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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

Monday October 18, 2004

– Tuesday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time

“All are welcome in this place.”

“So you are no longer aliens or foreign visitors: you are citizens like all the saints, and part of God’s household. [Ephesians 2:21]

“’See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit…. Happy those whom the Master finds awake when he comes…” [Luke 12:35, 37]

In my prior life as diocesan secretary for pastoral ministries, I, together with my partner, Sr. Marie Schultejann, used to conduct workshops for pastors and parish staffs. No matter what the length of the workshop, at least a third of the workshop was devoted to what we called “inclusion exercises.” There is no better way to teach the skills for effective leadership than to demonstrate them. An effective leader ‘engages’ others and helps them to feel included in what is happening so that they may participate fully in the agenda development as well as in all the activities of the workshop.

When people feel included, they are more apt to listen. When people experience a sense of belonging within a community, they are motivated to commit themselves to the ideals of the community.

“Inclusion” means we accept other people without bias. It does not mean that we necessarily agree with them. It means that we assume their good will; that we respect them as sisters and brothers in the enterprise of life. Of course, within the Christian family, we acknowledge them as sisters and brothers, partners with Christ in works of justice in our mission for peace.

“Inclusion” is a mindset that should pervade every Christian soul.