• 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, June 10, 2020

Scripture:

1 Kings 18:20-39
Matthew 5:17-19

Reflection:

When I was 5 weeks into my first pregnancy I had some minor bleeding and cramping, but my doctor believed I would be OK. That afternoon my husband and I were in the car about an hour from home when I felt the bleeding and cramping noticeably increase. He stepped on the gas and headed to the hospital. Five minutes later, an officer pulled us over. Despite our explanation, he gave John a speeding ticket and said he should tell it to the judge. We were shocked that the letter of the law took precedence over my and our baby’s health. (I had a miscarriage that night and the judge threw out the ticket).

This officer would agree with Jesus’ statement in today’s Gospel that no one should disobey the smallest letter of the law. It is easy to be legalistic. It makes things very black-and-white. It promotes delineation of who is a “good Catholic” by how many laws they strictly follow, and allows a claim of superiority based on unfailing adherence. However, it is dehumanizing.

Jesus knew this. By his statement, he clearly did not want anyone to toss out rightful authority and the necessary systems of laws. Yet by his other teachings and his actions, he also countered a legalistic attitude. He personally broke established laws regularly and got into trouble for going against the authorities, always citing a higher law or a more encompassing principle behind the laws, such as unconditional love, healing, and pastoral compassion.

This is the same dilemma we often face today. Do we follow the letter of the law or do we make some accommodation for the pain, fear, and desperation that cause people to do so? Do we deny Communion to those who dissent from any part of Catholic teaching, or do we welcome every one of us sinners to the table regardless? Do we bar men who left the priesthood to marry from fulfilling any ministerial role, or can we embrace the many gifts that made them excellent priests in the first place? Do we work tirelessly to promote the legal aspects of our faith, or are most of our efforts on ensuring that the justice Jesus longed for is extended to all people, especially those who are marginalized, poor, and in need?

Obviously these are not all either-or situations. Just as Jesus did, we need to balance the necessity and value of rightful laws and authority with the equal necessity for compassion, acceptance, and love. Look around you today. How are we doing? What can we do better? That’s the true question behind these readings.


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