Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Gospel: Zacchaeus, a man short in stature, climbed a tree to see Jesus. Please see the homily and readings below.
Nativity Play: This year during Mass at Christmas, Holy Rosary will have a Children’s Nativity play. Three people at Holy Rosary have volunteered to organize it. If you would like to be a part of this, please talk with Angie Venua, Bernina Venua, or Diana Swaim.
Calendars: The Catholic Extension 2011 Stewardship calendars this year have a picture of the mountains behind Dillingham, Alaska. I have ordered about 50 of these calendars and will offer them to the people in our mission. The front of these calendars list the Mass times and villages served in our mission. They will be available in a few weeks.
Villages served this Week: Tuesday of this week I was trying to fly to Ugashik and Pilot Point but had to turn around in Egegik because the fog closed in on me. I flew to Clarks Point on Friday, King Salmon/Naknek on Saturday, and back to Dillingham on Sunday.
Have a great week and see you Sunday…Fr. Scott
HOMILY
31 Ord C DLG 2007 Rich Official vs. Zacc, Wis 11:22—12:2; 2 Thess 1:11—2:2; Luke 19:1-10
The tax collector in the gospel, is short in stature. He reminds me a little of our own Pat Durbin.
I would like to compare and contrast two gospel stories. They are stories about rich people. They are stories about people like you and I.
One story is about a rich official (Luke 18: 18-23). He asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal. Life?” “Keep the commandments,” said Jesus. “I have,” said the Rich Official. Then Jesus had said, “Sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven.” The rich official balked…he could not do it. He went away sad.
One chapter later, is today’s gospel, Luke 19:1-10…The story of Zacchaeus climbing up the tree.
Similarities:
Rich Young Man and Zacchaeus
Both are very wealthy…have lots of money
Both looking for more in life
Money has not brought them happiness/Peace
Differences (Rich Official)
Kept commandments from his youth
Considered a Son of Abraham
Responds with Sadness to sell and give to poor
Wealth more important than following Jesus
Did not answer the call from Jesus
Result: Chose wealth over God
Result: Cannot find happiness and peace
Result: Did not realize faith in God was better
Result: Cannot experience fullness of God’s love
Result: Chose not to change while visiting Jesus
Differences (Zacchaeus: The Tax collector)
Extorted taxes, outcast, hated by many
Not considered a son of Abraham
Was not a very religious person
Responds with joy to give to the poor
Following Jesus more important than wealth
Answered the call from Jesus
Result: Choose God over money
Result: Found happiness and peace
Result: Realized faith in God was better
Result: Can experience the fullness of God’s love
Result: Chose to change while visiting Jesus
Here are a few of my conclusions:
No matter what you have done in the past or who you are today, you can change for the better.
Jesus welcomes everyone, not just those who have been raised in the Church.
Every single person on earth has a chance at eternal life, happiness, and peace.
Choosing Christ is an everyday decision.
We all have something we need to change in our lives that will make us better Christians.
This week, like little Zacchaeus, I want all of you to make a change for the better. If Jesus were to come to your house today, what would you change (410 Words)?
Wisdom 11:22—12:2
Indeed, before you the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things! Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them, and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!
2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2
To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Luke 19:1-10
He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Announcements:L 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Alaska Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Congratulations: Congrats to Pat Shryock from Naknek, Alaska. The 16 year old flew solo in their Cessna 172, Thursday, October 14, 2010, at South Naknek. Pat actually flew solo in the airplane before receiving his drivers license. After Mass Sunday I asked the young aviator about his first solo flight. The young Pat said, “I was REALLY excited.”
Gospel: The Gospel this week asks us to ground ourselves. Grounding makes us humble. The arrogant Pharisees need to be grounded. (Please see homily and readings below).
Potluck: The potluck will be Sunday, October 31, not Sunday October 24. Please bring your favorite dish and join in a good time after Mass, downstairs, at Holy Rosary Parish.
Confirmation: If you know of anyone between the ages of 10 and 100, who are baptized Catholic yet have not been confirmed, please let me know.
First Communion: A first communion celebration will be Sunday, May 22, 2010. If you know any children who are six or seven years old and have not had First Communion, please let me know.
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday, Fr. Scott
HOMILY: 30Ord C DLG, 2010, Grounded, Sir35:12-14,16-18;2Tim4:6-8,16-18;Lk18:9-14
Have you ever been grounded as a child? It’s not fun…no phone, no internet, can’t drive the car, can’t go out with your friends…etc. A teenager is basically shut down from the most important thing in their life at the time…friends and socializing.
We are grounded for a reason. The reason is, we start to act like the Pharisee does in the gospel. Being grounded equates to doing something that is a bit out of the ordinary. Doing something that is not good, such as being reckless, immature, or immoral. In the Pharisees case, he was arrogant. The Pharisee needed to be grounded.
The Pharisee was a successful person but he let it go to his head. He made himself feel important by putting others down. In prayer, he reminded God just how great he was compared to others. He trusts too much in himself and very little in God.
In football, intentional grounding is when the quarterback goes back to through a pass, can’t find a receiver, and throws the ball into the ground. A well grounded person is someone who has a firm foundation. A pilot who has poor vision can be grounded, meaning they cannot fly anymore.
Believe it our not, grounding means to be humble. From Humility comes the Latin word humas, meaning “close to the earth.”
For example, the tax collector in the gospel lived close to the earth. As a result, he was open to conversion and being lifted up by God. The Pharisee was far from the ground. He was so far from the earth that he was closed of from conversion. He had an attitude sickness from taking the high moral ground.
Most of us find ourselves somewhere between the grounded tax collector and the highflying Pharisee. Being humble is the best way to be. Here is what being humble means:
A humble person does not think he or she is better than someone else. A humble person does not try to look better than someone by putting others down. A humble person honors others by sharing their gifts. This enables others people to benefit from the goodness of God.
The best way to ensure that we remain humble is to be grounded in reality like the tax collector. Here is how to do that.
Be open to people in your life who make demands on you. They might be economically disadvantaged, disabled, elderly, or sick. It is not necessarily easy to be with them, but that is the point.
Our response to these friends makes us grounded, draws out gifts we sometimes did not even know we had. At the very least, our response to these friends reminds us how grateful we should be for the gifts we have received. Others can tell a lot about us by the company we keep, and the people we shun.
I went to fill up our Cherokee Warrior II with 100LL at ACS in Dillingham this week. I started to fill the tank and stopped. I forgot to ground the plane first.
Don’t forget to ground yourselves before every week. The Body and Blood of Christ does just that. As you come forward for communion today think of how the Eucharist will help humble us so we can use our gifts and talents to help others.
By remaining humble, we can expect to be filled with life and life abundantly. So, here is a direct order…you are all grounded for life (577 Words).
Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18;
For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint; He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18;
For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luke 18:9-14
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Congratulations: Congrats to Pat Shryock from Naknek, Alaska. The 16 year old flew solo in their Cessna 172, Thursday, October 14, 2010, at South Naknek. Pat actually flew solo in the airplane before receiving his drivers license. After Mass Sunday I asked the young aviator about his first solo flight. The young Pat said, “I was REALLY excited.”
Gospel: The Gospel this week asks us to ground ourselves. Grounding makes us humble. The arrogant Pharisees need to be grounded. (Please see homily and readings below).
Potluck: The potluck will be Sunday, October 31, not Sunday October 24. Please bring your favorite dish and join in a good time after Mass, downstairs, at Holy Rosary Parish.
Confirmation: If you know of anyone between the ages of 10 and 100, who are baptized Catholic yet have not been confirmed, please let me know.
First Communion: A first communion celebration will be Sunday, May 22, 2010. If you know any children who are six or seven years old and have not had First Communion, please let me know.
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday, Fr. Scott
HOMILY: 30Ord C DLG, 2010, Grounded, Sir35:12-14,16-18;2Tim4:6-8,16-18;Lk18:9-14
Have you ever been grounded as a child? It’s not fun…no phone, no internet, can’t drive the car, can’t go out with your friends…etc. A teenager is basically shut down from the most important thing in their life at the time…friends and socializing.
We are grounded for a reason. The reason is, we start to act like the Pharisee does in the gospel. Being grounded equates to doing something that is a bit out of the ordinary. Doing something that is not good, such as being reckless, immature, or immoral. In the Pharisees case, he was arrogant. The Pharisee needed to be grounded.
The Pharisee was a successful person but he let it go to his head. He made himself feel important by putting others down. In prayer, he reminded God just how great he was compared to others. He trusts too much in himself and very little in God.
In football, intentional grounding is when the quarterback goes back to through a pass, can’t find a receiver, and throws the ball into the ground. A well grounded person is someone who has a firm foundation. A pilot who has poor vision can be grounded, meaning they cannot fly anymore.
Believe it our not, grounding means to be humble. From Humility comes the Latin word humas, meaning “close to the earth.”
For example, the tax collector in the gospel lived close to the earth. As a result, he was open to conversion and being lifted up by God. The Pharisee was far from the ground. He was so far from the earth that he was closed of from conversion. He had an attitude sickness from taking the high moral ground.
Most of us find ourselves somewhere between the grounded tax collector and the highflying Pharisee. Being humble is the best way to be. Here is what being humble means:
A humble person does not think he or she is better than someone else. A humble person does not try to look better than someone by putting others down. A humble person honors others by sharing their gifts. This enables others people to benefit from the goodness of God.
The best way to ensure that we remain humble is to be grounded in reality like the tax collector. Here is how to do that.
Be open to people in your life who make demands on you. They might be economically disadvantaged, disabled, elderly, or sick. It is not necessarily easy to be with them, but that is the point.
Our response to these friends makes us grounded, draws out gifts we sometimes did not even know we had. At the very least, our response to these friends reminds us how grateful we should be for the gifts we have received. Others can tell a lot about us by the company we keep, and the people we shun.
I went to fill up our Cherokee Warrior II with 100LL at ACS in Dillingham this week. I started to fill the tank and stopped. I forgot to ground the plane first.
Don’t forget to ground yourselves before every week. The Body and Blood of Christ does just that. As you come forward for communion today think of how the Eucharist will help humble us so we can use our gifts and talents to help others.
By remaining humble, we can expect to be filled with life and life abundantly. So, here is a direct order…you are all grounded for life (577 Words).
Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18;
For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint; He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18;
For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luke 18:9-14
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Monday, October 11, 2010
Annoucements: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Gospel: The readings this Sunday are about being persistent. Be persistent not only in bettering yourself, but also in prayer. Please see the homily and readings below.
Potluck: The next potluck after Mass will be October 31, the last Sunday of the month. All are invited and welcome to stay after Mass for fellowship and food. Bring your favorite dish if you can.
Flying: Last week I was able to fly to Clarks Point, Igiugig, and King Salmon. I was also in Anchorage for three days.
Here are a couple pictures from may flight to Clarks Point this week. Fall is certainly here.
Gospel: The readings this Sunday are about being persistent. Be persistent not only in bettering yourself, but also in prayer. Please see the homily and readings below.
Potluck: The next potluck after Mass will be October 31, the last Sunday of the month. All are invited and welcome to stay after Mass for fellowship and food. Bring your favorite dish if you can.
Flying: Last week I was able to fly to Clarks Point, Igiugig, and King Salmon. I was also in Anchorage for three days.
Here are a couple pictures from may flight to Clarks Point this week. Fall is certainly here.
New Missal: I have some great information about the new missal.
Here is the first of several lesions about the new Roman Missal, which will be used next year for Advent, i.e. 2011
New Roman Missal Information:
Lesson 1 – The new Roman Missal will have biblical roots
The texts will express more clearly why we pray, why we hope, and how we present ourselves to God
This will create a greater connection of the Missal to the Lectionary
The prayers will express more nuances of meaning, reflecting a more extensive meaning and depth of the original Latin texts
The style will be more formal than ordinary conversation
The new translation will add a freshness to the sound of the Missal while avoiding needless repetition of well-worn words
This translation brings us into closer alignment with other languages translation (French, German, Spanish, etc.) throughout the world.
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday, Fr. Scott
Homily, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Persistence, Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14—4:2; Luke 18:1-8
When I was looking for part time work during High School, I took some advice from my next-door neighbor, Buck Dyer. He said, “Scott, if you want to get a job, you have to be persistent.” So, I set my sights high…a box boy at Wagner’s Grocery Store. Then I made a plan. First, I learned that the manager’s name was Ron Lakey. Next, I visited Wagner’s everyday. I would walk right up to Mr. Laky’s office, knock on the door, and ask for a job. The fifth time Mr. Laky said, “Well Scott, I can see that I am not going to get rid of you, so…I might as well hire you.” I was overwhelmed with joy. I never gave Mr. Laky a reason to regret his decision to hire me. Persistence pays.
In the Gospel, the old widow was persistent, and it paid. She believed strongly about getting a just decision. After a while, the widow’s determination moved the corrupt judge to say, “Lady, I shall deliver a just decision for you, lest you finally come and strike me.”
In the first reading, when Moses raised his hands in the air, the Israelites fought better. When he lowered them, Amalek got the better of the fight.
So Moses had to be persistent in keeping his hands up. Ever held your hands up for any length of time…they get really tired. So, what happened? Moses’ arms began to get tired. Some of his warriors kept propping them back up again. The warriors saw Moses’ risen hands as a sign of never ending prayer to God. That motivated them to win the battle. Once again, persistence pays.
Jesus wants us to be persistent in prayer. What counts is not the length or quality of our prayer. What counts is that we are persistent. Start out small with maybe one Hail Mary or one our Father…but say it everyday. Then let God help you expand at your own pace. The result: Prayer keeps us centered on Christ and brings peace to our chaotic lives.
Mr. Laky put his trust in me and hired me at the grocery store because I was persistent. When we are unrelenting and determined like that old widow, even a corrupt judge may learn to trust us and take our good advice.
Normally, being persistent applies when we want to excel in school sports, get good grades, or land that perfect Job.
But it also applies to our spiritual lives. Jesus begs us to be persistent in our spiritual lives. For example, persistence in pursuing fairness will bring about justice. In struggling with our sins, persistence enables us to become holier people.
Persistence in praying to God does not necessarily change God. It changes us! Some think that prayer changes God’s mind; he then intervenes, and makes something good happen. That might be true, but here is a spiritually healthier way to think.
Persistence in prayer changes us. Prayer such as Fasting, abstinence, pilgrimages, and retreats change us. They make us more open to what God is really trying to tell us. We can then work with God to make good things happen.
So, keep those arms elevated in prayer. Then, take it from the Old Widow…be persistence, it pays (543 Words)!
Exodus 17:8-13 - At Rephidim, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses' hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
2 Timothy 3:14—4:2 - But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
Luke 18:1-8 - Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Monday, October 4, 2010
Announcements: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Mission Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Prayers: Please keep the Belleque family in your prayers. Johanna’s mom died Friday, October 1st in Koliganek, Alaska.
Gospel: The gospel is about getting second chances in our lives. Please see readings and homily below.
Anchorage Visit: I will be going to Anchorage this Tuesday through Thursday to participate in the pastoral day (learn about the New Missal) and to train in the canon law tribunal.
Thank you: Thank you to Katelyn Swaim (daughter of Michael and Diana) for making and coloring the North Star for the Christmas Eve Homily. At that time the children will be helping put together a Nativity puzzle.
Prayers: Please keep the Belleque family in your prayers. Johanna’s mom died Friday, October 1st in Koliganek, Alaska.
Gospel: The gospel is about getting second chances in our lives. Please see readings and homily below.
Anchorage Visit: I will be going to Anchorage this Tuesday through Thursday to participate in the pastoral day (learn about the New Missal) and to train in the canon law tribunal.
Thank you: Thank you to Katelyn Swaim (daughter of Michael and Diana) for making and coloring the North Star for the Christmas Eve Homily. At that time the children will be helping put together a Nativity puzzle.
Gray Water Problem: We are still waiting for the metal to arrive on the barge so Osborn tanks can make the 1000 gallon tank for our Gray water drainage. We plan to make the tank with holes in it and Jackson McCormick is going to make a drain system for the tank.
Have a blessed week and see you Sunday...Fr. Scott
HOMILY
28 Ord C DLG 2010, Metanoia, 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19
In the gospel, the story of the one leper who returned is about second chances. If it is God’s will that you be cured you get a second chance.
Second chances in life are numerous. We are always getting second chances. I have had so many second chances I have lost track of them all.
The second chances that counted most to me were the second chances at life. I could have died several times in my life but was given a second chance.
When I was about seven years old, I almost drowned in a swimming pool. I got in over my head and couldn’t swim. An old lady about 79 years old, saw me struggling for air, waded over to me, and pulled me out.
A couple years later, after I learned how swim, I was swimming in the river…my dad’s Labrador Spike wanted to play. He swam out to me and started jumping on top of me.
Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks I rolled my friends Jeep near Nenana. We hit a snowdrift. We rolled four times and landed upside down. It was 40 below zero outside. I got a second chance.
We have all dealt with life and death. The lepers were in that same situation…they were all cured…they all had a second chance at life.
What become important to them after they were cured? Starting a new life believing in Christ or The lepers could have started a whole new life believing in Christ, or getting back to the life the way it was.
Ultimately, the story of the leper is about seizing or not seizing second chances. How do you react when you have a scare in life? How do you react when it turns out OK? Getting a second chance to nine of the lepers meant going back to the same old way of life. Sure, they were happy at first. Sure they were grateful for a little while…but how soon they forgot.
Only one came back to show his gratitude. Only the Samaritan came back. Only the Samaritan wanted to start a new and better life following Jesus. Only the one Samaritan leper seized the second chance.
The second chance for the Leper launched a new insight…a deep praise for God…a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus will sustain this grateful man for the rest of his life.
In the first reading from Kings, God gave Naaman a second chance. It changed his life.
After being cleaned of leprosy, Naaman said to the prophet Elisha, “I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord.”
For you and I, second chances don’t have to come from life and death situations.
We may get a second chance to repair a hurt relationship. We might get a second chance to give back something we took that was not ours. We may get a second chance to tell the truth to someone we lied to. Take that that second chance.
Like the one leper, when we take that second chance we experience Metanoia. Metanoia is a Greek word meaning: conversion and the continual life of inner change and growth. The next time you get a second chance…seize it. Experience Metanoia. Grow closer to Jesus because of it, be grateful to God for it, and enliven the Holy Spirit to help you (561 Words).
2 Kings 5:14-17 - So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. He returned with his whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant." "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it," Elisha replied; and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused. Naaman said: "If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD.
2 Timothy 2:8-13 - Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
Luke 17:11-19 - As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."
Monday, September 27, 2010
Announcements: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Holy Rosary Parishioners, here are a few announcements:
Revised Missal: Starting in Advent 2011, the New Roman Missal will be used. That will give us a year to get use to the idea and to learn about the changes. The changes are a better English interpretation of the original scriptures. Here are a few of the changes:
Greeting, Sign of Peace
Present wording: The Lord be with you. And also with you
New wording: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
Creed
Present wording: We believe in one God…
New wording: I believe in one God…
Gloria
Present wording: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.
New Wording: Glory to God in the highest4, and on earth peace to people of good will.
Sanctus
Present wording: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might…
New wording: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…
Mystery of Faith form A
Present wording: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
New wording: We proclaim you death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
Anchorage Trip: Speaking of the New Missal, I will be in Anchorage Tuesday – Thursday to learn about the new Roman Missal and to start learning how to be a judge in the Marriage Tribunal.
Gospel: One of the messages that comes from the readings this week is Faith. Please see the homily and readings below.
Baptism: Here are a couple pictures of our newest member to the Catholic Church, Blake Ashton Turnbull. He was baptized Sep 26, 2010.
Prayers: Please keep Archbishop Hurley and Father Dick Tero in your prayers. Archbishop Hurly will be having heart surgery today, Sep 27, 2010 and Father Tero had heart surgery two days ago.
Wild flowers: The Tennyson’s planted wild flowers on the grave of William Tennyson. This picture was taken last week.
Have a great week and see you Sunday, weather permitting! Fr. Scott
HOMILY and READINGS
27 Ord C DLG 2007, Habakkuk 1:2-3&2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8&13-14; Luke 17:5-10
Habakkuk tells us the just man, because of his faith, shall live. Timothy asks to take listen to his words and have faith they are true. In the gospel Jesus says, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.”
A mustard seed is very small. Take a look at this seed. You can’t even see it. Faith this size can change our lives.
Faith is something totally spiritual, it’s not physical or social, or psychological. We cannot see or feel it. Faith breaches the separation between the earth and heaven. It is a way humans comprehend those things which we cannot explain.
Take the Eucharist for example. We believe that a priest, with the help of the Holy Spirit can change the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. We believe in this, have faith in this, and therefore it is a spiritual truth.
When so many of God’s children have faith in something for two thousand years and believe it to be true, then the only explanation is that it is the truth. Our faith caused it to be true.
Abraham, in Hebrews defines faith like this, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Catechism 146).
Our Catechism states that, Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and all that God has said and revealed to us, because God is truth itself (Catechism 1814).
Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to people. Can we lose our faith? St. Paul indicated to Timothy that we can. Paul says, "Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made a shipwreck of their faith” (Catechism 162).
How do we live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end: nourish your faith with the word of God; in prayer, ask the Lord to increase your faith; True faith must be working through charity, abounding in hope, and rooted in the Church (Catechism 162).
Personally, I have faith that there is life after death. I have faith that God is a loving God. I have faith that the Eucharist is truly changed into the body and blood of Christ and strengthens us to be loving Christians. I have faith that the Holy Spirit lives within us. I have faith that the Catholic Church, through the seven sacraments, offers the best way to prepare us to meet God. I have faith that strong faith can quiet a storm (440 Words).
Habakkuk 1:2-3&2:2-4
How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord. Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live. Wealth, too, is treacherous: the proud, unstable man--
2 Timothy 1:6-8&13-14
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the holy Spirit that dwells within us.
Luke 17:5-10
And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
Revised Missal: Starting in Advent 2011, the New Roman Missal will be used. That will give us a year to get use to the idea and to learn about the changes. The changes are a better English interpretation of the original scriptures. Here are a few of the changes:
Greeting, Sign of Peace
Present wording: The Lord be with you. And also with you
New wording: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
Creed
Present wording: We believe in one God…
New wording: I believe in one God…
Gloria
Present wording: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.
New Wording: Glory to God in the highest4, and on earth peace to people of good will.
Sanctus
Present wording: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might…
New wording: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…
Mystery of Faith form A
Present wording: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
New wording: We proclaim you death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
Anchorage Trip: Speaking of the New Missal, I will be in Anchorage Tuesday – Thursday to learn about the new Roman Missal and to start learning how to be a judge in the Marriage Tribunal.
Gospel: One of the messages that comes from the readings this week is Faith. Please see the homily and readings below.
Baptism: Here are a couple pictures of our newest member to the Catholic Church, Blake Ashton Turnbull. He was baptized Sep 26, 2010.
Prayers: Please keep Archbishop Hurley and Father Dick Tero in your prayers. Archbishop Hurly will be having heart surgery today, Sep 27, 2010 and Father Tero had heart surgery two days ago.
Wild flowers: The Tennyson’s planted wild flowers on the grave of William Tennyson. This picture was taken last week.
Have a great week and see you Sunday, weather permitting! Fr. Scott
HOMILY and READINGS
27 Ord C DLG 2007, Habakkuk 1:2-3&2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8&13-14; Luke 17:5-10
Habakkuk tells us the just man, because of his faith, shall live. Timothy asks to take listen to his words and have faith they are true. In the gospel Jesus says, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.”
A mustard seed is very small. Take a look at this seed. You can’t even see it. Faith this size can change our lives.
Faith is something totally spiritual, it’s not physical or social, or psychological. We cannot see or feel it. Faith breaches the separation between the earth and heaven. It is a way humans comprehend those things which we cannot explain.
Take the Eucharist for example. We believe that a priest, with the help of the Holy Spirit can change the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. We believe in this, have faith in this, and therefore it is a spiritual truth.
When so many of God’s children have faith in something for two thousand years and believe it to be true, then the only explanation is that it is the truth. Our faith caused it to be true.
Abraham, in Hebrews defines faith like this, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Catechism 146).
Our Catechism states that, Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and all that God has said and revealed to us, because God is truth itself (Catechism 1814).
Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to people. Can we lose our faith? St. Paul indicated to Timothy that we can. Paul says, "Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made a shipwreck of their faith” (Catechism 162).
How do we live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end: nourish your faith with the word of God; in prayer, ask the Lord to increase your faith; True faith must be working through charity, abounding in hope, and rooted in the Church (Catechism 162).
Personally, I have faith that there is life after death. I have faith that God is a loving God. I have faith that the Eucharist is truly changed into the body and blood of Christ and strengthens us to be loving Christians. I have faith that the Holy Spirit lives within us. I have faith that the Catholic Church, through the seven sacraments, offers the best way to prepare us to meet God. I have faith that strong faith can quiet a storm (440 Words).
Habakkuk 1:2-3&2:2-4
How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord. Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live. Wealth, too, is treacherous: the proud, unstable man--
2 Timothy 1:6-8&13-14
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the holy Spirit that dwells within us.
Luke 17:5-10
And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
Monday, September 20, 2010
Announcements: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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.'"
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 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."
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