SINS 

RECOVERY

Quote for the Day - July 21,  2010


"You don't make up for your sins in church; you do it in the street, you do it at home. The rest is bs and you know it."


Martin Scorsese and Mardik Martin in Mean Streets - a 1973 movie - in Michael Bliss, Martin Scorcese and Michael Cimino (1985), chapter 3

GUILT

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 16 Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, “Guilt!”

Guilt is tricky stuff – so let me see if I can get my hands on some of it – knowing this is a lifetime puzzle.

I noticed in today’s first reading the word “guilt”, when the prophet, Micah, says, “Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin ….” [Cf. Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20],

It triggered the memory of a good quote on guilt that I read just last week somewhere. But where? I began searching and finally found it. It’s from Archibald MacLeish [1892-1982] in his 1958 play, J.B., which stands for Job – the Bible Job. The quote:

“Guilt matters.
Guilt must always matter.
Unless guilt matters the whole world is
Meaningless.”
Now that’s something to reflect upon: the impact and importance of guilt.

FIRST READING FROM MICAH

Obviously guilt is a card that is part of the deck and we have to deal with it from time to time. So we heard in today’s first reading from the ending of the book of the Prophet Micah, Chapter 7, verse, 18, “Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt….” Then in verse 19 Micah pictures God burying sins in the depths of the sea.

Obviously the sea, the ocean, is a better place to dump one’s sins than to try to bury them in our backyard or in the woods or at a garbage dump. If we could bury stuff underground, there might be obvious markers. At sea this is much more difficult. However, with these underwater cameras, the image of burying our sins at sea weakens a bit.

In the meanwhile, it seems to be a human trait that people want their sins hidden like a cat hides her mess – like people walking into a court house with their coat over their head – like people burying their hands in their faces after they discover they blew it.

People who make mistakes then want not only the memory of the sin they committed removed, but they also want the guilt from their sins removed. Shakespeare put Lady Macbeth on stage to show all this – the woman who is forever trying to wash off her hands the blood of Duncan the King whom her husband murdered – especially because of her instigation.

If I heard anything as a priest, it’s that people don’t forget the mistakes of their life. People have trouble accepting God’s forgiveness – as well as other’s forgiveness. Guilt remains. They might say a thousand times, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us….” but those words seem to remain on the lips or just the word level – and don’t seem to seep into the deepest feelings and memory level of the human person.

So for many people, mistakes – and then the guilt that follows – are written in indelible ink on the walls of their souls.
Now in one way, guilt and the remembrance of our sins are good. They can keep us humble. They can give us understanding of others who mess up. They might get us not to sin – because we don’t like the aftertaste and regurgitation of sin.

Once more isn’t that a bit of what the poet Archibald MacLeish. was saying when he wrote,

“Guilt matters. Guilt must always matter.
Unless guilt matters the whole world is
Meaningless.”

Guilt matters. Guilt is necessary. People ought to feel guilt if they have abused children or covered such horrors up. People better feel guilty about sloppy procedures when drilling for oil. People ought to feel guilt if they have hurt others or other’s reputations. People ought to feel guilt for sins of omission – and neglect.

So we need to be conscious of our impact on this world and each other. So I’m not talking about “popcorn” type sins here – those rash, quick thoughts and judgments we make on each other – or distractions in prayer or what have you. I’m taking here about the big stuff.

THE DIANE REHM SHOW
Last Thursday morning July 15, 2010 – 11 to 12 – on the Diane Rehm National Public Radio Program there was a whole show on the issue of apology – and the 3 experts she had as guests were saying there are phony apologies and authentic apologies.

Guilt hopefully gets us to apologize – to try to make things right.
Guilt hopefully gets us to realize when we have done something harmful, stupid, nasty.
That same program was repeated again Sunday morning. I hope some of you caught it. If you use Google, and want to still catch the show, just type in the search box, “Diane Rehm NPR” and see if you can get it. Just look at the options on the screen. Look for the word, “Apology.” Then listen to the radio program. Good stuff.

Or see if this works:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-07-18/apology-rebroadcast
I don’t remember them using the word “guilt” or even the word “sin”, but they did say a key item is that the person who makes the mistake, the person who commits the sin, needs to realize that he or she has significantly hurt the other person or lots of persons.

One comment the panel mentioned that is disastrous to say is, “If I have hurt you….” Or, “If I have hurt anyone, I’m sorry.” No if’s. The issue here is to see and know and become aware of what we have done or have not done – and it’s wrong. The program talked about people who have hurt people and guilt helps us realize we did just that.

Then the two steps and sometimes three steps that need to follow,

The first step is to go to the person and apologize – to say, “I am sorry”, to say, “I really messed up and hurt you.” The better one is aware of what the other or others had to go through because of my behavior is key. They advised that the best way to do this is in person, not by phone or e-mail.

The second step – which is often missing is the commitment – in both word and action. I will not do this again. This is the action step – the follow up step – the behavioral change step.

A third step is the restitution step – what I will do to compensate – to make up for – in my attempts to try to restore order.

MOVING TOWARDS A CONCLUSION: TWO TYPES OF GUILT

In today’s first reading Micah talks about God forgiving us our sins – as well as the guilt we feel. I’m talking in this homily about the importance of guilt – experiencing that – as well as the wonderful forgiveness God can give us.

So I’m saying that there are two types of guilt. Good guilt and bad guilt. I’m talking here about good guilt.

Now there are two types of bad guilt. There’s the guilt we should not be feeling because what we did or say wasn’t bad enough to take on the amount of guilt we have taken on. This type of guilt is a self centered guilt. It’s also found in the type of bad guilt that happens after we committed a serious sin – but once more the only person we’re really only thinking about is self and the bad feelings that come with sin – not really being aware of what we have done to others – but only concentrating on oneself.

In this homily I’m talking about good guilt – the kind of guilt Archibald MacLeish talked about in his poem – meaningful guilt.

This is often forgotten by folks. Catholic Moral Theology has always taught that God can as Micah says here, take away our guilt, forgive us our sins, but it also teaches about reparation and restoration and reconciliation – and trying not to being repeat performers.

Bonheoffer would use the phrase “cheap grace” for this wrong kind of understanding of forgiveness.

Last Thursday, one of the guests on the Diane Rehm Show talked about the difference between Protestant and Catholic apologies for forgiveness. The Protestant Tradition has the person standing up and speaking out his confession of sin; the Catholic Tradition has the person going to confession – a private moment between priest and penitent.

Yes, but we Catholics also have the community confession and prayer and the beginning of each Mass – and in Penance Services.

But what is not mentioned are the steps after confession. Confession is wonderful – especially if we cannot go to another – especially if it will make things worse. Confession can be also be tough but what seems to be often missing is the firm purpose of amendment.

And lastly what people often forget is the message: be reconciled with your brother and sister, and confess your sins to one another – and start again – and this often means restitution – reconfiguring the human covenant we have with each other.

+

Someone asked for a copy of this weekday homily. It was a bit long and a bit unclear in my opinion and I tinkered with it a bit after preaching it. Here it is - something on Guilt - Second Draft.

SIN - EMPTINESS - VOIDS

Quote for the Day - July 20, 2010

"All sins are attempts to fill voids."

Simone Weil [1909-1943], La Pesanteur et la grace [Gravity and Grace, 1948], p. 27

THE MICAH QUOTE

INTRODUCTION

Today’s first reading for the 16 Monday in Ordinary Time has the Micah Quote.

Micah 6:8 – Can you all say that out loud three times, “Micah 6:8”, "Micah 6:8", "Micah 6:8".

Sometimes people ask people their favorite Bible Text. I’ve heard in my life time over a dozen people say, “Favorite text: Micah. Do justice. Love goodness. Walk humbly with our God.”

A FEW TRANSLATIONS

Here are a few translations of Micah 6:8:

“He has told you, O man, what is good,
And what the Lord requires of you:
Only to do justice
And to love goodness,
And to walk modestly with your God.”

– Jewish Study Bible

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?”

- New Revised Standard Version

“No, the Lord has told us what is good.

What he requires of us is this:

to do what is just,

to show constant love,

and to live in humble fellowship

with our God.”

- Good News Bible

“You have been told, O man,

what is good,

and what the LORD requires of you:

Only to do the right

and to love goodness,

and to walk humbly with your God.”

- New American Bible

“What is good

has been explained to you, man;
this is what Yahweh asks of you:
only this, to act justly,
to love tenderly
and to walk humbly with your God.”

- Jerusalem Bible

“He hath shewed thee, O man,

what is good;

and what doth the Lord require of thee,

but to do justly,

and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with thy God.”

- King James Bible

MEANINGS

First justice; mishpat in Hebrew. It means righteousness, fairness. It means one is just. It means the call for fairness in business – for example right weights. It means one measures up to the Law. It means to do what is right. God has this quality – God is a just judge. We should be as well – treating all people fairly – including the poor and the unnoticed.

Next goodness; chesed or hesed in Hebrew. It means loving kindness. It means I do acts of kindness. The Hebrew phrase, “gemilut hasadim” – means just that – to do good acts, kind acts. This is what people who are in a covenant with God and each other do – have compassion, steadfast love for each other.

Lastly walking humbly with God; le chet vehatznea in Hebrew. It means that I’m not going it alone. “The Lord be with you!” means just that. To walk wisely with our God. It’s following a path, a walk, a lifestyle with God. The Jewish Study Bible in its notes says it’s like walking in a wedding procession or a funeral procession. It says the original meaning of the phrase would be, “to walk wisely with your God”. I remember being in Ireland and we were going through a small town and everyone was out on the street – waiting for something. We found out that the town baker had died and his funeral was going to go up the street we were going up just ahead of it. Imagine being wrapped up in self – in doors – ignoring the whole procession.

Micah is saying be involved with everything God is involved in – walking with God in the cool of the evening and on the way to anyone’s cross.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “Micah 6:8.”

When I am sitting with couples preparing for marriage, I like to ask what each thinks are the 3 keys to a good marriage. One answer was, “Communication. Communication. Communication.” Many say, “Communication, laughter and forgiveness.”

I also ask what they think are the 3 biggest problems in marriage. Some come up with the 3 that I read in The New York Daily News in 1967: “Money, Sex and In-Laws”.

I think it’s helpful to ask for the key ingredients, the “secrets” of life, a job, a marriage or what have you.

When we read the scriptures we often see people trying to sum things up.

Someone said Micah reduced the 613 precepts of the Law – 365 of which were negative commandments, “Thou shall not….” to 3. To be just, to practice acts of goodness and to walk humbly with our God.

Jesus reduced everything to 1 or 2: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself."

So once more if someone asks you, “What’s your favorite Bible text?” if you don’t have one, perhaps think about Micah 6: 8.

And once more, repeat after me, “Micah 6:8”, “Micah 6:8”, “Micah 6:8”.

ALWAYS  A  LADY

Quote for the Day - July 19, 2010


"At one early, glittering dinner party at Buckingham Palace, the trembling hand of a nervous waiter spilled a spoonful of decidedly hot soup down my neck. How could I manage to ease his mind and turn his embarrassed apologies into a smile, except to put on a pretended frown and say, without thinking: 'Never darken my Dior again!'"


Beatrice Lille [1894-1989], Every Inch a Lady (1973), Chapter 14



Painting on top by Louis Haghe, The New Ballroom - Buckingham Palace - 1856

WHAT DO I DO,
WHEN I DON’T GET
WHAT I WANT?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “What Do I Do When I Don’t Get What I Want?”

What do I do when I don’t get what I want?

We know what some little kids do. They scream. They stomp their feet. They make a scene. “I want my mommy and I want her now!” “I want ice cream and I want it now – just like the ice cream cone that kid there has!”

What do we big kids do when we don’t get what we want – and when we want it – like right now? “Where’s the heck is the waitress?!!!”

TODAY’S GOSPEL
Today’s gospel [Luke 10:38-42] gives the first of the two famous Martha-Mary stories in the Gospels. The second story is the one when their brother Lazarus dies and they send for Jesus. [Cf. John 11]

Let’s look at today’s gospel story of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary.

It seems – based on the first reading – that the theme for today’s readings is hospitality. I began reflecting on that – and I’ve preached on that using these readings. [Cf. Genesis 18:1-10a]

Then the thought hit me about what do I do when I don’t get what I want?

My first answer is: it all depends.

It all depends on the situation – how much time I have – and it all depends on what it is that I’m not getting.

In today’s gospel Martha feels stuck doing the hospitality. Luke puts it this way: “with much serving.” Mary is just sitting there at Jesus’ feet listening to him – doing little serving.

Whenever I hear this story I have many wonderings and questions:

Would Jesus sing a different tune if Martha sat there at Jesus’ feet as well – and nobody served him?

Why didn’t he say to Martha, “Sit down. Relax. Let me serve both of you?”

When did Martha say to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” I can’t picture Mary sitting there as Martha said that out loud to Jesus. I assume this is a small house. I assume one went to the bathroom outside.

Did Martha make an angry “Huh!” sound when Jesus said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”?

What were conversations like between these two sisters every evening before and after this experience?

If Mary heard what Martha and Jesus said – at that moment – or afterwards, did she and Martha ever talk about it? Did they ever laugh about it? Did they ever argue over it? Or did they remain silent about it?

Is the purpose of this story that all of us have both a Martha and a Mary in us. We need to work, but also need to be reflective and contemplative?

How did Luke get this story? He wasn’t there.

What is Luke trying to tell us – by putting this story in his gospel? There is a rule when reading scripture called the “No Smoking Sign Rule”. If it’s there, it’s there for a reason – just as we know someone was smoking where someone put up a no smoking sign.

Was the scripture professor I had in the seminary correct when he wondered if this story was put in the scriptures because women in the early church were trying to take over – and the male preacher might tell this story – and then preach his homily by saying, “Women! The better place in the church is to sit and listen – like Mary sat silently listening to Jesus. And remember Jesus said Mary chose the better part compared to Martha.” And then our professor gave us texts from the Letters of Paul that might support this theory. [1]

And my last question and wondering: What would a parish community be wondering about on a Sunday morning as they heard this gospel story of Martha and Mary?

I would assume that one key message is that we practice hospitality to the guests who come to our home. Sometimes the hosts have to team work – one sitting and talking and listening to the guest, the other getting food and drinks ready in the kitchen. That message would tie in well with the today’s first reading where Abraham and Sarah show hospitality to three travelers – three strangers – getting them water to bathe their feet and food and drink – waiting on them as they sat under their tree outside their tent. Reread that first reading. It sounds like a great cook-out.

And one of them before leaving blesses Abraham by saying, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.”

Good message, but I was still intrigued by the question: What do I do when I don’t get what I want?

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU DON'T GET WHAT YOU WANT? [2]
How do couples deal with wanting a baby and they don’t have one?

How do we deal with rejection and lack of hospitality?

How do we deal with not having anyone who is willing to listen to us – especially a spouse or family member?

How do I deal with people at work who seem to be on an eternal coffee break and I get stuck with their work?

How do people deal with being out of a job and can’t get one anywhere?

How do people deal with rejections in relationships?

How do people deal with cancer and sickness and the reality called “death”?

Do I become Buddhist and say, “All suffering comes from desire – wanting an outcome – remove that desire – and there will be no suffering.”

Do I become a Stoic and tough it out? Be reasonable – and don’t let my emotions run my life. Stoicism is worth looking at. A lot of people down through the ages have practiced it. It’s might rain on your picnics or your wedding day. Traffic sometimes gets very snarly. Some drivers are always on their cell phones. Better get used to life. Stoicism taught that you can be sick and happy at the same time. Stoicism taught that you have to learn to accept all people as equals – even slaves – because all are children of God.

Do I become a complainer like Martha and try to get my way?

Do I become philosophical and say, “What difference does this make 20,000 years from now?”

Do I become theological and say, “God’s will be done?”

Do I become a skeptic and say, “What is God’s will? Does God want suffering? Does God really zap people?”

Do I follow the Talmud and say, “Teach thy tongue to say, ‘I don’t know.’?”

Do I say this is life – this is the cross – I want one thing and someone else wants another thing - and we have a cross here – two plans intersecting and both are different?

Do I say this is why people sometimes avoid people and stick with things – because things we can control – so in some homes there are 4 people watching television in 4 different rooms. This way we all get what we want – our program – and all 4 have their own clicker.

Do I realize that I don’t want to be like Tom Hanks in the movie “Cast Away” or like Robinson Crusoe – all alone on an island? Do I realize I don’t want to be like Vinnie in “My Cousin Vinnie”. I need others – and therefore there are consequences. I have to learn how to deal with people who are different than I am. Thank God. Some people are like Martha and some people are like Mary.

Do I see that different personalities, different opinions, different options, different ways of doing and seeing things is what makes life what life is: interesting, a struggle, electric at times, challenging, demanding communication, unprogramed, unsure, and life giving? If I knew how the movie ended, how the story unfolds, how my life is going to go, boring, boring, boring.

CONCLUSION

I wanted my sermon to go another way, but this is what I came up with in the time I had. So I guess one answer is to do one’s best and then get moving and get out the pulpit. Amen.


Painting on top: Martha of Bethany by Vincenzo Campi

Check: http://www.Bible-Art.info/Martha_Mary.htm




FOOTNOTES

[1] I don't remember the texts that our professor was referring to - perhaps 1 Corinthians 14: 34, "As in all the churches of the saints, women are to remain quiet at meetings since they have no permission to speak; they must keep in the background as the Law itself lays it down. If they have any questions to ask, they should ask their husbands at home: it does not seem right for a woman to raise her voice at meetings." It might also have been 1 Timothy 2: 11-15, "During instruction, a woman should be quiet and respectful. I am not giving permission for a woman to teach or to tell a man what to do. A woman ought not to speak, because Adam was formed first and Eve afterwards, and it was not Adam who was lead astray but the woman who was led astray and fell into sin. Nevertheless, she will be saved by childbearing, provided she lives a modest life and is constant in faith and love and holiness." How's that for a footnote! I dare anyone in 2010 to bring that up at a Parish Council Meeting or what have you. I find the New Testament amazing for the speaking out and presence of women in lots of situations that seem so radical compared to what Bruce J. Malina and Richard L. Rohrbaugh write about in their Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels [Augsburg Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN, 1992] Read their commentary on today's gospel, pages 348-349. For starters they report that a woman would not be doing the welcoming [Martha] and a woman would not be sitting there listening to a man [Mary]. Listen to these words by Malina and Rohrbaugh, “The private world, a household, was the domain of women. It was a closed sphere marked off by inviolate boundaries, which commanded absolute loyalty of all members. It was both a social and economic unit, in which women were responsible for childbearing, clothing, food distribution, and other tasks needed to run the household. Women had little or no contact with males outside of their kin group. Since a woman's honor was determined first by her virginity and secondly by her loyalty to her husband, no breach of either was tolerated. Any breach would publicly shame all members of the kin group, who will be most keenly felt by the males who represented the family in public.” [p. 348] I didn't grasp this world till I read a book about Afghanistan, "The Bookseller of Kabul" by a Norwegian journalist, Asne Seierstad. She spent 3 months in the woman's world of the home of the bookseller. If the world of women that I was reading about in Kabul is anything like the world for women in the time of Jesus, then Jesus and Christianity was extremely revolutionary. In the meanwhile the title question of this homily is very relevant: "What do I do when I don't get what I want?"





[2] At times I can be flippant and shallow - when it comes to dealing with big questions. If anyone wants some heavy duty food for thought on the question of this homily, I recommend re-reading M. Scott Peck's classic, The Road Less Traveled - especially chewing on and discussing the specific cases and people he writes about.

DIGGING  OUR  NEIGHBORS

Quote for the Day - July 18,  2010


"We may serve God by digging with the hands, or by talking friendly with our neighbor."


Robert Hugh Benson [1871-1914] in The History of Richard Raynal Solitary - 20th Century

FAITH  AND  EXPERIENCE

Quote for the Day - July 17,  2010

“Faith begins as an experiment and ends as an experience.”

William Ralph Inge, [1860-1954]

JUST  DO  SOMETHING!

Quote for the Day - July 16, 2010


"The happy people are those who are producing something.”

William Ralph Inge, [1860-1954] kept busy. Besides being an Anglican priest and teacher he produced 35 books - and many articles. Was he a happy person? I assume so. I was wondering how often did he study the question of happiness. I was also wondering how he dealt with the death of his daughter Paula who "developed type 1 diabetes before insulin was widely available in the UK and died aged 14." [Wikepedia]

HAPPINESS

Quote for the Day - July 15, 2010

“The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular cause for being happy except they are so.”

William Ralph Inge [1860-1954]

Take a look at William Ralph Inge. To quote St. Peter, "I don't know the man."

I was intrigued by the quote I put for yesterday July 14th. Then I started to dabble in some other quotes by him and then some comments about him - on line. "He was nicknamed, 'The Gloomy Dean' because of his pessimistic views in his Evening Standard articles."

Here is an interesting comment from Wikipedia that might trigger a good discussion: "He was a strong proponent of a spiritual type of religion—'that autonomous faith which rests upon experience and individual inspiration' — as opposed to one of coercive authority; so he was outspoken in his criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church. His thought, on the whole, represents a blending of traditional Christian theology with elements of Platonic philosophy."

More tomorrow ....

GOD  HAS  A  SENSE
OF HUMOR,
HE  CREATED  US.

Quote for the Day - July 14,  2010

"I have never understood

why it should be considered

derogatory to the Creator

to suppose that He has

a sense of humor."

William Ralph Inge

PRAYING FOR 
FORGIVENESS

Quote for the Day -- July 13, 2010


"I firmly believe
a great many prayers
are not answered
because
we are not willing
to forgive someone."




Dwight Lyman Moody [1837-1899]



Picture on top: Dwight Lyman Moody


In Google, type in "Dwight L. Moody" - and then check out his life in Wikipedia. Then reread the quote of the day.

WHEN  RELIGION
IS  REAL

Quote for the Day - July 12,  2010


"Religion is not an intelligence test, but a faith."


Edgar Watson Howe, [1853-1937] Sinner Sermons, 1926

HALF DEAD
OR FULLY ALIVE?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Half Dead or Fully Alive?”

10 QUESTIONS

Here is a self-test of 10 questions – that hopefully triggers some inner itches – inner movement – inner hopes – inner awareness – inner jumps and jump starts in one’s spiritual life:

1) Which words better describe me, “Half Dead” or “Fully Alive”? or, “It all depends”?

2) Of all the people I have met in my lifetime, is there anyone who really intrigued me – because they seemed to have the secret of life – so much energy – compassion – wisdom – love – or smarts? Please explain.

3) Is there any person I’ve met that I’m glad, I’m not that person? Ooooh! That’s an “Oooh!" and "Oh no!” question.

4) What were the ten top or ten key moments in my life so far – roads I’ve taken – roads I haven’t taken – roads I should have taken? That’s sort of the same as bridges I crossed, bridges I burned – bridges I built – but in today’s gospel, the image is a road.

5) What have I figured out about life so far? Secrets? Learnings? What was the source, cause, trigger of each secret or learning? Meeting the right person or wrong person? Moving to ____? Working at _____? Going to school or going back to school? Funeral? Wedding? Book? Movie? Song? Experience? Hurt? Celebration? Vacation? Talk? Sermon? [Please God at least one sermon in a lifetime – had something that hit me.]

6) Am I glad to be the age I am – and love most moments of the life I’m living today?

7) What gives me life and what kills or drains or wipes me out?

8) Have I ever been half-dead – and someone or something happened that brought me back to life? Please explain.

9) Have I ever brought someone who was half-dead back to life?

10) Have I ever thought about writing my autobiography? What would be the chapters? What would be the title? What would be the sections I would love to write about? What would be the chapters I would be nervous writing about? Would anyone want to read my story? Do I have some people whom I would want to read my story?

So that’s my 10 question self-test. If one or two questions grabbed you, great – and if you want to look at them slowly, I’ll put all this on my blog. Just go to St. Mary’s Parish Annapolis Web Site – under "Religious Education" or in the Google search box, type, "Reflections by the Bay."

TODAY’S GOSPEL

I began this homily with questions, because today’s gospel has a scholar of the law standing up to question Jesus.

He asks Jesus a question: “Teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus asks him two questions in return. This is basic rabbinic give and take. Jesus asks him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

The scholar of the law answers, “You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus says, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

In reply, the scholar asks Jesus another question. “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus answers with what some call the most important story in the scriptures – or in the world: the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

It’s the Golden Rule in story form and the Golden Rule is in all the major religions. It’s very simple. I'm a tiny bit nervous, because as I reflect upon our first reading for today from Deuteronomy [30:10-14], I just hope I don't gum this basic story up with my complicated questions.
Then notice Jesus ends the parable with a question: “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”

And the man answers, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Then Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”

THREE PERSONAL STORIES

First story. I am in New York City – in the main office of the Post Office. I’m with one of my nieces and we’re in this big room where there are about 30 desks – and every desk has a person who is very quiet and motionless. My brother, who worked for the Post Office out of Washington D.C., was working on changeover process for this department. He had asked us to meet him there and he gave us a tour of the place – and then go out to eat. It’s about 3:53 in the afternoon. My brother points to a big clock on the wall and says to me, “If you ever have anyone say to you that they don’t believe in resurrection, tell them what you are about to see in 7 minutes. That clock is going to hit 4 PM and you’re going to see the dead come back to life.”

Second story. I’m in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and it’s my first year on a job called, “Novice Master.” I began to notice every morning after prayer, we’d all march downstairs for breakfast, and all 22 novices would be rather drowsy, dead, or sleep walking. However, on Saturday mornings, especially if there was a trip to Chicago or Madison or Milwaukee, those going would be fully alive and bouncing. There was a message there for me. It’s the title of my homily for today. “Half dead or fully alive?”

Third story. I’m stationed in a parish in New York City – Manhattan – the Lower East Side. It’s my first assignment. An old lady, Josie Miller, who was called a “shut in” – a horrible phrase – had called me. I went to see her and she told me about a little girl over on the West Side of Manhattan who was being abused by a couple who were supposed to caring for her. I think the guy was her father. She gives me the address. Not knowing anything, I go there and get in. I tell them someone told me to visit them. As I’m sitting there I hear the cry of a child in the bathroom. I go to the door – it’s opened. I walk in and there is this little girl sitting – crying with beating marks on her body – naked and in feces. I walk out and tell the couple I’m going to call social services as soon as I get home. This was before cell phones. I did and the little girl was removed. I never followed up – other than Josie telling me the little girl was in a foster home and is doing okay. What ever happened to her? What ever happened to those who didn't care for her and those who did care for her? That was around 1968.

BACK TO TODAY’S GOSPEL

Was that a true story in today’s gospel? Scripture scholars tell about that road from Jerusalem to Jericho being very dangerous. When I was in Israel in January 2000 one of my hopes was that our bus would take the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. We were told that if there was no report for rain, we would take that road. We did – but in the opposite direction – from Jericho to Jerusalem. It was dangerous looking. It was narrow, twisty, and in many places, it had high banks of tan sandy dirt on both sides – and no shoulder on the road. Obviously bandits could leap off the sides right on top of anyone they wanted to rob. Except for macadam, the road looked like it was the same road for the past 2000 years at least.

CONCLUSION TO THIS HOMILY

The story of the Samaritan has many conclusions – and I’ve preached on it many times in many ways. In this homily for today I am asking you to see yourself on that road – in the story of your life from the place you were born to the place you’re headed.

Ten questions – or one question: Which of the persons in the story are you? Surprise! I didn’t know there were 10 persons in the story.

1) Have I ever been robbed – beaten up – gypped – fired – dumped and left half dead?

2) Have I ever robbed or hurt someone else – robbing them of their money, name, reputation or what have you?

3) Have I ever experienced a priest ignoring me – passing or rushing by me – not having time for me?

4) Have I ever experienced others ignoring me – or have I been the one ignoring someone – because I’m too busy or other things are too important for me to stop and help this person?

5) Have I ever been The Good Samaritan – the stranger – the one the priests and Levites wouldn’t talk to – and I stopped because I was moved with compassion and poured oil and wine over someone’s wounds and bandaged them and put that person on my donkey and took that person to an inn and cared for him or her.

6) Have I ever been The Inn Keeper whom the Samaritan gave two silver coins to the next day and said, “Take care of this person and if you spend more than I have given you, I will repay you on my way back.” Haven’t we all seen people in our life who have cared for others – aging parents, street people, etc.

7) Am I like the scholar of the law filled with questions – testing God and Jesus?

8) Am I united – in communion – with Jesus who went up that same road to Jerusalem and ended up being beaten up and killed himself? Am I in communion with this Jesus described and proclaimed in today's second reading so powerfully - Jesus who brings us into communion with the invisible God and invisible neighbor - into the fullness of creation - by pouring the blood of the cross into all wounds. [Re-read today's 2nd reading from Colossians 1:15-20]

9) Am I someone who has experienced being loved by another with all their heart, will all their being, with all their strength and with all their mind – a spouse, a parent, a child, a teacher, a neighbor?

10) Am I someone who has tried to love their neighbor with all their heart, will all their being, with all their strength and with all their mind?



Painting on top: The Good Samaritan (after Delacroix) - by Vincent Van Gogh - San Remy, May 1890

WHAT  TO  DO

Feast of St. Benedict [c. 480 to c. 547] 


Quote of the Day - July 11,  2010


"To relieve the poor;
to clothe the naked;
to visit the sick;
to bury the dead;
to help the afflicted;
to console the sorrowing;
to avoid worldly conduct;
to prefer nothing to the love of Christ."


From the Rule of St. Benedict - Rule 4 - 6th century

HATRED: 

THERE IS A 
 CONSEQUENCE

Quote for the Day  - July 10,  2010

"You lose a lot of time hating people."


Marian Anderson [1897-1993], New York Times, April. 18, 1965

Marian Anderson photo by Carl Van Vechten [1940]

Photo on Top Right: Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939 - the famous outdoor Marian Anderson Concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The crowd was estimated at 75.000. One song was "My Country 'Tis of Thee'". She had been refused permission to sing in an integrated concert in Constitution Hall by the DAR - the Daughters of the American Revolution. Next the District of Columbia refused permission allowing her to sing in a local - all white high school. Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady, and several other prominent DAR members resigned. Marian Anderson had experienced prejudice and racial hatred in her concerts across America. Her manager, Sol Hurok, persuaded Harold L. Ickes, the Secretary of the Interior, to use the Lincoln Memorial for the famous open air concert - heard on radios across America. Read the quote above again.

PREACH TO THE PERSON
IN THE MIRROR!

Quote of the Day - July 9, 2010 


"People are very inclined to set moral standards for others."


Elizabeth Drew, The New Yorker, February 16, 1987

LIFE:

OUT OF MY HANDS

OUT OF MY CONTROL

Quote for the Day  - July 8, 2010


"Jesus' ministry
was clearly defined,
and the alternativeswere spelled out.
A choice was made -
life abundant,
full, and free for all.
Make no mistake about it,the day that choice was made,
Jesus became suspect.
That day in the temple
he sealed the fate
already prepared for him.
How was the world
to understand one
who rejected
an offer of power and control?"

Joan B. Campbell, Sojourners, August-September 1991


Fresco on top: "The Temptation of Christ", from around 1125 - in the Hermitage of San Baudelio de Berlanga, in the province of Soria, Spain. The Fresco was transferred to canvas.

HOT

Quote for the Day  - July 7,  2010

"And when I say heat, I mean the kind that thickens the whites of eggs left in the coop and that makes the lizzards, scurrying from the shelter of one little bush to another, flip over on their backs and blow their toes."


Juanita Brooks [1898-1989], "The Water's In" - Harper's Magazine, May, 1941


Today it's predicted to hit 101 or 102 degrees here in Maryland.

GOLF: THE GAME 
OF  LIFE 

Quote of the Day - July  6,  2010


"Those little lines around your mouth, those crow's feet around your eyes, the millimeter your derriere has slipped in the past decade - they're just nature's way of telling you that you've got nine holes left to play, so get out here and have a good time."

Bruce Willis, Moonlighting, 1980's

SUMMER CONCERT

Bugs, birds, chirps, squeaks,
bluebirds and frogs, owls
and a bark or two from two

dogs down the street,
wind chimes next door,
so many different sounds
coming through the trees and grass,
streaming across the invisible breeze,
warm summer evening – music
to my ears – sitting here,
in the semi-darkness, simply listening,
in a comfortable auditorium seat,
in a screened in porch.
Who says God didn’t want
to make music in the night
with Bernstein and Bach,
Ravelle and Rachmaninoff?

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2010

PRIVATE BEACH

Walking along alone
on a morning beach ….

Unconnected,
carrying secrets
and situations,
I don’t care to share
with you or anyone
right now and this is
a further burden.

I meet you and you ask,
“So what’s new?”
And I stand there
hiding behind,
“Oh, not much.”

Inwardly, that too
makes me feel
a bit uneasy.
There are things
I just don’t talk about.
There are lonely
stretches of beach
that only I can walk.

Is that wrong?

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2010

INTERRUPTED CONVERSATION

Interruptions …. Sometimes
in the middle of
one of those accidental,
wonderful, unplanned conversations….
an interruption enters the room.
“Oh no! Another person!”
Sometimes three’s a crowd …
but this third person doesn’t know it.
Hey, twenty minutes earlier,
we didn’t know it either.
Often great conversations just happen –
like running into an old friend
in a restaurant or museum.
Where do the not gotten to parts
of these unfinished conversations go?
Where would they have taken us?
What old forgotten memory
would surprisingly surface?
Okay, there are lots of museums
and movies we’ll never get to.
Waiters and waitresses are
used to picking up plates with half
finished meals – but sometimes
people take the rest of the plate
and the rest of the conversation
home with them in Styrofoam
boxes or doggie bags. “Woof, woof….”
Yet ….

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2010