Sunday Homily, September 16, 2018, 24th, Ordinary Time
Leo says, "Welcome as long as you know the password" (e.g. You are The Best, Leo).
Readings:
Isaiah 50, 4-9, The Lord opens my ear that I may hear.
Psalm 116, I will walk before, in the land of the Living
James 2, 14-18, What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Mark 8, 27-35, Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself
Special Welcome to Barbara's sister from Germany, Gita.
Isaiah: observations
What is it about: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Isaiah?
1st Isaiah, Chapters 1-39: predict doom for the Hebrews because they have not been faithful to their one god.
2nd Isaiah, Chapters 40-55: this & the remaining chapters are called The Book of Consolation. They try to assure the people who are now in exile that God will restore them to their former glory & peace. In fact, in chapter 45 the composer even mentions the name of Cyrus, the king of the Persians who defeats Babylon & sends the Hebrews back to Jerusalem. So the composer knew of Cyrus and a date can be narrowed down.
Emma at work on here specialty, Lighting the Candles.
This 2nd Isaiah section presents 4 suffering servant songs, #2 being our selection today. Jews see the servant to be the Hebrew people/nation. Christians see the servant to be Christ.
Isaiah 2 is considered maybe the most influential O.T. book. On Isaiah 2 Mark built much of his gospel, especially the story of the crucifixion.
Handel's Messiah uses 2nd Isaiah for its lyrics.
3rd Isaiah, Chapter 56-66: more assurances of a return to peace & glory.
Georgie backing up the Candle Lighting ritual with The Blessing.
Mark: observation
I do not like the line in Mark where he says we have to take up our cross. I have seen the negative result of this. Which is not to imply that we do not have to struggle to reach goals, like, say, 175 lbs.
Welcome in, Ron. Thanks for bringing Gita.
Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead
This morning I would like to pick up on the line, faith without works is dead.
First of all, to me the statement is simplistic & silly. I know people who are unable to do anything for others, but they have faith, maybe in God, maybe in people, or in themselves.
Actually, we, I can look around and have greater faith in people because I see so many doing so many good things for others. Actually, talking about this subject I feel like a fraud and that I am preaching to the choir, I see you people in our community doing so much. Let me give you about 8 examples of people who inspire me.
A high level meeting of The Board. A Brunch or not next week.
1st, ever hear of the Cajun Navy? Or the Baptist Men? They are both over in the Carolinas doing rescue & recovery work right now. On NPR yesterday morning, I heard the “Cajun Admiral” or “Captain” say he expected 1000 volunteers by Saturday afternoon. They come with their fishing boats. They were everywhere in Houston last year this time.
I’ve worked with the Baptist Men in Galveston and they come prepared with generators, a big kitchen, and showers installed in 18 wheelers. I slept with about 20 of them in a dormitory in a church. I wish I could be there. Just have not got the stamina any more.
Georgie & Buddy, The Board has voted too double your stipends.
How could I ever forget Jim Mahar of St. Bonaventure, one of my patron saints, along with his local buddy, Bill Hammond. The two of them have gotten me into so many projects. It must even be close to the time Bill will be putting his sign up sheet out for the Love of the Kids Fall picnic.
Fifth, I am reminded that these first weekends of October are the weekends we used to plant trees. How many did we have for our last big plant at Plano Senior High?, I don’t know. I do know, however, that we planted in an hour 400 trees. Go see.
And another high level board meeting, this with dad & daughter.
Then, closer to home & me there is Brent with his marvelous work as director of Souls Harbor. There is Hue. Do you realize that from 2005, when we started, Hue has been our sound man, Sunday after Sunday. Then there is Jan, our faithful hostess.
And finally the picture takers like Rick, Connie, Mike, and even Rosemary on occasion. Without everybody’s patience our blog without pictures would be pretty boring.
So, Leo, you are telling me that all these people knew today's password.
So, even if you are like me and cannot do all the works you would like, who gives you inspiration and faith in the goodness of others?
Welcome back home, Dearest Harper. It has been no fun without you while you were sick