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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

Saturday October 29, 2011

+ 30th Week in Ordinary Time

God’s covenant is irrevocable for them and for us.

Readings: Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29 Psalm 94:12-13, 14-15, 17-18 Luke 14:1, 7-11

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? O course not!.... For the gifts of God are irrevocable. [Romans 11:1, 29]

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves shall be exalted. Luke 14:11]

Our Jewish ancestors have suffered untold persecution throughout the centuries at the hands of Christians to say nothing of the cruelty they have endured by ruthless extremists of other sects who wrongly interpret their inspired writings to justify jihad. But the prophets of Israel remind us that even our Jewish ancestors have not been free from recrimination for their own form of jihad. Humanity has been at war with itself and has used religion to justify its cultural bias and ethnic prejudice, declaring war on innocent victims. All of can succumb to jihadist thinking when we demonize our enemies.

The scriptures today challenge us to get in touch with the universal love of God whose patience knows no bounds and whose grace is limitless.

Paul does not hold the Jews responsible for their rejection of the gospel but views it as the occasion of opportunity for the gentiles to come to know of the goodness of God in Christ.

The gospel reminds us that our partnership with Christ is not to be aggressive but a sensitive presence to others. That’s what it means to humble ourselves. As my good friend Father Gene Romano, founder of the lara of hermits of Bethlehem in Chester reminded me in our phone conversation earlier today, “Ken, the trinity abides within us” and we would do well to let God be God. It is our faith that will show us how to respond to others be they Christians, Jews, Moslems, Buddhist or whomever.

It is a healing love that exudes a healing presence to others. It originates in the heart of God, personified in Christ and energized in us through the Holy Spirit. Those who are engaged in ‘Healing Touch’ and Reike and those who have been the recipients of their ‘ministry’ know what I am referring to.