4th Sunday of Advent, December 20, 2020

 

Says Ben, "Welcome in, Everybody."
 

 

Readings:

Isaiah 56, 1, 6-7,   A house of prayer for all peoples.

Psalm 67,   Oh God, let all the nations praise you.

Roman s 11, 13-15, 29-32,  I am speaking to you Gentiles

Matthew 15, 21-28,  My daughter is tormented by a demon.  

 

 

 

Likewise, Sydney & Hugh say, "Come right in, Folks."

 

 

Isaiah 56 observations:

As soon as you see Isaiah, chapter 56, you know some things, if you are into the study of the Bible and especially  of Isaiah, my favorite.

1. Isaiah 56 is Isaiah 3, chapter 56-66, the end of the book of Isaiah.
2. Isaiah 3 is put together after the Babylonian Captivity, that is, around 555 before Christ.
3. The Israelites have returned to Jerusalem, a totally destroyed, depressed city.
4. Therefore, it is plausible to expect Isaiah 3 to be trying to lift up the spirits of the people.  This he does, consoling the people with promises of a better time.   Note: the better days are conditional on good behavior.  Ever think of how our whole redemption story is conditional? Not much unconditional love.   In other words, if you want my love and favor, behave.

 

 

 

Sez Leo, "I am ready, let's go!"

 

 

Goofy Myths

This morning I would like to talk about myths, wako beliefs, and superstitions.   Myths are human efforts to explain the unexplainable, like what happens to me after death, how did the world begin, and when or how is the world going to end.

There could be no better time to talk about myths, because guess what we have tomorrow.  An eclipse of the sun.  Today we understand what is happening because we have telescopes and an understanding of how objects are moving in space.

 

 

 

 

It don't get better than this.   The Gerwers are here.  Brady, Cameron, Casey, Trey, and Reid.

 

 

However, long ago the Greeks, to take one example, believed the myth that the eclipse was a sign that the gods were mad and that disaster was about to take place, even the end.  The ancient myths held that the eclipse was demon caused and that the eclipse was an evil omen. 

Today it still may be believed that the eclipse is a danger to an unborn child and even to the mother.  The wisdom, therefore, says ‘don’t get pregnant before an eclipse. 

 

 

Long time Best Buddies, John & Leo.

 

The truth in all these myths is that the eclipse is not caused by angry gods, is not a bad omen, disaster is not about to take place, and there is no effect on an unborn child or the mother. 

The only truth is that the sun, even a sliver of it, will burn your eyes if you look at it and you will go blind.

 

 

 

 

Our Candle Man of The Week, Ben.

 

 

There are food myths, too, folks.  For example, raw carrots are better for you than cooked carrots.  Vitamin C wards off colds.  Coconut oil is good for your health.   Not so to all.

And, of course,  the great myth that regular consumption of Blue Bell will cause weight gain.  Oops, come to think about it, maybe it is true.  Just wishful thinking.

 

 

 

Two more long time Best Buddies, Zoe with her grandfather, Gil

 

All of this I mention as a way of setting up what I would finally like to touch, the subject of Matthew’s story, the little girl possessed by a demon.  For centuries there has been the myth that people, adults and even children, have been possessed by demons.  The belief still lives.  Despite the movie The Exorcist, this is not true.  People are not possessed by demons. 

There is a psychological explanation for a person showing these symptoms.   There are two ways to explain the situation, disassociation and multiple personality.  I have only worked with adults who present symptoms which are really odd behaviors.   This is because the person, who has been severely abused as a child presents multiple personalities.  One personality may present like a demon, another as a 10 year old child, another as  a talented corporate executive.  

 

 

 

 

Two more long time Best Buddies, Mary & Mike.

 

 

Apparently I have the ability when I am being hurt to go to an out of body place where I am not hurt.  This can lock itself in place.  

The people I worked with who had this diagnosis, if they had been told they were demon possessed, awful.  And maybe some uneducated priest tried to do an exorcism. This did not help them at all.  In fact, they were sure they were condemned.  Victimized again.   

 

 

 

 

From Best Buddies to The Best Music, Shonda, Ben, & David.

 

 

Therefore, my position is that there is no possession by devils.  In fact, there are no devils.

Rosemary says to me, "Why do you want to talk about this subject?  My answer, 'To take away or lessen fear.'

We have a God of unconditional love.  Believe it?

 

 

 

The Elevation.

Isaiah 5:  As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Philippians 1: Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Matthew 20:  Are you envious because I am generous?  Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.

 

 

The Blog will be on vacation until Sunday, October 15, 2023

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,    Shonda & Ben 

Readers,  Geri & Mike

Homily,   John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Kevin

Final Blessing, Linda

 

                                      

John Stack and John Cade start Mass

 

 

Remember these special people:

For the family of Ron Senter;   For Meredith  whose cancer has come back;  For Tom Good;  For Tom  Quinn who had back surgery on November 21st; For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer ;  For Madeleine, Richard Eshelbrenner's granddaughter;  For Hue; For Jackie;  For John's sister, Kathey recovering from a fall;   For Tom Good;   For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie;  For Ron ;  For Teresa Quinn's niece, Maddie who has a brain tumor;

                                                                                                 

 

Jackie's 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 & the families of Annie and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Ben gets a cookie for his daughter, Sophia's birthday.  Ben promised he would bring it home.

                                          

Birthdays:   Sophia

Anniversaries:  Becky & Tom Good 9/26, John Cade Ordination 9/30

       

         

Jackie sharing her homily

 

 

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  345.00

Outreach: $  

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

          

John gets a cookie for the anniversary of his ordination

Readings:

Ezekiel  34, 11-12, 15-17, I will look after and tend my sheep.

Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.  (a beautiful Psalm)

1 Corinthians  15,  20-26. 28, Christ has been raised from the dead

Matthew 25, 31-46, He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

 

 

From Becky Good:  Our Special Thanksgiving Goal

Would it be possible for you to put in the blog the fact that we are having a food drive at Legacy for our neediest families?

We’re actually doing a giveaway Sunday the 22nd so if people wanted to drop off food between now and Friday the 20th we’d appreciate it. It could be anything from a turkey to peanut butter to apples. I think apples keep for a while don’t they? 

Thank you for this consideration. See you Sunday online!

 

 

 

 

 

John Cade, our homilist this Sunday.

 

ROMEOS, Friday, November 20, 1:00,  as usual.    Welcome!

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 33rd Sunday Ordinary Time, November 15, 2020

Here are the links for Sunday:

 

Thanks…     

Music,   Ben & Shonda

Donna updates us on the sweatshirt and hoodie drive

 

Expenses: $   1,000.00

Outreach: $   450.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Lynda reads her blessing

 

 

Lynda's Blessing:

Today I am thankful for eyes that have come to see that life will not always be easy.
That road will bend.
Those lines will blur.
That tides will rise.
And that storms will come.
I am thankful for those lights that took the form of humans.
Who shone into me when I was at my lowest.
Who were not afraid of sadness. Or darkness.
Or the many layers that wove themselves around me and made me hard to understand.
Or reach. Or even hard to love sometimes.
I'm thankful for skies that change color.
For paths that change direction.
And for seasons that remind me that we are all just one breath away from a new beginning.
I am thankful, knowing that kindness still exists.
That the truth is out there.
That faith can move mountains.
And that I was made for every last bit of it.

~ 'Thankful' by Ullie Kaye

 

 

Isaiah 62:  No more will anyone call you Rejected, and your country will no more be called Ruined. You'll be called Hephzibah (My Delight), and your land Beulah (Married), Because God delights in you and your land will be like a wedding celebration.

1 Corinthians 12:  All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

John 2:  This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

 

Aviana 6/2008

 

Aviana 1/2025

 

 

 

Another Reminder for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 19, 2025

Isaiah 49:  I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

Corinthians 1:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:  On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit!

 

 

 

Mary reading from Isaiah

 

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,    Ben & Shonda

Readers,  Mary and Frank

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

 

       

Frank reading from Paul's letter to the Corinthians

                                                               

 

 

Readings:  Download 01-15-23 Readings – 2nd Ordinary

Homily:  

 

 

 

Shonda and Ben, the music makers

 

 

 

Remember these special people:

For Kaliope, John Cade's Mother-in-law who passed this week  and for the family;  For Jan;  For John Simari's mother who is not feeling well;  For Tom  Quinn who had 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 ;  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.

 

 

 

Jackie reading her homily

 

 

Birthdays:  Becky Good 1/18

Anniversaries:  

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  675.00

Outreach: $  100.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

         

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing: 

 

New Years Prayer  by Charlotte Anselmo

 

Thank you Lord for giving me

The brand new year ahead

Help me live the way I should

As each new day I tread.

 

Give me gentle wisdom

That I might help a friend

Give me strength and courage

So a shoulder I may lend.

 

The year ahead is empty

Help me fill it with good things

Each new day filled with joy

And the happiness it brings.

 

Please give the leaders of our world

A courage born of peace

That they might lead us gently

And all the fighting cease.

 

Please give to all upon this earth

A heart that’s filled with love

A gentle happy way to live

With your blessings from above.