Monday, May 26, 2014

SUNDAY'S SERMON: Caesar's Last Breath

The Word of God for June 8, 2014
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104
I Cor. 12: 3-13
John 20:19-23


Hurt people hurt people.


Along the way, however, 1,022 molecules of air and breath was exhaled by Julius Caesar, while dying, for example.


Similarly, for each of us.


Caesar's last breath is a chemistry formula dubbed for molecular diffusion.


Claims are that some of Caesar's final breaths of air are in the air you and I inhale daily.


"Receive the Holy Ghost."


How do I breathe God into the space I occupy? 


How do I inhale the breath of God in prayer and a daily connection with God?


How?


That was breathed upon Jesus' disciples in the upper room encounter of the Spirit.


Fresh air.


We like it.


Yet, we know that hurt people hurt people.


The virginity of the 22-year-old man who murdered six others and himself comes to mind here.


The Santa Barbara, California lad was hurt that girls wouldn't ask him out, apparently.  His 137-page manifesto and U Tube witnesses to his abandonment feelings, anxiety and explosive anger eventually in the usual routine and ritual street rampages sweeping this nation.


Hurt people hurt others.


God's Word and our communions with each other connects us to meaning and that deepest place with the Creator.


Worth and esteem comes from such depth each day.


It does.


What is not healed by the grace of God is projected and transmitted onto others.


Growth requires healing of early childhood hurts and the lack of being taught the mysteries of life - that I don't get everything I want; I will get sick, will be excluded, even rejected by others; will be passed over for a promotion, and so forth - that consequently erupt in anger unless processed and faced in counseling, with a parent, and more.


Individuals and systems must grow or die.


The gifts of the Holy Spirit, and, the virtues, strengths, help.  Google "virtues," and gifts today.


These inner strengths of charity, faith, hope, prudence, fortitude, justice, temperance, and gentleness, counsel, and more gifts of God see us through an often turbulent trek in the spiritual life like a "roller-coaster" ride of desolation and consolation, good times and bad.


Hurt people hurt people.


Unless I morph, mend, and more, the cycle of destruction, far from God's way, rules.



HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Like a merry-go-round, this latest rite of routine serial violence by 20-30-year olds is more common than blowing one's nose these days, it seems.


True?


The 22-year-old lad on his rampage in California, killing six and himself, proves that hurt people hurt people.


They do.


We do.


And, if young people are not taught early the mysteries of life - I don't get everything I want in life; I will be rejected and excluded at times in school, will get sick, lose a love, a life, a job, a pet, for example and, die - then, when refused, abandoned, angry, or more about entitled feelings, I may strike out, even gun down with hate.


That seems to be the ritual of violence daily in the U.S.A.


Unless this cycle is stopped with constructive choices and mentoring of our boys and girls early on, we will grieve a little, move on, and, see this same practice repeat itself in crime, drive-by shootings, more.


God help us.


God, help me to stand up and make a difference in my own, and, another's life.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Remembering on Memorial Day

Some will pause Monday as we mark Memorial Day in this nation.


Those who gave their lives in the ultimate sacrifice will be recalled.


A moment to stop.


A time to recall loss of life, love, live, and more.


When US veterans allegedly wait long periods of time for treatment these days, my thoughts turn to them, to my brother killed in Vietnam in 1968, and to those who continue to serve today.


While burgers and brew will mark the day for many, others will also pause to ponder the real meaning of Memorial Day.


I will.


For sure.


Forever grateful for all who paid the price for freedom that is not free, I will pause and pray.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Volunteers in Prevention (VIP)

Amazing.

That's what  I thought of the VIP Mentoring Program orientation I attended the other day in Detroit.

A handbook guided three of us into the role of mentoring youngsters.

And, it was clear, concise and helpful.

It was.

The leader walked us through the entire process on how to mentor well.

In two hours, our handbook showed us how to lead as mentors.  And, page by page we learned how to help and serve students at risk.

I was glad I signed up to mentor.

Much like the Detroit Public School Reading Mentor Program, I liked what I saw here.

I wondered how to bring VIP Mentoring to Macomb County, MI.



Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Called for Jury Duty

One never knows when the summons will call.

At least, I didn't.

But, the surprise came and 8:15 am today was the call to report for jury duty.

I watched videos about the service, hear a judge speak about the judicial system, waited, and, waited some more.  In fact, 132 of us waited.

We were give a break for fifteen minutes to walk about Mt. Clemens, MI.

Fresh air sounded good.

When I returned we waited some more.

By 11 am, however,  the receptionist said that we weren't all needed so she called out my number to conclude my jury duty.

With a letter in hand and a $13.01 check to arrive within three weeks, I left.  And, she said she wouldn't call for a year.

So much for democracy.

A delightful experience relishing the time with other in the same boat.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Standing Tall

People everywhere are standing tall these days for the voiceless many in and outside the womb.

It amazes me that people are doing this for the cause of justice and right.

They're from all walks of life, all sizes, and, every accent.

It's as though the clarion call is imprinted in people's DNA.

That's impressive.

While people, and, families are busy with so much, some still take time to stand up while others simply sit still and say nothing in the face of injustice.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Mentoring Children, Marriage and Family

Mentoring.

The more I hear about it, the more I am convinced of its merit for marriage, family, and children.

Children need mentoring.

Marriages need mentoring.

In fact, don't we all need some kind of mentoring to live, and, to lead well?

Studies show that youngsters who have mentoring from their parents, among others, are less prone to commit crime.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Celebrating Family, An Urban/Suburban Picnic at Belle Isle, and, a Unity Walk in Detroit

Louis Armstrong's "When the Saints Go Marching In," will trumpet in hundreds of Detroit area families Thursday, June 19 at 4:45 pm at the Warren, MI., Civic Center Atrium.

Armed with colorful balloons, children, parents and grandparents will showcase family today in a festive program with Warren Mayor Jim Fouts and clergy.

All are welcome to attend and park free  in the attached garage off of Van Dyke, north of Twelve Mile Road.

And, you'll want to join in the picnic for all at Belle Isle landscape area the first Sunday of August from 12 noon.  The inter-faith event is a pot luck event with games for children, and more.  All are welcome to this annual event where hundreds attend.

Finally, an Urban/Suburban Unity Walk from 8 Mile/Van Dyke Warren, MI., side into Detroit is set for Thursday, Aug. 28 at 6 pm with a program following at St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Cathedral at Outer Drive and Van Dyke.


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Walk Tall

Father James L. Meyer stars in "Walk Tall," a theatrical production that follows the true story of the young rebel priest in an unrelenting pursuit of fairness and equality during the 1960s civil rights movement and the struggle of a new generation to change the leadership of the U>S..

Included is a live musical reenactment by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs, May 8-11, 2014.  Visit WalkTallWalkTall.Com, or call (313) 899 2243.  Hastings Street Ballroom, 715 E. Milwaukee, Detroit 48202.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Mothers

Mothers are special.

They are.

My own mom comes to mind with Mother's Day coming Sunday.

Although her life ended with cancer at 54, my mom's life was a full one.

With two sets of twins and seven of us children, my mom went without often so that her children could have food, shoes, and more.

She gave so much of herself.

To the end of her days, she was a blessing, and, a joy.

Raised on a farm in Cheboygan, MI., in a merged family, my mother came to Detroit to work while still a teen. 

I recall how she would tell us of her various jobs working and cleaning homes in the Jewish community, and more.  Dad also came to Detroit early in life from a farm in Port Austin, MI.

Home-made foods were always on mom's mind.  From scratch she made chocolate cake with real flour, and more. 

Apple and cherry pies attracted my brother's, and, my own friends.

Life was good with mom at the center, and, dad supporting her always.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Numb

Are Americans numb?

With 40 million U.S. addicts currently, is this threat to a functioning society worth noticing?

Yes.

Such danger calls us all to action, or else.

We must stop the cycle of addiction.

Before anything else can happen, destruction of one's temple, soul must be terminated.

That's what an addiction does.

It destroys life.

It does.

A Homily on Luke 24:13-35

Stop.

Look.

Listen.

When crossing a street I was told to be aware of the above-three items.

Stop.  I must stop at the red light if I am to get across the street safely.  Stopping puts me in a right state of mind to prepare me to take on the next step before crossing the street.

Look.  View the surroundings.   Assess what's happening.  Pay attention to traffic.

Listen.  Engage the green light.  Accept what's happening and then walk across.

These three points are key to the spiritual life.

Did the disciples on the road to Emmaus miss Jesus?

Were they totally self-engaged?

Did they only wake up, notice and look after Jesus engaged them?

Intentional Disciples


How important discipleship is to the work of ministry of the Gospel if we are to thrive as a people, a church, and, a community of disciples of Jesus the Christ.

Before one can be ordained he or she, for that matter, needs to explicitly be in relationship with Jesus and repent.

I remember being ordained a priest.

However, I should have been prepared to be a minister of the Gospel.

This work is meant for apostles, not the unrepented, and, not for those who have no relationship with Jesus the Christ.

Charisms, gifts of the Holy Spirit emerge usually after one begins her or his relationship with Christ, not before.