Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
(Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23)
In the United States the word pioneer is associated with characters like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. In Ireland when one hears “pioneer,” she or he thinks of the pledge to give up drinking alcohol. In the nineteenth century when a similar pledge or promise was introduced by Fr. Theobald Matthew, it led to a movement which radically reduced crime. In today’s reading from Acts Paul shaves his head to fulfill a promise which likely included abstinence from alcohol.
The Nazarite vow or solemn promise has a long history in Israel. Curiously Samson is described as Nazarite in the Book of Judges, but he is required to refrain from using a razor. His mother, however, is to drink no alcoholic beverage nor eat unclean food during her pregnancy. Here we see the similarity to Paul’s vow. No motive is given for taking the vow, but it may be presumed that Paul takes it as a way of giving God thanks for the successful mission in Europe.
Besides religious sisters and brothers, ordinary people can make promises to God that they will perform some gratuitous action to honor Him. They should not be taken lightly although neither should they be held so rigidly that they cause harm. It is always wise to pray when making a promise, for example, when giving up some simple pleasure during Lent, that the Holy Spirit will provide the grace to fulfill it or to prudently forsake it when necessary.
