JACOB

[This is a sort of story – instead of a homily - for the 14th Friday in Ordinary Time – the readings being: Genesis 46: 1-7, 28-30 and Matthew 10:16-23. I went this way because in these weekday Masses, we’re moving to the end of the Jacob stories and the end of Genesis and we’ll begin Exodus next Monday.]

Good morning. My name is Jacob. Yes, Jacob. My time was a long time ago – some 1700 years before Christ. I was asked last night to say a few words to you this morning. Where do I begin?

I was wondering.... After hearing these stories about me, are there any questions in your mind you’d like to ask me – or am I just background words – long, long ago background music that leads up to Christ?

I was once asked, “What was THE key moment in your life – the turning point – the moment that changed everything?”

I thought of that for a while.

Then I laughed.

I laughed, because the answer would depend on what time of the day you asked me or what time in my life you wanted to know about.

Does anyone know – really know, the key moment of their life – the turning point – the moment that changed every other moment?

I don’t know.

Maybe that’s for historians and for next life discoveries.

So I don’t know. Yet, maybe you see life differently. Maybe you have a definite and clear answer to question and you could give it with a snap of your fingers.

My life ....

I was a twin – the second born – but my mother’s favorite. That was key – because she wanted me to grab my older brother’s first born son status – and birthright. I lied. She lied. We got it from my father Isaac – and I paid for it – twenty years on the run from my brother Esau – the stronger brother. Yet he ended up bigger and better than me – in that he forgave me for my sin – and we were reconciled.

Was it the death of my different wives – especially my favorite Rachel? Or was it seeing her pain when her sister Laban – my first wife – whom I thought was going to be Rachel – had sons – and she didn’t?

Life is funny.

What goes around comes around. I tricked my father and her father-in-law tricked me.

Was it that night when I couldn’t sleep – and I spent the whole night twisting and turning – and wrestling with a mysterious night time visitor – a demon, an angel, a wild man, myself - something – and I hung in there till morning and received a new nickname: Israel and new insights into life?

Life is interesting.

When you’re going through something horrible – like losing a job – or losing a loved one – you experience pain and deep anger. Then comes the “Why?” “Why?” “Why?” And then those why’s lead to a dozen new why’s. It's my experience that one never knows the answers to why’s or where a mystery ends.

One moves and the next place is worse than the place one left – but then one moves to a third place – and one realizes the second was more significant than the first place.

Or sometimes answers to mysteries appear in funny places. Then again, another day, another year, another experience, brings a new take on each place and each situation one has been in or gone trough. Life takes time. Life takes distance. Life takes old age to figure out young age.

So I’m sensing that the best course of action is this: instead of giving answers – instead of questions in my old age – I simply see scenes from my life.

For example, for years – years now – I couldn’t get over the disappearance and death of my favorite son, Joseph. It took me a long, long time to adjust – to get on with life – without him. Then when the cut had become a hard scar – when I had moved on – surprise, I find out he’s not dead, but alive.

There I am in a wagon – surrounded by wagons and children – wives and children – and we’re on the road again. This time we’re headed for my son Joseph – Joseph the Dreamer.

Who would believe he’d come back into our lives – and like Esau forgiving me – he forgave his brothers for what they had done to him and me.

So I’m thinking right now – maybe forgiveness is key – this ability to forgive others, self.

As to forgiving God? No I learned a long time ago that’s deepest idolatry – to think we can forgive God or even ask the question.

But how do people do this – this forgiveness? Does God plant the forgiveness seed in everyone – and as Jesus was to say some 1700 years after me – in some people seeds grow - 30, 60 and 100fold – and in some people the seed just gets choked up or it’s trampled by feet and wagon wheels.

Jesus said you’re going to get a lot of resistance preaching forgiveness – but lack of forgiveness is going to destroy family life and slay the human spirit.

I was to later hear Jesus’ Prodigal Son story. My story was the reverse. My son reached out to me and to my other kids – and forgave us everything. In Jesus story, the father waited. In my story it was the father who was waited for.

Enough. I’ve talked long enough. Let’s keep these wagons rolling and get to whatever is our next. Right now Egypt looks promising, but who knows what might happen next?

Hey, you never know. You never know what’s next. Amen.

A THORN IN THE FLESH
WAS GIVEN TO ME

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is from today’s second reading, “A Thorn in the Flesh Was Given to Me.”

We all know the text. It’s like a thorn. It sticks us from time to time. It can also help us to be a rose – helping us to blossom and be more beautiful as a human being.

Past readers and preachers have planted this text in the soil of our soul. We know the reality of the garden: roses come with thorns.

CONTEXT

Today’s second reading from Second Corinthians has Paul saying, “Brothers and sisters: That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” “Elated” meaning too filled with myself.

He says he prayed to God three times – begging the Lord to get rid of this thorn, but the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul was very smart in not telling us exactly what his problem was.

Down through the years there have been all kinds of guesses to what the thorn was: a hearing problem, epilepsy, stuttering, malaria, sex, someone or some faction in the Corinthian community that bothered him.

In one sense, it doesn’t make any difference. The key is to know our thorns – our issues – our problems.

I’ve heard married couples give presentations to those getting married and saying, “The 3 big problems in marriage are: money, sex, and in-laws.”

What would your list be? Name your problems. Name your discoveries.

Theologians would say, “Beware of the 7 Deadly Sins”. One of them is your nemesis.

What’s your problem? Besides chocolate, what’s your downfall? What’s your Achilles’ heel? What’s your fatal flaw? What do you confess to yourself in the confessional of your mind all the time – and over and over again?

PEOPLE AS THORNS

I remember listening to a mother talking to her daughter who was having trouble with someone at work.

Mom said, “Listen! Every work place, every team, every classroom, every group, every street, has someone who bothers someone – but it’s not always the same person – and it could be you.”

People can cut us in various ways.

So sometimes, it’s others; sometimes it’s ourselves.

And I have a theory – that the main thorn is within us – but if we can make the enemy someone out there, we can avoid facing our inner thorn – and we do this all the time.

If only he or she was gone – disappeared, everything will be all right. And surprise, if they go, disappear, move, graduate, die, their twin brother or sister moves in to take their place on our list of who and why we have a problem.

Surprise. We are repeat offenders – and it’s us.

Déjà vu is not only in our morning paper; it's also in our morning mirror.

Others would add – it’s one thorn after the other. We uproot one and another appears. So better get used to the reality: I never promised you a thornless rose garden.

THORNS

Writers – poets and song makers – from the beginning of time spotted those thorns on those roses – and made their comments – and sang their love songs about roses and thorns.

There is a German saying, “The rose hides the thorn.”

There is an Italian saying, “To water the rose, I have to water the thorn with it.”

John Keats, the poet, wrote that we spend our time with “the burrs and thorns of life.” [Sleep and Poetry, l. 239]

George Herbert, looking at his life, wonders as he bangs a table with his hand, “Have I no harvest but a thorn?” [The Collar]

Listen to the tone of these words from James Joyce from Dubliners – words where he mentions barren thorns, “Snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly upon the Bog of Allen and, farther westward, softly falling into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. It was falling, too, upon every part of the lonely churchyard on the hill where Michael Furey lay buried. It lay thickly drifted on the crooked crosses and headstones, on the spears of the little gate, on the barren thorns. His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.” [“The Dead,” from Dubliners 1916].

THORNS AS PROTECTION

Just as the thorns are there to protect fragile roses, so too thorns protect us.

It’s smart to have healthy defense mechanisms.

It’s smart to know if we want to be better at tennis or ping pong or pool or bridge, we better be playing someone better than us, otherwise we won’t improve.

Hopefully, we all have or had teachers that challenged us.

Hopefully, there are people at work whom we keep learning from because we know they know a lot more than we know.

Recently I noticed in a Catholic magazine that Mikhail Gorbachev said he was willing to speak up in favor of Pope John Paul II in his canonization process. Mikhail Gorbachev said that John Paul II got him to be aware of the Holy Spirit – and God’s presence in strategic planning – still saying he himself was an Atheist. [The Tablet, June 6, 2009, p. 31]

After reading this, I did a tiny bit of research on Gorbachev and I found an interesting comment about the value of thorns. He once said to someone, “We have no opposition. How can we check on ourselves?”

Today’s gospel and today’s first reading both talk about the need for opposition - for prophets – people who will speak up to the powers that be – people who will be thorns – and sometimes they draw blood.

Gorbachev said that he pushed for Boris Yeltsin to speak up more, to present opposing views. However, when Yeltsin did this, Gorbachev said, “I should have listened to those who begged me to send Yeltsin as an ambassador to some country in Africa.”

Popes, presidents, pastors, preachers, parents, newspapers need voices of opposition – to make sure we do some second thinking about our life choices and life views.

It seems that Pope Benedict XVI slowed down the Beatification and Sanctification process for coming up with saints in the Catholic Church – a process that John Paul II had sped up. They used to have what was called, “The Devil’s Advocate” – but someone erased that office or function.

Every group – every marriage – every council – needs people who play the part of The Devil’s Advocate.

Notice in today’s second reading, Paul calls the thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan.

Popes and presidents - any one in charge – needs to have thorns.

Too many “Yes People” – not enough of “No People” – can bankrupt a country – a family – a church.

Every person who is tempted to sneak off to Argentina or enter seedy Internet sites or journey into Sin, needs a thorny conscience to scream, “WAYNT?” What are you not thinking?

Notice the roses – but don’t forget to notice they all have thorns.

I don’t have a green thumb – but I read up on roses and thorns a bit for this homily and found out, you can dethorn roses – but they don’t last as long – in fact, thorns help with the water getting into the plant.

Paul found out in the midst of his thorny struggles - Grace - the gift of Christ - was flowing water - and it was sufficient.

CONCLUSION

This country is celebrating our 233rd birthday this weekend – our Independence Day.

Declaring Independence is easy – compared to the battles that follow.

Of course, the first step is to nail it down on paper what we want, but like a Wedding Day, it’s just an “I Do” or a “We Believe.” There is that second day when we have to work hard and long to achieve and continue Independence – and realize there are always going to be those bloody thorns – civil wars and civil rights’ battles – this and the wisdom found in a rose bush tells us, expect those sharp bloody thorns for a lifetime. Amen.

SAFE

I asked,
“Who are you?”

She said,
“Me? Oh, I’m a locked safe.”

Silence.

She continued,
“And I’m still looking
for the right combination.”

Silence.

“And I won’t give up,
because if it’s locked,
there has to be something
valuable inside.”

Silence.

“Right?”

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2009

BLUE ON BLUE

Blue! It has to be THE color.
No competition from Red or Green,
Yellow or Gray. No challenge.
Blue! It fits sky and Caribbean waters.
It fits mood and music – whether
one feels up or down. Blue!
Soft color. Liquid easy. Blue.
Who doesn’t hope for blue ink
to flow out of the end of a borrowed
ballpoint pen – as one writes down
directions or a message onto a pad or
onto bright white paper? Blue.
Who doesn’t like the blue speckles on a
Chesapeake Bay soft-shell blue crab –

even it they don’t even order

crabs off the menu?
"Blue!" she said, “That’s chauvinistic.
That’s a male talking – male thinking.
What about Pink." He laughed.
He smiled. “Come on. You know
everyone loves blue.

Even grey haired old ladies

love blue hair. In fact, they sparkle

in it. Blue! You agree? Right?
It’s THE COLOR. Sorry Red, Yellow,

Purple, Pink,, Orange, Black, White, Tan,

Brown, Gray, Rainbow lovers.

Think blue - "Blue on Blue"

Sing it, "Blue on Blue!" Good.
There you got it. Still feeling blue!

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2009

DOUBTING THOMAS

My name is Thomas – and Mr. Ray Dondero invited me here today to tell you my story. Mr. Dondero’s wife, Claire, thought it was a crazy idea to invite me because I’ve been dead almost 2000 years – and with her cute smile she added, “And we’ve had enough dead preachers in our lifetime.”

Yet, Ray went to God and said, “You said, ‘Nothing is impossible with you, God,’ so could you send Thomas the apostle to give the homily at Heritage Harbor on the feast of St. Thomas – July 3rd, 2009”. And surprise, God said, ‘Why not?”

So here I am. Let me tell you some of my story. Oops, I asked Ray how long do homilies take in the year 2009? He said, “8 minutes at the most – unless you’re a Jesuit.” I said, “You’re kidding. Jesus used to speak 20 to 25 minutes, and his Last Supper Sermon went on through the whole meal, but who’s counting?”

Better get started.

My name is Thomas. It’s not my real name. It was my nick name. Like many folks in my time, we went by nick names. Thomas means “Twin.” I’m a twin – but my twin never had his 15 moments of fame. I didn’t plan on being known – or anything like that. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, because Jesus called me to follow him.

I had doubts whether this was a good move, but in the long run, it was the smartest thing I ever did. I had questions – and what I liked about Jesus was he knew how to use questions – to get people thinking. I felt quite stupid at times with my questions – but I realized this was how discipleship worked.

I understand you use the word “teamwork” today. We used the word, “discipleship”. Jesus called folks to follow him – to be his disciples. He taught us stories and teachings and healings – how to live and love one another. Then he sent us out two by two – and the rest is history.

Growing up my father taught us to ask questions. He would say, “The question mark is like a shepherd’s staff which has a hook on the end. It gets sheep out of ditches. Hooks, questions, will get you out of trouble. Instead of giving answers all the time, give out questions, and you’ll hook all kinds of answers.” At other times my dad would say, “Question marks are like fishing hooks. They catch fish?”

And I suspect Jesus the Carpenter loved fishing and shepherding more than carpentry. He often talked about catching fish and finding lost sheep. He found me. He caught me. And Jesus caught people with questions.

So I loved it when Jesus used me. I had heard what John the Baptist said, “I must decrease; he must increase.” That made sense to me – in marriage, at work, in life. It’s not about me. Hey, I knew early on that it’s about God and when I saw Jesus in action, I realized he was something special. I didn’t get him at first. And at times I had my doubts. I had my questions, but I kept following, and sure enough answers came. Jesus would wink to me when I set him up with a question for a great answer – and afterwards he’d come over to me and say, “Thanks for the setup Tom. Thanks for the set up.”

Wait a minute? You might be scratching your heads here, wondering what I’m taking about. I see some questions marks on your faces.

Check your Bibles. Remember that time when Jesus said at our Last Supper together, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” I think it’s in the gospel of John. I didn’t know John was jotting these things down in his memory at the time. He always looked like a dreamer to me. Well, Jesus then said, “You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may also be. Where I am going you know the way.”

Jesus could be clear when he told his one liners, but this poetry stuff – could be too puzzling to me. So I said, “Teacher, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we knot the way?”

At that Jesus winked a “Thanks” to me as he said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

These past 2000 years I have felt great because I asked the right question at the right time – otherwise people might never have the blessing of Jesus’ words, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (Cf. John 14:1-7)

And I also looked stupid in the Upper Room that Easter Sunday night when I arrived back too late and they told me that Jesus had been there. He had risen from the dead. I said, “What? You’re kidding? Unless I see the holes the nails made in his hands… unless I can put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Well, you know the story? It made me famous. It gave me a new nickname that has been stuck on me ever since, “Doubting Thomas.”

And you know how Jesus came a week later into that same Upper Room. This time I was there thank God. Well Jesus singled me out after saying to all of us, “Shalom – Peace to everyone.” Jesus said, “Thomas put your finger here – in the wounds of my hands. Give me your hand. Let me put it in my side. Stop doubting; start believing.”

And I said, “My Lord and my God!”

And Jesus said, “You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and still believed.” (Cf. John 20: 19-29)

Let me conclude this way. I think I’ve been talking for about 7 minutes. I hope it doesn’t feel like eternity.

Well, for the past 2000 years in heaven, countless people came looking for me to thank me for allowing them to have doubts while they were alive. In fact, many whispered to me after looking both ways, “People thought I was rock solid sure with my beliefs, but Thomas, like you, I had my doubts. Thank God you had the courage to voice them.”

And after a great embrace they would leave saying, “So Thomas, thanks for speaking up for all of us who have had our doubts.”

Painting on top,

"Doubting Thomas"

c. 1597-1603

by Michangelo Merisi

da Caravaggio

(1573-1610)

DID JESUS?

Did Jesus find it difficult,
almost impossible, to find time
to look deep into the grains
of a newly cut plank of wood?

Did Jesus find it difficult
to walk by so many flowers,
so many shades of green,
so many birds in the air?

Did Jesus find it difficult
to walk by so many beggars,
so many widows, so many
children, so many cripples,
in the marketplace each day?

Did Jesus find it so difficult
that he had to burst out of
Nazareth that day – and walk
towards the sick, the beggars,
the difficult, and the wood?

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2009

HIGH CHAIR

All my life I’ve been banging my spoon,
kicking my high chair, yelling for more:
food, attention, toys.
I’m sure family and friends,
will tell stories at my funeral,
how I was a real pain as a kid – “Huh!”
and all through the years as well.
Now alone, I sit with these thoughts,
on this couch facing the front door
of this nursing home.
I have to admit, I am still a pain,
but I’m no longer banging my spoon
or kicking my high chair for attention
or for food – just God. I just want God
and God’s meaning to this all.

© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2009