Andrew's Adventure11/30/2023 Feast of St Andrew
Since Advent is so late this year, the feast of St Andrew does not fall in the Advent Season. Two years ago, the reflection on his feast was part of the Advent Adventure that I had facilitated at EP. Here it is. As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Do you ever wonder about Andrew? How did he feel not being in the inner circle of the disciples closest to Jesus? Peter, James and John are the trio who get to accompany Jesus to the mountain of Transfiguration, as well as in the Garden of Gethsemane. They are the chosen among the chosen. And what about Andrew? He was called the same day with the other three. Did he feel left out, when Jesus called the trio to be with him at these special moments? Colloquy: In your prayer, can you imagine a conversation between Andrew and Jesus in which Andrew expressed his feelings about being left out? What would Jesus say to him? What about yourself? Is there anything in the experience of Andrew that you can relate to? Speak to Jesus as one friend speaks to another. What does he have to say to you? Are his words consoling? In last year’s Advent Adventure on this feast, I mentioned that the motto for St Andrew’s in Scotland is the expression, Dum Spiro, Spero. (while I breathe, I hope) Tradition has it that the bones of St Andrew were brought to this town in Scotland centuries ago. These days, we all need to “take a deep breath” and fill our lungs with Hope! The Advent season offers us the opportunity to renew the hope that comes from knowing that we have already been redeemed by Christ’s love for us. We know that he is with us “now.” It is so easy to be discouraged and to lose hope during this difficult time when we see the ongoing conflicts in our world. And still we are urged to “Wait in Joyful Hope!” A Spiritual Exercise: Use the words, “Dum Spiro, spero,” alternating them with “While I breathe, I hope,” as a mantra during the day. Breathe in on “Dum spiro” breathe out on “Spero.” Breathe in on “While I breathe,” breath out on “I hope.”
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The Writing on the Wall11/29/2023 Wednesday of the 34th Week in OT
The expression “see the writing on the wall” is meant to be ominous. It usually means that things are coming to an end, and not it a good way. The origin of this expression we hear in today’s reading from the book of Daniel: Suddenly, opposite the lampstand, the fingers of a human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the wall in the king's palace. When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, his face blanched; his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook, and his knees knocked. Daniel interprets the writing on the wall and it is not good news for King Belshazzar! "This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, TEKEL, and PERES. These words mean: MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians." As I prayed with this text and the expression “the writing on the wall,” I began to search for other inscriptions on walls. I was thinking, in particular, of the writing above the sanctuary in the chapel here at Campion. “Spiritus Veritas Docebit Vos Omnem Veritatem” The Spirit of Truth will teach you all truth.” This verse if from the 16th Chapter of the Gospel of John in which Jesus says that his disciples will receive the Spirit of Truth who will teach/guide them to the whole truth. My question to you is “What is the Spirit of Truth teaching you, guiding you to these days?” What is the Truth that you need to hear to strengthen your faith? What Truth does God want you to hear in the midst of all the chaos, lies, and untruths that are woven into our daily lives? As I continued to pray with “the writing on the wall,” I noticed the writing on one of my favorite paintings that hangs above the mantel in my room. (Yes, I have a mantel and a “non-working” fireplace in my room.) As you can see the writing on the wall are the three words, “I Love You.” Isn’t that what each of us longs to see, hear and know for ourselves? Could that be the “writing on the wall” that God wants you to see? (The photo is from last year. I haven't decorated the mantel yet!) No Stone Unturned11/28/2023 Tuesday of the 34th Week in OT
Stones are on my mind this morning. Both scriptures speak of stones. In the book of Daniel, a stone hewn from a mountain destroys the statue of gold, bronze, iron, and clay. In the Gospel, Luke’s Jesus predicts that the temple, adorned with precious stones will be destroyed. (When Luke was writing his Gospel, the temple had already been demolished by the Romans.) While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Stones are usually small enough to be held in one’s hands. That’s why we can say “a stone’s throw away” is not a great distance. Of course, it would depend on strength and acumen for a stone’s throw to be a great distance. Modern day “shot putting” derives from the ancient sport of “putting the stone.” So stone throwing can be something destructive, harming someone, or it can be an athletic competition. Stones can be used for steps, for skimming, for building up. If you are reading this and thinking I must be “stoned,” I assure you that the only substance I’ve ingested is two cups of coffee! Although Nebuchadnezzar’s vision does sound like it comes from someone who might be “stoned.” As I reflect on these scriptures that we hear at the end of the liturgical year, I do feel a bit “stoned” by all the negative imagery. Everything that the human race has built is crumbling because of “wars and insurrections” which pit nation against nation. The created world is crumbling because of “earthquakes, famines and plagues.” It is not a pretty picture! And yet, if you “leave no stone unturned,” you may find reason for trust, given God’s assurance of faithfulness. The stone tower in the photo above was built by my friend Scot Bateman when he visited Easter Point in 2020. With the theme of "no stone unturned" I knew I had to use this image, although it should be "so, stones upturned." The photo below is a professional image of stones skimming across the water. Mighty Mite11/27/2023 Monday of the 34th Week in OT
If you’re wondering who the person is holding the ears of corn in the photo above, his name is Harry Monaco. He was a Trappist monk at St Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Ma. He had been a parishioner at St Ignatius before entering the monastery and that’s how I got to know him. As I was scrolling through my photos to see if I could find an image that might accompany today’s scriptures, I happened on a series of photos of Harry at work in the fields. A friend had sent them to me after Harry’s untimely death due to cancer 12 years ago. It was a heartbreaking loss for his family, friends, and religious community. After I read the description of the young men in the reading from the book of Daniel, I saw the photos of Harry and thought he would have been a good candidate for this: The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain, to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood and of the nobility, young men without any defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, quick to learn, and prudent in judgment, such as could take their place in the king's palace; These young men were “mighty” gifted! As you read on, you hear that Daniel and his cohort refused to eat and drink from the King’s table. All they ate was vegetables and drank water. That also made me think of Harry and his vegetarian diet! What really moved me this morning was thinking of Harry’s “mite,” the gift of his life in service of God, even though his life was cut short. His “might” as a person of faith, hope, and love lives on in the memory of those who knew him. The photo below is Harry pretending to struggle with a huge pumpkin. It’s amazing how a fruit could grow so large from a single tiny seed. How might that be! Today might be a day to reflect on the "mite" that each of us can offer. What might that be for you? On a more serious note, as we hear about the truce in the Middle East, and the release of some of the hostages and prisoners, you hope and pray that this “mite” of good news might become a promise of peace and resolution of this terrible conflict that has cost so many lives. Christ's Kin(g)ship11/25/2023 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Sovereign of the Universe
For some years now, I’ve searched for alternate titles for this feast which celebrates Christ’s place of honor in the Universe. Sometimes I’ve spoken of Christ our Kin, and his kinship with us in our humanity, and his kinship with all of creation through the Incarnation. Three years ago, I wrote the second of a triptych of poems for this feast. Here's my reflection from three years ago. The word “thrall” has had me in its thrall these past days. One of the retreatants I was seeing this past week was hoping to be “enthralled” by Jesus Christ. Of course, my ear perked up when I heard that word and wondered where it came from. We use the expression to be in someone’s “thrall” to mean that we are captivated by a person or subject. I was startled to find out that in its origins it means, a slave. Being “captivated” by someone or something seems appropriate! When we use the word, however, it usually does not carry with it the sense of slavery or bondage. I, for example, am “enthralled” each morning by the cloud formations, the sunrises, sunsets, the movements of the oceans here at Eastern Point. So I have been “enthralled” by the word, “thrall” as I reflected on the question, “in whose thrall am I these days?” The pandemic’s thrall? The election’s thrall? Hope’s thrall? Through it all these days, are we in Christ’s thrall. As we celebrate the end of the liturgical year with the feast of Christ, our Kin, will we let ourselves trust that he reveals our God who is “All in All?” Returning to the word “thrall” in its original meaning, Paul’s letter to the Philippians came to mind. “Although he was in the form of God, he did not cling to his status but emptied himself and became a slave.” Christ became a “thrall” for us so that he might always hold us “enthralled.” I share with you my latest poetic reflection for this feast. Enthralled In whose thrall are you held these dire days? In fear’s thrall, through it all? We dare to call these days “dire” when crises cast sufferings’ shadows cross worlds apart from one another. “Dire” derives from “dirus,” Fear incarnate, the worst is yet to be In fear’s thrall, a chain reaction bound to come bust or Boom, come Hell or highwater. Well, held in fear’s fist, A grip tight, ropewalk taut, A high wire, strung out- stretched arms, crosswise. In whose thrall are you held these dear days? In Christ’s thrall, through it all? How dare we call these days “dear” when one is filled with dread for dear ones at great cost, deprived of one another? “Dear” derives from “dier” and “duur” “beloved” and “costly” Double Dutch words as twin ropes intertwined, heart’s skipping the best is yet to be In Christ’s thrall, An unchained reaction, bound to come best and bloom first and fruitful. Weal, yes and held in His grasp, Crosswalk taught, His high wire strung A cross, the universe Love’s gravitational pull In this heart string theory. Are you yet enthralled? Given all that is happening in a world that seems to be in the thrall of war, violence of all kinds, nationalism, xenophobia, we need to be in Christ’s thrall if human life is to make any sense at all. Today’s Gospel is an important reminder of what it means to be “enthralled” by his vision. Here’s a homily I wrote in 2002. I think it’s worth reading. I received a warning this past Friday night. I was driving home around 5Pm. I’d just gotten off the expressway and was heading across 203. I was impatient to get home and did not want to deal with the traffic. There is a place where there are two lanes and I noticed that I could get ahead of the traffic if I went into the right lane. Then I noticed it was a right turn only lane. Oops! I wanted to go straight. So, I just slid through the light turning red and kept going straight. That’s when I noticed the flashing lights. No siren was needed. I knew what I had done was wrong and I was liable for judgment. But I only received a warning. The police officer was remarkably kind. He asked me if I knew why I was being stopped. He explained to me what I had done was very dangerous and could cause an accident. When he came back with the warning, his voice and demeanor was firm but, in another way, gentle. He told me to be on my way now and in the future, watch where I was going. As a Christian community we’ve been receiving a good number of warnings these past weeks. Matthew’s gospel is full of these warnings. Keep your lamps full of oil and stay awake! You don’t know when the bridegroom is coming. Don’t bury your talents! You will be judged on how you invest your life when the property owner returns. Both are warnings to Matthew’s Jewish-Christian community to be alert, awake, prepared for a future coming of the Son of Man. Today’s gospel issues another kind of warning. Here the son of man is compared to a king who judges the nations, that is the Gentiles. Although Matthew 25 in its own context is meant to deal with the question of what criteria the non-Christian or Jew can enter the kingdom of God, ( that is by works of compassion to the least sisters and brothers, ) it has come to be a clarion call to human beings, particularly, those of us who call ourselves Christian. It is the clearest statement of social responsibility in the Gospel. It is also the clearest statement of who is the body of Christ in the world. The hungry, homeless, stranger, imprisoned. As Christians we ignore this warning at our peril. It’s right there in black and white. Whatever you do to the least ones you do to me. This warning of judgment that the Gospel gives today, is it meant to instill fear in us? Yes and no! It may be like my judge on the road who gave me the warning so that I could notice where I was going and how I was getting there! Even though it is about the final judgment, it is about our judgment in the present. Jesus, the son of Man is asking us to notice the least in our midst. He is asking us to be “pastors” to those whose lives are broken or compromised. Like the divine shepherd in the first reading who takes on the responsibility of binding up the wounds of the sheep because the human shepherds/ pastors/religious leaders have failed, Jesus is asking us to do whatever we can for those who are the neediest in our midst. And since sheep and goats are within walking distance when I'm in Dennis on Cape Cod, I place the photos "side" by "side." Do sheep and goats share a kinship? Or a friendship? Crosscurrents11/24/2023 IMG_0330 from Robert VerEecke on Vimeo.
Friday of the 33rd Week in OT I was going to title this reflection “For Sail Signs.” I imagine your inbox is deluged with adds for Black Friday sales. Mine certainly is. So, I felt I had to make some reference to “sales.” Aha! Yesterday, I went to Corporation beach which as you can see was quite choppy because of all the crosscurrents due to prevailing winds. There was one wind surfer hanging on for dear life to his sail. This intrepid sailor symbolized for me the challenge of staying in the Advent season and not being swept away by Christmas sales and all the other accoutrement that come with Christmas. It’s not even Advent yet and Christmas music is playing and trees are already decorated with sparking lights. How hold on to Advent when the currents of Christmas are so strong? I suppose I could rail against the commercialization and secularization of Christmas as Jesus railed against the buyers and seller in the temple in today’s Gospel. Truth be told; I’ll be decorating a Christmas tree later on today as well as putting on the outside Christmas season lights at my friend JA’s family home in Dennis. There’s been a family tradition that on the day after Thanksgiving when JA’s niece and her family are here, we would decorate since they wouldn’t be with JA for Christmas. Although he’s not here with us, the tradition continues. Speaking of traditions, the first reading from Maccabees tells the story of Hannukah, the festival of lights. Although this eight day celebration doesn’t begin until December 7th, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on the traditions we have that are so much more important than “sale days.” As I read the Maccabees reading, I was also struck with the verse: “on that very day, the sanctuary was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals.” It reminds me of another tradition that JA kept sacred. Starting today, he would only listen to Christmas music! His radio was tuned to the stations that played “All Christmas/ All Day!” And if it weren’t on the radio, he had more Christmas playlists than you can imagine. I’d like to say that I’d honor this tradition, but I prefer to wait in Advent hope and not listen to Christmas music until the 24th, (except for the music in A Dancer’s Christmas!) Today, I’d invite you to think about the ways in which you will keep a spiritual balance as you recognize the Christmas currents that want to carry you to December 25th, all the while waiting in joyful hope during the Advent season. Mishmash11/22/2023 Wednesday of the 33rd Week in OT/ Memorial of St. Cecilia
Today’s reflection is truly a “mishmash” or jumble of different subjects. I thought it was appropriate since today’s Gospel is such a mishmash of different parables woven together in a way that makes no sense. Yesterday we heard the story of Zacchaeus which is Luke at his best as a storyteller. Today? What a mishmash! You may remember that this past Sunday we heard Matthew’s version of the “talents” where the third servant buries the huge sum of money in a hole in the ground and is punished for not being industrious. (Some of us had an interesting conversation about this passage and concluded that it’s really the master who needs to learn a lesson about compassion and not be so greedy!) As challenging as it is to make sense of the parable in Matthew, Luke leaves you scratching your head with the question, “What’s this all about?” Luke places the parable in the context of Jesus’ “going to Jerusalem.” That’s code for “he’s going to suffer.” But his suffering is an act of self-gift. The man in the parable is not very likeable at all. He is ambitious and interested in power and money. If Luke is trying to compare him with Jesus because his “people” did not want him to be king, the comparison falls dramatically short. And then there is the “handkerchief.” What’s that all about? Well, it turns out that the Greek word is “sudario” which also means burial cloth? Where the servant in Matthew buries the talents, the servant in Luke uses material that could also be a “burial cloth,: Yikes, what a mishmash! If you glean any spiritual meaning from this passage, good for you! Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I’ll be serving “mashed” potatoes along with a mix of other sides, I share again what I wrote last year. The Rite Way Thanksgiving Eve and Day Thanksgiving Day may be the “rite” day to write about the importance of rite and ritual in our lives. There are other holidays of the year that are rife with rites; Christmas, Easter etc. but Thanksgiving is the one that stands out because it’s focus in coming together at the table. And of course, there are the rites of preparation of the food, the menu, the setting of the table. the shared grace around the table with family and friends. As I go the “rite” way, preparing for Thanksgiving dinner and all the rituals that are part of it, I can’t help thinking of the great Thanksgiving meal that we call the Eucharist. (The Greek word for “thanksgiving.”) Although Jesus is not present in the way he was to the disciples in his earthly life, we believe he is present in the elements of bread and wine, in the community gathered. He is also present in the Word and in the presider who leads the great prayer of blessing and thanksgiving. Sometimes in our celebration of the Eucharist as well as in the “rites” of Thanksgiving Day, we go by “rote” and not by rights of what is asked of us. We go through the motions without thinking and feeling as we engage in these familiar rites. I know that for me this Thanksgiving will invite me to “full and active participation” in a way that will be so much more than going through the motions. Is the invitation to all of us to be grateful and present to the moment and do this the “rite” way? And hopefully you won’t “Miss Mass” this Sunday, the feast of Christ the King! Today also happens to be the memorial of St. Cecilia who is the patron saint of musicians. It’s why I chose a photo of my viola since she is usually pictured playing an organ or a viol. And it also happens to be the birthday of my friend, Joel who is in the photo below. Joel will be coming to NY to dance again in A Dancer’s Christmas. And to end this “mishmash” of themes and reflections, I hope that tomorrow will be a wonderful sharing with family and friends. (I won’t be writing on Thanksgiving since I’ll be cooking a turkey and preparing to celebrate “the rite way.” Beg your pardon....11/20/2023 Monday of the 33rd Week in OT
I’ve chosen the photo of me as a beggar to accompany today's reflection. It’s one I have used before. It was taken years ago when I was dancing the role of the crippled beggar who begins to walk and dance due to a Christmas Miracle. Hearing again the story of the blind beggar who calls out to Jesus to have pity on him, made me think of this image. (In fact, I see it all the time since I keep it on a bookshelf as a constant reminder of how often I have to go begging for help from God or others.) I’m sure I don’t need to mention how Luke’s version of this story reduces it to its bare essentials and omits some of the best Marcan details, i.e. the name Bartimaeus, his cloak, his jumping up to come to Jesus. I suppose all that is really important is Jesus’ question to the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” That may be so, but I still miss Mark’s creating the scene in a more vivid way. So, very simply, today I invite us to hear the voice of Jesus’ ask each of us, “What do you want me to do for you?” What do you say? And what do you hear back? And returning to the “begging” theme, if you benefit from reading these reflections, I’d ask you to consider making a donation to my dance company in support of the NY production of A Dancer’s Christmas. I frequently share with you the dance works I’ve created. Since the production is happening at the Ailey Theater in NYC, there are significant expenses. So, any contribution would be welcome. If you’d like to contribute, let me know at robertvereecke@me.com and I’ll send you more information about your tax-deductible contribution. The photo below is a facsimile of the “begging bowl” that St. Ignatius used. At least I have that in common with him! Do Diligence11/19/2023 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Here's the homily I will give at this morning's Mass. As you well know, the editors of the lectionary would most often look for a reading from the Old Testament that would resonate with the Sunday Gospel. The second reading may or may not connect with the first reading or the Gospel. So, I was wondering why the editors chose this reading from the book of Proverbs to accompany today’s Gospel about the “talents”; I,e. those huge sums of money entrusted to the servants. My conclusion is that the “industriousness” of the woman in Proverbs caught the editors’ eyes and ears. She is like the first two servants in the Gospel who make good investments with what they have been given. The irony, however, is that those same editors “cherry pick” the text from Proverbs and leave out verses that best describe this woman’s “industry.” “She considers a field and buys it, with her own earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She makes linen garments and sells them. She supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teachings of kindness are on her tongue. This woman is something else. She is an incredibly versatile woman who manages to keep everything going in her home and out in the world. She is truly “superwoman” in all that she achieves. She is worthy of praise, like the two servants in the Gospel. But is there something else that links these two texts? Could it be the fearlessness of this woman that is in contrast with the third servant in the Gospel> The verse that speaks to me most is “she laughs at the time to come.” She does not seem to fear anything. Could it be that she loves so much that fear has no place in her life? “Fear” is a refrain through today’s scriptures. There are two kinds of “fear” here. The first refers to a sense of awe and wonder in one’s relationship with the Creator, an All-loving God. “The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a reward for her labors and let her works praise her at the city gates.” Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be and favored. . “Fear of the Lord” cannot be something that cripples or paralyzes but rather is fruitful and creative. It’s no wonder it is one of the gifts of the Spirit! The other kind of fear does, in fact, paralyze. The man in the Gospel story who buries the talent and does not invest it is crippled by fear. He is unable to be industrious or creative with the gift. And what about us here at Campion? Most of us are no longer “industrious” as we were in our former ministries. But, can we hear the “master” praise us for the ways in which we have used our gifts for God’s glory? One of the synonyms for “industrious” is “diligent” And “diligence” in its essential meaning is “doing what delights you. Doing what you love to do.” We may no longer be called to be “industrious” in our waning years but we are always called to “do diligence.” 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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