Autumn Leaves/ Celestial Seasoning9/30/2019 Monday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time/ Memorial of St Jerome
Today is the last day that I’ll be spending on Cape Cod after a little more than a year. Tomorrow I leave for my new assignment at Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester. I’ll be going from one Cape to another. You could call this a great Es-Cape! It has also been a “celestial seasoning.” Living through the four seasons and encountering God in the mystery of life’s unfolding in the beauty of creation has “seasoned” me in a way that I never have experienced before. Last autumn I left the noise and activity of the “big city” to come into the quiet and experience a different tempo of life on Cape Cod. It’s been a very graced time for me and now I leave again in autumn. Autumn leaves? I put together a photo/music collage of my living through the four seasons. I’d like to share it with you. There are three pieces of music that accompany the images. In the Quiet/ Liam Lawton Grace/ Paul Schwartz Magnificat/ Paul Schwartz https://vimeo.com/363329562 Since I will be packing and moving tomorrow, I will most likely miss a reflection for October 1st. I should be back to reflecting and writing on October 2nd. Gratefully, Father Bob
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Damnashun!9/29/2019 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Usually the titles for these reflections come to me during prayer or on my reflective walks on the golf course :-) Today’s came to me in the middle of the night, waking from a troublesome dream. In the dream I entered a room where there were people who knew me but would not acknowledge my presence. There was no greeting or welcome. No one wanted to have anything to do with me. On waking, the word “shun” popped into my consciousness. Knowing that today’s Gospel was the story of Lazarus, shunned by the rich man and the rich man’s being sent to the “netherworld, where he was in torment,” the title “Damnashun” seemed to me to capture what this Gospel is all about. I had always thought that this parable was about the nameless rich man ignoring or not noticing the beggar, Lazarus. Unlike the sheep and the goats in Matthew’s parable who do not recognize those in need, the rich man actively shuns Lazarus. He does not even provide scraps from his table. He not only ignores him but damns him in his poverty, leaving him in torment from hunger. He does not treat him like a fellow human being but depersonalizes him through his lack of concern for him, even though he knows his name. In the story there is a dramatic reversal, Lazarus who suffered so much in life is safe in the “bosom of Abraham” where the rich man is damned to torment. We can assume the reason for this punishment is that although he had so much in life, he was unwilling to “love his neighbor as himself.” The chasm between the rich man and the poor Lazarus while they were living is now an impassable chasm that separates the rich man from eternal peace. The moral of the story could be “Don’t shun, lest you know damnashun!” Three years ago on this Sunday when I was presiding at Mass at St Francis Xavier, I decided to dress in purple vestments, even though the liturgical color was green for Ordinary Time. Needless to say when I came out of the sacristy, any number of people asked me if I knew that I was wearing the wrong color vestment. I assured them that I had a reason, which became apparent when I read the Gospel. I wanted to identify with the rich man in the Gospel since I had power and privilege. These days I identify more with Lazarus. Actually I identify with Lazarus the beggar and the other Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead (Thanks be to God!) I can’t remember what I preached that morning but I think I shared with the assembly the piece “Lazarus” from jazz artist Mary Lou Williams’ “Mass.” It’s a very powerful piece that captures the dramatic tension in the parable. Here’s a link if you interested. https://youtu.be/ZpZ2lRL7-Qg Here’s another link to a collage of dances from “Mary Lou’s Mass” choreographed by Alvin Ailey. It includes a short clip from the “Lazarus” piece. https://youtu.be/LiUKthgwR9M Hokey Pokey9/27/2019 Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time/ Memorial of St Vincent de Paul
If this reflection sounds “hokey,” I agree. And as for “pokey,” I don’t mind your “poking” fun at me for the crazy connections I try to make with the daily scriptures. Do you remember the Hokey-Pokey? It’s a circle dance that keeps changing parts of the body; hands, elbows, shoulders, legs, feet etc. And finally: You put your whole self in You take your whole self out You put your whole self in And you shake it all about You do the Hokey-Pokey And you turn your self around That’s what it’s all about! So what’s the connection with today’s scripture from Haggai? Well, there’s a “whole lot of shaking” going on! For thus says the LORD of hosts: One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, According to the prophet Haggai, God is “shaking things up” and yet in the people’s rebuilding a new temple, there will be stability and peace. God faithful and steadfast love can be trusted, even when things are “shaken up.” Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former, says the LORD of hosts; And in this place I will give you peace, says the LORD of hosts! Sometimes when our world and our lives are “shaken up,” it’s a challenge to trust in God’s steadfast love. And yet when “you put your whole self in” and “turn yourself around” the "shake shock" is not so bad. And since this is a circle dance, you’re not alone. There is the strength and support we receive from others and the knowledge we have that in Jesus Christ God’s doing the “Holy--Pokey.” In Jesus, God sings and dances You put your whole self in You put your whole self out You put your whole self in And you shake it all about You do the Holy-Pokey And you turn your self around That’s what it’s all about! And God says to us “Let’s shake on it!” Good God!9/26/2019 Memorial of St Therèse Couderc,
Foundress of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Cenacle On June 1st of this year, the Church celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Cenacle. In my reflection for that day, I shared with you the important role the Sisters of the Cenacle played in my life and ministry. Today we celebrate the simple peasant woman who founded the congregation in La Louvesc, France in 1826 with Fr. Stephen Terme. The photo above is the mountain view seen from the Mother House of the Sisters of the Cenacle in La Louvesc. Saint Therese Couderc, the foundress of the Cenacle Sisters, was born as Marie-Victoire Couderc in Le Mas, France, in 1805. She entered religious life in 1826, joining the Sisters of St. Regis, a small group of sisters founded by Father Stephen Terme. Together, St. Therese and Father Stephen founded the Congregation of Our Lady of the Retreat in the Cenacle. St. Therese died on September 26, 1885 in Lyon, France and was canonized a saint in 1970. Her official feast day is September26th. (cenaclesisters.org) One of her most powerful meditations speaks of the Goodness of God, le Bonheur de Dieu. It is a very timely reflection as we celebrate this Season of Creation and are called to recognize God’s imprint on all of God’s creatures. I’m sure you will notice in this meditation a strong connection with the Ignatian principle of “Finding God in All Things.” "I saw as in letters of gold this word Goodness, which I repeated for a long while with an indescribable sweetness. I saw it, I say, written on all creatures, animate and inanimate, rational or not, all bore this name of goodness. I saw it even on the chair I was using as a kneeler. I understood then that all that these creatures have of good and all theèservices and helps that we receive from each of them are a blessing that we owe to the goodness of our God, who has communicated to them something of his infinite goodness, so that we may meet it in everything and everywhere." 30 years ago, I had the blessing of visiting La Louvesc. In addition to visiting the tomb of St Therèse and the shrine of St John Francis Regis, I was able to spend time in the beautiful natural surroundings of this place. I remember spending Ascension Thursday reading the French novel, Manon de Sources, (Manon of the Springs) Here I was in this mountain village listening to the sounds of flowing springs and witness to the incredible beauty of the countryside that has inspired Therèse and her vision of the Goodness of God. Truly an “Ascension!” On this her feast day, I would like to give thanks for the life of St.Therèse and for the mission of the Sisters of the Cenacle. I hope and pray that the beautiful vision of God’s Goodness may draw each of us closer to the One who is the source of all light, life and love. Bitter/Sweet9/25/2019 Wednesday of the 25thWeek in Ordinary Time
Are you tempted to taste the beautiful berries of the Kousa Dogwood Tree? Do you wonder if they are bitter or sweet? To be honest, I have never noticed that some Dogwood trees with lovely white flowers in the spring produce beautiful red berries at the end of summer. After some research I found that the berries are bitter although edible. (They are also a nuisance if you have to clean up after they fall!) Bittersweet. Does this word capture the experience of exile? In their captivity in Babylon, they must have known the bitterness that comes from betrayal, banished from their homeland, ripped from what was precious and familiar and yet was their sweetness as well? Did they have their eyes open to new vistas and their ears opened to other tongues and voices? Did some perhaps fall in love with an “other” who was not of their own kind? Did the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a foreign land captivate them in their captivity? The truth is that life is always a mixture of bitter and sweet. Life is not one or the other. It’s both/and so much more. I wonder as well what the exiles carried with them as they were on the move. What did they take and what did they leave behind? Certainly they would take the necessities of every day life but also precious mementos of their time in exile. In my imagination, I see an exile in Babylon seeing for the first time a Kousa Dogwood Tree (or something like it) Perhaps they had tasted the bitter berries but were captivated by their beauty. And they filled their pockets with the berries to plant in their homeland as a reminder of Bittersweet. With a “bittersweet” reflection, I can’t help but posting the photo below. Moving "Up"9/24/2019 Tuesday of the 25thWeek in Ordinary Time
What a maze the mind is! I was planning on continuing the exilic theme of “on the move” but I was side-tracked by the names of the Persian kings, Cyrus, Artaxerxes and Darius in the book of Ezra. The name Artaxerxes brought back memories of high-school classes in Ancient Greek, reading Xenophon’s Anabasis. I have not thought of Xenophon or his Anabasis in almost 50 years! An “anabasis” is a journey “UP” from somewhere. In this case it’s a military expedition but I’m thinking of the connection of the movement from Babylon and “up” to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.” What a maze the mind is! In my high school years, sometimes I would take the Long Island Rail Road into NY City where my school was located. In the waiting room I would hear the recitation of names of towns. The train to Babylon was one of my favorites. I still remember the last five stations. Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Amityville, Copaigue, Lindenhurst, Babylon. (Speaking of favorites, today is the birthday of one of my favorite people, Peter Folan S.J. who is from Massapequa Park. Happy Birthday, Peter!) (The photo above is clearly not the train to or from Babylon! Unless there's a town in Scotland by that name :-) What a maze the mind is! So many names in this reflection! Names of ancient Kings and leaders, names of towns. But they are just names. There are no faces to go with the names and I’ve never been to Babylon. Just names of people and places. This past July, I shared with you the name of Jairam Rao, son of Ram and Maria and the circumstances surrounding his tragic death at the age of 17. In these reflections I imagined him as Elohim the Eagle who was leading Moses and the people of Israel out of Egypt and “up” to the Promised Land. Today I’m seeing Jairam again as a leader, this time leading us “up” and out of a different kind of slavery and bondage. Yesterday, Maria and Ram shared a video of Jairam speaking before members of the Boston City Council about the urgency of addressing climate change and protecting the environment. I share it with you here so that Jairam is not just a “name” but a face and a voice with a passion for “justice” for the world. https://youtu.be/NfL0zY5CCJc What a maze the mind is! This reflection on moving “Up” and hearing Jairam’s impassioned plea led me to think of the film “Up” If you’ve seen it, you know it’s a very “moving” “Up” I think I need to see it again! On the Move9/23/2019 Monday of the 25thWeek in Ordinary Time
The scriptures for the next few days come from the book of Ezra, which narrates the Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem from Babylon to rebuild the Temple and their lives. A people who were banished from their homeland separated from all that they knew and loved, spending years in exile will be allowed to return. Soon they will be a people “on the move.’ Although “exile” refers to the “state of being barred from one’s native country, typically for political or punitive reasons,” it has come to mean a kind of “displacement” that separates someone from their “home.” If the expression “Home is where the Heart is” makes any sense, your “home” is not always a geographical place. You may be living at home but feel like you are in an emotional and/or spiritual exile. You are separated from God, from others and even from yourself. As painful as an experience of exile can be, it’s often a time of great creativity that stems from the longing to return “home.” Many of the psalms express the depth of that longing to return. Today’s psalm 126 is one of the most “squisito” (That’s exquisite in Italian and I’m indebted to Tina Jameson’s for using that word to comment on yesterday’s “Squ” reflection.) When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like people dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. As I’m sure you know, I’ve been in “exile” for the last year. The experience of separation and disassociation from so much and so many has at times been the cause of profound sadness. As I’m soon to be “on the move,” I’m praying psalm 126 with a genuine fervor that I’ve never known before. And yet, the grace of the time of “exile” with it disorientation is that you discover again that one’s true orientation is toward God, the One who ultimately responds to your longing to return home. Some of that longing is expressed in Psalm 62 which has an exilic “feel.” You can see it danced at https://vimeo.com/346707624(13:15 into the video) The photo below is the cottage where I’ve lived for most of this year. I took it in winter just before Christmas. When I read this morning’s Gospel in which Jesus tells his disciples to let their light shine and not be hidden, I thought how even in “exile” you can see the light and even be light for others. Squirrely?Squanderful!9/22/2019 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Can you find any squirrels in the photo above? No need to squander your time. I’ve already looked. Trust me, I’ve seen squadrons of squirrels in those trees performing their balancing act, leaping from limb to limb, from tree to tree. I’ve been squandering the past hour or so trying to think of all the words I know that begin with “squ.” Since I could find no origin for the word “squander,” I invented one. I imagined that someone in the 16thcentury was wandering around, wasting time and came up with a new word realizing they weren’t being very productive with their use of time and said to themselves. “I’ve been squandering” It really is a great word as are all the “squ” words I could think of. There’s something about a SQU word that makes you feel it as you say it! Squawk, squeal, squirm, squiggle, squelch, squat, square, squall, squabble, squirrel, squire, squint, squeamish, squeeze, squalor, squash, squishy, squeamish. These were the words that I squandered my time on. I’m sure there are others but these are the ones I could think of. Then I thought about today’s Gospel which I find pretty “squirrely” and decided to edit it using “squ” words. There was a Squire who demanded that his steward square up his accounts. The steward stood before him squirming since he had squirreled away money for himself from the squire’s debtors. He thought to himself, “What shall I do, I am squeamish about digging and begging. I don’t want to live in squalor. So he called in the squire’s debtor. Squinting to see the squiggles he had written in the account book, he said to the debtor, “What do you owe the Squire?” He squawked and said, “100 hundred kors of wheat.” The steward said, “Let’s not squabble. I’ll squelch the debt and you can pay squat.” The debtor squealed with delight. So you’re putting the squeeze on the squire! That’s going to create quite a squall!” But the squire did not squash the steward for his squishy dealings but applauded his squandering. By this time you must be thinking, “Huh?” Has he gone completely squirrely? You can say that again! But then, read today’s Gospel and you’ll very likely have the same reaction. “Huh?” What in the world is Luke talking about. What is this all about? I think the key word is “squander.” Do you remember last week’s gospel? The prodigal “squandered” his father’s possessions. The steward squanders the relationship of the rich man and his debtors. Next Sunday, the rich man squanders his wealth on feasts and finery, ignoring Lazarus begging at the city gates. These scriptures are “squanderful” Here is an excerpt from a homily for this 25thSunday. 2013 Did you notice that there are two dramatic words that we heard today in the scriptures that we heard last week? Squander and Trustworthy The former has to do with failing to keep things in right relationship. The latter has to do with keeping a good balance in relationships. The prodigal last week squanders not only his inheritance but squanders his relationship with his father. His actions should destroy the bond of trust between father and son. But the Father’s mercy is so great that he continues to find his son trustworthy despite his actions. The steward shows himself as untrustworthy as he squanders his master’s goods. I have to admit that I’ve always thought of the property that he squanders as the rich man’s possessions. As I hear the parable today, however, I see that the steward is really squandering the relationship between the rich man and those who owe him some debt. They should not owe more than is right and just. But the steward charged them more than was just. He tipped the scales in his favor, making the master look like he is greedy. I would imagine that by now you’ve heard about or read the interview that Pope Francis has given to the Jesuit journal, Civita Republica. His theme is relatively simple and I think relates to the parable we hear today. His honest appraisal is that the Church has lost the appropriate balance between the dogmatic and the pastoral. The questions that arise from this interview in light of today’s gospel might be: Have church authorities put such heavy burdens on people that they do not want to belong? Have some of the practices of the church alienated many rather than embraced and shown them mercy? Has the Eucharist, for example, been seen more as a reward for good behavior than an inestimable gift that none of us deserves? Have we, the priests, the bishops, the middle managers imposed more of a debt on our brothers and sisters than is really warranted? These are questions that we can ask ourselves as we try to find that balance between justice and mercy, discipline and freedom. What is of the utmost importance is that we preach the very good news of Jesus Christ and the salvation that he brings to each and every one of us, unconditionally So the question for all of us today is this? Are there relationships we have squandered in our families, with our neighbors, in our businesses, in our church community? If so, how can we restore the balance of trust that is a hallmark of right relationship? To end this reflection on a “squirrely” note, I share with you some of a homily I gave in 2004. Who would have ever imagined what would happen 12 years later! Money, money,money,money (Sing) Those are the only lyrics I know from the theme song of the popular show The Apprentice. I don’t know if any of you are faithful followers of this show, especially those of you who live and work in the corporate world. I am not a faithful follower but I have to confess that I can get hooked from time to time. Is it the brashness, the backbiting, the bold display of wealth and power that holds our attention? I wonder what Donald Trump would say about today’s parable of the “dishonest steward”. Would he bring him into the boardroom and applaud him for taking the initiative to make friends after he had been fired by the rich man? Would he take him on as his apprentice, congratulating him on his “business plan” and “self-marketing”? And I wonder what would Jesus say about Donald Trump and the Apprentice? If this parable is to be taken seriously, Jesus would use the example of this “worldly success” to point out how we are called to be as “creative, clever and even cunning” as his “apprentices” but not in the “things of this world,” not in amassing wealth for our own pleasure and power at the expense of the poor. As apprentices of Jesus, we are asked to have the same “ingenuity” in bringing about the kingdom of God and spreading the good news that those who are successful in material ways do. Squirrely? Squanderful? You bet! Her Eyes On - Jesus9/20/2019 Friday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, Mary, called Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna are singled out as companions of Jesus. For a change it’s the women disciples who are named individually and the men are all lumped together as the Twelve. Each of these women has “her eyes on” Jesus. In a very real sense Jesus is their horizon. His person and his mission stretches out before them and opens up new possibilities for their lives. The more each has her eyes on Jesus, the more each woman’s horizon expands as she sees herself embraced by Jesus’ unconditional love. Just as “heaven and earth,” and “sea and sky” meet to create a visual horizon, Jesus, fully human, fully divine, is the horizon always expanding before us. With Jesus as the horizon of our hearts there is no limit to what we can become. I shared with you yesterday a link to the Gospel that precedes today’s. You can use that same link to hear about and see Mary, Joanna and Susanna as they dance their love for Jesus. The music is composed by Jesuit, Cristóbal Fones and the title of the song is “Song of St Francis Xavier.” I’ve taken some liberties in the translation of the Spanish. When this piece was first performed as part of a Lenten Evening Prayer, the soloist was Cristóbal Fones himself. What a blessing! Con Cristo en el corazón Y el corazón en el horizonte, No hay fronteras, no hay confines, Sóla Dios mi esperanza. With Christ in my heart And his heart the horizon There are no limits, no boundaries Only God, my hope. https://vimeo.com/60764715(20 minutes 56 sec.) Dancers are Jamie Huggins, Nicole Huggins, Laura Schweppe Delaney, Wendy Lawson What does it mean for you to have your eyes on Jesus as the horizon of your life? What is it that he offers you so that your heart may expand in love and gratitude? Stamped!9/19/2019 Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Yesterday’s “stomp” is today’s “stamp” Stomp and stamp are words that refer to “footwork.” Stomping and stamping take a great deal of energy. But it’s not stamping as “footwork” that is the theme of this reflection but stamping as “hand-i-work.” The connection comes from today’s scripture. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate. In the ordination ritual, you are “stamped” through the imposition of hands with an “indelible” mark or seal. It’s why I chose the “blurry” picture of me with Cardinal Cooke imposing hands 52 years ago. It’s been quite a “blur” since then! I can’t even begin to count the number of people I have been privileged to bless and anoint through an “imposition of hands” through the years of priestly ministry. (The colorful stole I’m wearing was the handiwork of my sister-in-law, Pat Keating Vereecke. Those were the days when you could be colorful in ministry!) There is such power and beauty in the simple gesture of imposing hands. The ritual gesture derives its power from the human gesture of communicating through our hands. There is a healing and loving energy that one gives and receives in this “handiwork.” Today’s Gospel aligns beautifully with this theme of “handiwork.” The woman who is judged a public sinner uses not only her hands to anoint Jesus and wash his feet, but her tears to wash and her hair to dry them. She holds nothing back but gives freely of herself to the One who desires to heal and anoint her with his love. If you would like to see this scene visualized, you can use this link. Notice how Jamie Huggins as Jesus and Niki Huggins as the woman use their hands to express the depth of their feeling. https://vimeo.com/60764715 The scripture begins at 19:30 Perhaps you can take some time today to think of and thank those who have shared the gift of healing and loving touch with you and how it empowers you to heal and love in return. The photo below is my first blessing as a newly ordained priest. This “imposition of hands” on my mother and father was so powerful for me, realizing the countless ways they had used their hands to give me life, nourishment, healing and so many other gifts of love. In a very real sense they have put their “stamp” on me with their love. 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 |
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