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This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

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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 February 9, 2005

+ Ash Wednesday

It helps to build up our resistance.

Readings: Joel 2:12-18 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 Matt 6:1-6, 16-18

“Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments.” [Joel 2:12-13]

In recent times, a great deal of attention has been given to auto-immune deficiency disorders. AIDS is among the more prominent but there are others that I am unable to name. Despite the vast amount of research and knowledge about these illnesses, the root causes remain mysterious not only to the average lay person but also to medical scientists. As a result, treatment is more often concerned with the symptoms rather than the causes.

The auto immune system is essential in order to ward off illness and disease. Ironically enough, in many cases, the medicine that is effective for one or another symptom can also damage the immune system it is intended to help if taken in excess. prednisone, which is a steroid.

Lent is an opportunity to deal with our spiritual immune system which over time may have been damaged by one excess or another. There are a number of spiritual illnesses that can afflict us over time. We used to call the seven capital sins – pride, avarice, envy, anger, lust, gluttony and sloth. Although it would take an entire chapter to explore the root causes, the symptoms often show up in selfish attitudes and self-centered behavior.

Sincere believers and people of good will do not wallow in these ‘sins’ but we do experience subtle temptations to follow the path of least resistance.

Lent is a time to take the higher road or “the road less traveled.”

The time is ripe and right. The grace of God is abundant.. The opportunities to strengthen our spiritual immune systems through works of justice and charity are many.

But don’t overdo it. Remember ‘the salami technique’ – one thin slice at a time. It is easy to give into a spiritual pride, which convinces us that we can do it on our own. Lent comes every year.