"There is no greater love than this - than to lay down one's life for one's friend."
Jesus, John 15: 13
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
PROORCONCOMMENTS ONTHE NUMBER OF CATHOLICS
The title of my
comments is, “Pro or Con Comments on the Number of Catholics.”
25 years from now – I’ll be dead – but I’d like to know
what the comments will be about Catholic Church numbers around the year 2050.
We all have heard about Catholics who have dropped out of
our church because of the priest abuse cases. I think we need some more
distance to be able to make clearer statements about that. Obviously lots of
horror stories.
Then there are the dropouts because of the Corona Virus.
Time will tell some answers about that as well. Once the
obligation of having to go to Mass was announced to prevent the spread of the
virus we lost membership. People are coming back now. Are they coming back
because they want communion – and community and they want to worship with congregation?Zoom Masses are neat – probably better
homilies – because and you can click your remote around till you find a great
church and preacher in Colorado or Atlanta or where have you.
In the meanwhile I would suggestmaking pro comments about the church.
We are called to be evangelists.So instead of just listening to family
members and others tell us about why they dropped out of church – with good
reasons – the bad stuff they see in our church – mention good things.
For example, talk about Catholic schools and their gift to
the world and to the nations. Villanova, Boston College, Bishop McDevitt, Regis
High School where Doctor Fauci went in New York City, Red Bank Catholic, CBA, and
Our Lady of Sorrows and a thousand other Catholic grammar schools.
How about mentioning Catholic hospitals, St. Jude’s, St.
Rita’s, St. Joseph Hospital and Medical System in Phoenix.Then there are hospitals and health care
systems run by the Mercy Sisters, the Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of
Providence, etc. etc.
How about mentioning food pantries, work for the poor,
counseling places, retreat houses, spiritual direction ministry?
How about finding out about great parishes?
How about doing funerals, visiting nursing homes?
Today’s First Reading begins by saying we are surrounded by
a great cloud of witnesses.
Today’s gospel talks about Jesus healing the daughter of
Jairus and the woman who touches his garments and is healed of her bloods
problems.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. John Bosco who did all
kinds of education work for kids in Italy. At a time - 1855 – 331 houses
affecting 4540 religious – were closes.He figured on ways of working around the government – so boys- especially the homeless could get an
education and training.
"Jazz music is to be played sweet, soft, plenty rhythm."
Jelly Roll Morton [1882-1941]
Mister Jelly Roll, [1950]
Sunday, January 29, 2023
8 BEATITUDES
The title of my homily is, “8 Beatitudes”.
In today’s gospel from Matthew we have the 8 Beatitudes of
Jesus.
Beatitudes – ways to be happy.
In some Catholic grammar schools – way back – we had to
memorize them.
Some say there are 9 beatitudes here in Mathew’s gospel
that we just heard.Some say there are
8.The last one is a bit longer – so it
can be listed as 1 or 2.
I get the meaning or
the gist of 6 of them.2 of them don’t
have that big a grab for me – but they all have a good message.
The Gospel of Matthew begins with the Infancy Narratives –
Christmas stuff - 2 chapters – a bit
different from the Infancy Narratives and stories in Luke. In Matthew next come 2 chapters – some stuff on
John the Baptist – then the temptations of Jesus in the desert and then the calling of the different disciples by name.
Then in Chapter 5 of Matthew we have the Sermon on the Mount.It’s 3 chapters of sayings. This is the Year of the Gospel of Matthew. So
if you want to get and to know Matthew get to know the Sermon on the Mount for
starters.
Some think the Sermon on the Mount – these 3 chapters – 5,
6, and 7, were an early short Christian
document – called Matthew Q – now lost – but used by Matthew as an early part
of his gospel – which became 28 chapters – almost as long as the gospel of
Luke.
The Sermon on the Mount has Jesus gathering folks – sitting
down – and then giving them quick brief teachings – darts of thought. Starting
with the beatitudes, then messageslike:
You are the salt of the earth or you are the light of the
world….
Keep the Law and the Prophets ….
Don’t kill, don’t be angry, don’t be cursing each other ….
When you come to the altar – first go to your brother or
sister and forgive and be forgiven – whatever needs to be forgiven ….
No adultery – even adultery in your eye – and in the mind
only ….
And on and on and on …. Including stuff on prayer – no
showing off – stop judging – go the extra mile - keep the golden rule – be a
good tree – producing good fruit in your life.
That’s some stuff on the Beatitudes and the Sermon the
Mount.
We have them now in the early part of the Christian year –
then comes Lent and Easter – then we jump back to Matthew – till the end of the
church year.
A SUGGESTION
For this year pick one of the 8 Beatitudes and make it your
own.
With your rosary say that beatitude 59 times on the 59 beads. Try them all till
one becomes your favorite.
For example: “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will
see God.”
Or, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God.”
Or pick out one of Jesus’ messages from the sermon on the
mount.
For example, “Go the extra mile.”
Or this one, “When you pray, go into your secret inner
room, shut the door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your
father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.”
Rosary beads are great for these one liners.
Or make up your own personal beatitudes, secrets of
happiness you have come up with, and try them out on your rosary.59 of themor just 10 of them. Take a few minutes saying or praying to thinking of
one of them while driving- or just
sitting alone in a Lazy Boy Chair.
For personal beatitudes I like these two I came up with –
probably stolen from someone: “Be who you is, because if you be who you ain’t,
then you ain’t who you is.” Or, “Learn to listen – especially by asking further
questions – to the person you’re listening
to.” Base the question on what they said. It’s a great way of telling the other
person you’re listening to them.
