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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

Friday January 21, 2005

+ 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Hebrews 8:6-13 Mark 3:13-19

We have been ‘covenanted’ with God in Christ.

“We have seen that Jesus has been given a ministry of a far higher order, and to the same degree it is a better covenant of which he is the mediator, founded on better promises.” Hebrews 8;6]

There is a significant different between a contract and a covenant. We contract with another on a ‘quid pro quo’ basis, i.e., we agree to give for something in return. Contracts can be broken by one party or the other with consequences, of course, but broken nevertheless.

A covenant is rooted in love and the willingness to give more than we receive. It is not that the expectation of receiving at least ‘quid pro quo’ is not legitimate or fair. It is rather the commitment to go the extra mile generously and without complaint Marriage is a covenant rather than a contract. Priesthood is the same. But due to human weakness and sin, human covenants can and do fail.

God has covenanted with us in Christ but this covenant is different from human covenants. Jesus has demonstrated he strength of this covenant by his faithfulness unto death. Although we might fail Jesus, Jesus will never fail us no matter what the cost.

In the words of the Psalmist, “Mercy and faithfulness have met, justice and peace have embraced” [Ps 84] in Christ.