RISKING
ONE'S LIFE -
FOR WHAT?
Quote for the Day - August 3, 2010
"If man is not ready to risk his life, where is his dignity?"
Andre Malraux [1901-1976]
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
LOOKING BACKWARDS
LOOKING FORWARDS
LOOKING FORWARDS
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily is, “Looking Backwards, Looking Forwards.”
One of the gifts and skills we human beings have is our ability to look backwards, forwards, as well as to be aware of the present moment.
When we drive, we have that front windshield – the whole road ahead of us – as well as that rear view mirror – to see where we’ve been.
When we’re young – it’s all forwards – we don’t have much of a past; when we’re old, - it’s a lot backwards – we have our stories and our legacy and we know we don’t have all that future ahead of us.
Do we then do what Thornton Wilder suggests in his play, The Skin of our Teeth, “My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate – that’s my philosophy.” [1942] Act 1.
I love that quote and I loved ice cream till I got diabetes. I’ve enjoyed remembering the past – but I’m also dreaming of what’s next.
WEDDINGS AND A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
Saturday, a week ago, I did a Mass here for a couple celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Yesterday, Saturday, I had 3 weddings.
Obviously, it’s a very different experience celebrating a 50th Wedding Anniversary and celebrating a wedding. The 50th is very much about the past. The couple had their 13 grandchildren bring up 13 gifts at the offertory: bread, wine, a gold chalice and a gold paten, one of those wooden carvings of the church where they were married, Villanova Chapel in Villanova, Pennsylvania and St. Mary’s Church Annapolis where they have been for 27 years – as well as photographs of their parents, their wedding album and a few other historical items from their life. At a Golden Anniversary it’s looking at the photos; at a wedding it’s folks taking pictures. At a Golden Anniversary it’s smiles and sometimes scars; at a wedding it’s “white lace and promises and a kiss for luck and we’re on our way” as the song by the Carpenters sang it.
Recorders have those fast forwards and slower backwards buttons. We all know that people can get stuck in the past or the future and miss the sugar free ice cream on their plate.
FEAST OF ST. ALPHONSUS
Today – August 1st, we Redemptorists look backwards as we celebrate the feast of our founder: St. Alphonsus [1696-1787]. He’s the little guy – dressed as a bishop – up here at our altar. His feast used to be August 2nd – and it was the day many of us Redemptorists professed our vows. So tomorrow my class celebrates that day August 2nd, 1960 – 50 years ago when we took our first vows as religious – with no clue to what the future held – just hopes and promises. It was here in Maryland, in Ilchester, up in Howard County, which we called “Hellchester” especially in July and August.
We had 6 years plus of studies after that. Then my plan was Brazil. That was the hook and the promise that got me to join – but that day we took 3 vows – the third of which was obedience – so nobody was really sure of what the future would be. Who does?
LOOKING BACKWARDS
Looking backwards I once went to 6 Flags Amusement Park in New Jersey. We got on this long line to take this new roller coaster. It took 61 minutes to finally get seat belted and then the ride took about 2 minutes. Was it worth it? No!
Looking backwards I got ordained in 1965 and had another year at the major seminary and then came here to Annapolis for 5 months further training – September 1966 to February 1967. I came to Annapolis with the dream of then being appointed to go to Brazil as a foreign missionary – but nope, that roller coaster ride never came through. I often wondered what that would have been like. Don’t we all? Don’t we all wonder about the what if’s of life.
Was all that has happened worth it? Yes. It’s been a fascinating ride – lots of ups and downs, twists and turns, but especially surprises.
I’ve met Redemptorists who have enjoyed every appointment and I’ve met Redemptorists who whined about every disappointment.
How many years does it take any of us to realize this was it – this was the ride I got on the line to ride – this was the ticket I bought?
In the photo album of my mind there are many, many pictures – stories and scenes. Don’t worry I’m not going to ask you to look at them – nor will I mention them. Some will be on the monitor in the funeral parlor when I die. But these days while walking I’ve been noticing that I’ve been looking at some of them – great adventures.
I’m sure many of you took courses in college or workshops where you looked at Erik Erikson’s 8 stages of life – or development. The 8th and last stage is called: Integrity Versus Despair. Translation: “It’s been good. I’m content. My life has a deep sense of meaning. I’ve contributed to life. Or I blew it.” One leads to integrity and a wisdom; the other is a fear of death and too many experiences of failures or perceived failures.” And one author says, that can lead to “a strong dogmatism that only my view is correct.” Uh oh! Oh no! Don’t want to get into that sand trap.
TODAY’S READINGS FOR THE 18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - C
Today’s gospel story of the rich man who had a great harvest both scares me as well as gives me hope.
The guy didn’t know what it is to be rich in the sight of God – and he didn’t know that night after a day of big future plans, he was to die.
Woo. I’m not ready. I want 10 more good years – and if I get there, I’ll probably want 5 more after that and on and on and on.
When Soren Kiegegaard, the famous Danish philosopher was dying, he had St. Alphonsus’ book, Preparation for Death, on a table next to his bed. I don’t – I have a book of Sudoku puzzles.
St. Alphonsus wasn’t scared to tell folks, there are time limits, so make sure you prepare for death well.
Today’s first reading from Ecclesiastes has the author tell us, “Vanity of vanities…. vanity of vanities. All things are vanity.”
The Hebrew word used is, “hevel” – meaning a puff of wind or a morning vapor – that soon vanishes. Qoheleth, the author of this very tough book of scriptures, tells us the tough stuff of life – that often we’re running after hot air – that just blows away or dissipates.
Qoheleth didn’t believe in after life. Now he knows – and his great method of learning was experience. Now he knows.
Today’s second reading has St. Paul telling the people of Colossae – as well as us – that there is life after death – that we can be raised up with Christ – and Christ is the one to seek after. Paul teaches us to die now to the things that can kill us here and now – but we can rise and be wise in Christ who gives us new life here and hereafter.
CONCLUSION: THE LIFE OF ST. ALPHONSUS
50 years ago when I was making my novitiate before taking my religious vows, we read just one life of St. Alphonsus. There were 3 others that I have read since – newer studies of who he was.
His father was a tough navy captain – strict – very demanding – especially of his oldest son Alphonsus. Nothing Alphonsus did measured up to his father’s dreams for him. Alphonsus became a very successful lawyer in the city of Naples, Italy – till he lost a big land case. The old books said that he blew the case by missing a tiny detail. The later studies said, “There was a bribe by the other side and he lost the case.” With that he fell apart – locked his door – went into bed and wouldn’t come out of his room for a few days.
He finally woke up and came out and came out to become a priest – much to his father’s disappointment. He became a great priest and preacher in Naples – till he got sick from overwork. His friends advised him to go down to the Amalfi Coast for a vacation so that he might recover. While there someone told him about some goat herders up in the hills who nobody was bringing Christ to. So he left everything to found an order to serve those who weren’t being taken care of.
Looking backwards that’s our history. Looking backwards that’s why we came to America – to serve especially the German immigrants who didn’t have enough clergy – and that’s how we got to Annapolis – because of being with the Germans in Baltimore. The Catholics here were not being served that well.
Our province here in the United States has flourished – and then we sent out missionaries to Brazil, Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo.
Looking Forwards those places are doing okay. In fact, today our vice province of Paraguay becomes a province – and they have mostly young guys – and they have sent missionaries to us – like Father Blas Caceres is now stationed here in St. Mary’s.
Life – looking backwards, it’s been great.
Life – looking forwards, we’re hoping for the surprises around the corner – the many pages that haven’t been written yet.
Life – sometimes it’s tarnished; sometimes it’s golden.
Life – sometimes it’s vanity and a vapor and fades away, but sometimes, sometimes, it's ________ You fill in the blank.
In the meanwhile let’s enjoy the daily bread on our plate this morning.
Pictures on top: St. Alphonsus as a young man, later middle aged as bishop, and then St. Alphonsus in his old age.
ST. ALPHONSUS
DE LIGUORI
Quote for the Day - the Feast of Saint Alphonsus - Aug. 1, 2010
"Kindness should be observed towards all on all occasions and at all times."
St. Alphonsus de Liguori [1696-1787], Chapter 2 of his book, Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ
Picture on top: St. Alphonsus de Liguori
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
ORANGE
VESTMENTS
Today I received an e-mail from one of our parishioners about a priest in Holland who was suspended for wearing orange vestments on July 11, 2010. She said the story was in Sports Illustrated.
I checked it out on line and found out that the story of this incident also appeared in other magazines, newspapers, YouTube, etc. In fact, it created quite a buzz - and like many things it will fade – and then there will be a new buzz.
I was wondering if I should buzz around it - and see if there is a learning experience here.
I was wondering if I should buzz around it - and see if there is a learning experience here.
As those who followed the World Cup know, orange is Holland or the Netherlands's color.
Mark de Vries, a blog reporter, wrote that Bishop Joseph Punt of Haarlem-Amsterdam, the bishop who suspended the priest, wrote the following, “On Sunday 11 July, Pastor Paul Vlaar of Obdam celebrated the Holy Eucharist in the spirit of the Football World Cup, wearing an orange chasuble, and did insufficient justice, in text and form, to the sanctity of the Eucharist. The footage of this has caused indignation among faithful here and abroad.”
I couldn’t find out the whole context of just what this priest did. I don’t know whether his “soccer” theme was just at the homily time with a mention of the Final World Cup game taking place that day in South Africa – Netherlands vs. Spain - or what have you. Despite prayers, Spain won 1-0.
One report said that he preached on sports and teamwork in his homily.
Check out the following and check out your reactions:
If you can't get the video, I did put one picture of Father Paul Vlaar in an orange chasuble at the top of this blog.
From the pictures and YouTube scenes of the Mass it looks like the church is packed and various people are wearing orange – but not all. And there was a soccer goal and a soccer ball used during the Mass. It seemed that took place at the homily time – or before or after the Mass. I don’t know. Besides his chasuble being orange, there are many people wearing orange hats and shirts - as well as one can see orange banners and streamers – or whatever - all around the church.
From the pictures and YouTube scenes of the Mass it looks like the church is packed and various people are wearing orange – but not all. And there was a soccer goal and a soccer ball used during the Mass. It seemed that took place at the homily time – or before or after the Mass. I don’t know. Besides his chasuble being orange, there are many people wearing orange hats and shirts - as well as one can see orange banners and streamers – or whatever - all around the church.
COMMENTS & QUESTIONS:
Did anyone in Spain pray for Spain to win? Did any priest, deacon or bishop, in a parish community in Spain have in the Prayer of the Faithful a prayer that Spain win that day?
Come to think about it, I've never heard anyone pray for a sports team in a non-spontaneous Prayer of the Faithful. I've heard priests make sports' comments as asides in the pulpit as ice breakers - especially when it was Super Bowl time or a local sports moment. Soccer aficionados tell me that the people of the United States have not clue to how important soccer is around our world.
Being a priest 45 years I’ve never seen anyone wearing orange vestments.
Besides the usual colors I’ve seen blue and pink. I haven’t seen brown yet.
What’s a bishop to do, if he received lots of complaints? If any, how many? Would that make a difference? Did the bishop call anyone "above him" on “What to do if anything?”
One comment hinted at, “This was not the first time Father Paul did something like this.”
Is this priest a so called, “loose cannon”?
When he was young, did the bishop do creative things in ministry – including liturgy? If he did, did some “flop”? Did he hear when studying liturgy in the seminary, that liturgy is “theater” – besides the “Mysterium fidei”? Would hearing the word "theater" make him wince – mutter an “Uh oh!” in Dutch? What would the bishops' classmates say to him or about him about this? Did any other bishop say, "Lighten up, Joseph! We might not see Holland in the World Cup Finals in our lifetime again!" Are priest and bishop in holy communion with each other? What would it be like to have a meal with either or both of these two human beings? What would it be like if both were stationed together in the same parish? Would they watch a soccer game together? Would they drink an Amstel beer together?
I think I read that a player from a National Hockey League team brought the Stanley Cup to his parish church after his team won that championship. Wouldn’t that be neat? Would the kids all want autographs? Would many want to be photographed with the player and the trophy?
What have you seen down through the years at Mass – that were unique?
I think I read that a player from a National Hockey League team brought the Stanley Cup to his parish church after his team won that championship. Wouldn’t that be neat? Would the kids all want autographs? Would many want to be photographed with the player and the trophy?
What have you seen down through the years at Mass – that were unique?
I’ve heard about various things priests did in the late 60’s and early 70’s – that were “different”.
For example, I’ve heard about a dozen times that there were Masses in homes or on retreats back then with pizza and Coca Cola. Whenever I heard that one, I always asked, if it was possible, “Were you there?” I’ve yet to meet anyone who said they actually saw such a thing done at a Mass. Sometimes rumors and stories have a life of their own.
I’ve also seen priests who did creative things at homilies – using visuals like puppets, etc. - especially at youth Masses.
I’ve seen All Saints Day Masses where there is a parade of kids in all kinds of Saints outfits – and the church was packed – with parents – with cameras.
I’ve seen Irish Masses – with folks wearing Irish sashes – being led in or led out by men in kilts with bagpipes.
What about Masses in Poland, India, South America, Africa, and elsewhere?
Earlier this year different magazines and papers showed pictures of a bishop with this enormous cape. Check it out on the video below - or the picture of a cardinal in the great cape [cappa magna] at the top of this blog piece.http://liturgy.co.nz/blog/capa-cappa-magna/3601
I thought Pope John XXIII and the spirit of Vatican II cut down on such stuff. Did anyone wonder about the scene with the cape – besides me?
Every year we have 2 Masses - one in the middle of Advent and one in the middle of Lent – where the priest and deacon can wear pink – as a symbol of festivity in the middle of those two seasons of penance. Some priests wear pink – or "rose" as some jokingly comment. Some priests don’t. I don’t. And the reason that I don’t is because it causes comments – comments – comments. That says something to me. On those two Sundays it’s a distraction at Mass – especially for me. If a priest doesn’t wear pink vestments, that’s also a distraction for others – because some expect the priest to walk down the aisle in pink. I think it’s less of a distraction not wearing pink, so that’s my rationale.
Too much of a distraction is the same argument I would use for not wearing orange - or not wearing capes. Comparing the two am I comparing apples and oranges? Yes and no. Hey these capes are red.
The founder of our order, St. Alphonsus, when made bishop, gives an example to all bishops - for simplicity in ring and attire.
Ooops! How about Jesus Christ's comments with regards all this? Every sacristy in every church ought to have on the wall for priests and bishops alike to read the warning of Jesus: “Matthew 23: 5!”
Concerned about the Mission of Jesus, I do have opinions about all this. When I celebrate Mass I want to be unnoticed. I try to keep in mind John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." I also am aware of John 12: 24, "Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." It's my experience that "a horrible liturgy" goes noticed and "a good liturgy" goes unnoticed - with the people enjoying the food - Jesus the Bread of Life.
This does not mean I’m against variety and surprise - as long as the celebrant or preacher is not the message: Jesus is Lord.
Did the Jerusalem Times in Jesus’ time have the headline, “Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet at the Passover Meal.”
I don’t have time to look this up, but I remember Cardinal O’Connor when he came to New York standing in the pulpit at St. Patrick's Cathedral with a Yankee and a Met cap – or was it just a Yankee cap.
In the history of our Church, how many times has something like this been done? We have a lot of history – so I’m assuming that some rather interesting – as well as bizarre things have taken place – with regards liturgy. I remember hearing about some priest who years ago with gun in hand shot a blank off in his homily. Now that’s certainly woke up any sleepers. Did that wake up his bishop?
Every year we have 2 Masses - one in the middle of Advent and one in the middle of Lent – where the priest and deacon can wear pink – as a symbol of festivity in the middle of those two seasons of penance. Some priests wear pink – or "rose" as some jokingly comment. Some priests don’t. I don’t. And the reason that I don’t is because it causes comments – comments – comments. That says something to me. On those two Sundays it’s a distraction at Mass – especially for me. If a priest doesn’t wear pink vestments, that’s also a distraction for others – because some expect the priest to walk down the aisle in pink. I think it’s less of a distraction not wearing pink, so that’s my rationale.
Too much of a distraction is the same argument I would use for not wearing orange - or not wearing capes. Comparing the two am I comparing apples and oranges? Yes and no. Hey these capes are red.
The founder of our order, St. Alphonsus, when made bishop, gives an example to all bishops - for simplicity in ring and attire.
Ooops! How about Jesus Christ's comments with regards all this? Every sacristy in every church ought to have on the wall for priests and bishops alike to read the warning of Jesus: “Matthew 23: 5!”
Concerned about the Mission of Jesus, I do have opinions about all this. When I celebrate Mass I want to be unnoticed. I try to keep in mind John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." I also am aware of John 12: 24, "Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." It's my experience that "a horrible liturgy" goes noticed and "a good liturgy" goes unnoticed - with the people enjoying the food - Jesus the Bread of Life.
This does not mean I’m against variety and surprise - as long as the celebrant or preacher is not the message: Jesus is Lord.
Did the Jerusalem Times in Jesus’ time have the headline, “Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet at the Passover Meal.”
I don’t have time to look this up, but I remember Cardinal O’Connor when he came to New York standing in the pulpit at St. Patrick's Cathedral with a Yankee and a Met cap – or was it just a Yankee cap.
In the history of our Church, how many times has something like this been done? We have a lot of history – so I’m assuming that some rather interesting – as well as bizarre things have taken place – with regards liturgy. I remember hearing about some priest who years ago with gun in hand shot a blank off in his homily. Now that’s certainly woke up any sleepers. Did that wake up his bishop?
Years ago I went to a “Haitian Mass” in Brooklyn and the church was packed – packed – and the offertory procession was an elaborate and lively moment – with song and dance.
Didn’t I see Pope John Paul II on television enjoying very local liturgies on his different trips around our world – with people wearing rather “different” garb?
In the middle ages – at Pentecost – didn’t they have red roses dropped from above – or was it white doves released?
I noticed that in the articles about this "World Cup Mass" the reporters noted that this church in Obdam is usually filled and the other churches are not.
If the bishop had a sense of humor, would he have the priest appear with him in public, hand the priest a red card [or orange], and suspend him for 1 Mass? But of course, he wouldn’t, because to quote the bishop again, it would “not do justice to the sacred nature of the Eucharist.”
Did the bishop take the time to discuss this with this priest – as well as with his consulters? If they did, did they list 4 or 5 alternatives – as well as listing the consequences of each scenario?Did the bishop talk one to one with Father Paul Vlaar?
Did this bishop ever say Mass at this church?
Would he be willing to go to this church now and give his reasons for his decision? What about an open forum on liturgy?
How can this be a learning experience – not a disaster experience?
What is the common sense of the people in this parish?
You have to have been there.
How many times do people at a distance have a different take than those who were there?
As I looked at the YouTube clip on the Mass, I was impressed by the energy, the songs, and the respectful moments during the Mass. I loved the camaraderie outside church after Mass. These folks were not all young people.
I don’t see myself doing this – but I do ask the question about empty churches. I do wonder about the majority of Catholics not going to Sunday Liturgy. I do wonder about priests who don’t try anything “new” or creative.
I’ve read somewhere that being boring is the greatest sin. I don’t agree with that, but who likes boredom?
Every lifetime Catholic knows that every priest is different.
Every priest knows about the sounds some people make when Father so and so walks down the aisle for the Mass. "Is it I, Lord?"
Humility is a tough virtue.
By now I know that people are different – and we better get to learn that lesson. I read once the comment, “The greatest sin is our inability to accept the otherness of the other person.”
I like country western music as opposed to classical music. I prefer wearing a shirt to wearing a suit. Other priests see differently.
We celebrate Mass in our skin and our story – our experiences and our faith life.
Do I think dioceses and church should have guidelines that encourage good liturgy – good worship? Of course!
I like country western music as opposed to classical music. I prefer wearing a shirt to wearing a suit. Other priests see differently.
We celebrate Mass in our skin and our story – our experiences and our faith life.
Do I think dioceses and church should have guidelines that encourage good liturgy – good worship? Of course!
What’s your take on all this?
I put two YouTube pieces in this piece. Watch them both – with others – and then talk to each other.
You'll can also find a lot of comments on line by others on both the “Orange Mass” in Obdam, Holland as well as the “Flowing Cape” Mass in Washington D.C. Check them out.
I would also think showing both short videos at a clergy meeting – could lead to a great discussion – and build commonality.
POST SCRIPT
I learn afterwards.
A feeling: I found myself a bit nervous after I put this piece on my blog.
A reason for feeling nervous: I don't like controversy - and to be consistent - I don't want to call attention to myself - my two problems with the Orange Mass and the Flowing Red Cape Mass.
I write - and to me - one of the keys to good writing is that you don't notice the writer - only the content - the story. I hope that happened to you the reader in this piece - that you only wondered about the Orange Mass and then the Flowing Red Cape Mass - that I connected it with.
I also found myself wondering about news reporting. If I get comments about about this blog piece in person or on line, then I might be getting a glimpse at what happens in news rooms - in preparing the Evening News, a magazine or a newspaper edition. They might have someone saying things like, "Sensation sells! What's hot? What are people interested in? How do we increase our ratings and our advertising sales?" I also wonder does anyone say, "Hey even though this story is 'hot' we can't publish it, because it might hurt someone."
I asked myself, "Why am I grabbing this story?" Am I using people? The Orange Mass is much less in my wondering -as is the "Red Flowing Cape Mass". Am I hurting the bishop who wore that cape? Did I call him up? No. Am I hurting or "dismissing" anyone who was at that Mass in Washington D.C. and thought it was great? I hope not.
I found myself asking these questions and thinking these thoughts - some of which I will discuss with others. I hope you do likewise - which is one of the reasons I'm doing this blog. Thank you.
I also found myself wondering about Father Paul Vlaar's motives, thoughts and feelings. I believe the bishop wants him to reflect upon his behavior. Was he simply connecting with the exuberance and celebration the people in his area were feeling with Holland in the World Cup Soccer finals? Does he want to get people to connect Religion and Life? Does he want folks coming to church - being excited about being a disciple of Christ? How did he react and respond to being suspended? Did the bishop watch the World Cup finals? How long is the suspension? What will happend that first Sunday liturgy if and when he comes back? You have to be there.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
RUMI-NATING
How come we both look
at what’s right before us
and only one of us actually
sees what’s right in front of us?
How come we both have
all these sounds around us
and only one of us hears
the music surrounding us?
How come we both stand
on the beach before the ocean,
and only one of us experiences
the feel of sand by heel, sole and toes,
the crash and splash of waves,
and the light dancing on the waters?
How come only one of us
asks all these questions?
at what’s right before us
and only one of us actually
sees what’s right in front of us?
How come we both have
all these sounds around us
and only one of us hears
the music surrounding us?
How come we both stand
on the beach before the ocean,
and only one of us experiences
the feel of sand by heel, sole and toes,
the crash and splash of waves,
and the light dancing on the waters?
How come only one of us
asks all these questions?
© Andy Costello, Reflections 2010
Wrote this after reading some
short poems
by Jalaludin Rumi [1207-1273]
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
PERIOD.
Quote for the Day - July 26, 2010
"Bromidic though it may sound,
some questions don't have answers,
which is a terribly difficult lesson to learn."
Katherine Graham [1917-2001], in Jane Howard, "The Power That Didn't Corrupt," Ms. October, 1974
Sunday, July 25, 2010
GETTING TO KNOW GOD
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily is, “Getting to Know God.”
Let me try to put into words what I’d like to get at in this homily.
TWO EXPERIENCES
Have you ever had the experience of working with someone whom you picture in a certain way? You get to know them – but then surprise, you find out that the person is very different than you thought that person to be. It could be for better or for worse. And then sometimes something else happens and you get another view, another understanding of that person. And then you say, “How wrong I was both times.” Or we say, “How little we know.” Or we say, “Oh my God, I guess we never really know each other.”
I think we’ve all had that kind of an experience. The bummer could be in marriage – or with some family member. The interesting one is brothers and sisters talking about their parents – who have long gone – and one or both discover new takes on their parents – and sometimes that happens while driving or what have you a week or a month after the conversation. Go figure.
That’s the first experience. It’s happened to me at least 5 times very significantly. How wrong I was 3 out of the 5 times.
The second experience is ourselves. Sometimes someone pictures us a certain way – and we know they have no clue about who we really are. To be a priest can be very humbling – because people often lay on us understandings, personalities, qualities, expectations, descriptions, roles - instead of the person we think we know we are. That’s scary.
Or we do it to ourselves – we realize at times we really don’t know ourselves – and that can be scary as well. Hopefully we’re all growing.
NOW GOD
Now that’s ourselves or different people whom we live with or work with or who are our neighbors.
How about God? What is God like? Could we be wrong in our understanding of God? Do I have a different understanding of God now than say 10 years ago or many years ago? If I’ve changed in my perception of God, what triggered the change – the new understanding?
If I handed out to each person here, a piece of paper, and then asked you to describe God in 25 words or less, what would the descriptions sound like? Would every description be correct? Would any description be wrong?
If I also handed out to each person here another piece of paper and asked you to write out what you thought the Catholic Church teaches what God is like, or who God is, would the answers differ? Would someone simply write out the Creed? Is there a right, or better, a best answer?
And then would God respond: “You don’t know me”?
Does God cry when someone has a really wrong understanding of God? Does God cry tears of joy when someone grasps the essence of God?
TODAY’S FIRST READING
Today’s first reading from Genesis 18 – comes from some 3000 years ago. It’s from the so called “Yahwist Author” in the book of Genesis – the earliest and most primitive part of the Bible. He’s called the Yahwist, because he uses the word “Yahweh” for God. Names for God is a whole other story in the Bible.
The so called “Elohist” author – who uses “El” or “Elohim” for God – as in the endings of the names Daniel and Nathaniel and Gabriel – or Al or Allah in Arabic languages - has a perception of God as up there. God is up there – way up there – in the heavens – at a distance - creating everything from afar. “Let there be light and there was light” as in the first creation account in the Book of Genesis.
The so called “Yahwist” author on the other hand has God coming down from heaven and walking around – as in the Garden making Adam out of the mud and clay of the earth. Then Yahweh or God –realizes it’s not good that the man be alone – so he makes woman out of the man’s rib – Adam’s Rib – great ribs - great story – men ribbing women where they come from – great symbolism – and women smiling knowing they know all come from mother earth – from the womb. Then God loves to meet and walk in the Garden in the cool of evening with Adam and Eve. It looks like God doesn’t like to be alone either – and then the Yahwist author begins to explain how sin arrived and he uses a talking serpent to tempt Eve – and she eats the forbidden fruit and they are thrown out of the garden and are really separated from God. Sad story.
Well in today’s reading from Genesis 18, God is walking around again and this time the Yahwist author has God coming down to earth to check out two towns: Sodom and Gomorrah. He wants to find out if they are really as bad as they are reported to be. People have been screaming out to God to wipe out these towns.
The Yahwist author of this text pictures God as Judge – God as the Destroyer – God who can blast those who do bad and reward those who do good.
After a hurricane or an earthquake preachers who think this way say God is punishing the evil. And then those who don’t see God this way scream at those preachers. If one lives in a less earthquaky or less hurricany area of the country, they can think that we’re not as sinful as those guys in down in the gulf or in Haiti.
So people see God in different ways. How do you see God? That’s the question I’m asking today.
The title of my homily is, “Getting to Know God.”
OTHER ANSWERS
Without using the Bible, just using reason, some philosophers and schools of philosophy try to prove God’s existence by cause and effect, order, beauty, and existence.
If you use cause and effect, you simply say, “If there is a church, there has been church makers. If there is a garden outside this church, there are gardeners.” These things don’t just happen.
But what is the maker and the designer like? So some philosophers say that God is good at Math – because this world – this universe wouldn’t exist – without someone with great engineering skills.
Philosophers might then say – this God thinks big, but this creator, this first cause, this God who keeps the universe going, is also mighty mysterious. Then they speculate on the so called, “Problem of Evil” as well as the “Problem of Good.” Why do some people seem to get al the breaks and others seem to be so broken?
You might have read that several of the Founders of the United States were Deists. Several thought God created this world and then made it independent – on it’s own.
When we studied philosophy in college we were also taught the existential argument for God. That argument has always impressed and impacted me. Either a thing is keeping itself in existence by itself or by a force outside itself. Apples and oranges, rocks and ballpoint pens are not existing on their own – so something, better someone with intelligence is. That force is God.
That’s philosophy – and it’s always worth studying.
Next comes religions which give other answers – especially on what the personality of God is like.
So here is where for Jews and Christians the Bible becomes very, very sacred and very important.
The Jewish Scriptures, which Christians sometimes call, “the Old Testament,” certainly has various images and stories and perceptions of God.
I would say that there are many texts that have God zapping people – as in today’s first reading – wiping out armies and drowning all kinds of people in the big flood.
And then again there are those people who want God to zap people or who think hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, any disaster is God zapping sinners.
CHRISTIANITY
Christians turn to Christ for answers.
In today’s gospel from Luke, we have Jesus teaching us to call God Father, Abba, Pop, Dad, Daddy, a very familiar term for one’s father and then Jesus gives the basics of the Our Father, shorter here in Luke than the version from Matthew which we all use in the rosary and at every Mass.
Then Luke uses some rich imagery and says God the Father is only going to give us good things – not evil.
Then he adds, “If God seems silent, bang on his door, scream, yell, wake him up.”
In a way Jesus can be very much like the Yahwist – picturing and painting God in very basic ways - like today’s first reading when Abraham is trying to get God down from 50 just people in Sodom and Gomorrah to 10. Keep bargaining with God till you get what you want.
CONCLUSION
Enough on a hot day. More than enough for a Sunday morning homily.
What to do?
Talk to God about God. It’s called prayer – the major theme in today’s gospel. Today’s gospel has a great prayer: “Lord, teach us to pray!”
Talk to each other on each other’s perceptions and understandings of God.
Answer Jesus’ question: Who do you say I am?
Have God ask you the question: Who do you say I am?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
TAKE A SEAT
Sometimes it’s smarter
to just sit there,
to just sit there
and watch the world go by. Try it.
Next time you’re at the Mall
look for those seats that
are strategically placed,
here and there along
the walking areas.
Sit. Watch. Look. Spy.
You’ll see much more
than if you’re just
one of the walkers,
one of the people on stage.
Try it next time you’re
at a funeral, wedding or family picnic.
Sit. Watch. Look. Spy.
Smile, because sometimes
you’ll catch someone else
just sitting there,
just doing the same thing,
just looking right at you.
Smile. Wave or wink to them
Life is good.
Life can be always interesting.
© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2010
Picture taken from the "Balcony"
of the Temppeliaukio Rock Church
in Helsinki, Finland, 2009
LOVE THERE –
ALWAYS THERE
Love, floating towards us
like a swan on a mirror lake;
or love, like a child seeing
us coming in the door and rushing
across the room to hug us;
love, like a surprise phone call,
or a note or a wave or a beep
from a car as we walk up the street;
love, love signs, blessed sacraments
that God is in the slow as well as
the rush of life – not just in the crush
of death and disappointments.
Thank you God. Thank YOU.
like a swan on a mirror lake;
or love, like a child seeing
us coming in the door and rushing
across the room to hug us;
love, like a surprise phone call,
or a note or a wave or a beep
from a car as we walk up the street;
love, love signs, blessed sacraments
that God is in the slow as well as
the rush of life – not just in the crush
of death and disappointments.
Thank you God. Thank YOU.
© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2010
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