SERMON THOUGHTS

PRAYER FOR THE SICK

SANCTIFY 0 LORD THE SICKNESS OF YOUR SERVANT THAT THE SENSE OF HIS WEAKNESS MAY ADD STRENGTH TO HIS FAITH AND SERIOUSNESS TO HIS REPENTANCE; AND GRANT THAT HE MAY LIVE WITH YOU IN EVERLAST­ING LIFE."' -
QUOTES

SELF DECEPTION

WE HAVE BEEN SO DISHONEST WITH OURSELVES ABOUT OURSELVES FOR
SO LONG THAT WE TAKE OUR DISHONESTY TO BE THE HONEST TRUTH.



FRED KEEFE

FIRE

THE DAY WILL COME
WHEN,
AFTER HARNESSING SPACE,
THE WINDS,
THE TIDES,
AND GRAVITATION,
WE SHALL HARNESS FOR GOD
THE ENERGIES OF LOVE.
AND ON THAT DAY,
FOR THE SECOND TINE
IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD,
WE SHALL HAVE DISCOVERED FIRE.


PIERRE TEILHARD DE CHARDIN


A BLESSING


NAY GOD BE IN OUR HEAD
AND IN OUR UNDERSTANDING
MAY GOD BE IN OUR EYES
AND IN OUR LOOKING
MAY GOD BE IN OUR MOUTH
AND IN OUR SPEAKING
MAY GOD BE IN OUR HEART
AND IN OUR SPIRIT
MAY GOD BE WITH US AT OUR END
AND IN THE HOUR OF OUR DEPARTING
MAY GOD BE WITH US
MORNING THROUGH DARKNESS
AND THROUGH THE NIGHT
MAY GOD BE ALWAYS WITH US
AND WITH OUR ABSENT BROTHERS AND SISTERS


ANGLICAN PRAYER



------ Galatians 3:27-28

22. Generally, women were deemed unworthy to study the Torah, Evans points out in her Woman in the Bible that the Talmud suggests, "let the Torah rather be destroyed by fire than imparted to woman and "whoever teaches his daughter Torah is as though he taught her obscenities" (qtd. 36.) Although one cannot fully assume practice from these kinds of statements, Jewish men prayed this prayer daily:

Blessed be God that he has not made me a Gentile. Blessed be God that he has not made me a woman. Blessed be God that he has not made me a boor.

Sometimes the word "slave" was substituted for "boor." No­tice the contrast between this prayer and what is thought to be part of the baptismal service in the early church: "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:27-28).

What does seem to be clear is that women in first-century

Judaism had access to the sacred only in and through the patriarchal

family: "Women are sanctified through the deeds of men" Jacob

Neusner, Method and Meaning in AncientJudaism, Brown Judaic Stud­ies to, Missoula, MT: Scholars Press, 1979, 100).
--------


"For Christians, the problem is not how to reconcile homosexuality with scriptural passages that condemn it, but how to reconcile the rejection and punishment of homosexuals with the love of Christ." - An Open Letter from Rev. William Sloane Coffin to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops 2000this delightful observation by Augustine, made near the end of his life when the doctrine of the incarnation was re­shaping his views about human physicality: "Man's maker was made man that He, ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother's breast."

------------------------------------------------
POETRY

THE NIGHT IS NOT DARK

THEY TELL OF ADAM:
HOW FRIGHTENED HE MUST HAVE BEEN WHEN,
FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE SAW THE SUN DISAPPEAR,
ENDING THE LIGHT OF DAY.

IT WAS ADAM'S FIRST DARKNESS

HOW COULD HE ACCEPT THE NIGHT,
WHEN HE HAD NEVER SEEN A DAWN?

AFTER THE SPLENDOR OF THE SUN, HOW DARK THE DARKNESS
WAS FOR HIM; HOW DESPERATE THE LONG TERROR OF
THE FIRST FALL OF NIGHT... UNTIL ADAM LEARNED THAT DAWN WOULD
COME AGAIN; COULD SEE THAT THERE IS LIGHT AND ORDER
IN THE UNIVERSE.

AND THEN ADAM BEGAN TO SEE HOW MUCH LIGHT REMAINS
IN THE SKY AT NIGHT: THE STARS
AND THEIR ENDURING PROMISE OF THE SUN,
THE RETURNING STAR OF DAY.

ADAM LEARNED THAT THE NIGHT IS NEVER WHOLLY DARK,
AND THAT NO NIGHT IS ENDLESS.

EVEN AS EACH OF US MUST LEARN IT,
IN OUR OWN TIMES OF TROUBLE AND DARKNESS.

THE LIGHT IS NEVER FAR.



VICTOR RATNER AND RABBI BERNARD MENDELBAUM
POETRY

HOW TO PRAY

WE CANNOT MERELY PRAY TO YOU, 0 GOD, TO END WAR;
FOR WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MADE THE WORLD IN A WAY
THAT MAN MUST FIND HIS OWN PATH TO PEACE
WITHIN HIMSELF AND WITH HIS NEIGHBOR.
WE CANNOT MERELY PRAY TO YOU, 0 GOD, TO END STARVATION;
FOR YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN US THE RESOURCES
WITH WHICH TO FEED THE ENTIRE WORLD
IF WE WOULD ONLY USE THEM WISELY.
WE CANNOT MERELY PRAY TO YOU, 0 GOD,
TO ROOT OUT PREJUDICE,
FOR YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN US EYES
WITH WHICH TO SEE THE GOOD IN ALL MEN
IF WE WOULD ONLY USE THEM RIGHTLY.
WE CANNOT MERELY PRAY TO YOU, 0 GOD, TO END DESPAIR,
FOR YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN US THE POWER
TO CLEAR AWAY SLUMS AND TO GIVE HOPE
IF WE WOULD ONLY USE OUR POWER JUSTLY.
WE CANNOT MERELY PRAY TO YOU, 0 GOD, TO END DISEASE,
FOR YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN US GREAT MINDS WITH WHICH
TO SEARCH OUT CURES AND HEALING,
IF WE WOULD ONLY USE THEM CONSTRUCTIVELY.
THEREFORE WE PRAY TO YOU INSTEAD, 0 GOD,
FOR STRENGTH, DETERMINATION, AND WILLPOWER
TO DO INSTEAD OF JUST TO PRAY,
TO BECOME INSTEAD OF MERELY TO WISH.



JACK RIEMER LIKRAT SHABBAT
SAYINGS OF BUDDHA


WE ARE WHAT WE THINK.
ALL THAT WE ARE ARISES WITH OUT THOUGHTS.
WITH OUR THOUGHTS WE MAKE THE WORLD.
SPEAK OR ACT WITH AN IMPURE MIND
AND TROUBLE WILL FOLLOW YOU
AS THE WHEEL FOLLOWS THE OX THAT DRAWS THE CART.

WE ARE WHAT WE THINK.
ALL THAT WE ARE ARISES WITH OUR THOUGHTS
WITH OUR THOUGHTS WE MAKE THE WORLD
SPEAK OR ACT WITH A PURE MIND
AND HAPPINESS WILL FOLLOW YOU
AS YOUR SHADOW, UNSHAKEABLE.



"LOOK HOW HE ABUSED ME AND BEAT ME,
HOW HE THREW ME DOWN AND ROBBED ME."
LIVE WITH SUCH THOUGHTS AND YOU LIVE IN HATE.

"LOOK HOW HE ABUSED ME AND BEAT ME,
HOW HE THREW ME DOWN AND ROBBED ME."
ABANDON SUCH THOUGHTS AND LIVE IN LOVE



IN THIS WORLD
HATE NEVER DISPELLED HATE,
ONLY LOVE DISPELS HATE.

POETRY

IN MEMORY OF THOSE LOVED

MAY YOU ALWAYS WALK IN SUNSHINE
AND GOD'S LOVE AROUND YOU FLOW;
FOR THE HAPPINESS YOU GAVE US,
NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW.
IT BROKE OUR HEART TO LOSE YOU,
BUT YOU DID NOT GO ALONE;
A PART OF US WENT WITH YOU
THE DAY GOD CALLED YOU HOME.
A MILLION TIMES WE'VE NEEDED YOU,
A MILLION TIMES WE'VE CRIED.
IF LOVE COULD ONLY HAVE SAVED YOU,
YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE DIED.



TRADITIONAL IRISH


BIBLE QUOTES


I HAVE LEARNED, IN WHATSOEVER STATE I AM,
THEREWITH TO BE CONTENT.


ST. PAUL, PHILIPPIANS 4:11
POETRY

THE OXEN

CHRISTMAS EVE, AND TWELVE OF THE CLOCK
"NOW THEY ARE ALL ON THEIR KNEES,"
AN ELDER SAID AS WE SAT IN A FLOCK
BY THE EMBERS IN HEARTHSIDE EASE.

WE PICTURED THE MEEK MILD CREATURES WHERE
THEY DWELT IN THEIR STRAWY PEN,
NOR DID IT OCCUR TO ONE OF US THERE
TO DOUBT THEY WERE KNEELING THEN.

SO FAIR A FANCY FEW WOULD WEAVE
IN THESE YEARS! YET, I FEEL
IF SOMEONE SAID ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
"COME; SEE THE OXEN KNEEL,

IN THE LONELY BARTON BY YONDER COOME
OUR CHILDHOOD USED TO KNOW,"
I SHOULD GO WITH HIM IN THE GLOOM,
HOPING IT MIGHT BE SO.


GEORGE HERBERT
POETRY

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN


WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN
I SHALL WEAR PURPLE
WITH A RED HAT
WHICH DOESN'T GO
AND DOESN'T SUIT ME.

AND I SHALL SPEND MY PENSION
ON BRANDY
AND SUMMER GLOVES
AND SATIN SANDALS,
AND SAY WE'VE NO MONEY FOR BUTTER.

I SHALL SIT DOWN
ON THE PAVEMENT
WHEN I AM TIRED
AND GOBBLE UP SAMPLES
IN SHOPS
AND PRESS ALARM BELLS
AND RUN MY STICK
ALONG THE PUBLIC RAILINGS
AND MAKE UP
FOR THE SOBRIETY
OF MY YOUTH.

I SHALL GO OUT IN MY SLIPPERS
IN THE RAIN
AND PICK THE FLOWERS
IN OTHER PEOPLE'S GARDENS
AND LEARN TO SPIT.

YOU CAN WEAR TERRIBLE SHIRTS
AND GROW MORE FAT
AND EAT THREE POUNDS OF SAUSAGES AT A GO
OR ONLY EAT BREAD AND A PICKLE FOR A WEEK
AND HOARD PENS
AND PENCILS
AND BEERMATS
AND THINGS IN BOXES.

BUT NOW WE MUST HAVE CLOTHES
THAT KEEP US DRY
AND PAY OUR RENT
AND NOT SWEAR IN THE STREET
AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE
FOR THE CHILDREN

WE WILL HAVE FRIENDS TO DINNER
AND READ THE PAPERS

BUT MAYBE
I OUGHT TO PRACTICE A LITTLE
NOW
SO PEOPLE
WHO KNOW ME
ARE NOT TOO SHOCKED
AND SURPRISED
WHEN SUDDENLY
I AM OLD
AND START
TO WEAR PURPLE




EARTH PUSHING BACK

IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE
THAT EACH STEP WE TAKE
UPON THE EARTH
IS RESISTED BY THE EARTH
WITH PRESSURE EQUAL TO OUR WEIGHT
OR ELSE WE WOULD SINK
AS IF INTO A MUDDY PLACE

INTERESTING
THAT THE GOD OF NATURE
WHO MADE ALL THE RULES
PUSHES BACK
WHEN I WALK UPON THE EARTH

A CONTINUAL REMINDER
OF MY NEED FOR HIM
LEST I BE LOST IN A MUDDY PLACE

LEAN ON ME LORD
I NEED TO KNOW YOUR PRESENCE

LEAN ON ME LORD
I LIKE THE THOUGHT
OF HAVING YOU
AROUND




DANCE AS IF NOBODY IS WATCHING


YAHUDA BAUER - ISRAELI HISTORIAN

YOU SHALL NOT BE A VICTIM
YOU SHALL NOT BE A PERPETRATOR
ABOVE ALL
YOU SHALL NOT BE A BYSTANDER

----------------------------------

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMASAUTHOR UNKNOWNTHE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS WAS WRITTEN IN ENGLAND MORETHAT 400 YRSAGO BYCATHOLICS WHO WERE TOLD BY THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND THEYCOULDN'TEXPRESSTHEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. FEARFUL THAT THE CHILDRENMIGHT FORGETTHE IMPORTANTSYMBOLS...AN ALLEGORY WAS WRITTEN. HERE IS WHAT THE12 DAYS OFCHRISTMASMEANS.A PARTRIDGE IN A. PEAR TREEA PARTRIDGE WAS A VALIANT BIRD THAT WOULD FIGHT TOIT'S DEATHTO DEFEND IT'S YOUNG - SYMBOL OF CHRIST.A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE SIGNIFIES THE CRUCIFIXIONOF JESUSTWO TURTLEDOVESTHE OFFERING MARY AND JOSEPH BROUGHT WHEN HE WAS 40DAYS OLD.TWO TURTLEDOVES REPRESENT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.THREE FRENCH HENSSYMBOL OF THE RICH AND REPRESENTED THE THREE WISE MENWITH GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH.THREE FRENCH HENS REPRESENT THE THINGS THAT WILL LAST-FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY (LOVE).FOUR CALLING BIRDSFOUR GOSPELS - CALLING FOR PEOPLE TO BE SAVED.FOUR GOSPELS SING THE SONG OF SALVATION, REFERENCED BYTHE CALLINGBIRDS.FIVE GOLDEN RINGSFIRST FIVE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.THE GREATEST BOOKS TO THE JEWS - WORTH MORE THAN GOLD.FIVE GOLDEN RINGS ARE THE ORIGINAL BOOKS OF THE BIBLEGIVEN TOMOSES.SIX GEESE A LAYINGEGGS WERE A REMINDER OF NEW LIFE - 6 DAYS OF CREATION.SIX GEESE A-LAYING SYMBOLIZE THE SIX DAYS OF CREATION.SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMINGSEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - CHANGING US FROM UGLYDUCKLINGTO SWANS - NEW LIFE IN CHRIST.SEVEN SWANS STAND FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLYSPIRIT.EIGHT MAIDS A MILKINGEIGHT BEAUTIFUL TEACHINGS OF JESUS KNOWN AS THEBEATITUDES.EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING ARE ACTUALLY THE EIGHTBEATITUDES FROM THEBIBLE.NINE LADIES DANCINGNINE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.NINE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (FROM GALATIANS 5) AREDANCINGLADIES.TEN LORDS A LEAPINGMEN WITH AUTHORITY - GOD'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.TEN LORDS A-LEAPING ARE THE TEN COMMANDMENTSELEVEN PIPERS PIPINGELEVEN APOSTLES WHO REMAINED FAITHFUL -PIPED HIS WORD - HE'S ALIVE.ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING REPRESENT JESUS' FAITHFULDISCIPLES.TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMINGREPRESENT THE 12 VITAL CHRISTIAN BELIEFS IN THEAPOSTLES CREED.FINALLY, 12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING ARE ACTUALLY THEAPOSTLES CREED.