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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

Saturday September 29, 2007

+ 25th Week in Ordinary Time – Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

God’s breath is in the wind and the angels bear witness to that.

Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 138:1-5 John 1:47-51

“In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.” [Psalm 138:1]

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are mythic figures, to be sure, the fruit of the human imagination and the desire to know the mind of God. It is the visceral conviction that God exercises a protective function over our human destiny. The world ‘angel’ means messenger. Angels are messengers of God.

As each name had a meaning so each figure had a purpose. Michael was the captain of the heavenly host, the guardian of Israel and now the protector of the Church from evil. His work has never been more challenging than today!

Gabriel of course was the herald of good news who helped Daniel to understand prophecy, who announced the birth of John the Baptist and of course brought the news of Mary’s call to be the mother of Jesus.

Raphael was the healing angel.

The Archangels are the breath of God in the wind and the strength of believers who carry out the work strengthening the weak, brining good news to the poor and healing the wounds of humanity.

When we feel helpless and out of control, the appropriate response is not to pray for control but to surrender our helplessness to God.