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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

Sunday December 5, 2004

+ 2nd Week in Advent

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 5:17-26

“What ever happened to sin?”

“Which of these is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you’ or to say ‘Get up and walk?’”[Luke 5:23]

The sixties and seventies were what one might call the period of residual enlightenment. It was during that period when advances in science in general and the behavioral sciences in particular were coming up with answers and explanations for unresolved questions and unsolved mysteries.

Alcoholism and other addictions were not longer considered sinful behavior but compulsive illnesses. The sexual revolution opened the door to the exploration of sexual behaviors such as spouse swapping, promoters of man-boy sex and other bizarre activities. Although it is still too early to draw firm conclusions, recent studies reveal that there is a strong correlation between the sexual abuse crisis in the Church and the sexual revolution of the 60’s and 70’s.

While there is no question that science can enhance religion and help to remove unhealthy taboos, science can also push us beyond the limits and break down necessary boundaries that protect individual rights and sound moral proprieties.

Karl Meninger was the author of the book, “Whatever happened to sin?” While it is true that insights addictive illnesses have removed the stigma compulsive behaviors, there is still a moral that should not be overlooked and it’s associated with the first drink. For a compulsive drinker, “One is too many; ten drinks are not enough!”

Not everything that is scientifically possible is morally permissible. Blessed are well to know the difference. Blessed are we to be able to say we are sorry. Blessed are we to be forgiven.