Sunday Homily, June 9, 2019, Pentecost–Delayed
A Note from Ye old Editor of our beloved Community Newsletter and Blog:
Sorry for the delay this week. I was all ready to join the community for Pentecost, then came down with a beauty of a cold after arriving Thursday night from our cruise through Alaska, which is even more beautiful than I expected. Hope to see everybody this Sunday, Trinity.
Readings:
Genesis 11, 1-9, The whole world spoke the same language. (from the vigil Mass)
Psalm 104, Lord, Send out your spirit, and renew the face of the earth. (Vigil)
Exodus 19, 3-8, Moses went up the mountain to God. (Vigil)
John 14, 15-16, 23-26, If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Homily:
Alaska Dreaming
Despite the fact that Rosemary & I would love to invite all of you to join us on the Alaska cruise, we know it is impossible. In place of that, however, I would like to high light 4 specials that touched us.
Of all the many specials that we experienced, l would say that the profound natural beauty that surrounded us was overwhelming, whether in the south of Ketchikan and Sitka to the north of Valdez and Seward. It struck me as Yosemite on steroids. Necklaces of glaciers and snow capped mountains. We saw a lot because the sun rose about 3:00 A.M. and set about 11:00.
A small phenomenon that hit me was Juneau, the State capitol, chosen by the people in 1906. You cannot get there by car. No roads in or out. A few cars wander the town roads because they are shipped in by boat. Instead, snowy peaks and glaciers.
Another place that struck me was a little island called IcyStraight Point, an island occupied by the Tlingit tribe.
This tribe has gone all in on tourism, providing 6-8 daily excursions around the island to see bears, go fishing, and wander the trails. They also built the longest zip line in the world, so they told me, one mile long with six cables running simultaneously. It takes about an hour bus ride to get to the top of this peak. We all get buckled in, they double check everybody, then, “Away we Went.” And it was beautiful. If only I could have gone again I would appreciate it even more.
Another thing that struck me and really touched me was the number of people using wheel chairs, walkers, and canes. I remember seeing four women in wheel chairs. I told the lady with a walker that I would give her $25 to use her walker on the shore excursion we were taking. She said, “Make it $50 and I’ll think about it.
At the gym where I worked out in the mornings two guys came in most mornings, put down their canes by their machines or bikes, and off they went. This meant a lot to me because in future years I can see myself boarding with a cane.
I feel doubly blessed that Rosemary & I could witness such natural beauty and such beauty in our fellow travelers. Your blessing this week?