August 10, 2023 = Feast of St. Lawrence

LISTEN

 

The title of my homily is, “Listen.”

Just one word: “Listen.”

You heard a lot of things these three days: “What did you hear?”

RESOLUTION

At the end of prayer, at the end of a retreat, St. Alphonsus said the key step is  to make a resolution.

Sometime in the time of these 3 days, you got the thought, “When I get home I’m going to….”

That’s a resolution.

It’s what we do at the end of a year – before a New Year. We make New Year’s resolutions. And they last a few days – at least – hopefully. It’s also what people do in prayer. It’s what people do on retreats - especially – near the end of a retreat.

Father Ed gave us 3 questions yesterday morning in his homily,

I’m giving one question: What is one resolution you have made?

If you’re not sure – yet – here’s one: Listen.

Go home and listen.

Go home and listen to the stories of the people in your life.

Little kids: what happened in school today? Or at the park? Or I saw you playing Monopoly or Parchesi or Shahai Rummy. Who won? What was the best moment you had?

Or spouse – living or dead? Listen to them.

Any nursing homes near by – did you ever see all those people by the elevators – down in the lobby near the front door? Who listens to them? Who asks them questions?

 

BILLY – THE CONNOLLY BOYS

 

MY DAD – PITTSBURGH

 

WE’RE ALL STORY TELLERS = TOBYHANNA FLOWERS

 

PLUMBER = GETTING YOU MONEY

 

LISTENING – GOSPEL – SHUT UP – DIE TO SELF – LISTEN

 

BEFORE FALLING ASLEEP – SOMEONE LISTENED TO ME TODAY – IT WAS ME

 

GOD IS THE GREAT LISTENER    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 10, 2023

ANOTHER SURPRISE 

The other is other than you think they are.

You have to take time - you have to listen -

you have to be with another to find out who

they really are - and even then there is so much 

more to discover. It's called mystery - the mystery

of God - and time - the history of another person.

© Reflections, Andy Costello

 August 10, 2023

Quote for Today

"Fritz Perls, of Gestalt therapy fame, observed and pointed out that we human beings are members of the only species that possess the capacity to interfere with its own growth."

 August 9, 2023

Reflection

 August 9, 2023

Quote for Today

"A nice  person 

lives here

with a mean

old buzzard,"

Sign on a lawn

August 8, 2023

SOMETIMES WHEN PRAYING

 

Sometimes when praying we need to go into the alone – to the mountains –

anywhere – away from others – hoping they go to the other side of the sea.

 

Sometimes when praying we need to hear others – worried – working

the oars and the sails – trying to get somewhere – anywhere but where

they are – in the wind – in the waves – miles and miles – lost  out to sea.

 

Sometimes when praying we need to walk towards them – to help them -

on the sea – in the waters - in their terror – even if they see us as a ghost.

 

Sometimes we need to help them hear the words of Jesus, “Take courage.

It is I. Come to me. Walk towards me – on the waters. Don’t be afraid.”

 

Sometimes they get out of their boat – and walk on the waters – towards

Jesus. Then when frightened, hear them make Peter’s cry, “Lord, save me.”

 

Sometimes when we pray – we hope - we/they/all - grab Jesus’ outstretched hand – as he pulls us into a helping salvation and catch.

 

Sometimes when we pray – when this happens – we realize we’re

weak – and little of faith – and truly Jesus is the Son of God.

 

Sometimes when we pray – we recognize God – and we want all others to do the

 same. We try to get others to touch him and the tassel of his cloak.

 August 8, 2023

Reflection