Homilies

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Thanks for bringing up our gifts this morning, Carrie & Paul & Mike.

 

 

Readings:  

 Isaiah 35, 4-7,  Be strong, Fear not.  (Isaiah at his best!)

Psalm 146,   Praise the Lord, My Soul.

 James 2, 1-5, Did not God choose those who are poor?

Mark 7, 31-37,  His speech impediment was removed.

 

 

 

Thanks, Dearest Zoe, for lighting our candles this Sunday morning.

 

 

Isaiah observations

 

This selection is from Isaiah 1.    It is a time when Judah, the southern kingdom, is threatened by a powerful neighbor, Assyria (ever hear of this place today?)  Isaiah saw that the real threat to the life of Judah was not simply the might of  Assyria, but the Kingdom's own evil ways.  Guess what is coming, the Babylonian Captivity. 

Today's passage is much more on the hopeful side.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading our Blessing of The Candles this morning, My Dearest Georgie.

 

Be Strong, Fear not.  He comes to save You.

I want to talk this morning about fearing not and being strong, because he comes to save us.

The summer of 1970 was the summer before I got ordained here in Dallas.  I had two more years of theology study in Toronto.  That summer of 1970 I was interning as a chaplain at Boston City Hospital in a Pastoral Counseling program run by Andover-Newton Theologate.

 

 

Welcome in, Natalie & Jim. 

 

 

I lived in the Jesuit  residence in Dorchester.  There were about 4 of us Jesuits.  Because a great Jesuit of the house worked with the kids of the neighborhood  our house was a total safe zone.  The younger kids would look through the windows of the dining room & living room during meals and when we had guests.  We told them your car will not be touched if you park here and they know you are friends.

Remember the Plow Shares 5 and the draft board burnings that Summer?  One of the guys lived with us.

 

 

 

I got The Best Team.

 

 

Every morning I would get up and walk to the hospital through the somewhat famous Roxbury area of Boston.  I never had a problem.  They knew who I was.

My day consisted of visiting patients, typing up interviews verbatim, and taking part in rather confrontational group sessions of 5 or 6 with a supervisor.  I think I came close to getting kicked out for refusing to redo one of my verbatims. 

My most favorite part of the day was visiting the patients.  I loved this dynamic.  There were some powerful sessions.

 

 

 

And we got The Best Music.

 

 

I remember especially one old tough white Bostonian, a former Catholic.  I asked him what became my favorite question, How do you feel about dying?

For a day or so he said, No problem.  Another day he tells me I’m going to hell when I die, but so be it.

You know why.   He and his first wife had divorced years ago.  He  married his recently deceased wife and had kids and a 25 year  happy marriage.  

 

 

 

For Hue our Total Community Blessing on your operation this Wednesday.
 

 

I could not believe it.  This may have been my first with this phenomenon.  I had already concluded that hell was a gimmick of the writers of the time and did not exist.  It was good for keeping in line the people of the tribe.

Would you have sent that guy to hell, for ever? 

What about you?  Where you going?

I think the old guy died peacefully.

 

 

 

Okay, Joe, can we trust you to get that birthday cupcake home to Marsha. 

 

On The Light Side:   (A little old, but still good)

 

On their way to the church to get married, a young Catholic couple 
were involved in a fatal car accident.

Being good Catholics the young couple find themselves sitting outside 
the Pearly Gates waiting for St. Peter to process them into Heaven.

While waiting, they begin to wonder: could they possibly get married 
in Heaven?

When St. Peter finally showed up, they asked him.

St Peter said "I don't know. This is the first time anyone has asked. 
Let me go find out" and he leaves them sitting at the Gate.

After three months, St Peter finally returns, looking somewhat 
bedraggled. "Yes" he informs the couple " I can get you married in 
Heaven".

"Great!" said the couple "But we were just wondering, what if things 
don't work out? Could we also get a divorce in Heaven?"

"You must be joking" says St. Peter, red-faced with 
frustration, slamming his clipboard on the ground.

"What's wrong?" asked the frightened couple".

"OH, COME ON!" St. Peter shouted "It took me three months to find a 
priest up here …..Do you have any idea how long it'll take me to find 
a lawyer?"

 

Blame Ken Cramer for this, not Me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome in, Cody & Ben.  So good to see you.

 

 

Readings:  

 Deuteronomy 4, 1-2, 6-8,  Moses said to the people…  

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

 James 1, 17-18, 21-22, 27, All good giving is from above.

Mark 7, 1-8, 14-15, 21-23,  You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.

   

 

 

 

Welcome in, daughter & dad, Michelle & Gilbert.   So good to see you, too.
                 

 

 

Homily:  Our gospel begins with Jesus being rather upset about the traditions of the elders and their legalism that disregards goodness, justice and compassion. Based on last Sunday’s story in the Dallas Morning News about abuse that still hasn’t been addressed by our hierarchy, our male leaders are not practicing love, or common sense.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Tori, for being a super candle lighter.

 

 

The Church states a human tradition when it says a priest cannot be married, for this should not be so, for Peter was married in the Good News of Jesus Christ, and Paul’s Letter to Timothy is quite clear when it addresses the lifestyle of a bishop with these words:  A bishop is to be blameless; the husband of one wife.

 

 

 

Thanks, Georgie, for reading The Blessing of the Candles

 

 

Likewise, the Church states a human tradition when it says that women can not be ordained, but this too is not so, for St. Paul identifies Phoebe in his letter to the Romans, as a deaconess that he works with, and the inspired writers of the Mark and John gospel both identify a servant whose ministry is that of a deaconess.

 

 

 

The Best music, Shonda & Ben.

 

 

With what can I compare today in the Church to the hundreds of minor legalistic, human traditions held by the Jewish elders that caused Jesus to be upset?  Recently there is a law in the Church that the Easter Candle can’t be placed in front of or beside the altar unless it was 100 percent bee’s wax, and one of our most prominent cardinals has recently made a Church law that the most expensive and tasteful wine affordable should be used for the altar wine.

 

 

 

Team mates and Big Sister & Younger Brother, Georgie & Buddy.

 

 

Besides all of these human traditions, the theologians of the Church have added one of their own.   In the Mark gospel there are only two references to Mary as a mother.  In the first one she thought that Jesus was going out of his mind. His response to those who had surrounded him, was this, ‘Who is my mother, brother, and sister?’ Those who welcome and live my words.’

Mary is also referred to only twice in the John gospel, and again not by the name Mary, but only as mother. 

 

 

 

Mike homilizing on the readings.   Thanks for your ideas, Mike.

 

 

The Matthew and Luke gospels have what we call infancy narratives. In both, Mary gives birth to Jesus Christ.  So far, so good and wonderful.  However, in the John gospel we are taught that God is spirit, and from the very beginning [of everything] he, the Word, Jesus Christ, is spirit, in oneness with God the Father.  We know that Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ; but how can this be since he is spirit?’   The answer is this: the inspired writers have made Mary a metaphor in the Matthew, Luke and John gospels.   As the written expectation of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms for the coming of the Messiah, she gives birth to the written Good News of Jesus Christ, where he is present through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 Offertory Team, Becky, Grace, & Tom.

 

 

"Welcome in, Everybody," says Zoe, and welcome to you, too, Dearest Zoe.  Who is that  peeking around the edge?!

 

 

Readings:  

 Joshua 24, 1-2, 15-17, 18,  Far be it from us to forsake the Lord.  

Psalm 34,   Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.  (Wow, 3rd week in a row, terrific)

 Ephesians 5, 21-32,  Wives should be subordinate  to their husbands as to the Lord.   (Yipee, sounds good to me.  Make sure Rosemary is listening to this!)

John 6:60-69,  This saying is hard; who can accept it.

 

 

 

And Welcome to you, too, Dearest Tori.

 

Joshua:

Who is Joshua and what is this booklet about:  Joshua was Moses' assistant, his lieutenant when the the Israelites wandered in the desert.  The booklet is the story of the Israelite invasion of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. 

Author: somewhat amusingly, the fundamentalists say that Joshua wrote most of the booklet.  More scientific scholars say the work is a compilation of a number of sources. 

 

 

 

 

Our Magic Candle Lighter of The Week at work.

 

Date of composition: again fundamentalists state that the booklet was composed 1400-1370, i.e., while Joshua lived.  Scholars of a broader vision suggest that even if a Joshua existed the work was put together 800-700 BCE. 

The work combines a number of traditions about battles & destruction of cities to create a nationalistic narrative that justifies the Israelites' taking another peoples' land for their own.

 

 

 

 

 

So from where did we get this group of characters to bring up the bread and grape juice.

 

Ethical Question: genocide.  This is a bloody book.  Yahweh commands that the Israelites exterminate every breathing thing, including women & children & livestock.  

The battle of Jericho is characteristic.  For 6 days the Israelites marched around the city, blowing horns and menacing the people.  On day 7 they marched around 7 times and the walls came tumbling down, as in the spiritual.  Then every person except one woman & her family were slaughtered.  Lots of debate and rationalization over these events.

Our Selection: The last chapter of the booklet.  Joshua, who is dying, calls the people together at a place called Sechem and puts it to them.  Stick with Yahweh who has done all these things for you (which are mentioned in the text but are long & tedious) or choose another path of your own.

Sources: Good News Bible, Got Questions.org, Wikipedia

 

 

 

Play Station Number 1.  Sir Charlie, how come you are not here also?

 

 

Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord

Sounds good to me, Folks.   However, when I bring this up to Rosemary, what do I get?  “Want to start sleeping in the back yard dog kennel tonight?  Even my mom was not impressed with this little statement of Paul.  Just ask my poor dad. 

And guess what: I married my mom.  So much for the joy of being a married priest. 

 

 

 

The Best Team.

 

 

Some years ago while I was waiting in a line to ride the roller coaster at 6 Flags I overheard a husband telling his wife to obey him because of this passage, he was the head of the house and the Bible says it.  I almost dropped my teeth. 

The family, mom, dad, and two young girls were trying to decide something.  Finally, even the wife says to the girls that they have to obey the man.  He is the head.

So, how do we handle this, especially when we are repelled by the idea.

 

 

 

 

The Best Music with Ben & David.

 

 

Perspective!   Traditionally there are three types of family relationships.  This is fairly simple.

1. Matriarchal: the woman/wife is the head of the family.  Culturally this has been established occasionally and in some places.
2. Patriarchal: the husband is the head.
3. .Equality: both are partners, husband and wife. 

 

 

 

 

Shall we dance?

 

 

 Paul's place:  guess which paradigm Paul comes from?  Paul lives in a culture which considered women & children little more than domestic animals.  In Tanzania I found the same paradigm among the ordinary people.  This paradigm has been followed more probably  because men are physically stronger and don’t hesitate to maintain control with physical violence.

Even though today Paul can sound wako & chauvanistic, what he says about husbands loving their wives as they love their own bodies, this was pretty radical.

 

 

 

 

Yes, I would love to dance.

 

Today: all three of the paradigms are valid.  Among most educated people, however, equality between husband & wife, men & women is the more healthy.    Besides, as we know, women just won’t let us guys get away with it. 

Certainly with education for both men and women, there is equality.  

So, again, beware of taking the Bible literally.   Like beating your kids.

 

 

 

 

The Terrible Ekes, Cindy, Marlene, Mabel, Billy, & especially Mabel.

 

What paradigm do you prefer???

 

 

 

Welcome, Everybody. 

 

 

Readings:  

 1 Kings 19:4-8,  Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert.  

 Psalm 34,   Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

 Ephesians 4:30-5,2, Be kind to  one another

John 6: 41-51,  I am the bread of life

 

 

 

 

Emma doing her Candle Magic.

 

 

Kings:  a review–

Subject: The kings of Israel.  The Big 3 kings were Saul, David, & his son Solomon.  The 2 Books of kings follows the 2 Books of Samuel, which describe the lives of the the kings up to the death of the Great King David, my favorite.  1 & 2 Kings takes up the life of Solomon, David's son, his building of the temple, his death, and the fate of the kingdom following his death, that is, it divides and is conquered. 

Time Period:  from ca. 900 – 555 before Christ, or from Solomon to Nebuchadnezzar & Cyrus.

 

 

 

 

Hue reading our Blessing of the Summer Candles.

 

 

Authors: a compilation of many sources that was put together at the end of the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 555 before Christ. 

Our Selection: focus is on one man, the prophet Elijah.  The kingdom has already been split.  Our story takes place in the northern state, Israel.  Time of severe drought.  The king is Ahab; his queen, the famous Jezebel.  The prophet Elijah has scolded them for turning to false gods to end the drought. 

 

 

 

Welcome, Dear Sandra.

 

There has been a contest in chapter 18: Elijah vs the 450 prophets of Baal, ultimately to see which side would be more effective in bringing rain.  2 bulls were slaughtered.  Naturally, Elijah wins when Yahweh answers his prayer, sends down fire, and consumes the bull Elijah has slaughtered.  When he wins, he slaughters the 450 prophets of Baal.   

We enter at a point where Jezebel is furious with Elijah for killing her favorite prophets and aims to kill Elijah.  He is going to run away all depressed. 

 

 

 

 

What a Team!  It don't get no better.

 

 

Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord

I want to talk this morning about one of my favorite themes, namely that we can see, hear, and be touched by the presence of the Lord every day.  As the Psalm says & I believe, we can taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Two examples.

 

 

 

 

Our Special Ekes' Offertory Team, Cindy, Bill, & Marlene.

 

 

As you all know Rosemary with her buddy, Barbara, delivers Meals on Wheels every Thursday.  They visit 15 to 20 clients every week in the general area of Spring Valley east of Coit. Among their clients, whom they love, is a elderly Vietnamese.

While the apartment complex in which he lives is somewhat worn down, he is scrupulously neat and clean.  He has planted flowers and grass outside his door.  In fact, he trims the grass with scissors.

 

 

 

Elevation time.

 

The man heard about rental bikes and thought it would make his trips to the grocery store much easier.  A good idea until he discovered that a credit card was needed. 

There must be a Vietnamese radio station in town.  So he calls up to voice his disappointment.

Thursday when Rosemary & Barbara bring him his food for the day, what do they find in the living room?  A new bike, complete with a lock, an air pump, and bike stuff all from some family that was listening to the radio station.

Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord.

 

 

 

 

Play Station #1.

 

One final story from this year’s Ragbrai.  This story comes from David.

On Monday, the second day of riding, we rode from the overnight town of Dennison to Jefferson, a ride of 70 miles or so.  Along the route there are always vendors, both in the lovely little towns we pass through and just on the shoulder of the road or in a big field.  My favorite, of course, is the Amish site with ice cream & pie.

Another favorite, as you may imagine, is the craft beer garden.  There will be 3-4 scattered along the road and the crowds are enormous.  You have to be really careful riding by because of all the off going and in coming bikers.

 

 

 

 

 

Play Station #1 revisited.

 

 

Somewhere along the road to Jefferson David stops.  He gets a beer and is talking to a couple of guys from Grinnell College, just east of Des Moines (French for monks).  One of the guys is looking for a potty seat for his kid.

Why a potty seat on a bike ride of 70 miles.  From David: " Both guys had their families riding.  One of the families had a 2-3 year old girl who rode in a compartment on her mom's handle bar.  The little girl was potty training and the parents did not want to confuse her and loose ground.   They had a potty seat but it had gotten lost in their sag wagon pick up truck."   (Homily by committee.)

 

 

Our Special Welcoming Committee: Jan can do it all.

 

 

So they go on down the road and end up at the Catholic Church in Jefferson, our overnight town.   Guess why.  Lasagna!  I stopped, too, but later. 

One of the Church volunteers, a guy, hears that the Grinnell guy is looking for a potty seat.  He has one & it is not being used.  He can go get it.  “Be back in an hour & a half,” he says.  He lives 35 miles away.

When did you last Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord?

 

 

 

Our Beloved Music Team, Shonda, Ben, & David.

 

 

John shares his Homily.

 

 

Readings:  

 2 Kings 4:42-44,  They shall eat and there shall be some left over.

 Psalm 145,   The hand of the Lord feeds us;he answers all our needs.

 Ephesians 4: 1-6, One body and one Spirit.

John 6: 1-15,  The miracle of the loaves and fishes.

 

 

The Consecration. 

  

Homily:

 

From the prominence of the miracle stories of feeding multitudes with so little, and the importance given to the Passover meal by the Jewish followers of Jesus, it’s no surprise that they didn’t take long after he died to make a remembrance of his last Passover meal the centerpiece of their gatherings.

 

By 325 A.D., with Constantine as Emperor of the Roman Empire, the Eucharistic meal was recognized as a central part of Christian practice.  Earlier, about 150 A.D., Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist, wrote to explain Christianity to the Greek world, how the followers of Jesus had the practice of celebrating a remembrance of the Lord’s Supper when they gathered.

 

 

The Offertory with Hugh, Sydney and Mary.

 

 

Earlier still is the Acts, written between 80 and 90 A.D. In Ch. 2, is the statement, “They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful.”

Perhaps the earliest written mention of the Eucharistic meal is in First Corinthians, Ch. 11. Scripture scholars agree that the letters of Paul were written around 50 A.D., about 20 years after Jesus’ death. Paul alludes to irreverent behavior at “the Lord’s Supper.” He was criticizing the followers of Jesus in Corinth about turning the meal into “a family squabble”, instead of coming to the “Lord’s Table” with reverence and courtesy.”

 

The Kiss of Peace.

 

The Lord’s Supper, the Mass, as it evolved, has had different understandings. Is the Mass primarily a ‘sacrifice’ being remembered and somehow offered again for a people cut off from God? Or is the Mass primarily a shared ritual meal of remembrance, celebrating a people’s thankfulness for Jesus’ Good News that we are already connected with God and always have been?           

What do you think?

 

 

Shonda and Ben.

 

Welcome in, Dearest Emma.  So nice to see you.

 

 

Readings: 

 

 Ezekiel 2, 2-5,  Son of Man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels.

 Psalm 123,   Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy

 2 Corinthians 12, 7-10, A thorn in the flesh was given to me.

Mark 6, 1-6, A prophet is not without honor except in his native place 

 

 

 

The Best Music thanks to Katie and David.

 

 

Ezekiel observations:

Who:  Ezekiel is one of the Big 3 prophets.  Why?  48 chapters.  The other 2: Isaiah & Jeremiah.  These 3 have lots of chapters & material.

Ezekiel was born into the priest class.  He later was considered a prophet.  He got The Call from God.  When he was about 25 he was swept up in the Babylonian captivity, around 590. 

When: It covers the period of the Captivity, 600-550 before Christ, which Ezekiel lived personally.  But the work is composed toward the end of the Captivity, around 550.  This is Ezekiel’s material, but it has been saved and edited by his fellow priests.

 

 

 

Thanks, CC, for lighting our candles and thanks, Georgie, for reading the Blessing of the Summer Candles.

 

Message:

1. Ezekiel criticises the people and warns them that their bad ways will be punished, for example, by being defeated and led into slavery and the Captivity.
2. He promises comfort and a brighter future for the captive people, especially envisioning a restored temple (which then lasted until when?  The year 70, when the Romans finally destroyed the temple & the priestly cast ceased to function, to this day).
3. An amusing vision: The Dry Bones, chapter 37.

Today’s selection:   Ezekiel gets The Call or invitation from God to go tell the Israelite people that God sees what is going on.  Which means, tell them they are behaving horribly and they will pay dearly for their misbehavior. 

 

 

 

The Dinsmores at work, David with the music, and with the offertory, DarbiAnna, Dana, Donna, and Dawson. 

 

4 Reasons why I am (still) proud to be an American

I am still celebrating July 4^th this week.   And I’m still proud to be an American.  What got me reflecting on this was what happened in our neighborhood July 4 morning.  But, as I reflected, other events came to mind.  Let me give you 4 quick stories.

The first took place when I first went to work in Africa on a one year contract.  I was directing spiritual retreats mostly for nuns, often with another Jesuit friend from PA.

 

 

 

July 4, let the Parade begin

 

Before I went over to East Africa I was scheduled to give a number of programs in Nigeria.  There was an old veteran Jesuit who had a house in Lagos, the capital at that time, Joe McKenna from NY.   I used that house as my base.

I used to fly out of Lagos, give a number of programs, and fly back.

Every time I returned I had to take a taxi to get to his house in the suburb of  Sirulere.  He would ask me how much I paid.  It was always too much.  “5 Naira only,” he would say.

 

 

 

Training wheels welcome.

 

So, I’m returning one day determined.  I walk into the terminal where there are numerous taxi driver, beginning with the richest.  I pass them all and pick a raggedy guy outside the terminal.  “5 Naira to Sirulere,  “ I say.  Okay.

Hanging onto my bag I get into the back seat of this old contraption.l  I could see through the floor to the street.

 

 

 

The annual Preston Hollow parade is on.

 

By going over medians and across sidewalks we arrive in like no time.  I give him 8 Naira.  “No,” he says, “We agreed on 15.”

We go back & forth until I get out.  We are in a cul-de-sac, fortunately in my mind.  He gets out.  We argue. 

Suddenly he grabs my bag and attempts to jump back his taxi.  We have a physical tussle right there in the street.  He is a big guy, but no muscle I discover.  No contest.  I take my bag and walk to the door of the house.  McKenna is inside chuckling away.  It is dinner time. “I am going to kill you for this, McKenna,” I think to myself.

 

 

 

If you are nice you might find space in a wagon and somebody will pull you.

 

The guy follows me and is screaming.  I don’t know what more to do and am nervous that he will gather a group of fellow Nigerians and they will join him.  In fact, the contrary takes place.  The little guy who is the house cook comes from around the back of the house , screaming himself that this guy has insulted a guest.  Neighbors gather and all say the same. 

Finally, a young Nigerian Jesuit novice rides up on his little motor scooter and takes the guy off.  I think he actually give the guy 15 Naira.  By now I could care less.  It was not worth all the drama.

That day I was proud to be both a Jesuit and an American.

 

 

The Refreshment Committee in action.  Want to know how success is measured?  22 dozen donut holes were consumed in an hour and maybe two more dozen could have found takers.   This is  plus cookies, grapes, lemon aide, and bottled water.

 

 

Three more quickies.

In the Metro section of the newspaper this week, a lady from NY, Claire Scoville, late thirties, attractive, a film producer, dropped everything and flew into S. TX to help nurture the little kids.  Claire Scoville gives me reason to be proud to be American.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Paul.  Does Paul look like a man of 57 years?  Looks more like 59 to me.

 

Secondly, one afternoon this  week I am northbound at the stop light at Preston & Royal, going to give blood platelets at Carter Blood.  3 northbound lanes,  2 left turn lanes.  I‘m about 3 cars back. The light goes green for all of us.  Everyone   accelerates, when suddenly in front of us from the right comes an SUV slowly making a left turn.  Everyone had to brake.  In fact, I thought that SUV is going to get hit.  It made it, but, get this, not one northbound car honked.  No rage, no critical parent, Kindness. 

 

 

 

Thanks for coming to visit us again, My Dearest Kayla.

 

Finally, why I am proud to be an American: our annual neighborhood parade.   So many delightful young families.    Rosemary & I are the refreshment team, so you know it was good.    It was 22 dozen donut holes good.  Yes, I am proud to be an an American.

 

 

It is scary when former Jesuit students show up at the parade and say this year is 50 years since graduation.  Meanwhile, for me it is 60 years since graduation and entrance into the Jesuit order.  Scary??  Yes!!

 

 

 

 

 

Here he is, Everybody, the baby we have been waiting eagerly to meet.  Welcome in, Atlas, we are all so happy to meet you.  You are marvelous, just like you mom & dad.

 

 

Readings:  

 Wisdom 1, 13-15, 2, 23-24, God did not make death; God formed man to be imperishable

 Psalm 30,   I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

 2 Corinthians 8, 7, 9, 13-15,  As you excel in every respect

Mark 5, 21-43, Daughter, your faith has saved you.  Go in peace. 

 

 

 

Welcome back, Wendy & Brandon, and congratulations on a marvelous little boy.

 

Wisdom observations:

One of the 14-15 books of the deutero-canonical books of the bible.  Not part of the orginal Jewish bible, not part of the OT nor the NT, but in between and the subject of controvercy over the cenuries.  Were they really part of the bible or not?  How do you know?  Catholic church accepts the books.

Author: not Solomon, but a Jew living in Alexandria, Egypt, who spoke and wrote excellent Greek.

 

 

The Best Music with Wendy & Katie.

 

Date: ca. 100-200 before Christ.  How do we know these facts?  Because of text analysis.  For example, while the author wrote in Greek, he uses phrases and expressions that have a Hebrew flavor.  Also, he mentions rulers and places that reveal date and locale. 

Sources: Catholic Encyclopedia on line

 

 

 

With Patricia reading the Blessing, Emma does her candle magic.

 

 

You can do it too

In the gospel today Jesus gives life to a little girl.  I would like to propose that you can give life, too. 

I have a story for you from my Dallas Morning News columnist friend, Steve Blow.  I saw his touching story some years ago.  In fact, Steve is retired & I miss his thoughts..

 

 

 

Offertory with Mary & Sydney & Hugh.

 

Ever hear of Fausta Twizerimana or Dolena Westergard?  Well, 10-11 years ago Fausta flew into Dallas and arrived exhausted one evening at the East Dallas Grace United Methodist Church.  She, her five siblings, and her parents were from a refugee camp in Tanzania, where I lived for about 10 years.  Fausta was 4. 

The Church welcomes refugees and this particular evening Dolena Westergard was there.  Dolena met the family and picked up Fausta. She fell in love. '

 

 

They are moving in, Folks, Beth & Rob, Sir Charlie & John

 

 

The family continued to attend the church and fitted into the fabric of the community.  Dolena watched Fausta and noticed that the girl had a gift for dancing.  She was always doing it. 

After four years of watching the girl dance, Dolena, who was now really a god mother to the kids, enrolled Fausta in the Dallas Black Dance Theatre.  Fausta, now 8, fell in love, too.  Never did she miss a session for the next four years. 

 

 

 

Wendy & Katie, you have been missed around here.

 

Then, along comes 2015 and a notice goes up that the Dance Theatre of Harlem was coming to Dallas to audition for positions in their summer workshop. 

Fausta has been dancing now for 4 years, is 12, and Dolena thinks it would help the girl just to learn how to audition.  No expectations.

You guessed it, Fausta gets selected. 

 

 

 

It is cupcake of the week time, 3 cupackes and 1 Bellvita.

 

 

Fine, but who is going to buy plane tickets for Fausta and a chaperon, plus about $3,000 in expenses?  This is New York, after all.   

You guessed it again, Grace United Methodist.  That night Fausta sat in a Broadway theatre to watch an African story, The Lion King.

Grace United Methodist gave life to Fausta, and, in particular, Dolena gave life to Fausta.   I even read that Prestonwood Baptist is giving life to the kids in the detention centers.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations again, Brandon, on such a marvelous kid.

 

 

This week families & people all over the country are trying to give life to the kids separated from their mothers and fathers.

Just like Jesus gave life to that little girl and to the woman who touched him.

To whom do you give life?

 

 

 

 

Wake up, Brandon, it is homily time, yeah. 

 

Source: Dallas Morning News, Steve Blow, Metro section, circa July 1, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome in, Tori, so nice to see you.

 

Readings:  

 Isaiah 49, 1-6, The Lord called me from birth.  (good ole Isaiah)

 Psalm 139,   I praise you for I am wonderfully made. (beautiful)

 Acts 13,22-26  To us this word of salvation has been sent.

Like 1 57-66 80,   When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 

 

 

 

 

Welcome, Everyone.  What a team!
 

 

Isaiah observations:

What:  The passage is another from Isaiah 2, the best of the 3 parts

Our selection:  Another beautiful passage about a bright future.

 

 

 

 

 

Emma at work as our special candle lighter of the week.

 

 

Happy 50th Anniversary, Bill Hammond

 

Because it is Bill Hammond’s 50th Anniversary with Patty and because Bill is one of my best friends, I get to talk about him this morning.

I do not even remember when it was that I began to hang out with Bill.  It seems like ages ago.  I do remember clearly, however, an event that changed my life.  The HHH, Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred.  The infamous bike ride out of & around the area of Wichita Falls, the last Saturday of August.

 

 

 

 

Georgie reading The Blessing of the Candles.

 

 

I remember Bill calling and inviting me.  I told him I would think about it.  He said that he had everything I would need, even a bike.  I informed Rosemary, which was a mistake.  “You have been thinking about this for years.  Go!!”

So we end up sleeping on our air mattresses on the grass around a big pavilion at Midwestern State U., where Kevin goes to school right now.   My only memory of that night: there was a bar across the RV parking lot and street.  It played loud music all night long.

 

 

 

 

Welcome back, Katie, so nice to hear your beautiful voice again.  Even with Ben.

 

 

Then the fun began.  I got Bill’s extra bike, helmet, and special padded pants.  The now famous part: in the dim light of the parking lot I put the pants on backward and rode 20 miles before I turned them around in a port-a-potty.

This even took place probably about 5 years before my hips in 2010.  And he is still my friend.

 

 

 

 

Hi, Zoe, it is so nice to see you and Emma playing again this week.

 

 

A second reason why I love Bill is that he is a pest.  Just when I think I have a Saturday free from weddings, which I love to do, Bill says, “Hey, John, it is time for Love for Kids.” 

Or I get introduced to Bona Responds and Jim Mahar, the service to others mad man.  This takes me to Galveston to help after the hurricane and, later, to Little Ax near OK City after the tornado up there.  I grieved that I could not go with the team to Dickinson, TX  these  past weeks.

I always come home from these events a richer person.

 

 

 

 

The Offertory Team, Ken & Warren, Barbara & Cindy.  Thanks, you all.

 

 

Finally, as I have already hinted at, Bill is over the edge generous.  The bike & equipment, the rides to recovery sites,   & the invitation to stay at his condo in Pagosa Springs for camping trips.

This last camping trip he loaned me his extra back pack and tent because mine are worn out.  What do I do to show my appreciation?  I stuff his back pack so full I rip the fabric right down the middle.

 

 

 

 

That hand should not be able to be sticking through that back pack.

 

 

Thanks, Bill, for being such a good friend, a pest, and so generous.

 

 

 

 

 

Hooray, The Team is back from vacation!

 

 

Readings:  

 Genesis 3, 9-15,   The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree.

 Psalm 130,   With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption

 2 Corinthians 4, 13-5, 1,  We have a building from God

 Mark 3, 20-35,   Who are my mother and my brothers? 

 

 

 

 

Tori says, "Welcome back, Everybody."   And we say to you, Tori, "Welcome home from your vacation.   It is more fun when you are here."

 

 

Homily:  When Jesus Christ ascended to heaven in glory, we were not left as orphans.  The Father, through his Son, bestowed upon us his very Spirit to enable us to be Christ in the world.  Each of us has a different spiritual gift, and a different story.  But each of us has been graced, to grace others, for the glory of God.

 

 

 

 

While CC lights the candles, Georgie reads the Blessing of The Summer Candles.
 

 

 

When John and Ro, and Judy and I ate lunch or dinner with others on our cruise, we came to the table with an expectation to listen to a feast of interesting stories.  And, we were not disappointed.  In reflection, I think that the four of us were gracious and good listeners, treating each story teller with compassion.

Some evenings, and most lunches, one or more of us sat at a table with a couple that we hadn’t met before.  One lunch I sat across from two ladies who shared with me their story on how, why, and they met.  A softer voice came from the African American woman.  Both had become flight attendents for the same airline and had traveled the skys together for a couple of decades through good times and bad, those years when inappropriate language had been directed toward her best friend.  Both married years later; but every year they would find a time, such as this cruise, to be with one another.   Grace at work for the glory of God.

 

 

 

 

Mike sharing his (pleasant) memories of the 12 day trip the four of  us (he & Judy, Rosemary & I) made in and around Bordeaux, France.

 

 

One evening we introduced ourselves to a man and woman traveling together who revealed that they had been good friends since grade school, but were not married. He had never married; her husband had passed a few years before.  Recently they had sought out one another and decided to take this cruise together. You couldn’t help but feel very happy for them.

There was a woman who we invited to join us for dinner three evenings in a row.   Her husband began the trip sick and he would not leave their room until he felt well.  We daily cheered her up and on the fourth day she sat with us with her smiling husband who thanked us for watching over her.

 

 

 

 

Welcome back, John, and congratulations on finally getting your arm operated upon after the bike accident.   Is that a tazer or a weapon sticking out with the two straws?   Rumor has it there is gin & tonic in there, like pain med.

 

 

One evening the four of us sat at a table with a young man and his mother.  She was probably the happiest woman in the cruise.  She had been asked by her son to spend a week with him on this cruise. She was so happy seeing and listening to him tell stories, some about her. Tears were often in her eyes as she smiled and quietly spoke to us.   I was struck with the question, ‘Why hadn’t I taken the opportunity to take my mother, just the two of us, on a trip?’

 

 

 

 

It has been tough doing the elevations without you kids to help me out.