HAVE YOU EVER
BEEN IN A PLAY?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Have you ever been in a play?”

Looking at your life, have you ever been in a play?

Kindergarten, elementary school, high school, college, community theater? Have you ever been in a play?

Maybe you played the part of a tree or a sheep or a shepherd, a pumpkin or you were the king or queen, princess or pauper.

Have you ever been in a play?

PILATE’S DAUGHTER

I was stationed with a priest who loved to tell the story how he played the part of a spear in a play. It was in our parish in Boston, Mission Church, and the play was "Pilate’s Daughter". (1) This Passion Play was presented every year - especially during Lent. Well, there was this one scene – after Jesus was to be arrested and as you looked at a wall on stage you could see spears going by – just the top of spears – and kids were behind the wall marching by with their spears.

THE STAR-CROSSED ROMANCE OF JOSEPHINE COSNOWSKI

One of my favorite movies is, “The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski.” (2) It’s part of a series of movies that present the life of Jean Shepherd – an old radio story teller. Many people know, “A Christmas Story.” Well, Ralph in the TV Movie, “The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski”, is talking about his younger brother, Randy, and how he played the part of the turkey in a play that reenacted the first Thanksgiving of the Pilgrims. Randy came home whining – which he did every day – and said, “I’m in the school play and I have to play the part of a turkey.” His mom who plays the part of a mom who makes everything right – says, “Well, you’ll be a great turkey.” Then while playing bridge with the ladies, she tells of Randy’s situation and one of them says that her sister is a great seamstress of something like that and she’ll help make him a great turkey outfit. It becomes a great costume. And Randy steals the show. He comes out and dances and everyone claps and claps for him. Then Ralph, looking back on life, says, “My brother didn’t know it then, but this was to be the highlight of his entire life.”

What a great line! Great movies and great plays give great lines – lines that help us look at our life.

Have you ever been in a play? Have you ever gotten off a great line? What has been the highlight of your life?

HIGH SCHOOL PLAY: EASY COME, EASY GO

When I was in high school I had the lead in a play called, “Easy Come, Easy Go.” (3) I don’t remember anything from the play except something that happened 2/3 the way through the first act. Someone forgot their line – and I could hear the off stage prompters yelling it out to the guy who forgot his line. He didn’t get the message. Silence. Big time silence. Pause. I love the line, “How long a minute takes depends on which side of the bathroom door you’re on.” Well, I’m sure it’s the same as on stage. How long a moment of silence for a forgotten line that takes place during a play depends on whether you’re an actor on stage or in the audience in the auditorium.

Having the lead, I figured I had to do something, so I grabbed a line out of mid-air and got the play back on track. The show must go on. Suddenly, I could see the director in the wings gesturing violently at me. I thought to myself, “Uh oh!” Yet, I got the play going and we made it to the end of act one. The curtain closed and I immediately went to the director and asked, “What happened?” He said, “You cut four people out of the play and there’s no way we can get them into the play. Their parents and family are sitting out there and their names are on the program.”

Often in my life – ever since that moment – I get nervous when I cut people off who want to say something. How many people have I cut out of life? I aborted these 4 people. I killed these 4 people who didn’t have a chance to shine for their moment in the spot light. They had very small parts, but I didn’t give these 4 people their chance of 15 seconds of fame.

Have you ever been in a pay?

Have you ever cut someone out of the play?

SHAKESPEARE: AS YOU LIKE IT

We all know Shakespeare’s great speech in the play, “As You Like It”.

All the worlds a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewing and puking in the nurse’s arms.

And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel,
And shining morning face, creeping like a snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like a furnace, with a woeful ballad,
Made to his mistress’s eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide
for his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes,
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
In second childishness, and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. (4)

Have you ever been in a play?

Do you see this great big wonderful world that God has given to us as a stage – with so many scenes and settings? Do we try to make each scene we’re in, beautiful?

We’re supposed to stress the environment this weekend? Praise to those who make their gardens beautiful. Curses on those who drop food wrappers or Starbuck coffee cups in parking lots. Praise to those who do practical things to make our waters and air cleaner. Curses on those who dump and waste and ruin the scenes we see, taste and touch every day on the stage of life.

Do you sit in church or on a bench in the mall or at a lacrosse game or at the airport and watch the world go by?

What part are you playing now? Can you laugh at life? Do you like it? This getting older – this losing of our figure and our youth – trouble with our parts – our mind – our memory, how well are we adjusting as the play goes on?

THE READINGS AT MASS

The readings at Mass – present stories and scenes for us the audience to look at our life – to see who we are and where we are.

TODAY’S FIRST READING

Today’s first reading from The Acts of the Apostles is good drama. It presents two groups with two different languages, two different cultures – in the Early Church - who were often in conflict. Today’s reading also presents a problem that needs to be solved. Then we have a list of names – great for lots of parts if this was presented as a play. Then we hear the solution - the story about the beginning of the diaconate in our Church.

TODAY’S SECOND READING

Today’s second reading from The First Letter of Peter spells out loudly and clearly that every person in the play of life is important. All of us have been chosen. All of us top to bottom are royalty. All of us have been called. All of us are priests. Christ is the cornerstone – the living stone. All of us are make up the house of God. We are like the stones that make up a church. Do we feel like we’re part of the church – seeing the importance of each stone being connected to each stone? Do we ever feel like we’re missing – like we’re a hole in the wall?

TODAY’S GOSPEL

During this Easter Season, The Gospel of John is featured on the marquee the most. John is poetic, mysterious and hard to figure out at times. Yet at times he grabs us big time. As Shakespeare, the great playwright, put it in Hamlet, “The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” (5)

I remember hearing a lecture (6) by Dr. Henri Peyre, Sterling Professor of French Literature at Yale, who said that Shakespeare was the most pessimist writer ever. I wondered about that - not knowing enough about Shakespeare – but the speech about the Seven Ages of Life in "As You Like It" is rather pessimistic. He certainly sees life ending there with lots of “sans” – meaning "without".

So I don’t know whether one can make that case about Shakespeare – but I think the Gospel of John presents the case for great optimism about life. Even though Jesus died on the cross with horrible "withouts" – we hear about the great Eight Stage of life: Resurrection and new life.

In today’s gospel he presents two characters whose job it is to raise questions, so Jesus the lead – can tell us great answers.

Thomas plays the part of the doubter here as well as later. (7) Jesus tells us he is leaving to prepare a dwelling place in the Father’s House for us. And Thomas says, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” It gives Jesus the chance to give us the great words, the great line, in life’s play, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Then Jesus adds, “No one comes to the Father except through me, then you will also know the Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip speaks up next with a question we the audience might have, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Philip’s part in the New Testament is the one who is there at the right moment to take care of strategic and specific needs – like when there was no food to feed the crowd and what do we do now? (8)

And Jesus says to Philip, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me. Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

Great theology is presented in today’s gospel, in today’s play of words.

CONCLUSION: 10 QUICK QUESTIONS

How long a sermon takes, depends on which side of the sermon you’re on.

10 quick questions:

1) What parts or roles am I playing on the stage of my life right now?
2) Do I like the play of my life?
3) Am I listening to other’s lines?
4) Do I clap for others? (9)5) Am I cutting anyone out of the play?
6) Do I give others a chance to star?
7) Am I called to move into a new part?
8) Is Jesus part of the play of my life?
9) How is the play going to end for me?
10) Or do I see the play of my life never ending - that it goes on forever?

+

(1) “Pilate’s Daughter,” written by Father Francis L. Kenzel, C.SS.R. – a Passion Play that ran at Mission Church in Boston from 1902 till the 1960’s.

(2) "The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski,” 1983, a TV movie based on a story by Jean Shepherd.

(3) “Easy Come, Easy Go,” written by Owen Davis, 1926.

(4) William Shakespeare, “As You Like It,” Act II, vii, 139

(5) William Shakespeare, “Hamlet,” Act II, ii, 641

(6) Dr. Henri Peyre (1901-1988) gave the speech at the Cooper Union Forum in 1963. It was entitled, "Existentialism and French Literature." He not only called Shakespeare the most pessimistic writer ever - but also "the most unchristian writer who has ever lived." These are rather dramatic statements - that I could not make. Those who read this - are challenged by the speaker - as I was.

(7) Cf. John 20:24-29

(8) Cf. John 6:7 - as well as John 1:43-51; 12:21-22; and Acts 8:4-40.

9) I like this quote: “Marriage should be duet — when one sings, the other claps.” Joe Murray, Cox News Service

VOICES?
DOES ANYONE HEAR YOU?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Voices? Does Anyone Hear You?”

I read today’s readings, said a few prayers and did a little wondering: my usual way of preparing for a homily.

What do the readings say? What do people need? What’s going on?

All three readings talk about sheep and shepherds – and today is called, “Good Shepherd Sunday.”

We’re supposed to push vocations this weekend – at the Masses.

Is there anyone here interested in being a shepherd? Would you ask your son or daughter if they have ever given any thought about being a Sister or a Brother or a Priest? It would mean giving one’s life for others – like parents and teachers and so many others do – but in this case not being married – not having kids?

We might have heard last week on the news about the Navy Seal – Michael Monsoor, 25, from Garden Grove, California. His mom and dad – received the Medal of Honor for their son from the president of the United States. President Bush – everyone - was crying. Michael Monsoor was on a roof in Ramadi – west of Baghdad. He was hit by a grenade that came out of nowhere. It bounced off him to the ground. The reports said he could have escaped. He had a moment to make a decision. He fell on that grenade and saved the lives of 2 other Seals and some Iraqi troops who were on a mission together. They could not have escaped.

Would any one of us do that? Was that question tossed like a grenade to some kids in a religion class years and years ago and this young man heard the question?

Did he hear in class or church the words, “Greater love than this no one has, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Did he hear someone voice those words of Jesus and they came back to him that moment? (Cf. John 15:13.)

Was it part of his training – and he heard the message?

Does anyone hear what others say?

I read the readings again. This second time I noticed the word “voice” in both the first reading and the gospel. In the first reading Peter stood up, raised his voice, and proclaimed Jesus. And in today’s gospel, Jesus talks about the sheep knowing the shepherd’s voice.

With that I began thinking about voices.

Do we hear the Shepherd’s voice? Do we know the Shepherd’s voice?

You know how we get a phone call and we immediately know who the person is without even looking at the number if it’s on the phone – or we hear the voice and we say, “I know this voice.”

Do we know Jesus’ voice and does he know our voice?

I began thinking along those lines.

Voices – listening – hearing.

POPE BENEDICT

Then while checking out the story about Michael Monsoor, I noticed on the Internet last night – quite by chance – a headline – something about Pope Benedict coming to the United States. It was a series of interviews with the headline: “In 5 cities, Roman Catholics were recently asked about what they would like to hear from Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the United States.”

It was done by The New York Times and the different people interviewed have their picture there – their age – and where they live: Chicago, Tucson, Boston, Washington DC, Daly City, California.

The folks they interviewed were from across the board – age, ethnic background, male, female, this, that – but all Catholics.

The New York Times listened to the voices of all these people – taped them. They took the time to give a whole range of thoughts and opinions, suggestions and hopes to anyone who wants to listen to them.

If you want to listen to them, type in Google, “Catholic Voices, Catholic Views – The New York Times, April 13, 2008.” I don’t know how to connect this to my blog – where I put my Sunday sermons each week – but this should lead you to their site. [To get into my blog, just go to the St. Mary’s Annapolis web site and go from there. ]

Listen to what folks are saying. Hear their voices.

As I listened to them, I began to think, “What are the hopes and needs of the people here in this parish and this area?”

Does anyone hear your voice?

Does anyone hear the voices of those who are Catholic and don’t come to Mass any more?

If you were interviewed, what would you say? What issues hit you? What would you want the Pope to address while he is here this week in the United States? In Washington? At the United Nations?

I jotted down 10 pages of comments by these folks in The New York Times interviews.

Folks would like the pope to address the War. Young people. The priest abuse horror. Immigrants. The timelessness of Catholicism. Change. Don’t change. Not cutting out those who are gay. The importance of tradition. Latin. Joy. Hope. Peace. Jesus.

They talked about our churches being welcoming churches – filled with hospitality. Women priests. Married priests. Helping the homeless. Human rights. Closing churches. Lapsed Catholics. Being more inclusive. Reinforcing faith. Gangs. Violence. Catholic schools. Money. The environment. Thinking globally.

Some compared Benedict with John Paul II – and their differences.

I WONDER WHAT HE’LL SAY

I wonder what the Pope will say. Does he sit down and ask for opinions and suggestions? What voices does he listen to? Does anyone listen to him? I don’t mean public speeches or writings or pronouncements. I mean gut stuff. Who listens to him? Whom does he listen to?

I wonder what would it be like for him to come over here to the United States or any country and just listen: no speeches – no pronouncements – just listen to us – just listen to the voices of our world.

Does anyone do that? Did Jesus do that?

LISTENING TO ONESELF

To be practical, I think the first step is to listen to oneself. What are my voices? Joys? Sorrows? Complaints? Concerns? Hopes? Fears? Needs? Struggles? What do I want from life? From my Church?

I remember hearing a nun, Sister Maureen McCann, a Mercy Sister from Dallas, Pennsylvania, once talk about the importance of listening to oneself. She said we’re like a radio – with all these stations. She said pick one station. Get it exact. Then turn up the volume. Listen carefully to what you are talking about inside your radio studio today – right now.

Maybe some of you are saying, “Shut up already. You’re repeating yourself. All you priests are repeating yourself.” Maybe some of you are saying, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Maybe some of you are talking to yourself about your mom who is in a nursing home – and you feel guilty – you’re so far away – and your sister is stuck with all the caring and the visiting. Maybe you’re talking to yourself about one of your kids. You’re worried about her. Whatever it is, jot it down. Clarify it. Face the music. Listen to yourself.

TALKING AND LISTENING TO EACH OTHER

Next articulate your inner voices with the key people in your life.

After breaking the ice, listen to those whom you should be talking and listening to. Hear their voices – what they are joyful and sorrowful about. Listen!

Here’s a poem by Vickie Erikson. I noticed it in a magazine in the 1970’s – and I’ve read it over and over and over again – because it reminds as priest to shut up and listen to others. I don't know if it has a title or if this is just an excerpt.

Sacrificed on the altar of human unconcern,
lie many spoken words
and fragments of the mind.
So loud the world, so soft am I,
small are the impressions
made in this vastness.

Yet,
How wonderful these people,

To be unknown, and know so many,
only so much to give – yet so
much is untaken.

Who shall see my tears
in the pouring rain?
Who shall hear my sigh
in the thunder?

CONCLUSION

Back to the gospel for today. Talk to and listen to Jesus. He says very powerfully, “I am the gate.” Picture a sheep pen. Picture the Gate. Picture the Shepherd. See Jesus as Gate. See Jesus as your shepherd – who is leading you through life. Make today’s Psalm – Psalm 23 – "The Lord is My Shepherd"- your psalm – because you know his voice. He’ll lead you to green pastures. He’ll lead to restful waters. He’ll guide you through dark valleys. He spreads this table before you every Sunday – and he’ll help your legacy to be: “Only goodness and kindness will follow you all the days of your life.” Amen.

VOCATION SUNDAY

This Sunday - the 4th Sunday of Easter - we’re to promote, “Vocations!”

To prepare for this Sunday, last week I pushed vocations for religious life as a Sister or a Nun. I put in this blog a couple of short pieces on “Sisters” etc.

This week I’m putting in a few pieces about the priesthood – especially the Redemptorists.

In other weeks I’ll push the vocation of marriage, writer, Peace Corps, teacher, public service, etc. etc. etc.

This week think priesthood.

There is a shortage of priests in many dioceses.

Think giving one’s life as a priest!

And while you’re at it, think Redemptorist. We’re mostly priests, but we have brothers as well. We have 5,500 members and we're in 77 countries around the world. Check our websites.

Here in the United States, if you’re smart, quick, good looking, talented, brilliant, a good athlete, love God, want to serve, want to live in community, are male, are willing to serve in the Caribbean, in the Southeast or the Northeast of the United States, as a priest or a brother, please contact our Redemptorist web site: The Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province.

If you live in the mid-west or western part of the United States check out The Redemptorists - Denver Province website. You don’t have to be as sharp and as good looking as the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province to join them.

Just kidding. And that’s another quality: you have to have a sense of humor.

To be human - is to have a sense of humor. It's part of humility and honesty, etc. You need to be able to laugh at yourself and life - and religion - everything.

To be human - to be normal, is to want to be married to a wonderful spouse, to have a family, to see your grandkids.

To be crazy - is to choose celibacy.

Jesus didn't say it that way, but check out Matthew 19:12. Woooo!

And I’ve often said rather bluntly, “If you can hack celibacy, this is a great way to do life.”

I joined the Redemptorists because we live and work as a Community.

I joined the Redemptorists to become a priest and serve in Brazil. Never got assigned there. Others thought otherwise. Instead, my first assignment was to be a parish priest at Most Holy Redeemer Parish. It was in the East Village on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, N.Y. during the Hippie Revolution (1967-1969).

Besides our vows of poverty and chastity, we have a vow of obedience. You can state your preferences, but doing the mission of our Congregation in the world is primary – so that’s one more way to die to self.


It’s a long formation process – and in time – folks know and you know what you’re good at – where you have to be challenged – and the variety of ministry assignments in so many different places is a great plus.



Today there is a lot more personal input in assignments than when I took my first vows in 1960 at the age of 20.


It’s been a great trip so far: parish priest, retreat house work, road preaching, teaching and training future Redemptorists, and right now parish priest again. I’ve been stationed in Pennsylvania, New York, Washington DC, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Maryland, so far.

It's been a great life. I have met so many people and families that I feel part of - and gradually learned why a priest is called "Father!" (Cf. Mark 10:28-30; Matthew 19:10 to 20:28; Luke 18: 28-30).

More!

Andy Costello, CSSR

April 11, 2008

A REDEMPTORIST


A Redemptorist,
still deciding to proclaim
with his life, “Jesus still walks the beach
and calls people to, ‘Come follow me!’”

A Redemptorist,
still deciding to proclaim
with his life, “I am a member
of every family. I am your brother.”

A Redemptorist,
still deciding to proclaim
with his life, “God is! God listens!
I am here as one who listens.”

A Redemptorist,
still deciding to proclaim
with his life, “All of us down deep
are hungry and thirsty for Copious Redemption”

A Redemptorist,
still deciding to proclaim
with his life, “God is daily bread
and a banquet, here and hereafter. Amen!”

© Andy Costello,

Reflections, 2008

THE DEATH OF A PRIEST

Weary, weak, worn out, tired.
He lived a good long life….
Lots of words spoken,
lots of sins buried within him,
lots of people helped,
lots of people visited,
lots of Christ moments....
It was his turn to die.
Phone calls to distant cities,
telling people he died.
Tears and prayers
from friends who leaned on him.
It was a celebration,
because even though he
didn’t have kids,
he was a father.*

* Matthew 23:9

© Andy Costello,
Reflections, 2008

PRIESTS’ PRAYER

Lord,
we stand so often
at your altar praying
for others:
for the sick and the suffering,
for those about to begin a marriage,
for those about to buried in the grave.

Yet, Lord,
when do we really stop
to pray for each other,
for all our brother priests
all around the world?

So Lord,
in this moment of prayer,
in this moment of quiet peace,
we pray for all your priests:
the young, the old
and all those in between.

We pray for those
who feel the burden
of expectations that are too high
or morale that is too low.
We pray that all priests will be
what our titles call us to be:
preacher, prophet, man of prayer,
bridge, father, a servant
who dares to care.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus!

© Andy Costello,

Reflections, 2008

VOCATION PRAYER

Christ,
carpenter, fisherman, farmer,
carve me, catch me, plant me,
so I can also be:
carpenter, fisherman, planter.
Amen!

© Andy Costello,
Reflections, 2008,

Painting by Rembrandt

(1606-1669)