September 19, 2023

Quote for Today

"Curiously enough, one cannot read a book:  one can only reread it. A good reader, a major reader, an active and creative reader is a rereader."

Vladimir Nabokov

Strong Opinions

 

STOP AND LISTEN

STOP AND SEE

 

Stop and listen.

Stop and see.

Life surrounds us.

Life is all around us.

Too many times we’re missing.

Too many times we’re not listening.

Life is a concert.

Life is a drama.

Close your ears and listen.

Close your eyes and see.

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello,

 

 September 18. 2023

Quote for Today

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” 

Pablo Picasso

 September 17, 2023

Homily for 24 Sunday OT A

NEW TESTMENT MATHEMATICS

The title of my homily is, “New Testament Mathematics.”

In today’s gospel from Matthew we’re told to forgive 77 times. There are variations of this theme of forgiving 7 times – or 70 times 7 times or 77 times  in the 4 gospels.

Jesus liked numbers. We see them in his parables. There are the 2 brothers – one younger and one older – in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. There are the 10 bridesmaids: 5 foolish, 5 wise in that parable. There are a couple of parables of kings and masters giving servants coins or talents – and then telling them to do something with them. He told the story of the 7 brothers who died after marrying the same woman.

Jesus fed thousands – with just a few fish and a few loaves of bread.

Jesus  said no one can serve 2 Masters.

He said there are 6 days for working and 1 day for rest.

Jesus healed 10 people who had leprosy and only 1 came back to say, “Thank you.”

Jesus talked to the woman at the well and said, “Hey you had 5 husbands and the 1 you’re with now is not your husband.”

Jesus knew numbers.

He saw the 2 brothers at the Lake: Peter and Andrew - and  also 2 other brothers: James and John. He called all 4 – and others. He sent his disciples out: 2 by 2. He picked 12  as apostles, even though 1 would betray him and 1 would deny him 3 times. He said where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of you.

He talked about family fights – 2 against 3 and 3 against 2.

So Jesus knew life and the number or times we need to forgive each other our trespasses each day.

He knew the mathematics of forgiveness and the mathematics of life.

I’ll have one glass of cold water and drink to that,

 September 17,  2023

EXPANSION

 

The refrigerator, the sink,

the stove, the kitchen table.

They were the key players

in the house as he grew up –

and of course, there was

mom and dad and his brother

and sisters – sometimes cousins.

Then came the radio – this was

before television and the computer.

Surprise! The key was the front door.

Once that was open – the world

out there was ready to be explored:

school, church, the playground,

the movies, Coney Island,

Ebbet’s Field, Bliss Park

and the Staten Island Ferry.

I guess all one needs at first

is someone to take you and

pay your tolls and your tickets –

and the world is your’s.

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello

 September 17, 2023

Quote for Today

“All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you.”  

Wayne Dyer

 September 16, 2023

 

LOOKING  FOR  A  BRIDGE

 

At times I spend half my time

looking for a bridge,

looking for a way to get

to the other side of

where I am right now.

It seems I’m stuck

looking for a solution,

but I can’t find one.

I see the water.

I see the other side.

I see the difficulty I’m in,

but stuck still stares

me in the face – but I’m also

stuck searching for a solution.

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello