Sunday Homily 4-26-09, 3rd Easter
Readings: Acts 3, 13-19; Psalm 42, Lord, let your face shine on us; 1 John 2, 1-5; Luke 24, 35-48.
Acts: A review–
Author: Luke, the author of both The Gospel and Acts. Today we get Luke twice, in the first reading with Acts and in the last reading, today's Gospel.
While we are on the subject, Luke's gospel story today is a compliment to last week's gospel story by John. Both John & Luke find the apostles in a locked room, Jesus appears, and he says, "Peace." Both focus on the physical, last week on Thomas demanding to see the wounds, this week Jesus eating. What does he eat? Why so much focus on the physical?
Date: written about 40-60 years after Jesus death, i.e., ca. 70-100 A.D.
Subject: Two points of organization. One is that chapters 1-8 focus on the resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost, plus their effect on the community. The rest of the book, i.e., chapters 9-28, Paul. The other point of organization goes from Jerusalem, to Palestine, to the whole world with the news about Jesus.
Today's Selection: The selection today is somewhat backwards compared with last week. Last week, chapter 4; this week, chapter 3.
The scene is this, just like last week when we read from chapter 4. Peter & John have just healed a lame man at the door of the temple. The people come rushing to see. Peter & John say, "Hey, we did not do it." In fact, Jesus did it and he has been raised from the dead. This caught the attention of the priests and authorities who had the two arrested and put before the council. They are released the next day after a warning not to talk about this Jesus. Then they return to the local community of believers.
Last week we tuned in at this point and the reading focused on how the community attempted to live a communal life, everyone sharing. Today we go back to the time just after the healing of the lame man. The people have rushed to see the phenomenon and ask Peter & John to explain. Today's reading is their explanation.
Who Needs to be Richest or Prettiest?
After all the academic background & history on the readings today, I would like to propose we have a homily lite.
Consequently, I have five questions. See if you can answer them.
Name 5 wealthiest families in Dallas.
Name 4 Miss Americas.
Name 3 Heisman Trophy winners.
Name 2 winners of, take your pick, best actor/actress, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol.
Name 1 recent MVP in either the NFL or NBA.
Anybody got 15 names? I would suspect that most of you, like me, cannot name more than one or two people on this list, maybe none in some categories. Folks, these people are not slugs. They are probably the best in their fields. But who knows, and who cares? 50 years from now who will remember these people? Point: all this wealth, all this beauty, all this talent makes what kind of difference in your world?
Now let me put five more question to you. See if you can answer them.
Name your 5 best friends.
Name 4 teachers who positively affected your life.
Name 3 who compliment you.
Name 2 models or mentors in your life.
Name 1 person whose courage you admire.
Got 15 people? Difference? What makes the difference? The latter people make or have made your life, you richer? So, what if you forget about being the richest, the prettiest, the best, and focus on making life richer for those around you and those following you?
How? We planted trees for a couple of decades here. Remember the Trinity River trash pick up organized by Kovatis? Habitat. Coaching, teaching. Collin County Adult Clinic.
So, what are you doing?
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-04-26.mp3
Picture 1: Mass with Kevin helping
Picture 2: Birthday: John Simari, Denni Zurchin with Chloe, & Kevin
Picture 3: Audry & Grandma Jo
Picture 4: Alexandra with dad David