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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.

Thursday August 12, 2010

+ 19th Week in Ordinary Time

Shall I say it again, “What goes around comes around?”

Readings: Ezekiel 12:1-12 Psalm 78:56-59, 61-62 Matthew 18:21—19:1

Jesus said, “you wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant?” [Matt 18:32-33]

Forgiveness is no doubt one of the most challenging of all imperatives. There is no doubt that the key to inner peace is forgiveness—not just being forgiven but extending forgiveness.

How do you tell a battered wife to forgive her abusive husband? In fact, many battered women have forgiven with the hope that the abuse would stop but forgiveness has been interpreted as permission for the abuse to continue.

The servant in the gospel story today was an abusive man. He begged forgiveness of the master while holding his fellow servant to strict justice. It didn’t work for the master and it won’t work for anyone.

Forgiveness of course is a process that may or may not end in full reconciliation. It’s a time consuming process but it can and does bring healing to the offended as well as to the offender.

Abusive behavior is epidemic in our society—not only sexual abuse but also the abuse of power and control over others. It has been documented in the corporation—demanding executives with excessive expectations for their employers. It surely is obvious among some politicians who are willing to destroy their opponents in order to win a vote.

The punishment of the unforgiving servant described in this parable is quite harsh. Yup, what goes around comes around!