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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.

Fourth Sunday in Advent 'B'

Sunday December 21, 2008

Preparing for the Feast

The readings on the fourth Sunday of Advent bring us to the threshold of the feast. They are a summary of what we have come to believe about Jesus—his divine identity in the line of David, his human entry through the womb of Mary. In the manner of a solemn benediction, St. Paul concludes his letter to the Romans with a summary of his theology of God’s plan of salvation proclaimed through all the prophets and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. God and humanity are reconciled in Christ.

All of nature joins in the preparation for the feast as the sun begins its long climb back to the northern hemisphere. The winter solstice in a quiet pause, invites us into a contemplative moment about the coming of the Son of Justice, the light of the world reflected in the star of Bethlehem, the star that has hovered over all the ages.

And so on this fourth Sunday of Advent, I offer this meditation as we ponder the mystery of God entering humanity in the drama of the incarnation:

Winter Solstice

Refined silk sky,
alabaster window shielding eternity,
shades of pink and gray with hint of amber here and there,
clouds painted with broad brush strokes
blending with the distant sky
barely distinguishable one from another,
a veritable talisman.

Quiet air.

Tired sun makes its brief appearance at the eastern edge
_only to hasten its descent toward the ‘south gate_’
scarcely touching the western edge before sinking into the distant meadow.
Silhouetted trees create long shadows traversing the earth
Barren branches and naked stalks bravely facing north
braced for the long cold night.

Silent night.

Winter solstice
preparing for a holy night,
The Holy Night.

Nature demands our attention
to a place in time and space
where earth and heaven met for one brief moment
God and humanity conjoined in eternal embrace
Timeless encounter
endless mercy
God with skin
evil confounded by compassion,
darkness no longer in control.
Eternal light
bright promise of eternal life.

Fallow time remains,
not to be wasted.
Pay attention to the stars;
remain silent
stay alert for the prophet’s cal
angelic voices
and shepherds’ songs.

Every year the same words
but never the same message.
Endings and new beginnings
again as if for the first time.

Put to rest the pain and sorrow of other times
and other places
as if they never existed.
Hold instead
to cherished memories of good times,
life-giving moments of gladness
when the songs of our hearts
replaced the bitter taste of harsh words.
No theology can match the sacred myth of the poet’s verse
nor expose the incomprehensible mystery of the divine absence
that makes present the eternal longing for ultimate resolution
supernatural no longer super
but a continuum of the natural flowing into the vast universe
where humanity lives comfortably with its divine origin:
original blessing.
human ifferences and distinctions dissolved,
virtue expanding on the beauty of the Godself—faith, hope and love fulfilled.

No tainted skies or painted thoughts
No broken branches or shattered dreams
Nothing between us and God
And all those we have loved so dearly in life and in death.

The Christ Event has made the vision possible.
A brief respite in time
with lasting impressions for believers
and still hidden messages for people of good will everywhere.

God’s breath is in the air
and in the Season.

Come Lord Jesus, come!

Father Lasch