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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.

Fifth Sunday of Easter 'C'

Saturday May 1, 2010

Love is all ya need!

I’m not exactly the ‘touchy-feely’ type and my family has never been overly demonstrative in expressing our love for one another. However, we do send lots of cards and notes and of course, always add “Love” or “Love to all” to our signature. I always sign my name, “Love, Ken” accompanied by a sketch of a large heart with a smiling face in the middle

In whatever manner we end our conversations or sign our cards, I think it is true to say that most of us offer a hug and a kiss to our loved ones before departing on a journey. It’s not that we do not expect to see one another again but it is an assurance that we will remain connected and that our bond will endure despite the separation of time and space or a hurricane now and then.

John the Evangelist has recorded for us Jesus’ final words of farewell, his “Love ya” speech, as it were. Of course John has “reconstructed” Jesus’ farewell address and prayer on the style used by prominent leaders of those times. He did not necessarily put words in Jesus’ mouth but more than likely interpreted Jesus’ message for those he was leaving behind and for their posterity. But Jesus also added a new commandment—that his disciples love one another. “Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for one another.”

I suppose our farewells contain the same entreaties at least non-verbally. We want our loved ones to stay connected. However, Jesus strengthened that request by telling them and us that this is in fact “how all will know that you are my friends: your love for one another.”

Without offense, I hope, I have often teased my co-workers and friends about their frequent use of the phrase “Love ya”. It is meant as a gentle reminder that these words can become rote and, over time, lose their meaning. The word “love” has many meanings and applications. Even the phrase “making love” has come to mean, “having sex.” But having sex can become merely an act of self-gratification rather than a true expression of love. Of course it is true that genuine expressions of love are rarely free of self-gratification and they are not necessarily incompatible. Someone has observed, wisely, that even the sacrifices of saints though divinely driven are not completely free of self-interest. Nevertheless familiarity with the word and its physical expressions can lead to a dulling of its depth of meaning and its transforming power.

At this time of the year, I find the nurturing of plants a useful metaphor for the caring love of one person for another. Every plant has its unique quality and its special needs. A cactus does not want a lot of water in the winter but it does need plenty of sunshine all year round. It takes a while to get to know the ‘personal needs’ of some plants. Some are more introverted than others. I have several plants with which I converse on a daily basis. I nurture their life and attempt to give them what they need but first I listen. If I don’t give them what they need, they die. Does that sound strange? I hope not. Love means listening first to what the other is saying and then listening carefully to what the other is not saying. Listening not just with the ears but with the heart is the key to love. A good book was written many years ago with the title, “How do I learn to listen to what you are not saying.” Very interesting!

Introverts need privacy and lots of space; extroverts don’t know what they are thinking until they talk it out. Some folks like to dream and others prefer to celebrate the present moment. Some people like to organize their lives and the lives of others while others prefer to float through life as if to say, “Lets see what happens!” As the sidewalk psychologist said, “there are different strokes for different folks!” How true.

God listens to us in Christ. God doesn’t decide life for us but with us. God offers us a listening ear and an understanding heart so that God can give us what we need to be our best selves. God does not control us but animates us and empowers us to listen to others, doing for them whatever enables them to be their best selves. This is what it means to “love one another as I have loved you!”

We can even take this a step beyond family and friendships to the human community at large. God’s love also empowers us to justice. As faithful disciples, we need to listen to the cries of humanity—to the poor in Haiti and in troubled spots across the globe and to those on the edges of life that we may respond with the transforming love of God for humanity.

Listening is a real stretch because all too often we are tempted to answer questions that are not being asked or respond to our own needs or to what we think others “should” want.

I have strong memories of my time in ministry to the ‘inner city’ of Paterson in the days of so-called urban renewal. Instead of listening to the indigenous population at the core of the city, political leaders decided they knew what the city folks needed. The end result was the construction of a new police headquarters, fire stations, cosmetic lampposts and curbing. This is not to suggest that these were not in need of repair or replacement. However, the basic survival of the people surely should have come first.

And love is never a cover-up or evil or a denial of wrong-doing. True love means saying “I’m sorry” when I offend—not, “I’m sorry if I have offended you!”

Back in November of 1968, the Beatles’ pop hit attempted to sing it in a few words albeit repetitiously, “All ya need is love…” I think they were not exactly on the same page as John 3:16 and I had the feeling that they spelled it ‘LUV’ instead of love. On the other hand, perhaps that’s the correct spelling. “To love another is to see the face of God!”

“God is love and those who abide in love, abide in God and God in them.”

I have heard that there is a series of billboards on a certain highway in Arizona – of all places!— on which drivers will find these messages from God:

“Tell the kids I love them.”—God
“Let’s meet at my house next Sunday before the game.”—God
“We need to talk.” —God
“That ‘Love they neighbor thing… I really meant it.” —God
“I love you, and you, and you and you…”—God
“Will the road you are on get you to my place?”—God
“Make someone’s day brighter today and tell them I was asking for them.”—God

“I give you a new commandment” again for the first time! “Love one another … as I have loved you.”

“Love is all ya need!” no matter how you spell it.

Luv ya!

PS I am in the process of a move from Apt 2-E to Apt 3-V. This will necessitate a reinstallation of my internet connection and may result in a hiatus service. Therefore, I will not provide any daily postings during the coming week.

Father Lasch