Daily Scripture

Scripture:

Tobit 2: 9-14
Mark 12: 13-17

Reflection:

The late John Kavanaugh, a Jesuit at St. Louis University, related an encounter with Mother Theresa while on a visit to her mission serving the poorest of the poor in India.

In a conversation he asked her to pray for him.

“What would you like me to pray for?” she asked.

“Clarity,” he answered.

“No,” she responded.

“No?” he asked in surprise.

“No. I will not pray that you have clarity. I never have clarity. But I will pray for you to have trust. We must pray to fully trust God.”

The story speaks to the psalm of today: “The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.”

In our high tech, efficient, North American culture, we are taught from an early age to take the initiative to create a life of comfort and financial security, a life free of worry and full of pleasure and respectability. Put your mind to a task or goal and you will succeed! Plan your work and work your plan!

This culturally formed way of living implies we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to. The message is clear: we are independent beings with unlimited ability.

The downside comes when we hit a wall, realize our limits and fail. The ultimate boundary on our omnipotence is, of course, death, which is on the list of to-dos for each one of us.

When Mother Theresa told Fr. Kavanaugh she would only pray that he have trust, she was countering his wish for a clarity that would have shown him the way to some goal or project or action he wanted to achieve. She said no.

Instead she offered a prayer for more lasting and important gift: absolute trust in God.

The beauty of the psalmist’s words ring true to Mother Theresa’s insight: “An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear…”

This kind of trust in God is possible only by God’s grace. We cannot will it. We must pray for the grace to have it.

But once we experience this total trust, our world’s strong messages of fear of loss of control, the quest to be in charge, and to win no matter the cost or means to victory, are shed to make room for an awesome tranquility that bring peace.

Pope (now also saint) John XXIII wrote in his journal three years into his papacy (1958-1963) of this sure, inner peace:

My experiences during these three years as Pope . . .bears witness to this maxim and is a moving and lasting reason for me to be true to it: absolute trust in God, in all that concerns the present, and perfect tranquility as regards the future. The various initiatives of a pastoral character which mark this first stage of my papal apostolate have all come to me as pure, tranquil, loving, I might even say silent, inspirations from the Lord, speaking to the heart of his poor servant who, through no merit of his own save that that very simple merit of mere acquiescence and obedience, without discussion, has been able to contribute to the honor of Jesus and the edification of souls.

(Journal of a Soul, pp 313-314.)

In your quiet moments of conversation with God this day, you might want to discuss your longing for the grace to fully trust.

Jim Wayne is a board member of the Passionist Solidarity Network (PSN), and author of The Unfinished Man. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scripture:

Tobit 1:3; 2:1b-8
Mark 2:1-12

Reflection:

Today’s readings tell two stories designed to teach.  In the Hebrew Scripture, the exiled Tobit introduces himself, his background and works. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the Tenants of the Vineyard.

Tobit illustrates, that through ordinary faithful lives- even in exile- the ancient traditions of fidelity to the law and compassion towards the neighbor are still part of everyday life for believers and are worth the risk to live out this spirituality daily, even in a hostile or foreign environment. Why?  To trust in God and to mirror daily God’s justice and mercy was key to Tobit’s character.   A question for our reflection:  Is this spirituality key to our own character and life?

Today’s gospel story is a commentary on the hostility of the Jewish leaders toward, not only Jesus himself, but it is also a comment on the harsh treatment given to God’s earlier messengers.

Returning to Jerusalem, Jesus is walking in the Temple Area . The chief priests and scribes approach him, questioning his authority. In response, Jesus speaks to them and to us in today’s parable.

We are familiar with today’s story and the images: The vineyard represents Israel; the owner is God; the tenant farmers are Israel’s leaders; and the beloved son is Jesus.  The owner leases his vineyard to tenant farmers and goes on a journey.  When the owner sent messengers for the “rent”, the tenant farmers seize, beat and send him back empty-handed.  Finally the owner, sends his son… and the farmers kill the son! As a result, the tenant farmers are severely punished and the vineyard given to others.

What might this parable say to each of us today? Who are the ‘messengers’ God sends us in our own life?  How do we respond?  Where does God send us as messengers of God’s love?

Scripture:

Exodus 34:4-6,8-9
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
John 3:16-18

Reflection:

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Today we celebrate a major belief of our Catholic Faith:  our belief in three Persons in one God…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We believe in the Most Holy Trinity…a “mystery” of divine relationship, drawing us into the special, life-giving relationship that is shared with us in the Person of Jesus.

Each of today’s Scripture readings add divine brushstrokes to the portrait of our belief in the Most Holy Trinity. 

Our first reading, from Exodus 34, shares the experience of Moses going up Mount Sinai to encounter “…the Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity…”  A true Father / Parent, caring for their growing children.

The Gospel selection is a classic, John 3:16-18…the ever-so-popular statement of belief in Jesus.  “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life…”  God loves us!  Jesus is our Salvation!

The New Testament selection from Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Corinthians presents Paul as the “cheerleader”, encouraging us all to live as people of faith:  mending our ways, encouraging one another, living in peace, greeting one another with a holy kiss.  Paul concludes with a blessing that is truly Trinitarian:  “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”  We are called to live the Life of the Holy Trinity!

Indeed, we celebrate a Mystery.  It wasn’t until the Council of Nicea in 325 that this teaching of the Church was formulated.  It may take us time to comprehend the fullness of this dimension of our faith, but the teaching is clear:  in God there are three Persons, equal and distinct; the Father shares life with the Son, and they are bound together by an everlasting love or dynamic power that we call the Holy Spirit.  The Trinity / God is relationship, “rejoicing” in the sharing of life and growth and warmth and intimacy…for you and I and all of creation!

As Easter People, as Pentecost People, let us praise God who shares the fullness of Divine Life with us in the Most Holy Trinity.  May we fruitfully reflect on our living and sharing that Divine Life, with the encouragement that St. Paul shared with the Corinthians.  Full of the Trinitarian Life of the Father, Son, and Spirit, may we be 21^st Century women and men of healing, encouragement, peace, and true love.  God so loves the 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:

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.