Homilies

 Readings: (4th Advent)

Micah 5, 1-4, He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock.

Psalm 80, Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Hebrews 10, 5-10, My prayer, that your love may increase ever more.

Luke 1, 39-45, When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.

Cathy into the Season

Micah: author, date, subject, our selection–

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

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

The Great Angela with Karen behind her.

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

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

Morgan lighting the 4 Advent Candles.

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

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

Sources: Good News Bible, John Shelby Spong, Wikipedia

A Cupcake of the Week for Geordie who just  graduated from the U. of Colorado

A Christmas Story

This morning I want to tell you a Christmas story.  It took place in Tanzania the Christmas of my sixth, seventh, or eighth year living in the country.

First it is good to mention that Tanzania does not celebrate Christmas like we do here.  First of all, it is summer, being just south of the equator.  So, warm.   Moreover, people do not decorate with lights like we do here.  It is not the custom, nor do folks have the money.

Reggie and Robin

I was usually pretty homesick at Christmas.  So this year I decided I would throw a Christmas day party American style, especially with a turkey. 

To get the turkey I had to not only go beyond the little town of Moshi, where the Jesuits had a house and where I was based.  I, in fact, had to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, the country immediately to the north. 

Reggie receiving $2000 for Soul's Harbor

Despite the fact that most of the time I was away from Moshi on the road giving seminars and retreats, I still knew some people from the times I was in town.  So I invited a number of families. 

In particular, I invited the family who lived next door to us, a husband and wife with their two little girls, for whom I had a great affection.  The family was all Muslim and the father was a police chief.  It is always helpful to have a police chief as a friend in certain countries.  I assure you.

Offertory, The Girls, Jean, Nancy, Diane, and Christine

To invite the family I followed the more formal African protocol.  I invited the husband to come over to our house.  I had two rocking chairs ready in my office/bedroom.  We sat down and I offered him coffee or tea. 

Then I said, “Mohammed, I would like to invite you and your family to a special celebration of the Christian Christmas.  It will be the evening of December 25, beginning around 5:00.”  Then, I explained what was Christian Christmas.

Emma

Finally, I added, “We both know, Mohammed, that you have a problem with alcohol.  I request that you show up sober.  If you show up drunk, I will have to ask you to leave.”  Mohammed said he was grateful for the invitation for him and his family.  He would not arrive drunk and if he did I should invite him out.

Want to guess what happened?   You guessed it.

About 1:00 Christmas day Mohammed and his buddy arrived a bit early.  Yes, they were both drunk out of their minds.  We talked, I told him I was sorry, but he could not come to the party.  He, too, said he was sorry, he left, and I did not see him again that day.

Cupcake of The Week to Diane for a special birthday.

Later, however, about 5:00, his wife and girls arrived with a surprise.  In the African tradition of hospitality, she had invited all her extended family and they all showed up together, about 15 of them. 

Despite all this, we had a fun American style Christmas, most of it, in fact, on the roof.  We had an Arabian style house with a flat roof.  A great place for parties and watching the sun set glow on Kilimanjaro nearby.

Why talk about this today?

First, to show you how Christmas is celebrated in other countries.

Secondly, to show just how we are so fortunate to celebrate with such fan fare and warmth.   I am grateful to be here.

The Music Team, Bethany, Shonda, and Ray

What has been your best Christmas ever? 

How are you celebrating this year?

Readings:

Zephaniah  3, 14-18, Shout for joy, sing joyfully, be glad and exult.

Psalm, Isaiah 12, Cry out with joy and gladness, for among you is the great and holy one of Israel.

Philippians 4, 4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always.

Luke 3, 10-18, Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.

Rose Banzhaf in from Colorado Springs.

 

Hunter & Audry lighting the 3 Advent candles for the 3rd Sunday.

Zephaniah: date, author, subject, & our selection 

    Date: two possibilities–ca. 650 BCE, before Babylon & contemporary with Jeremiah.  Or ca. 200 BCE.  Or both, like Baruch last week.

    Author: probably not Zephaniah himself, but someone recording what he said.  He is one of the 12 minor prophets, simply because his work is small, only 3 chapters. 

    Subject: like all prophets, Zephaniah predicts doom and destruction to Jerusalem because the people are not good.  His purpose: alter behavior, especially the religious behavior, of his fellow citizens of Jerusalem.  A rather jealous and punishing god is presented. 

Gilberto and Natalie

Lorynne 16 today, Cupcake of the Week

    Our selection: last lines of the last chapter, a song of joy and rejoicing.  This is the only positive note in the 3 chapters.  Consequently, scholars think it may have been added to the original work.  This is the only time in the 3 year cycle that we have a reading from Zephaniah.  Take a good look.

 A reminder: this reading, like others this Advent is addressed to a people in slavery.  In this reading the prophet is telling them a day of freedom is coming.  This is the historical milieu.  These guys knew nothing about Christ & had no concept of needing redemption, except from their slave masters.  Only after the Christ event did people, his followers, go back to the slavery time and use it as a metaphor for redemption of humankind from captivity or darkness.

Sources:  Good News Bible, The New Interpreter's Study Bible

Mike explaining our Penitential Service.

The Service, each receiving and each giving forgiveness and peace.

Homily Today:  Given by Lynne Sipiora, Executive Director of the Samaritan Inn, the only homeless shelter in Collin County.   See The Dallas Morning News, December 15.  We are supporting them this Sunday.  Check the 4 minute video of her presentation, very moving.

Special Forgiveness, Georgie and Beth.

Readings:

1 Baruch 5, 1-9, Put on the splendor of glory from God.

Psalm 126, The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

2 Philippians 1, 4-6, 8-11, My prayer, that your love may increase ever more.

Luke 3, 1-6, The word of God came to John.

Grandmom Claire with Kayla, JuJu, and CC

Baruch:

    What: One of the little books (only 5 chapters) of the extra books.  That is, it is not one of the big 3, nor one of the 12 little prophetic books, nor part of the N.T.  It is part of a dozen small books in between.  Most Protestant churches  don't recognize these little books.

     Author:  Baruch was Jeremiah's secretary. Maybe he wrote some of the material, but it was not put together.  Remember, he & Jeremiah lived before & during the Babylonian Captivity.  There are 4 little discourses.  Compilation of the total work seems to have taken place later.  Most likely some anonymous person or persons a few centuries after Jeremiah put it together. 

Noah at 16 today lighting the 2 candles for Advent 2

     Date of composition: maybe during the Maccabees' revolt ca. 100 before Christ.   If so,  the little book intends to strengthen resistance of the Jews during the Macabeean Revolt, using the Babylonian model to encourage the people.

      Our passage: a message of optimism, hope, peace, and a new day.  The passage reflects 2nd Isaiah's message (chapter 40), which is likewise quoted in Luke's gospel for today.  The famous 2nd Isaiah: Luke uses this source to build his nativity narrative.  See also the lyrics of Handel's Messiah.

Sources:  Good New Bible.

Emma

Love for the Kids

I would like to talk today, folks, about God leading his people in Joy.

I saw it happen yesterday.  I feel like I climbed the mountain and walked in the kingdom.

Christine, Ed, Cara, and Sean on his 7th birthday today.

This is what happened.  A couple of times a year there is a picnic thrown for kids at a big ranch in Flower Mound.  Rosemary & I and others in our community have been part of this picnic 3, 4, 5 times.

In the spring the picnic is for handicapped kids.  In the fall the picnic is for underprivileged kids.  The spring picnic has about 1,000 kids.

Cupcake of The Week to Patricia for 2 years no smoking

Yesterday around 4,000 kids showed up at the Circle R ranch for hot dogs, chips, horseback riding, gunny sack races, obstacle course runs, face painting, and visits with Santa, Super Man, and various other celebrities.  The kids are given all sorts of little souvenirs which they put in the plastic bags furnished by the picnic. 

There must have been 60-70 yellow DISD school buses.  There were so many buses they had bus gridlock getting them all in around 10:00.  It took an hour.  There were more buses this year than last. 

Here they come, High 5 to all.

There are numerous memorable moments, but for me, one moment stands out.  As the kids come off the buses they are herded into a wide path that heads toward the main entrance of a sprawling one story, rustic building that has a stage, bunches of circular tables for eating, and the food distribution area. 

As the kids approach the building entrance, they are met with a lane of maybe 100  volunteers who are cheering, clapping, singing Christmas carols, and high fiving each kid, saying Happy Christmas, Hi, Welcome, or whatever is fitting the kids. 

The Welcome Lane

This is my favorite activity of the whole picnic.  I always get into the lane.  The kids come in beaming, smiling, shy sometimes, giving high fives, receiving compliments, and being showered with attention and affection.  I am so touched by the faces.  Some are like pre-K, cute little boys & girls. 

My thought is that at least some of these kids will remember their whole lives the experience of walking through that lane of welcome, affirmation and joy.

Did somebody mention buses?

A second event touched me this year.  The volunteers.  Both our Bona Responds team and the teachers and parents accompanying the kids on the buses. 

Bill Hammond told us all that we had to register on line ahead of time.  So Thursday I went onto the web site.  Registration is closed, it said.  I am stunned.  I call Bill.  He says get a phone number off the web site and call.  I do.   A lady says, no problem.  They shut down the registration because by Wednesday they had 750 volunteers.  She says, however, that any others can come, too.  Later one of the coordinators said over 1,000 volunteers finally registered.  I feel so privileged and blessed to be part of this marvel.

"He fed 5,000."

Folks, I saw yesterday God leading his people in joy, his little people especially and his big people, too, leading us all in joy.

How is God leading you in Joy?  Who is one person you are helping God to lead in Joy?

Two of our clowns from Bona Responds, Bill and Jerry

Readings:

Jeremiah 33, 14-16, In those days Jerusalem shall dwell secure.

Psalm 25, To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

1 Thessalonians 3, 12- 4, 2, May the Lord make you increase and abound in love.

Luke 21, 25-28, 34-36, Be vigilant at all times.

Wendy is Back! At least for this Sunday, and her buddy, Leo

Jeremiah observations:

Who:            One of the Big 3 prophets, 52, chapters.  Called the sorrowful prophet because he did not want to condemn his people.  He had to and as a result was beaten, put in stocks, thrown in a cistern, threatened with death, and imprisoned.  In fact, Nebuchadnezzar released him and admired him.  He also wrote Lamentation, Jeremiah grieving over the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the slavery of the people.

When:  as a convenient date, use 600 before Christ.  Jeremiah knew how the Assyrians had destroyed the northern province of Israel and taken off the 10 tribes living there.  Jeremiah saw the badness of the Jews in Judah and he saw the Babylonians threatening.  He finally saw what he foretold, the Babylonian Captivity.

Alison coordinating communion.

Subject: like all prophets, condemn behavior, foretell punishment, envision recovery and peace.  Jeremiah does it all.

Today:  parallelism.  This is the key.  It ties Jeremiah’s vision of release to Luke’s of redemption.  God saves his people from slavery; Gods saves us, his people, from slavery. 

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

Georgie making her debut as an Altar helper, with Kevin

 Vigilance!

I want to talk today about the advice to be vigilant.  To lead into the topic I have another biking story.

This took place recently in, I think, the Greenville bike rally.  I was at a rest stop.  I usually stop every 10 miles and drink a lot of liquid so that I am ready to visit the portapotty at the next 10 mile stop.  The stop was not my first, maybe my 3^rd or 4^th. 

The Cupcake of The Week going to Emma, 3 years old yesterday, Saturday.

I had just eaten a banana and was talking with people around me.  I threw the banana peel at a trash can and missed.  So I went over, picked it up along with a few other things, and threw them into the can.

Mabel and Curtis with Marlene

 A lady behind me says, “Hey, thanks, I really appreciate you picking up.”  She was one of the volunteers running the rest stop.  I thanked her in return and said I appreciated her mentioning it.  I talked with her a few more minutes, then rode on.

Zoe, believe it or not, with Buddy

As I rode I reflected back on the event and how touched I had been by her simple thanks.  Which leads me to our subject, vigilance.

First, I want to say the real vigilance is not watching out that something bad is about to happen.  I am not about to be caught in a trap.  There is no cosmic assault.

Meredith

Rather, especially at this time of year of Advent, I am looking for the small ways God taps me on the shoulder.  He/she is saying, “Thanks, you are okay, peace.” 

The flip of this is true, also.  I look for the ways I can touch someone, complimenting them, even just saying thanks. 

Meredith and her dad, Joe

So, I would propose that vigilance during this waiting period for Christmas means being aware of all the many, many ways I am blessed & touched by God each day, just as we mention at the beginning of all our Masses. 

Meredith and Brent sharing vows.

 The lady in Greenville probably has no idea she was God’s touch to me.  Moreover, she has no idea we are talking about her.  A simple blessing.

So, go be vigilant!

 Readings:  

 Daniel  7, 13-14,   His dominion is an everlasting dominion.

Psalm 93,   The Lord is King, He is robed in majesty.

Revelations 1, 5-8,   Behold, his coming amid the clouds.

John 18, 33-37,  Are you the king of the Jews? 

Today we celebrate the last Sunday of the liturgical year with the Feast of Christ, King of the Universe. Pope Pius XI proclaimed this Feast Day in 1925 to counter the increasing nationalism and secularism of his time. The Christian religion and the church seemed to be losing ground to modern secular movements. As we’ve seen before and since, the Vatican tends to overreact, in this case by condemning so much of what was new in the world.

As if in counterpoint, Jesus, in today’s Gospel reading, redefines the title of ‘king’ as being witness to the truth.

A few words about today’s readings from Daniel and Revelations.

Daniel is considered by some to be the 4^th major prophet, after Isaiah,
Jeremiah and Ezechial. However, his book has only 14 chapters and most don’t place him with the big three.

Daniel describes events during the Babylonian captivity, about 600-550 BC. The book was probably compiled as late as the 2^nd century BC during the rebellion against Greek ruler Antiochus IV.

Authors were probably at least 3, since parts are written in Hebrew, Aramaic and a little in Greek. The book is rich in symbolism similar to Book of Revelation. Its most famous stories are about Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, thrown with Daniel into the fiery furnace, and the story of Daniel thrown into the lion’s den.

The Book of Revelation is the final book in the New Testament, written in Greek. Modern scholars think the book was written by an unknown author who was given the name John of Patmos to increase the authority of the book.

As to when it was written: most say about 95 AD/CE during the persecution by the Roman Emperor Domitian, others say earlier during the persecution of the Roman Emperor Nero. In either case the book describes in dramatic allegory the battle between good and evil, with good winning out in the end.

Homily by John Cade

Jesus said: “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”

Especially in the gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke, Jesus gives umpteen descriptions of what the kingdom he proclaims as already present is all about.   And its not about lording it over others or about vengeance or greed or that place called ‘it’s all about me’.   It’s about the simple things children do naturally, like giving themselves fully to each moment,
knowing what they like, giving and sharing (like Leo freely shared a bus with Cole a couple Sundays ago), receiving and taking graciously/joyfully, asking for what they need or want, and knowing how to say No to what they don’t need or want.

 These simple things are a stumbling block for many since they don’t seem big enough or important enough or memorable enough to count for a lot.

In Mark, Matthew and Luke there is the parable of the people bringing little children up to Jesus and Jesus’ friends trying to stop them. And then Jesus saying, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”

Every time I am with my grandsons I learn more about what it means to be real and connected with others. They are real and connect with me instinctively. Like Freddie clamoring for me, his Papou, asking me to be a ‘monster’ and chase him, later, as he and we are enjoying his birthday cake, calling me by my name, John, later asking me to be the one who puts him down for a nap and tell him a story as he snuggles in my lap, later still playing with me with his new toy train.

The question I leave us with today is twofold: what do we learn from the children around us? And how does what we learn help us live in the kingdom Jesus says is here?

 Readings:  –  from Thanksgiving Day 

 Sirach  50, 22-24,   May he grant you joy of heart.

Psalm 113,   Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.

1 Corinthians 1, 3-9,   You were enriched in every way.

Luke 17, 11-19,  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks? 

Emma

 Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock.   Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.

1.  When did Thanksgiving begin?  Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries.  Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.

2.  The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims.  They called themselves saints, and non-saints were called strangers.  The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later.  They were not even Puritans, but separatists.  They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off.

Cole

3.  The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom.  They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion.  Like the Catholic Church, the Separatists demanded everyone belong to their program.  Failure to conform could result in execution, ala inquisition.

4.  The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used to build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).

5.  How did the Indians & Separatists communicate?   The Indians were Algonquians & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in Briton some years.  He returned to his tribe and taught his friend Samoset English.  It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt.  In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive. 

Leo

Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving this week, Folks, my favorite feast and holiday.   I would like to talk about our blessings. 

It was over a year ago when Chris Dembney walked in here one Sunday and told me about a bike ride he had done for 7 days across Iowa, 500 miles.  He says, “Stack, you would love this trip.” 

I remember telling him, “Chris, you are crazy.  Why would I want to ride 500 miles across Iowa?”  Guess what I did this past July. 

Offertory, Mary and Frank, Sean and Ed

Blessing #1 for me: my health. 

Not only have I been able to ride 500 miles and am ready to sign up for this July.  But I have been able to return to back packing in the mountains.   In 2009 in Matterhorn Canyon, Yosemite, I knew I could never hike again in the mountains with my old, factory issue hips.  2010, January & February, I got the new hips and that August I was back packing in CO with the usual degenerate group.  I still am amazed.

Blessing #2: our community

You people are a Work of Art.   Here is what I see and how you are a blessing.

Kevin's dad, John

The generosity.  This little community just this year has contributed  $25,000   to help numerous nonprofits and numerous individuals in financial straits.   This very weekend your generosity is helping in NYC and NJ through Professor Jim Mahar and Bona Responds.  $2000 of your aid was given directly to them last Sunday.  What a blessing.

The warmth.  I do not know how many times someone or a couple has come to me after visiting here.  They always mention the warmth and the hospitality.  What a blessing.

Sienna and her momma, Erin

Your child friendly warmth.  Do you realize these kids are growing up in a sacred environment without fear?  What a privilege to watch and help them grow.   Thanks to you parents & grandparents who share your kids with us. What a blessing.

Blessing #3: Rosemary’s recuperation.

January 6 it was when she crashed her Christmas bike and busted her elbow so badly.  The past few weeks she has been riding the same bike around White Rock Lake.  The physical recuperation is remarkable enough.  The spiritual and psychological recuperation has been even more marvelous.

Sir Charlie

What are 2 or 3 of your biggest blessings this year?

 Readings:    

1 Kings  17, 10-16,   When we have eaten it, we shall die.

Psalm 146,   Praise the Lord, my soul.

Hebrews 9, 24-28,   He will bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Mark 12, 38-44,  A poor widow came and put in two small coins.

Emma & Mom

 Kings:

     Author & date of composition: the work is a compilation of numerous sources put together near the end of the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 550.

    Subject Matter: 1 Kings is part of a 4 book work that includes 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings.  The 3 kings are Saul, David, and his son, Solomon.

 The work begins with Samuel, the last great judge, continues through the lives of the 3 kings, and finally shows how Solomon’s sons’ squabbles led to the division of the Jewish nation into two states, north & south, Israel & Judah.  Both states were defeated and the people of Judah taken into the Babylonian Captivity.  It ends on a high note when Cyrus of Persia defeats Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon, and allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

Leo & truck

    The Theme: you be good, good things happen to you; you be bad, bad things happen to you.

    Our selection: 2 great prophets lived when the kingdom divided, Elijah & Elisha.  They criticized the bad ways of the sons.  In this selection, Elijah tells the king he is going to send a drought to the king's land.  Then Elijah goes away & meets a poor, starving widow with a son.  Watch what happens.  This is setting us up for a little widow in the gospel.

Celebrating Verans' Day

   Contribute all I have, my whole livelihood?

I want to talk about a marvelous event I saw take place on a Southwest airplane.  

Last week Rosemary & I went to Chicago to visit a friend of mine since all the way back to our days at Christ the King grade school.  My friend, Pete, he and I parted after high school and we saw each other maybe half a dozen times all these years up until recently.

Bernadette leading The Creed

When I entered the Jesuits in Louisiana, he entered the F.B.I. and worked his whole life in and out of Chicago.  He was always athletic and last year told me he ran the Chicago Marathon 10 times.

So we fly Southwest to Chicago on Tuesday and return Wednesday.  The visit goes fine and we prepare to return home.  When we boarded in Chicago we were a bit nervous because the plane homeward bound was booked solid and we were on standby.  We make it okay.

Torri and her Mom, Michelle

Before arriving at Love Field we make a quick stop in Kansas City.  Half the plane empties, and refills just short of full.  Rather quickly all the new passengers are seated.  The overhead bins are stuffed full and closed.

Rosemary and I are seated two thirds of the way back, together this time.  Everything is copasetic and ready for departure.

Connie

 At this point down the aisle comes a slightly heavy lady.  She is pulling a roll on, max size. 

When she gets to us she sees a flight attendant approaching from the back.   “Where can I place my bag?” she asks. 

Bill Hammond updating us on Bona Responds and accepting our $2,000 check for their relief work in NYC

“I think all the bins are full, Ma’am.  Would you like to check your bag?”

“No,” responds the woman somewhat bluntly. 

Meanwhile the flight attendant is patiently opening and trying to find space, but this lady’s roll on is not small.  And her posture says she is not backing down.  The flight attendant is pleasant but starting to get a bit frustrated.

Amanda being escorted by her mom, Linda

We are at crisis point, I think to myself. 

Then, the most amazing thing happens.  The woman in the aisle seat right across from me and Rosemary says to the flight attendant, “You may check my bag that is overhead and put her bag in my place.” 

I could not believe. 

The Wedding Saturday night

The woman then mentions that she has $20,000 worth of equipment in her bag and she cannot stow it.   It would have helped to know this from the start.  However, the bag in the bin went underneath and the late arriving bag went in the bin.

I talk about this because the woman who offered her bag resembled the two women in the stories.  Both women gave a lot of themselves.

Three observations.

Luciano and Amanda beginning a new life

First, I bet a lot of parishioners are hearing how they should be donating to their parish like this little lady in Mark.   It is a set up.  And it is a really narrow approach to the story.

Secondly, watch out for Mark’s use of infinite demand.  Am I supposed to likewise contribute all I have, my whole livelihood?  Not quite, which leads to my next point.

Thirdly, we are called to help and to contribute, not just money, but so much else, my roll on, my time, my positive strokes of others, my efforts to help people recover from a hurricane, like the St. Bonaventure kids and staff are doing. 

Of course, when leaving that plane I complimented the lady on her offering her roll on to be stowed and I asked the flight attendant her name so I could send in a compliment to corporate, which I did.  That was my small offering to the event.

Owen Gordon's Memorial at Sunset Point on White Rock Lake, Sunday afternoon

Whom are you helping today?

Readings:    

Deuteronomy  6, 2-6,   You shall love the Lord

Psalm 18,   I love you, Lord, my strength.

1 John 3, 1-3,   See what love the Father has bestowed on us. (this is from the All Saints readings, p. 75)

Mark 12, 28-34,  Which is the first of all the commandments.

All Saints presentation with pictures

All Saints: intro & a brief history

   Intro: 3 feasts—

                      All Saints: (or All Hallowes) those who have achieved the beatific vision according to Catholic Church, based on miracles.

                    All Souls: those who have not achieved the beatific vision and are considered paying for their sins in purgatory.

                    Hallowe’en: the vigil of All Hallowes, a Celtic-Irish harvest, end of summer celebration. 

   History in 2 parts: the Western Catholic Church & the Eastern Catholic Church

Offertory, Hugh and Sydney, Lily and Scott

                     The West: 4 significant dates, 300, 600, 700, & 800

    Year 300: during this century the early Christians, reeling from persecution, celebrated the feast of All Martyrs.  This is really the foundation of the feast. Year 600: a Pope Boniface dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to Mary & All Martyrs.  May 13 was the celebration because it was also an ancient pagan day of celebration.

  Year 700:  a Pope Gregory set up in St. Peter’s Basilica a side chapel dedicated to All Saints.

   Year 800: Dec. 25, Charlemagne is crowned Emperor by Pope on the red stone in St. Peter’s.  Charlemagne, an advocate of All Saints, established it on Nov. 1, coupling it with a Harvest Feast. 

Caliope receiving the sacrament of the sick blessing

                    The East:

   Year 900, the Byzantine Emperor Leo the Wise had a beloved, devout wife, Theophano.  She died & Leo built a church which he intended to dedicate to her.  The religious authorities said no, so he dedicated it to All Saints, assuming his wife to be among the saints.

  Note:  later, three big events happen:

          a.  Crusade #4, on its way to fight the Muslims in the Holy Land, captures and wrecks Constantinople, ca. 1200.  J.P. II apologizes for this in 2004. 

          b.  Ottoman Turks or Muslims capture Constantinople, 1450 and rename it Istanbul.  It is Muslim to today.

          c.  Post 1540, Rome condemns Eastern Catholic church as schismatic over theological disputes, i.e., the nature of Jesus.

 Sources: Practicing Catholic by James Carroll, Catholic Encyclopedia on line, Wikipedia.

Emma

 The Most Difficult Commandment

Today we have the greatest commandment or the first commandment.  I want to talk about the hardest commandment.

Rosemary has a passion for these British dramas on PBS.  One of her favorites comes on tonight at 7:00, Call the Midwife.  The story takes place ca. 1950 in London on the East Side, a rough ghetto of good people trying to make a penny.  In particular it is about midwives who serve the women.  The group has been set up by some nuns, Anglican, in fact, and they invite help from other trained women.

Leo

There is the kind nun, the tough on the outside nun, the young pretty girl shocked by so much drama she is seeing for the first time, and there is Chummy. 

Chummy is a warm and tender midwife with no self confidence.  She acts clumsy and insecure.  She is not from anything like the East Side, rather from a wealthy, cold family where she received little love.  In fact, she spent most of her life in boarding schools.  How she came to work as a midwife in the East Side nobody has said.

Sandra receiving The Cupcake of The Week for her special birthday

Turns out Chummy has attracted the interest of the nice local police man and they have developed a special relationship.  She meets his parents and all goes well.  He wants to meet her mother.  Ugh, oh.

And that’s where we are tonight.  Rosemary tells me that she read or saw in one of her sneak previews on line that Chummy was turning herself in for some infraction and that she was talking about being a nun.  Which leads me to think her relationship with the police man ran aground.  Because her cold, class conscious mother did not approve?

Sorry, I don’t know what happens.  I can tell you in the blog or you can tune in tonight.   Channel 13, 7:00.

Rosemary says, “So why the story??”  Because this exemplifies the way I have approached the Great Commandment forever. 

Cole

 There are really 3 commands here, love God, love my neighbor, and love my neighbor as I love myself.  What is the hardest?  For me the third, loving myself.

We get messed up & even ruined as kids in two ways: abuse & neglect.  A kid messed up this way can be messed up for life. We see it all the time, like in the news.  Angry, violent adults and angry, violent kids.

Lorynn and Laycee

And Chummys.   People without self confidence and courage to risk.  People afraid.  People neglected as children, Chummy. 

I don’t know the outcome, but I can conjecture that Chummy will be afraid to confront her mother and marry the policeman.  Yes, I’ve been sucked into watching this program.  The moral, ethical, and psychological dilemmas are riveting. 

Rosemary reading her blessing

We are called to love ourselves. 

How?

Readings:    

Jeremiah  31, 7-9,   Shout with joy.

Psalm 126,   The Lord has done great things for us, we are filled with joy.

Hebrews 5, 1-6,   Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God.

Mark 10, 46-52,  Bartimaeus, a blind man, sat by the road begging. 

Emma

Jeremiah observations:

Who:  one of the Big 3 Prophets, 52 chapters, the “broken hearted prophet,” because he hated being so unpopular and having to condemn so much. 

Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe seems to be who put down the prophet’s message.   Jeremiah probably died in Egypt.

When: put together before & during the B.C., Babylonian Captivity, say 575 before Christ  (reminder, Babylon is near present day Bagdad, Iraq).

Remember, too,  that time before Christ is counting downward or backwards.

Welcome, Leo

Interesting Side Note: (another reminder) can you guess when the Genesis story of creation in 7 days was composed?  Biblical research reveals that the creation story was put together during the Captivity, this same time, i.e. ca. 575.

Why?  The priests & prophets (e.g., Ezekiel) of the Jews in captivity determined that the people would not be assimilated into the local gene pool as their cousins in the northern kingdom had done when made to live with the Assyrians.  They decided they would establish customs & religious practices that would make the Jews so different they would not intermarry.  Three special laws were established: 1.  male circumcision; 2. dietary laws and laws about not touching menstruating women; and 3. the Sabbath.

The priests put together the 7 day creation story to suggest that Yahweh approved of their Sabbath law.  They had Yahweh rest on the 7th day to bolster their demand that all Jews take a day off every 7 days.  Before the Babylonian Captivity there was no legislated Sabbath and no myth of Yahweh creating the world in 7 days with the 7th being a day of rest.  So, now you know when the story was created & by whom, the priests, and why, to keep the Jews united vs the Babylonians.  It worked, even down to today.

Offertory, Mike and Judy, Mary and Bill

Subject: the usual prophet message—condemn, pay, peace.

Today: Beautiful message of peace and consolation.  It is coming.

Sources: Bishop John Shelby Spong, The sins of Scripture; Wikipedia

Leo and Cole

 She Danced through Life

Rosemary & I had the privilege and the honor Thursday to attend the funeral of another noble woman & friend, like Joan, Colleen Romero. 

I calculate that Rosemary & I have known Colleen and her husband for ten years.  We certainly knew them for a couple of years before we got married in 05/05/05.   You will never guess how we met them.  Dancing.

Zoe receiving her birthday cupcake of the week, 4 years old today, Sunday

 Somewhere along the line, a group of us noticed that Plano Parks provided a whole variety of adult classes, among them dancing.  So Rosemary & I, Gilberto & Bernadette, Beth & Rob , and some others, we all decided, “Let’s go learn to dance.”  And so we met Colleen and Fred.

Sophia

They were our teachers.  They were elegant, charming, and fun.  I danced with Colleen a number of times.  I would ask Fred how I was learning some special dance.  He would laugh.  Then Colleen would guide me to a point where I got it.

Delgado corner with Buddy, Leo, and Torri

 This is the first thing I see when I remember Colleen.  She danced through life, charming, elegant, smiling, and having fun.  She and Fred were even running dance classes at St. Gabriel parish for adults who had Parkinson’s or coordination problems. 

Nikki and Cameron with Sophia with their birthday cupcakes of the week, 12 years old.

A  second aspect to Colleen I saw recently.  It was a few weeks back when I got a notice that Colleen was not doing well and was in the hospital.   We had not seen her and Fred for months, maybe a year.  She had been struggling with various joint problems for some time, but this was supposed to be serious.

Jessica home from Boston

So, I called her straight up.  She answered.  She sounded groggy and stressed.  In fact, she was experiencing nausea.  So I made it quick, saying I loved her and sent her all my support.  She said this may be her time and that she was okay about it.

A few more days go by and I get another note saying that the word is this really is it.  This time we get in the car and go visit her at Medical City Plano. 

I walk in and find her looking and sounding great.  However, she says this is truly her time, that she wants no special treatment, and that she is totally ready.  She was in that acceptance stage we talk about in stages of dying, the stage of peace.  

Cathy just before receiving blessing for her foot operation

Colleen was not like Mark’s Bartimaeus today.  She was not blind.  She could see.  She danced her way through life and when her time approached, she accepted it. 

Like I asked with Joan, how have you been blessed by people like Colleen?

Readings:    

Isaiah  53, 10-11,  The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.

Psalm 33,   Lord, Let you mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Hebrews 4, 14-16,   Let us confidently approach the throne of grace.

Mark 10, 35-45,  Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.

Leo arriving with tie.

Isaiah:

A review:  

Authors: at least 3 because there are 3 distinct parts to Isaiah the book.    

Time of Composition: near the end of the Babylonian Captivity, i.e., ca. 550 BCE.

 Subject Matter: warnings about impending doom because of the badness of the people in part 1 up to chapter 39.  The remaining two parts are called the Book of Consolation, letting the people know that a more peaceful & prosperous time is coming. 

Harper cruising the neighborhood with her bus

Today’s Selection:  (read all of chapter 53), Isaiah II,  4 observations—         

          A. This chapter in 2 Isaiah is not included as one of the 4 Suffering Servant Songs, though it presents the same theme.           

          B. The he, the servant that is talked about is

                    –for the Hebrews, the Jewish nation/people;

                    –for Christians, Christ.         

          C.  False Belief number 1?  The Jews thought Yahweh demanded suffering or sacrifice of valuable items ( e.g., sacrificial lamb, scape goat ) as payment for badness.   

          D.  False Belief number 2?  The Jews & Christians believed that an original great sin had been committed by our ancestors & that sin could only be paid for by a human-divine hero, Jesus.  He had to be sacrificed to this god.  Or as the first line of our official reading says, “The lord was pleased to crush him with infirmity.”  

Do you think God crushes people with infirmity?   Was there really an original sin?   Contemporary theology says no.

Harper's granny, Cathy.

If I don’t want to be 1^st, do I have to be a slave?

I want to talk today about being first and being a slave, or if I don’t want to be first, do I have to be a slave?  A story. 

You all know that Rosemary & I love to ride our bikes around White Rock Lake.  We go south on the White Rock Creek Trail from Royal Lane, then circle the lake clockwise with stops at the north bridge and the boat house at the south end, near the dam.  About 20 miles.

Leo & Harper, buddies

Homeward bound from the boat house we use West Lawther Drive, a beautiful little lane running between the lake and gorgeous mansions. Lots of bikers use this road and walkers and runners use the path meandering along closer to the lake.

There can be mini, spur of the moment competitions on this road heading north.

Leo & Sienna, buddies

One day I come down the hill near the boat house and see ahead of me about 3 bikers.  That sight can give me motivation and adrenaline.  “I am going to take those people.”  And so I do, two of them.

The third guy, a young black man, I pull up behind him.  After hesitating a bit because he was moving pretty good, I pass him too.  And I kick on the gas expecting to leave him behind. 

Leo visits the Altar

About a mile later I look in my little helmet mirror to see if I can still see him way back there.  Where is he?  Right on my rear wheel.  I am stunned.  So 2-3 times more I go all out thinking I will get some distance.  Never.  He stays with me all the way under the Northwest Highway Bridge, where Rosemary had her accident, and all the way up the Creek trail to Royal Lane. 

As I prepare to turn off to the parking lot, I signal him to come along, and I thank him for an excellent ride.  He laughed and agreed.  We parted.  I have never seen him again.   

Rob gets a Cupcake of The Week for Sixty Years!

Anybody not want to be first once in a while?  Be best in something?  Absolutely normal.  Look at sports, academics, appearance.  Despite having long ago accepted the fact that I am not first in anything, and that is okay, even at 72 I find the competitive passion kicking in occasionally.

So does that mean I have to be a slave or servant?  Very tricky statement psychologically. 

Sandra receiving Chuck's Cupcake of The Week for Seventy Four Years!

3 Observations:

1.  It is normal and okay to want to be first.  Certainly kids without much experience in life have the desire.
2. When Mark says “servant” and “slave,” do you see Mark’s hyperbole, his exaggeration, and his use of infinite demand?   This is his literary tool to make a point.  Which does not mean we dismiss it straight off.
3. Here is where I have seen the danger.  A person who is religiously obsessed poorly trained, spiritually & psychologically insecure, or scrupulous, this poor person can take the servant idea literally.  The motto, “Always better to give than to receive.”  No way.

I have known & worked with people in this situation.  The person cannot allow anyone to do anything for them.  For that matter, I have some of that stuff.  I don’t always like to be on the receiving end.  Giving and serving can be quite satisfying.

Our dear and U.T.'s special, Holly, with her brother, Ben.

Maturity does two things. It helps me to accept myself as I am.  It also challenges me to make a difference in our world.

How do you handle not being number one?  How do you make a difference?