PLACES
The title of
my sermon – it’s a sermon – a conversation piece – more than a homily – the
title is, “Places.” [Spell it: PLACES]
What are the key places in my life?
I’m on foot or in a car – and I’m driving by the house I
spent most of my childhood at and
in. It has feelings – memory triggers –
and I’ve moved from there a long time ago – and I’ve been in a lot of places
ever since.
What was the
church and school of my childhood?
Today’s
first reading has a key text for the Israelites – when Abraham got a toe hold
for a grave for Sarah. It will be used
from then onwards as an argument why this Land is our land.
The reading
says a Transaction took place – then mention of migrations – and then how
Rebekah met Isaac in the region of the Negeb.
Places are
important. Places have history. Places can be sacred.
Our house in
Brooklyn was on the edge of Bay Ridge. The house was torn down to make way for a widening of the Gowanus Parkway – but the street is still there. Going back to the street where we grew up - where our house – 326 – 62 Street – was – still has a great pull for me.
I always
wanted to go to Galway Ireland to see where my mom and dad were from. In 1996 we
finally got there. We went to my father’s house which is still being used and
lived in by my cousins. It was called
“The House with the Books.”
Then we
headed for where my mom came from. My dad would say it was a stone throws
away. Well it was about 2 miles away –
and nobody had that great a rock throwing arm. Her straw thatched roof
house was down – caved in – crumbled.
But there we were in the place where the back door would have been. There was a
stone rectangular back step = the side of a suitcase on its side – and the waters
of Galway bay were licking that stone. My mom would say she could stick her big
toe out the back door and it would be touching Galway Bay.
I finally saw and touched and felt where they came from.
Reading
todays gospel I’m sure Matthew had feelings about the place Jesus called him
from – whenever they traveled around Israel.
It reminds
me of the accidental time I was walking around Rome with two little old ladies
from Annapolis, Maryland. Both were around 80 years of age. I didn’t go into
the Victoria’s Secret store with them – when they spotted one. But I went into one of the 10 chapels at the
Piazza Navona – with its three big fountains.
Surprise I
never knew this – but it was the so called French Church. It had 3 paintings by
Caravaggio of Saint Matthew: the Calling of Matthew, the Martyrdom of Matthew
and the Inspiration of St Matthew.
The Calling
of Matthew is a favorite of Pope Francis. It had been mine too. I bought the
book and that place became a favorite of mine.
The topic
and title of my sermon has been places. Talk to each other – have conversations
with each other – where you are from – where you hope to be buried – and the
surprise unique places of your life
story?
