Sunday, August 23, 2015

August 23, 2015

COLD BUTTER

Cold yellow butter -
applied to toasted 
whole wheat bread,
cut into twin triangles,
on a small round white plate,
and then placed in
front of me,
but there's more,
a clear white plate arrives,
bigger, with two fried eggs
and three slices of bacon,
a cup of coffee - with
four drops of milk.
It doesn’t get any better -
but it does:
I have the whole day
in front of me -
thank You, God,
thank You.

© Andy Costello Reflections, 2015

Saturday, August 22, 2015

August 22, 2015


EXIT

I’ve wondered at times if people look for
certain things when they enter a room or
a house - a restaurant or a store. I don’t
know if I do - or if anyone does. Maybe 
some wonder about things like: Where is the bathroom? Is there an exit. Who’s here?
Who’s not here? Who’s who here? What's 
here? What's going on here? I repeat, 
don’t know if anyone thinks about one of
these questions consistently or consciously. 
If I had to guess or give an answer for myself,
I think I’d say, “Where’s the exit?” Now
what does that say about me? What does
any answer, if we have one, say about us?


© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2015

Friday, August 21, 2015

August 21, 2015

MUTE

There is that mute button on the TV remote.
There is that button on the side of cell phones
to tone it down. But there is no button on each
other - when the other is too much with us -
so sometimes we gesture  to each other -
with a “Shush!” finger to our lips or we signal
to another with hands palms down - to “Calm down!” Then sometimes that causes a scream
or the  other becomes furious which proves we’re right. We need a “Mute” button - so hurry
up evolution. Hurry up!


© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2015

Thursday, August 20, 2015

August 20, 2015
THE  BOX

A box has weight, mystery, the unknown inside ….
Labels lessen the mystery….
Keep it clear of words - no hints what’s inside….
Seal it with tape - transparent tape is better
than duct - and just let it sit there in a corner….

At some point someone will spot it. 
Someone will say, "I wonder what's in that box."
Someone will lift it. Someone will shake it.
Someone will listen for sounds it makes. 

That heightens the mystery every time. 

I am in a box. You are in a box. Mysteries….

God keeps on being put in a box….Well God is
mystery, the unknown - often just sitting there
in a box - in a corner…. And people called
theologians, preachers, authorities will tell us
about God in the box…. 

Well, shake that box. Lift that box up. 
Listen to that box. Surprise. You might hear laughter from deep down inside. Hey, God 
sent his son as a baby - who became a carpenter - a neighbor and a story teller -
a hero - who died  and a bloody mess who
became a hope, a promise, resurrection,
bread, wine, someone to sit at the table with -
a mystery - a word in a book - and sometimes
He becomes flesh in those who discover Him.


© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2015

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

August 19, 2015


“NO” AND “YES”

“No” is the tougher of the two tiny responses
to whether we can have the date or the car
keys or permission to get into the building.

“Yes” brings its own consequences - some that
we didn’t see as part of the entrance fee - some
that in time we might wish there was a “No”.

Should we spend time dwelling on the “No’s”?
Should we spend time thinking about the “Yes’s”?
Answer: “Yes” and “No.” But know there are consequences!


© Andy Costello, Reflections, 2015

Tuesday, August 18, 2015


GIDEON  AND  MARY:
JUDGES 6: 11-24 
AND LUKE 1:26-38

INTRODUCTION

The title of my reflection for this 20th Tuesday in Ordinary Time  is, “Gideon and Mary: Judges 6: 11-24 and Luke 1:26-38.”

This will be more information than inspiration.

When I read this morning’s first reading from the 6th Chapter of Judges,  I found myself back in the seminary in a classroom in the early 1960’s. Our professor stressed that when Luke put together his annunciation account  for Mary - he had in front of him Gideon’s annunciation moment.

Then he had us read both annunciation accounts out loud.

So I decided to use the time for this morning’s homily to point out the similarities of both accounts.

FIRST: AN ANGEL

Gideon’s annunciation moment begins this way: “The angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abierzrite. While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press to save it from the Midianites, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, O champion!”

Mary’s annunciation moment begins this way: “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

TWO: QUESTIONS

Next come the questions. Wait a minute! I have some questions. Both Gideon and Mary ask questions. Don’t we all, when asked to do a favor?

Gideon begins by asking, “My Lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” And he asks several more questions.

Mary asks what the greeting meant. How can I bear a son? I’m not married.

THREE: NEXT COMES THE MISSION

Gideon is told by the Lord, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian.”

Mary is told that the Holy Spirit will come over her and she’ll bear a Son - the Son of God. That’s her calling.

FOURTH: THE LORD IS WITH THEM

Two times as we heard today’s first reading, Gideon is told, “I shall be with you.”

Mary is told the power of the Most High will cover her with its shadow. Mary is told nothing impossible with God.”

FIFTH: BOTH DO IT

Gideon wants signs - and finally gets one and discovers God in the fire than came from a rock that consumes everything - and then realized he had seen the angel of the Lord face to face.

Mary brings forth Jesus to our world. He is the sign we’re all looking for.

CONCLUSION



Notice the inspirations - the challenges - the angels who will come to you today. Think about the possibilities of bringing new life to your daily situations. Measure them. Question them.  Then do acts of kindness - good works - bring God’s love and presence into the rooms and corners of your world today.



PAINTING ON TOP: The Angel Puts the Fire on the Altar of Gideon, J.J. Tissot
August 18, 2014


WEAPON OF CHOICE? 
SILENCE! 

They didn’t notice it, they didn’t plan it,
but silence, cold crushing silence,
became their weapon of choice.

They didn’t know it, they didn’t plan it,
but silence is the worse of weapons,
because neither is taking communion.


©  Andy Costello, Reflections, 2015
Painting of Aase and Harald Nørregaard 
by Edvard Munch, 1899.
I have no clue as to the state of
their marriage, but I found 
this painting by Munch - as well
as his famous painting, 
"The Scream" right at the heart
 of many  communication 
and relationship scenarios.