Tomorrow's Justice Today!

Tomorrows Justice Today!

Luke 16:19-31

".?. .Moreover between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to your side or our your side to our side."

The chasm between Lazarus and the rich man was impossible to cross because the rich man did not serve Lazarus in life. The rich man like Peter denied Jesus, and lost eternal life.

Yesterday there were around thirty people at the funeral of Alex Jones in the park in front of City Hall. Around us was the majesty of the City, and the children's park where Alex once took his little child.

The people present were people I have known through the years on the street. Like Alex they are on the side of the "chasm" where?most people will not go, the "chasm" of poverty, drug use, homelessness. Like Peter we deny the existence of Jesus on the street.

During our sharing time in the service each one shared of Alex's goodness, the "starfish" on the sand he threw back into the sea of life. It was a very moving service.

Talking about the future we must take seriously the question of justice. If our hope for a better future is dismissive of the Alex's of the present than we have not understood the message of Jesus.

Eternal life in God is a gift that we can embrace or refuse. It is a gift that begins in the here and now of our lives, and receiving it in fullness involves considerations about our existence as a whole. Homelessness is growing, they have little excess to health care, food, and housing.

We can listen to the wisdom of Jesus on how life decisions, just and unjust, play a role in defining our ultimate relationship with God. Or we can listen to other voices, the choice is ours! You can be a Peter who denies Jesus or one who follows him!

Yesterday I was experiencing eternity, and the presence of God at Alex's funeral! Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!

The Fourth?Station

Peter Denies Jesus

Leader: We adore you O Christ, and we praise you.???

All:?Because by your Holy Cross you have saved all of creation.

66”?While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the female servants of the high priest came by. 67?When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” 68?But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt.[a] Then the cock crowed.[b] 69?And the female servant, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70?But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and you talk like one.”[c] 71?But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” 72?At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered

that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:66-72.”

We are all like Peter. We deny our friends and lie when placed in a fearful situation. We are always for ourselves. We are haunted by these denials. We are haunted by the denials of caring for homeless people on the street. Like Peter if we return in faithfulness to Jesus, he will use our haunting on raising people on the streets into a new life.

All: ?Jesus declares: “If anyone wants to become a follower, let them deny themselves?and take up their cross. and follow me.” Deo 'Gratias! Thanks be to God!

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Fr. River Damien Sims sfw, D.Min, D.S.T,

P.O. Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

415-305-2124

The Twenty Second Annual Stations of the Cross

"Our Haunting!"

April 7, 2023

Civic Center

Noon-2 p.m.

Food Provided By:

AUNT BARBARA’S KITCHEN

GOOD FRIDAY IRISH SODA BREAD BLITZ ON POLK STREET

in alliance with Fr. River Damien Sims of Temenos

https://www.temenos.org/

Please help support a Good Friday initiative. Fr. River Sims aims to serve 200 folks with Irish Soda

Bread, the food that supported many Irish during hard times. It’s in the spirit of community and

nurturing.

There’s a legend that when a cross is made in each loaf before baking, all the good fairies are released. We like to believe in that.

$15/loaf payable through www.temenos.org , pay pal, or Aunt Barbara’s Kitchen/Temenos Catholic Worker, P.O. Box 642656, San Francisco, CA 94164

Aunt Barbara’s Kitchen is a Cottage Food Operation from a home kitchen in Marin County.

The business started with $10 and Aunt Barbara’s great grandfather iron skillet with the intention to build

a business model that feeds the hungry and revenue that goes to youth in college. The owner volunteers

her time to this endeavor and takes no revenue for herself, at this time. She hopes to reshape the model

of what businesses can create for communities, especially our youth, to cultivate and showcase the

power of human investment. 415 717 0151 https://barbaramcveigh.com/aunt-barbaras-kitchen/