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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

Friday February 18, 2005

+ 1st Week in Lent

Professionals often leave their skills at the office!

Readings: Ezekiel 18:21-28 Matt 5:20-26

Pastoring is neither a job nor a career. It is an ‘art,’ indeed, it is a ‘vocation.’ However, this is no different in many respects from other ‘professions.’ I have met many CEOs, COOs and CFOs who were genuine ‘shepherds’ to their corporate membership – caring individuals who never allowed the goals of the enterprise to trample on the good of individual workers. Of course, I’ve never met a CEO who was perfect but then I have never met a perfect pastor and I’m only too aware of my own failings in that regard over my 24 years as a pastor of two very different parishes.

One of the greatest challenges of the true shepherd is to be aware of his/her weaknesses and failures. Good shepherds learn from their failures as well as from their successes and if the truth be known, they experience more of the former than the latter.

That stated, we can very easily ‘leave our skills’ at the ‘office table’ when we return to the family table or to our parish table. I’m using the word ‘table’ in a metaphorical sense.

Many of the conflicts we experience at the family or parish table happen because we don’t listen carefully before we speak. Communication is the core of community – active listening, non-judgmental, active listening! Effective communication leads to a healthy data-base which leads to effective and sensitive decisions that work for the good of all.

“Listen carefully before you speak. Pursue wisdom under all circumstances. Let mutual love and fidelity be the foundation of your community. You were called together in Christ and Christ will be your portion in happiness and your chalices in sorrow.” This applies not only to a good marriage but also to any healthy community be it parish, neighborhood, or corporation.