Transfixed1/31/2023 Tuesday of the 4th Week of the Year/ memorial of St John Bosco
The unexpected snowfall this morning kept me transfixed as I watched the trees that had been so barren and bland yesterday transformed by the snow clinging to their branches. The evergreens as well wore the snow as raiment. The snow didn’t last but it was long enough to transform the landscape into a snowscape. I’m sure I was transfixed since I had read the Hebrews reading urging us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. The combination of the snowfall and the “fixation” on Jesus led me to remember a photo I had taken during an earlier snowstorm. You may need to look closely to see that the crucified Jesus’s limbs are entangled with the limbs of the trees. I wonder if you would have seen that if I hadn’t pointed it out? What spoke to me in this image is how Jesus’ suffering as he is "fixed" on the cross is indelibly woven into ours. So much so that you may not even notice it! And then there is today’s Gospel which is another “Marcan Sandwich.” The healing of the woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for 10 years is the “filling” in between the two slice of the story of Jairus’ daughter. And if you keep your eyes “fixed” on Jesus, what do you see? And if you keep your ears “attuned” to Jesus what do you hear? And if you keep your heart open to him, what do you feel? Do you see and hear and feel his immediate response to Jairus? No questions asked, nothing is more important to him than accompanying Jairus. Do you see and hear and feel his human confusion at the power going out of him when the woman touches his cloak? Do you see his smile and hear his consoling words when he speaks to her? Do you see and hear and feel the skepticism of the mourners who have given the child up for dead? Do you see him at her bedside, raising her up? Do you hear his words, “Little girl, arise?” and “Give her something to eat? Do you feel the awe and gratitude of her parents? If you are in the mood, you may want to read “And Peter wept” which is the story I wrote about Peter’s encounter with the daughter of Jairus after the Crucifixion. and_peter_wept.doc
1 Comment
No More- No Less1/30/2023 Monday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time. “Brothers and sister, what more shall I say?” That’s how the bizarre reading from the Hebrews with its violent language begins. Usually, “what more can I say? is a prelude to a brief summary. Listening to this, one would prefer that the author had less to say, not more! Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth. I suppose that this reading is a complement to Mark’s dramatic description of the Gerasene man possessed by a legion of demons. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. What more shall I say? There is so much violence in our present day that we hear or read about, that’s it’s not easy to listen to these biblical passages. The most recent tragic events in Duxbury, Ma. where a mother of three, who was suffering from post-partem depression took the life of her children and attempted to take her own is more than heartbreaking. Her husband has said that he forgives her and ask others to forgive her as well. How is anyone capable of that kind of forgiveness? Only if there is love that is no more, no less than the love that comes from the Trinity who is Love. My own heart today resonates with the psalm response: Let your own hearts take comfort, all you who hope in the Lord. Be or Me- Attitudes?1/29/2023 What prompted be to write this morning’s homily was the question how do we live the “Beatitudes” in the specific context in which we live. And how do the “me-attitudes” become obstacles to living the vision of the Kingdom of God?
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023 When I was pastor of St Ignatius for about 10 years, the parish sponsored an immersion trip to St. Anne’s in Jamaica. It was always a spirit-filled experience as we entered into the joys and struggles of people who knew real poverty, lived in fear of gang violence, but whose faith in God and their joy in celebrating the Eucharist was palpable. They were both rich in spirit and poor in material things. Very often when we came back to Boston the Gospel for the Sunday was the Beatitudes, either Matthew’s or Luke’s version. Coming from the encounter with the people of West Kingston, Jamaica, especially the parishioners at St Anne’s, it was not difficult to put human faces on the “blessed” about whom Jesus speaks in the Gospel. That was not to say that the parishioners of St. Ignatius who would have had so much more materially, including opportunities for education, good careers and financial stability were not “blessed” in the Gospel sense. These were good people committed to issues of faith and justice. They had their own challenges of mourning and mercy, working for peace and really taking Jesus’ description of genuine “blessedness” to heart. Many were very humble, despite their accomplishments and some were even “meek.” And what about us here in the Kingdom of God at Campion Center? How do we live these beatitudes in our communal life? How are we building the Kingdom even here when we have been humbled by age, illness, or other circumstances. We may have taken great pride in our accomplishments as professors, pastors, spiritual directors, lawyers, missionaries, but how do we experience “blessedness” when we can no longer do what gave us our identity and was a source of pride. When we think of our life together, our care for our brothers in Christ, the small ways in which we can serve them, and when we think of the people who work here in the Health Center, in the kitchen, in the maintenance department, can we feel blessed by their care and concern? Can we see in them evidence of the Beatitudes lived very concretely here at Campion? Isn’t the challenge of discernment knowing when we have “Me-attitudes” rather than “Be-attitudes.” “Woe is me” can be an obstacle in seeing the richness of the Spirit at work in others. Our Me-attitudes can lead to complaining because our lives feel like remnants of what life was like before. Isn’t the challenge to become “faithful remnants” as we focus our lives now more and more on the Paschal mystery? Our Me=attitudes can keep us from recognizing that the kingdom of God is here at Campion. We just have to open our eyes to see it. A Way in a Manger1/28/2023
Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. The reading from Hebrews today that speaks about Abraham’s faith, seems appropriate to coincide with the memorial of Thomas Aquinas. He, of course, wrote volumes on the relationship between faith and reason. Sometimes, however, when we look at the world, we may feel that having faith is as useless as “grasping at straws.” I suppose it may have to do with what we are looking for. When we see so much human suffering caused by illness, violence, cruelty, we can wonder how there can be a “good” God. When we look at the beauty of creation and are filled with wonder or experience grace in moments of loving kindness, we feel that we have the evidence we are looking for. The reality is that faith and trust in God does have so much to do with the way we look at the world. Thomas Aquinas spent his life bringing to light the mysteries hidden in the universe and in the Divine consciousness. As brilliant as he was and as prolific in his philosophical output, he was limited by the science of his era. I’m sure if he had today’s knowledge of the universe, human sexuality, the potential for nuclear destruction and the horrors of war in our times, he would rethink many of his teachings. This morning I was reading some of Thomas’ most quotable quotes. No doubt you will find them as wonder-filled as I did. (Or at least I hope so!) “How can we live in harmony? First, we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God.” “Beware of the person of one book.” “Because philosophy arises from awe, a philosopher is bound in his way to be a lover of myths and poetic fables. Poets and philosophers are alike in being big with wonder.” “How is it they live in such harmony the billions of stars—when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.”!!!! “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” “The things that we love, tell us what/who we are.” “Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.” “Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.” And his final quote “All that I have written seems like straw to me.” I chose the photo of the manger filled with straw to accompany Thomas’ comment on his work. And yet, the straw in the manger holds the mystery of God’s becoming one of us in the Incarnation. How marvelous is that! I could not let today’s Gospel go without comment. It was a significant inspiration in the poem “Cushion-Aerie” That I wrote this past summer. The first reading that day was how Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern and how the Cushite was instrumental in rescuing him. The Gospel, of course, was Jesus’ sleeping on a cushion in the rear of the boat and the disciples waking him for sleep in their panic. From my aerie/ perch, sitting on those prayer cushions, this was my view of the world Cushion-Aerie Stay Tuned1/27/2023 I found this photo of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood "tuning" up to accompany "Stay Tuned." For a number of reasons, i wasn't "up to" writing today. All the more for tomorrow!
Ancestors in Faith1/26/2023 Memorial of Sts Timothy and Titus
This memorial always gives me the opportunity to post the photo of my mother, Dorothy and Grandmother, Augusta on the day I presided at Mass for the first time. It’s the mention of Timothy’s mother, Lois and grandmother Eunice who nurtured him in faith that makes me think of my own and how they nurtured me. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. Do you hear an invitation today to reflect on those family members who nurtured your faith? The second part of the letter to Timothy is an invitation to reflect on what may need to be stirred into flame in you. Are there gifts, talents, passions that are only burning embers of past experiences that could use some tending so that you might be enflamed with a former passion? As we grow older it’s natural for some of the early passion for ministry and the Gospel to die out. We don’t have the energy that we once had. Those passions may have been doused by life circumstances and even by Church leaders, pastors, or others who tell you what you can and cannot preach. There is a disillusionment that can overtake us when we see the power struggles in the Church. But the Gospel today reminds us that our light is not meant to be hidden but rather visible for all to see. And we are not meant to be stingy with our gifts and our lights. “For the measure with which you measure out, will be measured back to you.” As I’m writing this, I’m listening to Beethoven’s Sonata in C minor, entitled “Pathétique.” It’s unfortunate that our English word, “pathetic” has come to mean, “pitiable.” In the French, it still means, “moving” and “passionate.” Recognizing Beethoven’s genius in writing this piece and Alfred Brendel’s amazing performance of it is certainly “stirring.” Here’s a Youtube link to Daniel Barenboim’s performance. I hope it stirs something in you as well. And I can’t help but think of another kind of “imposition of hands”…. on a keyboard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrcOcKYQX3c The Horseless Head Man1/25/2023 The Conversion of St Paul
The photos above is one of two Caravaggio worlds that have influenced our religious imagination in the story of the conversion of St Paul. As I was reading the two versions of Paul’s conversion, I noticed again that the stories are “horseless.” (I'm sure you know the reference to Washington Irving's "The Headless Horseman") Because of the way in which this moment in Paul’s life is dramatically portrayed by Caravaggio and others, there’s always a horse in the picture. A horse is a horse, of course, of course, unless it’s a missing horse whose name is Mr. E. And there’s the mystery. Did Paul fall riding a horse or as some suggest, horse or not, had he stopped at noon to pray and like Isaiah and others fallen prostrate, bowled over by the power and presence of God? And is the horse essential to the story? Just think of all the animals that are added to the Nativity story? The last time I wrote about this feast, I shared with you another “Story of Paul” where a camel plays a major role. Some suggest that Paul may have been riding a camel. Now that would really be a fall! Please forgive my “horsing around” with such an important feast in the life of the Church. We all know that without Paul, we would have a very different Church. It could possibly be a sect of Judaism that believed in Jesus as the Messiah. It’s interesting that the date assigned for this feast is one month after the Nativity. Could it be that Paul’s conversion experience was a birthing for him? After that day, his life would never be the same. Even his given name is changed to symbolize a new life. Praying with the scriptures today, I was struck by the coherence with the story of the Baptism of Jesus in which the heavens are opened and Jesus hears a voice that says “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” In Paul’s story, there is another voice from heaven. This time it’s Jesus who speaks directly to Paul. As the baptism creates the possibility for the ministry of Jesus to begin, this conversion experience does the same for Paul. There is no “dove” descending, but there is the light that blinds Paul and Ananias who heals him. Sounds like the work of the Holy Spirit! And for ourselves, we may not experience dramatic conversion experiences, but there is the ongoing invitation to turn and turn again to God’s gracious love and Jesus’ companionship and the Spirit’s “enlightening.” I chose a photo I took yesterday of a pathway that so often traversed by retreatants at EP. Who knows how many conversion moments have take place on that path over the years? X-Static - G-Listen1/24/2023 Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time/ Memorial of St Francis de Sales
Yesterday I wrote about being beside oneself with joy or being “ecstatic.” I’m riffing on that theme this morning since this morning was filled with ecstasy. No one expected the blizzard like conditions yesterday afternoon that made Eastern Point a winter wonderland. For me, it’s been a winter “wander” land as I made my way through the snow to wait for the sunrise. Earlier I had been praying in the chapel with today’s psalm 40 which was an encore of one that I wrote about on the 2nd Sunday of OT. I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, "Behold I come." My prayer became ecstatic as I realized that you have to X out the “static” that you hear from yourself and from others. These are the voices that tell you that you are not worthy to hear God’s affirming you as you are. It is easy to internalize these critical and often cruel voices that keep you from experiencing God’s unconditional love for you. After my formal prayer, I went to wander outside, knowing that the pathways would be “snow-ways” and would lead me to beauty and even ecstasy. As I wandered I noticed how often I had to “stoop” down and make my way under the snow-laden branches. The last time I “stooped” this much was another snowfall at Eastern Point that I wrote about in the poem. “This Day.” The sun’s rising and the glistening of the sunlight on the branches of the snow evoked so many “oohs and aahs” that I can only describe as ecstatic. At the end of the walk the final verse of the psalm came to mind. Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of; I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly. Isn’t that what we want to do? When we have known God’s kindness and truth, don’t we want to find our voices of praise and thanksgiving? Can we trust that God puts a "new" song in our mouths so that we may sing God's praise? If we can listen to God's loving voice, we may "glisten with light and peace, like the snow below glistening in the sunlight.Can way “glisten” with light and inner pe Beside Oneself1/23/2023 Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." This was this past Saturday’s Gospel. Since I don’t write on Saturdays, I didn’t have a chance to comment on it. Last evening at our social time in the community, I asked Fr. Tom Stegman, our resident scripture scholar about the Greek word that is used for “out of his mind.” He first told me that today’s Gospel about Jesus being “possessed” by Beelzebul is the “inside” of a Marcan sandwich. One slice is Jesus’ relatives wanting to bring him home since he’s “out of his mind.” The other slice we’ll hear tomorrow when Jesus identifies whom his relatives are. The “sandwich” allusion is very fitting since we hear that there were so many people around that it made it impossible for Jesus and the disciples to eat! But then he told be that the word in Greek means “beside oneself.” I looked it up this morning and it is Ἐξέστη or exestay, Yes! It’s related to our word, “ecstasy” which in its root means to “stand outside” To be ecstatic is to be transported to another plane of perception. The relatives think that Jesus is “out of his mind” in the sense that he’s lost his reason. The irony, of course, is that Jesus’ has found the reason for his existence in his preaching and bringing about the kingdom of God. Of course, his relatives on Saturday and the scribes today think that he’s possessed or insane. Don’t you think that Jesus must have been “beside himself” with frustration encountering the irrational response to him and his preaching? He was giving evidence that God was working through him but they could only see him as “crazed.” There are moments in our lives where we become “ecstatic” and are “beside ourself” with joy. I had one of those moments yesterday afternoon. I was playing one of Bach’s Cello Suites transcribed for the viola. I practice in a room that was once an outside porch and now is mostly windows. It began to snow. It was a beautiful and gentle snow fall. Suddenly I saw a family of deer loping across the snow covered lawn. I nearly jumped out of my skin! What a moment of ecstasy. If only I could capture it. But no, it was as ephemeral as all ecstasy is. It comes and it goes. But I was so grateful to have a moment where I was “out of my mind” with delight. The photo I chose for today was another “ecstatic” moment in a snowfall the other day. This is the tree that I identify with my friend JA’s death as it was still fully leaved when he died. Now seeing it in the light of his death, there’s another kind of beauty. I suppose it’s the “agony and the ecstasy.” Casting Call- Encore!1/22/2023 Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
I wanted to let you know that “On the Quiver of Mystery: Pastoral Poems, Stories and Dances” is now available on Audible and Apple Audio. It’s quite inexpensive and I hope you’ll enjoy listening! Reading what I wrote three years ago on this Sunday and given the theatrical allusions throughout, I thought it deserved an “Encore!” The end had me in “stitches.” “Casting Call” seems an appropriate title for a reflection on the call of the disciples, most of whom were fishermen. If you have ever been involved with theater, you know what a casting call entails. There usually are a good number of performers who come armed with their “head shots” and their resumés in the hopes that they will be chosen. One of the best examples of a casting call in the theater takes place at the beginning of the musical, “A Chorus Line.” They sing “I Hope I Get It!” One of the most poignant lines sung by Paul is “Who am I anyway? Am I my resumé? That is a picture of a person I don’t know. What does he want from me? What should I try to be? So many faces all around, and here we go.” What strikes me about the call of the disciples is that there is no audition for the role. The call is offered by Jesus, and they are free to accept it. They don’t need a resumé of accomplishments. Nor do they need to hide behind a mask. Jesus goes right to the heart of the matter as he calls them. The irony, of course, is that even though most are fisherman, it’s Jesus who is casting the net. And he draws them into himself. We know the names of the “apostles”, but Jesus cast the net and drew in so many more, women and men who chose to follow him. Most times when I have prayed or preached about this casting call, I ask the question, “What did those called see in Jesus? What was so compelling about the person of Jesus that they did not hesitate to leave their nets, tax tables, plow, and home behind? What drew them to him in such a way that they left everything they were doing to follow him? This time, however, I’m thinking of the opposite question. “What did Jesus see in each one called that he didn’t need to interview them or have them audition to see if they were right for the role of disciple. To say that his divine nature tipped him off and told him who to choose would not do him justice. Rather, using his human instinct, he must have seen something in each to want them to be with him in his mission. The question for you and me, today, is, “What does Jesus see in me that he calls me to be with him?” He must know my flaws and failings. He must know that I’m more than my resumé. Hopefully, he sees more in me than I see in myself. Without an audition, without having to prove ourselves, Jesus calls. He does not cast us off for any reason. He’s casting us in the mold made in his image. The cast iron-y of the call is that Jesus trusts us and is faithful, even when we are not. The other question for you and me, today, is, “What do I have to leave behind to follow Jesus?” Is it my doubts and fears that I’m not worthy to be with him? Is it some “demon” inside of me that cries, “What have you to do with me, Jesus of Nazareth? I know who you are!” (Remember that Jesus excelled at casting out demons!) Returning to “I Hope I Get It,” the reality is that we already have been cast, not in a lead role but in a supporting one. We don’t have to be the star, just follow the star. Many years ago, I learned how to knit. I even succeeded in knitting a pair of leg warmers for the dance classes I was taking. I was very proud of myself but, honestly, I do not know how to “cast on, knit and purl” anymore. I do hope I can leave you in stitches when you see the photos of the geese below. As I passed them by yesterday as I was reflecting on the “casting call,” I couldn’t help thinking that that’s what they were waiting for. Looks like some of them were cast in ‘A Canada Geese Line.” This would be the finale. (Oie is the French for Goose!) Oie! singular sensation every palmate step she takes Oie! Thrilling combination every waddle she makes Oie! Honk and suddenly nobody else will do You know you’ll never be gaggling with you know who! Oie! Moment in her presence and you can forget the rest For the goose is second best to none, son Oooh! Oie!, give her your attention. Do I really have to mention? Oie’s the One! Yes I am a silly goose! And here’s a YouTube link to “One” from A Chorus Line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NqmX6yiB1I Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to bless a newly married couple, Juliet Tierney and Kevin Eibensteiner. I have known Juliet and her family for many years as I was their pastor at St Ignatius. Kevin and Juliet met when they both were working for Harpoon Brewery 4 years ago. I wrote this poem for their wedding celebration. It left then all “in stitches” since there were many Harpoon people there. a_new_brew_for_juliet_and_kevin.docx AuthorAs an ordained Catholic priest for 45 years and a member of the Jesuits for 57 years, I've had a great deal of "spiritual" experience! This is a place where I can continue to share my thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what it means to live the "mystery of God." Categories |
Proudly powered by Weebly