DO NO HARM TO YOURSELF!

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 6^th Tuesday after Easter  is, “Do No Harm To Yourself.”

In today’s first reading Paul and Silas are stripped and beaten and thrown into prison.

The magistrates told the jailer to guard them securely.  Hearing that  - the jailer put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were singing and praying to God as the other prisoners listened. 

Suddenly there was a severe earthquake and the doors opened and the chains of all were pulled free.

The noise and uproar that came next  woke up the jailer.

Seeing the doors wide open drew his sword to kill himself. He thought everyone escaped.

Paul shouted to him, “Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.”

ONE PHRASE

I look for something practical to preach about - and that phrase “Do no harm to yourself - hit me. It’s just the first half of that text in Acts 16: 28.  “Do no harm to yourself.”

It’s something I need to hear.

When my skin gets raised, I scratch it. Sometimes that means a cut and then a scab and then I pick it.

I have to hear my mind say, “Do no harm to yourself.”

People who drink or smoke - when nervous - or down - when they feel the need to sedate themselves or nicotine themselves a bit - they need to remember the words of Paul, “Do no harm to yourself.”

So too overeating…. So too not exercising …. So too taking too much sugar - at least that’s when I have to hear. “Do no harm to yourself.”

ANCIENT DOCTOR’S CODE

It’s not in the Hippocratic Oath, but it is ancient medical books for educating doctors - down through the years. “Primum non nocere.” First, do no harm.

Doctors have to realize the implications of each and every pill and operation they recommend to people.

People having abortions and those who do them - have to think about  the consequences these actions have - not just killing a human being - but also harming the parents and decisions makers for death.  Do no harm.

CONSEQUENCES

Those who live by the sword, die by the sword.

Those who tear down people - with their descriptions - better realize the consequences of their comments.

Looking up stuff about this last night, a lot of things hit me.

I noticed an article by Monica Lewinski in today’s New York Times - talking about Roger Ailes after his recent death.

She said he had his TV people hammer her 24/7 - and as a result of her affair the people were calling her words you don’t want anyone to hear.

She said she basically became 1 dimensional and Roger Ailes’ TV station became a the # 1 TV news station making 2.3 Billion Dollars - last year. She survived. She didn’t go to jail as threatened. She didn’t commit suicide.

She doesn’t quote Jesus about stone throwing, but she does tell anyone who wants to read her article her take on what happened to her - the harm that was done to her because of her mistake. She said that there was harm done to the nation because of that whole approach to news that other stations as well had to follow suit. I don’t know what your take on all this would be, but I’m sure your reaction is in the 1009 comments to her article as of this morning.

CONCLUSIONS

What we say, what we do, what we watch, how we treat one another, all has consequences: good or bad - depending on whether it is good or bad - harmful or helpful.

Notes:

Painting on top: St. Paul in Prison.  This is by Rembrandt Harmensz, van Rijn. This scene is based on Philemon 1:0.  Today's first reading is from Acts 16: 22-34.

ADVOCATE

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 6^th Monday  after Easter is, "Advocate."

The Holy Spirit is referred to as an "Advocate" in today's gospel.

The Greek word in John 15:26 is PARAKLETOS - and it's translated into English as "Paraclete," or "Comforter," or "Helper" or "Advocate".

Advocate is the word used in our Gospel in English for today. That word literally it means "calling to our side".

That should give us comfort - to know someone is at our side - has our back - will support us.

!n Christian teaching  - that means that  the Holy Spirit  is with us - on our side and at our side.

Did you notice that today’s Gospel mentions all 3 persons in the Trinity.

PAUSE AND LOOK AT OUR LIFE

If we pause and look at our life, who have been the people who stood up for us? Who are the people that had our back? Who have been the people who spoke up for us?

We have all known mothers - usually - who headed up to school - to defend their son or daughter - when unfairness happens.

We all have known fathers who went to coaches and stood up for their son or daughter to get into the game.

When someone needs a good lawyer, we don't use the word "advocate" too often - but that's what we want.

We do know about patient advocates when it comes to hospitals.

FEAST OF ST. RITA

Today is the feast of St. Rita of Cascia - [1377-1457.]

She could be listed as the Patron Saint of Women Abused by their husbands. She certainly was by him. Her 2 sons died. They had health problems. How did advocates help in her day - both about her kids and her husband?  Her husband was a violent man - abusive to her - as well as unfaithful to her. I don’t know the story -but he was killed as the result of a vendetta.

Rita tried to become a nun - but was rejected at first because she had been married. Eventually, the Augustinian Convent, that rejected her - accepted her - and she becomes a Saint.

I don't know if she had an advocate.

I don't know if someone put in a good word for her.

AS PRIEST

As priest we are called to be advocates in family fights and all kinds of situations.

I remember a 23 year old gal - whose father wouldn’t let her date. She had to work 7 days a week in their restaurant. I saw her dad. He disagreed with me - but I was a bulldog and he gave in.  Three years later I did her wedding.

I remember an old lady telling me about a baby girl who was kept in a dry bathtub. She was often beaten and yelled at. I went to the apartment - got in - and headed for the bathroom - and sure enough there was a little girl with severe belt marks on her body.

I called social services and a social worker showed up and the baby was eventually taken in by foster parents and then adopted.

As Church we did horrible in the sex abuse stories - and it was only money that saved so many kids from further abuse - that is law suits and compensation.

CONCLUSION

Life gives us chances to be advocates. Go for it.

MARIAN 

GARDEN 

AT 

ST.  MARY’S  CHURCH 

ANNAPOLIS,  MARYLAND 

When visiting Annapolis, make sure you take a good look at the Marian Garden - sit on one of the benches - look around - praise God - ask Mary that you have some of her grace - pray for someone in your life who needs a prayer - and drop into our church for a prayer of thanksgiving and blessings for your loved ones. Amen.

May 22,  2017

BLUR

Sorry to say, I’m missing too much:

faces, conversations, the happenings

of my day - as I spin by the moments

of my life. I forget to look people 

in the eye.  Too much is a drive by. 

Oh, at night I stop to see and think

about some of what I saw that day 
and jot down some notes and tidbits
in a journal - but still too much is a blur. 

Sorry …. Sorry …. But tomorrow will be

different - at least that’s my night 

prayer - every night - after the

“Sorry …. Sorry …. Sorry ….” speech.

© Andy Costello, Reflections  2017

MEETINGS: 

ON  BEING  HC 

  

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 6^th Sunday after Easter [A] is, “Meetings: On Being HC.”

HC stands for Humanly Correct.

I prefer that to PC:  “Politically Correct”  - because PC is a button for some people - and then the listening stops.

But to be humanly correct - now that can open up possibilities.

2^ND    EUCHARISTIC PRAYER FOR RECONCILIATION

In the Roman Missal there are 10 Eucharistic Prayers - that the priest can use when celebrating Mass. I have found that the 2^nd Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation has some powerful words to pray with and be about.

I’ve been using this prayer a lot - especially because of the mood I hear in some current conversations and on TV political talk shows. I’m going to use it today - so let me preface that use with a reading of  the preface for this 2^nd Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation.

It is truly right and just

that we should give you thanks and praise,

O God, almighty Father,

for all you do in this world,

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For though the human race

is divided by dissension and discord,

yet we know that by testing us

you change our hearts

to prepare them for reconciliation.

Even more, by your Spirit you move human hearts

that enemies may speak to each other again,

adversaries join hands,

and peoples seek to meet together.

By the working of your power

it comes about, O Lord,

that hatred is overcome by love,

revenge gives way to forgiveness,

and discord is changed to mutual respect..

Therefore, as we give you ceaseless thanks

with the choirs of heaven,

we cry out to your majesty on earth,

and without end we acclaim.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts….

That’s it: the opening words of the 2^nd Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation.

BALTIMORE PROVINCE RENEWAL TEAM

The Redemptorists of Baltimore Province -  are the ones who serve  here at St. Mary’s. Years ago we freed up 3 guys - to work full time to get us Redemptorists to meet together - to work together better - to listen to each other more -  to be reconciled to each other - to dream together.

It lasted 4 years. I was on that team for 1 year and I found out how difficult it is to get people to meet together - to talk together - to be on the same page together - to work together.

We made progress - then we made the decision to end it - and move on.

Communication - community - family - marriage - tough stuff - that takes work and practice.

People sometimes think we priests don’t know enough about marriage and family life.  Hey, I live with 10 other priests - which gives me an advantage in knowing how other human beings operate and are.  Okay it’s not marriage.

The first step for communication is to be willing to meet together.

Some people refuse to do even that. I’m aware of that right now in my own family.  It’s a bummer.  As priest I've heard about many families.

We are all aware of the story of Adam and Eve. Everything was nice - but naïve - that is till Adam and Eve broke the rule God gave them. You can eat everything and anything in the garden - except the forbidden fruit.

You know what Adam and Eve did next. Where is it?

Then they hid. They were exposed. They saw their nakedness. They didn’t want to meet with God in the garden - after what they just did.

And God asked a key question: Where are you?

That’s the first question we have to ask each other when we are not meeting or not reconciled with each other.

Where are we?

The next steps are the human steps - if we want to be HC, that is, humanly correct with each other.

These steps would be the virtues of honesty and respect.

It's important to put everything on the table - if possible - but with respect - care - and caution.

The table - the altar - that holds bread and wine - and the possibility of holy communion - also needs to be the place of sacred words with each other.

I notice in every picture of meetings of Palestinians with Israelis - that they have food on the table.

If we can’t eat with each other - if we can’t talk with each other - if we can’t stomach each other - if we can’t listen to the other person’s perspective - we are not going to be able to work out a compromise and a covenant with each other.

It would be very wise to keep things simple.

Jesus was being very wise when he told us to be like children - to not let our egos get in the way.

These are some of the humanly correct things to do and how to be with each other.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM - LAND

In every room where there is discord and dissension - there is an elephant.

It would be easier if it was a lamb. Them we can slay!

In today’s first reading we have this sentence as its opening words, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.”

Mention of Samaria triggered this homily - that is, when I looked up on the Internet information about Samaria.

In January of 2000 I stood there in Israel and Palestine and our guide pointed north to a hilly area and said, “That’s Samaria.”

I didn’t know we were not going to go to Samaria in our bus. I wanted to - but no go.

In that area Samaria is the one of the big elephants.

It always has been.

In the time of Jesus it was - and way before that.

Way, way back in BC times, foreign invaders conquered that area and marched away the people there and brought in people from other conquered places. Divide and conquer.

The people of Samaria were not liked by the people of the rest of Israel.  The feeling was mutual.

When we hear the Gospels, we often hear mention of the Samaritans.

The gospel writers tell us that it was a Samaritan - who was the one person with leprosy who was healed and came back to thank Jesus. The woman at the well and the people there were Samaritans.  The one person who stopped to help the guy beaten up on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a Samaritan - a good one at that.

And if we study the New Testament enough - we find out that the early Christians were not just Jews - not just Gentiles - but some were Samaritans.

There is a key message there: Christianity is a religion where everyone is invited to the table.

In a video that the White House put out on Friday they omitted Golan, Judea and Samaria from the map of Israel. Then that video was removed from the Internet.  A week earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, edited out of a video that our president will visit Israel on this trip. 

In looking up stuff about Samaria I saw all this.

I also read that when it comes to Samaria - some describe that area as the West Bank. Some then  point out that is a phrase from the last century and not before that. Articles also point out that fights about Samaria continue - on maps, in reports, in newscasts, in videos and on and on and on.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “Meetings: On Being HC.”

On major land issues like Israel, Palestine, people need to continue to meet together.

Human qualities like honesty, fairness, history, background, acknowledging buttons, forgiveness, and compromise are called for - and a lot more.

That’s the big picture.

When there is discord and dissension in our families - or at  work - or on teams - or on politics - or with the persons next door or in the apartment above or below or next to us -  it’s up to us - to do our part to be humanly correct - humanly caring - even if the other isn’t.

VESTMENTS

In our Masses and Baptisms here at St. Mary’s and St. John Neumann’s churches we sometimes use vestments with images of children on them. When using them I often get comments about how neat they are.

I’ve also got the thought: why doesn’t the same company or other companies make similar vestments with images of senior citizens on them?

Or families? Or cities? Or workers? Or people playing sports?

When I went on line, sure enough, there are various unique vestments. Some are a bit much and too, too expensive. 

Yet, the possibilities are endless.  Is there a Michelangelo of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling fame - who could make great vestments?

We also have here a few stoles with images of animals on them. They seem to represent  the Biblical scene of creation or Noah’s Ark. Sometimes in wearing that stole I see little kids during a baptism staring at images.  Yet I hesitate to guess how and what little kids see.

At Mass what are we supposed to be seeing or thinking about?  Purists might scream at a vestment showing little children on them. Or if I had my way, why not have vestments with images of 17 people in wheelchairs or Down Syndrome kids at a party? 

Check out stained glass windows. They could use a make-over as well. The images have to be lasting - people will be looking at them for centuries.  Great images can call us to greatness.  I’m not an artist - but I’ve seen some art work in stained glass windows that do not have a grab in them.

I made a retreat once in a mother house in Kentucky and they had wonderful hanging tapestries that were put up for different seasons. I thought they were neat - and gospel driven - and one super way to get the Good News of Jesus proclaimed.

If someone who wants to start a cottage industry with more of these image driven vestments, start with senior citizens. Check out Normal Rockwell images and gather great artists. Go for it.

P.S.  I noticed that a Vestment Making Company is called, “Theological Threads.”  How about that?

May 21, 2017

FAMILIAR  SCENES 

Mom, dad, brothers, sisters ….

Bread, wine, a table ….

Gatherings - of all sizes and shapes ….

Work ….

Water ….

Sleep ….

Shadows - how they vary and rotate ….

Sports - games - skills - running ….

Travel - wheels, walking, rushing ….
Seats - getting a seat - offering a seat ….

Lost and found …. keys and people ….
The poor and those who want more ....
God searchers and God deniers ....

Arrivals and departures ….

Waiting and looking out windows….
Birds returning ....
Dogs barking ....

War, violence, rage and killing ….

I hate it that I had to add that last one ….

 © Andy Costello, Reflections  2017