32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, November12, 2023

 

Sez Betsy, "Hi, Everybody.  Welcome in!"

 

Readings

Genesis 12, 1-4, I will make of you a great nation.

Psalm 33, Lord, let your mercy be upon us, as we put our trust in you.

2 Timothy 1-10, Bear your hardship.

Matthew 17, 1-9, The transfiguration.

 

 

Fist bumps for a healthy welcome.

 

Homily by John Cade                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The Gospel of Matthew and the Jewish Synagogue—Talk Two

Last week we talked about how, as Jewish, the disciples and followers of Jesus continued as members and participants in the life of the synagogue and the Sabbath liturgy. Also, how these followers of Jesus remembered him in the synagogue, and preserved the stories of his life, teachings and deeds. An example of the general pattern of worship on the Sabbath is in Acts 13.

 

 

What a team!

 

It says, “On the Sabbath Paul went to the synagogue. After the reading of the Scriptures—God’s Law and the Prophets—the head of the meeting asked Paul, Friend, do you have anything you want to say? Paul stood up and said, Fellow Israelites and friends of God, listen.” Then he told how God led their ancestors out of Egypt and gave them their own land. He traced their history through King David, and how, from David’s descendants, God sent a Savior for Israel. And that this was the gospel, the good news, they were bringing: that what God promised their fathers has come true for their children—for them.

 

Our Super, All Girls, Sisters Candle Lighting Team.

 

This passage in Acts provides the basic pattern of synagogue worship on the Sabbath: mainly lots of long scripture readings.

First, a reading from the Law of Moses (the Torah, first 5 books of Jewish Scripture) in 1-yr cycle. Then readings from the Prophets, in three parts:  The “former prophets” (stories of Israel before and after the death of Moses, their greatest prophet—7 books of Joshua thru II Kings) in 1-yr cycle. Then more reading from what they called the “latter prophets” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel—what we call the major prophets) in 1-yr cycle.  Then more reading from the ‘Book of the Twelve’—the last 12 books of Hebrew Scripture, that we call the minor prophets (Hosea to Malachi) in 4-yr cycle. [We use abbreviated 3-yr cycle]

 

 

Buddy, our special reader of the Candle Blessing

 

The psalms were read or chanted between the readings, sometimes for specific feasts of the liturgical year, but also to break things up with so many long readings, (and maybe to wake people up).

I counted, and the weekly Sabbath readings averaged over 16 pages every week, using this type print. After all the readings, the leader of the synagogue would preach on those scriptures or he might ask a visiting preacher to do so, as in the example of Paul. This is how the story of Jesus was passed on and preserved in the synagogue, for 55 years after Jesus’ death.

 

 

John reading his homily explaining the milieu of Matthew's Gospel.

 

So the written gospels are deeply Jewish books, capable of being understood only by those who lived and shared the Jewish mindset. If Jesus’ followers ever moved out of the Jewish world in which they was born, and if their gospels ever came to be read entirely or primarily by those who didn’t understand the Jewish authors’ meaning, they would be misread or misunderstood.  That is exactly what seems to have happened.  Step out of the Jewish world into the Greek and Roman world around the Mediterranean; the gospels would most likely be assumed by non-Jewish readers to be a literal account of what Jesus said and did.

 

Presenting the Gifts, Hue, Patricia, and Linda.

 

 A growing number of Jesus’ followers were beginning to be from urban centers around the Mediterranean—like Corinth, Thessalonica, Galatia, Rome—where they interacted with non-Jewish people and culture.  As the Jewish followers of Jesus became more cosmopolitan, they began to attract the non-Jewish Gentiles, and early Christianity became more and more a Gentile movement.  Near the end of the 1^st century CE, in the year 88CE, a split occurred between the synagogue and the followers of Jesus.  Orthodox Jews came to think of Jesus’ followers as “revisionists” and excommunicated them from the synagogue. So, by the middle of the second century (about 150 CE), there were practically no Jews left in the Christian movement.  Missing that Jewish context, Gentile Christians began to literalize the words and miracle stories, a practice the original Jewish gospel writers could never have imagined. For 55 years the Jewish people had been relating Jesus to the Hebrew Scriptures and incorporating his memory into Jewish liturgical practices. 

 

 

Minor Elevation time.

 

The followers of Jesus, including the authors of the gospels, had been speaking, then writing down, Jewish interpretations of the ‘Jesus experience’, not biographical accounts or historical stories.  As Gentiles throughout the Roman Empire gradually became a Christian majority, Christian literalism or fundamentalism was born.  This way of reading the gospels is the result of misunderstanding their Jewish context and meaning.  E.g., we read Jesus being referred to as “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  First-century Jews would have known this was a reference straight out of the Yom Kippur liturgy, not a literal reality.  They would never have imagined that these very familiar Jewish liturgical words could ever be so distorted. 

Next Sunday we dive into Spong’s basic thesis: the Gospels, Matthew in particular, were written explicitly for the Sabbath liturgy, and followed the synagogue’s annual liturgical calendar.

Amen.

 

 

Who dat peeking in the door?

Genesis 14:   Blessed be Abram by God Most High,  the creator of heaven and earth; 

Corinthians 11:  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of  death of the Lord until he comes.

Luke 9:  They all ate and were satisfied.  And when  the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

           

Mary reading from Genesis

Thanks…

Music,    Shonda & Ben

Readers, Mary & Frank

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,  John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Hue & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

Frank reading from Corinthians

 

Readings:  Download 06-19-22 – Readings – Corpus Christi

Homily: Download 06-19-22 – Homily – Corpus Christi

                                       

 

Shonda and Ben always great

                                                     

 

Remember these special people:

For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer and Kaliope, John Cade's Mother-in-law, with 2 broken vertebrae;  For Jackie;  For John's sister, Kathey in the hospital after a fall;    For Tom Good;  For a young man, 19 struggling with a brain tumor and cancer;     For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan; 

                           

 

The Kiss of Peace

 

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.;   For Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren;     For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation & friends, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Frank, Mary, Dee and Cindy

     

Birthdays:  Bernadette Delgado 6/19 

Anniversaries:   Barb & Warren Wittek 6/21

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $   605.00

Outreach: $    200.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

                    

            Father's Day blessing for all the men               

 

Rosemary's Blessing:  

Loving God, through the gift of our fathers,

you reveal your wisdom, love and care.

 

Continue to bless and guide these holy men

you have given to us in our lives.

 

Support them in their call

to lead holy lives of faithfulness, respect and integrity.

 

May their witness of faith and love

shine from them and on their children and families

giving hope and encouragement to all.

 

Bless them for all the ways they lift their children to achieve their dreams.

Bless them for their sacrifice, their forgiveness and their guidance.

 

Bless grandfathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, teachers and coaches

who have shown us love and support.

 

For those fathers who have lost a child or spouse,

give them your loving touch of healing

consoling them with your gentle care.

 

For those fathers who have gone before us,

bring them to your eternal banquet of joy and peace;

bring them the fullness of union with you

and communion with us as we remember their love for us. Amen.

 

(Adapted from Fr. John Thomas Lane, SSS)

Happy Father’s Day

Acts of the Apostles 5:  Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles.

Revelation 1:  Do not be afraid.  I am the first and the last, the one who lives.

John 20:  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

 

 

 

     Claire, Ray, Cindy, Mabel, Marlene and Connie talking before Mass

 

 

Thanks…

Music,    Ben 

Readers,  Connie & John

Gospel,    John Cade

Homily,  John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,      Mike & Hue & Richard & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

                                                                       

                                                     

 

John, Mary and Richard

 

Readings:  Download 04-24-22 – Readings – 2nd Easter

Homily:  Download 04-24-22 – Homily – 2nd Easter

 

 

 

and Mary and Frank

 

 

Remember these special people:

For John Stack having a hard time right now with a bad back;  For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife who is dealing with cancer;  For Tom Good;  For a young man, 19 struggling with a brain tumor and cancer;    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 and for a friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan;  All of Shonda's dear family;

                           

 

Kevin learning the whole Zoom operation

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 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 & friends, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

Buddy, reading the prayer for the lighting of the candles
                   

                  

Birthdays:  David Dinsmore 4/27, John Simari 4/30 

Anniversaries:   Randolph & Michelle Brown 4/25

      

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  600.00

Outreach: $  150.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

 

 

Ben, leading the singing                                    

Rosemary's Blessing:  

We are called to be co-partners and co-workers in the unfolding of God’s vision. Our faith brings us to a deep truth: we are made in the image and likeness of a God who is unconditional and unfathomable love. Jesus lives and teaches this idea of God that surpasses all other concepts of God. Our God is intimately close to us and in love with us. We abide in God.

Taken from Our Easter Faith – Making a Difference to Our God by Sister Jean Amore CSJ, Ed.D., Principal, Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, NY

 

Readings:

Acts 5, 12-16,   Many signs and wonders were done among the people.

Psalm 118,  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. 

Revelation  1, 9-19,  I was caught up in the spirit.

John 20, 19-31,  Put your finger here and see my hands.

 Acts observations:  I won’t bore you every Sunday for the next six with these same observations.  I thought I would repeat them because you may have missed them Easter Sunday with all that was going on.  Periodically I will remind you of the basics.

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.

Today’s Subject: a description of the growth & expansion within the first area, Jerusalem. 

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

Easter Poster, by Rosemary.

 More on New Life

Ever hear of a guy named Christopher Scott?  How about Michael Morton?

I want to talk again about the new life coming from the resurrection.  To exemplify I want to tell you the story of one of these two men,  Michael.  Both were chosen by The Dallas Morning News as their Toys of 2012, Texans of the Year.  Both were exonerated of crimes in the last two years.   Christopher served 13 years for a robbery & murder he never committed.  Michael, 25 years.  Here is Michael’s story. 

It is early morning, August 13, 1986.  Michael is 33 years old and manager of a grocery store.  He gets up early this morning and slips out of the house quietly so he won’t wake up Christine, his wife, and his son. 

He goes to work, punches in, and begins his regular day.  Meanwhile, back home a sick man breaks in and kills Christine while the 3 year old son watches.  Then he disappears.

Next thing Michael knows he is arrested for killing his wife and taken to jail.  The prosecutor is convinced Michael did it and determined to convict him, even to the point of hiding evidence that proved Michael could not have done it.   The prosecutor succeeds and Michael is sent to prison for life.

Sixteen months later in the same area another woman is killed in a similar fashion and a man is caught and charged.  His DNA and the DNA from Christine’s crime scene match.  Nobody checks it out.

All during this time, Michael is in prison for life, knowing he was innocent.  His wife murdered and he is convicted of it.  He cannot raise his young son.  The long years pass for Michael.

Until 2011.  A group of lawyers and student lawyers take up his case and expose how he was framed.  November 9, 2011, Michael, now 58,  walks free exonerated more than half his life behind him.

And now the amazing part.  I would imagine that if I were in the same place, I would be bitter and eager for revenge.  Michael, however, is totally at peace and instead of seeking revenge is seeking to convince the Texas legislature that some new laws need to be enacted to protect innocent people from prosecutors framing people and hiding evidence. 

Both Michael with his 25 years and Christopher with 13, the other guy I mentioned, are working to help other prisoners who are innocent.   Already about 90 have been exonerated.  How many more?

Can you imagine how you would feel walking free after 25 years in prison for a crime you did not commit?   And not be bitter?  And not want justice, but want to help others in similar circumstances?   Talk about resurrection and new life.  This is it.

When was the last time you were grateful for and just savored your life and your freedom? 

Source: The Dallas Morning News, Sunday, December 30, 2012, Texan of the Year

Emma eager to get there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sirach 15:  If you trust in God, you too shall live, …

Corinthians 2:  What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,…

Matthew 5:  I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

John starting Mass

 

Thanks…     

Music,    Ben and Shonda

Readers,  Mike & Geri

Gospel,   John Cade

Homily,   John Cade

Eucharistic Prayer A & B,  John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers,   Hue & Kevin

Final Blessing, Rosemary

       

 

Ladies Luncheon

 

Readings:  Download 02-12-23 Readings – 6th Ordinary

Homily:    Download 02-12-23 Homily – 6th Ordinary

 

 

 

Remember these special people:

For the family of Ron Senter who passed last week;  For Frank Esparza who has been diagnosed with cancer;  For Jan;  For John Simari's mother who is not feeling well;  For Tom  Quinn who had back surgery on November 21st;  For Sandra who has been diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma;   For Lambrini, John Cade's wife, who is dealing with cancer ;  For Madeleine, Richard Eshelbrenner's granddaughter;  For Hue; For Jackie;  For John's sister, Kathey recovering from a fall;    For Tom Good;  For a young man, 19 struggling with a brain tumor and cancer;     For Mary Hall's friend Cadence still suffering from a serious medical condition;   For Sir Charlie & Jan; 

       

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn;  For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.;   For Jean & Cliff Wright;  For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren;     For a young man who is suffering from depression;  John Cade's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation & friends, Annie, a mom of 3 kids and Michael ;    for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birthdays:  

Anniversaries:  DeGenova 2/14,  Cade 2/18

Community Finances:   

Expenses: $  685.00

Outreach: $  120.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

         

 

Guess Who

 

 

Rosemary's Blessing: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: we are now meeting at Legacy Academy.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July, let the parade begin.

 

 

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

Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community &  Stack

Place: Legacy Charter School, Accent Drive, Plano, TX 75075

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th to you, Beth & Emma, and welcome in.

 

 

Readings:  

 

 Ezekiel 2, 2-5,  Son of Man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels.

 Psalm 123,   Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy

 2 Corinthians 12, 7-10, A thorn in the flesh was given to me.

Mark 6, 1-6, A prophet is not without honor except in his native place 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome, Atlas, to your first ever 4th of July Celebration.   Your daddy, Brandon, will tell you all  about it.

 

 

Community Activities:  

 

ROMEO MEET: Friday, June 6, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.  Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in. 

JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together), July, TBA

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations again, Wendy & Brandon.   What a wonderful little boy.

 

 

What is going on in Our Catholic World:

1.  5 things you can do to help the immigrants,  America,  , 7-5-18,     Download FIVE THINGS 7-5-18
2. Soul searching in a difficult time, National Catholic Reporter,  7-5-18,   Download SOUL-SEAECHING 7-5-18

 

 

 

 

 

Could this be a case of child kidnapping???

 

 

True?

 

Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked,

"How old was your husband?"

"98," she replied: "Two years older than me"

"So you're 96," the undertaker commented.

She responded, "Hardly worth going home, is it?"

 

 

 

 

I think so!  Is that a funny man, Atlas?

 

 

See you Sunday.

J.S., 214-783-0443

 

 

 

 

The Healing Touch.

 

 

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.

 

 

Our Father.

 

 

Peace, Everybody.