Sunday Homily August 19, 2012, 20th Ordinary Time B
Readings:
Proverbs, 9, 1-6, Wisdom had built her house
Psalm 34, Taste & See the Goodnesss of the Lord (2nd week)
Ephesians, Giving thanks always and for everything
John, 6, 51-58, I am the living bread that came down from heaven.
Proverbs:
What are they: a collection of moral & religious teachings in the form of pithy sayings. For example: "Better to eat a dry crust of bread with peace of mind than to have a banquet in a house full of trouble" (17, 1); "Being cheerful always keeps you healthy" (17, 22).
Some a bit tough: "Don't hesitate to discipline a child. A good beating won't kill him" (23, 12).
Some amusing: "A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip" (27, 15); "Better to live on the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife" (25, 24).
Author: Maybe Solomon is behind chapters 1-29. Most likely a compilation.
Date: Ca. 300 BCE is considered a possibility with material coming from as far back as 900, during the time of Solomon.
Our Selection: Wisdom is personified and she is preparing a feast or banquet to which the simple people are invited.
Sources: Religious Information Service & Wikipedia
Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord, part 2
Our story this morning takes place some days ago at White Rock Lake. It is early morning, sunrise. Rosemary & I have been riding our bikes down the White Rock Creek Trail from Royal Lane.
We cross Northwest Hwy. and begin circling the lake in a clockwise direction. I get ahead of her & we plan on meeting at the far end of the lake, the south end, at a boat house for skinny boats used by college and high school crews.
Somewhere along the path, Rosemary passes an elderly guy. 99% of the time both of us yell, “Passing on your left,” as we approach people. This particular time Rosemary does not say anything. Mistake.
The guy yells at her, “Why don’t you warn people when you are going by?”
Rosemary responds, “Because you got those big ear phones on.”
To which he yells, “I can still hear.”
Sounded to me like a little road rage on the bike path.
I confess that I have been in that guy’s place. I am usually passing people & saying, “On your left.” I am so fast!
Occasionally some young guy in his designer, color coordinated outfit will zoom by me without a word. This sometimes startles me despite my little rear view mirror on my helmet. And I get annoyed. So I say something like that man, or “Speak up.”
But every time I said something, I felt yucky. Why?
Because I was no longer tasting the beauty of this jewel of a lake because I was emotionally hooked.
Also because I was no longer seeing the goodness of all the people walking, running, and riding around the lake with me.
Ultimately, I was not peaceful, which is one big reason why I am out there in the first place.
I talked about this with Rosemary and I decided I would not say anything anymore. Let people be. Surrender to the reality. Accept. And I have. Mostly.
The result.
I consciously taste and see the beauty of the lake each morning we ride. In fact, so as to counter my obsessive approach to speed and to take time to smell the flowers along the way, Rosemary & I stop at the bridges on both the north & south ends of the lake and just contemplate for 2-3 minutes.
I also appreciate the people, saying good morning to people I am passing. Bit by bit, some of the people I see regularly respond, bikers, walkers, and even joggers.
Finally, I feel peaceful.
Rosemary saw the same man again and this time warned him. As she rode by he said, “Thanks for speaking. You are one of about 5% of the bikers who warn people.” Does not sound like he is more peaceful.
Do you have any road rage moments on your bike ride through the day that eliminate tasting & seeing the goodness? What are you doing about it?