Correction the JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together): is scheduled for Friday, August 5, 2016.
Daniel: Author & date, subject matter, our selection–
Author & Date: put together by people ca. 160 BCE. Maybe a Daniel authored some of the material about himself, but others added & subtracted. Because the work describes the Babylonian captivity, people thought it was written at that time, i.e. ca. 550.
However, today it is seen that the heroism and fidelity described in some of the stories is used to strengthen Jewish resistance during a Jewish revolt in 160. It would be like using the story of Washington crossing a frozen river, the Delaware, to strengthen freezing troops in another combat today.
What was taking place was a group of Jews, the Maccabees, revolted against the Seleucid Empire (the remains of Alexander the Great's Empire after he died a young 32, ca. 390 BCE. He had no sons). The Jewish Maccabees were getting smashed by the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphenes. The writer of the book of Daniel is attempting to buck them up.
Subject Matter: the book has 12 chapters divided into 2 parts–
Chapters 1-6: 6 stories involving the young Jew Daniel in his dealing with the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. The king appreciated Daniel because Daniel interpreted his dreams. It also includes the famous Shadrack, Meshak, & Abednego who survived being tossed into the furnace rather than worship a gold statue.
Chapters 7-12: 4 visions.
Our Selection: only 3 lines, but heavy. A time of distress is predicted which will be followed by escape and those who have died will awake, some to shine brightly, others to experience everlasting horror.
This is significant. The little passage introduces the idea of reward & punishment after death. Previously Jews believed in a place called Sheol, an abode where the dead remained somewhat depressed. From this time forward the belief in an after life becomes part of Jewish belief.
Elizabeth Rainey (homily put together Sunday morning)
I received a call early this morning that a dear little friend of mine had died in Medical City. My friend, Elizabeth Rainey, was 93, had fallen and broken her hip about two weeks ago, and Thursday or Friday she had her hip surgically repaired.
I have been visiting with Elizabeth every Friday morning since around 1989. For some years she came out to see me, coming on the bus because she never did learn how to drive.
I remember one fall Friday morning she was walking down the hall of the school, Jesuit, from the front to the back where I had my office. The bell rang for the end of class, the guys poured out, and Elizabeth at about 4' 9" got knocked down by a boy with a 55 on his football jersey. "No problem," she said. Fortunately the school is carpeted.
Eventually Elizabeth could not get around, so I went to see her, for years. Some of you got to know her because you helped me move her from one apartment to another over the years. Three observations about her.
First, I was proud of Elizabeth for her membership in AA. In fact, I was hoping she was going to celebrate her 54th anniversary this past Thursday by going on the other side. I had medical power of attorney and had suggested she not be operated on, she was in such a weak and confused state. We had discussed this and she wanted no life prolonging measures.
Instead of this happening, Wednesday morning she awoke hungry and clear minded. She did not want to spend the rest of her days in bed with a broken hip, so "Let's have the hip operation."
Secondly, Elizabeth wrote a novel when she was about 80 years old. She failed to get it published, but I always complimented her on her achievement.
Thirdly, Elizabeth suffered from borderline personality disorder. Medication helped, but she knew that often she would lose her patience with people, regularly with me. In fact, often she would kick me out and order me never to return. In a day or so, she would meekly call and apologize. I always laughed and told her because I was a priest I had to love everyone. So I loved her too.
This was hard on her as she aged because she not only ended up with no family, she ended up pushing away people who would have been her friends. We talked about this occasionally. Sometimes when our hands are delt we don't get a good set of cards.
I am grateful for a couple of things. One is that I was able to be Elizabeth's friend for so long.
Secondly, I was helped and supported by a couple from Holy Trinity Parish, where Elizabeth attended when she was able to go. This couple, Peter & Lynn, helped Elizabeth in numerous practical ways, from helping her to buy a condo, to helping her sell it and move into a retirement home. The couple have been a terrific and patient help.
Who is the Elizabeth in your life?
The End of Times (Original Homily)
Remember January 1, 2000? I do not know if any of you did it, but I know some people who really expected the world was going to end. One guy I know even loaded up his pantry with lots of non-perishable food. I guess he figured that despite it being the end of the world, he might need some can goods to carry him over.
I was informed recently that the next scheduled end of the world takes place Dec. 21, 2012, according to our friend Nostradamos & the Mayan calandar. Set your watches. In fact, that I did not know this date nor the guru who is predicting the date, indicated that I was really out of it. I felt like a child who showed up for class without his homework. Trouble is, so many of the end of world dates have been expected and passed.
A lot of these ideas about the end of the world take their inspiration from our Mark reading and especially from our first reading from Daniel and, most especially, from Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Could our readings have been chosen for this Sunday because it is the last of the liturgical year? Next week we have Christ the King and then we start a new liturgical year with Advent.
A word about a literary genre called apocalyptic writing, then a couple of points about the history behind Daniel & Mark.
Apocalyptic writing usually has three parts:
1. A remembrance of historical events leading up to the present.
2. A prediction of dire tribulations and bad times, pointing to the fact that they have been mentioned in Revelation, for instance. Like wars & eclipses of the sun.
3. A prediction of cosmic events and the end of time.
A couple of historical notes behind Daniel & Mark. Two points.
First, I already mentioned that Daniel was written at a time of "unsurpassed tribulation," to use the Daniel writer's words. It was the time of the Maccabees' revolt against the Seleucid king and the Maccabees were getting clobbered.
Scholars think that Mark, too, was composed at a time of great "tribulation," to use Mark's word. What was going on was as traumatic as, first, the destruction and enslavement of the Jews in the northern state of Israel and, secondly, the Babylonian Captivity 200 years later, ca. 600 and, thirdly, the Holocaust in our times.
What happened about 35 years after Jesus' death, in ca. 65 CE, was that the Jewish people, fed up with Rome's abusive rule (so much for the Pax Romana), they revolted. By 70 CE the Romans had not only defeated the revolt and slaughtered thousands, but they destroyed Jerusalem and they destroyed the temple.
This is equivalent to having the U.S. destroyed and Washington obliterated. From 70 CE until, guess when, 1948 there was no Jewish homeland. The Jewish priesthood became unemployed, defunct, and is so to this day. The priest was supposed to handle sacrifices in the temple. For instance, the priest slaughtered the turtledoves offered by Joseph & Mary. In place of the priests we now hear of Rabbis, who were originally before the time of Christ like judges. Do you know of any Jewish priest?
Secondly, during this time of tribulation a group of zealous Jews detatched themselves from not only the corruption of Roman rule, but also from the rich Jewish suck ups who doted on the Roman rulers for favors. These zealous Jews moved out into caves around the Dead Sea. They lived an ascetical life, practiced celibacy, and expected to see the end of the world.
So, how do you respond to all this? With peace or anxiety?
Sources: Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, Origins of the Bible, Lecture XVI; Truthnet.org.; Wikipedia
Picture 1: The Choir, Wendy, Shonda, Ray, & Celeste
Picture 2: Angela & Grace with Gayle & Hugh in the background
Picture 3: The Pastry Shoppe, Maddie, Diana & Cliff, & Hugh
Picture 4: Anniversary of John & Colleen, Birthdays of Mary Ellen & Penny
Readings:
Isaiah, 35, 4-7, The eyes of the blind will be opened
Psalm 146, Praise the Lord, My Soul
James, 2, 1-5, Did not God choose those who are poor?
Mark, 7, 31-37, Immediately, the man’s ears were opened.
A few words about today’s readings
1st reading from Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Ch. 35
You know well how the Old Testament prophets operated: telling the Jewish people, “You’ve done wrong”, then prophesying “Yehweh will punish you”, and then prophesying “there will come a time of repentance and blessing from Yahweh who is merciful”. In today’s reading Isaiah is prophesying a time of healing and blessing.
2nd reading from the Letter of James, Ch. 2
As Stack said last week, James was the administrator of the Jerusalem Christian community. Paul refers to him as “ the brother of Jesus”. His letter was probably written around the year 50 AD which would make it the earliest writing in the New Testament, still over a generation after Jesus. It was written to the “dispersion”, that is, to Jews who were followers of Jesus and were scattered outside Israel. The letter of James is one of 5 small books in the New Testament that were disputed in the early church, and were not accepted as inspired books of the Bible until the early 5th century, The other 4 were the second and third letters of John, the second letter of Peter and the letter of Jude. The Letter of James acquired special significance at the time of the Reformation in the 16th century when the priest Martin Luther said this letter’s emphasis on good works contradicts Paul’s doctrine that we are justified by faith. Luther also disagreed with the Council of Trent that the Letter of James refers to the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. James Ch 5:14 reads, “Is there anyone sick among you? He should ask for the presbyters of the church. They in turn are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
3rd reading from the Gospel according to Mark, Ch. 7
Mark’s Gospel was written with non-Jewish readers in mind. We know this because there are very few quotes from the Old Testament in Mark, he explains particular Jewish customs, and he translates any Aramaic expression into Greek, as in today’s reading where the Aramaic word “Ephphatha”, is translated into the Greek word for “Open” or “Be opened”.
Homily
For over twelve years, John Cade, in addition to his private practice of counseling, has worked in an agency setting with victims of violence, including victims of sexual assault. Currently he serves on the board of the non-profit Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center or DARCC. Since the theme of our gathering today is healing, John invited Monica Urbaniak, a bi-lingual counselor at the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (or DARCC) to speak about the work of DARCC. Monica will talk about what DARCC is, what they do, and what they need from the community to maintain and enhance their services.
Readings:
Sirach 3, 17-18, 28-29, Conduct your affairs with humility.
Psalm 68, God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Hebrews 12, 18-19, 22-24, You have approached Mount Zion.
Luke 14, 1, 7-14, Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.
Sirach observations
Author : The author is
Sirach or Joshua, a Jewish scribe. The
book of 51 chapters is one of the “in between books,” more or less 12 of them. In other words, their genuiness is
questioned. The Catholic Church accepts
them; the Protestants don’t.
Date:
about 200 years before Christ.
Subject: Ethics, norms for good Jewish living. For example, “Do not compliment a person on
his good looks,” (11, 2), or “Never abandon an old friend; you will never find
a new one who can take his place,” (9, 10), or “Friendship is like wine, it
gets better as it gets older,” (9, 10), or Don’t prevent the poor from making a
living, or keep them waiting in their need,” (4,1).
Today’s subject: Humility.
Sources: Good News Bible
Invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.
I would like to speak on the line about inviting the poor and crippled rather
than my friends and wealthy neighbors.
To give meaning to the idea, and in remembrance of 9/11, I would like to tell a true story about a
Delta flight.
Some of you may have seen the story Friday in the blog. It is quite touching. For those who did not read the story, let me
fill you in. It has a lot to say about inviting people and 9/11.
The day is 9/11. Delta 15 is
about 5 hours out of Frankfurt, Germany on its homebound run to Atlanta. A flight attendant is telling the story.
The plane is over the north Atlantic when the pilots tell her to come
straight to the flight deck. She enters
and notices the team is all business.
They tell her that they have been informed that all U.S. airports are
closed to commercial traffic. Land as
quickly as possible wherever possible.
They turn back 400 miles and land at Gander, New Foundland. About 20 other planes are already on the
ground. Time is around 11:00 A.M.
They did not inform the passengers about the real reason for the odd landing
while in the air. On the ground they
give them the real reason, though they only knew that some planes had been
hijacked. In an hour 53 planes are packed on the runway, 10 thousand people in
a town of 10 thousand.
They are treated well, but have to spend the night on the plane and are finally informed they may deplane at
11:00. Promptly at
11:00 a convoy of school buses arrives and everyone exits and is passed through
immigration.
At this point the crew gets taken to a hotel in Gander and the
passengers disappear. That evening they
discover the reality. They remain in
Gander two days.
At the end of the two days, everyone is reunited and they board Delta
15. It turns out the passengers are actually
in a really congenial mood, calling each other by first names, sharing their
experiences, exchanging phone numbers, and even crying over the hospitality.
What happen? All of Gander and
the neighboring villages welcomed them with open arms. They cleared space, housing, school buildings, auditoriums,
everything. Schools were closed and the
students were told to play host. Food
was provided, hiking trips took place, boat trips, visits to cafes and
bakeries.
The passengers had been put up by the inhabitants of a little village
called Lewisporte.
Once airborne again, a passenger approached this flight attendant and
asked if he might use the mike. Normally
prohibited, but because of the spirit and the uniqueness of the experience she
said, “Of course.”
The man, a doctor from Virginia, says to everybody that because of the
extraordinary hospitality of the people he would like to propose that a college
fund for the students be set up. He
would be willing to establish it and he said he would match the amount. After passing the hat, $14,000 was collected,
which he matched.
As of today a million and a half has been raised and over 100 kids have
received help with college.
What do you think? Hospitality? Yes, over the
top.
Gratitude? Yes, over the top.
Rare? No. I
saw it this summer in Des Moines, Iowa.
I saw it a week ago in Wichita Falls.
You, where do you see hospitality and gratitude? When do you show it?
Source:
Download Delta 15 & 9-11, 8-30-13
Exodus 22: Thus says the LORD: "You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
1 Thessalonians 1: And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Matthew 22: He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal
Here are the links for Sunday:
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.
Readings:
Samuel 16, 1, 6-7, 10-13. Samuel chooses and anoints David.
Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
Ephesians 5, 8-14, You were once in darkness, but now you are light.
John 9, 1-41, The beggar given sight.
She is back, Everybody, with a new little baby boy, Caleb. Congratulations, Bethany.
Observations on 1 Samuel:
What: The is the first book of a 4 book series tracing the history of the Israelites, 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. Samuel, Saul, and the great David are the main characters.
When composed: 800 & 700 years before Christ the work was being put together. Mostly finalized, guess when, Babylonian time, ca. 555 years before Christ.
Today's selection: How Yahweh guided Samuel in selecting David.
Stuart.
Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd. One of my favorites, very comforting. Is it true?
Stuart with Julian.
The Lord is My Shepherd
I would like to talk this morning about that Psalm 23, which is one of my favorites, The Lord is My Shepherd.
I would like to tie it in with a guy named Stuart, whose funeral I just did in Toronto Friday at 11:00. I did Stu’s wedding 25 years ago to one of the Reddick sisters, Renee Reddick, of the family whom I had gotten close to when I studied in Toronto from ’68-’72. Renee & Stewart had separated a couple of years ago, but they were still peaceful with each other.
Stuart with Julian and Ethan.
Stuart had one extraordinary quality that I envied and used as a model for my own life. He had a Stuart spirit that created life, energy, friendship, and community around him. With a megawatt smile and laughter, he invited people to have fun and friendship with gobs of adventures, meals, and get togethers.
You will never guess how many of his friends and admirers gathered together Friday morning at 11:00 in St. John’s Catholic Church to celebrate a Catholic Mass. We estimated at least 200 people. The church was full. Even the two viewings the night before were packed with people and energy.
Stuart and Renee.
A second point. Stu had a number of hobbies, one of which was playing ice hockey. After all, he was Canadian. All Canadians are born wearing skates. Stu was a big, robust, good looking blond. If I was playing hockey and saw him barreling down the ice grinning with the excitement of taking me out, I would have jumped over the railing.
Among all his buddies his hockey team mates seemed to be extra special. After the funeral Mass a reception was held at a big club on the shore of Lake Ontario right in the middle of Toronto. His team mates told Renee they were covering the bill. It was food and open bar for everybody and the party lasted from about 1:00 to 6:00.
Stuart & his buddy after one hour of bad hockey, looking forward to the next 2 hours.
Stu has a refrain which I used at the Mass to invite everyone to the reception, “1 hour of bad hockey, 2 hours of good drinking. Let’s begin!” I think Stuart was playing hockey up to the last year or so of his life.
The third point about Stewart, he helped to nurture and raise two fine sons, one in college, the other in high school. They are both beautiful kids.
Our Candle Man of The Week, Brandon.
Stuart died of cancer just last week. The cancer was first discovered this past November, around the time of American Thanksgiving. Stuart was a Good Shepherd to lots of people. Was the The Lord a Shepherd to him? Dying of cancer after 4 months? There is nothing I shall want?
For me it is the question of unconditional love. Even though I will die, the love and acceptance is there.
How does the Lord Shepherd you?
For whom are you a Shepherd?
Hi, Genevieve, are you trying out for the choir with that mike, which I know you love?
Rosemary’s Blessing
Come, O Dancing God,
Spirit of Life and Love,
of Beauty and Diversity,
stir up my soul,
bathe me in your light,
and unleash my own spirit
that I may dance with you
and be light for those around me
and reflect your love to all that I meet this week.
Edited and adapted from a blessing by Fr. Andrew M. Greeley
Our Special Thanks:
Birthdays: Rose Banzhaf (last Friday, 65)
Anniversaries:
Bernadette and Gilberto (49th, Thursday)
Please Remember these special people:
For Morgan Froebe home from teaching English in Equador for the summer; Marilyn Ackerman with a bad bang on her leg; Mike & Dee Miller's daughter, Lisa, not doing well; For Tom Quinn's continued recuperation from shoulder surgery; for Nina Tucker's dad; Jackie Urbanczyk's continued recovery; for a special girl named Missy Ackerman; Judy Thompson's dad in the hospital; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli; Charlie's brother in law with cancer; Beth Dugan's dad struggling with prostate cancer; from Rob, the brother of his business associate who has cancer; For Diane Drescher with a bad back;
Frank’s sister, Grace Campos, 84, with stage one; Margie McKeon’s brother, Bill, with lung cancer; Jackie's sister, Shellie; Diane McClurg's mom having a hard time making the transition to assisted living; Dee's friend, Don Fox, with cancer; Dick Thompson's daughter, Teri Jill & her cousin Terri. Barb & Warren's grandbabies, Leighton Elizabeth and Warren Phillip; Judy Carrell's friend, Matt Larson; Rita;
Bernadette Delgado's mom; Gilberto's mom and brother; Tom and Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, and Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom and her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret and Jim; our friends, sons, and daughters in the military, including Cole Carey, Ryan McClurg, and Chebino; cure for autism from Laura Chollick; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.
Your Finances, August 17, 2014
Expenses: $760.00
Outreach: $415.00
We Donated this week:
Nothing special this week.
Video: Entrance hymn, Gather the People, 2:00 min.
Thanks for your Generosity.
Important Notice of the Week: We got 2" of rain in Preston Hollow from Saturday evening until today, Sunday.
Have a Good Week, J.S
(214-783-0443)
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.