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  • Sunday Homily, June 26, 2016, 13th Sunday Ordinary Time

    Readings:                          

    1 Kings   19,  16, 19-21,  Please, let me kiss my father & mother goodbye.

    Psalm 16,  You are my inheritance, O Lord.

    Galatians 5, 1, 13-18,     You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

    Luke 9, 51-62,  I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family.

     

      Donna 1

     

    Says Donna, "Welcome in, Everybody."

     

    Introduction

    [first reading] In our reading from 1 Kings, Elisha realizes that he has received a call from God to first be Elijah’s servant, then his successor.

    [second reading] The gospel sets us free from the Law! For the whole Law is fulfilled by these words of Christ, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’  We are led by the Spirit to be love, and this love is active in works.

     

    Mabel-Marlene

     

    Mabel and Marlene also say, "Hi, Folks, Come on in."

     

    Homily by Mike:

    How do we become the Lord’s disciples? Discipleship is a choice, through grace, to be led by the Holy Spirit to live the gospel by treating others with goodness and justice, with tenderness and compassion.  ‘For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying to self that we are born to eternal live!’ 

     

     

    Cole 3

     

    Cole, our Candle Lighter, at work.

     

    As Jesus walked along the road to Jerusalem with his aspiring disciples in today’s gospel, others joined to walk along with him.  And a man said to Jesus, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus turned to him, ‘Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no where to lay his head.’  The journey to Jerusalem is the structural backbone of the Gospel for it is there that Jesus literally dies to himself for humankind.   He is telling this man that if he wants to follow him he must die to self.   Everyone’s Jerusalem is different; but the journey is the same. The inspired writers tell Jesus’ aspiring disciples to return to Galilee, in the written gospel. It is there that the Holy Spirit will lead them, and us, to their Jerusalem.

     

    Alison

     

    Happy Birthday, Alison.

     

    Jesus said to another man who had begun to walk along beside him, ‘Follow me!’  The man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Obviously he wouldn’t have been walking along with Jesus that day if his father had just died.  The man’s answer to Jesus was that he wasn’t going to make a decision until he received his  inheritance when his father died. So Jesus said to him. ‘Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead, but you I have asked to be spiritually alive, to proclaim by word and deed the kingdom of heaven.

     

    Offertory

     

    Offertory, John & Alison, Carrie & Paul.  Thanks.

     

    Still another said to Jesus, ‘I will follow you Lord, but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.  Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit to serve in the kingdom of God.’   Those who are looking back over their shoulder literally do not know where they are going; they are likely to fall.  Jesus is saying to him, ‘put the past behind; look forward, follow me.’ 

     

    John 3

     

    Special Good Wishes to you, John, on the big Wednesday Operation.

     

     

    This past Sunday my younger brother and I were visiting our older brother in Florida.  I took a short walk that afternoon to a park not far from his house.  There, on Father’s Day, I began to enjoy watching a woman and her twenty-something son celebrating a picnic lunch together.  Later, after joining them, I learned that her husband, the young man’s father, had recently passed unexpectedly.  It had been difficult for them, but members of their church community had supported them with help and encouragement.  She had gone back to work, was making good friends, and he had returned to college.  Each of us has a cross to bear on our journey in the kingdom of heaven; but, we are called to assist one another, to press forward, our burden light.

     

    Mike 2

     

    Mike sharing his thoughts on today's readings.

  • Reminder for Sunday, June 19, 2016, 12th Ordinary Time C

    Gen-Buddy


    Hey, Buddy, it looks like you have a new admirer.  Would you like to teach Genevieve how to help us with the Mass?  Never too young to help out.  Maybe she also loves you new robes. 

     

     

    Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice, and pastries, some bought, some home-made.

    Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack. 

    Place: Sigler Elementary, 1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075

     

    Leo-Gen

     

    That little girl can walk!  Leo is guiding her around to visit all her admirers.

     

     

    Readings:                          

    Zechariah   12,  10-11, 13, 1, I pour out on the house of David a spirit of grace.

    Psalm 63,  My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

    Galatians 3, 26-29,     Through faith you are all children of God

    Luke 9, 18-24,  If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily.

     

    Leo-Gen 2

     

    Leo says, "At that rate we ain't getting there."

     

     

    Community Activities:  

    1. ROMEO MEET: Friday, June 17 , Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.   Welcome all wakos,  you will fit right in.
    2. JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together):  TBA

     

    Healing 2

     

     

    Healing for Maddie and Sandra.
     

     

     

    What is going on in Our Catholic World

    1.  2 Questions about new law concerning negligent bishops, National Catholic Reporter, June 10,   1400 words,      Download Questions on new law 6-16-16

     

    Healing 1

     

    Healing for Teresa and Tom.

     

    True? 

    What happens to a dream deferred?

    Does it dry up 

    like a raisin in the sun?

    Or fester like a sore —

    And then run?

    Does it stink like rotten meat?

    Or crust and sugar over–

    Like a syrupy sweet?

     

    Maybe it just sags

    like a heavy load.

     

    Or does it explode?

     Langston Hughes

     

    Communion 2

     

    Communion for All.

     

     

    See you Sunday.

    J.S., 214-783-0443

     

    Play scene

    The Play Corner.

    JSM Mission-Faith Statement

    Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for and challenges spiritual and total growth.

    Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged and make the world we live in a better place to live.

    See you Sunday.

    J.S., 214-783-0443

     

    NICOLE

    Claire, want to know how to scare away the bears in Yosemite?  Having learned last year with us, Nicole is ready to share her profound knowledge.  Who knows, Claire, maybe you could us this method with your tribe of grand kids, especially the twins.

  • Sunday Homily, May 22, 2016, Trinity

    Readings:                          

    Proverbs  8,  22-31, When the Lord established the heavens I was there.

    Psalm 8,  Lord, Our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth

    Romans 5,1-5,    We have been justified by faith.

    John 16, 12-15,  I have much more to tall you

     

    John's Homily

    The fruits or signs of the Spirit, what you see when a person lives in the Spirit of Jesus, are the behaviors that descrobe love, joy, peace, patience or tolerance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness or self-control.

    I have shared with you in the past my having sisters who no longer speak with one another and the pain this signifies.  Well, this whole past week I have experienced the signs of the Spirit.  Lambrini’s older brother George had never been to Dallas in the 22 years since Lambrini and I were married.

     On the occasion of his mother, Kalliopi’s, 90th birthday, George agreed to come.  I already knew George as a man of love and joy and peace.  He lives with his wife, on their farm in Pelaponesia near a town called Crimidi.  In addition to love, joy and peace, George demonstrates amazing patience. 

     

    John & Leo

     

    Guess who lit candles today.

     

     

    I’m able to practice patience in some aspects of life, but fall down, especially in the areas of mechanics and technology.  I lose patience with machines that I want to do something they won’t do.  E.g., my lawn mower ‘died’ last year at the beginning of mowing season.  I found someone who would cut my yard for a reasonable cost and didn’t buy a new machine.  This year I took it in and the shop guy said it wasn’t worth fixing, and he could sell me a new one for $300.  When George got here, he little by little found out what was wrong with it, and then fixed each problem, one by one. 

    I was amazed.  George reminded me of what Scott Peck said in his classic book, The Road Less Traveled’.  He said that he, like many others, said “I can’t do this or that.”  Peck said what we mean is “I won’t spend the time learning how to do that.”  Anyone graced with normal intelligence can learn to do anything, if we exercise the patience required to learn how.

    Then yesterday my family got together to welcome George to Dallas and to celebrate Kalliopi’s and Lambrini’s birthdays.  Lambrini’s sister-in-law Debbie, and her daughter Leah with her one year old son, flew in to be with George and the family.  Our two daughters and grandson Freddie also came.

     

    Viking Sea

    Viking Sea docked at Stockholm, Sweden last night, a Spirit Event.

     

     

    I experienced their love and peace and kindness with one another all day long.  Everyone showed their love for Leah’s 1-year old CJ, and Joey’s 5-year old Freddie—total acceptance and joy.  I saw Patience, which includes tolerance, in how the 5 carnivores and 3 vegetarians respected one another and showed great tolerance for our different life choices.  Faithfulness includes self-control, and I experienced this sign of the Spirit in their total lack of judgement in sharing personal stories with each other.  What a day of blessing.

    I also experience this ‘Spirit event’ each week when we gather here to celebrate together.  Remember Stack talking about the ‘Christmas event’ and the ‘Easter or Resurrection event’.  At Pentecost time we celebrate the ‘Spirit event’.  Be on the watch for Spirit events; they are happening all the time.   

    How do you experience ‘Spirit events’, in yourself and with others?

     

    Sunset

    Sunset around 9:00 P.M. Saturday night, Stockholm.  The Ending. 

     

     Yes, we have just returned to Dallas, Ro & Jo

     

     

  • Reminder for Sunday, May 22, 2016, Trinity

    Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee & juice, and pastries, some bought, some home-made.

    Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & John Cade. 

    Place: Sigler Elementary, 1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075

     

     

    Readings:                          

    Proverbs  8,  22-31, When the Lord established the heavens I was there.

    Psalm 8,  Lord, Our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth

    Romans 5,1-5,    We have been justified by faith.

    John 16, 12-15,  I have much more to tall you

     

    Posted from St. Petersburg, Russia.

     

     

     

     

    Community Activities:  

    1. ROMEO MEET: Friday, May 27 , Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.   Welcome all wakos,  you will fit right in.                                                                                                                                                      
    2. JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together):  To Be Announced.              


      

     

    True? 

     

    Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

    John Muir, American environmentalist and author (very important at Yosemite)

     

    See you Sunday.

    J.S., 214-783-0443

     JSM Mission-Faith Statement

    Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for and challenges spiritual and total growth.

    Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged and make the world we live in a better place to live.

     

  • Reminder AGAIN for Sunday, March 13, 2016, 5th Lent, C

    Two MORE important reminders:

     

    1.  Saturday night: Daylight Saving Time begins.                                                                                                      
    2. DAARC COLLECTION:    what to donate?  —  Download DARCC                                       Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center

     

  • Sunday Homily, February 14, 2016, 1st Lent

    Readings:

    Deuteronomy 26, 4-10     You shall bow down in his presence.

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

    Romans 10, 8–13,   The word is near you.

    Luke 4, 1-13,   Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

     

    Gen 4

     

    Says Genevieve, "Welcome in, Folks.  Happy Valentine"s Day.

     

    Deuteronomy 

    The scene: The Israelites have escaped from Egypt and have been wandering in the desert for years.  They are just about to enter The Land.  They are assembled.  Moses is addressing them and reminding them of all Yahweh has done for them over the years of wandering.   

     

    Cole & fam.

                  

    Cole, also, with Erin & Diane his mom & Grandmom, says, "Hi, Everybody, Come on in". 

     

    In our chapter he is telling them that when they have settled in their new land, where he will not accompany them, they must take a basket full of a portion of their first harvest, present it to the rabbi, and offer it as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.   

    Who: Though about Moses, Deuteronomy is a compilation of numerous sources. 

    Guess when: post Babylonian Captivity, say 555.  Easy to remember.

     

    Bethany 1

    Bethany, Can we trust you to get that cupcake to Vivian!

     

    Having a happy, healthy, positive Lent?

    Last week I talked with you about having a happy, healthy, and positive Lent.  How’s it going?   I have an example that may expand your possibilities. 

    I have already mentioned a little bit of this story last week, but would like to get more into it.

     

    David

    David, Happy Birthday to Drew.

     

    At the Jewish Community Center, where I arrive at 5:30 for a spin class, there is a guy named Michael at the entrance counter.  He is from Nigeria and new since the beginning of the year.  There was a lady on the counter for years, but she retired.  Nice, but nothing special.  Michael is special.

    First off, he seems to have memorized every person’s name and usually what they want when they check in.  We introduced ourselves my first time to see him.  The second time he knew my name, knew I wanted only one large towel instead of two, and that I like a locker around the number 30.  He had it all.  There are hundreds of people who check in at this counter every morning.  I hear him call them by name.

     

    John

    Happy 22nd Anniversary, John, to you and Lambrini.

     

    We chat a bit both when I come in and when I leave.  So, as I mentioned last week, I told him that our Friday spin teacher was having a birthday, that I was going to get the class to sing, and that I was going to give her a Cliff Bar (instead of a cupcake.  Good figure). 

    So, Friday morning I mention to him I am going to celebrate Jennifer, and he says he will do something.  What I don’t know.  Like I said last week, what he does is he runs in as we are singing at the beginning of the class and sticks a big sheet of poster paper on the glass wall. The poster says, “Happy Birthday, Jennifer.”  I was surprised and delighted.

     

    Dick

    Happy Birthday, Dick.

     

    Then at the end of the 45 minute class, Michael rushes in with a basket of 20 or so cold rolled face towels.   Again I was surprised, totally, and delighted.  Never before had any staff person done this. 

    Michael is special.  He has a pretty insignificant job in the Center and he has used it as a platform to make a marvelous, positive difference.  He helps us all to start off the day with delight.  He makes it a joy to walk in the door, even on a cold morning in the dark.

     

    Cole 1

    Thanks, Cole for being a super candle lighter.

     

    Do this and you make for a happy, healthy, and positive Lent.

    So, how are you doing?

     

     Ro 1

     Rosemary reading her Blessing of The Week.

                                                   

  • Reminder for Sunday, February 7, 2016, 5th Ordinary

      Gen 3

    Guess who says hello.

     

    Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee and juice and pastries, both bought and home-made, after Mass

    Time: 9:30; Celebrate with the Community & Stack. 

    Place: Sigler Elementary, 1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075

     

    Offertory

     

    The Offertory Team, Meredith & Brent, Cheryl & Caroline. 

     

     

    Readings:

    Isaiah  6, 1-8,   “Here I am,” I said, “send me.   (The call of Isaiah.)

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

    1 Corinthians 15, 1 – 11,   I am the least of the apostles.

    Luke 5, 1-11,   The big catch of fish.

     

    Pattisserie 1

     Wow!  What do I see on that table? 

     

    Community Activities:  

    1. ROMEO MEET: Friday, February 5, Jason's Deli, Collin Creek Mall, west side of Central, 1:00.   Welcome all wakos, you will fit right in.                                                                                                                                             
    2. JULIET LUNCHEON, (aka.,just us ladies into eating together),  Thursday, February 5, 1:00 P.M.,   Cafe Amore.  600 N. Coit, Richardson,  (Italian & BYOB),   Please RSVP to Marilyn Ackerman, rmackerman5@gmail.com

     

    Pattisserie 2

    Oh, that looks so good.  I wonder if anybody is watching.                                                          

     

    What is going on in our Catholic World  

    1.  Currents in American Christianity, Corpus, December 29,   920  words,        Download American Christianity 2-4-16        

                                                                                                                                      

    Donor Receipts for your 2015 donations have been emailed out.  If you have not received yours, please let John or Rosemary know.  Thank you for your generosity.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

    Pattisserie 3
     

    Me?  Eat one of those cookies?  Never!  But…may I?

     

    True? 

     Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.

    CAMILLE PISSARRO

     

    The Gang 1
     

    The Gang, Gil & Bernadette, "Sir" Charlie & Jan

     

    See you Sunday.

    J.S., 214-783-0443

     

      Healing 2

    The Sacrament of Healing and Life.

     

    JSM Mission-Faith Statement

    Help create a Catholic Community that welcomes all God’s People, provides for and challenges spiritual and total growth.

    Reaches out to help people who are disadvantaged and make the world we live in a better place to live.

     

    Healing 6

    For Victoria and Zoe, too.  

     

    Communion 1
                         

    Communion, too, bread & grape juice.

  • Sunday Homily, January 31, 2016, 4th Ordinary Time, C

    Readings:

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

    Psalm 71, I will sing of your salvation.

     1 Corinthians 12, 31 – 13, 4-13,  If I do not have love, I am nothing. (Excellent)

    Luke 4, 21-30,   They wanted to throw him over the cliff.

     

    Leo

                                       

    Leo says, "Welcome in, Everybody.  It's fun here."

     

     Jeremiah observations:

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

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

     

    Harper
                                        

    Harper, also, says, "Hi, Folks, Come in."

     

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

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

     

    Candles 1

                                            

    Candle Lighters of The Week, Buddy & Tori.

     

    Love is patient, Love is kind

    I confess, I used to get 1 Corinthians 13 fatigue, I heard it so often at weddings.  Lately, however, I have changed.  Now as I listen I feel it calling me to step up.  I want to be more patient and more kind.  I hear Francis inviting me to be a peacemaker.

    One small example.

    A few months ago Rosemary and I were heading out one Sunday morning to celebrate Mass at Vines.  It must have been 8:30, the time we usually depart.  The streets were practically deserted. 

     

    Candles 2               

    The Candle Lighters at work.

     

    We were going east on Royal Lane.  We got to Central and stopped for the light.  When it changed we moved forward and planned to take a left to go up the ramp to north bound Central.  

    I noticed behind me at the light was a silver Mercedes.  As I moved forward it was practically touching the back of our van.  I turned left and started up the ramp.  It stayed right behind us.

     

      Mary

                                                                   

    Happy Birthday, Mary. 

     

    As I got onto Central and moved into the first lane on the left, this person, a guy, floored his Mercedes, leaned on the horn, and raced by us on the right showering us with nice little hand gestures.

    Rosemary says I drive too slowly some times, but this was Sunday morning, folks.  Almost no other cars but this guy and us. 

     

    Rick

    Happy Birthday, Rick (the man behind many of the pictures you see)

     

    So what would you do?  Well, I did nothing, of course.  I can recognize serious road rage and I was just hoping the guy would not stick a gun out his window and start blasting away.  Let him go away, which he did.

    However, does being patient and kind apply here?  Yep, I think so. 

     

    Candles 4

     

    Candle Lighters deserve their rewards.  How did you get in there, Zoe?

     

    As a priest and psychotherapist for years I have heard the life stories of people who have done pretty bad things.  I get to know them and I find out what was behind their actions.  Who knows about this guy on an early Sunday morning.  Maybe he was heading to a hospital.  His wife or child was dying.  Maybe his wife just divorced him.  Maybe on Friday he was fired for his anger.  There is always a story and a reason.

    So when I hear Corinthians on patience and kindness, I think, ‘Stack, cool off.’ 

     

    Zoe 2

    Happy Birthday, Gil.  It looks like you have someone eager to help you with that cupcake.

     

    And Cornthians has a reverse value.  Say I had reacted to his anger.  Then later I would feel guilty and ashamed.  The patience and kindness is for me, too.  I usually don’t have road rage fortunately, but I can get mad, I can criticize, I can get passive aggressive, and then get remorseful.  Can’t we all?

    Any of you all drive a silver Mercedes?  Do you have road rage?  Are you patient and kind?

    How are you going to be a more loving and peace-making person after hearing this passage this morning?

     

    Music 1

     

    Does Music get any better than this, Shonda & Bethany, Ray & David.

     

     

     

  • Sunday Homily, December 27, 2015, Holy Family

    Readings:

    1 Samuel 1, 20-22, 24-28, Hannah conceived a son, whom she called Samuel. 

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

    Colossians 3, 12-21,  Wives, be subordinate to your husbands.

    Luke 2, 41-52, Jesus left behind in the temple.

     

    Leo

    Says our dear Leo, "Happy New Year, Everybody.

     

    Samuel observations: who, when, what, our passage with a story

    Who:

              –about whom: Samuel, the last judge ruler of the Israelites and the first of the Big Three, that is, Samuel, Saul, and The Great King David, a fascinating Old Testament character. 

              –by whom: not written by Samuel, but a compilation of numerous sources.

    When:  being familiar as you are with the Big Three Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, when they did their prophet job,  and the influence of the Babylonian Captivity, around 555, yes, you are right if you guess that the work apparently was assembled at this same time.  The Jewish leaders were attempting to preserve their community as a tribe-nation.

    What:  a Jewish history lesson, fantasized greatly, and attempting to give a divinely chosen character to the Israelites’ heredity.  Originally there were two books, Samuel and Kings.  Now there are 4.  How come?  A simple answer.

    Apparently originally Samuel was one scroll written in Hebrew.  It was translated into Greek.  Hebrew has no vowels and therefore takes up less space.  Greek has vowels.  Therefore, two scrolls were needed to write out the book of Samuel and thus it became Samuel I and II.   Sort of amusingly simple.

     

    Gen 1

    "And don't forget me," says our dear Genevieve, "Happy New Year to You All."

     

    The Story: (chapter 1)

              The 4 characters: Samuel’s mom, Hannah; her husband Elkanah; Elkanah’s second wife, Peninnah; & the temple priest, Eli.

              There was this man, Elkanah, who lived with his two wives in Ramah.  He loved them both.  Over the years Peninnah had numerous children, but Hannah had none.  Despite this, Elkanah had a special love for Hannah.

    Peninnah used to laugh at and mock Hannah, who became depressed, often would not eat, and cried a lot.

    One day Hannah was in the temple crying over her inability to have children.  At one point she promised that if she had a son, she would dedicate him to God’s service.  She continued to pray, whispering her prayer quietly.

    Eli, the priest, was sitting in the back of the temple watching Hannah.  He thinks she is drunk and scolds her, “Stop making a drunken spectacle of yourself.  Stop your drinking and sober up.”

    Hannah, of course, is mortified and defends herself, saying she is not drunk, but has no children and is miserable.  Eli believes her and tells her to go in peace and may God give you what you ask.

    Guess what happens….

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

     

      Leo & Gen 1

    "She's crawling," Folks, "beware."  Leo shows Genevieve how he used to climb up the pole to see better.

     

    Paradigms for Families

    I remember way back when Rosemary and I had been married a while, I told her one day that I thought this special line from the Bible was my new favorite line.  “Wives, be subordinate to your husbands.”  Sounded good to me. 

    You know what I got, the look, the dog kennel look, the look that said, ‘There is a vacancy in the dog kennel in the back yard, bubba.’  So much for my new favorite line. 

    We have one of the classic lines in Scripture here this morning.  “Wives,be subordinate to your husbands.”  I have talked about this probably numerous times over the past 25 years, but the message deserves to be heard occasionally.   It is relevant today.

     

    Gen & Ray 2

    Genevieve on tour, visiting Ray.

     

    For instance, I remember one afternoon I was in line to ride the roller coaster or something at 6 Flags.  Ahead of me was a family, husband and wife with maybe two or three kids.  The couple were discussing two sides of some decision.  Then I heard the husband tell the wife that she should follow his opinion, because….   You know what he said.  I almost passed out.  I did not realize that contemporary, educated, middle class folks followed this just because it says it in the Bible.

    Let me offer some perspective, a little history and the 3 models of family dynamics.

    Historically, remember that the writer of the line lived not in the Middle Ages, but way before that.  Women were not considered equal to men in any way.  I saw this in East Africa when I lived there.  The man was the head and the wife, kids, and farm animals were all more or less on the same level.

     

     

    Music 1

    The Best Music, Shonda, Bethany, & Ray.

     

    You may see the same phenomenon today.  Where?  Try Afghanistan or among many Arab or Muslim countries.  Women have no rights and are certainly not considered equal to men.  Because of this, women can be beaten like a child or abused with hardly any consequence.  The old dictum held, ‘A good beating never hurt anyone.’

    The writer of this letter saw this and spoke to it.  Not only does he speak to the wife, he also speaks to the husband, “Husbands, love your wives.”  Pretty unique stuff for those days.  Wives, in other words, are human beings, not property to be told how to dress and behave.

     

    Hanna & David

    A Cupcake of the Week to Hanna & David, "Welcome Home." 

     

    Finally, let me remind you of the 3 models of family dynamics.

    First, you have the patriarchy.  The father is the head, which today’s writer is aware of.  And accepts.

    Secondly, you have the matriarchy, the wife is the head of the family.  This model has been used over the centuries in various places.

    Thirdly, you have equality.  This model has more traction today because women and men are equally educated and often equally talented.  In this family the husband and wife share responsibility and consult with each other.

     

    Kevin

    Cupcake of The Week to Kevin for years of faithful service.  Happy New Year, Kevin.

     

    It is not so much that one model is better than the other.  Which model works?  

    Which model works for you?