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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

Thursday November 25, 2004

+ 34th Week in Ordinary Time

God cannot will evil and that’s that!

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared… I saw the holy city and the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven as beautiful as bride all dress for her husband.” [Rev 21:2]

There are Christians who believe that the war in Iraq is part of God’s plan. There are Christians who believe that the unending conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is part of God’s plan. There are Christians who believe that God actually unleashes his wrath on the world because of the sins of the few.

Let it be stated for the record and for all time, God does not and cannot will evil even for a good purpose. God did not send Jesus to die but to be the goodness of God in human form, to demonstrate for us what it is like to live in God.

We bring evil upon ourselves. Who are the greatest sinners? Those who deprive the poor of their right to a share in the world’s goods and resources or those who fight for their share?

It is blasphemous to suggest that God is on the side of anyone who violates the human rights of another no matter what the case and cause. God’s preemptive strikes are never violent. They are always compassionate and merciful.

We have a long way to go to fathom the mind of God but Jesus has given us many clues.