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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

Wednesday January 26, 2005

+Feast of Timothy & Titus

Readings: 2 Tim 1:1-8 Luke 10:1-9

Let no one underestimate the potential of youth but bloom wherever you are planted.

“Never be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake, but with the strength which comes from God bear your share of the hardship which the gospel entails.” [2 Tim 1:8]

There are early bloomers and late bloomers. Some people remain young at heart all their lives. The age of a individuals does not determine their potential for greatness nor by press coverage of their good works. People are delaying their commitment to marriage, to ordination and to religious life. The quality of our commitment is more important than the age of our ‘conversion.’ Although young people tend to be higher risk-takers, the seasoning that comes with experience and the passing of time is invaluable.

Wherever we are on the journey, we need to remain ‘hotwired’ to God and faithful to our daily witness in the ordinary circumstances of our lives.