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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 July 9, 2009

+ 14th Week in Ordinary Time

Reconciliation begins with civility and the urgent desire to heal rather than the need to ‘get even.’

Readings: Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5 Psalm 105:16-21 Matt: 10:7-15

I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not grieve, do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here, since God sent me before you to preserve your lives. [Genesis 45:5]

To speak of reconciliation while breaking news from so many parts of the world describes innocent human beings suffering the devastation of ethnic conflict and ‘cleansing’ is surely an oxymoron. The visceral reaction to young children being trained to act as suicide bombers makes it difficult if not absurd to mention the word in any international congress or conference. Such ruptures in the security of human life testify only to blasphemy against a God whom we claim as the source of truth and love. The mood of the people in free nations and the climate of oppression in captive nations make such words irrelevant.

Nevertheless, the ideology of terrorism will not be confounded by further violence but with soul searching on the part of every person of good will. Terrorists must be confronted with our determination not to succumb to violence. Such attacks cannot be allowed to distract world leaders from their efforts to solve the most pressing global economic problems, the most vicious of which is hunger and the imbalance of world power.

Terrorism is the most outrageous disregard for human life but it is also the most blatant symptom of a world at war with itself.

Christianity is a radical force for good in this world and though it certainly does not exempt us from using whatever means is at our disposal to defend ourselves and to prevent further incursions into human freedom and civil liberties, incendiary rhetoric appears only to fuel the hatred that seems to be on the increase among extremists.

To think with God is to act in Christ. We may not be able to write the script for world leaders but we can speak the language of love that leads to understanding and peace.

If Christ could make a difference 2000 years ago, then his followers can make a difference today – but not without cost. Remember, there are no cheap graces. It all begins with the daily effort to be civil in all our words and deeds whatever our case and cause or agenda.