BE ANGELIC! 

TAKE YOURSELF LIGHTLY

Quote for Today - October 2, 2012

“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”

G. K. Chesterton [1874-1936]

OBITUARY AND LEGACY

INTRODUCTION

The title of my sermon for this October 1^st feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux is, “Obituary and Legacy.”

This is a topic I’ve been interested in for years now.

I first heard about legacy while driving on a Sunday morning somewhere. I was listening to a  program on the car radio. A speaker said something like, “The big deal is making one’s will. I think the big deal should be: putting together one’s legacy.”

That hit me. Ever since I heard that radio program I have pushed In sermons from time to time the value of pulling together what we would like as our legacy. It’s something I think about from time to time. Better I think we all think about this without calling it thinking about our legacy. It’s what folks do in what Erikson calls the 8^th Stage of human psychosocial development. That stage is called: “Wisdom: Ego Integrity vs. Despair - [Late Adulthood, 65-death].”

An obituary is usually written after our death and by someone else. However, I’ve met folks who have everything arranged for their death - including their obituary. A legacy takes a lot of time and reflection and homework than an obituary.

ST THERESE OF LISIEUX

This theme of “Obituary and Legacy” hit me again today on this feast of the Little Flower: St. Therese of Lisieux.

Ida Gorres, in her book, The Hidden Face, The Life of Therese of Lisieux has the following opening paragraph to her book: “The cult of St. Therese of Lisieux has a history unequalled in recent centuries. This young nun who was born in 1873, and entered a convent at fifteen, died at twenty-four of galloping consumption. Never, in this short span of life, did she do anything that even attracted attention. The general estimate of her among the nuns of the convent community, with whom she had lived in close association for nine years, is expressed in a well-known anecdote: from the window of her sickroom Therese, during the last months of her suffering, heard one nun say to another: ‘Sister Therese will die soon; what will our Mother Prioress be able to write in her obituary notice? She entered our convent, lived and died - there really is no more to say.’”

And yes her obituary was brief and minimal. In time her legacy was heard all around the world - with a wide, wide world following and impact. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, was translated into many languages. Between 1898 and 1923 the autobiography sold 700, 675 copies and 2 ½ million copies of an abridged copy were sold - just in her own language alone: French.

Love, having the simplicity of a child, putting everything into God’s hands, could sum up her legacy. Better read her book - The Story of A Soul. Read Ida Gorres book, The Hidden Face, as well.

CONCLUSION

Right now most of us could write  ¾ of our obituary. Right now, some of us could pull together the first paragraphs of our legacy.

Legacy is autobiography for starters.

Legacy includes details and memories - but especially learnings from our experiences.

Legacy includes our dreams, our learnings, our hopes, what we perceive as our accomplishments.

But what about mistakes - even disasters in our story? Instead of despair - which is the opposite side of Ego-Integrity as mentioned in Erikson’s 8^th Stage of Psychosocial Development, the Christian knows about forgiveness. They know Jesus’ parable of going into the garden at the last hour. They know they story of Jesus forgiving the thief on the cross. The Catholic might know the story of St. Therese of Lisieux praying for the conversion Henri Pranzini in 1887. He had brutally murdered two women and a child. He showed no remorse - but Therese kept praying - and she read in the paper that he grabbed a crucifix and kissed it three times before his death by the guillotine.

The title of my homily is, “Obituary and Legacy”. I’m stressing: write one’s  legacy. Use paper or computer. Maybe it too will go viral after we go. Let those who find it after we die find out who we were and what we were about.

[Picture on top: Therese Martin aged 15]

STEP UP!

Quote for Today - October 1,  2012 - Feast of the Little Flower


"You make me think 
of a little child 
that is learning to stand 
but does not yet know 
how to walk. 
In his desire 
to reach 
the top of the stairs 
to find his mother, 
he lifts his little foot 
to climb the first step. 
It is all in vain, 
 and at each renewed effort he falls. 
Well, be this little child: 
through the practice of all the virtues, 
always lift your little foot 
to mount the staircase of holiness, 
but do not imagine 
that you will be able to go up 
even the first step! 
No, but the good God 
does not demand more from you 
than good will. 
From the top of the stairs, 
He looks at you with love. 
Soon, won over by your useless efforts, 
He will come down Himself 
and, taking you in His arms, 
He will carry you up.... 
But if you stop lifting your little foot, 
He will leave you 
a long time on the ground." 

St. Therese of Lisieux [ 1873-1897] in Counsels and Reminiscences



Comments:

Just do it.

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The first step is the most important step.

JEALOUSY AND ENVY

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B, is, “Jealousy and Envy!”

They are two demons - two nasties - two energies - that can de-energize or drain us.

Today’s readings triggered for me this theme of “Jealousy and Envy.”

Looking at “Jealousy and Envy” can be like taking a shovel or a crowbar to force ourselves to look at what’s underneath our exterior - looking at out motives and what we think and talk to ourselves about - especially about stuff and others. It could be like looking under a rock that covers some yucky hidden stuff underneath. We have all opened up a napkin or a garbage bag and uncovered or discovered “ooooh” and ugly underneath.

Yet who wants on a beautiful Sunday to look at worms and ugly crawly things like jealousy and envy?

JEALOUSY AND ENVY

We know what jealous and envy are. We use the words all the time - but how do we put what they are into words?

Jealousy has to do with not wanting to lose what we have and envy is wanting what we don’t have and someone else has it.

Jealousy has to do with me and my stuff. Envy has to do with you and your stuff.

Jealousy has to do with what I have. Envy has to do with what you have.

However, the two words are mixed up or combined at times - because both are often happening at the same time. In fact, in Buddhism both are combined perhaps for that reason. The Sanskrit word that is used is, “IRSHYA”.

The Sanskrit word, “IRSHYA” means being or becoming upset or agitated because compared to ourselves we see others who are rich or talented. Then we notice they are noticed or praised.

We’d like some of that - and at the same time we’re worried about losing what we already have. 

So if you mix up these words - “Jealousy and Envy” or intertwine them - you’re not the only one. Most people do - and most people in their gut know what jealous and envy are all about - because they get us in the gut.

I still like the classic distinction of the difference between these two demons.

Jealousy: I’m worried about losing what I have.

Envy: I want what I don’t have and that itches and scratches my soul.

TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s second reading from James is marbled with the sin of jealousy - the holding onto - the me, me, me of possessions - and how they can possess us. It’s the last of 5 tough readings from James. He has some strong words about becoming fat with stuff - riches - wealth - treasure - position -  how they can devour us - as well as how unfair wages for those who work for us - can kill - not just us - but them. James uses the word “murder.”

In today’s first reading and gospel we get into the sin of envy. In the first reading a young man comes to Moses to complain that two men, with the great names of Eldad and Medad, are prophesying in the camp. Joshua - an aide to Moses’ since he was young - complains. I can hear him expecting Moses to agree with him and complain as well.  Moses answers, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!”

Moses named it. Joshua seems to have been scared to lose some of his prestige and power - being close to Moses. Surprise!  Moses is bigger than Joshua - and is not worried about being overshadowed.

The same sort of situation happens in today’s gospel reading. John complains to Jesus that he saw someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name. He says that we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.

Jesus basically says, “Cool it. Celebrate that others are doing good deeds.”

Jesus is often trying to get his disciples to see that first place is not the goal [unless you’re the Orioles]. The goal is making sure kids are not being hurt - people are getting cups of water - and we’re not putting our lives into the garbage dump with sins of eye, hand or foot - envy, lust, stealing or walking to places that can destroy us. Gehenna was the name of this ugly big garbage dump off one of the hills in Jerusalem - that was constantly on fire.

When it comes to jealousy, church goers and followers of Jesus are not immune. Ever since we were in the seminary we heard that jealousy is a priest’s disease.  We also heard that envy is as well.

Bummer.

Then as we experience life we discover jealousy and envy infiltrate everyone’s life more or else.

SOME EXAMPLES OF JEALOUSY

The priest or bishop is on the pedestal and everyone is praising them. Then the priest - bishop scandal hits the Church and priests and bishops and all the pedestals are empty because of pedophilia.  And in the meanwhile - which can take a lifetime - those who were abused feel like they were tossed out to sea with a great millstone around their neck for the rest of their lives.

The husband hates to dance - but gets angry at the wedding because his wife who loves to dance - is dancing with so and so.

The little girl or boy is the only child. Surprise mom and dad bring home another child and the oldest - even though very young  - now no longer has undivided attention - and surprise what he or she does to the new comer.

The old time secretary - who runs the show - sees the boss explaining things to the new young “thing” and comments start to fly.

SOME EXAMPLES OF ENVY

Daddy likes my sister more than me and I’m envious of the praise she gets.

The teacher gives so and so A’s and attention every day.

So and so is a better athlete than me - and has brains - and looks - and I wish I’d have a tiny bit of that.

So and so has the expensive car and house and pool and vacations and then there’s poor, poor me.

JESUS ON BOTH

Jesus knew about jealousy and envy first hand.

Why did the Pharisees want him killed? One answer: Jesus cut into their appearance on center stage in synagogues and market place.

Why did the Pharisees want Jesus killed?  One answer: They saw the crowds following Jesus - and they wanted to see people’s faces and not their backs.

Jesus knew that wanting the whole world can destroy a person’s soul - let alone the meal on his or her plate.

A cartoon in a British magazine, Punch, shows two men eating and one is signaling the waiter to take away his plate.  The caption below goes: “The envious man, who sends away his mutton because the person next to him is eating venison.”

Jesus knew that stuff happens every day and every day in can ruin us - and we miss the bread and the wine and enjoying seeing the birds of the air and the flowers of the field and a husband who has put on 25 pounds in his pot.

SALIERI AND MOZART

As I was thinking about this last night I remembered the movie Amadeus - that was the hot movie back in 1984.

Once upon a time there were two musicians - Salieri and Mozart.

And Salieri is in an insane asylum - having wanted to kill Mozart - and killing himself inwardly in the process and a young priest comes to hear his confession and we hear it all.

Mozart was a wild man - risqué and frivolous - and whatever music he touched turned to gold. Salieri was the pious person - and everything he created was work, work, work and paper.

In one scene Mozart hears one of Salieri’s pieces that he worked and worked over. Mozart upon hearing it once, replays it exactly. Then he starts to improvise and it becomes The  Marriage of Figaro. Such talent in another kills Salieri, He wants murder Mozart and steal Mozart’s Requiem and play it at his funeral. Instead he goes crazy with envy.

How many lives has this same thing happened?

In this homily I went under the skin and looked at “Jealousy and Envy” which all need to confess eats us up.

CONCLUSION: A PRAYER

Jesus help us with all of this,

because we can certainly mess

ourselves up with all of this. Amen.




[Painting on top: "Jealousy" found it on the internet - but don't know yet who painted it.]

VULTURES 

CALLED ENVY 

AND WANTONNESS

Quote for Today  September 30,  2012

"The vulture who explores our inmost liver, and drags out our heart and nerves, is not the bird of whom our poets talk, but those diseases of our soul, envy and wantonness."

Petronius [died a.d. 66], Fragments, Number 1

RHYTHMS

Quote for Today  - September 29,  2012

"My life is spent in perpetual alternation between two rhythms,  the rhythm of attracting people for fear I may be lonely, and the rhythm of trying to get rid of them because I know that I am bored."

C.E.M Joad [1891-1953], in Observer, December 12, 1948, page 2.

IT’S ABOUT TIME

It’s about time to take care of  _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time to pray.

It’s about time to call up and talk to _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time to forgive _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time to take a good walk.

It’s about time to thank _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time to get moving.

It’s about time to write my life.

It’s about time to throw away _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time to use my talents to write that poem or paint that picture or cultivate my garden or sing that song or play that instrument.

It’s about time I went to an art museum.

It’s about time I get into better shape.

It’s about time I stopped to listen to the birds.

It’s about time to whistle. When was the last time I tried to whistle a tune - or anything - and how about trying it with a kid?

It’s about time I cleaned out my _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time I read _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time I prayed one decade of the rosary - slowly and reverently reflecting on one decade instead of rushing a whole rosary or not praying at all.

It’s about time I sorted out the family photographs.

It’s about time that I asked the big question to _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time we talked about the elephant in the room which is _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time I laughed.

It’s about time I cried.

It’s about time I let go of _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time I went to visit _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time I was in deeper communion with Jesus - that it was more than a quick bite or a quick chat.

It’s about time I stopped complaining about _______. [Fill in the blank.]

It’s about time I simply paused - became quiet - and know God is right here, right now and all is full of grace. Amen.

[Today’s first reading for the 25 Friday in Ordinary Time, Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11.  is the famous, “A time for this and a time for that” reading. We hear it at many religious ceremonies. It's also the words used by the Byrds for their hit song, “Turn, Turn, Turn”. The piece above is a first draft variation I wrote this morning for this text.]