Vine & Branches. What You Need to Know (2024-04-28, 5th Sun Easter)

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●● Homily,5^th Sunday Easter, 2024-04-28 (year B)  ●●Acts 9:26-31 ● ●Psalm 22 ● ●1 John 3:18-24 ● ●+John 15:1-8 ● ●

Title: Vine and Branches. What You Need to Know.

[__01__]  Do you like text messages?  I like text messages because I can usually learn quickly “what I need to know”.

          This is an ancient example of a text message. It is from the mid 1990s. In the mid 1990s, my parents agreed to accept an exchange student – from Japan - for 2 weeks at our home in New Jersey.

          Immediately, there was a language barrier as my parents spoke no Japanese and this 14-year old girl was quite shy and reticent in the beginning. She also must have been tired and jet-lagged after 14+ hours in an airplane plus time at the airport.

          So it is understandable that she did not immediately communicate eagerly with my parents as fast-talking New Jersey residents.

          On the day that the student arrived, I went over to my parents’ house, but I was not present for the initial introduction and greeting. However, there was in the living room some evidence that they were trying to communicate with each other.

This was the text message. But nobody had phones in the mid 1990s. There was a note written on a slip of paper sliding on the living room floor, left behind on the floor and it read,  “Can I go and unpack my suitcase now?”

          So, this young person passed this note to my mother and father rather than actually speak – out loud – the words.

          Evidently, this was one of several notes passed by this young person who was sometimes more comfortable “writing” than “speaking”

  [__02__]  There's an expression that we sometimes use with each other, or we sometimes use to somebody who's talking for too long, or talking too much. It is this: “just tell me what I need to know”.

This demand to know and to understand, is particularly sharp when we are in an unfamiliar situation. In the previous chapter of this Gospel, the apostles were asking Jesus to them what they need to know. Jesus said to them, he's going to go away, he's leaving them. But then he says “I am the Way the Truth and the Life”. And, they ask him, but where are you going? What's the deal? Just tell us what we need to know. And Jesus says, Follow me and you will get there. That's what you need to know. They wanted something more specific.

 [__03__]  In the Gospel, Jesus is actually trying to be specific by translating the commandments to his disciples and to you and me using certain CONCEPTS.

          There is both a concept and commandment central to the Gospel today – it comes right in the middle – at the midpoint of the reading.

          Do you ever overlook what is said right in the middle of as conversation, perhaps only focusing on what comes at the beginning or end?

          It is typical in many of our reading that the central idea comes also in the “center” or middle of the reading.

          The commandment Jesus gives is: “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4)

          Did you miss that part? I almost missed that part, losing it in translation.

 [__04__]  After our young homestay friend from Japan landed at JFK airport and traveled to NJ that Saturday, I was not at home.

          But, I can picture my mother and father greeting her warmly and then trying to get to know her with questions:

          “Hi, how are you … how was your trip? Was the plane on time? Would you like something to eat? Would you like something to drink?

Where do you live in Japan? How far are you from Tokyo, et cetera, et cetera?” Pleasantries.

          It probably drove the girl crazy.

          All she wanted to do was take a nap and unpack her suitcase.

[__05__]  But, my parents were trying to help her feel at home and “remain the there” and be “sustained there” and be connected, to tell her what she needed to know.

          At that moment, that young person was not ready for the translation.

[__06__]  Are you and I ready for the translated message of Jesus in the Gospel today, a message that reminds us that to remain in Jesus Christ and to be his disciple means that we are the branches on an extended vine that connects all of us.

          The vine and vineyard is the Body of Christ and the Church. We are the branches on the vine.    

To use another “translation” example, we could say the “branches” are the lamps and light bulbs throughout our church or in your house. There are “branches” of wiring that connect these sources of light.

But, no matter how good the bulbs are or the wiring is, you still need an energy source. You need power. The light bulbs are you and I. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the power source. God is what we need to know.

[__07__]  A key message of the Gospel is that the branches require cutting back in order to produce more fruit.

          This is also what we need to know, that we can gain true strength by recognizing not our own power but God’s power.

          An analogy: have you ever noticed that you need to be loved in order to love, that you need someone to be honest with you, for you to be honest, that you need to be nourished in order to nourish someone else.

          God is all of this – He is love, he is honesty and his every word is our food.

          The parable is also about transformation. This process of pruning and cutting back the vine is also translation, a symbol, of you and me repenting of our sins, turning back to God, to pray, to fast, give charitably of ourselves.

Also, what is motivation in life – do I get my electricity from my own power, popularity, pleasure, profitability?

And also in my relationships with others: Do I allow others to know me as I truly am? Or do I try to simply to look good, rather than to be good or worry complete how I look.

          When we repent of our sins and sinfulness, it can be a painful process to recognize what we have done wrong and to recognize what we can do without, what we can really unpack and leave behind.

          Going to confession, your sins die in the confessional. What happens in the confessional stay in the confessional. That’s what we need to know.

          We unpack and leave these things behind not just for an occasional visit in an unfamiliar place with God but so that we can really move in and remain with Jesus as our Savior and brother, and remain at home with him, to talk in His language of love, to receive the life that flows through the vine of the Church to you and to me. [__end__]

Good News. Good Shepherd (c. 1980's) (2024-04-21, 4th Sun. Easter)

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Homily, 4^th Sunday Easter, 2024-04-21 (year B)  ●●  Acts 4:8-12 ●● Psalm 118  ●● 1 John 3:1-2 ●● + John 10:11-18   ●●

 [__01__]    It was late summertime and the late 1980’s. Not June not July, but more like late August. From back in the 1980s. I recall this family episode involving my two brothers, me, and a transaction concerning our father's 1970s Chevrolet.

At the time, I was a teenager _____, and   ______  expressed interest in purchasing the car, the Chevrolet. This _______, a friendly individual who once gave us homemade ravioli, seemed trustworthy. Little did we know, this seemingly simple transaction would turn into a minor debacle.

As summer came to a close, the deal for the car seemed to have fallen into place. However, in the hustle and bustle of the season ending and school starting, the matter of payment slipped through the cracks. My assumption was that my father had received the money, while my father believed I had handled the transaction. It wasn't until October that my father raised the issue of payment, and to our surprise, we discovered that all we had received in exchange for the car was the homemade ravioli. And, unfortunately for my father, my brothers and I devoured it all without a second thought.

Months passed, and the whereabouts of the car and its new owner remained a mystery. According to one of my brothers, he spotted the car traveling south on the Garden State Parkway the following summer. However, neither _____ nor I crossed paths again. The unpaid debt hung in the air, but we chose not to pursue legal action or further confrontation.

Reflecting on this incident in recent times, we pondered why we didn't escalate the matter or seek legal justice.

One explanation ventured into the realm of philosophy, specifically the concept of karma. Karma, originating from Hindu and Buddhist traditions, speaks of cosmic forces and consequences for one's actions. While karma suggests letting go of grievances, it does not have the same depth about forgiveness found in Jesu Christ and the Gospel.

 Contrasting with the karmic perspective, Christianity offers a different viewpoint on forgiveness, exemplified by the story of Jean Valjean from "Les Miserables."

 There is a scene in the novel and play Les Miserables in which the apparent villain – Jean Valjean – stays overnight at a church rectory and at dawn escapes in the dark with all the silverware.

          But, then he gets caught by the police with the stolen silverware and hauled back in front of the priest.

          The priest takes pity on the arrested man and tells the police that the silverware was a gift and that he was supposed to take the silver candle holders as well. And, then gives him the silver holders and gives him money and tells him, “I hope this will make you a better man”.

          It is truly act based in true religion and in God’s grace.

          The man gets mercy which he did not deserve. And, mercy – by definition – is what a sinner does NOT deserve. Mercy is greater than karma.

Forgiveness in Christianity isn't merely a means to escape karma but a pathway to personal growth and reconciliation. It involves both mercy and correction, challenging individuals to confront their shortcomings and strive for repentance.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to emulate his role as an intercessor, advocating for others even in their wrongdoing.

In hindsight, I realize that at the time of the car incident, I failed to consider the circumstances of _________ life or offer prayers for him.

However, I now understand the importance of interceding for others, even those who have wronged us.

Jesus, portrayed as the Good Shepherd, embodies forgiveness and sacrificial love. His example calls us to lay down our lives for others, becoming vessels of God's grace and mercy. Through prayer and action, we can uplift those who have wronged us and advocate for their redemption.

Christian forgiveness extends beyond philosophical ideals, offering a tangible connection to others through acts of mercy and reconciliation. Just as ligaments bind the body together, our faith binds us to one another, emphasizing our interconnectedness and mutual responsibility.

Jesus' forgiveness isn't passive but active, inviting us to participate in the healing and transformation of ourselves and others. By embodying the principles of forgiveness and mercy, we contribute to the creation of a community rooted in love and compassion.

[__12__]    Jesus the Good Shepherd wishes to save everyone who hears his voice, even those who do not know they are lost.

          He creates a church and community that will provide both connections and corrections we need.

          Jesus the Good Shepherd calls out day and night, even to those who are not listening.

          This is in the hope that you who are listening to his voice might correct me when I am not listening.

          May we recognize Jesus as the Good Shepherd who leads us to streams of living water and green pastures in this life and in the next.

[__end__] 

Stay Awake. Resurrection. (2024-04-14, Easter, 3rd Sunday)

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Homily, 3^rd Sunday Easter, 2024-04-14 (year B)   ●●  2024 March 31  ●●Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 ● ● Psalm __ ● 1 John2:1-5a ● ●Luke 24:35-48● ● ●

[__01__]   Have you ever found it difficult to wake up in the morning?

In my case, I sometimes prefer to turn OFF my alarm or press MUTE or SNOOZE rather than stand up. I bring this up because the Easter resurrection appearances of our Savior are frequently experienced as wake up calls to the disciples and to you and me.

Waking up is a PRACTICAL reality.

          Here is a practical example.

I was taking a trip out of town and needing to connect with an airplane flight at 7 am from Newark Airport. Counting chronologically backwards, be at airport by 5 am, wake up by 4 … and I did none of the above successfully.

My brother offered to pick me up here and called my phone when he arrived. Even this I did not hear. He went home. I took a later flight. My bad. He forgave me.

How could I have avoided this – I could have avoided this PRACTICALLY by going to sleep more punctually (earlier) and less anxiously. More on the solution later… part of the key of waking up and being alert is being rested!

          It’s hard to wake up when you feel tired.

[__02__]  During Jesus’s Passion and Death …the disciples showed signs of HIGH exhaustion and LOW alertness

          Recall what took place the night before Good Friday when Jesus goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He tells his disciples. “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”  I.e., don’t close your eyes. Don’t press SNOOZE.

          Then he goes and prays for his “holy hour”, the famous words, “Father if it is your will, take this cup from me…”

          After his prayer, Jesus returned  seeing them asleep, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (selected verses: Matthew 26:36-41)

The disciples were exhausted, not rested.

Waking up is also a COMMUNAL nad RELATIONSHIP reality.

The Resurrection appearances are wake up calls not only so that they can wake up as individuals – but also wake up “together” as a community.

[__03__]  What are the moments or seasons when we are moved to – caused to – wake up together?

          Our Christmas tradition in my house as a family – growing up – was that we opened all of our presents on Christmas morning. So we woke up together. Given that I had younger siblings, as I grew older, I did not want to wake up as early…but was invited to – required – to do so.

          I was called to be in synch with everyone else and have fond memories even if I was “forced” to wake up earlier than I intended.

[__04__]    This past Monday April 8 – was a coincidence of scientific and spiritual/Gospel awakening.

          There was a wake up call scientifically and a wake up call spiritually.

This past Monday, April 8, there was a convergence of scientific and spiritual significance occurred. Scientifically, it marked the total eclipse of the sun, a phenomenon that captivated many people worldwide. This event served as a wake-up call, naturally and scientifically, prompting us to marvel at the world and galaxy and our place within the universe.

Simultaneously, spiritually, April 8th commemorated the feast day of the Annunciation on the Catholic calendar.

          The Annunciation of Jesus being Conceived is a wake-up to our salvation and God’s mercy.

[__06__]  The Annunication has been celebrated on 25 March, in the belief that the human beings were created in the “springtime” of Creation (Book of Genesis).  March 25 is on or about the 1^st day of Spring.

          There is also the parallel tradtion that human beings – Adam and Eve – fell into sin and needed redemption on this same day.  Thus, the coming of Jesus and his death must coincided with the creation and fall of Adam.

          I say all this as a reminder of our own search for God’s light and wisdom and God’s wake up call.

          Each of us, in our own ways, find ourselves not in God’s orbit and but in our own self-absorbed orbit!

          Jesus appears individually to his disciples and also invites us into a personal relationship with him, because he as woken up and arisen first and wishes us to come with him in a new relationship.

[__07__]  What is the solution to waking up on time?

          The solution to waking up on time is to go to bed on time. I am often guilty of not going to bed on time.

          The 2 go together.

          But, I suggest the desire to “stay up too late” manifests itself in other sinful ways in our lives –

          Do we have a desire or inclination or to compare ourselves to others?

          To measure our happiness only by material things or monetary value?

          Do I stay up too late because I am nostalgic for or fantasizing about things that are not actually true?

          Am I living in the darkness of the the past rather than the light of the present?

          If we are going through a tough time such as navigating an illness or caring for someone who is sick, it is a good to give thanks for the past mercies and celebrations. At the same time, we are also called to live in the light of the present to care someone with dignity and honor.

          Sometimes we live in the past because we fear the darkness of a sin or fault from the past.

          Jesus offers us his mercy, in order to wake us up to reality and also that we can be forgiven today, in confession.

          Isn’t it true that when we forigive each other, we so not to re-live or re-hash – re-hashtag – the past  but to be alert to the present.

          In this regard, we are also called open our eyes and ears to his word, to rest and have pave in his love and thus be recharged in His presence.

          Jesus calls us to stay awake!   [__end__]  

Every 3 Years (2024-04-07, Easter 2nd Sunday)

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 Homily, 2^nd Sunday Easter (year B) ●●  2024 April 7  ●● Acts 4:32-35 ● ● 1 John 5:1-6 ● ●John 20:19-31 ● ●

Title: Every 3 Years.

[__01__]    How long is long enough to wait for “success”?

          I bring this up because all of us – in some way shape or form – are success oriented and goal oriented.

          And, we see others who are also driven by success.

          In the world of sports, there was a study done to show that sports teams will only wait 3 years for success, for a winning result.

          3 years or 36 months. This is the average tenure or duration of a professional sports coach in - say -basketball or baseball.

          There is a statistical study that shows that a professional sports team change its coach – meaning they let the current coach go and hire a new one – every 3 years. This 3-year cycle of “firing and hiring” is driven by the insatiable desire for success and championships.

          In other words, if the university or school does not get its desired results – within 3 years – the coach may be shown the door.

          I think this also brings up a question: if the coach’s job is on the line after 3 years, does this mean that the full responsibility rests on the coach and that the players do not really matter, that they are just there to “follow the rules” or “do as they are told”?

[__02__]   On some level, does this mirror how we might read the Gospel?

In the Gospel, we see Jesus as the unparalleled leader, with his disciples sometimes seen as mere followers, perhaps even foolish ones. Jesus has also had a 3 year “plan” a 3 year “term”, at the end of which there is the Passion of our Savior and his Resurrection. We see disciples who faltered, even betraying and deserting Jesus in his hour of need. Judas, Peter, and the others—all seemed to fail when tested, leaving Jesus seemingly defeated after 3 years of leadership. Time for a change? It's as if the disciples were poised to seek a new teacher, a fresh direction, or even find another team to play for, success elsewhere.

 

[__04__]  It is important to note that our Savior – as teacher and leader – could have been justifiably disappointed in his “players” does not begin by berating them or chewing them out for having denied and taking the escape parachute out of Jerusalem.

          Rather, in the Gospel today, we read that when Jesus came and stood in their midst, he does not blow a whistle or shout orders but simply says, “Peace be with you.”

[__05__]  And, in this regard, our Savior is giving a model of benevolent leadership not just to make his followers “feel good” but also to transfer to them, to delegate to them the ministry of the forgiveness of sins in sacramental confession.

          It is quite a statement of hope and promise that Jesus should entrust the forgiveness of sins to his disciples by whom he had been disbelieved and abandoned.

          This is not just a 3 year plan but a plan for their and our eternal salvation.

          But, the predicament of the disciples is similar to any number of others – and ourselves.  We might think that Jesus should not trust us.

Does not Jesus show that he is willing to trust you and me? Yes, He is and says so:   “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

          Jesus is ready to trust us because he came not to you and me in our righteousness but in our sinfulness.

[__06__]  So, Jesus comes to call sinners – that includes you and me – to spread the word about God’s mercy.

[__07__]  What should we expect when things go wrong, when we sin due to our own human weakness or outright willful action, when things do not go according to the plan?

          Here is an example of the “weakness” case and what I might have expected.

          Several years ago, my mother was preparing for back surgery to correct a painful condition and vertebrae and improve her walking. There were preparatory steps leading to the surgery. Collectively, my brother and father and I had to make sure certain things were done medically to prepare her. There was one particular detail that I would have preferred the hospital to administer, but it was left to us. And, I did the opposite of what I was supposed to do.    Afterwards, my mother was fine, but I realized that in my hastiness and weakness, but I had not done what was necessary and joked – in my mother would be suing us for malpractice. That would be justice, right!

          Of course, my mother did not hire a lawyer go against– our family - for malpractice, but I think she had a case!  But my mother recognized me as one of her own.

[__08__]  Doesn’t Jesus have a case against his disciples?

          They did not follow his plan but the Jesus returned to his disciples saying “Peace be with you.” ? Why?

Because he recognizes the disciples as his own.

          In this regard, Jesus is investing himself even more fully in his followers and in you and me, by giving himself to them totally in his Body and Blood. From the Resurrection and Ascension onward, Jesus is making himself equally available to all of us in the Body and Blood of the Eucharist.

          He is showing the disciples that they are forgiven so that they can forgive others.       

[__09__]  What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?

          On one level, the obvious implication of following Jesus is both to “get in line” and give up one’s previous occupation. Peter, James, John were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. They change professions, work, job description.

          Being a follower of Jesus may mean such an outward change, but more importantly for all of us means an interior change of heart and conversion.

[__10__]   This is also the message to Thomas the Apostle in the Gospel today.

          Thomas is asked: “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?” (John ___)

          It would be unfair to single out or condemn Thomas for disbelief and doubt       due to his accidental absence in the first resurrection appearance. Also, nearly all the other disciples were also in disbelief. Would you have believed if you had been there? Would I have believed I had been there?

          I am weak. I would have wanted something in writing!

          Perhaps, we can praise Thomas for his relentless determination to learn the truth about the Resurrection.

          This Resurrection reunion is a reminder of why we come to church and confess our sins regularly and how this is meant to inform our lives. In other words, mercy is not s/t we get, but give…. The Church asks us to confess so at least once a year and to do so during these 50 days of Easter.

          We seek God’s mercy also so that we can grow in love, in charity towards those who trespass against us.  And, to forgive those against whom we feel justified in anger and revenge.

          The path of wishing harm on others is harmful and toxic to ourselves. There is another “escape route” and we need not wait 3 years – or every 3 years to take it.

          We are called to seek God’s mercy every day. Love for your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. This is the Gospel Good News.

          Blessed are you when you hear this. When you see this. Blessed are you who have not seen and believed. Our Savior is willing to wait for you. [__end__]