Sunday Homily 3-8-09, 2nd Lent

Readings:

Genesis  18,  20-32,  The story of Sodom & Gomorrah.

Psalm 138,  Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Colossians 2, 12-14,     He has forgiven us all our transgressions.

Luke 11, 1-13,  Ask and you will receive.

                                           

Book of Genesis, Ch 18 

— Probably written during the Babylonian captivity (6^th century BCE) to help solidify Jewish people in their identity as the people of God. 

 

Letter of Paul to church in Colossae: Ch 2 

— Colossae was a small community in Asia Minor, east of Ephesus.  This letter is written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome. 

 

Gospel of Luke: Ch 11

It’s in the letter to the Colossians that we learn Luke was a physician, the only mention of that fact.  Luke was probably Greek and the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament, and accounts for almost a third of the New Testament (with Gospel and then Acts). This Gospel probably written between 80-100 AD, 3 or more generations after Jesus.  It was still being edited after 100 AD.   

     

 

                                                                        

Homily on 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 24, 2016

Each week of the year the Church selects readings from Scripture to teach us about God, to feed us with words that give life and comfort and challenge, and that remind us that we are one with God and one with each other. 

Today we learn again about God as merciful, as generous, as giving of the Spirit. 

These teachings about God’s goodness and mercy and generosity were tested for my family a couple of weeks ago when our friend Alex Folz died suddenly in his sleep at age 48.  Alex’ wife Leslie, her grown children Sarah, Mary, Liz and Peter, Alex’ parents Libby and Gene, his 3 sisters, Ali, Amy and Annie, Lambrini and her Mom, Kalliopi, and myself, and so many friends, work mates and acquaintances have been in shock and grief over his passing so suddenly from our lives. 

                                                                                                                                 

 

 

Lambrini met Alex as a co-worker at the Louisiana Department of Revenue 19 years ago.  Lambrini and Alex hit it off and became ‘best buddies’.  Before long Lambrini and me and Kalliopi were treating Alex as part of our family.  For years, several days a week, he would join us for meals.  He helped Kalliopi with her garden, plowing and digging.  He worked at learning enough Greek to be able to communicate with Kalliopi, which she loved about him.  Alex watched over our house and cared for our dog, Coco, whenever we were away.  Coco loved Alex and ran to greet him whenever she saw his car drive up.  We shared tools and vehicles and did all the things good friends and family do with each other.  Alex was a big OU Sooners fan.  He and I watched football games together and he and Mama and I would go eat meat together.

A few years ago he travelled with us on one of our trips to Greece.  Lambrini has always missed her 2 brothers, George in Greece, and John in Massachusetts who died over 10 years ago.  And Alex became her ‘best buddy’.  It was a rare day they didn’t speak, in person or by phone. 

                                      

 

Alex was very close to his parents and sisters.  He spoke with his parents every day and to his sisters frequently.  He loved his nephews and nieces and talked about them all the time.  Alex had friendships he maintained from his college years at OU in Norman, especially his good friend Shawn.  He had tennis buddies who met weekly to play together.  He joined a singles’ group, and that’s where he met Leslie.  In talking about their families, Alex and Leslie discovered that when they were little, their families had lived close to each other in the same area of Indiana, and some even knew each other.  Leslie’s grown kids showed had real caring for Alex, and were so happy that their mom had found love in her life again.  Alex and Leslie married last July at the Catholic Cathedral downtown.  What a happy day that was. 

Alex and Leslie were on a trip for Alex’ annual visit with his family for the 4^th of July weekend, and then they drove on to Chicago for a few days’ relaxation before Leslie’s daughter’s graduation from grad school that Saturday.  On Thursday Alex did not awaken and I got the call from Leslie.  Lambrini flew up to represent our family at his funeral in Indiana.  

                                                                                                                                       

 

We are taught and know that God is merciful, and generous and gives us the Spirit of life.  And we are tested when bad things happen to good people.  As the shock of Alex’ passing has gradually become a little softer, we have begun to see who Alex was to us; how he too was merciful and generous and giving of the Spirit to those around him; how his life made our lives better and more full; and much more fun—we laughed loud a lot with Alex.  As we grieve over this loss, we have realized that Alex was a presence of God in our lives.  Remember John Stack’s question to the parents and Godparents whenever he performs a Baptism: when is the last time you saw God?  Alex showed God’s Spirit over and over in a way that stays with me and gives me joy.  It has also been amazing to see his parents, in their grief, show such concern and caring for all of us feeling the loss of Alex.  And Leslie, dealing with her lost dreams and their lost plans for the future; and yet reaching out to give care and love for others who share the pain of loss.  It really helps that we are all in this together and that Alex’ life has left a lasting mark on all who were connected with him. 

                                           

                                                                  

 

We know from the Book of Job that there is no perfect answer for such losses.  For Lambrini and her mom and me it’s been other people who care and just connect with us that has made a difference.  So many family and friends have reached out to us just to be connected at this time.  I want you to know that I have definitely experienced and appreciated your support.  You listened; you didn’t try to define my grief or give it a meaning or take it away; you have showed me you are present to me and you are with me.  You are a part of the mercy and generosity and Spirit of God in my life.  Thank you for that.

My question today is:  How do you find comfort and the Spirit when you are tested?  And how are you part of that comfort and Spirit for others?

                                                                     

 

Readings:

Sirach 3, 2-6, 12-14, My son, take care of your father when he is old.

Psalm 128,  Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Colossians 3, 12-21,  Wives, be subordinate to your husbands.

Matthew 2, 13-15, 19-23, Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I tell you.

 

 

Sirach observations:

What.  One of those 12 odd books, neither in the Old nor the New Testament.  A book with wise little sayings & vingettes.

Examples: Be humble in everything you do, 3, 17.   Stubborness will get you into trouble, 3, 26.  If you are polite and courteous, you will enjoy the friendship of many, 6, 5.  A father who loves his son will whip him often, 30, 1.  A woman has to take any man as a husband, but a man must choose his wife carefully, 36, 21.

Who.   Sirach is the father of a man names Joshua (or Jesus) who wrote & compiled these saying.

When.   Composed around 200 years before Christ, maybe.

 

Colossians observations:

Get ready, this is a good one.  Especially for wives.  

 

 

Paradigmes for Families

I remember way back when Rosemary and I had been married a while, I told her one day that I thought this special line from the Bible was my new favorite line.  “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands.”  Sounded good to me. 

You know what I got, the look, the dog kennel look, the look that said, ‘There is a vacancy in the dog kennel in the back yard, bubba.’  So much for my new favorite line. 

We have one of the classic lines in Scripture here this morning.  “Wives,be subordinate to your husbands.”  I would like to talk about this.

 

 

I also remember one afternoon I was in line to ride the roller coaster or something at 6 Flags.  Ahead of me was a family, husband and wife with maybe two or three kids.  The couple were discussing two sides of some decision.  Then I heard the husband tell the wife that she should follow his opinion, because….   You know what he said.  I almost passed out.  I did not realize that contemporary, educated, middle class folks followed this just because it says it in the Bible.

Let me offer some perspective, a little history and the 3 models of family dynamics.

Historically, remember that the writer of the line lived not in the Middle Ages, but way before that.  Women were not considered equal to men in any way.  I saw this in East Africa when I lived there.  The man was the head and the wife, kids, and farm animals were all more or less on the same level.

 

 

You may see the same phenomenon today.  Where?  Try Afghanistan or among many Arab or Muslim countries.  Women have no rights and are certainly not considered equal to men.  Because of this, women can be beaten like a child or abused with hardly any consequence.  The old dictum held, ‘A good beating never hurt anyone.’

The writer of this letter saw this and spoke to it.  Not only does he speak to the wife, he also speaks to the husband, “Husbands, love your wives.”  Pretty unique stuff for those days.  Wives, in other words, are human beings, not property to be told how to dress and behave.

 

 

Finally, let me remind you of the 3 models of family dynamics.

First, you have the patriarchy.  The father is the head, which today’s writer is aware of.  And accepts.

Secondly, you have the matriarchy, the wife is the head of the family.  This model has been used over the centuries in various places.

Thirdly, you have equality.  This model has more traction today because women and men are equally educated and often equally talented.  In this family the husband and wife share responsibility and consult with each other.

It is not so much that one model is better than the other.  Which model works?

 

 

There are days when I am convinced that Rosemary and I have a matriarchy.

What works for you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome in, Everybody.  Abrasos for todos.

 

 

Readings:

Genesis 9, 8-15,  Never again shall all creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood.

Psalm 147,  Your way, Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

 1 Peter 3, 18-22,  God patiently waited in the days of Noah.

Mark 1, 12-15, The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert.

 

 

 

Hi, Harper.  How many Girl Scout cookies you going to sell us today?  (Lots!)

 

 

Genesis:  observations–

What:  First book of the Bible, starts with creation & ends with the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob (Israel).  Any reading from this book should start with Once upon a time.   Why?  Because we have here a literary genre that is like myth or a fairy tale in our language.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for bringing up the bread & grape juice, Joe & Brent & Cheryl.
 

 

 

Author: Not Moses as was thought for centuries before people began to study the work.  At least 3 sources: 

• a Y (or J) source for the group that addressed God as Yahweh;
• an E for the group who addressed God as Elohim (Like two historians calling NYC The Big Apple or New York City, or Denver by its name or Mile High City);
• and a P group that focused on the priestly class, activities, & customs, the Levite tribe.

Time: compiled and put together from 950 to 500 BCE.

Today's Selection: the flood has just receded and Noah is receiving a promise (called covenant) from Yahweh that never again will people be wiped out by a flood.  Guess what the sign of the promise is.

 

 

 

Hey, You People, did not your mommas tell you not to go out on a cold and rainy morning?!

 

 

A Happy Lent

I want to talk this morning about having a happy Lent.  Why?  Because God created us to be happy. 

I admit again that this is my least favorite season of the year.  I always look for something positive to do and am never really satisfied with what I come up with.

 

 

 

 

Getting bored?  Join the kids in the playroom.

 

 

Some years ago Diane McMahon recommended to me a facebook article by a lady named Karen Ehrman.  She says, “For this Lent don’t give something up, take something up.”  She has 4 positive suggestions for taking something up.  I add a 5^th.   I like her suggestions.

 

 

Get your Wednesday ashes at Marlene's comfy house.

 

 

1.       Take up note writing to people with whom you don’t communicate that often, but who are friends.  She says she buys 40 cards, envelopes, and stamps.  Each morning she sends one out to a friend, just saying that she likes the person.

2.       Take up the phone and call someone every day or once a week and tell them you are calling just to tell them thanks for being a good friend.  

 

 

 

People come from the north.

 

3.       Take up a simple gift for a friend or family member.  Like bring flowers to someone, bring a Starbucks, offer to wash the dishes, or clean or dust the house, mow the grass (welcome to Tulip Lane).  Invite someone to lunch.  This is a once a week or occasional take up.

 

 

 

People come from the South. 

 

4.       Take up a simple gift for a stranger.  Like the recycle men, the garbage men, the checkers at the grocery.  Compliment the checker on her finger nails, give $10 to each of the garbage men (watch out for their over the top gratitude). 

5.       Take up visiting someone in retirement or in a hospital.  (This is my addition, not Karen’s)  We got lots of people you may choose from.

 

 

 

Ashes for Debbie & Bobby.

 

 

As you can see, some of these suggestions are occasional or once a week ideas.  Plus, what we have here are only seeds.  Even while you were listening to the five I put forward, you may be been thinking about other possibilities.

How can you have a happy Lent?

Source: Karen Ehman, on line.

 

 

 

 

Ashes for Cindy.  A good Ash Wednesday gathering.

Readings: Jonah 3, 1-5 & 10; Psalm 25; 1 Corinthians 7, 29-31; Mark 1, 14-20  

Jonah: This little book of 4 chapters is a gem and tells a delightful short story. 

Background: Jonah has been asked by Yahweh to go to Nineveh in Assyria to tell the people & leaders that they are evil and will be punished shortly by Yahweh.  Trouble is, Nineveh is the enemy, like me going to Houston or Philadelphia.  So he runs away, catches a boat headed for Spain, is blamed by the sailors for causing a big storm on the sea, and is dumped overboard.  The whale swallows him and for three days Jonah is constrained to reflect on what he is doing.  When, after 3 days, the whale dumps him on shore, Jonah is more willing to listen.  We arrive at this point and I will have all of chapter 3 read.

Author: For centuries, while people took this story as factual, Jonah was considered author of his own story.  Once seen as a fable or allegory, the story obviously has some unknown ancient as the author.

Date of composition: no one really knows, but educated guesses put it ca. 800 BCE.

The Call, again

 You hear the story about the young boy returning home one afternoon?  He lived in a rural area and was taking a short cut through a field he knew of.  Suddenly a coyote started following him.  He ran.  The coyote ran faster.  The boy knew the coyote was going to catch him before he got home and was going to eat him.

So he stopped.  He turned to face the coyote, and said, "I know you will catch me and eat me.  But before you do so, please sing me a song in your beautiful voice."  The coyote agreed and began to howl his song to the boy.

At home the boy's beloved dog heard the coyote's howl, knew his master was in danger, raced to the sound, and scared away the coyote.  Moral of the story: in times of danger, use your head. 

Ever hear this story?  It is one of Aesop's fables. 

I tell this story about the boy and the coyote to exemplify what the story of Jonah & the whale is.  A fable.  It has a moral.  What is it?

Before answering, let me highlight something.  Jonah & the whale has humor all through it.  Even after the episode we read today, Jonah's behavior continues to be amusing.  Jonah goes to Nineveh to tell them to repent or the Lord would punish them.  Lo and behold, they repent, and quickly.  Is Jonah delighted and congratulating them?   On the contrary, he throws a snit and in a huff goes outside of the town and sits under a small tree.  He and Yahweh converse.  Yahweh asks Jonah what right has Jonah to be mad at Yahweh for showing mercy to the people of Nineveh.

The moral of the story: listen to God's call in your heart if you want to be happy, despite the amusing ending. 

For contemporary example, here's a story that relates to Tuesday's marvelous event.  I have a friend who went to U.T. in the early 60's.  He came up from Plainview.  This was in the middle of the civil rights activity and he and his buddy decided to join the campus NAACP, an organization I, too, worked with from '65-'68, even living one summer with a hero black lady friend of mine in south Dallas.  Dead now unfortunately, her name was Wanita Kraft.

The goal of the university chapter of the NAACP that year was the integration of the Texas and the University theaters on "The Drag," Guadalupe Street across from the University.  The university chapter was fairly large and they had volunteers who would parade in circles in front of each theater every evening.  My friend and his buddy would get assigned about once a week.  Before they went they changed into old clothes that they would not miss if they got torn up or bloody. 

Torn up and bloody they did.  People would come by not just to yell and curse them.  They would not just throw trash, tomatoes, eggs, and beer bottles.  They would come out of their cars and trucks, come up to them, and flail away.  The policy of the group was non-violence, following the example of Martin Luther King who followed Ghandi among others.  So what do you think they did?  Punch them out?  Knock them down?  They would drop to the ground and cover their heads.  My friend says that was the hardest thing.  To accept getting kicked, punched, spit on, and trashed while not responding.

Eventually the punchers would tire and drive away.  Then a rescue team of some girls would emerge to help them up, clean their wounds, and take to the hospital those hurt more seriously. 

Wonder what happened?  One year of nightly demonstrations and the theaters integrated.  My friend remembers the night they lined up to buy tickets, one white, one black.  Like I did, my friend had a lot of tears watching the inauguration Tuesday morning.

Jonah had the call, the four had the call, my friend had the call.

What is your call?

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-01-25.mp3

Some of my references:

• Aesop's Fables: The Boy & the Wolf

• The Carmelite web site

• The Dominican web site (Spanish only)

• St. Raymond Catholic Parish, Dublin, CA web site

• Bishop John Shelby Spong, various works and articles in Mirabile Dictu, edited by David          Gawlik

Picture 1:  Mass with Sabrina & Anthony

Picture 2:  Communion distributors–Gerri, Ron, Jan, Patricia, John, Beth & Rob

Picture 3:  Communion–Ron & Marilyn Ackerman, Nina Waldron, Jerry Weiss

Picture 4:  Carl reading Jonah