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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.

The Frances Nobody Knows...

Wednesday April 1, 2009

This lovely reflection by Deacon Ray Chimukesky of St Luke Parish in Long Valley, was published as a cover article in the Parish Bulletin last Sunday, March 29th. I thought it was worthy of our attention. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did. Fr. Lasch

This year we draw near to St. Francis as our Lenten role model of simplicity and gentleness. Francis di Bernadone is much loved as the poor, traveling monk who talked with the birds and tamed the wild beasts – the contemplative mystic pilgrim wildly in love with God and neighbor. Knowing how Francis lived this wild love is key to making sense of what this humble man was all about. Francis’ time was not unlike our own – full of political turmoil. Member states of the 13th Century Holy Roman Empire were locked in continuous war against themselves and launched a series of bloody incursion against Muslims, Jews and other “heretics.”

During the Fifth Crusade, Francis began an amazing journey directly opposed to the church and the prevailing culture wars of fear, hatred and exclusion it waged. He began his prophetic resistance to violence by meeting first with his own religious leaders – begging Cardinal Pelagius, the Christian commander, to put an end to the fighting. Pelagius refused, but undaunted by his rejection, Francis set out unarmed with his friend Illuminatus to visit his “enemy-brother” the Sultan of Egypt to
bring him the good news of the gospel of peace.

Quickly captured, they were beaten and brought to the Sultan who was deeply moved by the courage of the two unarmed foolish messengers. In his Life of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure describes: “the Sultan asked them by whom and why and in what capacity they had been sent, and how they got there; Francis replied that they had been sent by God, not by man, to show him and his subjects the way of salvation and proclaim the truth of the Gospel message.” In the encounter, both Francis and the Sultan were changed. Sultan gave him many gifts and treasures, but because he had renounced all worldly wealth, Francis refused them all except for a small ivory horn used by the muezzin to call the Muslim faithful to prayer. At home, Francis used it to call his own followers to prayer – preaching his new and deep respect for his Muslim brothers and sisters, breaking down the cycle of fear and misunderstanding that fueled the Crusades.

Francis lived out the call of Christ “to love our enemies” by reaching out with respect to alien religions and cultures. He did this with the eyes of faith, never certain of the way to proceed, nor confident in the outcome.

Can we answer Christ’s invitation to continue Francis’ work in our own day?
You are invited to walk the path of friendship at an inter-religious dialogue right here at St Luke’s. Our Thomas Merton Spirituality Ministry will host an interfaith panel Sunday, May 31st, 3 to 5 pm, in the Religious Education Conference Center. Come hear representatives of many faith traditions (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Baha’i, and Jain) discuss their teachings on prayer, forgiveness, compassion, peace, respecting the earth and other topics. Come, like Francis – in faith, unknowing – with an open mind and heart, reaching out in peace to our brother and sisters who live together with us this short span of days on this earthly journey, in learning “to see Him in all whom we meet along the way”.

Pax +
Deacon Ray