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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

Tuesday April 26, 2005

+ 5th Week of Easter

Let’s establish a committee.

Readings: Acts 15:1-6 John 15:1-8

“This led to disagreement and after Paul and Barnabas had a long argument with these men it was arranged that Pual and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.” [Acts 15: 2]

In general, the Acts of the Apostles conveys a rather euphoric impression of the early Church as if to suggest that it was always and everywhere at peace. However, today’s reading from ‘Acts’ challenges that image.

The controversy about the rule of circumcision was far from inconsequential. Twenty centuries later, we can easily dismiss it as a squabble over an insignificant matter. Insignificant to us, for sure but not so for Paul, Barnabas and the early followers of “the Way.”

But they did the right thing. They argued a bit, formed a committee and then sent them to Jerusalem where they met with Peter and his ‘college’ of advisors. As we will come to see tomorrow, Peter took a liberal approach to the issue and cautioned them about placing unnecessary burdens on new members. We will also come to see that Paul and Barnabas separated for a time.

There are serious issues facing the Church today that have more to do with discipline rather than dogma, and which keep some members of the faithful away from the Eucharist. An example of such are divorced and remarried Catholics who for one reason or another have been unable to obtain an annulment in a Church tribunal.

There are signs that our newly elected Pope may reopen the door to discussion to determine if there is a way to readmit such persons to Eucharist without denying the doctrine on the permanence of marriage.

And there are other issues that need to be explored and examined which have more to do with discipline than doctrine.

The Church must continue to defer to the Holy Spirit in all discussions and deliberations. This includes the Pope, the bishops and all of the faithful.