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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 October 18, 2007

+ 28th Week in Ordinary Time – Feast of Luke, Evangelist

Two can do more than one and ‘three’ in partnership with God can do wonders.

Readings: 2 Timothy 4:10-17 Psalm 145:10-11, 13-13, 17-18 Luke 10:1-9

“The Lord appointed seventy-two disciples whom he send ahead of him in pairs to every town and place h intended to visit. Carry no moneybag, no sack, no sandals, and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.” [Luke 10:1, 4-5]

It is said that Luke was born in Antioch a physician by profession. With Paul or one of Paul’s followers, he evangelized Greece and Rome. He is also considered the author of Luke-Acts, i.e., the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles though it is more likely that they were written in his name by someone whom he evangelized.

The accent on Luke’s gospel is on the poor and his recognition of the place of women in the life of Jesus and the role of women in proclaiming the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ in the Acts of the Apostles.

I think it was last year on this feast that I felt the need to recognize all the women in my life. I tried to locate my reflections on this feast in my website archives but was not successful. At any rate, when I think about my experience I am awed by the impact that women have had on my life as a priest and especially as a pastor. Even prior to my being appointed to St. Joseph in Mendham, I delighted in my partnership with Sr. Marie Schultejann, SMIC (Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Conception). Marie held a doctorate in History, a true scholar who not only knew her history but also was an expert teaching in the articulation of the lessons of history, especially Church history. Marie was also a gracious woman of peace—I’ll never forget the impact she had on my ministry. She is crippled with osteoporosis but still manages to praise God in her simple garden cathedral adjacent to her residence in Hartsdale, New York. I treasure my memories and my all too infrequent visits.

I think of all the women of St. Joseph who kept me on the straight and narrow—not, not really, but they did help me to put the right accent on my preaching and my pastoral style. In other words, they helped appreciate the important contribution of the right side of God’s brain in which we find ‘sophia,’ the wisdom of God.

So on this feast of St. Luke, I honor Mary, Mary Anne, Maureen, Marilyn, the ‘two Donnas,’ Jean and Jeanne, Carol, Angela, Mary, Joanne, Janet, Ann, Grace and so many more.

For the life of me, I still can’t understand why our bishops are so frightened of their charisma. They were an important part of Christ’s team and they are still an important part of Christ’s team.