Homilies

Sunday Homily, September 16, 2018, 24th, Ordinary Time

ByRosemary September 16, 2018

Leo says, "Welcome as long as you know the password" (e.g. You are The Best, Leo).

Readings:

Isaiah 50, 4-9, The Lord opens my ear that I may hear.

Psalm 116, I will walk before, in the land of the Living

James 2, 14-18, What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have works?

Mark 8, 27-35, Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself

Special Welcome to Barbara's sister from Germany, Gita.

Isaiah: observations

What is it about: 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd Isaiah?

1^st Isaiah, Chapters 1-39: predict doom for the Hebrews because they have not been faithful to their one god.

2^nd Isaiah, Chapters 40-55: this & the remaining chapters are called The Book of Consolation. They try to assure the people who are now in exile that God will restore them to their former glory & peace. In fact, in chapter 45 the composer even mentions the name of Cyrus, the king of the Persians who defeats Babylon & sends the Hebrews back to Jerusalem. So the composer knew of Cyrus and a date can be narrowed down.

Emma at work on here specialty, Lighting the Candles.

This 2^nd Isaiah section presents 4 suffering servant songs, #2 being our selection today. Jews see the servant to be the Hebrew people/nation. Christians see the servant to be Christ.

Isaiah 2 is considered maybe the most influential O.T. book. On Isaiah 2 Mark built much of his gospel, especially the story of the crucifixion.

Handel's Messiah uses 2nd Isaiah for its lyrics.

3^rd Isaiah, Chapter 56-66: more assurances of a return to peace & glory.

Georgie backing up the Candle Lighting ritual with The Blessing.

Mark: observation

I do not like the line in Mark where he says we have to take up our cross. I have seen the negative result of this. Which is not to imply that we do not have to struggle to reach goals, like, say, 175 lbs.

Welcome in, Ron. Thanks for bringing Gita.

Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead

This morning I would like to pick up on the line, faith without works is dead.

First of all, to me the statement is simplistic & silly. I know people who are unable to do anything for others, but they have faith, maybe in God, maybe in people, or in themselves.

Actually, we, I can look around and have greater faith in people because I see so many doing so many good things for others. Actually, talking about this subject I feel like a fraud and that I am preaching to the choir, I see you people in our community doing so much. Let me give you about 8 examples of people who inspire me.

A high level meeting of The Board. A Brunch or not next week.

1^st, ever hear of the Cajun Navy? Or the Baptist Men? They are both over in the Carolinas doing rescue & recovery work right now. On NPR yesterday morning, I heard the “Cajun Admiral” or “Captain” say he expected 1000 volunteers by Saturday afternoon. They come with their fishing boats. They were everywhere in Houston last year this time.

I’ve worked with the Baptist Men in Galveston and they come prepared with generators, a big kitchen, and showers installed in 18 wheelers. I slept with about 20 of them in a dormitory in a church. I wish I could be there. Just have not got the stamina any more.

Georgie & Buddy, The Board has voted too double your stipends.

How could I ever forget Jim Mahar of St. Bonaventure, one of my patron saints, along with his local buddy, Bill Hammond. The two of them have gotten me into so many projects. It must even be close to the time Bill will be putting his sign up sheet out for the Love of the Kids Fall picnic.

Fifth, I am reminded that these first weekends of October are the weekends we used to plant trees. How many did we have for our last big plant at Plano Senior High?, I don’t know. I do know, however, that we planted in an hour 400 trees. Go see.

And another high level board meeting, this with dad & daughter.

Then, closer to home & me there is Brent with his marvelous work as director of Souls Harbor. There is Hue. Do you realize that from 2005, when we started, Hue has been our sound man, Sunday after Sunday. Then there is Jan, our faithful hostess.

And finally the picture takers like Rick, Connie, Mike, and even Rosemary on occasion. Without everybody’s patience our blog without pictures would be pretty boring.

So, Leo, you are telling me that all these people knew today's password.

So, even if you are like me and cannot do all the works you would like, who gives you inspiration and faith in the goodness of others?

Welcome back home, Dearest Harper. It has been no fun without you while you were sick

Homilies

Sunday Homily, October 6, 2013, 26th Ordinary Time C
ByRosemary October 6, 2013

Readings:

Habakkuk 1, 2-3, 2, 2-4,   I cry for help but you do not listen.

Psalm 95,  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

2 Timothy 1, 6-8, 13-14, Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me..

Luke 17, 5-10, We are unprofitable servants.

Emma comes to visit the front area again.

Habakkuk (What a
Name!), Observations:

Author:
Habakkuk, one of the 12 minor prophets (small book, only 3
chapters). Less known about Habakkuk than any other scripture writer.

Date:
Probably right before the great Babylonian Captivity, i.e., around
600.

Subject:
The Babylonians are coming. Get ready for bad times, because
you Jewish people have been bad. Like all prophets, prophesy of doom and
disaster for sin, followed by peace after purification by Yahweh. There
is an imaginary dialogue between Yahweh & Habakkuk.

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

CC, Kayla, and Claire.

Unprofitable Servant?

I
would like to talk this morning about the idea of being an unprofitable
servant. But first, a story to exemplify my thinking.

I have
this self image of being a hot bike mechanic.
  It is true I love working on
bikes, fixing flats, cleaning and lubricating, adjusting the gears. To me
a light-weight road bike is a work of art.

Emma and Cole, who got that face scratch in a sports event.

The
true self image I have, however, is, as they say in French, a faux image. Ask Rosemary, ask Claire Ochipinti, whose
gears I tried to adjust to no avail.

It
is the marvelous gears that are my regular downfall. This past week I ate some true humble pie
with Rosemary’s bike. I adjusted the
gears after Rosemary had problems. I did
not get it right.

The Gang, Marlene, Tom, Cindy, Barb, and Teresa.

So
I took the bike to REI near us. I know
two really good mechanics, who actually offered to hire me in the shop. One of the guys, Chad, worked on the bike. The next day Rosemary still had gear
trouble. I tried again to adjust the
gears to no avail.

So
this time, Friday, after ROMEO’s, I visited Rick Guerney’s Plano Cycling. I have two more favorite mechanics there, Aaron and
a girl named Lorenda. If Plano Cycling
were not so friendly when I walk in, I would not always head there when I really
need help.

Emma checking out the cooler.

I
meet both Aaron and Lorenda. She
immediately takes my bike, puts it on a repair pole, asks me the problem, and
fixes it in, of course, a couple of minutes.
I am humbled.

I
am doubly humbled because she gives the bike a quick overall check out and
finds that Rosemary’s brakes are squishy.
She even installs a new rear brake cable. I am embarrassed because I try to keep
Rosemary’s bike 100% safe. And Lorenda
finds the brakes squishy, wow.

Bethany and Ray.

I
remember this event when Luke tells me I am nothing but an unprofitable
servant.   After all the humble pie of
the week, I can believe him.    First I
think I am a hot bike mechanic. Then I
find out I not only can’t fix the gears, but I neglected Rosemary’s brakes, the
most elemental thing. Yes, I am pretty unprofitable.

Toy World with Kayla, Cole, Emma, and CC, plus Claire and Beth.

From the psychological perspective, I see a trap in considering myself simply as an
unprofitable creature, in other words, fairly useless. Could this not end up being a description of a low self image?

From a relationship perspective, I also see a trap. Have we not begun to focus on the passages in Scripture where God and we have a special relationship? Servant and master is not where we are at.

Harper & Cathy near one of The Favorite Deserts, Banana Pudding.

I
would propose two thoughts:

1.
Let me change from master & servant to Giver and
Gifted. The Lord gives all this to us and we are gifted.

2.
Secondly, we are givers to others. We are both.    And want to know when we are specially gifted? When we are giving, not as unprofitable and
useless servants, but as people in a special relationship.

So how do you see yourself as gifted and how do you see yourself as giving to others?

Brunch with Rosemary, Sir Charlie, Gilberto, and John.

Read More Sunday Homily, October 6, 2013, 26th Ordinary Time C
Community Bulletin Board | Homilies

Sunday Homily, August 28, 22nd Sunday Ordinary, C
ByRosemary August 28, 2016

Readings:

Sirach 3, 17-18, 20 28-29,  My child, conduct your affairs with humility.

Psalm 68,  God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

Hebrews 12, 5-7, 18-19,    You have approached Mount Zion

Luke 14, 13-18, When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, & the blind.

Buddy says, "Hi, Folks, Welcome in."

Sirach observations

Author : The author is Sirach or Joshua, a Jewish scribe. The book of 51 chapters is one of the “in between books,” more or less 12 of them. In other words, their genuiness is questioned. The Catholic Church accepts them; the Protestants don’t.

Date: about 200 years before Christ.

Tori, too, says, "Good Morning, Everybody, Come in."

Subject:   Ethics, norms for good Jewish living. For example, “Do not compliment a person on his good looks,” (11, 2), or “Never abandon an old friend; you will never find a new one who can take his place,” (9, 10), or “Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it gets older,” (9, 10), or Don’t prevent the poor from making a living, or keep them waiting in their need,” (4,1).

Today’s subject: Humility.

Sources: Good News Bible

Hebrews: The last week for this work, hooray!

Anybody want to go for a nice 100 mile bike ride?

Invite the poor, the crippled, and the lame.

Rosemary asked me Friday afternoon how come I so look forward to riding 100 miles in the Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred. At the time we were driving to Wichita Falls to grab a place on the floor on one of 5 racquet ball courts of the YMCA. For $30 you can put your air mattress anywhere in the building and in the morning a simple breakfast is provided.

I thought about why I so look forward to this even and came up with 3 big reasons. Here they are.

Want a bike? Over 500 to choose from. These bike are being stored for the night on the 4th floor gym of the Wichita Falls YMCA. The owners are skattered all around the building on the floor on their air mattresses. A deal for $30.

First, motivation to get into good shape. I eat healthily, we ride around White Rock together, I do spin classes, and I get my weight where I would like it to stay all year. Events like this energize me.

In fact, now that the event has passed, I feel like a good friend has departed. I wonder what next will energize me. Actually, I do look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, but these events do not energize me to eat healthy and work out extra.

Mile 30 rest stop. My favorite. The women volunteers bake dozens of about 5 varieties of cookies and hand them out. Their hospitality is over the edge.

Secondly, there is an esprit about the 100 miles. I spent more time this year at the rest stops. There are about 10 of them on the 100 miles. Everything is free, water, gatoraide, varieties of cut up fruit, and cookies. And over the top hospitality.

I was talking with one of the lady volunteers at mile 40. She was walking around among a couple hundred riders holding a tray of cookies and handing them out. She told me that all the workers are volunteers and that she, as one of the volunteer coordinators, has to turn volunteers away, so many want to help out. These are people from Wichita Falls, older folks, middle agers, lots of high school kids, and even some small kids. She said, too, that people look forward to the August event all year long.

Mile 40 rest stop. Not to be outdone by their neighbor volunteers, these ladies for the first year also provided home made cookies. It is really hard on us riders. The women walk around with trays of cookies. Also, at this rest stop volunteers stand on the edge of the road and offer to hold your bike while you visit the port-o-potty and eat cookies. More over the edge hospitality.

Finally, in line with the gospel about inviting everybody to your party, this party has them all. Young and old. I saw some very young kids riding. And I may have been one of the oldest at 76. There are men, there are women. There are whites, blacks, and in betweens. For me it is beautiful example of the American experience of unity among many.

What experiences do you have that energize you?

Mile 78 rest stop. My second favorite, not because of a lack of hospitality, but because of the shade from a large grove of pecan trees. You see a lot of gassed riders at this rest stop. For them cots and cold, wet towels are provided, along with all the other fruits, Clif bars, shot blocks, and foods. At mile 50 this year even hot dogs were provided with all the fixings. You pay $35, and all this is for the rider. Everybody is welcome to this party.

Read More Sunday Homily, August 28, 22nd Sunday Ordinary, C
Homilies

Sunday Homily 2-14-10, 6th Ordinary Time & Valentine’s Day
ByRosemary February 14, 2010

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)

Read More Sunday Homily 2-14-10, 6th Ordinary Time & Valentine’s Day
Homilies

22st Sunday, Ordinary time, 8-29-2021
ByRosemary August 29, 2021

Deuteronomy 4, This great nation is a wise and intelligent people.

Psalm 15, The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord

James 5, Be doers of the word and not hearers only.

John 7, All Jews do not eat without carefully washing their hands.

Ben bringing life.

Thanks……

Music, Ben & Shonda

Readers, Mary Jane & John, & Buddy, our candle blesser

Gospel, John Cade

Homily,   John Stack

Eucharistic Prayer A & B, John Stack & John Cade

The Magic Zoom makers, Richard & Hue & Mike

Final Blessing, Rosemary

For hosting us at Legacy for all these years & will miss you enormously, Becky

Mary Jane reads 1st reading

Readings:

Download Readings 22nd Ordinary time 08-29-21

Homily by John Stack

Download Homily by Stack 8-29-2021

John Schanot reads 2nd reading

Remember these special people:

For John & Karen Anderlick's unborn grandson; For Rosemary's great niece, Rylie; For Richard's grand daughter, Madeleine; For Esparza's new great grandson baby & Frank; For all the medical personnel struggling to treat the tsunami of sick people, in particular, locally, Cindy's staff at Presby, Dallas, and at Frisco Presby, the mother of Harper and Betsy, Kendle, working in labor & delivery, and for Hue & Linda's daughter, Doctor Rosemary Beavers; For Mary & Dave Hall's g-daughter Allison Keller working at St. Lukes, The Woodlands, For Sir Charlie & Jan; Shonda's mom & Cody & Leo & all of Shonda's dear family; For Ursuline Sr. Mary Troy,



Brent & Meredith, our cancer survivor

Jackie's mom, sister, & friend, Lynn; For Rick Turner searching for a kidney donor, Type O neg.; For Meredith, cancer free & John Schanot; For John O'Donnell & Jean; For Jean & Cliff Wright; For Dee, and for her daughters, Lisa & Lauren ; For Anthony & Sabrina; For a young man who is suffering from depression; John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli and Lambrini, plus John's daughter, Joey, with cancer; from Barbara, a little 12 month old baby boy named Ford recuperating from an operation; for David McKeon's brother, Hugh; For Beth's friends & brother; for the medical staffs, teachers, and coaches in our public & private schools.

Peace Everybody

Birthdays: Teresa Quinn & Maureen Macchio

Anniversaries:

Ken & Cindy Cramer, 59th

Our Dear Ken & Cindy.

Community Finances, August 29, 2021

Expenses: $1030.000

Outreach: $200.00

Thanks again, Folks, for doing what you can.

Rosemary reads her Blessing.

Rosemary's Blessing:

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people,

A heart that forgives the worst,

A mind that forgets the bad,

And a soul that never loses faith in God.

Unknown

Peace, Everybody.

JSM Mission-Faith Statement

      Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for & challenges spiritual & total growth.

      Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged & make the world we live in a better place to live.

John Stack Ministries, 7017 Helsem Way, Dallas, Texas 75230

Read More 22st Sunday, Ordinary time, 8-29-2021
Homilies

Sunday Homily, July 31, 2016, 18th Sunday Ordinary Time
ByRosemary July 31, 2016

Readings:

Ecclesiastes   1 2; 2, 21-23, Vanity of vanities, all things are vanit.

Psalm 90,  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Colossians 3, 1-5, 9-11, Put to death the parts of you that are earthly

Luke 11, 1-13, The rich man who hoarded all his wealth in bigger barns, then died.

The Consecration

INTRODUCTION:

After the Jews received the commandments and oral law, they received from God the Judges; the last of whom was Samuel. During this period of time the following wisdom was practiced: Jews were to follow the example of the Judges. They were to use their free will to determine what was right or wrong using the oral law and the Commandments as their guide.

When the people asked for a king, Samuel said, ‘No!’ Why? A king would take the best of everything from you; your sons and daughters, your land, your vineyards. He will become rich and you will become poor. Do not put your faith in a king instead of God.

Mike introducing the Readings

Fast forward through King Saul and King David, to our first reading from Ecclesiastes. The one who labored in our first reading was King David.   His son Solomon, did not labor for, but was the beneficiary of all of his possessions. Solomon was worldly wise and clever; but not spiritually wise. He certainly did not use the oral law or the commandment to guide his decisions, nor did he suggest to others to do so until the very end of Ecclesiastes. Our second reading continues the teaching we are receiving from Colossians. We are to humble ourselves to be the hands and eyes and heart of Christ in the world by showing compassion and generosity to others. To put on Christ infers that we have died to the greed that is idolatry,

The Offertory. Bill, Marlene, and Cindy

HOMILY: Samuel’s reasons for not having a king where fulfilled by Solomon. He abandoned his father David’s advice to him, and he lavished himself with expensive gifts. He lusted after women, taking 700 wives and 300 concubines. He had 4000 stalls filled with expensive horses. In a dream Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people with justice. Remember the parable I shared with you some time ago about Solomon and the two prostitutes? He asked his servants for a sword, saying that he would cut the living child in two, giving half to one and half to the other. He used fear not wisdom to identify the real mother. He was clever; but not spiritually wise.

Genevieve, a happy little girl

In the New Testament Letter of James, the rich are reminded of the wisdom that comes to us from above. It is the good news of Jesus Christ. Those who seek him receive the Holy Spirit so that their labor is pure and gentle, and filled with compassion. The wisdom, of course, is that we are to put on Christ.

The inspired writer of the Luke gospel used the word rich to describe the man in today’s parable. This Greek word suggests that the man had more than ample property to make willingly, with gratitude, a generous gift. But he didn’t; his wisdom was foolishness. The parable is to be understood this way: The Lord’s judgment, ‘you fool,’ is how he gave answer to the rich man’s greed that was idolatry.

Great music. Shonda, Bethany, and Ray

Generosity is always a gift of gratitude toward God. Giving of our time and talent is just as important as giving material wealth. In everything give thanks for that is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. The wisdom that comes from above is meant to be contagious, those served with love are given the opportunity to do the same for others.

A happy and pretty Zoe

Read More Sunday Homily, July 31, 2016, 18th Sunday Ordinary Time
Homilies

Sunday Homily, August 18, 2013, 20th Ordinary Time C
ByRosemary August 18, 2013

Readings:

Jeremiah 38, 4-6, 8-10, They threw Jeremiah into the cistern.

Psalm 40, Lord, come to my aid.

Hebrews 21, 1-4, We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

Luke 12, 49-53, Do you think I have come to establish peace on the earth?

Mass begins with Kevin and Georgie.

Jeremiah Observations:

Author: really Jeremiah or at least his scribe.

Date: after the Babylonian Captivity again, say 555 years before Chrsit. Jeremiah sees the Babylonian catastrophe coming and says it is going to be how Yahweh punishes the people for their evil and unjust ways.

Subject: Jeremiah is the classic prophet. He does the 3 things characteristic of a prophet. He criticizes the behavior of the people. He promises punishment from Yahweh. He indicates that a better day will come. Jeremiah lives to see the punishment, that is the Captivity. Probably not the return from captivity.

Our selection: Jeremiah pays the price of most real prophets. The people are enraged, turn against him, and watch what happens.

Communion helpers Jan, Rich, Claire, and Lynda and Tom.

Do you think
I have come to establish peace on earth?
No!

This morning I would like to talk about this line supposedly attributed
to Jesus that he has not come to establish peace on earth. “No,” he says. As you can probably guess, I don’t like this
statement.   I can see him aiming it at
the big people who are abusing the poor.

Zoe and Buddy back from Disney World.

However, I live on the passage from John 15 where he says, “As the
Father has loved me, so I have loved you, live in my love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in
you and your joy may be complete.” There
are numerous other lines where Jesus says, “Peace.”

Harper at the Pastry Shoppe.

So, I confess I not only don’t like this line, but have my doubts about
who said it or wrote it. Instead I focus
on the positive, on peace. I see this
everywhere. Let me give you a bunch of
examples.

I had and saw peace and joy Friday when I was honored to do Ryan McClurg’s
wedding in Ogden, Utah. I was
overwhelmed by it when I saw the tears in Diane’s eyes as I stood with Ryan in
front of everyone at the very beginning of the wedding.

Torri and Buddy at the Pastry Shoppe.

Then when his fiance, Grace came up the aisle with tears pouring down
her face, the peace and joy was even stronger.
I had a hard time getting started.
The whole wedding and reception was peace and joy.

I experienced peace and joy when I saw the peace and joy in Ryan’s face
and remembered the difficult days he went through after breaking his ankle in
his freshman year at OK State on his football scholarship. His football days were over and it really hit
him hard. He had been tight end on one
of Plano Senior High 5-A state championship teams. We talked about that time and he is so happy
to have gotten through it.

Bethany, Shonda, and Ray.

I experienced peace and joy when our Cole, who was there, of course,
with Chuck and Erin, Ryan’s big sister, did a great one. There was a little blond girl his age named
Peyton whom Cole frequently informs everyone he will marry.   At one point
Thursday or Friday he put her head into the ice chest where the beer and drinks
were chilling. What a hoot.

Welcome to the wedding of Ryan McClurg, once of Plano Senior High, and Grace, in Ogden, Utah, where Ryan is stationed in the Air Force.

This was followed by, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” And they are back being best buddies.

Peace and joy was found on the big back porch of a big old mansion the
McClurgs rented. At least 20 people
stayed there along with 4 or more little kids around Cole and Peyton’s
ages. 2 hours sitting on that porch
early in the morning drinking coffee and watching the kids play in the house
and yard was total heaven.

Grace and Ryan.

Closer to home, how about the peace and joy of Leo getting his head
stuck in the chair up here last week?
And Beth coming to Shonda’s rescue to pull Leo straight out?

And the week before that, how about Emma, who has been shy once upon a
time, slowly coming up here as we celebrate, finally climbing right up beside
me and laying her little toy car on the altar?
Talk about peace and joy.

Our buddy Cole, a ring bearer.

I do not even talk here about the peace and joy that comes from working
Habitat on a Saturday.

It is there, folks, despite what the writer of this line says. Every day.
You just got to look or, rather sometimes, look back.

Your peace and joy, today?

Another Harper, at the wedding in Ogden, Utah. She is the daughter of Brandon and Ashley who now live in Houston with three little girls.

Read More Sunday Homily, August 18, 2013, 20th Ordinary Time C

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