• 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
    • Lent 2021
    • 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
    • Vision Fulfillment Newsletters
    • 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, January 10, 2020

Scripture:

1 John 5:5-13
Luke 5:12-16

Reflection:

We are coming to the end of an entire liturgical season in which we celebrate the incarnation. There are so many layers to this that we can’t possibly explore them all. Perhaps because of that, it is easy to miss some of the most basic lessons.

For instance, words matter. Just as God’s words of creation took flesh in light, stars, seas, dry land, animals and humans, and just as the very Word of God became flesh here on earth, our words also take on flesh.  Unfortunately, sometimes the words of bullies take on flesh with disastrous results, even suicides, of those bullied. Other times a word of healing or compassion actually brings healing and compassion. Words of hope actually bring hope. The way we talk to ourselves, the way we talk to and about others, the way we talk to and about God – it all matters.

And it will continue to matter long after the Christmas season is over. Words are important. So how can I help the Word to continually become flesh in my own words and actions?

Especially in a toxic atmosphere of insults, degradation, and vilification, I need to resist the impulse to hit back verbally, to insult, demean, or disrespect any person (or any entire class of people). I need to pray for the strength to imitate Jesus in standing up for others when they are being insulted or disrespected, even at cost to myself. I need to be a disciple that brings God’s healing power to bear in every interaction. I need to meet, talk with, learn from, and befriend those who are of different races, cultures, economic status, and backgrounds than mine so I can hear the word that God speaks to them and expand my perspectives. I need to be a transparent instrument of the Word become flesh.

Wow, this is hard! It’s much easier to concentrate on the tree, the food, the gifts, and the parties. But that is not the heart of what Christmas is about, nor the message of Epiphany (which means “showing”). We must go much farther and do much more in order to fulfill this mission of discipleship. And because it is indeed so hard, we need each other, so that as a community we can challenge, support, and hold each other accountable in the work of the reign of God. We need prayer and deep reliance on the Christ who is embodied within each of us. We need open eyes, courageous mouths, soft hearts, and unafraid wills.

This is the vision placed before us during this season and throughout the year. As you put away the decorations and sigh over the gained weight, can you refuse to put away the challenge? Can you join me in committing yourself today, in the present, to diligence in becoming a transparent mouthpiece of the Word made flesh? God needs your voice, your actions, your words. Let’s refuse to let the Word be silenced just because Christmas is over.


Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago.  For many years she has partnered with the Passionists.  Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.

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