Sunday Homily, October 9, 2016, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time C
Readings:
2 Kings, 5, 14-17, Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan 7 times (amusing what has been left out leading up to this passage).
Psalm 85, The Lord has revealed to the Nations his saving power.
2 Timothy 2, 8-13 , If we persevere, we shall also reign with him.
Luke 17, 11–19, Of ten lepers healed only one returned to give thanks.
You may wake up now, Georgie, he is finished talking.
2 Kings observations:
Time of the events: 900 B.C.
Time when written: 555 B.C., during the Babylonian captivity.
Subject of 1 Kings: This book continues the history of the kings taking up with the death of King David and continuing through the story of David & Bathsheba's son Solomon. He builds the famous Temple of Solomon. After his death the nation divides into the northern & southern states, Israel in the north, Judah in the south (including Jerusalem; remember by the "J's").
I cannot believe you, too, My Dearest Genevieve, are asleep.
Subject of 2 Kings: This book continues the history of the decline of the two states until Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeats the people, 555 before Christ.
Subject of our chapter 5: one of the generals of the Syrian-Babylonian army goes to visit the prophet of the day, Elisha. Naaman, the general, has leprosy. Note the twist of the story at the end. Thanks is a theme of this selection and it sets the stage for Luke's story about gratitude. Three characters: Naaman, his little slave girl, and Elisha. Read the story before this to understand the meaning of what is taking place. I will summarize it at Mass.
I think, My Dearest Tori, that you are looking to scare me.
Mike Miller and Thanks
This morning I would like to talk about how giving thanks is a learned behavior and one I learned from my mother when I got ordained.
First, however, I would like to talk about Mike Miller. Yesterday morning we had a delightful memorial for Mike at Dickey’s Funeral Home here in Plano. As you can imagine, I took an hour to get through this memorial. I spent a lot of time just trying to get a few words out.
Denise and Kara, mom & daughter, say, "Welcome in, Everybody."
I talked about 3 memories.
First, when I really got to know Mike. Guess where. The Collin County Adult Clinic, which our community supported financially for some years. Mike was the head of the pharmacy department at the clinic. I would visit him now and then because the pharmacy was a quiet oasis in a crazy busy clinic. It was often triage time and enormous numbers of people would receive treatment in about 3-4 hours every Thursday evening.
Secondly, remember when Rosemary & I would have our annual anniversary party in May? Not only would we renew our vows, but we invited people who were celebrating special anniversaries, like 25 or 40 or 65 years, even 1 year.
One year Mike and Dee renewed their vows. Dee said to Mike that after all these years, when Mike walked into the room she was just thrilled like the first time. That so touched me. It touched even more a friend of mine named Julie. She was in tears and still talks about it.
It surely must be my turn to play this guitar.
Finally, a third thing. Do you people realize that Mike and Dee almost always were holding hands during our Masses? I ask Rosemary to do the same thing, and you know what she says.
I give thanks for Mike in my life and in our community life.
Mike Miller's memorial, Saturday, Michael, his son, sharing beautiful memories.
Now, giving thanks. A learned behavior.
When I got ordained in June of 1971 at St. Rita’s in Dallas, I received a number of gifts. I remember wondering how I was going to thank all these people and I remember my mother being adamant. “You send them a note.” That seemed pretty daunting to me because this was pre-email, maybe even pre-electricity. I had to send by mail all these thank you notes. My mom: “You always thank people.”
Twelve years ago when we began this community and you people began to generously support the program. I was stunned. And I heard my mom, “Always thank people.” This is why every Sunday afternoon I aim to get you a thank you note for your generosity. My Momma told me.
Brandon, our Candle Lighter of The Week, does the magic.
Giving thanks is a learned behavior.
How are you like the one leper who returned to give thanks?
Sez James, "I'm innocent," if you believe that!