The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

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. 

Ash Wednesday

On March 2, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday. 

Most of us learned early in our Catholic lives that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, and that is a time of special sacrifice in preparation for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving…. These words of Pope Francis, taken from his Lenten Message of last year, 2021, and echoing the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, can still inspire our answer to the question: “What am I giving up for Lent?” 

We can draw our Lenten sacrifices out of our daily life: 

Share our faith in God’s presence by sharing in prayer with our family or with those in our parish community.
Share our hope in God’s promises by encouraging positive and respectful dialogue in our family circle and among our friends. 
Share the charity God has bestowed on us in the Passion of Jesus, with those whose sufferings are ignored or aggravated.

Let us pray for one another as we enter the season of Lent. Our Passionist “motto” can be our daily prayer during Lent, “May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.”