Side by Side8/31/2020 Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time
Sometimes it’s helpful and enlightening to see two photographs of the same setting “side by side” It’s a reminder of how different things appear in different lights. Both of these photos were taken at the same time of day but under very differing atmospheric conditions. As you look at each one, what do you feel? One has a sense of foreboding. There’s a storm on the horizon. The other projects peace and tranquility. Same scene but very different responses! If you put Mark’s version of Jesus’ appearance in the synagogue in Nazareth side by side with Luke’s, you have the same scene but very different responses. Both have Jesus teaching the “townies” who were his family and friends. Luke fills out the scene with Jesus’ reading from the scroll of Isaiah. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Good choice! Luke sees this moment as the inauguration of Jesus’ mission, a first public appearance after the baptism and temptation. In Mark, the story comes after Jesus has had much success in his preaching, teaching, healing. By the time you hear this in Mark, Jesus’ is a pretty popular guy! In both versions, the “townies” initially applaud Jesus and then are skeptical. Almost immediately they question his credentials. What fascinates me when you see these stories “side by side” are the different sides of Jesus that we see. In Mark, the “townies” lack of faith and trust affect Jesus. Their rejection of him is the cause of “depression.” He is unable to do what he has been doing for others. He could only do a few healings, so disturbed was he by their lack of faith. Luke’s Jesus, however, goes on the offensive. He critiques their lack of faith in him and creates quite a scene! The “townies” are in such a fury that they want to throw him off the cliff. Wow! Same story but quite different outcomes. What may we glean from this “side by side” portrayal of Jesus? Very simply, I hope we would see that Jesus was very human, like us. He felt rejection, failure, misunderstanding, especially from those who should have know better. And of course I can't resist publishing the lyrics of the song "Side by Side." Just think of Jesus traveling along with you "side by side." Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money Maybe we're ragged and funny But we'll travel along singing a song Side by side Don't know what's coming tomorrow Maybe it's trouble and sorrow But we'll travel the road sharin' our load Side by side Through all kind of weather What if the sky should fall As long as we're together It doesn't matter at all
0 Comments
Duped in Duple Time8/30/2020 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
“You duped me and I let myself be duped!” That’s the broken-hearted cry of Jeremiah in today’s first reading. It’s also translated as “enticed” or “seduced” The language of the prophet is the language of a lover who feels himself betrayed, deceived, ensnared by the Other and unable to let go of the passion that he feels within. We hear a similar passion from the lips of Jesus, especially in his response to Peter who thinks he has all the answers. In the poem “Duple Time,” I try to capture some of the passion in the words of Jeremiah and Jesus. There are two competing similes that you may notice. One is how hurtful words are thrown at another like a javelin, or hammer, meant to cause emotional pain. Sometimes they boomerang with ever more painful results. The other is how this “contretemps” (dispute or disagreement) is like a dance in duple time. “Contretemps” is also a dance (ballet) step. And I was also thinking about the "coincidence" of this being the 22nd Sunday. Two/Two/ Tutu! Duple Time “Double timer!” “You duped me!” Jeremiah’s javelin, Love deceived Spear meant to Pierce the heart Of the Lover But boomerangs Similar sentiments “Return to sender” Forth and back Words fly, Sly as a fox Trotting Traps set Tramping on Tripping up Weighed down And whoosh! The Divine Trapper, Ensnares his heart Burning embers Passion plumbs the Debts of love Offered and welcomed For a time Face to face A dance in duple time. God forbid! No such thing! Peter’s hammer thrown Words, cast like nets, Yet missing the mark His harmatia? Death denying! Back and forth Words fly, Slinging shots, Put to the test His first denial Portends another In triple time. Who duped you? Satan’s seduction? Jesus’ javelin, passion’s pointed spear meant to pierce Peter, fool of himself. “Get behind me!” back turned no turning back for Him on the way, weighed down by cross and cruelty a contretemps a dance in duple time. I couldn't resist using photos I took today of the sunlight glistening on the sea. There is something so seductive about the beauty of creation here that so often leads you into the embrace of the Creator. M-A-P of the Heart "ENCORE!"8/27/2020 Memorials of Sts. Monica and Augustine
The entry for today and tomorrow is an “encore” from last year. I didn’t think I could find a better way of expressing the love of mother and son. The readings this year are from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and not the Thessalonians. But Paul always speaks “from the heart.” The photo above is last night’s sunset over Cape Cod Bay. It captures for me the sentiment of Augustine’s words “ Beauty ever ancient, ever new!” Today is the feast of St Monica, the mother of St Augustine whose feast day is tomorrow. I know of no other mother-son Saints in the liturgical calendar. It’s appropriate that Monica precedes Augustine since she is credited with his “change of heart” and his baptism through her persistence in prayer. In his Confessions he describes a lovely conversation with his mother a few days before her death. “And so the two of us, all alone, were enjoying a very pleasant conversation, forgetting the past and pushing on to what is ahead. We were asking one another in the presence of the Truth, for you are the Truth---what it would be like to share the eternal life enjoyed by the saints, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, which has not even entered into the heart of man. We desired with all our hearts to drink from the streams of your heavenly fountain, the fountain of life.” The image I chose to capture this loving relationship between mother and son is of two doves, whose lives are beautifully intertwined. Could it be a mother and son? This was a gift to me from my friend, Scot, after his baptism. He imagined the two doves as father and son. In his note that accompanied the gift, he wrote: “Post baptism, I felt as if you were whispering to me, like this Father dove is doing, saying FEEL LOVED/ YOU ARE/GO FLY! M for Monica. A for Augustine P for Paul whose letter to the Thessalonians we hear today and tomorrow. Each of the three speaks from the heart. And so M-A-P of the Heart. Monica speaks from her heart of her impending death: “Son, I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer: to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his servant. So what am I doing here.” Augustine speaks from his heart of his discovery of the Divine. “Late have I loved you, beauty ever ancient, ever new: late have I loved you. And see, you were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created things, which you made. You were with me, and I was not with you. The lovely things kept me far from you, though if they did not have their existence in you, they had no existence at all. You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.” Paul speaks from his heart in his love for the Thessalonians using the image of a loving mother and a loving father. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory. Today I’d invite you to reflect on the “map of your heart.” I’d invite you to think especially of those relationships of mother-son/daughter/ father-daughter/son. And then let the map of your heart lead you to the One who is “Beauty ever ancient, ever new.” Vaca-Shun8/26/2020 Wednesday of the 21st Week
This morning I’m took a little “vaca-shun” from reflecting. I had the wonderful opportunity of playing with friends on a stunning course on the Cape called "Eastward Ho!" If truth be told, however, I just prefer to “shun” both readings today. Paul tells the community at Thessalonica that they should “shun” someone who is not behaving the way they should. We instruct you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who walks in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. Really? I thought Jesus said that you speak to someone with whom you don’t agree and try to work things out? There is something about “shunning” that feels so antithetical to what it means to be Christian, and a disciple of Jesus. These days when there is such polarization and uncivility, do we need to hear that we should be “shunning” someone because we do not like who they are or what they believe? Paul’s instruction on shunning has the opposite effect than he intends. I prefer a “no shun” that instructs us to try and understand where the other is coming from. I think that’s what Jesus would do. Bold or Bowled Over?8/25/2020 Tuesday of the 21st Week
We ask you, brothers and sisters, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand. Let no one deceive you in any way. To this end he has also called you through our Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. I decided to be “bold” and copy the entire reading from the 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians from today’s liturgy. Notice the words that are in “bold” letters. The community to whom Paul is writing are anxious, shaken, unsure of who and what to believe. Sound familiar? As if the pandemic weren’t anxiety producing, the promises of miracle cures, quick turn arounds, have us on edge. And then there is the RNC! There’s a “whole lot of shakin’ going on!” And in the midst of this uncertainty and anxiety, we hear the words “stand firm and hold fast” In other words, be bold in your belief in God’s steadfast love in Jesus Christ. God has ”loved us and given us everlasting encouragement.” Don’t let yourself be “bowled over” by the voices that lead you away from the truth of God’s everlasting steadfast love. I know that’s easier said than done. It may be a bit “squirrely” but be bold and hang on! The photo below of the squirrel hanging on should be obvious in its meaning. The photo above "bowled me over" as I contemplated the image this morning. Usually it's "Brace Rock" that is the symbol of steadfastness for me. But in this photo it looks as if the Spirit is boldly breaking into the world, breathing life and love, I hope! What you see... Mug Shots8/24/2020 Feast of St Bartholomew aka Nathanael
“Here is an Israelite in whom there is no duplicity (guile)” These are the words that Jesus uses to describe Nathanael aka Bartholomew. In other words, “what you see is what you get.” Even though he is known by two names, there is nothing duplicitous about him. According to Jesus, he is who he is. There is no pretense, no mask he wears to conceal his true self. Jesus sees him “as he is.” Does Jesus look at each of us the same way he looks at this newly minted disciple? Does he see us as guilty or guileless? Does he accept us as we are? What I was seeing and feeling in prayer this morning was all that’s wanting in the world now with the pandemic and politics. Even guileless Nathanael’s cynical comment, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” contributed to feelings of negativity, doubt and hopelessness. But at some point the prayer changed and I felt Jesus saying, “What you see is not always what you get. Be open to surprises, to seeing things in a different light.” What I’d like to ask you who are reading this is to choose between three “mug shots.” I’m hoping to use one of these three on coffee mugs at the retreat house. I see something different in each one of them. I would be very grateful if you would let me know your preference. You can either comment or email me at robertvereecke@me.com. I am grateful to my friend Jude Demola for creating these "mug shots" from the photos I sent her. BTW, I wonder what Nathanael was doing under that fig tree? Was he daydreaming? Was he just enjoying shelter in the shade? Was he luxuriating in a luscious fig? Was he praying? Was he reading the Torah? All we have is a "mug shot" of him, a single moment in time and place. Whatever he was doing, Jesus was able to see into the depths of his being and know him for who he was. Chi Keeper8/23/2020 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time
I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut when he shuts, no one shall open. The first thing that came to mind hearing about the “keeper of the keys” was an “open and shut” case. The evidence and the conclusion is so clear and obvious that one does not need many arguments to close the case. A few months ago, in the midst of the pandemic, I wrote a poem in which the speaker pleads the case against the Present. In his mind, it was an open and shut case. The evidence of suffering from the pandemic was so clear and obvious that a verdict should have been handed down against the Present. The speaker appealed to the Past to be an Advocate against the Present but Past refused. Come Back Come Back! Past Be Present! A cri de cœur ! Heart’s decree or plaintive plea ? Will Past be the Advocate, pleading our case? Past knows well our free-wheeling, comings and goings here and there and everywhere within and without worry. We the plaintiffs register complaint against the Present who has left us orphaned, bereft, bereaving Past’s pleasures, simple as pi, an infinite number of goings and comings greetings and gatherings crowding and crowning a day’s work and play. Now, no free-wheeling. Life’s circumference is six-feet, all around and under for sum, diametrically opposed to what was Past. “I must recuse myself,” Past replies. “I must refuse to advocate for you. My comeback is this: Present is my future. We are bound together as one. What is your Present now, will one day be part of me, Present wounds wound with Past. Memory will serve as sigh as this time goes by presenting itself in another light.” Present, silent, until now, takes a stand. “I have no advocate but time’s ebbing and flowing, tide-wise. The tide, too, will turn. There is no going back in time. Life wields weal both ways, Wealth and welt. Gain and pain Profit and loss But “now” has its promise as well. Wells of love unseen, Spirit yields letting go graces as countless as pi, Love’s circumference always expanding, never contracting, diametrically opposed to death. You are always in Love’s wheelhouse After all, He came back To be with you Always. If truth be told, everything these days seems as clear as mud. We’re living in the middle of a muddle And yet, there is always the invitation to have an open mind and open heart and not close the shutters of our mind and heart. How, you may ask, do we do that in the midst of the muddle? The key is Chi. The key is Christ. Peter recognized that on the road to Caesarea Philippi in his profession Jesus as Christ. (Of course, after opening himself to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, he shortly shuts down the possibility of what Messiah means. That part of the story comes next Sunday) One could see this scene in the Gospel as “opening and shutting.” Jesus opens with the question: Who do you say that I am? Peter opens himself to the reality of who Jesus is. Jesus opens the disciples up to the stark reality of his suffering to come. Peter shuts Jesus down denying that Jesus will suffering Jesus shuts Peter down with the words, “Get behind me Satan. You are thinking as humans do and not as God does.” The key to this dialogue is ABABA Jesus/Peter/Jesus/Peter/ Jesus What is highlighted is the suffering, death and rising. That’s the key, the central truth that emerges in this dramatic scene. And so, I see “Chi” the ancient Greek letter in cruciform that with the letter Rho symbolized Christ as the key. Here’s another poem that sees the Christ as Chi/Key. More Prose than Cons What if X had never happened? What would your life be like now? X marks the spot when and where life changed. For better or for worse? At first, for worse. The anguish and distress The perilous sword of betrayal The famine of friends, forgetting Your past, alone in the present, A futile future. Wish X never was? X marks the spot When and where a chasm opened up Swallowing, separating you From past and future, Only pain present. Wish X never was? Wondering why X ever was? For better or for worse. Vows are made, Life’s avowal, Yes But no, a consonant Sounding more prose than “con” If God is for us, who can be against us. What if X had never been? What would your life be like now? X marks the one Who changed the world to better Cons to prose, Praise Him! X is key, X is chi Chi is Christ Christ is key, No longer “unknown” Christ, Bridging the chasm, Christ, Love’s avowal Christ Consonant. Alpha and Omega, All in all, more prose than con The Cross/Chi/ etched in stone in the photo above was sent to me by a retreatant. I thought of this image when I began to think of the connection between the Greek letter Chi, Christ and the Cross. The other photo is perfect for the theme of "open/ shut." When I first saw the Hibiscus this morning the flowers were shut. A few hours later they were open! (Isn't nature wonderful?) Hope Springs8/21/2020 Friday of the 20th Week
Ezekiel is on a roll! Following the beautiful images of a “new heart and a new spirit,” in yesterday’s scriptures, today’s offers us the image of the “dry bones” that come to life with sinew, flesh and spirit. From “heart springs” to “hope springs” as we hear God’s promise. “Oh my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them.” The image of the “dry bones” coming to life again can be a hopeful one for us to hear during this pandemic time. For some time now, it feels like we have been living a “skeletal” life. The flesh, blood, sinew and skin of everyday life, especially our ability to touch, embrace, be near each other, has been reduced to the “bare bones” of living. Following the necessary protocols has kept us from the flesh and blood connections that are a lifeline. Some days it feels as if we are barely living. And so, to hear the promise of God’s doing something to restore us to life, makes the heart sing and hope spring up like those dry bones. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life. I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD. While we wait “hopefully” for a restoration of life in its fullness, we can “put on love.” Love of God and neighbor can be the “flesh, blood, sinew and skin” that animates us. The Gospel today reminds us that ultimately that’s what life is really all about. The photo above is of a white dove that I saw the other day as I was walking. I’m struck by the dry grass, clearly in need of water. Oh, that there were a spring beneath that would water this dry earth! And yet, there is the white dove, sign of peace, sign of hope. There may even be a rain bow somewhere! Heart Springs8/20/2020 Memorial of St Bernard of Clairvaux
Today’s reading from the prophet Ezekiel is one that ‘pulls at the heart strings’ and even help one’s heart spring up with hope. After all the harsh words he has spoken on God’s behalf against the people of Israel, these are hopeful and comforting. They are words of reconciliation and healing. This is the same text that we hear at the Easter Vigil and it immediately precedes the singing of the Gloria for the first time since Lent began. I was tempted to title this reflection, “Spring Calls” playing with the image of “sprinkling clean water,” Easter and Baptism. The photo above, sent to me by a retreatant, spoke to me of the "new heart" replacing "stony" hearts. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people, and I will be your God. Hearing this scripture today led me to think of the “Clean Slate” poem that I wrote at the end of the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises this past July. I share it again since I think it captures the promise of new beginnings. Clean Slate Sky’s slate of late. There are no hues of blue, no use for teal’s truth telling, tossing puff pillows, cushioning the blow of corona’s contagion. Grey’s in play these days. Sea’s slate of late. There are no hues of blue, no use for turquoise’s teasing, tempting treasures, hidden beneath. Steel grey sea and sky? Cold comfort for a world weft and bereft in time’s warp, a world turned outside in, and downside up, skating on thin ice, slated for who knows what, salted with tears for years past, this present, tense with worry and why? Oh for a blank slate! for a world washed clean of illness and disease of isms of all kinds of harrows of all kens. Oh for a clean slate! for a world wiped clean of sin and division, by Love’s erasures, ensuring peace and polity. Oh for a state of grace! for a Garden grown again of Eden’s memories, free of weeds, thorns and thistles that choke, hold, pierce and prickle, In this garden grows the treat of knowing only good, not evil. The divine Gardener with wheel barrow filled with our regrets, now compost for composing a kindom come. Can I see in Sky’s slate and Sea’s steel grey hue-less, God’s true blueness, washing clean, wiping clear, emptying my barrow full of weal and woe? Can I find within my soul a garden growing Eden-like, returning to innocence Love’s letting Love’s leaving Love’s lettering, room and board for new beginnings? Soul’s slated for Christ’s compassion. Scarlet sins now Alabaster white, Soul’s steel, once Iron clad, now Stainless, alloyed with Christ love, aligned with Christ’s yoke. A clean slate! So Close!8/19/2020 Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
Ezekiel’s on another rant today. There are no raves for the shepherds of Israel. They have been looking out for themselves and their self-interest. The sheep in their care are neglected and abused. Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. If you’re thinking of present day political and church leaders as you read this, you’re very close to the truth. It’s the words close (shut) and close (nearby) that have captured my attention this morning. During the pandemic, so much has had to close. We are not allowed to come close to others. We have to keep our distance. But listening to Psalm 23 in the liturgy today, can you feel how close the Good Shepherd is? Isn’t the reason this psalm is so beloved is that it portrays God as close, intimate, loving, caring; all the things we want God to be for us? We do feel at times that God is so distant and yet we hear this ancient psalm of trust that hopefully reminds us that God is so close to us as long as we stay open and do not close ourselves. On a lighter note, today I leave for a week on the other Cape where I hope to play a good deal of golf. So I share again this “riff” on Psalm 23. The Lord is my Caddy, I shall not slice He makes my ball lie down on green fairways He gives me advice He leads me away from water hazards He replaces my divots. He guides my shot in paths of right flight for my game’s sake Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of shanked shots I will fear no rough nor bunker, for you are with me: Your words and your ways, they comfort me You prepare a practice swing before me in the presence of my opponents. You anoint my head with one swing thought, the cup overflows Surely good putting and chipping will follow me all the days of my life And I will dwell on the course of the Lord forever. 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