Tuesday, May 26, 2020



SAINT  PHILIP  NERI 
AND  SAN  ALFONSO 

Today – May 26th – being the feast of St. Philip Neri – it behooves me to say a few things about Philip Neri and his connection with St. Alphonsus.

To  know more about Philip Neri - I went through 5 books yesterday for my research – but  mainly for me. Who remembers sermons? I began to think about him - in relation to St. Alphonsus who often quoted him.

The main 3 things I knew about Philip Neri  – was that he was known for his joy. He was known to be a happy camper.  Most folks – especially Redemptorists -  know that about him. Say “Philip Neri” and you trigger “Joy”. Second thing most people know about him:  he founded the Oratory.  And thirdly, Alphonsus, who loves to quote,  often quoted him.

I didn’t see much about anything he wrote – but I did find lists of his quotes: 20, 10, 25 quotes and then there was a list of his sayings: one for everyday of the year.

No wonder Alphonsus quoted him.

Here’s an interesting quote:  “Let no one wear a mask, otherwise he will do ill; and if he has one let him burn it!” 
Obviously, they never met each other. Philip is from the 1500’s  [1515-1595]  and Alphonsus from the 1700’s  [1696-1787].

Alphonsus was born Sept. 27, 1696 and Philip Neri was born July 21, 1515.

Alphonsus is easier to know his dates in the 1700’s – just take off 4 years – for rough numbers.

Both were Italians – but from different kingdoms.  This was way before the unification of Italy under Garibaldi and Mazzini in 1861.  But it was a long process.  

We know from our CSSR roots  that the Redemptorists started down in the Kingdom of Naples.  Philip is from Florence in the north. At 17 he was sent south to his Uncle at Cassino – a merchant – with an eye to taking  over the Uncle’s business.  That would be a no go. In a year or so Philip headed to Rome – became a tutor to 2 sons of a Florentine, Galeotto del Caccia – and a new part of his life began.

He tutored  – but took courses as well in Rome – in Philosophy and Theology – from 1535 - 1538. People expected him to become a priest, but he quit his studies and for 13 years devoted himself to prayer – caring for the poor – visiting the sick – for example caring for sick pilgrims – did some informal talking to others about Christ – and was a member of a lay congregation.

In time, a priest, Persiano Rosa – his spiritual director – pushed him to get ordained and Philip Neri became a priest.

So both Alphonsus and Philip did something else before becoming diocesan priests. Alphonsus was ordained when he was around 30 – on December 21, 1726.  Philip was ordained when he was around 36 – on May 23, 1551.

So Philip ends up being a priest for about 44 years.

During that time he starts the Oratory – a group of  secular  priests who lived in community, prayed together, had 4 talks in the afternoon – read and studied scriptures and spiritual books together.

They are still around – having a couple of communities in the US. 

Cardinal Newman would be the most famous Oratorian: at the Birmingham England Oratory.

It would be a good study – comparing John Newman, Alphonsus and Philip Neri.

An interesting  point I noticed in reading was Alphonsus had an Oratorian - Thomas Pagano as his spiritual director for over 20 years. So when Alphonsus was a diocesan priest, joining the Oratory was a question.  If Alphonsus had done that, would he have founded the CSSR.

One book pointed out that the oratory was more big city oriented; Alphonsus became more concerned about small villages.

Next: when it comes to saint’s name dropping - Philip Neri would near the top of the list.  He was met and visited by the following saints: Ignatius of Loyola, Camillus de Lellis, John Leonardi, Charles Borromeo,  Francis de Sales.

Unlike Alphonsus - Philip Neri was considered a heretic and a nut, at times. Two books listed jealousy as motive.

Next Philip Neri – when he was in Florence – came into the story of Savonarola -  who had been killed in 1498 – 17 years before Philip Neri’s birth.   Everyone in Florence had their opinion and take on Savonarola.

It would be interesting to read a comparison between Philip Neri’s way of thinking – compared to Savonarola.

They definitely were different colored horses.



Next, it would be interesting if Alphonsus would have been much  stricter and tougher if he had not been influenced by the thought of Philip Neri.

Next I noticed that Philip Neri connected with Palestrina – especially with the musical tradition in the Oratorians. Did Alphonsus connect with any of that – with his music.

Two major similar themes for both  Alphonsus’ s and St. Philip Neri were: prayer and the practice of the Love of Jesus Christ.

Did Alphonsus ever beat on himself – for not having the sense of humor that Philip Neri had.  For example, Philip had some cute quips. Did Alphonsus ever crack funnies in the pulpit?

Lastly, did Alphonsus get his idea for the content and process of the evening chapels from the Oratorians 4 talks in the afternoon, etc. etc. etc.

Some thoughts for the feast of Philip Neri.


______________________________________________________

Painting on top:  St. Philip Neri by Carlo Dolci

Other painting: St. Alphonsus de Liguori
May  26,  2020


ALLOW   ME

Allow me,
please allow me,
to make mistakes,
to doubt,
to have atheistic thoughts,
add some agnostic thoughts as well,
to do dumb at times,
to expect forgiveness,
even when I won’t forgive you,
to cry,
to be amazed when you’re not,
to fumble the ball,
to strike out three times in the same game,
to hit a home run and you're on the other team,
to come up with a really funny joke,
to forget my mask,
to get sick,
to be late,
to have a different agenda than yours,
to be human.
There ….
I said it.
And there's more ....


© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020


May  26,  2020



Thought for Today

“It’s easier to guide  cheerful persons  in the spiritual life than melancholy ones.”

St. Philip Neri

Monday, May 25, 2020

May  25,  2020


RAILINGS

God called up 10 people this morning.

“Today you have 10 choices:

I need you to be a
banister or a railing,
a twenty dollar bill,
a smile, a greeting,
a glass of cold water,
a wave from a window,
a visitor to a nursing home,
a letter, an ice cream cone
to a little kid with ice cream eyes,
or a surprise phone call to
someone 1,000 miles away.

Tonight I’ll check in to see
if you caught the moment
I was hoping you would catch
and you did it.”


© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020

May  25,  2020



Thought  for  Today

“Only one feat is possible:  not to have run away.”

Dag Hammarskjold

Sunday, May 24, 2020

May 24,  2020



MAKING 
AN  IMPRESSION 


INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this feast of the Ascension is, “Making an Impression.”

Jesus came into our world – he walked into our rooms – he came through our walls – he left – but he left an impression.

OPENING STORY

Let me begin with a scene.

It was her moment. The little girl was  ready to steal the show – but she was too young to know all this.

It was also their moment - the whole crowd – the audience – the nursing home community -  who were about to receive communion - to receive their gift – from this beautiful little girl.

The little girl had on a beautiful white dress. It was her first communion dress – which she wasn’t to use this year – because of the Virus.

She was about to make first communion with old people in a nursing home. Yes: a nursing home.  They were all at least 10 feet apart – all with masks – which several had no clue –  what this was on their face  for– and they were fidgeting with them.

The little girl waited in the wings outside the large recreation room.

Then on signal, on cue, she walked into the room that was filled with all the nursing home residents – in a semi-circle – facing center front.

Her white socks – white shoes -  white dress - white latex gloves - were perfect for the scene. The white and red tile floor had  just been cleaned and waxed and was sparkling for the occasion.

Her smile, her face, her hair perfect, were  about to open up the consciousness doors of all the old people, in their chairs, with their walkers – in this recreation hall.

It was the first public gathering in about 3 months. The state had opened up a bit – but CDC guidelines were very much being practiced.

This was a nursing home – and they were having a tough, time in this time of Corona 19.  Fortunately, this nursing home did not have any deaths or people testing positive for having the virus.

Three nurses – also in white – also in gloves – also with  masks – also with smiles in their eyes – came in following the little girl – pushing silver stainless steel carts that carried 45 red roses – defanged of thorns on their long stems – with bandaids – for where the thorns were.  One nurse thought that would be a neat touch

This was to be a very careful communion procession and procedure.

The little girl gave each old person a single red rose – and a smile – and just two words, “For you!”

And most of the old folks said just two words back, “Thank you!” – even a few who hadn’t said a word since last month – in April.

Nobody had arthritis or dementia of the smile.

Tears appeared everywhere. Eyes danced around the room.

All were young again.

That little girl made some impression!

That little girl in her white dress had a wonderful First Communion ceremony this day.

TODAY’S  READINGS

There are several scripture texts that come to mind for this feast of the Ascension.

The one I like is: “Unless you become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Unless you become like little children, you shall not make an impression of the crowd.

Unless you become little children – you won’t get Christmas – and why God sent his only Son into our world as a child.

In today’s readings one basic message is the call of Christians to be Christ’s witnesses

Our call is to get moving, stop staring into space, shake it – and start spreading the Good News – that Jesus is with us.

You got the power! You got the Spirit! Use it. Live it.

This is what a Lover of God – Theos – Philos – does – as we hear in the Acts of the Apostles.

Our job is to restore the Kingdom each day – till the ends of the earth.

This is what Paul told the Ephesians and ever audience he could reach.

This is the message he preaches in today’s second reading from Ephesians.

This is the New Testament insight that Christ impressed on all of us.

We have this insight, this innermost vision. How great our hope is. This is our heritage. We’re in the will. We have the strength, power, the fullness of him who fills the universe in its parts.

In today’s from Mathew 28:  16-20, we’re allowed to have doubts - but when Christ comes to us our doubts can disappear.

CONCLUSION

The title and theme of my homily for today -  the feast of the ascension is, “Making an Impression.”

When we give out roses, when we give out daily bread, when we give out love, we make an impression.

We put a dent in disregard.

We impress others by our love – especially those who feel forgotten – like folks in a nursing home.

Be like that little girl in my opening story.

Make a good impression.

May   24,   2020



FRUIT  AND VEGETABLE SECTION


Three people stood there at the fruit
and vegetable section of the supermarket.

Person A knocked on the melons – examining
each – knowing you never know what’s inside.

Person B held some apples – looking at each
carefully – “Hey you never till you slice them open.”

Person C picked up 3 bananas and 3 peaches
for his neighbor who’s mom is in a nursing home.




© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020