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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

Tuesday January 18, 2005

+ Tuesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Hebrews 6:10-20 Mark 2:23-28

“Keep holy the Sabbath.”

“And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for humanity; humanity was not made for the Sabbath; so the Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.’” [Mark 2:28]

Sunday was the Sabbath in our house when I was a kid. It was what we would now call ‘down time.’ Although both of my parents worked to make ends meet during the hard times of WW II, Sunday was a special day. Stores were closed. No shopping. The streets were for strolling rather than shopping. ‘Church’ was the first thing on the agenda and, except for emergencies, there were no misses. Not only that but we kids had to sit with the kids at the ‘children’s Mass’ at 9:00 AM with hymn cards in hand. “Sing, or else!”

Now Sunday is just another day – another work day, another shopping day. But we are living in and with religious pluralism. We have no right to impose our religious ethic on our neighbors of different persuasions. But beyond that, we may need to rethink the notion of Sabbath.

No, I’m no suggesting that we go to the other extreme but that we incorporate a bit of the Sabbath into our daily life. Those of us who gather at the tables of God’s Word and the Eucharist are keeping a mini-Sabbath. Those of us who incorporate ‘down time’ into our daily schedules for a quiet moment with God in prayer are keeping the Sabbath. I call this ‘pocket time’ with God. It helps to keep us focused and when we are focused, we are better equipped to deal with the ups and downs of life.

Some folks carry a small Bible with them or whisper a word or phrase that they have memorized, using it as a mantra.

It’s not that God needs the Sabbath. You and I do!