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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

Tuesday December 14, 2004

+ 3rd Week in Advent

Readings: Zephaniah 3:1-2;9-13 Matt 21:28-32

“To thine own self be true!”

“A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, ‘My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not go’, but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the came thing to the second who answered, ‘Certainly, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did what the father asked?” [Matt 21:28a-31a]

Despite the strong influence 0f political opinion and diverse religious beliefs, we live in a nation and perhaps a world of rugged individualism. In America, we train our young people to make decisions that work for them; decisions that will get them ahead-ahead of everyone else-whatever it takes. Being able to think for oneself builds confidence and I suppose building confidence enables us to think for ourselves.

However, ultimately, we are called to be faithful to our deepest selves and when all said and done, it is not what others think that will make the difference but what God thinks. This does not absolve us from listening to the opinions of others and getting feedback on our own. Nor does it meant ignoring those who have legitimate authority over us. In the end, we must be obedient to the voice the God who speaks the loudest in the depth of our hearts.

Listen carefully before your speak. Pursue wisdom and understanding under all circumstances. Let the love of God and fidelity to his word be the foundation of you life. The rest will take care of itself.