Mark 1:14-20 Fishers of Men

“…I will make you fishers of men”

As I have said before, I live in an archipelago, that is, according to Wikipedia, my personal quick go-source for basic information on anything, a group, cluster, chain or collection of islands. Now, I know it is sometimes difficult to have this constantly in our heads, but those of us who have the need to get to that other island in this group…you know, the one we refer to as “the city” (NYC), will often find ourselves at the ferry terminal waiting to board a boat to take us there.  The closer one lives to the extreme edges of this island, the more one becomes aware of our status as a place completely surrounded by water, often at the mercy of the same in ways those who live further inland…like in Kansas, have no personal experience with.

On my side of the island, I can see the commercial heart of this city: freighters, barges, tugs, tankers and huge container ships pass us by even as we drive along familiar streets like Bay, Richmond Terrace, and Father Cap Blvd. It seems as we cruise along these roads; we are sharing the space with these massive ships as they pass us on parallel liquid lanes of shipping traffic.  And the sounds of foghorns seem as usual here as the chirping of the sparrows in springtime.

Also, the history of this place as a spot for oystering and fishing is an historic memory, of sorts.  But there are still places here where one can indulge in the simple joy of fishing. Various piers along the shoreline provide ample space for serious anglers to try their hand at salt-water fishing.  Persistent local fisherman have favorite spots where with others, or solo, with rod and reel, they cast into the unknown of the ocean to tempt a curious fish or two to fall for their bait or lure.  If one prefers fresh water fishing there are several local ponds and lakes that provide the same excitement for those who prefer a quieter, gentler kind of fishing.  But the process is persistent and repetitive: cast out the line, send out a lure, wind it back in,  again and again, to attract the unwary.

This idea of using an attractive “lure” to basically engage others is also definite tool of evangelism.

Now, I am not suggesting that we go out and snare folks using hooks, worms and lures, but I think we have some better ways of attracting others to Christianity.

Let me give you a concrete example.  Our Community  Steel Drummers took a hit last year when a few our most experienced drummers went to intermediate schools and could no longer make rehearsals.  Over the summer I thought about working with the local housing authority activity centers to see if we could recruit more students through them.  After a conversation with the director at the Center in Stapleton, we were convinced to co-locate our group with them.  We had the financing, the drums and the teacher; they had the children.  So with some real soul searching, fear and trepidation, we decided to make the change of venue.  I will not say this was easy, we lost several members and potential members due to the switch, but I am glad we did it. 

So, how did we get the present complement of 12 participants?  We lured them in and got them hooked. On the first night we only had two returning drummers, so we set out five drums in the lobby of the center, and the two students and their instructor began to play. Soon we had a crowd around us and several children asked if they could play.  The instructor gently showed them how to play two notes and then incorporated their playing into the songs the group already knew. Some of the parents were stopping by to pick up their offspring, and asked for information about the group.  Within three weeks we had 12 students and 10 drums. The lure worked, and now this group is learning how to work together to make music.

So, what is to be learned from the persistence of fisherman and the lure of music on children? Well, if you have an honest and worthy message, folks will listen and be curious about why you are persistent in your attempt to spread good things with them. Last week Father Howell talked about the importance of getting the message of our presence out in our community.  Today I am urging each one of you to think about what “lured” you into this place, what piqued your interest or caused you to walk through the doors for the very first time. Unlike the apostles in today’s Gospel, who each had a personal call from Jesus to begin their journey of faith, we only have our own voice with which to continue to call others to share in the life of this faith community.

We each need to think of ways to share Christ’s message of good news with others. Ask a friend to join you at a parish event; share information of programs others might benefit from; bring someone to church for a special occasion; invite a co-worker or neighbor to worship with us on Sunday morning. Don’t be afraid to share your faith and your commitment  with others in your circle who may be in need to prayer or spiritual support. That is what we are here for, and we need to let as many who need the support of a faith community to know we are here.  Amen

 

Courtesy, Honesty, Integrity

As the dawning days of a new year are upon us, I could not help but reflect on the direction our society as a whole is heading.  I live in a part of the world that has been greatly influenced by Western Society, resting comfortably in the lap of the middle of that culture for the last fifty years.

But over the past ten years or so I have wondered where exactly the center of that society is now residing because I do see a real lack of courtesy, honesty and integrity in the public lives of those who appear to hold roles of leadership throughout the Western World, and in folks who often respond "from the lip" to what they read in the online media or view on video in any of its many current forms.

Currently in New York City, the police department has unnecessarily placed itself at odds with the mayor in an obvious power play by their union leadership.  They feel he is not supportive of them, in fact, he has the utmost respect for what they do everyday.  He is just not in favor of a policy put into motion by the former mayor that unduly targeted certain members of minority groups.  He expressed his feelings as the father of a mixed race adolescent boy and took more flak than he should have from the PBA leadership. The rank and file decided to follow the instructions of their union leadership and turn their backs on the mayor at several recent functions including the funerals of two slain officers.  This is adolescent behavior at its most destructive. The mayor was elected with 73% of the vote. He was duly elected on a progressive ticket.  Policies will change, but the office of the mayor remains the same.  He deserves courteous treatment whether you agree with him or not.  Now, I know I will hear from colleagues, family and friends who may disagree saying he does not respect the police officers.  Well, he still deserves to be treated with courtesy, as he is treating the police department.  Grow up, boys and girls, and put on the big pants and be polite like your Mama taught you. Don't you know you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar?

And how about expecting honesty from our elected officials?  Is this something that has gone out the window with being courteous to each other? I am currently residing in the Eleventh Congressional District, the only congressional district without a representative.  Why? Our Congressman pled guilty to several counts of Federal tax evasion.  During his recent election  campaign, he kept repeating that he was innocent and was a victim of a "witch hunt" by federal prosecutors who were following instructions others high in the presidential office who were out to get him. The opposing party did not offer a strong candidate, and our protesting congressman won re-election only to cop a plea to a felony and resign from Congress yesterday. Now, why could he have just been honest with us at the very beginning? Instead we got to watch "Mikey Suits"...his congressional nickname... shoot off his mouth trash talking about the other party's leadership and lying to his constituents. Now we are waiting for the governor to call for a special election, and several local politicians and former allies of said congressman are lining up for a chance at the seat.

Our governor has suffered a personal loss the week.  His father, a three term governor himself and, considered by many across party lines to have been a man of great integrity, passed away on the very day the son was sworn into his second term. Hundreds of regular New Yorkers stood in line for hours in the bitter cold and wind to pay their last respects to him. I am hoping that our present governor, our new house representative, whoever that might be, and the rank and file of the PBA decide to honor our former governor by following his example and learn to walk in courtesy, honesty and integrity while serving the folks in this city and state.

                                                                        

Into the theater....

One of the most enjoyable holiday tradtions for many New Yorkers is to go to the movies in the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve. There were many choices and after thinking about it for about half a minute, we decided that "Into the Woods" would be a good choice.  My daughter and I had seen a revival of it on Broadway with Vanessa Williams a couple of seasons back, and we thought it might be nice to do a compare and contrast of her performance and that of Meryl Streep who is the witch in the movie version.
We were not disappointed.  It is an excellent adaptation. Streep, Christine Baranski and Johnny Depp were magical. But the behvior of some of the local theater goers left a lot to be desired, leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
I do wish parents would read both the reviews and the age recommendations attached to films.  This is afterall, not the Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway version of "Cinderella", it is, for G-d's sake, Stephen Sondheim....a bit more sophisticated and much darker. Don't bring your 5 year old or your toddler to this one.  You will only guarantee yourself a sleepless night as the kiddoes will wake up from nighmares of giants stepping on people and princes falling into thorn patches.
If you want to get to the second row, don't climb over the first one leaving dusty footprinits on the seats.  The UA Theater has designed the seating so there are several breaks with stairs that can be used to walk to the next row...and, by the way...when you accidently kick the person you are climbing over; it is considered good form to apologize.
Also, please do not let your seven and eight year olds run back and forth in the entry aisle.  Their boredom with the film only confirms the fact that this movie is beyond their comprehension, and perhaps you should have hired a sitter and come with your spouse. And if they start screaming because they want more popcorn,please think about taking them into the lobby for your parential disipline speech. We've heard it all before, and would rather not be privy to it this time around.
And finally, we know the movie is just about ended, but there is still about ten minutes left to wrap up the storyline.  Please don't leave the theater discussing the ending as you leave.  Your car will still be in the lot if you could just wait for the credits to begin rolling....and oh, I like to read the credits, so if you are leaving...do it in a timely fashion and waith for your pals ourside, not in the center of the darkened theater.  Besides blocking my reading the credits, you are a safety hazard for those who are exiting in a proper manner.

So, go, enjoy the film, just understand that there are some folks who need to take "Movie Viewing 101".  Try not to let them bother you.

New York Christmas Traditions

With the season of Christmas soon upon us, or upon us now depending on your
outlook; it may be time to look back on the mid-twentieth century and remember

some very New York Christmas traditions.

          1. Christmas Tree and Christmas wreath pressed butter cookies made from scratch and placed in tins to bring to friends and family as Christmas gifts.  Some were
 reserved to be served to friends and children who came to see your tree.

2. Candy canes on the tree served three purposes.  They were nice decorations; they were given to children who stopped by to see your tree, and finally used as handy "swizzle sticks" in cups of steaming hot chocolate.

3. Hot chocolate at every neighbors' house or apartment.  Children were greeted with candy canes and cups of hot chocolate topped off with a small mountain of fresh whipped cream dusted with Christmas colored sugars of red and green...as a special treat, the above mentioned peppermint candy cane was inserted to use as a whipped cream scoop and flavorful stirrer.

4. Visiting nearby churches to see their crèches was always a treat; 

going to various churches around the 'hood to see who had the best decorations was a communal adventure.  Regina Pacis in Bensonhurst was always a contender.  And a trip into the "city" aka Manhattan, always meant a double stop at Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral...and St Pat's display oftimes came pretty close to the one in Bensonhurst. Often close, but no cigar.

But my favorite Brooklyn crèche story revolves around a life sized manger scene that resided at Glenwood Road and East 36th Street near the B-6 bus stop. As was the local tradition, the three magi were not standing at the manger on Christmas Eve. They were S-L-O-W-L-Y moved day by day until their arrival on the Feast of the Epiphany.  But one year the three wise guys took a different turn.  With scarves, hats, and shawls wrapped around their plywood bodies, and package-laden Macy's bags hung over their outstretched arms that ostensibly held myrrh, frankincense and gold, these wandering monarchs stood stoically at the local bus stop as bus after bus after bus stopped by to pick up what appeared to be three hapless women struggling with gifts for errant kith and kin.  This was the last year for the life-sized troupe. Soon they were unceremoniously retired after a scathing sermon about the sanctity of the season from the pulpit of the sponsoring church.

               5. And speaking of Bensonhurst, the holidays were never complete without a trip

to view the monster-holiday house lights in Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst. My own

neighborhood of East Flatbush was downright sedate compared to these dueling neighboring 'hoods.  I think Con Ed, our local electric power

company, made the bulk of its profits in the weeks heading up to and the twelve

days following Christmas.

6. And the well dressed matron would never think of leaving her home without her Christmas corsage of satin ribbons, glittering greens and a few small shining mini-Christmas ornaments.  These were loving placed at the crèche of choice during the requisite church tour.  Their accumulation at the mini-stable was the deciding factor in which congregation had done the best job and would wear the crèche crown until the next Christmas season.

7. And Christmas lasted for twelve whole days after the Eve.  And we celebrated, and we visited folks near and far, and we really enjoyed ourselves.


8. And we sang: lovely seasonal carols at church and in the choir at school, Girl Scouts and Boy scouts caroled in the neighborhood visiting invalids and ending at someone's home for the cookies and candy canes and hot chocolate mentioned above.  And if we were lucky, it snowed!



These traditions seem quaint in this time, but perhaps we need to look back and simplify our holiday lives and remember why we are celebrating this lovely time of year. This special time in which we welcome the Word made Flesh, the Light into the world, is a sweet time. Let's get some of that  sweetness back into our celebrations.

Living on Staten Island...give us a break

So, I live on Staten Island.  Not only do I live on Staten Island, I live a block and a half from the spot where Eric Garner died.  The park in which he sold "loosies" is catty-corner from my building. This neighborhood, where I purchased a condo, is undergoing a sort of revival, and I have to admit, that not only I, but other condo owners in my building and folks in the surrounding area have in the past called the local precinct complaining about the sale of narcotics in said park. And I will agree that Mr. Garner was involved in illegal behavior, but certainly behavior that could have been handled in a much better way that would not have resulted in his untimely death. I also agree that Mr. Garner had health issues, and who does not? I am sure his were more serious than even he knew.


I am also no fool.  I have lived in this city my entire life, the last forty years on Staten Island where I taught in private, parochial and public schools for twenty eight years.  And it was in the public schools on this island where I saw institutional racism up close. How could a school that was almost 35% African American only have four or five students of color in honors programs? How could the overwhelming majority of students who were suspended be African American and Hispanic?  How could the vast majority of students in our Special Education unit, which was at one time by choice 25% of the school population, overwhelmingly be made up of young men of color? Now, by the time students reach the secondary level, most of the educational decisions in their lives have been either made or put into motion.  Many of our students did very well and succeeded with the support of a wonderfully caring staff, but others struggled to get by due to circumstances beyond their control, and beyond the control of the concerned adults who strove each day to do the best they could with limited resources in a system bogged down by bureaucracy. And just in case you did not know it, the New York City public schools are the most segregated in the country according to recent reports, and Staten Island is the "whitest" district in the city. 


There is good reason for this.  This is the borough in which an overwhelming number of civil servants reside.  New York City has a residency rule for members of the uniformed services, so many firefighters, police officers and sanitation workers live here.  Ask any Staten Islander if he or she knows a city worker, and the odds are they themselves are, or they are related to an employee of the City of New York.  At this moment, I am currently employed part time by the city and my three children work for the city full time in three different  municipal agencies.


Real estate prices here are a bit more reasonable than in the rest of the city.  Coop apartments, condos, town houses and single and multiple family homes are spread out across the island and offer a plethora of housing alternatives not found in the congested grid that is Manhattan. In addition, we are just a mere 25 minute ferry ride from the hustle and bustle of "the city" where so many of us work.


And so, I have to admit that I am very much dismayed and upset at the reaction others have to us and their perceived perceptions of who and what we are.


First, let me note that I was more than shocked when the Grand Jury's decision was announced.  I thought that at the very least, there would be an indictment so further investigation would go forward.  I also know that our current District Attorney is a man of professional integrity, and intellectually understood that there was a process that was followed very deliberately.  Since the D.A. petitioned to have the Grand Jury's evidence made public, I thought I would reserve my final decision until I read what the jury had as evidence as well as what we had all seen in the media.


I am upset when I hear or read on social media outlets of how reactionary, racist and conservative Staten Islander are. I am upset when I see demonstrators from elsewhere making rash statements about the place I call home. I am upset with people from other boroughs who make unfeeling and uninformed remarks about the borough in which I have chosen to live.  If I hear one more so-called "friend" asking if I have my passport to get to Manhattan or how NYC sends its garbage to Staten Island, I may just have to slap them silly. By the way, I travel freely back and forth to Manhattan on a weekly basis, and NYC's solid waste goes to a landfill in Pennsylvania, not here.


Just to set the record straight: Eric Garner's death was a tragedy; the Grand Jury reached its conclusion with the evidence it was given; a civil suit can follow, and it should; all lives are important; no young man should be stopped because of his color, his clothes or the length of his hair; all of New York's citizens have a right to use public spaces without fear. And Staten Islanders should not all be painted with one brush; we are as diverse as most American villages, towns or cities.  We want a better life for our children and all children on this piece of New York City...and we deserve the respect and help of the rest of this great city.

Bumbling Criminals

Methinks the latest generation of thieves, thugs,  swindlers, and overall bad guys are not cut from as sturdy a cloth as in the past; nor do they appear to be the sharpest knives in the drawer, nor are they the brightest lights in the chandelier.  Or perhaps my local newspaper, the beloved Staten Island Advance, is just having too much fun reporting on the crazy shenanigans of various nefarious yokels between its pages.


In this past Monday's paper, a man left the scene of an auto accident because he claimed he did not want to listen to his girlfriend yelling at him...Oh, if that would only be the most important thing he has to worry about! Perhaps he could ask her to call him an attorney.  I think he is gong to need one....rather quickly.


And how about the shoplifting duo from Oregon who, after crossing state lines to commit petty larceny in Idaho, jumped into their car and drove around and around the parking lot.  The cops simply put down some spiked strip tape which the intrepid crooks ran over multiple times resulting in several flat tires, and an easy collar for the local police force.  Perhaps next time they will choose a shopping center closer to home; one whose parking lot they might have been in a few times before they attempt another heist.


In today's paper, there was the story of a local boy who in attempting to steal $23 from an outdoor poor box at a local church, was spotted by a cop on patrol who arrested him for possession of burglary tools: in particular, a couple of sticks he taped together to shove into the box to pry it open, and false personation because he gave them someone else's name as his.  Once they looked at his driver's license photo, which was in his wallet, they figured out who he was; and now this bright light is on his way to the pokey.


In Texas a drunk broke into a meat packing plant, stole and ate some sausage, grabbed someone's coat, went into the back office and fell asleep. The cops woke him up the next morning to arrest him for criminal trespassing. His excuse?  He drank too much last night...ya think?


And finally, a registered sex offender, who was a student at my old Intermediate School, hit a cop in the face with a credit card scanner and then attempted to grab the gun of said police officer's partner in order to escape an attempted shoplifting arrest. Now, I do know that one thing a thinking criminal should NOT do is go for a police officer's gun.  That is one way to insure that you wind up in a very unhappy place. Said suspect's explanation for his bad behavior had to do with the fact that he was on probation and didn't want to get in any more trouble. I think he now has more trouble than he bargained for. After attempting to take a gun from an officer of the court,  he is facing several felony and misdemeanor counts and is being held on bond...seems none of his "peeps" stepped up to put up his $5,000 bail. 


Perhaps the level of incompetence in the criminal class is yet another societal ill to lay at the feet of the educational community? I think not. Bumbling criminals, whose attempts at various forms of illegal activity make us shake our heads, are the result of their own actions and their own stupidity.

Seasonal Philanthropy

This afternoon we served 152 people at he TLC Soup Kitchen.  The experienced
crew made this task easy; the increased numbers of new guests, however, caused
both major and minor "hiccups" to occur...and I let myself be unnecessarily
drawn into one of them. At the root of the problematic behaviors, is , I
believe, the issue of seasonal philanthropy.

"Seasonal Philanthropy", as defined my me since I coined the phrase, is an
annual ennui that overcomes some well-meaning, but socially clueless individuals
who feel the urgent need to "give back" to the "less fortunate" thus making
themselves feel superior and beneficent at the same time.

During the holiday season that runs from early November through the New Year, I
get many calls and emails from complete strangers who want to bring their
children, nieces and nephews and grandparents to serve at the Soup Kitchen on a
holiday to "give back" or to "share with others"', or "feel good about our
family's own situation" or finally, even to " be present with the poor", (I don't
make these phrases up; real people say them to me).  I am, of course, appalled
because I know that people are in need all year round, yet even those in these
unpleasant circumstances get caught up in this holiday "rush" to be provided with  numerous frozen turkeys, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce and apple pie for the
Thanksgiving holiday, and later to make sure every homeless or poverty level
child receives new toys and mittens.

Now, I agree that we are called to serve our fellow humans, and making sure
children and adults are feed and warm in this colder northern climate is an
important obligation we have as caring people.  But this seasonal philanthropy
puts our most needy clients in the position of scamming the system for all they
can get...and I am NOT condemning this.  I understand why a mother with hungry
mouths to feed will happily take a turkey from three different organizations or
food pantries.  This means she can provide meals high in protein through out the
winter months.  A 12 pound turkey can provide at least three meals for a family
of five...even more if turkey soup is made from the carcass and giblets.

In the past week, I have solid knowledge of over 4,000 turkeys being distributed
on Staten Island alone. 

Today at the Food Pantry we had over 135 families show up.  Some were there to
pick up a reserved turkey; some were there for their regular appointment;
still others were there because they heard that extra turkeys would be given
out.  It was utter chaos.  Our regular registration crew was overwhelmed.  The
clerks behind the counters were run ragged. The line manager was cursed at and
maltreated by new clients who just "showed up" to get their turkey...the one they
were entitled to.

Those of us in the Soup Kitchen agreed to stay open an extra 15 minutes...which
quickly turned into half an hour, to feed more folks.  When we finally had to
close since the cooking crew had been on their feet for a full five hours, we
were sharply criticized and chastised by a new client for not doing what he
perceived to be our job...that is to feed the rest of the folks on the pantry
line. Rationalizing with him was just not to be, and I nearly lost it...okay, I
did lose it, when accused by said stranger that I did not care about hungry
people.  I pointed out that we feed hungry people 52 weeks a year, not just on
the Saturday before Thanksgiving, but he was having none of it. We were not
living up to his expectations of how a church should operate, and there was no
convincing him. In my frustrated state I just walked away.

Could we have done more? Perhaps, but we also do this work all year long....not
just for the holidays, and maybe that causes us to become more cynical.  And we
don't turn anyone away during the time we serve.  I guess we are just not on the
same schedule as seasonal philanthropists who might be appalled at our
behavior...but we toil in this vineyard all year long. We do not pick and choose
when we want to come.  We answer the Gospel call each week: rain or shine, snow
or sleet, oppressing heat or bitter cold....how about you cut us some slack over
the holidays?