7/12/25

TEXT of my homily for Sunday, July 13


Scriptures for my homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. (Key understanding today's gospel is the reality that Jews and Samaritans were religious/social/political enemies of each other.) 

They say the scriptures are an inexhaustible resource for instructing us in how to live the Christian life. And this weekend I found out that’s really true! 

I've been preaching the gospel of the good Samaritan for 53 years - and this was the first time I took notice of one particular word in the story. It's in the dialogue between Jesus and the scholar of the law. Remember this? “And because the man wished to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"

 

The word I've overlooked for more than five decades is justify. The man wanted to justify himself. Now, this man is a lawyer, so he's accustomed to defining the letter of the law. Jesus has just detailed for him the law one must obey to inherit eternal life. “Love God with all your heart and being, with all your strength and your mind - and love your neighbor as you love yourself.” And because the man wished to justify himself, he asked, "Who's my neighbor?”

 

As a scholar of the law, the man immediately recognizes that the term "neighbor” was a category of persons open to incredibly broad interpretation. So he wants to justify himself. He wants to define the category, set some limits. He wants to be very clear about who is and who is not his neighbor - lest he transgress the law and forfeit the eternal life he's seeking.

 

What this lawyer doesn’t yet understand but is about to find out is that Jesus is the defense attorney, in a class action suit, representing every neighbor in the history of humankind.

 

So, before you and I try to figure out if we identify more with the kind and compassionate Samaritan, or with the self-absorbed, uncaring priest and Levite, we might want to examine how we all identify with the lawyer. We might want to look at how sometimes we want to justify ourselves by defining the term and setting limits on just who our neighbor might be.

 

Sitting at the defense table is Jesus and in The Case of the Cood Samaritan, Jesus is arguing that everyone is our neighbor (just what the lawyer hoped would not be the answer) and that each of us is called to be neighbor, to everyone.

 

Jesus makes his case very simply and quickly by proving, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the category of neighbor includes, without reservation, even: 

• those I don't know - complete strangers, left for dead on the road 

• people I don't prefer;

• people who annoy me;

• folks I don't like, folks who don't like me;

• people I deem undeserving

• those who despise me, those whom I despise;

• those who oppose me, my sworn enemies.

 

All these, says Jesus, are my neighbor - and to all of these am I called to be neighbor. Jesus says that - like the good Samaritan who bandaged, transported and cared for the man he found on the road – we too, are to touch and care for and carry our neighbor, whomever our neighbor might be. 

 

Not only that, but Jesus gives us here, I think the first example of paying it forward. Remember that the Samaritan left the injured man at the inn and slipped the innkeeper some coins. "Take care of the guy till I come back. And if it costs more, I'll reimburse you.”

 

Let's go back to where we started. “Because the lawyer wished to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbor?’”

 

It's not an easy question. It's a hard question. And it's a loaded question even today, isn't it?  We still look for all kinds of ways to justify ourselves because it's so hard to love our neighbor as ourselves. Consider the religious, social, and political tensions that fester and erupt in hatred and hostility, in all-out war, at the boundaries and the borders and the divisions that separate neighbor from neighbor.

 

Boundaries, borders, and division…

Think of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland;

Think of Palestine and Israel, India and Pakistan.

Think of our own nation divided by how we answer the question,

“Who is my neighbor and how will we love our neighbor at the border - as we love ourselves.

 

Now, not for a moment would I suggest that today's gospel offers a strategy for peace in the Middle East. It doesn't.

 

And not for a moment would I suggest that the story of the Good Samaritan offers us a plan for immigration reform. It doesn't.

 

What I will suggest is that what Jesus does in this gospel is to give us Christians The. Starting. Point. for all our consideration, negotiation, planning, and strategizing for resolving these difficult critical international issues. And this starting point, Jesus gives us his followers, is the question “Who is your neighbor?”

 

Fortunately, Jesus also gives us the answer. Our task is to take the question and the answer, and then as Jesus told the lawyer, go and do likewise.  Now, doing likewise will involve many factors. Doing likewise means attending to social concerns, legal matters, constitutional questions, financial realities, international relationships and political differences. It’s our answer to the question “Who is my neighbor?” that must precede and inform the way we attend to all the secondary factors.

 

Not attending to these factors would be irresponsible. Not attending to these factors would be to reduce the word of Jesus to a slogan. But the words of Jesus are never a slogan - at least not for folks like the lawyer in the gospel,  for folks like you and me, folks who want to know what we must do to inherit eternal life.

 

The words of Jesus here are so much more than a slogan. They are words of wisdom and truth. And the story of the Good Samaritan is The. Starting. Point. - the only starting point for us to consider and to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

 

Any other starting point, any other starting point, lies outside the faith that you and I profess here today.

 

We are gathered at the Lord's table in the shadow of the cross, where Jesus laid down his life for his neighbor. He laid down his life for those who would love him - and he laid down his life for those who would never know him. He laid down his life for those who would abandon and betray him; for those who would not deserve him or his mercy; for those who would, over and over and over again, fail to recognize him in their neighbor.

 

So, pray with me today that we will hear the words of Jesus and begin anew to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Takin' a break whille I'm on my break!

    Georgetown Lake, Georgetown, CO

 

I've been retired from assigned ministry since November 2021, living as a senior priest in residence at Good Shepherd Parish in Wayland.  
 
Folks still ask me, "What are your days off?" I reply, "Most!" My responsibilities are light in Wayland which allows me more time than ever for my writing
 
Well, if most of your days are days off, it's hard to determine what a vacation might be. I'm not quite sure how to classify these two months in Colorado - perhaps retirement magnifique!  I'm loving it! I'm celebrating mass on Saturday afternoons in my sister's and bro-in-law's parish and sitting in on a prayer group on Thursday nights for men at the Clear Creek County Jail.  And I'm writing my blog.  
 
Which brings me to the point of this post! I'm gonna take a little break from blogging - I'll see you again with a Monday Morning Offering on July 14.

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 7/12

Image source
 
Lord,
even in my most foolish moments
(especially in my most foolish moments)
I truly want, in my heart of hearts,
to choose the wise path
and make the wise decision 
- even when things turn out different... 
 
I truly want to do the wise thing, Lord,
I want to speak the wise word,
I want follow the path of wisdom 
especially on those occasions 
when the consequences of my choices
are important, long-lasting
and significant in others' lives... 
 
When those times come, Lord, 
I pray for wisdom
- or more precisely - 
for your wisdom
to enlighten my mind and heart,
to inform my choices and decisions,
and to shape my words and deeds... 

Help me see through my prejudice,
through the bias that clouds my vision...

Help me see, Lord, to the heart of things,
down deep below the surface...

Help me see what others see,
lest my vision be too narrow...

Help me find what's true, what's good, 
what will best serve others' needs...

Let folly play no part
in my thoughts and my discernment:
make me sober in my study
of all I must consider...

And when, in trust,
I've come to a decision,
let it be the wise one, Lord,
the one you'd have me make...

Grant me then: 
the courage and strength I need
to speak wisely and to follow through 
on the choices I make,
on what I pray and hope and trust
comes at the prompting of your Spirit... 

Amen.

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

7/11/25

Great music!

 
I just happened upon this great concert version of some of the greatest songs from Les MiserablesThe performance is by Zero8a acappella group, new to me, whose repetoir includes barbershop, rock, pop, classic Swedish, renaissance and classical.  
 
With simple costuming and staging Zero8 offers truly fine arrangements of some very fine music.  Enjoy!
 
If a video doesn't appear above, click here! 

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 7/11

Today's the feast of Saint Benedict, who revolutionized monastic life with this Rule for community life, in which he wrote:
And when they rise from table after the sixth hour let them rest upon their beds in complete silence; or if by chance anyone should wish to read, let him so read as that he may not disturb anyone else.
In Benedict's time the "sixth hour" was around noon - lunch time!  So it's sometimes said that Benedict is the patron saint of afternoon naps and nappers.  In that spirit, let's pray tonight...
 
Lord,
help me find pockets of time each day
    to relax, to rest, to refresh myself,
    to retreat, for a time, from worry and work,
    to lean on your shoulder and close my eyes,
    to nap in the peace of your presence...
 
Help me understand, Lord, 
that even if I nap:
    the world will keep on spinning,
    the tide come in, go out,
    the sky will stay in place above 
    and life go on quite nicely
    while I nod and drift and doze...
 
Let a simple nap remind me, Lord,
my whole life's in your hands:
awake, asleep or in between
you hold me in your love...
 
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
    and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.
 
As you might have guessed, there are not a lot of nap hymns in the sacred music genre!  So, I'm offering you two options. The first is a total fun song - although it makes the point!  The second is a song I've used before, it's really meant for "a good night's sleep" - but it will serve for naps as well!
 
I Took A Nap by Andrew Gunadie
 
If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 
I had a lot of things to do todayBut you know what I did instead
I took a nap - It was a very good nap
 
That email - I took a napZoom call - I took a napWhat about your lunch plan - I took a napHouse chores - I took a nap
Home workout? - I took a napBath time? - I took a napWhat about the Eggies* - I made time for thatThe end of this chorus - I took a nap
 
I woke up from the nap to get things doneBut you know what I did instead
I took another nap - It was a very good nap
 
That email - I took a napZoom call - I took a napWhat about your lunch plan - I took a napHouse chores - I took a nap
Home workout? - I took a napBath time? - I took a nap
What about your TikTok - I made time for thatThe end of this song - I took a nap 
I took a nap - I took a nap - I took a nap...
 
*I did the research Eggies simply refers to eggs! 
 

Sleep Chanby Karen Drucker
 
If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!
 
 

Sleep in peace.   Wake in joy.    
Always know that I am loved.
I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  
I always know that I am loved.
Today I live in gratitude.  
Today I give my love.
And tonight when I lay my head to rest, 
I give thanks, I give thanks.
 
Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  
Always know that I am safe.
Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  
Always know that I am safe.
Each day I wake is a miracle.  
Each day is a precious gift.
I count my blessings and feel such grace.  
I give thanks. I give thanks.

I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  
I always know that all is well.
I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  
I always know that all is well.

I sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  
Always know that I am loved.
Sleep in peace.    Wake in joy.  
Always know that I am loved.

Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  
Always know that I am safe.
Sleep in peace.  Wake in joy.  
I always know that I am safe.

I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  
I always know that all is well.
I sleep in peace.  I wake in joy.  
I always know that all is well.
 

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 7/11


 
Lord,
please give me 
    the strength,
    the drive,
    the patience,
    the talent,
    the will,
    the trust,
    the diligence,
    the courage,
    the balance,
    the humility,
    the insight, 
    the ingenuity, 
    the wisdom,
    the spirit,
    the integrity, 
    the daring,
    the health, 
    the skill,
    the humor, 
    for foresight, 
    the backup,
    the gentleness,
    the tenacity,
    the wit, 
    the friends, 
    the intelligence, 
    the compassion,
    the honesty, 
    the counsel, 
    the resources,
    the joy,
    the grit,
    the guts,
    the confidence,
    the imagination,
    the support,
    the faith,
    the curiosity,
    the fortitude,
    the purity, 
    the blessings, 
    the knowledge, 
    the creativity,
    the willingness,
    the determination,
    the prudence,
    the hope,
    the perseverance,
    the self-control,
    the heart,
    the love,
    the steadiness,
    the grace, 
    the endurance,
    the staying power
and whatever else I need 
    to meet whatever challenges
        may come my way today...
 
With your help, Lord, 
    I can do all things...
 
Be my help, Lord, 
    in everything I face today:
see me through it,
    I know you're gonna do it,
        see me through the day ahead...    

Amen.

See Me Through It by Brandon Heath

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!  

 

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

7/10/25

NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 7/10

In September of 2016, Scott Staniar, a parishioner at Holy Family in Concord, spoke to me about the possibility of forming a men's prayer group.  Within a couple of months, with the assistance of Mike Robichaud and Jeff Hackman, the proposed prayer group was a reality with as many as 30 or more men participating on a monthly basis.  The meetings were faith-filled, Spirit-driven, genuinely Christian and vulnerably prayerful - which are also the terms I might use to speak of Scott who, just recently, at 61, ended his battle with cancer and claimed the victory promised him by Jesus.
 
I'm away for two months and won't be there for Scott's wake and funeral but I'll certainly be there in spirit and in prayer... 
 
If you knew Scott, you knew, without a doubt, that Scott had personally met Jesus, that they were the best of friends, and that the Spirit of Jesus was very much at home and alive in the depths of Scott's soul.  All of that and yet Scott's faith and its expression was never at all off-putting or overwhelming - to the contrary it was inviting, warm and respectful.  Scott's life humbly heralded the gospel of Jesus wherever he went, in word and deed.
 
Scott leaves behind his wife, Rita, their children Garth, Leslie, Kimberly, and Elizabeth, and his parents and his sister - and countless others whose lives were touched by his faith in so many ways and venues.  I'm one of those countless others and I thank God for that grace - as I pray for Scott, for all who love him, and for all whose lives were touched by his faith.
 
Let us pray...
 
We thank you on this night, O Lord,
for the men and women in our lives:
    in whose faces 
        we've seen your face,
    in whose words 
        we've heard your voice,
    through whose hands
        we've known your help, 
    in whose hearts
        we've found your love,
    in whose eyes
        we've seen your light, 
    in whose arms 
        we've felt your warmth,
    in whose presence
        we've found your peace...
    
We thank you on this night, O Lord,
for these holy women and men who were:
    your gifts to us,
    your grace for us,
    your blessing in our lives;
    your gentle touch of mercy,
    your spirit hovering near us,
    your love within our reach...
 
We thank you on this night, O Lord,
for all those you've called home:
    bathe them in your mercy, 
    welcome them to paradise,
    reward them for their labors
    and hold them in your arms' embrace 
    'til comes the day
    when we'll all meet again...
 
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
    and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.
 
Deep Peace by Sir John Rutter
   sung by Aled Jones 
 
If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!
 
  

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 7/10


A friend on Facebook posted a verse from Psalm 34 as a reminder to pray for those who have suffered the floods in Texas.  Her scripture quote prompted my writing the prayer below for those who have died, those who are grieving and those who are working on recovery efforts  in Kerr County.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
He saves those crushed in spirit...
 
Lord, we lift up to you the young and the old 
who suffered the death-dealing flood:
    take to your arms those who died
    and fill with peace the ones who survived...
 
Lord, we lift up to you those who grieve
the loss of family and friends:
    hold them all in the palm of your hand,
    gently, with care and compassion...
 
Lord, we lift up those who lost their homes,
who have no where to go, to live:
    raise up in your people a generous spirit
    to welcome them in with love...
 
Lord, we lift up the first responders
and those still seeking the missing:
    give them strength to do what must be done
    and rest from their sad, sad labor...
 
Lord, we lift up those who survived the floods,
whose families and homes are in tact:
    fill their souls with praise and thanksgiving
    and open their hearts to their neighbors' needs...
 
Stay close to the brokenhearted, Lord,
    and lift up those whose spirits have been crushed... 
 
Amen. 
 
The Brokenhearted by Scripture Melodies 
 
If a video doesn't appear below, click here! 
 
 
In the depth of sorrow,
When tears fall like rain,
I find my solace,
In Your healing name.

The Lord is near,
To the brokenhearted,
Saves those crushed in spirit,
From their pain departed.


When my heart is shattered,
And hope seems dim,
I find my refuge,
In the arms of Him. Bridge:

Oh, healer of hearts,
Mend my soul,
With Your love,
Make me whole.

The Lord is near,
To the brokenhearted,
In His loving arms,
I am safely guarded.
 
 

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

7/9/25

An anniversary!


Today is the 157th anniversary of the ratification of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. From its very beginning, it was intended to protect the rights of the oppressed, the persecuted, the poor.

 

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 7/9

I was watching a foreign film, Lord, 
when the thought crossed my mind:
   you never have need of subtitles...
 
You're fluent in every language there is:
no dialect is beyond your ken,
no jargon or idiom trips you up,
no regional accent confuses your ear,
all of it's in your vernacular,
every human tongue is native to you...

And the same holds true in the animal world
with its sounds and calls and songs:
    every hoot, howl, growl and grunt,
    every bark, bleat, warble and gobble
    every moo, meow, bellow and bray, 
yes, every last sound, a prayer to your ear, 
   understood, discerned and welcomed...
    
And then, Lord, there's me:
you discern every sound I utter,
    every word, phrase, sigh or cry,
    every moan, groan, laugh and giggle,
    all my open weeping and silent tears 
    my long harangues and my silence, too...

You understand the prayer in my heart
even when I'm not sure
what I want or need to pray for...

You hear my voice when it's silent,
when I've no words to speak,
no songs to sing, no sounds to make...  

You have no need for subtitles, Lord,
you understand
    all the words I speak,
    my heart's expression,
    my emotions' inflection,
    my clumsy rhetoric,
    my soul's stumbling diction
    - and my silence when that's all there is...
 
You have no need for subtitles, Lord,
you hear and know, intuit and understand,
you really get every word I speak
and all I want and mean to say
even when words fail to come 
to mind, to my heart, to my lips...
 
For always listening, always hearing
and always understanding me,
I praise and thank you, Lord...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
    and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
    and asleep rest in your peace...
 
Amen. 
 
God Who Understands by Henry Roe
 
If a video doesn't appear below, click here!
 
 
 

 

  

SUBSCRIBE HERE!