Luke, Big Russ and Me
The Gift Bestowed with a Hug and Kiss
June 22, 2008, 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 20:10-13 Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-31
To the churched and unchurched[1]
gathered in a church not built by human hands[2]
Alleluia, alleluia.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to you, Lord.
Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light. What you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s permission. Even the very hairs on your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid! You are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Do not be afraid
The New Testament abounds with the injunction to not be afraid. When Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, an angel appears and says to him,”Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.” (Mt 1:20 When Zachariah is before the altar of incense in the temple, an angel appears and says, “Zachariah, do not be afraid! God has heard your prayer, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you will call him John.” (Lk 1:12-13) When Mary is troubled by the angel Gabriel’s salutation, he says, “Mary, do not be afraid! You have found favor with God. You will conceive a son and call him Jesus.” (Lk 1: 30-31) When shepherds are keeping watch over their flocks, and the night sky becomes ablaze with the glory of the Lord, an angel appears and says to them, “Do not be afraid! I bring you tidings of great joy. This day is born to you in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk2: 8-11)
When a strong wind tosses the disciples’ boat, Jesus appears and says to them,”Do not be afraid! It is I.” (Mt 14:27) When the women entered the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body, an angel sitting at the right says to them, “Do not be afraid! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was nailed to the cross. He is not here. He has been raised from the dead!” (Mt 28:5-6) And in the gospel today Jesus enjoins all of us who have doubts about our self-worth to be not afraid, for we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows! (Mt. 10:31)
Self-esteem
God knows that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows; He showed it by redeeming us -- by buying us back -- with nothing less than the precious blood of His Son Jesus. (Eph 1:7) Good family and friends know that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows; they show it with many sincere words and gestures. Yes, even our dogs know that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows; they show it as only man’s best friend can show it. At the end of the day, however, what really matters and what is really critical is that we know that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. Psychiatrists call it “self-esteem.”
A gift from birth and a gift from friends
Self-esteem, they tell us, is partly a gift bestowed by birth. Some are blessed with self-esteem because they are born with great natural endowments and into abundant means. (On the other hand, some are born into sizeable needs of one sort or other.) Self-esteem is also partly a gift bestowed by friends (especially family) who keep telling us with word and gesture that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. The gift of self-esteem, the psychiatrists tell us, is bestowed already at a very early age. By the age of three or four the matter is quite basically signed, sealed and delivered.
A critical gift
Self-esteem is a critical gift. The lack of it drives kids to commit suicide or to avenge themselves with school massacres or to just simply fix matters with fast fixes. It is a sober thought to know that we have the power to bestow such a critical gift in others or withhold it. We can give our kids a nice home, a good education and all the toys and trinkets of technology but if we do not give them, first and foremost, the gift of self-esteem, we have not given them very much. Without self-esteem they have nothing, and with it they have everything. If they do not know they are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows, they will surely die one way or the other. If they do, indeed, know it, then by hook or by crook, they will surely manage to live and even thrive, no matter what. And if we do not have time to let them know they are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows, then, for God’s sake, we must make time! That will save us tons of time and grief later on. What’s more, it will reap an abundant harvest for us in due season.
Russert’s gift to Big Russ
Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and moderator of Meet the Press died of a heart attack on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the age 58. Russert had a very close relationship with his father whom he affectionately called “Big Russ.” In May of 2004, he penned a book about his father and titled it Big Russ And Me. At Thanksgiving that year, his father, Big Russ hugged him and told him for the first time that he loved him! Big Russ felt his life had been affirmed and was now able to communicate because his son had said in his book, "I wish to hell he'd tell me sometimes what I knew he felt." Russert was telling his dad, Big Russ, that he was worth more than a whole flock of sparrows, and oh how grateful Big Russ felt on that Thanksgiving day! Self- esteem is a critical gift we give and receive.
Luke’s gift to his dad and Big Russ
Russert relates that on Christmas Eve of 2004 the family went to midnight Mass. When they came home, and his son Luke was getting ready for bed, his wife Maureen discovered that Luke had a tattoo on his side! She called down saying, “Tim, get up here! Your son has a tattoo!” Surprised, Tim ran up to talk turkey to Luke. He spoke to him about the physical consequences of tattoos. Then he told Luke to lift up his arm. Luke refused. He kept his arm locked. Again Russert told his son to lift up his arm. The arm finally unlocked, and there in a purple stencil print were the initials T.J.R. (Russert’s dad's name is Timothy Joseph Russert and his name is Timothy John Russert.) Unlocking his arms Luke made a wonderful confession; he said to Father, “Dad, after I read your book, I always wanted you and grandpa at my side!” Luke was telling his dad and grandpa that they were worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. Self- esteem is a critical gift we give and receive.
Russert’s gift to Luke
Russert penned a second book titled Wisdom of Our Fathers. Like his first book it was no. 1 New York Times best seller. At the end of the book Russert tells about the day he dropped Luke off at college (a day Russert dreaded). He had written a note to his son but at first hesitated to give it to Luke, as he was dropping him off. Then he changed his mind, turned to Luke, handed him the note and said, “Read this when I'm gone." Luke insisted on reading it now. And this is what he read:
Dear Luke, off you go. New school, new city, new friends, new challenges. You are more than ready. Whether it was New York or Washington or the different schools you've been to, you've connected with people that made your mark. I've so enjoyed watching you and helping you grow. We've had an amazing 19 years together. I hope we have at least another 19. I will always be here for you. We are bonded by blood. Call any time, any day, with good news or bad. I am on your side. Keep an open mind to new ideas and people with different views. Study hard. Laugh often. Keep your honor. With admiration, respect, and deep love, dad, a.k.a.[3] The Big Guy.
How powerfully the “Big Guy” told the “Little Guy” that he was worth more than a whole flock of sparrows! Self- esteem is a critical gift we give and receive.
Conclusion
The gift bestowed with a hug and kiss
We bestow the gift of self- esteem upon others and especially upon our kids not in the same way we bestow upon them the toys and trinkets of technology. This gift we hug and kiss into them. An old bumper-sticker used to ask us, “Have you kissed your kids today?”
A poem, whose name and author is lost in the long corridor of my memory, paints a picture of a father walking with his son in-hand across the sprawling campus of a mental institution in Boston, Massachusetts. In it are incarcerated hundreds of sorry human beings. (Without batting an eyelash we used to call those institutions “crazy houses” in days past.) As father and son are walking along, the father is deep in thought. His son, he thinks, harbors a strange dogma in his little head; he believes every ache and pain, every scratch and wound can be healed with a kiss! What a strange thought the father thinks. Then he pauses and ponders. And here the poem rises up to its bottom-line. The father says to himself,
"I wonder whether
t ’was the lack of a kiss,
that made the State of Massachusetts
need a house like this?"
Jesus says “While it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work.” (Jn 9:4) The night has come, and Russert, hard worker that he was, can no longer work. Over and over again this past week, the news marveled at the thorough, fair and appealing job Russert did on Meet the Press every Sunday morning. Over and over again this past week the news marveled also at the wonderful job Russert did on his father Big Russ and son Luke. He hugged and kissed the gift of self-esteem into them, and because of him both know now that they are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. That’s the gift and inheritance Russert left them, and nobody can ever take that away from them.
[1] By the “the unchurched” is especially meant not those who have left the church but those whom the church has left!
[2] Acts of the Apostles 17:24
[3] A.k.a. stands for “also known as.”
The Gift Bestowed with a Hug and Kiss
June 22, 2008, 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 20:10-13 Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-31
To the churched and unchurched[1]
gathered in a church not built by human hands[2]
Alleluia, alleluia.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to you, Lord.
Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light. What you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s permission. Even the very hairs on your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid! You are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Do not be afraid
The New Testament abounds with the injunction to not be afraid. When Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, an angel appears and says to him,”Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.” (Mt 1:20 When Zachariah is before the altar of incense in the temple, an angel appears and says, “Zachariah, do not be afraid! God has heard your prayer, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you will call him John.” (Lk 1:12-13) When Mary is troubled by the angel Gabriel’s salutation, he says, “Mary, do not be afraid! You have found favor with God. You will conceive a son and call him Jesus.” (Lk 1: 30-31) When shepherds are keeping watch over their flocks, and the night sky becomes ablaze with the glory of the Lord, an angel appears and says to them, “Do not be afraid! I bring you tidings of great joy. This day is born to you in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk2: 8-11)
When a strong wind tosses the disciples’ boat, Jesus appears and says to them,”Do not be afraid! It is I.” (Mt 14:27) When the women entered the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body, an angel sitting at the right says to them, “Do not be afraid! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was nailed to the cross. He is not here. He has been raised from the dead!” (Mt 28:5-6) And in the gospel today Jesus enjoins all of us who have doubts about our self-worth to be not afraid, for we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows! (Mt. 10:31)
Self-esteem
God knows that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows; He showed it by redeeming us -- by buying us back -- with nothing less than the precious blood of His Son Jesus. (Eph 1:7) Good family and friends know that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows; they show it with many sincere words and gestures. Yes, even our dogs know that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows; they show it as only man’s best friend can show it. At the end of the day, however, what really matters and what is really critical is that we know that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. Psychiatrists call it “self-esteem.”
A gift from birth and a gift from friends
Self-esteem, they tell us, is partly a gift bestowed by birth. Some are blessed with self-esteem because they are born with great natural endowments and into abundant means. (On the other hand, some are born into sizeable needs of one sort or other.) Self-esteem is also partly a gift bestowed by friends (especially family) who keep telling us with word and gesture that we are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. The gift of self-esteem, the psychiatrists tell us, is bestowed already at a very early age. By the age of three or four the matter is quite basically signed, sealed and delivered.
A critical gift
Self-esteem is a critical gift. The lack of it drives kids to commit suicide or to avenge themselves with school massacres or to just simply fix matters with fast fixes. It is a sober thought to know that we have the power to bestow such a critical gift in others or withhold it. We can give our kids a nice home, a good education and all the toys and trinkets of technology but if we do not give them, first and foremost, the gift of self-esteem, we have not given them very much. Without self-esteem they have nothing, and with it they have everything. If they do not know they are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows, they will surely die one way or the other. If they do, indeed, know it, then by hook or by crook, they will surely manage to live and even thrive, no matter what. And if we do not have time to let them know they are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows, then, for God’s sake, we must make time! That will save us tons of time and grief later on. What’s more, it will reap an abundant harvest for us in due season.
Russert’s gift to Big Russ
Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and moderator of Meet the Press died of a heart attack on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the age 58. Russert had a very close relationship with his father whom he affectionately called “Big Russ.” In May of 2004, he penned a book about his father and titled it Big Russ And Me. At Thanksgiving that year, his father, Big Russ hugged him and told him for the first time that he loved him! Big Russ felt his life had been affirmed and was now able to communicate because his son had said in his book, "I wish to hell he'd tell me sometimes what I knew he felt." Russert was telling his dad, Big Russ, that he was worth more than a whole flock of sparrows, and oh how grateful Big Russ felt on that Thanksgiving day! Self- esteem is a critical gift we give and receive.
Luke’s gift to his dad and Big Russ
Russert relates that on Christmas Eve of 2004 the family went to midnight Mass. When they came home, and his son Luke was getting ready for bed, his wife Maureen discovered that Luke had a tattoo on his side! She called down saying, “Tim, get up here! Your son has a tattoo!” Surprised, Tim ran up to talk turkey to Luke. He spoke to him about the physical consequences of tattoos. Then he told Luke to lift up his arm. Luke refused. He kept his arm locked. Again Russert told his son to lift up his arm. The arm finally unlocked, and there in a purple stencil print were the initials T.J.R. (Russert’s dad's name is Timothy Joseph Russert and his name is Timothy John Russert.) Unlocking his arms Luke made a wonderful confession; he said to Father, “Dad, after I read your book, I always wanted you and grandpa at my side!” Luke was telling his dad and grandpa that they were worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. Self- esteem is a critical gift we give and receive.
Russert’s gift to Luke
Russert penned a second book titled Wisdom of Our Fathers. Like his first book it was no. 1 New York Times best seller. At the end of the book Russert tells about the day he dropped Luke off at college (a day Russert dreaded). He had written a note to his son but at first hesitated to give it to Luke, as he was dropping him off. Then he changed his mind, turned to Luke, handed him the note and said, “Read this when I'm gone." Luke insisted on reading it now. And this is what he read:
Dear Luke, off you go. New school, new city, new friends, new challenges. You are more than ready. Whether it was New York or Washington or the different schools you've been to, you've connected with people that made your mark. I've so enjoyed watching you and helping you grow. We've had an amazing 19 years together. I hope we have at least another 19. I will always be here for you. We are bonded by blood. Call any time, any day, with good news or bad. I am on your side. Keep an open mind to new ideas and people with different views. Study hard. Laugh often. Keep your honor. With admiration, respect, and deep love, dad, a.k.a.[3] The Big Guy.
How powerfully the “Big Guy” told the “Little Guy” that he was worth more than a whole flock of sparrows! Self- esteem is a critical gift we give and receive.
Conclusion
The gift bestowed with a hug and kiss
We bestow the gift of self- esteem upon others and especially upon our kids not in the same way we bestow upon them the toys and trinkets of technology. This gift we hug and kiss into them. An old bumper-sticker used to ask us, “Have you kissed your kids today?”
A poem, whose name and author is lost in the long corridor of my memory, paints a picture of a father walking with his son in-hand across the sprawling campus of a mental institution in Boston, Massachusetts. In it are incarcerated hundreds of sorry human beings. (Without batting an eyelash we used to call those institutions “crazy houses” in days past.) As father and son are walking along, the father is deep in thought. His son, he thinks, harbors a strange dogma in his little head; he believes every ache and pain, every scratch and wound can be healed with a kiss! What a strange thought the father thinks. Then he pauses and ponders. And here the poem rises up to its bottom-line. The father says to himself,
"I wonder whether
t ’was the lack of a kiss,
that made the State of Massachusetts
need a house like this?"
Jesus says “While it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work.” (Jn 9:4) The night has come, and Russert, hard worker that he was, can no longer work. Over and over again this past week, the news marveled at the thorough, fair and appealing job Russert did on Meet the Press every Sunday morning. Over and over again this past week the news marveled also at the wonderful job Russert did on his father Big Russ and son Luke. He hugged and kissed the gift of self-esteem into them, and because of him both know now that they are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows. That’s the gift and inheritance Russert left them, and nobody can ever take that away from them.
[1] By the “the unchurched” is especially meant not those who have left the church but those whom the church has left!
[2] Acts of the Apostles 17:24
[3] A.k.a. stands for “also known as.”
