Monday, August 23, 2010

Announcements: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:

Potluck: There will be a potluck this Sunday after Mass. Please bring your favorite dish. All are welcome to join us!

Hats: We are currently getting some hats made with a Holy Rosary Mission Logo. Three prototypes are being made. Below, Dawn and Linda (hat maker) plan the hats.



Facebook Page: A page on Facebook was recently made. On the page, you can ask questions, upload pictures/videos, see the current announcements, view updates to our website www.holyrosaryalaska.org, and stay connected with other villages and the archdiocese. To be a member please find the Holy Rosary Alaska page on Facebook and click on the "LIKE" button at the top. The same button is also on our website.

Gospel: Humble is a main theme throughout the readings this coming week. Please see a homily and readings below.

Thank you: Thanx to Aileen for providing the communion services while I have been gone! Thanx to Angie for getting our mail. Thank you to Pat (and welcome back Pat) for fixing a leak in the rectory bathroom.

Below are a few pictures from my vacation in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Have a fantastic week, stay dry, and see you Sunday...Fr. Scott

Alligator Hunting: An alligator was sighted on Carolina Beach. We went out to see it but, no such luck.



Yum, Ice cream



Lifeguard Fr. Scott:



HOMILY and READINGS for the 22nd Sunday

22 Ord C DLG 2010 Humble, Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Heb 12:18-19&22-24; Luke 14:1&7-14

One of the most humbling experiences I have ever had was in the seminary. The seminary was not just studying to get a Masters Degree in Theology. It was also formation.

Formation consisted of four meetings a month talking about our strengths and weaknesses. It was pointed out to me that I was rigid, very structured, not open to change, and inflexible. I am one of those kinds of people who like to have all my ducks in a row. The downside is that if one duck gets out of line, I might fall to pieces. I had to confront these weaknesses throughout my eight years of seminary training.

The seminary was a humbling experience because I learned that we all have weaknesses. I learned to accept my weaknesses. I learned that I could use my weakness to help others. Confronting weaknesses helped me understand Humble.

The dictionary says that the word humble is marked by humility, meekness, and modesty in behavior; not arrogance. To be humble is to show submissive respect.

Have you ever had someone point out your weaknesses and confront you with them?

When someone points out a weakness we can do one of two things: we can get defensive and angry, or we can turn on the humbleness switch.

Getting defensive is not the best choice because we push people away from us. Jesus wants us to humble ourselves. When we humble ourselves we are able to please people more easily. We are able to calm down those we have angered.

Being a humble person enables us to see the work we have to do in the world. When we flip on the humbleness switch, we turn on compassion, love, patience, and understanding.

It is the humble person who can see injustice, inequality, unfairness, and prejudice with obscene clarity. Humbleness makes us realize what we have to do as God’s servants.

When we conduct our affairs with humility, the reading from Sirach says, “You will be loved more than the giver of gifts, the greater you will be, and you will find favor with God.”

“When you are invited to a banquet go to the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, my friend, move up to the higher position.” That is being humble.

The gospel says, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

God promises to protect and free a humble person. God blesses, favors, loves, consoles, and showers a humble person with graces. After suffering, God raises a humble person up to glory.

As we go through this week, think about the spiritual benefits that come from being humble. We are all made in God’s image. We all have weaknesses and we all have strengths. The next time someone confronts you with a weakness, turn on the humbleness switch (480 Words).

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God. What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not. The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the wise man's joy. Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.

Hebrews 12:18-19&22-24
You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them. No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.

Luke 14:1&7-14
On a Sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid
at the resurrection of the righteous."

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