SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
MOTION
Show me some motion
and some emotion as well.
Show me you’re alive.
Do some kicking.
Tell me some history –
a story or two.
Where have you been
since the last time I saw you?
Better and fuller: what have
you been doing since
the last time I saw you?
© Reflections,
Andy Costello
September 20, 2023
24 Wednesday OT - Feast of the Korean Martyrs
SOMETIMES
YOU JUST CAN’T WIN
The title of my thoughts for today is, “Sometimes You Just Can’t Win."
Jesus ran into a lot of problems with people – especially
the Pharisees.
If someone is against you, they’ll always find something to
criticize about you.
In today’s gospel – it sounds like Jesus speaks out of big
time frustration. Jesus says you're like little kids on the street. You want music, so we give you flute music, so you can dance, but you won’t dance. So we play you a sad song, a
dirge, but you won’t cry.
Sometimes you just can't win.
He continues: You went after John the Baptist, when he fasted – saying he
had demons – so he was nuts. I ate and drank, so you said I was a drunk.
Once more: In other words, sometimes you just can’t win.
St. Alphonsus started with 9 guys – but most of them –
disappeared. Sometimes you just can’t win.
In 1991 - 3 Redemptorists went to Korea – a Filipino, a Thai,
and a Korean from Brazil. Here it is 2023 and we have only about 10 guys there.
The guys there are called by a Chinese word – Gooseokjoohwe - a name that goes like that. It means the community who are
here for the poorest and most abandoned and neglected folks.
They keep trying to be called Redemptorists – but they have no luck with
that. Sometimes you just can’t win.
Catholics came to Korea in 1592. In 1789 there 4000
Catholics – but surprise, that happened without ever seeing a priest. Sometimes
you win. By 1800 they had close to 10,000 Catholics – but 8 to 10 thousand were
killed.
In 1925 and 1984 many were beatified and canonized – we’re
celebrating some of them today – September 20th.
Sometimes we lose – sometimes we win. I guess we have to
expect winning and losing to happen – and be able to deal with both. I prefer
the wins.
September 19, 2023
EVERY
TIME
He drops over to talk to me.
He tells me a story.
It triggers a story in me.
I begin telling him my story.
He looks at his watch.
It happens every time.
Why don’t I just listen?
Why don’t I ask him a
follow up question
to his story? I don’t.
I jump over to myself.
I do that every time.
When will I ever learn?
© Reflections,
Andy Costello
September 17, 2023
Homily for 24 Sunday OT A
NEW
TESTMENT MATHEMATICS
The title of my homily is, “New Testament Mathematics.”
In today’s gospel from Matthew we’re told to forgive 77
times. There are variations of this theme of forgiving 7 times – or 70 times 7
times or 77 times in the 4 gospels.
Jesus liked numbers. We see them in his parables. There are
the 2 brothers – one younger and one older – in the Parable of the Prodigal
Son. There are the 10 bridesmaids: 5 foolish, 5 wise in that parable. There are
a couple of parables of kings and masters giving servants coins or talents –
and then telling them to do something with them. He told the story of the 7
brothers who died after marrying the same woman.
Jesus fed thousands – with just a few fish and a few loaves
of bread.
Jesus said no one
can serve 2 Masters.
He said there are 6 days for working and 1 day for rest.
Jesus healed 10 people who had leprosy and only 1 came back
to say, “Thank you.”
Jesus talked to the woman at the well and said, “Hey you
had 5 husbands and the 1 you’re with now is not your husband.”
Jesus knew numbers.
He saw the 2 brothers at the Lake: Peter and Andrew - and also 2 other brothers: James and John. He
called all 4 – and others. He sent his disciples out: 2 by 2. He picked 12 as apostles, even though 1 would betray him
and 1 would deny him 3 times. He said where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my
name, there I am in the midst of you.
He talked about family fights – 2 against 3 and 3 against
2.
So Jesus knew life and the number or times we need to
forgive each other our trespasses each day.
He knew the mathematics of forgiveness and the mathematics
of life.
I’ll have one glass of cold water and drink to that,
September 17, 2023
EXPANSION
The refrigerator, the sink,
the stove, the kitchen table.
They were the key players
in the house as he grew up –
and of course, there was
mom and dad and his brother
and sisters – sometimes cousins.
Then came the radio – this was
before television and the computer.
Surprise! The key was the front door.
Once that was open – the world
out there was ready to be explored:
school, church, the playground,
the movies, Coney Island,
Ebbet’s Field, Bliss Park
and the Staten Island Ferry.
I guess all one needs at first
is someone to take you and
pay your tolls and your tickets –
and the world is your’s.
© Reflections,
Andy Costello
