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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

Much ado about nothing or, is there something to it?

Readings: Acts 19:1-8 Psalm 68:2-7 John 16:29-33

Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [Acts 19:1-3]

Depending on one’s sacramental theology and pastoral practice, this text has been variously interpreted. For example, those who work with the RCIA (catecheumenate) hold that the sacrament of Confirmation should be administered with Baptism as it was in the early Church. It is one of the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Eastern Rite of the Roman Catholic Church has retained the tradition of administering all three at Baptism. Yes, the infant receives a small piece of the Eucharist bread. And so in the Eastern Rite, there is no formal celebration of First Holy Communion at the age of reason or Confirmation by the bishop at whatever age the local diocese has determined the age of maturity appropriate for Confirmation. All three sacraments are administered shortly after birth.

Others feel that the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation at a later age ensures the participation of youngsters in parish religious education programs – at least until Confirmation. In this case, many Catholics view Confirmation as the completion of or graduation from religious studies.

In recent years I have become convinced that the RCIA folks and the Eastern Rite Catholics have it right. All three sacraments of initiation should be administered together. First Holy Communion and Confirmation have become more social than spiritual. I do not mean to suggest that there is no connection or that there should be no celebration after sacramental ceremonies but for many, the accent is on the wrong syllable.

The path from Baptism to Christian maturity is life-long and the benchmarks for progress are not easily measured by grouping children by age or grade level for a period of preparation that is largely academic.

This is not to suggest that religious education is optional. Faith development is unique to each person within the context first of family and then of parish. Religious education / formation is intended to provide insight into faith development at an age-appropriate level.

Catholicism has become ‘child-centered’ the result of which, we have an adult population whose religious and spiritual development stopped at Confirmation.

The celebration of Eucharist is the primary setting for faith formation. Religious education is a necessary component but detached from Eucharist, it remain just another subject to master.

Of course this all assumes that the parish celebration of the Eucharist is truly inclusive and meaningful rather than just an empty ritual. The parish at worship should be a rendition of a community of faith that strives to live its faith ‘in the town square’ as I mentioned in Sunday’s homily.

Notwithstanding my commitment to religious dialogue, I do believe that effective dialogue is based on the assumption that although both parties are knowledgeable about the topic. Though they may have different perspectives, they are not based on ignorance of the subject.

Thanksgiving - 2008

Thursday November 27, 2008

An attitude of gratitude is the best cure for the blues.

Readings: Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 138:1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5 First Corinthians 1:3-9 Luke 17:11-19

“The favors of the Lord I will recall, the glorious deeds of the Lord, because of all he has done for us.” [Isaiah 63:7]

Though I have watched it more times than I can count, believe it or not, I have never traveled to New York to see the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I do not feel particularly deprived because of this void in my life. I watched many a high school football game at Bayley Ellard Regional on Thanksgiving, but in truth I had ‘cold feet’ when it came to standing or sitting along the sidelines no matter what the event.

My earliest remembrance of the Thanksgiving Day parade was at in the bar and grill at the Hotel Revere in Morristown when my uncle Ray was the hotel manager. This was before home TV! Not to worry, the bar was closed but the small 10 inch black and white screen on the Dumont TV worked just fine.

It’s astounding how easily pleased we were as kids. We didn’t have a lot in those days but we had a lot to look forward to on Thanksgiving as we waited for the Turkey and fixings later in the day.

It seems to me that folks with least often have the most for which to be grateful, or at least, they seem to act that way. I’m sure I’m overstating this but it is true that when we look for blessings, they are all around us and the greatest blessings do not cost big bucks.

This will be a lean feast for many but may only be a prelude to a leaner year ahead for many more. Our Christian spirituality offers much in the way of advice and ascetical practices that can help us to cope with the hard times without focusing too much on guilt or blame. The memory of earlier times when we lived more modestly not by choice but by necessity should not be forgotten. In those days, less was more and the prayer of blessing and thanksgiving before dinner was meaningful no matter how much or how little we had.

Talk about our becoming the most prosperous nation in the world is not as helpful as talk about becoming the most grateful nation on the earth for whatever we have.

An attitude of gratitude can change the flow of the day and the flow of life.