The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

Daily Scripture, March 24, 2021

Scripture:

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
John 8:31-42

Reflection:

If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free .   -John 8:32

The Greek work used in the original inspired text for truth is al-ay’-thi-a’.  It comes from a as a negative and lanthano to  hide, “to escape notice,” “be ignorant of, unawares”.  Literally it means to unhide, not hidden, unconcealed. It is treated 183 times with its derivatives’ in New testament.  We can see how important the concept of truth is in the Bible.

We can see its importance to Jesus when He says: “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37    Pope Benedict pointed out one of the greatest problems facing truth in our modern era.  “We are moving,” he declared, toward “a dictatorship of relativism . . . that recognizes nothing definite and leaves only one’s own ego and one’s own desires as the final measure.” Benedict XVI 

I think today we are facing an escape from truth’ Agnosticism seems the main strategy against Christ now.  We don’t deny Him or embrace Him.  We simply say I don’t know.  We think this attitude will free us from the guilt of not receiving Him or arousing from our religious slumber.  One of the saddest phrases in the Scriptures is: “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. John 1:11  The word receive Him in Greek inspired text is para lambanō which means receive Him with an attitude i.e. with open arms!

Jesus says to us: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6   Instead of the pathetic excuse of agnosticism we should humbly welcome Jesus into our empty hearts!  We never enter a healthy relationship with anyone without inviting them into our life!  The great truth is that if we desire a relationship with Christ we have a standing invitation from Him. ““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28                                                                                                

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

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.”