Daily Scripture, February 20, 2020
Scripture:
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel Peter got it right…almost! When Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was, it was Peter who responded, “You are the Christ.” No doubt Peter felt pretty good about his response and well he should. Apparently, some of the others were a bit hesitant to apply that title to Jesus. But not Peter. He stepped up and voiced his belief for all to hear.
Then Jesus does something a bit strange. As soon as Peter applied the title “Christ” to him, Jesus begins to teach that he must suffer, be rejected, be killed and rise after three days. Clearly, these kinds of experiences didn’t fit with being the “Christ” in Peter’s mind. He pulled Jesus aside and scolded him for talking of such things. Jesus reacts almost violently. “Get behind me Satan! You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do!”
Let’s face it, most of us tend to think as “human beings” do! Just recall St. Paul’s comment in First Corinthians that the sufferings of Jesus are “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…” (I Cor 1:23) Few of us factor “suffering” into our understanding of a rich and satisfying life, especially if that life is our own or that of someone we love. Today’s Gospel seems to be inviting us to take a different look at the way we think about our lives. If suffering is essential to the life of Jesus, it is just possible that suffering is essential to our lives as well. If suffering is essential to our lives and not just the result of mindless circumstance or accident, perhaps we should look to the suffering in our lives to teach us important truths about our world, ourselves and, of course, God.
Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director retreats at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.
Readings: Ephesians 2:19-22 John 20:24-29 Reflection: We are, of course, all familiar with John’s account of Thomas and his refusal to believe the disciples’ miraculous news that Jesus had risen from the dead, "unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands." In » Continue Reading.
Memorial of St. Benedict, abbot Scripture: Hosea 14:2-10 Matthew 10:16-23 (387) Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus gets His disciples ready for the persecutions they will face for following Him. He gives them encouragement, promising them that "whoever endures…will be saved." He also uses some » Continue Reading.
Readings: Amos 8:4-6, 9-12 Matthew 9:9-13 Reflection: Today we reflect not just on the call of Matthew to join Jesus, but on the call Jesus makes to each of us. Matthew, a tax collector in his day, would have most certainly been viewed as a » Continue Reading.
Readings: Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12 Matthew 8:23-27 (378) Reflection In today’s gospel, we find the disciples once again faced with a test of faith. It is important to look at this passage in the context of Matthew’s larger account. The Twelve have just witnessed Jesus cleanse » Continue Reading.
Readings: Hosea 8: 4-7, 11-13 Matt 9: 32-38 Reflection: Today’s short gospel begins as a demoniac, who could not speak, was brought to Jesus who drives out the demon. The crowds are amazed when the mute man spoke. But the Pharisees–looking on– accuse Jesus of » Continue Reading.
Readings: Hos 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22 Mt 9:18-26 (383) Reflection: Two stories of incredible healing are interwoven in today’s Gospel. In the first, we learn that an "official" prostrates himself before Jesus and pleads for help, saying "My daughter has just died. But come, lay your » Continue Reading.
Readings: Zec 9:9-10 Rom 8:9, 11-13 Mt 11:25-30 (100) Reflection: In today’s Gospel, our Lord speaks plainly and openly to us, his children. Indeed entire books have been written about these few lines and the many revelations that they hold. Jesus speaks of his relationship » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16 Matt 11:25-27 Reflection Today the Catholic calendar observes the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, patroness of the Carmelite religious order. Mt. Carmel, a coastal mountain in northern Israel, is one of the most revered holy sites of the Bible. There » Continue Reading.
Readings: Amos 9:11-15 Matthew 9:154-17 Reflection: According to Catholic Bible scholars, prophetic books typically have three over-arching themes. They are God’s passionate purpose, God’s severe punishment and God’s enduring promise. God’s prophetic message always ends in hope. And the book of the prophet Amos is » Continue Reading.
- « Previous
- 1
- …
- 369
- 370
- 371
