27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

2nd OCT 2022 27thSUNinORDINARY C

1. HAB1:2-3. 2:2-4 (Brief! but if it were allowed to ‘come slowly’…)

Read 1:1-2:20

What maelstrom of emotions is churning in this ‘Mouth-of-Yahweh’?

What is pouring-forth like this, in my local church?

Which 7’Plagues-in-IrishSociety’ do his strictures apply to?

What are ‘AdultChristians’ doing to acknowledge&address these?

Or are we baptised ostriches who think ‘TheOtherGods’ are no longer there”

Or is Habakkuk just shouting ‘wolf’ to keep us all un line?

Or do I still find comfort in the rhetoric of a ‘Holy&InfallibleChurch’?

Is it a matter of sink-or-swim for the awakened adult?

2. THE PSALM 94:1-2, 6-9 (But vv10-11? Wow!)

  • Read 94(95): 1-11! Hint of danger beneath the joyful ‘ring-out’!
  • Which? Face Yahweh’s MOODS? Embrace Temple’s costlyReassurance?
  • In what evident&worthwhile sense are we ‘InHisPaasture&Led ByHisHand’?
  • ‘TheTesting-ofYahweh!’: Reads EXOD17:1-7; 321-33:6! NUM14:1-25 etc!
  • How is Yahweh (&HisRepresentatives)(who?) being tested nowadays?
  • Why is ‘Yahweh’ so constantly ‘angered’ in the ExodusNarratives?
  • Why are ‘adult christians’ still implicated in ‘TheGiving&ReceivingOfFlattery’?

3. 2TIM1:6-8, 13-14

  • If this excerpt were actually a postcard sent by Jesus!

Whether as a woman ora man, how’d I understand&accept it?

How would I check that it wasn’t a hoax or a virus?

What ‘program of adult education’ is implicit in it?

Write a note in response? Where’d I send it? & Who’d I tell?

4. LK17:5-10

  • ‘Faith’ ChurchFormulations? MyLifePatterns? Feelings&Gestures-Holiness?
  • But is Jesus’ ‘thaumaturgic’ sort of ‘faith’ politically&ecclesially-correct nowadays?
  • What about the ‘master/slave’ ideology, immanent in the attached ‘parable’?
  • Have Christians been too blasé about ‘slavery’ of one sort or another?
  • including ‘enslavements’ to FantasyComfortSelfRighteousnessParamountGuilt…

5. The presence&action of theBlessedOne, is it like this?

‘Sir! There is a question that pulls at my heart.’ ‘Then speak. Friend. Straight from the heart!’ ‘The storytellers remark, Sir, that you often spoke of masters&slaves.’ ‘Indeed, Friend!. As heaven’s-word does too, on many occasions!’ ‘My question, Sir, is this! As someone from the ends of the earth who is not one of Your people, I wish to know what Your attitude is to the enslavement of other men&women?’ ‘Those who are slaves of TheEvilOne, &of HisSinfulWiles, those, Friend, I struggle in every way to liberate! Those too, who are slaves of human traditions, I try to awaken them to break their clinging chains & run free in the love of the poor! These, Friend, are the cunning enslavements, because to all but a few they seem like piety&truth!’ ‘But, furthermore, Sir, what about the man or woman who by violence or misfortune becomes the property of another? Condemned forever to another’s whims?’ ‘Amen, Friend! I feel your sadness as you speak! But no matter how zealously we struggle for this third great liberation, it will never truly come to pass, unless the first two enslavements are overcome! Amen!!’

RIDDLE Whose exhortations to heed? TheChurch The Media AdultConscience TheGodFather The Friend The CulturalArbiters TheAncestors The Body TheEarth?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

25thSept2022 26thSUNinORDINARY C

1. AMOS6:1,4-7

  • Read 5:1-6.14! Aloud&slowly! Empathise with both TheShouter&TheShoutedAt!
  • But so outlandish&hysterical&remote-in-time&space! Not-cool! Not our-world!
  • Who are the ‘socio-religious’Shouters&ShoutedAt in my local church? &So-what?
  • What ‘alien’ socio-political institutions are Christians consorting-with? (vv1-3)
  • ‘Joseph!’ Rachel’sFirstBorn! DreamerEntrepreneurSaviour! TheBelovedPeople!
  • ‘TheRevelryIsOver!’ Who ever thought (apart from Amoses), it’d happen to them?

2. THE PSALM 145:6-10

  • Read 145(146) 1-10! If you’re Yahweh, Prince, or Poor, who can you trust?
  • ‘JusticeFoodFreedomSightDignityLoveSecuritySustenance!’: Yes, but for-whom?
  • In IrishChurch&Society, what 20Groups or Individuals do I ‘class as wicked’?
  • ‘TheLord/Yahweh!’ A strictly-potential-dynamic, a possibility, yearning to be
  • valued&incarnated, that all oppressed should be appropriately ‘freed’!

3. 1TIM6:11-16

  • Read 6:1-21! But does the ‘blessing given to slavery’ vitiate all the rest?
  • Will mere exhortation release me from anxiety about Money&Honour&Health?
  • How has desire to control dissent&controversy affected TheChristianChurches?
  • In an era of ‘privatised religion’, how will the call to ‘witness’ be received?
  • Why did ‘TheEarlyChurch’ fervently anticipate an imminent ‘Return-of-Jesus’?
  • For what competencies&Qualities are bishops chosen? &How is this decided?

4. LK16:19-31

  • How do I understand&picture the circumstances of HisStorytelling? How He
  • derived&introduced them? Whether He ‘explained’ them? Who ‘remembered’?
  • But has ‘exhorting&explaining” since then, usurped the ‘storytelling’ & ‘action’?
  • This neglected story-of-the-Lord! Which of the three male characters is most significant?
  • Which is not passive or blasé? Which is my ‘role-model’?
  • Why is the ‘poor man’ made so much of, though he’s apparently totally inert?
  • Why is ‘Abraham’ so seemingly harsh&vindictive&self-righteous?

5. The presence& action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

Too late I’ve realised how I’ve lived my whole life, birth to death, in a state of total

passivity! always looking to others to feed or protect or value me! letting dogs&angels use me for their own ends! I suppose I’d fallen into that habit of decrepitude from necessity&self-interest from the womb really, &then failed to see how my life was deeply blighted! not because I was a poor scabby beggar, but the passivity! so it was with an inundation of joy&horror&rage&combustion that the precious knowledge leapt on me, not long after my death! I was in a blessed place, at peace, but at the same time, as I now see it, typically passive I overheard a most ungracious conversation between a desperate sinner & a self-righteous saint, in which I was mentioned in a strange&striking fashion! like lightning, heaven-touched-me-with-realisation! I was enlightened! for the first time ever, I chose to act! I left that blessed prison, though not without a pang! &now wander through the worlds! yes to the cost, yes to the harsh grace, forever!

6. RIDDLE Which is most acceptable nowadays? TheProphet TheEnslaved

TheWellHeeled ThePatriarch TheSanctimonious TheOrator

ThePerformer TheAscetic TheMystic TheChristian?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

Sunday 18th September 2022 (’01) 25thSUNinORDINARY C

1. AMOS8.4-7

  • Read 8:1-14! A vision of ‘Fruit” &A sombre smouldering spiteful Word-of-Yahweh­ against-TheNorth! Wailing Siience Darkness Famine Delirium Destitution!
  • If this excerpt is not addressed to us, why bother to listen or respond? Unless to tut- tut about Amos’ or Yahweh’s obsessive rage, or TheNortherners’ complacency?
  • What if I need Marxist or anti-globalist thinking to mediate Amos’ truth?
  • In 30word , as a member of G7 or G8, how’d I respond to Amos’ truth?

2 THE PSALM ll2 1-2, 4-8 (Surely v9?)

  • Read 112(113) 1-9′ But is He seated perhaps a little too high to reach them?
  • Unless ‘Christians’ become HIsHeart&Hands&Feet’ An unpalatable paradigm’
  • ‘WithThePrinces’: What signs that such anarchic action is valued or encouraged?
  • &Who in my loca1 church is advocating on embodying this ‘egalitarian ethic’?
  • Essentially since our ‘spirituality’ risks being self regarding&xenophobic’
  • What would have to happen, were 112 7-9 to become our local church’s AIM?

3 1TIM2 1-8 (&Surely vv9-15, with appropriate irony )

  • Read 2 1-15! Revealing the power-structure&pecking-order in that church’
  • What about this writer’s portentous ‘exegesis’ of ‘Adam&Eve’? Does this tendentious ‘exegesis’ (or ‘exsegesis’) then generate the social order? Or, vice-versa?
  • If ‘woman is saved through childbearing’ (non-married too?), what of men?
  • How is all of this ‘explanation’ linked with the controversy about ‘Women’sOrders ‘?
  • What is the central core of this carefully-manicured excerpt”
  • ‘NoAngerOrArgument” But what else have ‘men’ contributed to ‘Christianity’?
  • 4. LK16.l-13
  • Read 16 1-31! Listen, baby’ If I don’t look after numero uno. who else will?
  • ‘Child-of-ThisWorld or Child-ofLight!‘. Which-is-what? &Which-am-I?
  • ‘Trust!’. What is this overused word, in-truth? Which 5People do I truly trust?
  • Which 3People truly trust me?
  • From 100p, what goes to God Market Media State Poor Chapel Family Friends

5 The presence&action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

One day, ThcPractisingSceptic launched the conversation on a strong note’ ‘Have you ever considered the story of TheWastefulButCunningSteward, as throwing light on yourChurch’s extreme ambivalent relation to money?’ Now TheOfficialBelever sallied forth belligerently’ ‘I utterly scorn&reject an your rancid&typically jaundiced insinuations about TheBody-of-Christ!’ ‘For example, clerical disquiet at falling collections ”A total fiction ”&The refusal to place ThePoor squarely at the head of church priority.. ‘ ‘Another slander ‘ ‘&Most of all, the encouragement of christians to be saves, both of God&Mammon ‘ ‘Well ‘ ‘ sordid laissezfaire that contradicts Christ’s own fearsome declaration in Lukc16” ‘It suits you, of course, to quote TheLord ‘ ‘Not at all! I never do so without reluctance’ But it suits you to ignore the thrust of my words with your weak disclaimer’ Think carefully’ Money is the iceberg against which TheBark-of-Peter has fatally struck.!!’

6. RIDDLE ThePoor!

A rhetorical ‘mother-of-pearl’?

An increasingly-threatening political petard?

The key to religio-planetary wisdom?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

Sunday 11th September 2022 (’01) • 24thSUNinORDINARY • C

1. EXOD32 7-11, 13-14

  • Theomissionof3212! Pious softmindedness? Problem in apologetics or theodicy?
  • Desire not to have any jarring word that might disturb the dogmatic slumber of all?
    • Read 32.1-35′ TheBull-of-Gold’ But how did AaronthePriest escape the ‘plague’?
    • Why are ‘thepeople’ blamed&puinshed for what was Aaron’s collusive sin?
    • Is this another e’\’.ample of ‘double-standardism’? (Read NUM12! &Growl”)
    • This active Yahweh/MosesDebate’ itsequivalent in mvlocalchurch?
    • How are the variantperspectiveson‘IrishPaganSocietv‘ in active-dialogue”

2. THE PSALM 50·3-4, 12-13, 17, 19 (Another unlovinghatchet-job’)

  • Read 50(51)·1-19′ A Lugnaquilla of ‘TempleSpirtuality” Great!
  • In 1OO words, intuit&re-express this from my own experience of Aloneness Stain AncesteralGuilt Callowness Crushedness Asphyxia GlumnessDumbness Disallusion’
  • Has the traditional ‘Therapy-of-TheLost’ been largelyforfeitedbyTheChurches?
  • &Is this linked with the official ‘churchpolemic’against‘NewAge&Cults’?
  • Why was the versatile spectrum of ‘ChristHealing’ in disciples allowedJ to atrophy?
  • What is even preciouser-than-heaven? WholenessonEarth, &of-Earth!

3 1TIM112-17

  • Read 1.3-20′ What is The5ProngedCrisis at large in Timothy’s local church?
  • How do I understand, ‘HeCameToSaveSinners!’? Weren’t they already being ‘saved’ in mainstream Judaism” Or, has the phrase a ‘hidden meaning’?
  • What assures me, thatIhave-been,ambeing,orwillbe,‘saved’?
  • &If TheOtherGods are irresistably&simultaneouslyoffering‘salvation’?
  • In what ways has ‘grace’ flowed in me, as ‘afully-paidup-disciple’?

4. LK15 1-32 (A fine large helping’)

  • In what sense are‘sinnersthepriority in myChurch? &Inwhatsense-not”
  • What is theaccceptedmeaningof‘sinnner’ (in homilies etc) in my local church”
  • ‘Lost&Found-m-TheLocalChurch’

Who (Sheep/Coin/YoungerSon) are presently‘lost’ inanyway?

What is beingdone (ornot) In regard to them? &By whom”

What ‘resources&opportunities‘ are being sought? Or squandered?

Is joy-at-the-returnof-theLost either resented? Or begrudged”

5 The presence&achon of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

‘Well, Gertie, drink to me only’ We got the prodigal son again above this mornin’…’

‘Y’r man, is it, that walked outa th’ boat?’ ‘No, remember, he wasted ‘is substance

livin’-righteously-‘ ‘Oh-‘-‘His-oul’-fella-sol’ thewhole-place, lock-stock-&bardle’-an!.,- wait f’r it, gave th’ young fella, th’ prodigal, that 1s, about 20grand t’ go ‘way an’ kick

up ‘is heels” ‘Begod, my fella ‘s always goin’ on about ..’ ‘But he ran through th’ bread in a week or ten days. .’ ‘Typical little ‘ ‘An’ listen, went back wi’ this sob story,_an’ th’ oul’ fell.- was all over ‘im ‘ ‘God, th’ slob ..’ ‘Head a’ wit says, that’s th’ way th’ man-above ‘s like! all over ya if y’ come back, no matter what y’ve done” ‘What? are y’ sure? th’ man-above? a’ y’ all right? all over ya?’ ‘Gertie, a’m on’y quotin’ th’ man’ an’ he’s on’y sayin’ is stuff ‘ ‘Cissie, that’s what I mean’ God, y’ve got me goin” A’m gonna check this out’ An’ I will, even if I’ve t’ ask th’ man-above meself .’Oh ‘

6. RIDDLE Which is actually the most important for me? Being Sinner, Saved, Disciple, or Lost?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

Sunday 4th September 2022 23rd.Sunday in Ordinary C

  1. WIS 9 13-19
  • Read 9:1-18 KingSolomen’sPrayer ‘for-Wisdom!’ (But, ‘to-Wisdom!?)
  • In 25 words myUnderstanding&Experience of ‘Wisdom&wisdom’?
  • Name 7Men&Women who egregiously embody ‘Wisdom’?
  • Why does this writer think that ‘Wisdom’ is not an autonomous divinity?

2. THE PSALM 89 3-6, 12-14, 17

  • Read 89(90) 1-17 How to deal with any powerful moody capricious sultan!
  • How do I understand&explain ‘death’? the relativity of ‘time&space’? the fragility of life? The prevalence of ‘forces’ that seem hostile or beneficial or indifferent?
  • What is my best experience-based statement of ‘ThePurpose-of MyLife?
  • Who else writes in this quasi-lyrical fashion about ‘human-contingency?
  • How excellently am I grounded in Philosophy Science Arts Mythology?
  • Apart from ‘Yahweh,’ what other ‘refuges’ are offered by Church&State&Media?

3. PHILEMON 9-10, 12-17

  • Read 1-25! The writer is exploring some still-relevant problematic!

What sorts of leverage has a ‘bishop’ on one of the ‘faithful?’

How is someone’s social & other relations affected by (adult) Baptism?

What is the bond (&attendant duties) between Baptiser&Baptised?

How to ‘coerce’ someone while appearing to leave them ‘free?

4. LUKE14 25-33

  • Read 14: 1-35! Explorative testing of obvious&non-obvious aspects of discipleship!
  • In the excerpt, is the impression given that only ‘men’ can be ‘disciples?’
  • & are other English versions that smooth this ‘sexism’ out, merely lying?
  • Hate/Family/Life/Cross! A memory of the harsh shock of ‘His’ actual ‘preaching!’
  • UnlessHeGiveUpAllHisPossessions!’ Whaat’s this to do with the two ‘parables?’
  • In my local church, who is ‘giving up all ‘his’ (whatever about ‘her’) possessions?’

5. The presence&action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

Confidential memorandum to TheMost ExcellentHighPriest Caiaphas! Dispatched by trusted messenger from Bar Shemaya, Stalker of TheNazarene!

Greetings! May Heaven’sBlessings adorn Your Excellency!

With all due modesty I re-iterate! Faithfully I continue, in-season&out-of-season to stalk TheNazarene! So as to keep Your Excellency informed, concerning his designs on ourHoly Law&Temple! Only yesterday he shouted shamelessly to the gullible crowds (Excellency, note this well!) ‘Hate your own family for-me! Carry the shameful cross for-me!’ Not long afterwords, he spoke to Achitophel (I spit), the ambitious Tower-Builder, and Jeroboam (I spit), the upstartSchismatic! How can we continue to ignore his reckless contumely? Finally, perhaps the supreme insult to our HolyPlace! To be a disciple of his (I spit), one is called upon to give up all possessions! Contrary to all the Dispositions&Prescriptions of TheDivineLaw! TheNazarene is a tool (I spit twice) of Beelzubub! Excellency, fare You Well!

6. RIDDLE But what truly is Wisdom?

A very necessary&demanding&autonomous divinity?

The teaching-for-life proffered by authoritative male teachers?

A store of knowledge distilled from reflective experience?

The procedures&processes&products of ‘TheEarth?’

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

Sunday 28th August 2022 22nd. Sunday in Ordinary C

  1. Sir/ECCLUS 3: 17-20, 28-29 (Why this pick ‘n mix approach?)
  • Read 3: 1-4:31 Wisdom’s exhortations about ParentsHumilityPoor!
  • Is there any ‘teaching’ in this excerpt that is not ‘questionable?’

That the meek are more esteemed than the Ostentatious?

That Yahweh desires the Humility of ThePowerful?

That ‘Pride’ (what’s that?) is a fatal illness in a person!

That alert critical attention is the norm for all!

  1. THE PSALM 67: 4-7 10-11 (Such meagre rejoicing)!
  • Read 67(68) 1-35 One of the greatest ShoutPsalms of all! A programmatic Manifesto of ‘Israel’sCharism!’ Replete with chauvinistic elohistic vitality!
  • WidowOrphanLonelyPrisoner!’ But is anyone actually interested in these?
  • RainLifeHome!’ Who is making these available to those who are deprived?

3. HEB 12:18-19 22-24 (Notice vv 20-21 and 24b!)

  • What is the equivalent in my local church, of

TheTheophany of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19 10-25)

TheTenWords/Deeds of Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20 1-17)

TheDarkness of Mt Sinai (Exodus 20: 18-21)

The Covenant of Mt Sinai (Exodus 24: 1-18)

  • Is there a hint here in this excerpt, that men human or divine are ‘sans pareil!’

4. LUKE 14 1, 7-14

  • ThePlaces-of-Honour!

What is the equivalent of these & who gets them, in my local church?

Who would dream of inviting TheCrippled to their dinner?

Much less positioning them in ‘ThePlaces-of-Honour!

If I did, what ‘recompence’ would I expect, at TheResurrection?

How important is ‘honour’ (& ‘shame!)’ in Northern/IrishSociety?

Do I actually find, that exhaltation is humbled & humility exhalted?

5. The presence& action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

Well!’ ‘Well is right! Aw lave me alone, he took th’ biscuit above this mornin’!’‘What? More about drink drugs an’ ‘No, worse! Lucky I’d TheLittleFlower, God love ‘er, t’ lean agains’ ‘Whatdya mean, lean?’ ‘There was somethin’ in one a’ th’ readin’s, don’t ass me, they’re all like chewin’ th’ edge a’ y’r cuff! About “places of honour” ‘Oh’ ‘an’ on an’ on an’ on, like a gander wi’ a mout’ at bot’ ends!’ ‘Is places of honour like guard of honour?’ ‘It seems theyre seats up wi’ th’ snobs! Th’ man-above says, Wait till th’ call ya!’ ‘So what’s th’ sweat?’ ‘Phonsy tol’ me after, that y’r man was peeved, cos he wasn’t invited recently t’ sit up beside y’ know-who in town.’ ‘I don’t think..’ ‘An’ he nearly ate hisself in th’ car outside.’ ‘Yeah, I saw ‘im, i thought he was saying his book, whatever th’ call it!’ ‘As th’ oul’ Canon usedta say.’ ‘Aw I loved that man! “Comrades, don’t be looking for no high places! They’ll be th’ first, th’ mighty wi’ feet a’ clay, t’ be toppled from their pedestals! From womb t’ tomb, stay humble!!” ‘An’ he practised every word he preached! Aw, we lost a saint when we lost that man! Aw, boys a’ boys!’

6. RIDDLE Who are the important people in my church?

Clergy Women Divorcees Children

Cripples Gays & Lesbians Religious or…?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

SUN21AUG2022 (’01) 21stSUNInORDINARY C

1. IS6.18-21-

  • Read 66.1-24! Isaiah ends in a web of Threats&Promises, harsh&tender’ &TheWelter of Yahweh’sEverchangingMoodiness vis-a-vis TheOtherGods’
  • In 20words, what has ‘Yahweh’ in mind in this excerpt” &What is ‘TheGlory’ & ‘TheSign’ & ‘TheOffering”‘ &What would attract foreigners to ‘Jerusalem”
  • ‘TheDistantIslands”. Did YahwehPeople ever make it to Oilean-na-hEireann?

2 THE PSALM . 116 1-2

  • What is it about ‘Yahweh’, that would interest ‘TheNations’ & ‘ThePeoples”‘
  • More than, say, Marduk Ra Demeter LughLamhFhada Odin Ishtar Athena
  • In what 15Ways have I reliably experienced ‘TheFaithfulnessOfYahweh’?
  • How does ‘Yahweh’sSteadfastLove’ extend to-me & through-me &from-me’
  • What is ‘TheGoodNews'” &What is the actual fruit of proclaiming-it?
  • ‘TheWholeWorId” How is this proclamation’ being made to ‘all-the-other-species'”
  • ForEver ” Bla-bla, if this isn’t ‘wishful thinking’, how can the claim be tested’

3 HEB12.5-7, 11-13

  • ‘Sons” When TheBible plainly refers to ‘FathersSonsBrothers’, should we conceal this by (understandably) substituting ‘Inclusive language”‘ Or admit the bias’ * What sorts of ‘punishment/discipline’ are demonstrably ‘from Yahweh”
  • Are women ‘disciplined by Yahweh’ differently-from-men” &If-so,why?
  • But has my suffering inevitably been fruitful’ Or are stringent conditions needed”
  • How is this writer able to talk so self-assuredly about ‘TheLord’ ?
  • Which 7Aspects of my AdultChristianExperience especially disillusion me’

4 LK13 22-30

  • Read 13:1-35′ Genuine&dangerous, or fake&comforting, ‘discipleship”‘
  • In 25words, my best Understanding&Experience of ‘salvation”‘
  • Which is preferable’ Narrow or wide door’ Few or many entering”
  • Why does ‘TheMaster ‘ lock the ‘Door” &Reject those who arrive afterwards’
  • & can I understand or empathise-with the overall harshness of this excerpt
  • Who really is being targeted by these fulminations? Disciples’ Jews’ Us’ Or First&Last. What benefit, if any, resides in such tendentious declarations’

5 The presence&action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

‘Gran!”Yes, a mhilis?“Sam an’ Boysie had another row’ in his LandRover at the bottom of our drive’ Boysie called her a word “0 my goodness ‘ an’ she ran off, shoutin’ another word “Effie me poor gersha I hope you didn’t. “But listen, Gran’ when Boysie comes up to the bungalow, Mam says laffin’, “Yous is some pair’ if it’s not one it’s th’other’ forever weepina nashina teeth'” “0 “Gran’ weepina nashina teeth””Yes, Effie is Mam sayin’ .”That maybe their teeth’s at-them” Like causin’ them to say a word . “But you an’ me, Gran’ our teeth doesnt’t 0, weepina nashina’ does somcthin’ t’ them, makin’ them narly ‘ like Chuckie. “Mam used to say, “Why’s that child always scringin’ its teeth'” “So Boysie an’ Sam, scringin’ their teeth, weepina nashina, ‘-‘But why, Gran’ they’re not a kid, like Chuckie. ”Grownups do weepina nashina teeth ‘cos they’re busted-up with anger “An’ they start scringin” Sam an’ Boysie’s angry’ Simple’ angry angry angry ‘

6. RIDDLE Which is embodied in my local church’

Threat Promise Shillyshally Truth’

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

SUN14Aug. (’01) . 20thSUNinORDINARY . C

1. JER38.4-6, 8-10 (Why such a paltry ‘sound-bite’?)

  • Read 36.1 – 38.28′ Thevicissitudes of a ‘Mouth-of-Yahweh’ vis-a-vis ‘TheRulingAuthority! But where is this ‘shoutable encounter’ in my local church’
  • Why are contemporary ‘churchmen’ not ‘thrown into theCistern” (Romero’)’
  • So, is my relatively-unfraught ‘discipleship’ a danger-signal’
  • As a priority, what aspect of my local church am I called on to protest-about’

2. THE PSALM : 39 2-4, 18 (An ungenerous nose-gay’)

  • Read 39(40):1-16(17)’ A more intimate friend-connectedness withYahweh”
  • Who, in my life, has embodied such importance in my regard?
  • How preferable, to shout this song about one’s friend or spouse or mentor”
  • In 60 words, write a ‘new song’ for my ‘GrcatSupporter”
  • How PatriciusFiliusCalpornii remembered this psalm in his Confession’
  • ‘Wretched&Poor&Mired”. Name 100 of these, in my local church’
  • How was/is ‘Yahweh’sRescuing’ actually experienced’ Or is it ‘purely spiritual'”

3. HEB12 1-4

  • Read 12 1-39′ The powerful Exemplar of Jesus’ as Perfecter-of-faith, Endurer -of-Hostility, Mediator-of-a-NewCovenant’ But will example suffice?
  • What 20Factors are hindering the resolute unfolding of my own ‘Wholeness’? * Which inhibits me more’ Fear Shame Lethargy Incompetence Resentment or what?
  • ‘Witnesses” What sorts of ‘role-models’ are being presented to children nowadays’
  • ‘Sin”. But, if the ‘sense of sin’ has been deadened by ‘double-standardism’?
  • Who is helping me to explore the riddle, ‘Life-before& after-Death”?

4. LK12 49-53

  • The ‘Jesus’ reflected in this excerpt’ How different is He from the ‘Jesus’ of popular religion(‘TheSacredHeart’)’

‘Fire BaptismDivision! Wa-wa’ Will He ruin our acceptable slumber? Will He inspire ‘christians’ to controvert the ambivalent ‘peace process’? Does He reckon ‘distress&division’ as resource to test ‘true faith”

What strategies are being deployed to keep Him ‘incommunicado'”

But aren’t we safe from Him really’ ‘cos who’d risk blowing the whistl

5. The presence&action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

‘Sir’ May I frankly speak my mind”‘ ‘Friend’ As far as you can, never otherwise with me’ For what is fnendship, but truth”‘ ‘Sir, priceless encouragment’ I confess I’m dismayed when I hear you speak to disciples about fire&distress, &division in families” ‘Friend’ have you not realised yet, the word I bear? More earthquake than John’s! more conflagration than Jeremlah’s! more-cataclysm than Moses! more tempest than Jonah’s” ‘I’d supposed, sir, that you were gentle&meek&amenable &non-violent. “Amen’ Nothing of this speaking-of-me is truth’ not heaven’s-truth’ Moment-to-moment, in heaven’s-breath&with-all-my-heart, I engage whatever is happening’ With-you, friend’ with the poor&lame’ with the leaders of the people’ with my disciple; & my family’ what-more’ ‘Sir, I begin to see you’ with new eyes .’ ‘Friend’ What is friendship but our struggle to see each other’s total truth’ So too, whatever is happening, I offer it heaven’s fnendship! &Truth,friend, as you recognise yourself, like friendship, is heaven’s most necessary, but yet most abhorred gift ..

6. RIDDLE Which is best? Minimal, maximal, or hot&cold ‘Engagement’?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

Sunday 7thAug 2022 (’01): C: 19thSUNinOrdinary

1. WIS18:6-9

  • Read 18: 1-25! Expansion of the ancient ExodusNarrative!
  • a good example of homiletic&chauvinistic ‘exegesis’! But is it ‘wisdom’? &’inspired’?
  • How is this ‘selfrighteousness’ perpetuated in the ‘christian churches’?
  • & Their unselfcritical obsession with seeing each other as ‘heretical’ or ‘schismatic’?
  • What 5Blessings&5Dangers are associated with contemporary ‘discipleship’?
  • Is this excerpt a ‘program’ for a tightly-knit, paranoid, patriarchial ‘church’?

2. THE PSALM 32:1,12,18-20.22

  • Read 32(33) 1-22! The worshippers’ complex relatedness with ‘Yahweh’!
  • But for an unfolded adult-awareness, is it credible? Or necessary?
  • Have ‘worshipful’ modes of being ‘christian’ left us fangless&gormless?
  • &Just too susceptible to ‘TheDivinities’ & ‘TheAuthorities’ & ‘TheMedia’?
  • Though again it must be asked, ‘Who gives a curse for adult education’?
  • ‘Help&Shield!’ ‘Help’ to do what? ‘Shield’ against what? &Whom? &Why?

3. HEB11:1-2, 8-19

  • Read 10:19 -12:13! Explorations of ‘faith’ by a cleric/theologian’
  • In 25 words, myUnderstanding&Experience of ‘faith’?
  • Will this ‘statemental’ discourse usurp the primacy of ‘narrative’?
  • How can homilists undertake to tell other adults ‘how it is’?
  • In my church, are ‘Faith&Obedience’ pushed? But not ‘Wisdom&Responsibility’?
  • What are my 5Anchors? my%RoleModels? My 5Resources?
  • Who influences me most? ClergyPoetsGossipsLoversAncestorsEnemiesBossesOr?
  • Which 3 ‘GreatlyConfide’ in me? &in which 3 do I ‘GreatlyConfide’? (Great!’)

4. LK12:32 – 48?

  • How is the ‘Master/Slave’ dynamic embodied in my local church?
  • In which 7’Situations-of-myLife’ am I ‘master’? Or ‘slave’? &Are these valences
  • ‘inevitable’? &How might I overcome such ‘inevitability’?
  • How are women-disciples & men-disciples negotiating power&initiative?
  • In 35 words, what’s my unvalued&unfolded&inalienable ‘Treasure’?

5. The presence&action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

‘Honest Gertie! I must say I didn’t like that-there above this morning!’ “God, Cissie, tell-us’ was-it.’ ‘Sumpin’ th’ man-above said in th’ readin’.’ ‘Aw well, OK, no sweat!’ ‘about servants.’ ‘Oh’ sota threatenin’ them with gettin’ bet-up be their owner’ ‘But Cissie. It’s th’ man-above! so it must be game-ball’ ‘I-know, Geretie! But I still says to t’ meself, “Is it right of ‘Im, God bless ‘Im, t’ be threatenin’ th’ poorsods like that’ bad enuff t’ be slavin’ all hours f’r peanuts.’

Peanuts is right! As my fellasayswhe he wants t’ be rude!’ ‘..there’s too much a’ that, lookin’ down on th’ workers’ Cardle Mark was right! It’s all chains an’ no daisies f’r some of us!’ ‘Not t’ mention peanuts hisself!’ ‘ Y’r man tried t’ take the harm out of it’ makin’ out it was a spiritual favour He meant! gettin’ bet-up, that is!’ ‘But Cissie…’ ‘..but Cissie saw through him! He has just one more chance t’ show respect f’r th’ workers! After that, it’s arriverderci roma!’ ‘Cissie, y’can speak that sorta french t’ Gertie all day.!!’

6. RIDDLE TheEssence-of-Discipleship? FlatteryBuddabilityCompassion

AnswerabilitySelfHypnosisCompromiseSloganising

GullabilityLoveTruthYearningIrony?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C 2022 (’01)

Sunday 31 July 2022 (’01) C: 18thSUNinOrdinary

1. ECCLES/QOH1: 1-2, 2:21-23

  • Read 1:1-2:26! A very contemporary pessisism? A very ancient wisdom?
  • ‘Vanity!’ What 10AmbitionsStructuresRelationshipsTeachings did once endow with value&meaning? But subsequently were revealed to be empty&unfruitful?
  • What 10LifeProjects do I reckon, &by what criteria, to be of substance, &of worth?
  • Why are so many ‘adult christians’ eaten up by anxiety&resentment?
  • In my world-experience, how is women’s ‘stress’ different-from, &related-to, men’s?

2. THE PSALM 89:3-6, 12-14, 17

  • Read 89(90) 1-17! What sort of ‘refuge’ this, that is yet so unsatedly ‘angry’?
  • In what ways is ‘Yahweh’ a ‘refuge’ for my local church?
  • &What other ‘refuges’ is my local church perhaps finding ‘refuge’ in?
  • What 10Refuges&ExcapesFrom’ ‘true discipleship’ have I discovered?
  • Which other narrative divinities, apart from ‘Yahweh/Jesus’, have rapidly become central, &are invoked&embodied also by ‘Christians’, in IrishSociety?
  • Why do ‘church leaders’ turn a blind eye to Dionysius, Hermes, Aphrodite?

3. COL 3:1-5, 9-11

  • Read 2:1- 3:17! Wa-wa! The unforeseen implications&consequences of ‘Christ’!
  • What 15Facets of ‘TheChristMystery’ are actively impinging on my ‘life’?
  • By what criteria do I distinguish, as-adult, ‘heavenly’ & ‘earthly things’?
  • Will exhortation alone avail to ‘kill’ those sexual ‘aberrations’?
  • Surely a most-adequate-adult-education is needed! But who offers or desires this?
  • ‘No room for distinction’ Hollow laffter please, in the ‘christian churches’!

4. LK12:13-21

  • Read 12:1-29! Exploration of the values that underpin ‘discipleship’!
  • But haven’t the rampant ‘values’ of IrishSociety strangled ‘discipleship’!
  • ‘Avarice!’ Who is not consumed by ‘creeping anxiety’, concerning JobsMortgageHealthChildrenSuicideImpotenceRivalsGuiltMeaningBellaFiguraStalkers!
  • Why is the response of ‘IrishChristians’ to the modern world so pathethic!
  • What 10Aspects-of-TheEarth have I been taking-for-granted, boo-hoo?

5. The presence&Action of the BlessedOne, is it like this?

‘Avarice!’ ThePractisingSceptic was quietly reflective! ‘&if it’s not that, it’s laziness or fear! Why are Christians so prone to all these’ ‘Christian all you want..’, TheOfficialBeliever interjected, ‘but just leave Catholics out of your tendentious drift! They’re’ ‘They’re worse, if anything! like spoilt children, taking everything for..’ ‘Excuse me! are you referring to TheChosen of TheLord! Catholic Action’s always been at the forefront’ ‘ Look’ all have the same virus’ Christian selfcentredness , every Church is marinating in narcissistic ostrichism!’ ‘O you’re such an obnoxious pedant! Listen to TheMaster’s great parable! The rich man & his harvest & AlmightyGod calling him “Thou fool”’ ‘No crowd bends&spins the unfortunate parables better than yours! Black can be white &white can be..’ ‘ How dare you come snorting&pawing the dust about TheTrueChurch! Like someone on for trampling the pearl of faith ‘ ‘ All bluster! If you’d any wit, never mind humility or selfawareness, you’d ‘ ‘ O why do I bother! Your sort always wants the last word! But TheAlmighty whom we represent, will have the last laff ‘ ‘ Well&good’ but who’ll be the laff on..?’

6. RIDDLE Which? UtterlyLove-TheEarth? GoAllOutForHeaven? HedgeMyBets?

Refections and comments can be emailed to adbi@chokmah.ie