Homilies

Sunday Homily April 28, 2013, 5th Easter C

ByRosemary April 28, 2013

Readings:

Acts 14, 21-27, From there they sailed to Antioch.

Psalm 145, I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Revelation 21, 1-5, He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them. I, John, had a vision of a great multitude.

John 13, 31-35, A new commandment, love one another.

Vicki with her mom, Vivian.

Acts, a couple of observations:

Remember the three rings of Acts, Jerusalem, Palestine, the World (Mediterranean & Rome)? Since we are at Chapter 28 of 28, you can guess in what ring we are today, yes, the World. Paul and Barnabas are in the region of Greece.
The author, the same as the Gospel of Luke.
The date again, before 70

Emma and Zoe.

A New Commandment, Love One Another

I want to talk this morning about the new commandment, love one another.

It has been a couple of rough weeks, folks.

Leo.

First there was the Boston Marathon. I have been at those finish lines, like running the Mexico City Marathon. I know both the exhilaration and the fatigue, like after the Hotter N’ Hell 100 mile bike ride in Wichita Falls the end of August.

Cara.

Then, West. I just happened to be in West the afternoon of the evening of the explosion. I wonder about the delightful ladies at the famous Czech bakery, where we had stopped for kolaches

Then a story that has been gnawing at me, the 10 year old boy starved to death by his father and step mother. At times I cannot get this nightmare out of my mind.

Torri.

See enough of this and I could get pessimistic and lose perspective on people. Which is why I don’t normally listen to local news. Which is why I want to tell you 3 antidote stories of loving one another.

Maureen and Fred renewing their wedding vows at their 50th.

The first is about a Plano boy Rex Burkhead, who has just graduated from Nebraska. I found this article Friday in the Dallas Morning News. Anyone know him? The article does not say which high school he attended.

Mike & Dee renewing their vows at their 55th.

In 2011, Rex had lunch with the Hoffman family of Plano as part of his Nebraska football team’s outreach program. Why the Hoffmans? They have a 7 year old son, Jack, who has had brain cancer for 2 years.

Jean and John renewing their vows at their 55th.

As a result of the lunch, Rex and Jack have become buddies. Even the parents of both families have become good friends. 3 weeks ago the Nebraska football team staged its spring intersquad game. Little Jack, wearing Rex’s 22 on a small jersey, lined up in Rex’s position in the backfield, was handed the ball on a play, and he ran 70 yards for a touchdown. Everyone cheered Jack and Rex’s video of Jack’s run became an Internet sensation

Curtis and Mabel renewing their vows at their 60th.

Rex Burkhead exemplifies loving one another.

This even happens in our very own community in so many ways.

For instance, I know one anonymous person who cleans houses once in a while. One elderly family, in particular, she visits once a week. It takes her at most an hour to clean the house. But she always plans to stay with the couple about 3 more hours to talk with them and do little helps.

I know, also, of a couple of women from our community who visit Rita once or twice a week to help her and especially to change her pressure sox, which she cannot do herself.

Rosemary preparing her blessing.

This is living it out, loving one another.

Give me one way you love another.

Reference: Dallas Morning News, Sports section, Friday, April 26, 2013

Homilies

Sunday Homily, June 15, 2014, Trinity & Father’s Day
ByRosemary June 15, 2014

Readings:

Exodus  34, 4-9, A merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.

Psalm from Daniel, Glory and Praise forever.

2 Corinthians 13, 11-13, Rejoice.

John  3, 16-18, God so loved the world.

Welcome Home, Wendy.

Father’s Day History:

Four steps:

     1. The Civil War started thinking about a Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis pushed it ca. 1907 and it was made official in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson.

       2. Monongah, WV mining disaster, 210 fathers killed, Dec. 6, 1907 (just before Christmas & after the Mother’s Day activity). Fairmont, WV.   Grace Golden Clayton pushed the idea.

        3. Spokane, WA, Sonora Dodd & influence of Mother’s Day. Dodd’s dad had fought in the Civil War and all by himself raised Sonora & her 5 siblings.

        4. Pres. LBJ made it special, 1966. Pres. Nixon made it a national holiday, 1972.

Zoe says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome."

Exodus Story:

So the Israelite people have been wandering around in the Sinai desert for many years after escaping from old Pharaoh in Egypt. Moses has been invited up Mt.Sinai to receive 10 Commandments.

He comes down all loaded with two stone tablets written on both sides and discovers that the people have become exasperated with him and the wandering in the desert. They have created a gold bull to celebrate with and to worship.

Shonda catching her breath from chasing after an active Leo.

Old Moses, all angry, throws down the tablets and breaks them. He calls Aaron, his lieutenant, tells him to gather the Levite tribe, the priestly tribe, and he tells them to slaughter all the rest. They do.

Then, and here we take up the reading, Yahweh tells Moses to make two more tablets and to return to the top of Mt.Sinai, where he will get another set of commandments.  It is here where that marvelous line about the nature of God is mentioned again, "The Lord is gracious & merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love."

This is ancient folk tale literature at its best.

Emma lighting The Candle.

Responsorial Psalm from the Book of Daniel:

Another great folk story is behind this song. Characters: three Jewish boys, a gold statue, and the great King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, what a name. Get the names of these boys, Shadrack, Mechak, and Abednego. Terrific. I had a dog in East Africa I called Shadrack, a German Shepherd.

Seems like old Nebuchadnezzar decided to cast a gold statue. He wanted everyone to bow down to it. Three Jewish boys said no. Even though they were favorites of the king, he had to throw them into a flaming furnace.

Far from being burned up, the boys started dancing around in joy and they sang the song we have for today’s responsorial psalm. Though this is totally a mythical story, you can picture them.

Leo, healthy again, ready to play.

A Father, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and rich in kindness

Letme talk this morning about fathers. I would propose that, among all the qualities of a father, one that enables a father to reflect the image of God is my favorite line, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and rich in kindness. These qualities are attributed to God and I think men can image the same qualities. An example.

Ever hear of a guy named Kenny Thompson?   He is an elementary school tutor at Valley Oaks Elementary in Houston and a father. One day Kenny reads a news report about an elementary school in Salt Lake.

Emma, "Did somebody mention Cupcake for Emma?"

Turns out a bunch of kids were not getting their normal lunch because they owed money to the cafeteria. Not a lot f money. After all, the lunches ran about 40 cents.

So Kenny enquires about the cafeteria at Valley Oaks where he is a tutor. He discovers about 60 kids not getting their normal lunch, just a cheese sandwich. Moreover, many of the kids are so embarrassed they skip going to the cafeteria for the cheese sandwich.

Cupcakes of The Week for Mary & Connie, Emma & Wendy, Mary & Alison.

Kenny Thompson pays up all the kids’ cafeteria bills, totally almost $500. He says these kids don’t need to be worried about their lunches, for many the only whole meal they will have all day. They are in the school to learn and they cannot learn on an empty stomach or embarrassment.

Kenny’s story got picked up by a local TV station and now he has gone national, creating a fund under the title Feeding the Future Forward.

Father's Day Blessing.

Kenny Thompson is godlike, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Know anybody like this?

How about you?

Who are these Characters?

Read More Sunday Homily, June 15, 2014, Trinity & Father’s Day
Homilies

Sunday Homily 10-2-11, 27th Ordinary Time
ByRosemary October 2, 2011
Readings: Isaiah 5, 1-7; Psalm 80, The Vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel; Philippians 4, 6-9; Matthew 21, 33-43

Isaiah:
- The biggest of the big 3 prophets not only because of the book's volume, 66 chapters, but because of the beauty of some passages. The book is my favorite.
- Time written: before the Babylonian Captivity (ca. 590) chapters 1-39 seem to have been composed by the prophet. After the Captivity (ca. 540) at least two followers seem to have composed chapters 40-66.
- Today's selection: talks about a vineyard worker who labors carefully to bring forth good grapes, but gets only weeds. What does he do with the vines? This story matches up with Matthew's parable.
The Crazy Landowner

Every week when I read the Sunday readings for the first time, I have one of three reactions. Once in a while I know exactly what I would like to say. Other times I have not a clue. And then there are the in betweens. Today’s reading about the landowner with the vineyard is an in between for me.

There are all sorts of handles to grab onto. Like what each component of the parable is a symbol for. Obviously, the landowner symbolizes God, the son symbolizes Jesus, and the tenants could be the Jews or clergy or rabbis.

Remember, too, Matthew is writing for both Jews and Gentiles. He may be warning the Jews that they are going to lose it.

I want to focus on the landowner and make two points.

The first point is that when you think he is crazy, you are right. The landowner never gives up on his tenant people even to the point of being crazy. Which means: our God never gives up on us and always accepts us so much so that we think our God must be crazy.

The second point. To understand this it helps me to remember a story I connect with this parable and have told before. Hang on. This is it.

When I first started planting trees seriously in Dallas I started on the Jesuit campus in ’87 & ’88. I planted 88 trees the first year and among those trees, I planted most of the trees along Inwood Road and along Willow, the small street on the south side by the playing field.

A month or so after the planting, one of my trees was pulled out and thrown in the Willow creek ditch. I was especially disturbed because the tree was exactly the first tree on Willow and would one day shade the bus stop. So, I planted another. This is like February. Guess what. It was pulled out and thrown in the ditch.

What to do? I did nothing all that spring and summer. When October returned, I decided I would plant a special tree, a 10 gallon container tree, two times bigger than my normal trees. People told me I was crazy. And I agreed. I planted the tree.

What happened? Go by today and look. You will see a gigantic, beautiful red oak shading the bus stop.

The second point of this parable: we are challenged to imitate the landowner, meaning we accept and help our neighbor and our people even to a point where others are saying, “That person is nuts, is crazy.”

Hopefully, we all have the same success I had with the red oak. Whether yes or no, we know, firstly, our God accepts me to a point of looking crazy. And secondly, we are challenged to do the same.

Who is your challenge?

Picture 1:    Sacrament of the Sick

Picture 2:    Shonda, Bethany, & Ray

Picture 3:    CC

Picture 4:    Sienna & her sister

Picture 5:    Brooklyn
Read More Sunday Homily 10-2-11, 27th Ordinary Time
Homilies

Sunday Homily, February 16, 2020, 6th Ordinary Time
ByRosemary February 16, 2020
"Welcome in, Everybody," says Bill.

Readings:

Sirach 15, 15-20, Before man life and death, good and evil

Psalm 119, Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 2, 6-10, What eye has not seen.. What God has prepared for those who love him.

Matthew 5, 17-37 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out.

Thanks, Grace, for lighting today's candles while the girls are away for the week end.

Observations: on Sirach—

What:  This is one of those 12 odd books in between the Old and the New Testament.

Author: a Jewish teacher called Joshua. The only identified author in the whole Old Testament. He tells us who he is, that he is a teacher, lived in Jerusalem, and traveled a lot. It seems he put his work together while running a school in Alexandria, Egypt.

Thanks, John, for reading today's Blessing of the Candles.

His grandson translated the Hebrew work into Greek. This Hebrew text was lost for centuries until the 19^th century, when 2/3 of it was found in Cairo. Then other portions were found in Qumran and Masada, as late as 1964.

Date: composed around 175 years before Christ. About 90 years before Christ the Jews put together their official bible, but excluded Sirach because they could not find the Hebrew version, only the Greek.

The bearer of gifts, Loretta, Richard, & Cody.

Christians accepted the book as part of their bible in the 2^nd century after Christ. The Council of Trent (keep 1555 in mind as a date) officially accepted it, making it part of that extra 12 books called the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical. Martin Luther rejected the book & so do many Protestant congregations today.

Subject Matter: practical ethics, duties. Beware of the either / or spirituality presented. Also, what about unconditional love??

Today's Team, John & John.

Subject today: you may choose good or bad. Beware of the either / or spirituality presented in the reading. All is either good or bad. No in between or both, which is more what we all are, both good and bad.

It can be simplistic & Pelagian, that is, it is all up to you and you have all the strength needed to choose good. Pelagians thought that you had to EARN your salvation. Therefore, the more religious stuff you did, like the more Masses, the more pilgrimages to the church & shrines, the more novenas & rosaries, the more merit you win for yourself.

Psalm 119: the longest of all the psalms. A focus on observance of the laws, decrees, and statutes.

Communion time.

Matthew 5:  a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. Note the figures of speech called “antitheses,” namely, “You have heard it said, but, I say to you.” 4 even 5 times. Matthew is trying to establish the authority & authenticity of Jesus.

See if you can find any unconditional love in this passage?

Sources: Good News Bible; New Interpreter's Bible; Reginal Fuller, S.J., David Westberg, S.J., & Larry Gillick, S.J., St. Louis U. Liturgies, on line; Wikipedia .

Communion helpers & cleaners

Wako Spirituality

We have been here before, Folks. In fact, Mike says to me, “So, are you going to start with that same story again?” Yes, Everybody, we begin with that same story. Just a quick reminder. Here we go.

When I was studying theology in Toronto years ago, like maybe 1970, an article came out in the local newspaper. Some guy had read the passage saying that if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. He did it, folks.

Shonda & Ben, The Best.

In this passage from Matthew there are five pieces of advice to the early Christians which taken literally can get a person all messed up. Is there a positive as well as a negative to each?

Two observations before I touch the five. I have mentioned this so often that I hope you are not worn out. First, infinite demand and infinite acceptance.  Watch out here for a lot of infinite demand. I’ll give a positive & a negative for each. Secondly, God, unconditional love.

Bill getting us ready for the Love for Kids picnic, this for handicapped kids.

Matthew’s five pieces of advice are 1. breaking the least commandment, 2. getting angry, 3. looking at a woman, 4. divorce, and 5. swearing. Here goes.
- Matthew says that if you break the smallest commandment you will be the least in the kingdom. Moreover, unless you are better than the Pharisees, you will not even get into the kingdom. The positive here is that the bar is set high. The negative is that all, all of us sinners will be kept out. It creates scruples and obsessive compulsive behavior.
It always tastes better through the nose.
- Secondly, if you get mad at me and call me a fool, you are going to Hell. I love it. The positive here is the call to anger management. I am challenged to know that all feelings are okay and need to be controlled. The negative is that it gives me the idea that anger is not allowed, so stuff it. Trouble is, it does not stuff well. Not like a sleeping bag or tent. It pops up in unexpected places.
- Looking at a woman with lust. The positive here is teaching respect for all people. This advice, written by men for men, was attempting to gain some respect for women who were looked upon as property. I found this in Tanzania & Kenya. Rosemary read me an article about some guy who cut off his wife’s ears and nose for reporting him for abuse. The negative is that it teaches us that feelings are sinful. In the old days, we thought we looked at a girl and we were going to hell. This is doubly sad because I don’t think there is a hell anyway.
More of the same, please.
- Divorce is adultery. The positive is that it reinforces the unity of marriage. The negative is that people stay in abusive or addictive marriages long after it may even be safe. Divorce is failure and we all fail sometimes even in tragic ways. In order to escape using the word divorce the Catholic Church comes up with the more convoluted word Annulment.
- Swearing. The positive is that it involves politeness and respect for others. Even if I am okay with my anger I do not swear at someone. The negative is that it tightens us up. We forget the therapeutic value of cussing, maybe a healthy & fun way of releasing anger. The healthy Jesuits I lived with certainly partook of this therapy.
Welcome home, Loretta.

The overall danger in these pieces of advice is that we really get messed up, forgetting two things. First they are presenting infinite demand and they make no mention of infinite acceptance.

Secondly, where is the God of unconditional love?

The poor guy in Toronto who blinded himself is an example of how we can mess ourselves up with goofy religion.

Where are you with these ideas?
Read More Sunday Homily, February 16, 2020, 6th Ordinary Time
Homilies

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 24, 2025
ByRosemary August 24, 2025September 4, 2025

Isaiah 66: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.

Hebrews 12:  So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

Luke 13:  For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Claire reading from Isaiah

Thanks…

Music, Ben

Readers, Claire & John

Homily, John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers, Hue & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

John reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews

Remember these special people:

For all the people affected by the floods; For the Ukraine and the Holy Land; For our new Pope, Leo XIV; For John Stack; For Adam, that the doctors may find a remedy for his seizures; For Meredith ; For Tom Quinn; For Warren Wittek; For Becky and Tom Good; For Lambrini, John Cade’s wife, who is dealing with cancer ; For Allen Stryker; For Mike and Judy Carrell ; For Hue; For Jackie; For Mary Hall’s family and friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition; For Sir Charlie; For Ron ; For Teresa Quinn’s niece, Maddie who has a brain tumor;

Jackie’s sister, & friend, Lynn; For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.; For Jean & Cliff Wright; from Barbara, a little baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation, the families of Annie and Michael and her neighbor, Marie and the family; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

The Kiss of Peace

Birthdays: Marilyn Ackerman 8/26, Teresa Quinn 8/29

Anniversaries: Rose & Wally Banzhaf 8/29

Expenses: $ 690.00

Outreach: $ 50.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Rosemary’s Blessing:

O God from whom all blessings come,

we thank you for this celebration and meal and community.

We also thank you for the joys with which you have blessed us through the years.

May our lives shine forth as bright lights of gratitude for all your gifts.

Edited and adapted from a blessing by Fr. Andrew M. Greeley

John Stack Ministries meets on Sunday for Mass at 9:30 at The ArtCentre of Plano,

902 E. 16th St, Plano, Texas.

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth. Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.

Read More 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 24, 2025
Homilies

Sunday Homily, March 29, 2015, Palm Sunday, B
ByRosemary March 29, 2015

Readings:

Mark 11, 1-10, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, read as we process in

Isaiah 50, 4-7  I gave my back to those who beat me.

Psalm 22,    My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?

Philippians 2, 6-11,   God greatly exalted him.

Mark 14, The Passion in 4 parts.

Carol says, "Welcome in, Everybody."

Sorry, Everybody. Because of the length of the readings, especially the Passion, no homily this Sunday. Next Sunday, Easter.

Procession ready.

Read More Sunday Homily, March 29, 2015, Palm Sunday, B
Homilies

Sunday Homily, April 19, 3rd 2015, Easter, B
ByRosemary April 19, 2015

Readings:

Acts 3, 13-15, 17-19,  God raised him from the dead.

Psalm 4,    Lord, let you face shine on us.

1 John 2, 1-5,   He is expiation for our sins.

Luke 24, 35-48, Peace be with you.

Some of the members of the class reunion who graduated from Spring Hill College, Mobile 1965 at the end of their 7th year of training.

The Readings: Stack has introduced you to the author of Luke and Acts being the same person or compiler. They were probably written between 70 and 85 AD so a couple of generations after Jesus. We don’t know the author of John’s Gospel and letters, but they were written at least another generation later.

Homily 3^rd Sunday of Easter 04/19/15, John Cade

I’ve been looking for a chance to share with you an editorial in the Dallas Morning News from New Year’s Eve. The topic is gratitude. So that’s where I’m at, and that’s what I want to share with you.

In Stack’s blog this Thursday he quotes from Winnie the Pooh. Pooh asks, “What day is it?” “It’s today,” answers Piglet. And Pooh responds, “My favorite day.”

Avenue of the Oaks, Spring Hill College.

The New Year’s Eve editorial refers to a multi-year research project at the University of California, titled “Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude.” This research turned up many benefits that grow out of gratitude, such as: a stronger immune system; fewer illnesses and aches and pains; better sleep; greater resilience; reduced anxiety and depression; and more joy, optimism and happiness. The editorial also speaks to how we develop gratitude. I made copies; there should be enough for each family unit to take one and there may be extras.

The last two weeks Stack talked about Easter events in our lives, events that give new life, fuller life, and joy of spirit. Gratitude naturally flows from Easter events and from all the blessings we can count every day. I do not believe there is anyone on this planet who has not experienced an Easter event.   We know that noticing an Easter event, and accepting its offer of new life and joy, can be difficult. I’ve caught myself not noticing such events or not being fully grateful for these blessings and gifts.

Recently my daughter Joey came by with my grandson, Leo (age 6). A couple of years ago Joey took a part time job and had been experiencing a desire to go beyond what it offered her in income, and especially in satisfaction. Without making a formal job search, she was contacted by a company in Austin wanting her to head up a planned expansion to Dallas.

They eventually offered her a percentage of the company if she took the job. Another company in Richardson also found her and offered her a position. When she approached her current employer and told him she had offers and was planning to take one of them, he begged her to stay and go full time.

Avenue of the Oaks facing Stewart Field.

Joey’s Easter event, her experience of new life, was the realization that her fears about job security were unfounded and she could choose from among the three positions. This meant more security as a mom and more confidence and satisfaction as an employee.

Leo, while still in the developmental stage that includes magical thinking, is developing his sense of competence. He loves playing all kinds of games and he makes them competitive. In the short time they were at our house, Leo initiated several games with me: first, racing cars on the floor, then Black Jack which helps him learn to count, then Shoots and Ladders, then Parcheesi.

It was a delight to see his face light up over his competence at these games. He clearly was experiencing new life and joy in experiencing his competence, and his gratitude and joy showed all over his face.

One of my Easter events was in 2008 when I was in hospital for heart surgery. Lambrini and I had hired a construction team to convert an area of our home into an office for my therapy practice. At one point the guys were not doing the work properly.

Entry to St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, LA

An architect friend, hearing about this problem and knowing I was in hospital, simply went over to our home and took charge of the project, telling them what to do over. When Lambrini told me what he had done, I was so moved by this I was crying with her.

A nurse must have seen me crying, since they started an anti-depressant and I had the most horrible nightmares I had ever had. I asked them to please stop this treatment, that I was not depressed, I was emotional and crying because of my immense gratitude.

Something we now know is that we can train our brains in the habit of noticing and accepting Easter events and in having gratitude.

Pooh said “today …is… my favorite day.”

My question is how are you practicing the habit of noticing Easter events and the joy of gratitude?

Read More Sunday Homily, April 19, 3rd 2015, Easter, B

Similar Posts