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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

Thursday February 10, 2005

+ 1st Week in Lent

Lent is all about life in the face of death.

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Luke 9:22-25

“I set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live in the love of the Lord.” [Deut 30:19b]

If the Church did not provide this opportunity, we would have created it out of human need. Health food shops, homeopathic medicines and health clubs all speak loudly about the importance of holistic health for the preservation of life. Although I have never seen a “Choose Life” sign in their windows, on their doors, or in their advertisements, they are saying as much. The accent is definitely on life.

It is also ironic that people who are into holistic health sooner or later discover the soul as the source of healthy living. The immune system is affected by the changing moods of the soul as well as the changing rhythm of the body.

Lent is about preserving life. The accent, however, is on the soul as the source of holistic health leading to salvation. St. John the Evangelist insists that salvation is a gift given to those who live in Christ – in the present. Salvation comes from the Latin word, ‘salus,’ or salt, which is also related to the word ‘health.’ Salt is also a natural preservative.

If Lent works as it should, we will “choose life” and ‘do Lent’ all year round.