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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.

Ash Wednesday 2010

Tuesday February 16, 2010

Learning to Swim

With the approach of Lent, a middle-aged gentleman thought it was high time to shed a few pounds and so he decided to go on a diet and do exercise. He even changed his usual driving route on the way to work precisely to avoid passing his favorite bakery. One morning, however, he arrived at the office carrying a large, sugarcoated, calorie-loaded coffee cake.

Roundly chided by his colleagues, he smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said, “What could I do? This is a very special cake. I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window were trays full of the most scrumptious goodies.

“I felt it was no accident that I happened to pass by this way, so I prayed, ‘Lord, if you really want me to have one of those delicious coffee cakes, let me find a parking space right in front of the bakery.’ And sure enough, on the fifth time around the block, there it was!”

It’s a cute story but it may be more truth than fiction. As someone remarked to me in a jocular manner, “The quickest way to get rid of temptation is to give into it!”

The discipline of Lent is not as much about passing the local bakery or the butcher as it is about taking a holistic view of our lives as human beings within the context of our Christian heritage and formation. The process begins with a prayerful examination of our life of faith.

Thomas Green in his popular book on spirituality, When the Well Runs Dry offers as a metaphor for faith and prayer the attitude of a person learning to swim.

The secret of swimming lies in being willing to take the risk and do the opposite of what happens by instinct. When we attempt to keep ourselves rigid in the water, ready to save ourselves from the waves breaking around us, we wind up being swamped by the waves. On the other hand, as we relax we are buoyed up by the rolling sea and we escape being swamped. People find it difficult to let go. It is the same with faith. We need to risk swimming in the sea of God’s grace, to be at home in the water with no visible means of support except the constant buoyancy of God’s presence.

In the face of moral choice, rigidity or obsession on one hand or presumption on the other can lead to defeat. Confidence in God and trust in our own formation will lead to a positive outcome.

In today’s complex world, temptation can be very subtle and extend beyond diet to healthy attitudes toward our world politic and habits that impact on our neighbor and the common good. A holistic attitude toward life does not excludes our daily diet of food and exercise, but also includes our reading and entertainment habits and our willingness to love without counting the cost.

Lent is the time for all Christians in the Catholic tradition to encounter the God of love who buoys us up in the face of life’s choices and the struggles that can lead to sin, personal and social.

Jesus walks the journey with us. He is our strength. In him we find the confidence and courage we need to overcome the fear of drowning. He is our hope and salvation.