BURY THE DEAD

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 13 Monday in Ordinary Time is, “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead!”

Let me repeat that. It’s the last message in today’s gospel. Jesus is finishing some comments about what it takes to follow him. He’s about to get into a boat to go to the other side of the Lake. He says to the crowd, “Let the dead bury their dead.” [Matthew 8:22]

It’s a very tough saying - no doubt about it.

Some think it’s more about folks hesitating to do something - because they are waiting for the day when their parents die. That could be years to come. In the meanwhile, they haven’t lived their life. Jewish law said there was an obligation to take care of the burial of one’s parents.

THINK ABOUT THAT SAYING

Think about those 6 words: “Let the dead bury their dead.”

I don’t know about you, but I heard that saying since I was a kid and from time to time I think about those words of Jesus - and not just when they are part of the readings at Mass.

How about you?  What have been your experiences of how you and others have dealt with death?

I remember hearing a story in a sermon from a long time ago. A mom lost her son in the Second World War. Every day she put fresh clothes on a chair in his bedroom next to his empty bed - and everyday she would wash the clothes that were sitting there from the day before. His room was kept as a shrine in memory of her lost son.

That takes energy - that takes time - to feel that pain - to wash those clothes which were never worn. Looking back I don’t remember the specific point the speaker was trying to make. What hit me was her need at some point to get over her son's death - and use her energy and time for the living.

In time I also learned that everyone has to do their grieving in their own way - and most of the time it’s not helpful for outsiders to tell the person feeling the inside pain: “Get over it!” I remember a wife telling me how angry she was at a priest who told her to get over the death of her husband. The priest said something like, “Enough already. Get on with your life.”  She said to me: “What did he know of marriage and love!”

We have all watched people and how different they are when it comes to grieving. We've all seen ourselves grieving differently for different people.

I always remember seeing a television documentary on how humans have evolved. It might have been Jacob Bronowski’s, The Ascent of Man or Civilisation by Kenneth Clark. Both were a wonderful series on TV and I went out and bought the books. In one of those programs, the commentator said something like: "It was a significant moment in the history of us humans when early people didn’t just throw the body of someone who died off the side of a migratory path and move on. No. They stopped to bury the dead person. They stopped to pause, to pray, to cry, and to leave a marker."

To be human is to do that. I get that. Father Joe Krastel loves western movies and he usually has the clicker and when commercials come on in a ballgame, he switches to the western channel. I feel woozy bad when someone is shot and killed and the group doesn’t stop to bury the dead person. I feel better when they stop to bury their dead - even if they lose time and another group is pursuing them. So I get that.

Isn’t that why folks often want read at the funeral of a loved one, Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 - when the author says, “There is an appointed time for everything … a time to be born and a time to die … a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance….”?

What have our family deaths taught us?

My sister Mary lost her 15 year old son Michael from cancer with only 4 days notice. I remember her telling me years later that the first stage takes 7 years and then there is the time after that.

When my dad died,  I cried. It was my first real death - so too my nephew Michael - so too my brother. I still have not cried at my mother’s death and that was back in 1987. I wonder why - perhaps because it was so violent and so sudden - in a hit and run accident - as she was walking to morning mass and then to work. Someone suggested listening to Irish music…. Time will tell....

So each of us has our own deaths. Each of us has our own private cemetery deep in the village or town or countryside of our soul or memory. And we go by it from time to time. And we visit it from time to time.

CONCLUSION

Today’s gospel - the last sentence in today’s gospel - those words of Jesus - “Let the dead bury their dead” - triggers these thoughts.

Two key thoughts. Mourn! It's part of what makes us human. It tells us how much we love and miss the people who have been part of our life. Secondly, at some point, we have to bury our dead. That doesn’t mean we don’t have the pictures on the top of our bureaus - the death cards in our prayer books - the conversations about our dead. But at some point, we have to bury our dead. That’s why there are cemeteries. That’s why those who keep the ashes of loved ones  in their house, sometimes say, “It’s time to bury the dead. It's time to move on to the other side of the lake."

OPEN AND SHUT CASE

July  2, 2012  - Quote for Today

"One way to keep people from jumping down your throat is to keep your mouth shut."

Anonymous

IN THE MEANWHILE

[This is a double loop  homily.  I plan to go through the 3 readings two times.]

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time [B] is, “In The Meanwhile.”

Today’s readings stumped me.  In the meanwhile I read them over a few more times.  I said my regular prayer: “Come Holy Spirit. Give me something to say that will help someone here at Mass today.”  

In the meanwhile,  I did some research on the 3 documents.

In the meanwhile, I scratched my head and said, “Now what?”

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 begins with a dramatic statement: “God did not make death,…”  Do I preach on that? If you heard that statement loud and clear, did you inwardly say, “Well who did?” Or did you say, “Please explain?”

The second reading from 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15 has Paul telling the Corinthians about equality - about redistribution of wealth - that those who are poor should get from the rich and those who are rich should be dishing out to the poor. Didn’t Christ do as much? Didn’t Christ let go of his riches and become poor just for us - so that we who are poor, can become rich in Christ? You won’t hear that message about economic equality in  Sunday morning talk shows and political debate or dare I say sermons in most churches in the United States.

The Gospel from Mark 5: 21-43 gives two stories about two women - both of whom have health problems. One is a 12 year old girl whose father comes to Jesus for help. His young daughter  is dying. The second is a woman with women’s blood problems and she reaches out in the crowd to touch Jesus to be healed. She’s healed. She’s discovered Jesus and Jesus discovered her. The little girl is also healed. Jesus tells those standing there to get her something to eat.  If there is anything I hear as priest, its right here. Why can’t Jesus heal my sick son or daughter or mom or dad or sister or brother or me? Why aren’t I healed, when I just reach out and touch Jesus to be healed? How many times have we all heard someone pray out loud, “God, why did you let this person I love, die?”

Tough readings. So that’s why I said: "Today’s readings stumped me."

IN THE MEANWHILE

In the meanwhile, I sat there with this feeling of frustration till I began thinking what one needs to do when frustrated? Answer: do something.

That’s the bottom line of my homily: In the meanwhile, do something.

If that doesn’t grab you, then I suggest in the meanwhile, read the readings again from the missalette or read the Sunday bulletin if you took one on the way in.

FIRST READING

So I re-read today’s first reading again - and then some commentaries on the text. It didn’t sound like it was coming from Hebrew thought.  It sounded Greek to me. Sure enough today’s first reading is not in the Hebrew Bible. It’s in some Greek Old  Testaments. In the research I did on this text last night, I read that this text was probably written in the Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt - around the last half of the first century before Christ.  And the author or authors have read Greek philosophers on this very question: where did death come from? However, the scholars say even though there is Greek thought and influence here,  there are some differences in thinking. It has other Jewish scripture ideas, so the scholars  believe the Book of Wisdom is by a Jewish author or authors in the Jewish community in Alexandria.[1]

In the meanwhile,  the writer is saying that God didn’t bring death. We were created to  be immortal  and  imperishable. That word “imperishable” is the  English word used in our translation. Then the author of the first reading blames the devil and those who enter into his company - as the ones who caused death. That’s also clearly the message about how death came about. We see that in the early sections of the Book of Genesis - when Adam and Eve in the garden ate the forbidden fruit - and got expelled from the Garden.

In the meanwhile, that’s what the commentators on today’s first reading  say. That’s their take on why there is death.

What’s your take on why there is death? If you’re over 50, I’m sure you’ve thought about that from time to time.

I’m 72 and I have a different take on why there is death than the one here in the Book of Wisdom. My first reason is that we are not God. My second reason is traffic jams and doctors’ offices. If we think it is tough now, imagine all those 3 or 4 thousand year olders on the highways every day or ahead of us in the doctor’s office. What about the drain on the economy with pensions? Maybe not: those who make and sell hearing aids and wheelchairs will be loaded - and those who have auto body shops will have lots of business.  My third reason is that death makes life have a lot more meaning. Dead lines get people to get a lot done - especially,  if what we do in the meanwhile is life giving.

In the meanwhile - that’s the first reading we have for today.

SECOND READING

As to the redistribution of wealth and riches - I don’t see massive giving of necessities to the poor. [2]  In the meanwhile, thank you for your generosity to the St. Vincent de Paul Program here at St. Mary’s. Thank you.

In the meanwhile in your capacities, volunteer to tutor or visit the sick or help folks get off their butts and get a job. Help at the Lighthouse Shelter or where have you.

In the meanwhile, find a charity that is effective - that is systemic to relieve poverty - or what have you.

In the meantime, enough with the judgments on the poor - unless you’ve been in their shoes.

In the meanwhile, I better shut up. I have a vow of poverty but I’ve had a great life so far. I’ve never been in want of food or money or fun. I became a priest to be a missionary in Brazil. However,  with a vow of obedience as well - I never got there. So I’ve been stationed in mostly neat places. Yet every day, in the meanwhile, I have choices to be open or closed to the person in front of me: rich or poor.

GOSPELS

As to prayer and healing - exercise - eat smart - and get to the doctor for examinations or when sick and hopefully you aren’t going broke like the woman in today’s gospel - at the hands of the doctors of her day.

Health care? Has that been in the news lately?

Sometimes people expect the preacher in the pulpit to get into some of the issues of our day.

This person here is not going to get into the health care questions for two reasons.

First of all, it’s an election year and many comments are construed as politicking - so I will try to stay clear of this stuff till at least November 7^th.

Secondly, I’m a believer that there is a time and place for talking on some specific issues - and unless people can speak up or challenge - or comment back, then the pulpit can become simply a bully pulpit.

In the meanwhile, even saying that much can upset some folks. And some people don’t come to Sunday Mass for a fight - or to be spoken at - but they come here for prayer and inspiration and reflection, etc.

CONCLUSION: IN THE MEANWHILE

In the meanwhile as I reflected upon the 3 words that became the title of my homily, “In The Meanwhile,” it hit me: that phrase has possibilities.

In the meanwhile, life is moving on - time is ticking - every day we’re a day older than the day before - and one day closer to our death.

In the meanwhile the ice cream cone decreases when licked or it melts. It has an end point - like a dinner, like a wedding, like a movie, like a life. The End is coming.

In the meanwhile, enjoy the gift of life.

In the meanwhile, if your electricity is out, come to church and then hide out in the mall - or if you have a cellar, hide there till you have your power back again.

In the meanwhile, don’t over drink or overeat ice cream or take sugar drinks or smoke or booze. They might take years off your life.

In the meanwhile,  let people reach out and touch you.

In the meanwhile, thank the people who have touched your life for the better - and forgive those who have touched your life for the worse.

In the meanwhile, while waiting or caught or stuck in the crowd of  the meanwhile’s of life, don’t be mean. [3]

Instead, reach out and touch Jesus - even if it’s just the edge of his cloak - he’ll know.




NOTES:


Painting on Top: Who Touched Me [2001], by Dinah Roe Kendall


[1] Cf. "Wisdom," by Addison G. Wright, S.S., in The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, pp. 510-514




[2] Cf. Acts of the Apostles, 4: 32 to 5:11




[3] This is a play on words. I noticed that the word, "meanwhile" has the word "mean" for starters.

PEOPLE - IT IS 

ALL ABOUT PEOPLE

July 1,  2012  Quote for Today


Part of an Interview with Colin Powell in the Book Review of today's New York Times: Question - "If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be? What book would you require all heads of state to read?"  


Answer by Colin Powell: "The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam. Theories and grand ideas are important. But they seldom unfold as planned. People - it is all about people."




New York Times, Book Review, Sunday July 1, 2012

THE UNEVEN 

CURVES 

OF LIFE 

June 30, 2012  Quote for Today

"In nature there are few sharp lines."

A. R. Ammons, [1926-2001] Corson's Inlet [1972], line 31

WORDS 

AS ARROWS

June 29, 2012  Quote for Today

THE ARROW AND THE SONG

I shot an arrow into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For, so swiftly it flew, the sight

Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For who has sight so keen and strong,

That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak

I found the arrow, still unbroke;

And the song, from beginning to end,

I found again in the heart of a friend.

Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [1807-1882]

NOISE  MAKERS

June 28,  2012   Quote for Today

"All loud speakers are not necessarily hooked up."


Someone

Questions:

Do you speak louder when you're really not that sure of what you're pushing?

Do empty barrels make the most noise?

Is there more power in whispers or one to one conversations at the coffee break or the lobby - compared to the podium or the big table?