THE UNEVEN 

CURVES 

OF LIFE 

June 30, 2012  Quote for Today

"In nature there are few sharp lines."

A. R. Ammons, [1926-2001] Corson's Inlet [1972], line 31

WORDS 

AS ARROWS

June 29, 2012  Quote for Today

THE ARROW AND THE SONG

I shot an arrow into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For, so swiftly it flew, the sight

Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For who has sight so keen and strong,

That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak

I found the arrow, still unbroke;

And the song, from beginning to end,

I found again in the heart of a friend.

Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [1807-1882]

NOISE  MAKERS

June 28,  2012   Quote for Today

"All loud speakers are not necessarily hooked up."


Someone

Questions:

Do you speak louder when you're really not that sure of what you're pushing?

Do empty barrels make the most noise?

Is there more power in whispers or one to one conversations at the coffee break or the lobby - compared to the podium or the big table?

THE CHURCH 

IS MADE UP 

OF PEOPLE

June 27,  2012   Quote for Today

THE VOICE OF GOD

I sought to hear the voice of God,

And climbed the topmost steeple.

But God declared: "Go down again,

I dwell among the people."

Quote: Louis I. Newman

Top Picture: Steeple of St. Mary's Church

Bottom Picture: St. Mary's Parishioners at St. John Newman's Church.

HOW MANY PEARLS 

DO YOU HAVE?

INTRODUCTION

The title for my homily for this 12th Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, "How Many Pearls Do You Have?"

In today’s gospel,  Mathew mentions pearls - and not throwing them to the pigs.  In a  few chapters later - Matthew 13:46 - he’ll talk about a pearl merchant - looking and searching for the pearl of great price. Those are only 2 places in the gospels that we find mention of pearls. The Book of Revelation mentions pearls once - Revelation 21:21 - where we hear of the pearly gates. We’ll have to die to find out if they are pearly or golden. That’s it for the New Testament with regards pearls.

The title of my homily is, “How Many Pearls Do You Have?”

Not being a woman - not being married - I don’t know a thing about pearls - other than I don’t see them worn by women in t-shirts and jeans. I could be wrong about that - you tell me. And I understand there are real pearls and fake pearls - and I don’t know if women and jewelers can tell the difference. In this homily I’m talking about the expensive ones - the real ones.

TWO QUESTIONS FOR THIS HOMILY

My two question for this homily would be: 1)  What would be your pearls? 2) How many do you have? Perhaps better: Name them. List them. Figure them out.

FOR EXAMPLE

For example in the Sermon on the Mount we have a whole list of Jesus’ Pearls of Wisdom. Some of them I assume you already own. You wear them. You use them. Without knowing it, you flaunt them because you put them into practice.

For example, in today’s gospel we heard Jesus’ famous rendition of the Golden Rule:  "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.  Some people own that text. Some people try to live that. I know when I visit my sister Mary, there is always veal Parmesan. I’ve heard her from time to time name the favorite meal of each her own family - including sons-in-law. She likes weird stuff - veggie diet stuff. Ugh!  In confession, if a father says he yelled at his kids or was neglecting them, I’ll sometimes say, “For a penance and for a joy, choose one of your kids and do something for that kid that he or she loves to do with you so that you will make their day.”

So a scripture text could be one of your pearls - or a saying on your kitchen wall. By pearl of wisdom, I mean something you look to and put into practice. It’s you! You own it.

Or it could be a spouse or a grandchild or a memory of your mom - a gift you picked up from her - that without knowing - she gave to you - and you picked it up. You live by it. As a result, it has made this world a better place because of your mom - and/or whom she picked it up from, etc. etc. etc.

It could be the Mass. You’re here.  Better it could be Christ - at this Sacred Meal called, “The Mass.” It could be Christ who is with you then while you're driving or while you're praying in the Eucharistic Chapel. It could be Christ whom you're with in visiting the sick or volunteering at the Light House or during St. Vincent de Paul work or in your own little service of others systems. I don’t know how many times I’ve experienced Jesus in nursing homes or while sitting with someone in trouble. I keep hearing Paul’s words of wisdom: "You are the body of Christ - member for member" - or Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: "I was sick or in prison and you visited me...."

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “How Many Pearls Do You Have?” 

Have you ever said to a woman wearing pearls, "Pearls are you!” [1]

Have you ever said to yourself, “This is me! I have to do this. I have to help this person or be there for this person.” 

Or it could be your garden or playing cards or a cocktail or a lunch or a call on the phone with a friend or a brother or sister.

In other words, what makes you, you - even when you’re in a t-shirt and jeans?  These are your narrow gates that you have discovered, entered, and they have lead you to life - a much more expensive and elegant life.

NOTE

[1] Oooops! What about guys with pearl handled pistols?

KINDNESS

June 26, 2012  Quote for Today


"Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on.

JHenry Burton [ 1840-1930], Pass It On, Stanza 1

I KNOW WHY 

YOU DID THAT!

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 12 Monday in Ordinary Time is, “I Know Why You Did That!”

I once heard Father Pat Lynch - when he was stationed here at St. Mary’s Parish - give a homily - and he took his hand - and walked two fingers across the front edge of the pulpit - paused and then said with his great smile, “Nobody ever saw a motive walk down the street!”

I don’t remember what his homily was about - but I have never forgotten that simple message - and I remember it at times - not always - when I find myself judging another person’s motive.

TODAY’S GOSPEL

And I usually remember that simple example and message whenever I read today’s gospel. And I probably use that example whenever I have to say a few words about today’s gospel.

Good. It’s a good example. It reminds us to do what Jesus says here in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus tells us to: STOP JUDGING!

Jesus tells us that we nit pick on others - spotting the splinters in our sister or our brother’s eye - but we don’t spot the wooden beams in our own eye.

It’s like spotting a tiny piece of white flaky dandruff on the shoulder of a blue suit or dress and we don’t see the gossip stains splashed all over our own soul.

In other words, “Let him or her without splinters cast the first judgment and comment.”

IT’S A BUMMER!

Jesus also tells us in today’s gospel  to change our measuring stick - our ruler - because it can both rule and ruin a meal or a relationship or life for us.

Let me explain one of my human learnings or life lessons. 

I know someone who has a great musical ear and great musical talents. When he hears someone sing or play the piano - he’s hearing that music differently than I hear it. I don’t have an ear - in fact, I was in the Tin Ear Club all through my years in the seminary. I hear music with unmarked rulers or measuring sticks or scores. I’m happy if someone can simply stand up there and sing or play the guitar or the piano. Amazing! He hears it with his measuring sticks - and if it’s off pitch a half note or a quarter note - if there is such a thing - or off tune or flat, it irritates him. I laugh, because that’s what you get when you get a great musical ear or any talent.

I once took a workshop when I lived in Wisconsin on Religious Art by a Sister Monica - who was an artist. She showed us slides of good religious art and horrible religious art. As a result I look at religious art differently and appreciate art better - but it ruined some holy cards and magazine and book covers with religious art for me. I have to be careful that I don’t poo poo someone’s art work - or become snooty.

So we have our measuring rulers on what makes a great work of art or song - as well as a hamburger, veal parmesan, movie, marriage, spouse, child, neighbor, priest, sermon, conversation, morning, afternoon, evening, fire works, wine, whiskey, beer, sunset, and sometimes we don’t enjoy any of the above because we’re comparing moments and people with other moments and people and situations.  If we have a high bar, we might not enjoy the cocktail. Comparisons can crush and crunch and quench the spirit.

CONCLUSION

In the meanwhile, take long walks and listen to music. But don't walk or listen with your rulers or your motives or your wooden beams. Listen or walk with open, clean, clear eyes - and enjoy the delights God is presenting us with today. Amen.

MEDIOCRITY 

June 25,  2012  Quote for Today

"A colorless and odorless gas; allow it to accumulate undisturbed, and suddenly it explodes with a force beyond all belief."


George Bernanos [1888-1948]

Questions:  How many days, weeks, years of  mediocrity does it take for you to explode?  Is it your mediocrity or the mediocrity or ineptitude or laziness or stupidity of those around you?

POINTING TO GOD

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Pointing To God!”

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Birth of John the Baptist.

I just happened to read the other day an article in old America magazine entitled “Soul Searching”. It was by Elizabeth Lev - who teaches Christian art and architecture at Duquesne University’s Italian campus in Rome - as well the University of St. Thomas’s Catholic studies program - also in Rome. [1]

Since it’s the feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist that article triggered this question:  there is a lot of art - a lot of paintings - depicting John  the Baptist - what do they point out?

Elizabeth Lev in her article kept saying that great artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Caravaggio put a lot more faith in their paintings than what some modern art authorities give them due. She says theories concocted by some authors who have no training in the history of art have persuaded millions that these works of art are proclaiming secular or odd messages. I’m assuming she’s going after folks like Dan Brown of the Da Vinci Code fame.

She then proceeds to present how the history of art has changed in the last few centuries. She quotes a Giorgio Vasari - who published in 1550 a book, Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects. She points out that Vasari points out how faith played a big part in the works of artists like Michelangelo and others. Then she points out that in the 18^th century, art historians began to impute motives on earlier Christian artists  that are simply not true. As a result the spiritual and the sacred are negated.

I hope I laid that out relatively clear.

WHY COME TO MASS?

Now, the title of my homily is, “Pointing to God!”

I would hope that one result of coming to Mass is that we leave with a great sense during the week of all kinds of things that point us to God.  Let me repeat that sentence: I would hope that one result of coming to Mass is that we leave with a great sense during the week of seeing all kinds of things that point us to God. Then we have inner comments, prayers, thoughts and conversations, questions and wonderments with God.

Then I would add the opposite: if we didn’t come to Mass, we might miss a lot of God referrals and the spiritual during the week.

PAINTINGS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

I pointed the mouse cursor or arrow on my computer to Google and then I typed in “Paintings of John the Baptist.”

I noticed that various paintings of St. John the Baptist have him pointing his finger towards Christ.

Sure enough that’s one of the themes in the scriptures about John the Baptist. There are others - but for this homily I would like to point out that many things - many experiences - many moments - point us to God. They are doing what John the Baptist did: point.

We know the big John the Baptist quote: "He must increase; I must increase" [John 3:30].

Many moments point us to Christ - his person and his teachings.

According to Vasari as well as Elizabeth Lev in her article in America magazine, that’s what the great religious painters are doing.

I would next add the following: has this ever happened to you? You go to an art museum - for example the National Gallery in Washington D.C. You spend 3 hours looking at paintings. You experience art. Then you walk outside and everything for about 20 minutes or so - appears as a work of art. This has happened to me many times. Trees, cars, people, walls, sky, flowers, light on leaves, all look like works of art.

If you don’t get that, picture med students studying about germs and viruses - and after class - they are seeing germs everywhere.

There are two kinds of people: those who point out the bugs and those who point out the beauty around us.

There are two kinds of teachers - or parents - or preachers: those who point out the mistakes and those who point out what you got right.

REDEMPTORISTS IN COLUMBIA

Next. I remember hearing one of our priests talking about what some Redemptorists in Columbia, South America, do in their parish missions. They take a group of folks through a town and start pointing out  what is right  in front of them. They would point to a light. Then they would say Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Jesus told us to bring light to others." They would point to a door. Jesus said, “I am the door.”  They would point to an alley. Jesus said, “I am the way!” They would come to a fork in the street. Jesus said, “There are two ways - the narrow way that leads to life and the broad way that leads to destruction. And many go by the broad, wide, way.” They would come into the market. The preacher would point to a scale and say, “Jesus went into the market and talked about how we measure people - and how God measures people - with great generosity." They would point out a child and would say, “Jesus said unless you be like little children - you’ll never be in the kingdom of God.” They would point to a crowd and say, "Jesus was preaching in town to a crowd like this and a woman came up and just touched the edge of his garment - hoping to be healed. Then Jesus said, 'Who touched me? Who bumped into me?'” Then they might add, “Where do you need to be healed? Touch Jesus today!”

ALMOST FINISHED: MAJOR QUESTION

I am almost finished.  The title of my homily is, “Pointing to God.”

I'm using the word "point" over and over again in this sermon or homily - with the hope you'll over and over again realize that lots of life's experiences will point you to God and the Son of God: Christ!

Here’s my major question. Looking at life, what are the things, experiences, and moments that point you to God?

Talk to each other - talk to people - ask them that question:  Looking at life, what are the things, experiences, and moments that point you to God?

It’s my experience that people deepen their spirituality - their outlook - their attitudes - their values - their prayer life - in various ways.

I’ll conclude with 10.  I ask you to talk to each other - and come up with your 10.  So here are 10 things that can point us to God.

1) Come to Church - Mass - be at peace here - pray - reflect on the homily - give the sign of peace with those around you - receive communion - go in peace. Or come back during the week to remain in communion with Christ in the Eucharistic chapel or here in church - like in the quiet of the afternoon.

2) Listen to classical music.  Put your cell phone in a paper bag in the back of the bottom drawer of your bedroom dresser - close the bedroom door and go listen to the music in some other room.

3) Take a good walk - have God point out his works of art to you. For example in Quiet Water Park. I’ve had various people tell me part of their vacation at the ocean is to walk the beach in the evening or early morning or whenever.

4) Go  to an art museum - watch the video in the kiosks or alcoves of a featured artist - and then go look at and study her or his paintings. Ask what was the artist thinking? What would you entitle the painting? What does it point out? Or get the head set and see what someone is pointing out to you.

5) Study people at a ballgame, major, minor or little league. See it as a choreographed dance. Watch the players and their preparation. Watch the people in the stands: up and down, looking around, doing the wave, eating, relaxing, enjoying a moment in the time of their life.

6) Watch a 90 year old couple walking up Main Street holding hands and it’s a first marriage - or whether husbands hold the door open for their wives coming in or out of a restaurant or a car and study the spouse’s face and read their lips if they respond with a “Thank you!”

7) Read a good short story or novel.  What does it point out about life or God or the spiritual?

8) Write your autobiography. When questions come up - talk to siblings or others - for their take on something that happened.

9) Gather your parents’ stories  - if they are alive - tape them - interview them. Type it up. Clarify what they are saying. Read it back to them and get refinements and corrections. Watch their faces and eyes when you do this.

10) When you eat - eat slowly - meditate on the journey of food from the farmer to the market place - to your fork or spoon or hand. When eating with kids, point to an apple - and point out the story of an apple tree, types of apples, etc. Taste the apple or apple pie. Taste the watermelon or the roasted asparagus or the rum raison ice cream. Taste it. If you get the Big Gulp, don’t gulp it down. If you get fast food, eat it as slow food. 

* * * * * * *

Notes:

Painting on top:  John the Baptist  by Bartolomeo Veneto, 16th Century.

[1] Elizabeth Lev, "Soul Searching", America, March 7, 2011, pp. 21-24.

**

TOYS

June 24,  2012  Quote for today.


Toys: "Life in miniature."

Philip Kirkham, quote found in Webster's New World, Dictionary of Quotable Definitions, ed. by Eugene E. Brussell, 1988

Questions:

Do you have any toys from your childhood?

Looking back at your childhood, what was your favorite toy?

Any comments on the often quoted comment: "The only difference between boys and men is the size of their toys."

Have you ever played toys with your grandchildren?