Sunday Homily, June 2, 2013, Eucharist C

I forgot to include John Cade's Homily from Sunday in yesterday's blog.  

 

Pre Homily  Download 06-01-25 Homily 1 – Ascension

Homily  Download 06-01-25 Homily 2 – Ascension

Readings:

Revelation 7, 2-4, 9-14,  I, John, saw another angel.

Psalm 24,    Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.  

1 John  3, 1-3, See what love the Father has bestowed on us.   Instead of this reading, we will have a special poem for All Saints.

Matthew 5, 1-12,  Blessed are the poor in spirit. 

 

'Welcome in, Everybody,' say Victoria, Michelle, and Cathy.

 

Intro: 3 feasts—

                    All Saints: (or All Hallowes) those who have achieved the beatific vision according to the Catholic Church.  Plus, saints are canonized  based on miracles.

                    All Souls: those who have not achieved the beatific vision and are considered paying for their sins in purgatory.  Limbo has been abandoned by the Catholic Church and purgatory is in question.

                    Hallowe’en: the vigil of All Hallowes, a Celtic-Irish harvest, end of summer celebration. 

 

               A Happy Birthday Cupcake of The Week to Karen.

 

The Western Catholic Church:

 4 significant dates, 300, 600, 700, & 800

Year 300: during this century the early Christians, reeling from persecution, celebrated feast of All Martyrs.  This is really the foundation of the feast.

Year 600: a Pope Boniface dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to Mary & All Martyrs.  May 13 was the celebration because it was also an ancient pagan day of celebration.

Year 700:  a Pope Gregory set up in St. Peter’s Basilica a side chapel dedicated to All Saints.

Year 800: Dec. 25, Charlemagne is crowned Emperor by the Pope on the red stone in St. Peter’s.  Charlemagne, an advocate of All Saints, established it on Nov. 1, coupling it with a Harvest Feast.

Sources: Practicing Catholic by James Carroll, Catholic Encyclopedia on line, Wikipedia.

 

                              Happy Birthday to you, Rob.     

 

 The Second Reading:

SMILE BECAUSE THEY LIVED 

You can shed tears because your love is gone

Or you can smile because your love  lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that your love will come back,

Or you can open your eyes and see all that your love has left.

Your heart can be empty, because you can’t see your love

Or you can be full of the love that you have shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow

And live in yesterday,

Or you can be happy for tomorrow

Because of yesterday.

You can remember only that your love has gone

Or you can cherish the memory and let it live on.

You can weep, and close your mind,

Be empty and turn back,

Or you can do what your love would want –

Open your eyes, smile, love and go on.

 

For lighting the candles, Cole, A Cupcake of The Week.  Enjoy.

 

All of You, Saints

This morning I would like to talk about All Saints, and, in particular, some of our saints.  I have a group, an individual, and another group.  I would like to talk about all three.  These are the old geezer priest's observations.

First of all, the group.  This is the group Rosemary and I see every Monday evening at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.  Dance night.

 

            Our pet gorilla, dressed in holiday attire, also says,                             "Welcome, Folks."

 

Last Monday Rosemary & I discovered when we arrived that Halloween was being celebrated.  And talk about celebrating.  You would have been knocked out at the costumes some of these people put together.  I had not a clue who some of them were. 

One lady struck me.  Rosemary & I were dancing when I notice her coming in at the other end of the ballroom.  She was all dressed up and was pushing what I thought was a baby pram.  So maybe she has a doll or even a puppy in there.  But no, as we got closer I discovered that it was, in fact, a walker for her. 

 

                                                 Our Saints.

 

This really touched me.  She cannot dance, but she can dress up and join the party.  I last saw her talking to all sorts of people.

There are two other people who really touch me on dance night.  One lady, Janice, is blind, and has been blind for a dozen years, but can she dance!  I have danced with her a couple of times.  I always come in and tell her I want a Janice hug.  She knows me by my voice.

 

                                                     Our Saints.

 

The other person is a guy 96 years old.  He cannot dance, but he tries.  He flew heavy bombers during the Second W.W.  A line dance is scheduled every Monday evening at about the same time, 7:30, and I can see him lined up, getting behind the beat and even getting turned around.  But he always gets out there.

These folks, living life to the fullest, are saints for me.

 

                                                                     Our Saints.

 

Secondly, a good friend of mine, Jim Miller, whom many of you would recognize because he always joined us for Christmas Eve and Easter.   He loved the community.  Just could not get up for 9:30.

His wife, Jan, sent me a note Thursday night saying Jim wanted to see me and that he was not doing well.  We have a custom of sharing lunch every other month or so.  Because of that, I knew he was getting treatment for cancer.  He seemed pretty confident.

 

John, who is that masked person?  Are you not scared?

 

I did not get his wife’s message until late Thursday evening and waited to call her Friday after 8:00, thinking she would be up & active by then.  When I got her, she was in tears and said that Jim had just died.  He even told her he was disappointed I had not been contacted sooner so I could have visited him.

Jim, who was a proud graduate of the Naval Academy and a questioner, was a saint for me.   

                 Why, that's Leo.  Just in time to share your birthday                             cupcake, yes!  Happy Birthday.

 

Thirdly, I would say this group of people.  You people are saints to me.  After all, you put up with me every week, and even Rosemary.  The old geezer priest knows this stuff. 

So, how does it feel to be told you are a saint?

And who is your favorite saint?

 

                      The Best, Shonda, Bethany, & Ray.

 

 

Sir Charlie, you are supposed to be welcoming everybody.  Looks like you are scaring everyone away, like me.

 

Readings: 

Isaiah 60, 1-6, Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem. (good one)

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

Ephesians 3, 2-3, 5-6,  The Gentiles are co-heir, members of the same body.  

Matthew 2, 1-12, The Epiphany or opening to the Gentiles.

 

 

John ready in case I forget.

 

An Epiphany Day

This morning I would like to talk about an Epiphany Day, meaning a special day or a wonder day or event or even a person.  December 28 was an epiphany day for me.  Anybody guess why?  Yes, the date of my back surgery, an event I was totally looking forward to.

 

 

Emma sharing her candle lighting gift with the rest of us.

 

The operation was scheduled for 10:00.  We had to be there at 8:00.  Rosemary & I were there at 7:30.  Somewhere around 8:15 they checked me in and gave me the special operation gown.  I was invited to get on my own special stretcher with 4 wheels. One guy wheeled me around and into a 14 cubicle pre-op room.   Along the way we picked up Rosemary and a good old friend.

 

 

Buddy reading our Blessing of the Christmas Candles.

 

I did not know it at the time, but I was going to spend 4 hours waiting in that room.   My doctor got delayed was all I was told.  Rosemary had to leave.  I got to know the names of the pre-op room staff, Matt and Deborah. 

 

 

Cody, tell Ben that he cannot go to  sleep until I start talking.

 

I teased some of the pre-op patients.  Like one lady was begging to have a coffee.  I welcomed back some from surgery.  I had to ask to use the restroom.  I napped.  All these 4 hours my buddy stayed with me.  He read the newspaper when I dozed.

 

 

To join this exalted team, it is required that you are named John and that your are old enough to forget your age.

 

Finally about 2:00 I was wheeled into the operating room, cold as usual.  An hour or so later I was awake, Rosemary was there, and my good friend was there. 

Looking back, the day was an Epiphany Day and the operation an epiphany event.  You know what was another epiphany event?   My good friend.  He came and stayed about six hours, from the time I was supposed to have the operation, through the delay, and up to and past the operation time.  The pre-op room staff even told the poor guy we looked like brothers.

 

 

Bill and his special mom, Mabel.

 

Know who that special friend is?  Mike Carrell, an Epiphany Event.   Thanks, Mike.

 

 

 

Hi, Tom & Joe & Marsha

 

 

 

 

The Best Teammates

 

 

 

 

Elevation Time

 

 

 

The Healing Touch with John.

 

 

 

Mike, an Epiphany Friend

 

 

 

 

 Readings:

Genesis 2, 7-9, 3, 1-7,   The Lord planted a garden in Eden.

Psalm 62,  Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Romans  5,  12-19,  Through one man sin entered the world.

Matthew  4, 1-11,  Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

 

 Romans observations :

What :  Paul writes this letter to the Roman community before he travels there.  It is one of the most dense and difficult books in the New Testament.  It is the longest letter.  I find about 8-10 lines in the whole letter that touch me.  Usually I dread seeing the letter as one of our readings.  Today is one of those days.

Date: around the year 55

 

 

Genesis observations:

What: a great marvelous book about the origins of us people.  It includes Creation, Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Noah & the flood, the tower of Babel, the Patriarchs of the Jewish tribe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and finally Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, and how Joseph ends up in Egypt, leading to the next book, The Exodus.

Note: the book is folk tale, myth, and fable.  It is not literal.

Date:  guess.  It seems to have been put together from at least 4 oral streams that were combined during the Babylonian Captivity, 555, before Christ. These stories were orally passed down, generation after generation for 900 years. 

Authors:  these people are shrouded ancient history.  Some stories reflect folk tales of other groups of people, like the creation stories of Babylon.

Subject today: the second creation story, the one with the snake & apple tree.  It was from this story that Paul came up with the original sin notion, a notion that Augustine picked up and gave it legs.

 

 

Matthew:  Even today's gospel is mythical. 

Sources: Good News Bible, Bishop John Shelby Spong, Wikipedia

 

Lent, Fully Alive

This first Sunday of Lent I want to talk about how to have a fully alive Lent in light of an event that took place this past Thursday in the lives of Rosemary and me.

Thursday morning about noon our postman, Doug, rang the doorbell.  Rosemary went.  Doug said that across the street and down one house the guy who lived there had not collected his mail in a few days and the garage had been open with the car inside all that same time. 

 

 

I had noticed the newspapers piling up near the curb and driveway, but this guy who was really reclusive occasionally let them pile up before he would pick them up.  I had also noticed the garage open a couple of days, but that, too, the guy did occasionally.  From our house I could not see his garage because of a bush. 

I had thought in the past years that this guy has no one that I can see.  He is totally alone.  He has never had a job, did not take great care of his house and property, but always drove a new Jaguar.  Just in the last year I mentioned to Rosemary that the guy actually waved at me from his car on occasion.

 

 

So I decided to call the neighborhood police who patrol our large neighborhood. 

Fifteen minutes later I see the police car.  Then I see the fire truck.  “This could be bad,” I mention to Rosemary.  “Go see what is going on.  I have a 1:30 luncheon with Kathey, my sister.” 

 

 

Before I can even get into the car and back it out of the drive, she returns to tell me the guy is dead. 

I am stunned.  I feel horrible.  How could I have lived for years across from a reclusive guy, not even know his name, and let him lie dead in his house for who knows how many days?  Moreover, Rosemary & I are the Tulip Lane coordinators for the neighborhood organization.   He is on Camellia, but he is just across from us, we being on the corner.

 

 

This all happened the day after Ash Wednesday and I thought to myself, ‘Is this a Lenten invitation to me?’

I’m thinking it is.  I found out the guy was called Gary.  Even his next door neighbors did not know his name.  Our neighborhood coordinator knew it and gave me an emergency number to call, which I did.  We are now in touch with his brother and the brother’s wife, both of whom said they knew this dreaded day would come some day.  They, too, had not had contact with Gary in a bunch of years.

 

 

What this is saying to me is, in my life and in our community I will not leave any Garys to die alone, if I can help it. 

I even asked my sister if she would like me to phone her the nights of her days off from work.  She declined, saying she is in touch enough.

So, during this Lent, 2 challenges for me:

1. Who are the Garys in our community, my neighborhood, or in my life anywhere?  Keep in touch.
2. No Fear Lent. 

I figure you are not a Gary if you are here. 

Therefore, who are the Gary’s in your life? 

 

 

 

 

 

Says Emma, "Welcome in, Everybody." 

 

 

Readings:  

 Genesis 11, 1-9     The whole world spoke the same language.

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

 Romans 8, 11-16,   The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness.

 John 7, 37-39,   Let anyone who thirsts come to me.

 

 

 

And from Jan, our communion hostess, "Bread and Grape Juice?"

 

 

Seven weeks ago on the Sabbath, the day before Easter, Judaism celebrated their feast of Passover.  Recall how the Israelites were set free from being slaves in Egypt when the angel of death had passed over their homes marked by the blood from their lambs. Seven weeks ago on Easter, the Passover feast of Judaism was fullfilled by the Lamb of God who set us free from sin and death.  

Yesterday, Judaism celebrated their feast of Pentecost when the Israelites pledged themselves to live the Ten Commandments of the Law.  Today, we fulfill the Jewish Pentecost celebration by pledging, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to welcome and live the the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

And from Tori & Zoe, "Welcome to our play station."

 

 

Those who welcome and live the Good News are likened to the man who builds his house on rock.  We do not store up our treasures on earth; rather we seek to bring dignity to the poor, the sick, the hungry, the stranger, and those in prison.

We are called to be Jesus of Nazareth throughout the Good News, therefore we speak in his name.  We have the responsibility to treat each person with goodness and kindness; tenderness and compassion.

 

 

 

 

Candle lighting time with Emma lighting the candle and Georgie reading the blessing of the candles.

 

 

It is important that we witness the oneness of our faith in the Good News, to our children and grand children.  There are those among us who have the responsibility for watching over their grandchildren.  Vacation Bible School can be your best friend during the the coming summer months.  Sign them up early, get in a car pool, and have them attend with their friends.  Remember, we are one in Christ!

Encourage these children to carry their Bible, or Bible story book, when they come with you to Mass; enjoy watching them tap their feet when we sing together our stories of God’s love for us and our love for others.   

 

 

 

Hi, Rookie, great to see you and your grandmother, Carrie.

 

 

When you are ready to give a Bible or Bible story book to a child or grandchild make sure that it is age appropriate and that it contains some of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Wrap it with love. Mark your favorite verses for them to get to know you better. Make that day a celebration that the child will not forget. 

 

 

 

Ben working the solo shift.  It's Summer Vacation time.

Readings: Isaiah 66, 10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6, 14-18; Luke 10, 1-20.

Isaiah: The scene is this. The Israelites are enslaved in Babylon, which was in today’s Iraq, about 60 miles south of Bagdad, now called Al Hilah. Isaiah is telling the people that the day is coming when they will live again in Jerusalem. 

What a Gift Community

When I used to say Masses before we gathered here I was really spoiled. I would walk into St. Mark’s, for instance, put on my robes, celebrate the Mass, and depart, or go over and goof around with Duffy & Rita in the rectory. I had everything prepared before I walked out on the alter and everything was cleaned up after I left. 

The first time we celebrated here, I remember thinking how many little things have to be taken care of. I got to get my own robes, set up an altar, provide bread & wine, and so on. 

Now I am knocked over at how many people pitch in to make this celebration special. Margie does the alter, Jackie brings donuts, Lisa makes muffins, many of you take turns making altar bread and providing coffee. Margarita comes with juice, Roy with the books, Rob & Beth with the cross & wine cups. And this highlights only a few of you. 

The past two weeks I have been especially touched and moved by the community extending itself.

Last Sunday you may remember that we had the summer blood drive. I thought the numbers might be down. It is summer, after all. Yet, on the contrary, after Mass as I was preparing to depart with Rosemary & Naomi, I passed by the blood mobile. I had hoped we might reach 20 donors, though I was prepared for less. The nurses told me they had already received over 21 and I saw about 3 to 4 people waiting. I was stunned.  And grateful.

The second amazing event took place yesterday when a group of about 15 showed up to put a roof on a home. I had spotted the need for this some time ago. I contacted Lynda & Tom to see if they could induce Habitat to help us. They only build new housing, however, and recommended we contact Lake Point Baptist, because they do renovations. 

Through that contact we met this marvelous guy named Alex Moore, quiet, serene, skilled, and hard working. Alex, who is retired and from MN, actually came over by himself Wednesday & Thursday to augur, set, and cement about 15 4 by 4’s to hold up the roof. He did this so we could all work together Saturday. And did we work. Laying roofing tiles over black tar paper in the afternoon sun was like sitting on a hot frying pan. 

I had to depart the project at 3:00 to get ready for a 6:00 wedding, and the last thing Alex asked me was, "We working next Saturday?" He was ready & wants to finish the job.

This is a gift community. And this is saying nothing about your weekly generosity.

Thanks. 

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