21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 23, 2020

Introduction: While reflecting on our blessings of the week-

• We are blessed to be alive today, just as those who landed in the Hudson;

• We are blessed to be alive to witness Tuesday the inauguration of a black man where slaves once constructed the buildings.  Our people have grown.

Readings:  1 Samuel 3, 3-19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6, 13-20; John 1, 35-42   

1 Samuel: This is book one of two books.  The series is 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings; the characters being Samuel, the last of the Judge leaders of Israel-Judah; Saul, the first king; and King David. 

Authors:  Traditionally it was thought that 3 people wrote the book, Samuel, Gad, & Nathan.  Samuel, chapters 1-25; Gad was King David's historian, & Nathan was an editor.  Contemporary biblical experts think this unlikely & say that the works were put together at least 50 years after the time of the events.

Time:  The events take place ca. 1100-1000 BCE.  The compilation & recording of the events takes place ca. 950 BCE. 

Today's Selection: Yahweh is calling Samuel in a dream.  This ties in with the Gospel where three future apostles are called.  Samuel's parents were Elkanah & Hannah, and Hannah is famous because of a touching story about how she came to have Samuel.  She had been barren for years and even Elkanah's other wife ridiculed her.  One day the prophet Eli heard her crying and praying in the temple.  At first he accused her of being drunk.  Then when he talked with her, he promised that she would have a son. 

Hannah had promised Yahweh that she would dedicate to the temple her son, if she got one.  Consequently, our selection finds Samuel residing in the temple with Eli the prophet.  He would be about 12 years old.

Be aware that while these marvelous stories about Samuel are mythological, the writer is attempting to convey to a simple people lessons in trust in Yahweh.

What are You Looking for?

The theme of our readings this morning is obviously call & response.  Over the years you have heard repeatedly my 3 personal calls, the priest-Jesuit call, East Africa, and marriage.  You have reason to be tired of hearing the same stories.  Consequently, I looked around for sub-themes in the readings, and in my various sources a number of sub-themes came up.  The sub-theme that I want to talk about is stated by Jesus to the two future apostles, Matthew and (maybe) John, "What are you looking for?"  This is certainly relevant to what is taking place this week.  But first three other minor observations.

First, the verb stay is used three times.  The two ask Jesus where is he staying or dwelling.  They find where he is staying.  Then they stayed with him.  Significant to the writer?  So many times the writers have a special agenda in their use of a word.

Secondly, the verb see or looked intently at is used 5 times.  John the Baptist watched Jesus walk by, but really what is said is that he looked intently at.  Then Jesus saw the two.  Jesus tells them they will see.  The two saw where Jesus stayed.  Then when Peter came before Jesus, Jesus looked at him, really looked intently at him. 

Third, 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  In the original language it says 10 o'clock.  This is the eastern way of keeping time, the way I learned in East Africa.  There is another whole time calculation than the Greenwich Mean Time.  In fact, I find it more logical.  What is usually the first hour of daylight or the first hour of darkness?   7 o'clock in our time.  In the east the first hour of daylight & the first hour of darkness is 1 o'clock.  Our 7:00 A.M. & 7:00 P.M. is 1 o'clock of the day or 1 o'clock of the night.

Finally, "What are you looking for?"  Who knows, who cares?  Well, we know.  And we can care because what those two are looking for is basically what we are looking for.  So did they find it?

I would propose that we can say, 'yes, I know what they were looking for."  We are blessed because we have people who have gone before us who have mapped out what we people are looking for.  You may have run into this in psychology 101 or elementary psychology in high school, but it is useful to remind ourselves.  The person who for me mapped it out best is the famous psychologist, Abraham Maslow.  He has five stages of human need or what we are looking for.

Stage 1:  Imagine a pyramid and we are starting at the bottom with the most elemental.  What we are looking for at this stage is biological and physiological.  Namely, food & drink, air, shelter,warmth, sleep.  Our ancestors lived on this stage, but most of us today have this stage under control.

Stage 2:  Safety & security.  I may have shelter, food, and drink, but need a secure place to shelter, eat, and drink.  You may think this applies simply to robbers or security from getting bombed like is going on in Gaza right now, but how many little kids do not find this need stage satisfied.

Stage 3: Love & belonging needs.  I am part of.  A family, a group of peers or friends, a community.  I find acceptance, affection, and love.

Stage 4:  Esteem.  I have achieved, attained status, have reputation & recognition.

Stage 5:  Self actualization.  Self acceptance, acceptance of others and my world, inner peace, more fully alive.

I would observe that all of us in this community have stages 1 & 2 under control and probably also the other three stages in varying degrees.  I suggest that self actualization involves me giving back to others esteem, love, and a sense of belonging.  I also suggest that the usual obstacle to my greater self actualization is my addiction, whatever that may be, alcohol, drugs, food, TV, etc.

There is a little 5 question quickie self assessment that you may take.  I will put a link to it on the blog this evening.  Check it out.

What are you looking for?  Where are you?

AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-01-18.mp3

SELF ASSESSMENT: Download Quick self assessment

Picture 1:  Choir–Wendy, Shonda & Ray, & Celeste

Picture 2:  Birthday & Anniversary–Charlie, Claire & Ray

Picture 3:  Birthdays–David & Alexandra, dad & daughter

Readings:  Deuteronomy 18, 15-20, A prophet like me will the Lord raise up for you; Psalm 95, If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts; 1 Corinthians 7, 32-35, A married man is anxious about the things of the world (what a reading!); Mark 1,21-28, Quiet, come out of him.

Before the gospel acclamation, Mike Carrell

I have shared with you before that the inspired writers of each gospel begin their gospel with a summary of what they will be presenting, and that each gospel is written as a string of teachings, where each teaching builds on the one before it and therefore prepares for the one after it. 

So, before the words of the gospel are proclaimed today, I want to very briefly frame what you are about to hear, so that you will be able to better understand today’s teaching. 

The first teaching from Mark begins, ‘The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God as it was written in the prophet Isaiah, perceive’.  In other words, we are to understand that the Mark gospel fulfills the expectation of the coming of the Messiah from the written words of the prophet Isaiah that the writers then begin to present.  The good news, the gospel, means, God’s gift to us of salvation, redemption, through his Son, the Lamb of God, who forgives us of our sins.

This first teaching, after we find out how this will happen, ends with the exhortation, ‘The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent, and believe in the good news.’  Make a pathway to your heart and welcome the Messiah there!

The Mark gospel’s third teaching, the one after today’s reading, begins on the evening of the first day of Jesus’ public ministry. Very briefly Christ’s words cleanse a leper, who has come to Jesus saying, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ After cleaning him, Jesus sends him to the priests to give the required offering for having had his sins forgiven, that of an unblemished lamb.

For the words of Christ, the unblemished Lamb of God, fulfill the expectation given in the written Mosaic Law for the forgiveness of sin, that of an unblemished lamb! The word leper, then, is an outward presence, a karma, of the man’s inner spiritual journey, in Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and in Christianity.

(Recall that the gospels tell us that we are known by our fruit, and that the apostle Paul gives us a long list of the fruits of the Spirit when a man’s inner journey is in and with Christ.) So, the man’s outward sign, presence, showed him to be in serious sin prior to having been made clean.

Reading: Mark 1:16-31

Homily:  Today’s reading must build on the first teaching that our salvation comes to us through the words of Christ, the Lamb of God and prepares us for the third teaching that they fulfill the expectation of his coming within the written Mosaic Law as the unblemished Lamb of God who takes away the sins of humankind.

In my last homily, I presented to you what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. The words of Christ are living waters. When we welcome and live them, the Holy Spirit abides with us—fills our hearts.  By the power, authority, of the Holy Spirit, Christ, the light of the world, is alive to us in our hearts.  Light and darkness cannot coexist!  The Holy Spirit and an unclean spirit cannot coexist! 

When we accept the words of Christ, the unclean spirit, the demon, the leprosy, the fever, is therefore cast out by the power and with the authority of the Spirit that abides in our heart.  This is the meaning of today’s reading.  What does Peter’s mother-in-law immediately do after her fever has been cast out? We are told that she begins to serve those around her.  The meaning of this particular Greek word, serve, is to minister.  It is the word that the Church uses today to describe the office of deacon. 

So much then for those who say that a woman cannot be a minister in the Church!  Since we are taught in the gospels that Jesus has come not to save the righteousness but rather to save the sinner, we know why today’s reading begins with the call of Peter, Andrew, James and John. They must have been well known as sinners before they were chosen by Jesus to lay down their old nets used to catch fish and take up a new net formed by the four strings of teachings of Christ’s words to catch people.

Take a moment to think about the most difficult situation that you found yourself in during the past week.  We are known by our fruit, the outward presence we show to others.  Each of us has been given the power and authority to make Christ present in the world.

Picture 1:  Georgie

Picture 2:  The Offertory – Bobby, Mike and Debbie

Picture 3:  Leo and Ray

Picture 4:  The Pastry Shop – Claire, Kayla, Gilberto and Zoe

Picture 5:  Michelle and Ryan

Picture 6: The Census Takers Group 1 – Tom, Bill, Greg, John and Jean

Picture 7: The Census Takers Group 2 - Mary Ellen, Doug, Grace, Rosemary and John 

Grace reading from the Great Prophet, Isaiah.

Readings:

Isaiah 9, 1-6,    The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.  (Wow!  Beautiful)

Psalm, 96,  Today is born our savior, Christ the Lord.

Reading 2: The Road Less Taken

Luke 2, 1-14,   The Nativity story.   (Lovely)

John reading The Road not Taken, one of The Greats.

Frost, Robert: The Road Not Taken  ( Reading #2)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

        And sorry I could not travel both   

And be one traveler.       Long I stood

         and looked down one as far as I could,

         to where it bent in the undergrowth,

Then took the other, as just as fair,       

         And having perhaps the better claim,

         Because it was grassy and wanted wear.

         Though as for that the passing there

         Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

         In leaves no step had trodden black.

         Oh, I kept the first for another day!

         But knowing how way leads onto way,

         I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

         Somewhere ages and ages hence:

         Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–

         I took the one less traveled by,

         And that has made all the difference.

Claire reading the Nativity Narrative from Luke.

Homily, 12/24/18

Since November when this crazy lumbar stenosis smacked  me, I have had more doctor appointments than ever in my life, including  getting my two nice titanium hips.

On one occasion I was going to Presby’s office building 4, on the south east corner of Walnut Hill & Greenville.  This was my second visit to this building.  Parking is all on the ground level, with the 5 or 6 story building over the parking. 

The Nativity story with Leo as Joseph and Zoe as Mary.

This morning Rosemary drove me over, dropped me fairly near the big glass doors, two sets of them.  It is freezing, darkish, and windy like being in a wind tunnel.

As I approach the first set of doors, though still 30 yards away, this tall,  strong looking black lady in a security uniform comes running from the inside, opens one of the doors wide and says cheerily, Good Morning and Welcome In.

Who dat??  That is the Baby Jesus, otherwise known as Betsy!

I laugh despite being in a world of pain from the pinched nerve.  I thank her.  And as I pass in front of her at the door, I tell her, “I am finding it hard to have people opening doors for me.  I ain’t used to this.”

So I go upstairs, check with my doctor, and return to the lobby in maybe an hour.  I sit on a marble ledge, call Rosemary, and wait.

Sez Luke, "Hey, I'm an Angel!

Suddenly coming in through the doors from the outside, my black security lady appears.  I wave at her and she walks toward me.  She says, “You remember what you said to me that it is hard to let others hold the door for you.  Well, I look at you and I know you.  I know that you have opened a lot of doors for other people to walk through.   For me it is an honor to be able to pay it back just a little and hold the door for you.”

Does it get better than this ??!!

I was stunned, I was touched, I was in tears.

Are people not good!

Have a wonderful Christmas.

The Best Team!

Readings: Jeremiah 20, 7-9; Psalm 63, My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord, My God; Romans 12, 1-2; Matthew 16, 21-27

Jeremiah:

Some short observations–

    1.  One of the Big 3, Isaiah, Ezekiel, & Jeremiah, big because of the size of the work.

     2.  Follows the classic prophet profile: denounce the behavior of people, threaten God's vengeance, and finally, consolation for the reformed.

     3.  Who are prophetic people today?  Perhaps our 3 guest speakers.

Please catch today's homily recorded in the video. 

 
 
Picture 1:    Beginning of Mass with account of Hotter 'N Hell Hundred (as in miles & temp), a bike tour out of Wichita Falls

Picture 2:    Cole with his grandmother, Diane.

Picture 3:    Leo & Sophia, Ben's daughter

Picture 4:    Delgados back in their corner finally.                                
  

Says Harper, "Welcome in, Everybody."

Readings:

Isaiah 61, 1-2, 10-11,   He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners.  (Wow!)

Luke 1,  My soul rejoices in my God  (The Magnificat)

1 Thessalonians 5, 16-24,  Rejoice always.

John, 1, 6-8, 19-28  A man named John was sent from God.

And Welcome in to you two, Joe & Brent.

Isaiah observations– 

Who:   This is Isaiah 3.  Isaiah  1 goes to Chap. 39, Isaiah 2 goes 40-55.  From 40 on we have what is called the Book of Comfort.  Our selection today is all about comfort.  The writer is consoling the Hebrews after returning from Babylon to a destroyed Jerusalem  around 555 before Christ.

The first marvelous couple of verses are repeated more or less in Isaiah 42, i.e.,  Isaiah 2.  Also, Luke puts these words into Jesus mouth in chapter 4 of his gospel.

Tara, Welcome into the U.S from Iran and welcome to our Community.

Advent Wreaths: This little liturgical practice came to the Catholic liturgy, believe it or not, from the German Lutherans in the 1500's, the time of Martin Luther.  It was more than just decoration.  The circle symbolized eternity.  The greens, Christian life in a dead time of the year.  The candles represent each of the 4 weeks of Advent, each candle symbolizing the greater light brought by Christ.  Their color purple symbolized penance and purification for the Coming.  The Rose  candle says, 'We are almost there!

Zoe, Our Candle Lighter of The Week, lighting all 4 candles for Advent.
 

Bring Glad Tidings to the Poor

In the spirit of Advent, which means in Latin bring to or come to (the Lord), I want to tell you two more stories of being touched by goodness and feeling the Lord’s presence. 

I am a member of the Dallas North Rotary.  I have been a member since ca.1990, when I was adjusting to life in Dallas after the years in East Africa.  A guy invited me one time and I never stopped going.  Mostly because I have some good friends there, not that I even eat lunch.

Vesting up with the help of Jackie & Georgie.

Last Tuesday we were having our usual lunch at a delightful little café called Greek Isles on the southwest corner of Preston & Royal.  We were taking a few minutes to share brags or special news. 

One guy named Jerry, who may have been a college professor and who may be older than I am, unlikely as that may seem.  Jerry is telling how he went to the Chase Bank on the Northeast corner of Preston & Royal.  He comes out and notices a low tire.  He pulls a screw out of it, drives to the Exxon convenience store across the street, and discovers that the air pump is broken.

The Minor Elevation

So he leaves his car by the pump and walks over to attend the Rotary luncheon.   I don’t think Jerry has the skill or strength to put on his spare tire.

 I confess that at this point I am thinking that I could run over and put his spare on with no problem.  But I know I did not want to volunteer.  I did not want to leave the people and I did not want to spend the time after the luncheon.

Guess what is coming!

Suddenly, before my conscience kicks in, a guy named Gus says he can do it right away.  He gets up, leaves his lunch, and gets the keys from Jerry.   Out of the room he goes.  Gus just happens to be the gregarious, outgoing owner of the Greek Isles.  I was touched at his gesture and embarrassed at mine.

For me, an Advent moment.

An amusing footnote.  Gus is the owner of the café, but his son, Chris is the manager.  Gus gave the keys to Chris and I suppose it was Chris who eventually put the spare on Jerry’s car.

Can it get better that this, mom & daughter, Beth & Emma.

The second Advent moment was Thursday night at the Meyerson, the whole event.   Rosemary & I have gone to this Christmas concert for 20 years and every year I am so moved.  It was again this year a visual feast as well as an auditory feast.  Moreover, I was there with over thirty of my best friends.

It could have been better only if Rosemary might have made it.   That she did stay home in bed to recuperate from her congestion was a blessing in itself.

Another Advent event.

Yours?

 Kevin is home from college, Everybody, yeah, along with his mom & dad, Connie & John, and special friend, Sandra.

Jeremiah 23, The days are coming when I will raise up a shoot.

Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd

Ephesians 2, He is our peace

Mark 6, Come away and rest a while.

Welcome Home, Ben, so good to see you & to hear you.

Thanks……

Music,    Ben

Readers,  Warren & Brent, & Buddy, our candle blesser 

Gospel,     John Cade

Homily,   John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,     Richard, Hue, & Mike

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy for all these years & will miss you enormously, Becky

Warren reading.

Readings:

Download Readings 16th Ordinary Time 7-18-21

Homily by John Cade

Download Homily John Cade 07-18-21 Good Shepherd

Brent reading.

Remember these special people:

For John & Karen Anderlick's unborn grandson;  For Alan Stryker;   For Candice Taht, friend of Mary Hall;   For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie ;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine;   For Esparza's new great grandson baby, son of Monique, & Frank with shingles;  For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery, and for Hue & Linda's daughter, Doctor Rosemary Beavers;   For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, The Woodlands,   For Loretta's aunt Alicia;  For Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody &  Leo & all of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy, 

Today's team John & John

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.; For Meredith, cancer free & John Schanot;    For John O'Donnell & Jean;   For Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren  ;  For Anthony & Sabrina;    For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini, plus John's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little 4 month old baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends & brother;   for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

Birthdays:    Beth (Monday)

Anniversaries: 

Applause from Meredith.  Community applause for you, Meredith.

Community Finances,   July 18, 2021

Expenses: $535.00

Outreach: $320.00 

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Thanks for the Blessing, Rosemary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Rosemary's Blessing:

A Summer Blessing

May you walk with God
This summer
In whatever you do
Wherever you go

Walking with God means…
Walking with honesty
And with courage,
Walking with love
And respect
And concern for the feelings of others

May you talk to God
This summer
And every day and
In every situation

Talking with God means…
Praying words of praise
For the beauty of creation
Saying prayers of thanks
For friends and good times,
Asking God's help
In all your decisions
Expressing sorrow
When you have failed

May you talk with God
Every day. Amen.

Author unknown

Found on https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/summer-prayers