Sunday Homily 1-18-09, 2nd Ordinary Time
Introduction: While reflecting on our blessings of the week-
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We are blessed to be alive today, just as those who landed in the Hudson;
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We are blessed to be alive to witness Tuesday the inauguration of a black man where slaves once constructed the buildings. Our people have grown.
Readings: 1 Samuel 3, 3-19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6, 13-20; John 1, 35-42
1 Samuel: This is book one of two books. The series is 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings; the characters being Samuel, the last of the Judge leaders of Israel-Judah; Saul, the first king; and King David.
Authors: Traditionally it was thought that 3 people wrote the book, Samuel, Gad, & Nathan. Samuel, chapters 1-25; Gad was King David's historian, & Nathan was an editor. Contemporary biblical experts think this unlikely & say that the works were put together at least 50 years after the time of the events.
Time: The events take place ca. 1100-1000 BCE. The compilation & recording of the events takes place ca. 950 BCE.
Today's Selection: Yahweh is calling Samuel in a dream. This ties in with the Gospel where three future apostles are called. Samuel's parents were Elkanah & Hannah, and Hannah is famous because of a touching story about how she came to have Samuel. She had been barren for years and even Elkanah's other wife ridiculed her. One day the prophet Eli heard her crying and praying in the temple. At first he accused her of being drunk. Then when he talked with her, he promised that she would have a son.
Hannah 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 about Samuel are mythological, the writer is attempting to convey to a simple people lessons in trust in Yahweh.
What are You Looking for?
The theme of our readings this morning is obviously call & response. Over the years you have heard repeatedly my 3 personal calls, the priest-Jesuit call, East Africa, and marriage. You have reason to be tired of hearing the same stories. Consequently, I looked around for sub-themes in the readings, and in my various sources a number of sub-themes came up. The sub-theme that I want to talk about is stated by Jesus to the two future apostles, Matthew and (maybe) John, "What are you looking for?" This is certainly relevant to what is taking place this week. But first three other minor observations.
First, the verb stay is used three times. The two ask Jesus where is he staying or dwelling. They find where he is staying. Then they stayed with him. Significant to the writer? So many times the writers have a special agenda in their use of a word.
Secondly, the verb see or looked intently at is used 5 times. John the Baptist watched Jesus walk by, but really what is said is that he looked intently at. Then Jesus saw the two. Jesus tells them they will see. The two saw where Jesus stayed. Then when Peter came before Jesus, Jesus looked at him, really looked intently at him.
Third, 4 o'clock in the afternoon. In the original language it says 10 o'clock. This is the eastern way of keeping time, the way I learned in East Africa. There is another whole time calculation than the Greenwich Mean Time. In fact, I find it more logical. What is usually the first hour of daylight or the first hour of darkness? 7 o'clock in our time. In the east the first hour of daylight & the first hour of darkness is 1 o'clock. Our 7:00 A.M. & 7:00 P.M. is 1 o'clock of the day or 1 o'clock of the night.
Finally, "What are you looking for?" Who knows, who cares? Well, we know. And we can care because what those two are looking for is basically what we are looking for. So did they find it?
I would propose that we can say, 'yes, I know what they were looking for." We are blessed because we have people who have gone before us who have mapped out what we people are looking for. You may have run into this in psychology 101 or elementary psychology in high school, but it is useful to remind ourselves. The person who for me mapped it out best is the famous psychologist, Abraham Maslow. He has five stages of human need or what we are looking for.
Stage 1: Imagine a pyramid and we are starting at the bottom with the most elemental. What we are looking for at this stage is biological and physiological. Namely, food & drink, air, shelter,warmth, sleep. Our ancestors lived on this stage, but most of us today have this stage under control.
Stage 2: Safety & security. I may have shelter, food, and drink, but need a secure place to shelter, eat, and drink. You may think this applies simply to robbers or security from getting bombed like is going on in Gaza right now, but how many little kids do not find this need stage satisfied.
Stage 3: Love & belonging needs. I am part of. A family, a group of peers or friends, a community. I find acceptance, affection, and love.
Stage 4: Esteem. I have achieved, attained status, have reputation & recognition.
Stage 5: Self actualization. Self acceptance, acceptance of others and my world, inner peace, more fully alive.
I would observe that all of us in this community have stages 1 & 2 under control and probably also the other three stages in varying degrees. I suggest that self actualization involves me giving back to others esteem, love, and a sense of belonging. I also suggest that the usual obstacle to my greater self actualization is my addiction, whatever that may be, alcohol, drugs, food, TV, etc.
There is a little 5 question quickie self assessment that you may take. I will put a link to it on the blog this evening. Check it out.
What are you looking for? Where are you?
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-01-18.mp3
SELF ASSESSMENT: Download Quick self assessment
Picture 1: Choir–Wendy, Shonda & Ray, & Celeste
Picture 2: Birthday & Anniversary–Charlie, Claire & Ray
Picture 3: Birthdays–David & Alexandra, dad & daughter