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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 27, 2004

+ Feast of St John, Evangelist

Readings: I John 1:4-9 John 20:2-8

Every preacher is an evangelist but not every evangelist is a preacher.

“What we have seen and heard, we are telling you so that you too may be in union with us, as we are in union with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [1 John 8-9]

This is the perfect feast for the start of our ‘post-Christmas retreat.’ What better or more opportune time to reflect on the mystery of the Christ event, which is really more than a one-time event. Christmas is an ongoing mystery that was only initiated with the birth of Jesus. This feast directs our attention to the totality of Christ’s life and mission. The Gospel describes Mary Magdalen’s astonishing announcement to Peter that the tomb was empty. Peter and John raced to the tomb, John arriving before Peter.

“Blessed are we who have not seen but believe” that Jesus was the incarnate of God who continues to manifest himself in the lives of those who contemplate the mystery and who attempt to live the mystery every day.

The greatest evangelists are not those who preach from the pulpit or who teach from the podium but those who incorporate the gospel message into their modus operandi on a daily basis and who with creativity and imagination bring Christ to life in their own words and deeds.