17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 28, 2024

Reading to prepare for Homily on the “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah this Sunday.

 

The Suffering Servant in Isaiah

Translation from original languages: Eugene Peterson, 2013

Poem 4   (Ch. 52:13-15)        See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.  Even as many were amazed at him—so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals.

So shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; for those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.

Poem 4 cont.   (Ch. 53:1-12)   He grew up like a sapling, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. 

He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. 

But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep, each following our own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.

Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.

Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny?  He was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people.

A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.

Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many and win forgiveness for their offenses.

The Suffering Servant in Isaiah                                                         Translation from original languages: Catholic Association of America, 1970                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Poem 1   (Isaiah Ch. 42:1-4)   

       Take a good look at my servant.  I’m backing him to the hilt.  He’s the one I chose, and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.  I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.  He’ll set everything right among the nations.  He won’t call attention to what he does, with loud speeches or gaudy parades.  He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt, and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant, but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.  He won’t tire out and quit.  He won’t be stopped until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth. 

Poem 2   (Isaiah Ch. 49: 1-6)

       Listen, far-flung islands, pay attention, faraway people: God put me to work from the day I was born.  The moment I entered the world he named me.  He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate.  He kept his hand on me to protect me.  He made me his straight arrow and hid me in his quiver.  He said to me, “You’re my dear servant, through whom I’ll shine.”

But I said, “I’ve worked for nothing.  I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.  Nevertheless, I’ll let God have the last word.  I’ll let him pronounce his verdict.”

God speaks, this God who took me in hand from the moment of birth to be his servant, to bring Jacob back home to him, to set a reunion for Israel—what an honor for me in God’s eyes!  That God should be my strength!  God speaks, “But that’s not a big enough job for my servant—just to recover the tribes of Israel.  I’m setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!” 

Poem 3   (Isaiah Ch. 50:4-11)

The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage tired people.  God wakes me up in the morning, God opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders.  The Master, God, opened my ears, and I didn’t go back to sleep, didn’t pull the covers back over my head.  I followed orders, stood there and took it while they beat me, held steady while they pulled out my beard, didn’t dodge their insults, faced them as they spit in my face.  And the Master, God, stays right there and helps me, so I’m not disgraced.  Therefore, I set my face like flint, confident that I’ll never regret this.  My champion is right here.  Let’s take our stand together!  Who dares bring suit against me?  Let him try!  The Master, God, is right here.  Who would dare call me guilty?  Who out there actually listens to the voice of God’s servant?  For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going, anyone groping in the dark, here’s what:  Trust in God.  Lean on your God! 

 

 

Note: we are now meeting at Legacy Academy.

 

 

 

 

Three generations say, "Welcome in, Everybody," Gilbert, Michelle, and Zoe. 

 

 

Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice, and pastries, some bought, some home-made.  

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community &  Stack

Place: Legacy Charter School, Accent Drive, Plano, TX 75075

 

 

 

A mouse under Kayla?  Denni knows!

 

Readings:  

 Amos 7, 12-15,  The Lord said to me,”Go, prophesy.”

 Psalm 85,   Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

 Ephesians 1, 3-14, In love he destined us for adoption to himself.

Mark 6, 7-13, Jesus sent them out two by two. 

 

 

 

 

Brother-sister team, Georgie & Buddy.

 

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET: Friday, June 13, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in. 

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together), July, TBA

 

 

 

 

 

Clerical Board Meet.   Are you trying to pull a fast one, Mike?

 

 

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1. Family Separation vs Compassion, National Catholic Reporter,  7-12-18,    Download COMPASSION 7-12-18    

 

 

 

 

Father-son team. David & Dawson.

 

 

True?

 

Three things in life are important. 

The first is to be kind.

The second is to be kind.

And the third is to be kind.

 

Henry James

 

 

 

 

 

Healing Touch.

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

Some peoples' favorite time of our celebration, "It is Cupcake of The Week time, Everybody."  All these just in one July Week!

 

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement: 

 Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for and challenges spiritual and total growth.

Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged and make the world we live in a better place to live.

 

 

Wake up, Buddy, we are almost done.

Jeremiah 33: That's when Judah will be secure and Jerusalem live in safety.

1 Thessalonians 3:  And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.

Luke 21:  And then – then! – they'll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style – a glorious welcome!

 

 

 

Another Reminder for the 1st Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2024

 

 

 

 

Hi, Tori, Welcome back, you look beautiful.

 

 

Readings:  

 Proverbs 9, 1-6,  Wisdom ha built her house.  

Psalm 34,   Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.  (Wow, 2^nd week in a row, terrific)

Ephesians 5, 15-20,  Watch carefully how you live. 

John 6: 51-58,  I am the living bread.

 

 

 

Hi, Leo, Welcome back to you, too.   You also look beautiful.

 

Proverbs:

What are they: a collection of moral & religious teachings in the form of pithy sayings.  For example: "Better to eat a dry crust of bread with peace of mind than to have a banquet in a house full of trouble" (17, 1); "Being cheerful always keeps you healthy" (17, 22).

Some a bit tough: "Don't hesitate to discipline a child.  A good beating won't kill him" (23, 12).

Some amusing: "A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip" (27, 15); "Better to live on the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife" (25, 24). 

Author: Maybe Solomon is behind chapters 1-29.  Most likely a compilation.

Date: Ca. 300 BCE is considered a possibility with material coming from as far back as 900, during the time of Solomon.

                                                                 

 

 

 

Great job, Zoe.  You, too, are a Super Candle Lighter.

 

 

Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord, part 2, or

Pet Delights, the inspirational column of Steve Blow, which I shared in the blog Thursday

 

Sorry, Folks, but I am going to do it again, namely, push the belief that we can taste and see the goodness of the Lord, every day.

This week for me it has been the White Rock Creek trail running from Royal & Greenville to White Rock Lake.  It had rained last weekend, so the whole creek edge was a beautiful green.  The lawn mower guys were out and where they had passed the rows & patterns made it super special.

 

 

 

 

Georgie reads our Blessing of the Candles.  I hope you know, Dearest Georgie, how terrific I think you are.

 

 

We  tunnel under 5 or six bridges on this trail.  One for me is breath taking.  Going north I come out of the Skillman tunnel, cross over a quaint steel & wooden bridge, look ahead for about ½ a mile, and see the trail meandering along often with other bikers, see a blue sky framed by a V of large green trees, and take in wilderness on my right and left. This cannot be Dallas.  It takes my breath away.

Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord.

Another biking blessing came this week Friday, when I actually had enough stamina to keep up with Rosemary, who this year leaves me in the dust.  It should be humiliating.  I’m actually quite proud of her, remembering that Sunday when she crashed and ended up with 9 screws in her left elbow.  As I tell her, the good professor is the one who sees his student do better than the old professor.

 

 

 

 

Sisters act, Jessica and Renee.  Welcome home, Jessica, from Boston, and congratulations, Renee, upon becoming an officially licensed architect.

 

 

Then there is Jim Mahar, the professor at St. Bonaventure who set up Bona Responds.  A great person always, but especially when he phones me about a story that touched him.

The scene: Sierra Leone.  Jim has worked there and has organized a bit.  One of his local teams was planning a talent show for kids to earn money.  They had prizes for the winners.  Until they were all stolen.

The police catch a guy.  Jim’s man, who has been even accused of stealing the awards, goes to see the guy and explains what all the gifts are for.  Jim even talks with the guy by phone.   He finally admits that he stole the awards and wants to give them all back.

The charges are all dropped and the guy even asks if he can join the group which is trying to help others with this talent show.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Dallas, My Dear Paul.  The last time we met up was at your wedding with Lori in Ashville, NC.  Wish Lori had come with you.

 

 

When did you last Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord?

 

 

Communion with Jan on bread and Lynda on grape juice.

Wisdom 6:  Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.

1 Thessalonians 4:  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through  Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Matthew 25:  At midnight, there was a cry, "Behold, the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!" Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.