May 30, 2020

WANTING  SIGNS

“Okay”, said God, "here are a few….”

A really fast dog….

A kid gets a kite flying on a windy day ….

Leaves with resting rain water drops ….

The scent of raisin cinnamon toast ….

A magnolia tree in May ….

Three little girls playing jump rope ….

A kid moving from the high chair to the main table ….

Big sucker  chocolate chip cookies ….

Putting in the last piece of a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle ….

An old man with a cane getting to the top step ….

Bowling for the first time and getting a strike ….

Watching a camp fire with the family – 9 at night …. 

Riding in a red convertible – open top ….

Seeing the ocean for the first time ….

Taps at the grave – at a military funeral ….

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  30,  2020

Thought   for   Today

“Some  days you tame the tiger.  And   some  days  the tiger has  you for lunch.” 

Tug McGraw

May  29,   2020

STEP  BACK

Sometimes we forget 

that we can step back – 

especially when we 

are not that sure we 

really want to step up 

or speak out when asked. 

We don’t have to vote 

or make a comment –  

or give an answer.  We  

can step back and simply 

be silent - sitting all alone 

- on the three back steps 

in the back of the house -
and calmly figure things out.  

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  29,   2020

Thought   for  Today

“Be like the bird that, passing on her flight  on branches too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings,  knowing that she has wings.”

Victor Hugo

May   28,  2020

Thought   for   Today

THE LEGEND OF THE  DEAD  DOG 

There was a crowd of people around a dead dog in a village in Galilee.

One said,  “Look at his ragged ears; he was a fighter.”

Another said, “Look at the bit of rope around his neck, he was a runaway.”

Another said, “Look! How dirty he is!”

Then from the edge of the crowd there came a voice, “Pearls are not whiter than his teeth.”

The crowd turned round.  “This” others  said, “must be Jesus of Nazareth, for only he could find something good to say about a dead dog.”

William Barclay

In Marching On,

pages 219-220

Painting: Dead
Stray Dog, 
Museum Boijmans
Van Beunigen

May 28, 2020

MAKE-DO  WITH 

WHAT  YOU  GOT 

It’s not listed as a virtue,

but I list it as a great skill:

the ability to make do with

what you got in whatever

situation you find yourself in.

Wrenches have that little wheel.

Catsup is usually in the fridge.

Duct tape  is not that expensive.

Pause and catch your breath.

Everybody knows the Our Father.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  27,  2020

THE  OLD  “OFFER   IT  UP!”

Remember the old, “Offer it up!”

Today, this new day, with this new virus,

I offer up the dull drab of lock down

for the following folks who need help:

For the guy in prison who has been

falsely accused and is innocent.

For the nurse who had to jump in and

cover for another nurse who got sick.

For the widower who lost his wife and

the family and friends can’t have a funeral.

For the mother whose kids are not

talking to each other or to her as well.

For the researchers around the world

who are trying to come up with a vaccine.

For the couple who both lost their jobs and

have no clue on how to deal with what’s next.

For who else should we pray and offer it up?

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

 May   27,  2020

Thought  for  Today

“And  now,  Lord, what do I wait for?”

A line in one of the Psalms

Painting: The Wait and the Reward
by  Anna Bain

****PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE 

ASK MY PERMISSION 

IF YOU WISH TO USE THIS IMAGE

 FOR ANY REASON.****

A self portrait started at 34 weeks pregnant, and finished when my daughter was several weeks old. :-)

Visit my blog for more about this painting: http://artworkbyannarose.blogspot.com/2014/06/new-self-portrait-wait-and-reward.html

Contact the artist at annarosebain@gmail.com for how to purchase 5x5" greeting cards (nicer than the FAA ones!) :-)

http://www.artworkbyannarose.com/

 

by Anna Bain

SAINT  PHILIP  NERI 

AND  SAN  ALFONSO 

Today – May 26^th – being the feast of St. Philip Neri – it behooves me to say a few things about Philip Neri and his connection with St. Alphonsus.

To  know more about Philip Neri - I went through 5 books yesterday for my research – but  mainly for me. Who remembers sermons? I began to think about him - in relation to St. Alphonsus who often quoted him.

The main 3 things I knew about Philip Neri  – was that he was known for his joy. He was known to be a happy camper.  Most folks – especially Redemptorists -  know that about him. Say “Philip Neri” and you trigger “Joy”. Second thing most people know about him:  he founded the Oratory.  And thirdly, Alphonsus, who loves to quote,  often quoted him.

I didn’t see much about anything he wrote – but I did find lists of his quotes: 20, 10, 25 quotes and then there was a list of his sayings: one for everyday of the year.

No wonder Alphonsus quoted him.

Here’s an interesting quote:  “Let no one wear a mask, otherwise he will do ill; and if he has one let him burn it!” 

Obviously, they never met each other. Philip is from the 1500’s  [1515-1595]  and Alphonsus from the 1700’s  [1696-1787].

Alphonsus was born Sept. 27, 1696 and Philip Neri was born July 21, 1515.

Alphonsus is easier to know his dates in the 1700’s – just take off 4 years – for rough numbers.

Both were Italians – but from different kingdoms.  This was way before the unification of Italy under Garibaldi and Mazzini in 1861.  But it was a long process.  

We know from our CSSR roots  that the Redemptorists started down in the Kingdom of Naples.  Philip is from Florence in the north. At 17 he was sent south to his Uncle at Cassino – a merchant – with an eye to taking  over the Uncle’s business.  That would be a no go. In a year or so Philip headed to Rome – became a tutor to 2 sons of a Florentine, Galeotto del Caccia – and a new part of his life began.

He tutored  – but took courses as well in Rome – in Philosophy and Theology – from 1535 - 1538. People expected him to become a priest, but he quit his studies and for 13 years devoted himself to prayer – caring for the poor – visiting the sick – for example caring for sick pilgrims – did some informal talking to others about Christ – and was a member of a lay congregation.

In time, a priest, Persiano Rosa – his spiritual director – pushed him to get ordained and Philip Neri became a priest.

So both Alphonsus and Philip did something else before becoming diocesan priests. Alphonsus was ordained when he was around 30 – on December 21, 1726.  Philip was ordained when he was around 36 – on May 23, 1551.

So Philip ends up being a priest for about 44 years.

During that time he starts the Oratory – a group of  secular  priests who lived in community, prayed together, had 4 talks in the afternoon – read and studied scriptures and spiritual books together.

They are still around – having a couple of communities in the US. 

Cardinal Newman would be the most famous Oratorian: at the Birmingham England Oratory.

It would be a good study – comparing John Newman, Alphonsus and Philip Neri.

An interesting  point I noticed in reading was Alphonsus had an Oratorian - Thomas Pagano as his spiritual director for over 20 years. So when Alphonsus was a diocesan priest, joining the Oratory was a question.  If Alphonsus had done that, would he have founded the CSSR.

One book pointed out that the oratory was more big city oriented; Alphonsus became more concerned about small villages.

Next: when it comes to saint’s name dropping - Philip Neri would near the top of the list.  He was met and visited by the following saints: Ignatius of Loyola, Camillus de Lellis, John Leonardi, Charles Borromeo,  Francis de Sales.

Unlike Alphonsus - Philip Neri was considered a heretic and a nut, at times. Two books listed jealousy as motive.

Next Philip Neri – when he was in Florence – came into the story of Savonarola -  who had been killed in 1498 – 17 years before Philip Neri’s birth.   Everyone in Florence had their opinion and take on Savonarola.

It would be interesting to read a comparison between Philip Neri’s way of thinking – compared to Savonarola.

They definitely were different colored horses.

Next, it would be interesting if Alphonsus would have been much  stricter and tougher if he had not been influenced by the thought of Philip Neri.

Next I noticed that Philip Neri connected with Palestrina – especially with the musical tradition in the Oratorians. Did Alphonsus connect with any of that – with his music.

Two major similar themes for both  Alphonsus’ s and St. Philip Neri were: prayer and the practice of the Love of Jesus Christ.

Did Alphonsus ever beat on himself – for not having the sense of humor that Philip Neri had.  For example, Philip had some cute quips. Did Alphonsus ever crack funnies in the pulpit?

Lastly, did Alphonsus get his idea for the content and process of the evening chapels from the Oratorians 4 talks in the afternoon, etc. etc. etc.

Some thoughts for the feast of Philip Neri.

______________________________________________________

Painting on top:  St. Philip Neri by Carlo Dolci

Other painting: St. Alphonsus de Liguori

May  26,  2020

ALLOW   ME

Allow me,

please allow me,

to make mistakes,

to doubt,

to have atheistic thoughts,

add some agnostic thoughts as well,

to do dumb at times,

to expect forgiveness,

even when I won’t forgive you,

to cry,

to be amazed when you’re not,

to fumble the ball,

to strike out three times in the same game,
to hit a home run and you're on the other team,

to come up with a really funny joke,

to forget my mask,

to get sick,

to be late,

to have a different agenda than yours,

to be human.

There ….

I said it.
And there's more ....

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  26,  2020

Thought for Today

“It’s easier to guide  cheerful persons  in the spiritual life than melancholy ones.”

St. Philip Neri

May  25,  2020

RAILINGS

God called up 10 people this morning.

“Today you have 10 choices:

I need you to be a

banister or a railing,

a twenty dollar bill,

a smile, a greeting,

a glass of cold water,

a wave from a window,

a visitor to a nursing home,

a letter, an ice cream cone

to a little kid with ice cream eyes,

or a surprise phone call to

someone 1,000 miles away.

Tonight I’ll check in to see

if you caught the moment

I was hoping you would catch
and you did it.”

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  25,  2020

Thought  for  Today

“Only one feat is possible:  not to have run away.”

Dag Hammarskjold

May 24,  2020

MAKING 

AN  IMPRESSION 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this feast of the Ascension is, “Making an Impression.”

Jesus came into our world – he walked into our rooms – he came through our walls – he left – but he left an impression.

OPENING STORY

Let me begin with a scene.

It was her moment. The little girl was  ready to steal the show – but she was too young to know all this.

It was also their moment - the whole crowd – the audience – the nursing home community -  who were about to receive communion - to receive their gift – from this beautiful little girl.

The little girl had on a beautiful white dress. It was her first communion dress – which she wasn’t to use this year – because of the Virus.

She was about to make first communion with old people in a nursing home. Yes: a nursing home.  They were all at least 10 feet apart – all with masks – which several had no clue –  what this was on their face  for– and they were fidgeting with them.

The little girl waited in the wings outside the large recreation room.

Then on signal, on cue, she walked into the room that was filled with all the nursing home residents – in a semi-circle – facing center front.

Her white socks – white shoes -  white dress - white latex gloves - were perfect for the scene. The white and red tile floor had  just been cleaned and waxed and was sparkling for the occasion.

Her smile, her face, her hair perfect, were  about to open up the consciousness doors of all the old people, in their chairs, with their walkers – in this recreation hall.

It was the first public gathering in about 3 months. The state had opened up a bit – but CDC guidelines were very much being practiced.

This was a nursing home – and they were having a tough, time in this time of Corona 19.  Fortunately, this nursing home did not have any deaths or people testing positive for having the virus.

Three nurses – also in white – also in gloves – also with  masks – also with smiles in their eyes – came in following the little girl – pushing silver stainless steel carts that carried 45 red roses – defanged of thorns on their long stems – with bandaids – for where the thorns were.  One nurse thought that would be a neat touch

This was to be a very careful communion procession and procedure.

The little girl gave each old person a single red rose – and a smile – and just two words, “For you!”

And most of the old folks said just two words back, “Thank you!” – even a few who hadn’t said a word since last month – in April.

Nobody had arthritis or dementia of the smile.

Tears appeared everywhere. Eyes danced around the room.

All were young again.

That little girl made some impression!

That little girl in her white dress had a wonderful First Communion ceremony this day.

TODAY’S  READINGS

There are several scripture texts that come to mind for this feast of the Ascension.

The one I like is: “Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Unless you become like little children, you shall not make an impression of the crowd.

Unless you become little children – you won’t get Christmas – and why God sent his only Son into our world as a child.

In today’s readings one basic message is the call of Christians to be Christ’s witnesses

Our call is to get moving, stop staring into space, shake it – and start spreading the Good News – that Jesus is with us.

You got the power! You got the Spirit! Use it. Live it.

This is what a Lover of God – Theos – Philos – does – as we hear in the Acts of the Apostles.

Our job is to restore the Kingdom each day – till the ends of the earth.

This is what Paul told the Ephesians and ever audience he could reach.

This is the message he preaches in today’s second reading from Ephesians.

This is the New Testament insight that Christ impressed on all of us.

We have this insight, this innermost vision. How great our hope is. This is our heritage. We’re in the will. We have the strength, power, the fullness of him who fills the universe in its parts.

In today’s from Mathew 28:  16-20, we’re allowed to have doubts - but when Christ comes to us our doubts can disappear.

CONCLUSION

The title and theme of my homily for today -  the feast of the ascension is, “Making an Impression.”

When we give out roses, when we give out daily bread, when we give out love, we make an impression.

We put a dent in disregard.

We impress others by our love – especially those who feel forgotten – like folks in a nursing home.

Be like that little girl in my opening story.

Make a good impression.

May   24,   2020

FRUIT  AND VEGETABLE SECTION

Three people stood there at the fruit

and vegetable section of the supermarket.

Person A knocked on the melons – examining

each – knowing you never know what’s inside.

Person B held some apples – looking at each

carefully – “Hey you never till you slice them open.”

Person C picked up 3 bananas and 3 peaches

for his neighbor who’s mom is in a nursing home.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May 24, 2020

Thought  for  Today

“Tut, tut, child,” said the Duchess, “Everything’s got a moral if only you can find it.”  

The Duchess in Lewis Carroll’s 

Alice in Wonderland.