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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 April 22, 2008

+ 5th Week of Easter

Every so often we need a ‘new’ heart and a fresh start.

Readings: Acts 14:19-28 Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 John 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” [John 14:27-28]

I think Pope John XXIII might have had these texts in mind when he convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962 and in the opening session when he referred to the Council as “a new Pentecost.” John was not naïve. Despite Luke’s claim to the contrary, John XXIII knew the ‘church’ of Acts was not always at peace but he understood that the tensions between the ‘new way’ and the ‘old ways’ were not unhealthy but would bear fruit. Indeed they did because Christianity spread beyond Jewish borders to the gentiles.

It is interesting that Pope Benedict repeated that phrase several times during his visit to the United States calling the Church in America to a new Pentecost. For some, perhaps many, his visit may indeed contribute to a new Pentecost in America.

Those of you old enough to remember the days of the Vatican Council may recall the sense of exuberance generated by John XXIII and sustained at least for the remainder of the Council by Paul VI. It was as if the Church had received a new heart and a fresh start.

Yes, there were tensions among the council fathers and strong differences between curial cardinals. Pope John XXIII referred to them as “prophets of doom” who were doubting Thomases. They did not recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit in that large assembly of bishops from all over the world. They did not trust the wisdom that emerged in the daily dialogues and heated debates.

It would be a mistake to suggest that Benedict’s visit will silence the voice of the Holy Spirit living within the hearts of the faithful in the pew or that his voice will put to rest the theological debates about the issues that affect the future of ministry, the role of women and the role of conscience in personal decision-making.

During this period between Easter and Pentecost, we too, look for a new heart and a fresh start. No, we are not a Church at peace but the promise of Jesus is every bit as trustworthy today as it was in his own time.

“To live is to change and to become perfect is to have changed often.” [Cardinal Newman]

If Catholics were to spend more time with the Scriptures and the history of our tradition and less time with the Da Vinci Code, I think we might less fearful of Dan Brown and other authors who seem to take great delight in the display of their ignorance about our Christian ancestry.