Reflections on the Daily Readings
Monday 24th May 2021
The mother of all feasts
In 2018, Pope Francis created the new Marian memorial that the universal church celebrates today, the Monday after Pentecost. The title “Mother of the Church” was bestowed on Mary in 1964 by Pope Saint Paul VI at the closing of the Second Vatican Council. Her role as mother of the church goes back to when Jesus, on the cross, gave her and the beloved disciple to one another and to when she became the mother of Christ, whose body we are all members of. Not everyone has a mother figure to rely on—know that you can always rely on the mother of us all.
Today's readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14; John 19:25-34 “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’”
Tuesday 25th May 2021
A Spirit for the dry season
When Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi became a Carmelite nun in 1583, she couldn’t foresee the great physical suffering from an unknown disease that would besiege her. Nor could she foresee having the same type of ecstatic religious visions—followed by years of “spiritual dryness”—as did another Carmelite saint, Teresa of Ávila. Magdalene’s bout of spiritual dryness, so severe that she considered suicide, ended on Pentecost in 1590. With Pentecost 2021 so recently behind us, pray as she did: “Come, Holy Spirit . . . Come, as you descended on Mary, that the Word might become flesh and work in us through grace.”
Today's readings: Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31 “Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously.”
Wednesday 26th May 2021
Now is the time to do good
In the middle of Rome in the 16th century lived a man whose joyful nature made him something of a people magnet for both the powerful and the poor. Saint Philip Neri was a deeply spiritual man who exuded natural warmth, listened well, and in loving generously, led others to know God. This spiritual director, priest, and confessor was known to ask, “Well, when shall we begin to do good?” It is no surprise that Neri, known as the “Apostle of Rome,” inspired followers to join him in caring for the sick and the poor. Where can you do some good today?
Today's readings: Sirach 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17; Mark 10:32-45 “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.”
Thursday 27th May 2021
Can’t win them all
Augustine of Canterbury, memorialized today, is remembered as a major figure in evangelizing England. The renowned Canterbury Cathedral was built on the site of a church and monastery he built around the end of the sixth century. In spite of his stature now as “Apostle of the English,” he met with bitter disappointment, too. His efforts to bring the English bishops in line with Rome were roundly rebuffed, a disappointment he took to his death. Can you let go of your failures, knowing that, like Augustine, they do not define your life?
Today's readings: Sirach 42:15-25, Mark 10:46-52 “He began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.’”
Friday 28th May 2021
Give a fig!
Figs are a popular fruit in the Bible, from Genesis with Eve and Adam wearing fig leaves clear through the Book of Revelation’s apocalyptic falling of winter figs. Why so many figs? The fig itself is sweet and has lots of dietary fiber, calcium, and various minerals and vitamins. It is a great source of energy and flavor. Perhaps because it is so plentiful, delicious, and nutritious, the fig is also rich in symbolism for health and abundance. In the gospels, Jesus expects us to be like figs—to be “nutritious” to others and abundant in our presence and giving. Let us go forth to nurture the world!
Today's readings: Sirach 44:1, 9-13; Mark 11:11-26 “As they were leaving Bethany Jesus was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it.”
Saturday 29th May 2021
A Pentecostal pope
The ecumenical movement received a much-needed boost during the papacy of Saint Pope Paul VI (1963-78). After the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s, Pope Paul went out of his way to promote ecumenical dialogue and partnership. When asked by a cardinal for permission to initiate a joint Catholic-Protestant translation of the Bible, Paul is said to have responded, “I am totally in favor!” He issued formal approval later that year on Pentecost Sunday, our recently celebrated feast commemorating the moment when the Holy Spirit allowed believers of all backgrounds and languages to truly understand each other. Come, Holy Spirit!
Today's readings: Sirach 51:12cd-20; Mark 11:27-33 “By what authority are you doing these things?”
