Homilies

 

 

 

 

From John & Connie, "Welcome in, Everybody."

 

Readings: 

Deuteronomy 26, 4-10,   He brought us out of Egypt.  

Psalm 91,  Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Romans 10, 8-13,    No one who believes in him will be put to shame.

Luke 4,  1-23,  Jesus in the desert for forty days.

 

 

Likewise from Jackie, "Come on in, Folks, & welcome to Day- light Savings Time."

 

 

Sunday Homily, Mike Carrell, 3-10-19

 Lent is preparation for Easter, so the words spoken over those who desire ashes are more appropriately the choice given by the Church from the Mark gospel, ‘The time is fulfilled; the Kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and Believe in the Good News.’  

 

 

 

Welcome, Ana-Patricia & Alicia, from the old 10:30 cafetorium Mass at St. Marks.

 

Last Sunday, led by our musicians, we responded together from the Psalm 92, ‘It is good to give thanks to the Lord.’ That psalm reminds us to begin and end each day saying, ‘Thank you Lord for being with us, here and now.  Thank you Lord for the seed that you have sown into our hearts along with a the desire bear good fruit. Let us be led by your Spirit to be Love in this world.

 

 

And while we are at it today, welcome to more 10:30 cafetorium Mass goers, Cathy, her daughter, Katy, and Katy's marvelous fiance' Enza from Uganda, no less.  But he does not speak Swahili!

 

 

Here and now, in every moment of the day, we are the body of Christ in the world.  Our mindset should constantly be that we are meant to be Love, in everything we say and do.  So,‘In everything give thanks for that is God’s will for us in Christ, Jesus.’ 

 

Not to long ago, I was in a waiting room while Judy was being seen by a doctor. There were a hand full of children’s books among the magazines on a table there. They usually have a good intended meaning, so, I took the liberty of choosing Aunt Grace and her nephew about to give birth to a garden. I smiled, and said to myself, ‘With a name like ‘Aunt Grace,’ this is got to be good.

 

 

Hi, David, Hi, Caroline.

 

Before they took a step into what would be their garden, they started with a prayer. Then they began to remove the weeds, cans, bottles, sticks and rocks. When that was done, they broke open the soil and used a wheelbarrow to cover it with an abundance of new mulch, to provide the garden with good soil.

 

 

The Most Reliable Jan making sure everyone can go to communion.

 

 

This sounds a lot like Lent doesn’t it; with each of us refreshing our garden, and why John has a Sunday each year when we grant God’s loving forgiveness to each other.  Lent is a time to be more aware of the people we meet everyday.  With goodness and kindness, we can smile more; say thank you more; and you are welcome, more.

 

 

The Bona Responds Team on site in Wilmington, NC, to help people with recovery from the Hurricane Michael last Fall.

 

 

We can do lots of little things like letting the car and its occupant get in front of us without honking at them. Let’s be aware of the mother with small children. We can help her put her groceries in her car, and to push her cart back for them. Let’s have a neighbor or two, or three over for coffee.  Practice makes perfect.

 

 

From our community, Connie & John Bresson, David Dinsmore, and, of course, Bill Hammond.   From St. Bonaventure University, the man behind all the recovery work so many in our community have volunteered for over the years, Jim Mahar.

 

So, what was it that Aunt Grace and her nephew sowed in their garden? Of all things, Potatoes. She taught her nephew how cut up potatoes that were covered with eyes into pieces, so that the eye of each piece could and would be placed in an upright position within the good soil, looking up to the heavens with faith that this would bring forth a bountiful harvest, that they could share with their neighbors.

 

Our journey through Lent has just begun. Who might you invite to journey with you?

 

 

  What a Team!

 

Yes, John, that red '55 Studebaker is still for sale.   I make you a good deal.  Better grab it before Rob grabs it for Beth.

 

Readings: 

Sirach 27, 4-7,   Tribulation is the test of the just.  

Psalm 92,  Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.  (The Beauty of Today, Stanza 1)

1 Corinthians 15, 54-58,    Where, O Death, is your sting?

Luke 6,  39-45, A good person produces good.

 

 

Spousal abuse!   No way!  You know the truth, Mike, you were there.

 

Sirach Observations

Who : an educated scribe living and writing in Jerusalem ca. 180 before Christ.  His work was translated from the original Hebrew into Greek by Ben Sira’s grandson in 132.

The Work: The chief loves of Ben Sira’s life were The law and the Temple rituals.  Consequently, his work falls into the Wisdom genre of writings. 

Lots of maxims, for example on fear, 

The fear of the Lord is glory & pride,                                                             

The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart,                                                       

For those who fear the Lord , all will end well.  (p. 809, New Jerusalem Bible)

 

 

Two great Jesuit alumni, Bob & Mike Bulger.   Only missing Ray.

 

Some amusing maxims:                                                                                     

Do not compliment a person, 11/2,                                                                   

Be careful about the kind of person you bring home, 11/29,                           

A father who loves his son will whip him often, 30/1,                                   

A woman has to take any man as a husband, but a man must choose his wife carefully, 36/21

Others focus on patience, uprightness, humility, and duties toward parents.  It is a large book with 51 chapters.

 

 

Jan takes care of everybody who walks in the door.

 

Sunday Homily, 3-3-19, 5 Ways to have a Happy Lent

If there is anything that every year makes me want to say ‘yuk,’ it is the beginning of Lent with its focus on sin.  Guess where we are, Folks, Ash Wednesday this week.  Instead of it being a downer focused on how bad I am and how I need to do penance, I would like to propose 5 ways to have a Happy Lent.

 

 

"Patricia, would you not like to take him home with you?"  sez Jan.

 

First, attitude.   You are not a sinner going to hell.  There is no hell, as I continually repeat.  Why do I say this: data free analysis to prove its reality.  Moreover, we have a God about whom Psalm 92 talks,

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise, to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night.

 

 

Emma, How come you look so pretty this morning?

 

Secondly, unclutter your environment.  Becky suggested this.  Have a box or bag.  Every week or every day put something into the bag, a shirt, a book, an old decoration.  Maybe Becky can use some of the stuff.

I must admit that I just put into the box headed for Half Price Books all my French books.  That was hard.  My memory is not as strong and I just don’t see me using the language enough.  I’ve  loved  languages.

 

 

 

Here they come, the offertory team, Lynda & Tom, Geri & Mike.

 

Thirdly, a good deed day.  Say ‘Good Morning’ to a stranger at Starbucks or at Central Market.  Call somebody whom you have not talked with in a while and say you are just calling to see how they are.  Take somebody to Romeos or Juliette’s.  Help out here at Legacy.  

Fourth.  Sorry, Folks.  Work out.  Exercise 4, 5 days a week.  Walk through the neighborhood.  Make it fun.   Enough of that. 
Try it, you will like it.

 

 

Mabel & her admirers, 

Fifth.  My favorite.  Gratitude.  Like Psalm 92 says,  It is good to give thanks.  Before you go to bed what is your blessing of the day?  Want to bet there is always something.

So, how are you going to have a Happy Lent?

 

 

Team Legacy Charter.  The Best.

 

"Welcome in, Everybody," sez Crazy Patricia.

 

Readings: 

1 Samuel 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23,   I would not harm the Lord's anointed.  

Psalm 103,  The Lord is kind & merciful. (a good one, a favorite line)

1 Corinthians 15, 45-49,    The first man was from earth; the second from heaven.

Luke 6,  27-38, Do good to those who hate you.

 

 

 

" Welcome in, Everybody," from the whole team.

 

Observations  on 1 Samuel

Our 1st reading today is from the first book  in a fun & interesting 4 book series which is somewhat historical, somewhat metaphorical & imaginative.

The books: 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings.  The first two books center on 3 main characters, the first ever kings of the Israelites, namely Samuel, the first king, Saul, the 2^nd king, an insecure, jealous, and paranoiac man, and the Great King David, a colorful character. 

Ever hear of Bathsheba?   Check out David in 2 Samuel.

 

 

John reading his marvelous updating of today's Gospel.

 

The last 2 books, 1 & 2 Kings, describe the beautiful times of Solomon and the building of the temple.  The final book of the 4 describes the bad ways of the people which lead to the bad days of the Babylonian captivity.

Estimated time of composition, ca, 555, during the Babylonian Captivity.

 

 

Wake up, John.  Punch him, Karen.

 

Homily, February 24

When I was studying  theology in Toronto from ’68-’72, the fall of my second year we had to take a course in moral theology.  We were part of a consortium of seminarians.  We Jesuits were the biggest group with ca. 40 guys.  There were probably 6-8 other groups, even some individuals.   All guys.

We Jesuits lived in a large building in a northern suburb called Willowdale.  There were four classes with a total of probably 200, plus 6-8 Jesuit professors.  We had classes on the down town campus of U. of Toronto.  

 

 

Our bread baker and hostess with the mostest welcoming everybody to communion.

 

The fall of my second year our class had to take a course in moral theology.   Fundamentally it was how to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, plus other moral questions.  For example, like torture, capital punishment, abortion.

The professor of this rather large class was a young Jesuit priest just graduated from Harvard, named Bryan.  I honestly don’t remember his last name.  Bryan was sharp, liberal, and not blessed with public relations skills. 

 

 

And hiding behind John, Allen & Aggie.

 

Bryan put off the majority of the class and a group even came to complain to him.  What did Bryan do?  He told them if they did not like him or his presentations, they could go somewhere else.  He did this with more blunt language than I use here.  So all these guys boycotted his class.

I give all this information as background to my interaction with Bryan in the spring semester of that same academic year.

 

 

Would someone please sit with Sandra.

 

At the end of our third year the Jesuit program normally had the moral theology exam.  Since my class had already covered the class requirements, some of us thought we would like to take the moral theology exam at the end of the second year.   Get it off the agenda.

So I get elected to go make the request to, take a guess, Bryan.  He not only denies my request and tells me to wait until the end of year 3, he tells me if I & my buddies do it anyway, he will flunk us all.   We did and he did.   I even went to the Jesuit rector to complain before we took the exam, which, incidentally was in Latin before a board of 3 of the Jesuit faculty.

So, if I am supposed to love my enemies, do I have to love Brian?   Yes.

 

 

Welcome Home, Beth, our Colorado Snow Bird of the Week.

 

Two comments.  We are dealing here in Luke with infinite demand.

At the same time, we are offered infinite acceptance.  For example, my favorite line showing up this morning in the Psalm, The Lord is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in kindness. 

 

 

Help is on the way, Hugh.

 

Welcome in, Sydney & Hugh, you are early enough to find seats.

 

 

Readings: 

Isaiah 6, 1- 2,  3-8,   Whom shall I send? Here I am, send me..

Psalm 138,  In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.  (Good one)

1 Corinthians 15, 1-11,    I am the least of all the apostles

Luke 5,  1-11,  Today this passage is fulfilled in your hearing.

 

 

"Welcome in," says Ben, "we are ready to warm You up."

 

Observations:   Isaiah (I) 

This is The Great One.  The Prophet.  My favorite.  In general, this work has three parts put together by three different people.  It is time dependent: before, during, and after the, you guessed it, the Babylonian Captivity.  Keep 555 before Christ in mind as an easy date.  You can guess that this is Isaiah I, being chapter 6 (of 66 chapters)

Last week we heard the story of the prophet Jeremiah’s call by Yahweh.  This week we have Isaiah’s call. 

 

 

 

Cindy, too, says, "Welcome in, Everybody.  It is warmer in here than out there in that cold rain."

 

Psalm 138

Want to hear something beautiful?  Listen to today’s psalm.  Another of my favorites. Thanks, thanks, and more thanks.

1 Corinthians 15

In last week’s Corinthians’ reading Paul described his vision of love.  Today he continues talking to the people of his church in Corinth, focusing on how he was called by God.

So, today we have a theme of call & gratitude.  Even the gospel has a sub-theme of call.  Pretty neat.

 

 

Jim & John solving all our problems in life.

 

Sunday Homily

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart

We have been blessed the past few weeks because of so many good readings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and now Psalm 138, one of my favorites.   I can still remember when and where it was that I became aware of its beauty.   I was in Nairobi making a private retreat near an arboretum.  My subject today, therefore, is another of my favorite activities,  giving thanks.

 

 

Jan, our official greeter as everyone comes in, readies the home made communion bread and the grape juice.

 

About two weeks ago I got an Email from a young woman who wanted me to perform her wedding in October here in Dallas.  I have backed off of doing weddings almost every weekend.  Just too exhausting & I don’t have the old energy.

I do not remember this girl, but she wrote something that really hooked me.  She said that she used to attend St. Marks Cafetorium Masses and loved my homilies.  Naturally,  of course, I accepted her invitation, and was grateful that here is one person who has with me fond memories of some good times.

 

 

"Where is that crazy mike button?"

 

The second reason I gave thanks this week tied in with this girl who is called Kathleen.   Remember the monster kid who came to our Mass last Sunday?  Noah and his mom.  The kid whom I knew when he was just a little guy who helped me  as an Altar server in the cafetorium.  Within a couple of weeks I have remembered with gratitude the good times I had at St. Marks.

The thirst reason why I am giving thanks to the Lord with all my heart today is because  of the spinal surgeon who took away all my pain with his operation.   Thursday, exactly six weeks since the operation, he gave me a complete and total discharge.

 

 

Emma, you are so good, I think you could light those candles in your sleep.

 

I may ride my bike & return to the 6 A.M. spin classes at the Jewish Community Center.  I don’t even have to have a physical therapist.  According to him I am old enough and experienced enough to manage my continuing rehab.

 

 

Buddy, you have a gift for reading and you are developing a terrific stage presence.

 

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart.  

For what are you giving thanks this morning?

 

 

I give thanks, Sir Charlie, that you have not pulled a fast one on me in the last 5 minutes, or so I think, maybe, I hope.

 

Says Rick, "You missed my birthday party yesterday, but I am still celebrating today.  Welcome in, Everybody."

 

Readings: 

Jeremiah 1, 4- 5, 17-19,   Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.

Psalm 71,  I will sing of your salvation.

1 Corinthians 12, 31-13 4-13,  As the body is one.

Luke 4,  21-30,  Today this passage is fulfilled in your hearing.

 

 This morning we will read the Gospel first, then Jeremiah, and finally Corinthians.  I want to highlight Corinthians, it is so special.   The homily will come after the first paragraph, before the special treatise on Love.

 

 

Good as it gets!

 

Jeremiah observations:

Who:  One of the Big 3 and my second favorite behind Isaiah, whom we will hear from next Sunday.  Why a favorite: because he shares his feelings with gusto. 

When:  you can guess it, before and during the Babylonian Captivity.  Notice how much prophetic energy is concentrated around this one event?  Shows how big it was in Jewish history.  Keep 555 before Christ as the beacon date. 

 

 

Suit up time.

 

What: you can guess this, too.  Criticism of behavior, warning of punishment from God, and eventually a better day.

What today: Jeremiah’s call by God to be his man, really Everyperson’s call to be God’s special.  This call theme carries through our next 2 readings, especially the next one, The Big One.

 

 

Can there be a better welcome than this from Cindy & Dee!

 

A Special Reading, 1 Corinthians

Years ago when I used to do a  lot of weddings, like at St Marks,  I would hear this treatise on Love and I would groan, ‘Not again.’

While still at St. Marks, all of a sudden at another wedding, I tuned in to the reading.  Love is patient.  Love is kind.  That applies to me.  I could be more patient and more kind.  I could be more loving.  (Don’t ask Rosemary)

 

 

Equally welcoming is Dear Jan who arranges communion for everybody.

 

Right around this time there was an instruction from the diocese or Fr. Smythe, ‘Don’t touch the kids.’  I thought about this and realized that I was not hugged enough when I was a little boy.  For one thing my mom was sick a lot and even had some operations.  I remember being taken in by some family friends and being homesick big time when I was a little guy, maybe pre-school.

 

 

Elevation Time.

 

So, once ordained & home from East Africa, I remember one Sunday standing in the entrance to the cafetorium ready to begin the 10:30 Mass.  I decided right then that I will continue to hug all these kids to show them they are loveable and good stuff.  Maybe they will think God really loves them.  A lot of those kids thought I was God once I suited up, so their parents said.

 

 

Having a  nice vision, Hue?

 

To send this message is also why I used to give kids, and, in fact everybody, two or three Hershey kisses whenever they came to me for reconciliation, especially for first confessions. 

The side effect of this, of course, was that my line went on forever and poor Deacon Mike had to stay late to shut down the church.  Everybody else was long gone.  I just wanted to say, ‘Kid you are not bad.  God thinks you are good and a neat kid.’  

 

 

Buddy reading our Blessing of The Winter Candles.

 

 

 

 

Emma lighting The Winter Candles.

 

I  have a handful of very special, positive Scripture passages.  They are like compasses.  This Corinthians passage helps me to continue to be patient & kind and to remind all of you that you are lovable.  (Well, maybe not Sir Charlie)

 

 

 

Teamwork!

 

Take it away, Ben.  We are ready!

 

 

Readings: 

Nehemiah 8, 2-4, 5-6, 8-10   The story of Ezra, the priest

Psalm 19,  Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

1 Corinthians 12, 12-30,  As the body is one.

Luke 1, 1-4,  4, 14-21,  Today this passage is fulfilled in your hearing.

 

 

Emma doing her Candle Magic with John's help.

 

Homily from Mike

Think about the last vacation you were on.  Did it meet your expectations; good weather, good food, good company.  Sometimes our expectations are not met, unless we’ve taught ourselves to go with the flow and look toward the bright side by giving thanks no matter what we encounter.

 

 

Buddy reading the Blessing of the Candles with Mike's help.

 

In our gospel today, the Jews at the Sabbath synagogue service were in expectation to hear what Jesus had to say, for Jesus had chosen the reading.  Not only that, it was said that he spoke with authority, and this was Jesus’ home ground; it was where he grew up.

 

 

 

Mike homilizing.

 

What Jesus gave them was what the Messiah would do when he came to his people, Israel. When you heard it, did you recognize that it was filled with promises, beginning with the most important: where he promised to bring to the lowly, those in dire need, the Good News of Jesus Christ. After reading it, he sat down; and he held them in expectation.

 

 

 

What a team.

 

When he stood up he said, “This day, this Scripture, is fulfilled in your midst.” They didn’t realize it but they had just begun to receive the Good News. They were the ones to whom Jesus had come. All of promises, given by the prophets, were directed to them: they were the blind, the poor in spirit, the ones who were in captivity, they were the downtrodden,

 

 

 

The Great Offertory Team, Karen, Tom, & Denni.

 

This Scripture is being fulfilled in our midst too, for we are the ones called to make those promises come true.  We are the ones who daily are led by the Spirit to welcome and live the Good News in the world. With every act of kindness, each of us, using our unique spiritual gifts, bind ourselves together as one body; His body, which we are about to break and share with one another in our Liturgy of Eucharist.   

 

 

Can it get better than this, Luke with his mommy, Julie.

 

 

 

Welcome in, Everybody, from Cindy & Dee.

 

Readings: 

Isaiah 62, 1-5,    The Lord delights in you (a good one)

Psalm 96,  Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.

1 Corinthians 12, 4-11,  There are different kinds of spiritual gifts. 

John 2, 1-11,  The wedding at Cana.

 

 

 

Also from Ken and the two crazies behind him, Cindy & Marlene,    Welcome in, Everybody.

 

  Mary Ellen Munzell

As a way to honor Mary Ellen, I would like to tell you 4 stories that show why she was a special friend and  dear to me.

The first time that Mary Ellen came to my attention in a special way was the first time we gathered a group for a two week trip to Italy.  We had about 8 people.

 

 

And not to be outdone by the previous characters, Grace, too, says, "Welcome to our special Memorial for our dear Mary Ellen."  It was Grace who packed her up so she could move back home to Connecticut, where she stayed one winter and returned immediately back to Dallas.

 

Mary Ellen asked me if she could go over about 3-4 days early and be picked up in the area around Lake Guarda, Italy.  I was a little nervous, but thought okay.  Mary Ellen wanted to visit Trieste before meeting up with us.

Why Trieste?  Because her deceased husband, Chris, had been born there to a military family.  Mary Ellen wanted to leave some of his ashes, which she did.

 

 

The A Team.

 

Just in case you are not familiar with how Mary Ellen & Chris met, it was at the American Embassy in Buenos Aires where she was working as a secretary and Chris was a Marine guard.

It was when Chris died that Mary Ellen took on the goal of scattering his ashes on golf courses on which they had played, especially in southern CA, where they had resided for some years.   Which brought her to Trieste.

 

 

It takes a Grandmother!

 

I can still remember approaching Verona.  It was sunny & mild. Verona was quaint & colorful.  The plan was to meet Mary Ellen in front of the train station.  She had taken the train from Trieste to Verona. 

As we approached the small station on our right I saw ahead of us a traffic circle with a lot of flowers, and there was Mary Ellen.  I was so relieved and impressed with Mary Ellen and touched by her gesture.

 

 

 

Are our musicians crazy or what??

 

The second event caused me to love Mary Ellen’s adventurous spirit.  I took her and Rosemary to the best game parks in East Africa for a visit with the lions, elephants, and giraffes.  This had been my home for about ten years.  I had lots of connections.

We hired a driver & helper, rented a Land Rover, and headed to the mystical Ngorongoro Crater and the magnificent Serengetti.   We visited all the animals and, in fact, late one morning a lion walked up and plopped down in the shade of our Land Rover. 

 

 

It takes a Dad, too.  Cody, a great one, and Olivia, his daughter.

 

Picture this.  The Land Rover’s roof lifts up and locks into place so you may stand.  We were standing  while the lion took a morning siesta.   If we had leaned out, we could have touched that lion.  We didn’t.

 

I was especially touched by Mary Ellen on this trip.  The ride was rough, we tented, and one afternoon we drove though a scrub area with Tsetse Flies, which could keep up with the Land Rover.  We had to shoo them away for about 30 minutes.

 

 

Nothing better than meeting up again with good old friends, like Bob & Jackie McGrath and Joanne Languell.

 

The third story.   Mary Ellen had a small private swimming pool in her back yard, as many of you know.  What you may not have heard is that ME liked to skinny dip in her pool, until one afternoon she spied two young neighbor boys peeking over the roof line of her neighbor’s house.

Finally, as you had to know, ME was an avid supporter of U Conn’s women’s basket ball team.  She loved to watch them play and then she and her sisters would discuss the game. U Conn had a record of 111 victories the day before ME died.  The very next day, U Conn lost. 

 

 

And more good old friends, like Cathy, Jackie, Alice.

 

Thanks, Mary Ellen, for being a special person and a special friend

 

 

And still more good friends, Grace, Camille, and Diane..

 

 

 

Says Bernadette, "Welcome in, Everybody."

 

Readings: 

Isaiah 40, 1-5, 9-11   Comfort, give comfort to my people.  (a good one)

Psalm 104,  Bless the Lord my soul.

Titus 2, 11-14, 3, 4-7,  The grace of God has appeared.  

Like 3, 15-16, 21-22,  He will baptize you with Holy Spirit.

 

 

The Team with Tori doing the candles and Buddy the blessing of the candles and Georgie watching out for all of us.

 

No homily today, guest speaker from Single Parent Advocacy, Robyn LaCasse.

 

 

Bill introduces Robyn LaCasse, the Director of Operations for Single Parent Advocacy.   Members of our community helped the Advocacy present a big Christmas party for single parent families.  Remember the photos of the huge number of donated bicycles.

 

 

Our Offertory presented by David, Caroline, & Jim.

 

 

Sir Charlie, you are supposed to be welcoming everybody.  Looks like you are scaring everyone away, like me.

 

Readings: 

Isaiah 60, 1-6, Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem. (good one)

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

Ephesians 3, 2-3, 5-6,  The Gentiles are co-heir, members of the same body.  

Matthew 2, 1-12, The Epiphany or opening to the Gentiles.

 

 

John ready in case I forget.

 

An Epiphany Day

This morning I would like to talk about an Epiphany Day, meaning a special day or a wonder day or event or even a person.  December 28 was an epiphany day for me.  Anybody guess why?  Yes, the date of my back surgery, an event I was totally looking forward to.

 

 

Emma sharing her candle lighting gift with the rest of us.

 

The operation was scheduled for 10:00.  We had to be there at 8:00.  Rosemary & I were there at 7:30.  Somewhere around 8:15 they checked me in and gave me the special operation gown.  I was invited to get on my own special stretcher with 4 wheels. One guy wheeled me around and into a 14 cubicle pre-op room.   Along the way we picked up Rosemary and a good old friend.

 

 

Buddy reading our Blessing of the Christmas Candles.

 

I did not know it at the time, but I was going to spend 4 hours waiting in that room.   My doctor got delayed was all I was told.  Rosemary had to leave.  I got to know the names of the pre-op room staff, Matt and Deborah. 

 

 

Cody, tell Ben that he cannot go to  sleep until I start talking.

 

I teased some of the pre-op patients.  Like one lady was begging to have a coffee.  I welcomed back some from surgery.  I had to ask to use the restroom.  I napped.  All these 4 hours my buddy stayed with me.  He read the newspaper when I dozed.

 

 

To join this exalted team, it is required that you are named John and that your are old enough to forget your age.

 

Finally about 2:00 I was wheeled into the operating room, cold as usual.  An hour or so later I was awake, Rosemary was there, and my good friend was there. 

Looking back, the day was an Epiphany Day and the operation an epiphany event.  You know what was another epiphany event?   My good friend.  He came and stayed about six hours, from the time I was supposed to have the operation, through the delay, and up to and past the operation time.  The pre-op room staff even told the poor guy we looked like brothers.

 

 

Bill and his special mom, Mabel.

 

Know who that special friend is?  Mike Carrell, an Epiphany Event.   Thanks, Mike.

 

 

 

Hi, Tom & Joe & Marsha

 

 

 

 

The Best Teammates

 

 

 

 

Elevation Time

 

 

 

The Healing Touch with John.

 

 

 

Mike, an Epiphany Friend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome in, Dearest Harper.  I wish I could have been with you this morning, but next week for sure.

 

Readings: 

1 Samuel 1, 20-22, 24-28, In those days Hannah bore a son

Psalm 84,  Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.   

1 John 3, 1-2, 21-24, See what love the Father has bestowed upon us.  

Luke 2,  41-52,  When he was 12 years old they went up according to the festival custom.

 

 

Thanks for your beautiful welcome Cindy & Dee.

 

HOMILY     

Since the Church has always taught that Jesus was truly human, I like it when the Scripture gives an example of the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus as an actual, real human family.

 

 

Rick, you make an excellent candle lighter.  Thanks for your help.

 

 

Today’s Gospel gives such an example. Luke’s story hints at a family conflict caused by Jesus’ behavior. Luke gives us just a glimpse of the conflict, but I can imagine it going something like his mom, Mary saying, “How could you do this to us? Not telling us where you were all this time. This was hurtful to your father and me. We’ve been looking for you since last night; and were worried to death all this time! Don’t you know how disrespected we feel? We taught you better than this”…(and perhaps, both concerned parents, either Joseph or Mary said)…“Do not do this to us again!”

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for your company yesterday, Mike.  You sure helped me to wait patiently while my surgeon got delayed for almost 4 hours.  We actually had fun in that OR waiting room.  Like with the lady who was wanting nothing but a coffee while she waited.

 

As for Jesus, I can imagine his side too. Some claim Jesus had brothers and/or sisters. Whether he had siblings or not, he was twelve, equal to a teenager today, a time kids are practicing behaviors that are rebellious or just plain independent. Working with your Dad learning carpentry isn’t bad, but Jesus may have begun to experience it’s limitations. And being in the big city for the first time as a 12-year old probably exposed Jesus to opportunities he hadn’t considered before—like a chance to talk about the Scriptures with temple scholars.

 

 

 

Hi, Jan, Where is that crazy guy you hang out with, like you know, that Sir Charlie?

 

Luke had his own goal in mind, building up Jesus’ credentials as a kid wise beyond his years and already showing an advanced knowledge of the Scriptures. So we don’t get the whole story here, of Joseph and Mary and Jesus, being a working class Jewish family living all those years in a small town.

 

 

The Best Music with Shonda, Ben (where is your hat), and David.

 

Though just a glimpse, in this story Luke gives us a hint of the holy family being like a regular family I can identify with. How about you? Can you imagine from Luke’s story how the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus acted and lived—and had conflicts—much like your own family?

 

 

John sharing another of his insightful homilies to end the year of 2018.