Sunday Homily 12-11-11, 3rd Advent

Readings: Acts 2, 1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12, 3-13, John 20,19-23, Pentecost.

Mothers’ Day Notes:

• The idea originated, ca. 1870, with 3 women who had worked in hospitals during the Civil War. 
• Julia Ward Howe (Battle Hymn), Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis, & her daughter, Anna Jarvis wanted a Mothers’ Day of Peace because of the horrors they had seen in the military hospitals.
• Woodrow Wilson, 1914, established the national holiday.

Pentecost Notes:

• The word signifies 50, in this case, 50 days (or 7 weeks).
• O.T.: the Hebrews celebrated the 50th day after the Passover (Egypt, first born sons killed by angel, Jewish sons spared, to threaten Pharaoh into letting the Hebrews depart Egypt).  The celebration eventually focused on agriculture & thanksgiving for the first fruits of the spring, and finally Thanksgiving for the Torah.
• N.T.: Christians tied this occasion to the spiritual fruits of redemption, the Spirit, 50 days (or 7 Sundays/weeks) after the Resurrection.
• Question: a 1 time only event or repeatable (e.g., Pentecostals)?

Mothers’ Day

In Thursday’s USA Today there is an article by Paul Aronsohn about two women, his mother & his sister, Margot & Patti.

When Patti was ca. 25 years old she was diagnosed with a rare disease that eventually would take her life, a disease that resembles M.S., but which does not seem to have a name or be very common.  This happened in ’89, almost 20 years ago.

As the years have passed Patti slowly went down.  Originally active athletically & intellectually, she first had to walk with a cane.  Then she took up a walker, then moved into a wheel chair.  Finally, a few years ago, she became bed ridden.  To eat she has to use a feeding tube, into which something like Ensure is poured, yuk.

During the years her three sibling and friends have helped her.  But the person who has helped her the most was her mother who was herself about 50 when the diagnosis was given. 

Today Patti is about 45, totally bed bound, fed through a tube, can talk a bit, is conscious, and is awaiting the end.  Her mother, Margot, is mid-70’s, takes care of Patti full time in Florida where they moved because of the milder weather than New Jersey.  During the day Margot has help, but at night she sleeps beside Patti’s bed in case Patti needs anything.

What kind of love is this!!  Remember Jackie Ritter’s story about landing in Holland instead of Italy?

Whom do you love this much?

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-05-11.mp3

Sarah says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome."

Readings:

Isaiah  8, 23-9, 3,  The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Psalm 27,  The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

1 Corinthians 1,  10-13,  I urge you that there be no divisions among you.

John  1, 29-34, The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.

Leo says, "Come in, Folks, there's cupcakes."

Isaiah reminders, again—

 Author: This is Isaiah #1, the composer of chapters 1-39.  Even though Isaiah #1 lives before the Babylonian Captivity, he still sees that a great day a bright day will come to the Jewish people.  

 Date:  Ca. 555 before Christ, the composition.  The Jewish people of Jerusalem are about to be defeated and carried off into slavery

Subject:  A great day will come for you Jews.  A special leader will be born.  You will be a beacon to others, glorious, and a light to nations everywhere.  You might easily recognize parts of this reading.  From where?  The Nativity readings.  

This is the last week we will have these Isaiah readings which I love.  I will miss them.  Until next Advent.

Chuck and Sandra.

Serenity Prayer

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.   In honor of Chuck Pratt

The People who have walked in Darkness have seen a Great Light

I would like to talk this morning about our old friend, Chuck Pratt, who moved to the other side December 8.  I would like to tie up my thoughts with two gorgeous lines from our readings.  The first is from my beloved Isaiah, the second from the Psalm, 27.  Namely, The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light.  Recognize the line?  It’s from the Christmas liturgy.  Secondly, from the Psalm, The Lord is my light, whom should I fear? 

Chuck at 5, ca. 1943

I would propose that Chuck was and is a light.  Let me offer four reasons.

First, look at the family.  With the gorgeous Sandra (how did he ever win you?  Must have tricked you.), we now have with us Chip and Pam and Chris, all lights, reflecting Chuck and Sandra, and in their own right.   And that is only the beginning.  Chip has Kathy, Pam has Mark, and Chris has Cecily.  And we have the little lights, equally bright, Maddie (TCU) and Alex, Olivia and Amelia.  With lights like these what have we to fear?

Chuck and his girls, Maddie (TCU), Olivia, and Amelia.

Secondly, beyond the family Chuck had his AA community.  Chuck had over 25 years of sobriety.  I stand in awe of people who have done this.    My sister, Kathey, has been in AA for years and I am so proud of her.  Chuck and she were friends.  At Chuck’s 75^th birthday party last October I was humbled to be in the same room with so many special lights from AA.

Free Advice, White Rock Lake, W. Lawther Drive, a scene Chuck would have loved.

Thirdly, I was amused and touched that Chuck died Sunday, December 8.  Know what date that is?  The Immaculate Conception.  Know what it is?  It means Mary was conceived without Original Sin.  God especially intervened to have her born sinless.  She was born normal.  I would suggest Chuck was born similarly, just like all babies.  Like I’ve said before, what if there is no original sin? 

Fourth.  Rosemary & I were riding around White Rock Lake two weeks ago and I noticed these people with the sign, free advice.  I’ve seen them before on Sundays when we were driving.  Never when biking.

Sisters, Tori and Zoe.

I was 100 yards down West Lawther Drive when I thought to myself, I want to take their picture and see what is up.  I told Rosemary to go on to the car and doubled back. 

There were maybe three guys and two girls, middle aged, very friendly, and amusing.  Suddenly it hit me.  Chuck Pratt would have loved this little slice of Americana.  Free Advice, wow.  I could see him not only talking with these folks, but sitting down and joining their team.  He had plenty of advice to offer.

I was a person walking in some darkness before Chuck came along and lightened my life with his friendship—and advice.  How can I be afraid with a friend like Chuck? 

How was Chuck a light for you?

Recognize? That's Buddy!

Readings:

Mark 11, 1-10,  Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, read as we process in

Isaiah 50,  4-7  I gave my back to those who beat me.

Psalm 22,    My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?

Philippians 2, 6-11,   God greatly exalted him.

 Mark  14,  The Passion in 4 parts.

Carol says, "Welcome in, Everybody."

Sorry, Everybody.  Because of the length of the readings, especially the Passion, no homily this Sunday.  Next Sunday, Easter.

Procession ready.

Readings: Acts 2, 1-11; Psalm 104, Lord Send our your Spirit, and Renew the Face of the Earth; 1 Corinthians 12, 3-13; John 20, 19-23.

Pentecost:

Perspective A: The Catholic Encyclopedia says this feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit (or Ghost) upon the Apostles 50 days after the Resurrection.  The root of the word pentecost is 5, like pentagon.

Perspective B: biblical students point out that this event is one in a series of events that base their timing on the calendar of Jewish liturgical feasts.  They point out how Mark, the first to write a gospel, started this process by providing Jesus stories appropriate to the first 6 months of the liturgical calendar of synagogue celebrations.  Remember the followers of Jesus spent about 50 years as Jews worshipping in the temple and synagogue, until 88 C.E., when a split occurred.

Luke, our writer today, built his gospel on Mark and expanded it to fill the whole liturgical calendar year.  Mark only covered about 6 months.  Thus, Luke is the only one who presents the Pentecost story and he puts it together with the Jewish feast of Shavout which takes place 50 days after Passover.  Shavout celebrates Moses receiving the 10 commandments 50 days after the exodus from Egypt.  All symbolic events. 

Note another example: Mark tied the crucifixion to the Passover, the feast commemorating the Jews escape from Egypt. 

Whatever we think took place at this event called Pentecost, for me it seems like it was at least a moment of light, enlightenment.

Sources: The Catholic Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Bishop John Shelby Spong.

Pentecost: An Enlightenment

A week or so ago I put together something I have never done before.  I bought a dozen roses at Tom Thumb, took them home to Rosemary to help me arrange them in her artistic way, and drove up to Plano Presbyterian to give a gift of thanks to the staff on the 8^th floor.

I confess I waited until I could walk well without a cane so I could show off for everyone who had helped me out. 

The experience was touching and a bit anti-climactic.  Anti-climactic because I ended up going on a Saturday instead of a work day.  This was because the charge nurse and the nurse who was charged with my care got her schedule changed from a Friday to a Saturday. 

Being a Saturday, the staff of nurses and physical therapists that I had come to appreciate were mostly off.  In fact, the hall that had been such a beehive of activity when I was there was totally quiet. 

Why did I do this?  Because I had acquired this deep appreciation of life and people in that hospital and the recuperation months afterward.  This enlightenment is what I think Pentecost is all about. 

What touched me even more was when I gave my charge nurse the roses. She told that she and her colleagues often hear about one of their patients doing well after they return home.  But in all her years working as a nurse, this was the first time a patient had returned with a gift.  This, too, was a Pentecost moment.

Whom or what do you appreciate most today and what are you doing about it?

Picture 1:  Mass begins, first time solo flying since early January

Picture 2:  Jan & Charlie

Picture 3:  The Dopnut Shoppe, Chloe with her mom, Clare, Maggie with her mom, Tanya, and Hue on the left

Picture 4:   Mike Moretta & Beverly (fiancee until Saturday)

Readings:

Isaiah  55, 10-11,   My word shall not return to me void.

Psalm 65,   The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

Romans 8, 18-23,  We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains.

Matthew  13, 1-23,  A sower went out to sow.

Kevin says, "Welcome, Everybody, It is good to be back home.

Isaiah, The Great One, observations—

Who:  One of the Big 3 prophets, the greatest in my estimation.  Jeremiah and Ezekiel are the other two.  Actually, the book includes the work of 3 prophets.   Our selection is the last chapter written by Isaiah 2.

Time:  Isaiah 2 was living during the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 555.  Isaiah 1 writes before the Captivity, maybe 150 years.  Isaiah 3 writes after the return to Jerusalem.

Georgie also says, "Hi, Everybody, It is fun to be home again."

Subject today: better times will come.  I am expanding today’s passage, because it is so good.

Isaiah 2 has some of the most beautiful passages, many of which are seen as foretelling the coming of the Savior.  His readings are used all through the Advent & Christmas readings, as well as in Lent.  Handel uses Isaiah 2 in his marvelous work, The Messiah.

Both the Isaiah reading and Psalm 65 are beautiful.  

And Zoe, Tori, and Buddy all say, "Hi, Folks, it is so fun to be back again."

And My Seed Landed Where?

This morning I would like to talk about how Jesus is said to describe how the farmer’s seed is scattered on four different types of ground, the path, the rocks, the thorns, and the fertile.  Where did your seed fall?  Where did my seed fall?  I’m sure a lot of volunteers would be happy to let me know where my seed fell.

If you are a sinful gambler poker player you would look at this explanation and notice the bad odds, one out of four.  I would propose, however, that we all landed on fertile soil.  Let me offer some examples. 

I’ve shared this example once before, so you might remember it, but probably not. 

Cupcake of The Week to John on his birthday.

When I was a little kid about 5 years old, I was playing in the driveway of our house in University Park.  There were no fences and the drive went from the street, through the space between our house and the neighbor’s, and to the back up against the alley. 

The neighbor was Sam Berger, who owned a hat store in downtown Dallas.  He was Jewish and lived next to us all during the Holocaust.  I was oblivious to it all.  He & his wife had a big black lady who not only worked in the house, but lived in the back in an apartment attached to the garage, the servant quarters.  This black lady was not nice to me.

And a Cupcake of The Week to Beth on her birthday.

So this day as I am playing in the driveway, the lady steps out of the kitchen door & stands on the steps.  Without thinking, I say, “You are a big fat elephant.”

To the lady’s credit, she marches right across the drive and tells my mom.  My mom comes out of the house, drags me in, and spanks me.  Thinking back, I am impressed that my mom respected the lady.  The spanking, however, and her treatment of me confirmed my suspicions that my seed had fallen at least on the path or rocks, if not right on the thorns.   I definitely grew up with the belief that I was a bad kid. 

And a Cupcake of The Week to Harper for her 3rd birthday about 3 weeks late.

Despite the fact that you folks might agree with that assessment, I would propose that I was just a normal little boy doing silly things. 

This habit of doing silly, not bad things, can continue into adult years.  I know a guy who gets on his bike and rides off for an hour leaving the driver’s door of his car wide upon. 

I know a lady who last week let her Lincoln run out of gas in rush hour traffic.  Her husband, a bit nettled, brought gas, but then could not start the car.  It had to be towed.

Zoe seriously at work.

I know a dear friend who drove into her garage with a canoe strapped to the top of her car. 

You do this stuff and you begin to believe the bad news, ‘I am a loser, I am bad, my seed obviously landed in the ditch.” 

And then there are the malicious acts.  You know where I come in on this.  Kids hurt and abused grow up to hurt and abuse.  They are not bad.  They are damaged. 

So, who landed on fertile soil?  All of us.  God don’t make bad seed.

So, what do you think about all this?

Emma and her pal say, "It is so nice to be here."

Readings:

Wisdom  12, 13, 16-19,   You judge with clemency.

Psalm 86,   Lord, you are good and forgiving.

Romans 8, 26-27,  The spirit comes to the aid of our weakness.

Matthew  13, 24-43,  A farmer sowed good seed in his field.

Our first reading (Wisdom 12) is from the Book of Wisdom, written about 100 years before Jesus. Though the author is unknown, he was a member of the Jewish community at Alexandria in Egypt and wrote in Greek. Solomon did not write this book as we used to think; the author sometimes speaks as Solomon, a common artifice authors used to emphasize the value of their writings.

The second reading (Romans 8) continues Paul’s letter to the Christian community in Rome. This community was predominantly Gentile, though there were Jewish Christians there too. In this letter Paul is making a point that Christians were free of the Jewish law of Moses. Paul’s view was that Jesus and faith in Jesus was the only source of salvation and he was beginning to push Christian communities away from Judaism and toward a faith more compatible with Greco-Roman thinking.

The Gospel reading continues in Matthew (Matt 13). Most scholars date this Gospel as around the year 70, probably after the destruction of Jerusalem.  It points to a growing rift between the followers of Jesus and official Judaism. It is clearly anti-Pharisee and anti-scribe.  It quotes the holy books of Judaism a lot more than the other Gospels to show their promises were fulfilled in Jesus and that he is the Messiah. Matthew also writes about how Jesus was not accepted by most Jews but accepted by many Gentiles. It is clear that Matthew depended on Mark, written several years before. Matthew contains 600 of Mark’s 661 verses.

Homily 

I want to focus today on Jesus’ teaching that God is now and was always with us, and how we can see God. There’s that Bible verse in today’s Responsorial Psalm 86 vs.5 that says “You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness.” Stack has said it’s his favorite line in the Bible.  I decided to google this verse and found the same words in multiple places in the Bible.  Psalm 145: vs. 8-9 has exactly the same lines. And Psalm 103 vs. 8 has the same.  And it’s not just in the Psalms.  The Book of Exodus Ch. 34, verse 6 reads, “The Lord is a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness.” The Book of Joel Ch. 2, verse 13 has exactly the same line. And the Book of Jonah Ch. 4, verse 2 has the same.

The take-away from those verses that describe God as “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and rich in kindness,” could be that whenever we see those traits and those behaviors, we are seeing God.  Jesus’ said the kingdom of God is here, and is experienced when we share mercy and kindness with one another.

On July 4^th I joined a group of family and friends for the Fair Park fireworks display. At the end of the evening Leo & Freddie, seeing fireworks for the first time, said, “This was the coolest ever.”

Later I remembered some of what I saw and experienced about being gracious and showing kindness.

1. I got to Fair Park early and walked around, then sat on a bench eating a corn dog slathered with mustard. I saw a woman walking with 2 children and an infant in a stroller. The little one dropped a stuffed toy to the ground. Another woman saw it and, noticing the mother hadn’t seen it happen, called out to her and pointed to it.  They made eye contact and I saw them connect with a smile as the mother picked up the toy. This was a brief but gracious human contact.
2. At one point after our group got together at the lagoon, my nephew Merik, offered to take Leo and Freddie on a walk around the lagoon. He entertained them for 30 or 40 minutes, and his act of kindness allowed the other adults time to visit.
3. Gina, a close friend of my daughters Joey and Sam, came with her husband and 2 daughters, who are a little older than my grandsons. Gina thought about the 4 kids who would be there and brought snacks for all of them and also light sticks to make necklaces or bracelets or, like Freddie, just to wave around. The kids loved it and I took note of her thoughtful kindness.
4. Most of the group had gotten snow cones while walking around. So I decided to get in line for a snow cone for myself (I was told that there were sugar free ones) and for Gina’s daughter who had missed out on one. It was a really long line of more than 30 people. After a while I struck up a conversation with a woman in line. Later another woman, also in line, joined in the conversation. At one point the latter woman, who was sort of ahead of me and the first women (line not straight but uneven), offered that we both go ahead of her. Of course by this point we had all been in line a long time and had tired feet. That was another act of kindness and mercy.

 My question: when have you seen God lately?  And when do others see God in you?