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Daily Scripture

+ Ascension Thursday

There is no proof; there are only witnesses.

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:14-23 Luke 24:46-53

You are witnesses of all these things. And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high. [Luke 24:50-51]

In an age of technology and scientific progress, we have an explanation for everything or at least the promise of the same. Yet, there are still truly human experiences – both positive and negative—that defy human explanation. Death is one such experience. Doctors know the medical reasons for death but an autopsy doesn’t tell the whole story. Conversely, who can explain the field of energy that binds lovers for life?

During his life on earth Jesus created a field of energy that changed the course of history and it did not cease at his death or even at his resurrection. It continues to this day – locally and globally. Or else how explain the heroism of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today? Women and men, energetic witnesses who have said ‘yes’ to unconditional love under any and all circumstances continue to change the course of history in the face of those who attempt to chain the Word of God. No, most of them are not formal preachers or even religious teachers per se, but people who live the message of the Gospel of Jesus day in and day out.

The gospel today is typical of the departure of a hero. We might even consider it the conclusion of a hero story. Jesus assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them. Not only that but he will send an advocate who will empower them to continue his mission. “You will be clothed with power from on high.” They will be clothed with the mantle of Christ just as the ancient Elijah was clothed in the mantle of Elias before Elias departed in his chariot to the heavens. It’s metaphor and allegory, of course but the underlying truth of Jesus mission will continue to be proclaimed as Good News for all.

But hang in there until Pentecost when the gifts of the Spirit will be renewed and we will be empowered once more to preach the Good News—using words only when necessary.

Feast of the Holy Family 'C'

Sunday December 31, 2006

We Are Family!

There are no perfect families; there are only reverent families.

The notion of an ideal family has come on hard times. There seems to be a conspiracy against the possibility that the human family originated in the mind of God. Depending on one’s perspective and experience, this might sound a bit simplistic and even mechanistic or on the other hand, for those who have suffered the breakdown of family ties this might be an understatement.

Whatever one’s perspective it is clear that society has long rejected the notion of a ‘natural’ family or at least has redefined what is normal and what is not normal. Even within the context of Christian orthodoxy, one is hard put to find a definition that works for all. There are no cookie cutters for the perfect family.

Any attempt to find a permanent definition of family in the Bible is simplistic notwithstanding the portrayal of the Holy Family on this feast of the Holy Family. It is far from normative for the average or above average family. We know far too little about the daily life patterns of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. The infancy narrative was not intended by Luke to depict the perfect family but to establish the human existence of Jesus within the framework of a human family but even here. There is more theology than history in Luke’s gospel as there is in all the gospels. Jesus was born of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit not of Joseph’s seed and yet Joseph had to be there to establish Jesus lineage from David because it was Joseph not Mary who traced his ancestry to the great King David.

And there are contradictions in Luke’s gospel that are only partially explained by the discovery that he used different sources for his narrative. For example, why would Mary and Joseph have been so puzzled by his remaining in the Temple after their departure for Nazareth if Mary had known from the message of the angel that her son was to be Emmanuel?

This having been acknowledged, we might ask then what of family in today’s world? Are there no biblical roots or ideal qualities that we can propose from our rich Christian heritage to serve as a frame of reference for the contemporary family, biological or sociological? Are there no absolutes?

In as much as human reason and common sense have always been incorporated into the understanding of our biblical tradition and theological heritage, we can turn confidently to both reason and common sense in order to supplement our understanding of the ideal family. We do so not to suggest that the ideal is something to which we can attain in this life but to establish some kind of a baseline that is faithful to our Christian heritage and flexible enough to reflect the variety of family structures that exist in today’s world, even among Catholic families.

In the words of St. Paul, “in the end, there are three things that matter—faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is”...? You got it, FLEXIBILITY!

I suggest that the ideal family is not a perfect family but a reverent family — the one that promotes Christian virtue while at the same time admits of human failure and knows how to live with ambiguity, adapting to the demands of an ever changing world.

When I meet with engaged couples for the first meeting to discuss plans for their wedding, I ask them this question: “What are you asking of the Church for you and your future family as you approach your wedding?”

The responses vary but may be summarized in these few phrases: “We expect the Church to welcome us; we look for a sense of hospitality and community; for roots in a highly mobile society; a challenge but not a hassle; a safety zone; a sense of hope; compassion and forgiveness….”

These are the qualities not only of a vibrant parish but also of a good marriage and a healthy family. After all, as ‘church’ we ARE family.

Several years ago I came upon an interesting book by professor and lecturer, Hal Urban, entitled: “Life’s Greatest Lessons — 20 Things That Matter.” The chapter heading alone provide a great deal of wisdom against which to measure the quality of family life no matter what it’s structural, cultural or religious mix. I believe I shared the list with you last year but they are worth repeating:

1.Success Is More Than Making Money. (And Mother Teresa adds: “We are called to be faithful not successful. Remember that mom and dad in your discussions with the kids about their education.)
2.Life Is Hard… and Not Always Fair
3.Life Is Also Fun… and Incredibly Funny
4.We Live by Choice, Not by Chance
5.Attitude Is a Choice — the Most Important One You’ll Ever Make
6.Habits Are the Key to All Success
7.Being Thankful Is a Habit — the Best One You’ll Ever Have
8.Good People Build Their Lives on a Foundation of Respect (and I would add, reverence.)
9.Honesty Is Still the Best Policy
10. Kind Words Cost Little but Accomplish Much
11. Real Motivation Comes from Within
12. Goals Are Dreams with Deadlines
13. There’s No Substitute for Hard Work
14. You Have to Give Up Something to Get Something
15. Successful People Don’t Find Time — They Make Time
16. No One Else Can Raise Your Self-esteem
17. The Body Needs Nutrition and Exercise — So Do the Mind and Spirit
18.It’s OK to Fail — Everyone Else Has
19.Life is Simpler When We Know What’s Essential
20.Essential #1 Is Being a Good Person.

I think his wisdom can be supported by our rich biblical tradition in general and by our fertile Christian Catholic heritage in particular. It may not be attainable in this life but it remains a worthy vision for a reverent family and well worth the effort for every member.