THE 3  BIGGEST QUESTIONS 

FOUND IN EVERY BRAIN 

?   ?   ?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “The 3 Biggest  Questions Found in Every Brain.”

Let me begin with a question: “Does everyone have lifetime questions?”

That question was triggered by today’s readings.

It’s my experience that people come up with questions as they hear or read the Sunday readings at Mass. That sets up a problem – a question: “How come you didn’t preach on the question that hit me from today’s readings?”

That causes an “Uh oh!” in me at times – because I think to myself, “Hey there are a couple of hundred people here – perhaps each with a different question.” 

So, “Uh oh! That’s an, “Uh oh!”

I assume that’s why some preachers start off with an example – to try to get everyone off their wave length and onto the speakers.

I think – but I’m not sure – that’s why I try to get people to come up with questions – more than answers. I want  to get people to get in touch with their questions and start thinking about them during the homily – during the Mass -  and then during the week.

The title of my homily is, “The 3 Biggest  Questions Found in Every Brain.”

I like questions. It's not by accident the question mark is shaped the way it's shaped.  It's a hook - like a fishing hook.

CLEMENT JEDRZEJEWSKI

One of my favorite questions is to ask people, “Have you written your memoirs yet?”

And sometimes people say, “Yeah! I’m working on them.”

There was an article in yesterday's New York Times  - exactly on this topic: write your memoirs. [1]

I think people spend the second half of their life – working on figuring out the first half of their life – as well as what’s happening now – as well as what’s going to happen in the future. Questions… wonderings … worries … about kids, marriage, relationships, money, parents, what’s in the wings?

I think people are always, “Figuring!”  They are looking you right in the face – but what’s behind that face – in that mind behind the face – they are somewhere else. I know I am.

So what’s going on in your mind – behind your eyes – behind your face: Where are your energies? What are your questions? What’s going on? What’s important? Is significance your bottom line?

What have been the 3 most significant moments of your life so far?

Who has had the most impact on you?

Who have been your greatest teachers?

Answers to these questions are the stuff of memoirs and memories.

I once ran into an old man named, Clement Jedrzejewski.

I was in my 30’s – and working in a retreat house in New Jersey – right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

I was doing weekend retreats for men’s and women’s groups – and high school retreats during the week.

Clement lived down the road in another retreat house – where we used to say Mass in the morning. Finding out that Clement was a retired teacher – who taught future teachers – I asked him how he’d give a high school retreat. He had worked at St. Francis College, Brooklyn, New York.

He asked me my questions and then he asked me some of his questions and then he said, “Give me a week or so to think about your question and we’ll talk again.”

Two weeks later I was taking him shopping and he said, “Okay, here’s a method that I like to use.”

“When the kids get off the bus, let them explore the whole property and the whole place – everywhere. When dogs come into a new place – they like to sniff in every corner.”

“Then,” he said, “After they eat together,  at your first big retreat session, ask them to jot down all the questions they have about life, school, friends, family, future, these three days, whatever.”

“Have them do that by themselves – on their piece of paper. Then tell them to put a circle around their top 3 questions.”

“Then tell them to look around the room and pick out one person – just one person they think they can talk to. If there is an odd number, you talk to that person. Then tell them to put that first piece of paper away – in their pocket. Then the two of you – jot down all your questions – and once more put a circle around your 3 top questions.”

“Then put that  piece of paper away – and pick out 4 or 5 people – whom you are in a clique with or a group with – and jot down all your questions – and put a circle around your top 3 questions.” 

Clement added, “Don’t try to get them to meet with new people. Tell them to hang with those they know. That way it’s more real – and serious conversations might carry over into when they are back home or at school.”

That was different. I was told to break up folks when doing group work.

Then Clement said, “Now have the whole group – yell out their questions – not from the papers in their pockets – but from the floor – then come up with 3 top questions. That’s what you spend the retreat on.”

He concluded: “Keep saying, ‘There are no stupid questions – only stupid answers.’”

THIS HOMILY

The title of my homily is, “The 3 Biggest  Questions Found in Every Brain.”

Today, this week, jot down on paper or computer what you think might be the 3 biggest questions found in every brain. Start by jotting down all the questions you think of – then put a circle around the top 3.

Do this by yourself and then do it with someone else – your spouse – or close friends – then do it with associates.

Relax there is no official list of the 3 biggest questions in every brain.

This week, this time in your life, they might be this, next week, next year, there will be different questions.

For example, today’s readings trigger for me various questions.

What is God like? Is God like the God described in today’s first reading from Isaiah? God is on a mountain and he’s setting up a banquet for all peoples. Notice the all – as in all peoples. He’s preparing a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food, choice wines. Then he’s going to destroy the veil that veils all peoples – the web woven over all nations. Does that mean he’s going to let us all finally see – we are one people – no walls, no veils, no webs. He’s going to destroy death forever and wipe away tears from all faces. He is going to save us – save all of us.

Is that what God is like? Is that God’s dream – that we’ll all see what Isaiah saw – that Martin Luther King Jr. saw – when he said, “I’ve been to the mountain” – that mountain where we’ll be one. Finally!

Or is God like the king in today’s gospel from Matthew who invites folks to a wedding feast for his son – but folks reject the invitation – so he kills all those who reject him? Then when the poor and those found on the back roads – come to the banquet, the king throws out someone who didn’t come with a wedding out fit on. Hey is God like that?

That’s one of my life time questions: What is God like?

Obviously I hope my image and likeness of God is God? I’ve always liked Luke’s Jesus – and Luke’s God – better than the God I find in Matthew. Luke doesn’t have this guy tossed out into the darkness – where he wails and grinds his teeth. Matthew has Jesus destroying the fig tree on first instance – for not producing figs – but Luke has Jesus giving the lazy fig tree – getting another chance. I’m a softie – so I like Luke’s images of Jesus and God – at least the one’s I like.

But who’s right? We’ve all heard preachers and parents – whose image of God – scares us and we say, “That’s not my God?

Well, what is God like?

That’s one of my 3 life time questions in my brain.

Is that question in every brain?

We have to talk to each other to find out.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “The 3 Biggest  Questions Found in Every Brain.”

I just said that one of my biggest life time questions is: “What is God like?”

I think that’s in every brain – somewhere.

I also think people ask: “Is there a God?”

I also think people ask, “Is there life after this life?”

I also think people ask, “Does God have a plan, a hope, a will for me – and if “Yes” what is it?

I also think people ask the question found in the world’s shortest poem – two words and it rhymes, “I / Why?” I don’t know who wrote that poem but I first heard it when we were studying Existential Philosophy in our 3^rd year of college and I’ve never forgotten it. “I/Why?”

I also think people ask the question found in the world’s next shortest poem – two words and it also rhymes and I wrote it, “You/Who?”

That’s the relationship question.

What are the questions you’re asking – lifetime questions – big questions. That’s your homework for this week. Jot them down and put a circle around the top 3 and compare answers and notes with each other. Amen.

-----ooooooo-----

NOTES:

[1] "Appeal of Writing Memoirs Grow, as Do Publishing Options," by Elizabeth Olson, page B4, The New York Times, Business, Saturday, October 11, 2014

OUT OF THE DEPTHS
I CRY TO YOU, O LORD

Poem for Today - October 12, 2014

DE PROFUNDIS

From the depths of cosmic, boundless space

From the destitute  places of human misery

From souls torn with yearning

From disabled bodies

From houses locked in bondage

To you – O Incomprehensible

Flows a silent, unutterable supplication.

You know it - O Omniscent Lord

You give ear to it

You understand it, O Eternal Wisdom

You answer the prayer, O Infinite Goodness

With our hearts burning with hope

We await he response of your voice

Lost Mankind has been yearning for it.

We have been failed by a multitude of sages

We have been failed by the applauded prophets

We have been failed by the dictates of leaders

Lost in the blackness of night

We have been failed by the glare of beauty

We are looking for new ways

Show us a new dawn, O Sole Truth

© Clement Jedrzejewski

New York, February 5, 1972

(Authorized translation

from the Polish.)

1997

WHEN FROZEN AND ALL ALONE - 

WHO OR WHAT IS ALL AROUND YOU? 

Poem for October 11, 2014

THE IGLOO

Outside the igloo he waited

for an invitation to come inside.

There was no knocker, no doorbell.

He coughed, there was no reply.

He crouched down and peered in.

He felt the warm air from a fire

pat his cheeks and ruffle his hair.

Hello he said quietly and repeated it.

The frost in his toes urged him in,

so did the pain in his gut. His knees

one by one welcomed the snow

and brought him into the warmth.

He stood up and breathed deeply.

He held a foot up to the flames

then swapped it for the other foot.

He lay down on the polar bear rug

but a smell yanked him upright again

and led him to a dresser of  bone

where a bowl sat with a cover on it.

He lifted this to reveal dried meat.

He grabbed a chunk and tore at it

with his teeth. It was reindeer.

He devoured all that was in the bowl

and went looking for some more.

He found none, but there was a bottle

of firewater which he swigged.

He swigged again and left it down.

He lay on the bearskin and fell asleep.

©  Matthew Sweeney, Poetry Magazine – April 2014

THE ICE OF 
FROZEN HATE 

NEEDS TO THAW 
TO RAIN 

Poem For Today - October 10, 2014

FIRE AND ICE

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice. 

© Robert Frost

OCTOBER DAY

Poem for Today - October 9, 2014

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE

FINE OCTOBER DAYS

It was one of those fine October days
free from summer’s heat and haze
but not yet gripped by autumn chill.

It was one of those fine October days
when the sky’s so clear
you can see the moon
through the atmosphere
at midday.

It was one of those fine October days
when the trees sport yellow and red
instead of everyday summer green.

It was one of those fine October days
when one draws a deep breath
and is grateful
to be resident on Earth. 

© Richard Greene

BURSTING BLUE 
SKIES ON ME 

Poem for Today - October 8, 2014

ONCE A CHILD

It troubled me as once I was,

For I was once a child,

Deciding how an atom fell

And yet the heavens held.

The heavens weighed the most by far,

Yet blue and solid stood

Without a bolt that I could prove;

Would giants understand?

Life set me larger problems,

Some I shall keep to solve

Till algebra is easier

Or simpler proved above.

Then too be comprehended

What sorer puzzled me,

Why heaven did not break away

And tumble blue on me.

© Emily Dickinson 

A ROSARY 

AS A  REMINDER 

INTRODUCTION

Today – is the feast of the Most Holy Rosary – so the title of my homily is, “A  Rosary as a Reminder.”

What’s your take on a rosary?

What does it remind you of?

Every time I see a rosary  around a rear view mirror in a car – I wonder, “What is the meaning of that rosary for that person in that car?” Safety? Putting all in God’s hands? A prayer now and then? Not getting a ticket – hey it might be a Catholic police officer? A reminder?

Last night I was watching a few innings of the Dodger-Cards baseball game.  Yasiel Puig, of the Dodgers, struck out 7 times in a row – and I notice he wears a rosary around his neck.  What does the rosary mean to him? That he’s a Catholic? That he wants an edge? That it connects him with relatives back home in Cuba? That it’s part of his cultural roots?

This parish makes Ranger Rosaries – and they are being used – by our men and women – in the service – all around the world. I assume bullet proof vests are better – but I also assume a rosary has a meaning for the person who wears a rosary around her or his neck – or has one in her or his pocket or pack – and prays with it in good times and in bad.

Every time I visit a funeral parlor – and if there is an open coffin – and the body is there – I like to go up and kneel down at the casket in the presence of the dead person. If they have a rosary in their hand, I like to put my hand on one bead – and say just one Hair Mary – and  unite myself in prayer with this person – who is in the hands of God  - and unite with all the rosaries this person has ever said and I ask God to bring this person into Paradise. I add: “Lord bless all these people in this space and place and in this world today.”

Whenever I pick up an old rosary – I wonder about all the thoughts and prayers – that are contained in each bead.

WHAT DO ROSARIES MEAN TO YOU?

What do rosaries remind you off?

What do they trigger for you?

Before coming back to the United States, I went into the interdenominational chapel in Heathrow Airport last Thursday afternoon to say a prayer.

I look for them in any airport or hospital I visit.

I’ve noticed the big airports often have Moslem Prayer Rugs on the floor in these chapels.

Sure enough – last Thursday there were two prayer rugs in the first section one entered.  I saw three people praying on the floor in the second section.

I stood there and said some prayers for safe flights – and a good life for all.

I see taking out one’s prayer rug as a reminder to pray. I also see taking out one’s rosary  – as a reminder to a person – that I am now entering into the space and place of prayer – in a car, in a church, on a porch, in an easy chair, in an uncomfortable seat in a plane, in the night.

The flight of life is a mystery.

The mysteries of the rosary get us into the life and moments of Mary’s and Jesus’ life – connecting them with the moments and mysteries of our life.

Life is loaded with annunciation moments – along with visits, births – presentations, loses and findings – along with agonies in gardens and hospitals, moments when we feel beaten – or have headaches, or crosses we have to carry and deaths we are dealing with. There are joyful, sorrowful, glorious and mysteries that bring us out of the darkness into the light.

CONCLUSION

Take out your rosary today – and remind yourself – refresh your memory – about all the mysteries and moments that make up the chain of your life so far. Say a whole rosary or a decade or just say a Hail Mary, an Our Father, a Glory Be or two – or just use your rosary beads to say 10 or 59 times, “Thanks” or “Help!”

Rosary beads are great worry beads as well as reminder beads. Amen.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

THREE NOTES:

First, painting on top - Old Woman Praying, by Nicolas Laurens.

Second, from time to time on my blog I stress, "Rosary beads are not just for Hail Mary's."  They can be used to say short one word prayers - or to come up with 59 people in our life - who we ask the lord to bless - or to come up with 59 moments in our life we loved - or using just decades for the 10 top books we've read, or 10 top moments of your life, or 10 top questions we have or what have you.

Third, I also have two E-Books or two series of meditations on the mysteries of the rosary. If interested, check October 26, 2007 and May 30, 2008.