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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

Thursday July 26, 2007

+ 16th Week in Ordinary Time – Feast of Ss. Anne and Joachim

We take courage from the witness of our ancestors.

Readings: Ecclesiasticus 44:1, 10-15 Psalm 132:11, 13-14, 17-18 Matt 13:16-17

“Let us praise illustrious people, our ancestors in their successive generations. Their bodies have been buried in peace, and their name lives on for all generations. The peoples will proclaim their wisdom, the assembly will celebrate their praises.” [Ecclesiasticus 44:1, 14-15]

After a long illness, my mother died on the feast of St. Anne fourteen years ago. Hospice was wonderful but my dad at the age of 83 was her primary caregiver and never left her side except to take care of household chores and a periodic ‘respite’ break. Mom and dad were tied together at the hip for 59 years.

Though I am not known to have a large entourage of saints in my devotional life, St. Anne was my maternal grandmother’s ‘favorite’ saint and my mom died on this feast. I’m not suggesting any extraordinary interventions but… Incidentally, my dad’s funeral was ‘celebrated’ on the feast of St. Irenaeus of which the name ‘Irene’ is derived. My mom’s name was ‘Irene.’ Dad lived a very active life for ten years after mom who greeted him on the day of his sudden death with the words, “What too you so long!” Somehow the relationship they enjoyed on earth continues in some way beyond the grave. My dad told me many times that my mom was his best friend.

No, mom and dad were not perfect and they will never be listed on the roster of canonized saints but I’ll tell you one thing, they are at my side daily and continue as my mentors. I talk to them every day—every day!

We know very little about the life of Ss Anne and Joachim. I suspect most of what we do know about the Virgin Mary’s parents is probably apocryphal or at least conjecture. Nevertheless, in as much as apples rarely fall far from the tree, we can rightly assume that Mary must have reflected many of the qualities of her parents.

The reality is, however, that all of us have a mixed ancestry – saints and sinners – but all of them have contributed in some way to who and what we are today not only genetically but also spiritually.

We need to find ways to keep the memory of our loved ones alive but the most fruitful way to do that is to incorporate their good qualities into our daily regimen –“ using words only when necessary!”

Two days before my mom passed away, my dad was changing her diapers. She grunted a bit to the discomfort of having to turn her in the bed. He said to her, “Snook,”—his tern of endearment—“I don’t think you love me anymore!” He was just bating her. She responded without a beat, “O ‘B.S.’ (she used the full word), you know I do!” Those were her last words.

True love is gutsy and I have to assume that Jesus came from gutsy earthy stock. Else, how could he have done what he did?