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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.

Monday January 23, 2012

+Monday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

The pursuit of truth is a process.

Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 Psalm 89:20, 21-22, 25-26 Mark 3:22-30

How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. An dif a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. [Mark 3:23-24]

This passage containing the indictment of the scribes follows the description of several cures by Jesus including exorcisms and the casting out of unclean spirits. Just prior to this episode, Jesus’ relatives raise the possibility that he is out of his mind.

The stage is set for Jesus to speak with plain old common sense. How is it possible for Jesus to be light and darkness at the same time? How can he cast out demons and unclean spirits and at the same time be controlled by the very demons he has cast out? There is an Italian word for this— “stupidaggine” – sheer idiocy!

Notice also that Jesus did not get into a long diatribe about the origin of evil or the ‘whys’ and ‘wherefores’ of its existence. He simply confronts it whenever and wherever he meets it.

We know that evil exists in the world – the destructive forces of nature have called it to our attention but the worst kind of evil is much more subtle. It is rooted in the destructive forces of self-deceit and in the denial of truth.

We need to allow ourselves to be challenged by the ultimate truth of the Holy Spirit—that spirit of God that enables us to move beyond our protectionist biases and prejudices to the acknowledgment of God’s truth.

Truth has many faces and the path to ultimate truth is layered. Open and honest dialogue is essential in the pursuit of truth and no one is exempt from its pursuit. To do otherwise is indeed a sin against the Holy Spirit.