Sunday Homily 11-8-09, 32nd Ordinary Time

Readings:

Acts  5, 27-32, 40-41,  The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus

Psalm 30,  I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Revelation  5, 11-14, I heard to voices of many angels.

John 21, 19-31,  Simon, do you love me more than these?   

Introduction: In our reading from Luke’s Acts we are told that the apostles are teaching, through the power of the Spirit, about the Lamb of God.  At this time they have in their possession the gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke. In the Book of Revelation, written later, we are told about the four living creatures that glorify the Lamb of God. They are the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John; in these gospel stories Jesus is alive to us through the power of the Spirit.

The Offertory Procession – Tom, Teresa, Caroline and David

Homily by Mike:

Today’s gospel reading is not in the original John gospel. It was added later with two other parable-like stories.  Since the gospels complement one another, the inspired writers of the Matthew gospel prepare us for this reading with the words, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a net, thrown into the sea, that catches people of every kind,’ and that’s why Jesus had called his disciples to be fishers of men.

In Judaism, there was a net; it was called the Sabbath Synagogue Service.  Later the inspired writers initiated a net in which the Sunday gospel reading fulfilled the expectation of the Law and/or the Prophets for the coming of Christ.  We give thanks that the Holy Spirit moved the Church to re-institute the net during Vatican II, to be used in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. 

Kevin, John, Buddy, and Georgie

In today’s parable-like story, Peter and six others have gone fishing for gentiles, not fish.  We know their intention because seven disciples also began this mission to the gentiles in the Matthew and Mark gospels, and in Luke’s Acts of the Apostles.  We are told on the first day of their mission they caught nothing.  Jesus tells them in this parable story to use the net, and that even if they cast it to the worst possible place, the right side of the boat were the rudder would most likely tangle the net; they would still catch many gentiles. The success that the disciples have ignites John’s heart, and he tells Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’

Now, there are two synonymous fish in this story.   Each has the same Greek definition, ‘to be eaten along with the bread.’  Recall the gospel stories about the loaves and fish that anticipate the Lord’s Supper. After the Lord blesses the loaves and fish, or gives thanks over them, he gives them to his disciples to distribute to the Jews and to the gentiles.  So, what is it that we are to consume today along with the body of Christ, the bread blessed and broken that we are called to become daily in our lives?  It is this Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word where our parable story was first proclaimed and now being explained.

Hi, Genevieve

Many of you have or have seen other Christians whose cars or homes show the symbol of the fish, ichthus, one of these two words for fish in this parable story. Recall its Greek acronym stands for, ‘Jesus, Christ, God’s Son and Savior.’ Believers identify themselves with it. And they should! This Greek word for fish is found throughout Matthew, Mark and Luke; but in John it is only found there in today’s reading along with the other word for fish found only in John.

Shonda, Ray and David

If you study today’s reading carefully in Greek, you will realize that the net used by the seven to catch many gentiles was composed of the 153 parable-like stories written by the inspired writers of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  In our reading today, Jesus joins them with the original gospel stories of John, that were not yet in use but in these disciple’s possession, along with the additions to the John gospel on the grill, to form the one Gospel. The truth presented by this parable-like story is that the net that was formed will not be divided; there is one Gospel, one net, to be used to the ends of the earth.

Today’s parable-like story ends this way:  Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.  This is how the disciples knew that it was the Lord present to them in both the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Word.

Leo, the Candle Lighter

Readings: 

 Exodus 32, 7-11, 13-14,   I see how stiff necked this people is.

Psalm 51,  I will rise and go to my father.

1 Timothy 1, 11-17, I am grateful to him who has strengthened me.

Luke 15, 1-32, The Prodigal Son (The Best).

Kevin and his mom, Connie, arriving.

Exodus observations :

What : a story, a long parable.  It has 2 parts, the exodus or exit from Egypt
and the years wandering in the desert.

Who: the work is all about Moses, but he
did not compose it.  Rather, it was put
together by a committee during the Babylonian Captivity, 555 before Christ.

Subject: it appears that the purpose of the
work was to encourage the people during the Babylonian Captivity.  It is not history and borrows stories from
other cultures.  For instance, the
parting of the Red Sea comes from a Mesopotamian creation myth and the 10
Commandments resemble the Code of Hammurabi.

Our Subject: The people have been bad, God is
mad at them, and Moses defends the people.

Sources: Good News Bible,
The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, Wikipedia

Emma arriving prepared.

The Prodigal Son: A Work of Art

 This story is my favorite parable of the whole Bible.  Note one thing: this is story, not
history.   The author carefully crafts
his work of art to show how much God loves us unconditionally.  Let me give you three observations about the
son, three about the father, and an extra three to show you how astounding this
story is. 

The Beautiful Torri.

First, the younger son:

        1.  He has no right to ask for inheritance.  None. 
By asking he is saying he wishes the father and the older son dead.  A symbolic murder.  Father can kill him for this.

        2.  He works feeding pigs instead of asking for
help from the temple.  This means he
rejects the religious tradition and is considered a traitor not only to the
family, but to the religion.  

    3.  So, as a horrible failure as a son of the
family and a son of the religious tradition, he decides to return.  He makes up his little speech and heads
home.  He is hungry to the point of
dying.  Do this or die.  Many listening Jews would say, Die.  

Buddy is ready, too.

The Father: he actually commits as many crimes and sins as
the son.

    1.    
He runs down the road to
the son when he sees him coming.  A very
undignified action.  Outrageous.  People who emphasize conditional love point
out that the son at least came back. 
Despite this point, all the other elements of the parable point to a
father with unconditional love.

        2.  He embraced and kissed the son.  Huge violation of Jewish religious custom and
law.  By doing this the father positions
himself outside of the religious & cultural community.  He is a reject like the son. 

        3.  He cuts the son’s speech off before he can finish, eliminating the last sentence, “treat me as you would one of your
hired workers.”  And to make it worse, he
orders the servants to bring the finest robe, ring, and sandals. 

Zoe with her granddad, Gil.

The robe, the ring, and the sandals:

        1.  The robe: restores the son’s dignity. 

        2.  The ring: gives authority to the son, even
equal to the father and certainly more than before he left.

        3.  The sandals: gives the son freedom.  Slaves were not given sandals so they would
not run away.  The father is doubling the
message he gave when he cut the son’s speech off before he could say the third
part about being treated as a servant.  

Toy World open with Cowboy Cole, Emma, Zoe, and Torri.

A word about the older son, because we so often identify
with him.  Two additional and final
points.

        1.  That he tells his father how he feels.  Great. 
In those days, it meant the father can kill him.  Today: communication. 

        2.  What is his challenge: acceptance of his
brother, his father, and himself; focus on gratitude for all he has; move from
trying to be a good boy to loving?  Any
one of these?  Or all?  All.  

I apologize for so much data.  There is even more.  The point is that the story is a carefully
crafted literary work of art that attempts to describe how totally unconditionally
loving our God is.

How does this image of God reflect your image of God? 

Cupcake of the Week to Bethany on the 2nd week anniversary of her marriage.

Source: The
Liberating Stories of Jesus, Francis Vanderwall (Dallas’ Open Window will
present Francis Saturday, September 28, for an all day seminar.  Welcome. 
More info below.  Sunday he will
be with us at Vines.  He is an ex-Jesuit
and one of my best old Jesuit buddies.)  
Download Fall 2013 Conference 9-20-13

Cupcake of The Week to Lynda and Tom on 31 years,

Readings: Acts 15, 1-29; Psalm 67; Revelation 21, 10-23; John 14, 23-29

Mother’s Gift

Some years ago after I had returned to Dallas in the 80’s and my mother was still alive, she had to go to the hospital for some procedure. The hospital was the one on LBJ near Webb Chapel, called Deadman in those days.

She was going to stay for at least a night, so we packed up some of her stuff. It was afternoon. I was driving her west on LBJ and we were talking. Suddenly she patted me on my right thigh and said, "I’m proud of you."

Now at that time I am probably 47 or 48, but her little compliment moved me. It was especially touching because she had never wanted me to go off to the Jesuits and she had gotten so mad I went to Africa that she did not speak to any local Jesuit for some years.

I talk about this on Mothers’ Day because of two reasons.

First, it shows how at whatever age we are, our mother’s compliments and affirmations remain powerful. My mom’s simple compliment touched my spirit. I can still remember it as if it were yesterday.

Secondly, it shows how you mothers have the touch. You can ignite people’s spirits into new life with just a movement or a word. It may seem so simple that it is of little value. This event with my mom exemplifies just the contrary, how valuable it is.

Whom do you touch into new life?

Download the homily as an mp3 file.

Readings: Acts 2, 1-11; Psalm 104, Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the Face of the Earth; 1 Corinthians 3-13; John 20, 19-23

Acts:  a reminder–

Author: Luke, the author of both The Gospel & The Acts

Date: ca. 50 years after Jesus' death

Today's selection: In chapter 1 we saw 3 things: introduction by Luke, the Ascension, and the election of a new apostle, Matthias, to take Judas' place.  The next big event is the coming of the spirit.  That is what is described today.

Pentecost by Tony O'Donovan

Readings:

 1 Kings  19, 16-21,  You shall anoint Elisha as prophet to succeed you.

Psalm 16,  You are my inheritance, O Lord

Galatians 5, 1, 13-18,  You are all called for freedom.

Luke 9, 51-62,  I will follow you, Lord, but first…

People come in every way during the summer, Doug and Grace arriving via their bikes.

1 Kings observations

What

A continuation of a larger work, 1 & 2 Samuel, plus 2 Kings. 
This is presented as history, but it is a joining together of legends, fables, folktales, and miracle stories.  I see this called theological history.

Date

After the Babylonian captivity, therefore around 555 before Christ.

Subject

The book covers 3 events:

        – The end of the life of the Great King David,

        – The story of his glorious son, Solomon, and his building of
the temple in Jerusalem,

        – The famous division of the state into north and south,
Israel and Judah, after Solomon’s death and his weak successors.

Emma and her buddy.

Our passage

Coming in chapter 17 you can guess it talks about the third event, the division of the state. 
One prophet Elijah is anointing his successor.  The presence of prophets signals what?  Times are bad and Yahweh is not pleased with the people and leadership for allowing the division.

Sources: Good News Bible, Wikipedia.

Beginning with Kevin and Georgie.

The Samaritans

This morning I would like to talk about 2 subjects.  

First, the Samaritans.  Who were they and why hostility between Jews and them?

Secondly, I have to tell you about an amazing event that happened to me this week.

The Samaritans.  These people were and are Jews.  They claim to be descendents of some of those 10 lost tribes.  Remember the lost tribes?

Zoe, The Queen.

Take the date 700 years before Christ.  There are the two states, Israel in the north and Judah in the south, going back to the time after Solomon when weak kings lost the unity.

700 is the date that the Assyrians (the famous Syria, still in the news because of continued fighting) defeated the state of Israel and scattered the Jewish people, intermarrying with many of them.   Some of these Jews survived mostly in Judah. 

Leo the Knight defending us from the bad guys.

During the Babylonian Captivity, 555 before Christ, descendents of some of these people did not go to Babylon.  They were there when the descendents of those Jews taken from Jerusalem returned. 

Hostility developed between the two groups.   Each group had developed unique religious customs and each group considered the other to be heretical or bad.   

A victorious Leo putting away his sword and shield for the moment.

The group supposedly descended from one or more of the 10 lost tribes was called Samaritan.  It is also suspected that some of these Jews intermarried with the conquering Assyrians.  See why Jesus’ followers often act as if the Samaritans are bad.  Remember the story of Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman at the well?  

We have a similar situation today.  Look at all the Christian sects, Catholic, Baptist, Episcopalian, and others.  Each of these probably considers the others bad.   As Catholic kids we were certainly not allowed into a non-Catholic church. 

Torri arriving in her Sunday Best.

Now for the story.  I am a member of Dallas North Rotary, as many of you know.  I don’t eat and I miss a lot of meetings, but I love the other members and have known some of them for 20 years.

Tuesday I walked into our meeting and was going around greeting everyone already there.  I greeted a lady named Cheryl, who is one of our most active members.  After moving around the room, I was passing her again.   She says to me, “John, wait.” I stop and she sticks a piece of paper in my hand. 

Brent receiving our $2000 for Soul's Harbor.

I look and it is a check.  I open it and made out to John Stack Ministries is $1000.  I am stunned and say something like, “What is this?”  She says, “It is for whatever you & your community want.”  She says she has had a good month.  She is a vivacious real estate agent. 

She is not a Catholic and in the old days she probably would have considered us to be Samaritans, bad. 

I am humbled by this gift and I will say it again, I am proud to be a member of you people, this community.  It is you who are catching the attention of good people. 

Carol's friend, Zoey

We will have to put this thousand to work in a special way.  I’ve been thinking about Habitat in Granbury, where they are rebuilding 61 Habitat homes destroyed by the May tornado.  I would even like to spend a few days working there.  Anyone want to go? 

So this is the background on Samaritans, the bad folks.  Who are the Samaritans in your life?

Greetings from Yosemite, Hoover Wilderness, and Matterhorn Canyon.   Departure Moment.   All say "Hi" and "Welcome," Beth, Andy, Rose, Tom, an Old Geezer, Paul & Carrie, Matt & Ray, son & dad.

Readings:

Sirach,   27, 30-28, 7    Wrath & anger are hateful things

Psalm 103,   The Lord is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love. (that marvelous line again!)

Romans 14, 7-9,  None of us lives for oneself.

Matthew 18, 21-35,  The gracious king and the abusive servant.

Tori says, "Welcome Home, all you Campers."

Observations on Sirach

What: a collection of wisdom statements or ethics, like 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'   Lengthy, 51 chapters.

Who:  composed by a Jewish scribe in Hebrew and translated into Greek by his grandson, probably in Alexandria, Egypt.

When:  ca. 200 yours before Christ.

Subject today: Beware of hatred & Anger.

Harper says, "May I go the next time you go camping?"

Cura Personalis or caring for another

I would like to talk this morning about an old ethical concept we were trained up on as Jesuits, cura personalis, in Latin, which means taking care of the other in my life. 

For years I have been trying to take care of my fellow campers on our voyages to Yosemite and elsewhere.  This past trip my fellow campers took care of me.

Trey & Brady, our Candle Lighters of The Week.

For example, we had a new guy this year, Matt Occhipinti.  Yes, Ray & Claire’s son.  For me he was a wild card, an unknown, consequently, scary.  Like can he do the hike or will he melt down.  And then what?

Well, not only did Matt not melt down he was a great camper, hiker, and especially a helper around the camp sites.  Like I saw him frequently hauling water up from the river or lake to fill our water purification bladder.  I thank him.

So what do you do when you finally arrive at the 11k plus Burrow Pass to find that the trail going steeply down the other side is covered by a huge mass of left over snow?   Yes, Harper, you slide.

I also thank Ray, not only for bringing Matt, but also for being our evening dinner cook and our morning hot water maker.   It is so nice to crawl out of my sleeping bag in 38 degree temp to find hot water prepared for coffee or oat meal.  Thanks again, Ray.

Cura personalis also came from Paul & Carrie, not only for each other, but even for me!  They watched my back and helped me up some big boulder steps. They saved me a tent site and helped me set up my tent one evening when I arrived pretty exhausted. I watched them, too, folks, and can let you know, as I told them, their relationship is made in heaven and they have many happy days ahead of them because they care for each other so well, especially by listening to each other.  Thanks, Paul & Carrie.

Buddy & Georgie, would you like to go for a slide on the snow?

Then I was so touched by two monster helpers, our Tom Fleming and Andy Sokoloski.  One day, believe it or not, Beth, Rose, and myself took a spur trail and got lost for about an hour.  We have walkie talkies and radioed ahead.  Next thing, Tom and Andy come striding to our rescue.  Tom even takes my back pack until we catch the others who were waiting for us.  Thanks, Tom.

Andy also saved me numerous times with his stream crossing sandals.   The past years the streams have always been low.  So I don’t bring my sandals.  Stupid!   I borrowed Andy’s sandals 8-10 times.  Thanks, Andy.

Want to take a snow slide with me, Cory & Shonda?  

And then there is Beth.  First of all, as always she comes out of her tent in the cold morning before sun is up all smiles and cheer.  What a joy.  But she also did something for me that I reflected had never happened in all the many years I have camped in Tanzania & Kenya, with the Jesuits, and now with our people. 

As I walked into camp late one afternoon, Beth, asks me if I would like help putting up my tent.  I was so touched.  Sure thing, I accepted.  She even did it twice and probably set an example such that Paul & Carrie made the same offer our last night in the wilderness.  I also know you carried some of my food stuff.  Thanks, Beth.

Hey, Buddy, how do you do that with your legs?  Wow, if I tried that, it would take surgery to get me out, or a mortician.

And Rose.  Every year I have always carried two bear canisters so that folks who have a hard time with the weight of the dinner or cheese or Jack Daniels, they would not have to worry.  This year I started out as usual.  Guess what.  I just did not have this year my usual energy and push.

Rose saw this the first day and what does she do behind my back.  She asks everybody in the camp the first night to help me out.   So one minute I have two full canisters.  The next the canisters are almost empty.  If she & everybody had not done that, I would have had a tough time.  As it was, I was always the last person into the evening camp and into the trail head on the last day.  And guess who was always there giving me cura personalis, personal care!  Thanks so much, Rose Banzhaf. 

Is poor Beth trying to hide?  While I tell stories about her?

Who gives you personal care?

To whom do you give personal care?

 Anybody claim these derelicts?  Like Paul & Carrie, Rose & Beth & Andy,  Ray & Matt & Tom & an Old Geezer?  Looking north up Matterhorn Canyon.