Homilies

 Readings:

2 Chronicles 36, 14-16, 19-23 , He has charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem.

Psalm 137,    Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you.

Ephesians  2, 4-10,   God brought us to life with Christ.

 John  3,  14-21,   Jesus & Nicodemus.

Buddy says, "Hi, Folks, Welcome."

INTRODUCTION to Gospel:

 When our gospel begins, Jesus is in dialog with Nicodemus, who is present three times in the John gospel. He is a Pharisee and teacher who wants to know what Jesus is teaching and doing. Today’s reading occurs at night for he is afraid that other Pharisees might think that he had become a disciple of Jesus.

 Later Nicodemus will remind the Pharisees who want to rid themselves of Jesus that the Law does not allow them to arrest Jesus without first knowing what he is saying and doing. 

After the crucifixion, Nicodemus, while it is still day, brings to Jesus’ disciples an unheard of amount of expensive spices so that Jesus’ body can be given a kingly burial.   Initial fear had turned into great love.

Victoria, too, says, "Come in Everybody, it's fun."

INTRODUCTION to 1^st and 2^nd Readings:

Salvation comes to us through Christ. Our witness of good works, our love, is how they will know we are Christians.

Zoe says, "It's fun here."

GOSPEL and HOMILY: 

A year or two ago I also gave a homily on this fourth Sunday of Lent; but then I chose the other gospel reading about the man who had been blind from birth.  I took you in that homily to the Feast of Tabernacles where Jesus had called out in the temple inviting anyone who was thirsty to come to him and drink from the fountain of living waters. 

It was in these waters that the man born blind had been baptized.  I also made you aware of the verse from the prophet Jeremiah, ‘Those who reject the Lord, the fountain of living waters, will in shame have their names written in the earth.’ 

Mike sharing his thoughts and preparing us for the reconciliation rite.

The Pharisees sought to circumvent Nicodemus’ words to them about the Law, by trying to trap Jesus using the Law, by bringing to him a woman caught in the act of adultery.  ‘Moses said that this woman should be stoned. What do you say?’ 

They knew that Jesus would not allow them to stone her; he would seek to bring forgiveness to the woman.  They had him trapped; but Jesus bent down and began writing the names of these Pharisees and scribes on the ground to inform them that they were the ones in need of forgiveness.

Connie and Cathy. What's all that green about?

When they kept after him to take a position he said, ‘The one of you, who is without sin, cast the first stone at her.’  One by one they left until there was no one left in front of him but the woman who recognizes his great love.

She made no excuse; she does not try to run away from what she has done, she submits herself to his words. He says to her, ‘woman, where are they, is there no one left to condemn you?’ 

Harper says, "My grandmother wears green because it is St. Patrick's color."

He has addressed and treated her with goodness and justice, tenderness and compassion.  She replies, ‘No one.’  Since Jesus has already said in today’s gospel that he came not to condemn but to bring forgiveness to the world, he truly has forgiven her.  He says, ‘neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.’ 

The Greek word, translated as ‘go,’ means in Greek, ‘to journey along the way she has been invited to pursue.’  She has been invited by Jesus to follow him.  Jesus’ command to the woman, ‘do not sin again,’ recognizes, again, that she is forgiven, and is an ongoing request to remain contrite.

Cupcakes of The Week, John, Ken, and Mary Ellen back from CT.

At the end of our Eucharistic Prayer we will join together in the Our Father before celebrating our Lenten Penitential service where we ask for forgiveness and grant forgiveness. It is appropriate for us at this time to take a moment to reflect on some habit we might have that is not life-giving or love-giving, and in a contrite way think about how we will replace it with something that is.

And also for Sophia a Cupcake of The Week.

Readings:

Exodus  20, 1-17,  God delivered all these commandments.   Special reading for Rita's memorial,    Song of Songs, 2, 8-14

Psalm 19,    Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

1 Corinthians  1, 22-25,   The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom.

 John  2,  13-25,   He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out.

Our Beautiful Georgie says, "Welcome in Everybody, it's fun."

Song of Songs, observation :  Special reading in honor of Rita

What :  A dialogue between a man and a woman who love and long for each other.   No reference to God or the law. 

When:  probably after the Babylonian Captivity, 555 before Christ. 

Our Subject: The girl is speaking to her lover.

Buddies Leo and Cole say, "Hi, Folks."

Rita Dore

I would like to tell you a few stories about Rita, just to give you an idea of how neat and fun a person she was.

I don’t remember when or how I met Rita.  Toward the end of Msgr. Claude Smyth’s life she was just there as the house keeper.  More than anybody else, Rita took good care of Smyth, tending to him day and even night, helping him to move to the other side.

During this time, Matt Bagert was acting pastor and when Msgr. Smyth died Matt opened up the rectory a bit.  He even threw a birthday party once, to which I was invited, along with another young Jesuit, Gene Sessa.  Things went along smoothly this way for some months until…The Big Event happened.  Fr. Duffy Gardner arrived. 

Harper says, "Cupcake time yet?"

Three little vignettes.

First, when Duffy settled into the rectory, the place went from being totally closed up to being wide open.  He was platinum level hospitality.  With Duffy welcoming everyone was the house keeper in the kitchen, Rita.  They made a marvelous one-two team. 

After doing the 9:00 Mass in the church and the 10:30 Mass in the cafetorium, I started going over to the rectory.  I was usually worn out.  I would go upstairs, take a 20 minute nap in an empty bedroom, then come down and join Duffy at the dining room table where he held forth.

Cupcakes of The Week to Grace and Dee.

Meanwhile, Rita had been cooking.  In particular she made chocolate chip cookies the size of dinner plates and homemade vanilla ice cream.  Guess what I ate for lunch.  Wow, did I love Rita.

At the same time that she worked as housekeeper, Rita took on the training of the little kids for first communion.  Two or three times a year I joined Duffy and a handful of other priests to do her kids' first confessions.  My penance to each kid, 2 Hershey kisses.  Think my line was long?

Tom & Lynda, first time grandparents Monday, the 9th.

Two years in a row at this time Duffy hosted the whole gang of kids for first communion on a Saturday.  Both years, Duffy at the homily would ask the kids questions and he would give out a dollar or two for correct answers.  The big final question both years worth $5 was, ‘Who is the holiest priest in St. Marks?’  Hands would go up.  Both years Duffy called on a timid little girl whom I happened to know.   Both years the little girls said, “Fr. Stack.” 

Well, as you can imagine, this brought down the house.  Duffy would put on a display of incredulity.  I don’t know if the first little girl got the $5 or not, but the second year I was there and I jumped up from the stage, ran down, and gave the girl $5 of my own.

Vivian, speaking into the mike, says, "Patience please, I'm coming." With her mommy, Bethany.

Rita loved all this, the penances, which some parents did not think was so good, and the questions from Duffy.

At the same time, Rita volunteered one day to help me with all the weddings, acting as wedding coordinator.  She had made wedding dresses in Birmingham or somewhere in her earlier, married life.  Consequently, we had great fun meeting with the kids, usually over dinner at Jason’s or El Fenix, and celebrating the weddings.

Buddy and Zoe wondering, 'Where is this Vivian?"

One wedding among all of them really stands out.  Two musicians, evening wedding, the big church, big crowd.  After exchanging vows, we had the couple light the unity candle, standing behind the candle and facing the people. 

Just before they lighted the candle, the mothers lit their candles, and then walked up the main aisle lighting a taper at each aisle before returning their candles to the unity candle.  Meanwhile the tapers in the hands of all the people were getting lighted.  Then we turned off the lights in the church. At the same time the couple had two singers, a guy and a girl, sing The Prayer that Bocelli and Celine Dion made famous.  It was stupendous.  Even remembering sends chills down my back. 

Tori, "Have you seen Vivian?"

An amusing footnote to the wedding took place.  A woman, who wanted to hire out as a wedding coordinator, asked if she could sit in.  “Sure, of course,” we said.  After the wedding a staff member asked the lady what she thought of the wedding.   “I just saw a wedding from hell,” she responded. 

As a result of that, every time Rita and I would depart the rectory to perform a wedding in the church, Duffy would ask if we were doing another wedding from hell.  It became our handle and provided lots of laughs. 

Thanks, Rita, you have been a fun and tremendous friend.  Rest well.  

Our Beautiful Zoe says, "Have a good week, Everybody."

Readings:

Genesis  22, 1-18,  God put Abraham to the test.

Psalm 116,    I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Romans, 8, 31-34,   If God is with us who can be against us?

 Mark 9, 2-10,   The Transfiguration.

Brandon, our official Cub Scout Greeter, says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome in out of the cold & rain."

Genesis observations:

Today’s Selection: To figure out what is going on in Genesis this morning, I want to tell you a story, the story of Abraham and his wife, Sarah.

But first, a few brief reminders.  Genesis is the first book of the Bible, a fascinating look at our ancestors trying to answer the universal questions, like where did we come from and how did we get to be the way we are.  Last week we heard God tell Noah that floods would no longer kill everybody, and the signature of this agreement, the rainbow.

Cathy, too, says, "Welcome in, Everybody."

This morning we are watching Abraham, the great father of the Jewish nation.  Abraham is being asked by God to sacrifice his son.  To appreciate even more the power of this, a little story.  We are reading chapter 22.  Chapter 18 sets the stage for the story in chapter 22.

One day, Abraham was sitting in front of his tent at the hottest part of the day.  Suddenly he looked up and saw 3 men.  Without thinking, Abraham rushed to welcome them and offer them refreshment.  They accept and Abraham personally serves them his best food under a shade tree. 

They asked him where was his wife, Sarah.  Both Sarah and Abraham were old, like in their 100’s.  Abraham says Sarah was in the tent.  One of the men said that in 9 months they would return and Sarah would have a son. 

Sarah, who was listening behind the tent flap heard the man and laughed.  ‘What a preposterous idea,’ she thought.

Harper, like her grandmother, says, "Hi, Everybody."

God hears her and God asks Abraham why Sarah laughed.  “Do you think I cannot do this,” he asks Sarah.  Because she was scared she said to God, “I did not laugh.”  And God said, “Yes, you did.” 

Guess what happens 9 months later.

The reading today in chapter 22 assumes you know all this and that you know Sarah had her baby, which she named Isaac.  In the story today Isaac, the beloved son, is a boy of about 10-12.  See what God wants.  Remember that this is tribal oral tradition passed down for centuries, not history. 

Mark 0bservation:

The story in Mark today is the transfiguration.  I want to talk about transfiguration events in our lives.  For example, how about Fred's Memorial a couple of weeks ago?

Cole, a Transfiguration Event just as he is.

Transfiguration Events

Like I mentioned I would like to say a few words about our transfiguration events.  What makes an event a transfiguration event?  When something takes place and I come away with greater faith, greater hope, and greater love, greater faith in people, hope in people, and love for people, and, perhaps, all the above about myself. 

Three examples.

First, our dear friend Beth one day is heading to the Tom Landry Center to work out so she can beat me on a real bicycle.  She is late.  She gets out her iPhone to check the parking garage connected to the Landry Center.  It is full.  Curses.  She then checks the pay parking spots on the street.  She pulls in.  It takes quarters & she does not have enough.  More curses.

Cupcakes of The Week to Sandra and Randolph (for his wife, Michelle)

As she stands there looking in her pockets for quarters, a black guy, somewhat shabby looking, maybe homeless, comes up and all friendly says, “Hi, Looking for change?”  “He is looking for a handout,” thinks Beth immediately.  Remember Beth and Rob now live in the marvelous new melting pot of downtown Dallas. 

So, what does the guy say next?  “Would you like some quarters?  I have some extras.”  “Yes, I really would, thanks so much.”  And the guy pays for her parking. 

Transfiguration event?  I think so.  Even for me when she told me the story.   Greater faith in people, hope for people, and love for people.

Emma caring for her little friends.

The second story comes from the Thursday Dallas Morning News, Metro section.  Seems there is a guy named Ted Washington.  He came from Arkansas and spent 20 years in the Navy.   Since 2005, a good year for Rosemary and me, Ted became a mail man.  He loves it.  He says it is a job that is peaceful and gives him time to reflect on life.

This past week he has faced rain, sleet, and snow, and faced them with good humor.  He delivers the mail in the Lakewood section of Dallas, on the east side of White Rock Lake.  Is this Mary’s mailman?

Leo & Brandon solving world problems.

Ted says he will continue to deliver mail as long as he can, hoping to make the world a better place.  He also is a black man.  The article closes with him saying, “I am a simple man. I don’t have extravagant needs and wants.  When I am carrying mail, my goal is to just help people have a good day.”

Ted Washington, you are a transfiguration person for me.  Thanks.

Toy World with Buddy and Zoe, Emma and Victoria, and Cole with Beth looking on.

The third event was, hang on, the all day snowfall we had Friday.  It was beautiful.  I forgot how beautiful first snow can be.  Everything is clean and quiet.  Nobody was moving around our neighborhood.  Aviana loves it and goes hopping around like a white rabbit, sticking her nose and face into it and tossing her head. 

I hope none of you were caught in that 15 car pileup on 75 & Melissa or in the back up.  I was blessed because I could not go out and do any yard work or housework.  Instead I sat in front of our bay window with Rosemary and Aviana and watched our neighborhood turn magic. 

Leo in action.

Schools all let out at 1:00.  In Saturday’s paper there was a picture of kids and folks sliding down Flag Pole Hill.  For those of you who don’t know that hill it is on NWST Highway just where Buckner Blvd. begins and heads south toward the Casa Linda area.

When I was a kid our family used to have picnics on Flag Pole Hill, sometimes with just our family, often with other families.  I love the place and still see it when Rosemary & I ride our bikes around White Rock in milder weather. 

The snowfall was a transfiguration event for me.  The world was transformed and I had more faith in people, hope for people, and greater love. 

What is your latest Transfiguration event?

Helpers come enthusiastically to help dad with his job of accepting a Cupcake, Buddy and Zoe.

Readings:

Genesis  9, 8-15,  The waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings. 

Psalm 25,    Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

1 Peter 3, 18-22,   Christ suffered for sins once.

 Mark 1, 12-15,   The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert.

Says Harper, "Welcome, Everyone, Come in out of the cold and rain."

Genesis:  observations–

What:  First book of the Bible, starts with creation & ends with the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob (Israel).

Author: Not Moses as was thought for centuries before people began to study the work.  At least 3 sources: 

• a Y (or J) source for the group that addressed God as Yahweh;
• an E for the group who addressed God as Elohim (Like two historians calling NYC The Big Apple or New York City, or Denver by its name or Mile High City);
• and a P group that focused on the priestly class, activities, & customs.

And Emma, too, says, "Hi, Everybody, It's warm in here, come in."

Time: compiled and put together from 950 to 500 BCE.

Today's Selection: the flood has just receded and Noah is receiving a promise (called covenant) from Yahweh that never again will people be wiped out by a flood.  Guess what the sign of the promise is.

And Leo says, "Yippee, I bet my dad gets a Cupcake for his birthday."

A Happy Lent

I want to talk this morning about having a happy Lent.  Why?  Because God created us to be happy. 

I admit again that this is my least favorite season of the year.  I always look for something positive to do and am never really satisfied with what I come up with.

Welcome to a happy Lent.

However, this past week I got something good.  During the week Diane McClurg sent me a facebook note that she had something.   Then she sent me another more insistent facebook saying she was waiting.  So I opened it up.  And am I grateful.

What she had sent was a copy of an article by a woman named Karen Ehman.  Karen Ehman says, ‘For this Lent don’t give something up; take something up.’  She has five ideas that are pretty good.  Here they are.

Cupcake of The Week to Diane for her birthday and for recommending the article on Lent.

1. Take up note writing to people with whom you don’t communicate that often, but who are friends.  She says she buys 40 cards, envelopes, and stamps.  Each morning she sends one out to a friend, just saying that she likes the person.
2. Take up the phone and call someone every day or once a week and tell them you are calling just to tell them thanks for being a good friend.  
3. Take up a simple gift for a friend or family member.  Like bring flowers to someone, bring a Starbucks, offer to wash the dishes, or clean or dust the house, mow the grass (welcome to Tulip Lane).  Invite someone to lunch.  This is a once a week or occasional take up.

23 years for Alison and John.

1. Take up a simple gift for a stranger.  Like the recycle men, the garbage men, the checkers at the grocery.  Compliment the checker on her finger nails, give $10 to each of the garbage men (watch out for their over the top gratitude). 
2. Take up visiting someone in retirement or in a hospital.  (This is my addition, not Karen’s)  We got lots of people you may choose from, starting with Rita. 

Brent and Meredith keeping warm.

As you can see, some of these suggestions are occasional or once a week ideas.  Plus, what we have here are only seeds.  Even while you were listening to the five I put forward, you may be been thinking about other possibilities.

How can you have a happy Lent?

Source: Karen Ehman, on line.

Life for Cowboy Cole and Emma.

Readings:  (special for Fred)

Isaiah 43, 1-5,  Do not be afraid, you are mine

Psalm 32,    I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

1 Corinthians 13, 1-3,   If I have no love, I am nothing.

 John 15, 10-11,   As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Live in my love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and you joy may be complete.

Maureen and Fred Macchio.

Today's readings, observation:

I have chosen all of these readings with the spirit of Fred Macchio  and the family in mind.

The Macchio Clan.

Fred Macchio

I would like to talk about our dear old friend, Fred.  I have two small vignettes and, then, I would like to tell my most favorite Fred story, the pickup story.

First, we have a group of guys who meet every Friday at 1:00 at Jason’s Deli at Collin Creek.  The group was christened “Romeo’s” by Mike Moran, though I have gathered this is not an original.  Like, try T.I. and Poor Richard’s.  Nevertheless, Fred was always with us every week.

When we got together there were two things.  First, every time I had to be absent, Fred would tell me that the numbers jumped to a dozen or more.

Thanks to all from Maureen and the Macchios.

Secondly, Fred would always find in the Thursday blog I sent out a mistake or two or more.  Like, “Hey, you forgot to change the date.”  Or “Hey, you misspelled this or that word.”  It really became a game for me and I enlisted Rosemary to get rid of mistakes.  However, even with her help Fred always caught something.  I got better, though, and was ready to wager him.   No mistakes, he buys my lunch.  A mistake, I buy his lunch.   So, you know how he handled that, he checked out on me.

Second, a little fact you all may not know about Fred.  He donated his body to Southwestern Medical.  I was so impressed that I have started the screening process for myself.

And now the pickup story.

The scene with pictures and hats.

In 1990 I was driving an old Chevy pickup that was a castoff from Jesuit.  Trouble was, it was dying.  I needed a new ¾ ton to continue my tree planting hobby.  I was pulling an 800 gallon water tank to water all summer the new trees.

So I approached my Jesuit community, the other priests, and asked for a new truck.   “Sure,” they said, but I had to find the money myself. 

Like, where am I going to find some thousands of bucks to buy a new truck?  I was, at that time, celebrating a 9:00 and a 10:30 Sunday Mass every week at St. Marks.  I had a bunch of friends there.

Cupcake of the Week to Maureen for just being Maureen and for inviting us all to share in this special memorial.

So, I called the pastor one day and asked if I may contact some of the parishioners who are my special friends.  “Yes,” he said somewhat reluctantly if I remember correctly.  “But, never, never, never mention this at the Mass or anywhere at any church function where I am the celebrant.”  Okay by me.  I felt grateful that I got what I got.

So I contact some of these dear friends of mine.  And guess who one of these people was.  Yes, my buddy Fred. 

A week passed.  Then another week.  On, perhaps the third Sunday after making my calls, I am walking from the main church to the cafetorium, where we had the 10:30 Mass.  Suddenly, a woman comes up and gives me a page.  I think it might have been Marcia Kolar.  I look at it and it says, “Help Stack get his pickup.” 

Cupcake of the Week for being Danny's wife.

I go in the cafetorium and I find these empty gallon jars that had contained mustard or ketchup.  Pasted on the jars, “Help Stack get his pickup.”  Jim Herman, who died a few years ago, was the reader that Sunday and he is up at the podium saying the same thing.  Wow, I was really getting nervous.  We could be in deep doo doo.

I see Fred and ask what does he know about all this.  He says cryptically, I will always remember, “It is easier sometimes to apologize after it is done, than to request permission ahead of time.”  

More of those marvelous Macchios.

Suddenly at that moment, like a clap of thunder in comes the pastor, yelling, “Who did this?”  He goes for me and yells that he had told me never.  He is yelling and running around trying to take back from people those little pages with “Help Stack get his truck.”  It was quite a scene.

He kept yelling and finally I gave a nod to Teresa, she started the music, and I just simply walked away and up the aisle.

The Girls.

After the Mass he was back, saying, “I know who did this,” and yelling at Fred and even Maureen, saying that Fred was going to pay for this. 

Sometime later, Fred says to me, “In all my years here, I’ve never seen him go nuclear like that.”  Before Christmas that year I was handed enough to pay $15,000 in cash for that truck. 

Fred, I never thanked you enough.

The Guys.

February 8, 2015, 5th Ordinary Time

Readings:

Job  7, 1-7,  Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?

Psalm 147,    Praise the Lord, who heals the broken hearted.

1 Corinthians 9, 16-25,   I have made myself a slave to all.

 Mark 1, 29-39,   They brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.

Leo says, "Hi, Folks, welcome in, we got cupcakes."

Job 0bservations:

What: A comment on The Universe.  No book in the OT or NT has less known about it.  Called the most profound book of the OT.    It deals with the problem of evil, personal justification, and why bad things happen to good people.   Job himself could be historical, a literary creation, or a combination of the first two.

Author: Unknown. 

Vivian says, "Hi, Folks, and thanks for the cupcake. Even though I am not quite here yet, I already love cupcakes." Ask her mom, Bethany.

Date: It is guessed to be before the time of Moses and Egypt, i.e., earlier than 1300 before Christ.

Structure: 3 poetic dialogues preceded by a prose introduction and ending with a prose conclusion, an epilogue judged to have been added sometime later by another person or group of persons.

Happiness is… Poor Job should have had a cupcake of the week.

The Story of Job

I would like to tell you this morning the story of Job.

Once upon a time there was a good man named Job who lived in the land of Uz.  He had 7 sons and 3 daughters, a sign that he was especially blessed.  He not only had sons, but he had the special number of 7.

John with Mary, Jean, and Jan.

One day Yahweh was walking around heaven talking with his buddies when he ran into the devil.  "What have you been doing?" he asked.  "I have been walking around here and there," the devil responded. 

"Have you noticed how good my man Job is?"  "Yes,' says the devil, "but I bet he will curse you to your face if you stop protecting him and take away all his goodies."  "It's a bet," says Yahweh, "Just don't hurt him."

Cupcakes of The Week to Geri, Mike, and Randolf with some little mice suddenly appearing.

So a few days later while all of Job's 7 sons and 3 daughters where having a feast with their families, a storm blew up killed them all.  A messenger runs to tell Job of the horrible news. 

Shortly after that, another messenger races in and says lightening has just killed all his sheep and the shepherds.   Other messengers then run in saying Job's livestock have been rustled by robbers who killed all the farm hands.

Job is devastated, of course, but responds with the famous statement: "I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing.  The Lord gave, and now he has taken away.  May his name be praised." 

Even these characters get Cupcakes, John, Hue, Scott, and Tom.

So Yahweh wins his bet.  But, when Yahweh and the devil meet up to settle their bet, the devil raises the stakes by saying that he bets Job will curse Yahweh if the devil is allowed to hurt his body.  Not death, just hurt.  "Bet," says Yahweh.

The next day Job comes down with sores all over his body, like leprosy, and he has to go outside of town where the lepers go.  He sits in the town dump.  His wife now comes and his friends.  They all grieve. They also encourage Job to see what he has done bad.  Has he cursed Yahweh?  Confess and repent.  Job proclaims his innocence.  But he is depressed and discouraged. 

(In East Africa I used to celebrate Mass for a small community of lepers.)

Ye Olde Coffee Shoppe with Class, thanks to Mike and Geri. Poncik moving in.

Finally, while not cursing Yahweh, he cries out his anguish saying (chapter 3): 

"Oh, God, put a curse on the day I was born; put a curse on the night when I was conceived!  Turn that day into darkness, God." (verses  2-4) 

"I wish I had died in my mother's womb or died the moment I was born.  Why did my mother hold me on her knees?" (verses 11-12) 

"Why let men go on living in misery?  Why give light to men in grief?" (verse 20) 

Harper says, "If you love me, you will give me a Cupcake. Right?"

"Everything I fear and dread comes true.  I have no peace, no rest, and my troubles never end." (verses 25-26)

After some time in this situation, Yahweh comes along and speaks with him:

"Who are you to question my wisdom with your ignorant, empty words?  Stand up now like a man and answer the questions I ask you.  Were you there when I made the world?" (verses 2-3)

"Job, have you ever in all you life commanded a day to dawn?" (verse 12)

"Have you been to the springs in the depths of the sea?  Have you walked on the floor of the ocean? "(verse 16)

"Yes, I love you, Harper. Happy Cupcake."

"Have you been to the place where the sun comes up or the place where the east wind blows?" (verse 24)

After hearing all the numerous ways Yahweh reminds him of how insignificant he is, Job apologizes to Yahweh and promises to be a good boy from now on. 

In an epilogue, which is considered a late addition, Yahweh restores his wealth and gives him 7 more sons and 3 more beautiful daughters.  He lives another 140 years a prosperous and happy man.

Ever feel like Job?  How do you handle the feeling?

Readings:

Deuteronomy  18, 15-20,  Moses spoke to all the people.

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

1 Corinthians 7, 32-35,   A married man is anxious about the things of the world.

Mark 1, 21-28,   In the synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit.

Introduction 

In our reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the Israelites about the coming of the Prophet, the Messiah, who is the Word of God. Our Responsorial Psalm states, ‘let us come into his presence to show our gratitude,’ for God will shepherd his people by feeding and guiding his flock. The expectation of these readings is realized in today’s reading from Mark.    

Our second reading is from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians on another subject altogether.  It is a good example of why one should always seek first to understand the context in which the text has been placed.  

Homily with Mike:

 Today’s reading from Mark needs to be understood in the context of where it was placed in the gospel.  John the Baptist has just told the people that he is baptizing in water; but when the Messiah comes he will baptize you in living waters; his words that pour forth the Holy Spirit. 

So, Jesus comes to Galilee and these are his first words: ‘The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the good news.’

‘The time is fulfilled,’ means that John the Baptist has fulfilled his purpose to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah who will baptize with the Spirit. ‘The kingdom of God is at hand;’ the Messiah, the light of the world, is in their very midst to enlighten those who are in darkness.

The word repent, metanoia, means to have a change of heart, a spiritual conversion. ‘Believe in the good news,’ is an invitation to welcome and live the good news that the Father has sent his Word to redeem us, his only begotten Son. So, Jesus enters the synagogue on the Sabbath.

Why did he do this?  He would teach how and why his good news would fulfill that day’s reading from the Law and/or Prophets.  As Jesus began to teach, the Holy Spirit flows forth from his words into the heart of a man who had been in darkness.  The man’s unclean spirit cries out, ‘I know who you are; the holy one of God.’ Jesus says, ‘Come out of him. Those present are amazed, ‘his words are spoken with authority not like those of the scribes.’ The man’s unclean spirit flees from the presence of the Holy Spirit, just as darkness always flees from the light.

Just before Christmas, Francis gave a spirited last minute Advent teaching to his Curia calling them to have a change of heart, a spiritual conversion from their complacency, petty squabbling, favoritism and gossiping.

To make his intention completely clear, he prefaced each teaching with a selection from the spoken Word of God.  The News releases informed us that a number of the higher ranking members of the Curia felt Francis was out of order for doing this.  The mere fact that some thought they were higher ranking members is reason enough for Francis to chastise them.

Christ taught his disciples to put themselves last and the people they were to serve first.  Don’t follow the hypocrisy of the Scribes who love their gold rings, the clothes they wear, the huge homes they live in, their praying in public places to seek attention, choosing the best seats at banquets…How did things get so out of order for the scribes?

Think about today’s reading from First Corinthians Chapter 7, Paul sets the stage by teaching what is from the Lord, the sacred bond of marriage.  He then says that what he is going to talk about, celibacy, is not from the Lord; it’s from his experience, saying that it was a gift to him; that everyone doesn’t have this gift; there are many gifts. 

However, the readings that we are given, like the one today, that come from Paul, not the Lord, have been understood by the Magisterium to be saying that celibacy is a higher spiritual gift than that of marriage. Not so!

But we have brought it hook, line and sinker.  When a priest celebrates Mass he recognizes himself as Christ.  We should celebrate that recognition!  What we have forgotten is this: in marriage when a husband and wife seek to have a child, they too are making Christ alive to one another and to the World. 

When they coach a child in some sport, or teach a child how to say grace before a meal, they too are being Christ to one another and to the world.  Don’t sell yourself short.  God has no favorites!  Recognize who you are called to be; the Body of Christ in the world during this week.  Being a celibate priest is not a higher spirit gift than being a husband or wife or—a child or a student—or whatever gift it is that you have been given to be.

January 25, 2015, 3rd Ordinary Time B

Readings:

Jonah  3, 1-10,  The word of the Lord came to Jonah, saying…..

Psalm 25,    Teach me your ways, O Lord.

1 Corinthians 7, 29-31,   Let those having wives act as not having them.

Mark 1, 14-20,   Come after me and I will make you fishers of people.

"Hi, Folks," says Charlotte, "Welcome."

Jonah: This little book of 4 chapters is a gem and tells a delightful short story.   It is so good I would like to read it all, but will read only chapter 1 and most of chapter 3. 

Background: Jonah has been asked by Yahweh to go to Nineveh in Assyria to tell the people & leaders that they are evil and will be punished shortly by Yahweh.  Trouble is, Nineveh is the enemy, like me going to Houston or Philadelphia. 

So he runs away, catches a boat headed for Spain, is blamed by the sailors for causing a big storm on the sea, and is dumped overboard.  The whale swallows him and for three days Jonah is constrained to reflect on what he is doing.  When, after 3 days, the whale dumps him on shore, Jonah is more willing to listen.  We arrive at this point and I will have most of chapter 3 read.

Chloe, too, with her sister, says, "Welcome, Everybody.

Author: For centuries, while people took this story as factual, Jonah was considered author of his own story.  Once it was seen as a fable or allegory, it is accepted that the story probably has some unknown ancient as the author.

Date of composition: no one really knows, but educated guesses put it ca. 800 before Christ.

Note: the story of Jonah and the story of Jesus' interaction with his future apostles are both about The Call.   1 Corinthians is really bad.  Just like last week.  Who in Rome chooses these readings?

And Emma, too, "Hi, Everybody."

Reminiscing at 75

This morning I would like to reminisce on the theme of call at 75.  I propose that calls can be blessings or gifts.  For example. 

I see three big calls in my 75 years.  The first came when I was in high school at the old Jesuit on Oak Lawn.  I felt drawn to be a Jesuit & a priest. 

Kevin arriving ready to cover anything, Georgie, his partner, participating in a swim meet.

I admit there was a lot of scare in this decision, scare that I was going to hell because of my sinful ways and the guys I hung around with.  I remember clearly one of the sermons commonly used with us guys.  You go out with your girl friend, you neck a little bit, you head home, you are hit by a train, and killed instantly.  You go straight to hell. 

I remember the pastor at Christ the King telling the people that where you go will depend upon the people you hang out with.  Good people, you go to heaven.  Bad people, you know where.  I looked around and thought to myself, ‘I know where I’m going.’  I look around now and see some of my best friends, one a lawyer, another a banker, and my friend in Chicago, FBI.  On second thought, I still don’t know where we all might be going.

Leo and Brandon, buddies.

Trouble is, now I don’t think there is a hell thanks to my Jesuit training. I grew up in the Jesuits.  We simply had to.  I used to look at some of my classmates in the military and thought they were lucky.  We entered the Jesuits in those days and never went home for anything, weddings, special events, maybe funerals of parents.

With all this, my decision to follow this inner call to be a Jesuit was an enormous blessing.

Cupcake of The Week to Doug for entering a new decade.

It led me to a second momentous blessing in my life, my years in East Africa, especially Tanzania.  I really had to learn how to adapt.  I learned Swahili and in the process discovered I have a gift for languages.

A high moment for me during maybe my 8th year came one afternoon when I went to a market in a big shed at my base near Kilimanjaro.  I had an old Tanzanian who was a buddy.  He sold fruits and veggies.  I always chatted with him when I was in town.  One day after we had chatted, a little old lady asked him, while I was to the side picking fruit, was I one of them, their people. 

Cupcake, really a power bar of the week to Sir Charlie in another decade.

I used Swahili so good she thought I was an ndugu, which means something like a brother, something I would never had used for myself.  The old guy told me and I was floored.

Then I was somewhat unpleasantly invited to go back to the States, which led to the third most incredible call and blessing, Rosemary and marriage.

Emma and Cole signing a birthday card.

  Looking back I returned to the States with a loneliness that I picked up in Tanzania and a much different perspective on marriage that I also picked up from the people, the priests, and even the bishops and a particular cardinal.  Tanzanians deep inside think not getting married is contrary to the laws of the universe.  I came home with this and I now could not be a happier person.

Finally, a side effect call and gift: you people, our community, the gift and the fun I receive from you every week.

Calls can be marvelous gifts and blessings.  I have had three and a half marvelous ones. 

And you?

Peace is Emma with Aviana.

Readings:

Isaiah 55, 1-11,  All you who are thirsty, come to the water.

Psalm, Isaiah 12,    You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

1 John 5, 1-9,  Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God.

Mark 1, 7-11,   The baptism of Jesus.

Renee Elisabeth says, "Welcome in Everybody. I just got baptized."

Isaiah observations:

Who:  Can you guess, Isaiah 1, 2, or 3.  Actually, we have two selections from Isaiah, Isaiah 12 for the psalm and Isaiah 55.  Isaiah 12 is easy.  That is first Isaiah.  Isaiah 55 is in the middle of all the 66 chapters, and, yes, it is second Isaiah.  They write before and during the Babylonian Captivity.  Both passages are comfort passages.

Today’s passages: despite the different time each writer wrote, both are trying to encourage the people and let them know that their God is with them.  The first reading, Isaiah 55, is especially rich.  It contains beautiful images of food and drink, rain and snow on the earth.

Renee, the Packer Fan, also says, "Hi Folks, come in,' before returning to her witness protection area.

You are Beloved

Yesterday afternoon Rosemary and I had the privilege and the joy of baptizing a little 5 month old girl.  Her name is Renee Elisabeth.  She is the daughter & second child of Colleen and Carl Huval.  Colleen is the daughter of our John and Jean O’Donnell.  

I love baptisms and when I can and the little kid permits it, I love to carry her or him around and talk.  Renee Elisabeth was so peaceful and accepting.  At Saint Marks I used to pick these little kids up at the beginning of Mass and I would introduce them and have them welcome everyone. 

Zoe says, "Come in Everybody, where it is warm."

One Sunday I did this in the main church at the 9:00 Mass.  I had the little boy in my arms for maybe 10 minutes and gave him back to his momma.  After the Mass I am outside saying good-bye to everybody and I noticed I had a sour smell about me.  That little boy had barfed on my left shoulder and nobody told me.  I had to laugh and I really gave it to those people the next week for not telling me. 

When I did Renee Elisabeth’s baptism yesterday I did the two things I love to do.  First, I invite people to discuss when they last saw God and also where do they most find the presence and peace of God.  This brings in some really nice answers.  Of course, Renee Elisabeth was the place where many said they saw God.

"It's great here," says Megan.

After the baptism I like to talk with the little kids.  I told Renee Elisabeth that this baptism was her official welcome into the marvel of her new life.  And I told her that I had three things I wanted her to remember.

First, I want you to know, Renee, that you are like Mark says about Jesus, You are my Beloved.   In fact, you are beloved, you are beautiful, you are good, and you are perfect just as you are.

The pretty Georgie says, "That's my friend, Megan."

Secondly, you are being officially welcomed into a marvelous family that also thinks you are beautiful, good, perfect, and beloved.

Thirdly, you are being officially welcomed into a marvelous community (your numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, at least), who also hold you dear, consider you beautiful and perfect.  She seemed to accept this.  

Emma learning to do yoga.

One of the reasons I love to have our kids present with us at Mass is that they may know that they are part of us, that we appreciate them, and that we and God loves them.

People have told me that their kids see me in the white robes and they think this creature is God.  When I was a little boy I probably thought the same thing, but that god figure did not like little boys, or at least me, and instilled in me a belief that I was bad.

Victoria says, "Cupcake time yet?"

This is why I will always welcome our kids.  I want them to know that God loves them, that they are good and beloved. 

Of course, I have tried to inform Rosemary that God does not do yard work and does not do dishes.  No luck with that.  In fact, God received for Christmas a new vacuum cleaner.  God had worn out the old one.  

How do you know that you are beloved?  Blessed?

Harper says, "I feel beloved."

Readings:

Isaiah 60, 1-6,  Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem.  Your light has come.  (Nice reading)

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

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

Luke 1, 26-28,   When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east arrived.

Georgie says, "Hi, Everybody, Welcome into the New Year."

Isaiah 60:  observations–

1.   Who:  Can you guess which Isaiah this is, 1, 2, or 3?  Yes, this is Isaiah III who seems to have lived after the Babylonian Captivity, that is, 555 Before Christ

2.  Today’s passage: chapter 60 is addressed to Jerusalem as a symbol, which is in total destruction.    Isaiah  is trying to lift the spirits of the people who are depressed at seeing the mess that is Jerusalem.   He is saying that your day is coming, Jerusalem, when you will return to being the most splendid city of all, and by extension, the tribe.

Isaiah 3 should get a commission from the Jerusalem chamber of commerce.  

Hannah, Zoe, and Emma, also, say, "Happy New Year."

The Epiphany, a Cornucopia of Symbols:

2 observations & 2 postscripts–

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.  I'll touch 2 points, each with 3 subdivisions.. 

The Picture of Delight, Leo with a Cupcake of The Week.

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 person’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. 

Jan with another Cupcake of The Week.

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 human health.  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, and even herpes.  It is found in Saudi Arabia & Somalia.

 A post script.  People in Europe used to write an inscription over their doors, e.g. 20+C+M+B+10.  The numbers are our year.  The letters are Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.   Christians made it say, “Christ Bless our house or Maison the year listed.

Richard and Carol, celebrating their 40th, receive two Power Bars of The Week, because they got more sense than to eat cupcakes and keep themselves in great shape.

Another post script.  In New Orleans Epiphany starts Carnival season, which leads up to Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.  The parades are starting, folks.

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

And Tom, too, who receives a Power Bar of The Week for his birthday and because he is our official Marathon Maniac.

The Epiphanies around Us

A while back Rosemary & I went to the exposition of some paintings of about six or eight artists. Among the artists and the reason we were there was a childhood buddy, who after a career as a lawyer now does oil paintings.  And he sells them for mucho. 

 As we were wandering around we ran into another couple who are old friends.  We asked 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.

Offertory with John & Karen, Judy and Dick.

 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. 

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

Communion (bread, wine in small cups, and grape juice) helpers.

 Yes.  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. 

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

The Delgado Corner missing most of the gang.

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

 I would propose that this is what epiphany is, a pointing to a presence among us and in us.  The presence is acceptance and care for others.  It points to something beautiful, a wow experience.  I received a wow experience just from meeting that woman and hearing her story.

 Who is an epiphany for you?

 For whom are you an epiphany?

Elevation.