18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 2, 2020

Special Readings for Christ the King,   Download Nov . 22 Special Readings for Christ the King

                    Zoe says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome in."

Homily by Mike

Our two Readings and our hymn from Psalms reveal that God has sent to us his very son, the Messiah and King of Kings, who is robed in majesty and his kingdom will last forever.  He has empowered us with the Holy Spirit to be Christ in the world to continue to bring about his kingdom.   Metaphorically, we have been robed in majesty, in goodness and mercy, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another.

             Genevieve, says, "Hi, Folks, So nice to see you here this                       beautiful Sunday.

Recall the story of the two prostitutes who stand before Solomon.  The two of them had been living together and both had given birth to a son only days apart. 

A terrible accident happened shortly after that.  One of them rolled against her child in the middle of the night and her son was suffocated.  She did a terrible thing. Getting up she placed her dead child in the arms of the other woman and took the living child back to her bed. 

                             "Hi, Harper, So nice to see you back."

When it was nearing morning the mother of the living child realized that the child next to her was dead.  Now it was she who began to weep. It was not until it was light that she realized it was not her child who had died.  The king listened as the two woman began to argue with one another as to who was the mother of the living child. 

Finally he said to his servants, ‘Bring me a sword so that I might divide the child.  The real mother raised her voice to protect her son’s life, ‘Give her the child, certainly do not kill him.’ The other said, ‘divide him.’ 

               The Candle Experts of the Week, Leo and Cole.

Of course the king now knew the real mother.  Justice was served; however, it was done at the expense of mercy!  After realizing in the morning that the dead child was not her child, she should have run to the other woman to embrace her lovingly, to kiss her tenderly, to cry with her, to listen to her, to comfort her, to take care for her, and to forgive her.

Think about the story about the prodigal son. After throwing away his inheritance in riotous living, one day ‘he hit bottom,’ he longed to eat the pods that the pigs were eating; but no one gave him anything. 

                                              The Team.

But unlike the woman whose son was dead, he took the initiative to seek help from what also seemed a hopeless situation. ‘I will go home and tell my father that I have sinned against God and against him.’ 

The prodigal son sought forgiveness, and his father welcomed him with mercy and a celebration with the fatted calf, begging the older son to join them. They had to rejoice and celebrate, and forgive, because his younger brother had been dead but was alive again.  Mercy and forgiveness flow forth from the Law of Love of the kingdom of God.   

                  The Best in Music, Shonda, Bethany, Ray.

Think about the example we received from Jesus when the woman caught in adultery was left standing before him.  The scribes and Pharisees had left one after the other after Jesus had encouraged them to come to their senses, ‘The one of you who is without sin cast the first stone. 

The word of our King of Kings is mercy.  Is there no one left to condemn you?  ‘Neither do I condemn you.’  After forgiving her, he sent her along the way to make her journey with him; for the journey of every disciple is a journey to Jerusalem.  Next week begins our liturgical journey to Jerusalem.  The intention of the Church is that we also make it a spiritual journey, for it is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

                                 Elevation of us all.

Readings:

Acts 10, 34, 37-43, He went about doing good.

Psalm 118,  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. 

1 Corinthians  5, 6-8,  A little yeast leavens all the dough.

John 20, 1-9,  Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning.

The Team, Mike and John, Georgie and Kevin.

Welcome, artwork by Rosemary.

Acts observations:

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.

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

Patty and Bill.

Our Ms. Roberts.

Resurrection Life

I would like to talk about two things this Easter Sunday.

First, Resurrection is what for me and for us?   I would suggest that it is at least one thing, new life. 

Secondly, I would like to exemplify what I mean with a little story from France.

Sabrina back home.

The Princess Emma.

As many of you know, Rosemary & I spent about ten days in France the first two weeks of March.  We spent some of the time in the eastern province of Alsace.  The province is a vertical, north-south valley bordering the Rhine River, which marks its border with Germany. 

The last few days we spent in Paris, a favorite city of ours.  We have a small hotel in the region of the Eiffel Tower.   Near the hotel is a coffee shop.  It is on the corner of Rue Grenelle and Rue de l’Exposition, and it is one of our most favorite places in Paris with all its other wonders.  Two reasons.

Payton and Erin picking up Joanie's Cupcake of the Week for her birthday. Our Dear Joanie could not come today because of her MS.

First, it is warm and cordial.  This warmth we especially appreciated our last visit because the days in Paris were not only cold.  But all of the Tuesday before we flew home on Wednesday it snowed and snowed.  So it was magic to walk the city.  It was equally charming to walk in from the cold and snow and have a hot café au lait, or latte in Starbuck’s terms. 

Cupcake of The Week to Sydney and Hugh for 6 years.

Even more delightful was the reception we two Americans received when we walked in.  It was ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Bonjour’ yelled to us as we got in the door.  The place reminded me a little of the bar in the TV series Cheers.  So friendly.

 Secondly, after two days, they remembered not only us, but what we wanted.  We did not even have to order.   They knew we wanted the first of two cafes and would simply begin preparing when we got to the bar.  And then we would converse, me with my learner’s French.  I am sure that in two more days we would all be on first name basis.

Casey and Robbie with guess who at 5 years old.

Two women in their late 20’s or early 30’s ran the place or should I say ‘hosted’ the place, and they greeted everyone with same friendliness.  Many of the people who came in, naturally they knew.

This small café in Paris gave off life, folks.  Occasionally I hear people say that Parisians are unfriendly and rude.  I have never found that.  They even cheer my efforts at speaking French.  The café, however, the name of which I don’t even know, was an exceptional fountain of positive vibes.  I looked forward every morning to absorbing that life and left feeling more alive. 

Sir Charlie and Jan having too good a time.

This for me is one example of resurrection life.

Where do you find this life? 

How & where do you create it?

Readings:  Ezekiel 18, 25-28; Psalm 25; Philippians 2, 1-11; Matthew 21, 28-32

Ezekiel: One of the Big 3, along with Isaiah & Jeremiah.   This is mostly due to the fact that these three books are bigger than the other, smaller books.

• Time: ca. 585, the time of the Babylonian captivity.

• Place: probably composed in Babylon

• Most famous story: the valley of the dry bones that take on life because of Ezekiel, chapter 37.

• Today's message: the wicked will perish, the good will have life.  Is the life metaphorical?

Working the Vineyard

Last Friday I was back in the grocery story again.  This time it was the Kroger's on the corner of Maple Ave. & Douglas in the Oaklawn area near downtown Dallas.  Fridays I visit a lady in her 90's who is finding it more difficult to get around.  Many of you know her, Elizabeth.  Because of her limited mobility, I buy groceries for the week for her.

On this particular trip in the late morning, I was pushing a cart from the parking lot and entered the store through an initial area where the carts are stored.  A small, middle aged Hispanic lady was sweeping up in the middle of the space.  I stopped while she finished where I wanted to pass.  When she realized that she had been responsible for my waiting, she humbly apologized.  I responded, "No problem, thanks for what you are doing."   Her smile in return was touching.

The day before Rosemary was walking in the neighborhood in the evening.  She has a favorite house because it has a beautiful flower display.  This particular evening she sees the lady from the house and compliments her on her work.  The lady is delighted and thanks her for her compliment.

I think of these simple small events when I hear the story of the two brothers.  Of course, you have heard me talk for years about either or spirituality, namely one brother or the other.  But in fact, there is no either or spirituality.  We are both.

What I would like to explore today, however, is the vineyard.  Obviously, this parable is metaphorical, that is, symbolic of something bigger than two boys, a father, and a vineyard.  The boys symbolize you and me and all people, the father is God, and the vineyard–what is it?  I would suggest that the vineyard is a labor with at least at least three parts. 

The first part is the world, beginning with our local world.  The job is to make it better because of my presence.  When I was a kid and we used to go camping as Boy Scouts, my dad and others used to teach us, 'Always leave your campsite better than you found it.'  An equally popular teaching is, 'Bloom where you are planted. 

This may involve nothing more complicated than picking up trash in the street or park.  Inspiration from these teachings was what got me started planting trees in Dallas back in '88, and even before that in Tanzania & Kenya.  About a year ago when Ron Kovatis was in charge of the Great Trinity Forest, we had a big crowd of the community tackle the litter & trash in the forest.  One of our community, my bicycle partner, Bill Hammond, even works on the Richardson Beautification Committee.

There is a second labor in the vineyard: people.  Helping others to get through this life.  Teachers do it professionally, coaches & scout leaders do it often freely and with great influence.  Parents obviously.   I am grateful to Tom & Lynda Fleming for inviting us and challenging us to help with local Habitat houses.  Julia and Al Grenier's astounding work in setting up the Collin Co. Adult Clinic.  How many totally poor people get medical help on Thursday evenings!  It is a privilege to help the clinic with our outreach contributions.   

The third labor in the vineyard: myself.  To treasure the gift of myself.  This may take work.  I both treasure the gift and improve it.  Planting trees at middle schools and high schools is often pretty daunting because of vandalism.  How many times watering the trees at Plano Senior do we see a tree whacked off or pulled out.  I know so well that the kids doing this are certainly not seeing themselves as a treasure.  They are usually angry and underneath are hurting.  Consequently, I don't get wigged out about the vandalism.  If the tree is gone, I give it a year, hoping the kid grows beyond the anger and hurt.  Or graduates!  Then I replant.

The vineyard is there, folks, all three parts, all needing attention.

How is the work going in your vineyard?

AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-09-28.mp3

Sister Act, while Zoe lights our candles for the celebration, Georgie reads the blessing for the candles.

Readings: 

 Acts of the Apostles 4, 32-35 ,  The community was of one heart & mind

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

 1 John 5, 1-6,  Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by Bod.

John  20, 19-31,  Thomas doubts.

Father & Son Act, Cody and Ben.

Acts of the Apostles observations:

Again like was explained last week, this work is basically the story of the development & growth of the Christian community after the death of Jesus up to Paul's arrival in Rome.

It is considered more idealistic than factual.  This passage is a good example of this  idealism.  The socialistic life style presented is what we lived as Jesuits.  Any money we earned went into the community.  Any needs we had for money came from the community.    Some communities I lived in had a cash drawer.  You took what you needed.  Other communities I went to the brother.   He may be on a tractor pulling a gang mower on the football field.   I would wave to him & he would pull a wad of cash out of his pocked and give me whatever I needed.    There was a mutual trust.

Offertory Act, Bill & Ron, Richard & Carol, & Barb.

Today's homily was a reading by Beth of The Fall of Freddie the Leaf By Leo Buscaglia. 

Is not the worker worthy of a reward?  Ask Beth.  Thanks, Beth, for the touching reading of The Fall of Freddy the Leaf.

Ugh, ogh, Folks, She is back.  Watch out, You Girls.

"Welcome in, Everybody," sez Beth & Emma.

Readings: 

Acts of the Apostles, 5, 27-32, 40-41  We gave you strict orders to stop teaching in that name.

Psalm 30, I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Revelation 11-14, I, John, heard the voices of many angels.

John 21, 1-19, Jesus appears to the apostles at the Sea of Tiberias.

Watch out, Bill, you are a marked man. 

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I would like to talk this morning about how the Lord has rescued me.  Like from my fears.

There was this happy hour.  About 6 to 10 of us first year Jesuit theology students put it together our first semester in Toronto.  Probably all of us had spent the last 3 years teaching in various Jesuit high schools from Seattle to NY, through Chicago, and Dallas where I taught at Jesuit.

It was great fun squeezing into each others’ small bedrooms for a drink and chatter about 5:30.  Lots of laughter & camaraderie.

Sophia & Georgie, you make a great candle lighting team. 

As the second semester began a number of us began to be a bit concerned that we were drinking a bit much.  Like one drink on week nights, 2 or three on weekends and holidays.   

So we decided to replace the happy hour to bundle up (Toronto gets lots of cold & snow in January) and run our half mile driveway to the entrance gate & back.  I even stopped drinking at this time for about 6-8 years, until I went to East Africa.

And John, Hue, Connie, and Patricia, what an offertory team you make.

Our property was a beautiful east west park like campus.  On the north side was the back yards of a row of, say 10 nice middle class houses.  Our drive passed along the row of houses.

Though I loved my Jesuit buddies and even enjoyed running  through the snow in the dark under occasional street lamps, I was sad that I would not have a warm house, kids, and a wife, like lived in those houses.  I even got close to a local Catholic family who had 6 kids.

A bikers' consultation.

Looking back now, the Lord was rescuing me, whispering in my spirit, You do not have to give up this life to be okay and to make a difference.

The next time I got the message was when I went to East Africa and saw how lots of good priests, bishops, and even a cardinal had common law wives.  The people cheered them for being normal.

Charlie, are you looking in somebody's pocket?  I caught you!

Getting kicked out of East Africa sent me back to the States different, open to a relationship, but certainly not knowing anyone .  I got into dancing and guess who came along, Rosemary.

And now a little story about our relationship which some of you have maybe heard piecemeal.  

Would you trust your cupcake with these two?

I asked Rosemary if she would marry me in 1990.  There was one enormous condition: that we wait to formally marry until 2005, when I would be 65.  Why?  Because once I  left the Jesuits I would have no insurance.   I had seen some of my guys leave, have a disease or accident, and cripple that marriage.  Guess what.  She agreed and this morning, Cinco de Mayo, we celebrate our 14^th. 

How has the Lord rescued you from your fears?

What a handsome group  of Romeos.  Eat your hearts out, Juliets.

 Readings:  –  from Thanksgiving Day 

 Sirach  50, 22-24,   May he grant you joy of heart.

Psalm 113,   Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.

1 Corinthians 1, 3-9,   You were enriched in every way.

Luke 17, 11-19,  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks? 

Emma

 Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock.   Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.

1.  When did Thanksgiving begin?  Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries.  Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.

2.  The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims.  They called themselves saints, and non-saints were called strangers.  The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later.  They were not even Puritans, but separatists.  They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off.

Cole

3.  The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom.  They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion.  Like the Catholic Church, the Separatists demanded everyone belong to their program.  Failure to conform could result in execution, ala inquisition.

4.  The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used to build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).

5.  How did the Indians & Separatists communicate?   The Indians were Algonquians & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in Briton some years.  He returned to his tribe and taught his friend Samoset English.  It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt.  In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive. 

Leo

Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving this week, Folks, my favorite feast and holiday.   I would like to talk about our blessings. 

It was over a year ago when Chris Dembney walked in here one Sunday and told me about a bike ride he had done for 7 days across Iowa, 500 miles.  He says, “Stack, you would love this trip.” 

I remember telling him, “Chris, you are crazy.  Why would I want to ride 500 miles across Iowa?”  Guess what I did this past July. 

Offertory, Mary and Frank, Sean and Ed

Blessing #1 for me: my health. 

Not only have I been able to ride 500 miles and am ready to sign up for this July.  But I have been able to return to back packing in the mountains.   In 2009 in Matterhorn Canyon, Yosemite, I knew I could never hike again in the mountains with my old, factory issue hips.  2010, January & February, I got the new hips and that August I was back packing in CO with the usual degenerate group.  I still am amazed.

Blessing #2: our community

You people are a Work of Art.   Here is what I see and how you are a blessing.

Kevin's dad, John

The generosity.  This little community just this year has contributed  $25,000   to help numerous nonprofits and numerous individuals in financial straits.   This very weekend your generosity is helping in NYC and NJ through Professor Jim Mahar and Bona Responds.  $2000 of your aid was given directly to them last Sunday.  What a blessing.

The warmth.  I do not know how many times someone or a couple has come to me after visiting here.  They always mention the warmth and the hospitality.  What a blessing.

Sienna and her momma, Erin

Your child friendly warmth.  Do you realize these kids are growing up in a sacred environment without fear?  What a privilege to watch and help them grow.   Thanks to you parents & grandparents who share your kids with us. What a blessing.

Blessing #3: Rosemary’s recuperation.

January 6 it was when she crashed her Christmas bike and busted her elbow so badly.  The past few weeks she has been riding the same bike around White Rock Lake.  The physical recuperation is remarkable enough.  The spiritual and psychological recuperation has been even more marvelous.

Sir Charlie

What are 2 or 3 of your biggest blessings this year?