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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 January 13, 2005

+ Thursday, 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Hebrews 3:7-14 Mark 1:40-45

Jesus was not into celebrity ministry.

Jesus said to the leper, “Be cured…. Mind you, say nothing to anyone but go show yourself to the priest…” [Mark 1:41-44]

It’s wonderful to receive a pat on the back for a good deed performed from the heart. At attitude of gratitude is a healthy attribute and why should we not give others the opportunity to be ‘healthy.’ After all, Jesus told his disciples to “let your light shine before others that they may see the good that you do and give glory to God.” Ah, there’s the catch. The good that we do is not for our own aggrandizement but to give honor and praise to God. This is the primary purpose for worship; works of justice and charity are nothing more or less than an extension of ‘worship’—in the service of our neighbor.

Jesus’ motivation for mandating silence from the leper was mixed. He knew that if word got around, he would become a target for the Pharisees and others in the religious establishment who were already uncomfortable with his disregard for the Law. Actually, he was more faithful to the Torah than they were.

Sometimes our good works are better done in secret in the knowledge that no good work goes unnoticed or unrewarded by God. “Be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see…. Don’t blow a horn before you like hypocrites looking for applause…”

In recent months, politicians have taken to broadcasting their political yen under the guise of religious conviction but most are not fooling anyone. Religion should be made of sterner stuff. True religion makes folly of political fluff.