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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 August 19, 2008

+ 20th Week in Ordinary Time

The Bible can make us a little ‘itchy’ at times.

Readings: Ezekiel 28:1-10 Response Dt 32:26-28, 30, 35-36 Matthew 19:23-30

Amen I say to you, it will be hard for one who I rich to enter the dominion of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a need than for one who is rich to enter the dominion of God. [Matthew 19:23-24]

In the light how much we have in comparison to the rest of the world—notwithstanding the pockets of wealthy ruling classes within the poorest nations of the world—I think we must admit that we are ‘rich’ if for no other reason than the fact that we live at a much higher standard than the rest of the world.

Nevertheless, I find that today’s gospel makes me feel a bit itchy. On the other hand, it’s a necessary reminder that those who have also have a responsibility to those who have not.

I don’t think Jesus is just referring to money but to an attitude or a state of mind that betrays a generous spirit.

After listening to Jesus statement, his disciples asked rightfully, “Then who can be saved?” I assume they considered themselves among the rich, despite the fact that they were not among the wealthiest. Then Peter goes on to say, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” He didn’t get it either.

People who go through life looking for more will end up with less. It’s one of the great paradoxes of life.

Jesus puts it this way, “In the dominion of God, the last shall be first and the first shall be last.”