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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 June 2, 2009

+ 9th Week in Ordinary Time

A little spat now and then – even with God—doesn’t destroy a good relationship.

Readings: Tobit 2:9-14 Mark 12:13-17

I did not believe her and told her to give it back to the owners. Then she answered, ‘what about your own alms? What about our own good works? Everyone knows what return you have had for them.” [Tobit 2:13-14]

My first assignment as a newly ordained priest included part-time hospital chaplaincy at a local Jewish hospital just two blocks from the parish church. We made daily visits to Catholic patients but often found a great openness from people of other religious traditions and of no religious tradition.

Visiting the sick and the disabled was very difficult in the beginning because I thought I had to give patients a reason for their illness or disability. Of course this is rooted in guilt, which, oddly enough may have result from my own wellness. That is, I felt guilty about my ‘undeserved’ wellness. It was an obstacle I eventually overcame.

We can do most for others when we are comfortable with, indeed, grateful for our own wellness. This includes allowing others to be angry with God and even permits us to have our own ‘spats’ with God. God can handle our anger.

The happy marriage between Tobit and Anna did not preclude a spat now and then. Healthy relationships are not destroyed or damaged by a little disagreement now and then. Our humanity is fragile and we don’t always see things so clearly that we always get it right.

God puts up with our moods and our grumbling and listens to the beat of our heart. Surely we can listen to God and do the same from each another and learn something in the process.