THREE MOTHERS ON CALVARY
March 6, 2005 4th Sunday Lent (A) 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Jn 9: 1-41
How many of you parents have grown children?
I hope that all of you are proud of your grown children. Pleasant personalities! Good jobs! Happy families! Get along well with people!
But unfortunately many parents in Hong Kong ask themselves: “My son/daughter didn’t turn out a I had hoped. WHAT DID I DO WRONG?”
WORD OF GOD:
Today we just read a passage from the book of |Samuel. He must have frequently have asked: “WHAT DID I DO WRONG?”
“I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
“from among his sons.” When God gave Samuel the task of anointing David King of Israel, Samuel must have asked: “Why not my sons.” And then he sadly added: “What did I do wrong in raising my kids?”
In those days Israel did not have a King. Kings were a recent innovation among the neighboring tribes. Instead when the Israelites needed leadership in wartime or to carry on cross- tribal affairs, they had “Judges.” And God has a direct hand in appointing the more important judges for special missions. In addition there were the “prophets. If they were good prophets, they prayed a lot and knew what God was thinking. And so people, if they were smart, would listen to these wise prophets and follow their advice.
Hannah, Samuel’s mom, had had a medical problem. And she couldn’t have kids. But after a lot of praying and tears, she gave birth to Samuel. And Hannah was so happy. She was also very grateful to God. So when he was still a little fellow, she brought Samuel to the temple and told the prophet Eli: “Now, I, in turn, give [Samuel] to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:28) And when he grew up Samuel was a great prophet: honest, wise and respected.
Now he was getting up in years. He appointed his sons as judges. Well that didn’t work out very well. His sons were slunks. [“Slunks” is not in my “spell-check” But I didn’t want to insult skunks.]

“In his old age Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel … His sons did not follow his example but sought illicit gain and accepted bribes, perverting justice. …the elders of Israel came in a body to Samuel at Ramah and said to him: “Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example appoint a king over us.” (1 Samuel 1: 1-5)
At the same time, the citizens didn’t like the present political set-up of judges. They wanted to be modern and have a king like the neighboring nations. But who?
Samuel listened and talked it over with God a lot. Eventually he anointed Saul. And when Saul turned out to have a serious mental condition and there needed to be successor, he immediately thought of his three sons. But he shook his head sadly: “Where did I go wrong?”
THE WORD AND US
Since this is Lent, I want to recall two other mothers who must have frequently asked: “Where did I go wrong?”
I am wondering whether there might have been standing next to Mary on Calvary “two other mothers”. Their sons were also being cruelly executed that afternoon. Undoubtedly Mary would have exchanged a few words with the “two other mothers”. And with them watched their sons die. .
The mother of the first criminal looked at Jesus to see if there was anything that he could do. Jesus looked lovingly at her son but nothing happened. Instead her son said sarcastically:
“Aren’t you the Messiah? Then save yourself and us.”
And Jesus looked at this criminal’s mother as if to say: “We both did the best we could. But don’t give up hope. My mother, Mary, and I will keep praying with you for your son.”
Then Jesus looked at the mother of the second criminal. She, too, is hoping that there is something that Jesus could do. ….then her son looked at Jesus and believed in him. How do we know this? Well, after the other criminal insulted Jesus this second criminal give his companion an earful.
“Have you no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence? We are only paying the price for what we’ve done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he looked at Jesus and prayed:
“Jesus, remember me when you enter upon your reign.”
So Jesus managed to smile:
“I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise”
RESPONSE: Perhaps some of you parents here in Church this morning are like Samuel and asking: “Where have I gone wrong in raising my children? Certainly my son is not a bad as those two criminals who died on crosses next to Jesus. Yet one or more of my children didn’t turn out the way I hoped. “My son is “living-in’ with his girlfriend. Or “I am worried about my son. I think he is taking drugs.” Or “My daughter doesn’t have time to take her own children to Sunday school.” Or “My children only attend Mass a few times a year and only when I am with them.” And often these parents like Samuel ask themselves: “What did I do wrong? What more should I have done?”
FINALE: And Jesus answers: “There is nothing more that you and I could have done. Both you and I have done our best. Just keep praying. Your Savior doesn’t like losing.”HOMILIES NOTES AND STUFF
March 6, 2005 4th Sunday Lent (A) 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Jn 9: 1-41
HEARERS OF THE WORD: Saturday 8 P.M.: seniors and young adults
10:45 with parent and children. [Will have to do some
revision for 10:45 Mass].
TEXT: “I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
“In his old age Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel … His sons did not follow his example but sought illicit gain and accepted bribes, perverting justice. …the elders of Israel came in a body to Samuel at Ramah and said to him: “Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example appoint a king over us.” (1 Samuel 1: 1-5)
ONE WORD: Offspring
TWO WORDS: Grown Offspring
TOPIC SENTENCE: What is to be our attitude towards our grown offspring when they seem to stray?
DESIRED RESULT: Dear Father, Thank-you for the homily last week. I had been beating myself because my kid turned out to be a jerk. I did the best I could. I must always show love and respect to him and his companion—even though she is a slut. Just keep my mouth shut except when I am praying for them. Trying to be a loving mother, name withheld.

REFERENCES:
All biblical citations from New American Bible (N.Y.: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1970) unless otherwise indicated.
TIDBITS:
Three years ago on this 4th Sunday of Lent, we worked with the gospel and second reading “Sun Glasses for the Blind.” The theme was “Light and Darkness.”
CHURCH-SECRET ANNOUNCEMENT!!!In January the Asian Center for the Progress of People published the first volume of my series: Thou Shalt Think and Do: Adventures with the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church Volume I (In a separate booklet: Facilitator's Notes).

This is an attempt to introduce to Christians the "Church's best kept secret" --its social teachings. The method involves maximum participation and uses an interesting and challenging approach. It should be fun too. At least I had fun preparing it. Should you like a little training workshop, let us know. Chinese version has been prepared for workshops and will printed shortly.
Price (HK$40) (U.S.$6.00 for a set of the two booklets. For cost of postage and manner of delivery, please contact:
Asian Center for the Progress of People
52 Princess Margaret Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel.: (852-2714-5123). Fax: 2712-0152 E-mail: <[email protected]>
Fr. Gene Thalman M.M.
Tel: 2338-2992 or <[email protected]>I’LL BE HAPPY IF AT LEAST THEY REMEMBER: All that God expected of us parents is that we tried (not necessarily succeeded) do our best.CHEWING, DIGESTING AND DOING GOD’S WORD
March 6, 2005 4th Sunday Lent (A) 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Jn 9: 1-41
NAME _______ GRADE _______
__ T/F Samuel was probably an excellent father.
How many mothers might have been under the crosses when Jesus died? ___
What question do parents of grown children ask? ___________________
_________________________________________________________.
The trouble with grown young people today is that they ______________________.
The trouble with parents of grown children is that they _________________.
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