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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.

Third Sunday in Lent 'B'

Sunday March 15, 2009

A Command Performance

For the average believer, faith is multi-dimensional and incorporates a variety of expressions. The line between authentic religious devotion and superstition is very thin indeed. We may laugh at pagan good luck charms such as the rabbit’s foot but take very seriously the security provided by a St. Christopher medal, no matter what the speed of the motor vehicle.

But the Scripture lessons today are more than a diatribe against religious superstition. The gospel message was intended by the liturgical editors to be understood within the context of the reading from the description of the law given to the Israelites through Moses.

The commandments are not harsh rules and regulations to make life difficult for our Jewish ancestors and for us but expressions of concern for their wellbeing and the assurance of God’s providential care.

In his book “The Sinai Myth” Andrew Greeley elaborates on the religious nature of the Ten Commandments describing them more than an ethical formula. They are “a religious event,” he said, an encounter of man (sic) with God.” In essence, they were intended to be signs of God’s embrace of humanity. In other words, the God of the universe is the same God who activated life on this planet and who continues to be in relationship with us on a daily basis.

The Commandments are a guide for healthy living. Healthy living is what salvation is all about. The words health and salvation come from the same Latin root word, ‘salus’ which means health or care. If you want to be healthy and/or saved, then live the commandments. Don’t just abide by the rules but live them in spirit and in truth.

But the Israelites engaged in moral casuistry and found ways to circumvent the commandments with interpretations that in fact exempted them from the law and in effect alienated them from God. It was their manipulation and rationalization of God’s directives rather than the directives themselves that became the occasion for Jesus’ confrontations with religious authorities. Church law and moral theology have also engaged in similar rationalizing to circumvent the Church’s obligation to internal justice even on moral issues that pertain to the rights of the faithful. This was particularly evident in the handling of the sexual abuse issue. Church law favors the rights and privileges of the clergy over those of the faithful in the pew.

At the conclusion of the Gospel story, Jesus was challenged by the officers of the Temple to explain on what authority he acted. Jesus’ response seemed at first disproportionate to the challenge. However, it was John’s intent to use the temple as the symbol of the old law and Jesus as the prototype of the new law summed up in his sacrificial commitment to life unto death.

Jesus is the new Temple; his body his faithful followers—the New Jerusalem. But Jesus continues to insist that he did not come to do away with the old law but to re-institute it in spirit and in truth.

Though many of his words and deeds seemed revolutionary, Jesus was into reform, not revolution.

Jesus demonstrated in his life how to live the commandments, which he said were summed up in the love of God and neighbor. This was not an abrogation of the commandments but a formula guaranteed to fulfill them.

This is how they might sound in a more contemporary idiom:

I am your God — the God who has loved you from all eternity and in fact the God who loved you into existence. I see myself in you — I created you in my image and likeness.

Use my name in prayer but don’t use it lightly or disrespectfully. I treasure your uniqueness and I reverence your name. So I ask you to reverence me in return and know that I will always be there for you.

Because I am there for you every day, take time to acknowledge my presence in your life not only as the unique individual you are but also as a community bonded in my love. Keep my day holy! And let your entire life be an act of worship.

Honor those who have been life-giving to you — your parents and grandparents; your aunts and uncles; your teachers and mentors; everyone who has loved you and cared for you despite their human inadequacies and failures.

Don’t kill anyone—neither the body nor the spirit. But more than this, be life-giving yourself. Be a conduit of God’s life and grace for others even though it cost you your life. Let your love be sacrificial.

Don’t commit adultery. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived by the attraction of false love and don’t prostitute yourself by succumbing to the glamour of status, wealth and money.

Don’t steal or rob others of their rightful possessions or their reputation or exploit their interest and their talents. Don’t give in to greed and consumerism for the sake personal or political gain. Don’t allow yourself to slip into ‘me first’ thinking.

Tell the truth at all times and don’t envy the good that exists in your neighbors or covet their possessions.

This is the protocol for true religion. This is the formula for life, the path to eternal life – sort of ‘command performance.’

______

And in honor of the feast:

May soft be the grass you walk on.

May fair be the skies above you.

May true be the joys that surround you.

Ma dear be the hearts that love you.