WILL MY NAME BE 

ON A CARD 

ON THE TABLE? 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, is, “Will My Name Be On A Card On The Table?”

Have you ever been at a wedding banquet and you see the table that has the cards with the names and the table of those who have been invited and replied, “I’ll be there!” and you can’t find a card with your name on it?

I do a lot of weddings and I often can’t give a “Yes” or a “No” whether I can come to the wedding banquet.  The weekend schedule - with confessions and Masses can be tricky. I like  to do the prayer before the meal - after the father of the bride’s speech -  if I can - and then escape - often because I got to get a homily written for the morning - like this one. 

I was at a wedding banquet last night - and didn’t escape till 9:30. Yet it was a great meal and I had some good conversations.

But what I want to focus on in this homily is that table. I see that table with the names and tables for the guests at every wedding  and sometimes I see people with an “Uh oh!” look on their face. There doesn’t seem to be a card for them.

TODAY’S GOSPEL

Well, when I read today’s gospel - Luke 13: 22-30 - I get that “Uh oh” feeling.

When I die, when I get to heaven, please God, will there be a table there outside the giant wedding banquet hall, and will my name be on a card - with the table I have a place at?

When we start moving towards the end of the gospels, we start to have these end time readings - and they often have “Uh oh!” feelings.

Today’s gospel has that theme and it’s only the 13^th Chapter of Luke. 

Last night I went through the upcoming Sunday gospels from Luke - till the end of this church year. It seems that many have those “Uh oh!” challenging feelings. They are wake up calls. They are asking if we are using our gifts and if we are aware of others. Luke seems to be saying: the clock is ticking; we’re getting closer to judgment times; take stock; wake up. 

HERE OR HEREAFTER?

People are living a lot longer than 100 years ago - so I suspect that’s why there aren’t as many sermons today about next life stuff - as much as this life stuff.

Yet be reading for this theme that shows up in the our readings - like today. Should we address them on a beautiful Sunday morning?

In today’s gospel we heard the bold question someone asks Jesus as he’s making his way to Jerusalem, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”

I don't know about you. I know about me. That question gets me to make the jump and ask the deepest question: “Will I be saved?”

As you know people call for a priest when they are starting to get to their Jerusalem - to what they or their family think might be  the end of their journey.

In today’s gospel as Jesus is heading for his Jerusalem experience, Jesus tells us to strive to go through the narrow gate. He says many will come to the gate - to the door - and it will be locked - and the Lord from inside will say, “I don’t know where you are from. Depart from me you evildoers!”

I’m equating in this sermon that feeling of being locked out -  to the feeling one has standing there - and we can’t find a card with our name and table on it.

That moment outside the big room at a wedding - and not seeing a card with our name on it - seems however, to be much softer than the words Jesus uses in today’s gospel.

We don’t want to die and hear God say, “I don’t know you.” “I don’t know where you are from.” “Depart from me, all you evildoers.”

Next comes the bummer text in today’s gospel: “And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom and you yourself cast out.”

Then Jesus adds, “And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some who are first who will be last.”

That text corresponds to today's first reading from Isaiah 66: 18-21 - where we find a big picture image of who's going to be saved: it's folks from all over the world - not just Israel - coming on horses and chariots, carts, mules and camels, heading towards Jerusalem, God's holy mountain. 

UNDER THE TABLE

I assume that this deepest question, “Will I be saved?” or “Will I make it?” or  “Will I have a place at the table?” or  “Does God / or will God know my name?” is always present - maybe under the table - but that question is there.

When we sing the “When the Saints come marching in” song - don’t we hesitate a tiny bit when we sing the words, “I want to be in their number - when the Saints come marching in”?  Will I?

WHO’S GOT THE LIST WITH THE NAMES? WHO DECIDES?

As just me, these things scare me from time to time?

As priest, these things scare me when people ask me these questions - many times.

I don't know the answer. God does.

And the key question is: "What is God like?"

I’m for the God described by Jesus in Luke 15. That’s my God. 

Not to be over dramatic, I remember a moment when I  said to God in prayer, “God the Father if you’re not like the God Your Son Jesus describes in Luke 15, the hell with you.”

"Ooops," I went, when I said that.  I put my hand to my mouth as if to shut myself up. 

Then I took my hand away and said it again to God: “God if you’re not like the God Jesus describes in Luke 15 - the God in the story of the Shepherd going out after the one lost sheep or the woman searching for the one lost coin or the father waiting for the return of the prodigal son, then after I die, I’m going to go in search of that God - the God our Lord Jesus describes.

But will I have a choice? 

What is God like? 

Is my picture of God the correct picture of God?

MY PICTURE, MY IMAGE OF GOD

Then it hit me. That’s the question. Is my image of God, God?

I have been wrong dozens and dozens of times about others - so I assume that my image and likeness of God, is not God.

My prayer is that God is even more understanding - more loving - than I picture him. I hope he's more  like my dad who was a piece of cake - and we got away with murder - growing up.

However, I'm very aware that the scriptures have tough images of God. Yet they also have tender images of God. Spinach and donuts.

CONCLUSION: TWO REDEMPTORISTS

When reflecting on all this, I think of two very different Redemptorists who preached here at St Mary’s - two priests who were stationed here at St. Mary’s. I’m sure you have your list of priests and others who had a different image of God than you had.

The first Redemptorist was Father Michael Mueller [1825-1899]-  the fourth rector here at St. Mary’s. There is a white plaque dedicated to him in the center vestibule on the way out of this church. Check it out.

From what I read about him - he was a tough man - severe preacher and writer. The books about our history say he wasn’t a great preacher - but he was a well known writer - famous for the very theme of this homily - who’s going to be saved. He was famous for his stress on the text: Outside the church there is no salvation. [1] Only Catholics make it and they better be careful. Other Catholic writers and authorities in his day got him silenced on this issue. It must be noted that it was a different time and Protestant writers were putting us Catholics in hell as well - and that battle has been going on for centuries.

The second Redemptorist was Father Francis X. Seelos [1819-1867] - rector here at St. Mary’s before and after Father Mueller.[2] He was the man with the sense of humor and joy. He was the person people would line up sometimes around the block to go to confession to. We have him on a bench out in our Mary Garden.

Father Michael Mueller is buried down in our cemetery - here on Duke of Gloucester Street. 

Father Seelos is buried down in New Orleans at his shrine. There is the same bench statue of him down there as here - but the one there has bars at the end of the bench. Our's is more inviting - just kidding New Orleans!

The literature says that Mueller was on Seelos’ case for being such a joyful person. [3] I’ve read the literature and obviously I prefer Seelos - especially when I see their faces in the pictures of them. Smile and scowl. Yet I don’t know their souls. I don't know what their fathers  were like - and down deep I don’t know God. But I hope God is more how I have discovered Him. [4]

One of these days I’ll find out. So when I die I’m hoping Father Seelos will be there - sitting outside the wedding banquet hall on a bench - and he says to me, “Andy, sit here while they are looking for your name.”


NOTES:

[1] Cf. The Catholic Dogma: Extra Ecclesiam Nullus Omnia Salvator [188] by Father Michael Mueller, C.SS.R. 

[2] Cf. St. Mary's Church in Annapolis, Maryland, A Sesquicentennial History, 1853-2003, by Robert. L. Worden, pages 116 - as well as 94 - as well as 53-56, etc.

[3] Cf. "The Life of a Roving Redemptorist," by Father John Murray, C.SS.R. http://www.seelos.org/lifeArticle4a.html

[4] Check out this You Tube on Bl. Francis Seelos, C.Ss.R. 

BOTTOM LINE

Quote for Today - August 25, 2013

"The bottom line is in heaven."

Edwin Herbert Land, 1977, Shareholders' Meeting, Polaroid Corporation., April 26, 1977

Comment: I've heard the phrase, "bottom line" - especially in reference to, "The buck stops here!" or "This is where I stand!"  What does it mean in the above quote?  Is it a call to having the deepest values - clear fairness and justice - when it comes to business? I don't know.  At times - not knowing - hearing cryptic statements - can be very helpful. 

AIN'T IT 

THE TRUTH?  

Quote for Today - August 24, 2013

"When we begin to realize the truth about ourselves, it lessens our desire to reform our neighbors."

Anonymous

Question: Name 3 truths about myself - that shuts me up and makes me become quiet?

UH OH! 

YOU DON'T KNOW ME, 

LIKE I KNOW ME! 

Quote for Today  - August 23, 2013

"The more people know of themselves, the less they talk about themselves."

Anonymous

GASSIP

Quote for Today - August 22, 2013

"Gossip: Something that goes in one ear and out the month."

Anonymous

Comment: Check out my blog for July 30, 2013 - where I mention the word "gassip" - a word some other "anonymous" came up with.

Here would be my definition for this new word - which anonymous came up with:   "Gassip: Combustible words coming out of my mouth and burning another person."

CRITICISM

Quote for Today - August 21, 2013

"One of the hardest things to take is one of the easiest things to give - criticism."

Anonymous

EVERY  PERSON  MATTERS

GOSPEL

A reading from the Gospel of  Matthew 12: 9-14.

Jesus left that place and entered their synagogue. 

A man was there with a withered hand. 

They asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?” 

They were looking for something to accuse him of. 

He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you grab hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."  

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand and it was restored, as sound as the other. 

But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Every Person Matters.”

THEME FOR THIS NEW YEAR: 2013-2014

As you know every new school year here at St. Mary's a theme is chosen for that year.

This year the theme is: “Every Person Matters.”

In a recent issue of the parish bulletin, Father John Tizio had the following in a letter to the parish:

“I share the above with you because of our parish theme for the upcoming year; ‘Every Person Matters.’ This theme was the message in the Installation Mass of Pope Francis on the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19th of this year and is the theme of his pontificate. Every person matters. It is the simple reality as the foundation of the church, of our stewardship and of our outreach. That is the root of all of our Catholic social teachings, all of our moral teachings. Pope Francis said the following:

“It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, the one who are often the last we think about. It means caring for one another in our families: husband and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents. It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness. In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts!”

You can find that on our parish web site - and I’m going to put this homily on my blog.  It matters.

I suggest - because everyone of you matters - that you tattoo message: "Every Person Matters" on the inside  side of your forehead -  the side facing your brain - the part only you see.  Ooops! You can't see that. But you see what I mean - I hope!

“Every person matters.”

That would be a good sign for each classroom - and blackboard.

Let's begin practicing that motto as individuals, staff, teachers, workers here at St. Mary’s.

If we really believe that message - we will matter - because everyone will sense our respect for them. The proof will be when we practice what we believe.

GANDHI

A woman once came to Gandhi and asked him to see her son because she thought he was eating too much candy. Gandhi asked her to come back in a month - with the same request. The woman came back in a month and repeated her request. He said, “Let’s go see your son.” He talked to the son and told him what his mom was worried about - health, weight, diet, eating better food. The son listened to Gandhi and cut down on the candy. The mother saw Gandhi a while later and said, “Thanks! It's working!”  but then she asked, “Why didn’t you want to see him right away?” Gandhi answered, “Well, I wanted to see if I could do it myself for a month.” 

It’s a good story. It’s the stuff of legend. I also heard the story of Mohammad - but "Gandhi" and "candy" sound better together.

There are dozens of statements about, “Practicing what we’re preaching.”  We teach 96.7% by who we are and only 3.3% by what we say. [I don't know if that's true but it sounds good to me.]

We all have heard the saying: “Do what I say, not what I do,” We know the reality is that people “Do what we do and not what we say.” We are repeat performances. As Yogi Berra put it: "We are deja vu all over again."

42: THE MOVIE - JACKIE ROBINSON

If you saw the movie "42" this spring or summer - a story about Jackie Robinson, you’ll remember the scene when the Dodgers were in Cincinnati and the fans are screaming the N word at # 42 Jackie Robinson. They are also making all kinds of treats at Pee Wee Reese - who was from next door Kentucky. A young boy is standing there in the stands watching the whole scene. He’s also watching his dad scream the N word etc. at Jackie Robinson etc. and threats at Pee Wee Reese - and then the kid starts yelling the same stuff. And Pee Wee Reese goes over to first base and stands next to Jackie Robinson and they raise their hands up united or show some gesture of solidarity.  And the camera focuses on the kid - what next?

Every person matters.

Who is every person? They are the principal, cleaning crew, kitchen staff, the pain in the butt mother of the kid who is never wrong, - but everyone else is?

Every person matters.

Every person is worthy of respect, a fair hearing, a good name, that there be no snide gossip behind their back, or under cover of the back of one’s hand [Gesture].

Every person matters.

No physical or verbal bullying allowed - kids with kids,
adults with kids, kids with adults, adults with adults.

TODAY’S GOSPEL

I chose today’s gospel - because it summarizes it all. A person is worth more than a dumb sheep - which anyone would rescue if it fell down a pit - on any day of the week - including the Sabbath.

The story also tells us a key reason why they wanted to kill Jesus.

Jesus challenges us to see every person as someone who matters - including "Buckwheat" who walks the streets of Annapolis with black plastic bags picking up garbage in McDonalds and Burger King parking lots - as well as that  tall guy with the caked dirt brownish bluish jeans - and the beard who also walks Annapolis every day - as well as Mr. Speedo - including the traffic ticket givers whom I dislike - especially on Sunday morning - and to be transparent I never got a ticket.

Every person matters.

I picture Jesus standing there watching a crowd watching someone pulling a dumb sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath. Everyone clapped when the sheep was rescued - except the Pharisees and the Law Keepers.

I picture Jesus standing there one day - watching with amazement at a flock of sparrows - flying, diving, making great moves and maneuvers in the sky - better than Blue Angels over Nazareth - and he says, “You know what, people are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows.

ANTHONY DRAGONETTI

I once visited the home of an Italian guy in Trenton New Jersey. I had just given a talk on making a weekend retreat in his parish, St. Joachim’s - and I was sitting in his living room with him and his wife, Philomena.

I noticed a cabinet in the corner - with glass shelves that contained a whole collection of porcelain birds. I asked him, “What’s the story with the birds?” He said, “They’re Boehm birds.”  He got up and opened up the glass cabinet and took one out and handed it to me.

As he is doing that he said he makes them.

“Wow I said, “How much are they?” I figured maybe $45 or 55 dollars.

He says, “That one sells for about $1400.”

I quickly and carefully handed it back to him.

He then told the story that he had a little convenience story that sold newspapers and stuff in Trenton. He made on the side plates with images of Trenton on them and sold them. “Well, he said, “Mr. Boehm dropped in one day and spotted my plates and asked to see one. Then he asked, 'Who made the plates?' I said, 'I do.' Well, Mr. Boehm said, “Want a job at my plant. I make porcelain birds.”

Anthony also said he helped make the $27,000 or so porcelain Eagle that President Nixon brought to China.

At that moment I understand Jesus’ words: You are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows - as well as eagles and hawks. [Cf. Matthew 10:31]

EVERY PERSON MATTERS

I love Monday night and Wednesday afternoon here at St. Mary’s. The poor show up at our door. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society - with donations for our parishioners help lots of folks - with energy bills, etc.

Sometimes I think wrong thoughts: Why don’t these folks take the energy to get here for help use that energy and enterprise to get a job?

Ooops. I haven't walked in their shoes. I haven't heard their story. 

What's the matter?

That's why I need to hear the message: Every person matters - no matter what I think.

Sometimes I don’t practice what  I preach.

Sometimes I don’t think some people matter.

What changes and challenges me every time is the way they are treated by a whole host of volunteers here at St. Mary's who help these folks. They treat them well - and hopefully it all rubs off on them - that they go out and treat others well - and that I get it.

What changes me is when I see all the teachers and nurses and hard workers of our world - who give their best to the rest of us.

CONCLUSION

So I believe every motto for every year helps.

This year I think this year’s motto will matter much more - the more we put it into practice. Amen.