Sunday Homily for December 2, 2018, 1st Advent , C cycle

Job 7: Job spoke, saying: Is not man's life on earth a drudgery?  Are not his days those of hirelings?

1 Corinthians 9: I have become all things to all, to save at lease some.  All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

Mark 1:  He told them, "Let us go to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.  For this purpose have I come."

Reading to prepare for Homily on the “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah this Sunday.

 

The Suffering Servant in Isaiah

Translation from original languages: Eugene Peterson, 2013

Poem 4   (Ch. 52:13-15)        See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.  Even as many were amazed at him—so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals.

So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; for those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.

Poem 4 cont.   (Ch. 53:1-12)   He grew up like a sapling, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. 

He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. 

But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep, each following our own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.

Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny?  He was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people.

A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many and win forgiveness for their offenses.

The Suffering Servant in Isaiah                                                         Translation from original languages: Catholic Association of America, 1970                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Poem 1   (Isaiah Ch. 42:1-4)   

       Take a good look at my servant.  I’m backing him to the hilt.  He’s the one I chose, and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.  I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.  He’ll set everything right among the nations.  He won’t call attention to what he does, with loud speeches or gaudy parades.  He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt, and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.  He won’t tire out and quit.  He won’t be stopped until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth. 

Poem 2   (Isaiah Ch. 49: 1-6)

       Listen, far-flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born.  The moment I entered the world he named me.  He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate.  He kept his hand on me to protect me.  He made me his straight arrow and hid me in his quiver.  He said to me, “You’re my dear servant, through whom I’ll shine.”

But I said, “I’ve worked for nothing.  I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.  Nevertheless, I’ll let God have the last word.  I’ll let him pronounce his verdict.”

God speaks, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, to bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel—what an honor for me in God’s eyes!  That God should be my strength!  God speaks, “But that’s not a big enough job for my servant—just to recover the tribes of Israel.  I’m setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!” 

Poem 3   (Isaiah Ch. 50:4-11)

The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage tired people.  God wakes me up in the morning, God opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders.  The Master, God, opened my ears, and I didn’t go back to sleep, didn’t pull the covers back over my head.  I followed orders, stood there and took it while they beat me, held steady while they pulled out my beard, didn’t dodge their insults, faced them as they spit in my face.  And the Master, God, stays right there and helps me, so I’m not disgraced.  Therefore, I set my face like flint, confident that I’ll never regret this.  My champion is right here.  Let’s take our stand together!  Who dares bring suit against me?  Let him try!  The Master, God, is right here.  Who would dare call me guilty?  Who out there actually listens to the voice of God’s servant?  For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going, anyone groping in the dark, here’s what:  Trust in God.  Lean on your God! 

Isaiah 11:  On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

Romans 15:  Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sign praises to your name.

Matthew 3:  A voice of one crying out in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

 

     

Meredith and Brent get a cookie for their anniversary

 

 

Advent Opportunities

1.  December 11, 2022 We are collecting sweatshirts and hoodies for the men at Soul's Harbor.

2.  From Lynda Fleming:

Shonda and Cody (home sick) get a cookie for their anniversary

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,    Ben & Shonda

Readers,  Mary Jane and John

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Richard & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

         

                           

Tom and Denni have an anniversary too.

               

                                                                  

Readings:  Download 12-04-22- Readings – 2nd Sunday of Advent

Homily:  

 

 

Richard gives out communion

 

 

 

Remember these special people:

For Jan;  For Tom  Quinn who is having back surgery on November 21st;  For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer and Kaliope, John Cade's Mother-in-law;  For Madeleine, Richard Eshelbrenner's granddaughter;  For Hue; For Jackie;  For John's sister, Kathey recovering from a fall;    For Tom Good;  For a young man, 19 struggling with a brain tumor and cancer;     For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan; 

       

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.;   For Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren;     For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation & friends, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

 

  Connie gives out communion

 

 

Birthdays:  Mike Moran 12/2, Grace LeBlanc 12/4, Cathy Bambenek 12/4

Anniversaries:   Brent and Meredith 12/1, Shonda and Cody 12/3

 

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  1,995.00 

Outreach: $   515.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

                 

Lynda tells us about the Angel Tree

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:  

 

Sometimes readings in Advent focus mainly on repentance and on waiting for the Savior and Messiah to redeem us from our sins.  Yet, the Jewish people of the Hebrew Scriptures and the early Christians had much broader expectations.  The Savior is the one who comforts and heals us, rescues and unbinds us, enlightens us and lifts us up as well as wipes away our sins.  The earthly life of Jesus was filled with his healing and compassionate acts; his treating outcasts and women with inclusivity, dignity and love; his breaking down cultural, religious and social walls that separate people; and his not only forgiving sinners, but also eating with them.   This is what Jesus wants to do for us.  Advent is a time of becoming more whole, a time of becoming all we want to be and all God wants us to be.

Advent Reflection by S. Jean Amore, CSJ, VP for Mission and Academics, Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, N.Y.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin and Hue, the ZOOM Team

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,   Ben

Community Finances:   

  Expenses: $    525.00

  Outreach: $      50.00

 

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.

This is to have succeeded.

 

Success – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

May you succeed!

Special Announcement for John Stack Ministries:

This Sunday, 1/26, there will be a birthday brunch after Mass.  We  have 7-9 birthdays to celebrate and some ole geezer says it is numero 80 for him. 

Welcome, Everybody.  Pot Luck.

 

 

Readings:

Genesis 15, 1-6,  Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can…Thus so shall your descendants be.

Psalm 105, The Lord remembers his covenant forever

Hebrews 11-14,  By faith Abraham obeyed, by faith Abraham received power

Luke 2, 22-40,  Simeon had been told that he would not die until he saw the Redeemer

 

 

Dreaming?  Yes!   HHH, end of August, Wichita Falls, 100 miles, last Saturday of August.

 

ROMEOS, Friday, January 8, 1:00,  as usual.    Welcome!   Note, not this Friday, Jan.1 

ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09

Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar

 

 

Reminder for Holy Family Sunday, December 27, 2020

Here are the links for Sunday: