Sunday Homily for September 9, 2018, 23rd Ordinary Time, B cycle

Readings: Acts 10, 34-43; Psalm 118; 1 Corinthians 3, 1-4; Luke 24, 13-35

A Resurrection Day

A few weeks ago when Cameron & Reid, Brady & Trey, our quads were still in Presbyterian, Rosemary & I went to visit them and Casey one Thursday morning.  We parked, entered the hospital, and got on the elevator with a medical aide pushing a stretcher on wheels.

As the elevator climbed to the sixth floor, Rosemary asked the guy how he was doing.  "Great," he responded, "I always try to have a great day."  We chatted a bit more and he explained that his old grandfather had told him years ago that he could choose to have a happy or a sad day and that he decided that he would choose happy.  "And it works," he added

We arrived at floor five and he exited, leaving Rosemary and me somewhat touched by two things.  First, he was comfortable enough to share his outlook and history with us on an elevator ride from floor one to five.  Secondly, he certainly presented a buoyant presence and it seemed to come from an inner choice. 

Because of my psychological training and experience I immediately find two disharmonies surfacing.  First, not everyone can just decide to be happy and get there.  Chronic or situational depression effects the ability to choose.  When we put Naomi to sleep, I could not just choose to be happy.

Secondly, we might find the "just choose happiness" phenomenon a bit Polly Anna.  In other words, superficial.  No matter what, I maintain a superficial happiness, skimming over tragedies as if they are just steps on the road to heaven.  These are the people who tell you when you have suffered a painful or tragic death that you will get over it with time or it is all God’s plan or will.  In other words, just be happy.

Despite these side thoughts, all of us here today have reasons for happiness.  We have life, at least.  The man we met on the elevator was for Rosemary and me a genuinely happy man and what he did touched us like a resurrection to new life.  What sunshine is to flowers, a smile & encouraging word are to the human spirit.

On this feast of the resurrection to new life, what about your life are you most happy?

AUDIO:  http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-03-23.mp3

CHILDREN’S CHOIR: JESUS LOVES ME: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-03-23%20Jesus%20Loves%20Me.mp3

Readings:

2 Kings, 5, 14-17,    Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan 7 times  (amusing what has been left out leading up to this passage).

Psalm 85,  The Lord has revealed to the Nations his saving power.

2 Timothy  2, 8-13 ,  If we persevere, we shall also reign with him.

 Luke 17, 11–19,   Of ten lepers healed only one returned to give thanks.

You may wake up now, Georgie, he is finished talking.  

2 Kings observations:

Time of the events: 900 B.C.

Time when written: 555 B.C., during the Babylonian captivity.

Subject of 1 Kings: This book continues the history of the kings taking up with the death of King David and continuing through the story of David & Bathsheba's son Solomon.  He builds the famous Temple of Solomon.  After his death the nation divides into the northern & southern states, Israel in the north, Judah in the south (including Jerusalem; remember by the "J's").

I cannot believe you, too, My Dearest Genevieve, are asleep. 

Subject of 2 Kings: This book continues the history of the decline of the two states until Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeats the people, 555 before Christ. 

Subject of our chapter 5: one of the generals of the Syrian-Babylonian army goes to visit the prophet of the day, Elisha.  Naaman, the general, has leprosy.  Note the twist of the story at the end.  Thanks is a theme of this selection and it sets the stage for Luke's story about gratitude. Three characters: Naaman, his little slave girl, and Elisha.  Read the story before this to understand the meaning of what is taking place.  I will summarize it at Mass.

I think, My Dearest Tori, that you are looking to scare me.

Mike Miller and Thanks

This morning I would like to talk about how giving thanks is a learned behavior and one I learned from my mother when I got ordained.

First, however, I would like to talk about Mike Miller.  Yesterday morning we had a delightful memorial for Mike at Dickey’s Funeral Home here in Plano.  As you can imagine, I took an hour to get through this memorial.  I spent a lot of time just trying to get a few words out. 

Denise and Kara, mom & daughter, say, "Welcome in, Everybody."

I talked about 3 memories. 

First, when I really got to know Mike.  Guess where.  The Collin County Adult Clinic, which our community supported financially for some years.  Mike was the head of the pharmacy department at the clinic.  I would visit him now and then because the pharmacy was a quiet oasis in a crazy busy clinic.  It was often triage time and enormous numbers of people would receive treatment in about 3-4 hours every Thursday evening.

Secondly, remember when Rosemary & I would have our annual anniversary party in May?  Not only would we renew our vows, but we invited people who were celebrating special anniversaries, like 25 or 40 or 65 years, even 1 year.

One year Mike and Dee renewed their vows.  Dee said to Mike that after all these years, when Mike walked into the room she was just thrilled like the first time.  That so touched me.  It touched even more a friend of mine named Julie.  She was in tears and still talks about it.

It surely must be my turn to play this guitar.  

Finally, a third thing.  Do you people realize that Mike and Dee almost always were holding hands during our Masses?   I ask Rosemary to do the same thing, and you know what she says. 

I give thanks for Mike in my life and in our community life. 

Mike Miller's memorial, Saturday, Michael, his son, sharing beautiful memories. 

Now, giving thanks.  A learned behavior.

When I got ordained in June of 1971 at St. Rita’s in Dallas, I received a number of gifts.   I remember wondering how I was going to thank all these people and I remember my mother being adamant. “You send them a note.”  That seemed pretty daunting to me because this was pre-email, maybe even pre-electricity.  I had to send by mail all these thank you notes.  My mom: “You always thank people.” 

Twelve years ago when we began this community and you people began to generously support the program.  I was stunned.  And I heard my mom, “Always thank people.”  This is why every Sunday afternoon I aim to get you a thank you note for your generosity.  My Momma told me. 

Brandon, our Candle Lighter of The Week, does the magic.

Giving thanks is a learned behavior. 

How are you like the one leper who returned to give thanks?

Sez James, "I'm innocent," if you believe that!

Readings:

Isaiah 60, 1-6,  Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem.

 Psalm 72,  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

 Ephesians 3, 2 & 3, 5 & 6, The Gentiles are coheirs.

 Matthew 2, 1-12,   The visit of the Magi to Bethlehem.

Welcome in Everybody.

Isaiah observations & reminders:

Who.  This is Isaiah III, the third of three.  

Time.  The Jewish people have been released from slavery in Babylon and are back in a devastated Jerusalem.  Around 555 before Christ.

Message:  consolation and encouragement.   The splendor of Jerusalem will shine again.

"And from me, too," says Leo, "Welcome in, Folks".

The Epiphany, a Cornucopia of Symbols:

2 observations–

Where to begin, folks.  There is so much symbolism in this liturgy, in Matthew, for sure, and in the combination of Matthew with Isaiah and Psalm 72.  Matthew carefully crafted this story to appeal to both his fellow Jews and the Gentile population.   I'll touch 2 points, each with 3 subdivisions..         

Hi, Folks.
 

1.  The Wise Men have a double & triple significance because they are

a. Gentiles

b. They come from the east, considered the source of wisdom in the world of that time.  Where does the sun rise?  Where do stars rise?  A new son has been born and like the sun in the east or a star he will bring new light. 

c. They are searchers & symbolize every man’s search for meaning in life.    Remember Matthew speaks to two audiences, his fellow Israelites, whom he is chastising for not searching, and the Gentiles. 

A future musician with her daddy.

2.  The 3 gifts. 

 a.  Gold is given because it signifies royalty. 

 b.  Frankincense, or incense, signifies divinity. 

 c.  Myrra signifies medicine.  Myrra is for the human.  It comes from a bush like tree that has a yellow, sticky sap on its bark.  The sap was good for skin infections and acne, asthma, colds, and flu.  It is found in Saudi Arabia & Somalia.

Our Candle Lighter of the Week, Buddy.

 A post script.  People in Europe used to write an inscription over their doors, e.g. 20+C+M+B+17.  The numbers are our year.  The letters are Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, supposedly the kings' names.   Christians made it say, “Christ & you 3 kings bless our house or Maison the year listed."

Who is that under that beautiful, white hat?
 

 Another post script.  In New Orleans Epiphany starts Carnival season, which leads up to Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.  The parades start, folks.  Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler.

 Sources: Reginal Fuller, St. Louis U. Liturgy; Biblical & Theological Resources, the Voice Institute, on line; Wikipedia; and other sources.

Hi, Harper, so nice to see you.

An Epiphany Story

Rosemary & I once went to the exposition of some paintings of about six or eight artists. Among the artists and the reason we were there was my childhood buddy, Ed Lamberty.  He was presenting some of his works.

 As we were wandering around we ran into another couple who are old friends.  We ask what brought them to this exposition.  They pointed across the room to a middle aged, middle class, blondish woman who was standing by some of her works.

Some of the people who attended Frank Reyes' Memorial, Saturday evening, The Resource Center in Dallas near Love Field.

 Here is the story the wife told me.

The couple we know are both academics on the university level.  Some years ago the wife had been teaching and came to know one of her students.  The student was a mother with a son about 8 years old.  At some point in time the father had abandoned them and left them with nothing.  They were living in the mother’s car.

The Beautiful women of our Community.

My friend says to me that this so shocked her and she thought this cannot continue.  An Epiphany moment.  She described the situation to her husband and two sons who were about 10 & 12.  Guess what they did.

They invited the mother & son to live with them until they got on their feet.  The two sons moved into one bedroom and the mother & her son took the other.  Here they lived for almost a year until the husband found the woman a job. 

And more of the beautiful Juliettes.

The woman now is successful and is developing as an artist, selling her works for big sums.  The son graduated from Jesuit, graduated from college, and now is married with a couple of his own kids. 

 Obvious from the fact that they were at the art exposition, my friends are still quite close with the mother & her son. 

And talking about beauty, Wow!  Does it get any better than The Romeos??

I would propose that this is what epiphany is, a light shines on a presence, like Mike talked about last week.  The presence is a challenge and, perhaps, involves care for others.   The presence may be the example of another person.

 Who is an epiphany for you?

 For whom are you an epiphany?

Readings: Wisdom 7, 7-11; Psalm 90, Fill Us with your Love, O Lord, and We will Sing for Joy;  Hebrews 4, 12-13; Mark 10, 17-30

Wisdom:

Date of Composition: 100-200 BCE, which is why it is considered significant.  It provides a glimpse into the cultural & social milieu which prevailed just before & during the time of Christ..

Place of Composition: Alexandria, Egypt.

The Composer: a Jew who wrote educated Greek.

Unique Quality: Wisdom is one of a set of 12 (or 14) books written in Greek considered not part of the original 39 books of the Hebrew Bible, the O.T.  This blew up around 350 CE when St. Jerome, one of the Fathers of the Early Church, i.e., a church leader who influenced a lot of church dogma, said the books were not genuine.   He was opposed by St. Augustine.  It was the Council of Trent (ca. 1550), that declared the 12 books okay.  Another person doubting the validity of the books was Martin Luther. 

You will hear these books called Apocrypha and deuterocanonical vs protocanonical (meaning declared canonical or okay after rather than before).  A bit complicated. 

Our Selection in Chapter 7: the book of Wisdom generally says that good guys get rewarded by God, bad guys don’t.  This selection personifies the virtue of wisdom, using the feminine pronoun she, and praises her as above all other values & pleasures.  I loved her even more than health or beauty, the composer declares.

Sources: The Good News Bible, Got Bible Questions on line.

To LIVE

Just about a century ago, in 1910, a little baby was born who was named Agnes.  Born into a comfortable, middle class family, Agnes was the last of 5 children.  They lived in what is today called Macedonia, just north of Greece, a country that used to be part of Yugoslovia. 

Agnes was an ordinary little girl and at the age of 18 she decided to leave home and join the Sisters of Loretto of Dublin.  She went to Dublin for her formation, had to learn to speak the English in the Irish brogue, and actually never saw her mother again.  In those days it was customary that religious did not come home for visits. 

After her training of about 3 years, Agnes was sent to teach at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta, India.  There she taught for a good 15 or more years.  She was considered a good, not exceptional teacher. 

While she worked in the school with the girls, who were mostly from the upper classes, Agnes looked out her windows.  There she saw another kind of child, a street child, dirty, undernourished, and neglected.  You can picture her watching these kids and reflecting upon what she was doing, which was good in itself.

At the age of 38 in 1948, Agnes decided to leave the Loretto Sisters and to go out into the streets.  Initially she did what she knew.  She taught the kids in the open air, using the dirt as a black board.  She had no funds, rented out a delapidated shack, and began to care for the sick people who were all around her.  She even went to school to learn nursing. 

Despite the fact that she started out with little idea of where she was going, it was like she had uncorked a cold drink or a bottle of champagne.  People in Calcutta heard about her, probably at least through St. Mary's High School, and aid & help began to pour forth.  People came to help her, food began to be donated. 

After two years of working the streets, Agnes decided she needed to organize a community, the Sisters of Charity.  The community focused on two things, personal spirituality and care for the most needy, the street people, the AIDS victims, the addicts, and the abandoned.  This little community has now grown enormously and has houses in Africa, where I knew them, Asia, Latin America, and Dallas, specifically South Dallas.  We used to take our food drives to them until the pastor of the parish said he did not want our food.  

In 1997, after winning numerous international prizes, including, coincidentally, the Nobel Peace Prize, Mother Teresa died.   In 2003 John Paul II beatified her.  This means she is one step (i.e., one miracle) short of being declared a saint.

I talk about Mother Teresa because, despite some criticism she & eventually her sisters received, she tried to live what we are talking about today.  In order to live, give it up and serve the disadvantaged.  

Two thoughts.

1.  We have here more of what Mark has offered us the past 2-3 weeks, an ideal, a challenge, an infinite demand.  Check out Scott Burns' column in this morning's Dallas Morning News.

2.  Remember the infinite acceptance.  How can I give it up and serve the disadvantaged in my state?  Parents, teachers, nurses, doctors, almost all are already engaged in helping.  CCAC is our avenue to help the disadvantaged.  As well as food drives, blood drives.  This may only nibble away at the need, but enough nibbling can make a difference.

How are you giving it up & serving the disadvantaged–to LIVE?

Sources: on-line biographies of Mother Teresa, The Good News Bible, Got Bible Questions?

Picture 1:  Mass with Sabrina, Georgie, & Richard

Picture 2:  Sabrina

Picture 3:  Birthdays, Angela, Georgie, Richard, Lacee & her mom, Lisa

Picture 4:  Communion, Hunter & Kailee

Readings: Luke 19, 28-40 (Entry into Jerusalem); Isaiah 50, 4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2, 6-22; Luke 22, 14-23, 56 (The Passion). No homily today. Download the reading of the Passion as an mp3 file.

Two parts to the liturgy today. Part one covers the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the blessing of the palms.

Part two covers the Passion and begins the solemnity of Holy Week.

Special Thanks:

• For reading, Jackie McGrath, Tony Whitley, Blair Reyes, Nancy Kovatis, Jessica Bresson                
• For the Altar Bread, Angie Carroll
• For Serving, T.J., Lacee, & Lorynne
• For the Altar, donuts, muffins, coffee, & juice, Margie, Jackie, Lisa, Ray & Claire, & Margarita
• For the Books & Communion Cups, Roy & Carol Strom, Beth & Rob Robinson
• For ushering & all sorts of jobs, Cliff Wright
• For the music, Ray & Shonda, Wendy, Elliot & Hue, Rick & Jackie

Happy Birthday: Mark Nugent, Cole Bentley, Jacob Wilson & Nicole Wilson, Elliot Zurchin

Happy Anniversary: Bobbi Jo & Danny, Myron & Chris Hubble

Please Remember: Rosemary’s nephew definitely improving; Jean Atwood’s uncle Harry & aunt; Margarita’s sister Tina’s friend Evelyn with cancer; Jackie Ritter’s friend Chad Johnson; little 5 month old Sadie with cancer, friend of Jack Carlson; Tom Quinn’s brother Tim; Nina Tucker’s friend Nancy with stage 4; Barb Senter’s mom, Margie’s mom, Dona & Cathy Goode’s mom; David Pastula & his companions in the military over seas, including Trey Bailey back from his 3rd deployment, Ryan McClurg, Matt Gardner, Chebino, & T.J.’s friend Aimee; David & Ofelia, Rita; Mary Ellen’s Christopher, Margaret, & Jim; George & Marianne’s sons & Linda’s son; Rob’s mom & dad; & a cure for autism from Laura Chollick.

Spiritual Formation Schedule (CCD): We’ve started. Welcome!!

Your Finances:

• April 1: Income for Running Expenses: $778.00      
• April 1: Income for Outreach Expenses: $515.00

Thanks for your Generosity!

Next Mass: April 8, 2007, Easter Sunday

Holy Thursday Mass & Good Friday: 7:00 P.M., home of Chris & Terry Phipps, 1712 Glenwick Dr., Plano 75075

Key: Westwood stoplight (between Custer and Alma on 15th Street) Go south and 3rd street on right is Glenwick.

Click here for a map.

Readings: Micah 5, 1-4; Psalm 80, Lord, make Us turn to You; let Us see Your Face and We shall be saved; Hebrews 10, 5-10; Luke 1, 39-45

Micah: author, date, subject, our selection–

Author: one of the minor prophets (because of length, 7 chapters), Micah is considered to be the author of these words.

Date: probably around 700-690 BCE, a contemporary of Isaiah, living in Judah.  He had witnessed the destruction of the northern half of the kingdom, Israel, by the Assyrians, ca. 720 BCE.  He watched Judah pay tribute to Assyria.  He forsaw the Babylonian disaster coming to Judah, the southern half of the kingdom, which finally took place in 590.

Subject: like all prophets, he predicted doom and destruction for Judah because of the injustice of the people, especially the rich over the poor.  Micah learned from Israel's destruction by Assyria, which he attributed to God's anger with those people. 

Then, of course, he predicts a return to peace and prosperity after the people are purified.  He speaks to Bethlehem as if to a persona and says that a new ruler will come from the town who will shepherd the people.  Why Bethlehem?  Because David was born there and the new David was supposed to come from the same royal village.

Asked what God wants of us (like penance, sacrifices of animals, goods, even children), Micah states one of the great lines in scripture: "What God requires of us is: 1. act justly, 2. love tenderly, and 3. walk humbly with our God." (6, 8)

Our Selection: God promises a just ruler will be born in Bethlehem, the place where King David was born, a royal village.

Sources: Wikipedia, John Shelby Spong

Jesus is Coming

Remember hearing the Christmas carol that goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…a partridge in a pear tree"?  Ever wonder what on earth it means?  What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially a partridge in a pear tree have to do with Christmas?  Here is the rest of the story.

In England many years ago, the king, Henry VIII, got mad at the pope.  Know why?  He wanted to marry another wife, Anne Boleyn.  The pope would not grant him permission, so Henry banned Catholicism in England and destroyed churches & monasteries, collecting their money.  This started around 1550 and it lasted until about 1800, a long time.

Masses were forbidden and people were hung for breaking the law, especially during Henry's daughter's time, Elizabeth the daughter of Anne.  A number of Jesuits snuck into England at this time, celebrated secret Masses, were caught, tortured, and killed.  Rosemary & I even visited a delightful little town called Shrewsbury near the border with Wales.  A series of fun novels is written about a Brother Cadfill who lived in the Shewsbury monastery.  We saw the remains of the monastery destroyed by Henry's men.

What Catholics had to do was speak in code.  This Christmas carol is all code.  It was like a catechism for the people.  Here is the symbolism explained:

   The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus.

• Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
• Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
• The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.
• The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
• Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
• The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
• Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
• The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
• The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
• The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

Whenever Catholics sang this Christmas carol they were singing about what they believed despite the danger to themselves. 

How are you celebrating the freedom we have to openly sing our Christmas carols?

Picture 1:  Advent Altar

Picture 2:  Mass beginning with Kevin

Picture 3:  Nikki & Sabrina

Picture 4:  The Cookie Shoppe with Nikki & her brother Cameron & Angela in the background