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.
Sorry, Everybody. Because of the length of the readings, especially the Passion, no homily this Sunday. Next Sunday, Easter.
Could we be looking at Santa or Kevin?? Welcome in, Whoever you may be.
Readings:
Genesis15, 1-6; 21, 1-3 Look up at the sky and count the stars. Just so shall your descendants be.
Psalm, 105, the Lord remembers his covenant forever.
Hebrews 11, 8, 11-12, 17-19 By faith Abraham obeyed.
Luke 2, 22-40, Simeon & Anna meet Jesus
Thanks, Dearest Harper, for bringing along you grandmother Cathy.
Genesis obserevations :
What : the very first book of the bible beginning with Adam & Eve, the two creation myths, Cain & Abel, Noah and the flood, the Tower of Babylon, and then the big 3 patriarchs of the Jewish nation. They are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The book is a fun read. It is not history, but speculation and tribal myth.
Date: contemporary scholarship thinks that the work was composed either before or during the B.C., the all important Babylonian Captivity. Why? Give the Jewish people a sense of historical identity and tribal cohesion.
The "A" Team, complete with lights.
Today’s selection: all about Abraham, the first of the 3 Great Patriarchs. Abraham is crying and lamenting the fact that he has no children. Why? Sarah was childless and Abraham was 99 years old. A “we have a problem, Houston” situation. The Lord hears Abraham and uses a beautiful metaphor to show Abraham what is going to happen.
Because the editor of this reading has so taken the fun out of it, I want to read a bit more. Sit back and enjoy the story of how Abraham and Sarah had a baby. I'm including parts of three other chapters between chapters 15 and 21.
Ben, our Candle Lighter of The Week, in action.
David Vanderpool
This morning, the last of the year 2017, I have a New Years story for you. Actually, it comes from the front page of last Sunday’s Dallas Morning News. Mike Carrell saw it and gave me a heads up.
There is a guy named David Vanderpool. His dad was a surgeon and David attended St. Mark’s Boys’ School. When David was 15, he made a trip to Israel. In the town of Nazareth he happened to get into a conversation with another 15 year old, a girl from Nazareth and a Christian.
Cheryl reading The Blessing of the Candles.
At some point the girl asked David what he planned to do when he grew up. David had not thought a lot about it, but assumed he would become a doctor like his dad. David was impressed by the girl. She had taught herself English. He asked her what she would do.
“I will carry water and have babies,” she responded. There were no other options. David was stunned and embarrassed by his affluent and free life.
Even after the spectacular Christmas Eve (200 plus), Shonda, Ben, and David sing and play on.
So, David did go to college at TX Tech and became a surgeon, but the girl’s response stayed with him. He married Lauri and they had two sons and a daughter. During this time two things took place.
First, they made a number of medical relief trips to countries in Africa and South America where there were crises. Secondly, David and Laurie made a promise to themselves that when their last child, Jacklyn went off to college, they would move to a third world country in need.
So, all went well for some probably 15 years, until 2013. Jacklyn was going off to college. Decision time.
John & Alison bringing up the Offertory of Bread (baked by Alison) and Wine. What?? No wine, not even grape juice for everybody? Too cold, slippery, and dangerous to have Jan bring the communion cups. Thanks, Jan for staying home.
What did they do? Yep, they sold their house and all their belongs, including a $20,000 pet guitar, set up a foundation called LiveBeyond, and moved to Haiti. Haiti was chosen because they had already spent some time there after the 2010 earthquake. They had to go back.
In the four years since their move to Haiti, the couple have set up a 60 acre complex with a hospital and school. There was no clean water, no sewage process, no electricity in the village they chose because of its poverty, a town called Thomazeau.
The Great Father & Son Team, Cody & Ben.
A special joy came this year in the person of Jacklyn. She finished college at A&M and decided she wants to live and work with her parents.
How are you going to emulate the Vanderpools in your village and in your neighborhood this New Year of 2018?
Happy New Year.
Who wears these light up shoes? Hint: he's an altar server.
Readings:
Isaiah 49, 1-6, I will make you a light to the nations.
Psalm 139, I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Acts, 13, 22-26, To us this word of salvation has been sent.
Luke 1, 57-66, 80, John is his name.
Isaiah observations:
What: Remember last week we had Ezekiel, one of the Big 3 Prophets. This week we have The Big Prophet, Isaiah. Because of its 66 chapters this work is a long one. And a rich one. Remember, also, that at least 3 writers contributed to the book.
The first 39 chapters, Isaiah 1, present a strong criticism of the rampant corruption of the ruling class with their oppression of the ordinary people. This Isaiah lives around 750 years before Christ. He knows how the Assyrians destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel. He predicts the same for the southern kingdom, Judah.
Our selection: Isaiah 2 begins at chapter 40 and is called The Book of Comfort. You will see why. Picture the people now enslaved by the Babylonians. Isaiah 2 consoles the people with visions of a second Exodus & a return to Jerusalem
Isaiah 3 speaks to the people now resettled in Jerusalem in chapters 55-66. Emphasis is on justice, Sabbath observance, sacrifice, and prayer. In other words, behave now that God has resettled you.
Resources: Good News Bible
John the Baptist Figures
After five weeks, folks, of extraordinary events, I expected that for a while Rosemary & I would have a period of relative quiet, less emotional activity. Not so.
Yesterday she, John Cade, and myself, we went to the Corpus annual meeting. Corpus is the national organization of married priests. Corpus in this context means body and, in particular, we are the body. We married priests are still the body of Christ. The conference took place at the American Airlines Training Center, an excellent venue.
Three observations.
First, these married priests and their wives are John the Baptist figures. That is, like, John, they are pointing the way to the Lord. They are pointing to a better way. If Jesus was living today, I could easily see him being a member of Corpus.
Secondly, these men and the wives have spent time in the desert. This is at least because they have been rejected and not allowed to share their charism as priests. Folks, these are beautiful people. They make marvelous priests, but they cannot officially share their gifts.
These men & their wives are also walking in the desert today. The last time I met with these people was two years ago and there was optimism and hope everywhere in the people. Both John & I sensed less optimism about the Catholic Church this year. It was brought up now & then.
One of the great men of this group is Anthony Padovano and he, an eternal optimist, constantly affirms that in the reform of Catholicism history is on our side. Many of us who were at the conference see the reform and the principles of Vatican II going nowhere if not backwards.
Thirdly, want to know where these people tell me they find hope and optimism? You will never guess. In You! You who make up this community. You who come every Sunday to a cafetorium instead of a pretty church, you who are so generous, you who support so many outreach projects. Look at your Habitat involvement these weeks. You are a John the Baptist symbol for these priests and their wives.
I even had a married priest from Ontario, Canada come across the room to me and say what inspiration he takes from you.
How does it feel to be considered an inspiration and a John the Baptist symbol?
How are you doing it?
Readings: – from Thanksgiving Day
Sirach 50, 22-24, May he grant you joy of heart.
Psalm 113, Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.
1 Corinthians 1, 3-9, You were enriched in every way.
Luke 17, 11-19, Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks?
Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock. Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.
1. When did Thanksgiving begin? Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries. Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.
2. The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims. They called themselves saints, and non-saints were called strangers. The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later. They were not even Puritans, but separatists. They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off.
3. The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom. They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion. Like the Catholic Church, the Separatists demanded everyone belong to their program. Failure to conform could result in execution, ala inquisition.
4. The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used to build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).
5. How did the Indians & Separatists communicate? The Indians were Algonquians & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in Briton some years. He returned to his tribe and taught his friend Samoset English. It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt. In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive.
Thanksgiving
It is Thanksgiving this week, Folks, my favorite feast and holiday. I would like to talk about our blessings.
It was over a year ago when Chris Dembney walked in here one Sunday and told me about a bike ride he had done for 7 days across Iowa, 500 miles. He says, “Stack, you would love this trip.”
I remember telling him, “Chris, you are crazy. Why would I want to ride 500 miles across Iowa?” Guess what I did this past July.
Blessing #1 for me: my health.
Not only have I been able to ride 500 miles and am ready to sign up for this July. But I have been able to return to back packing in the mountains. In 2009 in Matterhorn Canyon, Yosemite, I knew I could never hike again in the mountains with my old, factory issue hips. 2010, January & February, I got the new hips and that August I was back packing in CO with the usual degenerate group. I still am amazed.
Blessing #2: our community
You people are a Work of Art. Here is what I see and how you are a blessing.
The generosity. This little community just this year has contributed $25,000 to help numerous nonprofits and numerous individuals in financial straits. This very weekend your generosity is helping in NYC and NJ through Professor Jim Mahar and Bona Responds. $2000 of your aid was given directly to them last Sunday. What a blessing.
The warmth. I do not know how many times someone or a couple has come to me after visiting here. They always mention the warmth and the hospitality. What a blessing.
Your child friendly warmth. Do you realize these kids are growing up in a sacred environment without fear? What a privilege to watch and help them grow. Thanks to you parents & grandparents who share your kids with us. What a blessing.
Blessing #3: Rosemary’s recuperation.
January 6 it was when she crashed her Christmas bike and busted her elbow so badly. The past few weeks she has been riding the same bike around White Rock Lake. The physical recuperation is remarkable enough. The spiritual and psychological recuperation has been even more marvelous.
What are 2 or 3 of your biggest blessings this year?
Happy Mother's Day, Cathy, and Happy Grandmother's Day, too.
Readings:
Acts of the Apostles, 13, 14, 43-52, The Gentiles were delighted.
Psalm 100, We are his people, the sheep of his flock. (excellent stanzas)
Revelation 7, 9, 14-17, I, John, had a vision of a great multitude.
John 10, 27-30, My sheep; hear my voice.
It's a Family Affair, Zoe & Tori lighting our Easter candles with the help of their big sister Georgie. And Buddy reading the Easter Blessing of the Candles.
Observations on Acts
Date: Sometime before the year 70. Why? No mention of the destruction of Jerusalem, which took place the year 70, an enormous date in Jewish history.
Who: The same person who wrote the Gospel of Luke. How do we know. Similarities of style, language (Greek), and theological themes.
Subject: the story of the expansion of the Jesus story in 3 areas, first, Jerusalem, then, Palestine or the Holy Land, and finally, into the Mediterranean and, ultimately, Rome.
Sources, Good News Bible, The New Interpreter's Study Bible, Wikipedia
Another Family Affair for the Offertory, John & Connie & Kevin.
Mother's Day History:
1905-08: Anna Jarvis of West Virginia began this celebration for her mother, Ann, who cared for wounded Civil War soldiers of both sides. She campaigned to make it a national day and in
1914: Woodrow Wilson made it national.
The spelling: always singular, according to Anna.
Hallmark Cards: Anna hated them because she felt you know what.
The Communion Team, Lynda & Tom, Claire & Denni.
The Lord is Good, Psalm 100, Today’s second stanza
In honor of Mother’s Day, I would like to share two stories about my mom and our relationship. Or why she was probably glad to see me get on that train taking me to the Jesuit Novitiate in Grand Coteau. LA.
Both events took place in the delightful Spring of 1957. I was 17 and a junior at Jesuit. Both involve my mom’s car, a light blue, low slung probably ’55 Pontiac sedan.
Sez Buddy, "I'm worn out, Georgie."
So I came home from school one afternoon, wanted to go for a ride, and found that my mom had taken her car keys, which meant she did not want me driving around in her car. I was allowed to drive my dad’s Chevy when it was home.
In those days a person could hot wire a car’s ignition and drive off. Guess what I did. I got all the way on my street, Stanford, to the corner with Preston, a block & a half. Then the tin foil fell off of the ignition and the car died.
While I am trying to rectify this operation, a car turns off of Preston onto Stanford. Guess who was in it. Yep, my mom with one of her bridge buddies. I gave up the idea of going for a ride and returned home to a chilly reception.
The Special Mother's Day Blessing.
The second time I had been given the keys to mom’s car and I went to hang out at a cleaners shop on Preston just south of NWST Highway. A buddy, Jerry, worked there afternoons providing curb service to customers.
Shortly after I arrived a University Police car pulled up next to me and asked me to come with them to the station to be questioned about another of our friends who stole neighborhood cars. I got into the squad car and the other cop brought my mom’s car.
Mother's Day Blessing.
I was questioned about what I knew about my friend joy riding in stolen cars. That was not as scary as it sounds. University Park in those days was a small, middle class village on the northern edge of Dallas. Since grade school we had known the cops by name and they knew us by name occasionally.
The thing that really steamed my mom was that the police had come to the door to ask where I was. She happened to be hosting the afternoon bridge club, the other ladies mostly being moms of my buddies. She was so embarrassed and ashamed. Moreover, what she was mad about was the fact that the cop drove her car to the station.
The Blessing.
I never found out what happened to my car thief buddy. He was with us at Christ the King grade school, but did not go on to Jesuit. I do know he is still alive, living outside of Dallas. Want to know why I thought I was surely going to hell? By your friends shall you be known. But, God is good.
Where are you going?
Bona Responds again, Tom & Bill & Richard, Michelle & Georgie & Bernadette.
Readings: Acts 2, 1-11; Psalm 104, Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the Face of the Earth; 1 Corinthians 3-13; John 20, 19-23
Acts: a reminder–
Author: Luke, the author of both The Gospel & The Acts
Date: ca. 50 years after Jesus' death
Today's selection: In chapter 1 we saw 3 things: introduction by Luke, the Ascension, and the election of a new apostle, Matthias, to take Judas' place. The next big event is the coming of the spirit. That is what is described today.
Pentecost by Tony O'Donovan
Readings:
Deuteronomy 30, 10-14, Heed the voice of the Lord.
Psalm 69, Turn to the Lord in your need and you will live.
Colossians 1, 15-20, Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
Luke 10, 25-37, The man robbed on the road to Jericho.
Genevieve says, "Welcome in, Everybody. It is nice to be back. Here, let me open the door for you."
Deuteronomy observations:
The Scene: the desert outside the promised land. Moses is talking to the people about all that has happened to them since he led them out of Israel and through the desert for many years. Now, as they prepare to enter, Moses is dying. He is simply exhorting them to love Yahweh and obey his laws.
The Author: not Moses. A compilation put into three discourses.
Date: guess when? Yes, after the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 555 before Christ.
Subject today: Moses talks about a command, but never mentions exactly what it is. Watch for the answer in today's gospel. The Great Command, to be a Good Samaritan.
Says Zoe, "Hi, Folks, Yes, it is nice to be back. California is also pretty nice."
The Victims in Our Lives
This past Friday evening I did something I have been doing a lot of. I rode my bike down the White Rock Creek Path to The Lake, went around it, and came back up the path to Royal Lane, a distance of about 20 miles. Sorry to tell another biking story, but it was so relevant for me at the time.
As I was coming home and making the transition from the Lake to the Path, I went under the new Northwest Hwy Bridge. Being dusk it was sort of dark under the bridge. However, to my left about twenty yards over to the wall, I noticed 3 bikers stopped maybe two guys and a girl.
So, I took a deep breath and yelled, “You guys okay, need any help?”
Welcome back to you, Leo. I've missed the Leo spirit around here.
It may seem pretty trivial, but this is so hard for me to do. These people are calling me to be a Good Samaritan. I, however, am obsessed about keeping my schedule. As I yelled I was hoping they would say, “We are okay.” Which they did. So I got off easy.
I asked these people because I knew I was going to have to make a resolution in view of this homily. I even used to ask people, but got too busy, at least in my mind.
Victoria and Zoe, our Candle Lighters of The Week.
In the past two months I have passed two groups. One group of two guys, they were walking a bike with a flat front tire. I can fix flats in ten minutes. I have everything I need. The other group was under another bridge and had a bike upside down and they were working on an inner tube. Both times I passed by, said nothing, and then felt guilty.
So, I resolve to always ask people if they need help when I see them standing by their bike.
Now, you say, ‘Well, I don’t even ride a bike. How does this pertain to me?’ My bet? Somewhere you have a similar challenge.
Three of the Wyndham Clan, Ron, Barbara, and Ray.
As a community, I would highlight a joy I have, the fact that we attempt to be a good Samaritan to a number of small charities, and in particular to Souls Harbor. This is a privilege.
Recalling my psych stuff, How am I called to be a good Samaritan to myself? We are all wounded people in some way. How am I nurturing my spirit? Where have I been hurt and how am I a Good Samaritan with that hurt?
Where are you challenged to be a Better Good Samaritan?
"Nothing beats Grandma's hugs," says Zoe?