• 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, September 6, 2011

Scripture:

I Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 6:12-19

Reflection:

The apostle Paul, having expressed his love for and joy in the Colossian believers in the first chapter, now cautions against the errors of heathen philosophy, against Jewish traditions that interfere with true faith in Christ and against worshiping angels and other heavenly powers. In his arguments, Paul makes an interesting statement: "Even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Jesus brought you to life along with him." The gifts of faith and eternal life are not dependent upon the purity of our life or religious rituals. "But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). If Jesus brings us to new life along with him, in spite of our sins and weaknesses, how do we stay "along with him."

Turning to the Gospel we can understand a little more about this indispensable relationship. Jesus himself was doing the will of God. In order to fulfill that will, Jesus had to be "along" with his Father. Luke’s gospel tells us Jesus went up a mountain to pray and spend the night there in prayer to God. We might wonder what Jesus had to prayer about for so long of a time. This question reveals a limited understanding of prayer. It is not just a time of asking for this or that. It is more than just a religious duty of "saying our prayers." Prayer is ultimately making contact with God. Jesus wanted, needed, to be in contact with his Father in a simple relationship of presence, silence and listening with a quiet and open heart. Prayer was the one way of making sure that there was harmony with his Father’s will.

Our invitation today is to take time for this kind of quiet prayer, prayer with an open heart. Building a relationship with Jesus in prayer will enable us to be "along with" Jesus and in harmony with his will.

 

Fr. Don Webber, C.P., is Provincial Superior of Holy Cross Province and resides in Chicago.

 

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