UPGRADE

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this feast of the Ascension is, “Upgrade!”

I was talking with someone the other day and they used the word, “upgrade” – in the context of having to make a decision whether to move towards getting a bigger house.

I don’t remember ever using the word “upgrade” or thinking about it in any context. Then I thought: “I guess I’d use the word “better” or “bigger” or “newer”.

Then the feast of the Ascension comes along and I have to come up with a homily for it. Then came the question: “Could I use the word ‘upgrade’ when talking about the Ascension?

THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION

I remember reading some 50 years ago or so that the Church and its theologians have to do a lot of work on the theology of the Ascension.

They didn’t use the word “upgrade” but I assume that’s what was being called for.

Every year when this feast of the Ascension comes around, I remember that comment. Every year I remember with guilt I haven't updated myself on this message. It’s an interesting comment – being that the Church has been around for quite a while – heading towards being in existence for 2000 years – in this 21st century.

For starters we believe that God sent his Son into this world, into our lives, so that we could rise to a better way of doing life in this life – ascending to more faith, more hope, more charity.

Next we believe that Jesus Christ was crucified,  died, rose from the dead and then appeared in mysterious ways right after his resurrection, and then 40 days later, ascended into heaven – with the promise of a life after this life for us.

But before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples to go into the whole world and make disciples of everyone. Jesus said he’d be with us all days – even to the end of the age as we heard in today's gospel.  He also said he would send us the Holy Spirit as we heard loud and clear in today's first reading – to help us in this life – and then help lead us to the next life.

HERE AND HEREAFTER

For the sake of understanding, go figuring, and grasping these big leaps, I would assume that we would think about two states when reflecting on religion and life: the here and the hereafter.

People know there is a here and some believe in a hereafter as well; others just accept there is a here and now – and that’s all there is.

Some people think about one more than the other.

Is it a question of age? The younger think about future life – but here on earth; the ancients among us think about future life – our declining years here and some make jokes about the Golden Years not being so Golden and then there are thoughts about life on the other side of death. Is there a next life?

Is it a question of upbringing and / or faith?

Is it a question of attitude and outlook – optimists and pessimists?

Is it a question of experiences? Translation: if a person has seen a lot of death going on all around him or her, would they be more apt to think a lot about the hereafter more than the here? What’s going on in the minds of those in Syria or Libya or Afghanistan – with the possibility of death around the corner? What’s going on in the minds of those in nursing homes or those who work in funeral homes? What’s going on in the minds of those on treadmills in gyms? What’s going on in the minds of joggers when someone mentions someone age 47 died while running just last week – and his doctor just gave him a good bill of health?

UPGRADE

I was thinking: do we need an upgrade on our thinking about all this?

Can we ascend to a new level?

I have three master’s degrees in theology, but I don’t consider myself a theologian. In fact, there is a big meeting of the largest professional group of Catholic theologians in the world – the CTSA – the Catholic Theological Society of America – meeting at Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, California – this week – June 9 to the 12th. It’s their 66th Annual Meeting and I wasn’t invited. No problem: I’m not a theologian – nor did I pay any dues. But I will check the Catholic papers and magazines to see what happened at the convention.

The theme this year is, “All The Saints.” And one presentation is entitled, “I Want to Be in That Number: Desire, Inclusivity, and the Church” by Paul Lakeland of Fairfield University. Connecticut.

That’s a obvious reference to the song, “I Want to Be in Their Number – when the Saints come marching in” – a song which however, refers to the hereafter – and it looks like the talk will be on the here and now Church – but I don’t know. I haven’t heard or read the talk.

Looking at the titles of the talks and presentations – the arena seems to be more the here than the hereafter.

So if I want to do an upgrade on thoughts about the hereafter, I’d have to look elsewhere - other than attending a convention - even though I've found conventions and conferences great ways for updating or upgrading oneself. There I used the word.

PREPARATION FOR DEATH

Redemtorists were known for bringing up the question of death - and the hereafter -  in their preaching - especially in parish missiions.

We priests here at St. Mary’s are Redemptorists. Our founder wrote over 100 books and one book is entitled, “Preparation for Death.” It has been found on the bedroom lamp table and desks of lots of people – for example, Kierkegaard – the famous Danish theologian – and existentialist philosopher – 1813-1855 – author of such books as Fear and Trembling and The Concept of Anxiety.

I believe St. Alphonsus wrote it after 60. I’ll have to check that out – when I have time.

Would most readers of his book with that title of Preparation for Death be over 60?

I always love the story about W.C. Fields. Someone spotted him paging through a Bible – when he was up there in age – and they said, “W.C. I didn’t know you were a Bible reader.” He answered, “I’m not, but I’m just looking for loopholes – just looking for loopholes.”

Two Redemptorist priests, who were brothers, Maurice and Louis Beque, wrote a whole book on the Last Things. It was entitled, Life after Death. It was written for the Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism –1960 - Hawthorn Books. I read it when I was young and don’t remember a sentence or a thought from it – other than it had lots of examples from literature.

Another Redemptorist, Father Francis Xavier Durwell, wrote a classic book on The Resurrection – which came out in around 1960. It had a big impact on theology in the Western Catholic Church. Unlike the Eastern Churches, it seems that Easter was downplayed and Good Friday was up played. Obviously, it’s both – and then some.

Being 71, in my lifetime, I saw the dramatic changes in the end of Holy Week. As kids we celebrated Easter on Easter Sunday. There were flowers and Easter Bonnets and Easter candy - especially chocolate bunnies. However, the Easter celebration had creeped forward into Saturday morning, etc. – so with the changes in the Liturgy with Vatican II,  it was moved to the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening as well as Easter Sunday morning.

Getting long winded here – with too many sidebars.... I’m just trying to pull together some thoughts and questions in my mind for a homily on this feast of the Ascension – and to be honest, this sounds very impractical to me. I just hope there are some minds here that like some informational questions – and they will pursue them.

The bottom line  question for this line of thought would be: Where are you? Do you tend to think about the here and now or do you think about death and the hereafter? In the meanwhile, how about a convention of our best theologians considering the theological implications of the Ascension?

CONCLUSION

So in the meanwhile,  thinking about the theme of “Upgrade” – where am I with the here and hereafter questions: “What about my life?” and “What about my death?” "Do I need to do some upgrading in prayer and reflection on both?"

Thinking about the here and now, am I also into “upgrade” of things? Do I tend to want the latest everything. Of course this  helps the economy. How about an “upgrade” in the quality of my everyday life – how I work, how I relate to family, how I am a Christian in everyday life?

Thinking about the hereafter, do I need an “Upgrade” – with regards thoughts and prayers about eternity? What’s the next step, the next ascension, for me? Is there anything recommended to read?

I don't have a specific book to recommend when it comes the theology of the ascension. I do see a need for me to do some homework upgrade on this,

In the meanwhile, I would suggest reading and reflecting upon the great hereafter texts of the Bible – especially the scary ones: the scary stories of Dives and Lazarus in Luke 16 and the last judgment in Matthew 25 – the separation of the sheep and the goats – as well as the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. They will  scare us into awareness of those in need and action  to help them.

If you feel really guilty when it comes to not helping others and time is running out, read Luke 15 in case you feel the need for  hope and forgiveness. That chapter has  3 parables there of the Lost Coin, Lost Sheep and Lost Son – all of whom are rescued.

Now that was a big upgrade. Amen.

One Sunday morning while driving somewhere I was listening to some minister talking about people making their wills – what they are leaving to this person and that person, but does anyone write out their legacy. Who they were? What they learned? What they were trying to do? What they wanted to pass down? What they hope for after they die – in their lives and the ones they have left behind?

NARROW MINDED

BIG MOUTHED

Quote for Today - June 5,  2011

"A lot of trouble in this world is caused by combining a narrow mind and a wide mouth."

Anonymous

CHALLENGED

Quote for Today  - June 4,  2011

"No statue was ever erected to the memory of a man or woman who thought it was best to let well enough alone."

Anonymous

THE  WEINSBERG 

WIVES

Quote for Today - June 3, 2011

THE  WEINSBERG  WIVES

         The wives who lived within the walls of the Weinsberg Castle in Germany were well aware of the riches the castle held: gold, silver, jewels, and wealth beyond belief.

         Then the day came in 1141 when all their treasure was threatened. An enemy army had surrounded the castle and demanded the fortress, and the lives of the men within. There was nothing to do but surrender.

         Although the conquering commander had set a condition for the safe release of all women and children, the wives of Weinsberg refused to leave without having one of their own conditions met as well: they demanded that they be allowed to fill their arms with as many possessions as they could carry out with them. Knowing that the women couldn't possibly make a dent in the massive fortune, their request was honored.

        When the castle gates opened, the army outside was brought to tears. Each woman had carried out her husband.

         The wives of Weinsberg, indeed, were well aware of the riches the castle held.

____________________________________

The drawing on top was by Hans Baldung Grien (c. 1484-85 to 1545).

I could not find the name of the sculptor of the work at the bottom of the folk tale. I found it on line under, "The Weinsberg Wives."

I found the above story, "The Weinsberg Wives" on page 157 in H. Jackson Brown Jr's book, Highlighted in Yellow - A short course in living wisely and choosing well. It's published by Ruthledge Hill Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 2001 - and is well worth having it on one's desk or coffee table for short reflections.

Now I don't know the truth of the story, but as people often say, "Every story might not be true, but every story has a truth."  On Google, I discovered it's considered a classic folk tale.

I could hear a preacher telling this story in church - and I can hear comments from lots of people coming out of church about their husbands tummies - maybe even patting them. I can also see a few women walking out carrying  their thin husbands in their arms and saying, "Father, Father, look! I could do it. My husband is a real treasure."

GUERNICA

Quote for Today - June 2,  2011

"During World War II Picasso suffered some harassment from the Gestapo in Nazi-occupied Paris. An inquisitive German officer, coming into his apartment, noticed a photograph of Guernica lying on a table. 'Did you do that?' he asked Picasso. 'No, you did,' said Picasso."


From page 451 of The Little,  Brown Book of Anecdotes,  General Editor Clifton Fadiman.


Painting on to: "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso [1881-1973]



To  get a fuller impact of the painting on top, "Tap, tap" the picture itself with your cursor arrow.





Here is the opening comment about the painting from Wikipedia: "Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso. It was created in response to the bombing of Guernica, Basque Country, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist forces, on 26 April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Republican government commissioned Picasso to create a large mural for the Spanish display at the Paris International Exposition at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris."

SCENES FROM THE SEASHORE

INTROCUCTION

The title of my reflection is, “Scenes from The Seashore.”

The other day on “All Things Considered” on National Public Radio, the host, Melissa Block, said that they are once more going to offer a feature for the summer season: “Sounds of Summer” or something like that.

I don’t know if it’s going to be weekly or what have you. Well anyway I listened up. The host said they asked different writers to offer their remembrances of sounds of summer from their lives.

I found it very interesting. The four I heard were the clink of beer bottles by 17 year olders, the sound of a skate board, the sound of thunder in a summer camp for kids in Maine. The one that triggered the strongest memory for me from a gal who talked about growing up in the Bronx. In the summer it was no air and pllenty of muggy, hot,  heat . All the windows were obviously open. In came the sound of boom boxes, kids screaming in the streets, basketball games, hydrants opened illegally – and then the wonderful sound of Mr. Softee – the bells from an ice cream truck. It was opera. It was magnificent. It was just perfect.

Driving along I wondered if they would run out of sounds of summer. I wondered if they did this every summer or what have you.

FEAST OF ST. JUSTIN

Today. June 1st,  is the feast of St. Justin the Martyr [c. 100 - 167]. Justin, a philospher, met an old man in Ephesus as he was walking along the seashore. The old man, a Christian, told Justin that he couldn’t come up with knowledge of God without divine revelation – and especially that Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophets. Justin had studied the Stoics, Plato, the Pythagoreans, this and that, but it was by that comment from the old man at the seashore which triggered life changing events for him. He ends up becoming a great Christian philosopher, theologian, speaker and thinker.

SCENES FROM THE SEASHORE

Then it struck me – then I made a connection, “Hey next year or some other year, National Public Radio, could ask folks to come up with scenes from the seashore – scenes from the summer beach – ocean – waves – water – moments that had an impact on one's life.

Throughout history – there have been dramatic life changing scenes in people’s lives – that came from moments of revelation at the seashore or at sea.

I thought of Augustine meeting the little boy at the beach who wa trying to put the ocean in a pail - and Augustine telling him he couldn't do that. The countered that he could do it easier than for Augustine explaining the Trinity. That brought back memories of scenes of hundreds of kids at the beach in the summer with shovel and pail in hand. I thought of Hemingway’s Old Man and The Sea – which won him a Pulitzer Prize for literature. I thought of Moby Dick. I didn’t think of Jaws.

Then I found myself as a kid Coney Island, Brooklyn. It was summer. It was paradise. It was everyday. It was family. It was water and sun and sunburn and blisters on my shoulders and being warned to “Cover up!” It was having a Nathan’s hotdog and their orange drink before the long subway ride home with sand in our sneakers and the feel of salt water still on our skin. It as was the Bay 18 section of Coney Island where “our kind of people settled in”. It was the raised water fonts on the sand – cool, clear, delicious water for us at any time. It was the ropes and 3 red barrels out in the water to protect us in between the rock jetties – and then the wide open sea.

I remembered the story of a man who told me he had no faith till one morning on vacation he was walking the beach. It was way before all his family rose. He saw the sun rising in the east –up out of the ocean – and Christ the Son of God – rose in his life – and all changed.

It remembered reading the book, The Star Thrower (1978) by Loren Eisely about the man who walked the beach every morning tossing star fishes that landed on the beach back out into the ocean to save them.

I began thinking about the reality that for 7 years of my life right, I lived right on the ocean – in a retreat house. The ocean was to be seen every day – at any time – but after my first 6 months stationed there – the ocean began to become unnoticed – triggering thoughts that can the same can happen with a new baby, a marriage, becoming a Catholic, Eucharist – prayer or what have you.

CONCLUSION

Today take some time to think about your sounds of summer and your scenes from the seashores you have walked. Amen.

LIFE!  DID  THAT!

Quote for Today - June 1, 2011

"Time does not become sacred to us until we have lived it, until it has passed over us and taken with it part of ourselves."

John Burroughs, "The Spell of the Past," Literary Values and Other Papers," 1902

VISITING ST. MARY’S

CHURCH -

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

The title of my homily is, “Visiting St. Mary’s.

Since today, May 31st,  is the feast of the Visitation – Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth – I began reflecting on the theme of visitation.

At times I’ve wondered what folks think when they visit our church.

I’ve only met two people so far who didn’t like the stars up on our ceiling – and neither of them were visitors – but regular parishioners.

Most people who visit us like our church building. When they ask how old it is, I like to say, “The cornerstone was blessed by St. John Neumann in 1858. Check it out on the way from church today. It’s just outside the front door – sort of covered up however.”

Then I add that St. John Neumann was supposed to come back for the dedication on January 15th of 1860 – but he died on January 5th, 1860.” Then I add how big our parish is and that we have another church building just 3 miles out of town – St. John Neumann’s Church. Check it out.

I would hope people from all over town would see the gold covered cross on the top of this church – as well as out in the bay – and get hope – get inspiration – that being the purpose of a spire.

I would hope people out in the water would hear the Bells of St. Mary’s and pray for someone whose funeral Mass just finished – or someone on a Sunday out in the water might say, “Ooops. Church?”

I would hope that if they met any of us, we would be very welcoming.

I see people looking at the bronze plaque outside on the walls of this church – as well as the plaque explaining the Carroll house – and its background for the parish, our state and our country.

I would hope people might drop into the prayer garden and the Eucharistic Chapel – and wonder – wonder - wonder.

I would hope people would walk into this church and pray. So I would hope this church would be a house of prayer and be a so called, “Gate of Heaven”.

I love the scene in the Acts of the Apostles where Paul walked around Athens and checked their religious monuments. Then he said in a speech that he was walking around town and saw their many holy places – and in one place he saw that they had an altar that was dedicated, “To the Unknown God.”

This was his lead and way into proclaiming to them Jesus Christ as that Unknown God – but there is no letter to the Athenians and no mention of an early Christian community there. Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose; hopefully we always try.

I would hope people would walk in and look at all the beautiful stained glass windows here – all ones along the side walls here showing scenes from the life of Mary – and maybe spot the Visitation scene up there on this side over here [POINT].

I would hope people would come up to the front over there and wonder about the Our Lady of Perpetual Shrine – and read the sign there and find out what that’s all about. I would hope Catholics would stop there and say a prayer at Mary’s shrine – and if they had at their wedding going over to a Marian shrine to place some flowers there and pray for their marriage, they would say one more prayer for their marriage as well as all those married here.

I would hope they would see the old wonderful wood and statues of the 12 apostles at our communion rail – and see how some have lost their limbs – and maybe say a prayer for the handicapped and wounded in wars.

Then I hope people would sit down and say some prayers in these very uncomfortable benches – and feel the presence of God here – in Jesus in the tabernacle – as well as in the prayers and the presence of the millions of people who have prayed here in this place.

I would hope they would then walk out saying in their own words the Magnificat of Mary from today’s gospel, “My soul magnifies the Lord” and then go out into the streets of Annapolis and our world and do just that. Amen.

++++++++++++++++++

Photo on top: St. Mary's Church tower. Picture right below from Duke of Gloucester Street. Someone asked the question if the picture on top was that of St. Mary's. Yep! And check the picture of St. Mary's from the Spa Creek Bridge - at the top of my blog.

RECEIVING 

COMMUNION

Quote for Today - Feast of the Visitation of Mary - May 31,  2011

"None may understand the meaning of the Gospel, if they have not rested on the chest of Jesus and received Mary from Jesus, to be their mother also."






Origen [c. 185-c. 254], in Job 1:6, [3rd century]

                        MEMORIAL  DAY

Some deaths keep waving at us
like stars and stripes on a red, white
and blue flag, flapping in the wind.


Some deaths don’t disappear even if
names rub off and fade from tombstones.


We keep on picturing a stream
of red blood flowing from a brother
or sister who died by a sudden shot
or explosive moment – in some sodden,
soaken place – some moment so long ago.


Or we see a plane on fire – shot down –
falling in slow motion down through the sky.


Or we imagine a sunken ship –
a metal casket at the bottom
of blurred water – the remains of a loved one
surrounded by an ocean of tears.


The waters, the skies, the soil of earth
has been the scene and screen
of so much history and mystery.


But, of course, the earth is also filled
with so many places of beauty and celebration –
sacred places where people said to each other,
"I love you” or “Will you marry me!”


Pause. Stop. Think. Realize.


Each of us can make each place –
a place of war or peace,
love or hate, fist or handshake.


Each day – especially on a day like today,
we can remember the impact
we have on each other
for better and for worse –
for life or for death.


We are our sister’s and brother’s keepers.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2011

Picture on top: This is a picture
I found on line of the Robert B. Seyler
grave in the American Cemetery
in Normandy France.
Notice the French word,
"merci" - "Thanks!"
on the flag.

ROSES IN  DECEMBER

Quote for Memorial Day in the U.S.A. - May 30,  2011

"God gave us memory that we might have roses in December."

James M. Barrie

PLEASE EXPLAIN!

INTRODUCTION

The title of this  homily for the 6th Sunday after Easter  is, “Please Explain!”

It comes from a sentence in today’s second reading, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence….”

Let me repeat that. It’s a great statement from the First Letter of Saint Peter, which scholars date from just before Peter’s death in Rome around AD 65. (1) The quote again: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence….”

SITUATIONS

Has anyone ever asked you why you believe – why you have hope in God? You’re at a convention or on vacation and it’s Sunday or Saturday evening and someone notices you checking out where the nearest Catholic Church is. You’re asking someone if they know where a church is and the times of the Masses – and this other person starts to wonder and asks you about why you go to Church.

If someone had a TV camera and another person had a microphone and they are standing outside Mass this morning and they ask you, “Why did you go to Church today?” What would you answer?

It’s Memorial Day Weekend and someone at a cookout is sitting there with you and they had a couple of beers and they are in a big time philosophical, theological, talking mood – like folks on bar stools at times – and they say to you, “I was thinking about all those flags on all those graves around our country today – about all those men and women who gave their lives for our country – especially at a very young age. Is that all there is – the memory – the flag – the tombstone – the green grass growing over their grave?” Then they add, “You go to church. You’re a Catholic. You’re a Christian. Do you really believe that there is anything beyond this life? I don’t.”

They are saying to us in many words, just two words: “Please explain.” They are asking, “Is this all there is?”

GENTLENESS AND REVERENCE

I love the two words in Saint Peter’s letter which we heard today: “gentleness” and “reverence”.

Explain – but explain with gentleness and reverence.

Peter is being just like Paul in Ephesians 4: 15, where Paul says, “Speak the truth in love.”

We don’t just tell a person they are being a jerk. We speak the truth to others with love – if – and only if – we can help the other – and not make things worse – that is, if they really are being a jerk.

We don’t just wham a person who has questions about faith and hope and the meaning of life – and whether there is a hereafter – as being stupid or agnostic or they are going to go to hell unless they wake up – because they might just wake up after they have died and find themselves in the wrong place.

I prefer the smile – sometimes silence – sometimes – “Me too – I wonder about that myself at times. If there is nothing after this – hey we’ll never know, till we die. But if there is, I won the bet – I won the gamble.” And if their face and their eyes seem to squint and ponder that, I might add, “That’s not my idea. It’s called the famous “Pascal’s Wager!” – named after the French philosopher and mathematician and spiritual writer, “Blaise Pascal.”

Notice I said, “spiritual writer”. For those who have dropped out, “spiritual” works better than “religious” or “Christian” writer. It has better overtones and undertones – and might sneak under another’s radar.

The old saying often works: “You catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a barrel of vinegar.”

That’s how I would interpret explaining my hope with gentleness, reverence, as well as with love.

EVERY WEDDING – EVERY FUNERAL

Every wedding – well not every wedding – but lots of weddings – someone comes up to me and says they were Catholic or they are still a Catholic – but they dropped out.

Wine helps. Wine loosens the tongue.

A prayerful wedding – a joyful wedding – this beautiful church – good music - laughter – a flower girl and a ring bearer – each around 2 or 3 years old – parents – grandparents – white lace and promises – a kiss for luck – and a young couple on their way as the old song goes – all help to trigger in a lot of people a lot of things – especially at a lot of weddings.

I know at every wedding – at every funeral – there are people there who have dropped out of religion – mosque, synagogue, church – and they are there inside the walls of a church – at a sacred moment – the marriage of a loved one or friend – the baptism of a new baby – the burial of a loved one – and it can be a moment of grace for them.

It’s certainly a moment of questions.

Please explain!

At these moments – it’s my experience – that the sight of all these things as well as a priest triggers questions that people have sitting there off stage – in their mind.

Catechisms help – but I don’t see a catechism helping folks at first instance.

The Bible helps – but I don’t see a Bible helping folks at first instance as well.

What helps is just what St. Peter says there in today’s second reading: gentleness and reverence.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

After listening – after chatter – if it seems the right moment, what I love to ask people – in moments like these – is: “Did you write your autobiography yet?”

I ask that – because curves can snake and sneak into another’s strike zone without the other seeing the pitch coming.

I say that – because I believe that in examining one’s life – one faces the big, big questions.

And the big, big questions center around the meaning of life – and God – and God is there especially in that mix and meaning!

Hopefully, everyone has heard in high school, or college, or in some workshop, the 8 stages of life according to Erik Erikson. You can write your autobiography using 10’s – decades – or before and afters – or moves – or transfers – or what have you – and you can also use Erikson’s 8 stages. (2)

The 8th and last stage is called, “Ego Integrity vs. Despair.”

Translation. In the last phase of life – which can last for a long period of time – hopefully a person comes up with “a post-narcissistic love of the human ego – not of the self.” Translation: My life and my place in it makes sense. It was not all me. The opposite according to Erik Erikson is big time fear of death and despair.

The older we get, the more we should be making sense of our life.

Christianity adds a great, great hope. Even if we blew it, even if it was all about me, and we were totally stupid or selfish, we can scream to God at the last minute, and find ourselves welcomed home.

The Prodigal Son pulled it off. The workers in the vineyard who only worked that last hour got the same pay as those who worked the whole day. The Good Thief was the smart thief and Jesus said to him, “Today you’ll be with me in paradise.” (3)

And all those who say, “Great move” and are not furious at last minute conversions – all those who say, “Amen. Brother. Amen. Sister. Hope I’m with you at the same banquet table in paradise"  – are those who got what Christ was about.

MY BROTHER: THREE EXPLANATIONS

In 1984 – Good Friday – my brother found out from a doctor – that he had about 18 months to live. He was 49. I just happened to be in Maryland at the time and I asked him when he got home from the doctor, “How are you going to deal with this?” He said, “I’ll let you know.”

I was asking him, “Please Explain” – the title of my homily for today.

In time he told me various things - three I especially remember. First, he said, “I found out the secret in dealing with cancer and death is to do what the doctor tells you to do, do your exercises, laugh, and don’t think of oneself, only those around you.” Secondly, another time he said, “I’m glad I didn’t wait till now to smell the flowers.” He certainly had a full, full life. And thirdly, he said right near his end – close to the 18 months the doctor mentioned, “Remember when you asked me how I was going to deal with this. Well, thank God for mom and dad and the gift of faith they gave us.”

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “Please Explain!”

Saint Peter said to explain with gentleness and reverence.

I would explain with the story of my brother and other people who explained to me their way of dealing with life and death questions.

I would hope we all reflect from time to time – in car rides alone – during vacation time – while at the ocean – or wherever – sailing on the Bay – as well as with great chats with each other about each other’s lives – and slowly – we end up with a great life – and a great hope and trust in God in the life to come. Amen.

Is there a life after this life? I know I’m betting on it. How about you? Start living and working on it now. Don't wait till the last minute!


NOTES:


(1) The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, “The First Epistle of Peter,” by William J. Dalton, S.J., p. 903.

(2) In his book, Childhood and Society,  you can find Erik Erikson's 8 Stages. They are: (1) Basic Trust vs. Basic Mistrust.  (2) Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. (3) Initiative vs. Guilt.  (4) Industriousness vs. Conformity. (5) Identity vs. Role Confusion.  (6) Intimacy vs. Isolation. (7) Generativity vs. Stagnation.  (8) Ego Integrity vs. Despair.  If you use Google, type in, "8 Stages of Life by Erik Erikson" and follow the leads.

(3) Prodigal Son story: Luke 15: 11-32; Vineyard story Matthew 20: 1-16; Good Thief story Luke 23: 39-43.

MEMORIES

Quote for Today - May 29,  2011

"Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again."

Willa Cather [1873-1947], My Antonia, (1918)

VALUES TEACHING

Quote for Today - May 28, 2011

"Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best."

Bob Talbert, Detroit Free Press, April 5, 1982

WHAT REMAINS

What remains:
footprints, scars, graffiti,
stains, dents, scratches,
spaghetti sauce on white wool sweaters
and memories.


What remains:
Jesus’ words,
that he chose us, appointed us,
to go and bear fruit with our lives,
fruit that will remain. (1)


What remains:
what we put in writing.
As the old Latin saying goes,
“Scripta manet!” (2)


What remains:
where we were born,
neighbors, schools, friends,
cars, great vacations,
weddings, baptisms, funerals,
and where we were on days like September 11th.


What remains:
graduation – not the diploma, but the memory
of moving on – big days and moments ahead,
the feeling of saying, “Good bye” and “Thank you!”
to some classmates and some teachers,
but not to all. Sorry.


What remains:
the drink is drunk,
but sometimes we placed
our wet cold glass down,
right on the top of an important piece
of furniture which we weren’t supposed to use,
but we were jabbering and didn't think
of coasters and the circle outline
of our water stain lasting forever
on the expensive wood.


What remains:
those who came to mom’s funeral.
I don’t remember what they said,
but I appreciated their being there.


What remains:
well as St. Paul put it,
“Faith, hope and love last
and the greatest of these is love.” (3)


What remains:
sometimes the hurt,
sometimes the “I’m sorry”,
sometimes the “I forgive you!”
sometimes the “Oh I forgot that a long time ago!”
but the one who hurt me, can’t let it go.


What remains:
the memory of the first kiss, or drink or smoke
when nobody was watching.


What remains:
not the gift,
but the thought behind the gift,
but, okay, some gifts we remember-  
diamonds or a simple  pair of rosary beads
from Rome, blessed by the pope –
maybe from 100 yards away –
but they didn’t tell us that.


What remains:
Jesus in the tabernacle
and Jesus in our heart
as we go back out into the traffic of life.


What remains:
our children and our children’s children.


What remains:
the memory of seeing our parents sneak a kiss
once at a picnic and they didn’t see us seeing them,
or their holding hands as they went to the microphone
for their 50th Wedding anniversary.


What remains:
a phone call in the night –
saying he or she died.


What remains:
mistakes and memories of our mistakes,
but please God we know about scars and healing
and the great Mass prayer: “Lord have mercy.”


What remains:
10,000 acts of kindness
that we won’t know about till Heaven,
if that’s part of Heaven -
and if we remain, please God -
let us remain.


What remains:
sometimes words like these written here.
“Hey, today’s gospel made it till today!”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NOTES

(1) This was a poetic type homily for this 5th Friday after Easter. I began reflecting on the key Greek word “MENO” in today’s gospel from the 15th Chapter of John – which can be translated “to remain” or “to abide” or “to stay”. Notice the word “MENO” is the second part of the English word “remain” as well as similar words in and various other languages.


(2) There is the old Latin saying, “Verba volunt, scripta manet.” Or “Verba volunta, littera scripta manet.” English translation: "Words fly away, but the written word remains.” It’s a warning about being careful in what one puts in writing. Of course, this was before recording machines and cameras.

(3) 1 Corinthians 13:13

EDUCATIONAL 

LIMITS 

Quote for Today - May 27, 2011

"Each generation of Americans has outstripped its parents in education, in literacy, and in economic attainment. For the first time in the history of our country, the educational skills of one generation will not surpass, will not equal, will not even approach, those of their parents."

Paul Copperman, in National Commission on Excellence in Education, A Nation at Risk, 1983

COSMETIC  HOPE  

Quote for Today  - May 26, 2011

"In the factory we make cosmetics;
in the store we sell hope."

Charles Revson (1906-1975) in A. Tobias, Fire and Ice (1976), chapter 8.

GIVING ONE’S BEST

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 5th Wednesday after Easter is, “Giving One’s Best.”

TODAY’S GOSPEL

In today’s gospel Jesus talks about grapes and vines.

I find it fascinating that Jesus makes observations about all sorts of things – besides carpentry. In fact, he doesn’t say that much about carpentry – other than building your house on rock and not on sand – and don’t start something you can’t finish.

He seems at times to be a “wannabe” farmer – because he makes lots of observations about the land – sheep and goats - planting and plowing -  uprooting weeds and harvesting wheat. In today’s gospel we hear all about grapes and grape vines – and making sure life runs through the vines and produces lots of grapes.

GIVING ONE’S BEST

To have the best grapes, one must know soil and where to plant. To have the best grapes one must know about pruning and cutting – so as to end up with an abundant harvest.

But grapes are only the first step. Picking the grapes and then making wine are further steps – and I assume that the best grape growers make the best wine.

I don’t drink but I do enjoy watching the wine moment in rich restaurants – [I prefer Fuddruckers]. Someone orders wine. The waiter brings out a bottle. The person choosing the wine is asked to sniff it - test it – taste it - before choosing it.

When I was younger – way before I got diabetes - I would get either ginger ale or Doctor Pepper at a restaurants. They are the same every time. But wine – wine varies. So there is something in trying to come up with the best tasting wine.

And that’s the bottom line for my sermon thought for the day – to want to be the best we can be as me – as Christian – as friend – as family member – as God’s good servant – in all those things we do at home, at work, and in all our circles.

BRAHMS

I was looking up different things about grapes and vines and wine last night. I was thinking that I need to make homilies less abstract and to use more examples. In a book of anecdotes I found the following story. It’s about Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), the famous German musician, a composer of lots of songs and choral works.

Once upon a time Brahms was invited to a dinner. The host brought out some of his choicest bottles of wine from his wine cellar. He announced to Brahms, “This is the Brahms of my cellar.” It was an old, special, rich bottle of wine which the host poured into the composer’s glass. Brahms scrutinized the wine closely, inhaled its bouquet, took a sip, and then put down his glass without comment. The host asked, “How do you like it?” Brahms responded with a murmur, “Bring out your Beethoven.” (1)

CONCLUSION: TO BE HONEST

Each day we bring we bring ourselves to many tables. The call is to bring out our best.

If you’re like me, I don’t always bring my best self to every situation. Sometimes it’s a question of energy levels. Sometimes it’s a question of laziness. Sometimes it’s a question of who else is at the table.

To be better I need to realize this. Then I need to go down into my basement – my inner room – and discover Jesus there in newer and newer prayer – to meet Jesus in challenging and more challenging ways – becoming more and more one with him – and as Paul puts it – to become more and more Christ. (2)

To be our best, we become one with Christ – eating his body, drinking his blood – becoming more and more Christ.

Now that’s a marriage feast. To be humble, we need to know we can be better than our everyday self. We need to know about the call to wed, united, married to Christ in newer ways. All you married folks who are well married – know the difference between going it alone and going it as a team.

That’s what the gospel of John is telling us early on. Pushed by Mary at Cana, Jesus began all this – and billions have been on the vine ever since. (3) So the message I would push this morning is that if we will be giving our best if we become more and more Christ.


NOTES

(1) Clifton Fadiman, General Editor,  The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, Toronto, London, 1985, page 75

(2) Galatians 2: 20; Romans 8: 9-11; Colossians 2: 6-7; Ephesians 4: 17 to 5: 33

(3) John 2: 1-12

LISTENING

Quote for Today  May  25,  2011

"The air is full of our cries. [He listens.]
But habit is a great deadener."

Samuel Beckett [1906-1989], Waiting for Godot (1955) Act 2.

Picture on top: Vladimir and Estragon in Waiting for Godot.

PEACE

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 5th Tuesday after Easter  is, “Peace!”

I’m sure you’ve heard hundreds of sermons on peace and I’m sure I’ve given dozens of sermons on peace as well. Here’s one more.

COMING UP WITH A SERMON THEME

I begin working on a Sunday or a weekday homily the same way. I say a prayer and then ask myself, “What do I need to hear from today’s readings? What’s the main theme that jumps out at me?

“Peace!”

PEACE

I’m sure when we read the newspapers and watch the evening news, besides tornados, floods and other natural disasters, we pray for peace. Don't we all talk to ourselves and say, “Are we crazy? Why do we keep on with the violence, the fighting and the abuse on the family, the local, the state, the nation, and world wide levels?”

The two crazy behaviors that bug me are: 1) kids or women  being sent into a bus or a crowd with bombs strapped to them and then they self explode; 2) those who try to spread a computer virus that goes around the world – which inconveniences lots of people.
“Peace!”

I would assume these sick behaviors are the bad fruit of the evil streak we spot in others – and often miss in ourselves. It’s the so called “YETZER HARA” – Hebrew for the evil urge that lurks at our door.

The story of Cain and Abel is very significant in reflecting upon peace. Genesis 4: 1-16 has a very powerful scene – the story of Cain and Abel. Yahweh God sees Cain walking around with a sour face, so God asks him, “What’s with the face?” Okay that’s a free translation. The Jerusalem Bible puts it this way. “Yahweh asked Cain, ‘Why are you angry and downcast? If you are well disposed, ought you not to lift up your head? But if you are ill disposed, is not sin at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you, which you must master?”

Cain doesn’t listen. Instead he brings evil inside himself.

And once inside the “YETZER HARA” - THE EVIL INCLINATION - can do horrible things to self and others.

I would assume that evil urge – when personalized is the whispers of the snake, Satan, the devil, the ruler or prince of this world we hear about in today’s gospel. [Cf. John 14:30; John 13:2; John 12:31]

“Peace!” “Shalom!” It also lurks at our door and knocks. Invite it inside.

Isn’t that the significance of Jesus coming through the walls on Easter Sunday and instead of lurking out there, Jesus comes within us and says, “Shalom!” “Peace!”

In the scriptures, in Jewish and Christian circles, “Peace!” is an opening greeting to another when we meet them on the street or the road.

“Peace!”

If it’s more than just a superficial greeting like a “Hi” or “How are you to someone?” when our mind is somewhere else – then “Peace” – “Shalom” in Hebrew – “Irene” in Greek – is saying and hoping for many, many blessings for this other person.

“Shalom!” – the Hebrew Greeting is wishing that the one we’re greeting has everything going well with their family and their health, their farm or business. It’s wishing the other to be in a good place with God. It’s wishing that they are not in debt. It’s hoping they are not screaming inside their mind lots of angry words or resentments against another or others.

Saying “Shalom” or “Peace!” to another includes not just that the weather and the nation – prosperity and property are in a good shape – but one is right with neighbor and right with oneself. The prophets would state that we won’t have real peace if we’re living a lie with self or with neighbors (Cf. Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11) Ezekiel talks about not whitewashing a crumbling wall. Fix up the walls first and then whitewash them and make them beautiful. [Cf. Ezekiel 13:10-12.]

“Irene” – the Greek word for “Peace” includes all of the above – calling God our Father and that Jesus is the one who is the bridge to bring about that communion with the Father.

Peace is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray for it. Work for it.

Paul VI said, “Development is the new name for peace.” That’s a great quote to chew and digest. He also wrote in his Message for the Celebration of the Day of Peace for the world, January 1st, 1972: “If you want peace, work for justice.”

Every parent with more than one kid has heard the whine, “It’s not fair.”

Everyone who listens to our world – how life, how business, how government, how traffic, how family, how giving out dessert works, has heard viewers say with their words or face, “It’s not fair.”

So enough with the rock throwing – as we heard about in today’s first reading and enough with the word throwing.

CONCLUSION

Want peace, work for justice today.

Want peace, pray St. Francis’ Peace prayer every morning and then put it into practice every day.

Then we’ll discover what Jesus meant by his greeting us with “Peace” this morning – in the opening words of the gospel.

“Peace.”

PEACE - REACHING  IT

Quote for Today - May 24,  2011


"Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time."


Lyndon B. Johnson [1908-1973 ] in a speech at the United Nations  General Assembly, December 17, 1963.