Happy Easter Friends—this is a day of joy and “Alleluia” truly is our song!  There is much mystery around this feast—we accept the resurrection of our brother Jesus on faith for the most part.  In modern times, our time, we might use the term, “magical” to explain what the Scriptures present as truth.  For us who have believed all of our lives, perhaps this isn’t much of a stretch—or perhaps we don’t even question the story that on Good Friday, our brother and friend, Jesus of Nazareth was put to death through the will of the powers-that-were at that time in Church and State, and that on Sunday, he rose to new life.  I believe to truly get the importance of what Easter was for those alive when Jesus was, we have to try and put ourselves in their shoes, so to speak. 

   Jesus’ apostles, when they could get their heads, and better yet, their hearts around what was truly happening, would recall that their rabbi, their brother had told them that indeed, after his death, he would “arise” in three days.  And having never experienced a resurrection, they had nothing to compare it with.  They all witnessed Jesus bringing Lazarus, “back to life,” and when he came out of the tomb, with his burial wrappings still on, and the same were removed, they recognized him. 

   Now, going back to the Scriptures, we read that those who saw Jesus, in his new life, didn’t recognize him until he spoke familiar words, or performed familiar actions, that would show his identity. 

   In John’s gospel today, in the longer version, Mary Magdala—Mary, the Tower of Faith, knew her friend and rabbi only when she heard him say her name, “Mary” in only the way that he would say it.  Another Easter reading tells us of Jesus, walking with others on the way to Emmaus, and of them not recognizing him until he stopped, at their home,  and “broke bread with them”—something that he commonly did with his followers. 

   So, my friends, it is good for us, who have heard these stories so many times, perhaps not even, really hearing them, to understand that what Mary, Peter, John, and the others witnessed was something entirely new to them—something out of this world! 

   And it is precisely for this reason that John’s account of what he and Peter found upon entering the empty tomb, is so revealing.  Remembering that the dead in Jesus’ time weren’t embalmed, but simply, “washed, and wrapped with spices” and put into a tomb, John’s account of finding the burial wrappings in one place, and the face covering neatly folded in another place, doesn’t speak of a grave robbing, as the Jewish hierarchy feared.  Someone stealing a dead body would hardly unwrap it first for obvious reasons. 

   John is trying to tell us, in so many words, that what they found in the empty tomb, was something out of the ordinary—Jesus had truly risen—whatever that meant to them!  John simply says, “they saw and believed!” Alleluia! 

   The other very important human notion for all of us to understand, more than 2,000+ years later, is how bereft and saddened Jesus’ followers felt.  We all within our community here can understand these truly human feelings as we grieve the loss of friends and family who have passed on. And just as we can still, hardly believe that someone is gone, once they die, Jesus’ followers felt the same.  For many, he was the answer to a lifetime of prayers.  Many saw him as their “King,” in the very best sense of that word — someone who would defend them against their enemies –bring peace to their land.  Even though we, in our time have a very negative view of the idea of a “king,” there were good kings in history who cared for all their people. 

   Also, the idea that Jesus hadn’t been vanquished by death was a new concept for his followers to understand.  So, if Jesus wasn’t someone who would rout out their human enemies, what was his earthly purpose?

   They would go back to this earthly question again and again until they fully understood.  Some of what they came to know is laid out quite well in today’s Scriptures. 

   The first reading from Acts, speaks about a Roman centurion, a Gentile, named Cornelius, whom Peter is speaking with, sharing the message of Jesus, the Christ—a message that Peter comes to know was truly meant for all people, all who would listen.  These first apostles came to know that Jesus’ true purpose in coming to be one-with-us, was not about “power over” others, but more so, “power for” –strength, goodness, justice, for all. 

   The 2^nd reading, Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth, speaks about this “new way” to be in our world, for ourselves and others, in a way that the people would truly understand, and for present-day, “bread makers” as well. 

   Paul uses the idea of “yeast” and how just a little bit in a measure of flour, causes the dough to rise—to grow.  The effect that yeast has, can bring about good, as well as bad, in the case of when the yeast has gone flat. We know throughout Scripture that Jesus always wants us to take the message a bit deeper.  If we start with the “dough” of goodness and truth, that is what will grow and multiply.  Likewise, if our “dough” is made up of selfishness, unkindness, injustice, power over others, that is what will grow.  I think we see this, unfortunately in our world today.

   Our brother Jesus came for one purpose—to show us how to live and to love and to grow and share that goodness with others throughout our one, beautiful, human life.  And in that sense, he becomes our savior! It would seem that when we all, each one of us learn how to do that, we will have realized that “heaven” is here, now!  Alleluia!  This year, we watched Jesus of Nazareth, by Franco Zefferelli, throughout Holy Week, and in one section, Jesus is trying to help the people he is teaching understand that what they long for, the [kin-dom], is here, now, if they can but recognize it!

   In closing my friends, just a word about why I always use the longer version of the resurrection narrative from John.  If we had stopped at verse 9, as the universal Catholic church does today, instead of going on through verse 18, we would have missed the most beautiful encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdala, the “Tower of Faith” (true meaning of “magdala”).

   In this day and age, within our Church, where the hierarchy seems to feel that women do not “image” Christ, Jesus gives the lie to that notion! Easter calls us all, my friends, “to be our best,” in the footsteps of Jesus! The “kin-dom,” which actually was what Jesus came to establish in deference to a “kingdom,” comes when we realize that we have the power to make it so, now! And, in light of these words, I would challenge, our bishop, Robert Barron, to reconsider his silence this past week in standing by the president of our country at an Easter luncheon where the president was praised and likened to our brother Jesus, and this was done as the spewed hate and meanness toward officials in the state of Minnesota, that Bishop Barron supposedly leads. It is time that he became the prophet he was anointed to be. Amen? Amen!  Alleluia!   

Friends, as you can see, our liturgical space is very stark today—no candles, altar coverings, or liturgical drapes.  We are bereft as this day marks the physical death of our brother, Jesus. Also, we each have those on our hearts from the parish who have died, Mary Paszkiewicz, Shannon Hanzel, Bob Sherman, Cathy and Eric Bartleson, Warren Galbus, and this day is the 11^th anniversary of his death, Carol shared with me.  Also, we remember Giles Schmid, and Michael Maher.

   When a loved one dies, we can feel sad, and lost, maybe even some relief that their suffering is over.  So that we might consider what it would be like not to have Jesus, along with others in our lives, the Church’s request to sit with this sadness for a time seems most appropriate.

   It is important for us to remember that Jesus’ death was part of his life, just as our deaths one day will be part of ours. You will recall that at the beginning of Lent, we were blessed with ashes and heard, “Remember that you came from the good earth, and will return there one day.”

   And for Jesus—death and resurrection go hand-in-hand.  We know this from our own lives—there are “dyings and risings”—there are losses to grieve, pains to bear, relationships that will end., through death, through ignorance.  But the good news is that in all of this “dying,” certainly things we would not choose, just as Jesus in his humanity didn’t relish the agony in the garden, the trial—all the abuse and the horrible death, his and our loving God would be with him in his human experience—all of it and for us as well!

   In addition to the actual, permanent losses, our human lives include other “dyings and risings”— and some are, heaven-on-earth experiences. We all have them.   And they often flow out of the losses—the dying.  Losing good friends, losing a home and a community that we loved, and then the realization after a loss that somehow, we made it through that awful time and that we hadn’t been alone—our God was with us in friends and family that were near and helped us out. We may have become aware on the other side of the pain that it was only God’s grace that got us through.  And if we are patient and faithful and willing, we find new friends, a more uplifting job, a better, if different home, and a new community. 

    And then, at the end of our lives is the experience of heaven—we don’t know what that will be like, we can only imagine as we recall the words of Scripture, “None of us knows what God has planned for those who have loved God in this life!”

   Good Friday and remembering our brother Jesus’ death also reminds us of those who have completed their earthly journeys from among our families and friends, others not from this community, but of our hearts.  May they rest in peace now as we all look forward one day to that eternal life that Jesus has prepared for us through his life, death, and resurrection.  We pray too for all the suffering around our world, from power, greed, and ignorance, even within our Church from those in power who want to frame our God as Someone who demands our repentance, and forgetting that our God is one of over-the-top mercy and love.  It seems that Jesus continues “to die” within our country and world, every day, because we often react in small ways that exclude and separate rather than following our brother Jesus, who always included and brought people together—found a way.  Our prayer today can be that all who are suffering in any way come to know peace and many blessings soon. I know that each of you pray daily, as do I, for our country, our world, and for servant leaders to come forward – soon, to help us be more whole, more healthy, more concerned about all the people. 

   Looking to the Scriptures today, John’s gospel is always used on Good Friday because it gives us a different focus than the other accounts from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We  remember from Palm Sunday and Luke’s passion account that his focus was placed not so much on the detail of the suffering, but more on its meaning for each of us as depicted in Paul’s reading to the Philippians— “his state was divine, yet he did not cling to it, but became as each one of us. A few years back, in the last year of his papacy,  Pope Francis was pictured in a poncho and in a wheel chair, that some criticized, but others thought very appropriate in that he “looked like one of us!”

   In John’s account today, we simply heard Jesus say, in regard to his own personal needs, “I am thirsty.” His concern isn’t for himself but for his apostles—that they would be set free. When he does die, he simply, “gives up his spirit.” We very much get the impression that John is trying to give; of Jesus being in control of all that is happening to him. He had the power to avail himself to what this Friday in history, that we have come to call, “good” brought him, and he accepted his fate with no complaint.  As Isaiah said in the first reading, he did not cry out, even though he was badly abused.

   Even with all the suffering Jesus endured, we see only the silence with which he carried himself, so the silence built into today’s service is again, very appropriate.  Isaiah gives the truth to this notion as well— “you were like a lamb led to slaughter and didn’t open your mouth.” 

   John’s account does not include the purely human moments of the Last Supper or the agony in the garden.   John shows us Jesus as one who suffers, yes, but one who is truly the “high priest” spoken of today in the letter to the Hebrews—one who stands with us and loves us in all our weaknesses, continually calling us to be more.  We often pray that our pain might be taken away and that doesn’t often happen, but we can be sure that Jesus is truly walking with us in whatever comes because he said as much before leaving his physical existence behind. 

   The evangelist goes on to tell us that because Jesus freely chooses death, he can just as freely choose life—the new life of the resurrection. This is our hope in Jesus— to one day, do the same. In this springtime of the year, the idea of the Resurrection is one we can get our hearts around—out of the cold and damp ground comes so much life.

   Again, I wanted you to know that I shortened Isaiah’s reading, leaving out all the references of Jesus, “dying for our sins” as these concentrate on a God who apparently “needs” reparation for the sins of humankind.  I believe many within our Church, theologians included, have moved beyond a God who would ask such a price from a son.  This type of God, needing repentance was not the God that Jesus preached about when he spoke of the Prodigal returning to his father’s waiting arms, or the Good Shepherd who left the 99 in search of the lost one.  These actions of Jesus are the very ones that we, as his followers must try to replicate in our lives – not always easy, but necessary. 

   Jesus knew that his actions, his speech—declaring justice for all, speaking against the practices of his Jewish faith that didn’t go deep enough, and the state of Rome would cause him to pay the highest price for his so-called treason—death on a cross, and freely chose that. We need not look for someone to blame —God, the Jews, the Romans.  Jesus chose life to the fullest, living from his heart, and he paid the price for not going along with the status quo, for not remaining silent as so many seem to be doing in our world today. There is much talk today about DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion, and a trend in our country by some, to say that these things are not important.  These modern terms, simply put, are all about Jesus’ call “to love,” when easy, and not so easy. 

   As we live through Holy Week with our brother, Jesus, recounting the steps and recalling his life of love for us—even unto death, let us remember friends, if nothing else, that we are loved. Our God wants only good for us in life and offered his life for us to prove that. Can we really do any less than love this God of ours in return?   And we love God my friends when we love each other, our world, and all created life.  May God bless you all during this the holiest of weeks as we live, love, die, and remember! Amen? Amen!

My friends, today, as I said in the bulletin for this week, brings us to the start of the “holiest” of weeks in our Church Year.  Unlike Christmastime, which serves as the “happiest” time for churchgoers as it somehow allows us to do and say what is unsaid and undone the rest of the year – it calls forth our childlike natures and tendencies. 

   But Holy Week calls us to something else, to perhaps, “adulthood” in our faith—and perhaps this is why many of us shy away from its rigors—it commitments, calling us toward being our best—commitments we said our personal “yeses” to at our confirmations.  Responding to these commitments throughout our lives, is, let’s face it, not always easy—in fact, seldom easy. 

   If we reflect on the Scriptures for today, we see the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  The people shouted, “Blessed is the One who comes…Hosanna to the Son of David[!]” The joy of this day in Jesus’ ministry, does, as a family member said recently, fall apart, at least in human reaction by week’s end, culminating in his physical death on Good Friday.  And if we were to stop there, we would be truly looking at a very sad week. 

   But our faith tells us that death is not the end—for Jesus, or for us—new life follows on Easter in a way that we can’t truly understand through our humanity, but only through our faith.  And because “the cross” is not the end, nor even the reason that brought Jesus into our world, I have begun to question whether the “empty cross” with the “white drapes” signifying that Jesus has risen is the best symbol for Easter, as some religious cards depict.  In other words, “the cross” should not, in my mind, be the outstanding image, but maybe just one of the images. 

   I am one for whom, “hope springs eternal,” as I believe are many of you.  The sadness that is part of this week in the life of our brother Jesus is a forerunner for our lives walking in his footsteps. The drama unfolded during this holiest of weeks, is not just about Jesus’ life, but about ours as well. If his precious story is simply “words on a page” with no connection to our own lives, then we would have missed the significance of these events. Jesus came to show us how to live our lives and when, especially, the hard times come, we are invited to ask him to walk with us and help us to live these moments well.  Modern day stations of the cross are reflective of this idea as they allow us to see that Jesus’ sufferings continue in our day and call us to do what we can to eliminate that suffering. Many people around our city and country stood physically yesterday with others, some were there in spirit to say, what they don’t want for our country and instead, what they do want.

   These past 40 days have found many of you carrying your own personal crosses, through responding to sudden illness and hospitalization for yourselves or a family member, caring for a needy loved one, coming to terms with life-changing events within your families, moves, down-sizing, and even death.  The new life that Easter brings can be ours as it was for Jesus through our faith, as faith is something we can’t always explain, just as is life at times – but faith in something outside ourselves, in the good we see in each other, gives us the hope that life can be better.

   Our faith calls us to keep our eyes on Easter, at the end of sometimes, very long, dark, tunnels. We in our All Are One community have been companions for all who are hurting of late through many of life’s occurrences and that gives us the assurance that others will stand by us in our need.

   The beautiful Philippians’ reading about Jesus today indeed shows us the way—it is not about power, fame, who we know, but about being a servant, to others, yes, but to ourselves as well – it’s about balance.   

   An issue that was lifted up for me this past week in line with the discussion of being a “servant,” was a documentary on the Philadelphia 11,  about women’s priestly ordination within the Episcopal church back in the 1970’s, and being that we have Kay and Tyler here with us today working on a similar documentary on women’s ordination within the Catholic church, the topic of the Philadelphia 11 seemed appropriate.

   I recalled hearing of these women proclaiming their truth about God calling them individually to priesthood, well before I personally heard the same call, but I realize they were forerunners for me and other women to “answer” in like ways. 

   In watching this documentary and hearing the women’s individual stories, I was stunned, but ultimately not surprised at how these Episcopal women were treated, and of how their struggles were the same as what Catholic women, and others seeking priestly ordination in church denominations traditionally ruled over by men experienced. And it should be remembered that these women were already ordained deacons!

   Some of the male priests’ comments to the 1974 ordinations were appalling in their arrogance. The ordinations were done publicly by valid bishops open to ordaining women, unlike the first Catholic women’s ordinations in 2002 that were done more in secret.  One male priest commented that ordained women deacons were always intended to be in second place, as associates to men.  He went on to delineate other “appropriate” roles for women, as wives, mothers, sexual partners. 

   This particular man’s greatest concern was what we would “call” these women, as they couldn’t be called “father.”  And further, he said, Jesus had made it clear, in calling God, “father” that this role was intended only for men!  This is precisely why  I and other women priests and female theologians encourage not reading the Scriptures literally.  Certainly, God is not male, nor female for that matter, but more than likely, a wonderful combination of both, and more. 

   So, my friends, as I said, with Kay and Tyler here today, filming to “tell a story that needs telling,” as Kay has said to me, I made this homily a bit longer to share about the courageous Philadelphia 11.

   Let me conclude today with just a couple of thoughts from today’s readings.  The prophet Isaiah shows us the “way to go” in continuing the work of our brother, Jesus – “God has given us ears to hear and voices to speak.”  No guarantee that it will be easy.  Even Jesus, in the garden prayed in his humanity, “if it is possible, let this cup pass me by.” In all that life brings us friends, especially in the hard times, it is important to remember that Jesus doubted too – so asking him to stand with us is a good choice, as he will understand… Jesus relied on God for strength, and so should we!

   I would invite each of you to sit with the reality of the coming week as we remember – of how much we each is loved by God who sent Jesus to show us the way. Reflecting this week on the second reading from Philippians especially, which we will hear again on Good Friday is a very good place to start.  Reflecting on Jesus’ human journey, reminds us that, as we pray for better times, God is sending us to be the leaders that are needed now!  Amen? Amen!

   My friends, as always, our intent here, each week is to be in line with the Catholic church universal in its choice of readings, even when we may not always agree with the message being put forth, and it then becomes, “a teachable moment,” to address.  With that in mind, I would call attention to the gospel choice from John today in the raising of Lazarus from the dead. 

   Those of you who have attended our Mary Magdala celebrations on the farm the past few years will recognize that the gospel as written and used today is in error.  The raising of Lazarus is correct, but the prophetic words in this version spoken by Martha are really taken “out of Mary’s mouth” and put into Martha’s!  In the past few years new exegesis has been uncovered showing that some “toying” with this text was done to downplay the prophetic words of Mary – the same words spoken by Peter, that indeed, “Jesus is the Christ!” Being that this homily is going in a different direction, I felt it was best to use the text as written, and we will address this other issue at our summer Mary Magdala celebration – I merely wanted you to know that I hadn’t forgotten. 

   Today’s readings, if we are looking for a theme, are about “living in the Spirit,” and of course, that begs the question, what are those things in our human lives that keep us from “living in the Spirit,” or simply put, “being our best?”

   Do we try to keep a balance between law and love in our daily actions?  In other words, are we regularly more faithful to the law to obey, or the law to love?  It comes down to the heart over the head. 

   On the national/international stage, Pope Leo XIV gives us two examples: one positive, one not so positive on living out of our hearts rather than our heads.  In a positive, prophetic tone, Leo has courageously addressed the current administration in Washington around the issues of migration, the war in Iran, and the lack of diplomacy in working with other world leaders.  This takes much strength of character and grace to take on an administration touting many Catholic individuals and challenging them to better than they are doing. 

   The less than positive example of Pope Leo’s ministry in the Church comes from Catholic Renewal International (CCRI), who are challenging the pope about, “gathering the bishops to discuss, ‘in the Spirit,’ without inviting the people as less than “synodal.”  They are basically telling the pontiff, “The world is changing and if the hierarchy continues to turn a deaf ear, this Church will become less and less relevant.”  On the issue of making rulings “on the family,” CCRI states that it is simply wrong to not involve the people and hear their stories.

   Now, my friends, I lift up these two examples of Pope Leo doing what his baptism and role call him to, and where he isn’t doing what he should, because we the people should be able to look to our leaders for, “the way to go.” 

   And you might ask, how do we know that any particular action that we witness another doing, or we consider doing ourselves is about, “what is best,” from the “heart” primarily, as opposed to simply the “head?”  Somewhere along my own journey toward “what is best” –  what is true, what is good, I came upon the statement, “if it is from God, there will be peace.”  Those words have served me well throughout my life.  And this isn’t to say that our decision to act in a certain way will be free from fear – because we may more times than not, have to stand alone in this “good action” – but all in all, there should be peace. 

  At the beginning of this homily I said today’s readings are basically about, “living in the Spirit.”  Ezekiel tells us quite succinctly that [God] “will put [God’s] breath in [us and we] will live.”  Paul, in his letter to the Romans confirms this fact, and I paraphrase, the Spirit of God is with us, making all things new. 

   My friends, each year during Lent, our true task is to remember that our God loved us so much so as to send us our brother Jesus to very simply, “show us the way” – nothing more, nothing less.  Unfortunately, too many within our Church hierarchy and that of other Christian denominations attempt still, to confuse us with messages of, “God sending Jesus to die the ignominious death on the cross, as if to make up for our failings as humans. 

   I believe that at one time in our sacred, and holy history, this reason was enough for most of us, and it enabled us to “beat our breasts” for 40 days with no complaints.  With modern exegesis, we learned that in holding onto such a small “theology” we missed a much more expansive and better one – once again, our God simply loved us – does love us, and Jesus was all about, “giving us that good example” in living – in loving, to follow. 

   Jesus left us his Spirit so that we would never feel alone, or without the strength when we try “to be our best,” and especially, when no one stands with us.  I am presently reading one of Diana Butler Bass’ books, A People’s History of Christianity, and I will conclude today with the words of an early father of the Church, Clement of Alexandria who lived during the late 2^nd and early 3^rd  Centuries:  “ The Logos [or word] of God (the way the 2^nd person of the Trinity was often spoken of) had become [human] so that [we] might learn how a [human] may become God.” 

   Clement and others lifted up this message because they wanted to stress, “human capacities [for good] rather than consigning humanity to an endless cycle of evil that can only be escaped.”  Jesus, in his humanity said the same, and showed us all what we are capable of.

   May we each, in the remaining days of Lent, see our God as one who has and will continue to love us in an over-the-top way.  Amen? Amen!

Dear Friends,

If you are in the Winona area reading this, you have seen lightening and now steady snow and blowing. We of course won’t be meeting this morning for Mass, so you can stay home and be safe. Hopefully the power can stay on and you can stay in any simply enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature! Blessings to all! I have included the homily for your use and the readings were included in the bulletin on Friday. As always, if I can help you in any way, never hesitate to call, or email.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

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My friends, Mother Nature is keeping us from being together this week, so I am submitting these possible words of wisdom – my and the Spirit’s thoughts on the chosen readings. 

   Our Scripture choices since Christmastime have very clearly called us to “be light” in our world – a world that at present is quite dark in the absence of heart-felt compassion for the People of God.  I think many of us long for some “light” to be shed in the present darkness in a world troubled by war on several fronts – physical violence being thrust on many who are basically innocent: women, children, the elderly, with no clear solution for ending the violence. 

   We live, sadly, in a world that finds too much individualism, and care for the self, along with power-hungry folks running amok, when many claim to be Christian, Catholic even, and seemly have no sense of what that means. 

   As always, let’s look at the Scriptures for guidance.  The first reading from Samuel shows us clearly God’s intent for us in our world, in the choosing of David from Jesse’s eight sons to be ruler for the Israelite people. 

   Samuel the prophet, acts as many of us do, and sees only the “physical” traits of the 1^st son presented to him.  Physical beauty and stature may be one way to judge a person, but we see our God, even in Old Testament times indicating the truest way to judge a person’s worth.  God says, [I] “ do not see as people see: people look at appearances, but I look at the heart.”

   I think we can see this human tendency of being attracted to the physical appearances of those that we might choose as life partners – while the “physical” might be what first “catches our eye,” the wise person realizes that they want someone who more often than not, acts from their heart in engaging the world.  In the case of God, David is chosen – the youngest, perhaps least prepared, but one who will ultimately act, out of his heart. 

   The remaining Scriptures continue the theme of “being light” in the world.  Paul’s letter to the Ephesians states this clearly – [God made you light – live then] “as children of the light.”  As “children of the light,” we must realize that this calls us to every kind of goodness.  Paul continues, “take no part in vain deeds done in darkness.”  It is perhaps a given, but we must realize that Paul is “diving deeper” than a simple understanding, black and white explanation of light and dark.  “Light” in Paul’s sense here, and later in Jesus’ encounter with the blind man in today’s gospel is about “claiming light” for all that is good and noble, while “darkness” better addresses those traits devoid of heart. 

   And as always, we need, in our personal, Christian walks to make these Scriptures our own; basically, asking the question that Jesus addresses in today’s gospel.  I think we see an urgency in his words that, “while he is in the world, he is the Light of the World.” And again, if we are serious about following in Jesus’ footsteps, then we must try and decide what it means to be “light,” and then act as “lights” in our world. 

   A wonderful story presented itself this week on CBS’ On the Road segment with Steve Hartman.  The piece was entitled, Dave the Wave. Dave is one of those wonderful people who comes into the world with a full heart to share.  Dave also had some disabilities in learning, but more than made up for these with his big heart.  Everyone in the small town where he lived, “knew” Dave, his name and who he was – someone who reached out to everyone that he met, greeting them at the very least, and sharing more if people wished.  He went to every basketball and football game, and rooted for the home team.  People watched out for Dave because of the way he treated others, with love and respect.  His brother, who checked in regularly on Dave to see that his needs were being met, marveled at how when they walked the streets together, everyone knew Dave’s name, but no one knew his (the brother’s) name.  This brother wasn’t envious, but knew that in many ways, people responded and cared for Dave because it was reciprocal.  Dave is a “light” in his world. 

   As I indicated earlier, there is much in our world that is more about “darkness” than “light,” and we as Jesus’ followers must be about bringing light – goodness into that darkness.  Being a Christian is never, ever about being “status quo,” doing the minimum. 

   Through our baptisms and confirmations, “we are sent,” as was the blind man in the gospel today. Siloam, the pool that “freed” this man of his blindness, means, “to be sent,” in both the Hebrew and the Greek, and we see in this example, how Jesus’ teachings are always really “loaded” with meaning.  And the meaning extends to us today through Jesus’ Spirit that makes his words, timeless.  Thus, we too, are being “sent” and with a purpose, “to make a difference in our world.” If Christians are “living and breathing” in our world, and we don’t see anything, or very little that resembles “light” – goodness, we might rightly say that something has been missed.

   Someone once said, to act as true Christians in our world is for “grownups.”  And given that, we should realize that “trying to be a Christian,” outside of the status quo won’t always leave us feeling “comfortable,” nor should it – “heart work” takes “being our best,” and if that sounds, too hard, then let us remember, we don’t do this work alone – just as David who had “the Spirit mightily with him,” once he said “yes,”  the same will be true for us.

   The psalm response for today comes from #23 – “Shepherd me O’ God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.  And finally, friends, it has been said, “the suffering we experience is sometimes the ‘very door’ where God will enter – to draw closer…  Amen? Amen!