SERMONS

HINT, HINT!

CARTOON IN TODAY'S

WASHINGTON POST

August 26, 2017

AT  THE  EDGE

How many times a day

do we stand at the edge

of saying what we ought

to say to another?

But we don’t.

They might take us off

the edge of the cliff into

the abyss and we don’t

want to go there.

So we don’t.

Yet tomorrow and the day

after that we’ll be at the edge

of that same speech we ought

to be saying to another.

But we won't.

Is it because we know
there is too much scary
down there at the bottom of

the edge of that cliff?

 © Andy Costello, Reflections  2017

August 25, 2017

HELLO

Sometimes a picture is worth more

than a thousand words. Sometimes

words just don’t do the trick. Sometimes

action speaks louder than words.

Sometimes we need to trick the other -

because we don’t know how to put

into words what we want to say
and how we want to say it.

 © Andy Costello, Reflections  2017

August 24, 2017

TIP

Tip for the day….

Today ….

Surprise someone with a great tip.
That's the tip for today....

Why not?

Make another's day….

Tip. Do this and you’ll remember

their face for the rest of your life.

Virtue is it’s own reward.

Or do it anonymously - 
because you’re doing it for another.
Right?

Make someone’s day, today.

© Andy Costello, Reflections  2017

August 23, 2017

TRIPLE AAA

A battery, an Auto Club,

but I also have my AAA:

Acceptance, Ambiguity,

and Autobiography.

If I do enough pondering

with paper or pen or computer,

I can get to know my own story -

my autobiography - my quirks

and quests and questions….

If I listen to you enough

and get to know your story,

your autobiography,

then I can come up with

two key life skills: accepting

others and others otherness,

in other words, ambiguity.

It’s then I can really grow

in wisdom, age and grace

before God, self and others.[1]

 © Andy Costello, Reflections  2017

[1] Luke 2:52; Matthew 13: 53-58.

CALLED  AND  SENT 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily  is, “Called and Sent.”

Today is a feast of Mary: the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A theme to reflect upon could be: Called and Sent.

TWO READINGS

The two readings for this Mass are: Judges 6:11-24 and Luke 1:26-36.

The first reading is the first reading for this 20th Tuesday in Ordinary Time and the gospel is from the Feast of the Queenship of Mary.

It is significant both these two readings are sort of side by side by accident - as I indicate in a few moments.

WE KNOW THE DYNAMIC

The title of my homily is, “Called and Sent!”

Called and sent is a regular dynamic.

Someone calls us up and asks, “Can you do me a favor?”

God calls someone and says, “Can you do me a favor?

We find this dynamic in the scriptures.

It goes something like this: There is an introduction and a greeting. Next comes a conflict or some problem. That’s why they called. We need you to have a baby - even though you’re close to being 100 years old. Don’t laugh. We need you to have a baby - even though you do not know a man.

We see these ingredients in today’s readings. We also see them in the Birth of Isaac and the Birth of Samson. We see them in the stories of Gideon and Mary.

After the introduction - the greeting - after the problem - someone  usually speaks up. How is this possible?

Then the problem is resolved a bit and then there is the being sent.

Other names for this dynamic is Annunciation and Commissioning.

GIDEON AND MARY

I still remember our scripture professors talking about reading the Gideon story and then the Annunciation story.

Re-read today’s first reading with the Annunciation account in mind - and compare them with each other.

“For example, We read in the book of Judges, “The Lord is with you, O champion.”  We read in the gospel of Luke, “Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Then the problem is presented. Then Gideon asks questions. Then Mary asks questions. Then Gideon is told he will see signs. Then Mary is told about her cousin Elizabeth being pregnant in her old age.

US

Each day God sends angels, messages to us.

The Lord is with us.

Do not be afraid.

Each day  is full of grace, if we open ourselves up to God.

Each day we have our babies to take care of.

Each day the Most High overshadows us - if we take the time to see that God does not wants to eclipse us - but to see the person right in front of us.

Today - see the person God sends us to see them.

Today, pray Mary’s prayer: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according you your word.  

August 22, 2017

GONE SHOPPING

“Hon, where are you going?”

“Just shopping.”

“On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst,

I give shopping a 20 or a 40.”

“Ha! Ha!  That’s you,

but I always find shopping

interesting - especially in the mall.

And I thought you always liked to

people watch and what is

more interesting than to watch

people in the mall?”

4 HOURS LATER

“Wake up honey. I’m home.”

“Well, how was it?”

"How was what?"

"Shopping!"

“It was fascinating.”

“You’re kidding!”

“Nope, you wouldn’t believe

what I saw today.”

“What did you buy?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“Women! I don’t understand women -

but honey I love watching you.”

"You would have liked what I saw
in the mall today."

"No way!"

"Wanna bet?"

© Andy Costello, Reflections  2017

POSSESSIONS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 20^th Monday in Ordinary Time  is, “Possessions.”

The word is used at the end of today’s gospel, “When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

The Greek word used is, “KTEMA” and it’s translated into English as “possessions”.  

ETERNAL LIFE

This story in today’s gospel - Matthew 19: 16-22 - is also in Mark 10: 17-22 and Luke 18: 18-23. It’s worth reading all three versions for insights - as well as commentaries on the story in each gospel.

William Barclay in his commentary on Matthew 19: 16-22 - (Vol. 2) points out there is another account of this story in the Gospel according to the Hebrews. This is a document from perhaps a Christian Cult - and we only have fragments from this document. In this account - the commandment to love our neighbor is connected to giving our possessions to the poor.

In today’s gospel he’s young and rich. He wants to possess the secret of life. Better “eternal life” - forever life - the whole deal.

Jesus says the secret is to keep the commandments.

He asks, “Which ones?”

Jesus gives him 6: “Don’t kill. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.”

He says that he’s already doing those 6 - and so he asks Jesus, “What’s lacking? What else should I be doing?”

“Okay,” Jesus says, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Once more the end of the story according to Matthew: ”When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

SAD-GLAD - HAPPY FACE -UNHAPPY FACE

Is this young man every man - every woman?

Do we all down deep have this same basic question?

What’s the secret of life? What is the secret of inner peace? What is the secret of being glad - not sad? What is the secret of having a happy face, a happy soul?

LETTING GO

In this gospel text, a good message for today is “letting go”.

One of the great secrets of happiness is letting go.

“Let it go!”

How many times have we heard that?

Stuff stuffs us.

Possessions possess us.

Letting go - lets us go to a new level, a new place, a new space.

I like to recommend to people the fist to open hand prayer.

Just sit there at red lights - or TV commercials - or sermons you don’t get - or waiting in doctor’s offices - simply make a fist and then open it and throw away what’s in the middle of your fist - what’s possessing you.

Whatever is bugging you - a daughter who won’t speak to you - a husband who made a nasty comment - a selfish brother or sister and you’re stuck taking care of mom and dad - a noisy neighbor in the night with a Harley Davidson or a piano or a hungry or lonely dog - or music box - whatever.

Or it could be a mistake you made when you were 22 or a thief that robbed you or whatever - let it go.

This guy in the gospel couldn’t let it go and walked away sad.

CONCLUSION

I want to conclude with one of my favorite stories. I own it. I possess it. I heard it years ago and it’s mine. I’m giving it to you today - so you can own it and share it. You’ll get it - if you haven’t heard it already.

It goes like this. This is my version of something I’ve taken from someone.

Once upon a time  a monk was walking down a road.

It was a road that was parallel to a river.

The monk was by himself - that is - till someone caught up to him.

“Hi there!” a stranger yelled.

The monk turned and the stranger asked the obvious, “Can I travel along this road with you. I’m alone and it looks like you’re alone as well.”

The two walked and shared this and that with each other.

At one point, since it was near lunch, the monk asked the stranger if he was hungry and if  he would want some lunch.

“Sure,” said the stranger.

“Here’s a good spot to stop and go down to the water. It’s cold and delicious.”

They went down to a nice open spot on the bank of the river.

The monk opened up his bag and took out a towel and made an instant picnic spot. He took out some sandwiches, two apples, a banana and an  orange. He also took out a huge diamond the size of his fist to get some napkins from the bottom of his bag.

The stranger became mesmerized by the diamond. He didn’t taste his sandwich, the cool water or his apple.

Finally, he said it. “Is that a diamond?”

“Yes, pretty big isn’t it?”

“Is it real.”

“I think so.”

“Where did you get it?”

“Oh, I found it yesterday up stream when I stopped to eat some lunch.”

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”

And the monk said, “Do you want it?”

“What?”

“Do you want it?”

“You’d give that to me, just like that.”

“Yes, here it’s yours.”

After that, the stranger’s mind went crazy. He couldn’t wait till he could separate himself from the monk.

The monk cleaned up the silverware and the cups they used  - in the river - and packed up his bag - and both got moving up the road.

Now the stranger couldn’t hear anything - only his planning on what he’d do with the diamond.

Finally they came to a fork in the road.

The stranger had his chance. He asked the monk, “Which way are you headed.”

The monk pointed to his right and the stranger said, “Oh, sorry, I’m headed to the left.”

They parted. The stranger said, “Thanks for the sandwich and the food. Thanks for the good conversation” and he sandwiched in between both those comments. “Thanks for the diamond.”

The stranger rejoiced - smile.

He headed up the road - as if he hit the lottery.

About ten minutes later he stopped.

He turned.

He ran back to the fork in the road and ran after the monk till he caught him.

He caught his breath and said, “I have to ask you one thing. You have something I want and I don’t have.”

He took out the diamond and handed it back to the monk.

The monk said, “Thank you.”

Then the stranger said, “What I would want from you is the ability to give the diamond to someone - just like that. How could you do that? I want to  be able to do that.”

And smiling, the monk said, “You got it.”

P.S. I told that story this morning and someone told me that the story is in one of these small daily reflection book for today - as well. 

Surprise.

ECLIPSE PRAYER

Light of the World:

sorry for all the times

I’ve blocked your light….

Sorry for all the times

I have kept others in the dark. 

Good News: 
the light overcomes the darkness. 
It reappears  - 
as the darkness disappears -

from the face of our midst. Amen.

August 21, 2017

WAITING ROOM

Sometimes while waiting,
we start to realize - 
every place we're in - 
is a waiting room.

Waiting for the doctor....
Waiting in church, in a sermon....
Waiting in a marriage ....
Waiting in a family: now that's a big one...

Waiting for prodigal kids 
to get home, or for 
complaining kids to get leaving
to get their act together.

Waiting for God? 
Life? Death?
Waiting.... 
I'm waiting....

© Andy Costello, Reflections  2017

TAKING DOWN STATUES

When asked my take 
on taking down statues, 
I find myself saying, 
"It's easier to take down statues 
than to take down from a pedestal, 
a mind set in stone or bronze."

Andrew Jackson Costello

For the sake of transparency I was named after two Andrews: Saint Andrew Avellino and Andrew Jackson. I'm sure folks can find faults with both - especially Andrew Jackson.

St. Andrew Avellino

Andrew Jackson statue
in Lafayette Park,
Washington, D.C.
within site of the White House.
It is the earliest bronze statue 
in the United States 
and the first one in the world 
of a horse on just two legs.

NAG, NAG, NAG

[Today’s gospel is considered one of the toughest gospel readings - so I decided to wrestle with it, by writing a story - entitled, “Nag, Nag, Nag.” This could be considered a cop out. It could be. Yet, I’ve preached on this many times - and so too lots and lots of other priests and preachers. The question still remains:  “How could Jesus sound so un-Jesus-like as  he sounds in today’s gospel?” That is the question. So a story entitled, “Nag, Nag, Nag.”]

God nicknamed her, “Nag, Nag, Nag.”

Her friends - her family - never thought about her that way.

She was all smiles - all the time - whenever she was in the public domain - especially when she was in church.

Church? Yes. Most of her life? Yes.

But there were a few times there that she dropped out. She had it with God - but God didn’t  nag her back.

God did his regular thing - sort of like what God does so, so many times - hiding behind his bulletin over there in the corner.

But she nagged God - all the time.

Moreover, she thought she had a right to nag God.

She knew her scriptures. She read her Bible.

“After all:  didn’t Jesus say to be like the widow who bothered the judge till that judge  gave her a hearing and gave a verdict in her favor? Didn’t Jesus tell that story or parable to get people to bother God in prayer?”

“Didn’t Jesus say to ask, to seek and to knock - and to keep on doing that?”

“Didn’t Jesus say to scream outside God’s door and window late in the night - and even throw rocks at his wooden shutters? Then God will finally open up the front door to give the screamer some  bread - to get rid of him or her. This man who knocked or who threw rocks at his neighbors shutters was always doing things like this.  - always saying to strangers, “If you’re ever stuck for a place at night, knock on my door”, but he was never ready to feed surprise guests who showed up at his house long after the marketplace  and the stores were closed? So he’d always go over to his neighbor’s house - even if all were gone to bed over there.

So all her life this lady nagged, nagged, nagged God in prayer.

And it seemed that for her - God kept his shutters shut.

And what - better who - did this woman nag God about?

What was her problem?

It was her daughter.

She had one child - one daughter.

She had one problem: this one daughter - who had many problems.

Her husband was gone a long time ago.

It seemed her daughter had a demon in her.  At least that’s what this mom told God - and told her daughter - what she thought was wrong with her.

“You have a demon in you.”

But her daughter remained silent - totally ignoring her mother - at that and many other comments her mother made at her and to her.

Truth be told: this daughter couldn’t stand her mother’s nagging, nagging, nagging.

This daughter did finish high school. This daughter did work - a bit - on and off - from time to time. This daughter was always on her cellphone - or ear phones - or TV or sleeping - and would come out of her room - mainly when her mom went to bed or went off to work or off to church.

Her mom talked to several priests and a counselor once back there - about her daughter - but nothing worked - especially nagging.

It was Sunday.

She - mom - was at church.

It was the 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the gospel was all about the Canaanite woman who had a daughter with demons.

She heard that story. She stopped praying long enough to hear that story. She said to herself, “By God, you’re talking to me.”

She heard the priest say that the readings from Isaiah and Matthew were about boundaries. “Go beyond your boundaries.”

“Woof, woof, woof!”

She heard the gospel reading mention that Jesus talked about a dog - throwing food that was meant for your children to your dog or allowing your dog to eat scraps that fall from your table.

She burst into tears.

Those around her in church - put their hands on her shoulder and back - and one person even put her hand on the woman’s head. She was sort of bouncing up and down and back and forth in her bench as she cried.

The priest seeing this out in the benches while preaching got nervous - but also felt a bit of joy - that maybe something he was saying was being heard - and helped challenge someone.

“Hey, you never know.”

After Mass she sat there a while - calmed down a bit.

After Mass she went to the Dog Shelter - thinking it might be closed.

But, why not, why not give it a try?

It was open.

“Do you have any dogs?”

The lady at the shelter said, “Do we have dogs?”

“Do we have dogs?”

And she pointed to this big enclosed area that held about two dozen dogs. 

“Take your pick.”

“Ooops,” the mother said. “Wait. How long are you open till?”

“Till 5 P.M.”

“Great,” she said, “I’ll be right back with my daughter. We need a dog.”

She got home, faster than usual. She woke up her daughter saying, “Hurry, get dressed.”

She barked back at her mom, “Mom, it’s 11:45 and I’m still asleep. Give me a break.”

“Hurry, get dressed. I’ll be waiting outside in the car.”

Mom’s different sounding nagging - must have worked - because out came her daughter - no shower - in 7 minutes.

“Where, are we going mom?”

“You’ll see.”

They pulled into the parking lot of the Dog Shelter.

“What, mom, what are we doing here?”

“You’ll see.”

Then went in.

The lady in charge said, “Wow, you’re back.”

And she took mother and daughter back to the two dozen or more dogs and said, “Pick a winner. Pick the one you want.”

And the daughter spotted a lonely looking half and half - half poodle and half something else - and said with excitement - the most excitement the mom heard from her in 2000 years, “That one. That one.”

And they brought home “Sushi” - a labradoodle. Her daughter named and baptized her “Sushi”  immediately.

And Sushi changed that daughter for the rest of her life. Sushi also changed the relationship of mother and daughter. And that daughter volunteered to work at the dog shelter and ended up going to community college to become a vet. She didn’t finish that - but came close - because she met a vet and married him and she works in their office.

And Sushi - changed as  well - Having the best of both his halves and the best of mom and daughter and her husband - and then their three kids.

And they lived happily ever after.

Woof. Woof. Woof.