PRICELESS

February 6, 2010

Quote of the Day:

“For many years I was self-appointed inspector of snowstorms and rainstorms, and did my duty faithfully, though I never received a cent for it.”

Henry David Thoreau [1817-1862], Journal, February 22, 1845-1847

Try it:

Get a pen or magic markers and sit still somewhere and draw what you're seeing.

Have you ever sat down and drawn with a kid and compared drawings?

Draw something and put your masterpiece on your refrigerator door.

GEESE

They have no weather channel,

no warnings that a gigantic front
of snow is heading towards them.
It’s almost here. It’s now here – 
and all they can do is land 
somewhere and tough it out.
And we with our roofs and radiators,
food and fireplace, can wait it out –
unless we too have to wander out –
to get something in some store.
"Oops we forgot the _______"
and we slip-slide in the snow -
and we worry about black ice
underneath our feet – or cars or
those big SUVs heading at us.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could simply
fly to the store and back – but come
to think about it, we’re not geese?

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2010

GOD LAUGHS! 

GOD LASTS! 

IF WE LAUGH, 

WE LAST!

Quote of the Day:  February 5,  2010

“We think. God laughs.”

Jewish Proverb

PRAYER

Quote of the Day:  February 4,  2010

“Prayer should be the key of the morning and the lock of the night.”

Owen Felltham, Resolves, c. 1620

Jesus Christ! 

Who do you say he is?

Quote of the Day:  February 3, 2010

“Rationalists renounce reason in their attempt to solve the problem of Christ. Either Christ was God or He was mad. The rationalist will not accept the former alternative, he dare not suggest the latter.”

Arnold Lunn [1888-1974], Now I See

Image of Christ at top is a ikon painted on an old piece of wood. My niece Claire and her husband Christian gave it to me as a gift for being the priest at their wedding. They bought it in Spain. It hangs on the wall in front of me - and I look at this image of Christ before putting together a homily or this or that. Is that rational? Is Christ alive? Is Christ both human and divine? Credo ....

NUNC DIMITTIS

Now, Lord, you can let
your servant depart in peace
according to your word,
because my eyes have seen
the One you prepared to bring
salvation to the face of all the people:
a light of revelation for the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
- [Luke 2:29-32]
INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Nunc Dimittis.”

As you know, those are Latin words for, “Now you can dismiss…”

It’s the prayer of Simeon and can be said as a night prayer.

It’s a prayer that can be used for both a night prayer and a life prayer.

It’s in the Gospel text used for today: the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple.

As I look at my day, as I look at my life, have I done what I want to do? Am I seeing my dreams come true?

Now that’s a good question!

What makes a good day for me? What makes a good life for me?

THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

Luke tells us that Simeon’s goal in life was to see the consolation of Israel. His prayer says he was looking for the salvation of Israel. Luke is telling us that he is hoping both Gentile and Israel will see the light.

I stopped at the word “consolation” and looked up which Greek word did Luke use in his text that is translated “consolation”. The brief research was very rewarding. Luke uses the Greek word “paraklesis” which can be translated with words such as, "consolation", "comfort", but also "encouragement" and "the call", and "the begging". It’s also the word used for a description of the Holy Spirit – as the Paraclete. The Holy Spirit is consolation, comfort, encouragement, challenge, call, begging us to live life to the full.

Simeon wanted the Messianic salvation – the Messianic Peace – which is that all be right – that the Peaceable Kingdom come.

What are your dreams for this planet? For this world? For this country? For this town? For this parish? For your neighborhood? For your family?

There’s rich theology here: everyone wants peace in the world. Everyone wants Haiti restored. Everyone wants every family to have great family life.

I dream that Haiti gets reforested and restored – and becomes the paradise it can be – along with education, an end to poverty, etc. etc. etc. Will I die before this happens?

We all have these dreams for our family and our world. When we see them happening, we have a glimpse of what Simeon saw – when he saw Jesus.

There’s rich, rich theology here. Luke is using words and images that connect the listener with Isaiah 40 to 56 – which gives the great Messianic dream for Israel.

We have a glimpse of what this is about with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. He hopes to see some of that dream take place in his lifetime. This is Black History Month – and I thought that would be good to mention. When Barack Obama was elected president I cried tears of joy when I heard many elderly Americans being interviewed on television and saying their Nunc Dimittis – knowing that America has come a long way with Michelle and Barack and their two daughters - Malia Ann and Natasha (Sasha) - heading for the White House.

When parents and grandparents see their kids married and with kids, when parents and grandparents see their kids going to church, when parents and grandparents see their kids marriages and families going well, they sing their own Nunc Dimittis.

When all of us see an end to AIDS and Abortion, an end to poverty and ecological messes, an end to name calling and personal attack, an end to terrorism and the enormous cost that is putting on budgets, and the arrival of the Kingdom, then we sing our inner Nunc Dimittis.

CONCLUSION

I would think two good steps would be: articulate our vision and hope for our life as then we get practical and see ways we can make something happen this day to make that dream come true, then each night we can pray our Nunc Dimittis.

Isn’t that why we present ourselves in this temple each morning – so that by nightfall, we’ve done something to better this world today?

Amen!

Painting on top is the "Presentation at the Temple," c. 1460, by Andrea Mantegna [1431-1506]. It's tempera on wood and can be found in the Staatliche Museum in Berlin. The woman on the edge on one's left might be a portrait of Andrea's wife, Nicoloisa Bellini. The man on the right side of the picture might be a self-portriait by Andrea Mantegna. To enlarge the picture and study the faces up closer, tap tap your mouse.

CANDLEMAS  DAY

Quote for Candlemas Day: - February 2,  2010

"If Candlemas day be sunny and bright,

Winter again will show its might
If Candlemas Day be cloudy and grey,
winter soon will pass away."

Or another variation:

"If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
winter will have another flight.
If Candlemas Day be shower and rain,
winter is gone and will not come again."

Or a Scottish Variation:

"If Candlemas Day be dry and fair,

Half the winter's to come and mair.

If Candlemas Day be wet and foul,

Half o'winter's gane at Yule."

["mair" means "more"; Yule means "Christmas"]

[Harry Thompson, our musician here at St. Mary's Annapolis, told me about these Candlemas Day poems. I looked them up and found these poems as well as this being a "Scottish Quarter Day" - i.e., the day rents (farms etc.) were paid. So today is not just a feast day people when people went to Mass -notice the word for "Mass" at the end of "Candlemas" - but it's also a "tax" day, as well as a day for poems and superstitions. Some see Groundhog Day in these traditions. Hey it's a long winter!]