• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Online Masses
    • Passionist Online Masses and Services
  • 300th Jubilee
    • Opening Mass of the Passionist Jubilee Year
    • Video: 300th Jubilee – English
    • Video: Jubileo Pasionista – Español
    • Jubilee Icon Itinerary
    • Jubilee Resources
    • Jubilee Song
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Passionist Magazine
      • Passionist Magazine, Spring 2020
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Haiti
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Nicholas Divine, CP, Ordination to the Diaconate
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
      • Reunions
      • 2019 Passionist Alumni Reunion
      • Welcome
      • Letter from the Provincial
        • These Men We Call Our Brothers
      • Mission Statement
      • CrossRoads Bulletin
      • Alumni Enrollment Form
        • Alumni Survey
      • Reunion Photo Gallery
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, February 4, 2019

Scripture:

Hebrews 11:32-40
Mark 5:1-20

Reflection:

Take Courage…God Provides!

Life in all its glory continues on…post Super Bowl LIII…post yesterday’s World Celebration of Consecrated Life (thank God for our Passionist Family!).  God continues to lovingly act on our behalf, helping us fully participate in the “SuperBowl” of life, making the most of the opportunities and challenges presented us.

Today’s Scripture selections highlight the variety of challenges faced by some of our ancestors in the faith.  The Letter to the Hebrews continues its encouragement of God’s people who had lost heart and were dealing with a spiritual lethargy.  The author calls on the well=known heroes of the past and all they had endured for the Lord – all to help “boost” morale for the letter’s recipients…faith does make a difference!  Our Gospel selection from Mark 5 relates the story of Jesus healing the strong and fearsome Gerasene demoniac…a vivid display of Jesus’ loving determination to help the possessed man, and the people’s resulting awe and fear at Jesus’ power.  We see that problems and possession were faced with faith in God who lovingly and at times powerfully provides for the needs of His children.

Our challenges may not be as gut-wrenching or deflating as those related in today’s readings.  And yet we are asked to draw daily doses of strength, enthusiasm and perseverance from our faith in Jesus.  Our “demons” may be laziness, prejudice, a loose tongue, addictive behavior, selfishness…and Jesus meets us in daily life and helps rid us of the demons by his love and power.  We have no reason to fear and are encouraged to boldly share the Good News of Jesus transforming love.  Are you ready?

As 21st Century women and men of faith, may we personally experience Jesus’ healing touch – and then follow His directive: “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”  We have every reason to take courage — and love the Lord in thought, word, and deed!


Fr. John Schork, C.P. is a member of the Passionist community in Chicago, Illinois. 

Footer

Facebook Feed

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2021 | Log in