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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 January 20, 2009

+ Inauguration Day – Tuesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Hope helps us to get things done.
.
Readings: Hebrews 6:10-20 Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10 Mark 2:23-28

We who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. [Hebrews 6:18-20]

It’s true. Think about it. Hope is an anchor virtue, one that empowers us to get things done. It is the confidence of knowing that we have it within our power and the power of the Spirit that breathes within us to do good things. It is the confident belief that good things can happen when people of faith and good will join hands in a common cause.

Hope demands that we not go it alone. Lone rangers tire. Rugged individualism is not so rugged over the long haul. We need to join hands in a common effort. Two people can do better what one of us cannot do alone. Collaborators have a greater chance at success in their endeavors than lone rangers.

We share a common priesthood in Christ. Our daily common effort is our communal prayer of worship and praise. It is the sacrifice of perseverance that, rooted in hope and love, will bear fruit over the long haul for the good of all.

On this historic day of the inauguration of the forty-fourth president of the United States, the texts take on an added meaning. Last evening NPR correspondent Charlyne Hunter-Gault called it “a transcendent moment” for our country but the world is also watching with great hope. In many respects, our new president will be a global president in a way that none of his predecessors have enjoyed.

I expect the theme of hope and the fulfillment of a dream will be in evidence throughout his speech and throughout the commentaries on the day. A broad patriotism that has been absent in recent years has reemerged in recent days due not only to the man but also to the good will that he has generated among grass roots Americans. His ascent to the presidency was the result of a grassroots movement and must continue as a grassroots movement within a democracy that is “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

It is not a victory for the civil rights movement. That movement will and must continue because it has to do not just with social service but of social change. It is important for Americans of whatever political persuasion to know our history and to commit ourselves to face our challenges in a new way based on the values we hold dear.

I expect our new president to call our nation to sacrifice and challenge us to take greater ownership of our nation with a clear sense of responsibility whatever our call or career.

It is time for us put our hands to the task that is at hand.