4th Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2025

Readings:

Acts 4,  8-12,  In his name this man stands before you healed.

Psalm 118,    The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner stone.

1 John 3, 1-2,   See what love the Father has bestowed on us.

 John  10, 11-18,  I am the good shepherd.

Genevieve says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome. Nice to see you for the first time."

Acts reminders:

Author: Luke, the same who wrote the gospel.  He was an educated, urbane Jew.

Date: the years 75-80 

Subject: This is a travel log, detailing the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome and the Mediterranean in between.

Today: Peter is talking to the elders and leaders of the people, aiming to convince them about Jesus.

Genevieve welcomes the Whole Community, and, in turn, the Whole Community welcomes Genevieve.

The Good Shepherd

I would like to talk this morning about the good shepherd.  Two proposals.  

First, we have shepherds all around us.

Secondly, the good shepherd has three characteristics.

1. The shepherd gathers people.
2. The people the shepherd gathers are richer and happier because of being called.
3. The shepherd, likewise, is richer and happier because of inviting all these people. 

Vivian says, "In two more weeks I will get to say hi to everybody, too."  Hey,  is there something in the water around here?

Four examples.

I mentioned that this past weekend Rosemary & I attended both a Jesuit class reunion and an alumni reunion of 50 years at Spring Hill College in Mobile.  The shepherd who called us together and made all the arrangements was my classmate and good friend, Bill Dowie.  To me this was extraordinary because the last time we all met two years ago, over twenty of us, Bill was still mourning the love of his life, whom he had cared for the last years of her life.

Not only did he gather those who could make it somewhat at the last moment, but he shared with us that he was introduced to someone with whom he sees a special relationship developing.  Rosemary & I were most touched, doubly so by the charming woman he brought.

I left that reunion richer and happier.

The Spring Hill Jesuit reunion group on the Fairhope pier, eastern shore, Mobile Bay.   Bill is third from left, Keqi is first on the left. Others, (l-r), Jim Raymond, Rosemary, an Old Geezer, Carl Castille, and Jack Podsiadlo. Joe Reardon taking the picture.

The second shepherd is in our very midst.  This guy invites with open arms and open heart guys who have hit bottom.  We, too, have accepted his invitation to nurture these men by our help with Souls Harbor, of which he is the director, a 24/7 job. 

Brent, Thanks for being a good shepherd for over 60 men and a shepherd for me and the community.

Our class in '65 in front of Assumption Hall.

The third shepherd, every Thursday at least, loads up 16 meals.  With her friend, Barbara, they deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound men and women, whites and a rainbow of races.

Rosemary and Barbara gather their people by bringing meals to their door.  The people are richer and happier because of their visit, as I am by their example.

Over 100 of us Jesuits lived in Assumption Hall, Spring Hill College, Mobile in the 60's. After expecting that the building would be finally designated as a historical monument, how deflating to find the building demolished and in its hallowed place two student residences. No appreciation for old age!

Finally, there is a lady in our neighborhood named Patty Cody.  She is our neighborhood shepherd.  She organized the neighborhood association.  She has set up a security patrol for us, and a neighborhood communication network.  You can find your lost dog or cat and you can put on line a picture of a lost dog you find in your yard.  All this, plus other conveniences.  But her biggest bringing together takes place on July 4, when everyone is invited to a neighborhood parade, a picnic at the playground of a grade school, and a time when we see each other, maybe the first time since last July 4.

Rosemary & I are the refreshment Czars and each year I come home richer and happier with what Patty has helped us celebrate.

Guess what, Victoria. You were once little, too, just like Genevieve.

Let me add an extra and a special Good Shepherd, Genevieve.  Does she not call us all together?  Do we not feel richer and happier just be in her marvelous presence.  And from my vantage point, I think she, too, is richer and happier because we are all responding to her.

Harper is pretending to be sleeping through another masterpiece homily.

Good shepherds are all around us.  

Who is a good shepherd in your life and for whom are you a good shepherd?

Cupcake of The Week to Paul and Carrie for acing the Boston Marathon last week.

Readings:

Ecclesiastes 1, 2; 21-23,  All things are vanity.

Psalm 90,  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Colossians 3, 1-5, 9-11  Seek what is above.

Luke 12, 13-21, You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you.

Ecclesiastes Observations: 

Author:  unknown.   A belief was that it was Solomon

Date: 
 250-150 years before Christ.

Subject: 
the work is a putting together of a lot of folk sayings and life
observations which represent wisdom sometimes, sometimes not.  For instance, today’s selection. 

Today: 
pretty pessimistic.  It says that
everything is vanity. 

Beginning with photos to come.

Colossians
observations:  We are done with this work for now,
fortunately.

Best line of
the Day: check the Psalm, the 4^th stanza, “Fill us at daybreak with
your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.”  This has been my experience the past week in
Iowa.  More in the homily.

Joanie and Payton arriving.

Fill us at daybreak with
your kindness

Fill me
at daybreak with your kindness, that I may shout for joy and gladness. 
This was Iowa, folks. 

If you
don’t know what this is all about it is this. 
Sunday, July 21^st, Chris and I set out on our bikes with an
estimated crowd at times of 35,000 riders. 
We departed the west side if Iowa at the Missouri River and finished at
the east side and the Mississippi River 7 days later, Saturday. 

CC and her buddy.

The
whole experience really touched my spirit, but let me single out three special
events, hospitality, trust, and beauty.

First, hospitalty.  Most of
the nights on the ride my team, Spokes of Hope, a cancer support team from
Indianapolis, found homes at which we could set up tents in the yard.  This was a little more private.

Kayla following CC.

One
family in Oskaloosa, the next to the last night, knocked me out.  They had a nice big 5-9 acre lot with two
houses for the family.  They hosted about
80 people, Spokes of Hope and Livestrong, Lance Armstrong’s former cancer
program. 

And Mr. Leo looking cool on a hot morning.

When we
arrived they had spread out on their deck chips and dip and drinks.  At 5:00 they themselves served us all an
enormous dinner.  The next morning they
sent us on our way with a great breakfast. 
All gratis, no charge.   Hospitality.

Gracie ready for anything with her backpack.

In Des
Moines a widow of about 6 months invited our 14 member team into her nice
house.  She is a doctor and teaches at
the local medical school.

She,
also, fixed us all a big dinner and a big breakfast.  She sent us on our way with a few dozen
chocolate chip cookies and brownies.  The
Indianapolis folks are probably still eating those cookies.   All
gratis, no charge.  Hospitality.

Emma looking beautiful, as always.

Next, trust.  Never did I fear my bike would be
stolen.  In the small towns where it was
impossible to ride because of the mass of people, bikes were dropped
everywhere.  In fact, the problem was
remembering, “Wow, where is my bike?”

Curtis at 84 who lost his Cupcake of The Week to Emma temporarily.

One
afternoon I rode up to a Tom Thumb type grocery store that had an $8 all you
can eat pasta & dessert sale.  This
was in the last overnight town on the road, Fairfield.  I remember hesitating at first.  My bike. 
Lots of people around.  Plus lots
of bikes.  I left my bike with my helmet & gloves hanging from the handlebar.  An hour
later it was right there along with all the other bikes & bikers.  The trust, everywhere.

Kevin, The Reliable, suiting up.

Finally,
the beauty.   Don’t believe the idea that Iowa is flat.  It is not mountainous, okay.  It is hilly. 
This trip had lots of hills and lots of scenic vistas, plus beautiful little towns.  Once
I must confess at the end of a day 110 miles long I had to walk a hill, my
thigh muscles saying they just might like to cramp.   I learned prudence from Rosemary.

Judy arrives to hear news about….

There
were a number of occasions when the hospitality, the trust, and the beauty, to
not even mention my gratitude at being able to do this, just touched me to
tears as I rode peacefully along.  Which
made me say to myself, “Watch out, man, you can’t see and you will crash.”

Keokuk, Iowa and Judy's house, facing the Mississippi on Grand Avenue.

This is
the psalm line exemplified, “Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we
may shout for joy and gladness all our days.”

How is
it for you?

Keokuk, Iowa, the home of Mike on Grand facing the Mississippi, also. What a coincidence! Same town, same street, facing the same river. Should not these houses be considered historical monuments?

Readings:

Acts 10, 34, 37-43, He went about doing good.

Psalm 118,  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. 

1 Corinthians  5, 6-8,  A little yeast leavens all the dough.

John 20, 1-9,  Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning.

The Team, Mike and John, Georgie and Kevin.

Welcome, artwork by Rosemary.

Acts observations:

Date:  sometime before the year 70.  Why?  No mention of the destruction of Jerusalem, which took place the year 70, a Big Date in Jewish history.

Who:  The same person who wrote the Gospel of Luke.  How do we know?  Similarities of style, language (Greek), and theological themes.

Subject:  The story of the expansion of the Jesus story in 3 areas, first, Jerusalem, then, Palestine or the Holy Land, and finally, into the Mediterranean and ultimately, Rome.

Sources: Good News Bible, The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, Wikipedia

Patty and Bill.

Our Ms. Roberts.

Resurrection Life

I would like to talk about two things this Easter Sunday.

First, Resurrection is what for me and for us?   I would suggest that it is at least one thing, new life. 

Secondly, I would like to exemplify what I mean with a little story from France.

Sabrina back home.

The Princess Emma.

As many of you know, Rosemary & I spent about ten days in France the first two weeks of March.  We spent some of the time in the eastern province of Alsace.  The province is a vertical, north-south valley bordering the Rhine River, which marks its border with Germany. 

The last few days we spent in Paris, a favorite city of ours.  We have a small hotel in the region of the Eiffel Tower.   Near the hotel is a coffee shop.  It is on the corner of Rue Grenelle and Rue de l’Exposition, and it is one of our most favorite places in Paris with all its other wonders.  Two reasons.

Payton and Erin picking up Joanie's Cupcake of the Week for her birthday. Our Dear Joanie could not come today because of her MS.

First, it is warm and cordial.  This warmth we especially appreciated our last visit because the days in Paris were not only cold.  But all of the Tuesday before we flew home on Wednesday it snowed and snowed.  So it was magic to walk the city.  It was equally charming to walk in from the cold and snow and have a hot café au lait, or latte in Starbuck’s terms. 

Cupcake of The Week to Sydney and Hugh for 6 years.

Even more delightful was the reception we two Americans received when we walked in.  It was ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Bonjour’ yelled to us as we got in the door.  The place reminded me a little of the bar in the TV series Cheers.  So friendly.

 Secondly, after two days, they remembered not only us, but what we wanted.  We did not even have to order.   They knew we wanted the first of two cafes and would simply begin preparing when we got to the bar.  And then we would converse, me with my learner’s French.  I am sure that in two more days we would all be on first name basis.

Casey and Robbie with guess who at 5 years old.

Two women in their late 20’s or early 30’s ran the place or should I say ‘hosted’ the place, and they greeted everyone with same friendliness.  Many of the people who came in, naturally they knew.

This small café in Paris gave off life, folks.  Occasionally I hear people say that Parisians are unfriendly and rude.  I have never found that.  They even cheer my efforts at speaking French.  The café, however, the name of which I don’t even know, was an exceptional fountain of positive vibes.  I looked forward every morning to absorbing that life and left feeling more alive. 

Sir Charlie and Jan having too good a time.

This for me is one example of resurrection life.

Where do you find this life? 

How & where do you create it?

Sez Betsy, "Hi, Everybody, welcome in."

Readings:

Isaiah 2, 1-5, They shall beat their swords into plowshares (Peace based spirituality?)

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

Romans 13, 11-14  Let us throw off the works of darkness

Matthew 24, 37-44,  Stay awake!   You do not know on which day the Lord will come.  (Fear based spirituality?)

Wake up, John!

Homily by Deacon Mike

I think that John Stack has challenged all of us this Thanksgiving to visualize the abundance of the blessings that each of us have received. Today it’s my turn to share such a blessing that I received; it was a gift to me some time ago, but not forgotten.

What a Team!

But first, I am going to begin by having us recall the blessing that the Samaritan man had received in our gospel reading today. After he realized that his sins had been forgiven, he returned to give glory to God. Jesus then praises his faith, raises him up to newness of life, and gives him, and us, an invitation to follow him. A blessing doesn’t get any better than that!  

Bill, from now on you will be called "Candle Bill."

If you think about it; when we came through those doors this morning, each of us received an abundance of blessings; a smile, a welcome, a hug, or kiss. Some times those blessings are unexpected, and we smile and allow them to linger in our hearts.

In the spirit still of Thanksgiving, Mike homilizes an event he takes gratitude in being a part of.

45 years ago, one morning, when I was still in a discernment process to become a deacon; I was driving south down Greenville, and had just passed over LBJ.  Immediately I realized that on this particular day the stop and go lights were not working. It was then that I saw three young school boys, looking back and forth unprepared. I pulled off to the right, rolled up my windows and ran ahead down to where they were standing.  When I got a chance I held up my arms to the traffic coming both ways, and then led them arm in arm to the other side.

Offertory time with Rich, Cody, Tom, and Denni.

The slightly older boy said, ‘Thank you!’ And, they stayed there until I got back to the other side, then they shouted again, “Thank you!” When I finally got back to my car, it took me a while to ease back into the traffic. When I finally got back to where I had led the boys across, to my surprise they were standing beside each other eagerly waiting for me to drive by. I read their lips as they shouted, for the third time, ‘Thank you!’  I had been blind-sided by the unexpected gift; the boys had taken my breath away.

Happy Thanksgiving, John & Connie.

Readings: Acts 14, 21-27; Psalm 145; Revelations 21, 1-5; John 13, 31-35.

“Love One Another as I Have Loved You?”

Occasionally in our lives extraordinary moments come along. We experience a special consolation and come away profoundly touched. Last night’s get together was one of those moments.

We had people celebrating publicly 1, 2, 15, 25, 35, 50,& 60 years of marriage. I felt privileged to be part of the group. I felt doubly privileged to be on the stage with my old coach, teacher, & friend Frank Hart & his wife, Mickey, who knock me over with their 60 years of marriage.

Two things strike me about what I was watching. First, the people who are celebrating 25, 35, 50, & 60 years of marriage have a peace and happiness about them.

How am I different after two years of marriage? I am certainly more peaceful than ever. I’ve always felt a lot of inner peace; I feel even more now.

Secondly, I’ve also discovered that my old insights into marriage still have meaning, namely acceptance and having fun. I hear it said that marriage is work, it is hard. So far I have not seen it. On the contrary, every day Rosemary & I spend together we have fun. We work at planning the fun.

In the gospel, Jesus tells his followers to love each other as he has loved them. Maybe we are hearing “infinite demand”.

Psalm 145, our psalm for today gives a picture of how he loves. The line says he is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love.

That is our challenge.

Whom are you loving this way?

Sorry no audio today.

                   Harper says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome in."

Readings:

 1 Kings 19 4-8, Elijah prayed for death.  Plus Chapter 18, it is so good.

Psalm 34,    Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Ephesians 4, 30-5, 2,   All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you.

John 6, 41-51, I am the bread of life. 

                       Hi, Genevieve, Welcome in to You.

Kings:  a review–

Subject: The kings of Israel.  The Big 3 kings were Saul, David, & his son Solomon.  The 2 Books of kings follows the 2 Books of Samuel, which describe the lives of the the kings up to the death of the Great King David, my favorite.  1 & 2 Kings takes up the life of Solomon, David's son, his building of the temple, his death, and the fate of the kingdom following his death, that is, it divides and is conquered. 

Time Period:  from ca. 900 – 555 before Christ, or from Solomon to Nebuchadnezzar & Cyrus.

                          Zoe says, "Wow, it is fun to be here."

Authors: a compilation of many sources that was put together at the end of the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 555 before Christ. 

Our Selection: focus is on one man, the prophet Elijah.  The kingdom has already been split.  Our story takes place in the northern state, Israel.  Time of severe drought.  The king is Ahab; his queen, the famous Jezebel.  The prophet Elijah has scolded them for turning to false gods to end the drought.  

Cole & Angela holding hands during the Our Father.  Cole says to his mom, "Mom, she needs me to hold her hand…She doesn't have anyone."  Wow, Cole, you are The Best.

There has been a contest in chapter 18: Elijah vs the 450 prophets of Baal, ultimately to see which side would be more effective in bringing rain.  2 bulls were slaughtered.  Naturally, Elijah wins when Yahweh answers his prayer, sends down fire, and consumes the bull Elijah has slaughtered.  When he wins, he slaughters the 450 prophets of Baal.   

We enter at a point where Jezebel is furious with Elijah for killing her favorite prophets and aims to kill Elijah.  He is going to run away all depressed.   

We will read an expanded chapter 19, from 1-13.   

Cole's grandmother, Diane, one of the numerous                             positive influences in Cole's life.

Kind, Compassionate, and Forgiving

I would like to talk about what Ephesians brings up, being kind, compassionate, and forgiving.  It happened to me.

Folks, I unexpectedly had another one of those special weeks.  Not on the Kilimanjaro level of my Ragbrai week, but still special.

I don’t know if you saw in the news that this past week the Jewish Community Center was hosting the Maccabi games.  There are two or three places where these games take place every summer for Jewish kids from, say, 12 to 16.  Kids come from all over the world.  Some games are even scheduled in Europe and Israel. 

Linda and Hue at 40 years today.  Give that marvelous couple a cupcake!

Dallas hosts the games every 5 or so years and it is big.  9 venues are involved where the events take place.  Kids came from Australia and Israel, to name only two that I saw, plus from cities all over the States.  26 programs were involved with over a thousand kids playing soccer, basketball, volleyball, and even ping pong, to name just some . 

How did I get mixed up in the show?  You know I do spin classes at the Jewish Community Center every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 6:00.  Two of the women in the class whom I like a lot are part of the organizing team.  They were looking for volunteers among even non-Jewish people, not to host the kids, but to volunteer.  So I volunteered. 

Would you trust this man to give Carrie her birthday                       cupcake?   Mr. Paul  has been known… 

The first thing I noticed when I came on board was that, despite the fact that there was a tsunami of kids at the J, which was ground zero, that same spirit of trust was there that I noticed in Iowa.  Backpacks were lying around all over, inside a lot, but outside everywhere.  I was again moved by this trust atmosphere.

Secondly, I noticed the security.  My car had to be tagged, I had to be tagged, photo ID at all times.  Guess why.  Remember the Munich games?  These kids are potentially a target.  About that, I am sad.  These kids were beautiful and charming.  And there are people who would be happy to kill them.  I am reminded of the Holocaust and I always have a hard time getting my mind around that. 

A Cupcake for you on your Birthday, Marlene.

My role in the event?  I was involved Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, mostly in being a score keeper and line judge in girls’ volley ball and in being a timer in swimming.  I was at the Sportsplex on Alpha Road behind the old Valley View center.  This was where I met kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

I met it because I messed up the score at least 5 games out of the 10 or so I scored and even flubbed being a line judge.  At least three times the volleyball games had to be stopped so the score could be made right.  For me it was not so simple because the scoring is different today.   Plus I would get emotional and cheer a spike or some wicked serve and forget to flip the score. 

The Team.  No white alb this morning.  The alb got left at the wedding venue the night before.

And you think being a line judge is simple.  No way.  It goes against all my Jesuit training and psychological formation.  My training was don’t judge the book by the cover, no black or white, no right or wrong.  So I had to think about what I saw.  On the one had, this shot could be in.  On the other, maybe it was out.

One time I even judged a ball out, which favored the team I was closer to.  The main line judge, however, over ruled me and then the girls on the team said to him, “But he said it was out!” 

Despite all my dufus mistakes, all these people were kind, compassionate, and forgiving. 

The Offertory Team  John & Connie, Marsha & Joe.

Moreover, I even fell in love with the Dallas girls’ volleyball team.  I had watched them so much.  Trouble was, they lost the final.  I could not stay to watch after they had lost the first 2 out of 5 to L.A.. 

The week was special for me.  What was special this week for you?

 Says Genevieve, "Wake me up, please when that old                         geezer stops talking."