Water Rescue / Confession (2023-08-13, 19th Sunday, 11:30 am)

___ Click Here for Audio of Homily ___  

__ Click Here for Video of Mass___ 

Homily file for August 13, 2023  19^th Sunday

 ● 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a  ● Psalm ● Romans 9:1-5 ● Matthew 14:22-33 ●

 Title:   Water Rescue / Confession.

  [_01__]  Recently, I went to visit an old friend, long standing friend My friend had moved from his regular hometown location to a new home in an unfamiliar place, unfamiliar – not well known to him or to me. To my surprise, my friend never put any pressure on me or obligation for me to visit him.

Yet I felt obliged to go. And though it took me more than a year to finally get there, and finally this past week, I went and made the trip.

We had a nice visit for an hour or so what surprised me was that I felt so much better for having made the trip. I didn't expect I didn't expect to feel bad. But I also didn't expect to feel affirmed in this relationship.  What I also learned was that while my effort to visit my friend was a good thing – it did not make me in control of the outcome, the result.

This friendship which I had thought was permanently changed by distance by the new location by new circumstances. Evidently, the friendship at its core, there was a beauty of presence, there was God himself, that was the Holy Spirit.

God is in charge of the result. In the Gospel this Sunday, Peter has an idea about walking on water, Peter gets out of the boat to walk on water. But Peter thinks he's in charge of the outcome. He takes a few steps successfully and then loses his way plunges beneath the water, Peter is all wet. Peter is not in charge of the outcome, the results.

[_02__]   ISRAEL HISTORY

And there were earlier moments in history of Israel when the people walked on water or through water, while staying completely dry. The most famous of this is in the Book of the Exodus in Jewish Scriptures, the crossing of the Red Sea, with Moses leading the way, while the Israelite / Hebrew people “figure” they are about to be captured.  

They had been running as far and fast as they possibly could. They've arrived at the water – at the deep end of the Red Sea, and they're about to be captured by the Egyptian chariots and charioteers.  They do not know how to swim or cross. There's no ferry boat or any other boat.

And they're trying to escape from the Egyptian soldiers and chariots. Their only hope was for God to part to separate the waters, and they cross on dry land, Moses parts the waters. And this gospel is another reminder that Jesus is the new Moses, parting the waters enabling us to “stay dry”, if we follow Him.

 

[_03__]   Why does God rescue his people by helping them to cross the Red Sea?

Why does God rescue Peter who was about to drown? Sometimes we might imagine that our own chances of survival or rescue from a situation depends on our own merits on our own value or talents.

And maybe we read this “Coast Guard”-style rescue of Peter in the same way.  I.e., Jesus has to save Peter in order to make him a leader.

The last week, Jesus took Peter up the mountain of the Transfiguration with James and John. In other words, Peter, Jesus has a lot invested in Peter. Peter is the priority; he is Jesus’s 1^st round draft pick.

Jesus loves Peter, so we may say, Jesus has put a priority on Peter, therefore he saves them. The truth is, Jesus loves Peter no more or no less than he loves you or me. And we might also feel unsteady or feel that we are drowning at times.

In St. Paul's letter to the Romans, we read that God shows His love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  (Romans 5:8)

Jesus doesn't love you, because you have proved yourself to Him. He proves Himself to you by loving you, even offering you and me forgiveness for our sins.

 [_04.01__]    CONFESSION

The normal way that we receive mercy absolution for our sins, as Catholics is to go to confession, which I admit, is a sacrament that has fallen on hard times. You may think it has less relevance these days.

But, truly the confession has even more relevance these days. Because these days, when we fall or fail, we easily think at that the only way to recover from my failing or my failure from my sin is to prove myself by doing something excellent, equally good to make up for what was bad.  I.e., we are performance focused, achievement oriented.

[_04.02__]    But that's not the gospel. When Jesus urges us to be perfect to be virtuous, He's not asking us to just rack up more successes, or more successful goals to make up for all the penalties committed.

Or [BASEBALL]à need to hit more home runs to compensate for my strikeouts?

Those are sports rules – they are not the rules of salvation. Peter even gives into this foolish pride. Peter thinks this way.

[_04.03__]    OBJECTIONS

There are objections to go into confession. For example, why do we object to confession we say: [go 2 God direct] yes, you should go to God directly whether you repent or rejoice.

Yet, we go to confession for our sins for the same reason we go to the doctor for our health or the dentist for our teeth, in other words to receive a 1-on-1 affirmation and assurance of forgiveness. Also, confession has a stricter privacy and secrecy than any doctor-patient confidentiality. You're safe in the confessional!

Another reason we might not go to the conflict go to Confession is because we say well, the priest is a sinner too. He's got lots of sins. Have you ever said, “The priest – the padre – is worse than I am”

That could apply to me. It's possible. It's, but that's not a reason not to go to confession.

It's also not a reason not to go to the doctor or to the dentist, the dentist. The dentist might not have great teeth. The doctor might not be in great health, but the doctor can still help you.

[_05__]     In the 1^st reading today, Elijah, had come to a cave, hideout on a mountain, because the queen of Israel, the royal family in Israel, are so displeased with his religious preaching and they want to take his life. Elijah was being persecuted for doing what was right. He did something spectacular earlier and defeating the idols that were leading people away from God. Now Elijah is looking for affirmation of God's presence. But God is not speaking to Elijah in the earthquake or in the wind or in the fire. He's speaking to him in a tiny whispering sound, a still small voice, going to confession to receive our sins is the way for us to hear God's voice to know that we are forgiven and to focus more closely on God's voice. He is inviting us to come to Him.  

[_end__] 

Transfiguration (2023-08-06)

__ Click Here for Audio of Homily ____

Homily for August 6, 2023  Transfiguration (Year A)

 ● Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14  ● Psalm 97 ● 2 Peter 1:16-19 ● Matthew 17:1-9 ●

 [_00-a__]   Several years ago, my brothers, my sister, my father and I planned a surprise birthday party for my mother.

          And, at the moment the celebration started, as my mother – the guest of honor – walked through the door – she really had no idea that she was going to her own birthday party.

          So, the surprise caught her “off guard” but in a good way and this enabled everyone to share the moment.

[_00-b__]   Such a birthday party is one example of a [pause] or [retreat] we might make from everyday life – in order to celebrate, rejoice, withdraw and be with our most intimate and long-standing friends [that Jesus is not just withdrawing to the mountain to be with his BFF / pals , but to give himself away to the whole world]

 

[_00-c__]    While I think back nostalgically to our surprise birthday party and to everyone who was there, it is still only 1 moment in time, in a longer lifespan.

          It is good to recall things that have taken place in the past, to remember where we have come from, so as to give thanks, give gratitude to God for the gift of our lives.

          Even, I daresay to give thanks for the gift of struggles we have endured – or are maybe enduring right now.

[_00-d__]  St. Augustine, who lived around the year 400 and at the time of the decline of the Roman Empire, was witnessing in his own day a decline in religious observance and a discussion about where God is for people who seem to ignore Him.

          It might be a discussion you have considered having.

          One of the reasons that we might turn away from – or feel indifferent towards – God or faith in religion is not that we are only attached to material things.

          Yes, materialism can be an obstacle.

          But, even if you are materially wealthy or comfortable, do you not also find a place for God?

          C.S. Lewis said this about our view of God, that we sometimes view God the way that an Air Force pilots regard their parachutes. That is, they go to great altitudes with their parachutes, but regard them as only for emergencies and hope they never have to use them. (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 94)

          St. Augustine reminded us that pain, discomfort, inconvenience can sometimes be an opportunity to rebuild or to take inventory. Augustine warned us not to live our lives only for material things. This is not simply because material things are fragile and fade. But they also can leave us stuck in the past and unable to live in the present. Augustine wrote, “God wants to give us something, but cannot because our hands are full. There’s nowhere for him to put it.”  (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 94)

[_01__]       Recently, the TV sports cable channel – ESPN – held what is called their annual ESPY awards. This year, there was an unusual recipient and honoree. That is, the award did not go to specific player or team or coach but was given to the “sideline / locker room” trainers, physical conditioning and training staff of the NFL football Buffalo Bills.

          Last season, these trainers and physical conditioners jumped into action when a player named Damar Hamlin fell to the ground and suffered cardiac arrest. Due to the swift action of his trainers, he was revived and stabilized and sent to the hospital where he later made a full recovery.

          It was an example – in national news – one person’s life was worth more than their successes, MVP’s, endorsements.  What was also unprecedented was that after the injury, the game was not resumed, but was simply cancelled and was never re-played.

          Sometimes, it takes such an interruption to gain our attention

          (By the way, a similar thing could be said about the son of LeBron James. Both LeBron and his son “Bronny” are basketball players. Bronny recently collapsed at a practice. You and I – no matter how physically fit we are – are not guaranteed a life span longer than the current moment).

[_02__]   And, this is the message to Peter, especially, who is on the mountain of the Transfiguration [TSFG] with Jesus.

          This event, TSFG, takes place about halfway (??? Chronology??) through Jesus’ ministry.

          One chapter earlier, a few days earlier, Jesus had asked his disciples, “who do people say that I am?” and “who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:__)

          Peter, as “star student” among all the disciples, responds with “You are the Chirst the Son of the Living God”  (Matthew 16:__)

 

          And, Peter wants to stop right there. But, Jesus does not stop right there, but continues telling Peter that he must suffer and die.

          Peter cannot accept this yet.

          Even on the mountain of the TSFG, is there not a sign of Peter’s stubborn refusal?

          That is, when Peter wakes up from his little nap, Peter sees Jesus’ glorified in dazzling white and immediately thinks that this is Jesus’ final and ultimate triumph.

Therefore, Peter wants to build the tents – as monuments for this Hall-of-Fame guest list – Jesus, Moses, Elijah.

But, the TSFG is not an awards show or trophy presentation like the Oscars or Wimbledon tennis.

The TSFG is not even supposed to be “televised” / “livestreamed” / or “publicized” right now.

Jesus urges secrecy about this moment of glory because Jesus does not want the TSFG to call premature attention to himself.  Jesus has more work to do with the disciples before he will be arrested and complete his Passion, Death and Resurrection.

 [_03__]    Are you in the midst of celebration – or suffering – or somewhere in between?

          Sometimes, at such moments, we want to stop or “give up”, but Jesus is urging us – with his example and encouragement – to trust in his word and recall that the best is yet to come.

 

[_04__]   As I recall my mother’s – or “Grandma’s birthday party” because several of her grandchildren were there, I call what one grandchild said, having thoroughly enjoyed herself and settling herself in the car afterwards, this grandchild said:  “This is the best day of my entire life.”

          It was nice that “Grandma” heard this.

         

[_05__]   And, that’s how Peter feels – emotionally, spiritually – for a while seeing the dazzling white of Jesus in his glory.

          Does it get any better than this?

          Peter does not think so, right now.

          But the message to Peter and all of us is not focus on moments in the past, or on monuments (tents) we did not build or should have built, but to remember that Jesus has a method (plan) for our lives.

[echo here that Jesus is not just withdrawing to the mountain to be with his buds/peeps, but to give himself away to the whole world, to die for you.]

We may not always comprehend his plan, but we are called by God the Father’s voice:

“This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”

It will be the best day of our lives when we do this!   [_END__]

Invasive Species. Weeds. Response. (2023-07-23. Sunday - 16)

___ Click Here for Audio of Homily ____

Homily file for July 23, 2023  --  16^th Sunday (Year A)

 ●● Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 ● Psalm 85 ● Romans 8:26-27  ● Matthew 13: 24-43

● ●   Title:    Invasive Species. Weeds. Response

[_01__]  A scammer is someone who commits a “scam” or fraud or participates in a dishonest scheme, and are predators who take advantage of a person’s good intentions.

          I bring up “fraud” or scams as one particular example of an invasive species or “weed” that has grown up in our own high-tech “field” or world.

          Contrary to what we might expect from our Savior, we are not told to eliminate the invasive species, which in our high-tech world today could be a computer virus or just old-fashioned – fraud or dishonesty.

[_02__]       Have  you heard of this type of scam or fraud?

          Someone calls claiming to be from PSE&G, or Con Edison or your gas, water, or electric utility company. They say your service will be cut off if you don’t pay them “within 45 minutes”.

          If you do call back thinking it was real – as I did once – I was told to go out to the store and buy VISA cash-like gift cards.

          At this point, we knew this was fraud, a scam.

[_03__]       I cite this example as one in which someone with bad intentions takes advantage of people with very good intentions. And, this is all possible in a world with a great deal of technology.

          In such instances, I wish there were no technology, as though I could turn back the clock to a world without online banking, PayPal and Google Wallet.

          In these and other cases, there is an invasive species – the cheaters  with bad intentions – growing among the hard-working honest people with good intentions.

 [_04__]    In the parable we have just heard, we are told by Jesus about a landowner who owns a Google data center with hundreds of computers …and there is a virus infecting some of the hard drives and it happens while the people are sleeping and the computers are awake. Viruses do not sleep.

          No, that is not the parable. That would be “Silicon Valley” update to the parable.

          What happens in the parable is not a computer virus but the “agricultural equivalent” in that a bad, invasive species or plant a weed – is growing amid the good healthy stalks of wheat. The invasive species of weed  does not sleep. It is not wild. It was put there, allowed to be there.

          What should this landowner and do?

 

[_05__]    The man does something illogical in that he does not immediately build some “agricultural” firewall against the invasive species in his field.

          He does not try to destroy the virus. He also does not “trade in” or “sell off” his field for an upgraded device.

          The landowner in the parable lets the bad stuff – the invasive species – grow in his field.

 [_06__]   The “invasive species” represents evil temptations and the evil spirit, the works of the devil to which we might think we already have a pretty good firewall or security system to stop.

          In Matthew, chapter 10, Jesus said, “And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  (Matthew 10:28)

[_07__]  It is true that many material and monetarily valuable things are vulnerable – fones, computers, bank accounts.

          It seems that we have learned to tolerate – even to expect – some level of fraud, some level of “bad intentions” to exist in a world of many people with “good intentions”

          The way that we survive is that we take precautions against the evil that we know is present.

          As a small child, I recall being with my parents in Macy’s or some large department store and they were writing a check to pay for some clothing. The store cashier asked my parents for a phone number to go with the check. My parents gave an intentionally incorrect phone number.

          Being a small child, I thought my parents had just forgotten what our phone number was, so I corrected them, right out loud in front of the cashier. Everyone smiled. My parents knew what they were doing. They did not want the store to have our correct phone number. The store seemed not to care about our supposed “fraud.”

          It is a broken, sinful world in which we do what we can to survive until the end of time, until Judgement Day which Jesus warns us is coming and we are all subject to His Judgment.

[_08__]  While evil as “invasive species” exists in the world, perhaps, we can take some cues from how we manage technology and apply it to our pursuit of true virtue and goodness.

          Unfortunately, we cannot remove all the brokenness and sinfulness we encounter.

 [_09__]  [1^st Use Caller I.D.]

          IMHO, Caller I.D. is the greatest thing since sliced 7-grain bread.  And, when you have to have a difficult or nerve-wracking conversation with someone, it allows you take a breath, say a little prayer, ask that the Gospel Good News would truly be on our mind, lips, heart.

          Also, I seem to notice that in a world with caller I.D. it’s easy to forget the courtesy of calling people by name, saying “hello” by name or even using a person’s name in conversation.

          Caller I.D. – calling someone by name is not just for the machines, it’s also for us to do.   But “caller I.D.” is something we can do in person – IRL in real life too – i.e., to remember that no matter how angry we might be with someone, or hurt, the other person also has a calling from God, he or she is also called by God.  For the difficult people in your life, pray that God will give them what they need. That they will use caller I.D. to hear God’s voice.

[_10__]    [2^nd Shut Down & Restart Regularly. Get Updates]

          Our computers and phones are often automatically updated when we shut them down and then restart them.

          What about when you and I are in the midst of a moment of frustration, anger, temptation, envy, jealousy, pride, lust or any of the deadly sins?

          Confession – going to confession, receiving penance and absolution is a “shutdown and restart process”

          Can we recognize that would benefit from the “shutdown ” and restart process that happens by turning to God in prayer, by praying for and trying to love our enemies?

          Such an effort is implied in St. Paul’s words: “when you are insulted do not return an insult, but return a blessing instead.”

          This would be an example of receiving God’s word to “change the password” or attitude we might normally fall into.

[_11__]  Each Sunday, there is a new word for us. This Sunday, we are reminded of the delight of heaven and also warned of the reality of sin, punishment, hell.

          Jesus, our Savior, died for you and me and asks us to recognize that he does not come just to give us prayers as “memorized passwords.”

          Yes, it is important to memorize prayers as these bring great consolation in crisis and remind us of humility in celebration.

          Yet, we also come hear not to learn prayers but simply to “pray” and learn that God wants to be in unlimited contact with you and me. [_END__]

His Burden is Light (2023-07-09, Sunday 14th)

___ Click Here for Audio of Homily ___  

___ Click Here for Video of Homily  ___ 

Homily for July 9, 2023  14^th Sunday (Year A)  ●● Zechariah 9:9-10 ● Psalm 145 ● Romans 8:9, 11-13  ● Matthew 11:25-30 ● ●

Title:    His Burden is Light.

 [_00__]   In February of this year, a few months ago, a few hours after an earthquake on the border of Syria and Turkey, some exceptionally trained rescuers arrived and immediately contributed to the collective - team - effort to find people buried beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.

          Just 1 of these trained rescuers - arriving from the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, the U.S. and elsewhere - was able to do the work of 50 “regular” rescuers. Was it because they had better

devices, GPS?  This was not the reason. They were German Shepherds, Labradors, and other dogs or K-9’s specially trained for search and rescue to use all their senses - especially smell - to find people in earthquake.

          I learned there is an acronym - SAR = Search and Rescue dogs. There’s always an acronym!

      

[_01__]                 At the earthquake in Syria-Turkey, the animals are not delivering “random acts of kindness”, but performing what they have been taught to do and what they enjoy doing.

          Of course, there are also spontaneous example of a particular wild animal on land or sea  - lion,  dolphin - coming to the rescue of a man, woman or child in distress.  This is true. But, is not also remarkable that animals can be trained and rejoice in making rescues over and over again?

One thing that we - as a human  community - have succeeded in doing is getting animals to serve our needs, to teach them to do the right thing and even the right thing to be “easy” with continuous training and practice.

 

[_02__]    In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus does not explicitly mention any animals – certainly not German Shepherds or K-9’s - but he does refer to something that animals are known to work at and to wear.

          Regarding this, Jesus said, “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” (Matthew 11:29)

          What is this struggle that animals ‘work at”; what is this style that they “wear”?

          Jesus is referring to the yoke which is a harness that would be put over an animal. In terms of farming and plowing the field, it allowed the animal to pull the plow - it was, shall we say in our terms, “wearable technology”.

          And, the animal wearing this yoke, is also “sustaining” and “promoting” life - even its own life - by preparing the ground to be planted for corn, wheat, or other food.

          Jesus said in the Gospel: “take my yoke upon you and learn from me” (Matthew 11:29)

 

[_03__]     What is this yoke?

          The yoke equals all of God’s commandments. In the ancient Jewish tradition of the rabbis and the Temple, a devout Jewish man would even “wear” a scroll of biblical verses attached to his forehead.

          In our own Catholic rituals of being married, the wife and husband are joined to each other - sometimes by a cord at the wedding ceremony - or a veil – and certainly by wearing of rings. This ring is “placed on” husband by his wife, and wife by her husband.

          So, we still wear symbols to indicate devotion. It is a yoke, it is a burden.

 

[_04__]    Can this yoke be a challenge,  a burden, a problem?

          God has given us the 10 Commandments, all the commandments for our well being and good.

          In the Our Father, there is a command that we would “forgive those who trespass against us ”. This is burdensome! Sometimes, it is painful.

 

[_05__]   The British writer, C.S. Lewis, in a book called “The Problem of Pain“ wrote that we sometimes have difficulty “reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves.” (The Problem of Pain, p. 40)

          Lewis asserts that we do not come into existence so that we may love God, but so that God may love us.

          As Jesus said, “it is not you chose me, but I who chose you. ”

          Also, while we describe very young children as “all loving”, this is possible, because the child has received love.

          Also, love is going to invite us to conversion, to change, even it is painful. Is that a problem?

          Lewis wrote that he would not care for a friend “who cared only for my happiness and did not object to my becoming dishonest.” (Lewis, Problem of Pain, 42)

[_06__]   So, it is not God’s will to erase or eliminate all pain and suffering.  C.S. Lewis uses several biblical examples of how we connect to God. Each “connection” is a different level - each one has “more bars” which suggest both a greater risk in the intimacy but also a greater reward.

 

 [_07__]  [Level 1]  “Possession. Property” .    You and I can live our lives as the “possession” of God, or the property of God. And, living this way, we can learn to do many good things, and be a “service animal”.

          The problem with this is that unlike the German Shepherd - you and I were not “born and bred” to follow commands. We have free will and are called to learning.

 

[_08__]  [Level 2]  “Progeny. Offspring” .   

          It is true that each of us is God’s “daughter” or “son”.  And, we benefit from God’s direction, discipline.

          As an actual child - under the care of parents - I benefited from my parents’ correction. This was not done as a parental shock and awe  -“power” - but to show me the goodness in me.

          I still need correction!

         

[_09__]    [Level 3]  “Partnership” .   

It is good to be “possessed by God” and to be the “progeny (child) of God”.

          But, you and I are also called to be the partner of God.

          This is symbolized in the sacrament of matrimony and marriage.

The ultimate goal is not to be God's property, not just to be God's progeny. The ultimate goal is to be God's partner. And the sixth is expressed in the Sacrament of Matrimony in being married. What is exists between husbands and wives. Marriage is a life

To which not all of us are called to live with another person, not all of us are married, I'm not married.

But we're all called to a marital type of commitment to God, EXCLUSIVE.

          (cf. Exodus 20, 1^st Commandment – thou shalt have no idols before me)

→ i.e., to exclude idols that hinder us from following God, $, comfort, popularity… an idol is something that’s good but could become a “god”

 and to recognize that our relationship with God is based on Jesus laying down His life for us with the church as a spouse.

He gives himself up for us. And he gives us a model to treat others.

→ [practice - forgiveness]

In terms of “heavy burdens”, one of the heaviest to carry around is the burden of revenge or resentment if we have been trespassed against. If we choose “revenge / vengeance”, we may like it for a while, but it is a heavy burden.

             It is a “lighter” state – and a weight-loss condition – to forgive someone… but we may have to practice this over and over again.

            Also, FORGIVENESS does not mean we cannot invite the other person to change, or to conversion.  God forgives us not to keep us where we are but to help us to change.

In this state of “marriage of Jesus to the Church” and to you and me , we are called to choose mercy not because it is what we want, but what God wants.

To paraphrase C.S. Lewis (p. 98) – I may hope that being a priest in my ministry is in accord with God’s will, but I do not learn this purely being my feel-good comfort zone. Sometimes, going out of my comfort zone, I learn that I am truly free, not doing only what I would choose to make me comfortable.

Jeuss is not making us do anything!   He's not just making us his property, not just making us keeping up with a state of perpetual childhood. He's making us his partners. And he told his disciples this that the Last Supper, “I no longer call you servants for a servant does not know what his master is doing. I call you friends. Because I have told you everything I've learned from my father,”   Jesus doesn't want us just to be his property, or just his progeny. He wants us to be his partner. And his yoke is easy, and His burden is light.   [_END__]