the Messiah approaches the mother of the Forerunner – at the very moment Mary’s greeting was heard – John leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb.

I think that 1st Peter 1:8 explains it pretty well…

“Though you have not seen him, you love him;
and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him
and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

It kind of made me chuckle a little bit as I was reminded of that age-old question, “What is my purpose in life?”  Even before his birth, John the Baptist was pointing the way to Christ.

And so I found myself reflecting again on my own vocation and how it’s evolved in my 45 years on this planet.  What is it that God has been calling me to grow into?  I’m a composer and performer, writer and speaker, liturgist and minister, husband and father – a laborer in this small part of God’s vineyard – and what an amazing gift it continues to be for me.  And that’s not all… on another level I’m a counselor and confidant, spiritual guide and companion on the journey, meeting people where they are and hoping that, in some small way, I can help them see God’s presence in their own lives.

That’s when the light went off in my head.  That’s what Mary did.  She brought Christ to Elizabeth and John.  She brought Christ to the world.  And Elizabeth and John recognized Christ within Mary.  Ok, sure… Jesus was literally “within Mary” at the time, but I know you get my point.

All the items I do in life have one thing in common… they all are designed to reveal Christ to the world, and to help lead people into a deeper relationship with God.  And that’s not all… in doing that I also am reminded to look for the face of God in everyone I meet and every experience of every day.  And, friends, that’s a challenging order to fill.

Today’s Gospel uncovers that all of us have a “bottom-line” vocation – that we are all called to be like Mary and bring Christ to our world, and to be like John the Baptist and point the way to the Saving Lord.  In all we do, and all we experience, God is there, and we are called to see Him, to announce Him.  This quote from St. John Chrysostom of John the Baptist can certainly be considered a solid and unmistakable blueprint for our own lives:

“He has not yet left the womb,
but he speaks by leaping;
he is not yet allowed to cry out,
but he makes himself heard by his actions;
he has not yet seen the light,
but he points out the Sun.”

So I’ve replaced “Why am I here?” with much less simple questions I now ask myself instead.  Let’s take a moment and ask them of ourselves together right now:

Who have you been Christ to today?
Who has been Christ to you today?
How have I failed in these?

———————

Dear God of all,
thank you for the gift
of your most precious presence.
Grant us the grace
to see you in the face
of every person we encounter,
and to be the face Christ
to every person we meet. 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:

Sirach 35:1-12
Mark 10:28-31

Reflection:

When I think about the line from Mark that says, “But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first”, I can’t help but think about what I see at the end of mass every week. The communion lines begin, and people trickle out of the church after they receive communion. As the vessels are being cleansed and the ministers are preparing for the final prayers after parishioners have received the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, more begin to leave. I’ve even seen them cut in front of the procession so they can bless themselves with Holy Water before exiting the church. Yes, you will be the first ones out of the church, and out of the parking lot, but I must wonder if that is the end of the firsts that you will be receiving in your spiritual reality.

We are expected to give up everything and follow Jesus, but what have we given up? Do we still believe that finding the best seat at our favorite restaurant after mass is worth leaving mass early as we miss the final blessing, and in no means are we honoring our procession of Priests, Deacons, and ministers as they exit the church. Are we ignoring the needs of others so we can satisfy our own desires and wants? It’s time to take stock in our life as a follower of Christ and truly decide what it is we are missing on our journey to “follow him.”

As disciples of Christ, we know that there is an amazing reward at the end of our earthly road, but at what cost? Are we sacrificing what we should, being present to the downtrodden, lonely or sick, and loving unconditionally those who truly are in need? Have we given up everything and followed him? Are we willing to accept the persecutions that will come for us in our dedication to the Lord? We need to realize “enough” in our lives, and we need to know that when “enough” becomes “too much”, it’s time to make a change. Stop trying to be first – better – richer – prettier… If there is a possibility of being the last one in Heaven to close the gate, please let it be me! God bless you all!

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

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

Scripture:

Acts 1:12-14
John 19:25-34

Reflection:              

Two Sundays ago, we celebrated Mother’s Day, a day when we remembered all that our mothers have done for us to become the best we can be. Today’s feast is about our spiritual mother, Mary, who is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church.

The first reading from Acts occurs after the Ascension where the Apostles and Mary are waiting for what is to come. They were likely still perplexed as to what their mission was and what were their next steps. This reading shows them all together in the same room where they celebrated the Last Supper and where they took refuge after the death of Jesus. They again are gathered in their safe place, praying together to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

We know that Acts was possibly written in in Rome between 70 -90 C.E. The early Church was already growing and putting into motion the mission that Jesus Christ had given the Apostles. We also know that when women are mentioned in the Gospels, the Letters of Saint Paul and the Catholic Letters, that these women held an important place in the early Christian communities. It is no surprise then, that Mary is with the Apostles in the Upper Room supporting them and encouraging them in their mission.

In the Gospel of John, written between 90 -110 C.E., Mary is again mentioned at the foot of the cross watching her son suffer greatly and then die. She knew who Jesus was and she held great sorrow in her heart as she witnessed something so unimaginable. As he suffered, Jesus entrusted his mother to Saint John, saying, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then Jesus directed his  disciple saying, “Behold, your mother.” Was this Jesus’ way of giving his mother to the Apostles as their own mother? We know that during the time of Jesus women did not have many rights and needed protection if there was not a husband or a son to care for them. Jesus offering Mary to Saint John to be taken care of is not unusual. Was the Gospel writer trying to also convey the role of Mary as the Mother of the Church?

Through the centuries Mary has been a model for all Christians. We have many devotions, prayers, and feast days that remind us of the ways in which Mary is not only the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of the Church. Our spiritual mother is our guide for each of us and for the Church.

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

Scripture:

Acts 2:1-11
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
John 20:19-23

Reflection:

Happy Birthday, Church!!!

Jesus has risen from the dead!  Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!  Last week we celebrated his ascending back to his father in heaven.  This week we celebrate the fulfillment of his promise to us that he would send a powerful Spirit to be with us until the end of time!  What an awesome gift he has given us!

For those who know me, they have heard this favorite saying of mine concerning the Holy Spirit.  It goes as follows, ‘Holy Spirit? She be my best friend!!’  Whether we realize it or not, the gift of the Spirit in our lives is a gift that keeps on giving no matter the situation.  The gifts of the spirit poured upon us in the sacramental life of the Church include;  Wonder, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Awe/Respect of the Lord.  These gifts serve as take-offs for the many different ways the spirit acts in our lives.

If we were to look back in the life of the Church as well as our own lives, we could see the many instances where the presence of the spirit was and continues to be with us through the highs and lows of life.  Throughout the history of our church, there have been conflicts, persecution, heresies, controversies, invasions, Dark Ages, and insurrection.  Our scriptures during the Easter Season have been filled with the rough and tumble days the apostles experienced in the early days of the Church. But, the Spirit was present then as she is now!  I recall with a smile a favorite reminder that our Early Church History professor would share at least once in every class period when the discussion centered around the dark days of the early church up to the present day.  He would gleefully remark, don’t worry about the church of today, 2000 years ago they had the same problems! And, look  2000 years later!  We’re still here!’  Trust the Spirit!

The spirit ultimately gives us hope, trust and security and walks with us through our daily lives fraught with human frailty.  God calls, the Spirit guides and faith reminds us that our task is to trust her and let her guide us to become the person we have been created to be.  Maybe as we celebrate this Pentecost birthday, we might take some time to reflect on this question:

What fresh start is God calling me to make with the help of the Holy Spirit in my life?!

The Holy Spirit, she be my friend always and in all ways! Happy Birthday, Church!  Amen!

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

Scripture:

Acts 25:13b-21
John 21:15-19

Reflection:

…Do you love me?…Feed my sheep…

 Three times, Jesus asks Peter ‘do you love me’; three times, following Peter’s ‘yes, Lord’ Jesus commands ‘feed my sheep’.

What is it about ‘three times?’  We can make a connection to the three times that Peter denied him around the charcoal fire.  We could perhaps connect it to the Holy Trinity.  Perhaps the significance of three times is found in faceted dimensions of what it means to ‘feed’.

Peter is a disciple, a follower, a learner.  This is a Resurrection appearance, a shared meal, a conversation.  The passage concludes with a final command Follow me.  Could this sharing with Peter have been more for our benefit that his?

How do we recognize the risen Christ in our day to day lives?  How do we respond when we hear the question ‘do you love me?’  How do we feed His sheep?

As a parent, as a caregiver, as a member of a family, to feed means more than simply providing food.  It means planning, preparing, serving; it means nurturing, companioning, challenging; it means modeling, leading, guiding; to feed is to take care of needs.  To feed is to give others what they need to help them grow – not just physically, but what they need to grow in ‘wisdom and grace’.

How do we help another grow in their understanding of Jesus and his words?  How do we help another grow in their desire to turn toward God for inner strength?  How do we nurture another to grow in their awareness that they belong to God?  How do we lead Jesus’ sheep to a deeper relationship with God?

Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.