Here’s Don’s homily at St Mary’ from 15 June, 2008
[audio http://bethnicol.com/podcasts/Homily-Don-20080615.mp3]
Homily, June 8, 2008
[audio http://bethnicol.com/podcasts/20080608-Homily.mp3]
Fr. Jack’s Homily for Sunday, 8 June, 2008: 11:15 am mass
The fiery orange beach ball
slips slowly lower on the grey horizon
leading the orange-pink laced remnant of pale grey
into oblivion
25 years ago the Cursillo movement came to life in the Archdiocese of Mobile. That was after I left Auburn at the end of my undergraduate career, and before I returned as wife of a graduate student and mother of 2, with a 3rd on the way. But the seeds were being planted while I was in Auburn the first time. And those who planted the seeds, and nutured the movement were very important people in my life.
And so, as we gathered at Holy Trinity, AL - at a place that has now been declared the “Holiest Ground” - it was like a great family reunion for me. After some 30 years, to spend a day in the company of Sr. Chris who was responsible for most of my instruction as I joined the Catholic Church just after my 21st birthday, with Fr. Gene, who received and confirmed me in the Catholic Church, and Carol, who stood as one of my sponsors (and thereby is my godmother)… now that was HOME.
Read more
OK - so, my resolution wrt this site is to post more often! Like once a day add something that has crossed my mind.
Assignment: Find 5 things to be grateful for….
Response:
- A beautiful anniversary card from John
- The pleasure of a small, very pregnant dog when I do something simple like rub her belly gently
- The health of all 3 of my children
- Friends (sisters in Christ) like Mies, Amanda & Rosalee who can share joy and grief and love
- feeling better - and less bitchy today than yesterday
Resolution carried out for one day….
You name it, I hate it…
I found a sheet of stickers in my scrapbooking box, and it struck me that I needed to talk about my life last Monday. Basically my attitude toward like was “Don’t EVEN TRY to make me happy - It won’t work and then we’ll both be in a bad mood.”
But, by noon or so, I had wallowed in my discontent long enough that I was discontent with it, so the attitude was adjusted to a positive focus. I do love Oscar!
Tomorrow’s
the night before Christmas
three dogs in my house
two cats are in hiding
I hope there’s no mouse…
That’s the easy part of Christmas. My food box/Christmas gifts delivery for Lazarus Ministries hasn’t turned out to be as simple as hoped. I’ve made 2 trips to the stated address… or at least what I think is the correct address. It’s a trailer (mobile home would be far to kind to describe it) with a note taped the door from the Sheriff’s department stating that there are important legal papers that need to be delivered. That note was dated last Friday. At least one window is busted out, it seems, but the door is locked. I know that there are 4 children and a single Mother in this household (tho the note seems to be for a male, whose name doesn’t match the others).
I’ve met this woman a few times before. We’ve been helping them at Thanksgiving and Christmas for several years. Previously, I’d take the stuff to her mother’s house. Not much of a house, but it seemed like a safe, loving place anyway. From what I’ve been told, Mother (I guess that would be Grandmother) has died since my last visit. My worry is that the stability has vanished. That I won’t get a return call from my note I left taped beside the Sheriff’s note. That’s these kids are left hanging. I worry about them all. And, I don’t know how to find them.
So - I pray that the Spirit will intercede, that the food and gifts get delivered somehwere, somehow, that the situation is not as bad as I fear. It’s time to remember, Lord, that you ask that I be wiling to help - not that I always succeed. Take care of them, if I can’t.
Earlier this week, I had the unforntunate experience of a visit from the local Animal Cruelty Investigator. In the aftermath, I cried - sobbed, harder than I have in since we lost our schnauzer last year. Before that - God alone knows when I’ve cried my eyes out like that.
At our house we make a home for two cats: George (see the picture on the header of this website), Ollie (a 14 year old feline who has stayed with us through thick and thin, including a house fire) and 2 young mini-schnauzer pups: Charlie (11 months) and Grace Louise (4 months). My family, somewhat justifiably, accuses me of caring more at times for these creatures than my children. Of course, the youngest of the children is a freshman in college, and they really don’t want Mama looking too closely over their shoulders. And until a couple of weeks ago, we were the stated “owners” of a 3rd cat, Hobbs - I say stated, because we paid his vet bills. Hobbs much preferred the company and cat food at the neighbor’s house, and knowing that a cat picks its people, we let him abide in this choice.
afew months ago Hobbs was hit by a car. The neighbors brought him to me, and I, in turn, took him to our vet. The Vet and I decided to amputate his tail - it was as good as gone, and see if his hip would heal up. And, lo and behold! as soon as ol’ Hobbs was faintly mobile, he moved his butt back to the neighbors, and proceeded to heal up right nicely. He hobbled a bit, but was soon wandering around the yard and chasing birds and squirrels. Not too successfully, but back at it. Then, something shifted and he quit being able to relieve himself - and eventually quit eating. This I know after the fact… after I was interviewed by Animal Control and told that they were seriously considering filing criminal charges for neglect and abuse (hence the tears).
The facts as best I can tell: yes, the cat was in bad shape and the neighbors were making plans to have him put down (euthanized); he made his way as far as the street, presumably trying to get to the woods to exit this life in peace; That’s when strength gave out and he was discovered by other neighbors, and Animal control called in. If it had been 3 hours later, he would have already been at the vet’s, being helped into the next world.
So - after the confrontation on my front steps with Animal Control/Animal Cruelty, they huffed off to talk with my neighbors. Mind you, they informed me in no uncertain terms that it was very likely that I would be arrested and taken to the county jail. Bless my neighbor. He was home, and told the investigator the same thing he had told told animal control when they picked up the cat. And, the charges were dropped and I’m not in jail. Just shaken to the core.
What a nightmare! I kept thinking - frantically - I haven’t done anything wrong. Why is this happening? I can think of some sort of legitimate reasons why law enforcement might want me - a couple of speeding tickets out on I-85. I kept thinking “This is the kind of bizarro charge that makes it to court while the bad guys get off!”
As I reflect on the experience - interior and exterior, I am thankful that God is the judge, not I. I am reminded of the need to not storm into a situation half-cocked and make assumptions. I support animal rights - I would never want to see any creature mistreated. I am grateful for the moral and emotional support of my friends, my vet, my co-workers - during the horrible 3 hours when I was reeling from the accusation. T’is a truly mortifying experience to be accused of something that you find personally morally reprehensible.
So - step in when it’s needed - but remember that “assume” makes an ass out of u and me… and people get hurt.
This came across in my email (again), so I thought I’d post it so I can keep it handy…. It’s just too much fun to read. And, having been an active member of at least 3 of categories mentioned, I can laugh all the harder.
HOW MANY CHRISTIANS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?
Charismatic: Only one. Hands already in the air.
Pentecostal: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the
spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.
Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, & 3 committees to
approve the change & decide who brings the potato salad & fried chicken.
Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks
and
one to talk about how much better the old one was.
Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him
how to do it.
Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or
against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you
have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited
to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the
next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb
traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life
and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or
completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or
tulip bulb. Church wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring
bulb of your choice and a covered dish.
Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review
church lighting policy.
Lutherans: None. Lutherans don’t believe in change.
Amish: What’s a light bulb?
Today John Freund sent me a link that was a bright spot: LeavenDenver.org. Reading thru the site - especially the “Your Pulpit” section gave me a strong sense that the Holy Spirit is indeed renewing the face of the earth.
I was very moved by the woman’s homily based on the story in the gospel of John about the woman “caught in adultery” - about her aside about the shame associated with being a rape victim at 16, being pregnant… the way she took the gospel truly made it her own.
And so, I still watch the Institutional Church - I pray that somehow the Spirit will succeed in creating new life and joy where I can only barely see past the push for power, the fear of change, the need to control. There is so much to love in the way the ritual helps to bring us closer to God, in how every movement is indeed a prayer if we allow it to be, in the quiet light of peace that can result from allowing oneself to simply sit with God and be. And there is so much that can be irritating and frustrating in the Law, administered seemingly without love or mercy.
