Sunday Homily June 10, 2012, Corpus Christi

Genesis Chap 1 “God spoke: Let us make human beings in our image.”

Genesis Chap 2 “And Man came alive—a living soul!”

Responsorial Psalm – May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Alleluia – If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is in us.

Mark 7:31-37 – “Children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.”

Introduction to the readings:

Genesis and the first 5 books of Bible, according to modern Scripture experts, were not written 10 or 20 thousand years ago after humans began to populate the earth and form tribes.  Rather, they were probably written in 5^th or 6^th century before Jesus (probably during or right after Babylonian captivity 555). 

They were written to give the Israelites a beginning and a common history.  That made them a special people with noteworthy ancestors and their own extensive rules to live by.  This set the Israelites apart and helped hold them together.  (Remember the ten tribes of Judah weren’t able to stick together, and disappeared, absorbed into the DNA of their captors.)

And so we have the stories of Genesis and of the books that followed; such as the stories as story of Adam and Eve, of Cain and Abel and Seth (who replaced Abel), and later of Noah, and later still of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and later still of Moses and so on and on. 

The first creation story in Ch 1 of Genesis has a more cosmic style, placing human beings at the pinnacle of creation to give everything a name, and to rule over and take care of the earth and of all living creatures.

The second creation story in Ch 2 of Genesis is used in today’s Mass as the back-story for the Gospel reading from Mark about Jesus expanding the ideal of marriage and his recognizing the beginnings of the equality of men and women in marriage.

In Jesus’ time men could, on a whim, just fill out a certificate of dismissal to divorce his wife.  A woman had no such right.  Unbelievable at that time, Jesus mentioned that women could also divorce their husbands.  He also raised the ideal, explaining that a husband and wife have like responsibilities to each other. 

Jesus gave marriage the higher ideal of ‘lasting fidelity and lasting connection.’  The Church, though allowing ‘catholic divorce’ or annulment, has traditionally interpreted the words in the Gospel literally—and has not acknowledged divorce or remarriage, if the Church doesn’t have a hand in it through the annulment process. 

Bishops and others are being called to Rome this very month by Pope Francis to make pastoral decisions concerning family issues.  Many say this update may acknowledge Christian Marriage as a Christian ideal, while acknowledging that we imperfect humans are often unable to achieve the ideal.  From a pastoral perspective this could allow for Catholic communities to accept and welcome people who are divorced or remarried (as we do in this community without reservation). 

Readings 1, 2, and Gospel

HOMILY:

I want to say just a few words about simplicity in children.  First, I am thankful that Stack and this community stand strong for welcoming and accepting children. 

This gives us a unique opportunity to observe what Jesus meant by accepting the kingdom, “in the simplicity of a child”, and we can continue to watch and learn how to live that in that simplicity.   What I associate with the simplicity of a child, if they are allowed their natural, instinctive inclinations, are:  they tend to be more into connecting than making distance, more accepting than rejecting, more curious than judgmental, more naturally free than fearful, more open than defensive, and more giving than withholding. 

Examples of Pope Francis in visit to our country:  Seeks/welcomes children to hold/touch; simplicity of dress; little Fiat; words & gestures…Our children: say what think/feel; open; natural freedom; share; give… 

Ask yourself:  How do I live in the simplicity of a child in my life and relationships? 

Readings: Acts 10, 34-43; Psalm 118; 1 Corinthians 3, 1-4; Luke 24, 13-35

A Resurrection Day

A few weeks ago when Cameron & Reid, Brady & Trey, our quads were still in Presbyterian, Rosemary & I went to visit them and Casey one Thursday morning.  We parked, entered the hospital, and got on the elevator with a medical aide pushing a stretcher on wheels.

As the elevator climbed to the sixth floor, Rosemary asked the guy how he was doing.  "Great," he responded, "I always try to have a great day."  We chatted a bit more and he explained that his old grandfather had told him years ago that he could choose to have a happy or a sad day and that he decided that he would choose happy.  "And it works," he added

We arrived at floor five and he exited, leaving Rosemary and me somewhat touched by two things.  First, he was comfortable enough to share his outlook and history with us on an elevator ride from floor one to five.  Secondly, he certainly presented a buoyant presence and it seemed to come from an inner choice. 

Because of my psychological training and experience I immediately find two disharmonies surfacing.  First, not everyone can just decide to be happy and get there.  Chronic or situational depression effects the ability to choose.  When we put Naomi to sleep, I could not just choose to be happy.

Secondly, we might find the "just choose happiness" phenomenon a bit Polly Anna.  In other words, superficial.  No matter what, I maintain a superficial happiness, skimming over tragedies as if they are just steps on the road to heaven.  These are the people who tell you when you have suffered a painful or tragic death that you will get over it with time or it is all God’s plan or will.  In other words, just be happy.

Despite these side thoughts, all of us here today have reasons for happiness.  We have life, at least.  The man we met on the elevator was for Rosemary and me a genuinely happy man and what he did touched us like a resurrection to new life.  What sunshine is to flowers, a smile & encouraging word are to the human spirit.

On this feast of the resurrection to new life, what about your life are you most happy?

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-03-23.mp3

CHILDREN’S CHOIR: JESUS LOVES ME: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-03-23%20Jesus%20Loves%20Me.mp3

From John & Connie, "Welcome in, Everybody."

Readings: 

Deuteronomy 26, 4-10,   He brought us out of Egypt.  

Psalm 91,  Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Romans 10, 8-13,    No one who believes in him will be put to shame.

Luke 4,  1-23,  Jesus in the desert for forty days.

Likewise from Jackie, "Come on in, Folks, & welcome to Day- light Savings Time."

Sunday Homily, Mike Carrell, 3-10-19

 Lent is preparation for Easter, so the words spoken over those who desire ashes are more appropriately the choice given by the Church from the Mark gospel, ‘The time is fulfilled; the Kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and Believe in the Good News.’  

Welcome, Ana-Patricia & Alicia, from the old 10:30 cafetorium Mass at St. Marks.

Last Sunday, led by our musicians, we responded together from the Psalm 92, ‘It is good to give thanks to the Lord.’ That psalm reminds us to begin and end each day saying, ‘Thank you Lord for being with us, here and now.  Thank you Lord for the seed that you have sown into our hearts along with a the desire bear good fruit. Let us be led by your Spirit to be Love in this world.

And while we are at it today, welcome to more 10:30 cafetorium Mass goers, Cathy, her daughter, Katy, and Katy's marvelous fiance' Enza from Uganda, no less.  But he does not speak Swahili!

Here and now, in every moment of the day, we are the body of Christ in the world.  Our mindset should constantly be that we are meant to be Love, in everything we say and do.  So,‘In everything give thanks for that is God’s will for us in Christ, Jesus.’ 

Not to long ago, I was in a waiting room while Judy was being seen by a doctor. There were a hand full of children’s books among the magazines on a table there. They usually have a good intended meaning, so, I took the liberty of choosing Aunt Grace and her nephew about to give birth to a garden. I smiled, and said to myself, ‘With a name like ‘Aunt Grace,’ this is got to be good.

Hi, David, Hi, Caroline.

Before they took a step into what would be their garden, they started with a prayer. Then they began to remove the weeds, cans, bottles, sticks and rocks. When that was done, they broke open the soil and used a wheelbarrow to cover it with an abundance of new mulch, to provide the garden with good soil.

The Most Reliable Jan making sure everyone can go to communion.

This sounds a lot like Lent doesn’t it; with each of us refreshing our garden, and why John has a Sunday each year when we grant God’s loving forgiveness to each other.  Lent is a time to be more aware of the people we meet everyday.  With goodness and kindness, we can smile more; say thank you more; and you are welcome, more.

The Bona Responds Team on site in Wilmington, NC, to help people with recovery from the Hurricane Michael last Fall.

We can do lots of little things like letting the car and its occupant get in front of us without honking at them. Let’s be aware of the mother with small children. We can help her put her groceries in her car, and to push her cart back for them. Let’s have a neighbor or two, or three over for coffee.  Practice makes perfect.

From our community, Connie & John Bresson, David Dinsmore, and, of course, Bill Hammond.   From St. Bonaventure University, the man behind all the recovery work so many in our community have volunteered for over the years, Jim Mahar.

So, what was it that Aunt Grace and her nephew sowed in their garden? Of all things, Potatoes. She taught her nephew how cut up potatoes that were covered with eyes into pieces, so that the eye of each piece could and would be placed in an upright position within the good soil, looking up to the heavens with faith that this would bring forth a bountiful harvest, that they could share with their neighbors.

Our journey through Lent has just begun. Who might you invite to journey with you?

  What a Team!

Readings: Job 7, 1-7; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 9, 16-23; Mark 1, 29-39

Job:

Author: Unknown.  No book in the OT or NT has less known about it.  Called the most profound book of the OT.  It deals with the problem of evil,  personal justification, and why bad things happen to good people.   Job himself could be historical, a literary creation, or a combination of the first two.

Date: It is guessed to be before the time of Moses and Egypt, i.e., earlier than 1300 BCE.

Structure: 3 poetic dialogs preceded by a prose introduction and ending with a prose conclusion.

Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People

The Book of Job is considered so profound because it gives one person's idea about why bad things happen to good people.  This also is told in the form of a fable and challenges us to figure out what we believe.  Let me tell the fable.

Once upon a time there was a good man named Job who lived in the land of Uz.  He had 7 sons and 3 daughters, a sign that he was especially blessed. 

One day Yahweh was walking around heaven talking with his buddies when he ran into the devil.  "What have you been doing?" he asked.  "I have been walking around here and there," the devil responded. 

"Have you noticed how good my man Job is?"  "Yes,' says the devil, "but I bet he will curse you to your face if you stop protecting him and take away all his goodies."  "It's a bet," says Yahweh, "Just don't hurt him."

So a few days later while all of Job's 7 sons and 3 daughters where having a feast with their families, a storm blew up killed them all.  A messenger runs to tell Job of the horrible news. 

Shorty after that, another messenger runs in and says lightening has just killed all his sheep and the shepherds.   Other messengers then run in saying Job's livestock have been rustled by robbers who killed all the farm hands.

Job is devastated, of course, but responds with the famous statement: "I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing.  The Lord gave, and now He has taken away.  May his name be praised." 

So Yahweh wins his bet.  But when Yahweh and the devil meet up to settle their bet, the devil pushes him saying that he bets Job will curse Yahweh if the devil is allowed to hurt his body.  No death, just hurt.  "Bet," says Yahweh.

The next day Job comes down with sores all over his body, like leprosy, and he has to go outside of town where the lepers go.  He sits in the town dump.  His wife now comes and his friends.  They all grieve. They also encourage Job to see what he has done bad, to curse Yahweh, and to confess.  Job proclaims his innocence.  But he is depressed and discouraged. 

Finally, while not cursing Yahweh, he cries out his anguish saying (chapter 3): 

"Oh, God, put a curse on the day I was born; put a curse on the night when I was conceived!  Turn that day into darkness, God." (verses  2-4) 

"I wish I had died in my mother's womb or died the moment I was born.  Why did my mother hold me on her knees?" (verses 11-12) 

"Why let men go on living in misery?  Why give light to men in grief?" (verse 20) 

"Everything I fear and dread comes true.  I have no peace, no rest, and my troubles never end." (verses 25-26)

After some time in this situation, Yahweh comes along and speaks with him:

"Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words?  Stand up now like a man and answer the questions I ask you.  Were you there when I made the world?" (verses 2-3)

"Job, have you ever in all you life commanded a day to dawn?" (verse 12)

"Have you been to the springs in the depths of the sea?  Have you walked on the floor of the ocean? "(verse 16)

"Have you been to the place where the sun comes up or the place where the east wind blows?" (verse 24)

After hearing all the numerous ways that Yahweh reminds him of how insignificant he is, Job apologizes to Yahweh and promises to be a good man from now on.  Yahweh restores his wealth and gives him 7 more sons and 3 more beautiful daughters.  He lives another 140 years as a prosperous and happy man.

So does this answer the question why bad things happen to good people?  What is the lesson for me?  Contemporary scripture scholars find evidence that the happy ending of Job's story was a late addition, that the story ended simply with Job apologizing.  Not always is the Job story a happy ending.

For example, I do not know if you heard or read this week the story of Timothy Cole.  He was a freshman at Tech in '85.  He was studying in his room in the apartment of his brother one evening.  There were other kids in the house.  Timothy was accused of attacking a coed that same night and he was convicted.  The girl mistakenly identified him from a picture.  He was given a 25 year sentence. 

This past Thursday Timothy was finally acquitted of the attack by a DNA match and the confession of another prisoner who did the attack.  The trouble was, Timothy died in 1999 in his cell of an asthma attack.  Found dead in his cell.

Ironically the girl attacked repeatedly noted that the attacker smoked non stop.  Timothy, because of his asthma, never smoked.  Moreover, when the guy who really did it tried to tell the local authorities in Lubbock, they did not even respond.  The guy had to write to the family of Timothy, who died before he could be exonerated.  The guy who attacked the girl said he heard Timothy crying in his cell and saying he never did it.

Timothy is a a Job without a happy ending, a good kid who had a really bad thing happen to him.  This happens every day, folks.

So, why do bad things happen to good people?

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-02-08.mp3

Picture 1:  Mass with Sierra & Noah

Picture 2:  The result of 69 years

Picture 3:  Paul, Rich & Carol, Bernadette, Mary Ellen, and Maureen

Picture 4:  Grandma Denni, Chloe, & Maggie

Best reference on Job: The Voice: Biblical & Theological Resources, Dennis Bratches (on line)

Readings: Isaiah 60, 1-6; Psalm 72, Lord, Every Nation on Earth will adore You; Ephesians 3, 2-6; Matthew 2, 1-12.

Isaiah 60: author, date, subject

Author: 3 Isaiah (responsible for chapters 55-66)

Date: ca. 400, after the Babylonian Captivity, ended ca. 550

Subject: lines such as, Rise up in splendor, the glory of the Lord shines, people from the east will come with gold & frankincense.

source: John Shelby Spong

The Great Debate: Myth vs Fact

I have just had an epiphany event in my life.  I was visited by an old friend, a wise friend, maybe a wise guy friend.  He says, "Stack, you are a fraud."  You folks have known this all along.  He says that the homily I gave before Christmas on the Partridge in a Pear Tree was not true.  Sorry to have to tell you this.  The history was wako, did not happen.  As you can imagine, I was quite deflated, but figured he was right because he is more of a researcher than I. 

So, folks, the old geezer fraud fesses up this morning.  I confess that I did not do any research on the subject.  Somebody sent it to me a few years ago, and I did not even save the name of the sender. 

So, using my friend's research and my own, I discovered that maybe the symbols were connected to the old Christmas carol ca. 1990.  Apparently nobody knows.  It was pointed out that these symbols did not need to be secret because of persecution.  The Elizabethan protestants shared most of the same symbols.  No secret needed.  Plus the carol may have come from France.  So, everyone, erase that homily and the history I gave you.  I blew that one. 

It struck me in the midst of this, could we be witnessing the creation of a myth?  100 years from now how many people will believe the version that I presented?  Could this be an example of what took place in the bible?  You have certainly heard that biblical scholars have determined that the nativity stories are the result of literary liberties taken by Luke & Matthew, not factual history.  I can give you two simple examples.

First, Bethlehem.  It is thought that Jesus was really born in Nazareth.  But Luke & Matthew, the only writers dealing with the nativity, wanted to connect Jesus with King David.  David was born in Bethlehem.  It is pointed out that it is a long way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, it was winter, and Mary was pregnant.  A woman researcher commented, "Only a man would imagine such a journey possible for a pregnant woman."

Why were people going to Bethlehem?  To be counted in a census of all the descendents of David.  David lived a 1000 years earlier, had many wives and mistresses.  His offspring would have numbered in at least the thousands.  No wonder there was no room.  And imagine how skitzy Herod would be with these thousands of potentially hostile subjects just a few miles from Jerusalem.

Why did the writers use such literary liberties?  They want to show that Jesus was special, he was the figure 1 Isaiah predicted, the God-hero, the wonder worker, the Prince of Peace.  They had heard so much about the adult Jesus that they wanted to make his birth a God-hero event.  So, connect him with the Great King David.

Finally, secondly, there is one small but significant mistranslation.  In Isaiah 7, 14, it is said, "A young woman will have a child."  Matthew, most likely intentionally to craft his point, mistranslates the word young woman as virgin, and says 'a virgin will become pregnant' (1, 23).  And so it has come down. 

There are three ways to respond to these studies.  One is to say, "No problem, God can do all that stuff.  He's all powerful."   The trouble with this is that the evidence is becoming overwhelming.  Like still saying the earth is flat.

Or I can simply toss out the whole and stay home.

A middle ground could be to recognize that literary liberties have been used.  And still celebrate the event.  The event, the Prince of Peace gives me peace and gives me a longing to share the peace. 

I goofed up by not researching the Partridge in a Pear Tree.  Sorry about that.  What we may be seeing here is a myth process similar to the biblical stories.  Myth or fact?  How can I be an educated, intelligent Christian?

What do you think about all this?  What do you feel about it?

Sources: John Shelby Spong; Harvey Cox, Future of Faith; Catholic Encyclopedia on line; Snopes

Picture 1:  Epiphany Celebration begins

Picture 2:  Mass with Kevin helping

Picture 3:  35th Anniversary, Carol & Richard 

Picture 4:  Chloe dances (see video)

Readings: Jeremiah 20, 7-9; Psalm 63, My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord, My God; Romans 12, 1-2; Matthew 16, 21-27

Jeremiah:

Some short observations–

    1.  One of the Big 3, Isaiah, Ezekiel, & Jeremiah, big because of the size of the work.

     2.  Follows the classic prophet profile: denounce the behavior of people, threaten God's vengeance, and finally, consolation for the reformed.

     3.  Who are prophetic people today?  Perhaps our 3 guest speakers.

Please catch today's homily recorded in the video. 

 
 
Picture 1:    Beginning of Mass with account of Hotter 'N Hell Hundred (as in miles & temp), a bike tour out of Wichita Falls

Picture 2:    Cole with his grandmother, Diane.

Picture 3:    Leo & Sophia, Ben's daughter

Picture 4:    Delgados back in their corner finally.