Sunday Homily May 19, 2013 Pentecost C

 Readings:

Genesis 11, 1-9,  The whole world spoke the same language.

Psalm 104,  Lord, send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth.

 Romans  8, 22-27,  The spirit comes to the aid of our weakness.

Note: the Genesis and Romans readings are from the vigil Mass readings.

 John 14, 15-16, 23-26  If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

 
Beginning  5-19-13

 Genesis observations

What: First book of the Bible.  It presents Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Noah and the flood, and the Tower of Babel, our subject today in Chapter 11. 

The book also presents the Great Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also called Israel, because he is seen as the father of the tribe) , and Jacob’s 12 sons (12 tribes of Israel), including Joseph, the beloved, youngest son, who is sold to the camel driving caravan, which takes him to Egypt.  Which leads us to the book Exodus, and you know what that is
about. 

Good reading.  Not history.  Myth. 


Chloe 5-19-13

Chloe the Dancer.

Subject:  The word Genesis means origins, and that is what it is about.

When:  compiled around the end of you know what, the Babylonian Captivity,  say, 555 years before Christ. 

Our subject:  The Tower of Babel.  The story is an example of great spin.   There were the languages of many tribes in those days.   Someone attributes this to the sinfulness of the people.  This is like the preacher who said the New Orleans hurricane was sent by God to punish the people.


Sabrina 5-19-13

Sabrina, the Graduate, with Alison and John.

A Pentecost Story 

I have a Pentecost story for you this morning.  I am considering Pentecost to be a time when we get hit by a new or special spirit. 

This is what happened.

Last Saturday we started building the 73rd Habitat house, many of which are in the Douglas subdivision of East Plano. 

Georgie 5-19-13

Georgie ready to help.

 We all gathered about 7:30, probably 30 or more people.  It was fun to see our community team and to see other people from previous  builds. 

After a while I begin to know some of these people.

At one point I see an elderly lady I had known from our last build, the next door house.  I remember this lady quite well.  She had really bummed me off one Saturday at the last house.


Buddy 5-19-13

Buddy with his momma, Michelle.

I had arrived a bit late this Saturday.  Most everyone was putting up and sealing siding. I had done this the Saturday before, so I was comfortable pitching in again.  It was muddy because it had rained.  I had on my Keene sandals.   I noticed this year in the preliminary Habitat notice that they prefer strong shoes with heels and toes.  My mistake.

So I see this group of about 3 working on the west side of the house.  I go up and ask if they need help.  This lady, who is one of the supervisors I
discovered, looks at me and kind of snorts. 


Cupcake A 5-19-13

Cupcakes of The Week, Debbie and Doug on their birthdays.

My memory tells me that she proceeds to tell me that they don’t need any help, that I am late, and that I don’t even have on correct shoes.

Can you imagine that I was really steamed?  So I went around to the east side of the house and worked there for the rest of the morning, avoiding that woman.


Cupcake B 5-19-13

Cupcake of the week to Dick and Judy on their 10th Anniversary.

Last Saturday morning I see her.  I say to myself, “Stay away from her.”

I start helping to build the exterior walls, situating studs, and hammering.  Since there are an abundance of people on the exterior walls, I decide to go work on the interior walls where fewer people were working. 


Cupcake C 5-19-13

John accepting The Cupcake of The Week for his daughter Joey on her 8th anniversary with Dan.

You guessed it.  The woman is one of the mid-level supervisors of the interior wall project.  Pretty soon I am aware of her standing near me watching my hammering.  And she says, “Good job.”  Then she asks me to help her on some special corner.  When I get it just perfect, she
again compliments me and thanks me for coming out. 

For the rest of the morning, I work with her, like her assistant, even redoing some of the hammering work the younger people did a little less than exactly.  All the time she is most gracious and I find her spirit charming to work with. 

I had one of those experiences, folks.  Because of one negative experience with this lady, I wrote her out of my will.  Last Saturday I had a complete new look.  A Pentecost event. 


Sandra & Cathy 5-19-13

Sandra and Cathy.

I propose that these Pentecost events can happen with people, with a sunrise or sunset, a piece of music, a meal, a birthday or anniversary, a graduation, a wedding, a birth,  or even a death.

What is your last Pentecost event?

 

 

 

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  • Sunday Homily, August 2, 18th Ordinary Time

    Readings:

     Exodus 16, 2-412-15,   You had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine.

    Psalm 78,    The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

    Ephesians 4, 17-24,   You must no longer live as the Gentiles do.

    John 6, 24-35 I am the bread of life. 

     

    Georgie 1
    Georgie says, "Welcome in, Everybody.  Beware, The Old Geezer is back." 

     

    Exodus observations:

    What:

     Exodus is a fun book and a good read.  It comes after Genesis & it has three main sections.

     One – the struggle between stubborn old Pharoah vs Moses & Yahweh.  Pharoah loses.  You can imagine the Passover had a significant impact. 

    Two – the time of wandering in the Sinai desert and the covenant, that is, the 10 Commandments

    Three – the coming into the Promised Land. 

    This all took around 40 years, and so we have stories in-between.  Today’s is one of these, showing Yahweh feeding his grumbling people.

     

    Celeste

    Welcome Home, Celeste.  Celeste, who has played in our music section, has just come in from a year teaching in Hungary, and is departing to spend a year teaching in Albania.  Does the girl love adventure?  

     

    When written:

    Toward the end of the Babylonian Captivity, around 550 before Christ

    Who wrote it:

    Not Moses, but people who lived centuries after this mythical character.  How much of this is historical is a question.  The story greatly encouraged the Jewish people enslaved in Babylon.

     

     

    Sabrina 2


    And welcome home to you, Sabrina.  You did everything for us for years.   Sabrina is returning to the Illinois Institute of Technology for her junior & senior years.

     

     

    Our selection:

    An amusing account of the Jewish people grumbling against Moses.  They say they would prefer to be back in Egypt than in this infernal desert where they are wandering in the heat & sand.  We can sympathize with them in these days of 100’s.  They did not have a/c.   So Yahweh feeds them.  See how.

     

    Morgan

                                 Hi, Morgan, Welcome to you, too.

     

    Kilimanjaro Events and Ragbrai

    This morning I would like to talk about Kilimanjaro events in our lives. Kilimanjaro events give life in ways similar to what John is talking about in the gospel, spirit life.  They are peak events. 

    I choose the word Kilimanjaro because I had the privilege of climbing that mountain in Tanzania 5 times when I lived there.  Each was literally and figuratively a peak event. 

     

    Genevieve 1

       Genevieve says, "I bet you I don't weigh 6 pounds anymore."

     

    A week ago I had another Kilimanjaro event, the week long, 500 mile bike ride across Iowa from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River, with about 15 thousand others.  Iowa or Ragbrai was such a peak experience, full of spiritual life moments.  Let me talk about 3 of them.

    One of my most favorite places to eat dinner in the evening and to get coffee and 4 bananas in the morning was a supermarket called Hy-Vee, the Iowa equivalent to Central Market or Whole Foods.  They had  carbo dinners for Ragbrai.

     

    Payton 2

     

    And Welcome to You, too, Mr. Peighton.  Delightful to have you with us.

     

    When I would ride up to one of these markets, you would not believe what I would see.  Not just hundreds of bikes.  But hundreds of bikes with absolutely no locks or security.  Bikes everywhere, even inside the entrance ways.   The majority of these bikes would start at a $1000 and go up as high as $10,000.  Lots of beauties.

    Trust, folks, this was trust.  I don’t think anybody was afraid of being robbed anywhere, all along the ride and in the villages and towns.    I found this atmosphere of trust so moving.

     

    Payton

    Mr. Peighton, obviously a quick learner, says, "Wake me up when that Old Geezer stops yakking.  Thank you."

     

     

    Secondly, I was moved by the spirit of congeniality among everyone, for example.

    I have a favorite concession where I would stop every afternoon on the road.  Concessions were all along the road, which was dedicated to us.  The concession I love and the only one I regularly stopp at is the Amish homemade pie and ice cream stop, always on the right shoulder of the road and always on the second half of the day’s journey.

     

    Sabrina & candle

    This is way below Sabrina's talent level.  But in honor of all the years she did everything around here, today she gets to light the candles.

     

    On Wednesday I rode up and asked for credit from Henry, the Amish kid who collected the $3 for pie and the $2 for ice cream.  I had forgotten my money that morning.  I knew the only place I needed $5 on the road was the Amish.

    There was a line of people behind me waiting to pay Henry.  As he said yes, the lady behind me popped in and said, “Oh, I can pay for you.  No problem.”  I was most touched, but told her that I would probably never see her again, so I could not pay her back, while I would see Henry the next day.  And Henry chimes in, “Yes, he is here every day, so it is okay.”  The next day, Thursday, I chipped in about $10 as a token of gratitude. 

    This lady touched me with her spirit.

     

    Cupcakes

    2 cupcakes here this morning.  Cathy generously is standing in for her son, Brian, who is celebrating 10 years married.  Mike and Judy are celebrating 51 years married.  And they are from Kiokuk, Iowa.

     

     

    During the homily I added this little memory, which, in fact, made me forget the final point of the homily.  I remembered and shared it after communion.

    In the context of congeniality I talked about what was a group of maybe 20 Air Force bikers.  They not only rode, but they stopped whenever they saw someone down with a flat or a slipped chain.  At one point I rode up and along side of them.  I mentioned 2 things.  I was jealous of their beautiful blue & white bike wear with the white wings on the back & shoulders.  

    I also told them how touched I was at seeing them helping people along the road.  They were super appreciative and called me "Sir" a dozen times.  (Chebino, do you belong to the A.F. Bike Unit?) 

     

      Dawson

     

                               Watch out, Folks, Dawson is 18 years old.

     

    The third Kilimanjaro event.  Friday here in Dallas, on a routine visit to my dermatologist, she asked me what was the biggest event, the most special.  As usual, I even got a bit choked up in telling her. 

    It was just the joy, the exhilaration I experienced in riding, riding with so many congenial people, riding over beautiful green farm lands, passing through achingly beautiful little villages, and all at age 75. 

    What more can a kid look forward to in the summer than to get up, ride his bike all day, and then camp out in his tent at night with friends? 

     

      Cole, Emma, Zoe

             Watch out, Cole, Emma, and Zoe, TI is hiring Whiz Kids.

     

    What is you latest Kilimajaro event? 

    What is your next one? 

    I can tell you my next 2, the Hotter N’ Hell Hundred the last Saturday of August and taking about 10 close friends to Yosemite the first week of September.  Summer is so good.

    You people in this community are a Kilimajaro Event.

    So, your next Kilimanjaro event?

     

    Brent

    Brent, you are a Kilimajaro Event, and we are privileged to be able to support the work you do with Souls Harbor. 

  • Sunday Homily, March 31, 2013, Easter Sunday C

    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.

     

    TheTeam 3-31-13

    The Team, Mike and John, Georgie and Kevin.
    Welcome 3-31-13

    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

     

    Hammonds 3-31-13

    Patty and Bill.
    Roberts 3-31-13

    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 3-31-13

    Sabrina back home.
    Emma 3-31-13

    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.

    Joanie 3-31-13

    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. 

     

    Bivonas 3-31-13

    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.

    Guess 3-31-13

    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. 

    K's 3-31-13

    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?

  • Sunday Homily 3-4-12, 2nd Lent

    Genesis 22, 1-2, 9-13, 15-18, Take your son Isaac.  You shall offer him up as a holocaust; Psalm 116, I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living; Romans 8, 31-34; Mark 9, 2-10, He was transfigured before them.

    Introduction to Genesis 22

     The concept of a covenant between God and His people is one of the central themes of the Bible. The First Reading last week was the covenant God made with Noah. This week it is the covenant God made with Abraham, and next week it is the covenant God made with Moses.  Of course, as Christians, our belief is that we have a covenant with God through Jesus Christ. 

    God, with infinite love for us brings salvation to the Table in the covenant won for us by Christ.  What are we to bring?  We are to live the spoken Word in our lives with gratitude!

     Before Bill Poncik gives the first reading, I want to share a story he emailed me a couple of weeks ago.  The mother of a young boy knowing that he had a terminal disease and only a few weeks to live asked him what he wanted to do that day. He replied that he would like to go to the Fire station for maybe he would have been a fireman.  She called the neighborhood fire station in Phoenix where they lived, told the chief there the situation and asked if her son could come for a visit. The chief asked for his height and weight and told her to bring him at 9:00 AM and plan to stay awhile. They were greeted by the morning shift of 16 men who made him a fellow fireman for a day, gave him a fitting safety helmet, yellow protective coat and boots. He and his mother began a wonderful tour; but he was told that if he heard the bell ringing that one of the 16 firemen would escort him to one of the trucks. Three times that day the young boy lived his dream.  A few weeks later his mother called the station once again to tell them that the angels would be coming for her son, that he was still awake but not for long. She was told to open the window of his bedroom when she heard the siren. That day 16 firemen climbed the ladder and entered his window fully dressed in their yellow and red. They were there, when the boy left them, dressed like the angels who had come to carry him to paradise.  16 men were living Christ’s words with gratitude in answer to God’s gift of salvation.

    Mass Begins 3-4-12

    Mass Begins

     

    Homily from Mark 9:2-10

    Candle Lightng 3-4-12

    Candle lighting, Mike & Jenny

     

     Again, to better understand a reading, one must consider the context in which it has been placed.  So, in the teaching that precedes this transfiguration event, a man is seeking to be in a covenant relationship with God through Christ.  In this process of coming to faith he observes those around Jesus to be ‘like trees that are walking.’ 

    What does this mean?  Christ’s disciples have to commit themselves to Christ’s words. The seed has been planted; but they have no roots, no foundation. They have failed to understand that he is the Messiah. That teaching does end with Peter coming to the realization that the Messiah has come to them; however, he misunderstands Christ’s mission and the disciples’ responsibility in response to God’s plan of salvation.

    Offertory 3-4-12

    The Dembneys, Kate, Chris, Susan, & Nancy

     

     Secondly, let’s look at the purpose of Christ’s mission in the very first verses of this Mark gospel realizing that since they are in the summary of the gospel we will find them somewhere in the later text of the Mark gospel.  When the Mark gospel begins we find that when Jesus comes forth from the waters where John was baptizing, the Holy Spirit comes upon him with the voice from heaven saying, ‘This is my son the beloved.’  These words are present twice in the Mark gospel. Here in the beginning of the summary of the Mark gospel—the second time, of course, is in today’s gospel. 

     Thirdly, we need to look at the very beginning of the Bible in the covenant God made with Abraham in the Book of the Law.  When Moses came up from the waters of the Red Sea leading the Israelites to freedom the Spirit came upon him.  Later, when Moses went up the mountain, by himself, the second time to receive the 10 commandments, Moses face continued to give off some light for he had been close to the radiance of God when the covenant had been made with him.

    Leo 3-4-12

    Leo joins the choir

     

      In today’s reading, Jesus takes his inner circle of Peter, James and John up the mountain where Christ’s divinity is revealed to them. Streams of light come forth Him, for he was dazzling bright. When Moses and Elijah appear Peter is still in the dark, for he wants Jesus to abide in the presence of Moses and Elijah.  It is then we hear, with Peter, the voice from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, Listen to Him!’ (Exclamation point) No one is there but Jesus. The words of Moses and Elijah are to be understood as an expectation of the Law and the Prophets for the coming of the Messiah. When one listens to, and puts into practice, the words of Christ with all their mind and heart and soul, they enter into the new covenant with God through Christ through grace.  The words of Christ fulfill the covenants that required circumcision and obedience to the Mosaic Law.

    Leo & Lynday 3-4-12

    Leo resigned from the choir with Lynda

     

     Some might be saying, ‘Well, yes, I understand; but be more specific about that to which we are to listen.”  Well, now we know why the inspired writers of the Matthew Gospel have a Sermon on the Mount! That sermon is to enlighten us. Not only is it a summary of how we are to live our lives; but it informs us that it is how we are to illuminate others to come to glorify God. During Lent I would recommend that we all reread it. It begins at Matthew’s Chapter 5.  How are you going to remember where it is in the Matthew gospel? Just look at one of your hands—five fingers—Chapter five.

     If you read the Letter of James written to the Jewish Christians its inspired writers tell us that in the New Covenant there is one perfect law.  Since in that letter there are many references to the John gospel, it’s not hard to realize what those inspired writers meant.  In the John gospel Jesus presents his disciples with one commandment.   We are to love one another as Christ loves us!  When we do that we are truly living the entirety of Christ’s words—the perfect response to the covenant God has made with us in Christ Jesus.

    Georgie 3-4-12

    Georgie with her dad, Randolph, and her friend, Meghan

     

     Reflect for a moment on something you plan to do this coming week. How will you illuminate those moments to those who around you by your words and actions?  Remember, we show our gratitude to God only to the degree we show our love toward others!

    The Team 3-4-12

    John, Kevin, & Mike

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sunday Homily, February 19, 2017, 7th Ordinary Time

    Readings:

    Leviticus 19, 1-2,  17-18,  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.   

     Psalm 103,  The Lord is kind and merciful. (Stanza 2, one of the best)

     1 Corinthians 3, 16-23,   You are the temple of God.

     Matthew 5, 38-48,    Love your enemies.

     

    CIMG7205

     

    "Welcome in, Everybody," say Olivia and her dad, Cory.

     

    Observations on Leviticus

    What :  the 3rd book of the Bible and one of the 5 books of the Torah.

    Who:  a compilation of sayings accumulated over centuries, not Moses, as was thought for some years.

    Date: sometime after the Exile in Babylon, ca. 555 before Christ.

     

    CIMG7220

     

    "Don't forget me," says Tori, "Come in, Folks."
     

     

    Subject:  rules about how to live, how to worship, and the penalties for transgressing.  This is based upon 2 beliefs:

    1. The world has been created good, but is vulnerable to sin.
    2. Enactment of proper ritual makes God present and ignoring proper ritual compromises the harmony between God & people. 

    Some unique rules:

    1. Cursing, death.   24.14
    2. Unkempt hair, God will smite you.  10.1
    3.  You will not tatoo yourself, 19.28
    4. Trimming your beard.  19.27
    5. Cutting the hair on the sides of your head.  19.27

    Today’s Subject:  the best line in the whole work, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   19.18

    Sources:  Good News Bible, Wikipedia

     

    CIMG7234

    The Offertory Team, Bill, Ray, Bernadette, and Richard.

     

    I want to help people.  That’s what I’m for.

    Ever hear of a guy named Clarence Griffith?  I read about him in the Dallas Morning News recently.  Three things are unique about him.

    1. He was born in 1913.  Know anybody that old?  104 years.
    2. When he was 94 he received triple heart bypass at Baylor, Dallas.
    3. Ever since his recuperation he regularly goes to console and help people in the Baylor cardiac waiting room.  He gets them coffee, food, and offers them support, praying with them or just letting them talk.  He says,  “That’s what I’m for.  I want to help people.”

     

    IMG_2116

     

    Leo, our Candle Lighter of The Week.

     

    For me, Clarence Griffith has accepted that, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, never gets angry and is abounding in love.”  Moreover, he is making himself live that image.

    Last week we looked at infinite demand that was followed up with promises of hell.  A fear based program.

    This week we look at a different infinite demand equally challenging.  The demand is to get rid of fear in our relationship with God using that description, and to help others to do so.

     

    IMG_2121

     

    The Team.

     

    This is one of the biggest reasons I have been and am a priest, and even a psychotherapist, to help others get rid of fear in our relationship with God.

    Which leads me to three demands presented by Matthew.  If you reflect upon it, these three are a result of knowing that our God is gracious and merciful, never gets angry and is abounding in love.

     

    IMG_2392

     

    The Wedding, Patricia and John.

     

    First, Matthew says, using his favorite little figure of speech, ‘You have heard it said, but I say to you…’, when someone hits the left side of your face, offer the right and don’t resist the person who is evil. 

    Is this insanity or what?  Has it ever been tried?  Yes, you say, by dead people.   Impossible.  This is the message of the pacifist, a person mostly ridiculed by the rest of us.  Know any?  Sure, John Dear, once a Jesuit, Roy Bourgeois, once a Maryknoll. 

    I wonder what would happen if we really did this.  I confess I have not been able to get there. 

     

    IMG_2391

    Congratulations, John, I am so happy when I am not the only one with tears up here.  Must be because you come from Australia.  Double congratulations.  
     

     

    Secondly, give to the person who asks from you.  Another tough one.  How do you feel passing the men & women begging at stop lights?  I, for one, feel horrible, even though I know they have a number of shelters, like The Bridge and Austin St. Shelter.   I can work in those places and know that we as a community help them, but I still feel horrible passing those people on the corner.

    Thirdly, love my enemy.  I really don’t have any serious enemies that I know of.

    IMG_2402

     

    "I, Patricia, take you, John in marriage.  I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, in sickness and in health.  I will love and cherish you all the days of my life."

     

    Despite failure to live up to these demands, which are infinite, our God is still infinitely accepting, specifically gracious and merciful, never get angry and is abounding in love.   Moreover, relevant to our weakness, he says in the following line, “Not according to our sins does he deal with us.”

    104 year old Clarence Griffith is showing people this image of God in the Baylor hospital waiting room.

    Who shows this image to you?

    To whom do you show the image?

     

    IMG_2413

     The Kiss.

     

  • Sunday Homily for July 1, 2018, 13th Ordinary Time

     

    Atlas

     

    Here he is, Everybody, the baby we have been waiting eagerly to meet.  Welcome in, Atlas, we are all so happy to meet you.  You are marvelous, just like you mom & dad.

     

     

    Readings:  

     Wisdom 1, 13-15, 2, 23-24, God did not make death; God formed man to be imperishable

     Psalm 30,   I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

     2 Corinthians 8, 7, 9, 13-15,  As you excel in every respect

    Mark 5, 21-43, Daughter, your faith has saved you.  Go in peace. 

     

      IMG_0501

     

    Welcome back, Wendy & Brandon, and congratulations on a marvelous little boy.

     

    Wisdom observations:

    One of the 14-15 books of the deutero-canonical books of the bible.  Not part of the orginal Jewish bible, not part of the OT nor the NT, but in between and the subject of controvercy over the cenuries.  Were they really part of the bible or not?  How do you know?  Catholic church accepts the books.

    Author: not Solomon, but a Jew living in Alexandria, Egypt, who spoke and wrote excellent Greek.

     

    IMG_2836

     

    The Best Music with Wendy & Katie.

     

    Date: ca. 100-200 before Christ.  How do we know these facts?  Because of text analysis.  For example, while the author wrote in Greek, he uses phrases and expressions that have a Hebrew flavor.  Also, he mentions rulers and places that reveal date and locale. 

    Sources: Catholic Encyclopedia on line

     

     

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    With Patricia reading the Blessing, Emma does her candle magic.

     

     

    You can do it too

    In the gospel today Jesus gives life to a little girl.  I would like to propose that you can give life, too. 

    I have a story for you from my Dallas Morning News columnist friend, Steve Blow.  I saw his touching story some years ago.  In fact, Steve is retired & I miss his thoughts..

     

     

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    Offertory with Mary & Sydney & Hugh.

     

    Ever hear of Fausta Twizerimana or Dolena Westergard?  Well, 10-11 years ago Fausta flew into Dallas and arrived exhausted one evening at the East Dallas Grace United Methodist Church.  She, her five siblings, and her parents were from a refugee camp in Tanzania, where I lived for about 10 years.  Fausta was 4. 

    The Church welcomes refugees and this particular evening Dolena Westergard was there.  Dolena met the family and picked up Fausta. She fell in love. '

     

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    They are moving in, Folks, Beth & Rob, Sir Charlie & John

     

     

    The family continued to attend the church and fitted into the fabric of the community.  Dolena watched Fausta and noticed that the girl had a gift for dancing.  She was always doing it. 

    After four years of watching the girl dance, Dolena, who was now really a god mother to the kids, enrolled Fausta in the Dallas Black Dance Theatre.  Fausta, now 8, fell in love, too.  Never did she miss a session for the next four years. 

     

     

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    Wendy & Katie, you have been missed around here.

     

    Then, along comes 2015 and a notice goes up that the Dance Theatre of Harlem was coming to Dallas to audition for positions in their summer workshop. 

    Fausta has been dancing now for 4 years, is 12, and Dolena thinks it would help the girl just to learn how to audition.  No expectations.

    You guessed it, Fausta gets selected. 

     

     

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    It is cupcake of the week time, 3 cupackes and 1 Bellvita.

     

     

    Fine, but who is going to buy plane tickets for Fausta and a chaperon, plus about $3,000 in expenses?  This is New York, after all.   

    You guessed it again, Grace United Methodist.  That night Fausta sat in a Broadway theatre to watch an African story, The Lion King.

    Grace United Methodist gave life to Fausta, and, in particular, Dolena gave life to Fausta.   I even read that Prestonwood Baptist is giving life to the kids in the detention centers.

     

     

     

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    Congratulations again, Brandon, on such a marvelous kid.

     

     

    This week families & people all over the country are trying to give life to the kids separated from their mothers and fathers.

    Just like Jesus gave life to that little girl and to the woman who touched him.

    To whom do you give life?

     

     

      Atlas

     

    Wake up, Brandon, it is homily time, yeah. 

     

    Source: Dallas Morning News, Steve Blow, Metro section, circa July 1, 2015

     

     

  • 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 10, 2021

    Wisdom 7, I pleaded and the spirit of wisdom was given to me.

    Psalm 90, Fill us with your love, O Lord and we will sing for joy

    Hebrew 6, The word of God is living and effective. 

    Mark 10, We have given up everything and followed you.

     

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    Ben, the Magic Man, sharing life.

     

    Thanks……

    Music,    Ben 

    Readers,    Patricia & Fred, & Buddy, our candle blesser 

    Gospel,     John Cade

    Homily,   John Stack

    Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

    The Magic Zoom makers,      Hue & Mike & Richard

    Final Blessing, Rosemary

     

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    Patricia reading from Wisdom.

     

    Readings: 

     

    Homily by John Stack,  

    Download John Stack homily 10-10-2021

     

     

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    Fred reading from Hebrews.

     

    Remember these special people:

    For Becky & Tom's son, Austin, who took his life this past week;  For John & Karen Anderlick's grandson, Cooper John who lived only a few hours with his parents;   For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie;  For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine;   For Esparza's new great grandson  & Frank;  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 Sir Charlie & Jan;  Shonda's mom & Cody &  Leo & all of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy,

     

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    Rosemary's sister Clare, and her husband, Joe Mazzei.

     

    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 baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation & a nephew; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends & brother;   for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

     

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    Welcome in, Jan & Sir Charlie

     

    Birthdays:  Richard  

    Anniversaries:  

     

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    Peace. Everybody!

     

    Community Finances,   October 10, 2021

    Expenses: $

    Outreach: $

    Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

     

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    May you have a safe & peaceful relocation to Alabama, Patricia & Fred.

     

     

    Rosemary's Blessing: 

    Blessing 101021 28th Ordinary

    Given to me by Lynda Fleming, Author Unknown

     

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    Welcome Back home, Paul & Carrie.

     

    Notice, Everybody: The blog will not be published the next three Sundays.  The Editors will be on a Viking cruise on the Mediterranean.  Next edition will be published November 7.

     

    JSM Mission-Faith Statement  

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

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

     
    John Stack Ministries, 7017 Helsem Way, Dallas, Texas 75230