February 11, 2020
Thought for Today
“A man without knowledge of himself and his heritage is like a
tree without roots.”
Dick Gregory
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Monday, February 10, 2020
PRAYING IN THE
DARK CLOUD
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily for this 5th Monday in
Ordinary Time is, “Praying in the Dark Cloud.”
At the end of today’s first reading there is a sentence
that grabbed me: “The Lord intends to dwell in the dark cloud….”
That seems quite intense – as well as intriguing – as
well as interesting.
It’s 1 Kings 8:12.
I looked up about a dozen translations of this text
translated from the Hebrew “BAR ARA PEL”
and most have either “the dark cloud” or “the thick cloud.”
It triggered for me immediately, Saint John of the Cross – as well as F. Scott’s Fitzgerald’s comment
in an essay in The Crack-Up.
Quote: “In a real dark night of the soul
it is always three o'clock in the morning, day after day.”
People have certainly experienced God –
and screams for God – and the feelings of the absence of God – when there is
horror happening – liquor being spilled – relationships or family is falling
apart or being flimsy and they can’t
sleep at three o’clock in the morning – or three in the afternoon.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Solomon tells us in this text from 1st Kings that he built a princely house – a dwelling for the Lord –
where The Lord can abide forever – but then once more his comment, “The Lord
intends to dwell in the dark cloud.”
If we look at our life, we know we have experienced God
in churches as well as in dark clouds.
We have experienced God in sunrises and sunsets – in the mountains or on
or at the ocean – the desert or the maternity ward.
In the scriptures we have the prominence of clouds – as
places where people experienced God. For example, In Exodus we have the
pillar of fire and the cloud – leading Israel in the wilderness.
It’s good to sit on a porch on a rainy day – if there is
roof overhead - and watch the rain and
the clouds and experience God. It’s good
to get a window seat on a plane – on a cloudy day – and look out the window as
our plane breaks out of the clouds and all is light – if it’s daytime. Or it’s
good to sit on a porch at night and look at the sky or the stars or both – and
the red moon – like last night – and the silver moon – full or in slivers - other
nights.
THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING
That comment in 1 Kings 8: 12 also triggered for me,
thoughts about The Cloud of Unknowing – the book. This 14th
century book is still around – and one can read it on line – and read commentaries
on it.
Tricky stuff – if it brings us to realize – we can never
nail down God – even on a cross – or in words – or images.
The Hebrews gave us the 1st and 2nd
commandments – as a warning not to have false images of God – and to think we
know God – as God really is.
Life is getting glimpses of those we live with – but as
they said of JFK, “Johnny We Hardly Knew You.”
Well, if that’s with each other, it’s a zillion zenith glimpses getting
to know God.
Yet in the meanwhile, the clouds lift at times and we get glimpses of the Son.
In the meanwhile, if you find yourself in the dark when
it comes to God, count yourself in the company of Mother Teresa and every
person – even the atheists – when they wonder and wrestle about God –
especially when they are in a dark cloud.
Or like Saint Scholastica, whose feast is today, who
wanted to talk to her twin brother on a long dark rainy night.
February 10, 2020
WINTER RAIN
Not as nice as Spring or Summer rain,
but Winter rain has its blessings! Take them.
Beats snow if you’re traveling. Washes
your car and the roads, if you’re lazy.
Softens up the earth – soaks roots –
and satisfies thirsty trees and plants.
“Winter rain” – sounds like the name of an
Interesting novel or a short poem, but who
who has the time to write it – unless there is
winter rain on the other side of your window.
© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020
Sunday, February 9, 2020
SALTY AND LIGHTY
[From time to time, I like to write a story, to try to capture the message of the gospel or one of the readings. So today I wrote this short story – entitled SALTY and LIGHTY. It uses the theme of the
gospel call to all of us to be salt and light.]
Once upon a time, there were two brothers: Wally and
Willie. Twins ….
Wally liked his name when people called him “Wally” – but
not when people called him “Walter” his baptismal name. Wally was a Wally –
funny – sweet – always had a smile - ever
on his face. Wally.
His twin brother Willie – preferred being called “Willie”
and not William – his baptismal name - but being 12
minutes older than his brother Wally – he seemed to be a bit more
serious – than his brother Wally – but not that much – yet for reasons unknown
– these things are mysterious - people
tended to call him the more formal name of William – but he preferred Willie.
They were only brothers – twins - the delight of their mom and dad’s lives - Millie
and Mike.
They went to the same grammar school, St. Ursula’s – the
same high school – St. Christopher’s – and the same college – St. Anselm’s
University.
Wally - after graduation with a business degree – went to
work for K-Mart – Wall-Mart wasn’t around
yet. He did that and he did well – but his dream was to own his own business –
and finally he spotted a Delicatessen for sale – the owner a Norwegian – who wanted
to retire and move to Florida.
It worked. Wally’s Deli – was extremely successful. People loved working for him. He made great
subs – long before Subway. He knew people wanted the best cold cuts – Boar’s
Head – and the best breads and spreads.
His Deli had a great catering service and put together at least through
the years 10,000 after baptism parties,
showers, Super Bowl parties, retirement parties, etc. etc. etc. parties.
Willie went a different route – going into the Marines –
having gone into the ROTC program at St. Alselm’s University. He was in Vietnam
– was wounded – but not that serious. But
seeing too many wounded warriors – he set his sights on becoming a psychologist
– in the military – and that is what he
did with his life. Too many soldiers were in too many dark places.
After 20 plus years in the marines, Willie moved back to
New Jersey – just a block away from Wally – when he retired.
The parish church they both went to needed ushers – so
Willie signed up for the 10:30 Mass each Sunday – and he talked Wally into
joining him.
A funny thing happened to All Saints Church – once these two
guys – Wally and Wille - had really worked their way into the 10:30 Mass.
Attendance at that Mass went up – new customers – as well
as switchers from the 8:30 and the 12:30 Masses.
It took a while for parishioners to notice this. It took a while longer for the pastor – the
one priest in this small New Jersey parish – to notice this subtle change.
Wally and Willie didn’t see it happening. They were too
busy ushering.
But it was happening.
Hospitalty – the best wheel chair spots for those in
wheel chairs and their attendants – humor – knowing names – and who goes with
whom – all were secrets of the usher job description.
And the pastor realized it was Wally and Willie – the
best ushers he ever had. People – without knowing it – felt much more at home
at the 10:30 Sunday Mass. The pastor did as well. For some reason his sermons were slightly
more joyful, funny, hospitable, insightful at the 10:30.
One Sunday there – it was a game changer – it was a name
changer. The gospel was from Matthew – from the Sermon on the Mount. It was about
the moment Jesus told his disciples they are to be salt and light – to make a
difference wherever they go – as salt does and as light does – making subtle changes to food and to the
room. Well, the pastor was talking to
Wally and Willie after Mass and blurted out: “Wally and Willie you guys are
like salt and light around here. I’m going to call you Salty and Lighty.”
“Who’s who?” said, Wally to the Pastor.
“Wally, obviously, you’re Salty.”
Wally, Willie and the Pastor all laughed, but from that
day forward, Salty and Lighty – were Salty and Lighty – much more than Wally and Willie.
Now things change.
Salty and Lighty, Willie and Wally, both decided to go to
Florida for the month of February – renting condo’s in the Port St. Lucie area
– they both were losers – being Mets fans. Their wives had friends in that area
as well.
Their kids – no twins – but 3 kids each – were long gone
and married. So, a month away was a great winter recipe for both of them and
their marriages.
Yes – wow did their parish back north in New Jersey miss
Salty and Lighty big time when they were
gone – each February.
What people also slowly discovered – well not all - you’d have to go to the local hospital – to
possibly spot this - both gave two days every week – except February – to usher
people – in wheel chairs and what have you up and around the hospital – as
volunteers – wearing rich blue blazers.
And wow did they make a difference in the hospital those
Monday’s and Tuesday’s – their 2 Volunteer days.
P.S. When the
pastor was retiring – the party being catered by Wally’s Son’s Deli – the
pastor publicly thanked Wally and Willie
– Salty and Lighty - as the best ushers
he’s ever experienced. And they got a standing ovation – bigger than the Pastor
got. And the pastor added: “If the diocese ever has an Ushers Hall of Fame for
churches or the diocese – I’m putting your names in for the first ballot. Thank
you Salty and Lighty.”
February 9, 2020
Reflection
Reflection
RAIN
How do you paint rain?
How do you photograph rain?
If you’re an artist, you won’t
even ask the question
You’ll see cobblestones and umbrellas,
and lovers walking in the rain.
You’re in Paris dancing and singing in the rain
like Gene Kelly because nobody is watching.
like Gene Kelly because nobody is watching.
I don't know about Noah, but you'll
be thanking God for rainy, rainy days.
be thanking God for rainy, rainy days.
© Andy Costello, Reflections 2020
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