30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 25, 2020

Readings:

Acts 4,  8-12,  In his name this man stands before you healed.

Psalm 118,    The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner stone.

1 John 3, 1-2,   See what love the Father has bestowed on us.

 John  10, 11-18,  I am the good shepherd.

Genevieve says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome. Nice to see you for the first time."

Acts reminders:

Author: Luke, the same who wrote the gospel.  He was an educated, urbane Jew.

Date: the years 75-80 

Subject: This is a travel log, detailing the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome and the Mediterranean in between.

Today: Peter is talking to the elders and leaders of the people, aiming to convince them about Jesus.

Genevieve welcomes the Whole Community, and, in turn, the Whole Community welcomes Genevieve.

The Good Shepherd

I would like to talk this morning about the good shepherd.  Two proposals.  

First, we have shepherds all around us.

Secondly, the good shepherd has three characteristics.

1. The shepherd gathers people.
2. The people the shepherd gathers are richer and happier because of being called.
3. The shepherd, likewise, is richer and happier because of inviting all these people. 

Vivian says, "In two more weeks I will get to say hi to everybody, too."  Hey,  is there something in the water around here?

Four examples.

I mentioned that this past weekend Rosemary & I attended both a Jesuit class reunion and an alumni reunion of 50 years at Spring Hill College in Mobile.  The shepherd who called us together and made all the arrangements was my classmate and good friend, Bill Dowie.  To me this was extraordinary because the last time we all met two years ago, over twenty of us, Bill was still mourning the love of his life, whom he had cared for the last years of her life.

Not only did he gather those who could make it somewhat at the last moment, but he shared with us that he was introduced to someone with whom he sees a special relationship developing.  Rosemary & I were most touched, doubly so by the charming woman he brought.

I left that reunion richer and happier.

The Spring Hill Jesuit reunion group on the Fairhope pier, eastern shore, Mobile Bay.   Bill is third from left, Keqi is first on the left. Others, (l-r), Jim Raymond, Rosemary, an Old Geezer, Carl Castille, and Jack Podsiadlo. Joe Reardon taking the picture.

The second shepherd is in our very midst.  This guy invites with open arms and open heart guys who have hit bottom.  We, too, have accepted his invitation to nurture these men by our help with Souls Harbor, of which he is the director, a 24/7 job. 

Brent, Thanks for being a good shepherd for over 60 men and a shepherd for me and the community.

Our class in '65 in front of Assumption Hall.

The third shepherd, every Thursday at least, loads up 16 meals.  With her friend, Barbara, they deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound men and women, whites and a rainbow of races.

Rosemary and Barbara gather their people by bringing meals to their door.  The people are richer and happier because of their visit, as I am by their example.

Over 100 of us Jesuits lived in Assumption Hall, Spring Hill College, Mobile in the 60's. After expecting that the building would be finally designated as a historical monument, how deflating to find the building demolished and in its hallowed place two student residences. No appreciation for old age!

Finally, there is a lady in our neighborhood named Patty Cody.  She is our neighborhood shepherd.  She organized the neighborhood association.  She has set up a security patrol for us, and a neighborhood communication network.  You can find your lost dog or cat and you can put on line a picture of a lost dog you find in your yard.  All this, plus other conveniences.  But her biggest bringing together takes place on July 4, when everyone is invited to a neighborhood parade, a picnic at the playground of a grade school, and a time when we see each other, maybe the first time since last July 4.

Rosemary & I are the refreshment Czars and each year I come home richer and happier with what Patty has helped us celebrate.

Guess what, Victoria. You were once little, too, just like Genevieve.

Let me add an extra and a special Good Shepherd, Genevieve.  Does she not call us all together?  Do we not feel richer and happier just be in her marvelous presence.  And from my vantage point, I think she, too, is richer and happier because we are all responding to her.

Harper is pretending to be sleeping through another masterpiece homily.

Good shepherds are all around us.  

Who is a good shepherd in your life and for whom are you a good shepherd?

Cupcake of The Week to Paul and Carrie for acing the Boston Marathon last week.

Readings:  Isaiah 25, 6-10 (beautiful); Psalm 23 (nice); Philippians 4, 12-20; Matthew 22, 1-14 (The King throws a wedding banquet)

Isaiah: A beautiful selection today.  This is why Isaiah 1 is so popular, his worderful dreams.  The selection today talks about the day when the Lord will provide a feast of rich food and fine wine on a mountain top.  These dreams were dreamed some 600 to 900 years B.C.E. 

Psalm 23:

Number of Psalms: There are 150 psalms, which are religious songs.

Authorship: Jews, Muslims and Christians for centuries considered King David to be the author.  73 psalms use his name.  Today, however, scripture scholars think numerous authors composed the psalms and they passed down ca. 500 years in an oral, sung form before they began to be written down ca. 600 B.C.E.  King David lived ca. 1000 B.C.E.

Pictures 1 & 2:

#1: the choir: Wendy, Shonda & Ray, Celeste

#2: Birthdays: Lacee Ackerman (13); Georgie (7); Lisa Ackerman, & Richard Eshelbrenner

Life as a Banquet

I had a Jesuit friend named Tom Barbarito who was in the class behind me.  Italian.  About 5 feet 5. Quite rotund in his early years.  No way athletic.  In fact would shudder at the prospect of exercise or physical work.  Intelligent and very amusing mostly at his own expense.  He was pastor of St. Rita for many years. 

Our selection from Isaiah 1 about the banquet was his favorite reading of all time.  He loved to eat.  We used to have what were called first class feasts in the early years of my Jesuit life.  These were special meals on Christmas, Easter, and church holidays.  The meals were excellent Cajun cuisine put together by our cajun cooks from southwest LA, Opalousas & Lafayette.  And Tom was from New Orleans, as were many in the classes those days.  We got to talk in the refectory on the occasion of these meals, all 150 of us.

I can still picture Tom squaring off for one of these meals, his white cloth napkin tucked into the collar of his cassock European style, getting elbow room, and proclaiming that he was ready.  He used to declare that he could not wait for the heavenly banquet referred to here in Isaiah.  Today Tom is enjoying that banquet because he died maybe ten years ago with a brain tumor.  And he died skinny, so he now may eat all his favorite foods without guilt. 

I think of Tom whenever this reading comes up.  Our readings today are so Tom Barbarito, eating, feasting, enjoying the cup running over.  Moreover we have a king throwing a wedding banquet and getting mad because the invited did not come.  Then one man gets kicked out for not having a wedding garment on.  What is going on?   Three observations.

First, remember for whom Matthew is writing.  He has an agenda when he puts parables into his work.  Initially he writes to warn the Jewish people about how they are losing it in not recognizing Jesus.  But equally he is addressing the Gentiles, letting them know that Jesus welcomes them also.

As in all parables, check out the symbolism of the gospel.  Obviously the king is Yahweh.  Who are the invited to the wedding feast?  The Jews.  Who are the good & bad street people? 

Second observation, we are the street people & therefore included.   There is a banquet out there, a feast on a mountain top, a feast of rich food and choice wine.  Tex Mex & Blue Bell?  We are the newly invited, despite the fact that we are the street people.  In fact, I would propose that we are all street people, bad and good, Gentile and Jew.  The parable may be creating a false distinction.  Because of this distinction , some believe that only those who believe in Jesus Christ are saved.

The third observation is that the banquet on the mountain top, the marriage feast is taking place today.  I can be tempted to think the feast takes place in the next life.  In fact, I think a lot of poor people and slaves were fed this nonsense so they would not try to fight back against oppression. 

This may be where the poor guy without the wedding garment fits in.  He gets treated pretty harshly, especially so after the king invites all the street people in, both good and bad.  To attempt an understanding, I think we go back to the symbolism which is the currency of parables.  What could he symbolize?  Perhaps the wedding garment symbolizes gratitude.  Maybe he was not grateful, but was critical and cynical, thinking he was entitled to all this, the attitude that seem to be so prevalent in our contemporary culture.  Consequently, the man was thrown out.  In reality the ingratitude never allows him in.  We can be the man without the wedding garment.

My friend Tom Barberito I am sure is enjoying his wedding banquet in the next life.  We are invited to enjoy this life's banquet with gratitude.

What is your banquet today?

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-10-12.mp3

Readings:

Isaiah  40, 1-5, 9-11,  Go up to a high mountain, Zion, cry out at the top of your voice.   (another excellent  reading, this time from Isaiah II)

Psalm 104,  Bless the Lord My Soul.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si:

A Reading from Pope Francis’ Letter on the Environment:

When we speak of the “environment”, what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and the society which lives in it.

Nature, the environment, cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves, a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and in constant interaction with it. 

Zoe say, "Welcome, Everybody, it is sunny and warm here."

It is critical to seek comprehensive solutions which consider the interactions within natural systems themselves and with social systems.

We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.

 Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach: combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and protecting nature and our entire environment.

The words of Pope Francis.

Luke 3, 15-16, 21-22, The baptism of Jesus.

Angela, too, says, "Hi, "Everybody, welcome in." 

Baptism & Original Sin: traditional & contemporary theology 

Traditional theology on baptism & original sin: 

1. Why we baptized: purification & removal of original sin inherited by babies.  Baby was a sinner & would go to Limbo forever if not baptized before dying.     
2. Original sin: the 1 sin of Eve & Adam, the eating of an apple, ruptured the relationship between God & Humans. 

Two of our more studious community members, Brandon & Leo.

Contemporary theology on baptism & original sin: 

1. Original sin: (first) 
2. no original sin  
3. Genesis story of the fall is allegory, not fact  
4. from Darwin's Origin of the Species the idea has developed that in our human infancy, we needed certain behaviors to survive.  For instance, killing another person & stealing (like food), to survive.  As our ancestors formed communities, norms of social behavior emerged, for example, the 10 commandments.   
5. St. Augustine, ca. 400: 

–A major, if not the major influence on Christian/Catholic theology of original sin and human nature from his time to today 

–After conversion from a rather lusty life at 32, he had a pessimistic view of human nature, different from early Christianity.  This is part of the background to why priests were supposed to be celibate.

Leo & Brandon, the Candle Lighters of The Week.

–John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), Pelagius, a British monk, & Julian of Eclanum, Italy, a bishop, all found nature good and fought against Augustine

–Augustine used all means to vanquish his opponents with their positive view that nature was good, even to sending a gift of horses to the pope to influence his decision.  Augustine won.  

 Why we baptize today: (using the contemporary theology)

1. To celebrate a new life
2. To ritually & formally welcome the new person into a family, a community, and to a God famous for love and acceptance
3. To cleanse after the journey

Anybody know who these characters are?  At Juliet's Restaurant?

The Beauty of Little Kids is for Real

I would like to continue to talk about why we baptize little kids, at least here in our community.    I mentioned that what we are celebrating is new life. Moreover, we are welcoming the child into a family, a community, and a God who loves that child and thinks the child is the best, as good as it gets. 

Sometimes we get distracted and don’t see this.  The child may be crying a lot or we may still think of the child as a sinner.  Appearances distract us and we judge negatively. 

The Best, Shonda, Bethany, Ray,  David.

This is pretty common and I have two examples, one of which you ladies who went to the luncheon will recognize.  Rosemary shared it.

It happened this way.  Rosemary was going to get something at Kohls this past week.  She gets out of the car in the parking lot and starts walking in.  Ahead of her a young guy with pants hanging low in the current fashion steps ahead of her. 

As they walk toward the store, he is working at putting on a belt. 

I admit that I don’t find this custom attractive when I see it in guys, which is exactly why young guys do it. 

The Team cleaning up after communion.

Anyway, he finally gets his belt on and they arrive at the entrance door about the same time, he in front, Rosemary behind. 

Guess what happened.  The guy opened the door.  Then he stepped back and invited Rosemary to go in.  As Rosemary told me and probably told you ladies at Urban Rio, she was humbled and grateful.  She had misjudged the guy.

A second event happened to us both this week.  We have a nice mail man, Doug, easy going, faithful, and friendly.  We are all on first name basis.

Elevation.

At Christmas we stuck a thanks note and a $20 in an envelope for him.  Guess what happened.  We get a hand written thank you note and card. 

I was so touched.  In fact, I felt pretty miserly giving him only $20.  I was touched because I did not expect him to show gratitude in such a formal way.  Rosemary said it is a sign that his mother trained him well.  I remember my mother repeatedly saying to me, “Always thank every person who gives you something.”

In one week here are two people who have caused Rosemary & me to misjudge them. 

Babies and little kids can be misjudged.  That kid cries too much.  That kid screams too much.  Maybe the child is hurting.

Offertory, Bill & Zaile, Lynda & Tom.

This is why here I try to make our community especially welcoming and loving.  I want all these kids, Genevieve & Leo, Brandon, Cole, Harper, Emma & Zoe, Buddy & Tori, all of these and the others who come occasionally to know & feel that they are loved, welcomed, and treasured.  They are good, beautiful, and a gift to me and all of us.

Misjudge anybody this week? 

Readings: Ecclesiastes 1,2; 2, 21-23; Psalm 90; Colossians, 3, 1-11; Luke 12, 13-21

Eccllesiastes: this book contains the thoughts of the "philosopher," a man who reflected on how short and contradictory human life it.  He could not understand the ways of God.  Nevertheless, he advised people to work hard and to enjoy the gift of life as much and as long as they could.  In our selection you will see how he is pessimistic & depressing. 

I’ve chosen to expand the reading to give you a better view of his style.

The Gift: Celebrate it and Share it

Last Saturday evening our group of seven set up a campsite above the shore of the second of a group of three High Sierra lakes ten thousand feet high. The lakes are called the Rae Lakes.The next morning we planned to climb 12,000′ Glen Pass, which was standing straight up in front of us. The Rae Lakes are exactly at the line where trees cease to grow very well, so we were camping on somewhat open granite & shallow soil. 

Our menu that night was beef stroganoff and because we always had more than we needed, we invited three women at the neighboring campsite, a mother & daughter and another young woman.  The two younger women turned out to be teachers in the San Francisco area, teaching mostly underprivileged & handicapped children.  The girl traveling by herself had once even brought a group of 7th graders out to the wilderness. The three were eventually planning to climb Mt. Whitley and then exit. 

The next day Rose spent a lot of time climbing & talking with the girl who was hiking alone.  As a result, the two became good friends and discovered that they shared a number of the same dreams, to teach kids and to teach about nature.  The girl even recommended a neat little Italian restaraunt in Fresno, our town of arrival & departure. 

Our readings today all seem to indicate that life is futile and useless.  Why do anything?  Just eat dirt. 

Two observations on this.

First, life does not have to be looked at as useless.  It can be seen as a gift.

Secondly, the gift can be celebrated and shared with others. 

Let me work backwards.  I was impressed with those women because they were into sharing the gift.  The two young girls were teaching.  The mother came into the wilderness to share the gift with her daughter, even though the mother did not look like the backpacking type. 

We also saw numerous scout troops during our nine days.  Once we ran into a group of fourteen, about four adults and ten boys & girls about 15 or 16.  When we asked them who they were they said they were a camp.  We think they were taking a group of troubled teens on a wilderness trek.  This is sharing the gift. 

Before I share it, however, I think I got to celebrate the gift.  Which is exactly what we were doing in the High Sierras, and do every year.  Which is what we do here on Sundays.  We celebrate the gift of life. 

How do you celebrate the gift and share it?

AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2007-08-05.mp3

Emma says, "Hi, Everybody, from my bunny, welcome."

 Readings:

Matthew 21, 1-11, Jesus enters Jerusalem

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,  Because of this God greatly exalted him.

Matthew  27,, 11-54,  The passion & death.

Harper says, "Yes, welcome from me too. It is fun here and they have cupcakes."

Sorry, Everybody, because of the extraordinary length of so many readings, especially the Matthew Passion, we don't have a homily.  Tune in for a good one this Sunday, Easter.  Welcome, also.  You might find an Easter Bunny attending.

Tom.

And Lynda.