Readings:
1 Kings 17, 17-24, See, your son is alive.
Psalm 30, I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Galatians 1, 11-19, The gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
Luke 7, 11-17, The dead man sat up and began to speak.
Welcome, Vivian. It is so nice to see you. You are gorgeous.
1 Kings observations:
What : 1 Kings is the third book in a 4 book semi-historical history of the early tribe of Israelites. The books, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings. The story goes from Samuel, the last of the judges, to Saul, the first of the kings, to King David (with Goliath, Jonathan, Mikah and dancing, Bathsheba & Solomon).
The two books of Kings focus on Solomon and his building of the temple and, finally, the split into two states, Israel in the north, Juda in the south with Jerusalem. Ultimately, the story tells the defeat of the state of Israel by Syria and the disappearance of those northern 10 tribes.
Harper, too, says, "Welcome, Vivian, and welcome, Everybody."
When composed: during the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 555 before Christ. Why at this time? Same reason why so much was composed at this time, to explain why the Captivity, to keep the tribal identity, and to provide hope for a brighter future.
Who composed: Tradition said Jeremiah the prophet, but contemporary studies show at least 3 writers.
Today's selection: the prophet Elijah raises the dead son of a widow.
Sources: New Jerusalem Bible, Wikipedia
And sez Victoria, "Hi, Everybody, it is nice to be back."
Giving Life
This morning we have two stories of people giving life. First, Elijah brings back to life the son of a poor widow. Similarly, Jesus brings back to life the son of another poor widow. Of course, we all think, ‘Well, that does not apply to me. I cannot bring people back to life.’
Two observations.
She is back, Folks. Welcome home, Cathy, from Turkey.
First, it was common currency for the people to give to their leaders, whether religious or political leaders, the power to give people life. You were not much of a leader if you could not bring people back from the dead.
Secondly, I would propose that, despite what you are thinking, you and I all have the gift to bring people back to life. One example.
The Team with special help from Buddy.
Fr. Duffy. I never had the opportunity to memorialize Duffy or attend his memorial because Rosemary & I were out of town. Here is how Duffy gave life to me and to the people of St. Marks.
Before Duffy arrived at St. Marks I had worked for some years saying the 9:00 A.M. Mass in Spanish in the cafetorium or the English Mass in the church and, of course, the 10:30 cafetorium Mass. Only once in those years did I ever enter the rectory. That was because the bishop came to dinner one evening.
College is out. Welcome home Dana and Dawson. Your mom is happy.
When Duffy settled in, guess what. The rectory was wide open. Welcome, everybody. I remember when I would finish the two Masses I was exhausted. I would cross the patio and head to the rectory. I would go upstairs to take a 20 minute nap in an empty guest bedroom.
Then I would come down to the kitchen where Rita had made chocolate chip cookies big as dinner plates and homemade vanilla ice cream. Yes, you know it. Wow! I had a cookie and ice cream seated at the big dining room table where Duffy held court. This continued even after he had his medical problems and did not say Masses. He welcomed everybody. It was like a train station in there.
The Best Music, Shonda, Bethany, David, and, of course, Vivian.
Before he got sick he totally turned on the people of St. Marks. He welcomed. He, also, had an amazing gift for the comic and camaraderie.
Remember the first communion Masses we used to have on Saturdays? Remember the two special ones?
Offertory, Mary & Frank, Grace and Cheryl.
Duffy used to ask the kids who was Jesus’ mom, and his dad. You got the answer, you got a dollar. Then, who is the holiest priest in St. Marks for five dollars? Who was it? Duffy, of course. No way. Duffy calls a little girl. She whispers, “Fr. Stack! This, of course, brought down the house and Duffy, of course, put on a dance.
This happened two years in a row. The second year I was concelebrating. When another little girl said Fr. Stack and Duffy started dancing around, I came down from the altar platform and gave the girl $5.
"Oh, No," sez John, "I forgot to pick up the coffee."
Life at St. Marks with Duffy was so much fun, full of life, and always, “welcome, everybody!” Duffy gave me life. Duffy gave us life. Duffy gave the people life.
Who has given you life? Who gives you life?
To whom do you give life and how?