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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 February 4, 2005

+ 4th Week in Ordinary Time

“Don’t talk to strangers!”

Readings: Hebrews 13:1-8 Mark 5:14-29

“Continue to love one another like brothers and sisters, and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” [Hebrews 13:1]

The reading from Hebrews seems to create a bit of a dilemma. In the light of abductions and kidnappings, parents instruct their children never to talk with strangers. School protocol forbids dismissing children to anyone but parents or school bus attendants without written parental authorization to do otherwise. Senior citizens in large apartment buildings are cautioned never to open the door to strangers. Shoppers in sprawling malls are reminded to look behind them when returning to their cars. To complicate matters, we have discovered over time that children are more often abducted or abused by someone they know!

What is a Christian to do?

I think this instruction from Hebrews still has something to say to serious disciples of Christ. It has to do with openness to dialogue in a pluralistic Church and pluralistic world. With the onslaught of ‘hate’ radio, the art of civility in dialogue with believers and non-believers of different points of view is quickly disappearing and its absence has impacted negatively on people on both sides of the aisle.

In the light of increasing divisiveness in our country and in our Church, we need ‘disciples’ who are willing to “listen carefully before speaking; to pursue wisdom and understanding under all circumstances;” disciples who allow mutual trust in the Spirit of God to permeate their lives. There is always a place for dissent from church, civil, or public opinion by conscientious Christians and conscientious citizens. But there is never a place for sarcasm or abusive language.

People of good faith and good will may discover a new truth within the context of open and honest dialogue that will free both to live more faithfully and fruitfully and with greater integrity.