Sunday Homily, December 11, 2016, 3rd Advent, Cycle A
Readings:
Isaiah, 35, 1-6, 10, Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
Psalm 146, Lord, come and save us.
James 5, 7-10, Welcome one another as Christ welcomed you.
Matthew 11, 2-11, Are you the one who is to come?
Treat of The Week: Sabrina is home from college. Welcome home, Sabrina.
Observations on Isaiah 35
What: The passage is another from Isaiah 1, (Chapters 1-39)
Our selection: Another beautiful passage about a bright future.
Sez Tori, "Yes, Welcome Home, Sabrina."
Then the Eyes of the Blind will be opened
I would like to talk this morning about how once in a while, of course, only once in a while, I can be so blind to other people. This is an old story, but it is right on.
One mild afternoon afternoon I was sitting on a bench in front of Baskin & Robbins on the corner of Preston & Royal, just near our house. In front of me were two handicapped parking spots, both empty.
"Welcome home from me, too, Sabrina."
Suddenly a guy in, say, his early 20’s pulls into one of the parking spots, gets out of his car, and walks into Baskin & Robbins. I am thinking, ‘Hey, this guys is cheating. There is nothing wrong with him and he has no handicapped sticker in his car window.’ I’m thinking, ‘Why did I not give him my opinion while he walked by me? I will give it to him whenever he comes out.’
I wait probably about five minute, when suddenly the door opens. The man emerges holding the right arm of a little old lady who was barely able to walk.
Is that really you, Leo?
Thank God ‘the eyes of the blind will be opened’ before something stupid is said. Classic judging the book by the cover, one of my favorite activities.
Want to know of another place where my eyes are opened every year? The Love for the Kids picnic in Flower Mound.
Love for the Kids picnic, entertainers
Again this year we had about 20 volunteers from our home community. 1000 kids with their teachers and sponsors. There was all the usual activity, horseback riding, bounce units, face painting, people dressed as super heroes.
When the kids walk in they are given a bag of goodies. When they return to their school busses, they find a special gift in their seat.
Bill, the horse whisperer and the kid whisperer, helping the kids ride the horses.
They get lunch, put together by a bunch of our people. People are floating around with bags of popcorn in baskets to give to the kids. Kids who needed or wanted a coat, they could get one. Bike helmets were being given away, good helmets.
I go to give the gift of my time to these kids, but the kids gift me even more. But it is the great number of volunteers that touch my spirit.
So, the question obviously is: who is cuter, the white guy or the pink pig?
That guy outside of Baskin & Robbins, the kids, and the volunteers open my eyes to the good around me.
How are you blind & how are your eyes opened?
Hey, John & Connie, I think those cookies are supposed to be for the kids' lunches, not you guys.
Not only were the kids given jackets & coats if they were needed, but bike helmets were given and fitted to the kids' heads. These were good helmets, like Specialized.
