Black is in. Advent. (2016-12-04)

HML  4  December  2016

2^nd Sunday of Advent  ● Isaiah 11:1-10 ● Psalm 72 ● Romans 15:4-9 ● Matthew 3:1-12 ●

Ash Wednesday, Homily, John Paul II,  8 March 2000 ???

[__01]    Black is in.

Black is in fashion. It is the shade of “color” (or the lack of color) that seems to match with every possible occasion. Black is clothing we might wear for an occasion either mournful or joyful.

And, it seems that fashion designers and trend setters and mathematical statisticians compare everything to BLACK.

If “orange” is popular, then we say that “orange” is the new black.

If Apple Computer or Starbucks Coffee has a new and hot product, then the iPhone 7 is the new black.

Arabica Roasted or could be the new black at the store. You can also have it with milk or cream. It is still the new black.

[__02]  If something were to be labeled or considered to the “new black”, then this PERSON, PLACE, or THING, would be on the rise in popularity or acceptance.

John the Baptist, in his day, was the new “black”. John the Baptist was attracting a following, show much so that the Pharisees and Sadducees seem to be very interested in what he is saying, doing, baptizing at the River Jordan.

[__03]  This is ADVENT in the wilderness outside Jerusalem.

In a loud voice with a clear signal, also wireless, John the Baptist is proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)

John the Baptist encounters these Pharisees and Sadducees – whom we might say – are browsing, searching, shopping around.

[__04]  Sometimes, you and I might resemble – or we could be compared to – the Pharisees and Sadducees and shoppers in the wilderness of the River Jordan.

Perhaps, we come to church or to pray just to look around.

John the Baptist urged his followers – and you and me – not just to hang around, but to prepare.

We know the difference between hanging around and preparing.  Sometimes, “hanging around” can bring us good fortune.  In some sporting events, we see that one time “hangs around” long enough just to win the game.

Something fortunate happens at the very end to turn the game their way.  

We want to see what is in fashion, what is popular.

 [__05]  When we consider the new product, car – or star – in the marketplace, we also consider that the 2016 model will soon be replaced in 2017.  There will always be a new black, a new trend.

In this Gospel of Advent, we also recognize that the very popular John the Baptist himself is going to give way – to be replaced – by the Birth of the Messiah.

John the Baptist himself recognizes that one greater is coming – not version 2 point zero …but rather one with infinite power, mercy and grace:

“One greater than I is coming and I am not worthy to untie his sandals”  (Matthew 3:11)

“He must increase and I must decrease.”  (John 3:30)

[__06]  There are many trends our attitudes which could take over our lives.

John the Baptist came to warn his people and you and me.

What is the new black for you or for me? What is the thing or attitude to which we are most attached, most endeared, most enamored?

It may not be for sale on Black Friday, it may be something else.

[__07]   What is the new black?

Is the new black …

MY PRIDE. “Pride” manifests itself in different ways. If I am proud, I may reject any form of criticism. If I am proud, I may also reject any form of praise. Quite simply, I just refuse to engage – or engage fully – with those who love me or wish to collaborate with me.

          Pride, however, according, to John the Baptist is not part of the kingdom of God.

          Rather, HUMILITY is the new black for you and me.

[__08]  What is the new black?

          Is the new black …

          MY ANGER.  Quite easily, you and I can become very demanding of ourselves and those around us. We are called to remember that God – who is our judge – slow to anger and …. And that we are called to be slow to anger…

Anger is not the new black, although we may be surrounded by it and believe that anger is the way for us to be motivated and energized.

Mercy is the new black, as Pope Francis reminded us in past year.

[__09]   And, John the Baptist wants to remind us that – even in a time of chaos and confusion – even in the month of December – with many things to do, the new black – is ORDER, is PEACE, is TRANQUILITY.

          In a startling way, John reminds us that God is new making a new order, separating the good from the evil, the good from the evil in ourselves.  We are called to prepare the way.

This is Advent, Jesus is the light. He comes into the darkness, the darkness which is also the quiet of our hearts where he lives and is present to us, even if no one else is. The new black. [__fin__] 

El negro está en moda. Adviento. (2016-12-04)

HML  4  December  2016

2^nd Sunday of Advent  ● Isaiah 11:1-10 ● Psalm 72 ● Romans 15:4-9 ● Matthew 3:1-12 ●

[__01]  El negro está en moda.

El negro está en moda. Es la tinte (sombra??)  de "color" (o la falta de color) que parece coincidir con cada ocasión posible. El negro es la ropa que podríamos usar para una ocasión triste o alegre.

Y, parece que los diseñadores de moda y tendencias y estadísticos matemáticos comparan todo con NEGRO.

Si "naranja" es popular, entonces decimos que "el naranja" es el nuevo negro.

Si Apple Computer o Starbucks Coffee tiene un producto nuevo y caliente, entonces el iPhone 7 es el nuevo negro.

Arabica Roasted o podría ser el nuevo negro en la tienda. También puede tenerla con leche o crema. Todavía es el nuevo negro.

[__02]   Si algo fuera etiquetado o considerado como el "nuevo negro", entonces esta PERSONA, LUGAR, o COSA, estaría en aumento en popularidad o aceptación.

Juan el Bautista, en su día, era el nuevo "negro". Juan el Bautista estaba atrayendo a un seguidor, mostrar mucho para que los fariseos y saduceos parecen estar muy interesados ​​en lo que está diciendo, haciendo, bautizando en el río Jordán.

[__03]   Esto es ADVIENTO en el desierto fuera de Jerusalén.

Juan el Bautista proclama: "Arrepentíos, porque el reino de los cielos está cerca" (Mateo 3: __).

Juan el Bautista se encuentra con estos fariseos y saduceos - que podríamos decir - están navegando, buscando, haciendo compras alrededor.

[__04]    A veces, tú y yo podríamos parecernos - o podríamos ser comparados con - a los fariseos y saduceos y compradores en el desierto del río Jordán.

Quizás, vayamos a la iglesia o oremos sólo para mirar alrededor.

Juan el Bautista instó a sus seguidores - y tú y yo - no sólo a pasar el rato, sino a prepararse.

Sabemos la diferencia entre colgar y preparar. A veces, "pasar el rato" puede traernos buena fortuna. En algunos eventos deportivos, vemos que una vez "cuelga" el tiempo suficiente para ganar el juego.

Algo muy afortunado sucede al final para darle la vuelta al juego.

Queremos ver lo que está de moda, lo que es popular.

[__05]   Cuando consideramos el nuevo producto, coche o estrella, en el mercado, también consideramos que el modelo 2016 pronto será reemplazado en 2017. Siempre habrá un nuevo negro, una nueva tendencia.

En este Evangelio del Adviento, también reconocemos que el muy popular Juan el Bautista mismo va a ceder - para ser reemplazado - por el Nacimiento del Mesías.

Juan el Bautista mismo reconoce que uno mayor está viniendo - no versión 2 punto cero ... sino más bien uno con infinito poder, misericordia y gracia:

"Yo los bautizo con agua en señal de que ustedes han arrepentido; pero el que viene después de mí, es más fuerte que yo, y yo ni siquiera soy digno de quitarle las sandalias. Él los bautizará en el Espíritu Santo y su  fuego.¨ (Mateo 3:___)

"Es necesario que él crezca y quo yo disminuya." (Juan 3:30)

[__06] Hay muchas tendencias nuestras actitudes que podrían hacerse cargo de nuestras vidas.

Juan el Bautista vino a advertir a su pueblo ya ti ya mí.

¿Cuál es el nuevo negro para usted o para mí? ¿Cuál es la cosa o actitud a la que estamos más apegados, más cariñosos, más enamorados?

Puede que no esté a la venta el BLACK FRIDAY (viernes negro?), puede ser otra cosa.

[__07]   ¿Cuál es el nuevo negro?

Es el nuevo negro ...

MI ORGULLO. El "orgullo" se manifiesta de diferentes maneras. Si estoy orgulloso, puedo rechazar cualquier forma de crítica. Si estoy orgulloso, también puedo rechazar cualquier forma de alabanza. Simplemente, simplemente me niego a participar - o participar plenamente - con aquellos que me aman o desean colaborar conmigo.

El orgullo, sin embargo, según Juan el Bautista no es parte del reino de Dios.

Más bien, HUMILITY es el nuevo negro para usted y para mí.

[__08]   ¿Cuál es el nuevo negro?

Es el nuevo negro ...

MI ENOJO. Con bastante facilidad, tú y yo podemos llegar a ser muy exigentes de nosotros mismos y de los que nos rodean. Estamos llamados a recordar que Dios - que es nuestro juez - lento a la ira y .... Y que estamos llamados a ser lentos a la ira ...

La ira no es el nuevo negro, aunque podemos estar rodeados por él y creemos que la ira es el camino para que seamos motivados y energizados.

La misericordia es el nuevo negro, como el Papa Francisco nos recordó en el año pasado.

[__09]  Y Juan el Bautista quiere recordarnos que - incluso en un tiempo de caos y confusión - incluso en el mes de diciembre - con muchas cosas que hacer, el nuevo negro - es ORDEN, es PAZ, es TRANQUILIDAD.

De una manera sorprendente, Juan nos recuerda que Dios es nuevo haciendo un nuevo orden, separando el bien del mal, el bien del mal en nosotros mismos. Somos llamados a preparar el camino.

Esto es Adviento, Jesús es la luz. Él entra en la oscuridad, la oscuridad que es también la quietud de nuestros corazones donde él vive y está presente para nosotros, aunque nadie más lo sea. El nuevo negro.

Stay Awake. Advent (2016-11-27)

27 November 2016

1^st Sunday of Advent  

● Isaiah 2:1-5 ● Psalm 122 ● Romans 13:11-14 ● Matthew 24:37-44 ●

[__01]  Stay awake.  I say “stay awake” not  only as a reminder to you at this the listeners to this 1^st Sunday of Advent Gospel and homily at ____ Mass on November ____. I say “stay awake” not only out of politeness or etiquette.

          “Stay awake” is a reminder, a Post-It note, a scheduled alert to me as well. Stay awake.

[__02] Isn’t it particularly difficult, at times, to be stationary, to sit still, while also remaining awake, alert?

          It’s particularly difficult when we are in school, in college, or if were to attend some educational or instructional seminar.  In the classroom, to stay awake is difficult though we are straining with all our effort to pay attention. I have hit the SNOOZE bar in class, perhaps we all have, especially in a nice comfortable seat it in the back of the room.

          Yes, the teacher can see us back there too.

         

[__03]  Vigilance and alertness were difficult for the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemani.

          Jesus asks his disciples to watch and pray. Then, they fall asleep and Jesus says,  “could you  not stay awake with me for one hour?”  (__ref_)

[__04]   This alertness and wakefulness are important themes of our Advent journey, our four Sundays  and weeks of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas.

[__05] Years ago, I recall a camping trip of several days in the mountains.   Due to very heavy rain weather and slow travel and mud, we were walking on our final day in pitch darkness to our final campsite. 

          Vigilance and watchfulness were necessary to avoid danger, slips, falls.  We had a local guide who helped us. He made torches for us out of tree branches and bamboo. 

          These torches were very effective. And, I recall the effort he made to create them for us.

          At one point, near the end, I had to catch myself on a slippery surface. The guide asked if I was OK.  Very abruptly, impolitely, and without any gratitude, I told him I was “fine.”

          In fact, we needed his help every step, to see what we could not see.

[__06] What does it mean to “watch  and pray”?

          Advent reminds us to await the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Second Coming which we cannot see.

          Nevertheless, we know that he came once into the world. We know that he is present to us through the Gospel, through our prayer, through Holy Communion, and the sacraments.

          We are asked to be vigilant for his arrival, especially when it is hard to see, when we are in the dark, or in distress.

[__07]     St. Paul reminds us that we cannot see is eternal. What we can see is passing away, is transitory.

          We are presented with the difficult to see, the hard to see everyday.  In this darkness, our Lord is present and coming to us. Are we alert?

         

[__08]  Yes, it is a challenge to be stationary, sit still, and remain awake.

          Isn’t this alertness and stillness especially difficult when we are experiencing a crisis or a difficulty.

          We may want to react, change things, or fix things.

          But, there may be nothing to change. Rather, there may be something unseen to discover.

[__09]  [↓ HEALTH & COMPASSION]  This stillness is an important value to consider for example ….  if we were to care for a loved one in declining health (his or her beauty may now be unseen or obscured by illness). Jesus is arriving, am I awake?

[CORRECTION, ADVICE, RXN OF OTHER]  This stillness is an important value to consider for example if we were to offer someone a necessary correction advice which is difficult to communicate.  The goodness of what we do might be unseen, unrecognized.  Jesus is arriving, am I awake?

[RECEIVING ADVICE, DOCILITY, BEING TEACHABLE]  This stillness is an important value to consider for example if someone were to correct you or correct me or offer advice when we believe that we are in the right. Can I see the truth, welcome truth? Can I recognize what is unseen? Do remain “teachable” even in the midst of an examination? Or, do I assume that I have all the answers? Jesus is arriving, am I awake?

[__10]  [ (V), ADVENT FAITH, BELIEVE IN THE UNSEEN …. STAY AWAKE ]     This is our Advent faith, to believe in the unseen, to express faith that Christ has come and that he will come again.

We are called not only to believe that he will come, but also with our ACTIONS, our ENTHUSIASM, and our JOY, to recognize his arrival.

He may surprise us. As says to all of us, that we must be prepared, we must stay awake. (cf. Matthew 24:37-44)   [__fin__]

Velen. (Adviento) )2016-11-27

27 noviembre 2016  _  1º  domingo de Adviento

● Isaías 2:1-5 ● Salmo 121 (122) ● Romanos 13:11-14 ● Mateo 24:37-44 ●

[__01]   Velen. Yo quisiera que ustedes se despiereten.

           Yo digo "permanezcan despiertos" no sólo como un recordatorio para ustedes en esto los oyentes a este 1º  Domingo del Evangelio de Adviento y homilía en ____ Misa el Noviembre ____. Yo digo "permanecer despierto" no sólo por cortesía o etiqueta.

"Velen "   es un recordatorio, una nota de Post-It, una alerta programada para mí también. "Permanezcan despiertos".

[__02]  ¿No es particularmente difícil, a veces, estar inmóvil, permanecer quieto, al mismo tiempo que permanecer despierto, alerta?

Es particularmente difícil cuando estamos en la escuela, en la universidad, o si asistimos a algún seminario educativo o de instrucción. En el aula, para mantenerse despierto es difícil, aunque estamos esforzándonos con todo nuestro esfuerzo para prestar atención. He golpeado el bar SNOOZE en clase, tal vez todos tenemos, sobre todo en un asiento cómodo agradable en la parte posterior de la habitación.

Sí, el maestro nos puede ver allí también.

[__03] La vigilancia y el estado de alerta eran difíciles para los discípulos en el Jardín de Getsemaní.

Jesús pide a sus discípulos que observen y oren. Entonces, se quedan dormidos y Jesús dice, "Ni siquiera habeís sido (haben sido)  capaces de velar una hora conmigo?" (Mateo 26:40)

[__04]  Este estado de alerta y vigilia son temas importantes de nuestro viaje de Adviento, nuestros cuatro domingos y semanas de Adviento, mientras nos preparamos para la Navidad.

[__05]   Hace años, recuerdo un viaje de campamento de varios días en las montañas. Debido a las lluvias muy fuertes y los viajes lentos y barro, estábamos caminando en nuestro último día en la oscuridad a nuestro campamento final.

Vigilancia y vigilancia eran necesarias para evitar el peligro, resbalones, caídas. Teníamos un guía local que nos ayudó. Hizo antorchas para nosotros de ramas de árbol y bambú.

Estas antorchas fueron muy eficaces. Y, recuerdo el esfuerzo que él hizo para crearlos para nosotros.

En un momento, cerca del final, tuve que atraparme en una superficie resbaladiza. La guía me preguntó si estaba bien. De manera abrupta, impolida y sin gratitud, le dije que estaba bien.

De hecho, necesitábamos su ayuda a cada paso, para ver lo que no podíamos ver.

[__06]    ¿Qué significa "vigilar y orar"?

El Adviento nos recuerda esperar la Segunda Venida de Jesucristo, la Segunda Venida que no podemos ver.

Sin embargo, sabemos que vino una vez al mundo. Sabemos que él nos está presente a través del Evangelio, a través de nuestra oración, de la Santa Comunión y de los sacramentos.

Se nos pide que vigilemos su llegada, especialmente cuando es difícil de ver, cuando estamos en la oscuridad, o en la angustia.

[__07]   San Pablo nos recuerda que no podemos ver es eterna. Lo que podemos ver es pasar, es transitorio.

          Nos presentan con lo difícil de ver, lo difícil de ver todos los días. En esta oscuridad, nuestro Señor está presente y viene a nosotros. ¿Estamos alerta?

[__08]   Sí, es un reto estar parado, sentarse quieto y permanecer despierto.

¿No es esta vigilancia y quietud especialmente difícil cuando estamos experimentando una crisis o una dificultad.

Podemos querer reaccionar, cambiar cosas o arreglar cosas.

Pero, puede que no haya nada que cambiar. Más bien, puede haber algo invisible que descubrir.

[__09]      [↓ SALUD Y COMPASIÓN] Esta quietud es un valor importante a considerar, por ejemplo .... Si tuviéramos que cuidar a un ser querido en estado de salud en declive (su belleza puede ahora no ser vista o oscurecida por la enfermedad). Jesús está llegando, ¿estoy despierto?

          Esta quietud es un valor importante a considerar, por ejemplo, si ofreciéramos a alguien un consejo de corrección necesario que es difícil de comunicar. La bondad de lo que hacemos puede ser invisible, no reconocido. Jesús está llegando, ¿estoy despierto?

         

          Esta tranquilidad es un valor importante a considerar, por ejemplo, si alguien te corrige o me corrige o te ofrece consejos cuando creemos que estamos en lo correcto. ¿Puedo ver la verdad, bienvenida la verdad? ¿Puedo reconocer lo que no se ve? ¿Sigue siendo "enseñable" incluso en medio de un examen? ¿O asumo que tengo todas las respuestas? Jesús está llegando, ¿estoy despierto?

[__10]    Esta es nuestra fe del Adviento, creer en lo invisible, expresar la fe de que Cristo ha venido y que vendrá otra vez.

Estamos llamados no sólo a creer que él vendrá, sino también con nuestras ACCIONES, nuestro ENTUSIASMO, y nuestra ALEGRÍA, para reconocer su llegada.

Puede que nos sorprenda. Como dice a todos nosotros, que debemos estar preparados, debemos permanecer despiertos. (Mateo 24: 37-44)

[__11]   [__12]  [__fin___]

Mutual Friends. Thanksgiving Day (2016-11-24)

HML –    2016 Nov. 24  _ Thursday,   USA Thanksgiving

• Eclesiástico (Sirácide) 50:22-24  • Salmo 113  • 1 Corintios 1:3-9 • Lucas 17:11-19 •  

[__01__]   Mutual friends. Don’t we have mutual friends?

Meeting someone, bumping into someone whom we know – or think that we know – we might ask, have we met before? Do we know someone in common?

Do you and I have a mutual friend?

[__02__]   Such a mutual friendship – or the connections we make through friends – can help us to make alliances, can even help us to get ahead in financial ways, in monetary ways.

Mutual firriendship is also about survival.

Many of us are familiar with the traditions of the first Thanksgiving in what we now know as New England and the United States.

Mutual friendship helped these new European settlers to plant, to harvest, to eat, to live, to survive.

The alliance of the visitor and the indigenous enabled survival.

[__03__]    Our Thanksgiving feast begins -- and continues – in friendship.  It is a time to welcome, to reunite, for young people to return home from college.

          One my of own favorite activities as a younger person was NOT ONLY to spend time with my own family at Thanksgiving but to go to my friend´s house in the neighborhood, to check out his relatives, his scene. What are they having for dessert?

          Thanksgiving begins in friendship and begins with a free choice.

[__04__]   Don´t we have a mutual friend?

This is also a Biblical message, a Gospel message of the good news of Jesus Christ.

The message is that God has visited his people, that he has called them.

Moses, for example , is called by God personally.  He is, shall we say not only chosen but also ¨elected¨ for his role.

[__05__]    Pope Benedict XVI observes in his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), that   ¨ God chooses Israel out of all the nations of the world.  However, God chooses Israel not simply to exalt one country over all the others, but he does so precisely with a view to healing the whole human race. ¨ (Deus Caritas Est, n. 9)

In other words, God makes friends with Israel and through Israel makes mutual friends with other nations.

In a similar way,  Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, preaching in Galilee forms a group of disciples through whom more followers are gathered. Mutual friendships are made.

God chooses you, chooses me to be in friendship with Him and to be in friendship with others.

We are told this in the commandment to love God and love our neighbor.

We are mutual friends – we are his bridge to bring healing and to bring the Gospel to others.

Thus, through you and through me, the Holy Spirit will reach out to ..

·        A neighbor on Valley Way or Eagle Rock Avenue or in Whole Foods or Shop Rite

·        A classmate at Redwood, Edison, West Orange High School.

·        A parishioner here…or a parishioner at St. Joe´s or the Lake or St. John´s in Orange or someplace else .

·        A person without the practice of the faith in our own family or at our own table, today.

[__06__]        This is the message of the Gospel today. 

          What are the final words of Jesus to the 1 Samaritan leper who has returned ?

          He says, ¨Rise and go your way, your faith has made you well.¨  (Luke 17:19)

         

[__07__]        In other words, Jesus tells this Samaritan man, a person recently cured and healed of leprosy, to go his own way, to go back to his neighbors, to his classmates, to his parishioners, to speak to people with faith and without the practice of the faith.

          Jesus wants the Samaritan to tell them that God will help them, guide them.

          But, first Jesus would suggest that this man make some friends, be a friend. Encourage others to see that we are all mutual friends in and through Christ.

[__08__]       Benedict XVI encourages us to consider that this is possible when we draw closer to God in our own friendship and prayer.

          When I love my neighbor, it does not necessarily mean that I know everything about him or her, it does not mean that I like everything about him or her.

          However, if I can see the person from the perspective of Jesus who died for my neighbor, then I can see that we are, shall we say, mutual friends.

          Jesus, any friend of yours is a friend of mine.   His friend is my friend. Mutual friends.    (Deus Caritas Est, n. 18)

[__09__]       Yes, your parents, my parents were correct. We cannot choose our family, but we can choose our friends.

          We can choose our friendships and alliances.

          Wee can also choose our friendships – and choose to build up or tear down friendships – within our own family.

          However, our first and most important friendship is with our Savior and Lord who loves us, seeks us out, calls us when we are lost.

          He died for us and rose from the dead for us.

          He is our model for making friends and for keeping them, reminding us that …

          Yes, we can choose friends, and we do so because he has first chosen us. We can love God and love our neighbor because he first loved us, and invites us to consider in the person with whom we struggle to know, struggle to forgive, that we might ask, ¨don´t I know from somewhere?¨  … ¨do we have a mutual friend?¨

[__10__]     [__fin__]