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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

Monday February 23, 2009

+ Monday 7th Week in Ordinary Time

When the burden of life is unbearable.

Readings: Sirach 1:1-10 Psalm 93:1-2, 5 Mark 9:14-29

The father of the child cried out, “I do believe. Help my unbelief.” [Mark 9:24]

I was speaking with an elderly gentleman some time ago who had been burdened with a number of ailments that accompany old age. Though none of them viewed separately in a younger person might be considered life threatening, the combination in an elderly person can be a matter of grave concern. This man is quite intelligent and very well educated. Although I would not characterize him as an agnostic, he has lots of questions about ‘where God lives’ and how God is experienced in the ordinary and in the extraordinary.

I suggested that it is quite likely that God might be present in his most troublesome moments not as an agent of illness but as a movement toward healing.

Jesus made it clear that God is not a distant being that resides in the sky in the manner of an ancient deity who presides over comings and goings of a world apart. Jesus was/is the incarnate God in whom we live and move and have our being. But illness and other human troubles blind us to this reality and so in our desperation, we cry out with the man in the crowd, “I do believe. Help my unbelief.” In other words, despite my doubts and difficulties, I want desperately to believe. Help my unbelief.” It is the prayer of an adult crying out for God to heal the child within that is still struggling to grow into maturity.