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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

Sunday October 10, 2004

Sunday, October 10, 2004

“Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordaqn seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God…. Naaman said: please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earath, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord.” [2 Kings 5:14, 17]

There is a small piece of property in Chester, New Jersey, called “Bethlehem.” It is a ‘lara’ of hermits. Founded by Father Gene Romano over twenty-five years ago, it is a place of refuge for many who seek solace and solitude in the ‘desert’ amid the pines of Chester. A brief visit to the ‘Hermitage’ leaves one with the impression that this is indeed a holy place. The first reading reminded me that indeed the ground on which the Lord stands is indeed holy and the dwelling place build on holy ground is holy. Though God’s presence cannot be restricted to a particular territory, nevertheless we need holy places in the midst of world conflict and global tensions. We need to stand on holy ground to get our bearings so that we do not resort to unholy means to achieve justice and peace in our world. From time to time, we need to go to the desert to be alone with God—in solitude so that we can hear God’s unique voice speaking to our hearts calling us to do what is right and just despite the temptation to succumb to anger and fear. ‘Bethlehem’ is a symbol of what the Church should be for all.