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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 'C'

Saturday March 6, 2010

It’s never too late to make a difference.

I enjoy my weekly visits to the nursing home in Morristown and my monthly visits to a senior village in Basking Ridge. I like bantering with the residents and their guests who join them for the celebration of Eucharist. There is an enduring wisdom in the minds and hearts of seniors that surpasses the scholarly insights of biblical masters. I suppose it’s the result of the healthy mix of age and experience.

On the other hand, I also recall with great fondness, my pastoral dialogues with children who listen to Bible stories intently but with different ears. They filter them through their innocence rather than their worldly experience that is too limited for them to make serious applications that yield dramatic reform. However, the ancient bible stories stir their young imaginations and fire them up for action. Children are innocent but not necessarily naïve.

The story of Moses at the burning bush and Luke’s account of Jesus’ response to the martyrdom of the Galileans and the misfortune of the eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them are dramatic alerts that God will not be thwarted in the attempt to redeem humanity with an unrelenting but patient love.

The lesson begins with the story of Moses’ vision. Seniors know that bushes burn. Children know that too and they know that there’s more to the story than what meets the eye.

Moses was having an encounter with God. I suspect that for a long time Moses had been dreaming and perhaps had a few nightmares about the terrible affliction of the enslaved Israelites. I’ll bet that he even daydreamed about the possibility that he might have a divine call to free his people.

But that’s too bold. How could a simple shepherd, dare assume such a role far beyond his reach.

He went to Horeb, the mountain of God, to pray. Mountains are nature’s cathedrals in the skies, God’s dwelling among the people. Moses experienced a compelling vision that confirmed his gut feeling that yes, not only could he do something, he must do something. Naturally he had to have some assurance that he wasn’t having another wild dream, so he asked for some proof.

“What’s your name?” Can I have your card just in case Pharaoh asks who sent me?

“I am who am!” Some authors translate that roughly as “It’s none of your business; I am who I am!” I would say that is a little too harsh. I think the better translation is, I am the Great Mystery, the Holy One, Eternal Spirit who has always been around, who is here now and will be around for a long, long time and forever! Not to worry, I am the one who called Abraham and spoke to Isaac and Jacob and now I’m speaking to you. Don’t just stand there. Put your shoes back on and get moving. Set my people free.The vision changed his life forever.

Paul had his own vision on the road to Damascus that changed his life forever. As a fervent Jew, he was reared on the Moses story and how he led the Israelites, our ancestors through the Red sea. For Paul, it was their baptism, a prototype of Christian baptism. How he led them into the desert, their place of testing, where God fed them with manna from the sky—a prototype of the Eucharist and how he provided water from the rock.

Paul was particularly struck by the rock that Moses struck twice in anger because of the grumbling of the people. Despite their grumbling, water came forth and a remnant of the people survived. Paul saw Jesus as the rock that upheld the descendents of Abraham and Moses. For Paul, Jesus became the rock that sustained him through thick and thin as he spread the word and established Christian communities among the gentiles far beyond the boundaries of Israel.

There is urgency about the first two readings but the gospel is probably the most urgent among the three selections. Luke portrays a Jesus who is not messing around with niceties. He is in earnest not only about conversion but also about bearing fruit.

The Jews were inclined to think that such misfortunes as those described in the gospel were the consequences of personal sin. Jesus challenged that assumption with his warning “You’ll all come to the same end if you don’t get your own act together!” However, Jesus used the metaphor of the fig tree to underscore the enduring patience of God. Farmers and gardeners understand that the orchard needs to be cultivated, trees pruned and the soil nourished. The sun and rain will do the rest. So also the combination of our human effort and lots of divine grace can make life work for the good of all.

When we are young, we need visions and dreams about the future and how we can make a difference. When we are old, we need to recall the visions and dreams of our youth because they can give meaning to the present and put flesh on a new future. How many second careers have emerged from a childhood dream and how many people when faced with a major challenge have said, “Now I know why I was put on this earth.” A bit dramatic, for sure, but nothing to sneeze at.

“Life is made up of encounters. A true encounter stimulates questions and answers. When you meet an interesting stranger you find yourself alert and curious. Who is this person? You seek to discover something of the mystery of his identity and of [her] history. At the same time if he inspires confidence, if [she] seems to be a person of unusual depth and experience, you begin to open up to him and share with [her] the secret of your own life. In this way, a true personal encounter brings us not only knowledge of another, fellowship with another, but also a deeper comprehension of our own inner self” and ultimately of God, the great mystery love that embraces all.

We are all called to make a difference no matter what our past or how great our failures. So put your shoes back on, get the lead out, do your dance and make a difference. It’s never too late.

The homily for Cycle ‘A’ which was presented at the 8:30 AM Liturgy at Assumption may be found by accessing ‘Pastor’s Study’ in the website links to the right. Assumption used the resdings for cycle ‘A’ in deference to catechumens and candidates preparing for baptism and entrance into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil.