Sunday Homily, August 13, 2017, 19th, Ordinary Time

 

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Sez Tori, "Welcome in, Everybody."

 

Readings:

1 Kings 19, 9, 11-13,   After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.

Psalm 85,   Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation.

Roman 9, 1-5,  I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie.

Matthew 14, 22-33,  Storm at sea & Peter walking on the water.  

 

 

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Harper likewise, sez, "Come in, Folks." 

 

Observations on 1 Kings

 What:  1 Kings is the 3rd book in a 4 book set which includes 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings.   The first chapters of 1 Kings is all about the great Solomon, the son of  the great king David.  With Solomon's death the kingdom split into north and south.  Elijah the prophet condemns this.  He is our subject this morning.

 

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Leo, today you really begin the job of being an altar helper.  We'll make it fun.

  

Tiny Whispering Sounds

This morning I would like to talk about the tiny whispering sounds and propose that they take place often, even daily, both outside of us, and also inside of us.  

I want to begin with a story about our dearest Jackie Urbanczyk, who is a spirit whisperer for me and whose memorial we celebrated yesterday at Hackberry Creek Country Club Las Colinas.  Over 200 people celebrated this lady.

 

 

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Emma, our delightful Candle Lighter of the Week, at work.

 

Story #1.  15 or 20 years ago we had a Father’s Day party at Jackie & Rick’s house.  It was an annual party we had for the men’s group that met in my little Jesuit office every other Thursday night or so to give the 20 guys who showed a chance to share the blessings of their weeks or the difficulties.  We all sat on the floor, backs against the wall.  The party took place after the Masses I did at St. Marks. 

As I remember, things were going along normal, lunch, talking with wives and even kids.  It was super.  We would usually end up with everybody circling up and sharing the blessing of the year. 

 

 

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Leo and Buddy, it is so fun having you up here to help out.

 

Suddenly I get clobbered with a water balloon.  Rick & Jackie had two awful little girls whom I loved.  It had to be them.  Time goes on and I get hit again and I spot the villain, Kristen, no less. 

So what did I expect?  I expected that Jackie would tell Kristin that you cannot throw water balloons at the holy priest.   Dream on, Stack.  She was even enjoying it. 

 

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Shonda, Ben, and David, can it get any better than this!

 

I’ll always love her for that.  Jackie’s whisper to Kristin was that it was okay to throw water balloons at that priest guy.  A spirit whisper to her daughter.

Maybe 3 years ago Jackie came home from being declared cancer free.  Rick had gathered a small  group for a surprise party and Jackie danced in the driveway.  Then the symptoms returned.

 

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Rick Urbanczyk opens the Memorial for his dearest wife, Jackie.

 

This past Christmas Eve Mass Jackie looked terrific.  I was so happy for her.   Two months later at our Sunday Mass I saw her and knew.

 

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Shonda & David provided music for Jackie's Memorial, along with Becka, a niece.

 

 

Let me give you an example of an inner spirit whisper.  Not always one I want to hear 

 The scene is Hy-Vee grocery store in Spencer, Iowa, dinner time and hundreds of bikers are pouring in, buying dinners, looking for seats anywhere in the dining area, which seats maybe 50 to 75 people. 

David & I are seated side by side at a small 4 person table.  Across from us is a big guy from Iowa and a long haired hippy kind of guy from Spokane.  Both really nice guys, especially Grant the hippy.  The room is packed and people are searching for empty seats.

 

 

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The venue for the Memorial was the Hackberry Country Club in Las Colinas.  Over 200 filled the ball room.

 

I suddenly hear the little whispering sound.  “It is David’s 32nd wedding anniversary this very night.  What are you going to do, buddy?  How about standing up and telling everybody to cheer for David? ”  I try to shut this whisper up   But, no it keeps up and I suspect I will feel guilty if I do nothing.  Time is slipping away.  I try to focus on our conversations to no avail. 

Finally, knowing that I will hate myself if I let the opportunity to pass, I jump up and yell, “Hey Everybody (I have to yell out about 3 times to get everybody’s attention), my buddy David is celebrating 32 years of marriage right here with us this evening.”  The place goes crazy and everybody yells and claps. 

 

 

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Two old pros, as of today.  Good work, Buddy & Leo.  I love working with you both.

 

I’ll tell you, I hate those tiny whispering sounds inside my head.  They get me out of bed at 4:00 on cold mornings to go to the J.  They tell me that that second chocolate chip cookie is a no, no.   And you don’t need that second glass of red wine.

Ever hear that tiny whispering sound in your head?  What does it tell you?

 

 

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  • Sunday Homily, May 11, 2014, 4th Easter, Cycle A

    Readings:

    Acts 2, 14, 36-41,  About 3 thousand people were added that day.

    Psalm 23,  The Lord is my shepherd (a good one)

    1 Peter  2, 20-25,  When he was insulted, he returned no insult.

    John  10, 1-10,  The shepherd calls his own sheep by name.

     

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    A reminder on Acts:

    What : The second half of Luke’s work, the first part being his gospel.  Acts starts after the Resurrection.  We will read Acts all through May and read the last selection June 1, then June 7, Pentecost.  The work focuses on the spread of the early church with special attention given to Peter and Paul and their conflicts over who was to be a Christian, and Jewish laws, like circumcision.  The conversion of Paul is described.

     

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    Who: Luke, an educated and civilized Jew who wrote in Greek.

    Date:  around the year 65, or about 30 years after Jesus’ death.

    Our Selection:  Peter is just trying to convince his listeners to sign up.

     

    Psalm 23:  The Lord is my shepherd.  One of the good ones.

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    Me, a Shepherd ?  No Way !

    In honor of Mothers' Day today I would like to talk about the Good Shepherd.  Instead of focusing on the way the scripture paints a portrait of the in group and the out group, I would like to focus on the fact that there is only the in group.  We are all in it.  Plus, we are called to be shepherds.  The story of the day comes again from our visit in France a month ago.

    In Paris Rosemary & I have a favorite little pedestrian only street called Rue Cler.  It is in the same neighborhood as the Eiffel Tower and on the left bank of the Seine River.  There is a small cross street called Champs de Mars.  The street eventually goes to the park by the same name where the Eiffel Tower is situated.  Our little hotel, Champs de Mars, is on the street.

     

    Rob & Rebecca

    Remember the Holy Saturday wedding in Grandbury, published in the Easter Sunday blog? Here they are, Robb and Rebecca celebrating their 3rd week anniversary. See below the gift they gave the community.

     

    Two of the corners formed by Rue Cler and Rue Champs de Mars have cafes where the tables and chairs spill delightedly out onto the two streets.   One of the corners has a little grocery and the fourth corner has a deli, bakery combination.  The deli is open on the two street sides.

    Rosemary & I went there one afternoon to buy something for our two o’clock lunch-dinner. 

     

    Dick & Judy 2

    Cupcake of the Week to Dick and Judy for 11.

     

    There are two counters facing Rue Cler, both containing all sorts of bakery goods and deli specialties. 

    We go up to the first counter, look around a bit, and then ask the woman for some quiche and maybe a ham & cheese sandwich.   The young woman who is about 35 and attractive with olive skin and brown hair acts somewhat impatient and brusque. 

    She gives us what we want and we go to the second counter where the cash register is to pay another woman who could be the first woman’s twin sister.

     

    Sam & Pam

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    This young woman is even more impatient and even rude.  We depart and Rosemary says, “I wish I had told her, ‘Don’t talk to me like that!’”  Don’t get New York Rosemary mad.

    So I lied that second Sunday of Easter when I told you we had never met rudeness in France.  This was the first time.

    We were talking about it later that evening when I decided I would return and let them know how we felt.  I memorized a little two sentence statement in French, so I would not get tongue tied, and we returned at 7:00.

    I walk up to the second woman still at the cash register and when she sees me she immediately says, “We are closed.”  Twice.  And immediately sells a baguette to a guy who had walked up just behind me.  I decide I will wait, when suddenly I saw the other woman. 

     

    Barb

    Cupcake of the Week for Barb on her birthday.  Barb is the mother of Rebecca and Pam.

     

    I walk over to her, say I would like to have a word, and make my little speech.  I say, “We just bought your food here this afternoon.  It was excellent.  However, I am sad, because for the first time in all my years coming to Parish, this is the first time I met two people who were impolite.” 

    She is all apologetic and asks, “Who?”  “You,” I say.  And still she was apologetic.  I told her I accepted her apology, thanked her, and left feeling pretty happy.

    I know not what bad experiences with Americans or men or poor French speakers they had had in their lives.   I do know the girls had moms and maybe they are moms.  

     

    Mabel

    Cupcake of the Week for a Great Grandmother, Mabel.

    Even though the girls were impatient with Rosemary and me, I propose that these two women are part of the shepherd’s group and that, in fact, all of us, everyone is part of the shepherd’s group.  Some people in the group are more wounded and brainwashed.   Their hurt leaks out in their behavior.  Are the Boko Haram people, the Nigerians who kidnapped the girls, are they part of the group?  Yes.   I have lived in Nigeria and I know how brutal it can be.

    Despite the in and out quality of the good shepherd scriptures, I propose that all of us here are part of the group.  We are blessed because we have had good secondary shepherds in our lives, good moms, teachers, coaches, friends, and fellow community members.

    We are, also, definitely called to shepherd others. 

    Who and How?

     

    Celebration Cross

    Celebration Cross, made by Robb for their wedding and donated to our community by Robb and Rebecca.

     

     

     

     

  • Sunday Homily 8-10-08, 19th, Ordinary Time

    Readings: 1 Kings 19, 9-13 (or 1-15); Psalm 85; Romans 9, 1-5; Matthew 14, 22-33.

    1 Kings:  Even though 1 Kings focuses mostly on King Solomon & his accomplishments, the latter half of the work shows how at Solomon's death the kingdom split into two hostile & petty states, Israel in the north & Judah in the south around Jerusalem. 

    As I have pointed out concerning prophets, Elijah condemns the behavior, especially of the rulers, and promises punishment.  I am going to have all of chapter 19 read, because it is an interesting story.

    In chapter 18 Elijah has had a faith duel with 450 prophets of another god, Baal, a god whom the  king of Judah, Ahab honored.  Elijah not only triumphs over the 450, he also kills them all.  Ahab is impressed and spooked.  But not his wife, the famous Jezebel.  She wants to kill Elijah and tells him so. 

    Elijah is so afraid he runs away and wants to die.  Along the way Yahweh meets up with him and invites hims to hike up the mountain of Sinai (Horeb).  Here is what happens on the mountain.

    Rose & John Ascending mountain_1

    The Whispering Sound

    Just like Elijah and just like Jesus in the Gospel,  7 of us have been to the mountain the past two weeks.  We have felt the wind, felt the earthquake, and felt the fire.

    On our first day in we had to go about 6 miles from a place called Rowell Meadow to a camp area called Comanche Meadow.  There was a bear box at the campsite.  It was a long, hot uphill hike all day.  We were carrying food for 8 days in packs that ranged from fifty plus pounds to seventy.  The wind was what we did not have in our lungs. 

    We spent two nights at Comanche, a third night at Roaring River, and the fourth night at Upper Ranger Meadow, one of the most beautiful campsites, beautiful because it was a lush moraine with groves of pine & fir surrounded by a cirque at the head, cliffs on two sides, and the valley we had climbed out of behind.  We camped as usual by a mountain stream.

    Next morning we got up before dark at 5:00 and started a 2 thousand foot climb up 11 thousand foot Elizabeth Pass.  We left early to take advantage of the cool early hours and to get to our next campsite in the middle of the afternoon instead of night.  It was on the ascent of Elizabeth that we felt the fire, in our legs.  There were steps four feet high in the trail and always up, up, and up some more.   The legs & hips would scream, "Enough."  But up we went steadily to the top, arriving around 11:00. 

    At this point one thinks, "I got it made now."  No way.  We had to descend 3 thousand feet in 3 miles.  This is the dangerous part because it is easier to slip on a loose rock or gravel and fall down.  Our packs were lighter, but here we felt the earthquake when we stepped off a step so high we had to turn sideways.  Boom, you land on one foot and the earth quakes right through the bones.

    Finally, about 5:00 we all reached an unplanned campsite beside a mountain stream and decided to go no further.  We were all gassed and ready to set down for a two nighter in the same campsite.

    This was how we felt in our bodies the wind, the fire, and the earthquake.  Unlike Elijah, for me, God was in all three.  Connected to all was beauty, exhilaration, and the awareness of the privilege it is to be able to hike through such remote high sierra spectacle. 

    For me also there was the whispering sound, the small voice.  Almost every day we would hear the sound of a jet flying overhead, perhaps heading to or from Oakland-San Francisco.  Frequently, I would search the sky, following the sound trail to find the tiny silver tube hurtling through the heavens.  Almost never did I see them  When I did see one, it was so small, so insignificant.  Yet, I knew that inside that little dart people like me were snoozing, reading, looking at the mountains below them, and totally unaware of me.  I had been in those darts and would be in one again in a few days.  I had such a feeling of smallness in the universe.  A blessing.

    Three relaxing in the mountains_1

    The blessing was doubled Thursday when I got into one of the little darts, which at Fresno looked pretty big.  I ended up in row 19 and in row 17 was a young family with a little boy about 4 or 5 and a little girl just learning to walk.  The little boy busied himself with stuff in his seat next to his father.  But the girl needed to move around, which the parents allowed.  She walked up the aisle, she crawled down the aisle.  And the parents watched over her, as did we all.  The gentleness of the parents juxtaposed upon my reflection that I was in the little insignificant dart moved me.  I could see me from below searching for this little dart by following its sound and I could likewise view the treasure of the family. 

    Once I told the husband and once I told them both that I admired they way they played with their kids. 

    Jesus went up the mountain to pray.  Elijah went up to meet the lord.  We 7 went up the mountain.  Unlike Elijah I found him in all the elements, the wind, the fire, the earthquake, and the whispering sound.

    Where do you find him?

    AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-08-10.mp3

     

     

     

  • Sunday Homily 8-2-09, 18th Ordinary Time

    Readings: Exodus 16, 2-15; Psalm 78, The Lord gave them bread from heaven; Ephesians 4, 17-24; John 6, 24-35

    Tony with Kevin & TJ 8-2-09

    Exodus

    Over the past several weeks John, (Stack) has been telling us about the real starting point of the history of the Jewish people.  Starting with the death of Solomon the kingdom is divided, and then follows invasion after invasion.  First the northern kingdom, Israel, is wiped out by the Assyrians, and never recovers, around the year 732.  Then the southern kingdom of Judah falls to the Babylonians, and the people are taken away into captivity, the city and more importantly the temple is destroyed!  We find the beginnings of the written Old Testament at this time.  The story of the Exodus, when the people were enslaved, rang true for the people, had a big impact.  This offered them hope in Babylon. 

    The book of Exodus has three main sections.  One – the stubbornness of the Pharaoh is overcome when Yahweh hears the cry of the slaves.  Two – the Sinai event, the covenant and finally, Three – the coming into the Promised Land.  This all took 40 years, and so we need to have stories in-between.  Today’s is one of these, showing Yahweh feeding his people, who are into some serious grumbling!

    Ephesians

    An interesting letter, attributed to Paul, but we know better.  Probably written after Paul’s death in Rome .  Not too clear that in fact it was written for the folk in Ephesus or was more a letter, which could have gone to anyone.  There are no issues, which are being addressed going on in a local community.  But there are some interesting items in this letter.  This is the letter where we are told that wives need to be submissive to their husbands, children obey their parent, and slaves be obedient to their masters.  Parts of this letter could easily be parts of very early liturgies.

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    Homily for Sunday August 2, 2009

    I think the topic for consideration today has to be connected with food— or by extension nourishment!  We are in John’s Gospel.  Last week we had the feeding of the 5,000 or if you prefer, the feeding of John Stack on a stopped train somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Africa.  Food figures very frequently in the stories we have about Jesus, culminating with the Last Supper.  Jesus uses meals to really get people thinking again about their lives.  He dines with sinners, eats on the Sabbath, feeds the multitudes a couple of times, goes to wedding feasts and probably gets everyone drunk!  And finally adds a whole new layer of meaning to the Passover Meal.

     

    But I want to suggest another form of nourishment, which we find frequent reference to, and that is ”spiritual nourishment”.  We have many, many examples of Jesus going off by himself into the hills to pray.   In this country we are more than blessed with the physical nourishment, we are “super-sized”, and unfortunately life seems so busy that the “Spiritual Nourishment” can too easily be forgotten.  I find that my prayers are the same ones I learned as a child, and I now try to find new ways to pray.  Part of the challenge is that I needed to update my images of God too.  The childish ones have had to go.  There is no tall bearded man up in the sky!  I am challenged to replace this god, my creation, with one more in keeping with our better understanding of the universe.  Plus, recall, the minute I have God figured out, I am probably in heresy!!!!

     

    Our community, getting together each week is a huge help.  I have a chance to sit and listen to the Scriptures, reflect on their meanings as they apply to my life.  I have a chance to interact with others in a different way than I do with people I meet thru work.  Sometimes prayer is just sitting and listening to God, and sometimes it is God listening to me.  Then there can be other times when we can both just sit and be!  The silence, which happens when two people are very comfortable together.

     

    Charley, Diamond, Gayle & Tony 8-2-09 

     

    Paul & Jane 8-2-09

    Picture 1: Mass with Tony, Kevin and T.J.

    Picture 2: Wendy, Shonda and Ray

    Picture 3: Charley Keszler, Diamond (Gayle & Tony's niece), Gayle and Tony

    Picture 4: Jane and Paul Drake

  • Sunday Homily, September 24, 2017, 25th Ordinary Time

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    Says Our Dear Emma, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome."

     

     

    Readings:

    Isaiah 56, 6-9,  Seek the Lord while he may be found. (Isaiah 2)

    Psalm 145,   The Lord is near to all who call upon him

    Phlippians 1, 20-24 &27,  Conduct yourself in a way worthy of the gospel.

    Matthew 20, 1-16,  The vineyard owner and how he compensated his laborers, The last shall be first; the first last. 

     

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    And likewise from our dear Sophia, "Come in, Folks, it is fun here."

     

    Isaiah 55  observations—

    Who:  My favorite prophet.  In fact , Isaiah 2 is my favorite of the 3 composers of the Book of Isaiah, and our selection today is the very last chapter of Isaiah 2.

    When: remember these 3 writers wrote more or less before, during, and after the Great Babylonian Captivity, ca. 555 before Christ.  So, we can guess that today’s selection from Isaiah 2 comes from the time during the Captivity.

    What:  Isaiah 2 has some of the best and most beautifully consoling passages. Check out The Messiah. Unfortunately, our little selection today talks about scoundrels and the wicked, in other words, about us.   Maybe these people are mentioned in connection with the people who grumble in the Gospel today.  See what you think.  

     

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    And not to be outdone by her daughter and Sophia, our dear Beth says, "Better hurry up and get a seat before these two girls take over."

     

     

    That is not Fair!

    This morning, Folks, I would like to talk about these workers hired by the vineyard owner.  We hear how the workers who worked all day got the same wages as those who worked one hour and we want to yell, “Hey!  That is not fair!” 

    Want to know what this parable is basically saying?  Two things.  First, it is all Gift.  Everything is Gift.  Secondly, negative comparison is poison.  “How come he got this and I did not?”  “How come I got sick and he did not?”  Our lives are all Gift.  Comparing myself with others poisons my spirit.

     

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    The Best Music, plus with good news.

     

    A story about one of my best long time friends to illustrate. 

    I think I asked this last week.  Anybody remember Myron & Chris Hubble from St. Mark’s? 

    I first met Myron around 1995.  In those days I had a men’s group.  We met probably every other Wednesday or Thursday evening for an hour or two.  The question: what has been your blessing or gift since our last meeting?  Or whatever a person wanted to talk about. 

     

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    Sez Buddy, "Okay, let's get to the fun part (cupcakes)."

     

    We had maybe 20 guys plus or minus.  Everybody sat on the carpeted floor of my little office in the Jesuit residence at Jesuit.   Myron was one of the first members.

    I remember Myron as a really nice looking guy, soft spoken, very emphatic and  tuned into everyone who spoke.  He had a beautiful wife in Chris and two beautiful kids, Jon and Emily.  I did Emily’s wedding some years back, to a marvelous boy, who is Jewish. 

    The family had a nice home in Plano and Myron had worked at TI.  He was probably in his 40’s.  He was retired. 

     

     

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    Our Candle Lighter of The Week in action.

     

     

    Want to know why he was retired?  He had hepatitis C.

    Want to know where he got it?  Maybe connected with Viet Nam.  Myron had been a medic during Viet Nam.  He worked with the wounded coming back when they arrived in Tacoma.  Want to know what it was like in Viet Nam?  Check out Ken Burns’ epic now half way through the two week event.  Tonight features the Tet Offensive of 1969 more or less.  Burns’ project is mind numbing & shocking. 

    Let me tell you, Myron’s hepatitis ruined his beautiful life.  Not only could he not work.  But every morning he would painfully roll out of bed and throw up.  This went on for years.

     

     

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    Welcome in, Jim Shropshire.  You got a lot of courage to come visit your old teacher from Jesuit.  And this guy used to be a great athlete, a football player.

     

    Recently Myron fell down on the front stairs of his house and broke numerous bones.  He went to the hospital where the bones cannot be dealt with because of the hepatitis.  He asked for me.  Chris called me and I went right away.  Myron tells me his liver is gone and his kidneys are going fast.  He will follow. 

    Why not me instead of Myron?  I could have ended up in Viet Nam, if not for being in the Jesuits.  I’ll say it again.  It is all gift.  Gratitude is the response.

    What are you grateful for?

     

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    Hey, Mike, this cupcake is guaranteed to help you heal your knee, your foot, your elbow, and all the other places you are falling apart.  Enjoy!

     

     

  • Sunday Homily, August 27, 2017, 21st Ordinary Time

     

     


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    Guess who is back, Everybody, Wendy!  And she is expecting. 

     

    Readings

    Isaiah 22, 19-23,    I will pull you down from your station.

    Psalm 138,   Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands (one of the best psalms on gratitude)

    Roman s 11, 33-36,  How unsearchable his ways.

    Matthew 16, 13-20,  You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.  

     

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    Not only is Wendy back, but also her parents, her sisters, and their kids.

     

    Matthew observations–

    Biblical scholars agree that Jesus did not say what is in this little story.  Rather, the Matthean community shaped a highly stylized scene that attempted to establish Peter's position as leader of the new community.  The writer, because he wants to authenticate Peter, creates a scenario where Jesus makes Peter The Man.

     

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    Like, Sheena and her Rocco.

     

    Isaiah observations—

    1. Notice the chapter, number, 22.  Students, as you are, of Isaiah, my favorite, will immediately know this is Isaiah 1.  Chapter 1-39 make up Isaiah 1.  Isaiah 2 and 3 follow.
    2. Since it is Isaiah 1, you will know that the composer lived before the Babylonian Captivity, which took place around 555 before Christ.  Isaiah 2 is composed during the Captivity.  Isaiah 3, whom we had last week, works after the Captivity.
    3. Knowing that things were not good before the Captivity, you can guess that Isaiah 1 is critical of Israeli life.  You would be correct.
    4. Our selection today is both critical, “I will pull you down.”  But it is also talking about a better day.  

     

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    Emma, our Candle Lighter of The Week in action.

     

    I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart ;

    In the presence of the angels I will sing you praise

    When I told Rosemary a day or so ago that I wanted to talk about thanksgiving and did she have any ideas, ( She often has good ones.)  she says to me, “Why do you want to talk about thanksgiving ?  This is August, not November.” 

    “You love this Psalm 138 almost as much as I and I can’t be grateful enough,” I responded.  Consequently, I have 4 delights I am grateful for this morning, and Rosemary reminded me of all 4.  They are an unexpected delight, a seasonal delight, a nocturnal delight, and a constant delight.

     

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    Says Tori, "Hi, Everybody."

     

    The first delight, then.  Parakeets, wild parakeets.

    When Rosemary & I ride our bikes around the jewel of White Rock Lake, we begin at Royal Lane & Greenville, we ride south on the White Rock Creek path to NW Highway, and then we pass along the eastern shore of the lake to the very southern edge, where we stop for a break at a shady boat house.  Not always, but occasionally we are welcomed by a whole bevy of green parakeets.  These parakeets are famous in Dallas

    This past week they welcomed us raucously every day.  It was especially a delight because we introduced Carrie to our little friends.   For this unexpected delight,  I give thanks.

     

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    Hi, Carol, you look great, along with Richard and Bernadette.

     

     Secondly, the delight of a landscape.  The seasonal delight took place on the White Rock Creek path.  Rosemary & I are going north on the path back to our car.  We have passed under the Skillman St. Bridge and passed over a small scenic, steel & wood bridge heading for the tunnel under Abrams Rd. 

    I glance up from watching the cement path and what I see was so touching, about 300 yards of the path winding ahead of me through dark woods, the rich green grass recently mowed, and, framed by the forest in a V image, the  sky so blue it took my breath away.  I wanted to stop.   For a seasonal delight, I give thanks.

     

     

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    The Minor Elevation.

     

    The nocturnal delight took place after I had gone to sleep Thursday night.  Rosemary comes into the bedroom and whispers that the movie event for Souls Harbor came off really well and that the best part for her was that a whole bunch of our community was all there together.  I went back to sleep proud of you people. For a nocturnal delight, I give thanks.

    The constant delight is the non-stop generosity and the always ready to help presence of John Cade and Mike Carrell.  What would we all do when Rosemary wants go on a cruise or go visit her sister in Hilton Head, if it were not for you two guys?

    For you two constant delights, I give thanks.

    What delights you are grateful for?

     

     

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    Say Harper and Victoria, "Wow, that  was really good."

     

     

  • 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 9, 2020

    Readings:

    1 Kings 19, 9, 11-13, Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord.

    Psalm 85,  Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation            

    Romans  9, 1-5, They are Israelites.  

    Matthew 14, 22-33,   Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.     

     

     

    Thanks to the Team

    Music,  Ben & Shonda

    Readers,  Jackie & Patricia, & Buddy, the candle blesser

    Gospel & Homily,  Deacon Mike 

    Eucharistic Prayer A & B, Stack & John Cade

    The Magic Zoom makers, Mike (on vacation) & Richard, Ben & Hue 

    Final Blessing, Rosemary

     

     

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    Download Readings week 19

     

    1st part of Homily

    Today’s gospel is a continuation of last week’s story from Matthew about the Lord, with his disciples, feeding the Jews with the fish and the loaves, for the fish are a metaphor for the liturgy of the Word, and the loaves and leftovers a metaphor for the liturgy of the Eucharist. 

     

     

    Homily by Mike Carrell

    The Lord be with you.

    A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew

    After Jesus had fed the Jews, he made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the lake. With the crowd dispersed, Jesus climbed the mountain so he could be by himself to pray.

    He stayed there alone, late into the night. Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against the boat, and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. 

     

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    Their music just gets better & better.

     

    But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid." Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water." 

    Jesus said, "Come ahead." But when Peter looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!" Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "You of little faith, what got into you?" The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. 

    The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!" 

     

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    Tom, Richard, & Hue working their magic.

     

    2nd part of homily

    It was Jesus intention for his disciples to follow his example of sharing the fish and preparing the gentiles to also receive the loaves and leftovers, so that Jews and gentiles could become brothers and sisters in Christ. This story teaches the Church that its disciples were to have faith in his words even until the end of time.  The gospel of the Lord.

     

    Aaa

     

    There he is, Folks, Mike finally in the wilderness of Colorado, with Rose.

     

    Please Remember these special people:

    For our Bill & his family,   For Becky's dad just discovered with the virus;  For Cindy recuperating from a procedure some weeks ago;    For Esparzas, Frank & Mary,  For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery;   For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, Woodlands,  For Joe Hogan with cancer;  For Loretta's aunt Alicia;    For Sydney;  & For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody & Ben & all of Shonda's dear family;   for Michelle;

     

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    Two happy campers, Mike & Rose.

     

    For Jackie's mom;  For a friend, a neighbor, & a doctor, Karen, with brain cancer; For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg; For Meredith, cancer free;    For Hue;  For John O'Donnell;    For Dee, and for her daughter, Lisa; For John Schanot's continued health;  For Anthony & Sabrina;    For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini, plus John's daughter, Joey

     

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    Where is that Mike??!!

     

    Birthdays:   Carrie Bieda, 62; Stephen Farmer, 30; Marlene; Richard has a new grandbaby, Madeline, congratulations, Carrie

    Anniversary:  John & Jean O'Donnell, 62nd;  Ryan McClurg & Grace, 7th  

     

    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

     

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    A 2020 broadcasting studio??

     

       

    Community Finances, August 9, 2020

    Expenses: $1040.00

    Outreach   $300.00    (often for Souls Harbor, Legacy, etc.)

    Thanks, Folks, for doing what you can.

     

    Here is a link to a survey about access to the Sunday Mass.  Please take the survey and let us know how easy/difficult it is to get to the Mass.  Thanks. 

    (Take this survey and all your life problems will be solved.  That is what Becky & Mike told me.)