Daily Scripture, January 23, 2021
Scripture:
Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14
Mark 3:20-21
Reflection:
Have you ever been misunderstood? When I reflect on the sufferings of Jesus, there are of course, the physical sufferings: the scourging, the crown of thorns, and most of all, the cross. Then there is the emotional pain: the agony in the garden, the denial by Peter, the betrayal by Judas, and the feeling distant from the Father.
But even before the events leading up to His Passion, death, and Resurrection, Jesus encountered various trials that many of us encounter. And one is being misunderstood. Reading the Gospels, we see how often Jesus came into conflict with the Pharisees and the scribes and the elders of the people. But in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is misunderstood by His relatives! They have heard that the crowd following Jesus has gotten so large that He doesn’t even have time to eat, and their response is not one of awe about the size of the crowd, or about what might be happening. Instead, they conclude that Jesus has gone mad, and they set out to “seize him,” presumably to bring Him home.
We’ll find out Jesus’ response in a couple of days. The challenge for us, I think, is to look at if there are times when we misunderstand Jesus, especially when we might be tempted to use our faith to justify our prejudices and attitudes toward other individuals or groups of people. While there are times when Jesus’ words and actions are most comforting and reassuring, there are times when Jesus’ words and actions still have the power to make us uncomfortable.
At those times we need to examine whether our attitudes towards others are taking us further from God. We have seen the effects of bigotry and discrimination not only on those who are the recipients, so to speak, but also on the perpetrators. Persisting in prejudice, I think, is part of the “dead works” mentioned in our first reading from Hebrews. And if we are willing to allow the love of Jesus to more deeply enter our hearts and lives, we can better understand what Jesus is calling us to, and we can be “cleansed,” in order to “worship the living God” in all we say or do.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.
Feast of the Epiphany of Jesus Christ Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12 Reflection: An author who had spent twelve months with a nomadic tribe in northern Pakistan once suggested that nomads were probably the only people in the world who were at home wherever » Continue Reading.
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church. Scripture: 1 John 2:22-28John 1:19-28 Reflection: These two men lived in the early Church, in the 4th century; yet their challenges were similar to those we face today. They struggled » Continue Reading.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27Galatians 4:4-7Luke 2:16-21 Reflection: This is a feast that has evolved over the years. Originally, it celebrated the Circumcision of Jesus—honoring his rite of initiation as a member of God’s people, confirming the essential Jewish roots of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:18-21John 1:18 Reflection: And the Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. Happy New Year’s Eve! So, do you remember Christmas? I know… seems so very long ago. Even more shocking, do you remember Advent? So much has happened since » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:12-17Luke 2:36-40 Reflection: What kind of prayers was Anna saying? She didn’t have the “Our Father,” or “Hail Mary” prayers. She didn’t have the rosary or novenas. Perhaps she prayed the Psalms or used the prophet Isaiah. It sounds like she “prayed always.” But she didn’t have » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11Luke 2:22-35 Reflection: . . . for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. –1 John 2:8 In 1935 the play Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot, was published. The play focuses on the story of the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 1:5-2:2Matthew 2:13-18 Reflection: Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs. We gather as the faithful to remember all those innocent baby boys, two years old and younger who were brutally ripped from their mother’s arms and killed. King Herod, power-driven » Continue Reading.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Scripture: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14Colossians 3:12-21Luke 2:22-40 Reflection: The story of Simeon has always touched my heart, and I have shared it with others on many occasions. This holy man of God, this man of faith, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59Matthew 10:17-22 Reflection: Many of us receive Christmas notes from family and acquaintances that detail highs and lows of the year past. One Christmas letter from a dear friend began with this Blessing Prayer by writer and retreat director Jan Richardson, who » Continue Reading.
The Nativity of the Lord Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10Hebrews 1:1-6John 1:1-18 Reflection: “Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise!” Our scriptures and Christmas traditions are full of joy and angels singing, of gathering together and celebrating with those we love. » Continue Reading.