13th Sunday, Ordinary Time, June 28, 2020

Readings: Acts 4, 32-35; Psalm 118, Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good, His Love is Everlasting; 1 John 5, 1-6; Luke 24, 35-48.

Acts:  Just a reminder–

Author: Luke who is writing a continuation of his Gospel.  Much of his Gospel material is copied from Mark's Gospel.

Date: maybe 40 years after the death of Christ, or ca. 70-100 A.D.

Subject:     

•    First, the spread of the Christian movement in Jerusalem

•    Second, the spread of the movement through Palestine, i.e., the Holy Land

•    Third, the spread of the movement throughout the known world

Our selection:  Peter & John have just healed a cripple at the temple door.  Peter has told the gathered Jews that he did not do it.  Jesus gives them the power.   And, moreover, Jesus has risen from the dead.  Peter & John get arrested for this talk and then are released with a warning to not go around talking about Jesus Christ as risen from the dead.  The men return to the local group of believers where they share their adventures.  At this point Luke sets aside a couple of paragraphs to describe the local group of believers. 

You will note that the believers live a communal life.  This is what I lived as a Jesuit and it was comfortable.  It is also why I knew I was taken care of as long as I was a member.  Leave and I depart with nothing.

To Obtain that Peace, Face that Fear

A couple of years ago when I did the wedding in Scotland, I was hosted graciously by Katie McGrath, Bob & Jackie's daughter, who lives with her Scotch husband in Edinburgh.  I arrived a couple days early so I could look around a bit.  One beautiful day Katie took me to a huge book fair in the center of town.  While there we took in a couple lectures.

In one of these lectures there were three people discussing something which I have no memory of.  However, during the course of the lecture one of the people quoted one line from a poem that I had noticed and started to memorize.  As the lecture wound down I got this crazy idea.  I could show my appreciation for what these three people had done so well.  I might stand during the question time and recite the whole poem. 

Folks, I hate to get these ideas.  Where do they come from?  They can come up as questions, too. 

I'm sitting there thinking to myself, I don't want to get up in front of all these people and recite a poem, which I may not even remember.  I was pretty fearful.  At the same time, I am thinking, "Stack, you will be disappointed in yourself if you do not do this."  I have been in this place often.

Guess what I did.  Yes, I stuck my hand up, was called upon, stood, and recited the poem, stumbling a bit on only a couple of words.  People even helped me when I stumbled, which showed me that I was not the only person who appreciated the poem.  I told the panel I dedicated it to them and they seemed appreciative.  Even more grateful was I, however, that I could overcome my initial fear.

Which leads me to our Gospel story today.  Here we have the followers of Jesus, 8 or 10 of them, petrified and hiding behind locked doors.  Jesus comes in and says, "Peace."  I would like to say a couple of things about fear and peace and their relation.

I would propose that there are three types of fear.  One is therapeutic, one is non therapeutic or unhealthy, and the third sort of hits in the middle.  Therapeutic fear is when I meet a bear in Yosemite.  The adrenalin pumps and I want to run rather than getting mauled.  Good idea.  The apostles had this fear in that room, because if they went out maybe they too would get crucified. 

Another type of fear is of the ultimate, the fear of dying.  The response to this is just the opposite.  I may take numerous appropriate measures to cure myself, but in the long run we all will walk the path.  The response to the walk is acceptance. 

My little hero, a Dominican monk whose statue is in the Campo di Fiori in the heart of Rome, Giordano Bruno, seems to have accepted his fate to be burned at the stake one winter morning in 1600.  This was despite the fact that he spent 8 years in two inquisition prisons, Venice & Rome, defending his thinking and writing, fighting for his life.  He was brilliant little man ahead of his time by a few centuries.

The third type of fear was what I experienced when that crazy thought entered my mind.  Fear of humiliating myself, fear of looking like an idiot in front of those people, the old fear of talking in public which fortunately I seldom am cursed with any more.  The reason why Thomas in this gospel is a hero of mine is that he had the courage to say I don't believe this until I see with my own eyes.  He questioned. 

How do you deal with these types of fears.  Sorry to tell you for those who have it, face it and overcome it.  Join toastmasters like a number of people I know, including Rosemary's sister, Claire, volunteer to talk or read before people, ask questions at lectures. 

The result of dealing with these three types of fear?  Peace.  The Peace He is talking about in the Gospel.  Obviously, when I run from that bear in Yosemite, I will have peace. 

Especially I will experience peace when I accept my death, whatever form that may take.  And I will experience peace when I face my non therapeutic fears, like the fear of humiliating myself in front of others. 

I think this is what God created us to experience.  Inner peace.

The poem?  By W.H. Davies, Leisure

What is this life if, full of care, we have not time to stand and Stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance, and watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.

How are you dealing with your fears? 

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-04-19.mp3

Picture 1:  Mass begins with T.J. & Lorynne & Lacee

Picture 2:  Emily & Lindsay bring up the bread & wine

Picture 3:  Genny Holcolm

Picture 4:  Barb Wittek, Teresa & Doug Read

Readings: Ezekiel 37, 12-14; Psalm 130, With the Lord there is Mercy and Fullness of Redemption; Romans 8, 8-11; John 11, 1-45.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent – Reflection on Readings

The first reading today from Isaiah comes from what scholars now refer to as Deutero-Isaiah, namely Isaiah part two, the time when the Israelites are in Exile in Babylon.  The mood is totally different from first Isaiah where the prophet is railing against the people living in Jerusalem for their wicked ways.  Jerusalem has been destroyed and the people are captives in Babylon.  Before the exile, Israel was relatively prosperous, overly self-confident and very material minded.  In second Isaiah, the prophet sees a people who must be consoled, not punished.  This is the tone of today’s first reading.  The prophet tells them basically to forget the past and look forward to the great things God will do for his people.

Just a few words about the second reading from the Letter to the Philippians.  Paul is writing from prison.  This letter is a very practical letter with advice on how the community needs to continue to stay focused on Christ.  There is personal news about various people the community would know of and some very specific words about those who continue to insist in circumcision for the gentiles who convert.  Again in today’s reading we have Paul also say “forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead” the same theme which we found in Isaiah, and will also see in the gospel when Jesus tells the woman “Go, and from now on do not sin any more”

The Fifth Sunday in Lent – Homily

Our gospel today is really not from St. John but most likely Luke.  For whatever reason this incident was dropped into the middle of the section of John’s Gospel dealing with Jesus in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles.  This feast is one of three in the year when Jews were expected to go up to Jerusalem.  The interesting thing about the feast was that the people erected tent like structures and lived in them for the week of the festival.  This put all of the people on an equal footing, as rich and poor alike lived in very similar structures. 

The feast was a celebration of the harvest and usually occurred in September or October.  It would have been equivalent to our Thanksgiving.  What I find interesting is the following from the book of Leviticus “On the first day you shall gather foliage from majestic trees, branches of palms and boughs of myrtles and of valley poplars, and then for a week you shall make merry before the LORD, your God.” Since next Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday. 

But back to today’s reading.  Remember a common theme running through the gospels is the attempt by the scribes and Pharisee’s to trap Jesus into either breaking the Roman Law or the Torah Law.  This is what is really behind today’s reading.  It has very little to do with the woman and her situation.  But of course, I want to focus on the woman. 

Did you ever get caught doing something you shouldn’t be doing?  I remember as a kid helping myself to some apples in a neighbor’s back garden.  I was caught just as I was getting back over the wall to escape.  I can still remember the fear and my reaction.  Now can we imagine how this woman must have felt?  Not only was she caught in a very embarrassing situation, now she is made to stand in the middle of this group of "holy men".  She is very aware of what fate awaits her; she is to be put to death. 

There has been much wondering about what Jesus was writing in the sand.  I think I know.  Nothing.  He was just doodling so that he didn’t have to look at the woman and add to her shame and embarrassment.  He didn’t want to add to it!

Coming as this reading does as part of our Lenten readings, and so close to Easter, I see in this reading a better understanding of what Easter is all about.  Just as the woman’s past is put behind her and she is set free, so too the Resurrection puts our past behind us and sets us free.  It is the ultimate “I love you” from God.  I remember the cover of a book by Dom Eugene Boylan from years ago, which had a picture of the crucified Christ on the cover; the title of the book was “This Tremendous Lover”.  This is Easter; this is what we are getting ready for.

Picture 1:  Mass beginning with Tony & Kevin

Picture 2:  Bill Hammond

Picture 3:  Penny Morrow

Picture 4:  Coffee Shoppe, Mary Ellen Charlie, Warren, and Tony

Readings: Jeremiah 17, 5-8; Psalm 1, Blessed are They who hope in the Lord; 1 Corinthians 15, 12-20; Luke 6, 17-26.

Jeremiah:

Who: one of the Big 3 Prophets with Isaiah & Ezekiel, mostly because of the size of their works (52 chapters in Jeremiah).  Born 2-3 miles north of Jerusalem to a landed family where he had a happy childhood.  Despite this, Jeremiah is called the “Weeping Prophet,” because so much of his work is woeful & sad. 

Unlike Isaiah who embraced his call from God, Jeremiah resisted.  He did not want to say what he saw needed to be said.  Namely, the people’s behavior in Jerusalem was bad after ca. 400 years of not being invaded.  Because of his statements he was rejected by the people and the leaders, beaten, put in the stocks, thrown in a well to die, and ultimately put in prison by the Babylonians. 

They eventually released him and he went to Egypt and most likely died there.

Date: 600.  Easy to remember.  Jeremiah lived before & during the Babylonian captivity with Nebuchadnezzar, the leader.  The Captivity took place mostly 600-550 before Christ.

Message Today: classic line, “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings.”  Instead you trust in God.

Sources: John Shelby Spong, Origins of the Bible, XIV; Wikipedia, Liturgy, St. Louis U.  

St. Valentine:

Time: ca. 250 C.E.  Actually 3 named Valentinius, 1 bishop, 1 priest, 1 who knows. All martyrs.  Note this is before Constantine officialized Christianity, 313.

2 Legends:

1.  Rome did not allow soldiers to marry because the authorities thought single soldiers fought better.  Valentinius criticized the policy.  He was put in jail & killed.

2.  He or another was killed because of being a Christian.  He or another fell in love with the jailer's daughter & before he died left her a note, "from your Valentine."

Note:  Feb. 15 was a pagan feast of fertility and and a celebration of the beginning of spring, Lupercalia.  Pope Galasius in 496 established a St. Valentine day one day earlier, i.e., Feb. 14 (as a way of moving attention away from the pagan feast?).

Custom about wedding rings?  Wearing a wedding ring on the 4th finger, left hand, dates back to Ancient Egypt.  It was believed that the vein of love ran from this finger directly to the heart. 

Sources: Huffinton Post & KHTS News, Jerome McDaniel, Santa Clarita, LA, CA.

St. Valentine Day Massacre:  1929, Lincoln Park section of Chicago.  Al Capone’s Southside Italian Gang vs. Bugsie Moran’s Northside Irish Gang, bootlegging during Prohibition.  Capone’s Italian gang lured 7 of the Irish Gang to a garage on the morning of Valentine’s Day and shot them with 70 rounds from 2 Thompson machine guns.   Source: Wikipedia

70 Years & Valentine's Day

On this Valentine’s Day I would like to talk about what it is like to be 70.  I am told by my seniors that once you hit these stratospheric age levels you start reflecting upon the past, and especially on what life would have been like if only. 

If only I had accepted that invitation to work in Brazil for a couple of years.  If only I had gotten my graduate degree.  If only I had not worked so hard so I could have played with my kids & family.  If I had taken care of my health.  And so on. 

So I have been reflecting on my past.  You all know me and I am always looking back focusing on the gifts and blessings of my day, my week, my years.  I am basically grateful for lots of elements in my life.  It has been and is an adventure.

I see one thing I wish I had done differently, but I see a handful of things that I would have been disappointed had I not chosen to do them.  I got four of them and you have probably heard me mention them.

I would really be disappointed had I not chosen to join the Jesuits in ’58 and become a priest.  This took place even though my parents were put out with my decision.  I was all booked in to going to Notre Dame.  I also was motivated a lot by fear of going to hell if I rejected God's invitation to be a priest.

I would likewise be disappointed if I had not accepted the Jesuit invitation in the 70’s to go work in East Africa.  I was lonely there on occasion, but it was an adventure that I would grieve over if I had missed it. 

My marriage with Rosemary is an event I cannot imagine myself doing without.  The transition was rocky when I got suspended by the diocese and kicked out of the Jesuits, but it has given my so much new life.  Moreover, I might have no life if I had not married Rosemary.

Finally, I do not know what I would have done if I had not responded to the request from you people to continue celebrating our Sunday Masses.  I remember thinking to myself before we finally took the step.  This could get rather confrontational.  And it hasn’t. 

The once thing I regret is something I learned while I was recuperating from recycling my left hip.  I was humbled by the care and affirmation of so many people.  I have not cared for and affirmed more positively the people whom I love.  I have not shown it.  On this Valentine’s Day I pledge to you folks that I will show this from now on.

And you?  What might you regret when you reach 70?

Picture 1:  Mass begins

Picture 2:  Our Father

Picture 3:  Maggie

Picture 4:  Rosemary with Cole (guess who was Jesus in the Nativity Drama)

Chloe says, "Happy Easter, Everybody."

Readings:

Acts 10, 34, 37-43,   Peter proceeded to speak.

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, 11-18,  Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene.

Jude also says, "Happy Easter, Everybody, and welcome in."

Seeing the Lord

I would like to talk this morning about seeing the Lord.  I would, also, like to suggest we see the Lord constantly and seldom realize it.  I have three short stories to illustrate the idea.

The first event happened here about two, maybe three weeks ago.  We were in the middle of our Sunday celebration.  I am pretty sure we were singing, so it could have been at the very beginning or during the responsorial psalm. 

Not to be outdone by those big kids, Charlotte says, "Happy Easter Everybody; where is that Easter Rabbit?

During the singing Leo was playing at the feet of his parents as he often does.  At a point, he gets up and starts walking slowly in front of the table as he often does.  Suddenly, however, he vanishes from sight.  I don’t think I was paying much attention to him. 

Then I sense he is just at my feet.  He had decided to slip under the table cloth hanging down in front of the table which we use as an altar.  He climbed in under the table.  And there he was right at my feet.

Christopher says, "Happy Easter from Amarillo."

Poor Shonda, as soon as she could finish singing and get over here, she comes over, pulls him out from under the table, and carries him off.  Leo did not cry or squeal or anything.  He looked content.

This was a see the Lord moment for me.  Why?  Two reasons.        

First, Leo was not afraid to wander around up front with everyone looking on.  He feels accepted by you people, the community.  Occasionally, Emma does it, walking by sweetly smiling at everyone.  Georgie, you used to do a bit of this in your day.  This is amazing and I see the Lord in the kids and in you folks when you accept the kids.

The Roberts.

Secondly, Leo is not afraid of The Old Geezer.   Parents have told me since the days of St. Marks, “My kids think you are God.”  I am sure many of you can see the resemblance. 

I think when I was a little kid I saw the priest as some God figure.  Trouble was, they were all stern and scary.  I would never have done what Leo did, nor anything close to it.  I grew up with fear, ultimately, fear that I was going to hell because I was such a bad kid.

Emma, who is always ready to welcome everybody, says, "When do we begin that Easter egg hunt?"

So if Leo and the kids think I am something like God and they are not afraid of me, I am overjoyed.  This is one of my goals in our community.  No fear spirituality.

The second event took place last night in Granbury.  We did the wedding of Ron and Barb Senter’s second daughter, Rebecca.  I saw the Lord in those people and especially in Rebecca, who had a difficult time in her adolescent years and has turned into one marvelous person. 

"Where is that Easter Rabbit, say the Gerwers kids.

I was so touched by her.  As she walked down the aisle with Ron, her dad, she began to cry and cry.  Of course, that got me going.  I saw the Lord last night.

The third event took place Thursday afternoon.  See this turquoise thumb.  This says, “She made it, the last of 18 chemo treatments, success over ovarian cancer, NED, no evidence detected, Jackie Urbanczyk.”  We had a celebration at her house Thursday after her last treatment. 

There that rabbit is.

Three times in three days: Leo, Rebecca, Jackie, I saw the Lord. 

And you?

Fred and Maureen celebrating 51 years and Fred 76 years. So he wants 2 Cupcakes of The Week!

Readings: Isaiah 60, 1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3, 2-6; Matthew 2, 1-12.

Isaiah

When you hear the writer of Isaiah say this morning, “Jerusalem, Rise up in Splendor,” think of Tony Romo, who just lost that game last night.  He & all Cowboy fans are depressed this morning.  Tony is Jerusalem and Yahweh is telling him that his day has really come, that he will win.

The Jews are depressed because they have been defeated by the Babylonians.  Their whole town has been defeated and they are captives, paying for their sinful ways.  The Isaiah writer is saying to the Jewish people, and by extension to all of us, winning is on the horizon. 

For us Christians, we are looking back and saying we have won, won redemption with the arrival of our savior.

Ephesians

Paul writes to the people Ephesian people to let them know that God’s plan for redemption includes the Gentiles, not just the Jews.  In the gospel the magi come.  They, as Gentiles, represent us non-Jews.

A week ago Saturday Rosemary & I arrived by bus at one of the most beautiful colonial towns in southern Mexico, Oaxaca. The town has had trouble since the summer and especially in November.  Teachers went on strike during the summer and when the government seemed to attack them aggressively, a spark ignited a broader based demonstration.  As a result tourism, the life blood of many in the town especially around Christmas, was wiped out.  No one came, except Rosemary & me & a few other hearty souls.

The evening we arrived we went down to the town square, a jewel with giant shade trees, sidewalk cafes on three sides, Christmas lights, kids, families, balloons, perfect weather, and a beautiful gazebo in the middle. A band was playing at the gazebo. Lined up in front of the band were a hundred or so chairs. People were dancing. We danced. It was enchanting. At one point as we stood listening to the music, a woman walked up to us and said in English, “Thank you for coming to Oaxaca this year.”

I was stunned almost into silence and struck by two things.

First, that she came forward and thanked us. The gift of thanks again.

Secondly, that our presence was a gift to her and the people. 

This is what the three kings did. They came, they shared their presence and each shared a special gift, gold, frankincense, & myrrh.

I would suggest that we, too, are challenged to present ourselves to others with our special gifts.  What are the gifts? 

I think our presence in that magical town square brought at least support & encouragement.  If I ask myself what I want to give to another it is peace, acceptance, and fun.

What special gifts do you want to give to your people? (Please feel free to post a comment answering the question.)

For reading, Jean Atwood & Scott Shaw

For the Altar Bread, Ray & Claire Occhipinti

For Serving, Carmen & Ashley

For the Altar & donuts, Margie Dugan & Jackie Ritter

For the Books & Communion Cups, Roy & Carol Strom, & Beth Robinson                        

For ushering & all sorts of jobs, Cliff Wright

For the music, Ray & Shonda, Roy, Hue, Rick & Jackie

Download the homily as an mp3 file.

Readings: Acts 4, 8-12; Psalm 118, The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner stone; 1 John 3, 1-2; John 10, 11-18, The Good Shepherd 

Acts:  A review–

Date: ca. 70-100 A.D.

Author: Luke, who wrote both the Gospel and Acts

Setting:  Just like the last 2 Sundays, Peter & John have just healed a lame man outside of the temple gate.  The people rush to question them.  They say it happened because of God's power and that Jesus was raised from the dead.  The high priests hear about this and have them arrested.  After telling them to stop saying Jesus was raised from the dead, the two are released.

Our Selection: last week we read Peter's discourse to the local believers in a room.  The week before we read about the quality of life of the local believers, communal.  Today's account is Peter talking to the high priests and elders of the high court.  They are on trial.

John:

Date of Gospel: A.D. 85-95

Author: scholars have doubts that the Apostle John is the writer of the 3 works attributed to John, the Gospel, 3 letters, & Revelation.  Doubts exist even that one writer composed all the works.

The Shepherd Who lays down His Life

Back in the beautiful old days of St. Mark's, during the time when Duffy was our super hospitable pastor, Rita was the housekeeper and the to die for cook, and we had a fun staff with priests like Dean Pratt & Fr. Rudy, we had three marvelous deacons, Arnold Pichon, Mike Carroll, and Bob Scoggins. 

I had the privilege to get to know Arnold especially well when he started out as a novice deacon.  For years we did the Hispanic Mass in the cafetorium at 9:00.  I watched him move from being a rather nervous homilist to being a confident, caring deacon as the years went by.  He was faithful to the community.  He gave his heart to those people and so far as I understand, he still does.  Every Sunday and days in between, whoever the priest is who shows up.

Everybody at St. Marks knew Mike Carroll.  Not only did he tell numerous smaltzie stories in his homilies, standing right down at the base of the altar like I loved to do.  He also made good points and he was always there.  I would arrive for evening penitential services during Lent & Advent.  Who was running the services?  He also dedicated his heart to the people and in particular to the kids in formation programs.

Finally there was Bob Scoggins, whom I love just as much as Arnold and Mike.  Scoggins was always at the 10:30 cafetorium Mass, and from the beginning I admired him for something special.  Bob's wife Trula had MS.  When I started saying the 10:30, Trula was always there in a wheel chair or some kind of conveyance.

The years went on and suddenly it dawned upon me that Trula was not there.  I asked Bob about it and he said Trula had deteriorated and could not get out of bed for long.  I suggested he simply bring her and she could lie on a bed near or on the stage while we had the Mass.  Bob, however, thought it would be too hard & embarrassing for her.

Sometime after that, Trula went on to her reward.  Then, every time Bob gave a homily he would end up in tears talking about Trula's example.  It continued so long that finally I used to tell him before the Mass, "Okay, Scoggins, no tears today!."  Slightly preposterous of me, who deals with tears often enough.  A lot of good it did.  More tears always came.  Finally, somewhere in those golden days, Bob went to stay with Trula.  He gave his heart to the people of St. Mark's and to Trula. 

I was reminded of these terrific guys because we are reading in John about the Good Shepherd who lays down his life.  Scoggins was a Good Shepherd and laid down his life, his whole heart for Trula and the people.

Arnold and Mike are Good Shepherds.  They are still pouring out their hearts and their lives for the people.  It don't get better than these guys.

You might think, "Well, nice, but I don't see anybody else besides these deacons.  Plus, that is their job."  Look around some more.  Try Julia Grenier who started the Collin County Adult Clinic.  Try Rita Dore who played such a marvelously hospitable compliment to Duffy and who baby sat The Man through so much.  She was there in the background, but likewise playing the role of The Good Shepherd, pouring out her heart & her life for us guys.

My old coach, teacher, and Scout Master at Christ the King was a Good Shepherd to me.  Frank Hart.  He gave me his life. 

Two questions:

        1.  Who is your model for The Good Shepherd?

        2.  How are You a Good Shepherd?

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-05-03.mp3

Picture 1:  Mass with Kevin helping

Picture 2:  Choir, Wendy, Ray, & Celeste

Picture 3:  Our Father, Kevin, Patricia, & Bill

Picture 4:  The Ekes, Zalie, Cindy, Marlene, Bobby, Mabel, & Debbie