Sunday Homily, February 14, 2016, 1st Lent
Readings:
Deuteronomy 26, 4-10 You shall bow down in his presence.
Psalm 91, Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Romans 10, 8–13, The word is near you.
Luke 4, 1-13, Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
Says Genevieve, "Welcome in, Folks. Happy Valentine"s Day.
Deuteronomy
The scene: The Israelites have escaped from Egypt and have been wandering in the desert for years. They are just about to enter The Land. They are assembled. Moses is addressing them and reminding them of all Yahweh has done for them over the years of wandering.
Cole, also, with Erin & Diane his mom & Grandmom, says, "Hi, Everybody, Come on in".
In our chapter he is telling them that when they have settled in their new land, where he will not accompany them, they must take a basket full of a portion of their first harvest, present it to the rabbi, and offer it as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Who: Though about Moses, Deuteronomy is a compilation of numerous sources.
Guess when: post Babylonian Captivity, say 555. Easy to remember.
Bethany, Can we trust you to get that cupcake to Vivian!
Having a happy, healthy, positive Lent?
Last week I talked with you about having a happy, healthy, and positive Lent. How’s it going? I have an example that may expand your possibilities.
I have already mentioned a little bit of this story last week, but would like to get more into it.
David, Happy Birthday to Drew.
At the Jewish Community Center, where I arrive at 5:30 for a spin class, there is a guy named Michael at the entrance counter. He is from Nigeria and new since the beginning of the year. There was a lady on the counter for years, but she retired. Nice, but nothing special. Michael is special.
First off, he seems to have memorized every person’s name and usually what they want when they check in. We introduced ourselves my first time to see him. The second time he knew my name, knew I wanted only one large towel instead of two, and that I like a locker around the number 30. He had it all. There are hundreds of people who check in at this counter every morning. I hear him call them by name.
Happy 22nd Anniversary, John, to you and Lambrini.
We chat a bit both when I come in and when I leave. So, as I mentioned last week, I told him that our Friday spin teacher was having a birthday, that I was going to get the class to sing, and that I was going to give her a Cliff Bar (instead of a cupcake. Good figure).
So, Friday morning I mention to him I am going to celebrate Jennifer, and he says he will do something. What I don’t know. Like I said last week, what he does is he runs in as we are singing at the beginning of the class and sticks a big sheet of poster paper on the glass wall. The poster says, “Happy Birthday, Jennifer.” I was surprised and delighted.
Happy Birthday, Dick.
Then at the end of the 45 minute class, Michael rushes in with a basket of 20 or so cold rolled face towels. Again I was surprised, totally, and delighted. Never before had any staff person done this.
Michael is special. He has a pretty insignificant job in the Center and he has used it as a platform to make a marvelous, positive difference. He helps us all to start off the day with delight. He makes it a joy to walk in the door, even on a cold morning in the dark.
Thanks, Cole for being a super candle lighter.
Do this and you make for a happy, healthy, and positive Lent.
So, how are you doing?
Rosemary reading her Blessing of The Week.