13th Sunday, Ordinary time, 6-27-2021

Readings:

2 Samuel  5, 1-3,  They anointed David king of Israel.

 Psalm 122,  Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

 Colossians 1, 12-20,  Let us give thanks to the Father.

 Luke, 22, 35-43,   If you are king of the Jews, save yourself.

Special Advent reflection by Deacon Mike:   Download Bible Study by Deacon Mike.10-20-16docx

 

"Hi," says the beautiful Victoria, "Welcome in."

 

History of the Christ the King Feast: date, author, reason it was declared

Date: Not during the early church, not during the time when Constantine made Christianity the religion of the Empire, not during the time of Luther & the Reformation, not during the time of Pius IX with the Italian Resorgiamento & his Infallibility statement (1870), but in 1925.  Fairly Recently.

 

 

And not to be outdone in hospitality, this cute little girl likewise says,  "Hi, Everybody."

 

Author: Pius XI, pope 1922-39

Reason(s): at least 2 factors–The Times and Modernism/Secularism

1. The Times:
   1.  End of WW I and build up to WW II   
   2.  Mussolini & Hitler: the same year Pius XI became pope, Mussolini became prime minister.  By 1925 he had become a dictator.  The feast was to counter the dictatorship.
2. Modernism & Secularism:
   1.  Modernism.  Despite being scholarly and pro-scientific methods, Pius XI was suspicious of biblical scholarship which questioned, for example, biblical inerrancy, the nature of bible miracles, the virgin birth, the resurrection, the atonement theory that God demanded his son suffer & die for a single sin by a human.
   2.  Secularism coming out of the Enlightenment said that all people were equal, people should have a say in government as in democracy, and backed the separation of church/state, like proposed by Jefferson. 

Sources: Living with Christ, Nov., 2009; Wikipedia

 

 

Even Kevin says, "I may not be a cute little girl, but I still say, 'Welcome!'"

 

Observations on Samuel:

What: This is a 4 book series, 1 & 2 Samuel & 1 & 2 Kings.  The first two are all about Samuel, the last of the Judges of the tribe, and about Saul and David, the first two kings.

Author: Numerous authors.  Some say even Saul put together some of the parts that pertain to him.

When written: Over a period of even centuries.  However, it seems to have come together in the present form around the Babylonian Captivity, 555 before Christ.

Our selection: David is anointed king.

Sources: Jerusalem Bible, Good News Bible. 

 

 

Guess who has herself a nice letter jacket!  Congratulations Kara and Hi, James.

 

Thanksgiving

When Christ the King Sunday rolls around every year I am always tempted to tell good old stories about my childhood growing up in Christ the King parish here in Dallas.  Suffice it to say Christ the King was one reason why I became a Jesuit instead of a diocesan priest.

Instead of Christ the King, therefore, I would prefer to focus on my most favorite topic, Thanksgiving from my perspective.  Of course, when I ran my idea by Rosemary, I got a “Thanksgiving again. You just talked about it and you will wear everybody out.”  The problem: I don’t think I can ever focus on thanksgiving enough.  And that holds for all of us. 

 

Offertory, The Ekes, Marlene, Mabel, Bill, and Cindy.

 

So, hang on Everybody, I want to talk about four special blessing that have given me life and joy this year.  I pass on the Big 4 you know about, the Jesuit experience, East Africa, Marriage, and our community.  Instead, this year it is biking, backpacking, learning, and priesthood.

Because of biking, which in turn I can do because of my two new hips, I have this summer ridden 500 miles across Iowa, ridden 100 miles the last Saturday in August in the Hotter ‘N Hell out of Wichita Falls, circled White Rock Lake with Rosemary  dozens of times, and made some dear friends at the Jewish Community Center where I put in a strenuous workout every week day. 

 

"Nothing like Grandma's hugs," says Victoria.

 

Backpacking this past September took us to Idaho and the 7 Devils region, 7 of us, 7 nights, and a great time. 

As a spinoff of this I have also been blessed by our Friday Romeos luncheon at Jason’s Deli.

 

Muy Buenos Dias and Bienvenidos, Senora Alisia et Senor Jose.

 

From the first day I entered the Jesuits we were vaccinated with the idea that we never stop learning.  French has been my learning this year and for the last 6 years, since I got my new hips in ’10.  Because of this I have had the opportunity to get to know some really special people in L’Alliance Francaise, the office of which is, you will never guess, at the corner of Central and Royal Lane. 

The final blessing is the privilege of continuing to act as a priest.  Just recently I have been part of two superb weddings, Lisa Anderlick, the daughter of John and Karen, and Scott Simari, the son of John and Michelle.

 

What do you think, Buddy, am I doing a good job?  You are awake anyway.

 

Besides weddings, I have had the enormous privilege of walking with some people on their last walk.  John’s mother, Pat.  Jerry Gleason. Curtis Ekes. And Mike Miller.

These are some of my blessing for 2016.  What are yours?

 

Says Zoe, "Leo, may I go for a ride in your car?"

 

I heard a nice idea for sitting around the Thanksgiving table.  Each person is invited to thank one other person at the table and to give thanks to or for one person not at the table. 

 

The Best, Mary, Bethany, and Ray.

Jeremiah 20:  I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; …

Romans 12: … that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and  perfect.

Matthew 16:  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

 

John reading from Jeremiah

 

 

Thanks…     

Music,    Shonda & Ben 

Readers,  Connie & John

Homily,   John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

                                      

Connie reading from Paul's Letter to the Romans

 

 

 

Readings:  Download 09-03-23 Readings -22nd Ordinary

Homily:  Download 09-03-23 Homily -22nd Ordinary

 

 

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

 

 

The Kiss of Peace

                                          

Birthdays:  Aggie Stryker

Anniversaries:  Beth & Rob Robinson 9/7, Aggie & Allen Stryker

                 

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  880.00

Outreach: $  250.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

       

 

 

 

 

Says, Tori, "Welcome in, Everybody.

 

 

Readings:

Isaiah 60, 1-6,   Upon you the Lord shines

Psalm 72,  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Ephesians 3, 2-3, 5-6,  You have heard of the stewardship.

Matthew, 2 , 1-12  The Epiphany (the Magi)

 

 

 

Shonda, Ben & David doing it.

 

 

Isaiah 60:  observations–

1.  Who:  Can you guess which Isaiah this is, 1, 2, or 3?  Yes, this is Isaiah III who seems to have lived after the Babylonian Captivity, that is, 555 Before Christ
2. Today’s passage: chapter 60 is addressed to Jerusalem as a symbol, which is in total  destruction.  Isaiah  is trying to lift the spirits of the people who are depressed at seeing the mess that is Jerusalem.   He is saying that your day is coming, Jerusalem, when you will return to being the most splendid city of all, and by extension, the tribe.

Isaiah 3 should get a commission from the Jerusalem chamber of commerce.  

 

 

 

 

One of our Best Helpers, Leo.

 

 

The Epiphany, a Cornucopia of Symbols:

2 observations & 2 postscripts–

Where to begin, folks.  There is so much symbolism in this liturgy, in Matthew, for sure, and in the combination of Matthew with Isaiah and Psalm 72.  I'll touch 2 points, each with 3 subdivisions.. 

1. The Wise Men

1. The Wise Men have a double & triple significance because they are Gentiles
2. They come from the east, considered the source of wisdom in the world of that time.  Where does the sun rise?  Where do stars rise?  A new son has been born and like the sun in the east or a star, he will bring new light. 
3. They are searchers & symbolize every person’s search for meaning in life.    Remember Matthew speaks to two audiences, his fellow Israelites, whom he is chastising for not searching, and the Gentiles. 

 

 

Emma, our Candle Lighter of the Week, in action.

 

 

2. The 3 gifts. 

1. Gold is given because it signifies royalty. 
2. Frankincense, or incense, signifies divinity. 
3. Myrra signifies medicine.  Myrra is for human health.  It comes from a bush like tree that has a yellow, sticky sap on its bark.  The sap was good for skin infections and acne, asthma, colds, and flu, and even herpes.  It is found in Saudi Arabia & Somalia.

 

 

Suit up time.

 

 

 A post script.  People in Europe used to write an inscription over their doors, e.g. 20+C+M+B+18.  The numbers are our year.  The letters are Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.   Christians made it say, “Christ Bless our house or Maison the year listed.

Another post script.  In New Orleans Epiphany starts Carnival season, which leads up to Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.  The parades are starting, folks.  Let's go.

 Sources: Reginal Fuller, St. Louis U. Liturgy; Biblical & Theological Resources, the Voice Institute, on line; Wikipedia; and other sources.

 

 

 

 

Suit up time continues.
 

 

 

An Epiphany Event

I would like to define epiphany as a giving & receiving of good news.  To exemplify this I have a story about a Christmas dinner I hosted one Christmas afternoon in the Jesuit house I used as a base in Tanzania.  I had been in East Africa at this time for about 7 or 8 years.  Because Christmas had often been lonely & sort of a downer, I decided this year to throw a dinner.

Since there were no turkeys available where I lived, I had to travel a day up north to Nairobi, Kenya.  I got a frozen turkey, returned and had to explain to the customs on both sides of the border.  Since, as a white guy who spoke Swahili pretty fluently, they passed me through probably thinking I was a bit crazy, like most wazungu, dizzy white guys in Swahili.

 

 

 

 

The Team, all suited up.

 

 

Next step.  Invite the neighbors on both sides of our house.  So I went to the father on the east side and invited him to come to my office.  He was a police chief, a very important person to have as a friend.

So, I said to him, “Mohammad, I want to invite you & the family to a special dinner on what we Christians call Christmas day.  On one condition: you get drunk, you may not come.”  “Oh, yes, yes, asante sana, (thanks, thanks),” he responded.

 

 

 

 

Offertory with Ray & Claire (whose mom just died today in New Orleans), Barb & Ron.

 

 

Christmas Eve I celebrate a late night Mass at the Capuchin sisters complex about 900’ up the south slope of Kilimajaro.  I almost live here because the sisters have a guest house with about 15 rooms.  I run 10 to 30 day seminars and retreats at their guest house.

Christmas day I travel the 2 hours down from the mountain.  It is summer time.  I pull into our dirt driveway and park under the canopy.  Behind me pulls in an old battered Land Rover.  Two guys get out and stagger toward me all buddy, buddy.  Yep, one of them is Mohammed. 

 

 

 

 

Welcome back Georgie.  So nice to see you again.

 

 

I am so disappointed and tell him, “Mohammed, you cannot come, Bwana.  We had a deal.”  This could have been a tough moment for me if he refused.  But, no, he apologized and the two guys drove off in their old Land Rover. 

I was a  little anxious about him coming anyway, but at 4:00 everybody started coming.  I expected maybe 10, but along with his wife and their two delightful little girls, extended family members showed up, a very common East Africa custom.

 

 

 

 

The minor elevation.

 

 

All this took place on our roof, from which you could see Kilimanjaro.  We had a partial Arab style house with a flat roof with cinder block railing.

The Epiphany is a giving & receiving good news.  The roof top dinner we had was a giving & receiving good news.

What are your epiphanies?

 

 

 

 

Guess what is coming!

 

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."

John Cade and John Stack begin Mass.

 

Thanks…     

Music,   Ben & Shonda

 

  Expenses: $    330.00

  Outreach: $        0.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:

Gracious God inspire us with the hope in the gift of shalom, the gift of wholeness and the promise of your presence.

Give wisdom to seek nonviolence as an answer to the violence of our lives and world.

Give us courage to seek wholeness in a fractured and divided world, to find reconciliation rather than revenge, to abandon the instruments of violence and death and entrust our lives, our homes and our families to you.

May your presence fill us and others with the thirst for unity, wholeness, and the desire to see all people valued as created in your image.

May we and others receive your shalom, that we might be faithful instruments of your love.

Blessed be your name forever,

Amen.

Rabbi Andrew M. Paley, senior rabbi with Temple Shalom, Dallas. He emailed this letter to his congregation in 2018 after a gunman shot members of the Tree of Life Synagogue. He gave The Dallas Morning News permission to publish it.

 

 

Genesis 18:   One of them said "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son."

Colossians 1:  … it is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Luke 9:  "There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

 

           

Kevin and Richard working on the Zoom

Thanks…

Music,    Shonda & Ben

Readers,   Claire & Jackie

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  Becky Good

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Richard & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

 

Jackie reading from Colossians

 

Readings:  Download 07-17-22- Readings – 16th Sunday Ord

Homily:  

                  

                                 

Claire and Ray and Buddy

                                          

 

Remember these special people:

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 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; 

                           

Loretta, Connie and John

 

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.

 

Cindy

   

Birthdays:   Beth Robinson  7/19

Anniversaries:   

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  485.00 

Outreach: $  0.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

                 

Shonda and Ben providing the music

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing:  

 

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.

Mother Teresa