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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 February 28, 2008

+ 3rd Week in Lent

God is more anxious to communicate with us than we are to listen to God!

Readings: Jeremiah 47:23-28 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 Luke 11:14-23

Listen to my voice, than I will be your God and you shall be my people. Follow right to the end the way that I mark out for you, and you will prosper. But they did not listen, they did not pay attention.” [Jeremiah 47:23-24]

As we progress through our journey through Lent, I remind you to be sure to read the full texts of the daily readings. Although I post only an excerpt of one of the two readings, the message is based on the entire text of one or both readings.

Many years ago when I was an adjunct member of MDI—Management Design Inc., an ecumenical consulting group for religious and other non-profit organizations and institutions, I was frequently engaged in consultations and workshops on communication skills. But before I could teach the skills, I had to learn the skills. I used to love those ‘active listening sessions’ during which participants would be divided into small groups of three each. Two of the three participants would practice the techniques of effective communication while the third party observed and then critiqued the exchange. Each person in the group had the opportunity to practice, observe and then critique. It’s amazing how difficult it is to listen! Actually, listening is the most important characteristic of effective communication.

I think I know what God wants me to be, what God wants me to say and how God wants me to act. I know because I tell God what I want to be, what I want to say and how I want to act. In other words, when I want God’s opinion, I give it to him/her!

Well, I’m sure my communication with God is not quite that bereft or barren of listening on my part but I am certain that all too often my words and my will tend to dominate our exchanges.

I have found centering prayer in my ‘prayer chair’ and excellent opportunity to listen. It’s amazing what a difference it makes in my daily routine. It makes me so much more aware of my partnership with God—the God who does not do life for me but with me and holds me up when I’m not holding to my end of the bargain.

God is the truly the ‘Hound of Heaven’ who wants what is best for us and for all those with whom we share this precious gift of life.