A young, brand-new priest deeply committed to his calling was asked by the local funeral director to hold a graveside burial service at a small local cemetery for someone with no family or friends. The priest started for the cemetery early, but got lost on the way, and eventually arrived at what he was sure was the location for the burial a good half-hour late.

The freshly-turned dirt was the final clue that his late arrival had cost him his chance at his first funeral. He saw a backhoe and its crew, but the hearse was nowhere in sight, and the workmen were eating lunch.

The diligent young priest went to the open grave and found the vault lid already in place.

Taking out his funeral book, he read the service. Feeling guilty because of his tardiness, he preached an impassioned and lengthy service, sending the deceased to the great beyond in style.

As he was returning to his car, he overheard one of the workmen say: “I've been putting in septic tanks for 20 years and I ain't never seen anything like that.”

Let Go and Let God

 

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our second reading today from Romans 11:33-36, St. Paul asks his Roman readers and he asks us three rhetorical questions, “For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid"? St. Paul goes on to remind us that, "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever." None of us can ever know the mind of God. None of us can ever presume to counsel God. And none of us can ever repay God for all that God has given us because everything we have comes from God.

What we can do is work diligently to build the kingdom of heaven here in Peachtree City. We work to build the kingdom of heaven through the sacraments, liturgy, music, prayer, religious education, hospitality, acts of mercy and charity, love and respect for each other. We work to build the kingdom by sharing our resources so that others can join us in our efforts to assure that God's kingdom will come "on earth as it is in heaven"(Matt. 6:10). We can share our precious God given gifts, and by doing so welcome God in our hearts and minds, our homes, our community, our state, our country and our world.

If you don’t believe that you are up for the task, consider Peter in today’s gospel from Matthew 16:13-20. Peter clearly was not the smartest disciple. His erratic behavior got him in lots of trouble with Jesus and probably everyone else. However, Peter had tremendous faith. His declaration that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” catapulted him into a leadership position he did not seek. This “confession of faith” made Peter the first and founding member of the church that he and the other disciples would build. Peter’s faith earned him the trust and confidence of Jesus. Recognizing Peter’s special strengths, Jesus entrusted “the keys to the kingdom of heaven” to Peter.

So, like Peter, let us use our God given gifts to build the kingdom of heaven here and now.

God, well-spring of all wisdom, 

 and source of every insight, 

 you inspired Simon Peter to confess 

 that Jesus is the Messiah, 

the Son of the living God. 

 On this rock of faith, you have built your church. 

 Pour out your Spirit in abundance, 

 that all may join in this profession, 

 and become living stones 

 standing firm upon the one foundation, 

 which is our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

 who lives and reigns with you 

 in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

 God for ever and ever.

AMEN.

Amen of Nature

 

Take Care of Yourself

 

Prayer for Hearing

“What’s wrong, Paddy?” asked the priest.

“I need you to pray for my hearing,” said Paddy.

The priest put his hands on Paddy's ears and prayed. When he was done, he asked, “So how’s your hearing?”

“I don’t know,” said Paddy. “It isn’t until next Tuesday.”​

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

All of our readings today focus on the universality of the Kingdom of Heaven. Ethnicity, race, age, religious affiliation, physical or mental ability, social status, wealth, gender or profession are not important in God’s eyes. What is important is the intensity of our faith, our love of God, our obedience to God’s Word and our actions. Speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, God tells the exiled people of Israel in the first reading, “Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed” (Isaiah 56:1) Anyone who follows these precepts is welcomed into God’s “house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7).

Given this message of universality, St. Matthew’s description of Jesus and his encounter with the Canaanite woman in our Gospel today, Matthew 15:21-28, is disturbing. He insults her, calling her a dog. He clearly has a problem with her cry for help. What is going on here? This is one of those readings that must be examined in context (like our 1st reading about Elijah last week).

St. Matthew wrote his gospel for the Jewish people. His focus is on the mission of Jesus “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). However, the House of Israel, particularly the Scribes and the Pharisees, reject Jesus. He travels to “the region of Tyre and Sidon,” pagan, Phoenician cities, to take a break from the harassment of the Scribes and Pharisees and the hordes of people constantly making demands on him. The first thing that happens when he arrives in this pagan place is an encounter with a pagan woman, crying out to him “Lord, help me.” Canaanites were ancestral enemies of the Jews. Cursed by Noah, they were considered “The lowest of slaves “(Gen 9:25). She is not part of Jesus’ plan. However, driven by love for her daughter, the woman’s quick wit, humility, persistence and great faith carry the day. Her prayer is answered; her daughter is healed.

For St. Matthew this is a teaching moment. Jesus is showing the disciples that God’s mercy and love extend far beyond their level of experience or understanding. It is not just for them. It is for all of us. And, like the Psalmist, we should all cry out: “May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation” (Psalm 67:2-3).

Almighty God, ever-loving Father,

your care extends beyond the boundaries of race and nation

to the hearts of all who live.

May the walls, which prejudice raises between us,

crumble beneath the shadow of your outstretched arm.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

When Things Go Wrong

“If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine.”
~Morris West

Today I watched Finding Nemo, one of my absolute favorite Disney movies. When Dory and Marlin are searching for his lost son Nemo and it seems like they’re doomed to fail, Marlin says, “I promised I’d never let anything happen to him.”

Dory responds, “Hmm. That’s a funny thing to promise. You can’t never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo.”

As someone who has often worried about people I love, I find this incredibly insightful. The truth is we never can know for certain when a storm is coming. We can’t fully protect ourselves or the people we love from hardship.

What we can do is choose not to cause ourselves pain by shutting down, fearing everything that might go wrong. When we hide from the worst that could possibly happen, we also close ourselves off from the best.

Today if you’re feeling fearful about things that might go wrong tomorrow, come back to the present and recognize things that are going right today.

There’s a lot of sunshine to enjoy in life, but we can only appreciate it if we’re willing to be firmly rooted in the here and now.

Basket of Water

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson, who wanted to be just like him, tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" the old man said. "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out."

Dr. Seuss

 

Bring Your Umbrella

 One summer, a drought threatened the crop in a small town. On a hot and dry Sunday, the old parish priest told his congregation, "There isn't anything that will save us except to pray for rain. Go home, pray, believe, and come back next Sunday ready to thank God for sending rain."

The people did as they were told and returned to church the following Sunday. But as soon as the old priest saw them, he was furious.

"We can't worship today. You do not yet believe," he said.

"But," they protested, "we prayed, and we do believe."

"Believe?" he responded. "Then where are your umbrellas?"

The story applies to all of us. There are those people who leave their umbrellas at home. Throughout their lives, they are merely hoping their wishes and prayers will bear fruit, but they expect little.

Others expect their dreams and desires to come to pass. It is as if they journey through life always prepared for something to happen.

Today, how will you approach that which you are yearning for? Will you expect your prayers and work to bring about hoped-for results?

Will you bring your umbrella?

I Know the Shepherd

There was once a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23.

Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation - “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the Psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. “Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?" The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.

Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training - but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?"

The young man quietly replied, "Well sir, you know the Psalm; I know the Shepherd."

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our first reading today from 1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a, Elijah encounters God on “the mountain of God, Horeb.” He does not find God in a burning bush like Moses did when he stood on the same mountain. He does not find God in “a strong and heavy wind,” or “crushing rocks,” or “an earthquake.” Elijah encounters God in “a tiny whispering sound.” Elijah must have been very quiet and still to hear the Lord passing by.

Today’s gospel, Matthew 14:22-33, gives us a different version of an encounter with God. Peter and the disciples are caught in a terrible storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat. They see Jesus coming “toward them walking on the sea” and they are terrified. They think he is a ghost. For a reality check, Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus says, “come,” and Peter jumps in to the water, becomes frightened and begins to sink. He is rescued by Jesus who gets him back in the boat, the wind dies down and the disciples declare Jesus is truly the Son of God.

A simple comparison of these two readings could lead us to believe that Elijah is cool, calm and collected while Peter is impetuous, foolhardy and a coward. However, if we read the entire chapter of 1 Kings 19, we learn that Elijah is a man on the run. Jezebel, the queen of Israel, wants him dead. He is cowering in that cave on Mt. Horeb. Elijah is in big trouble, he’s frightened and he cries out "This is enough, O LORD! Take my life….” But God had other plans for Elijah just as he had other plans for Peter.

We all have times in our lives when we need a reality check. Our reality as Christians is our belief that God is always present to us. We do not need moments of crisis or moments of great ecstasy to see or hear God speaking to us although we all experience times like these. God speaks to us in scripture, in sacraments and in liturgy. God speaks to us as we do the ordinary things that make up our daily lives. The Psalmist sums it up in Psalm 46: 9-12, “The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth…Who says: ‘Be still and confess that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.’ The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.”

Father,

Your love never fails.

Hear our call.

Keep us from danger

and provide for all our needs.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son,

Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever. 

Amen

Myriad Dimensions of Love

Only in the imagination does love promise happiness forever. Through experience, we discover the myriad dimensions of love. Sometimes love is joy. Sometimes passion. Sometimes moments of serenity amongst the laughter and sadness. Generally, love is soft. But it also may sting. Love is forever changing, perhaps a smile will slow our pace one minute, but a sign of danger may push us to act, to respond, to make a decision the next.

All that love is, there's much it is not. Love is not shaming. Nor is it punishing. Love does not gloat, criticize, degrade, or diminish. At times we think we're filled with love and yet we selfishly serve our needs before another's. And when we truly express our love to another, there's no mistaking the warm glow that fills the body.

How simple to be a giver of love and yet how forgetful we are when the opportunities arise.

I Found the Answer in My Room

When I woke up this morning, I asked myself, 

"What is life about?"

I found the answer in my room.

The fan said, "Be cool."
The roof said, "Aim high."
The window said, "See the world!"
The clock said, "Every minute is precious."
The mirror said, "Reflect before you act."
The calendar said, "Be up to date."
The door said, "Push hard for your goals."
The floor said, "Kneel down and pray."

He Already Knows

A priest was teaching his weekly Bible class, and he asked the members how they'd introduce themselves to the Lord when they got to heaven. The first one said, “Lord, I'm Joan. I was married for 47 years, I raised three wonderful children, and I always baked the cupcakes for school. That's who I am.”

Another said, “Lord, I'm George. I was the biggest contractor in the county Almost all of my buildings were good and I tried to watch out for the little guys. That's who I am.”

And another said, “I'm Harry. I was the school janitor all my life. Kept the place real clean, and was never mean to the kids either. That's who I am, Lord.”

And so it went till finally it was the turn of the oldest man in the group. He spoke very softly: “I won't need to introduce myself,” he said . “The Lord already knows who I am."

Allow the Holy Spirit

Of course, the greatest victory that the Spirit can give us is victory over ourselves. If we could be changed within, if all those destructive thoughts and habits within could somehow be dispelled, then we could handle our circumstances. Then we would be powerful indeed.

Dwight L. Moody once demonstrated the principle like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?" One man said, "Suck it out with a pump." The evangelist replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter it. Finally, after many futile suggestions, Moody picked up a pitcher and filled the glass with water. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate destructive thoughts and habits, but rather by allowing the Holy Spirit to take full possession.

So what are you troubled about? The future? God has it under His control. The past? Our sins have been thrown into the deepest regions of the sea by the death of Christ on the cross never to be retrieved. The present? There is a power that is available to all who would call on His name.

Feast of the Transfiguration

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration and commemorate the 45th anniversary of the death of St Pope Paul VI. When Pope Paul VI died in 1978, I remember thinking how appropriate it was that he went to heaven on the Feast of the Transfiguration. I imagined a transfigured Holy Father wearing radiant white robes standing before St. Peter and quoting from St. Paul: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance” (2nd Timothy 4:7-8)

Most Christians I know yearn for transforming mountaintop experiences. Like Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John we long to see God face to face. We want to hear God's voice. We want to be near Jesus and experience the serenity of His presence. And like Peter, we want the experience to last forever. Sadly, for most of us, mountaintop experiences are fleeting. They are glorious moments that seem to evaporate as we descend the mountain. Just as Moses, Elijah and Jesus could not stay on the mountaintop forever; neither can we. Jesus' mission was not to sit on the mountain in all his glory like a wise sage imparting wisdom to those who climbed up to see him. Jesus had to come down to live among, teach and heal the people who ultimately would crucify him. That is how he secured our salvation.

It is important for us to go to the mountaintop, to stop, to pray, to seek God's face and to hear God's voice. However, we must remember that mountaintop experiences are not an end. We go to the mountain seeking our own transfiguration so that we can return to our daily lives and be a transforming presence to others. We go to the mountaintop to draw strength from God so that we can accompany Jesus and all our suffering sisters and brothers on the Way of the Cross.

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

it is wonderful for us to be here

in the presence of your beloved Son.

Let his radiant face give us light and peace.

May the light of his transfigured face

shine on all of us and give us courage,

that we too may become lights to one another,

until we may enter your everlasting light.

We ask you this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Mistakes

A humorous story has it that a newly appointed young clergyman was contacted by a local funeral director to hold a graveside service at a small country cemetery in mid-western USA. There was to be no funeral, just a graveside service, because the deceased had no family and had outlived her friends.

The young pastor started early to the cemetery, but soon became lost. After making several wrong turns, he finally arrived a half-hour late. The hearse was nowhere in sight and cemetery workers were relaxing under a nearby tree, eating their lunch.

The pastor went to the open grave and found that the vault lid was already in place. He took out a prayer book and read a few paragraphs. As he returned to his car, he overheard one of the workers say, “Maybe we’d better tell him it’s a septic tank.”

Why is it we make our biggest mistakes in public? And some people can’t avoid it. Former hockey goalie Jacques Plante wonders, “How would you like a job where, if you made a mistake, a big, red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?”

But we should never give up our right to be wrong. Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment. It is your right to be wrong. “No (one) ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes,” said William E. Gladstone. Great mistakes are opportunities for great learning. And great learning makes for great living.

Now, that’s something I can get into. I don’t need to be a great person, just one who believes that his life is worth living well. And if that means I need to make some magnificent mistakes along the way, I’ll take that on as part of the price to pay.

You and I have a right to be wrong. And if we are to move toward great living, we might even have a duty to make great mistakes. Sometimes we can laugh them off. Certainly we can learn from them. And always, let’s just make sure the next mistake is one we haven’t made before.

Thy Will

As the day goes on, we can pause where situations must be met and decisions made, and renew the simple request: Thy will, not mine, be done.

Just saying it over and over will often enable us to clear a channel choked up with anger, fear, frustration, or misunderstanding, and permit us to return to the surest help of all – our search for God’s will, not our own, in the moment of stress.​