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Readings:  January 18, 2015

1 Samuel 3,  3-19,  Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”

Psalm 40,    Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.

1 Corinthians 6, 13-15, 17-20,   Your body is a temple of the Spirit within you.

John 1, 35-42,   What are you looking for?

 

 

 

1 Samuel observations:

What: 4 books about 4 big leaders of the People, Samuel & Saul, David & Solomon.  1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings.

Who: Samuel is the first big leader of the people.  He is a judge and the last.  The following 3 are kings of the people, Saul, David, and Solomon. 

Time:  The events take place ca. 1100-1000 before Christ.  The compilation & recording of the events takes place ca. 555 before Christ.  Sound familiar?  Babylonian Captivity

 

 

Today's Selection: Yahweh is calling Samuel in a dream.  This ties in with the Gospel where three future apostles are called.  Samuel's mother was Hannah, and she is famous because of a touching story about how she came to have Samuel.  

I had the story of King David read the Sunday before Christmas and I talked about Samuel.

Hannah, Samuel's mother,  had promised Yahweh that she would dedicate to the temple her son, if she got one.  Consequently, our selection finds Samuel residing in the temple with Eli the prophet.  He would be about 12 years old.

Be aware that while these marvelous stories are mythological, the writer is attempting to convey to a simple people lessons in trust in Yahweh.

The Samuel reading, the Psalm, and the Gospel are all about call.  I would like to talk about this at homily.   As the Psalm says, "I come to do your will."  What is that?  What if it is just being  peaceful? 

 

 

 Big Calls and Little Calls

Like I mentioned, I would like to talk about calls this morning.  I would observe that there are big calls and little calls.  A big call would be like my call to go work in Tanzania and East Africa.  A little call could be like this.  Our story of the week.

So I go to the J this past Friday morning, the Jewish Community Center.  You know I go there Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for a 6 o’clock spin class.  The room has 25 stationary bikes and often the majority are occupied. 

 

 

I had not been to the spin class since the Monday 10-12 days before.  I had a low grade, almost cold during the cold cloudy period and I just could not get it to go away.  One of the things I do to get ahead of a cold, beside heat and hydration, is rest.  I do no exercise and I force myself to lie down for an hour in the morning and in the afternoon. 

I knew what it was going to take and it did.  The sun came out Thursday, the temperature moderated, and, voila, the cold disappeared.  I could not wait for Friday morning.

 

So I get there, say, ten minutes early.  I walk in, say hi to the lady who gives me a locker key for the change room and a towel.  I walk into the change room and say hi to two other old geezers I like to joke with.  

All this time I am expecting that someone, at least the lady at the entrance, might say, “Where you been?  I’ve missed you.”  No, nothing, not even the two old geezers.

 

So I walk down the hall and enter the spin room about 5:50.  Perhaps 8 people are there, including a lady who always rides on the bike immediately to my left. 

She is doing pre-ride exercises on the floor.  I say hi to her and talk with two guys I like, younger guys.  Yep, you guessed it.  No word about me being gone.  I was deflated.  I like the spin classes, but I equally like the people and I know pretty nearly everyone by name.  In fact, when I first started coming, people would just walk in, get on a bike, and start riding without a word to anybody.  Now I greet everyone and it seems like people are talking more. 

 

 

Eventually I just told people I had been gone almost two weeks because of a faint cold.  Then I had a couple of people say they had noticed I had not been around. 

The temptation?   Baloney on those people.  I have liked them, greeted them, and told them that I missed them when I noted that they had been gone, even for one class.  It is easy for me to notice, because the majority use the same bike each class.   I know some of them were flattered when I noticed.

 

 

That’s the temptation.  What’s the call?  Even a little call.  I think the call to me, at least, is to continue to greet these folks, to chat them up, and, yes, to tell them I missed them when they are gone for a class or two.  People are worth more than my deflation.

So, be sure to tell Rosemary and me how much you missed us the next time we are away for a week.  Only so much deflation I can handle, and you know Rosemary.

How do you handle being deflated like this?

 

 

Readings: Daniel 12, 1-3; Psalm 16, You are my Inheritance, O Lord; Hebrews 10, 11-18; Mark 13, 24-32

 

Daniel: Author & date, subject matter, our selection–

 

Author & Date: put together by people ca. 160 BCE.  Maybe a Daniel authored some of the material about himself, but others added & subtracted.  Because the work describes the Babylonian captivity, people thought it was written at that time, i.e. ca. 550. 

 

 

However, today it is seen that the heroism and fidelity described in some of the stories is used to strengthen Jewish resistance during a Jewish revolt in 160.  It would be like using the story of Washington crossing a frozen river, the Delaware, to strengthen freezing troops in another combat today. 

 

What was taking place was a group of Jews, the Maccabees, revolted against the Seleucid Empire (the remains of Alexander the Great's Empire after he died a young 32, ca. 390 BCE.  He had no sons).  The Jewish Maccabees were getting smashed by the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphenes.  The writer of the book of Daniel is attempting to buck them up.

 

 

Subject Matter: the book has 12 chapters divided into 2 parts–

 

Chapters 1-6: 6 stories involving the young Jew Daniel in his dealing with the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.  The king appreciated Daniel because Daniel interpreted his dreams. It also includes the famous Shadrack, Meshak, & Abednego who survived being tossed into the furnace rather than worship a gold statue.

 

Chapters 7-12: 4 visions. 

 

Our Selection: only 3 lines, but heavy.  A time of distress is predicted which will be followed by escape and those who have died will awake, some to shine brightly, others to experience everlasting horror. 

 

This is significant.  The little passage introduces the idea of reward & punishment after death.  Previously Jews believed in a place called Sheol, an abode where the dead remained somewhat depressed.  From this time forward the belief in an after life becomes part of Jewish belief. 

 

 

Elizabeth Rainey  (homily put together Sunday morning)

 

I received a call early this morning that a dear little friend of mine had died in Medical City.  My friend, Elizabeth Rainey, was 93, had fallen and broken her hip about two weeks ago, and Thursday or Friday she had her hip surgically repaired. 

 

I have been visiting with Elizabeth every Friday morning since around 1989.  For some years she came out to see me, coming on the bus because she never did learn how to drive. 

 

I remember one fall Friday morning she was walking down the hall of the school, Jesuit, from the front to the back where I had my office.  The bell rang for the end of class, the guys poured out, and Elizabeth at about 4' 9" got knocked down by a boy with a 55 on his football jersey.  "No problem," she said.  Fortunately the school is carpeted.

 

Eventually Elizabeth could not get around, so I went to see her, for years.  Some of you got to know her because you helped me move her from one apartment to another over the years.  Three observations about her.

 

First, I was proud of Elizabeth for her membership in AA.  In fact, I was hoping she was going to celebrate her 54th anniversary this past Thursday by going on the other side.  I had medical power of attorney and had suggested she not be operated on, she was in such a weak and confused state.  We had discussed this and she wanted no life prolonging measures. 

 

Instead of this happening, Wednesday morning she awoke hungry and clear minded.  She did not want to spend the rest of her days in bed with a broken hip, so "Let's have the hip operation." 

 

 
 
Secondly, Elizabeth wrote a novel when she was about 80 years old.  She failed to get it published, but I always complimented her on her achievement.

Thirdly, Elizabeth suffered from borderline personality disorder.  Medication helped, but she knew that often she would lose her patience with people, regularly with me.  In fact, often she would kick me out and order me never to return.  In a day or so, she would meekly call and apologize.  I always laughed and told her because I was a priest I had to love everyone.  So I loved her too. 

This was hard on her as she aged because she not only ended up with no family, she ended up pushing away people who would have been her friends.  We talked about this occasionally.  Sometimes when our hands are delt we don't get a good set of cards. 

I am grateful for a couple of things.  One is that I was able to be Elizabeth's friend for so long. 

Secondly, I was helped and supported by a couple from Holy Trinity Parish, where Elizabeth attended when she was able to go.  This couple, Peter & Lynn, helped Elizabeth in numerous practical ways, from helping her to buy a condo, to helping her sell it and move into a retirement home.  The couple have been a terrific and patient help.

Who is the Elizabeth in your life?

 

 

The End of Times  (Original Homily)

 

Remember January 1, 2000?  I do not know if any of you did it, but I know some people who really expected the world was going to end.  One guy I know even loaded up his pantry with lots of non-perishable food.  I guess he figured that despite it being the end of the world, he might need some can goods to carry him over.

 

I was informed recently that the next scheduled end of the world takes place Dec. 21, 2012, according to our friend Nostradamos & the Mayan calandar.  Set your watches.  In fact, that I did not know this date nor the guru who is predicting the date, indicated that I was really out of it.  I felt like a child who showed up for class without his homework. Trouble is, so many of the end of world dates have been expected and passed.

 

A lot of these ideas about the end of the world take their inspiration from our Mark reading and especially from our first reading from Daniel and, most especially, from Revelation, the last book of the Bible.  Could our readings have been chosen for this Sunday because it is the last of the liturgical year?  Next week we have Christ the King and then we start a new liturgical year with Advent. 

 

A word about a literary genre called apocalyptic writing, then a couple of points about the history behind Daniel & Mark. 

 

Apocalyptic writing usually has three parts:

  

1.  A remembrance of historical events leading up to the present.

   

2.  A prediction of dire tribulations and bad times, pointing to the fact that they have been mentioned in Revelation, for instance.  Like wars & eclipses of the sun.

   

3.  A prediction of cosmic events and the end of time.

 

A couple of historical notes behind Daniel & Mark.    Two points.

 

First, I already mentioned that Daniel was written at a time of "unsurpassed tribulation," to use the Daniel writer's words. It was the time of the Maccabees' revolt against the Seleucid king and the Maccabees were getting clobbered. 

 

Scholars think that Mark, too, was composed at a time of great "tribulation," to use Mark's word.  What was going on was as traumatic as, first, the destruction and enslavement of the Jews in the northern state of Israel and, secondly, the Babylonian Captivity 200 years later, ca. 600 and, thirdly, the Holocaust in our times. 

 

What happened about 35 years after Jesus' death, in ca. 65 CE, was that the Jewish people, fed up with Rome's abusive rule (so much for the Pax Romana), they revolted.  By 70 CE the Romans had not only defeated the revolt and slaughtered thousands, but they destroyed Jerusalem and they destroyed the temple.  

 

This is equivalent to having the U.S. destroyed and Washington obliterated.  From 70 CE until, guess when, 1948 there was no Jewish homeland.  The Jewish priesthood became unemployed, defunct, and is so to this day.  The priest was supposed to handle sacrifices in the temple.  For instance, the priest slaughtered the turtledoves offered by Joseph & Mary.  In place of the priests we now hear of Rabbis, who were originally before the time of Christ like judges.  Do you know of any Jewish priest? 

 

Secondly, during this time of tribulation a group of zealous Jews detatched themselves from not only the corruption of Roman rule, but also from the rich Jewish suck ups who doted on the Roman rulers for favors.  These zealous Jews moved out into caves around the Dead Sea.  They lived an ascetical life, practiced celibacy, and expected to see the end of the world.

 

So, how do you respond to all this?  With peace or anxiety?

 

Sources: Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, Origins of the Bible, Lecture XVI; Truthnet.org.; Wikipedia

 

Picture 1:  The Choir, Wendy, Shonda, Ray, & Celeste

 

Picture 2:  Angela & Grace with Gayle & Hugh in the background

 

Picture 3:  The Pastry Shoppe, Maddie, Diana & Cliff, & Hugh

 

Picture 4:  Anniversary of John & Colleen, Birthdays of Mary Ellen & Penny

 

 

 

Happy 83 Years, John, Congratulations.   When I grow up, I want to be like you!

 

 

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

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & John Cade

Place: Sigler Elementary, 1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075

 

 

 

 

Dad & Daughter, nothing better, Gilbert & Michelle.

 

 

Readings:

Ezekiel 34, 11-12, 15-17,    I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

Psalm 23,  The Lord is my shepherd.  There is nothing I shall want.  ( A good one)

1 Corinthians 15, 20-26,28,    Christ has been raised from the dead.

Matthew 25, 31-46,,  He will sit on  his glorious throne.

 

 

 

Mike Kuklenski on his Viet Nam experience.

 

 

Community Activities:  

ROMEO MEET:   Let’s skip November 24 & December 1.   Everybody is traveling.

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together),  Friday, December 1st.  Contact Marilyn Ackerman.

 

 

 

 

A fascinating trip.

 

 

Love for Kids picnic:  December 9

Dickenson Trip:  February, more TBA

Jackie & Rick: have a nice bedroom they would like to put up for rent, $500 per month.   Location: Garland, near a DART  train station.

.

 

 

 

Standing ovation.

 

 

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1.  Fire the Madison Bishop, National Catholic Reporter    Nothing special this week.

 

 

 

Our Father.

 

 

True?

Suddenly you’re ripped into being alive. And life is pain, and life is suffering, and life is horror, but by God you’re alive and it’s spectacular.

Joseph Campbell

 

Peace, Wendy & her parents.

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

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

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

Mass:  Plus coffee & donuts & specials on the house.  Welcome!

 

Place: Vines High School, Plano, 15th between Custer & Independence, west of Central Expressway.

Time: 9:30

 

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

Santa visited the Christmas Eve Community:

 

Community Bulletin Board: 

Heritage Farm renovation:  On hold for a while

   

 

True?

One kind word can warm three winter months.
— Japanese Proverb 
 
 

 Picture 1:  Santa arrives

Picture 2:  Vivian's brother

Picture 3:  Vivian's sister

Picture 4:  Wendy, Shonda, Ray, & Celeste

   
   

  

  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

     

See you Sunday, January 3  

 J.S.   (214-783-0443) 

 

Readings:

Isaiah 5, 1-7, My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.

Psalm 80, The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Philippians  4, 6-9, Have no anxiety at all.

Matthew 21, 33-43, There was a landowner who planted a vineyard.

 

 

Rosemary got a call from Sydney Bivona's daughter that Sydney has passed.  There will be a joint service for Sydney and Hugh (who passed in March).  Here are the details:

Saturday, October 3, 2020, 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Milestone Church, 201 Mount Gilead Rd, Keller, Texas 76248

Early lunch to follow at Wade and Venicia Carroll's home

12245 Hulson Trail, Haslet, Texas 76052

 

 

ROMEOS, Friday, October 2, 1:00,  as usual.    Welcome!

ROMEOs' Virtual Jason's Deli BYOB lunch
This is a recurring meeting, Friday, 1:00 pm
Link :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798571623?pwd=NmFSTW1ocVMzRGdIc0QzUGxKdHM3dz09

Meeting ID: 857 9857 1623
Password: saladbar

 

John Cade presenting his Sunday Homily

 

Reminder for 27th Sunday Ordinary Time, October 4, 2020

Here are the links for Sunday:

 

What's up in Ye Old Catholic Church

1.  A Cardinal refuses, https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/vaticans-cardinal-becciu-renounces-cardinalate-shock-move  

2.  Pope Francis on gay children, https://corpus-blog.blogspot.com/2020/09/gay-children-are-children-of-god-pope.html  

Dearest Community Members,

Happy Saturday Evening.  I am disappointed to tell you that we have not been able to put together a live stream for tomorrow's Mass.

Becky has worked tirelessly on this project and Mike Moran has also put in many hours on the project.  As of now we are hoping to get a You Tube presentation together of the Mass tomorrow at 9:30 at Legacy.  If we succeed we will put it out on the Blog tomorrow and you should be able to click on the link and see a presentation of the Mass.  We hope to put the link in around noon.  You will not get an email about the Blog until Monday BUT if you go to www.johnstackministries.com about 1:00 it should be out there

In the meantime you have the readings and John Cade's excellent homily so that you can reflect as a family on what you read.

 

Have a peaceful and healthy week.