THE UNEVEN 

CURVES 

OF LIFE 

June 30, 2012  Quote for Today

"In nature there are few sharp lines."

A. R. Ammons, [1926-2001] Corson's Inlet [1972], line 31

WORDS 

AS ARROWS

June 29, 2012  Quote for Today

THE ARROW AND THE SONG

I shot an arrow into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For, so swiftly it flew, the sight

Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

For who has sight so keen and strong,

That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak

I found the arrow, still unbroke;

And the song, from beginning to end,

I found again in the heart of a friend.

Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [1807-1882]

NOISE  MAKERS

June 28,  2012   Quote for Today

"All loud speakers are not necessarily hooked up."


Someone

Questions:

Do you speak louder when you're really not that sure of what you're pushing?

Do empty barrels make the most noise?

Is there more power in whispers or one to one conversations at the coffee break or the lobby - compared to the podium or the big table?

THE CHURCH 

IS MADE UP 

OF PEOPLE

June 27,  2012   Quote for Today

THE VOICE OF GOD

I sought to hear the voice of God,

And climbed the topmost steeple.

But God declared: "Go down again,

I dwell among the people."

Quote: Louis I. Newman

Top Picture: Steeple of St. Mary's Church

Bottom Picture: St. Mary's Parishioners at St. John Newman's Church.

HOW MANY PEARLS 

DO YOU HAVE?

INTRODUCTION

The title for my homily for this 12th Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, "How Many Pearls Do You Have?"

In today’s gospel,  Mathew mentions pearls - and not throwing them to the pigs.  In a  few chapters later - Matthew 13:46 - he’ll talk about a pearl merchant - looking and searching for the pearl of great price. Those are only 2 places in the gospels that we find mention of pearls. The Book of Revelation mentions pearls once - Revelation 21:21 - where we hear of the pearly gates. We’ll have to die to find out if they are pearly or golden. That’s it for the New Testament with regards pearls.

The title of my homily is, “How Many Pearls Do You Have?”

Not being a woman - not being married - I don’t know a thing about pearls - other than I don’t see them worn by women in t-shirts and jeans. I could be wrong about that - you tell me. And I understand there are real pearls and fake pearls - and I don’t know if women and jewelers can tell the difference. In this homily I’m talking about the expensive ones - the real ones.

TWO QUESTIONS FOR THIS HOMILY

My two question for this homily would be: 1)  What would be your pearls? 2) How many do you have? Perhaps better: Name them. List them. Figure them out.

FOR EXAMPLE

For example in the Sermon on the Mount we have a whole list of Jesus’ Pearls of Wisdom. Some of them I assume you already own. You wear them. You use them. Without knowing it, you flaunt them because you put them into practice.

For example, in today’s gospel we heard Jesus’ famous rendition of the Golden Rule:  "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.  Some people own that text. Some people try to live that. I know when I visit my sister Mary, there is always veal Parmesan. I’ve heard her from time to time name the favorite meal of each her own family - including sons-in-law. She likes weird stuff - veggie diet stuff. Ugh!  In confession, if a father says he yelled at his kids or was neglecting them, I’ll sometimes say, “For a penance and for a joy, choose one of your kids and do something for that kid that he or she loves to do with you so that you will make their day.”

So a scripture text could be one of your pearls - or a saying on your kitchen wall. By pearl of wisdom, I mean something you look to and put into practice. It’s you! You own it.

Or it could be a spouse or a grandchild or a memory of your mom - a gift you picked up from her - that without knowing - she gave to you - and you picked it up. You live by it. As a result, it has made this world a better place because of your mom - and/or whom she picked it up from, etc. etc. etc.

It could be the Mass. You’re here.  Better it could be Christ - at this Sacred Meal called, “The Mass.” It could be Christ who is with you then while you're driving or while you're praying in the Eucharistic Chapel. It could be Christ whom you're with in visiting the sick or volunteering at the Light House or during St. Vincent de Paul work or in your own little service of others systems. I don’t know how many times I’ve experienced Jesus in nursing homes or while sitting with someone in trouble. I keep hearing Paul’s words of wisdom: "You are the body of Christ - member for member" - or Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: "I was sick or in prison and you visited me...."

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “How Many Pearls Do You Have?” 

Have you ever said to a woman wearing pearls, "Pearls are you!” [1]

Have you ever said to yourself, “This is me! I have to do this. I have to help this person or be there for this person.” 

Or it could be your garden or playing cards or a cocktail or a lunch or a call on the phone with a friend or a brother or sister.

In other words, what makes you, you - even when you’re in a t-shirt and jeans?  These are your narrow gates that you have discovered, entered, and they have lead you to life - a much more expensive and elegant life.

NOTE

[1] Oooops! What about guys with pearl handled pistols?

KINDNESS

June 26, 2012  Quote for Today


"Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on.

JHenry Burton [ 1840-1930], Pass It On, Stanza 1

I KNOW WHY 

YOU DID THAT!

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 12 Monday in Ordinary Time is, “I Know Why You Did That!”

I once heard Father Pat Lynch - when he was stationed here at St. Mary’s Parish - give a homily - and he took his hand - and walked two fingers across the front edge of the pulpit - paused and then said with his great smile, “Nobody ever saw a motive walk down the street!”

I don’t remember what his homily was about - but I have never forgotten that simple message - and I remember it at times - not always - when I find myself judging another person’s motive.

TODAY’S GOSPEL

And I usually remember that simple example and message whenever I read today’s gospel. And I probably use that example whenever I have to say a few words about today’s gospel.

Good. It’s a good example. It reminds us to do what Jesus says here in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus tells us to: STOP JUDGING!

Jesus tells us that we nit pick on others - spotting the splinters in our sister or our brother’s eye - but we don’t spot the wooden beams in our own eye.

It’s like spotting a tiny piece of white flaky dandruff on the shoulder of a blue suit or dress and we don’t see the gossip stains splashed all over our own soul.

In other words, “Let him or her without splinters cast the first judgment and comment.”

IT’S A BUMMER!

Jesus also tells us in today’s gospel  to change our measuring stick - our ruler - because it can both rule and ruin a meal or a relationship or life for us.

Let me explain one of my human learnings or life lessons. 

I know someone who has a great musical ear and great musical talents. When he hears someone sing or play the piano - he’s hearing that music differently than I hear it. I don’t have an ear - in fact, I was in the Tin Ear Club all through my years in the seminary. I hear music with unmarked rulers or measuring sticks or scores. I’m happy if someone can simply stand up there and sing or play the guitar or the piano. Amazing! He hears it with his measuring sticks - and if it’s off pitch a half note or a quarter note - if there is such a thing - or off tune or flat, it irritates him. I laugh, because that’s what you get when you get a great musical ear or any talent.

I once took a workshop when I lived in Wisconsin on Religious Art by a Sister Monica - who was an artist. She showed us slides of good religious art and horrible religious art. As a result I look at religious art differently and appreciate art better - but it ruined some holy cards and magazine and book covers with religious art for me. I have to be careful that I don’t poo poo someone’s art work - or become snooty.

So we have our measuring rulers on what makes a great work of art or song - as well as a hamburger, veal parmesan, movie, marriage, spouse, child, neighbor, priest, sermon, conversation, morning, afternoon, evening, fire works, wine, whiskey, beer, sunset, and sometimes we don’t enjoy any of the above because we’re comparing moments and people with other moments and people and situations.  If we have a high bar, we might not enjoy the cocktail. Comparisons can crush and crunch and quench the spirit.

CONCLUSION

In the meanwhile, take long walks and listen to music. But don't walk or listen with your rulers or your motives or your wooden beams. Listen or walk with open, clean, clear eyes - and enjoy the delights God is presenting us with today. Amen.