Proportion/Rescue (2024-09-29, Sunday -26)

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Homily – Sept.  29, 2024  /  26^th Sunday (Year B)  ●    ●   Psalm ___ ● ●  + Mark 9:38-48  ●

Title:  Proportion (Mark 9:38-48)

[00] Hurricane Helene 2024

In the southeastern United States, countless first responders—firefighters, police, EMTs—have been working tirelessly to save lives from the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. Among them was a meteorologist in Atlanta, who, while covering the story, saw a woman trapped in her car. He put down his microphone and performed a life-saving rescue. Though not an official EMT, he is rightly hailed as a hero.

In emergencies like this, we need all hands on deck. Everyone has a role in promoting safety, whether it's saving lives directly or simply staying off the roads when advised. Even "sheltering in place" can be a heroic choice.

 [01] The Disciples' Perspective

 In today's Gospel, we see a similar discussion among the disciples about who is truly doing God's work. They complain to Jesus about someone who was casting out demons in His name but wasn’t part of their group. They tried to stop him, thinking he was unqualified.

Jesus corrects them, saying, “Do not prevent him … whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:39-40). Much like the meteorologist, this unofficial exorcist was doing good, even if he wasn’t part of the official group of disciples. Jesus' message is clear: the goal isn’t who gets credit, but that God's work is being done.  

Of course, the meteorologist turned rescuer in Atlanta will be celebrated as an unofficial EMT/firefighter. And in no way does this diminish the work of the official EMT and firefighters.

[__02_] Because the target and goal is not to for the rescuers to get credit statistically for lives saved … but simply for lives to be saved.

It is true - in the sense of the Church and our sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Holy Communion that  you and I are bound by these sacraments to follow them, to invite others to follow them. However, God is not bound by these sacraments. God may save others by His own methods unbeknownst to

us. I bring this up because Jesus follows up this Gospel with a stern warning about salvation, heaven and hell and judgment.

          In this regard, I just encourage you not to despair of your salvation or the salvation of others but to continue to pray and fast and give charitably for the salvation of both the living and  dead.

          Even if there is someone who died last week, last year, or years ago, you and I can still pray for him or her, to pray that as she or he fell into death that there was a moment of final  repentance.

          And,  this message of repentnace applies to us…

 [__03__] Jesus, in Gospel today, tells us what we do not want to hear, but also gives us solutions that need to be understood in our own context.

There is a a real  possibility that some us could be so far from God, so explicitly rejecting God that we would not enter heaven.

Also, he is telling us that we are responsible  by our words and actions - in  what we do and what we avoid doing - to help others by our example.

“he who causes one  of these little ones to sin, it would better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and he be cast into the sea.”

It is an image that is unforgettable.

 But, do we not tune in for the broadcasting of many "danger" messages in the news media that are also hard to dismiss?  These messages include warnings from meteorologists, from political reporters, from others that are also meant to shake us up, to change our ways - to keep us away from the flood, from fire, from danger, from highway accidents – all of these are given to keep us safe.  

The Lord also wants to keep us safe in heaven and on earth and give us some solutions…

[__04__]  Have you ever heard this Gospel about the body and thought it outdated or irrelevant to modern times?

It’s important to clarify that Jesus' use of bodily metaphors is not advocating self-harm. We live in a world where people struggle with issues like self-harm, and the Gospel does not promote such actions.

[__05__]  Nevertheless, when Jesus speaks of the hand, foot, or eye, He urges us to meet the **offenses** of temptation and sin with proportional **defenses**. For example, Jesus was fully obedient to God, modeling the perfect response to sin. Even before enduring the cross, He submitted to the divine will of God. This serves as a model for us: to be defensively obedient, not only when it's convenient but also when it's difficult.

 

[__06__]   **Feet/Motivation** 

First, let's consider **feet** and motivation. Have you ever woken up highly motivated, excited for the day ahead? On other days, though, you might lack that same drive. This reflects our sinfulness — we’re motivated when things go our way, but not when life challenges us.

As Psalm 119 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” However, it’s easy to follow paths motivated by personal desires rather than God’s guidance. Sometimes, we walk with people—either in person or online—who are not good for us, leading us to places we shouldn’t go. Jesus teaches us that it’s better to lose those negative motivations than to keep them and end up in a bad place.

 [__07__]   **Hands/What We Generate** 

Second, Jesus speaks about the **hand**—what we generate through our actions. We can be very proud of what we accomplish with our hands: work, emails, projects. It’s easy to take credit for everything we generate, forgetting to thank God for our abilities. The Gospel invites us to detach from pride in our work and give thanks to God for His gifts.

Jesus doesn’t want us to lose our hands but rather to use them to give glory to God. Sometimes, we need to cut off our attachment to what we generate to avoid the sin of pride. Giving credit where it's due—both to God and others—is key to healing and standing firm against temptation.

 [__08__]  **Eye/Imagination**   Finally, Jesus talks about the **eye**, representing our **imagination** and vision. What we look at shapes our thoughts and desires. Often, our gaze leads us into temptation, whether through greed, vanity, or lust. We can be overly focused on material possessions or wealth, and these obsessions take control of us.

It’s not about disfiguring the eye but about refocusing our vision. Our excessive attachment to worldly desires or opinions can lead us astray. Today, electronic devices amplify this temptation. Our phones, tablets, and computers constantly flood us with images and ideas that can deform our imagination.

To young adults especially: you’re at a stage where your imagination is highly influenced by the media you consume. While the Gospel is a defense, so is your family. I encourage you to disconnect from your devices every night—not just switching to airplane mode but fully removing them for hours. A proportional response to temptation requires radical action, such as handing over your phone to a parent overnight to ensure you rest well.

[__Conclusion__]   Jesus’ message is not an ancient code irrelevant to our modern lives. It's a call to reflect on what motivates us, what we generate, and what we imagine. Are we motivated by things of God? Are we focused on personal achievement and productivity, or do we give thanks to God? Our imagination can lead us astray, but by keeping our hearts centered on God’s word, we find true peace. So that we might shelter in the right place both in heaven and on earth. As St. Augustine wrote in the Confessions of his faith, your faith, my faith and our need for connection to God: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.”

Humility / Greatness / Carlo Acutis (2024-09-22, Sunday - 25)

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25^th Sunday ● Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 ● ● Psalm  54 ●● James 3:16-4:3 ● ● + Mark 9:30-37 ● ●    

The Gospel message of Jesus is “triggered” by an argument among the disciples arguing who is the greatest among them. Then, Jesus speaks of a child as a sign of true greatness, catching them off guard. Humility and greatness are complementary – they complete each other. They do not crowd each other out.

 [__01__]    Humility and Humanity

  “Be not afraid” is a famous phrase from Jesus in the Gospel. Interestingly, it is also the first part of a well-known quote by William Shakespeare in the play, Twelfth Night:   "Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." Shakespeare is encouraging his listener not to fear becoming great.

Jesus is also stating in the Gospel, "Be not afraid." But, Jesus is urging his disciples and us to “be not afraid of humility.”

Humility – or being humble - rather than something to fear, is essential to greatness.

 

He shows us that some are born humble, some are made humble, and some have humility thrust upon them. But humility is not a weakness; it brings us closer to God and others.

 [__02__]    Humility and Reality     

What does it mean to be humble? In today's Gospel, Jesus points out a child. Children are born humble by nature, unable to fend for themselves, completely dependent on others for survival.

This is true beyond infancy and toddlerhood.

I remember when I was a teenager , age 14, and got my first job washing dishes in a diner. Despite being pleased to earn my own money, I still couldn’t fully support myself; I needed my parents for food and shelter. This is true for all children, and their dependence is a form of humility. They remind us of the vulnerability of life and, through that, to connect us not only to our parents as the source of life but to God as the Lord and giver of life.

[__03__]    Humility and Charity

   Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25 to love and care for the humble, including children, as they represent His presence. He says, "I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink." In caring for the vulnerable, especially children, we are in the presence of Christ and true greatness. Jesus Himself entered the world as a vulnerable child, and in that humility, we find His greatness.

Working with or advocating for children, whether as a parent, teacher, volunteer, or healthcare worker, is often humble and unnoticed work.  In a few weeks, we will conduct our October Baby Shower collection of gifts for the Several Sources Shelter for pregnant women. 

 Assisting women in crisis is important work, but it is also work that goes unnoticed in a popular sense.

It is beautiful but also humbling work to care for a child, to care for a spouse, a sibling, anyone in need.

 Yet, it is in this humility that true greatness lies. Jesus tells us He came not to be served, but to serve. Serving others, especially the most vulnerable, is the path to greatness.

[__04__]    Humility: Thrust Upon Us

But humility isn’t just something we’re born into—it’s often thrust upon us. We all face moments when life humbles us, when we don’t receive the recognition or validation we desire. For many, this humility starts early in life, perhaps from wanting something from our parents that they couldn’t or wouldn’t give us. This lack of affirmation can shape our experience of humility.

 

[__05__]    Humility: Being Made Humble. Is this a Good Thing?

We may be born humble or have humility thrust upon us, but we can also be made humble. Should we fear this? Jesus says, "Be not afraid." In humility, we discover our true greatness. It's natural to resist being humble. I’ll admit, I often find humility difficult.

Then again, do you noticed that award-winning "champions" and "celebrities" and famous people are often praised for being "humble". Hey, I want to be praised... !

I might transfer this to myself, to conclude "being humble" - even pretending to be humble -- will make me more likable. This is, however, a vain and self-serving view of humility. True humility isn’t about seeking approval—it’s about recognizing our place before God.

 

[__06__]    Humility: Blessed Carlo Acutis

An example of humility is Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young man on his way to being canonized in the Catholic Church. Carlo was born in 1991 and died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. Despite his short life, he made a significant impact, using his computer skills to spread the Gospel and considered a patron saint of young people, computer programmers, and influencers.

His parish priest said:

Carlo’s humility was evident in how he used his talents not for self-promotion but to glorify God. Even in his illness, he continued to share God’s love. His parish priest once said of him, “Carlo was a young man who was exceptionally transparent. He really wanted to progress in loving his parents, God, his classmates, and those who loved him less.” (Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Acutis)

 

We might not all be called to be computer programmers, but we are all called to be influencers of God’s mercy and love. Even in moments of suffering or pain, we have something to offer. Carlo’s example reminds us that, through endurance and faith, we can become instruments of God’s grace, even when we feel weak or insignificant.

Carlo devoted his time using his computer to advertise not his own achievements, but God's miracles, Eucharistic miracles and apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Carlo believed that even in his illness and pain, he had something to share, something to offer. He was known for his endurance during pain.

[__07__]    Rhetorical Q / Reflection

Are you suffering? Are you in pain due to a physical ailment or rejection by your peers? Even in this you have something to share.

____ To feed the hungry by your generosity, even when you're starving, _____to give drink to the thirsty by your thoughtfulness, even when you feel dehydrated, and ____ to clothe the naked by your love, even when you feel alienated or abandoned ____ in this you can be an influencer.

Whether feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, or offering comfort to the lonely, our acts of love reflect the greatness of humility. We are all children of God, and in every stage of life, we are called to embody this humility and greatness.

Carlo Acutis once said, “We are all born originals, but some [of us] die as [Xerox] photocopies." His words are echoed by Pope Francis,

___ “Carlo did not fall into a trap. He saw that many young people, if they seem to be different, end up, in reality, looking like each other, by running behind what powerful people impose on them via mechanisms of consumption and stupor. In this way, they do not let the gifts that the Lord has made for them flow into them. They do not offer the world these personal and unique gifts that the Lord has sown in each one of them.   ”    ___

(Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Acutis)

Let us take this message of humility to heart. Jesus' teaching about being like a child reminds us that humility is not about weakness or inferiority—it is the path to greatness. We are born humble, but through our lives and actions, we can become truly great by loving God and our neighbor as ourselves.

Be not afraid of humility. You were born humble, and through following Christ’s command to love, you can achieve true greatness, both in this life and the next.

[__end__]    

Link to Colleen Whelan Livestream Funeral - 11am Eastern, Thu. Sept. 19

 Link to Colleen Whelan Livestream Funeral

Hour: 11 am Eastern Time USA, Thursday September 19

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What did you know? When ...? (2024-09-15, Sunday -24)

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2024-09-15 --  24^th Sunday ● Isaiah 50:5-9a ● ● Psalm 116 ●● James 2:14-18 ● ● + Mark 8:27-35 ● ●    

Title:  What did you know? Who do you say that I am?

 

 

[__01__]    There was once an investigation in which it seemed that there had been a cover-up and a concealment by a government leader of what really happened. And, the lead “detective” asked a famous question.

 

The investigator or “detective”, speaking before reporters and being recorded, not only wanted to know what happened by a particular witness but also asked:

 

“what did he – the witness - know and when did he know it?”

 

For what do you and I expect of LEADERS - whether that leader is your school principal, your manager at work, your mayor, me as your pastor, your child’s teacher ….?

“What did the leader or person in charge know and when did the leader  know it?”

 

You expect to be told the truth.

 

And, even if a leader does not have all the answers during a crisis or difficulty, you expect to be told “hey, we do not have all the answers but we are working on it.”

 

[__03__]    This same question might be asked of Peter the Apostle in the Gospel today who had some data, some revealed truth that none of the other Apostles were privy to.

 

In other words, to Peter, “what did you know and when did you know it?”

 

Jesus had been asking: “Who do you say that I am? Who do you say that he Son of Man is?”

 

And, Peter replies:  “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”

 

Peter is praised for this correct response, for telling what he knows.  We should also not overlook to praise Jesus for making this prediction of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

 

By doing so, he enables us to prepare to meet him in our own sufferings, in our own dying and to trust that we have a life beyond this world, and a personal relationship with him.

Jesus will later say, “I no longer call  you servants because a servant does not know what his master is doing. I call you friends because I have told you everything I have heard from my father. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”

 

Peter, despite, “knowing this intellectually” is not yet ready to the TRANSPARENT and humble leader to share this information with others about the personal cost of suffering.

 

Unfortunately, right now, Peter is all about covering up what he in fact knows or denying what he knows.

 

 

[__04__]   Do you struggle at times to know what is God’s will and what is the meaning of your suffering and struggle?

 

You might want to give up.  I might want to give up.  We have all been there.

 

[__05__]   Sometimes we struggle to discover what is God’s will in our lives.

 

This was also expressed as a question by Jesuit Father Walter Ciszek in his missionary experience in the mid 1900’s in Russia, a missionary experience that also led to his imprisonment for over 2 decades.:

 

Father  Walter Ciszek, S.J. (November 4, 1904 – December 8, 1984, author of “He Leadeth Me”) was a Polish-American Jesuit priest of the Russian Greek Catholic Church who secretly conducted missionary work in the Soviet Union between 1939 and 1963.

 

He was, in fact, under investigation and considered a spy and enemy of the state for his missionary outreach.

 

After a few years, he was arrested in Soviet Russia, thrown in jail and also did hard labor in what was called the Gulag in Siberia.

 

For 24 years, he was imprisoned and not heard from. In fact, in accordance with the law, he was given up for dead.

 

Then, in 1963, he was released and returned to the United States

 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Ciszek)

 

This appeared in America magazine (Jesuit publication):

(https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/what-im-reading-he-leadeth-me-walter-ciszek-s-j/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CTo%20predict%20what%20God's%20will,places%2C%20people%2C%20and%20problems.)

 

[At the time of his release to the USA, Father Walter was not recognized as alive. His fellow Jesuits had said Masses for the repose of his soul. If you can imagine the shock — and then the joy — relatives and friends felt when news came that he was still alive, you begin to get some pale inkling of the apostles’ joy and exultation that first Easter morning, when at last they dared to believe the news the women brought them from the tomb.”

 

 

Father Walter is also known for articulating to us – the disciples of Jesus today – how we might receive and regard and recognize God’s will  which is sometimes mysterious but not necessarily impossible to realize.

 

What do we look for from a leader in a crisis? We look not for toughness but for transparency – and in this regard we can say Jesus is a leader and Savior with transparency who wishes to share his will with us, his Cross with us, not to punish us but to remind us that our sufferings have meaning.

 

You and I are invited ask what do we know and when did we know it, of God’s mercy and love, of Jesus’ suffering and death. If we seem to have forgotten, there is still time to get back on track.

 

Father Walter writes of what he came to recognize in prison also applied to life beyond prison:

 

“"God’s will for us was in the 24 hours of each day: the people, the places, the circumstances He set before us in that time. Those were the things God knew were important to Him and to us at that moment, and those were the things upon which He wanted us to act."”

 

God also wishes for you  and me to act, to pray, to fast, to give charitably and also to be willing to recognize that our sufferings – united to Christ – make Him present not just in our hearts but in our relationships and in our travels to many destinations.

Listening (2024-09-08, Sunday - 23)

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 Homily – Sept 8, 2024  23^rd Sunday (Year B)   ● Isaiah 35:4-7a ●  Psalm 146 ●

● James 2:1-5 ● + Mark 7:31-37 ●

 Title: Listening

[__01__]     Personal Encounter with Grace     There was a miraculous healing in  this Gospel (Mark 7:31-37). Jesus encountered a man unable to hear or speak, both deaf and mute. However, while momentous, this miracle wasn’t performed in front of a large crowd, but in a private, intimate encounter between Jesus and the man. This intimacy teaches us something profound about the nature of God’s grace: it’s personal. While God’s grace is proclaimed in large gatherings in churches, on sound systems, through YouTube or TV or radio, it is also experienced deeply in personal moments.

We gather for Mass on Saturdays and Sundays, and this communal worship is vital. It is where we turn ourselves toward God and renew our commitment to follow Christ. But the experience of God’s word and grace isn’t confined to the pews or limited to the time we spend at Mass. Being at Sunday morning Mass is an essential part of our faith journey, but it is only the beginning. A “weekday” and every day conversion – for you and me - continues in your kitchen youir garage, your car, your work, your school, your home.

When we come to Mass, we don’t just come for ourselves. We come to pray for others as well—for those sitting beside us, for those we don’t even know. The Church and the Mass are communal experiences, where we collectively listen to God’s word and lift our prayers for one another. This reminds us that we are part of the Body of Christ, interconnected and interdependent.

 

 

[__02__]    Hearing the Message Clearly

Even in this communal setting, with microphones and speakers, it is possible to miss things. We may not always hear the full message of the Gospel.

Distractions come, and you or I may not be fully present, tuned in. Have you ever found yourself hearing only what you want to hear, filtering out the rest? I know I have. It’s something to be mindful of, when it comes to listening to God’s word.

 

[__03__]    Listening as a Virtue

St. James gives us guidance on this matter in his letter: “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). Listening is a skill that requires effort and attention, but it’s also a virtue that helps us grow in our relationship with God and with others.

 

[__04__] Moments of Missed Connections     In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the importance of listening. But have you ever experienced a moment where you only caught part of a conversation or didn’t get the full story? Maybe you were late to a meeting, or only half-listening to a discussion or standing too far away.

Does this “distance” or “disconnect” make you unsure of what to do next? This can happen in our spiritual lives too. We might feel like we’ve missed something important, unsure of what God is trying to say to us. But in those moments, we can always turn to God, asking for clarity, guidance, and help in understanding.

We also need witnesses – guides – such as our parents, friends, siblings -  who can remind us of the Gospel in real practical ways.

We live in a noisy world, filled with distractions that make it difficult to hear God’s voice. But God is always speaking to us, always present, always ready to help us hear His word more clearly. And I am here, in this church, to help you with that. My role isn’t just to share my opinion about God’s word, but to help you truly hear it and connect with the message God has for you personally.

 

[__05__]    Example

Let me share an example. Recently, I was reminded that sometimes, even when I miss something initially, I may get another opportunity to hear it, to understand it more fully.

This past Saturday, I attended a funeral for a family member named Claudia. At the Mass, Claudia’s children gave a eulogy, sharing lovely memories and stories about their mother.

However, from where I was sitting in the church, I could comprehend only half of the words and sentences. I was disappointed that I couldn’t share in the moment, couldn’t fully participate in the laughter and the touching remembrances. I was actively myself smiling and pretending to hear and laugh at what was being said, but in reality, I had missed my chance to truly hear it all.

After the funeral, we were standing on the sidewalk outside the church – waiting to drive to the cemetery - when something fortunate happened. I riding in the car with Claudia’s husband, John, and their son. From the back seat, I mentioned to John that I had heard a few tid-bits of a story in church – in the eulogy - about something about Claudia and a minivan, but I couldn’t get the full details. John, eager to talk, began to fill me in.

He told me that Claudia believed in doing an act of kindness every day of her life. If she saw someone in need, she would help, even if it was someone unknown to her and he gave examples. In this regard, John said, he and Claudia were opposites. While he also wanted to help people, he didn’t do so in the same outgoing, forward-thinking way that Claudia did and for COMPLETE STRANGERS.

John then shared the story of the minivan which was several years old.  Rather than trading it in, the decided to advertise it in the newspaper and get some money to buy their next car.  A potential buyer called and rang the doorbell.

Claudia not only met the buyer  but learned her story, learned about her and also learned how much she really liked the van, but also that she was a single parent and could not really afford it

A few days later, John noticed the minivan was gone and asked Claudia how much they had sold it for. She revealed that she hadn’t sold it at all; she had given it away to the woman and her family

This story wasn’t widely known among their family and friends until after Claudia’s death, but it was part of the eulogy … part of what I could not hear on the first try.

But there I was, hearing it directly from John, hearing it in a way that no one else in the church had, and also realized he was the one really challenged by this action and transaction.

Missing something, I was given another chance to hear it—more clearly and directly than I could have imagined from the one who had really experienced it.

 

[__06__]   Learning to Listen and Sacrifice

We are called to hear God’s word and recognize that sometimes, Jesus does things differently from how we might do them and speaks from his experience to our own. He already planned to give up His life for us when we would likely try to save our own. But through love, whether in family, marriage, or friendship, do we not also learn the value of planning to lay down our lives for one another?

This may mean doing the opposite of our own preference.

This is the message of next Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 8:27-35) when Peter tries to reverse Jesus’ prediction of His passion and death. Peter still has much to learn about what it means to sacrifice himself and unite with Jesus’ mission.

Jesus also takes Peter aside 1-on-1 not just in this instance but several other times!

It may take us more than once, more than 7 or 77 times, to hear God’s message clearly in our minds and hearts. But God is always speaking, always giving us another chance to listen and understand. [end]