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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.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 'B'

Sunday June 28, 2009

Our God is a God of life

Our experience tells us that life is ultimately terminal. Someone put it this way, “Aging is a disease that ends in death!” I consider that a rather pessimistic view of life. Aging is privilege; aging gracefully is a precious gift not given to all.

In any event, the author of the Book of Wisdom insists that “God did not make death” but that “God formed ‘man’ [and woman] to be imperishable.”

Living within a large Jewish community residing in Alexandria and influenced by Greek philosophers during the first century before Christ, the wisdom author reasoned that if God were eternal, those who honor their relationship with God would be honored with enduring life beyond the grave. By this time in Jewish history, belief in an afterlife had become a common tenet.

The story of the healing of the daughter of Jairus and of the woman who had suffered chronic hemorrhaging for twelve years is one in a series of miraculous healing stories interspersed with ‘living’ parables intended to increase faith and the assurance that those who approach Jesus in faith will not see death.

Nevertheless death happens and despite advanced directives we may be prepared but we are rarely ready. Death is always intrusive and so we seek divine intervention and we hope for miracles. Oh, yes, by way of exception, we pray in good faith at the bedside of loved ones who have suffered far beyond human endurance that they be spared further pain and that their soul be delivered to the God of eternal life.

In the face of daily reports of global death and destruction, it may be difficult for sincere believers not to become cynical about the existence of a caring God. Where is God in war torn Iraq? In Darfur, and where was God last month when the Air France jet disintegrated in a wicked storm?

As one preacher put it, “we certainly can be happy for cure of the woman and the restoration of Jairus’ daughter but why can’t we persuade God to cure cancer or even the common cold?” Or hold back tornadoes or prevent the barbaric terrorism of suicide bombers?

The gospels contain stories of faith in order to assure us that there is more to life than what the eye can see or the hear can hear. But Jesus himself taught that only in due course will be have all the answers to life’s mysteries and those answers lie beyond the grave. We still believe that those who honor God and live according to the dictates of their conscience will indeed see God beyond the grave.

Are there beliefs for which a good Christian would die?

Absolutely!

Are there beliefs for which a good Christian would kill?

Hmm. My understanding of the teachings of Jesus would say no!

In the meantime, we listen attentively to the inspired Word of God as we search for answers to the most pressing life and death challenges of our age.

I have seen many miracles of healing in my short life—all sorts of miracles. Some of them were at the hands of wise doctors, nurses, rescue workers and even soldiers in combat. I have seen dramatic reversals in deteriorating relationships in marriage or between parents and their children. But we Catholics do not have the franchise on miracles nor do we have all the answers to the most complex life challenges of our age be they scientific, economic or even purely spiritual.

Through the kindness of a friend I received this uplifting meditation contained in a book by by Irish poet, John O’Donohue, entitled, “Benedictus” that helps to put in perspective the death that often haunts us but that also puts life in clearer perspective:

“I imagine that one of the great store houses of blessing is the invisible neighbourhood [sic] where the dead dwell. Our friends among the dead now live where time and space are transfigured. They behold us now in ways they never could have when they lived beside us on earth. Because they live near the source of destiny, their blessings for us are accurate and penetrating, offering a divine illumination not available according to the calculations of the given visible world. Perhaps one of the surprises of death will be a retrospective view of the lives we lived here and to see how our friends among the dead clothed us in weave after weave of blessing.” [“Benedictus, A Book of Blessings” by John O’Donohue, Bantam Press, London, 2007]

And a lovely verse by the same author entitled, “For Death,” to bring it home:

From the moment you were born,
Your death has walked beside you.
Though it seldom shows its face,
You still feel its empty touch
When fear invades your life,
Or what you love is lost
Or inner damage is incurred.

Yet when destiny draws you
into these spaces of poverty,
_And your heart stays generous
Until some door opens into the light,
You are quietly befriending your death;
So that you will have no need to fear
When your time comes to turn and leave.

That the silent presence of your death
Would call your life to attention,
Wake you up to how scarce your time is
And to the urgency to become free
And equal to the call of your destiny.

That you would gather yourself
And decide carefully
How you now can live
The life you would love
To look back on
From your deathbed. [Ibid]

It is never too late to begin again as if for the first time!