Daily HOMILY for January 30, 2013: Wednesday of 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

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St. Luke’s Institute

Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Ordinary Time

January 30, 2013

THE PLANTING +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  The flowers and plants in my gardens at home thrive, but that wasn’t always the case

Ø  In grade school I was assigned a science project to sprout melon seeds by soaking a strip of cloth, sticking it around a wide mouthed jar and carefully inserting melon seeds between the glass & wet cloth

o   I watched and reported the progress of the seeds as they sprouted and grew up and out of the glass jar

o   Finally, they were ready to be planted outside

o   I was thrilled as I turned in my class report and then planted my young charges outside

THE CALAMITY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  But I was too busy being a 12-year old kid and I didn’t take care of my charges well

Ø  Some sprouts died because I didn’t water them regularly, some were eaten by rabbits because I hadn’t secured the chicken wire

o   Applying parable, I was planted on rocky ground

o   I had the initial excitement and fervor for my class project, but I did not have the wherewithal to bring my plants through to bloom or harvest

THE CURE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  I’ve learned a lot about flowers and plants since then

Ø  Last summer, 60 years after my class project, I found myself sitting and enjoying my beautiful, well-tended flower gardens

Ø  How get to that sense of enjoyment & satisfaction?

o   By learning about how flowers and plants not only grow but thrive

o   By asking people w/ beautiful gardens for their secrets

o   And by being present and attentive to the daily needs of my 3 gardens

MY SPIRITUAL LIFE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Today I need to tend my spiritual life the same way. I desire to be the rich soil in which God’s Word is planted:

Ø  By engaging myself in the celebration of the Eucharist

Ø  By going to periods of lengthy silence with a love and a desire for God

Ø  By learning from folks who’ve mastered contemplative prayer

o   Jesus assures that a life of union with him has everything to do with how a garden grows

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Daily HOMILY for January 14, 2013: Monday of 1st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

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Monday of the 1^st Week of Ordinary Time

Mepkin Abbey

January 14, 2013

CREATION++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Ø  Back in the seminary in the 1960’s, the first course that we took in theology was on Revelation

 Ø  It was an attempt to ground us initially in how God reveals himself or make himself known to us?

 Ø  Or to put it from our perspective, how do we get to know God?

 Ø  Knowing God is issue underlying today’s first reading

AND MORE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Ø  God first reveals himself in and through creation

 Ø  The wonder of the universe, the beauty of the earth, the mystery of life – the idea is that creation speaks of God to us

 Ø  And yet, as Pope Benedict says, “Nature can be marvelous: the starry heavens are stupendous

 Ø  But our reaction to that remains no more than an impersonal wonder

 Ø  The real God is more than that”

 Ø  Holy Father goes on: “The whole of God is the act of relating and this is what we mean when we say that God is a Trinity”

PROPHETS  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Ø  So, as the Letter to the Hebrews says today, “God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets”

 Ø  That is, God inspired individuals to reveal who he is and what he expects of us

 Ø  But as with creation – once again and now with the prophets – the revelation of God remains incomplete

Jesus Christ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Ø  The Letter says, “In these days, God spoke to us through the Son … the very imprint of his being.”

 Ø  So when it comes to this self-revealing God, we move from creation to the prophets to very son of God, J

 Ø  He is the perfect communication, the complete revelation of God

 Ø  And in him we can come to know God relationally and fully

CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Ø  God’s self revelation and our being drawn up into it is supported by creation, the prophets and becomes relational with Jesus as a person

 Ø  Contemplative prayer/presence brings us face-to-face with that reality

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Weekly HOMILY for January 13, 2013: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Cycle C -- What Shape Is a Name?

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Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Cycle C

Terranuova Hermitage

January 13, 2013

What Shape Is a Name?

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

Humpty Dumpty

Most of us are familiar with the classic storywriter Lewis Carroll. Besides his famous story Alice in Wonderland, Carroll also wrote Alice through the Looking Glass.  In this story, Alice meets Humpty Dumpty.

Humpty Dumpty is sitting on top of a high, narrow wall.  Alice looks up and says, “And exactly like an egg he is!”   

Humpty Dumpty responds, “It is very provoking to be called an egg – very provoking!”  Alice gently explains, “I said you looked like an egg, and some eggs are very pretty.”

But Humpty Dumpty is not amused and answers back curtly, “Tell me your name and your business.”  Alice responds, “My name is Alice, but…”

Humpty Dumpty interrupts, “It’s a stupid name; what does it mean?”  Alice asks, “Must a name mean something?”

And Humpty Dumpty retorts, “Of course it must; my name means the shape I am – and a good handsome shape I am too.  With a name like yours, you might be any shape, almost.”  

Baptism: Name and Shape

This dialogue of Alice and Humpty Dumpty helps us appreciate something of what our baptism means.

We all know that we are baptized, “In the name of … again, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  As Humpty Dumpty says, this name or each of these names – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – means something.

And, as Humpty Dumpty says, these names say something about our shape.  We are to allow our baptism to shape us around God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Our Shape: The Father

First, shaped around God the Father.

The Scripture tells us that God as Father is the creator of all that is.  And so, we are to see all of creation as sacred, as a gift from our Creator.

One thing this means is that we are to be sensitive to issues of the environment, and not just brush them off as inconsequential.  On a personal level, we might make sure that we recycle paper, glass, plastic and whatever else we can.

On a public level, we might favor sensible policies that reduce carbon emissions or protect our rivers and bays from harmful runoff.  So, being baptized in the name of God the Father means that we shape our lives around our Creator and the gift of creation.

Our Shape: The Son

 

We also allow our baptism to shape us around God the Son.

From the time of his baptism in today’s gospel, Jesus begins living with a sense of mission and service.  And so, we are to view our lives also as a mission from God.

We are to do something to benefit the kingdom of God on earth.  On a personal level, we might be very attentive to our families – your spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren – making their wellbeing a priority.

On a community level, we might volunteer some time teaching religion or coaching soccer or baking a casserole for Our Daily Bread.  So, being baptized in the name of God the Son means that we shape our lives around Jesus who lived with a clear sense of mission.

Our Shape: The Holy Spirit

Finally, we are to allow our baptism to shape us around God the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Gospel tells us that the heavens open and the Spirit comes down from above.  And so, God is now in this world, with us and with all humanity.

This means that we are to live with an awareness of God’s presence.  On a personal level, we are to live prayerfully, not just saying prayers, but living with a sense of God’s presence and support and guidance.

On a relationship level, this means that we are respectful of God’s presence in the unborn child or in the adult with whom we disagree or whom we dislike.  So, being baptized in the name of God the Holy Spirit would have us shape our lives around God who lives within us and makes all human life sacred.

Conclusion

As Humpty Dumpty says, “My name means the shape I am.” 

We are baptized “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Let’s make sure that we allow our baptism to shape us in those names. 

Daily HOMILY for January 9: Wednesday after Epiphany, Cycle C

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Wednesday after Epiphany

St. Luke’s Institute

January 9, 2013

THE STORMS OF LIFE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  “But when they saw [Jesus] walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out”

Ø  Sometimes when we face a difficult situation in which we might be able to make a difference, something scares us off

Ø  The word of consolation for us today is kept to ourselves because we fear saying something that will only make matters worse

Ø  The perception that we might be ridiculed or criticized keeps us from stepping forward to take action to correct a wrong

Ø  Our own feelings of inadequacies or unworthiness keep us from offering help or comfort

GHOSTS IN THE STORM ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It's as if we see “ghosts” that make us cower and run

Ø  I would like to suggest that that feeling

o   Compelling us to act

o   Wanting to reach out

o   That we can make a difference is real

Ø  And its source is no ghost; it is Christ

Ø  In the midst of the storms that batter our boats,

Ø  In the fears that we will sink in the turbulence breaking against us,

Ø  It is Christ assuring us that we can make it through,

Ø  That we can steer our crafts safely through the storm

Ø  That we can make it home in one piece

JESUS IN THE STORM ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Do not be afraid of the ghosts that scare us off, Jesus says

Ø  Look beyond the darkness and focus on the light

Ø  Speak that word of comfort,

Ø  Take that stand for what is right,

Ø  Offer your hand to someone in need

Ø  And know that I am with you

PRAYER +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Be with us, Lord Jesus, as we struggle to row our boats across life's stormy seas and bring our crafts to safety. Open our terrified eyes to realize that light of your presence in our midst. By your grace, may we not hesitate to bring healing and hope to our homes and communities by our humblest efforts to imitate your Gospel of service and compassion

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Daily HOMILY for January 8: Tuesday after Epiphany, Cycle C

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Tuesday after Epiphany

St. Luke’s Institute

January 8, 2013

THE SITUATION  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It was already late in the afternoon and his disciples approached Jesus and say, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

Ø  His simple surprising response? “Give them some food yourselves”

Ø  Oh, yea!

THE CHALLENGE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Confronting Jesus with the problem of feeding 5,000 starving followers, the disciples are challenged by Jesus to do what they can, no matter how small or limited

Ø  But a few loaves are all that they can come up with – yet, even with that, Jesus works wonders – literally!

THE SUPPORT ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Jesus challenges and supports us in the same way

Ø  If you want something good to happen, do whatever you can

Ø  Yes, whatever you can, no matter how insignificant it may seem, no matter how small or ineffective you feel your contribution is

Ø  All that is necessary is to be willing to do all that you can and give all that you have

Ø  Jesus’ promise is in some way to make it all work in the end

THE SACRAMENTS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  We claim to believe in the power of sacraments

Ø  I’d suggest that there are the 7 “capital S” sacraments

Ø  But there are also small “s” sacraments: the many ways in which God makes us aware of his love in our midst

Ø  All it takes is a few crusts of bread and smelly pieces of fish – and being ready to use them!

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Weekly HOMILY for January 6, 2013: Feast of the Epiphany, Cycle C -- The Story of the 3 Magi As Our Story

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Feast of the Epiphany, Cycle C

Terravuova Hermitage

January 6, 2013

The Story of the 3 Magi As Our Story

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

A Star

I’d like to suggest that each of us has some star in our life. Each of us has something leading us from within ourselves or drawing us from outside ourselves to some goal.

Today’s gospel passage tells about the magi or wise men from the East following their star.

The star they follow is leading them directly to the newborn Christ. The question I’d pose for us today on the Feast of the Epiphany is: What star are we following?

Perhaps it is the star of getting as close to Christ as possible as we age and realize that our time for going home to God is getting closer.

Or maybe it is the star of a college student pursuing her dream of becoming a physical

therapist.

So what is our star? And, like the star that the magi are following, will our star lead us to God or in some way give glory to God?

Journey

The magi are clearly on a journey.

The passage says that they come from the East, maybe present-day Iran or Iraq, and arrive in Jerusalem. They have left the comfort of home and have undertaken a journey to see the newborn king.

A good way for all of us to understand our lives is as a journey. And a journey makes some demands on us.

It may mean that a young man and woman take the risk of commitment to one another in marriage or It may demand that I risk retirement not knowing whether I’ll have enough to live the lifestyle I’m accustomed to or the risk of having elective surgery or moving out of our family home into a retirement community.

Seeing our lives as a journey is challenging, but also life-giving. So the question becomes: What journey am I on right now?

Hurdles

The magi are wise enough to detect a hurdle of their journey. Their hurdle is King Herod.

Herod pretends to be interested in this young child, but the magi sense that in truth Herod feels threatened and will do violence to the one to whom the star is leading.

In a similar way, there will be hurdles for us as we journey and follow our star.

Perhaps comforts and pleasures and the easy life that lure will distract us off the journey and leads us to waste our talents and opportunities.

Or perhaps someone will discourage us from following the star that seems right for us. The question here is: What hurdles can we identify for ourselves?

Giving

The gospel tells us that the magi give gifts to the newborn Christ.

Perhaps this is a good test of the star we are following or the journey we are on, that is, does our journey lead us to be more giving?

So, if we are consciously trying to follow the way of the Lord, do we give to God’s work on this earth? Besides finances, do we give something of our time or talent?

It could be kind deeds for elderly neighbors or helping out in our parish. Here the question becomes: What are we giving to God on our journey?

Change

Finally, the gospel tells us that the magi had to their change plans.

After seeing the child, they are warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, but to return home by another route. The insight here is that seeing God more and more fully and getting closer with Jesus will also change us.

In fact, remaining unchanged is not necessarily a virtue. Change and growth

seem to be what the star and journey are all about.

Maybe our journey leads us to see things from the perspective of others first,

instead of just being close-minded or judging others as wrong. The question here is:

How are our star and our journey calling us to change?

Conclusion

The deeper story under the charming story of the 3 magi can really be our story.

The star, the journey, the hurdles, the giving, and the change – all these elements in the Christmas story can reflect our own human experience.

And it that sense it can be our story.