HOSEA

THE  PROPHET  HOSEA

 This week – for our first reading at 5  Weekday Masses  - the Prophet Hosea is featured.

We can thank Gregory Norbert of the Weston Priory in Massachusetts for making Hosea better known by his song, “Come Back to Me.”   We’ve heard it sung at many Penance or Reconciliation Services.

If 100 people were given a box of crayons and a piece of clean white paper – and told to draw a picture of God what would be their response?

If they were little children – I can picture them – reaching for their crayons and immediately drawing an old man in a robe with a beard.

But maybe not……….

Unless you be like little children – as Jesus once said – you won’t picture the kingdom of God.

If the 100 people were adults – what would we get as an image of God? Circles? Arrows? A Hand? A Question Mark? An Eye? A Face?

How would you picture God?  

Those who got their words and images into the scriptures have pictured God as a Shepherd, a Warrior, a Father, a Mother, a King?

Hosea pictures  God as a Spouse  - who wants to marry us – stay loyal to us – come back to us – forgiving us no matter what - because of this God has for us..

Unless one has a good hand and a good imagination for drawing – I would assume that adults would prefer words to crayons.

Read Hosea – read the 5 readings for this week – and see what images and pictures about God – in his words hit home.

We can thank Hosea the Prophet – who lived around 725  B.C.  – for telling us that God is a forgiving God – no matter what.

When it comes to the theme of forgiveness and second chances  - we’re used to sons returning home  to their father or lost sheep being found. Hosea uses the husband and wife reality – and in this case a forgiving husband taking back his wife – even though she was prostituting herself.

Hosea is telling Israel what God is like.

Doodle with that image – pray and play with that image – and see where God takes you - hear what God is saying to you.

ROBINSON JEFFERS # 2

Poem for Today - July 7, 2014

CARMEL  POINT

The extraordinary patience  of things!
This beautiful house defaced with a crop of suburban                                 houses -
How beautiful when we first beheld it.
Unbroken field of poppy and lupin walled with clean cliffs;
No intrusion but tow or three horses pasturing.
Or a few milch cows rubbing their flanks on the outcrop                              rockheads -
Now the spoiler has come: does it care?
Not faintly. It has all time. It knows the people are a tide
That swells and in time will ebb, and all
Their works dissolve. Meanwhile the image of the pristine                            beauty
Lives in the very grain of the granite,
Safe as the endless ocean that climbs out cliff. - As for us:
We must uncenter our minds from ourselves;
We must unhumanize our views a little, and become                            confident
As the rock and ocean that we were made from.

© Robinson Jeffers,

in Selected Poems,

A Vintage Book

Page 102

WHAT’S  SHE  LIKE? 

WHAT’S  HE LIKE? 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time is, “What’s She Like? What’s He Like?”

QUESTIONS – QUESTIONS - QUESTIONS

One of these years I’m going to sit down and write down Life’s Ten Most Frequent or should it be Life’s Ten Top or Significant Questions?

I think that would be an interesting exercise. I’m assuming some of those questions would be: What’s for supper? Where’s the bathroom? Are you listening?  How much does it cost? What’s the weather going to be like? Is it worth it? What now? What’s next? When do you want this? How long is this going to take? How much time do I have l left? What would happen if this is cancer? Are you sure? Is it any good? What would you recommend?  Who are you?

I would assume that there is a significant difference between Significant Questions and Most Frequent Asked Questions.

My question for today, “What’s She Like?” or “What’s He Like?” would fit in the category of Most Significant Questions.

We ask it when getting a new boss or supervisor or teacher or priest or neighbor.  We ask it when our kid starts dating someone. Then another series of questions can follow: Who asks the the dating whom question more: a dad or a mom? Do dads ask that more about whom a daughter  is dating? Do our kids ask that question enough: What’s this person I'm dating really like – like down deep other person – who are you and what are you really like?

WHAT’S GOD LIKE?

I was wondering if we ever ask that question of or about God.

What’s God like?

I was wondering if we sculpt with words and images and experiences our image and likeness of God.

We do this of others. And sometimes – in time – we discover the other is not the person we thought the other person to be.

We’ve all heard about the 6 people in every marriage: the she I thought she was; the she, she thought she was; the she, she really is; the he I thought he was; the he, he thought he was; the he, he really is.

In the meanwhile to further complicate all this people change.  How much? How significant? For better or for worse? Or are we basically the same personality – all our lives?

I love to quote something I heard a Dallas, PA, Sister Maureen McCann say in a talk she was giving. “Life is illusion, disillusionment, and then decision.”

We’ve all had that experience when it comes to things we buy: computers, cars, weight loss pills, diets, dreams, the meal that turned out nothing like we thought the menu described it or pictured it.

Back to our image and likeness of God.

Do we have a different perception of God than how we understood, pictured, imagined God to be 10, 20 or how many years ago?

MICKEY MANTLE

I remember someone telling me about one of their childhood heroes: Mickey Mantle. Someone said if you wait outside Yankee Stadium after a game – and you hand Mickey Mantle a post card with your name and address and a stamp on it, he’ll sign it and drop it in the mail for you.

The guy - who was telling me this experience said – standing there after the game - he got the card into Mickey Mantle’s hand and he took it – got into a car – and they headed down the street driving away from Yankee Stadium. Then he said, “I saw this hand go out the back window – and I saw that hand drop a crumbled something into the street.  I ran up to where the paper or card was – and sure enough there was my discarded postcard.

Sometimes our idols fall off their platforms.

What’s God like?

What are these people all around me like?

TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s readings triggered these thoughts and these questions.

In today’s first reading - Zechariah the Prophet pictures God as a King – but a king who is meek – and who comes riding into town on donkey.

The history of world has had kings and leaders and generals and popes riding into town – in limos or tanks or chariots o– but only 1 moment – when a king rode into town on a donkey as promised.

We hear that story every Palm Sunday – commemorating the day Jesus did just that.

And just as Zechariah promised – Jesus proclaimed peace.

In today’s second reading from Romans – God is presented as Spirit – who wants to dwell within us  - in our flesh – indicating to us and our world – we are flesh – but we are more than flesh.

In today’s gospel Jesus tells us about God as a Father – the Lord of Heaven and earth. Then he tells us that he is the Son – and if you know the Son – you know the Father.

Then he uses the image of a yoke – something a rural people would know about – seeing animals yoked  together as beasts of burden – to work the earth, the farm fields of life.

How many times have we seen people pushing a shopping cart – or pulling two suitcases – struggling with 3 kids – and some packages – and they are trying to get through a door – and another stops to help – that person get to where they want to get.

Yes at times we are like a beast of burden – in a yoke – and life seems so, so difficult – and life is easier when we realize Jesus is with us – helping us – yoked with us - all our days even to the end of the world.

KEY POINT – THE POINT OF THIS SERMON

The title of my homily is, “What’s She Like? What’s He Like?”

Maybe the other person is not the person I think he or she is?

Maybe the person I think Jesus is – isn’t really the person Jesus us. In fact, a good question to ask: which of the 4 Gospels and Paul presents best whom I see Jesus to be?

Maybe the God I  think God is – isn’t really God?

Maybe the person I think I am or I’m supposed to be – is not the person I ought to be.

Maybe I have made life too tough for me – or too easy for me to be.

It’s good to talk to each other and to God about these things.

It’s good to hear Jesus’ words from today’s gospel, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

It’s my experience that some people make life too tight, too tough, too rough, too rigid – on themselves?

It’s my question then: do they see God that way – because that’s the way they are to themselves?

Then the question: is God the way I see God or is God the way God is?

Maybe I’m wrong – but there can be a lot of self-centeredness in all of us – along with judgment and projections on to others from our bias and our way of seeing life.

The sin of idolatry is to make an image of God and worship that image.

Nobody today – at least in the Christian tradition – has a secret statue of God – that they secretly worship – when nobody is looking.

But maybe we have an image and likeness of God within our minds – that we run our lives on – and that image is false.

We do this to each other. Why can’t we realize we do this to God?

I suspect the first experience of heaven is going to be, “Oh my God, was I wrong about you – who you really are.”

I think of Lou Holz, the former football coach, who said, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it."

And I suspect that 90 % of the time we respond to life with an image of God and ourselves that is not the God Jesus is revealing to us.

CONCLUSION

I was fortunate to live and work with an old priest once — who used to say —when folks were ranting and raving about different things happening in our church and world, 1 don't think Jesus meant life to be as tough as this person makes it out to be."

Thanks for saying that Father Alfred Rush — and when I die — I hope to see you at the edge of the crowd when I meet God and I see your smile and your wink. Amen.

ROBINSON JEFFERS

A Poem for Today - July 6, 2014

ROCK AND HAWK

Here is a symbol in which
Many high tragic thoughts
Watch their own eyes.

This gray rock, standing tall
On the headland, where the seawind
Lets no tree grow,

Earthquake-proved, and signatured
By ages of storms: on its peak
A falcon has perched.

I think here is your emblem
To hang in the future sky;
Not the cross, not the hive,

But this; bright power, dark peace;
Fierce consciousness joined with final
Disinterestedness;

Life with calm death; the falcon's
Realist eyes and act
Married to the massive

Mysticism of stone,
Which failure cannot cast down
Nor success make proud. 

© Robinson Jeffers,

Selected Poems,
A Vintage Book,

Page 56

TO BE 

JUST 

SO SWEET, 

SO DELICIOUS 

Poem for Today - July 5, 2014

This Is Just to Say

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold 

© William Carlos Williams

WHO ME?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 13 Friday in Ordinary Time is, “Who Me?”

MAD MAGAZINE

I’m sure some remember Mad Magazine starting in the 1950’s and their picture of Alfred E. Neuman and his words, “What? Me Worry?”

There he is - this scrawny freckled face kid with big ears – a missing front tooth – and one eye lower than the other eye – but he does have a smile on his face.

What? Me Worry?

I always liked that picture. It was a picture that appeared on greeting cards – t-shirts – cartoons of Alfred up there on Mount Rushmore – or running for president – etc. etc. etc.

I also liked that Mad Magazine character – because I see him representing every person – every me everywhere.

EVERY PERSON COUNTS

I liked St. Mary’s Parish and Schools' theme and motto for this past year: “Every Person Counts.”

It was a theme found in the comments of Pope Francis.

We got good mileage out of that theme - and I heard from teachers and staff in both our schools - that kids showed more respect to each other this past year.

"Every Person Counts."

Alfred E. Neuman counts. I count. You count.

The title of my homily is, “Who Me?”

Yep, me, I count.

Yes me? 

Little old me.

Who Me? 

Yes me. Well if I count -  then based  on that - should follow the comment, "What Me Worry?

TODAY’S GOSPEL

Today’s gospel - Matthew 9: 9-13 - has the famous scene of the call of Matthew.

When I read about  this call in today’s gospel from Matthew - I thought of all kinds of things – starting with the “Who me?” question we all make when we hear someone calling us – followed by Alfred E. Neuman’s “What me? Worry?' slogan.

As I read the gospels, I hear Jesus seeing good in every person – especially people others didn’t think counted – the beggar on the street – the little children – the Alfred E. Neuman’s of the world – as well as the tax collectors – and all those people who tax all the other people in the world – and drain them.

Who counts? 

Everyone.

Who counts? 

Jesus does.  He counted 99 - but wait a mintue - one is missing - so as a Good Shepherd - he went looking for that one lost sheep.

Jesus does. He counted 1 person with leprosy - who was healed - and came back to say, "Thank you!" - but where are the other 9?"

Jesus does. She lost 1 coin - had the other 9 - but went crazy till she found her 1 lost coin.

Jesus does. The Prodigal Son came home - but where is that older brother of mine? Why wouldn't he come to the banquet for his lost brother. He counts. 

Wait a minute.... Which brother are you talking about here?

Both - both count.

CARAVAGGIO'S MATTHEW - THE COIN COUNTER

I think of a day – just one day in Rome – 2 years ago – and I was with two wonderful old ladies – Winnie and Mary - who were part of the cruise I was on. 

We spotted this Church  - about 2 1/2 streets away from the Piazza Navone with its Fontana dei Quatro Fiumi - the Fountain of the Four Rivers - by Bernini. 

The church we spotted was – San Luigi dei Francesi Church – just one more of the hundreds of churches one counts in Rome.

Surprise! Inside it had 3 Caravaggio’s. I was especially moved by his painting, “The Calling of Saint Matthew.”

There’s Jesus pointing at Matthew – and there’s Matthew at this table in this tavern – pointing at himself – as if to say, “Who Me?” or “What me?”

 Surprise!

“Yes” Jesus is pointing at Matthew and calling Matthew.

"You count coins Matthew, well I have a friend who counts fish - and who now counts people. And I'm calling on you. I'm counting on you  - to also stop counting coins and to start reaching out to all sorts of people - and let them know, "They count!"

“Who me?” Isn’t that what all of us would say if we heard Jesus calling us.

“What me? A sinner and a tax collector! You’re calling me a tax collector?”

“Should I worry?”

Matthew stands up – leaves everything – and follows Christ.

In celebration the throws a dinner that night at his house – inviting Jesus and all his friends.

And the self-righteous – can’t believe this. How could Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners. They don’t count for nothing.

And Jesus makes his famous comment. “Who needs a doctor? Healthy people don’t. It’s the sick ones who count – when it comes to me.”

ATTITUDE

In this homily I am stressing that every person counts.

In this homily I am stressing that God is aware of every person.

In this homily I am stressing that we should worry about every person – especially the great unwashed and the great unknowns and the ignored and those nobody thinks matters.

An overflow from this type of attitude is that we respect all people. If we have that respect for all folks, we’ll pay attention to the waiter or waitress, the check-out lady at the supermarket – the old person or the little person – the stranger and the strange rangers of our world.

THADDEUS HUBL

We read out at supper time at St. Mary’s the deceased Redemptorists whose anniversary is the next day.

Today in 1807 a Redemptorist named Thaddeus Hubl died in Warsaw, Poland. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today. He’s part our story. He and a guy named Clement Hofbauer were studying in Vienna, Austria with the idea of becoming priests.

Well, when the government changed the requirements for students that they needed 6 years of studies, these 2 headed for Rome – with the idea of maybe becoming priests down there. They heard the sound of church bells from San Giuliano’s church in Rome and they went there with the idea of going to Mass. It was simply a call for community prayer.

Well, they were impressed with the priests and brothers and expressed interest in joining. They were handed an application – but only Clement signed immediately. 24 hours later Thaddeus Hubl signed. They made a 5 month novitiate – then they made their vows – and were ordained priests 10 days later and they sent back over the Alps to start the Redemptorists there.

Vienna didn’t work – so they tried Warsaw, Poland – where they had some success – especially at our Redemptorist starting place: St. Benno’s Warsaw.

In time they ran into trouble with the government and hostile forces to what they were doing. In 1807 Thaddeus Hubl was beaten up and died at the age of 47.

I tell this story – because they both matter in my story – also being a Redemptorist. If they hadn’t answered that bell call – if they hadn’t gone down to Rome – if they weren’t ordained – then we would never come to America – because this was the group that sent Redemptorists to America in 1832. .

CONCLUSION

The moral of the story is that every person counts – every person is called to become a great human being.

Who me? Yes.

What me? Worry – about all this.

Yes – if we answer that call from God.

YOUR LIFE 

IS YOUR LIFE 

Poem for Today- July 4, 2014

THE LAUGHING HEART

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

© Charles Bukowski