Homilies

Homily – 21st Sunday in [Extra] Ordinary Time in a Pandemic

/ kredig

Dear Friends,

We continue in [Extra] Ordinary Time–which, as you know by now, is my new title for an extended time in the Church Year, that by nature of the Scriptures, “served up” for us to consider, is usually, anything but “ordinary.” This past week, we were also “served up” by route of the Democratic National Convention quite a bit to reflect on.  Regardless of your views politically, the honest person has to admit that there was much there to give hope and healing, along with challenge in their virtual gathering of the nation. We are in the midst of several crises in our beloved country and our Scriptures for this week are instructive–may they bring you peace and healing–love to you all, Pastor Kathy

P.S. Please never hesitate to call or email if I can be of help to you.  507-429-3616 or aaorcc2008@gmail.com

Entrance Prayer

Good and gentle God, listen to us, hear our prayer and answer us. Be with us, who trust in you. We call to you all day long, have mercy on us O God.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

Creator God, help us to seek the values that will bring us lasting joy in this changing world.  In our desire for what you promise, make us one in mind and heart. We ask this through Jesus our brother and your son, who lives and loves us with your Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen.

Readings: 

  • Isaiah 22: 15, 19-23
  • Romans 11: 33-36
  • Matthew 16: 13-20

Homily

My friends, this week our brother, Jesus, asks us to answer a question whose answer declares what we truly believe—“Who do you say that I am?” It is one of those questions that we don’t want to answer too quickly, because the answer we give lays out then so clearly how we must act going forward.

If we can answer in faith, and with certitude, as did Peter in today’s gospel from Matthew, “You are the Messiah, the First-born of the Living God,” we then must move into our world with the same love, compassion and mercy that Jesus did in his.  We can no longer sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to do the work of the kin-dom that our brother Jesus began among us.

In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks those wonderful words, “Whatever you declare bound or loosed on earth, will be declared bound or loosed in heaven.”  I have always thought that these words were strictly intended for Peter and for those, by extension, who would be called to lead the People of God, i.e., the pope, bishops and priests.  But now, upon further reflection; I believe that Jesus meant those words, ultimately, for each of us who commit our lives to follow in his footsteps.

Last week, I said that Christianity is really an “experiment in loving,” when all is said and done.  Each of us lives our lives—in Church and State, through a series of laws, rules and regulations meant to guide our lives in doing not only what is good for us, but ultimately, good for all—in other words, our life, our living in this world, can never be, just about us—not if we are going to claim to be Christians—followers of our brother Jesus!

Most mature humans—Christians and those who follow other belief systems know and believe this tenet—that the decisions we make in how we live our lives can’t be just about us—we must always, always consider the other!  Thus, my caution to answer the question Jesus asks, in today’s gospel, who we say he is, carefully…

So when the law by which we direct our actions, falls short of the most noble thing to do, whether in Church or State, love must take over, because love is the higher action—it is ultimately what we humans were created for.  Laws are needed in Church and State to keep order when people wouldn’t necessarily act for the good of all without them. The beauty and perhaps the curse of our human natures is that we are capable of great, great good, but equally of great evil and our history upon this earth has proven the truth of this. Laws about driving at safe speeds, or while under the influence of drugs, have come to be, for the most part, accepted and enforced.  Now in this time of pandemic, it would seem that perhaps a national law to wear a mask when in public is needed to keep everyone safe.

Love calls us to be our best selves, asking—always asking, how is love being served here?—if the law doesn’t adequately answer the need, or ultimately serve love, then change is needed!

If we believe Jesus’ words, his actions, and have committed ourselves through our confirmations; then we must respond to the words of hatred and anger, to the actions of lovelessness from the current administration in Washington designed to appeal to the worst in us, instead of the best, and not remain, passive, or silent.  People cannot go hungry in our world without our response.

Our women and girls must be raised to know that they are equal to the men and boys with whom they share the planet and be given every chance to excel.  Women and men, and especially now, at last, our black sisters and brothers must be accepted—and we must all proclaim, with full hearts that indeed, BLACK LIVES DO MATTER!

The days of inequality, racist attitudes, lack of equal pay for equal work, simply must stop!—as so many in our country spoke so eloquently of this past week at the Democratic National Convention—“We are better than that!”  Remember Jesus’ words, “Look at the fruits.”  And friends, I must say once again that I always try, as your spiritual leader—not to advocate for one political candidate over another, but as many said this past week; we have moved beyond the tenets of one party over another and are now, “fighting for the soul of our country.” While I can’t tell you how to vote; I can and always will lift up to the light, the good and put down that which isn’t worthy of us as humans or Christians.

Our faith and hope in a country that respects each person for their own particular gifts, must be open to all striving to find who they are as persons, being good listeners of other’s stories and respecting their truth.  These last four years in our nation, the powers that be in our country have given us such a lack of truth and we are simply “famished” from that lack of truth.

We as a nation must lead with our hearts when we are asked to share our country with immigrants seeking a life that is better, free from war and conflict.  We must embrace the differences we see in our world and uplift all races, cultures and religions, realizing that the differences are what make us great! “Love is love,” as my friend, Paul Alexander sings of it, so beautifully—no matter where or how we find it!

I think it is fair to say that most people in our great country long to uphold the higher values of truth over lying, goodness over exclusivity, love over hate, peace and safety over instigated violence and reckless rhetoric and this great democratic country of ours gives us the opportunity on a regular basis to choose someone to lead us who exhibits the best of these qualities.  Again, Jesus always said, “You will know them by their fruits…”

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the Constitution giving women (0f course not all) the right to vote—black women would have to strive even longer to realize this right.  And even today, the right to vote is being tampered with for some in our country.  So, it behooves all women, especially on this 100th anniversary to affirm the struggles of our great grandmothers to obtain this right and to exercise it!  Of course the same challenge goes out to the men to never squander this right. And to all of us then; we must exercise this right to choose who is best for all the people in our country!

My friends, our Scriptures for this week definitely show us the way—in fact help us and give us permission to find a new way if need be. The message comes through loud and clear that we have a God who totally loves us—no exceptions!  The prophet Isaiah speaks these words, “He will care for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”  Of course, Isaiah is speaking of the man, Eliakim whom, through the hand of God, would be raised up to care for the people.

Isaiah goes on, “When he opens, no one will shut—when he shuts, no one will open.”  These words are reflective of similar ones of our brother Jesus, in today’s gospel from Matthew, “Whatever you declare bound or loosed on earth will be so…in heaven too!”

The psalmist—in 138 today continues speaking of our God, “You care for the lonely…Adonai, your love is constant forever…”

And finally Paul, in his letter to the Romans proclaims, “How unsearchable [are] the ways of our God [!]” –almost as if to say, “our ways are not God’s ways,”—especially when we stay too much, “in our heads,” forgetting the law to love which Jesus proclaimed as the grounding of the two great commandments—to love God and  your neighbor as yourself.

We have spoken in the past few weeks about our God’s gift of life to each of us which is comprised of the spiritual and the human and of how we each in our own lives will need to strive—to be our best—warring with our human egos to choose those actions that are not just about ourselves, but about all others that we share our beautiful world with.

We have heard these themes throughout this past week within the Democratic National Convention and I don’t know about you, but I found myself smiling a great deal and even sensed a beginning of healing as I listened to the hope, challenge and love expressed there—coming from across the country in this virtual presentation.  I heard, as many of you did, of people seeking to lead our country, speaking most personally about how their parents called forth the best in them,

showing by example how they should be in their world.  There was none of the lying, mean, angry and demeaning rhetoric that we have been exposed to in the past four years.  I think some in this country feel, unfortunately, that to be a person of strength, to fight off our adversaries, demands a mean, bullying demeanor, when really, the opposite is true.  Strength of character and an understanding and compassionate heart can co-exist, and very effectively, for that matter.

We, as a country, are now faced with problems that only those who are true leaders, can change—only those who care inclusively for the people of this country and all of their needs—can ultimately heal.

We have been told that this year’s voting, amid four major crises: a world pandemic with the highest numbers for infections and deaths in our country, economic numbers for joblessness as bad as during the Great Depression, the uncovering to the light of day our systemic sin of racism  and the reality of global warming which Mother Nature is showing us only too clearly through greater and more frequent wild fires and storms of greater proportions and frequency is truly about “the soul of our country.”

Those of us who claim to follow our brother Jesus must clearly choose, based “on the fruits” who will best lead and care for our country.  This is an awesome challenge and must not be taken lightly!

But, more than anything—exercise your right to vote, especially if you are a woman.  Learn the issues, know what each candidate stands for and will defend.  Additionally, vote early, as soon as you can as the current occupant in the White House is trying to sabotage your precious right through defunding the post office—needed especially in this time of pandemic to allow people to vote safely, from their homes.

In conclusion, my challenge to you and to me—is to be your best selves, check “the fruits” for yourself, but also for all others in our country and even in our world—vote like your lives depend on it, because I believe they do!  Amen? Amen!

Prayers of the Faithful

Response:   “Jesus, our light and love, be with us.”

  1. For our community, All Are One, continue to send your Spirit upon us to enable us to be an inclusive community, open and welcoming to all, we pray—

Response: “Jesus, our light and love, be with us.”

2. For each of us here and for our entire Church, help us to respond with love and care          to each and every person we meet, each and every day, we pray—

Response: “Jesus, our light and love, be with us.”

3. For all who are suffering here today or in our wider community, be it in body, mind or   spirit, we pray—

Response: “Jesus, our light and love, be with us.”

4. For those who are suffering across our country from the ravages 0f nature, may they        know our God’s comfort as they grieve losses brought on by these powerful forces and      help us to do those things that will protect our earth, we pray—

Response:  “Jesus, our light and love, be with us.”

5.  For our world and its people, that each of us might attempt to “get out of the boat” to make a difference in this world—to end war and conflict, to end world hunger, to end abuse of any kind, realizing that how we live our lives does affect the rest of those who share this planet, we pray—

Response: “Jesus, our light and love, be with us.”

6.  Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, due to Covid 19 and in all other ways—give them your peace, be with those our friends and relatives who are newly bereaved to find their way through their grief, we pray—

Response: “Jesus, our light and love, be with us.”

***Let us pray for your particular needs—you may say them aloud, then response

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—pause, then response

 Let Us Pray

Good and gentle God, our source of all strength and wisdom.  We ask that you would give us peace—filled and loving hearts—the energy to always seek after peace through the gifts of lovingkindness and mercy, truth and justice.  Help us to remember that our real task in this world as followers of Jesus, our brother, is to love your people and this world. We ask that we might have the strength for this great task. We ask all this of you, Jesus, our light and love, and with your Spirit, One God, living and loving us forever and ever—AMEN.

Let Us Pray—Again, we are without the physical bread—the body of Christ in this pandemic time.  Let us remember of how Jesus is always with us and let us strive to share his presence with our world.

Prayer after Communion 

Loving Jesus, may your presence within us bring to us and to others the healing power of your love.  May it guide and direct our efforts to love your world completely. We ask this in your wonderful name, you who are God and who lives with us and loves us, forever and ever—Amen.

 

 

 

Homily – 20th Sunday in [Extra] Ordinary Time in a Pandemic

/ kredig

Dear Friends, (sending a bit early this week, as I have time now, but may not later).

We continue to be challenged to do extraordinary things in this Extra Ordinary Time!  We must remember that not only are we human beings, which is quite a wonderful thing, but like our brother Jesus, we are divine beings too and that gives us all that we need to be extraordinary creatures in our world! My prayer for all of us this week is that we can all strive, in our place, to be all that we can be–it is our choice!  Peace and love, Pastor Kathy

 P.S. If I can be of help to you, or you would just like to chat, please don’t hesitate, in between my calls to you, to be in contact, by phone, 507-429-3616, or email, aaorcc2008@gmail.com.

Entrance Antiphon

God, our protector, keep us in mind; always give strength to your people.  For if we can be with you even one day; it is better than a thousand without you.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

O Gracious and Loving God, your care extends beyond the boundaries of race and nation to the hearts of all who live.  May the walls, that prejudice raises between us, crumble beneath the shadow of your outstretched arm.  We ask this through Jesus, our Brother and Friend, and with the Spirit, all One God,  living and loving us, forever and ever, Amen.

Readings:

  • Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7
  • Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32
  • Matthew 15: 21-28

Homily

My friends, today’s Scripture readings are full of challenge to do the “right thing.”  The prophet Isaiah says, “Work for justice.”  Even Jesus, our brother, is mightily challenged by a woman of faith, “to do the right thing.”

These readings are especially poignant for the times in which we live, as at every turn, we too are challenged, “to do the right thing.”  From the wearing of masks and social distancing to protect ourselves and others from an enemy that we cannot see, to voting for people who truly believe in the good of all and will work for that good—who are basically attempting, “to do the right thing—to do justice—we are mightily challenged in these readings.

So, let’s take them apart a bit.  Our gospel selection today is the most compelling, because it shows our brother Jesus warring between his human and divine natures and except for the great faith of a Canaanite woman; it appears that he would have let his humanity win out in this encounter.

It is important to remember here, however much anyone of us may revere Jesus; that he was capable of being completely human.  And what does that mean?  It means that Jesus, being completely immersed in his humanity, was capable of “not being perfect” in his response to his world, which, by the way, is the definition of being—human and if this is not true of Jesus, than it cannot be said, that he was human.

Jesus was being confronted in this instance by his culture, by gender specifics and by religious commitment. Let’s look at each one briefly.  In the time in which Jesus lived, his culture told him that the Canaanites were his enemies—the Israelites had defeated the Canaanites to keep their land holy and because their enemy didn’t believe in their God, they thought that they should have nothing to do with them.  Secondly, the gender issue was that a man should not be talking to a woman in public.  And a third point was that Jesus, in his human mind, had the sense of being sent to save his own people, not foreigners or outcasts. Being a man in his time and place, Jesus would have been aware of all these taboos and so, in one sense, his rude comment to the woman might be understandable.

So, what’s the problem here? The problem, my friends, is that Jesus was not just human, but equally—divine. So, as his followers, do we not have a right to expect more openness, mercy and understanding from him than his first comment suggests? Let’s hold that question for the moment.  We see that it is through this woman’s “great faith” in pursuing Jesus to obtain help for her daughter—to, in fact, demand his very best, that she challenged Jesus to be, his best.  This is so interesting when you look at the whole picture.  For some, reading this gospel might cause them to be disappointed in our human brother—even disillusioned, given who we believe him to be.

Scripture scholar, Diane Bergant has this to say:  “If we don’t accept Jesus’ at times, shortcomings—than that minimizes the extraordinariness of those of his actions that break through the limitations of his culture, his humanity.  Being completely human, Jesus became a man of his own limited time and culture—but at the same time, he was open enough to break out of that limitation.”

So, friends, where does that leave us? First of all, it is important to remember that while each of us is completely human, capable of being, “imperfect,” we are also filled with the same divine nature, as was, and is, Jesus, which aids us in being our best selves, if, like our brother, we choose to act on it.  You see, that is really what it is all about and being our best selves is really our choice, like it was for Jesus.

The Scripture selection from Paul to the Romans gives us a view of this.  Paul was called to be God’s prophet and as it turned out, not to his own people but to the Gentiles—those not of his culture or belief system.  Now, given the Jews lack of belief in him concerning Jesus, he might have just said, “Well God, they won’t listen, say nothing about, believing, so that experiment failed—there is nothing I can do!”

But, as we know, our God is always, “doing something new!”  This expansive God of ours—through Jesus, said, “Go to the Gentiles!” Paul did just that and found that these “foreigners and outcasts” not only listened, but they believed! Think of how different Christianity—an experiment in loving—basically, would have been if Paul had simply walked away!  And the question that each of us must ask, my friends, we who say through our baptisms and confirmations that we follow Jesus, the Christ, is, what is our piece to do?  Are we, each of us doing all we can to be our best selves, to affect change in our world?

And God knows, there is much in our present world that needs changing!  It has been said, by more than one, that we are living in a time of, “a perfect storm.”  As much as this pandemic has brought at the very least—discomfort, at not being able to live as normal—before the pandemic, at the very worst, it has brought; pain, suffering, death and grief to many way before their times.  And if the pandemic were not enough, our country has been called to face, head on this time, the cultural sin of racism.

A time of pandemic and especially COVID 19 has brought the sad truth home, in stark relief, that those who live in poverty, and many of these are our black sisters and brothers, have suffered most and have died at a far higher rate than have white people.  Not having enough income to feed your family properly leads to all kinds of medical issues—obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and lung disease due to smoking and all these pre-existing conditions ultimately make one more susceptible when illness, such as this pandemic strikes. Added to this, our country, at present, in both State and Church is witnessing an unprecedented lack of leadership and guidance to help us all see our way through this time.

This is a time that calls for compassionate, merciful and just leaders in Church and State—fully human who attempt to mirror the divine each and every day to bring goodness and wholeness to all.  This is a time for us as individuals to do the same.  Last week we talked about, “doing what must be done, saying what must be said.”  Yes, yes, yes!

Small-minded responses, such as the apostles gave in today’s gospel, “Get rid of her!”—basically, she’s an embarrassment, simply will not do!  Voting for one life issue, while ignoring the rest, simply will not do!  Life is life—all along the continuum and must be about a “seamless garment” approach here as Joseph Cardinal Bernardin spoke so eloquently of it nearly 25 years ago in Chicago.

Jesus’ initial response to a life situation is instructive for us. He, like we often do, spoke out of his humanness—perhaps, he was tired—but in the end, his divinity warring against his humanity, chose goodness, faith, mercy and understanding.

We have such strength friends, in following our brother Jesus, working each day to be our best selves, striving to let our divine natures win over our human ones, not just for ourselves, but for all whom we share this planet with.  Amen? Amen!

Prayers of the Faithful

Response:  “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

1.  For each of us, help us to remember how our humanity has been graced by your willingness Jesus to take on our existence and show us how to not only be human, but how to be like God, we pray—Response:  “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

2.  For each of us here and for our entire Church, help us to respond with love and care to each and every person we meet, each and every day, we pray—Response: “Loving  God, hear our prayer.”

  1. For all who are suffering here today or in our wider community, be it in body, mind or spirit, we pray—Response: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

4.  For our world and its people, that peace would reign in our hearts and that we would do all in our power to bring peace to our world, remembering that peace begins within each heart, we pray—Response:  “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

5.  For all who live with cancer, especially any members of our families or our friends, we pray—Response: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

  1. For each of us here and for our wider Church, that we would realize today and always what a loving and compassionate God we have, slow to anger and rich in kindness, we pray—Response: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

7.  For our community, All Are One, continue to send your Spirit upon us to enable us to be an inclusive community, open and welcoming to all, we pray—Response: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

8.  Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, especially from Covid 19 and all other afflictions—give them your peace, be with those our friends and relatives who are newly bereaved to find their way through their grief, we pray—Response: “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

***Let us pray for your particular needs, you may say them out loud—then response

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—pause, then response

Let Us Pray

Creator, Savior and Spirit, you see into our hearts and know our needs before we ask—give us what we most need today.  Allow us to have your lovingkindness and your compassionate heart to be what our world of people so need. Give us the personal strength to always do the right thing, to emulate you in our lives. We ask this of You, Jesus, Creator, and Spirit of us all—God, who lives and loves us forever and ever—Amen.

Let Us Pray—again, we can’t physically be together, to receive the physical bread and wine—your body and blood, but this time calls us to remember that you are already with us—each and every day.

Prayer after Communion

God of mercy, help each of us to become more like Jesus in our lives and may we one day come to share his glory in heaven, our brother and friend, who lives and loves us forever and ever—Amen.

 

Homily – 19th Sunday in [Extra] Ordinary Time in a Pandemic

/ kredig

Dear Friends,  this Sunday, as most Sundays, calls us to be our best–as followers of Jesus of Nazareth, we really have no other choice! But he is a friend who knows by his own human life, that this is sometimes, hard to be our best.  Let us take heart though, in the knowledge that we are never alone–he is our constant friend and companion for the journey.  

May this time find you at peace–my love to each of you–please stay well and safe.  If I can be of any help to you or yours or you would just like to chat, in between my calls, please be in contact.  aaorcc2008@gmail.com or 507-429-3616. –Pastor Kathy

Entrance Antiphon

Loving God, our souls are waiting—you are our help and our shield. May your love always be upon us and with us as we place all our hope in you.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

Good and gracious God, we come, reborn in the Spirit, to celebrate as part of your loving family with Jesus, our brother. Touch our hearts, help them grow toward the life you have promised. Touch our lives—make them signs of your love for all people. We ask this of you, through Jesus’ wonderful name, Amen.

Readings: 

  • 1 Kings 19: 9, 11-13
  • Romans 9: 1-5
  • Matthew 14: 22-33

Homily

My friends, during this [Extra] Ordinary Time in our Church; we are living out extraordinary events in our country and world, which can leave us feeling a bit hopeless at times. A pandemic rages in our country and world that we can’t seem, “to get our hands around,” so to speak, especially here in our own United States of America.  It is clear now after nearly 6 months, that lack of consistent leadership in our country has made this so.

Along with this, our country has been called, upfront and personal, to address the cultural sin of racism, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and police officers around the country have been called to task concerning their unjust, aggressive and often deadly actions toward our black citizens, to the point of the Minneapolis City Council calling for the termination of the police force as it now stands. BLACK LIVES MATTER has become the cry of protesters, black and white, who seemingly won’t be silenced this time around, as they demand change, as they demand justice.  This cultural sin has festered for over 400 years and its resolution has been championed over these years by many—Martin Luther King, Jr. and most recently, in our time, by John Lewis who left the work now to others as he succumbed to cancer.

The last four years in this country, through the consistent lack of leadership in the executive branch to address the needs of all the people in this country, coupled by a mean-spirited sense of governing by this president, caring for himself and his rich supporters to the detriment of the poor and abused in this country,

the destruction of the environment through ignorant policies, based on greed, and further enabled by the Senate that will not challenge their president to be better, to do better, has left many in our nation feeling demoralized and helpless in the face of actions that seem the least common denominator on the scale of good versus evil.

And yet, our brother Jesus tells his apostles—his followers, including us, to, “not be afraid!”  He questions our faith, through Peter, saying that we, basically, “have little” of it!  Additionally, he tells us to not lose faith because there is so much strength there!  The ability—if we truly believed, “to walk on water!”

Of course, as with all of Jesus’ sayings; we are called to see beyond the literal meaning.  To be our best selves in our present world that can do with no less, will call us to indeed, walk on water!  And if that seems daunting; Jesus’ comforting words, to “be not afraid,” should give us great strength to do what we must do.

Unfortunately, many Catholics from the hierarchy on down have placed their slim agenda—they call it, “pro-life,” but in reality only support one aspect of it— life in the womb and ignore the blatant abuses against every other issue along the life continuum, in a man who says he will support that one item on their slim agenda.

I have always encouraged here that each of us takes the privilege we have in this country, especially if we are white, to vote for people who most clearly support and work for the good of all without telling you to support a particular candidate. I say, “especially if you are white,” because history, and especially during the last 4 years has made it increasingly harder for black people to vote through gerrymandering, lack of convenient poll sights, the push for personal I.D. etc.)

I still believe that is an important stance as your spiritual leader to take, but I did want to include this week the criticism of our president by Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky as recorded in the National Catholic Reporter this past week, because we so seldom see them speaking out on any life issues other than abortion. I see his statement as important as we all consider to whom we give the awesome power to lead our country in the future.

Bishop Stowe stated, “For this president to call himself, pro-life, and for anybody to back him because of claims of being pro-life is almost willful ignorance.  He is so much anti-life because he is only concerned about himself, and he gives us every, every, every indication of that [!]”

That having been said, perhaps the words of Elijah in today’s first reading are instructive in our search for God in our world as Elijah searched for that same God in his.  People in Elijah’s time, before Jesus, thought that God was to be found in majestic places and what is more majestic than a mountain? Elijah and people in his time and place thought that God would be found in power and strength.  Thus, Elijah searched for God in the wind, in an earthquake, and in fire—but to no avail.  He did, though, find God, “in a whisper.” This is affirmed too, in Jesus’ life when he often, as in today’s gospel, goes off alone, to a deserted place, to find the voice and experience of God in quiet.

So, what should this tell us?  Well, first off, we will need to slow down a bit to hear and realize that God is not just in one place—a small, little God in a small, little box as is so often depicted for us in past religious training.  Secondly,  we will have to come to see that God, in fact, is everywhere, and interestingly enough, not in the realm of power and strength—hierarchical stations—cathedrals, but in the everyday.

Jesus demonstrated this idea so well through the years of his public life.  He basically told us, if you can’t see God in your sisters and brothers—in the poor, the downtrodden, the forgotten, you won’t ever recognize God anywhere else!—that is, God as God truly is!  Scripture scholar, Diane Bergant has said of today’s gospel— people in Jesus’ time went to the mountains to find God—“Life today is a mountain experience of God.” I would add once again, Jesus taught us, by his life, the truth of Bergant’s words—all of life is an experience of God of we have “eyes to see and ears to hear.”

Let us pray friends for the strength and wisdom to move into our world, confident more often than not, that those we meet are a reflection of our loving God, or at least have that potential and demand the best they have to give, especially if they want to “lead our country!”  Let us pray too for the faith, coupled with strength to more often than not, “get out of our boats” of comfort, doing what must be done, saying what must be said for the good of all! Amen? Amen!

Prayers of the Faithful– Response:   “Jesus, be with us.”

  1. For our community, All Are One, continue to send your Spirit upon us to enable us to be an inclusive community, open and welcoming to all, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”
  1. For each of us here and for our entire Church, help us to respond with love and care to each and every person we meet, each and every day, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

3. For all who are suffering here today or in our wider community, be it in body, mind           or  spirit, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

  1. For our brothers and sisters in our country who are suffering from the manifestations of nature—especially in California, from the fires and from hurricanes and tornadoes in the east—be with each one and give them your deep and abiding peace to know that somehow, all will be well, we pray—Response:  “Jesus, be with us.”

5.  For our world and its people, that we might begin to study earnestly the ways of                  peace and then do whatever is necessary to turn our backs on the ways of war                    and conflict, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

6.  For each of us today—we ask for the grace to model Jesus in our lives, by                              extending loving mercy, kindness, goodness, and justice to all that we meet each                  and every day, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

  1.  Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, from Covid 19, and all other afflictions—give them your peace, be with those our friends and relatives who are newly bereaved to find their way through their grief, we pray—           Response:  “Jesus, be with us.”

8.  Jesus, give us great faith to be able to get out of our boats of comfort and live lives               reflective of you, we pray—Response: “Jesus, be with us.”

***Let us pray for your particular needs—you may say them aloud, then response

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—pause, then response

Let Us Pray–Good and Gracious God, you have called us to be people of faith, hope and trust. In Jesus, you have modeled a lifestyle of justice for all your people—give us the wisdom to see the bigger picture of life that always must ask the question—is this of God?—is God praised by my particular action—today. Help us to be people who show your love, mercy, gentleness and compassion for our world. All this we ask in Jesus’ wonderful name, with you our Creator and in the guidance of the Spirit, one God who lives with us and loves us forever and ever—Amen.

Let Us Pray—again, we remember that our brother Jesus is always with us and in these times when we can’t be together to receive the physical bread and wine—his body and blood, let us find him in new and wonderful ways.

Prayer after Communion

Jesus, may your presence , within us , keep us faithful to the work of love in your world—we ask this of you who loves each of us, forever and ever, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homily – 18th Sunday in [Extra Ordinary Time in a Pandemic

/ kredig

Dear Friends–this week we are gifted with a fine homily by Pastor Dick Dahl–thank you Dick! We continue in this time of pandemic, unable to be together, physically, but as always, remain together in our hearts and in our prayers for each other. We are still basking “in the glow” of our Zoom liturgy last Sunday and look forward to our next such gathering on Sunday, August 30, 2020! If you weren’t able to be with us last week, we hope you will consider joining us in August.  I am hoping that this finds all of you well–do stay safe!  Peace and love, Pastor Kathy

P.S. If I can be of help or you would just like to chat during this time of pandemic, do call–507-429-3616 or email me, aaorcc2008@gmail.com.

Entrance Antiphon

Loving God, come to my help—quickly give me assistance.  You are the one who helps me and sets me free:  Do not be long in coming.

Let Us Pray

Opening Prayer

Creator God, gifts without measure flow from your goodness to bring us your peace. Our life is your gift.  Guide our life’s journey, for only your love makes us whole.  Keep us strong in your love. We ask this of you, with the Spirit and in Jesus’ wonderful name, one God, living and loving us forever and ever. Amen

Readings:

  • Isaiah 55: 1-3
  • Romans 8:35, 37-39
  • Matthew 14: 13-21

Homily–from Dick Dahl

The Church gives us some very uplifting readings today, something we need at this time, one might say that we hunger and thirst for. The first is from the last part of the book of Isaiah and was likely written during or even after the Israelites were in exile in Babylon (modern day Iraq). Instead of warnings, the person writing this in the spirit of Isaiah gives promises and encouragement. “All you who are thirsty, come to the water. Only listen to me, says the Lord, and you will be satisfied. Why spend your money for what is an illusion, what is not bread, for things that do not satisfy. Pay attention and come to me that you may have life.”

Last Sunday we celebrated the life of our sister in Christ Mary from Magdala. Having been cured by Jesus from a severe possession that would likely be seen today as some form of mental illness rather than demons, Mary served him with love and courage, even to the frightening foot of the cross where in the midst of his tormentors she offered him all she could, her presence.

This past Thursday, another faithful follower of Jesus was buried, John Lewis. Instead of suffering from possession by demons or mental illness, John Lewis was born the grandson of slaves and the child of poor sharecroppers in Alabama. What he lacked in material wealth or social status, God more than made up for in the faith and love that deeply took root in his heart, so that he endured, even when again and again he faced brutal beatings from people who viciously hated him, a black man,  for seeking justice, equal rights under the law. What amazes me even more than his courage, is that he endured these humiliations and pain without hating his attackers. Somehow his continuing faith in Jesus gave him this unfailing strength of love. What a gift to us John Lewis has been! He was not a plaster saint. He was one of us, a man who loved to laugh and dance, and simultaneously was an unflagging witness for justice and for love.

Life wasn’t easy for John and he did not expect it to be for anybody else. But he said, “When you see any form of injustice, say something, do something.” “If you love the Beloved Community, move your feet.” If necessary, “make good trouble.” In 1963 he proclaimed, “We cannot stop and we will not be patient.” He was a realist but always optimistic and emphasized, “Do not get lost in a sea of despair; never, ever give up.” The same day John was buried, NASA launched a lander to Mars named “Perseverance.” How fitting.

John was imbued with the same Spirit that moved St. Paul who also experienced beatings, betrayal and imprisonments. Paul gave us the powerful message in the second reading today in his letter to the Romans: “If God is for us, who can be against us? What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or peril, or the sword? I am convinced that neither; death, nor life, not present things, nor future things, nor any creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The source of such strength is not from us.  It is what Isaiah promised, what kept Saint Paul and John Lewis going.  John wrote, “In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way 0f peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.” This love is offered to us as well. What then can separate us from the love of Christ?

As I said at the beginning we have been given uplifting readings today, so let’s now turn to the Gospel reading from Matthew. It is helpful to first read the eight verses that precede this reading. They describe John the Baptist being arrested, bound and put in prison. John had courageously criticized and condemned the abuses of power in society, spoken truth to power, including to Herod. Like the Isis terrorists in recent years, Herod not only had John killed, but decapitated. When news of this came to Jesus and likely to John’s many followers as well, Jesus went away to this remote and desolate area referred to in the Gospel as a desert, but the crowds followed him, in his and likely their shared grief.

I’m not accustomed to thinking of today’s gospel reading in this context, but what do people feel a need to do when a loved one has died? They come together, and they do so over food, to find healing and support from each other to go on. The Gospel reading describes a enormous mass of people coming to Jesus. To emphasize the size of the crowd, it is described as 5,000 men and perhaps an equal or even greater number of women and children. We don’t know how what is described happened, but let’s take from the account what we can.

His disciples realized it was getting late, they had relatively no food for a crowd of this enormous size, but there was time for people to disperse to neighboring villages. Jesus, however, asked them what they had and then said, “There is no need for them to go away, feed them yourselves.”

On its face this makes no sense. That is, if we focus only on what they had. The disciples could not satisfy the crowds’ hunger until they gave Jesus all they had—a meager five loaves and two fish. It is not the meager resources we have that count, but what Jesus can do with these resources when we give all we have to him.

This reminds me again of John Lewis. What did he have? A Harvard education? No. Wealth? No. Political power? No. He had what God gave him, an abiding love for others that was not some sentimental and weak response. John demonstrated the power of love that Paul told the early Christians in Rome that God gives each of us. And with that gift, the unexpected can and does happen. The sharecroppers’ son became a national hero, a living example of courage and love for friends and foes alike. In a similar way, Jesus’ disciples could not feed the crowds with what they had, yet he told them ‘Feed them yourselves” and somehow they did. The impossible becomes possible when one lets Christ fill his and her heart and guide her and his actions.

Jesus is turning to each of us, as it were, saying, Do what needs to be done, even if it seems impossible, even when it is beyond your comfort zone and your ability. If you trust the Spirit, take one step and then another, and then another. John Lewis quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “We are all complicit when we tolerate injustice.”  He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.”  John Lewis tells us, “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.

“You must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time. People on every continent have stood in your shoes, through decades and centuries before you. The truth does not change, and that is why the answers worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time. Continue to build union between movements stretching across the globe because we must put away our willingness to profit from the exploitation of others.”

John never believed that what he had done was more than what any ordinary citizen can do if we are willing to persevere. Jesus is calling us and enabling us to do what needs to be done. This is not likely to surrender our bodies to beatings and snarling police dogs, but it is to move our feet, to do what is within our power to do. It is to support candidates for office who advocate for policies of justice—affordable healthcare for all that is not dependent on the amount of money in a person’s bank account. Safety for people seeking asylum from terror, respect for the environment, adequate funding for education, reform of the judicial system that must protect and serve all citizens, not terrorize them. The list goes on, but it involves studying the issues and the candidates, and above all voting. Jesus told his disciples to do what seemed impossible, beyond their resources. But it was accomplished. Jesus is calling us to act at this time, calling us to trust that we are not alone when we take the next steps that the Spirit empowers us to take in the pursuit of justice, justice for all.

John Lewis ended his last message to us: “So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.”

Prayers of the Faithful

Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer”

  1. Loving God, guide our lives, help us to see the folly in chasing after things—help us to live balanced lives, we pray—Response: “Jesus our brother, hear our prayer”
  1. Loving God, be with all your people around our beautiful world—assist all of us to turn from war and conflict and embrace peace, we pray—

Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer”

  1. Loving God, give each of us health of body, mind and spirit–especially those struggling with life—threatening illnesses—give each one your strength and wonderful gift of peace, we pray—

Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer”

  1. O God, help us to be true followers of Jesus, the Christ, who modeled for us so well, working for justice for all, guided by love for self and others, we pray—

Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer”

  1. For our community, All Are One, give us welcoming hearts to be open to all who come to us, and inspire us in new ways to reach out  to those most in need of our ministry, after the model of Jesus and John Lewis, we pray—

Response: “Jesus our Brother, hear our prayer”

  1. Loving Jesus, be with all families who have lost loved ones this week, the family of John Lewis and all those who have lost due to Covid 19—give them your peace, that they may find their way through their grief, we pray—

Response:  “Jesus, our brother, hear our prayer.”

***Let us pray for your particular needs—you may say them aloud—then response

***Let us pray for the silent petitions on our hearts—pause—then response

Let Us Pray

Good and gentle God, our source of all strength and wisdom.  We ask that you would give us peace—filled and loving hearts—the energy to always seek after peace through the gifts of lovingkindness, and justice, founded on mercy.  Help us to remember that our real task in this world as followers of Jesus, our brother, is to love your people and this world.  We especially ask for the strength and courage to, “speak up” when we see injustice in our midst, modeling the exemplary life of our brother, John Lewis. We ask that we might have the perseverance as he did for this great task.   All this we ask of you, Jesus, our Brother and Friend, and with the Spirit, all, one God, living and loving us, forever and ever—AMEN.

Let Us Pray—Again, we are called to “image” Jesus with us at all times and to share that image, which is love with all we encounter.

Prayer after Communion

Jesus our brother, you give us the strength of new life by the knowledge that you are always with us.  Protect us with your love and help us to always follow in your footsteps.  We ask this in your wonderful name, Amen.

 

Homily – Mary of Magdala – First Zoom Mass!

/ kredig

Dear Friends, about 30 people participated in our first ever Zoom liturgy yesterday–it was so great to see each other again through a bit of technology.  My great thanks to all our technicians, readers, musicians and our wonderful community for making this joy-filled opportunity available to those who were able to join.  Hopefully, by our next Zoom Mass scheduled for August 30, 2020; we can get some problems worked out for some who couldn’t get on for one reason or another. I have sent the mass script from yesterday already and now today, the homily is included. I do have a taped copy of the mass from yesterday that I can send on line–if you would like to view it–please request that and I will send it out.  For now then, hoping this finds you staying well and peace-filled–love to all of you, Pastor Kathy

Homily

My friends, if my view of history is correct, this is our 10th Mary of Magdala celebration—since we began in 2010 with this annual celebration of Mary and all women, missing only the year that Robert and I journeyed to Alaska after my retirement.

Mary of Magdala is a wonderful model for women and for men—I add the men for it seems that if the hierarchy within our Church and its priests could be more like her and by extension—all men—our Church would truly flourish.

What do I mean by that? Mary of Magdala knew her heart and because of knowing her heart, which in the end, is all about love; she found her voice to share the Good News of her brother in faith, and her friend, Jesus.

Those who are apt to bypass the condemnation of Mary in the first centuries of the Church, as a prostitute and look deeper, have discovered that she probably suffered from a mental illness and in the past, this was called, “being possessed by devils,” of which Jesus freed her.  Only those among us who have in fact suffered a mental illness, or depression that is debilitating, or still do, can truly understand the gratitude she would have felt in being finally freed of such a torment.

And we cannot truly remember Mary of Magdala without also remembering the attempt by past Church fathers to lump all the Marys in Scripture into a composite with the stand-out characteristic being, that she was a prostitute.  In this way, she would not be remembered until very recent times for who she truly was; prophet, priest and apostle to the apostles.

Mary of Magdala is someone who calls each of us as Jesus’ followers to our best selves—to knowing our hearts, which means we will always present to our world and its people the face of love, instead of our heads and the rule of law.  As we have always said in this community; we need laws to guide our path, but not at the expense of love.  If love fails to be served in any situation of law, then there is something wrong with the law.

A current example of this is my invitation to you, today, if you wish, and I underscore that, if you wish, to have bread and wine with you for our Mass, through the Zoom technology and as we pray the words together at the Consecration, as we always do when we can physically be together, from our “collective altars,” Jesus will be present in a tangible way from my altar to yours through our collective eyes of faith.

This will be “different” yes, than when we are together—but in these extraordinary times that show no let-up any time in the future, it came to me, through my thought and prayer, that this was the most loving thing to do, albeit against  the laws that say it can’t be done. If we on this side of the screen were to receive the physical body and blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine, I wanted you to have that opportunity as well.  And please know that if you choose not to accept this invitation for whatever reason; that is perfectly OK.

A final word on this invitation is to reiterate that this is for a special time while we can’t be together, or in other words, the Zoom Masses and this invitation are only for this extraordinary time.

Now back to Mary of Magdala…In Jesus’ time, women were expected to keep silence and their opinions were generally not thought much of in public.  When Mary reported to the male apostles that, “She had seen the Lord!—had seen the Teacher,” their response was pathetic—they didn’t believe her and had to go and see for themselves!  And today, like this ages’ old response in Jesus’ time, the hierarchical response of men in positions of power in our beloved Church is to, not believe as well—not believe that the God they purport to follow could actually call a woman to be a priest or to lead in any significant way!

So my friends; we meet today to remember a valiant woman—one who led with her heart—with courage and truth, always keeping the path clear that followed in her friend, mentor and savior’s footsteps. That is all, really, that any of us need do in our world of 2020 to be able to say with conviction that we follow Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ—lead with our heart.

In conclusion, as we have already shared Sister Joan Chittister’s Litany of Women for the Church—who by the way, is a prophet in her own right—I wanted to include in my ending, her assessment of who Mary of Magdala is for our Church:

“Mary Magdalene is, no doubt about it, an important icon for the twenty-first century. 

She calls women to listen to the call of the Christ over the call of the church.

She calls men to listen for the call of the Christ in the messages of women.

She calls women to courage and men to humility.

She calls all of us to faith and fortitude, to unity and universalism, to a Christianity that rises above sexism, a religion that transcends the idolatry of maleness, a commitment to the things of God that surmount every obstacle and surpasses every system. 

 Mary Magdalene is a shining light of hope, a disciple of Christ, a model of the wholeness of life, in a world whose name is despair and in a church whose vision is yet, still, even now, partial.”  When we reflect on these words, I think you can see why Mary of Magdala is a wonderful model for all, men as well as women.

Finally then my friends, you, as I, have probably reflected on some of the public broadcasting material remembering this year as the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote.  Some younger women today, who don’t know the story of how our great “grandmothers” in history fought, to get the vote, show that they don’t fully appreciate the gift these valiant women gave to us, when they don’t exercise this wonderful right and vote.

In one of the PBS presentations that I watched, a statement is made, “Women were given the vote!” to which a woman responds, “We were given nothing; we took it!”  This truth, spoken out loud, like Mary of Magdala’s truth, spoken out loud, “I have seen the Lord, I have seen the Teacher,” whether that truth is accepted or not, does not diminish the importance of it being said.

Change that makes us all more equal, free, heard and appreciated is worth pursuing, like our country’s struggle now to address systemic racism.  We all have a part to play in these great causes; for women, for all those used and  abused in any way and Mary of Magdala is a great model to follow—for us, like her, “We have seen the Lord” and must respond! Amen? Amen!