Sunday Homily 11-02-08, All Souls’ Remembrance

Readings:

Jeremiah 31, 31-34 ,  I will make a new covenant.

Psalm 51,    Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Hebrews 5, 7-9,   He became the source of Salvation.

 John  12,  20-33,   Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies.

 

 

Jeremiah observations: 

What:  We have not seen Jeremiah for a long time, since before Thanksgiving.  Remember that he is one of the Big 3 Prophets (because of the size of the work, e.g. 52 chapters in Jeremiah), who are Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Ezekiel.   I love Jeremiah, he is such an attractive and transparent character.  

Author:  most of the work is put together by Jeremiah’s scribe Baruch.  Jeremiah is described as the broken hearted prophet because of his heart rending life spent warning the people & kings that their behavior was going to be punished.  The people hated him for this.   

Time:  ca. 555 before Christ, as an easy date to remember.   Jeremiah speaks before and during the Babylonian Captivity.  Like all prophets, he condemns before, and he consoles during the Captivity.  This event is monumental in the life of the tribe and in the life of Jeremiah.

 

 

 

The Scene:  Remember that the Holy Land had a north & a south, Israel & Judah.  First, the northern kingdom, Israel, was defeated by the Assyrians, 622 BCE.  These Hebrew tribes vanish into the DNA of the region, “The Lost Tribes of Israel.”  Next, the Babylonians & Nebuchadnezzar defeat the Assyrians and threaten the southern kingdom, Judah, with the capital Jerusalem.  Jeremiah is watching this and seeing it as Yahweh's punishment.  In 600, more or less, the Babylonians do destroy Jerusalem and cart the Hebrews into slavery.

Today's selection, chapter 31.  Jeremiah is consoling the people who are now in captivity.  He suggests that God wants to make a new deal or, as it is called, a covenant.  Yahweh is promising to forgive the people and treasure them.  Jeremiah addresses the people right off using first person singular, I, meaning God.

Sources: Fr. Reginald Fuller, St. Louis U., Wikipedia; Answers.com; Encyclopedia of Judaism

 

 

Hate My Life?

I have a story this morning which I have told twice, once at St. Mark's, over 8 years ago and here about 4 years ago.  Pardon me if you've heard it. Some of the best stories I tell over & over, they are so poignant.  The story speaks to my point today, hate my life?  I had permission for the story.

It happened many years ago when I was working full time as a psychotherapist out of an office at Jesuit.  I think it was the first Monday morning of May.   I know it was a beautiful morning.  A boy came to see me who had been in my office on and off for about six years.  He had just graduated from high school and enlisted in the Air Force.  He had struggled since grade school with bouts of depression, and that morning seemed to be in great shape.  We did not even spend more than 30 minutes together, his mood was so up beat and care free.

 

 

 

He left.  Maybe two or three hours later a call came in.  The boy had left Jesuit, crossed Inwood to the Lincoln Center complex at LBJ, drove up to the top of the four floor garage, parked his car, headed to the edge of the garage, and walked over the side.  He landed on the cement street four floors below, face down flat.

Passerby saw it, called 911, and in a second the paramedics from just around the corner were on the scene.  He was in Parkland in a flash.  He lived.

 

 

It was not for about 3 weeks until I got to visit him.  He apologized.  I admit I was mad.  I loved this kid.  He fooled me.  He said that he had been in a zone, happy because he knew he was out of there, meaning he was ready to go to the other side.  He wanted to escape the pain of life and go to heaven.  He said he had no fear in walking off that fourth floor, none of the hesitation you feel before you jump off the high diving board the first time. 

You may guess why I tell this story.  It exemplifies what happens when you take literally "whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life."  This little piece of advice, taken the wrong way, can be so dangerous. This boy hated his life.

 

 

 

I would suggest there is a negative and a positive way to hate my life. 

The negative is exemplified by this kid's story.  This is often what is happening when you hear of someone cutting on themselves.  If I hate my life and hate myself, I will want to punish myself.  I am bad.  So I cut myself.  Or I may think that I am such a loser that no one will pay me any attention if I do not do something dramatic like spill my blood. 

 

 

 

Even without such dramatic examples, I do not want to encourage someone who hates their body, hates their job, hates their family, hates their school, hates.  Just thinking about this I recoil.   There may be reason for the hatred.  However, "There is a better way," I want to say and I would say it.   I believe in talk therapy.   Feelings are all okay.  I just don’t want some to stay around. 

You know someone depressed like this?  Ask them if they are suicidal.

On the positive side, I would suggest two things.

First, the word hate can be considered as hyperbolic, a big word meaning exaggeration.  It is like Rosemary telling me, "You get me up at 4:00 tomorrow morning for spin class & it is divorce!”   Think she is exaggerating?  I hope.   

 

 

 

Secondly, I would suggest that this all has to do with being more alive now, in this life. The grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying fits in with this.  For example: look at March Madness.  Many of these players have died to themselves to achieve & to be better players.  How many hours in the gym have they spent practicing free throws?  When they could be hanging out, sleeping in, text messaging?  And they love their lives.  I’ve seen boys do this at Jesuit. 

Goofy, but I hate my life to love my life.  I don't want to get up early.  I could sleep in to 11:00.  However, I, get up and head over to the Jewish Community Center, 6:00 A.M. spin class.  The result, I love life.  

 

 

 

The boy who jumped is now okay, amazingly.  It took him years of physical recovery.  Two things did not happen that blessed him.  He did not damage his brain and did not damage his spine.  Every other bone, plus his teeth, were broken.  Once he got strong enough he went to medical technical school, got his certificates, and now has good jobs in various hospitals in the city.  I don't think he hates his life anymore.  In fact, he loves it. 

How do you love your life?

Sources:  The Center for Liturgy, St. Louis U.; St. Raymond Catholic Church, Dublin, CA; Carmelite Order Web; Homilias Domincales.

 

Isaiah 55, 1-11, All you who are thirsty, come to the water.  (Beautiful reading, one of Isaiah's best)

Psalm. Isaiah 22, You will draw water joyfully, from the springs of salvation.

1 John 5, 1-9, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God

Mark 1, 7-11, One mightier than I is coming.

 

 

 

Thanks to the Team

Music,  Ben & Shonda

Readers,   Mary Jane & John, and Buddy, the candle blesser

Gospel,  John Cade

Homily,   John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Richard & Mike 

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy, Becky

 

Readings:

Download Reading 1-10-2021

 

 

Homily by John Stack

Download Homily for January 10 2021

 

 

 

Mike, The Person of The Year with Hue.

 

Please Remember these special people:

For Carrie's ex, Larry;  For Alan Stryker;  For Joe Sullivan;    For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie ;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine; For Sheila Schultz Alverez hospitalized with Corona;  For Esparza's new great grandson baby, son of Monique;  For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery, and for Hue & Linda's daughter, Doctor Rosemary Beavers;   For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, The Woodlands,   For Loretta's aunt Alicia;  For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody & Ben & Leo & all of Shonda's dear family;

 

Our Person of the Year Ascending

 

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For both Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg; For Meredith, cancer free;    For John O'Donnell & Jean & their daughter, Molly;   For Dee, and for her daughter, Lisa; For John Schanot's continued health;  For Anthony & Sabrina;    For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini, plus John's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little 4 month old boy undergoing an operation & for Rollie with Corona; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Remembering…

 

Birthdays: Jan Keszler, Doug Kite 62, The Quads 13

Anniversary:  Mabel Ekes, 61st, Jackie & Rick, 20th,

 

Community Finances, January 3, 2021

Expenses: $ 680.00

Outreach   $ 490.00  (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Peace.

 

Rosemary's Blessing

Loving God,

As I journey into the unknown territory of a new year…

As I hurt in the process of loving those I dislike or find difficult…

As I learn to accept my strengths, weaknesses and mistakes…

As I keep searching for the truth in times of confusion, doubt and conflict…

As I try to be a voice for the voiceless and powerless…

As I strive to live and witness your inclusive love, compassion, forgiveness, justice and peace…

As I do the work of the Christmas message and make Christ visible to others…

Walk closely with me, my God.

 

Taken from A New Year’s Prayer by Sister Jean Amore CSJ, Principal, Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, NY

 

Introduction: While reflecting on our blessings of the week-

• We are blessed to be alive today, just as those who landed in the Hudson;

• We are blessed to be alive to witness Tuesday the inauguration of a black man where slaves once constructed the buildings.  Our people have grown.

Readings:  1 Samuel 3, 3-19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6, 13-20; John 1, 35-42   

1 Samuel: This is book one of two books.  The series is 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings; the characters being Samuel, the last of the Judge leaders of Israel-Judah; Saul, the first king; and King David. 

Authors:  Traditionally it was thought that 3 people wrote the book, Samuel, Gad, & Nathan.  Samuel, chapters 1-25; Gad was King David's historian, & Nathan was an editor.  Contemporary biblical experts think this unlikely & say that the works were put together at least 50 years after the time of the events.

Time:  The events take place ca. 1100-1000 BCE.  The compilation & recording of the events takes place ca. 950 BCE. 

Today's Selection: Yahweh is calling Samuel in a dream.  This ties in with the Gospel where three future apostles are called.  Samuel's parents were Elkanah & Hannah, and Hannah is famous because of a touching story about how she came to have Samuel.  She had been barren for years and even Elkanah's other wife ridiculed her.  One day the prophet Eli heard her crying and praying in the temple.  At first he accused her of being drunk.  Then when he talked with her, he promised that she would have a son. 

Hannah had promised Yahweh that she would dedicate to the temple her son, if she got one.  Consequently, our selection finds Samuel residing in the temple with Eli the prophet.  He would be about 12 years old.

Be aware that while these marvelous stories about Samuel are mythological, the writer is attempting to convey to a simple people lessons in trust in Yahweh.

What are You Looking for?

The theme of our readings this morning is obviously call & response.  Over the years you have heard repeatedly my 3 personal calls, the priest-Jesuit call, East Africa, and marriage.  You have reason to be tired of hearing the same stories.  Consequently, I looked around for sub-themes in the readings, and in my various sources a number of sub-themes came up.  The sub-theme that I want to talk about is stated by Jesus to the two future apostles, Matthew and (maybe) John, "What are you looking for?"  This is certainly relevant to what is taking place this week.  But first three other minor observations.

First, the verb stay is used three times.  The two ask Jesus where is he staying or dwelling.  They find where he is staying.  Then they stayed with him.  Significant to the writer?  So many times the writers have a special agenda in their use of a word.

Secondly, the verb see or looked intently at is used 5 times.  John the Baptist watched Jesus walk by, but really what is said is that he looked intently at.  Then Jesus saw the two.  Jesus tells them they will see.  The two saw where Jesus stayed.  Then when Peter came before Jesus, Jesus looked at him, really looked intently at him. 

Third, 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  In the original language it says 10 o'clock.  This is the eastern way of keeping time, the way I learned in East Africa.  There is another whole time calculation than the Greenwich Mean Time.  In fact, I find it more logical.  What is usually the first hour of daylight or the first hour of darkness?   7 o'clock in our time.  In the east the first hour of daylight & the first hour of darkness is 1 o'clock.  Our 7:00 A.M. & 7:00 P.M. is 1 o'clock of the day or 1 o'clock of the night.

Finally, "What are you looking for?"  Who knows, who cares?  Well, we know.  And we can care because what those two are looking for is basically what we are looking for.  So did they find it?

I would propose that we can say, 'yes, I know what they were looking for."  We are blessed because we have people who have gone before us who have mapped out what we people are looking for.  You may have run into this in psychology 101 or elementary psychology in high school, but it is useful to remind ourselves.  The person who for me mapped it out best is the famous psychologist, Abraham Maslow.  He has five stages of human need or what we are looking for.

Stage 1:  Imagine a pyramid and we are starting at the bottom with the most elemental.  What we are looking for at this stage is biological and physiological.  Namely, food & drink, air, shelter,warmth, sleep.  Our ancestors lived on this stage, but most of us today have this stage under control.

Stage 2:  Safety & security.  I may have shelter, food, and drink, but need a secure place to shelter, eat, and drink.  You may think this applies simply to robbers or security from getting bombed like is going on in Gaza right now, but how many little kids do not find this need stage satisfied.

Stage 3: Love & belonging needs.  I am part of.  A family, a group of peers or friends, a community.  I find acceptance, affection, and love.

Stage 4:  Esteem.  I have achieved, attained status, have reputation & recognition.

Stage 5:  Self actualization.  Self acceptance, acceptance of others and my world, inner peace, more fully alive.

I would observe that all of us in this community have stages 1 & 2 under control and probably also the other three stages in varying degrees.  I suggest that self actualization involves me giving back to others esteem, love, and a sense of belonging.  I also suggest that the usual obstacle to my greater self actualization is my addiction, whatever that may be, alcohol, drugs, food, TV, etc.

There is a little 5 question quickie self assessment that you may take.  I will put a link to it on the blog this evening.  Check it out.

What are you looking for?  Where are you?

AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-01-18.mp3

SELF ASSESSMENT: Download Quick self assessment

Picture 1:  Choir–Wendy, Shonda & Ray, & Celeste

Picture 2:  Birthday & Anniversary–Charlie, Claire & Ray

Picture 3:  Birthdays–David & Alexandra, dad & daughter

 

 

Readings: 

Malachi 3, 19-20, There will arise the sun of justice.

Psalm 98,  Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

2 Thessalonians 3, 7-12,  Night and day we worked.

Luke  21, 5-19, Nation will rise against nation.

 

 Introduction: 

Before the Exile the OT prophets warned the Israelites of the punishment they were about to receive for not being obedient to the Commandments.  After returning from their exile to find their temple, homes and fields in destruction they were exhorted by the OT prophets to restore and rebuild and purify themselves before God.

The written words of the very small book of the prophet Malachi anticipated the coming of a messenger to prepare their hearts to welcome and put into practice the life-giving and love-giving words and actions of the Messiah. 

Our reading from St. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians continues this theme: the virtuous will be known by their words and actions.

 

Homily:

When our first reading begins with these words, ‘a day is coming,’ it is speaking of the Day of Judgment to separate those whose life and love giving words and actions have served God and neighbor from those who failed to do so.

The Prophet Malachi implies that those who have served God and neighbor have done so naturally because they have been purified [by the Spirit].  Indeed, Jesus’ words in the Matthew gospel to those who have shown mercy and justice invite them to enter the kingdom of God prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

 

 

They are told that they had clothed him when he was naked, given water and food when he was hungry and thirsty.  The just are perplexed; they ask him ‘when did we clothe you or visit you when you were sick or in prison?’ 

The Lord replies, ‘when you did it to the least of those around you, you did it to me and for me through the Spirit.’ 

 

 

In today’s gospel his disciples ask Jesus when this Day of Judgment was coming. The gospels tell us that only the Father knows the day when his Son, the bridegroom, will come for his bride; but Jesus replies that those who have endured persecution and have chosen to be led by the Holy Spirit will recognize the signs in the heaven. Then they are to raise their heads knowing that their redemption is at hand.

 

 

Ten years ago I spent some time examining some early Christian writings that were not included in the NT.  I came across a writing that was done by a 22 year old, well educated, young woman named Perpetua living in the north African city of Carthage in the year 203 AD.

 She was writing about herself during the last days of her life. She had just finished the final stage of the catechumenate when she had been arrested for being a Christian.  [The Romans in Carthage needed some Christians to throw to the Lions on the Emperor’s Birthday.]

 

 

Perpetua was baptized as she waited to be put into prison. Her father came to visit her, begging that she tell the judge that she was not a Christian.  She pointed to a pot near her asking him to tell her what it was.  Then she said to him that in like manner she could not be anything other than what she was, ‘a Christian.’ 

With her head raised high, she identified herself as Christian before the judge.  She described prison as a dark hole, but she prayed for endurance with three others who were catechumen; including her maid, Felicity, who was expecting a child.  

 

 

On the night before they were taken to the arena to be thrown to the wild animals during the festivities these martyrs were given their last meal.  These four Christians called it their love feast; they were receiving the Bread blessed and broken.   By no other name did they want to be called.    Let us cherish the Christian name to which each of us has been called.

 

 

 

Readings: Amos 8, 4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2, 1-8; Luke 16, 1-13.

Amos: This prophet lived about 800 years before Christ.  It was a time of prosperity in Israel.  However, Amos saw that the prosperity was limited to the wealthy, and that it fed on injustice and on oppression of the poor.  He warned that Yahweh would punish the nation for this.

Our reading comes toward the end of his little book and touches both themes: oppression of the poor and punishment of this by Yahweh.

Taking Care of Myself

In the first Sunday bulletin blog I sent out this month I included a link to an age profiler.  You answer about 30 questions and the instrument takes your present age, adjusts it according to what habits you claim you have, and then projects the year you will reach in life.  A number of you mentioned taking this and were amused at the results. I promised I would let you know what I came up with.  My present age is 67. My adjusted age was 41. And you will have me around until I am 109.  The profile indicates how you are taking care of yourself.

Our little steward in Luke this morning is taking care of himself. I’ve mentioned that biblical studies indicate that he simply cut his own commission to these debtors. He was not necessarily stealing from the rich man. By cutting his commission, he makes sure he is going to be popular with the debtors.

Which brings me to how we take care of ourselves. How do you do it? Want a scale or a map, one that is reflected in the profiler? I’ll give you seven that are pretty commonly accepted as essential. In a work called Aging Well by George Vaillant these seven points are used to describe where people in a study were. They were pictured on a spectrum from Happy-Healthy to Sad-Sick. The seven factors are relevant to every age.

The first four are no brainers:

• no smoking. And if you are smoking, the sooner you give it up the sooner you move closer to the Happy-Healthy side.
• no abuse of alcohol. I have read about a new class of alcoholics – the geriatric alcoholic. For instance, the successful business man who has retired and begins to drink more & more, earlier & earlier until he is polishing off a number of drinks every evening. 
• weight control. Tough. 
• exercise. At least walk. At least 3 days a week, maybe every day.

The last three are not as self evident as the first four.

• a family life or a social life. This involves a proactive approach to people, both family and friends.
• education.The better the education, the more Happy-Healthy. The degree only opens the door to lifetime education.
• defense mechanisms. How I handle bad things, deaths, firings, broken relationships.  Make lemonade out of lemons.

People who do well with these seven factors of life will be more happy-healthy. Those doing poorly will inevitably move toward sad-sick.

Our steward in the reading was taking care of himself.

How are you taking care of yourself?

Happy-Healthy scale: Download nicholas_age_scale.doc

AUDIO http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2007-09-23.mp3

Readings: Exodus 17, 8-13; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3, 14-4, 2; Luke 18, 1-8

Exodus: to understand this book it helps to review what came before in Genesis.  Namely, creation, Cain & Abel, the flood, the tower of Babylon, and then the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob.  Remember that Jacob had 12 sons, the last of which, Joseph, was sold by his brothers to a camel caravan which got him to Egypt. 

Joseph thrived in Egypt, becoming the favorite of Pharaoh, while drought & famine afflicted the land of Joseph’s brothers & his father, Jacob.  At one point Jacob sends his sons to Pharaoh to get food & help.  That is how eventually the Israelites ended up in Egypt, to live. 

Exodus is the story of their escape from Egypt, Moses, his birth and call, and how he gets the people away from Pharaoh.

In our selection the people are in the desert fighting for their lives.  Three characters make up the story, Moses, Joshua, the leader of the Israelite army, and Amalek, the leader of the army attacking the people. Moses is blessing his people by holding his staff over the army as a blessing, like praying for success.  See what happens.  This sets up the Luke story about the widow petitioning the judge for a victory.

What We Ask For

A few years ago I had three elderly people from the subdivision of Northwood Hills contact me about planting trees in their neighborhood.  Two were a couple and there was a third guy, all probably about my age right now.  I really did not want to do this project because they were north of LBJ and I thought it was too far to drag the water trailer full of water from Jesuit, where I was living then.

So I put them off.  Maybe even for a year.  Eventually, however, because of their persistence I went to see their project, which consisted of Fretz Park, Hillcrest from LBJ to Beltline, Beltline from Preston to Coit, and a neighborhood elementary school, about 350 plus trees.

Despite not being eager to tackle the distance, two things pulled down my resistance.  First, they were willing to kick in a good portion of the cost of the trees.  Secondly, they were so gracious and eager to improve their own neighborhood.  I could not tell them no after all they were willing to put out, and all their pleading. 

You know the rest.  We planted one of our bigger projects and the trees are thriving.  In fact, I did not even water that project once this summer.  You may not know it, but they gave me a recognition of gratitude at one of their large community meetings.

When I hear Luke’s story about the widow & the judge I always think about Northwood Hills.  With gratitude. 

With confusion also, because I have difficulty with the main point of the story.  Namely, that God will answer persistent prayer, without even being slow about it, as Luke says.  Do you believe that God answers our prayers, and even more swiftly if we are persistent as the widow?  My mom thought that a nine day novena with special prayers got her every request, though my memory tells me otherwise.

I need to make a distinction and an observation to make sense of this for me.  I have talked about it before, so I remind you.  The distinction is between a macro-managing God and a micro-managing God.

The macro-managing God I can handle.  This god is behind the big stuff, the sky, creation, the stars, life, the balance of the universe.  I see this god as like a person bowling.  He gets the ball going and it travels on its own.

The micro-managing god, however, is in the small stuff, responsible for my sickness, for instance.  He makes good things happen & bad things.  He can change each.  If I pester this god enough he will find my lost wedding ring or car keys.  He will cure the sick, make me rich, fix the lottery so I win it, and so forth.  This god I don’t see in my experience.

Then why do I pray for people?  Like at our prayers of the faithful.  This is the observation. I pray first because I think, I hope, our God hears and is personal.  Secondly, I pray because I imagine that my spirit sends forth some kind of emotional energy to that God that says, "Please take special care of this person I love."  When we do this as a group, the emotional energy has a little more punch. 

A by product of praying for others is it sensitizes me to the suffering & difficulty other people are experiencing.

So where does this leave us?  Don’t pray for people?  Don’t pray persistently like the little widow or the people from Northwood Hills?  No. It may mean I lower my expectations. Maybe it helps to make the distinction about the macro vs micro-managing god.  I still remember people in prayer. 

Ultimately, what is your belief about praying for special intentions?

AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2007-10-21.mp3