Sunday Homily, December 8, 2019, 2nd Advent
Having a vision, Aggie?
Readings:
Isaiah 11, 1-10, The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb…(beautiful, poetic?)
Psalm 72, Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
Romans 15, 4-9 Let us throw off the works of darkness
Matthew 3, 1-12, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert (Fear based spirituality?)
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Welcome in, Chip & Cathy.
Curtis Jenkins, December 15
This morning I have my first Christmas homily of the season. I want to introduce you to Curtis Jenkins, a school bus driver for about 70 kids from Lake Highlands Elementary, Richardson West Junior High, and J.J. Peace Senior High. Jenkins is a 46 year old black guy who married his 8th grade girl friend. They have 3 daughters all in their 20’s.
Teamwork.
Jenkins has been driving the school bus for 7 years. Initially he gave up his career as an electrician/ plumber so he could be more present to his mother, who is not well.
What is special about Curtis is taking place right now, this very week All the 70 kids who ride his school bus may make a request for a Christmas present. Last year apparently when Curtis had bought, wrapped, and loaded all the gifts into his bus, there was hardly room for the kids. He does this every year.
Candle lighting with Tori.
Plus, during the year he gives birthday gifts (Sound familiar? Maybe cupcakes?). As the kids prepare to disembark, Curtis gives them a little pep talk, like a hope talk. Maybe a quickie homily or final blessing? He even develops community responsibility by creating clean up teams, safety teams (like bigger kids helping smaller kids, and helper kids (like for gift distribution). Parents say their kids wake up eager and excited that they get to ride Curtis school bus.
He's got it memorized, Folks.
Curtis was featured in the April 20, 2019 edition of the Dallas Morning News.
You know what this makes me want to do? Pick up on Cathy’s idea last Sunday where we would give a Christmas gift to every kid in this school. Are these not our kids? A possibility? How many kids are here?
Juliets' Christmas luncheon. Table 1 of many.
All these ladies do is have parties!