Sunday Homily March 24, 2013, Palm Sunday

Readings: Leviticus 13, 1-2, 44-46, The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall cry out, "Unclean."; Psalm 32, I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation; 1 Corinthians 10, 31-11, 1, Do everything for the glory of God; Mark 1, 40-45, If you wish, you can make me clean.

Leviticus: The book of the Levite tribe, the priestly tribe, one of the 12 tribes, a book of 27 chapters focused mostly on laws.  The third book of the Torah after Genesis & Exodus, before Numbers & Deuteronomy.

Author: a collection of many sources, but not Moses (impossible).

Date: some laws go back 1400 BCE., others from ca. 450 BCE.

Subject matter: laws for better living with Yahweh.  For instance in chapter 11, one may not eat pigs, camels, or rabbits, no animal with a divided hoof.  All winged insects are unclean, except those that hop.  In chapter 12, women are ritually unclean after giving birth, 7 days for boys, 14 days for girls.  Chapter 19, "love one another as one's self."  This morning's selection deals with how people with leprosy are to be treated.  Leprosy, of course, was considered a punishment for sin & disobedience.

Note: an interesting example of how academics better understand these texts.  They noted that both Leviticus 11 & Deuteronomy 14 have similar lists of clean and unclean animals for eating.  Deuteronomy 14, however, has 11 additional critters which are not mentioned in Leviticus 11.  These 11 dwell only in the Arabian desert, not in Egypt or the land of Canaan (Holy Land).   From this it can be deduced that the person (s) writing the laws in Leviticus had not wandered the desert and was writing before the Exodus.  The writer (s) of Deuteronomy, however, had wandered the desert. 

Source: The Book of Leviticus; Believe: Religious Information Source, Canon Tristam

Exclusion vs Inclusion

When I first lived in Kenya & Tanzania in the late 70's I spent time working on my Swahili in a Jesuit parish that was in a town called Tabora, Tanzania.  The town is in the middle of Tanzania with no paved roads leading to it.  Only a few roads in the town itself are paved.  The parish had about 3 Jesuit priests in those days, if I remember correctly, a French Canadian, an Irish, and an Indian.  Today the Jesuits have departed and handed it over to the diocese because of not enough Jesuit priests.

In those days the parish had 21 outstations, some of which even had other outstations further out.  These were located in small villages where little mud walled churches had been put up.  Occasionally I found a rather large cement block church left over from times when priests were more abundant.   Each Sunday we would all head out on motorcycles to the outstations. 

On the edge of Tabora there was a special community.  A community of men & women who had leprosy.  The exclusion of these lepers was similar to what we read in Leviticus, though they received better care.  Our parish used to help them a lot and I went to say Mass for them and spent time talking with them often individually, sometimes in a group.  Despite the effectiveness of modern medicine, many had significant scarring and were without hands or feet.  I remember being touched mostly by the quality of their spirits and sense of acceptance. 

I am reminded of this leper community when I read about the lepers in today's readings.  Leviticus lays down the directives.  Mark has Jesus dealing with a leper.   I've already discussed Leviticus.  Let me mention one main point relevant to Mark & his account.

It is inclusion.

Mark wants to convince Christians of Jewish & mostly Gentile background that they are included and that Jesus is the Messiah.  This community probably lived in Galilee, that is, around the Sea of Galilee or in Syria.  How do today's students of the bible know this?  Because they analyzed the text and noted that Mark used Greek rather than Aramaic.  Moreover, Mark describes geography typical of Galilee, not Jerusalem.

 The miracle Mark describes today aims at inclusion in the community.  Using the leper as a metaphor or symbol, he is telling especially the Gentile Christians, 'You are part of this community.  You belong here.  If Jesus can include a leper, then anyone and everyone is part of the community.  Nobody is excluded.'

What does Leviticus instruct?  What does Jesus do?  He welcomes him.  In fact, he does something that broke the law, and the people would be astounded, no, probably shocked and repulsed.  He touched the leper.  This was after Mark has the leper break the law by approaching Jesus.  People around are saying, "Wow!", when they read Marks story. 

This might be today's lesson for us.  Inclusion.  It may be easier for us to think of including a leper, because we know the virus is not that contagious and can be effectively treated.  But HIV?  What about other races, colors, religions, students from other schools?

Whom do I have trouble including in my community?

References: Austin Cline, Audience of Mark's Gospel (on line).

Picture 1:    Mass Begins

Picture 2:    The Community

Picture 3:    Brooklyn walks

Picture 4:    Charlie with Zoe & Georgie

Picture 5:    Georgie with Zoe & Sienna

Picture 6:    Torri with her granddad, Gilberto

Readings:  (special for Fred)

Isaiah 43, 1-5,  Do not be afraid, you are mine

Psalm 32,    I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

1 Corinthians 13, 1-3,   If I have no love, I am nothing.

 John 15, 10-11,   As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Live in my love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and you joy may be complete.

Maureen and Fred Macchio.

Today's readings, observation:

I have chosen all of these readings with the spirit of Fred Macchio  and the family in mind.

The Macchio Clan.

Fred Macchio

I would like to talk about our dear old friend, Fred.  I have two small vignettes and, then, I would like to tell my most favorite Fred story, the pickup story.

First, we have a group of guys who meet every Friday at 1:00 at Jason’s Deli at Collin Creek.  The group was christened “Romeo’s” by Mike Moran, though I have gathered this is not an original.  Like, try T.I. and Poor Richard’s.  Nevertheless, Fred was always with us every week.

When we got together there were two things.  First, every time I had to be absent, Fred would tell me that the numbers jumped to a dozen or more.

Thanks to all from Maureen and the Macchios.

Secondly, Fred would always find in the Thursday blog I sent out a mistake or two or more.  Like, “Hey, you forgot to change the date.”  Or “Hey, you misspelled this or that word.”  It really became a game for me and I enlisted Rosemary to get rid of mistakes.  However, even with her help Fred always caught something.  I got better, though, and was ready to wager him.   No mistakes, he buys my lunch.  A mistake, I buy his lunch.   So, you know how he handled that, he checked out on me.

Second, a little fact you all may not know about Fred.  He donated his body to Southwestern Medical.  I was so impressed that I have started the screening process for myself.

And now the pickup story.

The scene with pictures and hats.

In 1990 I was driving an old Chevy pickup that was a castoff from Jesuit.  Trouble was, it was dying.  I needed a new ¾ ton to continue my tree planting hobby.  I was pulling an 800 gallon water tank to water all summer the new trees.

So I approached my Jesuit community, the other priests, and asked for a new truck.   “Sure,” they said, but I had to find the money myself. 

Like, where am I going to find some thousands of bucks to buy a new truck?  I was, at that time, celebrating a 9:00 and a 10:30 Sunday Mass every week at St. Marks.  I had a bunch of friends there.

Cupcake of the Week to Maureen for just being Maureen and for inviting us all to share in this special memorial.

So, I called the pastor one day and asked if I may contact some of the parishioners who are my special friends.  “Yes,” he said somewhat reluctantly if I remember correctly.  “But, never, never, never mention this at the Mass or anywhere at any church function where I am the celebrant.”  Okay by me.  I felt grateful that I got what I got.

So I contact some of these dear friends of mine.  And guess who one of these people was.  Yes, my buddy Fred. 

A week passed.  Then another week.  On, perhaps the third Sunday after making my calls, I am walking from the main church to the cafetorium, where we had the 10:30 Mass.  Suddenly, a woman comes up and gives me a page.  I think it might have been Marcia Kolar.  I look at it and it says, “Help Stack get his pickup.” 

Cupcake of the Week for being Danny's wife.

I go in the cafetorium and I find these empty gallon jars that had contained mustard or ketchup.  Pasted on the jars, “Help Stack get his pickup.”  Jim Herman, who died a few years ago, was the reader that Sunday and he is up at the podium saying the same thing.  Wow, I was really getting nervous.  We could be in deep doo doo.

I see Fred and ask what does he know about all this.  He says cryptically, I will always remember, “It is easier sometimes to apologize after it is done, than to request permission ahead of time.”  

More of those marvelous Macchios.

Suddenly at that moment, like a clap of thunder in comes the pastor, yelling, “Who did this?”  He goes for me and yells that he had told me never.  He is yelling and running around trying to take back from people those little pages with “Help Stack get his truck.”  It was quite a scene.

He kept yelling and finally I gave a nod to Teresa, she started the music, and I just simply walked away and up the aisle.

The Girls.

After the Mass he was back, saying, “I know who did this,” and yelling at Fred and even Maureen, saying that Fred was going to pay for this. 

Sometime later, Fred says to me, “In all my years here, I’ve never seen him go nuclear like that.”  Before Christmas that year I was handed enough to pay $15,000 in cash for that truck. 

Fred, I never thanked you enough.

The Guys.

Readings: Isaiah 60, 1-6; Psalm 72, Lord, Every Nation on Earth will adore You; Ephesians 3, 2-6; Matthew 2, 1-12.

Isaiah 60: author, date, subject

Author: 3 Isaiah (responsible for chapters 55-66)

Date: ca. 400, after the Babylonian Captivity, ended ca. 550

Subject: lines such as, Rise up in splendor, the glory of the Lord shines, people from the east will come with gold & frankincense.

source: John Shelby Spong

The Great Debate: Myth vs Fact

I have just had an epiphany event in my life.  I was visited by an old friend, a wise friend, maybe a wise guy friend.  He says, "Stack, you are a fraud."  You folks have known this all along.  He says that the homily I gave before Christmas on the Partridge in a Pear Tree was not true.  Sorry to have to tell you this.  The history was wako, did not happen.  As you can imagine, I was quite deflated, but figured he was right because he is more of a researcher than I. 

So, folks, the old geezer fraud fesses up this morning.  I confess that I did not do any research on the subject.  Somebody sent it to me a few years ago, and I did not even save the name of the sender. 

So, using my friend's research and my own, I discovered that maybe the symbols were connected to the old Christmas carol ca. 1990.  Apparently nobody knows.  It was pointed out that these symbols did not need to be secret because of persecution.  The Elizabethan protestants shared most of the same symbols.  No secret needed.  Plus the carol may have come from France.  So, everyone, erase that homily and the history I gave you.  I blew that one. 

It struck me in the midst of this, could we be witnessing the creation of a myth?  100 years from now how many people will believe the version that I presented?  Could this be an example of what took place in the bible?  You have certainly heard that biblical scholars have determined that the nativity stories are the result of literary liberties taken by Luke & Matthew, not factual history.  I can give you two simple examples.

First, Bethlehem.  It is thought that Jesus was really born in Nazareth.  But Luke & Matthew, the only writers dealing with the nativity, wanted to connect Jesus with King David.  David was born in Bethlehem.  It is pointed out that it is a long way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, it was winter, and Mary was pregnant.  A woman researcher commented, "Only a man would imagine such a journey possible for a pregnant woman."

Why were people going to Bethlehem?  To be counted in a census of all the descendents of David.  David lived a 1000 years earlier, had many wives and mistresses.  His offspring would have numbered in at least the thousands.  No wonder there was no room.  And imagine how skitzy Herod would be with these thousands of potentially hostile subjects just a few miles from Jerusalem.

Why did the writers use such literary liberties?  They want to show that Jesus was special, he was the figure 1 Isaiah predicted, the God-hero, the wonder worker, the Prince of Peace.  They had heard so much about the adult Jesus that they wanted to make his birth a God-hero event.  So, connect him with the Great King David.

Finally, secondly, there is one small but significant mistranslation.  In Isaiah 7, 14, it is said, "A young woman will have a child."  Matthew, most likely intentionally to craft his point, mistranslates the word young woman as virgin, and says 'a virgin will become pregnant' (1, 23).  And so it has come down. 

There are three ways to respond to these studies.  One is to say, "No problem, God can do all that stuff.  He's all powerful."   The trouble with this is that the evidence is becoming overwhelming.  Like still saying the earth is flat.

Or I can simply toss out the whole and stay home.

A middle ground could be to recognize that literary liberties have been used.  And still celebrate the event.  The event, the Prince of Peace gives me peace and gives me a longing to share the peace. 

I goofed up by not researching the Partridge in a Pear Tree.  Sorry about that.  What we may be seeing here is a myth process similar to the biblical stories.  Myth or fact?  How can I be an educated, intelligent Christian?

What do you think about all this?  What do you feel about it?

Sources: John Shelby Spong; Harvey Cox, Future of Faith; Catholic Encyclopedia on line; Snopes

Picture 1:  Epiphany Celebration begins

Picture 2:  Mass with Kevin helping

Picture 3:  35th Anniversary, Carol & Richard 

Picture 4:  Chloe dances (see video)

Readings:

Isaiah  60, 1-6,  Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem.

Psalm 72,  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Ephesians  3, 2-3, 5-6,  You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace.

Matthew 2, 1-12, Behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem.

Emma says, Welcome, Everybody."

 Isaiah observations & reminders:

Who.  This is Isaiah III, the third of three.  

Time.  The Jewish people have been released from slavery in Babylon and are back in a devasted Jerusalem.  Around 555 before Christ.

Message:  consolation and encouragement.   The splendor of Jerusalem will shine again.

Leo and his daddy coming to work.

 Two Wise Men from the East

We all have people who are our models.  This morning in celebrating the Epiphany, I would like to tell you about two wise men from the east who have been models for me. 

The first is Julius Neyerere who was the first president of Tanzania when the country became independent in 1961.  I admire him first of all because he was maybe the first president of an African country to voluntarily retire from the presidency, which he did in 1985, after almost 25 years.  He was president all during my time in Tanzania.

Georgie coming to work.

Equally admirable to me was that he went to Mass every morning.  Yes, he was a Catholic and a very approachable person.  He & his family lived in a simple house in Dar es Salaam, the capital and he was open to seeing anyone.  He was really interested in the welfare of his people.  The country was poor but peaceful while I lived there.

Cowboy Cole and Zoe at work.

My second model from the east has been in the news this past month of December, because he just died at 95 years of age.  He was Nelson Mandela of South Africa.  He was and is a model for me because of at least 3 things.

First, he was in prison all during my ten years in East Africa.  In fact, he was in prison almost 30 years.  That knocks me out.  I remember the loneliness I felt in Tanzania at times and I was not even in prison.

Buddy and pal with his sister, Zoe.

During that time on three occasions he was offered conditional release.  He refused and demanded unconditional release.  Wow. 

But what really knocks me is that when he was released around 1990, he held no grudges and took no revenge.  On the contrary, he cooperated with some of the people who imprisoned him to govern the country with equality.

Tori in a contemplative mood.

A famous move he made once was when he supported the white national rugby team in a major match with the team from another country.

A second move he made wins my admiration.  He was elected president of South Africa in 1994.  At the end of his term in 1999, as he had promised, he declined to run again, but retired.  Phenomenal.  Would that some other African countries could follow that example.

Thirdly, all of Nelson’s adult life he fought for democracy, equality, and education.

C.C. helping to light the candles.

When he was on trial facing the death penalty or life, which he eventually received, he stated,

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Who are your models and why?

Kayla helping to light the candles.

Readings:

Genesis 11, 1-9,   The Tower of Babel story.  This comes from the vigil Mass of Pentecost, rather than the Sunday Mass.  A great story, which is why I chose to have it read.

Psalm  104,  Lord, send out your spirit, and renew the face of the earth

1 Corinthians 12, 3-13,  There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same spirit.

John  17, 1-11,  Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Who let these Crazies in? Marsha, Cathy, and Connie.

 Genesis

What :  The first book of the bible, very entertaining because it is imaginative story telling.  It starts with the two stories of creation and takes off.   It responds to the little kid’s question, “How did we get here, daddy?”

Who: there are at least 4 author streams, two primary ones, the Yahwist and the Elohist, and two secondary ones.  The Greeks have the Iliad and the Odyssey.  The Israelites have the Yahwist and the Elohist.  Why these two words?  Simple.  It is the word the stream uses in talking about God. 

Time:  The Yahwist stream was put into a written form about 900 years before Christ.  The others were put into writing in later centuries.

Our Passage:  The little kid asks, “Daddy, why do people talk differently?”  This is the answer proposed, the Tower of Babel.  

These guys, too. Who let them in? John and Joe.

Pass The Spirit, Please

I want to start this morning with a question.  How do I get the spirit?  Let me tell you.  Today’s story of the week.

As you all probably know, on Monday evenings Rosemary & I go dancing at the Farmers’ Branch Senior Center.  There are probably 50 people who show up every Monday and many of them can really dance. 

Cowboy Cole says again, "Hi, Folks, Welcome in."

At 6:00 there is a couple who provide simple dance lessons, ball room, swing, country western.  They spend 6-8 weeks on each type of dancing.

At 7:00 a live band comes on and plays until 9:30 or 10:00, one week ballroom, the other week country western.   You got to be 50 to get in, so a lot of you folks probably can’t get in.  They will card you.  There are lots of people who come alone and I admire their courage at getting out.  There is even a blind woman, Janice, about whom I talked once.

The Girl in the Pink Ribbon, Zoe.

This past Monday night during the live music dance session, at one point Rosemary and I were sitting out.  We are watching everybody dance what was something like a swing. 

One couple whom I had never noticed before, I noticed.  They were not dramatic dancers, but they really had beautiful flow and creativity.  They might have been using a cha-cha step.  When they finished up, I got up, went straight to them, and complimented them on being terrific dancers.

Another Girl in Pink, Tori.

Well, they were touched by the compliment and gracious in their thanks.   They thanked me a bunch of times and we shook hands.  Guess who else was touched.  Yes, I was.

How do I get the spirit?  First, you already have it.  Secondly, it is augmented by giving it.  By giving a compliment.  What is the spirit?  New life, new peace.

Candle lighter buddies, Leo and Cole with Erin helping out.

I remember when Rosemary & I did a lot of dancing, 4-5 nights a week.  We were good in those days.  People would compliment us and I would just be pumped.   New life.   We would thank them profusely.  Compliments are spirit gifts.  New Life, new peace.

I have a compliment I am holding for a special person.  This is a black lady about 55-60 who works at the Tom Thumb on our corner of Preston & Royal.  I see this lady often at about 7:00 in the morning when I am buying bananas after my morning spin class at the “J,” the Jewish Community Center.

Chuck, Cole's daddy, and Mike waiting for their Cupcakes of The Week.

This lady I so admire because she gets up about 3:00 A.M. to catch two buses to come open this grocery store by 6:00.  We know each other by name.

Last Monday I was waiting in her checkout line while she finished with another lady.  My friend’s name is Sondra.  She was being her usual friendly self with this white, elderly lady.  “Good Morning” and everything.  As she finished, she thanks the lady, who had said nothing, and welcomed her back again.  The lady left saying nothing.  

Cupcakes of The Week to Diane, Teresa, Chuck, Mike, and Zach.

I want to compliment Sondra on her non-stop friendliness to a lady who seemed to be an early morning  curmudgeon.  I was really hurt for Sondra and we chatted about other things.  I want to return and compliment her this week.

How do I get the spirit?   By giving it.  A compliment is an amazing spirit gift.   The Prayer of St. Francis says that in giving we receive.  

I compliment that couple on their dancing.  They get new life and new peace.  And their response gives it back to me.  

From whom have you received a compliment lately?

To whom did you give a compliment lately?  Next time?

Cole and Erin.

Acts 2:   Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

1 Corinthians 12:To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

John 14:  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

John Cade and John Stack start Mass

Thanks…     

Music,   Ben & Shonda

Cody reading from Corinthians

Outreach: $   80.00   

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Preparing for Communion

Rosemary's Blessing:

A Pentecost Prayer

Welcome Holy Spirit,
In the silence of a still night’s fearful thought you come,
comfort in the sleepless worries,
gentle in the rising doubts,
forgiving all our handmade hurts,
patient in our pointless hurry,
counseling as the waves come crashing,
“Be still and know that I am God.”

Wonderful Counselor, Comforter,
you will never abandon us.
You will always be with us.

Your promises are sure.

Help us to give like you,
forgive like you, live for you.

Amen

Found on the Catholic Relief Services Website