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Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full text"Today we are six days past the challenge of Lent: the trauma of the crucifixion and the joy and celebration of the resurrection. As with the ebb and flow of major events and milestones in our daily lives, we may be experiencing a bit of a let down from the intensity of the Easter climax. Our hopes at the beginning of Lent may have been to experience new direction, perhaps a renewed insight into our vocation as a result of our encounter with the risen Christ.|You may ask "now what?" My reflective response is informed by the continuing formation of our mission statement in the School of Dentistry and today's Gospel reading. Last year our faculty enthusiastically adopted four Jesuit inspired charisms as essential components of the School's mission. These included the ideals of forming our students to be women and men with and for others, to manifest personal care of the whole person in cura personalis, to strive for the Magis, and to promote a faith that does justice. However, the foundational charism was omitted (thank you Father Hauser!): seeing God in all things and indeed all people.|Today's Gospel relates the doubt of the disciples to those who witnessed a post-resurrection encounter with Jesus risen. For me, Jesus' rebuke of the unbelief and hardness of heart provides two directives as the post Easter answers to "now what?" The first is to strive not only to see God in all people but to listen to their messages with an open heart and mind; to be attentive to their witness to the kingdom. The second is for ourselves to become externally focused to follow the command of Jesus to "Go unto the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature". We will be better able to do this if we first open ourselves to those who witness and proclaim to our doubts.
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full textPeople working in organizations and communities often look for guidance in a strategic plan. Individuals look for goals, actions and activities that they can use as a template and they very often yearn for a plan in which they can see themselves.|As I reflected on the first reading from Colossians and the Gospel reading from Luke I was struck by how much both readings address these ideals of strategic planning. In the first reading, if the goal is represented by the verse "If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above," then seeking God means putting to death our earthly inclinations "immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and the greed that is idolatry ". In addition, the teacher goes on to encourage renewal by having us putting away "anger, fury, malice, slander and obscene language" and to "stop lying to one another". These specific actions (one might say "tactics" in the language of strategic planning) are in pursuit of the higher goal of seeking what is above. As with a strategic plan, our daily lives in seeking God are built on the building block of small individual actions that open us up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and grace to work in support of God's plan.|Luke's Gospel is very familiar to us and we try I think to see who we are in the context of the parable. I have so often read the Beatitudes, and always focused on the warning and admonition inherent in the latter verses ('woe to you……who are rich, who are filled now, who laugh now"). We should realize that Jesus also knows that even the most successful of his followers, people of great spiritual depth and who are humble in life successes will also weep and will be hated and excluded for proclaiming Jesus as Lord.|Regardless of our station in this life, we are all part of God's strategic plan and can indeed find ourselves in that plan. We have the blueprint for becoming sensitive to what that may be by putting aside our earthly inclinations—in fact becoming indifferent and detached from those chains of the world that bind us—and finally hearing the Holy Spirit revealing to us our unique role in God's plan
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full text|The first reading is a simple but profound reminder on the centrality of love in our Christian life. Our lives following Jesus Christ can be summarized in one sentence: "We should love one another." We are not to follow the example of Cain who killed his brother simply out of jealousy and spite. Yet in the world of sin and self-centered priorities it is a challenge to love—especially to love the "other"—that is, those who are not like us. We are told indeed that many in the world will hate us for that which we represent, i.e. the pouring out of ourselves in love like Jesus does for the world.|We would certainly like to be loved in return and we might think that a person's natural reaction to our love would be reciprocation of that love. However, the example of Cain is prevalent in our world, sadly even at times inside the Church. Goodness and grace, to some individuals, can be threatening, and history has shown that many Christian martyrs have lost their lives as a result of this rejection of goodness and love.|Yet even with this fact, a valid sign that we are fully alive is in the love we show for our fellow men and women regardless of the response we get. Our love is a conduit for the life and presence of God in the world. As it is said later in Scripture, "God is love and whoever loves is in God and God is in them." God's love is only in us when it passes through us to others.|Genuine love is found in actions and in truth and not in mere words. While we may be driven by movements of emotion the tangible manifestation of our love as Christians is most often in our tangible actions. |The Gospel reading reveals what one of those actions must be for us. "Follow me," Jesus asks of Phillip. When is Jesus asking this of us? Are we too preoccupied with our own problems to be attentive to God's call for us? When we pray, perhaps we think of ourselves as searching for God but in fact God has been searching for us and is delighted when we slow down to encounter Him
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full textToday is the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe honoring Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It commemorates the appearance of Mary in 1531 to St. Juan Diego near Mexico City. He carried a message, at Mary's request, to build a church on the Hill of Tepeyac.|The Gospel reading today recounts the appearance of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, a young teen betrothed to Joseph of the House of David. When the angel told Mary of her selection to bear the Son of the Most High she was troubled and I'm sure in grave doubt. As the angel told her of the work of the Holy Spirit and the fact of Elizabeth's conception in old age Mary gave herself to God's will.|One of the great gifts of Ignatian spirituality is the use of imagination to place ourselves in the presence of Jesus, of God, or perhaps the Saints. Let us use our imagination and place ourselves with this young teen woman who is told she will be pregnant without knowing relations with a man. Can we picture her concern? Can we imagine her fear at being ostracized with the scandal? Can we see the doubt and tension on her face as she confronts God's will for her? Yet supported by her faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit she declares "may it be done to me according to your word". Mary responded to the angel and to the manifestation of another miracle in the form of Elizabeth's pregnancy.|Mary's example is a light to us in today's world, in today's times. While we may not have the direct intervention of an angel are we attentive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in our hearts? Can we quiet the cacophony of distractions in our world long enough to listen to the will of God for us? Are we intentionally looking for God in all things and all people to catch those Elizabeth-like miracles that are testimony to God's continued and active presence in our own spheres in the world today?|I this Advent season let Mary's example inspire us to become quiet and centered so we may listen to God's will for us. Let us be able to proclaim "may it be done to me according to your will". Amen
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full textJesus challenged the authorities of the world in his ministry. At first glance his seemingly trick question asking whether John the Baptist's authority came from heaven or was of human origin seems almost too blunt and rude from our savior. In reality the tone was always consistent with his teaching to respect the authorities of the world over the things of the world within their scope (Mark 12:17-"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's) but to refute the callow hard heartedness of the authorities on matters of God's kingdom ("and to God what is God's").|We walk each day in balance with being in the world as we strive to not be of the world. In our calling to with and for others, we are in a constant state of tension between the wishes of God and the demands of the world. The practice of Ignatian discernment—to weigh the movements of the Spirit within us and to listen for consolation or desolation can aid us in navigating the tension and achieving our balance.|We cannot however let the daily challenges of the world reduce our fire for proclaiming the Gospel. Let us not make the same error as the priests, scribes and elders who when challenged simply avoided truth by saying "We do not know". Revelation 3:15–16 (NIV) clearly expresses God's desire for our hearts and deeds and the consequences of our saying "we do not know":|I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!|So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full textThis reflection will be coming soon. In the meantime, here is one from Andy Alexander, S.J., for this day in 2002.|A highway will be there, called the holy way; ...|It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed will walk.|Isaiah's powerful description of the homecoming of the people in exile aptly fits our return home. It helps in two ways. It describes where we are, and the marvelous way God will allow us to return.|We use the "journey" language a lot during Advent. It is a fitting image because we often find ourselves "in exile," at some distance from our home with God. When we get in touch with our experience now, we discover that the place we find ourselves in is "separated." We are too often dis-connected with our family and friends. We can feel alienated from our faith tradition, either by our own sin or the sin of others. At times we are completely insulated from hearing the cry of the poor, or even those hurting around us. And, in too many parts of our life, there is a divide between us as believers and us as professionals. We feel dull - not seeing clearly, not hearing the Word clearly, being paralyzed and handicapped for any effort to move out of our situation. In our fear and anxiety, we are easy prey to nasty jackal-like temptations. Even though we might recognize this as being in a land "foreign" to where we truly belong, we have become comfortable and "at home" in our exile here.|Well, during Advent, as we grow in our longing for the Lord to come and save us from this condition we find ourselves in, we experience our Lord announcing, describing the victory he will have over our separated-ness.|The dry, barren desert we are in will bloom and become a highway for us to make our journey home. Instead of being drained and life-less, we will be refreshed. Our weary spirits will be lifted and our fears will be transformed into strength. We shall see and hear and leap like the stag. Our sorror and mourning will flee. We shall recognize the announcement that Our God has come to save us.|Each and every one of us can hear this reading as our Advent liberation announcement. Today, let us experience our hearts welcoming this promise. Let's feel the anticipation and longing. We can read today's gospel now and be filled with joy as we imagine Jesus healing us, from the inside-out - first forgiving our sins and then telling us we can get up and walk with him.| "Nothing will be impossible for God.
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full textThis reflection is coming soon. Until then, here is a reflection from Maureen McCann Waldron from 2009.|A special gathering with family and friends often centers around food. Certainly any one of us could eat alone, using food as the fuel that will keep us going. But it is at a table filled with love and companionship as well as lovingly-prepared food that we are really fed down to our souls.|I have the sense that this is the kind of food Jesus is offering us in today's Gospel. In these weeks after Easter, we linger with the Gospel of John. The Fourth Gospel treats us to John's poetic peeling back of Jesus' delicately layered message, repeated over and over again. Jesus tells us he is the "Bread of Life" and if we feed on this bread, we will live forever.|In today's gospel, we see the confusion of people who can only understand it their way. There are quarrels and people wonder, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?" But Jesus calmly repeats his message: "Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you."|How is it that we can eat his flesh and drink his blood? We can do this because his gift to us is the sacrifice of his very body and blood for us. He died that we might live. He is broken and given to feed our hunger. When he gives himself to us, that gift is real indeed. For those of us who are Catholics, the Eucharist is the sacrament of that gift - it makes real what it symbolizes.|It helped me when I learned that the Greek word for "feed" that John used in this Gospel could more accurately be translated "graze." Graze on Jesus. Make him the center of our lives. Focus our life on Jesus. Just as we need food to survive, we need Jesus to "graze" upon, to return to over and over, to feed us to our very souls. Whoever "feeds on me will have life because of me."|John's imagery is startling but the invitation from Jesus is very human. If we constantly return to the source of our life, he promises us a real relationship with him. Not only will we remain in Jesus but that Jesus will remain in us. In every day of our lives, that invitation is renewed and if we accept it, we will be fed with a life we could not have imagined. Real presence. Real food and drink. Preparing us to really give our lives as food and drink for others
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full text|Matthew's Gospel challenges us to ask and answer "What does it mean for us as believers to be salt and light?" Upon reflection, Jesus's words are quite direct and specific: "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world." There is a strong emphasis that Jesus calls each of us to be in and for the world by being salt and light.| Jesus often uses ordinary images, like salt and light, to convey extraordinary insights. The discerning reader knows that 'ordinary' does not necessarily mean 'simple' and indeed these images are deep and complex. In the context of the time, salt was a valuable commodity and it was traded like we might treat gold and stocks today. Salt was essential as a food preservative and functions as a flavor enhancer. As followers of Jesus we are called to penetrate, purify and preserve the world from the manifestations of sin. As Christians we also seek to influence the world for good under the guidance of the Holy Spirit-"enhancing the flavor" of the world and those we touch in our daily lives. Where there is anxiety and sorrow we are to be the working hands of the Spirit in the world to bring comfort and peace.| The image of being a light for the world is less subtle but just as profound. A real lamp enables sight in the darkness and helps people to avoid stumbling. As followers of Jesus we are to live in the light of God's truth and eternal love. Our presence in the world is in part to be bearers of light in our words and deeds so others may see the truth of God's word and be freed from the burden of their own darkness. We shine a light, not for our own sake or for selfish recognition but so that those who look on might see the glory of the Father in heaven.| In our day today, with those we touch, with the work we do how can we be the salt and light of the world
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full textWhat are the attachments in our lives? Some may be consistent with God's will for us such as our responsibilities and dedication to family. Many of our 'attachments' however are actually a barrier to us hearing and living the will of God for our lives.|Peter very clearly in the first reading exhorts the reader to realize that we have been saved by the Blood of Christ and not by the perishable things of the world like silver or gold. Symbolically these 'precious' metals can be a metaphor for any attachments we may have that we value above their real worth especially when compared to the gifts we receive from God. We have been redeemed by the imperishable love from God through the sacrifice of Jesus; comparing this love to our own attachments shows us the folly of being tied to these things of the world.|As we are called to be 'in' the world and not 'of' the world we are also called to love one another intensely from a pure heart. Understanding that our 'attachments' may inhibit our ability to both hear and manifest our call to sincere brotherly love. Peter reinforces this for us with these words:|"All flesh is like grass,|and all its glory like the flower of the field;|the grass withers,|and the flower wilts;|but the word of the Lord remains forever."|Beware of our attachments of the flesh and of the world as they will wither and die. In Mark's Gospel, there is another message about a particular kind of attachment. Some of us, people of 'position' for example, have the attachment of seeking to be first among many. Mark reminds us that those that wish to be great will be called to serve, those wishing to be first among us will be the slave of all. This is an important message, and lesson, for those who strive to be leaders
Daily Reflections (Meditations) on the Scriptures from the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
No full textThis is my first contribution and I am humbled to be a part of the wonderful community of faith that this ministry represents.||The Gospel reading is one that is familiar to us as Jesus calls fisherman Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow him and become fishers of men. While Christ calls to all, Saint Matthew describes this special call to these men who were given to him by the Father. When we quiet ourselves and listen to the call of Jesus do we accept that we are chosen by the Father to respond to Christ's loving invitation. What can we learn from these simple fisherman who were called out to be a fulcrum to change the world? Can we accept that Jesus gives gifts to us; puts treasure into earthen vessels to carry out his work in the Kingdom?|On the surface, it may be easy to see ourselves heading Christ's call. Yet we must understand that this call costs our comfort and can challenge our priorities, even the priority of family. "He called them, and immediately they left their father and followed him" (MT 4:22). As parents, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers our initial reaction may be one of conflict with the example of James and John leaving their father. And while we have critical responsibilities to our families, we must come to terms that God calls us to be his servants and we are not our own. Whether our calling is urgent and immediate, or the slow work of the spirit over years in faith we are called to be faithful to his call and in faith trust even this potential conflict with our familial instincts. Comforting and inspiring are Paul's words to the Romans: "No one who believes in Him will be put to shame" (ROM 10:11). " How can anyone preach unless they are sent? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news" (ROM 10:15).|And the psalmist reminds us the words of the Lord "are more precious than gold."| Let us open our hearts to the calling of Christ today
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