What is a parent’s worst nightmare? Those of us who are parents know the answer immediately: the death of a child. What could be more heartbreaking? How could we live the rest of our lives with such grief? How could God let such a thing happen?

Two of today’s readings tell of the death of a child and its return to life. In the first, Elijah “stretched himself out upon the child three times and called out to the LORD: O LORD, my God, let the breath return to the body of this child.” And the child revived and Elijah gave him back to his mother.

In the second, Jesus sees a funeral cortège and stops the coffin bearers with the touch of his hand on the bier. He says to the mother, a widow of the town of Nain, “Do not weep.” And then he says to the dead man, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” And Jesus gave him to his mother.

How can this be? A worst nightmare comes true, and then is driven away by the resurrection of two dead children?

Now notice in the first reading, the mother berates Elijah. She thinks he has killed her son because of some past transgression of hers. She does not blame God, neither Elijah’s God nor her own, but accuses her guest, whom she acknowledges as a “man of God.”

Without being asked, Elijah takes the boy to the upper room and revives him. This is the first instance of a resurrection in Scripture and it causes the widow of Zarephath to recognize and acknowledge, ““Now I know that you truly are a man of God and that Jehovah’s word in your mouth is truth.”

God, through the actions of Elijah and the declaration of the widow, demonstrates his power on earth.

And so it was in Nain, where Jesus revives another widow’s son. In this Gospel story, Jesus approaches the dead man on his own volition. No one asked him to, no one accused him of causing the death of the young man. But he has pity on her and gives her back her son.

This story is from Luke, Chapter 7. You might remember in Luke 4 Jesus, talking to the people of Nazareth, says:

For instance, I tell you in truth: There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and a great famine came on all the land. Yet Elijah was sent to none of those women, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.

Why were these women chosen? Why should they be the recipients of a divine miracle and not many others? How does God’s favor fall upon some while some suffer pain and death?

Let us turn to the second reading, Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians.  This story too is one of resurrection. Paul’s “revelation” that Jesus is the Christ and that Saul, who persecuted the Christians, will, under a new name, awaken in many a new life with the good news of Jesus Christ. Here also, Saul did not ask for divine assistance. It was thrust upon him as he falls to the ground.

Three different stories, three separate returns to new life, three unasked-for benefits from God.

What could be more joyful? How wonderful to live the rest of their lives with such astonishment? Why did God sanction such things to happen?

The same questions, in reverse, so to speak, we asked at the beginning of this sermon.

Perhaps there is an answer in the Responsorial Psalm:

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;

O LORD, be my helper.

You changed my mourning into dancing;

O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

But even here there is no answer…no clue as to why one is saved and another is thrust down into the pit.

The question that rings through all the ages: “Why me?” And its obverse, “Why not me?” For the good we bear in life and for the troubles we also know. Why? Why not?

But as we pray for an answer, let us go into our own rooms, shut the door, and contemplate. This is what we consider, as Tennyson speaks to us:

Her eyes are homes of silent prayer,

Nor other thought her mind admits

But, he was dead, and there he sits,

And he that brought him back is there.

That is what we know. That is all we know. The rest is faith, isn’t it? He that brought him back is there with her…and with us, is he not?

The readings these last few days in the Liturgy of the Hours have been following the story of Job. Didn’t his friends ask the same questions? But Job says simply, “I know that my redeemer liveth.” He has faith.

Perhaps some need proofs. Perhaps some need miracles. Perhaps some only need faith. What we do know is that God expects us to have faith. Jesus asks us to have faith, and that is what his followers preach to us. The peace that passeth all understanding.

And now, as my prayer, I should like to sing this song with you:

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Amen.

Souvenirs, mementos, remembrances, heirlooms, treasures, artifacts, chachkies, knickknacks, memories; tokens of the people, places and memories out of our past which we cling to and carry with us as we move on into the future.  Grandma’s handkerchief which she always carried in her purse, granddad’s which still smells of his favorite tobacco, the pressed violets you gave mom for Mother’s Day and she always kept in the family Bible, the note wishing you a good morning from a loved one who has gone home; to others they are just “things” but to you they are the most precious relics in the world.  We all have them, some more than others.  Personally, I do not like a lot of “stuff” but you would never know it.  My home is filled with the bits and pieces of the lives of loved ones who have passed on far to soon.  Of course I say I am going to clean out the house and attic and only keep the most important things and I start, but haven’t really made much progress these past few years.  It’s difficult; each item brings back memories of good times and laughter, and then comes the tears.  Why do we collect these mementos and why are they so hard to part with?  After all we always have our memories don’t we?

Memories are how we record our own history and where we keep our loved ones alive.  We hold their smiles, laughter, hugs and all the little things close to our heart, letting our mind’s eye relive and cherish them over and over. But, alas, we live in a world created by our senses of touch, smell, sight, sound and even taste; memories are ethereal wisps of images and echoes of sound which blur and fade.  Yet, when we hold these most sacred artifacts, our past springs back to life crisp and clear.  The faint sweet smell of granddad’s pipe transports us back to sitting on his knee while he told his silly stories.  Or the texture of grandma’s kerchief as we hold it against our cheek elicits the click of her purse opening up and the wafting smell of peppermint candies and face powder.    Yes, these seemingly simple objects are perform miracles in our hands, they erase the years, veil the present, allowing us to revisit our past and bringing our loved ones back to us as if they had never even left.

On this 2^nd Sunday of Pentecost, we commemorate Corpus Christi-the solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It may seem odd to have a day set aside for that which we celebrate at each and every Eucharist, but it is important to remind us of the gift which we have been given.  We call to mind His promises, “I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20) and “be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).  Jesus is with us always, our constant companion, our guide and protector; we carry Him inside us, in our hearts and minds for He is part of who we are as Christians.  Each Sunday we relive these promises in the sacrament of His Body and Blood, we hold Him in our hands, we see Him in the Bread and His blood in the Wine and we taste His presence on our tongues; and then, all too quickly, the reality of His presence fades and the Mass ends.  Unlike the saints, and the moments of our past, there are no relics of our Lord to cling to, no concrete evidence of Him once walking among us; He ascended into the sacred realm and, though still with us spiritually, we long for a physical presence.  Today, we bring to the forefront the reality of God’s covenant, the promise of the real presence of the Son of Man in the ritual of the Eucharist, the living presence of God in the flowing of our blood and His life giving spirit breathing life into us.  Today we do more than just eat the bread of life and drink from the cup of the new covenant, we stop, gaze upon, contemplate, adore and most importantly we remember the good news he brought us and gift we have been given in breaking of His body, the surrender of His blood, the redemption in His sacrifice and the hope in His resurrection:  Our Lord is with us here, now and always!

 

While Ascension Day is a Day of Holy Obligation, it is one of the most neglected feast days of the Christian church. This is sad enough in itself, but in ignoring this festival, the opportunity is lost for reflecting on what the Ascension means.  Maybe we tend to ignore Ascension Day because it falls on a weekday.  Is this the reason it doesn’t get the attention it deserves? This is a pity because it is full of significance in the historical life of Jesus when on Earth – and his continuing ministry for us in heaven. As a weekday event it reminds us that Christianity isn’t just something for Sunday – it’s an experience for every day.  As Christians, we are to celebrate Our Lord every day, every second of our being.  If we gloss over its truth we rob ourselves of a most important doctrine, for without the Ascension, the work of Christ would be incomplete.  Because we do not place as much emphasis on the Ascension, we miss its tremendous truth.

St. Augustine, the great fifth century theologian, called the Ascension the most important Christian festival of the year, more important than Christmas, more important than Pentecost, even more important than Easter. For the Ascension reminds us just how high Jesus was raised, and what that means:

‘This is that festival which confirms the grace of all the festivals together, without which the profitableness of every festival would have perished. For unless the Saviour had ascended into heaven, his Nativity would have come to nothing…and his Passion would have borne no fruit for us, and his most holy Resurrection would have been useless.’

What Saint Augustine says here resonates with the passage in Ephesians 4:10, where Saint Paul says that ‘He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things’ – i.e.; that by ascending into Heaven, and taking our human nature up with Him into the heavenly places, He completed the process of redemption by reclaiming His place as rightful sovereign of the universe, so that He might be present to us in a different way. If He had not so returned, the process would not have been completed, and as Jesus said in John 16:7, ‘it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you’.

The gospel writer Luke is renowned as a careful historian. When he recorded the birth of Jesus he rooted the event in its historical setting within the Roman Empire. He continues that same preciseness at the end of our Lord’s earthly ministry by recalling the place of the Ascension – at Bethany. He dates the event – 40 days after the resurrection on Easter Day. He emphases the presence of eyewitnesses – the Ascension took place he writes “before their very eyes” (Acts 1:9). Yes, the Ascension was a real event of history.

Some people are puzzled as to why Jesus waited around on Earth 40 days after his resurrection, but that period is no accident, and Jesus had things to do.  Jesus had endured the Devil’s temptation for 40 days in the wilderness at the beginning of his public ministry, but now the tables were turned. In the period after Jesus’ resurrection, He triumphantly paraded his victory over the Satan. During this time, the conqueror of death displayed his supremacy before his faithful followers so that they might share in the joy of his victory. But there was another reason. Those 40 days of his appearing after the resurrection were of immense value to the believers for they established the reality of his lordship. A single sighting of the risen Christ may have been open to question, but his continuous encounters with the disciples would remove the doubts of the most skeptical among them and assure them of his power and authority.

The resurrection of Jesus marked the ending of a chapter in his earthly life. Things could never be the same again and it was essential that there should be a clear-cut event to bring the chapter to a close. It’s true that Jesus was making a series of appearances to his followers, but they couldn’t go on forever.  It would have been odd if Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances had grown fewer until finally they just stopped – that would only cause confusion and even loss of faith. No, there had to be a single, miraculous occurrence, separating the time when the Jesus of Earth would become the Christ of heaven. The Ascension was the only fitting conclusion to the life of Jesus on Earth.

Luke tells us of the disciples with their eyes straining to catch the last glimpse of the cloud bearing up their Lord. But then they were quickly brought back to earth. It would seem that with their eyes heavenward they didn’t notice the two heavenly beings that slipped quietly alongside them until they spoke: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking unto heaven?,” as if to remind the disciples of the work that they had been given to do.  The angels, for angels they were, had to tell the disciples to get to business.

And so it is with us.  Ascension Day reminds us of the Mystery of Faith: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”  Christ will come again.  And as we await the “coming again” of Christ, we, like the disciples, have a job to do, business to attend to.  Although we live in the time between Jesus’ Ascension and his coming again, we have something to do now.   In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus says, “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,  and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.”

Where do we start?   Jesus has the answer for that, too.  In John 13 Jesus says to us, “ But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you.  If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”  We are to continue to change the world in the work that Jesus has given us to do by helping others to see Jesus through and in us, by showing that love that he demonstrated, by bringing that love to everyone.

Jesus told us to love everyone.  Love.  Everyone.  Period.   Not just those whose politics are the same as ours.  Not only those whose religion is the same as ours, not only those whose lifestyles are the same as ours.

Love.  Everyone.  Period.

We would all of us do well to pray:

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

Love.  Everyone.  Period.

Come Lord Jesus.

Amen.

We all know the twenty-third Psalm, the Psalm of David. I imagine most of us can recite it almost word for word. But, have you ever thought about what it really means, what it is really saying? It seems with our fast paced, frantic world, people are feeling increasingly stressed, depressed, or lost. And while there are drugs, and therapy to help us deal with any issues we may face, there is also a very powerful tool, a special gift that our heavenly Father has given us – Psalm 23. Let’s take it line by line, and explore how just by reciting, and praying, on each part, it will provide us with a way to cope with the stresses of this world.

Psalm 23 (KJV)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

What is the purpose of a shepherd? To guide his flock of sheep, to gather any little ones who wander astray. He also must make sure they are well fed, and cared for, to insure they live a long life, so their purpose is assured (the gift of their wool). Isn’t this exactly what God does? He provides us with all of our needs, even if we don’t realize at times what exactly we need. Even if we ask Him for nothing, He still provides. We can be assured that will shall never want. He is our Shepherd!

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

I tend to go throughout my day as if it’s a race. I have a mental to-do list in my head, and on top of that I also care for my ailing husband, babysit my granddaughter once a week, and most days run errands, such as go to the store. So you can imagine, I get pretty tired and worn down. Though my best friend cautions me to rest, I don’t always listen. But just as a shepherd knows that his flock must rest at times, so too does our heavenly Father. I’ve noticed that sometimes it takes a major illness, or injury, to get us to stop, to get that much needed rest. And there should be no shame in slowing down at times, and allowing our body, and mind, to recuperate.

“he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

If you know anything about sheep, they are timid creatures. And just like all God’s creatures, they get thirsty. But, they are afraid of fast moving streams. So the shepherd will lead them to a calm pool of water. He doesn’t make fun of the sheep for being afraid, he doesn’t push them in to a place where they are not comfortable. Our Shepherd does the same for us. If we are afraid, He makes a way to calm our fears. He leads us in to the calm pool, and away from the rapids of life.

“He restoreth my soul”

I had a chaotic childhood. My parents divorced when I was little, my mother committed suicide, and now I care for my ailing husband. It has taken me many years to learn to trust people, and to trust myself. When a shepherd takes his flock out for the day, when they pause to rest, I imagine the sheep wander close to the shepherd, maybe for a snack, but I also believe for just a simple ear scratch, or to be petted. This makes the sheep feel loved and cherished, it makes them happy. We cannot be happy all the time, because life has a way of knocking us down. Our soul can feel crushed in the midst of all life’s troubles. But just like the sheep who come to the shepherd for love and care, so too can we go to our Father. He will help restore what has been broken in us.

“he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Imagine a flock of sheep, on a farm, beside a busy street. What would happen if there were no shepherd? Sheep tend to wander off, if left on their own. Well aren’t we the same? How many times have you made a decision, that on looking back, you realized that was not the best decision at the time. But we have a Shepherd, just like the sheep, who will lead us down the right path.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me”

This one line provides so much comfort, if you will only hear the message. Talking to many people who suffer from depression, or other mental illness, they almost always describe their illness as a black hole, a dark place. And don’t we always fear the dark, the night, at times? I imagine sheep are the same way. But think of the shepherd’s light, which guide the sheep at night, as God’s love and protection, leading us out of the darkness. When you feel darkness, gloom, the bad stuff, all around you, recite this simple prayer. And know, you are never alone in that darkness, because He is always near.

“thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

I love the pictures of baby sheep (lambs)! They are so cute, but also so helpless. When we see pictures of shepherds, usually they carry a staff. Have you ever wonder why it is curved at the top? When the sheep, or lamb, has wondered off, possibly fallen down a hill, the curved end of a shepherd’s staff allows him to grasp the lamb who is out of arm’s reach. And bring it to safety. Our Father carries a rod and staff, so to speak. The rod is to protect us against harm, the staff is used to rescue us when we stray.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies”

How does the shepherd know where the best grasses are, to graze for his flock? What would happen if he wasn’t as vigilant, and they became poisoned by something? We are not always as careful as we should be, in where we go, what we eat, who we meet, etc. As parents, we always, always try to guard our children from the dangers of life. This isn’t always easy. But, because we have a constant Shepherd who goes before us, preparing a way which is safe from our enemies, we, and our children, can continue to come to no harm.

“thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

At the end of the day, I imagine as the shepherd brought his herd inside the barn, he checked each one for any cuts or scrapes. My granddaughter will be the first to tell you if she has a boo-boo. She then demands I kiss it first, as if that had some magical healing properties. Then the offending cut is anointed with medicine, and bandaged. Just as I imagine the shepherd does for any hurt ones in his flock. Like the sheep, and my granddaughter, we all need medicine when we are sick. But we also need the anointing grace of our loving God. Only then are we healed, and our cup of blessings will overflow.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”

I’m a worry-wart! I can take a mole hill, and make it a huge mountain. Does what I picture in my mind, actually happen? Most days the answer is NO. But it doesn’t stop me from worrying. We all carry pictures in our head of what we think may happen. For some reason, we always picture the worst. But in this humble verse, we are reminded that God’s goodness and mercy is always with us. It does not leave ya all, so when you feel yourself picturing the worst that could happen, remember you are promised His love and mercy, for “all the days of your life”.

“and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

I love this simple declaration by David. He doesn’t say maybe I will, or I hope I will. He declares, “I will!” He gets it, he knows who his shepherd is. Just as the sheep put their absolute trust in the shepherd, so does David put his trust in the Lord. As we should do also, because like sheep in the field, we would be lost without our Shepherd.

Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”