Getting the Name Right (2019-07-28, Sunday-17)

HML  • 2019 July 28 •  17^th Sunday   (ex-07052)

• Genesis 18:20-32   • Psalm 138 • Colossians 2:12-14  • +Luke 11:1-13 •           

Title:    “Getting the Name Right”

[_01_]   I am a visitor here from New Jersey ....  In New Jersey, I am from the town of West Orange, about 10 miles from New York City,  the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes.

          As you know well, in the apparition/appearance of Our Lady of Lourdes to Bernadette of Soubirous, in France, Mary identifies herself mysteriously.

          When Bernadette asks this person “who are you? What is your name?”,  Bernadette receives the response and reports that ‘the beautiful lady told me “I am the Immaculate Conception” ’.

          This report casts doubt on Bernadette, at first.

          What is doubtful at first becomes decisive later, because Bernadette was a peasant, not well educated and unlikely to know what “Immaculate Conception” meant.

          But, Bernadette reported this over and over again.

          In the end, the persistent and consistent witness of Bernadette to “I am the Immaculate Conception” persuaded many to the truthfulness of Bernadette and the holiness/sanctity of Lourdes as a shrine and basilica/cathedral we know today.

          Bernadette got the name right, even though she did not know exactly what the name meant.

[_02_]   Normally, we get a name – or word – right because we know what the name means. Normally, we say something because we know what it means. Or we say someone’s name because we know who he or she is.

          Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (B16) writes about prayer and the meaning of prayer that we often learn to say things – and names - even before we know their full implication and meaning. 

          We teach our children these words so that – individually and communally – we can talk freely to God.

          In the Gospel, this Sunday, Jesus teaches us about the name, about the name of God and asks us to call God our Father, right in the beginning of the prayer: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”

          We might observe that Jesus does not spend a lot of time in the Gospel talking about himself but rather about his father and “our Father” in heaven and our relationship with our heavenly Father.

          Jesus wants us to get the name right.

[_03]    From an earliest age, from our earliest ages – as children – we practice calling people by name – especially our parents …even if we do not know everything implied by the name of father, mother, dad, mom …and  grandparents, grandma, grandpa.

          Sometimes, our parents may be – or may have been – exhausted/tired out at hearing their names out loud so many times each day.  (They may want to change their names (a joke)…)

          But, we begin by calling our parents by name – Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa – especially if we want something from them, right at the beginning of the statement. Sometimes, if we have something difficult to communicate to someone… it is a dead give-away when we use the person’s name up-front and personal in the conversation:  “Mom, dot, dot, dot..…” “Dad, dot, dot, dot..)

          Before we say anything else, we want to get the name right, to know that something important is being said.

[_04_]     Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote about something another Benedict – St. Benedict – wrote about in his rule for the monastery community.

          That normally we think about something and then we say it …or we think about someone and then we say his or her name.

          But, it’s beneficial for us to get the name right without having to think about it too much, to practice using the name.

          We do this in everyday life. Consider how freely and easily we we feel in a conversation when we can remember the other person’s name.

          On the other hand, the opposite is also true. If we have trouble remembering or cannot recall a person’s name, we may feel tongue-tied or have to fake it until we make it through the conversation or meeting.

          And, we hope that the person’s name will come up in conversation to rescue us.

[_05_]    Pope Benedict’s point is that regarding the Lord’s prayer, we are invited to call God our Father, to call Him by name, to remember that God is our Father.

          But, that can be difficult for us, or some of us, it’s difficult because, perhaps, our fathers or our mothers were difficult or tough or distant or absent.

          But, Jesus still wants us to know God as our Father.

          Father Ronald Knox writes this about the Fatherhood of God. Father Knox’s point is that the fatherhood you experienced maybe wasn’t necessarily a gift to you so that you could understand God, but rather God’s love is ment to help you understand true fatherhood. Knox writes:

“You must not wait until you can learn to understand your father before you learn to know God. It is by learning to know God that you will understand your father.” (Ronald Knox, Pastoral & Occasional Sermons “The Fatherhood of God”, San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2002, pp. 25-26)

[_06_]       B16 wrote:

“And so God has come to our aid: He himself provides the words of our prayer and teaches us to pray. Through the prayers that come from him, he enables us to set out toward him; by praying together with the brothers and sisters he has given us, we gradually come to know him and draw closer to him.”  (Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, “Ch. 5 The Lord’s Prayer”, New York: Image, p. 131)  [_fin_]   

Martha & Mary (2019-07-21, Sunday-16)

HML  • 2019 July 21 •  16^th Sunday

• Genesis 18:1-10a    • Psalm 15  • Colossians 1:24-28  • +Luke 10:38-42 •           

Title:    Martha & Mary

[_01_]   I am from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, on Eagle Rock Avenue and Main Street, in West Orange. My name is Father Jim Ferry.

          So, I am a guest here today. There is a guest in the Gospel today and he is our most important guest as well: Jesus our Savior. So, he is the most important guest whom we listen to … (not to me?)

          He is the guest we want to listen to each day.

          Jesus is the guest visiting the home of Martha and Mary and is being asked to settle an argument.

          Now, guests are not often asked to settle arguments when they go to someone’s house. You have to be careful if you were asked to do this. Jesus is asked to settle a dispute between the 2 sisters, Martha and Mary.

[_02_]   And, it is a familiar Gospel:  as soon as you hear …”she/Martha had a sister named Mary” …. You know what is coming next.

          Last week, we read the Good Samaritan Gospel which starts with “a man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho…” and you know what is coming next.

          You might say “Father, I got this …just tell me what I need to know.”

          So you and I might tune out when we hear something that is familiar. Or when we hear someone familiar.

          But, whatever faults there may be in Martha, it’s important to credit/acknowledge Martha for her intimacy and connection with Jesus, as a guest and friend and Teacher and Savior.

          While Martha has the “lesser part”…. Because Mary has the greater part,  Martha demonstrates a willingness to listen to Jesus.

[_03]    Do we listen to the teachers in our lives?

          What results do we expect from listening to our teachers?

          I remember this lesson from many years ago. I was taking a class in college that I found quite difficult. It was a mathematics class. And, I had difficulty in the beginning of the semester and feared that I would have to re-take the class in summer school.

          I did not think that math was my thing. My father told me me he would not pay for summer school if that happened. But, I ended up going to the teacher for a lot of extra help.

          And, I am very grateful for the help which led to a good grade in the class.

          On the final exam, there were 3 questions and I noticed that I only had 1 question – NUMERICALLY CORRECT.

          But, I still got a good grade. The teacher explained that he credited me for knowing how to do the problem.

          This was my first – and an important introduction – to the idea of “partial credit” …that I had demonstrated some ability to know how to proceed, even if my calculations were off a bit.

          It’s not clear that Mary is perfect – numerically and intellectually correct – in every possible way.

          Mary demonstrates an ability to know how to do the problem.

          And, Martha is being directed to this new way as well, in terms of listening to Jesus each day.

          We also learn by listening to others, listening to those in our lives who have needs.

          For example, those in our lives in with health problems, older.

          I notice this among my siblings and me, that we try to take care of my parents. And, it’s not just that we do things for them but that we listen to them.

          Listening is difficult.

          Listen to what they are saying; listen to what they are not saying.

[_04_]    And, this helps us to draw closer.  And, the encounter of Martha and Mary with Jesus is not just an example of Jesus intervening and settling a dispute.

          We may need to ask God to intervene to do what we cannot completely communicate our forgiveness … or to communicate our repentance.

          In these cases, we do rely on God’s intervention and direction of others.

          We may need Jesus to intervene to help to complete the message of love or faith or hope in the other person’s heart.

          It is important to pray for that, to call out to Jesus, as Martha calls out:  “tell her to do something.”

          And, we may be calling out as well. It’s important that we listen as Mary, the Blessed Mother does with the servants at Cana: “do whatever he tells you.”

[_05_]     [_06_]      [_fin_]   

Who is my neighbor? (2019-07-14, Sunday 15)

HOMILY • 2019 July 14 •  15^th Sunday

• Deuteronomy 30:10-14  • Psalm __ • Colossians 1:15-20 • +Luke 10:25-37 •           

[_01_]   This is the Good Samaritan parable.  And,if  there were anyone who could have excused himself from being “neighborly” and doing the rescue of the victim, the wounded/abandoned man, it was the Samaritan.

          There was an excuse, there was a rational way out for the Samaritan.

The Good Samaritan could have made excuses. The Good Samaritan – far moreso than the priest and Levite – has every reason to hustle and hurry through this area and get off the road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

          The Samaritan is in unfriendly territory which is foreign to him.  Especially on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, how much could we really expect from a Samaritan? Should we expect the Samaritan to be neighborly?  Jesus says, yes, the Samaritan is a neighbor and this is what we can expect and hope for.

[_02_]     Sometimes, we learn or we condition ourselves not to expect – not to hope for - too much. Maybe – not to hope for too much from ourselves, not to hope for too much from other people.

For many years, my uncle and father’s brother – who recently died – lived in a house independently and seemed to require a lot of oversight.  That is, my uncle was likely NOT to pay his bills on time, do his banking or read his mail or to have any nourishing food in the refrigerator.

          His capability seemed limited.

          In fact, to this day, we would say – in my family – that my uncle was probably had some special learning needs, some cognitive needs,  he was probably on the autistic spectrum …had some special learning needs related to or in the category of autism.  But, in the 1940’s and 1950’s, these were not addressed for him.

Nevertheless, he had a job,  served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam era and had a productive life in many ways.

          On the other hand, we did not expect much from him. He seemed limited. But, was this an excuse?

[_03]   After my uncle passed away earlier this year, we were all quite surprised at the number of neighbors and friends he had acquired and acquainted himself with over the years.

          His next door neighbor said it was my uncle’s presence and greeting and friendliness on the front porch of the house that led to their final decision – when they came with the real estate agent to the neighborhood for the first time.

          Evidently, my uncle was well practiced in the ways of being a neighbor.  He surpassed our expectations and evaluations.

          And, several years ago, when he was out one day at this place / restaurant he frequented, there was some trouble, possibly a fight. And, he himself was neither big nor young nor muscular intervened to stop a fight. As a result, there was a photo of him hung on the wall of the restaurant w/ the word “HERO” (“H-E-R-O”) underneath it.

          So, this surpassed our expectations. We all knew of the incident and ‘rescue’, but at my uncle’s wake and funeral, several people told me of my uncle’s heroic effort, as though I had never heard it. It was meaningful to many.

          And, so sometimes we can surpass expectations.

          And, the situation of the Good Samaritan parable reminds us of this surpassing of expectations, … to be  charitable toward the person in need, toward the child in need, toward our parents in need (those who took care of us..now we take care of them), in a way that may surpass our expectations.

          For I believe that all of us – married or single with our own children or without our own children – are going to be taking care of a neighbor or a friend, or a parent, or a sibling. 

          Can I be the neighbor?

[_04_]    What does it mean to surpass expectations …?

St. John Paul II expressed it as follows that our neighbors are not simply the OBJECTS of our affection, or the DESTINATIONS of our debit-card transactions.

          For example, have you been to Shop Rite, K-Mart, Target – recently ? …. after a hurricane?  After an earthquake? Tsunami? You are asked – at cashier/checkout - to make a donation – would you like to donate $1 ….. $5 …. $10 …to hurricane relief, to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, to earthquake assistance. All worthy causes.

          Sometimes, I wonder if the supermarket checkout is really a judgement-free-zone? Am I being watched or measured for how much I contribute to a particular cause? Do I want an excuse to get out of this?

          Every one of us has free will. Of course, any one of us is particularly motivated in these moments – to be the Good Samaritan if the natural disaster has been particularly momentous, or if our loved ones – wherever they are – are affected.

          But, sometimes in these cases, the focus is simply on the people as faraway objects of our affection.

[_05_]    But the Good Samaritan reminds not only to GO GLOBAL in our charity but to be LOCAL in our love. Of the little things, the personal, of being invested and involved …and to be – as they say in the world of philanthropy large and small – to be the “recurring donor”…the Good Samaritain is not not just the one-time donor who clicks $1… $5 at the supermarket check out and walks away. He comes back to the inn and innkeeper

          In this regard, the Good Samaritan does not see the wounded man as simply the OBJECT of his charity – but also a SUBJECT. The wounded man is a subject … a subjective, personal – individual needs to be attended to.

[_06_]     And, certainly so many of you as parents, as mothers and fathers and as teachers and grown-up’s who care for young people, those of you who care for a loved one who is aging, we do not simply regard these individuals as the objects of our affection.

          They are individuals with their own personal subjective needs. And, you are help them in their need.

          And, the idea of the Catholic ethic of the sanctity and preciousness of life at all stages is that a person the object, but that a person’s life has subjective value. My life has a subjective value to me and to God … your life has a subjective value to you and to God.

          Yes, it also has an OBJECTIVE value – because the value is God-given and inherent, innate, inborn. And, the fact that we recognize this “subjectivity” – is similar to what he Samaritan does – he helps the wounded man get back on his feet, get help, get healed, get free. And, so the the wounded man can also know – his own value and worth.

          Every person has this inherent – subjective value no matter how small or fragile or terminally ill someone is.

          We raise and care for others so that they can also love God and love their neighbor.            We are called to love them as we love ourselves. We are called to grow into this …

[_07_]     One day, many years ago, a little boy from down the street came to our house. In fact, he frequented our house because he was often looking for some kids his own age and my sister was about the same age as he.

          We saw him coming time and after time and were accustomed.

          However, one day, my grandmother was watching us and my grandmother was not accustomed to his visits. When my grandmother heard the doorbell and knock, she opened the door and he immediately ran past her and hid himself in a closet in our home.

          And, my grandmother asked my sister, “what’s happening? Who is this?  Do we know him?”

          My sister replied: “I have no idea who he is.” That was not true.

          Sometimes, we are not ready or to admit a neighbor into our lives.  /  We may need to grow into the idea.

          I’m grateful to you our many parents and parishioners for your love for each other, for those in our community and to give me the reminders and the correction to ask, each day – “who is my neighbor?”

          And, more importantly, am I a neighbor?  [_fin_]   

Connection. Consistency. Compassion (Discipleship) (2019-07-07, Sunday 14)

HML  • 2019 July 7 •  14^th Sunday

• Isaiah 66:10-14c • Psalm __ • Galatians 6:14-18 • +Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 •           

Title:   Connection. Consistency. Compassion.

[_01_]   Jesus speaks about discipleship and about following him as a disciple, in this Gospel.

          A disciple is one who….

 “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines (teachings) of another…” [source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Collegiate Edition, 10^th edition]

          And, we share the teachings, we spread the teachings of Jesus by our love for God and for one another.

          In the Gospel of St. John, chapter 13, we read:  “by this shall all [people, men & women] know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

          So, that’s the goal. It is World Cup Final Sunday. You might have the game/match on right now. It just started at 11:00 am.  That’s the goal we are aiming for --  love of God and love of neighbor …

[_02_]    Jesus invites all of us to have this game turned on and tuned in our heads, just as he sent out the 72 disciples out, he is also sending us out.

          And, you and I are also sent out – at every Sunday Mass (every Mass & Holy Eucharist), the deacon and priest express and conclude with a reminder that we are sent à “go in peace” … “go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

          And, we say “Thanks be to God” – acknowledging that we are being sent at the time of the final blessing. So, we acknowledge we have gained some nourishment here in prayer, in word, in the sacraments. And, we go out with the Good News.

          We go out with the Good News right at the time it is announced the “Mass is ended” and we say…”thanks be to God.”

          So, while I am touching on the nature of Mass-being-ended …you know “The Mass is Ended, go in peace…” this homily is not quite ended or over yet. Bear with me.

                   

[_03]   We are sent out in 3 ways , as disciples who are called to be:

[►CONNECTED] [►CONSISTENT]

[►COMPASSIONATE]

          1^st. [►CONNECTED]. The word connected means – originally – to “bind with” to be “tied with”.

          And, we are in so many ways bound and tied to each other.

The disciples are sent out 2-by-2, bound and tied to each other.

          Isn’t the prayer of every mother, father, grandparent that their children will find good friends.   

I believe a good prayer to say…”dear Lord, find me some friends, find me a good friend.” And, it is the prayer of every mother, father, grandparent for their children that they will have good friends, good connections in life. Jesus does not send us out to be alone.  We pray, Lord, send me a friend or friends into my life, so that I can walk with you 2 by 2.

          In soccer, they go 2 by 2, to move that ball – that spherical object – downfield.

          What is the key to moving the ball downfield – the players may seem to have eyes in the back of their heads…but in fact, they are so well practiced that they trust where the other even without sight. They move the ball downfield – geometrically and artistically and fluently … because they move together and recognize their support for each other to move the ball from one player’s foot to another player’s foot or head or knee whatever is necessary (except your hands !)

          One or two players may gain statistical credit for GOAL / ASSIST, but everyone was involved in getting the ball downfield. Even the players on the sidelines move the ball downfield in practice.

          Connection is key.

          It’s not what you know it’s who you know! We are also bound, tied to each other – connected as disciples.

         

[_04_]      2^nd . The importance of

being [►CONSISTENT]

          And, consistency is something we learn in many ways from our parents, from our teachers. I’m grateful that I learned this from my parents, equally and consistently. While loving us equally, they also knew each of us as individuals.

          I recall this example set for me in the seminary, by seminary priests and faculty members, one of whom was Monsignor Robert Coleman who says Thursday morning Mass here at Lourdes.

          Monsignor Coleman gave that example of consistency, with the same expectations of everyone studying for the priesthood.

          Before I went into the seminary, I thought I was pretty special, because I was the only I knew about to study for the priesthood.

          Then, I got to the seminary and realized I might not be so special.

          The lesson of consistency was from another priest who shared with me  ”you know, when you become a priest, you should be glad …James Ferry / Father James Ferry, you should feel blessed – and glad if the people forget your name or confuse you with other Catholic priests. If that happens, you are doing something right. ”

          Kind of like you might confuse one player with another after a goal is scored or a victory…

Consistency calls us to work together.

          We are called to be connected as disciples, consistent as disciples and also compassionate as disciples.

[_05_]    3^rd.  The importance of

being [►COMPASSIONATE]. The word compassion includes the word ‘passion’ which does mean suffering …and we are called to suffer with others.

Simon of Cyrene gave us this example, walking the way of the Cross, picking up some of the lumber, the wood to carry the Lord’s cross for Christ…to pick up his portion…Simon of Cyrene is a team player!

          Compassion is also shown by our forgiveness, our willingness to forgive a wrong. Simon Peter learns this.

          Peter comes to Jesus once and says, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how many times must I forgive him.. as many as seven times?”

          No, not 7 times, but 77 times. In other words, “do not keep track…” And, it’s hard to forgive someone over and over again. It’s difficult. Jesus knows this, but he’s forgiving us over and over again..

          And, he’s asking us to do this for each other.

          It does not mean we can never correct another person. Nevertheless, “correcting” another person does not mean that I am withholding forgiveness.

          We can correct another person and still forgive. On the other hand, we can also receive correction – accept correction – and acknowledge that we have been forgiven by another.

          It’s hard to forgive, but forgiveness teaches us COMPASSION, about CONSISTENCY, and that we are CONNECTED in love of God and love of neighbor.    [_fin_]