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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

Readings: Acts 20:17-27 Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21 John 17:1-11

I am in the world no longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. [John 17:11]

Shakespeare ‘penned’ the phrase quoted above. I didn’t understand it as a student of Shakespeare in high school but I began to understand it when I waved goodbye to my family as I sailed off to Italy on September 21, 1963 for a three-year stretch in Rome. In fact, it has multiple meanings and applications that I appreciate now more than ever before.

There is another phrase that perhaps gives credence to my thoughts so poorly expressed and it’s this: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Ah, that’s it. At times we need to separate from ‘the source’ in order to appreciate how important it is to stay connected.

The farewell speech of St. Paul in Acts and the farewell ‘prayer’ of Jesus in John’s gospel were more likely composed by the authors of these texts along the lines of the farewell speeches of great leaders of their times in order to attract the attention of Jesus’ followers.

The departure of Jesus and later that of Paul created ‘fallow’ time in the hearts of the neophyte believers that was absolutely necessary if they were to grasp the significance of Jesus’ message and the teachings of St. Paul.

We are once again in ‘fallow’ time as we prepare for Pentecost. It’s a time of discernment during which we are invited to ponder the words and deeds of Jesus so that in his absence, we may come to know his presence in the Spirit that remains within us and around us.

As we ponder, it is important to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and reverence of the Lord. And the fruits of the Holy Spirit are qualities that are characteristic of a community living in Christ: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty self-control and chastity.

There is much to ponder as we wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Daily Scripture

Monday December 13, 2004

+ 3rd Week in Advent

On whose authority do you speak and act?

“The elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’”

Authority has always been a significant issue in government and in the Church. In fact, it is an issue in every social institution including the family.

“Who’s in charge here anyway? What’s the chain of command?”

It wasn’t inappropriate for the elders to ask Jesus for an explanation of his words and deeds. After all, he did seem to be assuming a rabbinical role as teacher and preacher.

In as much as Mathew was writing for Jews and Jewish converts to “the Way,” he felt it necessary to establish Jesus’ credentials. However, those who questioned Jesus were less interested in establishing his credibility than in tricking him into blasphemy and building a case against him.

Our credibility as disciples of Christ is not established as much by what we say as by how we say it and even more so by what we do. If it became a crime to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us?