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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

Monday June 2, 2008

+ Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Life is more than what the eye can see.

Readings: 2 Peter 1:2-7 Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15b, 15c-16 Mark 12:1-12

God’s divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of the one who called us in glory and power. Through these, God has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature. [2 Peter 1:2-5]

Contemporary theologians speak of the divinization process through which we participate in the very life of God. In other words, in truth God has invited us in to a partnership that enables us embrace life with a positive attitude even in the face of hardship and pain. In truth, there is nothing that can happen in life that God and we can’t handle together.

This takes a great act of faith. Indeed. This is why the author of the second letter of Peter goes on to suggest that we fortify faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, devotion, mutual affection and of course with love.

Faith is a gift that needs to be sustained and supported by good habits (virtue). Morning prayer is a good habit. A balanced, getting enough exercise and sleep are all part of virtuous living. But we also need good reading habits so that we acquire the knowledge that supports virtue.

Self-control enables us to develop and strengthen the spiritual muscles that are necessary to resist temptation. Mutual affection assures us that we are never alone in our daily challenges and of course, love of God and neighbor is the energy that sustains all of the above.

And so as we embark on this new day of grace and opportunity, we are assured once again that live is more than what the eye can see.