8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A
St. Michael the Archangel Church, Overlea
February 29, 2011
First Things First
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
WORRY
Worry ranks as one of our most uncomfortable emotions, and, with all the things we have to worry about, it is also one of our most constant companions.
The more complex our life becomes and the more responsibilities we have, the more we have to worry about.
It’s not that worry helps us to live more effectively. On the contrary, it drains us of the energy we need to take care of ourselves as we should. But how can we avoid worrying?
JESUS AND WORRY
In the gospel reading today, Jesus tells us bluntly, “Do not worry.” What a beautiful suggestion, and what an achievement, if we could only manage it.
Can he be serious, though, about not being anxious about what we eat, or drink, or wear?
It’s very poetic talking about the birds of the air and the flowers in the field, but aren’t our needs more substantial, significant, and sophisticated than those of birds and flowers?
Is not anxiety a given for anyone trying to live a responsible life in a very worrisome world?
Jesus is not trying to engage us in wishful thinking, however. Nor is he trying to make light of the difficult circumstances of life. What he offers us is a specific formula for reducing worry and anxiety.
REDUCING OUR WORRY
As we pursue our needs in life, Jesus tells us: “Strive first for the Kingdom of God…and all these things will be given to you as well.”
What Jesus is promoting is that we consciously establish our top priorities – something we generally don’t do.
The great benefit of doing this is that it puts things into perspective. What might be a significant cause of anxiety fades in the face of something more pressing.
A mother, for example, trying to help her child through a serious illness may for the time be unconcerned about some bills that need to be paid or an important meeting she needs to attend.
Building the Kingdom was the essence of Jesus’ ministry. Developing a Kingdom mentality was the chief goal of all his preaching; every other objective in life was subservient to the values of the Kingdom.
SETTING THE PRIORITIES
Jesus taught that if we work primarily to make the Kingdom a reality in our lives, everything else would fall into place for us; everything else would automatically become less worrisome, like the mother tending the sick child and the bills to be paid.
The answer to worry, therefore, is to remember and live out of Kingdom values as the most important concerns of our lives. Those values will be the ultimate antidote for anxiety.
For example, if MONEY is my most important concern, any movement in the stock market is going to set my nerves on edge. But if I move to the Kingdom value of “I’ve got what I need” and not grasping after, “I don’t have what I’d like” the anxiety about money is lessened.
If JOB SECURITY is my most important concern, I could move to the Kingdom value of “I’m going to continue to do my best work and pray for the Lord’s strength.” Then when I feel threatened with being laid off or with losing my job, the moorings of my faith and the assurance of God’s presence and care will assist me.
How about the CHILDREN – young or grown? My concern may be the mischief they’re getting into or how them may turn out. Again, move to the Kingdom values of giving them quality time, sharing your values of faith or family, remembering you have 2 ears and only ONE mouth will be ways to decrease the worries that are part of childrearing.
In case I haven’t included everyone, let’s take AGEING and worries associated with the decrease in mobility, energy, and memory. Here the Kingdom values would be deepening your relationship with God and configuring our lives to the life of Jesus especially as he prepared to pass from this world to the Father, both creating less worry and meaningful goals as a I age.
CONCLUSION
Today’s gospel challenges us to consider our priorities, then.
Is what I hold first and foremost giving me the kind of anxious-free life I want? Probably not or I wouldn’t be listening so intently to this homily!
The simple lesson of today’s gospel is: First things first!
“Strive first for the Kingdom” and you get what you need without having to worry about it.
Does that sound like a plan? Amen? Amen!
LAST ANNOUNCEMENT
One final word: I am preaching at all the masses this weekend as a way of introducing myself to the people of St. Michael’s Parish.
Beginning on Wednesday, April 13 and continuing on Thursday and Friday evening of that week I will be offering a parish mission here at St. Michael’s.
It will focus on building a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, one in which you can, with the proper disposition on your part and the grace of God, physically experience Christ face-to-face.
Out of this extraordinary contact you can be transformed in your outlook regarding prayer, relationships, and job. You can have a life lived more tangibly, walking in God’s presence.
I invite you to keep the lucky number 13, April 13, in your memory and I invite you to bring friends and neighbors to this mission. There will be ample reminders in the weekly bulletin in the weeks preceding April 13th.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Funeral Mass for February 22, 2011
Funeral Mass for Larry Preller
(Readings #2, #10, #16)
Shrine of the Sacred Heart
February 22, 2011 / 10:00am
The Seed As Kernel, Starch, and Skin
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
CONDOLENCES AND THE PEANUT
To Doris, Larry’s wife of 18 years. To his children Debby and Ed, Rita, Lauren, Joe and Leeann, Adam and Dawn, and Patrick and Amanda. To Doris’ children, Rob and Gail, June and Derry, Janelle and Eric, and Donna and Steve. To his 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, we offer you our heartfelt condolences on the death of Larry
Larry was a simple man with big dreams and a will that would never quit. I met him the day I came to the Shrine in early September 1989; he was pouring a cement floor in the basement of this very church.
Days later his beloved wife Marie, of 44 years, died. Marie’s was my first funeral here in and over the years Larry and I became very close as I came to know and love his children. After three years, I witnessed his marriage to his new love, Doris at this very altar.
I begin my remarks with a vivid memory I have from elementary school of my science teacher holding a large plaster classroom model of a peanut for all of us fifth graders to see.
As I recall, there were three main parts to that peanut model: the inner kernel that we were told, held the “mystery of life itself.”
Then there was the large massive area that was called the starch. This starch (demonstrate) was to serve as fuel for the growing kernel. And finally, there was the thin outer skin or membrane that kept it all together.
JESUS AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PEANUT
Recall that Jesus says, “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
My description of the peanut can help us unlock the mystery that Jesus is discussing, namely how life comes out of death.
Applied to Larry, his innermost kernel of faith, fed by his love for his family and Church, grew and grew and finally became so expansive that it pressed beyond a thin outer skin and is now transformed into glory.
HIS FAITH = THE KERNEL
His faith was the kernel. It’s no secret that Larry loved God. He had a longing for God and he nurtured that longing in prayer and regular Sunday worship. He had a great devotion to St. Joseph the carpenter.
How confident he was that St. Joseph understood him even as a fellow-carpenter. On Larry’s last day, he clung tightly to a small statue of the saint.
His love of God was seen in his ministry of taking communion to the sick and dying. At these special times I allowed him to wear a clergy shirt. Doris tells of the day she accompanied him and happened to be wearing black herself and they patients thought they were a priest and a religious sister.
Larry was no rainy day friend of God’s. He was right there either being fed by the Lord, ministering in his name to those in need, or sharing his faith with his children.
His kernel of faith in Jesus Christ enlivened, quickened, and animated him to be there for others and to bring the presence of that very same God he enjoyed to others.
HIS FAMILY = THE STARCH
His love for his family was the starch on which his kernel of faith fed. Now remember Larry was a disciple of Jesus, so whether it was family, friends, neighbors or strangers he didn’t know, you’d get a heavy dose of a faith-filled man loving you as Jesus would.
He was a devoted family man and while he built many beautiful dwellings, his greatest “edifice” was his relationship first for Marie and then Doris, and course, his children.
He captured 25 years of family gatherings on film and made copies for all the kids.
He was happiest when he was with them and surrounded by others. He would use any excuse to get together with them.
Larry’s life was one of sacrifice. The children got the best educations, clothing, food, and homes and he worked hard to provide these. He was a bit of a workaholic, and it was work he would gladly do.
The Preller children had more than their share of family challenges and Larry was always there for them. He was there in ways many parents would not or could not have been.
He listened. He was open-minded. He spoke honestly and lovingly. He did not judge. No matter what personal crisis – and there were many – he was always available to help by a prayerful presence.
Once he knew the problem, he’d help financially, spiritually, or emotionally. He had the uncanny ability to put a positive spin on the darkest of situations. He was good at reminding the children that there was a higher power in charge.
Whenever an issue was more than he could handle, Larry would call in a third party to sit down with the entire family to work things out. These became their regular family meetings and drew parents and children together.
BREAKING THROUGH THE KERNEL
Yes, the kernel feeding on the starch was growing beyond what the skin would allow. Larry was becoming physically challenged.
In addition to spending himself, there were medical issues regarding kidney, prostrate, bladder, and knee replacement.
His nurse noted that his desire to live and serve was strong, in her words, “The strongest she’d ever seen” his body couldn’t contain his spirit.
Larry as a man of faith, feeding on the starch of serving others so sacrificially needed to break through the membrane, if it is to be transformed to another level of life.
And so his life add light and understanding to Jesus’ words, “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
That moment of passage came on Monday morning at 8:30 and the fruit of his life is now being one with the Lord he so beautifully served.
(Readings #2, #10, #16)
Shrine of the Sacred Heart
February 22, 2011 / 10:00am
The Seed As Kernel, Starch, and Skin
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
CONDOLENCES AND THE PEANUT
To Doris, Larry’s wife of 18 years. To his children Debby and Ed, Rita, Lauren, Joe and Leeann, Adam and Dawn, and Patrick and Amanda. To Doris’ children, Rob and Gail, June and Derry, Janelle and Eric, and Donna and Steve. To his 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, we offer you our heartfelt condolences on the death of Larry
Larry was a simple man with big dreams and a will that would never quit. I met him the day I came to the Shrine in early September 1989; he was pouring a cement floor in the basement of this very church.
Days later his beloved wife Marie, of 44 years, died. Marie’s was my first funeral here in and over the years Larry and I became very close as I came to know and love his children. After three years, I witnessed his marriage to his new love, Doris at this very altar.
I begin my remarks with a vivid memory I have from elementary school of my science teacher holding a large plaster classroom model of a peanut for all of us fifth graders to see.
As I recall, there were three main parts to that peanut model: the inner kernel that we were told, held the “mystery of life itself.”
Then there was the large massive area that was called the starch. This starch (demonstrate) was to serve as fuel for the growing kernel. And finally, there was the thin outer skin or membrane that kept it all together.
JESUS AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PEANUT
Recall that Jesus says, “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
My description of the peanut can help us unlock the mystery that Jesus is discussing, namely how life comes out of death.
Applied to Larry, his innermost kernel of faith, fed by his love for his family and Church, grew and grew and finally became so expansive that it pressed beyond a thin outer skin and is now transformed into glory.
HIS FAITH = THE KERNEL
His faith was the kernel. It’s no secret that Larry loved God. He had a longing for God and he nurtured that longing in prayer and regular Sunday worship. He had a great devotion to St. Joseph the carpenter.
How confident he was that St. Joseph understood him even as a fellow-carpenter. On Larry’s last day, he clung tightly to a small statue of the saint.
His love of God was seen in his ministry of taking communion to the sick and dying. At these special times I allowed him to wear a clergy shirt. Doris tells of the day she accompanied him and happened to be wearing black herself and they patients thought they were a priest and a religious sister.
Larry was no rainy day friend of God’s. He was right there either being fed by the Lord, ministering in his name to those in need, or sharing his faith with his children.
His kernel of faith in Jesus Christ enlivened, quickened, and animated him to be there for others and to bring the presence of that very same God he enjoyed to others.
HIS FAMILY = THE STARCH
His love for his family was the starch on which his kernel of faith fed. Now remember Larry was a disciple of Jesus, so whether it was family, friends, neighbors or strangers he didn’t know, you’d get a heavy dose of a faith-filled man loving you as Jesus would.
He was a devoted family man and while he built many beautiful dwellings, his greatest “edifice” was his relationship first for Marie and then Doris, and course, his children.
He captured 25 years of family gatherings on film and made copies for all the kids.
He was happiest when he was with them and surrounded by others. He would use any excuse to get together with them.
Larry’s life was one of sacrifice. The children got the best educations, clothing, food, and homes and he worked hard to provide these. He was a bit of a workaholic, and it was work he would gladly do.
The Preller children had more than their share of family challenges and Larry was always there for them. He was there in ways many parents would not or could not have been.
He listened. He was open-minded. He spoke honestly and lovingly. He did not judge. No matter what personal crisis – and there were many – he was always available to help by a prayerful presence.
Once he knew the problem, he’d help financially, spiritually, or emotionally. He had the uncanny ability to put a positive spin on the darkest of situations. He was good at reminding the children that there was a higher power in charge.
Whenever an issue was more than he could handle, Larry would call in a third party to sit down with the entire family to work things out. These became their regular family meetings and drew parents and children together.
BREAKING THROUGH THE KERNEL
Yes, the kernel feeding on the starch was growing beyond what the skin would allow. Larry was becoming physically challenged.
In addition to spending himself, there were medical issues regarding kidney, prostrate, bladder, and knee replacement.
His nurse noted that his desire to live and serve was strong, in her words, “The strongest she’d ever seen” his body couldn’t contain his spirit.
Larry as a man of faith, feeding on the starch of serving others so sacrificially needed to break through the membrane, if it is to be transformed to another level of life.
And so his life add light and understanding to Jesus’ words, “Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
That moment of passage came on Monday morning at 8:30 and the fruit of his life is now being one with the Lord he so beautifully served.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Weekly HOMILY for February 6, 2011: Becoming Light to Others
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle A
St. Mark Church, Fallston
February 6, 2011
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
THE KETTLE
A pastor friend recently told me a story about a group of businessmen who were attending a prayer breakfast. The speaker was emphasizing their duty to do what Jesus says in today’s gospel, that is, to be “the light of the world.”
One of the members said that he had had an experience at home that really helped him understand this passage.
He told of a day last year that he went down into the cellar of his old home and made an interesting discovery. Some potatoes had been placed over in the darkest corner of the cold, dark, damp cellar and they had begun to sprout.
At first, he couldn’t figure out how they had even gotten enough light to grow, but then he solved the mystery.
It seems that his wife had hung a stainless steel kettle from the ceiling near the basement window at the other end of the cellar. The kettle was polished enough that it reflected the rays of the sun onto the potatoes.
Well the individual derived a great lesson from that stainless steel kettle.
He told the group that he might not be a good preacher or teacher of the Bible, but that he could be a stainless steel kettle. That is, he could catch the rays of light from the Son of God and reflect that light to someone in a dark corner of life.
FACING THE SUN
That kettle does preach God’s word quite adequately this Sunday where we are challenged by Jesus to be light to the world.
The kettle gives us at least three important insights into what is involved in our being “the light of the world” to others.
First, notice that the kettle has to be facing the source of light, if it was to have an impact on the potatoes. Because it was facing the sun, it is able to take the light it receives and reflect it onto the potatoes.
We too need to be facing our spiritual source of light and that, of course, is the Lord Jesus.
The best way to be doing this is by regular daily contact with Christ. It comes in the silent reflection on his presence. It is said that our face begins to reflect whatever we focus on most.
It is even said that after decades of marriage, there is a real similarity between husbands and wives in the expression and countenance of their respective faces.
The same thing happens when we take time in silence to be in God’s presence. The more we are face-to-face with the Lord, the more we are able to take 5 or 10 minutes of silence with just a simple phrase of Scripture or a prayer, the more we will be like the one we encounter.
So facing our source of light, we will be heeding the first lesson the stainless steel kettle has to teach us.
SHINY ITSELF
The second lesson is that the kettle has to be able to reflect the light, which it could do because it was nicely polished.
We too must keep ourselves shined in order to be good reflectors of the light of Jesus.
Most of us, myself included, with the passing of days or weeks become are spiritually tarnished.
We’re spiritually dull when we have unconfessed or unadmitted sin in our heart. The best indicator of this is that we find ourselves always needing to be right or well-thought of.
When this is the case, it’s difficult for us to admit our failures and weaknesses even to God or ourselves, much less to someone else. To keep ourselves well polished, we need to admit that we have been impatient or that we have put someone down or whatever our failure at loving is.
We may need to admit things like this to a priest to be reconciled or to the person we have offended. Owning up to our failures, we can experience the strength that comes from God.
Staying shiny through a clear conscience is a great way to heed this second lesson of the stainless steel kettle.
FACING THE DARKNESS
Finally, note that the kettle was also facing the potatoes in the dark corner of the basement. It was because of this that it was able to reflect light on the potatoes and help them to grow.
We too need to reflect God’s light on those around us who find themselves in the dark corners of life.
Jesus tells us in the gospel, “People do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. Instead, they put it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before others.”
This can be done in many practical ways. We reflect God’s light by talking with our children about their faith and sharing what our faith means to us.
We do it by visiting a relative who is sick. Or we do it by shoveling a frail elderly neighbor’s sidewalk or grocery shopping for them.
Wherever there is darkness, sadness, sorrow, lack of light, we need to be there.
CONCLUSION
A simple lesson from a household kettle – be a light to the dark places in life so that even potatoes can grow.
All it takes is (1) Being in touch with the source of light, Jesus Christ, (2) Keeping yourself right with God, and (3) Finding the dark corners in which to be present.
St. Mark Church, Fallston
February 6, 2011
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
THE KETTLE
A pastor friend recently told me a story about a group of businessmen who were attending a prayer breakfast. The speaker was emphasizing their duty to do what Jesus says in today’s gospel, that is, to be “the light of the world.”
One of the members said that he had had an experience at home that really helped him understand this passage.
He told of a day last year that he went down into the cellar of his old home and made an interesting discovery. Some potatoes had been placed over in the darkest corner of the cold, dark, damp cellar and they had begun to sprout.
At first, he couldn’t figure out how they had even gotten enough light to grow, but then he solved the mystery.
It seems that his wife had hung a stainless steel kettle from the ceiling near the basement window at the other end of the cellar. The kettle was polished enough that it reflected the rays of the sun onto the potatoes.
Well the individual derived a great lesson from that stainless steel kettle.
He told the group that he might not be a good preacher or teacher of the Bible, but that he could be a stainless steel kettle. That is, he could catch the rays of light from the Son of God and reflect that light to someone in a dark corner of life.
FACING THE SUN
That kettle does preach God’s word quite adequately this Sunday where we are challenged by Jesus to be light to the world.
The kettle gives us at least three important insights into what is involved in our being “the light of the world” to others.
First, notice that the kettle has to be facing the source of light, if it was to have an impact on the potatoes. Because it was facing the sun, it is able to take the light it receives and reflect it onto the potatoes.
We too need to be facing our spiritual source of light and that, of course, is the Lord Jesus.
The best way to be doing this is by regular daily contact with Christ. It comes in the silent reflection on his presence. It is said that our face begins to reflect whatever we focus on most.
It is even said that after decades of marriage, there is a real similarity between husbands and wives in the expression and countenance of their respective faces.
The same thing happens when we take time in silence to be in God’s presence. The more we are face-to-face with the Lord, the more we are able to take 5 or 10 minutes of silence with just a simple phrase of Scripture or a prayer, the more we will be like the one we encounter.
So facing our source of light, we will be heeding the first lesson the stainless steel kettle has to teach us.
SHINY ITSELF
The second lesson is that the kettle has to be able to reflect the light, which it could do because it was nicely polished.
We too must keep ourselves shined in order to be good reflectors of the light of Jesus.
Most of us, myself included, with the passing of days or weeks become are spiritually tarnished.
We’re spiritually dull when we have unconfessed or unadmitted sin in our heart. The best indicator of this is that we find ourselves always needing to be right or well-thought of.
When this is the case, it’s difficult for us to admit our failures and weaknesses even to God or ourselves, much less to someone else. To keep ourselves well polished, we need to admit that we have been impatient or that we have put someone down or whatever our failure at loving is.
We may need to admit things like this to a priest to be reconciled or to the person we have offended. Owning up to our failures, we can experience the strength that comes from God.
Staying shiny through a clear conscience is a great way to heed this second lesson of the stainless steel kettle.
FACING THE DARKNESS
Finally, note that the kettle was also facing the potatoes in the dark corner of the basement. It was because of this that it was able to reflect light on the potatoes and help them to grow.
We too need to reflect God’s light on those around us who find themselves in the dark corners of life.
Jesus tells us in the gospel, “People do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. Instead, they put it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before others.”
This can be done in many practical ways. We reflect God’s light by talking with our children about their faith and sharing what our faith means to us.
We do it by visiting a relative who is sick. Or we do it by shoveling a frail elderly neighbor’s sidewalk or grocery shopping for them.
Wherever there is darkness, sadness, sorrow, lack of light, we need to be there.
CONCLUSION
A simple lesson from a household kettle – be a light to the dark places in life so that even potatoes can grow.
All it takes is (1) Being in touch with the source of light, Jesus Christ, (2) Keeping yourself right with God, and (3) Finding the dark corners in which to be present.
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