Saturday, August 6, 2016

August 6, 2016

DISFIGURATION

August 6th - up till 1945 was
the Feast of the Transfiguration.
Then that day, August 6, became
the Day of Disfiguration
when  a B-29, the Enola Gay,
dropped an A-Bomb on Hiroshima.
You’d think that would be the end
of that. No! 3 days later down came
#2 on Nagasaki. Let’s hope two
strikes and you’re out of bombs.





© Andy Costello, Reflections 2016

Friday, August 5, 2016

August 5, 2016

NOW, WHO ARE YOU?

I read your T-shirt.
I saw the inside of your car.
I noticed how you eat.
I saw some of what I said
that might have triggered
your fingers to do a little
drum roll on the table -
as well as a scratch
with your right hand
on your left hand.
I looked into your eyes
when I asked the big question.
Now, tell me, "Who are you?"

                                                     © Andy Costello, Reflections 2016

Thursday, August 4, 2016

August 4, 2016


SUMMER  RAIN

Just a summer rain -
heavy at times - then moving
on to the next county - rain -
a nice sound on our roof
when I’m not worried about
it ruining or postponing
an outdoor gathering  or game -
just rain - same sweet sound -
like a train in the distance on
a summer night - just sweet
summer rain that makes the
corn grow higher - tomatoes
and potatoes and flowers
keep growing - knowing I
don’t have to water the
garden in the morning.
Thank You God. Thank You.



                                                                                          © Andy Costello, Reflections 2016




Wednesday, August 3, 2016

August 3, 2016

OTHERS

Someone was here
and it wasn’t me.

Foot prints, finger prints,
someone left the milk out.

We have to learn to be calm
and deal with others as is.

Not easy - but I hope others
put up with a character called me.


© Andy Costello, Reflections 2016

Tuesday, August 2, 2016


HEALING


INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 18th Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, “Healing!”

Today’s first reading from Jeremiah 30 begins with the theme of a running sore  - an incurable wound. 

Today’s gospel from Matthew 14 ends with the message of healing. “”People  brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel of his cloak, and many as touched it were healed.”

CUTS, BRUISES AND WOUNDS

All of us with skin have had our cuts - down through the years.

I recently mentioned in a homily about a “boo boo” - that a little grandnephew spotted on my hand across a crowded room.

He saw the band aid. And it wasn’t a kids’ band aid.

I have a cut on my forehead for about two months now - and it’s not healing. The skin doctor took a biopsy of it the other day - and I’ll find out this week what it is. I have Irish skin and my brother died of melanoma - so I’m aware of skin - sunburnt skin as a kid - with the blisters on the shoulders - and skin problems in my old age. The wrapping starts coming off the package at times - or gets ripped in shipping.

I remember hearing that the easiest doctor job was that of being a dermatologist - “If the skin is dry - moisturize it; if the skin is oily, dry it.”

Times have changed - or I was never in a dermatologist office way  back when. Now they have busy schedules - dealing with acne, cancer, basal cell carcinoma - tattoo removal, warts and all.

Then there are folks with diabetes with wounds that won’t heal - and wound centers keep trying to help folks heal.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUNDS

So folks know physical wounds - everyone of us gets cut - in the kitchen and while sealing an envelope. I hate paper cuts - especially on the tongue. “Oooooooh!”  “Ouch!”

And we all also  know of inner wounds - words that cut us, memories that won’t go away from abuse, from abandonment.

Sometimes forgiveness doesn’t happen when it comes to forgiving self or forgiving others….

Sometimes communication doesn't happen or it doesn't work.

So we all have battle wounds.

TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s first reading can be helpful and hopefully move us towards healing.

After using the word “incurable” - Jeremiah has the Lord promising healing. First he says that pain and guilt, cries and wounds, can come from our sins - our choices - our actions.

Then he speaks about coming back to the Lord - approaching the Lord.

Happiness and laughter can come back as well.

Tents and cities can be restored.

Healing can happen….  Sometimes slowly…. In God’s good time. First the scab….  Then the skin….  Sometimes the scar….

I would suspect that the skin of the soul has lots of scars - hopefully hard scars - that have occurred where there seemed to be incurable wounds.

Today’s gospel can be heard as dealing with the storms at sea and the storms of life.  

Life is like a trip across the lake.  We’re on  shore. Then it’s time to get into the boat - pull up the anchor - pull in the ropes  - and who knows what might happen till we get to the other side of life?

Life, from birth to death, can be quite a trip. Sometimes we are just cruising along or just fishing or sailing and a storm hits us.

Life can be the shore - SHORE - and sure - SURE. And life on the water can become unsure - UNSURE. Sometimes the water is calm; sometimes it’s classic strong.

RELATIONSHIPS

Much of life takes place in our relationships.

Relationships are where we get cut, burnt, wounded, many a time.

Both readings bring out a key dynamic in any relationship. Sometimes there is clear sailing and sometimes there are storms.

Life can be smooth - sometimes choppy - sometimes stormy.

I love the saying: "In a storm, pray for land - but start rowing."

I always love to use the saying: “Pray for potatoes - but pick up a shovel.”

Pray for healing - but go to the doctor.

Pray for healing - but put Vaseline on the cut.

Pray for healing of memories - but talk to someone about what’s going on.

Pray for healing - but reach out to touch the tassel of Jesus’ cloak.

Pray for safety, but  invite Jesus aboard or start walking and swimming towards him - on the water - even if you start to sink.

Then sink or swim.

Sometimes if we open up our eyes we’ll see God coming across the waters to save us. When we feel our life is one big stormy ride, we might have to get out of our comfort zone, our boat, and walk on the waters towards God.

Sometimes God comes to us - will walk on water to reach us - especially in the storms of life; sometimes we have to take the chance to walk on water to reach out to him.

Healing happens - with time - prayer - and action on our part.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily was, “Healing.”

Take the IN away from the IN curable.


August 2, 2016


DIFFERENCES 
AND DISTANCES 

It takes time to bridge our
differences and distances …
slowly - your side, my side -
then the reaching out - the
work - so, so difficult at times -
but it’s not for us alone - but
for those who will benefit
because we have met half way -
but that will be long forgotten
as others travel across us into
unknown nexts  - slowly building
a future in which they don’t know 
yet what it will take. They too will
have their own work to do - to bridge 
their differences and distances



© Andy Costello, Reflections 2016

Monday, August 1, 2016

August 1, 2016


WHY THIS PLACE? 

I stopped here to wonder
why on earth you created
this particular place, O God?
Why these dark shadows?
Why these hard bark trees?
Why the light on these leaves?
Was it like this yesterday morning
at this exact moment? Would you
know the answer to that question
or are you hiding deep in the
dark caves in the undergrowth
wondering about children in China
or an old lady crying with dementia
in a poorly funded county home,
or rocks erupting lava on some
planet in some galaxy that nobody
will know exists till 21,016?


© Andy Costello, Reflections 2016