Month: August 2019

TRANSFIGURATION

We recall to memory
the Transfiguration,
aglow with dazzling white
like Gandalf the White,
you, the Christ, depart
from humanity’s day to day
appearance to reveal humanity’s
true face, true nature
to the startled three.
Low toned conversations
with ghosts of Hebrew past
painted in wisps of white,
about paths of pain, paths
of disillusionment yet to be.
These whispers, as pale
and cryptic to the ear
as the pale outline of the ghosts.

I step to the mirror,
searching for that glimmer,
that glimmer of white light
hidden behind my eyes.
Not the white that streaks
my ever thinning hair,
but that dazzling white,
that aura assigned by
artists to the memory
of heroes and heroines
of past history and ancestry.

I await my own transfiguration,
yet, here I stand at the mirror
and peer at the reflection
of the same person,
the same baggage and sins,
I struggle to carry with
great exertion up the
slopes of my own Mount Tabor.
Does my transfiguration,
my promised true human self
await me at the top?
Or, just the thin, wispy,
pale ghosts of my past
carrying on a conversation
in whispering tones?

I think most of us remember the child verse, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Many of us who use to shout this back at taunts from other kids, believed firmly in this sentiment. However, given the events of the past two years, we have experienced the emptiness and falseness of these words, especially in light of the gun massacre of innocent people of color at the Walmart in El Paso, Texas, and the shootings in the synagogues of San Diego and Pittsburgh.

Words have consequences. They always have had consequences. Words do hurt. You may not always see welts, the wounds, on the surface of the skin. They often drive deep inside beyond eyesight and inflict wound on a person’s soul that may never heal, may fester, and grow worse. I have seen this in people who have been verbally abused. Its most acute on children who have been verbally abused by a parent.

Words have consequences and long after the wounds from sticks and stones have healed, the wound caused by words may never heal.

Historically, words of people have led to homicide and genocide. The lives of people have been seriously impacted and destroyed from the words of political leaders of all political ideologies and governments and religious leaders from most religions.

Most recently in history, look at the impact of the words of Hitler on the German nation. His words led them to carry a horrific war that killed millions on the European continent. His words led to the systemic murder of 6 million Jews. His words had such a horrific impact on the European continent, that they have left their mark on every country as far north as Norway and as far south as Libya, as far west as Great Britain, and as far east as Russia. His words crossed the Atlantic Ocean and impacted the lives of many American families, most of whom opposed his words, but some, like aviator, Charles Lindbergh, embraced them. To this very day, Hitler’s words continue to incite violence especially so among white supremacists.

Much has been made of the words of President Trump speaks to reporters at his impromptu press conferences, walking to and from the Marine Helicopter. The words that President Trump speaks at his rallies incites the people present, mostly Caucasian in origin, to anger, to strike out at others not like themselves. We have seen the impact of his words painted in the blood of the victims on the sidewalk and floors of Walmart in El Paso, in the synagogue of San Diego, and in the synagogue of Pittsburgh. It is true, the President did not squeeze the trigger of the guns that killed these poor people, but his words inspired the killers to go ahead and perpetuate violence against the people they targeted.

Words have consequences. But it is foolhardy and false to condemn those incited to violence by the violent rhetoric of our President, without looking deeply at how those words impact our own selves!

In Roman Catholic religious formation, we are taught to avoid “near occasions of sin.” If something or someone inspires us to act sinfully, we are to avoid that something or someone. Some examples of this might be if you are alcoholic, you avoid places that might tempt you to take a drink. Or, if you have difficulty with pornography, you avoid websites, entertainments, and company that might tempt you to engage in immoral acts.

It is no secret that I have no respect for President Trump. Long before he was president, I disliked him greatly. I have always thought he was an empty human being, a complete phony. It was apparent from his words and his actions that he was a narcissist. If he had a conscience, he kept it well repressed as he engaged in multiple adulteries, sexually assaulted women, and cheated and lied to keep his ill found financial empire.

What I did not know about him was his compulsive lying. The President has revealed himself to be the worse of liars, from the very moment he placed his hand on the Bible at his inauguration and vowed to Almighty God to support the Constitution of the United States.

I have a strong aversion to those who lie, especially those who lie knowingly. This aversion applies to all people regardless of their place in life, whether they be bishops, politicians, or the guy in the street. I hate liars. I find that in just listening to the President speak, even for as small a time as five minutes, I find myself incensed to rage when President Trump gets enraged at reporters who catch him lying and hold him accountable for his lies.

I have ministered to and with Mexican and Ecuadorian Latino families, and outstanding Muslim people. I have nothing but respect and love for these wonderful human beings. When the President starts to denigrate and incites violence against these honorable people, who like me, are just wanting the best for their children and to follow their religious path to God, I find myself getting very, very angry! I find myself, speaking/shouting words to the image of President Trump on the television, words I usually reserved for installing and fixing plumbing (something that has always been a near occasion of sin for me).

Observing my visceral reaction to the spoken words of President Trump, the question I ask myself is, “Why do I give him the power to incite me to violent verbal rhetoric?” He may be president, but his power is limited to himself and those in his administration. The only power he has over me is that which I give him. We heard in the scripture reading of Paul to the Colossians this past weekend, that we, who have been baptized in Christ, have been called to a higher way of living, no longer subject to the subhuman way of living in our world. “Why should I let this subhuman man any power over me? By my baptism, by my ordination to the diaconate, I have been called to be Christ, to live the law of love to which Christ has called all his disciples.”

I cannot avoid the near occasion of sin of President Trump. For as long as he is president, he will always be a part of the news feed on our television, radio, newspapers, and social media. I am able to have power over how I respond to his words of violence and the feelings that those words invoke within myself. I also realize that I cannot do this by myself. I have to call upon the presence of Christ within me to help stem the violent visceral reaction I have toward the President and his followers.

These words from the first letter of John stay with me. “

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4: 7-12, NRSV)

Whoever does not love abides in death. ¹⁵ All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. ¹⁶ We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. ¹⁷ How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? (1 John 3: 14b-17, NRSV)

Words have consequences! They can incite us to curse others as we have witnessed at the political rallies of President Trump and to kill others as we have witnesses at the massacre of people in El Paso, in our synagogues and our churches.

Words, especially those of Jesus, can inspire us to love in ways we never thought possible!

God has given us the gift of free will. It is our choice.

Sadly, I have posted this prayer song, far too many times. I initially composed this song for the high school children of Parkland High School, who were viciously mowed down by gunfire. And while it was specifically composed for them, the structure of the song applies to all slaughtered by gunfire in mass shootings throughout our nation.

There are four parts to this prayer song. The first part, is a slow walk by the parents, spouses, children, friends, and partners of the victim as they process with their loved one’s dead body to the cemetery. The second part is the shooting incident that killed them, the fast tempo, the confusion of people running for their lives, and the suddenly realization of the victim who has been wounded and/or killed. The third part, is a recap of the first part, slightly faster as the victim walks alongside his/her loved ones and friends to the cemetery. The fourth part, the redemptive love of God embracing the victim and all who have been violently killed by gunfire to heaven.

Listen to this prayerfully for all who were viciously gunned down over the past year. In the United States alone, we have had more mass shootings than we have had days this year.

Today is Olivia’s birthday. Compassionate, a gifted artist, an entrepreneur, a loving wife and mother, a faithful daughter to her ailing mom. She encompasses all that is admirable and wonderful about being a woman. Andy and Olivia met in an underground bank parking lot in Minneapolis. Andy had a car detail business in the parking lot, and Olivia was the parking lot attendant. Their relationship grew into something incredibly special. I find it remarkable how people of diverse backgrounds, cultural and family, find in one another that special connection that links them together forever.

Here is a poem I gave Olivia on my birthday in 2015.

The Gift Of Olivia

Welcoming, oh, how the love
of two people welcome
into their lives the love of a
child. Daughters and Sons,
some born into this love,
and others adopted. Ah,
but you are more special,
you became my daughter,
the avenue of your entrance
into the heart of my family
through the love of my son,
nuptials blessed, his dream
fulfilled, and I? I am gifted with
another daughter to love.
Extraordinary from the start,
passing into the hearts first
of my parents, double dating
no less, long football Sundays
trapped on the leather couch,
running the familial gauntlet
of Andy’s maternal relatives,
all with such ease and grace.
Long an artist before formally
acknowledged, your gift of
composition, light and color
captures images long lasting.
The gift of your self equally
capturing my heart, a heart
that welcomes you and
cherishes you, my daughter,
as mine own.

(c) 2015, Robert Charles Wagner. All rights reserved.

In 2016, on my birthday, I gifted my family with a piano song written specifically for them. Here is the song I gave to Olivia.

Olivia is of Filipino ancestry, why does the song sound Irish? When Ruth and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, we and all our kids traveled to Ireland. Andy and Olivia were engaged, and she is part of our family. Olivia is among some of the most fondest memories of that memorable time in the life of Ruth and I.

What more can I say to honor her on this special day?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR DAUGHTER, OLIVIA!!! HOPE THIS DAY IS VERY SPECIAL FOR YOU!

REFLECTION ON THE 18^TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, 2019

We often hear the term “The American Dream”. We will hear this being referenced quite a bit by politicians over the next year and a half, especially during this election cycle (when are we ever not in an election cycle?). Exactly, what is The American Dream? How do others define it? How do we define it? The readings for this Sunday may help us discern, shape, and refine what we mean when we say The American Dream.

The author of Ecclesiastes (Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23) points out a common human situation for us. Many will work multiple hours, use all their experience, knowledge, and economic resources to acquire wealth only to find it all given away to those undeserving. The author states that all this work, all the worry that goes into acquiring great wealth that is easily given away not only folly, but the epitome of human vanity.

Building on this wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who, in having an abundant harvest, tears down his barns and storage bins to build even larger ones in which to store his wealth upon which to party the rest of his life, only to die and not benefit from the wealth he has acquired. Jesus concludes the parable with the words, “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” Then Jesus turns to us and states, “Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” (Luke 12: 20b-21, NAB) How do these two readings shape our understanding of The American Dream.

For many in our nation, on Wall Street, Main Street, and our government, The American Dream can be summed up in the words of the character Gordon Gekko from Oliver Stone’s movie, “Wall Street.” Gekko in addressing the stockholders of his corporation, Teldar paper, utters these infamous words.  “The point is, ladies and gentlemen that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms, greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge, has marked the upward surge in mankind and greed, you mark my works, will not only save Teldar paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA. Thank you very much.”*

Gordon Gekko defines The American Dream to mean unbridled and undisciplined greed, that is to acquire great wealth and power at the expense of others and the Common Good. Jesus tells us in the Gospel that living a life of greed is a life that is empty. Jesus instructs us to focus instead on treasures that are of God. So what are these treasures that matter so greatly to God? Paul, in his letter to the Colossians (Col 3:1-5, 9-11), helps us understand this in terms of our behaviors.

Paul first reminds us that having died and been raised with Jesus in baptism, we must seek not the things of this earth, but rather seek the treasures of God. He then goes on to explain to us , that since we are now human, as God meant humanity to be, we must cast away from ourselves behaviors that are subhuman. He writes, “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. (Col 3: 5-10, NAB)

Paul challenges us to look at our lives, to look at our behaviors. Are we living lives defined in greedily acquiring not only wealth and power, but anything and everything that satisfies our senses: sex, the finest foods and wines, and opulence? If this is our lives, then our lives will not be fulfilled, rather they will be empty and pointless, prone to despair that the author of Ecclesiastes describes so vividly and prone to an eternal life in a void utterly separated from God.

This does not mean that we must live the austere life of a hermit. There is nothing wrong in owning a nice car, and home, being sexually active with our spouse, going on a nice vacation, and earning a good living. However, we must put everything we have in our lives in its proper place so that we do not obsess so much over what we have so that our lives become so unbalanced our things end up owning us. A good balanced life of a disciple of Jesus focuses on giving thanks to God for that which we have and share the excess with those who are in most in need.

There is a story about a man who acquired great wealth during his lifetime and was now on his deathbed. He called his family together and told them to put all his wealth in the attic of his home, so that when he died he would take it with him to heaven. The man died, and his wife instructed the children to go to the attic. There is a vast pile was all his wealth and treasure. When his wife heard this she said to them, “I told the old fool to put in all the basement.”

In light of the scriptural readings for this Sunday, I find The American Dream defined not in terms of satisfying our own greed at the expense of others and the Common Good, but rather advancing our lives, the lives of our family, and the lives of all people in our nation to live in peace, harmony, and wellness.

The author of Ecclesiastes writes, “For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest.” (Eccl 2: 22-23b, NAB) Or, as Jesus says in the Gospel of Mark, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mark 8: 36, NAB) The readings leave us with these two questions, “What do we treasure in our lives? What are our treasures?”

*Quote from the 1987 movie, Wall Street, directed and co-written by Oliver Stone.