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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.

Friday June 19, 2009

+ 11th Week in Ordinary Time

Give it your best shot!

Readings: II Cor 11:18, 21-30 Psalm 34:2-7 Matt 6:19-23

If I am to boast, then let me boast of my own weakness. [II Cor 11:30]

Mood swings are not unusual in the life of a normal individual. We have good days and bad days. The day can start out with a ‘bang’ only to end in the pits. Daily schedules and routines re established only to be broken by exceptions and endless interruptions.

We in the Christian life can be overwhelmed by the demands of Christian duty, i.e., living life responsibly in accordance with the teachings of Jesus. But this is not an easy task. Even in simple matters we may be challenged to look for loopholes or cut corners in order to save time and save face. There’s so much to do and so little time to do it and to do it right. This is can be an indicator of a lack of self confidence or it may be a form of lethargy or sloth.

Saint Paul was driven by his desire to live in Christ, to speak in Christ and to act in Christ. He was also in touch with his weakness. “The things I set out to do, I fail to accomplish; and I succumb to the things I intend to avoid.” But Paul never gave up on God, on Christ and on himself.

Beyond this he identified with the trials of those to whom he ministered so that they might be strengthened as it were by his weakness.

As followers of Christ, we are not meant to live a joyless life of drudgery but a life of meaning. We are not expected to be perfect nor are we expected to forsake all earthly reward or just compensation for our efforts. However, we do well not to live for reward or to give only for what we get back in return.

“Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy… But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven…. For where your treasure it, there will your heart be also.” [Matt 6:19-21]