Daily Scripture, March 4, 2025
Scripture:
Reflection:
Following Jesus…Really!
Today’s Gospel selection flows from yesterday’s Gospel wherein the evangelist Mark relates the touching saga of a rich young man who runs after Jesus, kneels before Him and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus looked at him with love and reminded him of the Commandments and the need to be free from all attachments, even worldly goods, and then follow Him. The young man went away sad for he had many possessions.
Jesus then challenged his disciples by commenting how hard it is for those with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God. He also encouraged them: “All things are possible for God”…even camels moving through the eye of a needle…
Then Peter questions Jesus and takes the idea a step further, speaking for so many of us: what about us, we’ve left everything?? Jesus states that we’ll receive “a hundredfold” of good things – and some persecution, and eternal life in the age to come. Great!! But…huh?…really??
Following Jesus as 21st Century disciples means following His very Life. As countless spiritual authors have reflected, that means letting Jesus’ life become our way of life, which includes a litany of transformative virtues: sensitivity, celebration, compassion, openness, willingness, determination, generosity, prayerfulness, selflessness, sacrifice…yes, unconditional love.
The great season of renewal called “Lent 2025” starts tomorrow, and today’s Gospel helps prime the pump for a possible approach to our Lenten “metanoia” or change of heart. Jesus invites us to ponder His life, to follow Him, to help our sisters and brothers worldwide experience God’s love for them in their every blessing and need.
May Jesus look at each of us with love and share with us His encouragement to “do the impossible”: to freely and lovingly join Him in lives of selfless love and service. May we be blessed these days…and every day, both on earth and –with God’s loving help – in heaven!
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: 1 John 2:3-11 Psalm 96 Luke 2:22-35 Reflection: It only seems appropriate that our gaze these past few wonderful days has been directed to the Christ Child in the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4 John 20:1a, 2-8 Reflection: It is just a few days after Christmas. The tree is still aglow with twinkle lights, the kiddies have barely tired of » Continue Reading.
Christmas Eve Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Luke 1:67-79 Reflection: YOU WILL CALL HIM EMMANUEL, Is 7:13. Christmas above all is a time to celebrate that golden moment » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr Scripture: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Matthew 10:17-22 Reflection: With the glorious celebration of Christmas so fresh in our minds and hearts, the Church abruptly shifts » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a Luke 1:5-25 Reflection: Most of our attention in the Christmas story goes to Mary and Joseph and Jesus, but in today’s Scripture readings we are invited » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Luke 1:57-66 Reflection: In our Gospel reading from Luke which we heard last Sunday, the angel Gabriel tells Mary that her relative, Elizabeth, considered barren and » Continue Reading.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Luke 1:46-56 Reflection: Our children do not belong to us. We help God in the creating of their lives, but they are a gift from Him » Continue Reading.
4th Sunday of Advent Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: We conclude the Advent season this week, bringing to a head basic perceptions about » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: Today’s readings are about promise and fulfillment, fear and courage, cynicism and trust. Just five days before we celebrate the birth of Christ, the » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5-8 Matthew 1:18-25 Reflection: Jesus, can I share my thoughts? I know we have a few more days left before we celebrate your birth but the gospel brings » Continue Reading.