Readings:
Ezekiel 33, 7-9, You duped me, Lord, and I let myself be duped.
Psalm 95, If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Romans, 13, 8-10, Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another.
Matthew 18, 15-20, Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I.
Sorry, no homily today.
Readings: Matthew 21, 1-11, Entry into Jerusalem; Isaiah 50, 4-7, Suffering Servant Song; Psalm 22; Philippians 2, 6-11; Matthew 26, 14-27, 66, Passion.
Because this liturgy is so long, there is no homily today. Today we celebrate two things. First we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with the people placing palm branches before him. This takes place as we prepare for the Mass. Next, we read the whole Passion. This Sunday begins Holy Week and leads up to the Resurrection next Sunday.
Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday are normal days.
Holy Thursday is the day we remember Jesus’ washing the feet of his apostles and the last supper. We have a washing of the hands ceremony, this being more germaine to our contemporary lives.
Friday we remember the death of Jesus.
Saturday is a day of waiting, no Masses taking place until the Easter Vigil, Saturday night. Then & Easter Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection.
Both Thursday & Friday we will meet at 7:00 P.M. at Mary Kee’s home, 2625 Millington, Plano 75093.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day on Monday.
Readings:
Proverbs 8, 22-31, When the Lord established the heavens I was there.
Psalm 8, O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth.
Romans 5, 1-5, We have peace with God.
John 16, 12-15, I have much more to tell you.
Observations on Proverbs
What : basically a collection of moral and religious teachings. Pretty boring. Some amusing like—
“The lord hates people who use dishonest scales. 11, 1
If you don’t punish your son, you don’t love him. 13, 24
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
Children naturally do silly things, but a good beating will teach them.
22, 15
And my favorite….
Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife. 25, 24
Author:
Who knows. Not Solomon, as was thought for a long time.
A Trinity
Last Friday Rosemary & I made one of our usual morning bike trips around White Rock Lake. We come down the White Rock Creek Trail from the north and proceed south, clockwise along East Lawther Drive by the Arboretum, to the dam, where we take a vista stop.
The bike path running along the south shore of the lake and Garland Road is pretty high over the lake and the dam. There is an observation deck extending out over the lake and dam, which is about 20 feet above the lake and the spillway. We are looking north across the whole expanse of the lake at this observation point.
Friday when I rode up and stopped just ahead of Rosemary, there was a
young dad with his one or two year old little boy. Dad had a trailer for the boy and he towed the trailer with his bike.
When I arrived the little blond haired boy with about two teeth was
being held by his dad against the black wrought iron railing. The boy was throwing little sticks into the lake and watching them go over the spillway.
He was squealing with delight and when I applauded he was more
joyful. We talked a bit and I was enchanted.
I want to talk this morning about the marvelous Psalm 8 we have just read. It is talking about us and God’s work in us when it says,
You have made people a little less than the angels,
And crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them rule over the works of your hands.
I looked at the nice dad and his delightful son and thought to myself, ‘What beauty.”
The psalm writer also talks about the work of His Fingers. Another striking image. I saw the work that Friday, also, in the beauty simply in the rich tones of green as we rode along the path in the woods.
Then he talks about the heavens and says,
When I behold
your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place.
Have you ever done this? Lie down on the ground on your back and look up at the sky?
I do this when we are backpacking in the mountains and I find it
terrific. Whatever the sky is doing, clear blue, partly cloudy, or windy, it is
sensational. I come away feeling humbled, awe-struck, and blessed to be here.
Why I never do it except in the mountains, who knows. Every year I
intend to.
Take a look at that marvelous Psalm 8. When is the next time you will look at the sky? When look at the colors of nature. When look at a child, like the kids running around here, and say to yourself, 'What beauty!'?
Readings:
Numbers 11, 25-29, Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all.
Psalm 19, The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart
James 5, 1-6, Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Mark 9, 38-43, 45, 47-48, If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
INTRODUCTION:
Our First reading is from the book of Numbers. The words of Moses spoken to Joshua are in expectation for the words of Christ in today’s gospel reading that were given to the disciple, John.
For the past five weeks our second reading has been from the Letter of James. The letter was addressed to all of the Jews who became Christians across the Greek-Roman world. It is the first of what we call the universal letters, followed by two letters from Peter, three letters from John, and the letter from Jude.
I will be giving you an insight that today’s Church has failed to recognize until now. Today’s reading from the Letter of James is a reprimand to those who have stored up a worldly [instead of heavenly] treasure in their hearts.
HOMILY:
Remember that the inspired writers of the gospels do use Jesus’ words to address what’s happening in the early Church. Jesus has just given his disciples time to reflect on their arrogance when John, seeking to show their more favorable side, reveals, instead, their arrogance again.
Someone who they do not know has been proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. When his words were welcomed, this Spirit filled man baptized him; forgave the man his sins, in the name of Christ. John told Jesus that he and the other disciples put an end to that, for the Spirit filled man was not of the Church. What did Christ do? He does not say, ‘Well done, I’m glad you denounced him.’ Rather, ‘Are you out of you mind? Those who are not against us are for us!’
In the Matthew gospel the disciples are told, ‘You are not to call yourself teacher, you have one teacher [Christ]. Jesus has nothing positive to say about human tradition either, ‘You count leaves of herbs for your tithe; but you ignore justice, mercy and truth!’
Last week, I returned with Judy from my 55th High School Reunion. I went with an apology to give to two classmates. One was for Art; one for Jim my best friend in High School. Art’s twin brother died from a heart defect when we were in 12th grade. Two girls, friends, had died the year before in a car accident. One was dating my best friend. I didn’t go to any of the funerals. I wanted to be there; I needed to be there. But I was not allowed to go!
It was prior to Vatican II, and a practicing Catholic was required to believe that the Catholic Church was the only way to salvation; Such arrogance! At that time a Catholic was not allowed to follow his conscience if it disagreed with a teaching of the magisterium; More arrogance. A Catholic was not allowed to enter the doors of a protestant church, for the Church taught that they were not part of the body of Christ; Mea culpa, mea culpa!
I was in Graduate School when John the 23rd opened its doors to the Holy Spirit. It was another 20 plus years before the Church presented the finished documents of Vatican II. The very first congress of leaders within the Church included Peter, James and Paul to address a faction of Jewish Christians who were teaching that gentile converts to Christianity needed to become Jews first.
We read in Luke Acts that both Paul and Peter replied that the gentiles received the Holy Spirit at Baptism, not Circumcision. Its doors were to remain open to the gentiles; a letter with this decision was taken to them. Were the Jewish Christians who had previously given the teaching excommunicated? No! However, in the middle of the Letter to James is the following parable.
It begins with James telling them that few are to be teachers. Why; because everyone can make mistakes, and such teachers will be judged with strictness. [Since this sets the stage for the rest of the parable, it will address the grave mistake they have made.] James describes himself with two metaphors.
He is the rider of a horse, with a big mouth, [those who are teaching that gentile converts need to be circumcised]. James, the rider, controls their big mouth by using a bit [this parable, personally explained to them].
Second there is a ship being tossed about by the wind and waves. James is the rudder seeking to control of the Church during this schism. Their teaching is like a fire that could engulf the whole forest, the Church. He describes them as someone who from the same mouth blesses God and curses those who have been made in the image of God [the newly baptized gentiles] ‘This ought not be so!’
The living waters [good news] and bitter waters do not flow from the same source [mouth]. Therefore you who are wise and understanding [of the mistake you have made], show goodness. In like manner this is our prayer to the magisterium, ‘Be wise Shepherds; ‘Those who are not against us, are for us!’
Readings: Zephaniah 2, 3-3, 12-13; Psalm 146, Blessed are the Poor in Spirit; the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs; 1 Corinthians 1, 26-31; Matthew 5, 1-12
Zephaniah observations:
The 3 chapters of the little book of Zephaniah were compose about 600 years before Christ. Therefore, he is writing shortly before the Babylonian defeat of Jerusalem and the Captivity. Because of the book’s shortness Zephaniah is considered one of the 12 minor prophets.
His theme is the prophetic line:
1. You people are bad.
2. You people will be punished by Yahweh.
3. You people, after being punished, will return to a happy place.
Today’s selection focuses more on how the humble of spirit will pasture their flocks with no one to disturb them.
The psalm & Matthew today both focus on how the poor in spirit will be happy, receiving the kingdom of heaven.
I am struck that in the readings there is a quality of wishful thinking. For example, in the psalm, the lord sets captives free, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, and raises up the bowed down.
I can see someone skeptically asking me, “Stack, are you crazy. You believe this really happens? Look at history.” I would like to talk about this in the homily.
Poor in Spirit? Get Real!
You remember last Thanksgiving when about 35 of us went to help feed the homeless for LifeNet? Well, while I was helping out, I liked to go around and chat up the people at different tables.
At one table during the second or third seating over by the windows opposite the side door I ran into 3 elderly white, nicely dressed little ladies. Folks, they absolutely reminded me of my mother, who would have been mortified to have been eating there.
The ladies were quite friendly, obviously educated, and lived in Richardson. Were they homeless? Were they without money, social security, family? I only knew that they would not have been there had not LifeNet vetted them as being authentically in need.
My heart went out to these ladies and I mention them this morning as a lead into the notion that blessed are the poor in spirit, the kingdom of heaven is theirs. This statement strikes me as really precarious.
I would propose that there is a healthy and an unhealthy poverty of spirit. The poverty of these 3 ladies is unhealthy, spirit killing, depressing. Unemployment, homelessness, all kill the spirit.
The same is true of Larry Sims, the 60 year old black man exonerated Friday of a crime for which he has spent 25 years in jail. DNA proof. Can you imagine being put in jail for 25 years of your life for something you did not do? I think I would be mad, bitter. The amazing reality is that these men are all accepting, forgiving, and grateful. They humble & amaze me.
The same was true of the 3 little ladies.
Mr. Sims is number 35 exonerated in Dallas according to my buddy & old classmate Tony Levatino who helps these men adjust to their new life through Holy Trinity Parish down on Oak Lawn.
This unhealthy poverty of spirit has been so common down through our history as humans. Suffering has characterized so many lives. Slavery, holocausts, genocides, wars.
I have spent my life attempting to raise up people in this poverty. We are doing it in this community.
What then is healthy poverty of spirit? From my perspective it is two things: acceptance and gratitude. This brings about peace of spirit.
I am astounded, but Mr. Sims and the 3 ladies seemed to have acceptance and gratitude. I do know others who were dying of depression or discouragement.
Can a person work through the unhealthy poverty of spirit to the peace of acceptance & gratitude? Apparently so.
On a scale of 1-10, where is your poverty of spirit, your acceptance and gratitude?
Picture 1: Mass with Kevin helping
Picture 2: Emma walking
Picture 3: Georgie & her sister Zoe
Picture 4: Zoe with her dad, Randolph & grandmom, Bernadette
Picture 5: Michelle, the mother of Georgie & Zoe, with Torri & Buddy, the twins, and Gilberto, Michelle's dad
Sister Act, while Zoe lights our candles for the celebration, Georgie reads the blessing for the candles.
Readings:
Acts of the Apostles 4, 32-35 , The community was of one heart & mind
Psalm 118, Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.
1 John 5, 1-6, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by Bod.
John 20, 19-31, Thomas doubts.
Father & Son Act, Cody and Ben.
Acts of the Apostles observations:
Again like was explained last week, this work is basically the story of the development & growth of the Christian community after the death of Jesus up to Paul's arrival in Rome.
It is considered more idealistic than factual. This passage is a good example of this idealism. The socialistic life style presented is what we lived as Jesuits. Any money we earned went into the community. Any needs we had for money came from the community. Some communities I lived in had a cash drawer. You took what you needed. Other communities I went to the brother. He may be on a tractor pulling a gang mower on the football field. I would wave to him & he would pull a wad of cash out of his pocked and give me whatever I needed. There was a mutual trust.
Offertory Act, Bill & Ron, Richard & Carol, & Barb.
Today's homily was a reading by Beth of The Fall of Freddie the Leaf By Leo Buscaglia.
Is not the worker worthy of a reward? Ask Beth. Thanks, Beth, for the touching reading of The Fall of Freddy the Leaf.
Ugh, ogh, Folks, She is back. Watch out, You Girls.
Welcome in!
May you walk with God
This summer
In whatever you do
Wherever you go
Walking with God means…
Walking with honesty
And with courage,
Walking with love
And respect
And concern for the feelings of others
May you talk to God
This summer
And every day and
In every situation
Talking with God means…
Praying words of praise
For the beauty of creation
Saying prayers of thanks
For friends and good times,
Asking God's help
In all your decisions
Expressing sorrow
When you have failed
May you talk with God
Every day. Amen.
www.jesuitresource.org Author unknown
Mike doing his magic.
Readings:
Wisdom 12, 13, 16-19, There is no God besides you.
Psalm 86, Lord, you are good and forgiving.
Romans 8, 26-27, The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness.
Matthew 13, 24-43, A sower went out to sow. Three agricultural parables.
Thanks to the Team
Music, Ben & Shonda
Readers, John & Connie & Buddy, the candle blesser
Gospel & Homily, John Cade & Stack
Eucharistic Prayer, John Cade
The Magic Zoom makers, Mike & Richard & Ben
Final Blessing, Rosemary
Please Remember these special people:
For Cindy recuperating from a procedure 3 Mondays ago; For our Bill; For Carrie Bieda's son; For Esparzas, Frank & Mary, who lost their son Jim to sepsis; For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery; For Joe Hogan with cancer; For Loretta's aunt Alicia; For Sydney; & For Sir Charlie & Jan; Shonda's mom; for Michelle;
For Jackie's mom; For a friend, a neighbor, & a doctor, Karen, with brain cancer; For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg; For Meredith, cancer free.; For Hue; For John O'Donnell; For Dee, and for her daughter, Lisa; For John Schanot's continued health; For Anthony & Sabrina; For a young man who is suffering from depression; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini; for Virginia Mattingly.
Birthdays: Reth Robonson
Community Finances, July 19, 2020
Expenses: $ 360.00
Outreach $ 100.00 (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)
Thanks, Folks, for doing what you can.
The Hidden Blessings & Graces of COVID-19
I would like to talk this morning about the hidden blessings & graces available to us in this time of the COVID-19. There are special gifts for us. There are always opportunities for us to grow and be richer in body, mind, & spirit. Today we have extraordinary opportunities to grow into even better and richer people.
For example, take body. What are you doing today to exercise, to get in better shape and to do it leisurely. Jackie Johnson just got an airedyne bike for her house. Rosemary & I have an airedyne we bought when the J & the gyms were all closed. I felt bereft when I could not go to work out with my friends at the J at 5:00 in the morning.
Ben working his magic with Shonda sharing from home.
We also have been riding our bikes weekday mornings from Northwood Park at Royal Lane to White Rock Lake on the W. R. Creek Trail. Granted, it was the way I was mounting my bike that injured the soft tissue around my left recycled hip. I have learned.
Did you know there has been a run on bikes & some bike stores were sold out? In our neighborhood lots of families, parents and kids, ride by every day. Biking, great exercise. To say nothing about the people whom we have never seen walking by. Some come by probably just to witness the devastation of our Tulip Lane corner. So, what are you doing to improve or maintain your health?
Richard consulting from a distance.
What about the mental component? I remember that when I was laid up 10 years ago getting new hips I took up learning French. Learn Spanish. Rosemary & I are reading some really good books. Across our street, Joyce Scott at 90 years & who did not read nor study Spanish, she loves the massive jigsaw puzzles. Her house was one of the houses totally demolished that famous October 20 night. But she loved her puzzles and she was mentally totally sharp.
And finally, the spirit. What are you grateful for? What is the blessing of today? Make a list. I’ve mentioned this before: Rosemary & I before we go to bed mention two or three special gifts of our day.
And you? How are you growing in body, mind, and spirit during this unique time in our lives?
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.