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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.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday January 17, 2011

+ 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

We share a common priesthood in Christ.
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Readings: Hebrews 5:1-10 Psalm 110:1-4 Mark 2:18-22

Sisters and brothers: Every high priest is taken from among men [sic] and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for hi himself is beset by weakness and so, for this, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God. [Hebrews 5:1-4]

This text was not selected for the observance of this holiday—‘holyday?’ It is a day sacred not only to the black community but to all whose ancestors were deprived of civil, indeed, human rights. This includes almost everyone not of the elite ‘aristocracy’ as it were.

Yes, Martin Luther King was a ‘high priest’ to many of his followers, even those who followed at a safe distance. His life was his worship and conversely, his worship was his life. Yes, he was a sinner. He was afflicted with human weakness but that did not deter him from rising to greatness because in the power of his message and strength of his witness to justice through non-violence were greater than his sin.

It is true that both civic and religious heroes become greater in history than perhaps in real life. It’s amazing how many ‘politicians’ who condemned his boldness later recanted their harsh criticism, some for political reasons, others because they did eventually see the light. Today. Few would deny or disparage his contribution to history national and global.

A priest is one who offers sacrifice for the people and for himself. No, Martin Luther King did not set out to get shot. He accepted his call from God to march for justice and for life. He lived life fully because he had been to the mountain and saw a vision of what democracy could be like when people of color— all colors—joined hands and hearts to overcome the forces of evil for the sake of peace.

“He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. [sic] I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

Yes, he was baptized in the Spirit to be a priest among many priests in the common priesthood of Jesus Christ.

What an appropriate gateway to a new era beginning tomorrow.

He was new wine for a new age, and though poured into old wineskins, the wine burst forth into a fountain of freedom for many.

That’s the kind of priesthood to which we are called, each in our own way, living each day for the glory of God in Christ Jesus our high priest and shepherd.