Daily Retreat 07/01/06
Lam 2: 2. 10-14. 18-19/ Ps 74: 1b-2. 3-5. 6-7. 20-21/ Mt 8: 5-17
Daily scriptural reflections by Fr. Rory Pitstick, SSL
from Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane, WA
Also available via daily email
"In memory of Christ's suffering and death, the Church prescribes making each Friday throughout the year a penitential day. All of us are urged to prepare appropriately for that weekly Easter that comes with each Sunday. Penitential Practices for Today's Catholics, USCCB, 11/12/2000. www.usccb.org/dpp/penitential.htm
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2006 Jun 10 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM
2 Tm 4: 1-8/ Ps 70(71): 8-9. 14-15ab. 16-17. 22/ Mk 12: 38-44
From todays readings: "Proclaim the word - be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.... I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord.... Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the others...."
The Widows Mite
Ive heard (and personally observed!) many parables based on "the Widows Mite," stories about seemingly insignificant offerings or gifts presented with exemplary fullness of heart, and thereby eclipsing more substantial contributions "from surplus wealth."
Sometimes we forget, though, that story of "the Widows Mite"itself is not a parable - it really happened! Indeed, the very last thing that Jesus did in the Jerusalem Temple was to draw His disciples attention to the example of that woman who gave a lot, though she gave a little, because, in fact, she gave all she had!
Well, of course, theres plenty of people today who are willing to follow the widows example in the amount of their charitable contributions, but precious few who are inclined to match her spirit of faith and generosity. Objectively, there is much more disposable wealth in the world today than there was at the time of Jesus, and its fair to say that we all share at least partially in the riches accrued over centuries of technological advances. So its inexcusable that so many of us (myself included) need this Gospel reminder to realize that our present charitable contributions are even today still surpassed by that widows mite....
2006 Jun 9 Fri: Ordinary Weekday/ Ephrem of Syria, d, dr
2 Tm 3: 10-17/ Ps 118(119): 157. 160. 161. 165. 166. 168/ Mk 12: 35-37
From todays readings: "In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.... O Lord, great peace have they who love Your law.... David himself calls Him Lord. "
Lord and Son of David
Jesus is much more than just a great teacher - He is the Messiah and Son of God! Nonetheless, He certainly is also the greatest of teachers. He clearly was adept at using different teaching strategies, such as the thought-provoking question posed in the temple, "How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?"
For the Israelites, David, of course, was their greatest king, and the Messianic prophecies established that the Christ to come would be a descendent of David. So, naturally, the Messiah was expected to be a great victorious king like David - maybe even as great as David!
But Jesus wants His listeners to understand that the Messianic prophecies pointed to the Anointed One who would transcend even the best qualities of an earthly king such as David. For indeed, even the great King David himself had the inspiration of realizing that the coming Messiah would be more than a noble descendent, and so in psalm 109 (110), David prophesied, "The LORD [God the Father] said to my Lord [Jesus, the Messiah]...." Since David addressed the Christ as his Lord, he recognized Him as much more than just his son, and thats the insight Jesus was helping His listeners to understand!
2006 Jun 7 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
2 Tm 1: 1-3. 6-12/ Ps 122(123): 1b-2ab. 2cdef/ Mk 12: 18-27
From todays readings: "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.... To You, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.... Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?"
Even though, at the center of our Christian hope, there stands the Resurrection of Christ and His promise that His faithful disciples would share in His Resurrection, it is unfortunate that many Christians are critically confused about just what "resurrection" is.
Human beings are creatures of God composed of body and soul. Human death is thus defined as the separation of body and soul, when the physical aspect (body) is no longer animated by the spiritual facet (soul).
Most people, Christians and non-Christians, believe in the immortality of the soul, viz., that the spiritual "core" of each person does not cease to exist with the persons physical demise. But Christian faith goes much further, for the Christian dogma about resurrection is not just about the soul. Clearly, the immortal soul does not need to rise again, so "resurrection,"in fact, always refers to the body!
To quote §997 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "In death, the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays and the soul goes to meet God, while awaiting its reunion with its glorified body. God, in His almighty power, will definitively grant incorruptible life to our bodies by reuniting them with our souls, through the power of Jesus' Resurrection."
God who created us body and soul, redeemed us body and soul, ultimately calls us to enjoy the fullness of life with Him, body and soul! Modern dualism, however, insidiously tries to reduce Christian faith by limiting discussion of the aspect of afterlife to merely the spiritual realm. But the unfortunate consequence of that mistaken view is that a persons body is then treated merely as a thing, as a disposable vessel for the persons soul, and that attitude leads to a speedy decay of Christian bodily ethics.
Like the Sadducees, all those who deny, dismiss, or downplay the resurrection of the body stand in need of Christs vital correction: "Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?... He is not God of the dead, but of the living! You are greatly mistaken."
2006 Jun 8 Thu: Ordinary Weekday
2 Tm 2: 8-15/ Ps 24(25): 4-5ab. 8-9. 10 and 14/ Mk 12: 28-34
From todays readings: "Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.... All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keep His covenant and His decrees.... Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than He. And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Simple and Sublime
The paradox of Christianity is that our faith is, at the same time, sublime and simple. Each Christian can, and should, spend his whole life growing in faith and understanding, but that doesnt mean one needs a college degree in order to grasp the initial fundamentals of the faith.
The great commandment bids us to love God "with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." If we are loving God with our whole selves, we will, of course, continue to grow in our faith and understanding every day of our lives - theres simply no room for complacency.
Likewise, love of neighbor can never be considered in this life a "finished" task, simply because each day, our neighbors present us with new opportunities for the response of Christian love. Its so simple to summarize Christian commandments under these two heads, and yet it takes a lifetime to fulfill them!
2006 Jun 7 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
2 Tm 1: 1-3. 6-12/ Ps 122(123): 1b-2ab. 2cdef/ Mk 12: 18-27
From todays readings: "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.... To You, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.... Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?"
Resurrection
Even though, at the center of our Christian hope, there stands the Resurrection of Christ and His promise that His faithful disciples would share in His Resurrection, it is unfortunate that many Christians are critically confused about just what "resurrection" is.
Human beings are creatures of God composed of body and soul. Human death is thus defined as the separation of body and soul, when the physical aspect (body) is no longer animated by the spiritual facet (soul).
Most people, Christians and non-Christians, believe in the immortality of the soul, viz., that the spiritual "core" of each person does not cease to exist with the persons physical demise. But Christian faith goes much further, for the Christian dogma about resurrection is not just about the soul. Clearly, the immortal soul does not need to rise again, so "resurrection,"in fact, always refers to the body!
To quote §997 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "In death, the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays and the soul goes to meet God, while awaiting its reunion with its glorified body. God, in His almighty power, will definitively grant incorruptible life to our bodies by reuniting them with our souls, through the power of Jesus' Resurrection."
God who created us body and soul, redeemed us body and soul, ultimately calls us to enjoy the fullness of life with Him, body and soul! Modern dualism, however, insidiously tries to reduce Christian faith by limiting discussion of the aspect of afterlife to merely the spiritual realm. But the unfortunate consequence of that mistaken view is that a persons body is then treated merely as a thing, as a disposable vessel for the persons soul, and that attitude leads to a speedy decay of Christian bodily ethics.
Like the Sadducees, all those who deny, dismiss, or downplay the resurrection of the body stand in need of Christs emphatic and vital correction: "Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?... He is not God of the dead, but of the living! You are greatly mistaken."
2006 Jun 6 Tue: Ordinary Weekday/ Norbert, bp, rf
2 Pt 3: 12-15a. 17-18/ Ps 90: 2. 3-4. 10. 14 and 16/ Mk 12: 13-17
From todays readings: "Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.... In every age, O Lord, You have been our refuge.... Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
What Belongs to God
Christs response to the question about paying taxes shouldnt be categorized as merely a brilliant and politically astute comment which successfully dodges the main issue. No, for our Lords words were offered as an honest and complete answer, which did, however, obviously transcend the limitations of the insidious question.
Ill leave it to others to argue about "what belongs to Caesar," for the bigger issue is about "what belongs to God." If you were to compile a quick inventory about who and what you are and what you have, how much would you reckon actually belongs to God?
When we remember that God created everything out of nothing, its hard to minimize, compartmentalize or otherwise downplay the legitimacy of the Lords claims on our entire existence! He gives us Life - and He asks us to repay Him with reverence for all life made in the divine image. He gives us Time - and He asks us to repay Him by keeping holy the weekly Sabbath. He gives us Hope - and asks us to repay Him by trumpeting that hope to others. He gives us Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness - and asks us to repay Him by sharing that with others.
I write these daily reflections as a humble offering and small part of rendering to God what belongs to Him. Your own time spent reading, reflecting, and taking action can be offered in the same spirit of giving to God what clearly belongs to Him!
2006 Jun 5 Mon: Boniface, bp, mt M (Ninth Week in Ordinary Time)
2 Pt 1: 2-7/ Ps 90(91): 1-2. 14-15b. 15c-16/ Mk 12: 1-12
From todays readings: "Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.... In You, my God, I place my trust.... The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes...."
Understanding More About the Lectionary
Today, as occasionally in the past, in answer to certain questions submitted, the spiritual focus of these virtual retreat reflections is interrupted with the substitution of a somewhat technical explanation of the liturgical lectionarys overall outline Yesterdays solemnity of Pentecost signaled the end of the festive Easter season, so a marked shift now appears in the selection of daily scripture readings as the "ordinary time" liturgical season is resumed. This season actually begins right after Epiphany, but is suspended during Lent and Easter - hence, this week is considered the "ninth week in ordinary time."
For all Christians, the Gospels are, without a doubt, the most important and familiar books of Sacred Scripture. But in order to help readers become more familiar with other books of the Bible, since August 2003, when I succeeded Msgr. Van Ommeren as director of these virtual retreat reflections, for the most part, I have focused mainly on the first readings, except on Sundays and other liturgical solemnities.
The Sunday scripture readings are structured in a 3 year cycle, but from Monday to Saturday, the daily readings follow a related, but separate 2 year sequence. Because this daily lectionary cycle has now come full circle, throughout this past Easter season, it seemed appropriate to begin a renewed emphasis on the Gospel readings, and that concentration will continue for the next several months.
Throughout this present week, the daily lectionary will be covering Chapter 12 of the Gospel of St. Mark, which includes some of the final parables and teachings of Christ in Jerusalem, right before His Passion. Needless to say, having just completed the Easter season, its a bit of an awkward transition to jump back to that time frame in our Lords life. The variability of the date of Easter caused that clumsy coincidence for this year, but starting next Monday, the semi-continuous Gospel "track" of the daily lectionary will switch to Matthews Gospel, commencing quite logically in Chapter 5 with the Sermon on the Mount.
2006 Jun 4 SUN: PENTECOST S
Pentecost Vigil Readings: Gn 11: 1-9 or Ex 19: 3-8a. 16-20b or Ez 37: 1-4 or Jl 3: 1-5/ Ps 103(104): 1-2. 24. 35. 27-28. 29. 30/ Rom 8: 22-27/ Jn 7: 37-39.
Pentecost Day Readings: Acts 2: 1-11/ Ps 103(104): 1. 24. 29-30. 31. 34/ 1 Cor 12: 3b-7. 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25/ Jn 20: 19-23 or Jn 15:26-27
From todays readings: "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house.... Lord, send out Your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.... The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, meekness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.... I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when He comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you to all truth!"
The Fruit of the Spirit
There are so many scripture passages that relate to the Holy Spirit and todays feast of Pentecost, but my reflection will just focus on a few verses from the alternative Second Reading. Its clear that those whose lives are guided by the Holy Spirit bear fruit in their lives - the fruit of the Holy Spirit, listed by St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians. There are twelve listed in the tradition of our Church, beginning with the fruit of love or charity, words which are quite misused in our society. For Paul is referring to the love that God shows us by sending His Son into the world to die for us, which of course is much more than just the romantic love we toast on St. Valentines day! Charity, likewise, is often thought of primarily as a monetary donation to some poor person or "charitable" cause. But charity is anything that puts into practice that love we are meant to have in our lives....
It has been said that the infallible sign of the presence of God in a person is an unquenchable joy. Pope Paul VI wrote a beautiful letter on Christian joy in the year 1975, in which he reflected on the life of Christ, which always shone forth with that Christian joy. Why? Because He was secure in knowing that He was loved by His heavenly Father. And so in spite of disappointment in His life, in spite of the hardships of His life, He always shone forth with the joy that marked the presence of the love of God in Him. Our lives should also sparkle with that joy, with that fruit of the Holy Spirit, so much so that others throughout the world, the people that God puts in our lives for a purpose, will be attracted by that joy.
Peace is another fruit of the Holy Spirit, and we recall the Lords words that He gives us His peace, not as the world gives, but a deeper kind of peace. More than just the absence of hostilities, Christs peace is Shalom, the sense of wholeness that comes when God is wholly with us.
Patience, even and especially when things arent going our way! In all of our lives, mishaps happen; in all of our lives, the unexpected occurs. And how we adapt ourselves, how we roll with the punches, shows how much our lives are bearing or not bearing the fruit of patience. So many of the Saints were secure in their patience, even in spite of numerous tribulations and tortures - what a formidable fruit that is!
And kindness - certainly, all of us have experienced many times in our lives when the rudeness of others wore on us, and ate at our hearts, and soured our own outlook, clinging to us like a barnacle. But on the other hand, the kindness of others has often brightened our lives, and that sense of kindness is meant to be brought into every situation in life! No matter how rudely, no matter how inconsiderately others treat us, there is always a kind reply at our disposal, if we are attentive to developing and harvesting that fruit of the Holy Spirit, the kindness that the Lord gives us!
Goodness: the goodness that comes from modeling our lives on the life of Jesus, not being content with just a few good deeds daily, but having the goodness of Christ living in our life in a concrete way that is always inspiring us to see the goodness in others, as well as goodness in ourselves, the blessings of the Lord which are always meant to be shared with others. For if we hoard that goodness, what good does it do? But if we share it with others, its a multiplication of a fruit of the Holy Spirit!
Generosity, the fruit of the Holy Spirit that is, in a sense, the sharing of all of the other gifts, of all of those other fruits, the acknowledgment that God has given us more than we need, more than we can even use on our own! And so we have an obligation and a need to share all of our gifts, and not in a miserly way, but in a generous way, a pouring forth to others!
Meekness, an awareness that, instead of always standing up and claiming what is our due, all of us have to remind ourselves that "all is gift," and sometimes that means we have to even forego what is our right, our justice under law, in order to help the world to appreciate the One who died on a Cross, even though He had done no wrong, the One meekly led like a lamb to slaughter.
Faith comes from the awareness that God is here with us. So we dont have to worry about everything in this world, because our God is here with us! And we dont have to have the answers to everything, of all the questions that come to us, because our God is here with us, and He knows the answers! We dont have to have a sense of loneliness, a sense of being by ourselves, because our God is here with us! When that fruit of faith is clearly shining throughout our life, then the whole world sees us as people of faith, and that fruit helps others develop their fruits.
Modesty refers both to modesty of the body (how we dress, how we clothe our body and present ourselves to others) and modesty of soul. This spiritual modesty is the recognition that no matter what great gifts we have been given (and we all have been given such great gifts), thats what they are - gifts! We would not have them, we would not have the gift of life, if it were not for our loving generous Father and Creator. And so to acknowledge Him as the source of all our gifts, of all our blessing and bear the fruit of modesty in our life.
The fruit of self-control, of discipline in all aspects of life, reminds us that we need not and should not ever be slaves of passion or greed, for grace is never lacking to those who strive for self-mastery in Gods service.
The fruit of chastity is derided by many in our as a rotten fruit, and yet how sweet it is when a persons life bears that fruit of chastity! Not just the chastity of body, but also the chastity of heart, the chastity of recognizing all that we are as made by God, male and female, in His image, and so presenting His image as He wants it presented.
As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "you shall know them by their fruits!" If we live in the Spirit and follow the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will blossom in our lives as well!
2006 Jun 3 Sat: Charles Lwanga & co., mts M
Acts 28: 16-20. 30-31/ Ps 10(11): 4. 5 and 7/ Jn 21: 20-25
From todays readings: "Paul received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.... the LORD is just, He loves just deeds; the upright shall see His face.... There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written."
The Incomplete Gospel
St. Johns Gospel ends with a humble assertion of limitation, noting that "there are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written." Clearly, the written gospels, the "good news" about Jesus Christ, accurately give the definitive and comprehensive account of the Lords life, but at the same time, they are necessarily only anecdotal and summary, and do not pretend to be unabridged accounts of everything that Jesus said and did.
St. Mark commenced his Gospel with a similar disclaimer: "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." In other words, the whole written Gospel of Mark is just the beginning of the entire good news about Jesus Christ, because He is alive and at work in the world today, in a different manner, but no less so than He was 2000 years ago.
As weve seen, the Gospel of St. John is particularly featured during the Easter Season, which comes to an end tomorrow with the celebration of Pentecost. The final verses of the Fourth Gospel read today are thus an invitation to re-read that entire Gospel of St. John, but also to review with thanksgiving in our hearts the good news about all that Christ has done in our own lives!