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Sunday Homily, 10:30 AM -- Flesh and blood figure prominently in our Gospel reading because today is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ with our focus on the Eucharist. Let’s start with blood. We are all aware of the term “lifeblood.” It can be used in this way: “Parishioners who serve the poor and those in need are the lifeblood of the Church.” Through our actions involving support and charity – such as the Catholic Charities Appeal – we are the lifeblood people-in-need receive. In a very mystical way, we might say they receive and then drink our blood that flows from our generosity and kindness. Blood provides nourishment and has great spiritual meaning. I suspect many of us have seen the Maasai people of Kenya drink cattle blood mixed with milk. They believe their cattle provide a direct link to God. So, they drink blood to nourish the sick and to celebrate special times in their lives.
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride." That’s one of my favorite expressions I use more than I should. Perhaps I should switch to: “If wishes were fishes, we’d all cast nets.” “If wishes were horses” actually comes from an original nursery rhyme from Scotland: "If wishes were horses then beggars would ride. If turnips were swords I’d have one by my side. If ‘ifs’ and ‘ands’ were pots and pans, there would be no need for tinker’s hands!" We all wish for many things: good health, well-paying jobs, better weather, and, of course someone to love. For those of us who have lost the ones we love, we wish they were still alive and with us.
Daniel Nunes is now a transitional deacon well on his way to becoming a priest. He said his thanks to all of us this past weekend after delivering a homily about the Trinity – not a very easy subject to explain. We all wish him well with his Fall River assignment and whatever else comes his way. Being a devoted Star Trek fan with a rather thorough knowledge of the series and subsequent movies, he shared with me his appreciation of Star Trek characters and plots. I’m also a fan with many years of devotion to Captain Jean Luke Picard (my favorite) with Spock being the ever-present provider of wisdom and logic. “Live long and prosper” was Mr. Spock’s way of saying, “So long and farewell.” Consequently, I couldn’t resist slightly changing that farewell to reflect what Dan must now do as a deacon and later as a priest. Actually, it’s advice we all should take to heart. Deacon David Pierce
Be kind. Isn’t that what we tell our children from the earliest age? Too bad many of us don’t take that lesson to heart. Of, course most of us do, although not without a struggle. When getting a “stick in the eye” from someone, it’s hard to turn that blind eye and then be kind. “The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected benefits of leading a compassionate life” by Piero Ferrucci (2006) opened my eyes (including the blind one) to the power we all have when we are kind. With a preface provided by the Dalai Lama, this book is about honesty, warmth, forgiveness, contact, sense of belonging, trust, mindfulness, and many more ways to be kind. Mindfulness was a reminder to me to be attentive and not distracted. He says, “…think of all the people who have not given you the attention you needed: husband, wife, children, friends, colleagues, bosses, doctors, teachers, employees. Think of someone who, while you are talking to him, is looking elsewhere, or reading the paper, or mentio
Loyalty is a word figuring prominently in today’s world of politics. Expecting loyalty is understandable for those in leadership positions. However, loyalty oaths can be no more than lip service, if the oath is not sworn with serious intention. Here's an oath worth considering: “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” Of course, this is the vow a man and woman make to each other when they stand on the altar before God and pledge long-lasting love and commitment. This is a loyalty oath exchanged by couples they every intention of keeping. When I serve as the celebrant for a wedding, I often remind the bride and groom of some of the “rules” for a marriage that endures. Here are two I’ve taken from Larry Brown, a teacher at Cape Cod Academy: