Dear Holy Rosary Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Bible Study: This Sunday before Mass, starting at 11:30 AM, Spruce Lynch will lead a bible study on the Sunday readings. All are welcome to participate in this spiritually rewarding and enlightening event.
Gospel: The rich man and Lazarus are in the spot light this Sunday. The message is about living our lives on earth. Do we live our lives as if there were no life after death? Or do we live our lives like there is an after-life? Please see homily below.
Thank you: Thanx to Pat Durbin for mowing the cemetery and for lining up people to fix our septic system. We are going to have a steal 1000 gallon tank made here in Dillingham by Osborne Tank with holes in it and have it buried by Jackson McCormick on the East side of the rectory. The rectory basement washer and utility sink and the upstairs kitchen sink will drain into this gray water/leach field system.
Rosary: Letters recently went out to those Archdiocesan Anchorage parishes who donate to our fuel fund. Please join us after Mass the first Sunday of every month to pray for these generous parishes.
Potluck: Our next potluck will be the last Sunday in October.
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday…Fr. Scott
HOMILY
26 Ord C DLG 2007, After-life, Amos 6: 1 & 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke16: 19-31
Back in the days of Christ, many people believed things like (1) there is no way that the way I live my life today will affect what will happen after I die; (2) There is neither reward or punishment in the after-life; (3) At death, everyone, good or bad, went to Sheol or Hades, the shadowy underworld of the dead.
In AD 507, Pope Gregory the Great sent missionaries to England to convert the Angles and Saxons there. The missionaries taught about the hope of an after-life…a better life after death.
After hearing this gospel message from the missionaries, King Edwin of Northumbria got together all his noblemen and discussed after-life.
One noblemen said this: “It seems to me your majesty,” he said, “that our human life is like a banquet hall. You are sitting at table feasting, with the warm fire blazing in the hearth, while outside the wintry storm rages. A sparrow enters through a window, flies the length of the hall, enjoying the light and the warmth, and then flies out back into the cold wintry darkness from which it came.” The noblemen continues, “So with us, at birth we emerge from who knows where, and for a short time we live here on earth, with its light and comfort, but then we fly out back into the darkness. We know nothing of what went before and what comes after.”
He concluded his remarks with this, “If this new teaching about having a better life after death can lighten the darkness for us, let us follow it.”
The rich man in gospel this Sunday had no interest in the after-life. He lived for the moment. His motto was “eat, drink, and be merry…all the time.” He had an attitude like this, “I want to get the most out of life for myself because when I am dead, I am dead.”
The rich man in the gospel would fit right in our 21st century culture…a culture of materialism…a culture that defines people by how much they earn, or consume, or spend.
The rich man Knew who Lazarus was. We know this because he recognizes Lazarus when he was standing at the gates of hell. He even calls him by name. But on earth, he simply does not care about him. He is totally caught up in his own pleasures. He does not harm Lazarus and is not violent or abusive to him. He simply ignores him.
Here are the messages that Jesus wants us to hear: (1) Actions in this life have meaning, significance, and lasting consequences in the after-life. (2) We now have a choice, we can either believe that there is not an after life and live like the Rich man or we can believe this new message from Moses and the prophets, there is an after-life.
To me, to reduce life to physical pleasure and consumerism is to live a life of poverty. To live only for self, and purely for this life, is to cheapen what it means to be human. That is why I became a priest…found a vocation. Because I was living a single life only for myself…I made money, I spent it on myself, I made more money. What fun!
I am here to tell you that being truly human means living with a commitment to, and concern for, one’s fellow human beings. Choose the new message! The new message reveals the true meaning of life: That is, loving thy neighbor leads to a fuller and more satisfying experience of life in the here and now, as well as in the life to come (603 Words).
Amos 6: 1 & 4-7
Woe to the complacent in Zion, to the overconfident on the mount of Samaria, Leaders of a nation favored from the first, to whom the people of Israel have recourse! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, They eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall! Improvising to the music of the harp, like David, they devise their own accompaniment. They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph! Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.
1 Timothy 6:11-16
But you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I charge (you) before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.
Luke16: 19-31
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Announcements: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Gospel: In the Gospel, Luke uses and allegory. It is still a bit difficult to understand. Please see the Homily below for an explanation of the Master and the Steward.
Thank you: Thanx to all those who have helped to keep Holy Rosary looking beautiful. Especially the two Pat’s for mowing the church lawn and cemetery.
Septic Tank: We are looking for someone with some heavy equipment to dig out a leach field or a hole large enough for a 1000 gallon tank. If you can help, please let us know. 842-5581
Fr. Tom Lilly’s Visit: Fr. Tom and I have flown to Clarks Point for Mass, to the mountain where Fr. Kelly crashed, to the crash site of Senator Stevens, to New Stuyahok, and Levelock. We were going to both fly to King Salmon but fog stopped us. We decided to divide and conquer. Fr. Tom stayed in Dillingham and after the fog lifted I flew to King Salmon. Sunday morning the fog was back with a vengeance. Thanks to Father Tom, I celebrated mass at Saint Theresa in King Salmon while Fr. Tom celebrated mass at Holy Rosary in Dillingham.
We held up in Levelock waiting for the fog at King Salmon to lift. After a couple hours of waiting we decided to fly back to Dillingham.
Gospel: In the Gospel, Luke uses and allegory. It is still a bit difficult to understand. Please see the Homily below for an explanation of the Master and the Steward.
Thank you: Thanx to all those who have helped to keep Holy Rosary looking beautiful. Especially the two Pat’s for mowing the church lawn and cemetery.
Septic Tank: We are looking for someone with some heavy equipment to dig out a leach field or a hole large enough for a 1000 gallon tank. If you can help, please let us know. 842-5581
Fr. Tom Lilly’s Visit: Fr. Tom and I have flown to Clarks Point for Mass, to the mountain where Fr. Kelly crashed, to the crash site of Senator Stevens, to New Stuyahok, and Levelock. We were going to both fly to King Salmon but fog stopped us. We decided to divide and conquer. Fr. Tom stayed in Dillingham and after the fog lifted I flew to King Salmon. Sunday morning the fog was back with a vengeance. Thanks to Father Tom, I celebrated mass at Saint Theresa in King Salmon while Fr. Tom celebrated mass at Holy Rosary in Dillingham.
We held up in Levelock waiting for the fog at King Salmon to lift. After a couple hours of waiting we decided to fly back to Dillingham.
In Clarks Point, Fr. Tom holds baby Jack, the next baby slated for baptism.
Have a fantastic week and enjoy the sun, or should I say Son. Fr. Scott
HOMILY
25th Ord C DLG 2007 Aspire, Amos 8:4-7; 1 Tim 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13
An Allegory has a hidden spiritual meaning. It transcends the literal sense of a sacred text. It’s a story that represents something else. In the case of the Gospel, Jesus uses an allegory. He tells us a story of deceitful business practices of a dishonest steward to make a point about the reign of God.
During the time of Jesus there were rich masters and the poor stewards. Masters made daily payments to their stewards, provided them with housing, built temples for them, and fed them. In return, the stewards were indebted to them.
The steward in the gospel was lazy. He was totally dependent on his rich master. He was dishonest when reducing the loans of the master’s debtors, the merchants.
So, the master fires the steward and the steward gets worried and takes action. He secured a new role for himself. By decreasing those merchant’s loans, the steward became their new master.
Believe it or not, in those days, this was common practice. The steward was trying to survive in a world full of corruption, deceit, and dishonesty.
But Jesus meant the immoral business story to represent something else…something heavenly, something that transcends mere earthly practices.
The steward had a conversion. He becomes astute rather than becoming more fraudulent.
The steward was quick thinking. He was realistic in assessing his situation. He was resourceful in acting to secure his future. At times he needed a sharp, quick, and ingenious response to survive.
Here is the allegory. The gospel demands a similarly sharp response. We are desperate people. We are all urgently in need of God’s grace. God is calling us to be more than stewards, but masters!
A master or patron is a person chosen by God to be a special protector of God’s people, a guardian of our beliefs and faith, and a supporter of good.
To secure our future…our life living with God forever, we must be quick thinking…for example, deciding without hesitation to do the right thing, the good thing, and the just thing.
We must be creative…thinking of new ways to incorporate God into our lives…like praying every day and asking the Holy Spirit to guide our relationships.
We must be resourceful…be good stewards…good managers of our time, our resources, our food.
We must be realistic. We must realize that we are totally dependant on God for everything.
The message here is this: Put that energy, devotion, and money, those cunning actions…those things you use when dealing with business and money and material things…put that energy into securing your future with God.
Be wise and moral rather than fraudulent and deceitful. We too are often lazy servants needing to be needled into doing the right thing, converting, or taking that next leap of faith (460 Words).
Amos 8:4-7
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land! "When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain, and the Sabbath, that we may display the wheat? We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating! We will buy the lowly man for silver, and the poor man for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!" The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done!
1 Timothy 2:1-8
First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.
Luke 16: 1-13,
Then he also said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'what shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
Monday, September 6, 2010
Announcements: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Potluck for Father Tom: There will be a potluck this Sunday after Mass. We will welcome Father Tom Lilly, pastor of Saint Elizabeth Anne Seaton in Anchorage. Fr. Tom and I went to the Seminary together and were ordained on the same day. Please bring your favorite dish
Gospel: The Prodigal Son is a favorite gospel of many people. Please see the Homily and readings below.
Priest Retreat: Tuesday through Thursday I will be on a priest retreat at the Holy Spirit Retreat House in Anchorage for our yearly priest retreat. Father Tom and I will return Thursday evening.
Repair Underway: A leak in the basement of the rectory has motivated myself and Pat Durbin to dig a hole to investigate. We are still digging and have not found the leak.
Catholic Anchor: Please read the article in the Catholic Anchor this month. After Joel Davidson spent a few days here and after he interviewed a few of our parishioners, he wrote a very good article. Also in that addition is a story about First Communion that hints that children should be entitled to the Eucharist, not necessarily at age seven, but when they are ready. A picture of the inside of Holy Rosary is also in the Article by Father Mike Shields. Thank you Joel for the great coverage!
Youth Group Lawn: The youth group from Saint Benedict and SEAS in Anchorage re-planted the lawn at our Dillingham Library. It is coming along nicely!
The son who stayed home acted like he was better than everyone else. He did everything right, even though he was not happy. He was uptight and on edge. Bottom line, he was rich because the father was eventually going to give everything to him. But get this, he was rich, but not happy.
I think everyone here can relate to the prodigal son. You also probably know someone in your family who is lost and is a black sheep. You know, that person we keep praying for.
We reel him or her in closer to the light, but they run off again. We tighten up the drag and reel again. This time they don’t run so for. We have patience like the Father in the story. We hope, we pray like the woman in the background. We pray that the person will straighten up and return home.
I can relate to both the good son and the prodigal son. I never got in trouble much. I minded my parents, most of the time. But I did distance myself from God. I drank, partied, and was hoping to make millions of dollars. I was a lost sheep. Jesus found me and forgave me. He continues to forgive me when I am sorry and ask to be forgiven. If I stray far, I know Jesus will welcome me back.
Forgiveness goes far in God’s eyes. The father in the story of the Prodigal son is like our heavenly Father. He patiently waits for us to come home.
The father looks out the window and sees his son coming home. He was looking out there every chance he had. He leapt for joy when his sinful black sheep of a son returned home. He had a grand celebration. The same thing is true when one of ours returns home, Jesus celebrates.
The lady in the story reminds us of the importance of patience, prayer, and persistence. She is ponders everything in her heart. She is pray that her family is reconciled. She never gives up.
The story of the prodigal son is about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Being forgiven by Jesus. Dying and rising to new life. Straying from the flock and returning, being welcomed back with open arms.
I ask you to think about this gospel. Which character can you relate to? What might you do to be embraced more fully by God’s love. What can you do to help others come home? Would you react like the father in the story (548 Words)?
Exodus 32:7-11&13-14 - With that, the LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the LORD to Moses. "Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'" So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.
1 Timothy 1:12-17 - I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luke 15:1-32 - The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"
Potluck for Father Tom: There will be a potluck this Sunday after Mass. We will welcome Father Tom Lilly, pastor of Saint Elizabeth Anne Seaton in Anchorage. Fr. Tom and I went to the Seminary together and were ordained on the same day. Please bring your favorite dish
Gospel: The Prodigal Son is a favorite gospel of many people. Please see the Homily and readings below.
Priest Retreat: Tuesday through Thursday I will be on a priest retreat at the Holy Spirit Retreat House in Anchorage for our yearly priest retreat. Father Tom and I will return Thursday evening.
Repair Underway: A leak in the basement of the rectory has motivated myself and Pat Durbin to dig a hole to investigate. We are still digging and have not found the leak.
Catholic Anchor: Please read the article in the Catholic Anchor this month. After Joel Davidson spent a few days here and after he interviewed a few of our parishioners, he wrote a very good article. Also in that addition is a story about First Communion that hints that children should be entitled to the Eucharist, not necessarily at age seven, but when they are ready. A picture of the inside of Holy Rosary is also in the Article by Father Mike Shields. Thank you Joel for the great coverage!
Youth Group Lawn: The youth group from Saint Benedict and SEAS in Anchorage re-planted the lawn at our Dillingham Library. It is coming along nicely!
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday! Fr. Scott
HOMILY
24 Ord C DLG 2010 Es 32:7-11&13-14;1 Tim 1:12-17;Luke 15:1-32
Although my biological father and I were not close, after he and my mother divorced he visited me a couple times throughout my childhood. One of the things he shared with me was his favorite gospel passage, The Prodigal Son.
The reason the prodigal son gospel is so popular is because most of us can relate to one of the characters…whether you are a male or female.
If you see the famous picture of the Prodigal son painted by Rembrandt, the two brothers, which could be two sisters, are not alike at all. There is a silent woman in the background. There is the father. There is a man standing off to the side. He could be a favorite relative. The picture shows a father forgiving his wayward son…But it shows much more than that.
The son who stayed home acted like he was better than everyone else. He did everything right, even though he was not happy. He was uptight and on edge. Bottom line, he was rich because the father was eventually going to give everything to him. But get this, he was rich, but not happy.
I think everyone here can relate to the prodigal son. You also probably know someone in your family who is lost and is a black sheep. You know, that person we keep praying for.
We reel him or her in closer to the light, but they run off again. We tighten up the drag and reel again. This time they don’t run so for. We have patience like the Father in the story. We hope, we pray like the woman in the background. We pray that the person will straighten up and return home.
I can relate to both the good son and the prodigal son. I never got in trouble much. I minded my parents, most of the time. But I did distance myself from God. I drank, partied, and was hoping to make millions of dollars. I was a lost sheep. Jesus found me and forgave me. He continues to forgive me when I am sorry and ask to be forgiven. If I stray far, I know Jesus will welcome me back.
Forgiveness goes far in God’s eyes. The father in the story of the Prodigal son is like our heavenly Father. He patiently waits for us to come home.
The father looks out the window and sees his son coming home. He was looking out there every chance he had. He leapt for joy when his sinful black sheep of a son returned home. He had a grand celebration. The same thing is true when one of ours returns home, Jesus celebrates.
The lady in the story reminds us of the importance of patience, prayer, and persistence. She is ponders everything in her heart. She is pray that her family is reconciled. She never gives up.
The story of the prodigal son is about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Being forgiven by Jesus. Dying and rising to new life. Straying from the flock and returning, being welcomed back with open arms.
I ask you to think about this gospel. Which character can you relate to? What might you do to be embraced more fully by God’s love. What can you do to help others come home? Would you react like the father in the story (548 Words)?
Exodus 32:7-11&13-14 - With that, the LORD said to Moses, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!' I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the LORD to Moses. "Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'" So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.
1 Timothy 1:12-17 - I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luke 15:1-32 - The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable. "What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. "Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"
Monday, August 30, 2010
Announcements: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Alaska Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Thank you: Thank you to Diana Swaim for ensuring that the Church was secured after Mass while I was gone. The cost of heating and lighting the church is very high if utilities are left on during the week. Thank you for helping us reduce cost and conserve electricity.
Visitor: Father Tom Lilly, pastor of the largest parish in Anchorage, will be visiting our Mission starting Thursday, September 9th. He will stay through the weekend and return on the evening Penair flight on Tuesday, September 14. Father Tom and I attended the seminary together and were ordained on the same day (May 24, 2003).
Facebook page: For those of you who use Facebook, Holy Rosary Alaska now has its own page. This page will be used as a means of communication among people living in the mission and the Archdiocese of Anchorage. We can post pictures, videos, etc. Fr. Clem will also help to administer the page. To keep in touch, go to Facebook and type in Holy Rosary Alaska. When the page comes up, click on the LIKE button at the very top of the page. By clicking on the like button you will be a member of that page and receive updates whenever something is added to the page.
Gospel: What is the cost of Christian life? A big part of the price is “carrying our cross.” Please see the below homily.
Baptism: September 12, during Mass, seven year old Blake will be baptized at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Please plan for a reception after Mass on that Sunday (the Sunday after next).
First Communion: We have started a class to help those children in our parish prepare for First Communion. PLEASE MARK YOU CALENDARS. The actual ceremony will be May 22, 2011. We will be preparing periodically after mass.
Hats: If you would like to purchase a hat, please let me know. I have a couple dozen on order. Here are some pictures. Click on them to make them larger.
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday…Fr. Scott
HOMILY: The Cost of the Cross
23 Ord C DLG 2010 Cost of the Cross, Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10&12-17; Luke 14:25-33
We are not able to anticipate the full cost of Christian life. There are usually some hidden costs that we cannot anticipate. But we know for a fact that part of that cost of living as a Christian involves carrying a cross.
What exactly does it mean “to carry your cross?” Padre Pio said, “You must try to continually overcome yourself in those daily struggles that the Lord presents to you."
Every person here today carries a cross. And that cross involves the day to day struggles we go through. The cost is suffering. But there is a pay off. Through suffering comes love. Suffering brings you closer to God.
The cost of carrying your cross is acknowledging you are not in control of your life. You chose to die to self and live for Christ. It involves putting your trust in God and letting Him take over.
Here is an example: Let's say you can't stand this one person at work. You have the opportunity to complain about this person all the time or you can simply smile whenever you see them. You can even pray for them. You can take this hardship and turn it into a wonderful thing. You can let it transform your soul.
The best way to get a sense of suffering is through prayer, especially through the Rosary. Through the Rosary our blessed Mother will help us understand the suffering her son went through. She will grant us the graces to get through each day if we ask.
St. Monica is a wonderful example. She prayed for YEARS for her son (St. Augustine) to come back to the Catholic Faith. That must've caused great suffering, impatience, but she didn't give up. And now look at St. Augustine! He's a pretty well known Saint!
The reading from Philemon gives us an example of the cost of carrying a cross. Philemon is a Christian. His slave ran to Paul for help. Paul sent him back to Philemon saying, “Philemon, you are a Christian. You can not treat your slave like a slave anymore. Treat him like a brother. Thus, the cost of Christian life for Philemon was the loss of a slave.
In the Gospel, Jesus does not want us to actually hate our mother, father, wife, children, brothers, and sisters to be a disciple.
Jesus is using a technique to help us see the importance of preparation…preparation to face the cost of following Jesus. But he does command that we carry our own cross. He says, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
When we carry our cross prayer helps us but there is more help. Wisdom tells us that we can, “call on the holy spirit from on high.”
The Holy Spirit guides us through the cost of Christian life and helps make our paths straight so it is easier to carry those burdensome crosses.
The cost of Christian life may seem high, but as Saint Augustine says, “God never asks us to face anything that we cannot cope with.” There is no temptation that we cannot resist.
Our problems and situations may seem too much for us to handle, but God would never give us anything that we couldn't deal with. It might be possible that we need help. Maybe from a friend...someone that can pray for us, give advice, just to help ease the burden.
So, today let us remember, even celebrate, the cost of Christian Life. Pick up your cross, and walk (589 Words).
Wisdom 9:13-18 – For what man knows God's counsel, or who can conceive what our LORD intends? For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans. For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns. And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out? Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight, and men learned what was your pleasure, and were saved by Wisdom.
Philemon 9-10&12-17 – I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.
Luke 14:25-33 – Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, "If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish. Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Thank you: Thank you to Diana Swaim for ensuring that the Church was secured after Mass while I was gone. The cost of heating and lighting the church is very high if utilities are left on during the week. Thank you for helping us reduce cost and conserve electricity.
Visitor: Father Tom Lilly, pastor of the largest parish in Anchorage, will be visiting our Mission starting Thursday, September 9th. He will stay through the weekend and return on the evening Penair flight on Tuesday, September 14. Father Tom and I attended the seminary together and were ordained on the same day (May 24, 2003).
Facebook page: For those of you who use Facebook, Holy Rosary Alaska now has its own page. This page will be used as a means of communication among people living in the mission and the Archdiocese of Anchorage. We can post pictures, videos, etc. Fr. Clem will also help to administer the page. To keep in touch, go to Facebook and type in Holy Rosary Alaska. When the page comes up, click on the LIKE button at the very top of the page. By clicking on the like button you will be a member of that page and receive updates whenever something is added to the page.
Gospel: What is the cost of Christian life? A big part of the price is “carrying our cross.” Please see the below homily.
Baptism: September 12, during Mass, seven year old Blake will be baptized at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Please plan for a reception after Mass on that Sunday (the Sunday after next).
First Communion: We have started a class to help those children in our parish prepare for First Communion. PLEASE MARK YOU CALENDARS. The actual ceremony will be May 22, 2011. We will be preparing periodically after mass.
Hats: If you would like to purchase a hat, please let me know. I have a couple dozen on order. Here are some pictures. Click on them to make them larger.
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday…Fr. Scott
HOMILY: The Cost of the Cross
23 Ord C DLG 2010 Cost of the Cross, Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10&12-17; Luke 14:25-33
We are not able to anticipate the full cost of Christian life. There are usually some hidden costs that we cannot anticipate. But we know for a fact that part of that cost of living as a Christian involves carrying a cross.
What exactly does it mean “to carry your cross?” Padre Pio said, “You must try to continually overcome yourself in those daily struggles that the Lord presents to you."
Every person here today carries a cross. And that cross involves the day to day struggles we go through. The cost is suffering. But there is a pay off. Through suffering comes love. Suffering brings you closer to God.
The cost of carrying your cross is acknowledging you are not in control of your life. You chose to die to self and live for Christ. It involves putting your trust in God and letting Him take over.
Here is an example: Let's say you can't stand this one person at work. You have the opportunity to complain about this person all the time or you can simply smile whenever you see them. You can even pray for them. You can take this hardship and turn it into a wonderful thing. You can let it transform your soul.
The best way to get a sense of suffering is through prayer, especially through the Rosary. Through the Rosary our blessed Mother will help us understand the suffering her son went through. She will grant us the graces to get through each day if we ask.
St. Monica is a wonderful example. She prayed for YEARS for her son (St. Augustine) to come back to the Catholic Faith. That must've caused great suffering, impatience, but she didn't give up. And now look at St. Augustine! He's a pretty well known Saint!
The reading from Philemon gives us an example of the cost of carrying a cross. Philemon is a Christian. His slave ran to Paul for help. Paul sent him back to Philemon saying, “Philemon, you are a Christian. You can not treat your slave like a slave anymore. Treat him like a brother. Thus, the cost of Christian life for Philemon was the loss of a slave.
In the Gospel, Jesus does not want us to actually hate our mother, father, wife, children, brothers, and sisters to be a disciple.
Jesus is using a technique to help us see the importance of preparation…preparation to face the cost of following Jesus. But he does command that we carry our own cross. He says, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
When we carry our cross prayer helps us but there is more help. Wisdom tells us that we can, “call on the holy spirit from on high.”
The Holy Spirit guides us through the cost of Christian life and helps make our paths straight so it is easier to carry those burdensome crosses.
The cost of Christian life may seem high, but as Saint Augustine says, “God never asks us to face anything that we cannot cope with.” There is no temptation that we cannot resist.
Our problems and situations may seem too much for us to handle, but God would never give us anything that we couldn't deal with. It might be possible that we need help. Maybe from a friend...someone that can pray for us, give advice, just to help ease the burden.
So, today let us remember, even celebrate, the cost of Christian Life. Pick up your cross, and walk (589 Words).
Wisdom 9:13-18 – For what man knows God's counsel, or who can conceive what our LORD intends? For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans. For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns. And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out? Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight, and men learned what was your pleasure, and were saved by Wisdom.
Philemon 9-10&12-17 – I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.
Luke 14:25-33 – Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, "If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish. Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
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.
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."
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Announcements: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements, an update on my travels, and a homily for the 21st week in ordinary time:
Gospel: Finding that narrow gate is not as easy at it seems. The wider gate is much easier to find and enter. What does it take to find and enter the narrow gate? Please see homily and readings below.
Potluck: Our next potluck will be August 29, 2010, i.e. the last Sunday of a month with 31 days in it. Come and join us for a little fellowship and good food after Mass. All are welcome and invited. Bring a dish is not required to attend, so do not be shy!
Prayers: A lot happened while I have been gone. I have been reading up on the Stevens Crash and have been praying for those involved. Please continue to pray for them and for all aviators and their passengers who fly. Saint Theresa is the patron saint for aviation safety.
Mass in North Carolina: Eric (the friend who invited me to the Catholic Church in 1985 when I was a protestant) took a picture of me standing outside the Saint Theresa in Wrightsville Beach, NC (Sunday August 8th, 2010). Pat Walsh’s brother Kevin, who visited Holy Rosary in Dillingham a couple weeks ago, goes to this church
Gospel: Finding that narrow gate is not as easy at it seems. The wider gate is much easier to find and enter. What does it take to find and enter the narrow gate? Please see homily and readings below.
Potluck: Our next potluck will be August 29, 2010, i.e. the last Sunday of a month with 31 days in it. Come and join us for a little fellowship and good food after Mass. All are welcome and invited. Bring a dish is not required to attend, so do not be shy!
Prayers: A lot happened while I have been gone. I have been reading up on the Stevens Crash and have been praying for those involved. Please continue to pray for them and for all aviators and their passengers who fly. Saint Theresa is the patron saint for aviation safety.
Mass in North Carolina: Eric (the friend who invited me to the Catholic Church in 1985 when I was a protestant) took a picture of me standing outside the Saint Theresa in Wrightsville Beach, NC (Sunday August 8th, 2010). Pat Walsh’s brother Kevin, who visited Holy Rosary in Dillingham a couple weeks ago, goes to this church
Fun in North Carolina: Eric and I drove out along the beach after Mass on Sunday August 16.
Beach Altar Server: A seagull guards the entrance to the seashore near Carolina Beach.
Have a great week and see you the end of August...Fr. Scott
HOMILY
21 Ord C 2010 Gate Is 66:18-21, Heb 12:5-13; Luke 13:22-30
The Air Force sent me to Iceland for a year. In Iceland all the sheep freely roam the island. There are no fences. At the end of the year, all the shepherds get together on their horses and round up the sheep. The sheep are divided up. Each owner receives an equal number.
In order to divide them, they have to drive them through a narrow gate into a corral. The shepherds whoop and holler to get them through. The might even kick a sheep to keep it going. The sheep bock, bleat loudly, and struggle to avoid going through the gate. After the sheep are divided up, their wool is shaved. The Icelanders make beautiful wool sweaters, hats, and gloves. Then the sheep are set free for another year.
Finding the narrow gate does not mean to take the easy route. It does not always mean doing the popular thing or doing what everyone else is doing. The easy way is normally the wide gate.
We can choose to go through the wide gate, which is easy, or the narrow gate, which is a bit tougher and involves some self-sacrifice and suffering.
The Icelandic sheep sacrificed a few hours of roaming free time to be shaved of their wool. The wool helped the community. The sheep did not have a choice to go threw the narrow gate…but we do. Jesus gives us a choice.
This is how Jesus drives us through the narrow gate: He teaches us about Disciplined self-sacrifice and suffering.
So, Self-Sacrifice means something like this: exercising regularly, so that we can feel better about ourselves, which will in turn enable us to be better ministers, resulting in a more united church. Prioritizing “going to Mass over everything else in our lives.” It might mean giving up a couple hours a week to volunteer your time to the church. Disciplined Sacrifice is a long term giving of ourselves for the good of the church. It will light up the path leading to the narrow gate like the yellow brick road.
The Icelandic sheep were afraid and suffered during the roundup. For us, many things cause us to suffer when approaching the narrow gate. Suffering comes from struggling with issues like wanting something, but not really needing it; loosing a job, feeling like an outcast at work or school, or never having enough money to cover all of the bills.
Suffering is like a seed. A seed, when planted, has to rot first, before growing and bearing fruit. Suffering is a necessary decay or decomposition in each of us. It must take place so a more perfect and complete work might be born. Suffering separates us from self in order to give ourselves to another.
Through suffering, we learn to love effectively; we find God in a more intimate way. That closer relationship with God helps us to find the narrow gate.
The gospel gives us hope and advice for finding the narrow gate. Luke’s account of the narrow gate gives this advice, “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Loving others and being last involves suffering and sacrificing. Those approaching the Narrow Gate know how to love and let others love them. They realize that submitting to the discipline of the Narrow gate leads to eternal life.
Just who will be saved? Jesus does not speculate about who will be saved. He commands us, “Strive to enter the narrow gate.” Don’t focus on who will be saved, but on the discipline of the narrow gate. It is the struggle of resisting the wide gate that leads us into the narrow one.
If we choose to run with the crowd through the wide gate, Jesus is standing there like an aircraft marshal, whooping and hollering, corralling us toward the narrow gate. If we are stumbling toward the narrow gate, Jesus is encouraging us forward with open arms (659 Words).
First Reading
Isaiah 66: 18-21: I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
Second Reading
Hebrew 12: 5-7, 11-13: You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges." Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
Gospel
Luke 13: 22-30: He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Announcements: Assumption of Mary
Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, I will be out of town until August 26. I have just finished my evaluation in Silver Springs, Maryland (they actually let me go so I must be OK) and now I am in Wilminigton, NC visiting my friends, Here is some info about the Assumption. Have a fantastic week. Fr. Scott
Assumption of Mary Aug 15, 2010, Revelations 11: 19; 12:1-6&10; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-27; Luke 1:39-56
August 15 is the day that Catholics have long celebrated what is called the Dormition (falling asleep) or Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her assumption bodily into heaven.
Though it was almost universally believed for more than a thousand years, the Bible contains no mention of the assumption of Mary into heaven. The first Church writer to speak of Mary's being taken up into heaven by God is Saint Gregory of Tours (594).
On May 1, 1946, Pope Pius XII, asked all bishops in the world whether they thought this belief in the assumption of Mary into heaven should be defined as a proposition of faith, and whether they with their clergy and people desired the definition. Almost all the bishops replied in the affirmative.
On November 1, 1950, the Feast of All Saints, Pope Pius XII declared as a dogma revealed by God that "Mary, the immaculate perpetually Virgin Mother of God, after the completion of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven".
There is an important difference, of course, between the ascension of Jesus into Heaven after His Resurrection, and the assumption of Mary. To ascend is to rise up under one's own power; while to be assumed means something that is done to one. Jesus, being the Second Person of the Trinity, had no need of assistance; whereas Mary did not have this power (253 Words).
Revelations 11: 19; 12:1-6&10
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God, that there she might be taken care of for twelve hundred and sixty days. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night.
1 Corinthians 15: 20-27
Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him.
Luke 1:39-56
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Assumption of Mary Aug 15, 2010, Revelations 11: 19; 12:1-6&10; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-27; Luke 1:39-56
August 15 is the day that Catholics have long celebrated what is called the Dormition (falling asleep) or Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her assumption bodily into heaven.
Though it was almost universally believed for more than a thousand years, the Bible contains no mention of the assumption of Mary into heaven. The first Church writer to speak of Mary's being taken up into heaven by God is Saint Gregory of Tours (594).
On May 1, 1946, Pope Pius XII, asked all bishops in the world whether they thought this belief in the assumption of Mary into heaven should be defined as a proposition of faith, and whether they with their clergy and people desired the definition. Almost all the bishops replied in the affirmative.
On November 1, 1950, the Feast of All Saints, Pope Pius XII declared as a dogma revealed by God that "Mary, the immaculate perpetually Virgin Mother of God, after the completion of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven".
There is an important difference, of course, between the ascension of Jesus into Heaven after His Resurrection, and the assumption of Mary. To ascend is to rise up under one's own power; while to be assumed means something that is done to one. Jesus, being the Second Person of the Trinity, had no need of assistance; whereas Mary did not have this power (253 Words).
Revelations 11: 19; 12:1-6&10
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God, that there she might be taken care of for twelve hundred and sixty days. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night.
1 Corinthians 15: 20-27
Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him.
Luke 1:39-56
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
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