RESURRECTION:
YES___, NO___, UNDECIDED__?
CHECK ONE

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Resurrection: Yes___, No___, Undecided___? Check One!

Do I believe in resurrection from the dead after this life? Yes___, No___, Undecided____? Check one.

Isn’t that a blunt way of putting it?

In preparing this homily – after reading the readings – I was doing some research and came across a rather blunt quote that triggered my thoughts.

The quote is from a man named John E. Large. I’ve never heard of him before – and I couldn’t find anything about him on Google. I did find the name of a Doctor John Small. Well, John E. Large wrote the following in a 1962 document entitled, The Small Needle of Doctor Large, “The entire character of a man’s whole life depends on whether he answers ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the historic fact of Resurrection.”

Repeat: “The entire character of a man or woman’s whole life depends on whether he or she answers ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the historic fact of Resurrection.”

Reflecting on that cold, dramatic quote, I came up with the title and theme of my homily for today: “Resurrection: Yes___, No___, Undecided___? Check One.”

I would assume that one’s life would be different – if one thought this is all there is – life on earth – and then we disappear forever.

I would assume that one’s life would be different – if I know and act as if there is a hereafter.

TODAY’S FIRST AND THIRD READINGS

Today’s first reading and today’s gospel certainly have the theme of resurrection.

The Sadducees, one of those groups in Jesus’ time, who didn’t buy or accept him, would check, “No, I don’t believe in the resurrection?” if asked.

Today’s first reading – from 2nd Maccabees is picked because it’s from a pre-Christian Jewish document that expresses a belief in the resurrection. The Protestant Bible and Jewish Bibles don’t have either book of Maccabees.

I found it interesting to read that 1st and 2nd Maccabees are from around 124 B.C. and they were an abbreviated document from a 5 volume work by a man named Jason of Cyrene who wrote about the Maccabean revolt in Israel that took place between 180 to 160 B.C.

ANECDOTES

One of the most popular way of making a point or arguing is to use an anecdote – or a story – or an example. We’re just finished the elections – and we’ve all heard politicians trying to make a point by talking about a widow in Wisconsin – who lost her husband in Iraq or a store keeper in Shreveport, Louisiana who wants to hire one more employee, but can’t because of the economy. Anecdotes…. Ronald Reagan was a pro at using them.

Today’s first reading has the anecdote or part of the story about the 7 Maccabean brothers who were tortured and killed for keeping the Jewish practices of their faith in God. And the first reading ends this way – with the fourth brother saying, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.”

And this story was told and remembered by any Jew who kept his faith in the midst of persecution – with the hope of eternal life. “I’m going to make it. Are you going to make it?”

I have often thought the most powerful image of hell – is not fire or torture – or separation from God and loved ones – but non-existence after life. “You didn’t believe in this. Okay, you got your belief. Good-bye forever.” However, I obviously don’t believe God would do this.

And the gospel for this 32 Sunday of the Year has an anecdote or story that the Sadducees used to ridicule resurrection after death. It’s the story of the 7 brothers who married this one woman. The question always hits me: “What were the 4, 5, 6 and 7th brothers not thinking?”

It’s a funny anecdote and you can hear the Sadducees using it to make fun of anyone believing in life after death.

And Jesus gives his glimpse of life after death – that resurrection after death will not be like the here and now. For example, there will be no marriage and remarriage in the hereafter.

So those of you who remarried after a spouse has died, breathe a sigh of relief. You’re spouse will not be waiting for you just inside the Pearly or Golden Gates with a face that says, “How could you?”

AFTERLIFE

As to what the afterlife will be like, we have to die to find out.

I know I’m not ready yet. How about you?

We have the gift of imagination – so there are lots of anecdotes and jokes and stories about the hereafter. Heaven is pictured as being in the clouds, or we’re at a big wedding banquet, or a place with many mansions, or we’ve entered into the Holy City of God, the New Jerusalem, or we’re standing in a big field as a sheep and not a goat – or we’re on a mountain with all kinds of folks.

I once preached a sermon here at St. Mary’s about life after death. I pictured people arriving in heaven at a bus stop. There is Saint Peter with a clipboard telling us there are two neighborhoods we can choose to go in heaven – to choose where we want to live. Then the story went from there – and people find out about their attitudes and what they did in their life. I thought I was being original till I heard someone talk about the bus stop in heaven image in something C.S. Lewis wrote. My sermon was rather different, and I didn’t remember having read or heard that image from an earlier sermon, but who knows? Maybe I heard it when I was a kid. Who says people don’t remember sermons – or remember what they read?

I also have a sermon I wrote entitled, “The Long Line!” Before I came to Annapolis, for 8 and ½ years I preached parish missions out of our parish of St. Gerard’s in Lima, Ohio. Every year we came up with a new mission – a whole new series of talks. It would take about 5 missions in 5 different cities or towns – before myself and a guy named Tom figured out what we were really trying to say. Looking back I must admit that I thought that 25 minute evening sermon entitled, “The Long Line” was the most interesting talk I came up with because it taught me a lot. I preached it about 25 times – and I hope each time better. I pictured people who died waking up after death and standing on this big, long, long, long line. At first no one talked to the person next to them. In time conversations began as people moved forward. I might check that sermon out one of these days and see what my thoughts are today. Relax, I won’t use it on a Sunday morning. It’s at least 22 minutes long. And I also found out that Thomas Merton has a poem about Ernest Hemingway after he committed suicide. He has Ernest climbing this big staircase. Plagiarism is rampant!

Other religions have all kinds of other images of the hereafter.

What’s your image of eternity – heaven – hell – resurrection?

For the past 40 years I have gone by the scripture text. “Eye has not seen; ear has not heard; nor has it entered the human heart what God has prepared for those who love him.” [Cf. Isaiah 64: 3; 1 Corinthians 2:9.]

ANECDOTES IN SUPPORT OF AN AFTERLIFE

If the Sadducees used an anecdote to try to say there is no afterlife, is there an anecdote or story that would get you to check “Yes” I believe in life after death. I believe in resurrection.

Of course our bottom line is faith – our bottom dollar is placed on Christ who rose from the dead and said he is the way, the truth and the life, that he is the key to the door that leads to eternal life.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

That’s my act of faith.

But I have a many anecdotes that I ponder – and let me present some of them – because I’m wondering if everyone has their various stories or wonderings or questions about eternal life.

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

Last year I got to Saint Petersburg in Russia and we went to these enormous mansions and palaces that the czars of Russia lived in – summer and winter palaces – and they had hundreds and hundreds of servants. I began reflecting on no wonder there was communism, no wonder there was the execution of royal families. The peasants were treated as dirt. What was their life like? No wonder the French revolution and the guillotine? I remembered reading about emperors and others dying and their wives and slaves were killed and buried with them. I thought about the Pyramids – those gigantic death memorials for the Pharaohs, etc. What were the thoughts of folks who had to build all these edifices? Did anyone ever give them a break? It made me proud of being a Catholic with our history in modern times supporting workers and labor unions. [1] It also made me proud of being an American. We don’t have a caste system like other countries. People can rise to the top of the pyramid – at least that’s the American Dream. Then the further thought? What about all those who slaved for others – died for others – who never were given a chance in life – for the good life? Then the thought: this life is not enough. Fairness screams for resurrection.

ABORTIONS, CHILD DEATHS, HORROR STORIES

Abortions, child deaths, massacres, holocausts, ethnic cleansings, suicide bombings that kill lots of random people, the loss of young people in battles: all need our reflection. Horror stories are part of every era of the history of our world. Once more: fairness screams for resurrection.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
And lastly I’ve reflected upon the question of unfinished business. I have been blessed with faith. I have been blessed with a good life in a good country. I have been blessed with a good education. However, I have so much unfinished business – people whose lives I barely got to know, people whom I didn’t really listen to, never asked their forgiveness, never received their saying, “I forgive you!”. There are books I’ve bought that are half finished or quarter finished or never opened. There are questions barely understood, let alone answered. There is a God whom I hardly touched the hem of His garment. There is Christ whose feet I never washed with my tears. There is The Holy Spirit, the Third Person in this One God. Who are You and what are You about? There is so much unfinished business. So unfinished business screams for resurrection.

CONCLUSION
Enough. Sometimes I feel sermons go on for eternity. Well, I hope the title of this homily triggered some inner prayers and thinking, “Resurrection: Yes___, No___, Undecided___? Check One!

I hope the quote from John E. Large that I gave in the beginning of this homily hit you like it hit me. Let me repeat it once more and finish with it: “The entire character of a man’s whole life depends on whether he answers ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the historic fact of Resurrection.”


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In case you can't read the caption on the cartoon, it is, "Superb martinis!"
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[1] Below is a list of social encyclicals by Catholic Popes in modern times. . Since you’re reading this on line, you can find all these encyclicals on line. For those who listen and watch lots of TV and radio talk shows, I suggest you listen to these letters from our Popes – and connect them with the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and enter into deep prayer so as to come up with a deeper concern for all our brothers and sisters around the world. If you don’t have time, simply read Matthew 25: 31 to 46; Luke 10: 29-37; and Luke 16: 19-31 - as well as the Old Testament Prophets.
Rerum et Novarum, “Of New Things”, an encyclical by Pope Leo XIII, May 15, 1891. The encyclical deals with “Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor.”

Quadragesimo Anno, “In the 40th Year” – and encyclical by Pope Pius XI that was issued on May 15, 1931 – which was 40 years after Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum Novarum. The letter deals with the impact and dangers to human beings – from unrestrained capitalism and totalitarian communism. The letter once calls for the reconstruction of society based on the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity.”

Mater et Magistra, “Mother and Teacher” – the Encyclical Letter of Pope John XXIII on “Christianity and Social Progress” promulgated on May 15, 1961.

Pacem et Terris, “Peace on Earth.” This is the last encyclical from Pope John XXIII. It was issued on April 11, 1963.

Gaudium et Spes – The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, from Pope Paul VI, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, Together with the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, Rome, St. Peter’s, December 7, 1965

Populorum Progressio, On the Development of People’s, promulgated by Pope Paul VI on March 26, 1967

Centesimus Annus, “The Hundredth Year” – an encyclical from Pope John Paul II that was promulgated in 1991. It’s referring to the Catholic Social teachings from Rerum Novarum issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891

Laborem Exercens, “On Human Work,” an encyclical from Pope John Paul II promulgated on September 14, 1991.

Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, “On Social Concern” is an encyclical promulgated on December 30, 1987, by Pope John Paul II – connecting it with the 20th Anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s social encyclical Populorum Progressio.

Caritas in Veritate, “Charity in Truth,” is the third but first social encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI – promulgated on July 7, 2009.

JESUS ATE
WITH SINNERS
AND DINED WITH THEM

Quote for Today -- November 7,  2010


"He could smell a sinner five miles away on a windless day."


Helen Hayes, On Reflection: An Autobiography, 1968. I believe she was referring to someone in the clergy.

ALL ARE WELCOME, 

ALL ARE WELCOME, 

ALL ARE WELCOME 

IN THIS PLACE 

Quote for Today November 6,  2010


"In other religions, one must be purified before he can knock at the door; in Christianity, one knocks on the door as a sinner, and He Who answers to us heals."

Fulton J. Sheen [1895-1979], Peace of Soul, 1949

MIDDLE AGE

Quote for the Day - November 5, 2010


"Middle age is when you've met so many people that every new person you meet reminds you of someone else."


Ogden Nash, Versus, 1949

GROWTH

Quote for the Day - November 4,  2010

"The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life."


Muhammad Ali, interview, Playboy, November 1975

STEPPING BACK

Quote of the Day -- November 3, 2010


"Like an ox-cart driver in monsoon season or the skipper of a grounded ship, one must sometimes go forward by going back."

John Barth, New York Times, September 16, 1984

PRAYER 
FOR THE DEAD

Quote for the Day - All Soul's Day - November 2,  2010


"Almighty and everlasting God,
it pleased you
to breathe into us a soul
according to Your likeness.

Then at Your bidding
you turn dust back to dust.
Now command Your image
to be connected
with Your saints and elect
in an everlasting home."



From The Gelasian Sacramentary: Prayer for the Dead [5th to the 7th Century].

SAINT MOM AND DAD

Quote for the Day - All Saints Day - November 1, 2010


"Only God knows how many married saints there have been. Perhaps when and if we get to heaven we may find that some of the brightest jewels in His crown are obscure husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, that nobody paid any attention to here on earth."


John C. Cort, The Grail, 1957

OVERLOOK

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - C is, “Overlook.” [Spell out.] O V E R L O O K

I noticed the word “overlook” in today’s first reading when the author of The Book of Wisdom states,

“Before the Lord
the whole universe
is as a grain from a balance
or a drop of morning dew
come down upon the earth.
But you have mercy on all,
because you can do all things;
and you overlook people’s sins
that they might repent.” [Wisdom 11:22-24]
Great poetry. Great images. Great message. Don’t overlook it!

“Overlook”: a word I’ve never really looked at. I’ve always overlooked it. And the first reading is often overlooked as well.

And in case you’ve also overlooked the first image in today’s first reading, the author is saying that the Lord sees the whole universe as a grain from a balance. I did a bit of research on that text and I think the better translation in English would be, “as a speck of dust on a scale.” A tiny bit of grain from the last weighing is okay – if that’s the picture you get – but I like "a speck of dust on a scale or a balance" better.

Some people, when they go to the doctor, are very aware of “The Scale Moment”. They know it happens right away. So they are planning – as their name is called – to first take out of their pockets their car keys, their wallet, then to take off their coat, their sweater – and to put all on the chair before they step on that scale. They don’t take that “Scale Moment” or “Scare Moment” too lightly.

We’re talking here about a speck of dust or grain on a scale.

Most of the time we overlook specks of dust – as in dust on glasses – even a speck of dandruff on a dark blue suit – or the second image, a drop of dew on a flower or a blade of grass. I’ve walked by trillions of drops of dew and as for specks of dust – I let them rest in peace in my room. I vacuum my room about 5 times a year.

The writer of this text from The Book of Wisdom says the Lord overlooks the whole universe as if it were a speck of dust on a scale or a drop of morning dew on a blade of grass or on a flower or on our front windshield – so too our sins – so that we’ll repent – and be better persons.

OUTLINE

For the sake of a homily on this theme of “Overlook”, I chose 3 issues and overlooked others:

1) Standing on an Overlook: Getting the Big Picture.
2) Is There Anyone I’m Overlooking?
3) Not Overlooking The Poet and Prayer Maker Within Us.

1) STANDING ON AN OVERLOOK – GETTING THE BIG PICTURE

I like the window seat on an airplane. I’ve seen plenty of aisles – in church and in classrooms etc. So I love window seats, so I can see the big picture.

I have fond memories of climbing the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the Rockies in Colorado and some mountains in Montana. I love the exhilarating moment of getting to a top and then looking out and down on everything. It is well worth the climb.

I like choir lofts in churches – and upper decks in stadiums.

I can still remember the 2 times I was on the top of one of the World Trade Center towers – first amazed at the speed of that fast elevator. And then standing there outside and seeing so much – especially the tiny boats on the Hudson River. “On a clear day you can see forever.”

My first point is the importance of overlook moments – getting the big picture. I spent 14 years of my life working in 2 different retreat houses – one at the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey and the other in the Pocono Mountains. And retreat houses are often located in beautiful spots – so we can see the big picture – to retreat – and to look at our life from a distance. When was the last time you made a retreat?

Vacations … retreats … escapes … sailing … walking … listening to classical music … a good movie … attending a wedding or funeral … celebrating a birthday or anniversary … are just some of those moments we can overlook our life and get the big picture.

Sunday Mass …. Sabbath …. the Eucharistic chapel – a walk in the woods…. or through the Naval Academy or Quiet Waters Park are very important for this first point of taking time to overlook our life.

Questions: Is our best yet to come or have we been there? Are we downsizing or upbeat? Have we given up or are we just getting started? Where is tiny little me on the river of life?

Overlook: take a good look at your life - and listen to your answers to these tough questions.

It’s good to climb mountains and have Transfiguration moments. It’s good to climb mountains so we can see the big picture and come down with good plans. We’ve been to the mountain. We’ve overlooked our life and discovered what and who we have been overlooking. We come down and we scream less at little scratches on our cars – or small interruptions while reading the paper or watching our favorite game – or “Who got the yellow butter in the brown peanut butter? Who does that every time. Uggggggh! That drives me crazy!”

2) IS THERE ANYONE I’M OVERLOOKING?

Today’s gospel is a favorite for many – especially short people.

Studies indicate the taller guy or gal gets the job more than the equally qualified short gal or guy.

Some studies indicate that the middle child often feels overlooked. Many say the oldest child gets all the pictures. I don’t know if that has changed with digital cameras.

In today’s gospel Jesus spots the short guy in the tree – who climbed the sycamore tree so as to see Jesus.

Jesus spots the forgotten and the little guys and gals. Jesus spots sinners. Jesus likes to eat with sinners.

This is a great gospel story for people who hesitate to receive communion – because they feel they are coming up short with their behavior or their charity.

If you feel like a hypocrite coming to communion, if you feel others are grumbling inwardly about you, as in, "How come she or he is going to communion?" The crowd in the gospel put it this way, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner!” Remember today’s gospel. See the big picture.

See Jesus wanting to be in communion with you. See Jesus rejoicing because you are going to change your life and be aware of the poor and those you extort.

See yourself changing and being aware of those you might be overlooking: spouse, parents, brothers, sisters, kids, the person two desks down at work….

Who are those people I never look in the eye? Who are those I overlook?

The gospel of Luke is a catalogue of people who are screaming like little kids, “Mira! Mira! Look at me!” Who’s screaming to me from up a tree: “Hello…. You’re overlooking me!”

3) NOT OVERLOOKING THE POET AND THE PERSON OF PRAYER WITHIN US.

Remember the old saying, “Inside every fat person, there is a thin person crying to get out.” I saw that on at least a dozen refrigerator doors – a dozen or two years ago when that saying was popular.

I want to thank the writer of today’s first reading – they think it was a Greek speaking Jew from the second half of the 1st century B.C. He let his inner poet and person of prayer speak to us today.

How about us? How about our inner poet? How about our inner person of prayer? Is he or she being overlooked?

If there are over 6 billion people on this planet, if this planet is just one tiny ball hanging here on this great Christmas tree of a universe – and if this universe is just one universe in a vast forest of a billion, trillion, gazillion universes, that’s a “Uh oh!” or an “Oh wow!” or a moment of wonder.

Haven’t we sat there at the beach in a beach chair or on a blanket – under an umbrella – of with tons of sun screen on if we need it – and we’re all alone for a few moments. Our spouse and kids are down in the water or gone for ice cream and it’s quiet – even though the beach is crowded – and we pick up some sand and let it fall from our fingers to the ground slowly. And we slowly think to ourselves, “Interesting. Sand. Billions and billions of grains of sand. Who’s counting? And we hear the crash of waves hitting the beach. How many waves hit a beach per day? Who’s counting? Do I count?”

And without knowing it, we’re praying, “And God you made us out of the sand of the earth. Why us, God? Why me, God? And this earth is 5 to 10 billions years old and it’s going to last that many more years at least – as they say – because that’s the estimate on the sun – and there might be millions and millions more suns up there. God, what’s with you? God, what’s your plan? God , why so much and then some more? Why? What’s with you?”

And we continue our poem and our prayer, “O my God, I’m nothing. Oh my God, I’m something. Oh my God, I’m someone! Oh my God you’re aware of me up here in my tree and you are inviting me to banquet with you for all eternity. Woo! Wow!”

To conclude ....

And we’re in the middle of that ocean of thought and back comes our family missing and loving us and our youngest says, “Want a lick of my ice cream” or “Come on down to the water with us.” Then we see them and all the beach as all part of this great big enormous creation of God whom we’ve been overlooking too, too much, too, too long. Amen.

IMPACT AND 

INFLUENCE ON 

EACH OTHER.

Quote for the Day - October 31, 2010

"People come into our lives

and then they go again.

The extropy law,

as applied to human relations.

Sometimes in their passing,

though,

they register an unimagined

and far reaching influence....

There is no scientific way

to discern such effects,

but memory believes

before knowing remembers.

And the past lives

coiled within the present,

beyond sight,

beyond revocation,

lifting us up

or weighing us down,

sealed away almost completely -

behind walls of pearl."

David Quammen, "Chambers of Mercy," Words from the Land, 1986

Picture on top - On an island near Stockholm, Sweden, 2009

TO BE HEARD

YELL!

Quote of the Day - October 30, 2010

"Moral: In saying what is obvious, never choose cunning. Yelling works better."

Cynthia Ozick, "We Are the Crazy Lady and Other Feisty Feminist Fables," in Francine Klagsbrun, ed. The First Ms. Reader, 1972

UNREST

Quote of the Day October 29, 2010

"Unrest of spirit is a mark of life."

Karl Menninger, This Week, October 16, 1958

EGO 

IMPORTANCE

Quote for the Day October 28, 2010

"Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important."

T.S. Eliot [1888-1965]

THREE THEORIES 

OF POWER 

Quote for the Day - October 27, 2010

"There are three theories of power and therefore of authority, to wit: the robber theory that all power is for mastery; the hireling theory that all power is for wealth; the good shepherd theory that all power is for service."

Vincent McNabb [1868-1943]

Painting on top by Daniel Bonnell

THE  KINGDOM: 

START  CLIMBING 

LIKE  A  LITTLE  CHILD

Quote for the Day   October 26,  2010

"If you want to work for the kingdom of God, and to bring it, and to enter into it, there is just one condition to be first accepted. You must enter it as children, or not at all."


John Ruskin [1819-1900]


Photo of a mom and a kid in Budapest, Hungary, 2010

MUSTARD AND BREAD

The title of my homily for this 30th Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, “Mustard And Bread”.

Even if we’ve never made bread – even if we’ve never planted anything in a garden – we all know what bread and mustard look like. Hot dog! We do.

Jesus begins today’s gospel with a great question: “What is the kingdom of God like?” [Cf. Luke 13: 18-21]

A personal wondering and question: “At what age did Jesus dream up his idea of the kingdom?”

Was it at 7, 14, 21, 28?

What was he thinking about before he started his new life of preaching and healing around 30 years of age?

As he worked with wood in the carpenter shop – as he went with Joseph to seal a deal – or to do some home construction work – did he sit on a wagon or cart – letting Joseph drive – while he watched the birds of the sky with a smile in his eye – and then see them flock down – hundreds of them in perfect jet plane formation - onto mustard bushes in a garden? Or were the mustard plants he saw ones that Mary had planted with tiny mustard seeds in their own garden? Did he see Mary make bread or was it a baker in town, in Nazareth – and he sat there and watched the leaven do its surprise – its rise – leaven, flour, key ingredients of the dough ready for the oven - to become great tasty loaves of bread?

When did Jesus outline in his mind the key ingredients of the kingdom?

Every time he broke bread with Mary and Joseph – sitting there on steady chairs at a sturdy table that he and Joseph made – with bread and wine on that table – along with some mustard to add spice to a meal – did he say, “Isn’t this wonderful? Isn’t this everyone’s dream – a family sitting together in joy and peace enjoying the spice of life – enjoying a slice of life – a family meal? Every father a king. Every mother a queen. Every child a prince or princess."

Did he bake or break words into prayer in the depths of his heart thanking God, our Father, for the gift of life – family – daily bread – all of us forgiving each other for trespasses – dreaming that everyone have their daily bread? Is that when he first said, “Thy Kingdom Come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven?”

When did he form and formulate his parables and stories and sayings about this great dream of the kingdom of God.

If we reflect upon the gospels and let each story – each saying – each image – be a seed planted in the soil of our soul – all will grow – and the kingdom of God will be like a bush or small tree growing inside us. Or we will be like bread – leavened bread - being baked in the oven of our heart - ready for Eucharist, for Communion, with each other.

The gospels are filled with rich, simple yet subtle images.

Jesus was a poet - who grew in wisdom, age and grace. Jesus was always the one with a child’s eye – with a child’s imagination - playing and praying on the surface of the earth. [Cf. Proverbs 8:22-31]

Jesus the poet and the preacher invites all to enter into his imaginary kingdom – each day – and to see it become real, realized. It’s his dream. It’s his hope for all of us – to live both here and hereafter – in his kingdom – a kingdom of justice and peace – loving kindness – forgiveness – compassion – gracefulness. He spent time in communion with his Father - and discovered this was the Father's will - on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

ABILITY AND SANCTITY

Quote for the Day -- October 25, 2010

"We do not insist that the more saintly of two surgeons shall operate on us for appendicitis."


John Erskine

THE EYES HAVE IT

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “The Eyes Have It.”

My title and thoughts come out of today’s gospel from Luke 18: 9-14 – the well known parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

The Gospel of Luke is tough! Luke is challenging! Luke can get us to look at ourselves – and come away a bit downcast – especially because of comparisons – not to put us down – but to get us to not put others down and then that we be more upbeat towards all.

Luke was a master at contrasts and comparisons. These are two things we all do every day – compare and contrast ourselves with and to others.

The Gospel of Luke can get in there behind the eye – behind the ego – into our brain – into our thoughts and into our all day long silent conversations with ourselves.

The Pharisee sees everything and wants to be seen by everybody. Notice he notices the Tax Collector back there in the back of the temple – but the Tax Collector doesn’t seem to see him – up there in the front.

The Tax Collector sees sin – his sins – his shame – and wants to sink into the deep dark back part of the temple and himself.

Notice Luke’s comment about the Tax Collector’s eyes, “… he would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast saying, ‘O God be merciful to me a sinner.’”

As you know, he’s the patron sinner of back seat church goers.

Both go to the temple to pray. Jesus says one prayed and one didn’t.

Jesus says both go home – one the same as when he went in and the other different than the way he went out – back into street – just right in God’s eye.

How about us? What happens when we come in here into this church? Do we see church as a chance to see ourselves as we really are and how God sees us?

THE HUMAN EYE

Jesus was fascinated with the human eye.

We know from Luke 2: 40 that Jesus grew in age and grace and wisdom.

We don’t know what Jesus saw when he looked with his eyes.

We don’t know how Jesus thought when he looked.

However we do have the Gospels to look at – and learn about Jesus way of seeing.

From the gospels we know Jesus saw contrasts fathers and sons – brother with brother – sister with sister – people who cheat with weights and measures in the marketplace and merchants who are very generous. He saw people looking to the sky to figure out upcoming weather – but they didn’t take the time to figure out their lives. He saw fig trees that were producing and fig trees that were just taking up space – and he saw people producing fruit and people just taking up space.

There is the old saying that comparisons are odious.

Comparisons can also be a learning experience.

How we see is key.

Do you see what I see? Do I see what you see?

Two people go to see the same movie – and coming home in the car afterwards they find out that they both saw very differently. Sometimes someone says, “Were we at the same movie?”

Do we look into each other’s eyes – and really see to the other side of that person? Do we ever ask each other: What do you see?How was your day? What happened? How was traffic? How was the boss? How’s your mom? How’s your sister? How’s your nephew – the one with the cancer – doing? How’s your life going? How is our family doing? How are we doing as a couple?

HUMAN BEINGS

Human beings are fascinating.

Some like to be seen more than others?

Some people are peacocks; some people are mice.

Pink and grey are horses of different colors.

At times there is something in us human beings that makes want to be seen.

At times there is something in us human beings that makes us want to seem better than other human beings – so we choose our index or list for comparisons and contrasts.

The Pharisee chose greed, dishonesty and adultery – thanking God he wasn’t like the rest of humanity. Was he contrasting himself with the Tax Collector in the back? Did they know each other? Then we do know he’s comparing himself to the Tax Collector because Luke tells us that at the end of the Pharisee’s prayer: “… or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.”

When we come to church – or go to work – do we compare ourselves to others so we can feel better about ourselves?

Is there anyone we say to God, “Thank God I’m not like so and so because ….”?

And the because and the … can be weight, look, clothes, salary, family, kids, cars, homes, children, skin color, nationality, the college we went to, political party, or what have you?

YOU GOTTA LAUGH - WWJLAT

You gotta laugh at life – and human tendencies.

I wish the gospel had more overt humor – compared and contrasted to Shakespeare and cartoonists and comedians.

I do think Jesus got a laugh with today’s gospel story – but saying that is not a gospel truth. For the sake of transparency, it just fits my agenda on things I’m off on – and some comments I’m about to make.

WWJLAT? Has anyone come up with a What Would Jesus Laugh At Today bracelet or T-shirt?

Would Jesus laugh or at least kid about titles in the Catholic Church? He did with the Pharisees and Sadducees. That’s a gospel truth.

In spite of Pope John the 23rd – who made fun of himself – like when he saw himself for the first time in his pope’s outfit and said – “Oh my God, what a disaster for television!” – and in spite of Vatican II, the Catholic Church is still a pyramid of power – with a table of organization like any big organization.

Do popes, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, monsignors, pastors, priests, deacons, monks, abbots, Reverend Mothers, Sisters, Brothers, ever laugh at titles, uniforms, robes, hats, this and that, in the Catholic Church?

Relax. Such stuff can be found everywhere: in the military, law courts, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias, Mormons, Muslims, fraternities, etc., etc., etc.

Do non-Catholics wonder about Catholic religious hats and robes – and the pope's red colored shoes?

Do people who have never been in the military wonder about stars and stripes and medals, ceremony and protocol? What about the uniforms?

I wonder about the uniforms that Hell’s Angel’s wear on weekends – with their leather jackets and metal studs – chains and boots – and big Harleys.

Life is interesting – if you keep looking.

I love the story I heard a bishop tell about a pompous bishop. This didn't happen in the United States. We have no pompous bishops. This bishop was the top bishop in this country. Well, one of the other bishops put a whoopee cushion under his pillow on his chair just before he came into the room. All knew about it. They waited till he finally sat down. Then came the funny sound – then came the red face - then came the laughter, laughter, laughter – and then came the wondering what now?

I forgot to ask if that bishop could take a joke – if he could leave that meeting different than when we walked in – going home like the Tax Collector – having been humbled – ready for real exaltation as a human being – and dying to call his brother or sister to tell them about the practical joke that was played on him by his brother bishops.

While watching the baseball playoffs the last couple of nights, I noticed that someone would sing, "God bless America" at the 7th Inning. A question hit me: Would Jesus laugh , would we laugh, if we saw a movie that showed people singing at a soccer match, “God bless Uzbekistan?”or another person singing, “God bless Somalia?” or then another person singing, “God bless Iceland?”

Would we then smile – not the smile of a cynic or an angry person because someone was stealing our idea or song – but the smile of a human being – an American citizen – proud of our country – when we hear someone singing, “God bless America?” but now from this experience we add an inner prayer every time we hear, "God Bless America" sung, “God also bless all your people all around the world, especially countries where poverty and war and killings are rampant.”

You gotta laugh. You gotta cry. You gotta grow. You gotta know.

I love to bust people about having favorites – because we all have our favorites: teams, players, priests, kids, teachers, evening news anchors, neighbors, dogs, cats, who and what have you.

My oldest brother. Billy, was my mom's favorite. My second sister, Peggy, was my dad's favorite. My sister Mary disagrees with my take on all this. She likes to say, "Our parents had 4 only 'childs'."

You gotta laugh because Sirach in today’s first reading says, “The Lord is a God of Justice who knows no favorites.” If you have a Bible in hand you could say to God, “Wait a minute. There are various places in the Bible where it says, “Israel is your favorite!” Then listen as God laughs and says to you, “Hey, I’m not stupid. Every parent does that.”

CONCLUSION

You gotta laugh – and hopefully millions of people who hear this gospel today – and millions down through the centuries – sat here in church like us today and laughed and cried because we realized we are God’s favorite and sometimes we are the Pharisee up front and sometimes we are the Tax Collector in the back – and He wants us to see all this with our own eyes – and laugh and cry – and leave church today better than when we walked into church today - Amen.

EGOTIST

Quote for the Day - October 24,  2010


Egotist: "One who's always me-deep in conversation."


William Bertolotti

ME: 

A MIX OF CONSEQUENCES 

AND REPERCUSSIONS

Quote for the Day - October 23,  2010


"Everyone is the Child of his past."


Edna G. Rostow


Picture on top: Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2009

COMMUNICATION: 

SEEING OTHERS 

AS  EQUALS

Quote for the Day -- October 22,  2010

"You can't expect a person to see eye to eye with you when you are looking down on them."


Anonymous

COMMUNICATION:

HOW  IT  WORKS

I was listening – but not at first –
I sense this is how this really works –
so I began listening. It might have been
her eyes – an almost tear, a squint –
extra blinks – skin tightening
around those eyes – at their edge –
at the top of her nose – at the tiny bridge there.
Or it might have been her nervous hands –
fingernails trying to get under fingernails.
Then as she dug and dragged out her story
I could hear my stories edging upwards –
but luckily I said nothing – just the inner warning: “Shut up and just listen to her, stupid.” I did. And at the end she simply said,
“Thanks for listening.” And as she walked away
I said to myself, “I guess this is how it works.”
Then the smile in my eye. Then the wondering,
“Now who wants to hear my story?
Who wants to see my tears and hear my fears?”

© Andy Costello Reflections, 2010

ANCIENT STORY:

GRACE AND SIN

Grace and sin just burst right in,
changing everything – at least
for a moment, a day, a month,
sometimes a lifetime, then it’s back
to plain donuts – dull traffic –
nothing really happening in my life.

Then sin slips in again with snake
rattling suggestions – what if’s?
Myopic me bites into the forbidden.
I say the wrong thing. I hurt another.
I’m selfish, self centered – blind –
just seeing my side of need –
hunger – thirst – empty – fill me. (1)
Then grace knocks in my night.
I’m blinded by Light on the road
to my Damascus. I hear my
“Take and read” moment in the garden.
And I scream, “Who are you I’m hurting?”
Then the whisper: “Jesus Christ.”
It’s you again and again and again. (2)

(1) Genesis 3:1-13

(2) Acts 9:19; Confessions of

Augustine, Book 8, Chapter 12;

Romans 13:13

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2010