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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 November 18, 2008

+ Week in Ordinary Time

There is good in everyone. My grandmother said so!

Readings: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 Psalm 152-5 Luke 19:1-10

The Book of Revelation tends to attract the self-righteous, many of them fundamentalists who use it as a threat against their enemies and many books have been written on the apocalyptic themes exposed in the Book of Revelations—thus its alternate title, “The Book of Apocalypse.” Revelations is assumed to have been written by John but scholars do not know for sure. In order to understand and appreciate it’s messages, one needs to turn to the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

The first three chapters of the book are written in the form of letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor. In essence the letters challenge the churches to shape up and get ready for imminent arrival of the Lamb—the Christ—and for judgment. The churches had lost their early fervor and had turned back to their former ways before their conversion.

At the other end of the spectrum, we find scrupulous Christians who struggle with the threats and warnings in the text as if they were directed at them personally. Such persons live in dread fear that they are not among the saved.

But God does not intend the Bible to be used as a weapon but as invitation to goodness and Godness.

The Gospel story about Zacchaeus’ conversion is a clear demonstration about how God deals with the curious non-believer and even the hardened sinner. Zacchaeus was a curious observer but that was enough for Jesus to invite himself to his home, no strings attached and that invitation changed Zacchaeus’ life forever and not only his life but the life of his entire household.

As we approach the end of another liturgical year, it is appropriate that we look over the past year as individuals, as a family, as a faith community as a church and as a nation. What do we need to do differently next year to make our world better—more just, safer and wholesome? How can I make a difference?