September 17,  2022

Reflection

LISTENING SKILLS  # 1

I would suspect - think - that awareness of what another says triggers my memories - the stories inside of me.

I would think being aware of that - is the first step in getting to the number one skill in listening.

Jack says, "When we were kids, we used to go to Coney Island." Then he adds, "I loved that - especially going to Nathan's - and getting a hot dog and an orange drink - before we headed back home by the subway."

Jill hears that. 

However, the words, "Coney Island" triggers memories of the parachute and the Cyclone roller coaster and the Steeplechase Amusement Park and the beach and running down into the water.

She could hear and listen to Jack's words - but instead, she first  hears and concentrates on the images that come flooding and flowing into her upper room - into her mind and her memory.

Now she's ready for Listening Skill # 1.

If Jill says to herself, "Okay, I have these memories - these my takes - on Coney Island as a kid - but let me go back to what Jack just said.

If Jill then says to Jack, "I have my memories. You just triggered a bunch for me,  but tell me again what you loved about Coney Island as a kid."

If Jill does that, then she is using skill # 1.

She's actually listening.

Listening is that decision - to put myself aside - and really listen to another - to their stuff and their takes on life.

Everything another says triggers  our stuff.

But listening is looking at and sorting out another's stuff.

Our memories are 1 million buttons.

Others and other things keep hitting those buttons. 

Turning them off and listening to what other's buttons hit - is real listening.

Dementia is the loss of memory.

As we age we have more and more trouble with names - of persons, places and things.

So having our memories jarred, is a good thing. It shows we still have them and we make connections.

As a preacher - speaking to 800 people on a Sunday morning - wow I'm hitting lots of buttons.

I pause - saying to myself - I'm triggering a lot of stuff right now. I imagine the inner conversations going on in the minds and memories of those present - a tiny bit of which I triggered. They have stuff from yesterday and last week to sort out - and church time is as good as any time to chew on them.

As a preacher I have to laugh at myself at the times I thought everyone was listening.

I say the word "orange".

Imagine what that word could trigger: Halloween, Florida, a basketball, throwing an orange that broke a window, West Orange, New Jersey, a girl friend from 31 years ago who love orange laces in her sneakers. 

So what am I saying here?

Skill # 1 in listening is the trying to be aware of what another is saying - yes it triggers my past - but if I want to really listen to another - I try to hear their past.

Dwelling on my stuff - my memories - diminishes my listening to another - and what they are saying and thinking.

But when I say, "Shut up my memories - and hear this other person's memories" watch what happens?

The other feels recognized and heard - and a moment of receiving Holy Communion.

 September  17, 2022

Thought for Today

"Waits at the window wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door."

John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Eleanor Rigby (song)

BUT  IF?

 

The title of my homily for this  23 Friday in Ordinary Time  is a question  - a short two word question – a throw away mantra – entitled – “But if?” and to use it in many conversations.

But if …. That’s it. To use that - and say that - in many situations. “But if?

For example:: But if Christ did not rise from the dead, then that’s it.

Might as well pack up and toss all our hopes, all our assumptions, into the ocean and at some point die – because that’s it. That’s all folks.

But if Christ rises from the dead – then that’s it – that’s all. We win. We live forever.

If – the word appears 7 times in today’s first reading – in both the Greek – with the short 2 letter word EI – and the English translation of EI is also a two letter word: IF.

Paul in today’s first reading – 1 Corinthians 15: 12-20 – sums it all up with just those 2 words: BUT IF – without using the word “BUT”.

But if we read today’s 1^st reading carefully, then we get the but – and the if.

Come to think about if: we’re living our whole lives on that one word if. If we unpack it – and see it – and reflect upon it, if contains all life’s implications – that is if we ask life’s questions.

Paul gives us his 7 if’s in today’s first reading – starting with: “If Christ is not raised from the dead, then we are not raised when we die.

But if Christ is raised the dead – then our preaching  - then our faith – then all the testimony  - about Christ – rising from the dead – is a relief. It changes everything.

But if – we don’t buy it – then as Paul puts it – we fall asleep and perish forever.

But if – by faith  - we believe Christ has been raised – then we can be a we that also rises  – because of Christ.

I was wondering last night when I read this reading, why I don’t remember using it at funerals. I will from now on.

Conclusion: Take your rosary and  say 59 times – “But if” -  on each bead and see where that takes you. Amen.

 September 16,  2022

Reflections

BUTTONS

The theme for a talk on "Buttons" keeps hitting me.

What are your buttons?

What are my buttons?

So and so was cheated on, divorced, dumped by her husband. She wasn't too happy as I sat next to her at a 50th Wedding Anniversary.

She might have had an extra drink too many.

I don't know, but she was voicing various angry comments.

Someone in the car - while driving home - commented on her behavior and said, "Maybe she had a drink too many - or maybe she was seeing a marriage that worked and it triggered thoughts about her marriage that didn't work."

I don't know. I didn't think about any of that at the wedding.

I was looking at the oil and vinegar jars at the table for our salad. They reminded me of those small glass cruets they have on tables with pancake syrup.

Every time I looked at those glass cruets, they brought back memories of taking pancake syrup without thinking. It was 4 months ago. That's when I found out I had diabetes Type 2.  My mind felt ugly. The side of my head went dizzy. I remembered the last time I had a double scoop of rum raisin and butter almond ice cream.

That pancake syrup was a button.

It triggered the story of F. X. Murphy pulling out of our house in Washington D.C. The bumper of his car got entangled on the long chain that our dog Bernadette was wearing around her neck - attached to a tree. He drove about 6 blocks before he noticed people beeping and signaling, something was wrong.

Rolling down his window he heard, "You're pulling a dog."

Every morning since then, when F.X. goes by Bernadette, she gives him a low, long sounding growl.

Donna was coming out of church. She said to me, "I heard you just preached a parish mission over at St. Andrew's."

I said, "Yes."

She said, "I don't like that church. They don't have a crucifix."

I was there for 5 days and I didn't notice they didn't have a crucifix.

I did notice they had a neat statue of Saint Andrew - holding a fishing net - all in bronze.

Some things that we don't see can trigger feelings - so too - what we see.

If we handed everyone a piece of paper and ask them to jot down 25 of their buttons.

Can we learn how to avoid having one of our buttons pushed?

Wait! I think the first step would be to be aware of our buttons.

 September 16, 2022

Thought for Today

YOU'RE IT

God, disguised as a myriad things and                playing a game of tag,

has kissed you and said, "You're it -                             I mean you're Really IT!"

Now it does not matter what you believe                    or feel,

for something wonderful, major-league          wonderful, is someday going to

HAPPEN.

Hafiz

A Year with Hafiz,

translated by Daniel Ladinsky

 September 15, 2022

Reflection

AFTER THE CRUISE  

It's now a week and two days, May 7, 2007. after the cruise.

I wrote in a similar journal some of the moments, thoughts, feelings about the cruise I was on to the Panama Canal.

Even if I didn't write here or there about the cruise, people asked questions and expected answers: How was the cruise? Would you go again? Where did you go? What was the most interesting experience?

On the cruise different people from our group asked, "Is this going to be in a sermon?

On the cruise different people from our group would ask each other, "Well, how was the show last night?"  Or they would ask about a side trip, "Well, how was the trip to the ruins."

I suppose once we step out of the ordinary, life has its Q and A sessions.

And I guess the way to get in touch with the extraordinary, one must ask oneself, "Well how was it?"

So here are some answers:

The cruise was water - lots of water.

The cruise was people - lots of people.  I think the numbers were 1970 people on the cruise - plus 700 crew members. Then there were the people we saw when we were on land -tour guides, people selling stuff, sales people in stores, bus drivers, etc. etc. etc.

The cruise was food: the pick up meals on the Ledo Deck - tray in hand - going around and picking up what one liked - as well as the formal meals in the big dining rooms.

The cruise was diamonds, jewelry for sale on board and at each port.

The cruise was the Panama Canal - but we only went through one lock - so we didn't go to the other side and into the Pacific.

The cruise was elevators - people going up and down - all day long - instead of taking the carpeted stairs - which I preferred for the exercise..

The cruise was quiet moments on the balcony overlooking the Western Caribbean  - or chatting with Jack Flanagan.

The cruise is still cruising through my mind - still gliding across the waters of my mind.

 September 15, 2022

Thought for Today

WINE IS LIKE THE LORD JESUS

Wine is like the Lord Jesus; it can bring        

the dead to life.

Hafiz

A Year With Hafiz

Daily Contemplations

translated by Daniel Ladinsky

 September  14, 2022

Reflection

BEFORE THE CRUISE

I was about to head to Florida to take a cruise with some people from our parish - and head for Panama and a few other places.

How does one prepare for a trip - any trip?

What does that question tell about a person?

That triggered a memory of Jack Nicholson packing in the movie, "As Good As It Gets."

I think of Tom who had bought several books on how to pack.

I think of Mom and Dad in Ireland - long before I existed - and before they got married here the states - packing.  I never heard any conversation about that experience.

I think of young people going off to college.

I think of men and women going off to war.

For my trip to Panama and the cruise in the Caribbean, I'll have to make a list of "Things to Do!"

Next came the, "What happens next?" question.

Next came the money question.  How much will I need.

The thought of being a little boy again - and not having enough money for our Altar Boy boat ride up the Hudson River.

I'll figure it out. I always do.

Then the thought: bring a book for journaling.

Will I write the stories - the stories of my life.

I said, "Yes!"

Then the  doubt: "Will I?"

 September 14, 2022

Thought for Today

"They had no conversation, properly speaking.  They made use of the spoken word in much the same way as the guard of a train makes use of his flags or lantern."

Samuel Beckett,

Malone Dies,1951

 September 13, 2022

Reflection

A  MARRIAGE OF OPPOSITES

Jack didn't believe in a God or Jesus.

Jill did.

Jack went up a hill to fetch a hose for some water - for their backyard - which needed the trees and plants in it to be watered.

Home Depot is not the usual place for a couple to meet - but that's where Jack met Jill and Jill met Jack.

Jill went there to buy a pail. Honestly.

Jack went there to buy a hose. Honestly.

Time happened.

Conversations continued.

Jack had to make a decision. Do I go to church with Jill?

Jill had to make a decision. Do I go with someone who doestn't go to church - and doesn't believe in God.

He went.

Jill continued to go with Jack.

Jack got nothing out of the hour in church with Jill.

They went to the priest - when they got engaged.

He said to them, "You better get this figured out now -  before you get married - because in 10 or 15 years - if not sooner - this question about Church is going to show up - especially if you're blessed with kids.

Jack and Jill heard that message - comment - warning.

They married.

Jack went to Church.

As he sat there Sunday after Sunday he wondered and wondered: "Is all this real?"

Do all these people really believe in God?  Do they believe Jesus is God? Do they believe bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ?

He kept on getting on the boat every Sunday morning. Jill never said a word. 

What happened.

Faith, grace, slid into Jack - but he didn't know it yet - he slowly made his first act of faith - to an unknown God.

Then came a pail of water - then a hose was turned on....

   

    

 September 13, 2022

Thought for Today

"Uncle Albert made a list of conversational openings.  Among the earliest items was: 'Are you aware that the heaviest eater in the zoo is the gnu?'"

G. W. Lyttelton. 

The Lyttelton Hart Davis Letters, 

November 15, 1955

 September 12, 2022

Reflection

DEATH AND THE DOMINO EFFECT

First it was the phone call: "Dad died yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock."

"Of course," I said, "I'll do the funeral, but first I'll have to make some switches."

I had to get someone to take the 12:10 Mass for me. 

Harry agreed. I'll take the 6:45 on Thursday morning for him.

Next I had to get someone to take the funeral I had on Thursday  at 10 A.M.

At these funerals, we all have to make these switches. We have to re-schedule.

Every time when I'm driving and I see 10 or 15 cars in a funeral procession, I'm looking at a lot of rescheduling.

Then for the family of the person who died, there's the removal of the person's stuff - the tidbits of a person's life - the trinkets and the tokens.

Death certainly has a domino effect.

Then the realization - life has a zillion domino effects.

A word - a compliment - a curse - a complaint - can trigger the tapping against a whole string of dominoes.

Wounds can cause surprise repercussions.

Being late - being early - a smile - changing lanes - not taking care of one's car - can all cause - unforeseen results.

Does the waves from a  boat off Africa - eventually hit the beach at Rio?

I wake up when the guy who lives next to me closes his room loudly.

My words - written or spoken - have implications.

How about my thoughts? 

How about my attitudes?

 September 12, 2022

Thought for Today

"What can you do with it? It's like a lot of yaks jumping about."

Sir Thomas  Beecham, Quoted Harold Atkins 

and Archie Newman, Beecham Stories

Of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony

 September 11,  2022

Reflection

HOT

The faucets handles are marked  H and C - red and blue - hot and cold.

Amazing.

The weather can't be turned on and off. We take what we get - or buy an air conditioner or a heater - or move to Maine or Florida - or Rio or Mount Pocono.

It's hot today - March 27, 2007 and it was very cold - freezing last Tuesday - at this same time.

March.  It's March madness.

Someone is hot and bothered - angry and burnt, furious and steaming.

So and so is cold!

Sometimes hot is negative - as in sweating - as in hot and bothered- as in angry and fuming.

Sometimes someone is cold - and it's a negative comment. Yet it could also be a compliment - as in calm, remaining cool and calculating - but it's usually negative - as in the newspaper description of the murderer - being a cold-blooded killer.

Notch it up a bit and cool is hot.

Hot seems better than cold when taking a shower. 

Plants grow better in warmer temperatures - than they do in the Artic and Siberian Tundra.

Hot is the place where they have more people. Compare India to the North of South Poles.

In the United States people drive south to Florida or Arizona for the winter.

Hot is where the birds are chirping - and eating juicy worms - yet  to present a curve here - there is the desert.

So hot cooks food and burns the meal. It  kills germs - helps form pottery. It also melts plastic and iron.

It's simple - but tricky. We 

And then we freeze our meats as well as  thaw them if we want to cook them .

It's all very interesting.

 September 11, 2022

Thought for Today

"A picture is something which requires as much knavery, trickery, and deceit as the perpetration of a crime. Paint falsely, and then add the accent of nature."

Edgar Degas [1834-1917]

Attributed