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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 June 12, 2009

+ 10th Week in Ordinary Time

We are vessels of clay.

Readings: II Cor 4:1-15 Psalm 116:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 Matt 5:27-32

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. [II Cor 4:1]

“Earthen Vessels” was the title of the first LP album of the St. Louis Jesuits as well as the title of the lead hymn on that album recorded over thirty years ago. They went on to record many more of their original ‘hit’ hymns for contemporary Catholic worship. Though they disbanded many years ago, their music is still sung in Catholic and Protestant worship across the globe. I read recently that they may re-group, compose and publish again. Good for them and good for us! Up until Haagen and Walker, they contributed more to contemporary Church music than any in modern times moving away from the trite ditties that preceded them.

I think one of the qualities of good contemporary music is that they bring the message of scripture ‘home’ to our hearts. In other words, they help us to ‘ponder’ the message rather than just listen to the words.

The first of the two readings today is what I would call a ‘pocket’ meditation for every Christian. Copy it and carry in your wallet. Take it out during the day and ponder the message whenever you feel like giving up on yourself or on God, for that matter.

It has been said more than one in this space that “as we come to know our powerlessness, we will come to know our strength.” People in recovery programs such as AA or NA know exactly what I mean. It’s just another version of “Let go, let God.”

Some folks need to hit bottom before they realize who they are. No, it’s not that they discover that they are nothing. On the contrary, people who hit bottom know that they are everything – to God.

Many years ago in a talk to pastors Bishop Casey had this to say, “Any pastor to takes credit for the success of his parish is a damn fool.” It was his point that the success of a parish is attributed to the faith of all its members and the honest admission of their powerless without the grace of God.

Indeed, we are earthen vessels. We may plant the seed and water the soil, but God provides the growth.