Sunday Homily, July 21, 2019, 16th Ordinary Time

 Readings:

Joshua 5, 9-12, Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.

Psalm 34,  Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5, 17-21,  We are ambassadors for Christ.

Luke 15, 1-32,  A man had two sons, The Prodigal Son.

Introduction and homily by John  Cade 

Some words about today’s readings, especially Joshua: 

WHAT: The book of Joshua is the 6^th book of the Hebrew Scripture and of the Christian Old Testament. 

WHO: The name Joshua has the same root in Hebrew as the name Jesus has in Greek. Joshua was the young man Moses chose to be his military captain in their conflicts with other tribes in their wanderings for 40 years prior to entering the land God had promised them. In the Book of Deuteronomy (5^th book of Pentateuch), Moses had a lapse of confidence in the Lord’s plan, following his sending the 12 spies into Caanan and getting a negative intelligence report (all except Joshua and Caleb said ‘don’t go’—giants and outnumbered, etc.).

That’s when the Lord told Moses he would not enter the Promised Land and that Joshua would be the only adult not born in Egypt to enter the promised land. After Moses died, Joshua was called by God to lead the people into the promised land.

WHEN: Scripture scholars generally agree that the Book of Joshua has little historical value for early Israel, that it actually reflects a much later period, and that it was written by multiple authors and editors.  Guess when scholars think the book of Joshua was compiled in its present form? Yes, after the fall of Jerusalem (around 555) during or after the Babylonian captivity.

WHY: Bible scholars say the intent of Joshua was theological, a teaching about Israel’s call to keep the covenant given through Moses, and to show what happens when you keep the covenant and what happens when you don’t. There are horror stories in this book, like when the Israelites are instructed to destroy every breathing being of the tribes they replaced. Today we debate about the U.S. military’s drone program, about whether it is legal or ethical to kill an enemy if innocent non-combatants might also be hurt, or to kill a U.S. citizen who has now become an enemy. They seemed to have had no qualms in Joshua’s time about such fine points. 

Today’s Reading from Joshua: It’s a passage that celebrates the Israelites’ crossing over the River Jordan and their entrance into the promised land. For the first time they have food from the land to eat and are no longer in need of the manna that God provided during the 40 years they wandered in the desert.

Then in the reading from Luke we hear how Jesus describes in a parable that God is like a merciful parent, accepting with love rather than vengeful or punishing. The Good News proclaimed by Jesus—the new Joshua—turned the old covenant on its head—now the covenant is about the preeminence of love and the fullness of life for all people everywhere, including strangers and enemies and sinners.

Homily:   

This reading speaks for itself and doesn’t need much else. My words today will be brief. 

There is a strong link between the covenant between God and the Israelites of Joshua’s time and the covenant announced by Jesus for all people and exemplified in the story of the ‘prodigal son’ or ‘the merciful father’

The original covenant was made between God and Abraham, and followed with Isaac and Jacob, Joseph and Moses and Joshua. Three times there is mention of a Passover meal to mark this covenant between God and the Jewish people.

The first Passover meal was when the people prepared to flee Egypt with Moses; the second mention is when Moses received the 10 Command-ments at Mt. Sinai; and the third is when the Israelites entered with Joshua into the promised land. In Joshua and in Luke there is the story of gathering for a meal or feast (like our pot luck feasts), to celebrate acceptance by the merciful father. Jesus himself, before he died, shared a Passover Meal with his friends. We celebrate that way today and every Sunday by gathering for a ritual meal we call the Mass. This gathering and sharing is the sign of our connection with God and God’s acceptance, mercy and love, extended to all.

Friday I heard that the Cardinals in Rome will open their conclave on Tuesday and they too will gather for a meal, a special Mass, as they select a successor to Benedict XVI to lead our world-wide community as an accepting, merciful and loving parent. 

My question for you is: When is the last time you received acceptance and mercy from someone? & How do you show acceptance and mercy with your family, your community and all people? 

“You must rejoice, for your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.” 

 Readings:  Isaiah 5, 1-7; Psalm 80, The Vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel; Philippians 4, 6-9; Matthew 21, 33-43 

Isaiah:

• The biggest of the big 3 prophets not only because of the book's volume, 66 chapters, but because of the beauty of some passages.   The book is my favorite.
• Time written: before the Babylonian Captivity (ca. 590) chapters 1-39 seem to have been composed by the prophet.  After the Captivity (ca. 540) at least two followers seem to have composed chapters 40-66.
• Today's selection: talks about a vineyard worker who labors carefully to bring forth good grapes, but gets only weeds.  What does he do with the vines?  This story matches up with Matthew's parable.

Picture 1:    Sacrament of the Sick

Picture 2:    Shonda, Bethany, & Ray

 Readings:    

1 Kings  17, 10-16,   When we have eaten it, we shall die.

Psalm 146,   Praise the Lord, my soul.

Hebrews 9, 24-28,   He will bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Mark 12, 38-44,  A poor widow came and put in two small coins.

Emma & Mom

 Kings:

     Author & date of composition: the work is a compilation of numerous sources put together near the end of the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 550.

    Subject Matter: 1 Kings is part of a 4 book work that includes 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings.  The 3 kings are Saul, David, and his son, Solomon.

 The work begins with Samuel, the last great judge, continues through the lives of the 3 kings, and finally shows how Solomon’s sons’ squabbles led to the division of the Jewish nation into two states, north & south, Israel & Judah.  Both states were defeated and the people of Judah taken into the Babylonian Captivity.  It ends on a high note when Cyrus of Persia defeats Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon, and allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

Leo & truck

    The Theme: you be good, good things happen to you; you be bad, bad things happen to you.

    Our selection: 2 great prophets lived when the kingdom divided, Elijah & Elisha.  They criticized the bad ways of the sons.  In this selection, Elijah tells the king he is going to send a drought to the king's land.  Then Elijah goes away & meets a poor, starving widow with a son.  Watch what happens.  This is setting us up for a little widow in the gospel.

Celebrating Verans' Day

   Contribute all I have, my whole livelihood?

I want to talk about a marvelous event I saw take place on a Southwest airplane.  

Last week Rosemary & I went to Chicago to visit a friend of mine since all the way back to our days at Christ the King grade school.  My friend, Pete, he and I parted after high school and we saw each other maybe half a dozen times all these years up until recently.

Bernadette leading The Creed

When I entered the Jesuits in Louisiana, he entered the F.B.I. and worked his whole life in and out of Chicago.  He was always athletic and last year told me he ran the Chicago Marathon 10 times.

So we fly Southwest to Chicago on Tuesday and return Wednesday.  The visit goes fine and we prepare to return home.  When we boarded in Chicago we were a bit nervous because the plane homeward bound was booked solid and we were on standby.  We make it okay.

Torri and her Mom, Michelle

Before arriving at Love Field we make a quick stop in Kansas City.  Half the plane empties, and refills just short of full.  Rather quickly all the new passengers are seated.  The overhead bins are stuffed full and closed.

Rosemary and I are seated two thirds of the way back, together this time.  Everything is copasetic and ready for departure.

Connie

 At this point down the aisle comes a slightly heavy lady.  She is pulling a roll on, max size. 

When she gets to us she sees a flight attendant approaching from the back.   “Where can I place my bag?” she asks. 

Bill Hammond updating us on Bona Responds and accepting our $2,000 check for their relief work in NYC

“I think all the bins are full, Ma’am.  Would you like to check your bag?”

“No,” responds the woman somewhat bluntly. 

Meanwhile the flight attendant is patiently opening and trying to find space, but this lady’s roll on is not small.  And her posture says she is not backing down.  The flight attendant is pleasant but starting to get a bit frustrated.

Amanda being escorted by her mom, Linda

We are at crisis point, I think to myself. 

Then, the most amazing thing happens.  The woman in the aisle seat right across from me and Rosemary says to the flight attendant, “You may check my bag that is overhead and put her bag in my place.” 

I could not believe. 

The Wedding Saturday night

The woman then mentions that she has $20,000 worth of equipment in her bag and she cannot stow it.   It would have helped to know this from the start.  However, the bag in the bin went underneath and the late arriving bag went in the bin.

I talk about this because the woman who offered her bag resembled the two women in the stories.  Both women gave a lot of themselves.

Three observations.

Luciano and Amanda beginning a new life

First, I bet a lot of parishioners are hearing how they should be donating to their parish like this little lady in Mark.   It is a set up.  And it is a really narrow approach to the story.

Secondly, watch out for Mark’s use of infinite demand.  Am I supposed to likewise contribute all I have, my whole livelihood?  Not quite, which leads to my next point.

Thirdly, we are called to help and to contribute, not just money, but so much else, my roll on, my time, my positive strokes of others, my efforts to help people recover from a hurricane, like the St. Bonaventure kids and staff are doing. 

Of course, when leaving that plane I complimented the lady on her offering her roll on to be stowed and I asked the flight attendant her name so I could send in a compliment to corporate, which I did.  That was my small offering to the event.

Owen Gordon's Memorial at Sunset Point on White Rock Lake, Sunday afternoon

Whom are you helping today?

Readings:

Ecclesiastes   1 2; 2, 21-23, Vanity of vanities, all things are vanit.

Psalm 90,  If today you hear his voice, harden not  your hearts.

Colossians 3, 1-5, 9-11,   Put to death the parts of you that are earthly

Luke 11, 1-13,  The rich man who hoarded all his wealth in bigger barns, then died.

 

The Consecration

INTRODUCTION:  

After the Jews received the commandments and oral law, they received from God the Judges; the last of whom was Samuel. During this period of time the following wisdom was practiced: Jews were to follow the example of the Judges. They were to use their free will to determine what was right or wrong using the oral law and the Commandments as their guide.

When the people asked for a king, Samuel said, ‘No!’  Why?  A king would take the best of everything from you; your sons and daughters, your land, your vineyards. He will become rich and you will become poor.  Do not put your faith in a king instead of God. 

Fast forward through King Saul and King David, to our first reading from Ecclesiastes.  The one who labored in our first reading was King David.   His son Solomon, did not labor for, but was the beneficiary of all of his possessions.  Solomon was worldly wise and clever; but not spiritually wise. He certainly did not use the oral law or the commandment to guide his decisions, nor did he suggest to others to do so until the very end of Ecclesiastes.  Our second reading continues the teaching we are receiving from Colossians.  We are to humble ourselves to be the hands and eyes and heart of Christ in the world by showing compassion and generosity to others.  To put on Christ infers that we have died to the greed that is idolatry,

 

The Offertory. Bill, Marlene, and Cindy

HOMILY:  Samuel’s reasons for not having a king where fulfilled by Solomon.  He abandoned his father David’s advice to him, and he lavished himself with expensive gifts.  He lusted after women, taking 700 wives and 300 concubines.  He had 4000 stalls filled with expensive horses.  In a dream Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people with justice.  Remember the parable I shared with you some time ago about Solomon and the two prostitutes?  He asked his servants for a sword, saying that he would cut the living child in two, giving half to one and half to the other.  He used fear not wisdom to identify the real mother.  He was clever; but not spiritually wise.

 

Genevieve, a happy little girl

In the New Testament Letter of James, the rich are reminded of the wisdom that comes to us from above. It is the good news of Jesus Christ. Those who seek him receive the Holy Spirit so that their labor is pure and gentle, and filled with compassion.  The wisdom, of course, is that we are to put on Christ.

The inspired writer of the Luke gospel used the word rich to describe the man in today’s parable.  This Greek word suggests that the man had more than ample property to make willingly, with gratitude, a generous gift. But he didn’t; his wisdom was foolishness.  The parable is to be understood this way:  The Lord’s judgment, ‘you fool,’ is how he gave answer to the rich man’s greed that was idolatry.

Generosity is always a gift of gratitude toward God.  Giving of our time and talent is just as important as giving material wealth.  In everything give thanks for that is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.  The wisdom that comes from above is meant to be contagious, those served with love are given the opportunity to do the same for others.

Readings:

Wisdom  9, 13-18,  Who can know God’s counsel?

Psalm 90,  In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

Philemon 1, 9-10, 12-17,  If you regard me as a partner, welcome Onesimus  as you would me.  

Luke 14, 25-33,   If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, he cannot be my disciple.   (Another awful Luke message.  A good one maybe for teens.   Wait for next week, a really good one.)

Harper says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome in."

Observations on the book of Wisdom:

What:  Exploration of the meaning and value of wisdom.  The author is the first to express a hope for immortality, a Greek concept.

 Who:  A Greek Jew who wrote probably in Alexandria, Egypt.

Kevin, too, says, "Hi, Folks, Welcome."

Hate my Father and Mother?

I remember one Saturday morning in the summer of 1960.  I was 20 years old and in my second year as a Jesuit intern-novice.   I was also in a pirogue floating down the Calcasieu River in SW LA with one of my best fellow Jesuit novice buddies, Jerry McCaffery from New Orleans.  

Every summer for the 4 years I spent at Grand Coteau we Jesuit interns got to spend 2 weeks at a river camp near the village of Kinder.  For me it was paradise, swimming, boating, living in the two story screened in pavilion, beds on the second floor, dining room and activities on the first.  We were about 50 plus guys. 

Offertory with Bernadette, Richard, and Gil.

As Jerry & I floated down the river that Saturday morning, Jerry told me that at that very moment in New Orleans his brother was getting married.  He could not go.  That was policy.

We were instructed that when we entered the Jesuits we entered a new family and left behind our former family.  So we never went back home, for anything, weddings, funerals, Christmas, Thanksgiving.   The idea was that we were becoming companions of Jesus in a family devoted to that goal. 

The Best Music Team, Shonda, Bethany, and Ray.

This was how the Jesuits put into practice the message today about hating one’s father and mother.  We were not instructed to hate, just refocus our allegiance.   Today I am embarrassed to admit that I bought this message.  The Jesuit training has certainly mellowed since Vatican II.  However, there are still rigid groups & religious orders that take this literally. 

I would propose that this story exemplifies the negative approach to these ideas.  Is there a positive?   I would say ‘yes,’ if you make the father and mother symbols.  Symbols of things that hold me back from being truly alive, truly healthy, and truly spiritual. 

Welcome back, John and Mary Jane, so good to see you with us.  

Also the word hate may be taken as hyperbole or exaggeration. 

Therefore, what about these symbols standing for unhealthy eating, excessive drinking, over work, being lazy, or materialism? 

Certainly, if I had listened to my high school buddies, and even my mom, I confess, I would never have joined the Jesuits.

The Wedding of Lynn and Roger begins.

Likewise, I got a lot of push back about going to East Africa.

And certainly when it came to getting married, did I not get a lot of push back and even condemnation from my dear Jesuits and from the Catholic Church?

Look at the sports page on Saturday morning.  What takes up many of the pages?  High school boys playing football.  How many of these kids had to fight back against their natural tendency to stay in bed and skip practice in the heat?

I, Roger, take you, Lynn, in marriage

So, there can be healthy ways to listen to today’s readings.  No need to take ‘hate’ literally.  No need to take father & mother literally. 

How do you push back against those voices that encourage you to live ultimately less healthily, less spiritually, & less psychologically alive?

Unity Candle.   The wedding took place Saturday at the Little Chapel in The Woods at TWU, Texas Womens' University in Denton.  A delightful and hospitable venue for weddings.

Readings: Acts 14, 21-27; Psalm 145; Revelations 21, 1-5; John 13, 31-35.

“Love One Another as I Have Loved You?”

Occasionally in our lives extraordinary moments come along. We experience a special consolation and come away profoundly touched. Last night’s get together was one of those moments.

We had people celebrating publicly 1, 2, 15, 25, 35, 50,& 60 years of marriage. I felt privileged to be part of the group. I felt doubly privileged to be on the stage with my old coach, teacher, & friend Frank Hart & his wife, Mickey, who knock me over with their 60 years of marriage.

Two things strike me about what I was watching. First, the people who are celebrating 25, 35, 50, & 60 years of marriage have a peace and happiness about them.

How am I different after two years of marriage? I am certainly more peaceful than ever. I’ve always felt a lot of inner peace; I feel even more now.

Secondly, I’ve also discovered that my old insights into marriage still have meaning, namely acceptance and having fun. I hear it said that marriage is work, it is hard. So far I have not seen it. On the contrary, every day Rosemary & I spend together we have fun. We work at planning the fun.

In the gospel, Jesus tells his followers to love each other as he has loved them. Maybe we are hearing “infinite demand”.

Psalm 145, our psalm for today gives a picture of how he loves. The line says he is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love.

That is our challenge.

Whom are you loving this way?

Sorry no audio today.