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    Rosemary’s Blessing    

    Come, O Dancing God,

    Spirit of Life and Love,

    of Beauty and Diversity,

    stir up my soul,

    bathe me in your light,

    and unleash my own spirit

    that I may dance with you

    and be light for those around me

    and reflect your love to all that I meet this week.

    Edited and adapted from a blessing by Fr. Andrew M. Greeley

     

    Erin

    Erin reading Isaiah 56.

                                                                                    

    Our Special Thanks:

    •    For Reading:   Erin & Chuck
    •    For The Team:  Georgie & Kevin
    •    For the Communion Bread:  Alison
    •    For the Wine & Cups: Jean & Cliff
    •    For the Pictures & Video:  Connie & John & Rick
    •    For the coffee and pastries:   Beth D. & Jackie
    •    For the altar & sound: Jackie & Hue
    •    For the Music:  Ray & Shonda & Bethany

     

    Chuck

    Chuck reading Romans.

     

    Birthdays:   Rose Banzhaf (last Friday, 65)

     Anniversaries: 

    Bernadette and Gilberto (49th, Thursday)

     

    Gil

    Cupcake of The Week to Gil & Bernadette, 49 years.

     

     Please Remember these special people:

    For Morgan Froebe home from teaching English in Equador for the summer;   Marilyn Ackerman with a bad bang on her leg;   Mike & Dee Miller's daughter, Lisa, not doing well;  For Tom Quinn's continued recuperation from shoulder surgery;    for Nina Tucker's dad;   Jackie Urbanczyk's continued recovery;    for a special girl named Missy Ackerman; Judy Thompson's dad in the hospital;  John Cade's mother in law, Kalliopi Piskiouli;  Charlie's brother in law with cancer;  Beth Dugan's dad struggling with prostate cancer;  from Rob, the brother of his business associate who has cancer;   For Diane Drescher with a bad back;  

     

    Tim

    Cupcake of The Week to Tim for being an old friend.

     

    Frank’s sister, Grace Campos, 84, with stage one;  Margie McKeon’s brother, Bill, with lung cancer;  Jackie's sister, Shellie;  Diane McClurg's mom having a hard time making the transition to assisted living;   Dee's friend, Don Fox, with cancer;   Dick Thompson's daughter, Teri Jill & her cousin Terri.  Barb & Warren's grandbabies, Leighton Elizabeth and Warren Phillip;   Judy Carrell's friend, Matt Larson;  Rita; 

     

    Work site

    Caution, work site, Emma, Cowboy Cole, and Victoria.

     

     Bernadette Delgado's mom; Gilberto's mom and brother; Tom and Teresa Quinn's niece, Chawna, with cancer, plus Neva Flynn, Angel, and Diane Kreeitzer; Connie Doherty's mom and her sister, plus Kevin's cousin, Peter; Mary Ellen's Christopher, Margaret and Jim; our friends, sons, and daughters in the military, including Cole Carey, Ryan McClurg, and Chebino; cure for autism from Laura Chollick; for our President that he have great success and someday hold his grandchildren in his lap.

     

    Ro

    Rosemary doing her last blessing.

     

    Your Finances, August 17, 2014

    Expenses:   $760.00  

    Outreach:   $415.00

    We Donated this week:  

    Nothing special this week.

                                                                                             

     Video: Entrance hymn, Gather the People,  2:00 min.

       

     

    Thanks for your Generosity.

    Important Notice of the Week: We got 2" of rain in Preston Hollow from Saturday evening until today, Sunday.

    Have a Good Week, J.S

    (214-783-0443)

     

    Harper

    Harper says, "Goodbye, Everybody, see you next week."

     

     JSM Mission-Faith Statement  

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

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

      

     

     

     

     

     

  • Important Notice

    Due to the ice on the driveways and roads, we will not have Mass on Sunday, December 8, 2013.

    The collection for the Samaritain Inn will take place next Sunday, December 15, 2013 along with the collection for the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center.

    Also next Sunday, we will have a Penitential Service and Christmas Brunch.                                  

    We are looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, December 15, 2013.

  • Reminder for Sunday, December 8, 2013, 2nd Advent, Cycle A

     

    Welcome: Catholic Mass with coffee and juice and specials on the house served afterwards.

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

    Place: Vines High School, 15th between Custer & Independence.

     

     

    Readings: 

    Isaiah 11, 1-10, The wolf shall be a guest of the lamb  (a beautiful reading).

    Psalm 72,  Justice shall flourish in his time and fullness of peace forever.

    Romans 15, 4-9,  Welcome one another.

    Matthew  3, 1-12, I am baptizing you with water.

     

     

    Community Events:

    1.    This Sunday, collect for Samaritan Inn:  

    Current Urgent Needs:  Disinfectant Spray,  Bleach Wipes and  Toilet Paper.  Check the website for other needs:  http://www.thesamaritaninn.org/SupportTheInn/NeedsList.aspx1.

    2.  Love for the Kids Picnic,  A most touching event,  Dec. 14,  Download Love-for-kids

    3.   ROMEO lunch Friday, December 6,   Jason's, 1:00, Welcome.  The Old Geezer won't make it.

    4.  The Women's Lunch Group on 1st Thursdays,  The Olive Garden, 1:00, Central and Plano Pkwy, northbound service road.    For more info talk with Carol or Bernadette. 

     5.  Christmas Concert at the Meyerson:

    The date:  December 19.   Rosemary says that you may still sign up.  Her contact, Blake, knows that we usually have a few additional people.   Total so far, 29 people.  

    Welcome, also, to the Rectory for wine & cheese and a ride through Highland Park to see the best lights. 

    By the way, we are dropping the idea of riding bikes through Highland Park to look at the Christmas lights.  It is just too cold.  Plus, each bike would need lights on front and back, a little expensive.

      

     

     
    What's going on in our Catholic World: 

    1.      Kennedy on Thankgiving for Francis, National Catholic Reporter, November 27, 1000 words,      Download Giving thanks 12-6-13

     

     

     

    True? 

    Never put on line something you would not want to see the next day on the front page of The New York Times (or Dallas Morning News).

    From Rosemary's Momma

     

     

     

     See you Sunday, December 8, 2013, 2nd Advent, Cycle A

     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.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sunday Homily, September 1, 2013, 22nd Ordinary Time C

    Readings:

    Sirach 3, 17-18, 28-29,   Conduct your affairs with humility.

    Psalm 68,  God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

    Hebrews 12, 18-19, 22-24,  You have approached Mount Zion.

    Luke 14, 1, 7-14, Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.

     

    Chloe 9-1-13

    Chloe lighting up our lives this Sunday.

     

    Sirach observations

    Author :  The author is
    Sirach or Joshua, a Jewish scribe.  The
    book of 51 chapters is one of the “in between books,”  more or less 12 of them.  In other words, their genuiness is
    questioned.  The Catholic Church accepts
    them; the Protestants don’t. 

    Date
    about 200 years before Christ. 

    Subject:   Ethics, norms for good Jewish living.  For example, “Do not compliment a person on
    his good looks,” (11, 2), or “Never abandon an old friend; you will never find
    a new one who can take his place,” (9, 10), or “Friendship is like wine, it
    gets better as it gets older,” (9, 10), or Don’t prevent the poor from making a
    living, or keep them waiting in their need,” (4,1).

    Today’s subject:  Humility.

    Sources: Good News Bible

     

    Georgie 9-1-13

    Georgie bringing more sparkle.

     

    Invite the
    poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.

    I would like to speak on the line about inviting the poor and crippled rather
    than my friends and wealthy neighbors. 
    To give meaning to the idea, and in remembrance of 9/11, I would like to tell a true story about a
    Delta flight. 

    Some of you may have seen the story Friday in the blog.  It is quite touching.  For those who did not read the story, let me
    fill you in.  It has a lot to say about inviting people and 9/11.

    The day is 9/11.  Delta 15 is
    about 5 hours out of Frankfurt, Germany on its homebound run to Atlanta.  A flight attendant is telling the story. 


    Buddy 9-1-13

    Buddy, the debonair.

     The plane is over the north Atlantic when the pilots tell her to come
    straight to the flight deck.  She enters
    and notices the team is all business. 
    They tell her that they have been informed that all U.S. airports are
    closed to commercial traffic.  Land as
    quickly as possible wherever possible.



    Cole 9-1-13

    Cole swinging his way through life.

    They turn back 400 miles and land at Gander, New Foundland.  About 20 other planes are already on the
    ground.  Time is around 11:00 A.M.

    They did not inform the passengers about the real reason for the odd landing
    while in the air.  On the ground they
    give them the real reason, though they only knew that some planes had been
    hijacked. In an hour 53 planes are packed on the runway, 10 thousand people in
    a town of 10 thousand.


    Celeste 9-1-13

    Celeste and her warmth coming in.

     

    They are treated well, but have to spend the night on the plane and are finally informed they may deplane at
    11:00.  Promptly at
    11:00 a convoy of school buses arrives and everyone exits and is passed through
    immigration. 

    At this point the crew gets taken to a hotel in Gander and the
    passengers disappear.  That evening they
    discover the reality.  They remain in
    Gander two days.


    Bernadette 9-1-13

    Bernadette and her daughter, MIchelle at Delgado Corner.

    At the end of the two days, everyone is reunited and they board Delta
    15.  It turns out the passengers are actually
    in a really congenial mood, calling each other by first names, sharing their
    experiences, exchanging phone numbers, and even crying over the hospitality.


    Cupcakes 9-1-13

    Cupcakes of The Week to Maureen on her birthday and Beth and Rob for 39 years.

    What happen?  All of Gander and
    the neighboring villages welcomed them with open arms.  They cleared space, housing, school buildings, auditoriums,
    everything.  Schools were closed and the
    students were told to play host.  Food
    was provided, hiking trips took place, boat trips, visits to cafes and
    bakeries. 


    Bikers 9-1-13

    The Biker Family, the LeBlancs, Doug and Grace with their daughter Kayli.


    The passengers had been put up by the inhabitants of a little village
    called Lewisporte. 

     

    Once airborne again, a passenger approached this flight attendant and
    asked if he might use the mike.  Normally
    prohibited, but because of the spirit and the uniqueness of the experience she
    said, “Of course.” 


    Harper 9-1-13

    Harper hiding from….

    The man, a doctor from Virginia, says to everybody that because of the
    extraordinary hospitality of the people he would like to propose that a college
    fund for the students be set up.  He
    would be willing to establish it and he said he would match the amount.  After passing the hat, $14,000 was collected,
    which he matched.

    As of today a million and a half has been raised and over 100 kids have
    received help with college.


    Cathy 9-1-13

    Her grandmother, Cathy.

    What do you think?  Hospitality?   Yes, over the
    top. 

     

    Gratitude?  Yes, over the top.

    Rare?   No.  I
    saw it this summer in Des Moines, Iowa. 
    I saw it a week ago in Wichita Falls. 

    You, where do you see hospitality and gratitude?  When do you show it?

     

    Source: 
    Download Delta 15 & 9-11, 8-30-13

     

     


     

  • Sunday Homily, August 25, 2003, 21st Ordinary Time C

    Readings:

     Isaiah 66, 18-21,   I come to gather nations of ever language.

    Psalm 117,  Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

    Hebrews 12, 5-7, 11-13,  Whom the lord loves he disciplines.

    Luke 13, 22-30, Depart from me, you evil doers.

     


    Beginning 8-25-13

    Mass Begins. The Winner's medal and red ribbon from HHH.

     Isaiah 66 observations:

    Author: Isaiah III.  The book of Isaiah is one of my favorites.  Some beautiful passages.  Remember, 3 primary authors are responsible for the 66 chapters, and we are reading the very last.  Isaiah 1 covers chapters 1-39.  This book is one of the Big 3 O.T. prophets, along with Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  This is because the works are the longest.  There are 12 minor prophets.

    Time: ca. 700, before the Assyrians annihilate the northern Jewish kingdom, called Israel, vs the southern kingdom called Judah, where Jerusalem is.  10 tribes were lost in this destruction, the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel. 

    Remember, there were 12 tribes.  Why?  Because of the 12 sons of Jacob, who was one of the 3 great patriarchs or founders of the tribe, Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, who was also called Israel. 


    Marsha 8-25-13

    Marsha awaiting The Cupcake for her birthday.

     Message of Isaiah III: Mostly consolation after the catastrophe.   What is the basic activity of a prophet?  1.  criticism, 2. prediction of dire payment, 3. consolation.

    Today’s message: this being the last chapter of the whole work, you might guess.  Yes, consolation and future unity.

    Hebrews observation:

     The best thing about today's selection: we have to read Hebrews only one more week.  Awful reading today.

     

    Harper 8-25-13

    Our dear Harper.

    Will only a
    few be saved?

    I would like to speak today about this idea that only a few will be
    saved.  In the past few weeks we have
    been hearing this from Luke.  Basically,
    the message is the same, yes, only a few will be saved.  In fact, you got to be on guard all the time
    or the master will return, catch you napping, and off to hell you go.

    I would propose that these metaphors about life are all pretty fear
    based.  Today I think we are moving from
    a fear based life metaphor to a peace based metaphor.   My metaphor is the Hotter ‘N Hell
    Hundred.  Three points.  It is a journey, it is characterized by
    mutual help, and a final point.


    Teresa 8-25-13

    Teresa awaiting The Cupcake for her birthday.

    Yesterday as I rode along I thought about these readings and how life is
    like a 100 mile bike ride.  First of all
    there are people.  The other riders.  But, also, people like Bill who introduced me
    to this marvelous ride.  Other friends,
    like Doug & Grace, John & Connie make the ride more fun.  And there is the marvelous beauty of the day,
    the surroundings, and simple joy of the ability to ride. 

    Other riders whom I don’t know are fun. 
    I tie a little beanie baby dog to the top of my bike helmet.  I started this at Ragbrai in Iowa, just for
    fun and because I see a lot of such décor there.  The dog gets lots of comments, from, “Hey, do
    you know you got a dog on your helmet?” to “I love the cute dog on your helmet.”  I tell people that I cannot leave my little
    dog at home and she loves to ride.


    Bern and Gil 8-25-13

    Cupcakes of the Week for 48 years, Bernadette and Gilberto.

    A second point to this life metaphor. 
    Lots of people help me along the ride. 
    There are what are called sag wagons. 
    These are roving pickups with trailers who collect gassed riders, broken
    down riders, and riders with minor injuries. 
    There is first aid everywhere. 

    And then there are the marvelous rest stops.  These volunteers meet you with pitchers of
    cold water and Gatorade, with cold & wet towels, and with tables loaded
    with fruit.  But, my favorite rest stop
    comes at mile 30. 


    Lero 8-25-13

    Leo.

     A bunch of elderly women volunteers, many probably younger than I am,
    they make cookies, boxes of them, about 5-6 varieties.  Every year I look forward to seeing them and
    chatting them up.  I confess I ate 6 of
    their cooking this year, a bit much considering the 70 miles I still had ahead
    of me.

    Finally, the third reason why the HHH is a life metaphor for me: everyone
    who arrives at the end gets a medal. 
    Everyone is a winner.  And, if you
    fell out this year, you can cross the finish line next year.  No fear, peace.

    In this life metaphor the ride is a marvel, the supporters are numerous
    and beautiful, and everyone wins the medal. 

    What is your life metaphor, peaceful or fearful?  Are
    you saved?  Are you a winner?


    Brent 8-25-13

    Brent accepting check for Souls' Harbor.

     

     

  • Sunday Homily, July 14, 2013, 15th Ordinary Time C

     Readings:

     Deuteronomy  30, 10-14,  If only you would heed the voice of the Lord.

    Psalm 69,  Turn to the Lord in your need and you will live.

    Colossians 1, 15-20,  He is before all things.

    Luke 10, 25-37,  A Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.

     

    Bailey 7-14-13

    Bailey sharing her marvelous smile.



     Deuteronomy observations:

     

    The Scene: the desert outside the promised land.  Moses is talking to the people about all that has happened to them since he led them out of Israel and through the desert for many years.  Now, as they prepare to enter, Moses is dying.  He is simply exhorting them to love Yahweh and obey his laws. 

    The Author:  not Moses.  A compilation put into three discourses.

    Date:  guess when?  Yes, after the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 555 before Christ.

    Subject today:  Moses talks about a command, but never mentions exactly what it is.  Watch for the answer in today's gospel.  The Great Command.

     

    Bethany-Ray 7-14-13

    Ray and Bethany with her marvelous smile.

     

    The Good Samaritan

    I would like to talk a bit about the Good Samaritan parable this morning.

    There may have been two meanings.  Initially this parable looks like simply an encouragement to help others, which it is.
     

    However, there is a second meaning, perhaps more profound, especially for the Jews who are listening. It has to do with prejudice.


    Beginning 7-14-13

    Beginning with Georgie (and Kevin).

     

    The setting. A Jewish lawyer is asking a question about his justification. Where does one draw the line in helping a person? Who is my neighbor? Some observations.

    First, the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notoriously dangerous and plagued with thieves. That this man was alone is significant.  People would travel in groups for safety. Was he an outcast?  Friendless?  Not too
    intelligent or not so innocent?



    Rain 7-14-13

    Can you believe it, rain. Chris and Nancy, Chris my riding partner next week in Iowa, 7 days, ca. 500 miles.

    Second, the man was stripped. For the lawyer this would signify that the man was without identity, of no identifiable class. In other words, he might not be anything, not even a Jew. He was Every Person.  A human being.

     

    Thirdly, the priest & the Levite (a priestly class). The lawyer would know why they did not stop to help. The Law. They would have been on the way to the temple and they could not cause themselves to be ritually impure or dirty.  In the temple they had to be pure, no contact with dirty people or they could not offer their sacrifice.   Organized religion still follows this practice? 


    Brandon-Leo 7-14-13

    Brandon and Leo.

     

    Then, fourth, along comes the Samaritan. To the Jewish lawyer & the Jewish listeners Samaritans were considered scum.  Samaritans were Jews from Israel thought to have intermarried with pagans, i.e., people who did not recognize Yahweh as the name of their God, probably Assyrians after 700.    They did not get swept up in the Babylonian Captivity. They would defile the temple just by entering. In sum, they were vile and dirty, certainly not capable of performing an act of love.


    Renee 7-14-13

    Renee accepting our $1000 for our Habitat group, where she is working as a summer intern before returning to K State in the fall.

     

    But, to the surprise of the lawyer & the audience, it is the Samaritan who performs the act of love.  He even risks his own life by rescuing the man. Jesus further twists the knife by showing how the Samaritan goes beyond the call by setting the man up in an inn and promising to cover all his expenses.

    The composer of the parable goes further and plays with two elements used in the temple sacrifice: oil and water.  The Samaritan employs these elements to clean (purify?) the victim.  The author knows what he is suggesting in using these items.

    Jesus is responding to the lawyer's question, "Who is my neighbor," by saying "Everybody."  No prejudice.


    Beth 7-14-13

    The Cupcake of The Week to Beth for her birthday. 2 weeks in a row for a cupcake.

     

    Know anybody like that Samaritan?  How about you?     

    Sources, Francis Vanderwall, Jesus, The Parable of God (Francis will speak here September 28-29)


    Emma 7-14-13

    Guess who? Emma with her buddy.

     

                                                                                                                                                         

     

  • Sunday Homily, April 7, 2013, 2nd Easter C

    Readings:

    Acts 5, 12-16,   Many signs and wonders were done among the people.

    Psalm 118,  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. 

    Revelation  1, 9-19,  I was caught up in the spirit.

    John 20, 19-31,  Put your finger here and see my hands.

    Offeratory 4-7-13

    Offertory, Ron & Barb, Claire & Ray.

     Acts observations:  I won’t bore you every Sunday for the next six with these same observations.  I thought I would repeat them because you may have missed them Easter Sunday with all that was going on.  Periodically I will remind you of the basics.

    Date:  sometime before the year 70.  Why?  No mention of the destruction of Jerusalem, which took place the year 70, a Big Date in Jewish history.

    Who:  The same person who wrote the Gospel of Luke.  How do we know?  Similarities of style, language (Greek), and theological themes.

    Subject:  The story of the expansion of the Jesus story in 3 areas, first, Jerusalem, then, Palestine or the Holy Land, and finally, into the Mediterranean and ultimately, Rome.

    Today’s Subject: a description of the growth & expansion within the first area, Jerusalem. 

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

    Poster 4-7-13

    Easter Poster, by Rosemary.

     More on New Life

    Ever hear of a guy named Christopher Scott?  How about Michael Morton?

    I want to talk again about the new life coming from the resurrection.  To exemplify I want to tell you the story of one of these two men,  Michael.  Both were chosen by The Dallas Morning News as their Toys of 2012, Texans of the Year.  Both were exonerated of crimes in the last two years.   Christopher served 13 years for a robbery & murder he never committed.  Michael, 25 years.  Here is Michael’s story. 

    Tom 4-7-13

    Cupcake of The Week to Tom on his Birthday.

    It is early morning, August 13, 1986.  Michael is 33 years old and manager of a grocery store.  He gets up early this morning and slips out of the house quietly so he won’t wake up Christine, his wife, and his son. 

    He goes to work, punches in, and begins his regular day.  Meanwhile, back home a sick man breaks in and kills Christine while the 3 year old son watches.  Then he disappears.

    Mabel 4-7-13

    Cupcake of The Week to Mabel & Curtis for their anniversary, Sixty Years!

    Next thing Michael knows he is arrested for killing his wife and taken to jail.  The prosecutor is convinced Michael did it and determined to convict him, even to the point of hiding evidence that proved Michael could not have done it.   The prosecutor succeeds and Michael is sent to prison for life.

    Sixteen months later in the same area another woman is killed in a similar fashion and a man is caught and charged.  His DNA and the DNA from Christine’s crime scene match.  Nobody checks it out.

    Celeste 4-7-13

    Our beautiful Celeste.

    All during this time, Michael is in prison for life, knowing he was innocent.  His wife murdered and he is convicted of it.  He cannot raise his young son.  The long years pass for Michael.

    Until 2011.  A group of lawyers and student lawyers take up his case and expose how he was framed.  November 9, 2011, Michael, now 58,  walks free exonerated more than half his life behind him.

    Buddy 4-7-13

    Buddy.

    And now the amazing part.  I would imagine that if I were in the same place, I would be bitter and eager for revenge.  Michael, however, is totally at peace and instead of seeking revenge is seeking to convince the Texas legislature that some new laws need to be enacted to protect innocent people from prosecutors framing people and hiding evidence. 

    Both Michael with his 25 years and Christopher with 13, the other guy I mentioned, are working to help other prisoners who are innocent.   Already about 90 have been exonerated.  How many more?

    Zoe 4-7-13

    Zoe.

    Can you imagine how you would feel walking free after 25 years in prison for a crime you did not commit?   And not be bitter?  And not want justice, but want to help others in similar circumstances?   Talk about resurrection and new life.  This is it.

    When was the last time you were grateful for and just savored your life and your freedom? 

    Source: The Dallas Morning News, Sunday, December 30, 2012, Texan of the Year

    Emma 4-7-13

    Emma eager to get there.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sunday Homily, February 24, 2013, 2nd Lent C

    Readings:

    Genesis 15, 5-12,  17-18, To your descendents I give this land.

    Psalm 27,  The Lord is my light and my salvation.

    Philippians 3, 17 -4, 1,  Therefore, stand firm in the Lord

    Luke 9, 28-36, Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain.

    IMG_0322

    Getting ready.



    INTRODUCTION

    You probably have heard the figure of speech, ‘They cut a deal.’  The origin of the Hebrew word for covenant was the Hebrew word cut.  As you listen to our First Reading from the Book of Genesis it will become apparent that God and Abraham have entered into a covenant.  A covenant was accompanied by sacrifices that were cut, halved.  [They were ultimately fulfilled for us by the Lamb of God.]

    Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, encourages this early church to continue to be guided by the words of Christ, the Lamb of God.

     

    Brandon 2-24-13

    Brandon with Leo looking over the edge.

    HOMILY with Mike

    Instead of Sarah being barren, the Luke gospel begins with the barren Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah.  They too are symbols, to teach the gentiles, the audience of the Luke gospel, about Judaism in what we call Luke’s Infancy Narrative.  [Recall that later she gave birth to John the Baptist, who prepares the way for the Lamb of God.]

    IMG_0323

    Ray and Ben on music and on the stage this week because of a school play.

    The Levite and priest, were the ruling classes of Judaism. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, both pass by the man who has been beaten, robbed and left to die along side the road. Zachariah, who is a priest, symbolizes the priest.

    Elizabeth is a descendant of Aaron from the tribe of the Levites, symbolizes the Levite.  The story teaches us why Judaism is barren. Remember the Jewish law, ‘you must love your neighbor as yourself.’  Within Judaism, the word neighbor referred only to one’s fellow Jew.  The Religious leaders of Judaism could claim that they were still righteous [God-like], for they had not broken their law, when they passed by the gentile who had been left to die. 

    Cole 2-24-13

    Cowboy Cole arriving.

    The words of Christ are not barren; they pour forth the Holy Spirit, the grace given by God to those who live Christ’s words. The voice from heaven to Peter, James and John in today’s transfiguration event is for them to live Christ’s words

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    Mike homilizing.

    Immediately following the transfiguration there is a story in Matthew, Mark and Luke of a Father who brings his Son to Jesus to be healed from a sickness that has existed since the boy’s infancy.  The sickness began to take root with the father’s lack of faith in Christ’s words when he chose instead to have his son circumcised after his birth.  The father and his son are to live the words of Christ that do not abolish but fulfill the Law and Prophets.  What is it that we can take away from today’s gospel?  As parents or grandparents we are to teach our children and grandchildren to live the words of Christ by the way we live them.  Young children can do wonders when they receive a little guidance and encouragement. 

    Emma 2-24-13

    Emma arriving.

    I shared a fond memory about our youngest child, who will be 40 this summer, with Judy a few weeks ago.   Judy had been assigned to take communion to a small nursing home when our youngest son was somewhere around the age of seven or eight.   The older children would often find reasons for not joining Paul when we went to the nursing home with Judy late Sunday mornings.

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    Cowboy Cole safeguarding The Cupcake of the Week for his grandmother, Diane.

    At that time there were six Catholics for her to visit and give communion.  One was an elderly man who certainly seemed depressed about being there, and he didn’t look forward to us, or anyone else, coming to visit.  One day Paul, who loved to go fishing with his older brother and me, noticed a small picture on a bulletin board in his room.  I saw him looking at it. The two men, one younger than the other, had poles in hand and had definitely been fishing.

    Brent 2-24-13

    Brent, Soul's Harbor director, accepting from Tom the Community's support.

     

    I gave Paul a little push and he asked the man about the picture.  A short time later Paul told him about an aquarium that was in the hallway at the entrance of the nursing home. The next week when Judy came to bring communion, we were surprised to find the man in a wheel chair waiting for us. From then on after receiving communion, Paul would push him down to the aquarium where they would talk about fishing.  The word of the Lord.

    Communion Prep 2-24-13

    Communion Preparation, the individual cups.

     

    Gil 2-24-13

    One Great Granddad with Torri and Zoe.