BIG PICTURE

Quote for The Day - April 14,  2011

"Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you have only one idea."



Alain (Emile-Auguste Chartier) [1868-1951] Propos sur la religion (Remarks on Religion, 1938) no. 74

AND THE TRUTH

WILL SET YOU FREE

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 5th Wednesday in Lent is, “And The Truth Will Set You Free.”

Jesus, in today’s gospel, teaches us a great truth: “The truth will set us free.”

FIRST IT HURTS

I’m sure you heard the addition to that saying: “But first it will hurt.”

Isn’t that why we often don’t want to know the truth. It hurts. It’s too painful.

I’m sure a lot of you saw the movie, “A Few Good Men” where Tom Cruise plays the part of the lawyer, Lt. Daniel Kaffee. And many people remember the scene and lines when Kaffee challenges Col. Nathan R. Jessep, played by Jack Nicholson. Kaffee says to Jessp, “I want the truth.” and Col Jessep fires back, “You can’t handle the truth.”

I see that whole movie as a parable on this saying of Jesus: “And the truth will set you free.” That’s the Good News. The tough news in the movie – is that people have to fall – lose it all – struggle – push – pull – in order to discover the real truth.

Jesus was killed because he told the truth – truths that can set us free. Jesus tells us that sin enslaves us. Isn’t that the truth?

FREEDOM

How many times have parents and teachers and principals and police investigators said to people, “Tell the truth!”? And we know when a person in a court room goes up the stand to testify, he or she puts her hand on the Bible and says, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”

Freedom and truth are linked. Yet often we need the God’s help to link them.

The person who smokes is killing herself or himself – and who wants to know that truth? However, it will set a person free. So too any addiction.

Who wants to know what really hurts? Yet Jesus tried to bring people through that truth – to the other side of that threshold – that doorway – that eye of the needle – and if they choose to follow him – they find freedom – fresh air – the Promised Land on the other said of that slavery – that Egypt.

CONFESSION

Isn’t that the background – the reason – why people want to go to confession – in Lent? The curtain, the wall, anonymity helps – but we can’t be anonymous to Jesus and ourselves. And when it comes to experiencing forgiveness, it’s my experience as priest to discover that it’s not Jesus who is the problem here. It’s me. It’s my sin of pride. It’s my inability to say, “I did it.”

“Bless me Father, for I have sinned!”

It’s like that moment at an A.A. meeting when someone stands up and says, “I’m Jetro and I’m an alcoholic.”

We all know the text in James 5: 16: “Confess your sins to one another – and pray for one another – and this will cure you!”

“And the truth will set you free.”

THEODORE ROETKE - THE POET

At times I remember a line from the poet, Theodore Roetke: “O the lies I have told my energies.”

When I read that I said to myself, “Isn’t that the truth!”?

I have my list of excuses for not finishing so many things. My sins of omission stare me in my mirror more than things I have done wrong. That’s my way of saying Psalm 51.

Theodore Roetke added, ‘Get down to where your obsessions are! For Christ’s sake shake it loose.” (1)

LENT: A TIME FOR DEEP SEA FISHING

Obviously, Lent is time to get down to where our obsessions are.

Obviously, Lent is 40 days to go into the desert and discover the deserted parts of our soul. Lent is a time to go deep sea fishing – to leave the shallow waters of self.

Lent is a time to hear Jesus says, “Go within.” “Go underneath.”

We don’t. We stay on the surface but start deep sea fishing or digging into other’s depths – judging them – condemning them.

As Shakespeare puts it in Julius Caesar, “The fault dear Brutus is not in the stars but in us.”

We are as T.S. Eliot said straw, stuffed people. “We are the hollow men, We are the stuffed men, Leaning together, Headpieces filled with straw.”

With Jesus there is hope. With Jesus there is fullness of redemption.

As Redemptorists we preach hope. Our motto motivates us in confession and in the pulpit. It’s from Psalm 130 – the De Profundis Psalm – the Out of the Depths I cry to you psalm. Verse 7 proclaims our motto and vision: “Copiosa apud eum redemptio!” “With him there is fullness of redemption.” Notice the word depth. It’s in our depths – in our obsessions - in our oppressions - in our depressions - in those places where we don’t like to go – we can discover the Redeemer.

Isn’t that the truth?

I love it that Jesus was born on straw. I love it that the straw man in The Wizard of Oz in reality was a real person.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “And The Truth Will Set You Free.”

Isn’t it wonderful we don’t have to do it all on our own – that Jesus is our Redeemer, Savior, Liberator?

Isn’t that the truth? Amen.




NOTES

(1) Cf. Saturday Review, June 29, 1968, “Words for Young Writers - From the Notes of Theodore Roetke” by David Wagoner.

LISTENING 

April 13, 2011

Quote for Today

"The first step to wisdom is silence - the second is listening."

Anonymous

THE CROSS

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my reflection for this 5th Tuesday in Lent is basic: The Cross: What Does It Mean To Me?

The cross: what does it mean to me?

I was in Ahh Coffee! with Bernie Bernsten on Sunday after the 10:30 Mass and I noticed a lady with a tattoo of a cross right here under her Eve’s apple [POINT]. It looked like it was 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. I had the thought it would look interesting in an evening gown.

The cross: what did it mean to her?

On Saturday night I went to see the musical, The Sound of Music, presented by St. Mary’s high school students. It was excellent. There was Maria on stage – kneeling in prayer – having to make a major decision in her life – and she makes the sign of the cross.

The cross: what did it mean for her and for this young lady playing her part in a high school play?

I blessed a couple with the sign of the cross at their wedding on Saturday afternoon here at St. Mary’s and they made the sign of the cross as I blessed them.

The cross: what does the cross mean to them?

I did a baptism on Saturday morning. I asked everyone present – including grandparents and about 5 cousins – as well as other members of family and friends – to make a small sign of the cross on the forehead of the new baby, Anna. Having everyone do that takes about 5 minutes extra – but I think it’s important. I said this is symbol of the good things – like faith – to pass onto this new born baby.

The cross: what does it mean to those who put the cross on this new baby Anna’s forehead at her baptism?

On Friday of next week, Good Friday, Christians around the world will see the cross carried down the main aisle of the church. They see the priest or deacon carrying the large cross – stop 3 times and sing, “This is the wood of the cross on which hung the Savior of the world. Come let us worship.” Then the whole church will be invited to come forward to kiss the cross.

The cross: what will it mean to all of us this coming week at the Good Friday service.

Last night at the parish mission, Father Daniel Francis, who is preaching the Mission, turned and faced the enormous cross at St. John Neumann’s church. I often wonder what strangers think when they see that enormous cross out there. What about the big empty wooden cross there and here? What about the big wooden cross in the back of St. Mary’s Church here on Duke of Gloucester Street? I’ve heard this in sermons, but it finally happened to me about two months ago. After Mass here in St. Mary’s a little kid came up to me and pointed to the big crucifix in the back and said, “What happened?”

The cross: what does it mean to all those who see these crosses?

Today’s first reading has the story in the Book of Numbers where Moses puts a bronze sculpted metal snake on a wooden pole. He tells the people to look at the snake and see that this is what’s killing you and let the Lord save you. Then today’s gospel – John 8: 21- 30 - has Jesus telling us that when the Son of Man is lifted up; we will realize that I AM. John is very aware of the story in Numbers because he refers to it earlier in 3:13

The cross: what does it mean to John in his gospel?

Is the message to look at the cross and realize Jesus is the one who can save us? Is the message to look at Jesus on the cross and see the horror of evil – the things we do to each other. We try to nail down those we don’t want around. We kill those who challenge us. People see Christ as a snake biting and fighting them – and they want him out of the way. Is the message in the scriptures to see the paradox of the snake as well as the paradox of the Cross? Is it the same paradox of all of us having within us the possibility of being the Good Thief or the Bad Thief? Is the message of the gospels that if we take the time to look at the cross – we can be healed – we can hear Jesus say, “I AM!”

The cross: what does it mean to us?

CIVIL  WAR

Quote for the Day - April 12,  2011


"[The Civil War] created in this country what had never existed before - a national consciousness. It was the not salvation of the Union; it was the rebirth of the Union."


Woodrow Wilson [1856-1924] in a Memorial Day address in 1915. The first shot of the United States Civil War happened - 150 years ago - today, April 12, 1861 in Fort Sumter, South Carolina and the last shot took place in June 1865.

ON  BECOMING 

A MORAL PERSON

April 11, 2011

Quote for the Day


"On devient moral des qu'on est malheureux."

"As soon as one becomes unhappy, one becomes moral."

Marcel Proust [1871-1922], A l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs [Within a Budding Gove, 1918, translaed 1924 by C.K. Scott-Moncrieff, Vol. 1, p. 290

DEATH & RESURRECTION

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Death and Resurrection.”

Death is a deep reality.

And for most of us, death is the deepest reality – so sometimes we bury the thought of it – down deep in the ground – down deep in our soul.

Then another’s death – or a near accident – or cancer or a news report – or a scripture reading or a homily wakes us up to the reality that we only have so much time and we never know what’s next and if there is a next.

We’ve all see horror movies or Shakespeare’s plays or The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, for example here in Annapolis – plays when death is personified as a character appearing on stage – or in dreams – and Death asks questions. The Grim Reaper – a skeleton in cape – with a scythe in hand – is quite scary. In Hindu scriptures it’s a character named "Yama" who rides a black buffalo - holding a big rope to tie a person up and bring that person back home to his dark place in the underworld.

DRIVE BY

What are our thoughts as we drive by a cemetery? What are our thoughts as we come into town and go by St. Ann’s Cemetery. It’s a bit hidden – but can be seen off Rowe Boulevard. What about going up West Street and going by St. Mary’s Cemetery or the Military Cemetery? What are our thoughts when we’re driving and we spot a row and flow of cars in a funeral procession?

THE LENTEN GOSPEL READINGS

Two Sunday’s ago we heard the gospel story from John about a woman who came to a well for water and she met a man who knew everything she ever did. That’s kind of scary. She met a man who changed her life. That’s good news. She met a man who got her to ask those whom she went and found, “Could he be the Messiah? The Savior? The One we’re all really thirsting for?”

Last week’s gospel story from John was his story of the Blind Man – who brought us face to face with the issue of light. Do I see? Or am I blind? Am I in the dark? Have I discovered Jesus to be the Light of the World? Do I know or am I still walking down nameless streets doing nameless nothings? When am I going to experience a life eye opener?

Lent tries to get us to see where we’re blind, what we’re thirsting for. Have we climbed any mountains this Lent to get the big picture and discover Transfiguration or are we still down in the valley eating forbidden fruit – still dealing with temptations – still back there in the first week of Lent?

So on this 5th week in Lent we have another big issue to reflect upon: death and resurrection. Today’s gospel from John challenges us about Life. It’s one of John’s three key themes – all beginning with the letter "L" in English: Light, Life, and Love.

As you also know this week our parish is offering a Parish Mission – a series of possible eye-openers. Check the bulletin for details.

TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s readings obviously bring us to the question of death. Is death it? The screen says, “The End.” The curtain closes. Or is there life, resurrection, after death? What’s on the other side of the curtain? What’s backstage? What’s on the other side of the Exit door?

Today’s gospel [John 11:1-45] presents on stage the very dramatic story of Lazarus – dead for 4 days. Back in those days people were buried rather immediately. Notice the comment, “Lord by now there will be a stench; he has been dead four days.”

Notice the tears – the weeping – the sadness – not only on the part of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, but also by Jesus who considered Lazarus a good friend.

Notice in the first reading from Ezekiel 37: 12-14 that the Lord God says through Ezekiel, “I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.”

Is Ezekiel speaking about people who are buried in graves – or is he talking about the people of Israel who felt dead because they had gone through Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of many people into slavery?

Notice in the second reading from Romans 8:8-11 that Paul is talking about death by sin – and that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us – and can lift us up – resurrect us – as well.

Death and resurrection, here and hereafter; these are big, big themes

THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE

There are 3 kinds of people.

First of all, there are those who see death as, "Well, that's it!" The End. There are no sequels. That’s all there is.

Secondly, there are those who believe in some sort of continuance after death for some or for all – but it’s very mysterious and vague. It could be reincarnation. It could be we’re floating in something somewhere or morphed and amalgamated into a world soul or what have you.

Thirdly, there are those Christians who believe that through and with and in Christ we can rise from the dead and experience new life in a hereafter. There is heaven and hell. There is judgment. There is hope – because of Jesus. Jesus gives images and metaphors to explain this new reality – but the bottom line is St. Paul’s comment: “Eye has not seen. Ear has not heard. Nor has it entered into the human heart what God has prepared for those who love him.”

So we don’t know for sure. All we know is, “I believe in Jesus Christ – the Resurrection and the Life.” Christ is the way, the truth and the life – eternal life.

So today I’m asking: What’s our take on life and death? Do we believe in life after death? Do we really hope for resurrection – and eternal life – after our death? We proclaim it by our mouths in the Creed at each Mass – and by our bodies by being here.

Am I a person of belief, hope, awareness, and acceptance of resurrection or am I the opposite? The position we take has an enormous impact on how we live and see life.

That’s what I hear today’s readings challenging us to face today.

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday – when Jesus begins to face his last week of life – when he walks into Jerusalem – then gets up on a donkey – and by the end of the week he is killed. Would he have gotten on that donkey or would he have walked the other way – if he didn’t believe in his Father’s Plan for eternal life for all?

That’s not a flippant or nonchalant question. In the garden he’s going to struggle with going forward. On the cross he’s going to scream, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

THE END – A CONCLUSION & A SIDEBAR

Lent is a time to walk with deep questions.

This Sunday we are called to reflect upon death – our death and the death of loved ones – as well as the death of each person.

One sidebar. As you might have noticed, this year we commemorate the beginning of the 150th anniversary of our Civil War. This Tuesday and Wednesday - April 12-13 - mark the bombardment of Fort Sumter in South Carolina - on those days in 1861.

What hits many countries hit us: self-destruction from within – by ourselves. In our lifetime we have heard about North and South Vietnam, North and South Korea. Now we’re hearing about the split in Libya and the countries that are in-fighting in the middle east and around our world.

Well, some of the things they are going through, we went through in our own Civil War – the war that took place 150 years ago – 1861.

Annapolis didn’t have any Civil War battles – but it certainly was impacted heavily during the war years. This Tuesday evening there is a presentation at St. John's College Annapolis on the Civil War in Annapolis 1861. Check it out on line - for time and specifics.

Check out on Google: United States Civil War. There is much to learn. If you get a chance watch Ken Burns' Civil War whenever it appears on Public Television.

I hope to drive up Sharpsburg, Maryland on a day off to learn about the September 17th 1862 Battle of Antietam. Sharpsburg, Maryland is only about 2 hours from here. I noticed it's between Frederick and Hagerstown. It's listed as the Bloodiest Day in the Civil War. I expect that it will have an impact like I felt when I went to Gettsburg and other Civil War battle sites.

Check out the 1862 Annapolis National Military Cemetery on West Street and Taylor. I have gone by it 1,000 times – but it wasn’t till yesterday that I did a bit of research about it. It’s listed that there are 2271 known dead buried there and 211 unknowns. So we have our own tombs of unknown soldiers here in Annapolis.

I found out that Annapolis was a hospital center during the Civil War.

I also found out a bit about where soldiers were encamped around Annapolis during the Civil War. I also found out about the fascinating parole system during the civil war. When soldiers were captured, some were paroled and allowed to go home right after a battle or capture. At other times some were brought to places like Annapolis.

The first big parole camp for 3000 captured soldiers was on St. John’s College Green. The date listed was September 1st, 1861.

The second much larger parole camp was for 20,000. It was on a farm on the south side of Forest Drive between Greenbriar Lane and Bywater Road.

Then there was Camp Parole – where Parole Shopping Center is today. It was set up by September 1863. One reason for this last big parole camp was because so many got sick and were freezing to death during the winter of 1862 and 1863 at the Forest Drive camp. Some of these dead are buried in the military cemetery on West Street – that was established in 1862. I think about these men who died far away from home, I think of all those who were killed in the Civil War - America’s bloodiest war – mowed down and left to die and their bodies were buried in mass graves here and there – never to be heard from again.

Thinking about that I hope and pray there is resurrection and new life – forever and ever – in the fields of paradise – because living 18 or 19 years – getting a tiny bit of training and then being sent into battle and killed – seems to be big time unfair. There better be resurrection and new life.

Please God. Yes.