Scripture Reflections for The Feast of Pentecost: May 31, 2009

The readings for this Holy Feast speak to us of the confused languages of Babel being united in the one language of human understanding. They speak of all the different gifts and “ministries” given to the Church—as many gifts and ministries as there are members—and all these gifts being united in the one work of the Christ. And today’s readings speak of the energy for healing—whether it’s healing the divisions of language, or healing the divisions of practices—and that is the energy of FORGIVENESS. It is at the heart of Who God is, and who, we, created in His image must be. We like to speak of the “gift of tongues” as a Pentecostal gift, but the greatest Pentecostal gift is the gift of the ability to forgive. Let us pray for the Spirit to come to us with this power of forgiveness. We need it; our world needs it, desperately.

Scripture Reflections for The Ascension of the Lord: May 24, 2009

The first reading tells of Christ’s “ascension to the Father.” It tells us that He moved beyond our sight, into the dimension of the Spirit. The wry humor at the end of the reading is the point of the feast: “Men of Galilee, why are you looking at the sky? Get busy!” This was the point of the Transfiguration, as well. When we “see” Who Christ really is, we know it’s time to get busy about our call, not lollygagging around, as my mother would say! The Gospel reminds us that the world is filled with “demons” as poisonous as serpents, and that there are sick people everywhere who need our powerful attention. So, let’s get busy! Through our faithful attention may healing come.

Scripture Reflections for The Sixth Sunday of Easter: May 17, 2009

The word “remain” (in Greek) is repeated eight times in today’s Gospel. It gets translated slightly differently in some of the English renderings, but in Greek, it’s “in your face” a total of eight times. “Remaining” is today’s message. Remain (meno,in Greek) has a wide range of meaning, as does this Gospel. It means “stay put”! Don’t leave! Often there’s a temptation to leave the Church, especially when we see it’s shadow side. Then, it can mean, “to stay with” or “stick with.” When we begin to pray, and nothing happens, we want to quit and do something productive, but this Gospel tells us to “stay the course”, the results will be worth it. Remain can mean “hold onto.” Often life is bumpy, and we need to “hold on.” Christ presents Himself as the One to hold onto for the ultimate security. The word “remain” in Greek can mean “wait for.” Much of life is waiting for something—farmers for crops, scientists for successful results. We, too, wait for opportunities to act that will bring healing to our world. The word can mean “dwell in,” as the Father in the Son, we are to “dwell in,” find our home in Christ—each in our own way. And, it can mean “without cease,” “abiding” (as the fixed, eternal stars) for it is in Christ’s promise that we will find our eternal endurance. So promises today’s Gospel.

Scripture Reflections for The Fifth Sunday of Easter: May 10, 2009

When Paul’s fiery speech nearly got him killed, the Church in Jerusalem found a way to get him out of town, and sent him home, to Tarsus . He needed to learn the ways of peace, something Paul always struggled with. The second reading asks the congregation to love each other—to be at peace, something that congregation struggled with. Christ stressed the same theme in the metaphor of the vine—the vine only lives when the sap is running through all of it, otherwise it dies. We need to be in harmony, supporting each other. That is true of our Church, it is true of our families, it is true of our nation and our world. We simply have to find ways to be at peace with each other. Let’s pray for the wisdom of peace.

Scripture Reflections for The Fourth Sunday of Easter: May 3, 2009

One of the most comforting of the images of Christ is given in today’s Gospel—that of the Good Shepherd. The hired hand runs when the wolf comes, and what does the wolf do? He doesn’t “eat” the sheep, he scatters the flock. What an interesting image of evil! Evil as forces that “scatter” us! Do you ever feel “pulled in 90 directions?” Have you felt “ripped apart, the pieces strewn about,” and you can’t pull yourself together? The Good Shepherd gathers all the “pieces”—each of the lost bits of the flock, and puts them back together. Let us each pray that the Healing Power of the Abiding Presence of the Good Shepherd will be with us all this week, healing us, and pulling us together in bonds of personal integrity, and in ties of love and friendship.