HUNGER AND THIRST! 

THE REALITY AND 

THE METAPHOR 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this Tuesday in the Third Week of Easter is, “Hunger and Thirst! The Reality and the Metaphor.”

The last sentence in today’s gospel is, "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.'” [John 6:35]

THE REALITY

We all know the reality of hunger and thirst.

How many times have we said, “I’m starving!”? How many times have we said, “I’m thirsty!?”  Or "I’m famished!"

I remember when I used to backpack in New Hampshire as well as Colorado. After hiking all day, we'd be starving that night. Colorado was the toughest - because for 12 days we’d only have freeze dry food - the food we were carrying in our backpacks. So on the way back - once we got to our car - we’d head for Burger King or any food place - way before even a shower.

When was the last time we said, "I'm hungry" or "I'm thirsty?"

Would the greatest torture be to starve people?

We all know the Greek Myth of Tantalus . He had to suffer the eternal punishment of standing in a pool of water - and every time he wants water - it recedes. And above his head is a low lying branch with delicious fruit on it - and every time he reaches for some fruit to eat - the branches would go higher. Bummer. From Tantalus we get the word, “tantalize”.

Life is tantalizing - we hunger and thirst - and sometimes we discover nothing ever really satisfies us.

The story of Tantalus moves us to the metaphor of being hungry or thirsty.

SPORTS

In watching the Orioles this year, I hear Jim Palmer, Mike Bordick, Gary Thorn, Rick Dempsey, and Tom Davis saying, “The Orioles didn’t win it all last year, but they got a taste of victory. That should make them do better this year. They should be hungrier.”

There’s that metaphor: hunger and thirst.

If a team loses year after year after year, players give up sooner. They lose the desire, the dream, they had as little kids to make it to the top. If a player on the bench gets a chance to play - because someone is injured - and if they are hungry - there’s the opening - to show what one has.

If you remember the movie, The Natural, Roy Hobbs tells Iris, his childhood dream that was cut short, “I wanted to be the best. I wanted to walk down the street and kids would see me and they’d say, ‘There goes Roy Hobbs, the best there ever was.’”

Now that’s hunger. That’s thirst.

MAKE A LIST OF THE BASIC HUNGERS AND THIRSTS

Make a list - of the human hungers - the human thirsts.

I preached a whole sermon on this just two Sundays a go - on this very theme - but I used the word “intent”. What’s my intent in life?

It’s one’s desire. It’s one’s passion. It’s one’s hope. It’s one hunger and thirst.

It takes a lot of living. It takes a lot of ups and downs. It takes a lot of failures. It takes a lot of successes - in life - to discover oneself - to figure out that the hunger and the thirst for food, for money, for fame, for name, help or seem to help at times, but down deep they never really satisfy the deepest desires and fires, hungers and thirsts - of the human heart.

I heard in several AA retreats - which I used to give - an alcoholic saying, “I was looking for God at the bottom of a bottle - and God was never there. And it took a lot of bottles and a lot of drinks to discover that.”

It takes a lot of experimenting - and emptying - to discover that our deepest hungers and thirsts - are only satisfied with persons - not things - not stuff - even if we get stuffed with plenty of stuff. It’s always persons.

The deepest happiness is always family - friends - spouse - children, grandchildren - and hopefully parents - especially when we can sit down with each other as adults - and share what our mom and dad what they learned, what happened to them - what they were about - back then - and we didn’t grasp it till now - and then in our turn to do that with our children - and then as grandparents - to complete the circles of life.

Down deep we’re all like kids with a box of broken crayons figuring it all out. With sit there with our paper on the floor or on the kitchen table - figuring.

The two key areas - circles of life - that Greg Pierce - a writer in Chicago - said are:  relationships and work.  That’s where we spend the time of our lives with.  Work can be great - but in a way it stinks if we can’t share what we’re doing with each other.

Relationships then gives us glimpses of God. Relationships can bring us to God.

Then the day dawns on us that God has to be relationships.

Relationships are all about hungers and thirsts.

Relationships give us glimpses with what Christianity came up with - God is Trinity - a Trinity of Persons. Who else could God be?

Christianity proclaims that God is a 3 way relationship - and then a 4 way relationship.

Three - God in God.  Four - God with us.

Three - so united - they are one. And we two’s, threes, fours, family, community, team, friendships, groups, when we are one - it’s then we can catch God - eat God - be in communion with God - and taste God at his table.

CONCLUSION

So it’s no wonder Jesus becomes food - because that’s a glimpse of our hunger and thirst for people - for relationships- to be all one in communion. Isn’t that why we’re here right here, right now? We’re here to sip and bite into God - who satisfies our hungers and our thirsts. Amen.

WITHIN

Quote for Today April 16, 2013

"Search yourself and you will find God."

Kurdish Proverb

PERCEPTION AND REALITY

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this Monday in the Third Week after Easter is, “Perception and Reality.”

At times I want to do a little more thinking on the question of “Perception and Reality” - but it’s my perception of myself that I don’t seem to be doing it.

When I read today’s readings that’s the theme that hit me - so I said to myself,  here’s a chance to do a tiny bit more homework on this question.

TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles [Acts 6:8-15] features Stephen. Some perceive him as a trouble maker - others see his face - as today’s first reading ends - as that of the face of an angel.  He was loved and he was hated.

The reality is: he’s Stephen - one of the early followers of Christ - the first to die as an adult for his faith.

Today’s gospel - John 6:22-29 - has this theme of perception and reality in bold form. Jesus tells the crowd that they are after him because of the food he’s providing - and not because of who he was: the Son of Man - who has the seal of God the Father’s approval on him.

The gospel of John - as I perceive it - features this issue of perception and reality over and over again. People are constantly not getting it. People are constantly missing the points that Jesus makes.

They are catching perceptions - but Jesus is after reality.

PERCEPTION AND REALITY

So the title of my homily is, “Perception and Reality”.

I have found myself saying inwardly to the leaders of our church: “You don’t get it. You don’t get it. You don’t get it. Perception is reality.”

In the child and teenage abuse cases - the perception of so many people is that you have not done your job. The perception is that you have hidden lots of stuff. The perception is that you don’t care about the children - only yourselves.

Then the leaders and/or their spokespersons say, “That’s not fair. We have done this, this and this. That’s the reality.”

And I say inwardly, “It doesn’t make any difference what the reality is - because the perception is that you blew it.”

I have found myself saying inwardly many times: “Perception is reality.”

As I thought about all this for this homily today, I found myself thinking: “It would be better to say, ‘Perception is reality - even when it’s not reality.’”

Upon further thinking it hit me that obviously the best thing to do is to work on realities and then see if they change people’s perceptions. In other words, perceptions are out of the bishop’s hands. Realities can be change.

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

My perception on hearing all this would be to say, “What are you talking about?” It seems that you’re all babble. You’re all jargon. Hurry up. I got things to get to after Mass and my perception is that you’re just up there talking away. You’re getting off stuff that  I’m not getting or I’m elsewhere or you’re not clear.”

So here’s an attempt at clarity….

Take as an example a priest who comes from a rich family. His parents give him an $100,000 Mercedes.  I would think he would be wise to drive a Chevy Malibu - or a cheaper car - because the perception is that Jesus would not drive a Mercedes - but a donkey. And some might wonder where the money is coming from …. or you shouldn’t be a priest and travel in this style.

Bishops wear these expensive or “odd” outfits. The perception is that they are in this for the glory.  The reality is that Jesus died on the cross with nothing or with nothing but a loin cloth on.

The reality is that we don’t know why someone is into this religious style mode. Personally I think they are nuts to wear all these strange expensive outfits etc. In my opinion it doesn’t help their reality.  But I perceive others don’t think the way I think.

I think these thoughts - but by mouthing them - people might perceive me as a complainer or what have you - and want to stone me to death like they did Stephen when he spoke up.

I’m very happy now with Pope Francis. At present, the perceptions are that he’s interested in simplifying, simplifying, simplifying.

John the 23 went that way - and the opposite - the extravagant - had come back.  That’s my perception.

In my opinion, the glitter and the glamour can get in the way of the reality of the gospel.

I like it when the founder of the Redemptorists, St. Alphonsus,  was made a bishop,  he went very simple. For example, as bishop he was given a few rings and things - and they went the way of donations. We were told the stone in his ring was simply broken glass. He was strongly against elaborate meals, beds, carriages, and what have you. He said, “St Peter the first pope - he didn’t have a carriage.” 

Yet he did see a carriage would get him to places faster than on foot - so it better be a borrowed or a cheap carriage. [1]

This pope knows the life of St. Francis and these saints - so I’m optimistic that he’ll cut the stuff that Jesus cut - and the saints cut.

That would be my way with dealing with perceptions.

The reality better be the reality that Jesus, the gospel, and people must come first - especially the poor.

Otherwise just as ostentation and classy stuff can be deception - so too simplicity.

CONCLUSION

The bottom line is reality.

God, neighbor, self.

Birth, death, eternity.

Love of God and love of neighbor.

PICTURES

On top: Habit of St. Francis of Assisi

Next: A Bishop in cappa magna.

Next: Christ on the cross by Rembrandt

Next: Cardinal Burke in red.


NOTES:

[1] Theodule Rey-Mermet, St. Alphonsus Liguori, Tireless Worker for the Most Abandoned, New City press, 206 Skillman Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, pages 507-623

BEETHOVEN 

ON ATTITUDE

Quote for Today - April 15, 2013

"I shall hear in heaven."

Ludwig von Beethoven 1770-1827] commenting on his deafness.

ICHTHYOLOGIST

[The following is a story for this morning's Kids' Mass - 3rd Sunday after Easter - C.]

ICHTHYOLOGIST

The third grade teacher, Mrs. Bridlepath, wasn’t surprised when Theodore said,  he wanted to be an ichthyologist when he grew up.

The principal was visiting Mrs. Bridlepath’s third grade classroom, so to impress the principal, she asked the kids to tell what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Once more 11 of the 26 kids in the third grade - said they planned on becoming veterinarians. Once more those 11 were all girls. The boys said they were going to be football players, lacrosse players, engineers, U.S Navy Seals, Nascar Drivers, etc. It was then that, Theodore said his dream was to become an ichthyologist.

At a coffee break Mrs. Bridlepath and the principal, Mrs. Thistle were talking about Theodore. “Interesting choice” said Mrs. Thistle the principal, “but just what is an ichthyologist?”

“Oh,” said Mrs. Bridlepath, the third grade teacher, “it’s a person who knows and studies all about fish.”

Mrs. Bridlepath added - that every summer Theodore’s parents try to take Theodore and his older sister Teresa, who wants to be a soccer player, to a different aquarium. Mrs. Bridlepath added, “I didn’t know there were so many different aquariums around the country.” She only knew of the one in Baltimore, Camden New Jersey and the one in New York at Coney Island. Now she knew, because of Theodore, there over 100 of them, and he hoped to see all of them before he hit 21 years of age.

Mrs. Bridlepath told the principal: “That’s all he’s really interested in.”

Theodore had a small fish tank - that held 20 gallons of water in his room - and a big tank - that held 55 gallons of water in their basement. “Watching the fish in there,” Theodore said, “was better than watching people on a big screen TV.”

Theodore used five dollar or twenty dollar bills he got from aunts and uncles - grandmas and grandfathers - to buy tropical fish for his tanks.

He knew all there was to know about fish in his brain - and in large collection of books about fish in his room.

As he grew up - teachers tried to get him to think outside of the fish tank - telling him there were many other careers and jobs he could try.

However, Theodore’s mind was made up - quoting statistics about the world being 71% water and that there were over 30,000 different species of fish. He said there were jobs for ichthyologists in food industries, marine biology, aquariums, and in teaching, etc. etc. etc.

Time went on. Theodore’s regular name switched to Teddy for most people. He got to love sports - and studies in other stuff  than fish - but he kept his dream alive to be an ichthyologist. He still loved to visit aquariums and read up about fish. He loved to surf the waves at the ocean as well - becoming very good at that as well.

His sister Teresa - Teri - became a violinist - and now plays for the Boston Symphony Orchestra - is married - and she and her husband Tom have 4 kids - one of whom has a small fish tank - with 4 gold fish - and he too says when he grows up, “I am going to become an ichthyologist.”

Theodore - or Teddy - didn’t become an ichthyologist. Surprise. He became a priest - to the surprise of everyone. 

Mrs. Bridlepath and Mrs. Thistle went to his first Mass. Mrs. Bridlepath didn’t say, “I always knew he’d be a priest.” Mrs. Thistle said, “I thought he was going to be a - what was that word again, “An ichthyologist” said Mrs. Bridlepath.

Then in his first Mass sermon they found out what happened. Father Teddy chose as his Gospel reading for that first Mass the story in the gospel of John about the morning Jesus told his disciples where to cast their nets. They were fishing all night long and had caught nothing.  They cast their fishing nets just where Jesus told them to toss them and surprise: their nets were filled with fish - almost to breaking point.

When they brought their nets to shore they counted their fish - large ones - 154 fish.  Teddy said when he heard that for the first time - he realized Jesus was interested in catching fish.  Then he told everyone in church that morning - "That was the beginning." He told everyone that Jesus - a carpenter - switched his career to becoming a fishermen - to catch men and women to follow him.

He added that Jesus called fishermen to  become fishers of people - and they switched their jobs to become preachers - then with a smile - so I switched my career in ichthyology to becoming a priest.

His parents were sitting there thrilled in the first bench in church - with wonderful smiles on their  faces - and small golden pins on their lapels - that Father Teddy gave them - small golden pins with the image of a fish on them - the symbol of Christians.

His sister Teresa - was sitting off to the side - crying -  with her violin in hand - with 15 members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra who were playing at the Mass - and Father Teddy said, “So I guess it’s good to ask kids what they want to be when they grow up - but you never know? Look at my sister Teresa over there. She always wanted to be a soccer player - and look at her now.”

And she, the older sister, stood up, and interrupting his sermon spoke into a standing microphone, “and you wanted to be an ichthyologist” and the whole church laughed and clapped.

And after the clapping, Father Teddy said back at her from his microphone, “I did become one! Look at all the fish in church this morning whom I caught to come to my first Mass today. Amen!”

And everyone clapped again.

DO YOU LOVE ME?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 3 Sunday after Easter - C - is, “Do You Love Me?”

Perhaps the best way of doing this homily would be for everyone here in the church to come up to the microphone one by one and ask, "Do you love me?"

At first some might yell out to the person who asked the question, "Yes!"  

Then as everyone began hearing everyone ask the question, I can hear the answer getting louder and louder and louder: "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

It would take a bit of time, but I guarantee it would be the one sermon you would remember for the rest of your life - not the following homily, I'm about to preach.

Once more, the title of my homily is, "Do You Love Me?"

Today’s readings have various topics and themes to think about - to pray with - to preach about - to be challenged with - too, too many in fact.

SOME QUESTIONS

What do these readings say to you in your life today?

·        Whom do I obey: God, Self, Others?  [First Reading]

·        Am I scared or hesitant to be labeled a Christian - a follower of Jesus? [First Reading]

·        Am I here at Mass to praise God - to sing praise to the Lord, to give thanks to God? [Psalm Response]

·        When I praise God - when I praise the Lamb - do I say a loud “Amen” and see myself saying that with every creature on earth and under the earth and in the sea, with everything in the universe? [Today’s Second Reading]

·        What have I caught in my life or have I come up empty? [Today’s Gospel]

·        Whom Do I feed? Who has fed me? [Today’s Gospel]

·        Do I hear Jesus - and how he has forgiven me the times I have denied him - like Peter denied Jesus? [Today’s Gospel]

·        Do I hear Jesus’ question: “Do you love me?”

ONE TOPIC - ONE THEME

Today I’d like to think about the “Do You Love Me?” question.

It’s a topic and a theme we all deal with all the time - knowingly and unknowingly - sometimes down deep more than other times.

I sense it’s the number # 1 motive in life: to be loved and to love.

Who loves me? Whom do I love?

Remember that was Kojak’s question: “Who loves ya, baby?”

[LONG, LONG, LONG PAUSE]   Who loves you?

A sermon on this topic can impact us.

I can never forget a scene I saw on a late night talk show when Sammy Davis Jr. was asked, “Why do you always say to people, ‘I love you”? And he said that he had a buddy whom he loved, but he never told him he loved him. The buddy was killed in an accident. So Sammy Davis said he made a life resolution: “If I love someone, I’m going to tell them ‘I love you!’”

My mom and dad loved us four kids big time. It was never an issue with me. However,  I didn’t remember them specifically saying that. I know it was a big issue for some people. I used to call my mom every Sunday - my father had died way back in 1970. So that Sunday night after hearing Sammy Davis Jr’s comment on why he said, “I love you!”, I said that to my mom at the end of my phone call, “I love you”, and she paused and then said, “Love you!”

I did that every Sunday - and every Sunday I got the “Love you!” but never the “I” in the “I love you.” 

On the night before my brother was to have his cancer brain tumor operation from melanoma, I called him in the hospital and said, “I love you!” and he said back, “I love you too!” Those were his last 4 words to me - dying the next day after his brain operation.

Who loves you?

After having been on a lot of high school retreats - and having listened to a lot of today’s kids and people, there are a lot fewer comments from people saying, “My parents never told me they love me?” We have improved on that - as well as the hugs.

BIG DISTINCTION: ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

When it comes to love, we all know that there is a big distinction between words and actions.

Actions speak louder than words.

In fact, if people say they love us, but rarely show it - or show indifference on lack of caring - the words, “I love you” can become a trigger for anger or frustration.

Moreover, we’ve all heard in many sermons - especially those on today’s gospel - the Fiddler on the Roof commentary about “I love you” - when Tevye asks his wife, Golde,  if she loves him. She can’t say the words. She can only talk about what she does for him. Tevye won’t give up and keeps asking her. At one point in the song - in the play - she sings,

Do I love you?
For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes
Cooked your meals, cleaned your house
Given you children, milked the cow
After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

She still won’t say it.

He asks again and she answers, “I’m your wife.”

He answers back, “I know… But do you love me?

She answers - sort of to the audience,

Do I love him?
For twenty-five years I've lived with him
Fought with him, starved with him
Twenty-five years my bed is his
If that's not love, what is?

Tevye says, “Then you love me?”

Golde answers, “I suppose I do.”

Tevye then says, “And I suppose I love you too.”

Then both end the song with these words,

It doesn't change a thing
But even so
After twenty-five years
It's nice to know.

TODAY’S GOSPEL

So Jesus fiddles with his disciple Peter at the lakeside here at the end of John’s gospel and asks him 3 times, “Do you love me?” “Do you love me?”  “Do you love me?”

And three times - Peter answers with growing frustration: “You know I love you!”

And three times Jesus tells Peter to do what Jesus did, “Feed …. Tend …. Feed my sheep.”

CONCLUSION

Obviously the Church, the family, every marriage would work - if everyone loved one another - gave of themselves to one another - totally like Jesus did.

Obviously we who come to Mass to come to communion know this: we come here to be fed, to be loved by Jesus and to then use that energy to love one another. Amen. But it’s also nice to hear it every once and a while.

EARTH

Quote for Today - April 14, 2013

"What is [the earth] most like? ... It is most like a single cell."

Lewis Thomas [1913-] The Lives of a Cell [1974]