Sunday Homily, August 27, 2017, 21st Ordinary Time
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.
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.
Like, Sheena and her Rocco.
Isaiah observations—
- 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.
- 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.
- Knowing that things were not good before the Captivity, you can guess that Isaiah 1 is critical of Israeli life. You would be correct.
- Our selection today is both critical, “I will pull you down.” But it is also talking about a better day.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Say Harper and Victoria, "Wow, that was really good."