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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 31, 2008

+*3rd Week in Ordinary Time*

There are no family secrets in a brightly lit room.

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29 Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14 Mark 4:21-25

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lamp stand? for there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.’” [Mark 4:21-22]

Our family home had a large kitchen, large enough to accommodate the four of us at table and room for a few unexpected guests. My dad was not big on eating in the dark or in a softly lit room. He used to say that he like to see what he was eating.

There is something about a well lit room that adds a festive note and more to a party or family gathering and there are no secrets in a brightly lit room! What you see is what you get.

Of course Mark is using light as a metaphor and I am adding a bit of hyperbole to his metaphor.

Transparency is one of the forgotten ‘virtues’ of Christianity that contributes so much not only to the mission of the Church but also to our daily witness to the Gospel. We have all met people about whom we are to say, “What you see is what you get!” Although there is a downside to that ‘compliment’ we usually attribute it to someone who is authentic from the inside out and it’s obvious. Their goodness shows without much ado.

But even when our faults are laid bare, we stand to gain by humbly acknowledging our failures. To say “I’m sorry” can have a powerful healing effect on those we have offended and those we have disappointed. Contrary to that line in ‘Love Story:’ “Love is never having to say you’re sorry,” indeed, true love demands that we say we are sorry not just once but many times. Transparency makes it a bit easier.