December 31, 2006
Posted in Homilies
at 9:00 am
Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family
December 31, 2006
Today’s Gospel is the only passage that tells us anything about Jesus as a boy. It is a story we all know well, and we probably don’t give much thought to the very first line. But that single sentence indicates considerably more than we might think. “Now every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Festival of Passover.” Not occasionally, but every year. This is important information, because it tells us that Jesus was raised in a devout family. Mary and Joseph were deeply religious Jews, who followed the customs of their faith in making this annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This meant a journey of about 100 kilometres, usually on foot. That would have taken about four days one way. For major pilgrimages like this, a group of people from the same village would often travel together, for company and for protection against dangers such as wild animals and bandits. So, there probably would have been quite a few people in the group, including many members of extended families. Everyone would watch out for each other’s children. As the Gospel states, Mary and Joseph assumed that Jesus was somewhere in this group of travellers, so they weren’t immediately concerned. It was a full day before they realised He was missing, and began to look for Him.
Of course, we know that Jesus was found in the temple after a three day search, and that He went home and was obedient to His parents. Even though He was God, Jesus was submissive to the will of His parents. Which brings us back to the implications of that first line. We can be sure that Jesus was brought up in a deeply religious home, raised in the teachings and traditions of His Jewish faith.
But, how can we possibly hope to imitate the relationship of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph? This was THE Holy Family! You know, Mary conceived without sin, Joseph, her faithful and chaste spouse, and their only child, Jesus, God incarnate. Are we supposed to be like them? Well, yes, and, no. We should try to live as a holy family, but will not be exactly like the Holy Family. Just as Joseph and Mary did, we can create an environment conducive to spiritual growth. Now, we don’t have to turn our homes into monasteries. But our families are the first place that our children learn about God and their faith. As parents, and for some, as grandparents, we have a great treasure that we can pass along to our families. What better gift can we give them than what we know can lead to eternal life? The family is sometimes called the domestic church, and we play a special role in forming and sustaining the church of our family.
We do this not just through our words, but by our example. Do we pray with our children? Do we bring them – and ourselves – to church every Sunday? Do we show them that God is at the very top of our priority list? Our families should be places where our faith is practiced naturally and continually. This does not mean that our families will be perfect. We will be impatient, we will have arguments, we will be selfish, we will be human. We will ask for forgiveness, and we will forgive. We won’t always have all the right answers. Every family has it’s successes, it’s failures, it’s blessings, and, unfortunately, it’s tragedies. It is good to teach our families that we have and need the help of God, and we also need the help of our friends and our Christian community.
Our Christian community, our parish, is also a family. I mean that in a very real sense. We may use the term community, but we are more than that. As John says in today’s second reading, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are”. So we should remember that all of us have a common Father, who loves us, and is represented here by Father Tim, who is our spiritual father. Like any family, we may have our disagreements and differences of opinion. But through the good and the bad, we experience life together as any family does. We come together to worship, and we share a common heritage of faith. We are all family to each other.
I will close with a prayer that we began saying with our son when he was very young. We would say it every night before bed, and we still do say it once in a while, when circumstances allow. Some of you may be familiar with it; if not and you would like a copy, let me know. This applies to our immediate and extended families, and to our parish family as well.
God made us a family
We need one another
We love one another
We forgive one another
We work together
We play together
We worship together
Together we use God’s word
Together we grow in Christ
Together we love all men
Together we serve our God
Together we hope for Heaven
These are our hopes and ideals
Help us to attain them, O God
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.
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December 25, 2006
Posted in Homilies
at 9:00 am
25 December 2006
“Do not be afraid . . . I am bringing you good news of great joy,” good news of a Child who is born for us, this incomprehensible miracle of love, of the birth of a human child who is God Himself.
“Do not be afraid any longer” (Lk 12:32), and “ do not worry about your life”(Lk 12:22), a Child is born for you, a Son who makes you a son or daughter of God, a child who helps you become like a child again, so that you can enter the kingdom of God (Mt 18:3) . . . If only you knew . . . if only you knew how much God loves you, you would never be afraid again, you would not be anxious about anything ever.”
This is the message of Christmas. This was the message of the angel to Mary, to Joseph, to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Lk 2:30); “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid, to take Mary your wife into your home” (Mt 1:20); “do not be afraid . . . I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people” (Lk 2:10). “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be saddened this day, rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:9)
In our culture, we are told that Christmas is the absolute happiest day of the year. Is it really? Well, for Christians who are deeply convinced that this Child is who is born for us is God, and for those who have real faith in God’s personal love for them, then yes, Christmas is definitely one of the happiest days of the year. But for many others, it is not a festive time of decorating with red and green, as they struggle through a blue or black Christmas. We must let them know that God has not forgotten or abandoned them.
I have many happy memories of Christmas growing up (and some sad ones). As you know, I grew up the son of an Anglican minister, but we did not live in a particularly religious household in which we talked much about Jesus in our home. But we did sing about Him at Christmas, and I remember singing Christmas Carols with my Dad and family. And I enjoyed decorating the tree with my Mother, brother and sister, listening to Handel’s Messiah or Nana Miskouri’s Christmas album. And there were some very good people at St. James Anglican Church in Moncton, and each year my parents, as the clergy family, would host a party for the parish the day after Christmas that always a lot of fun.
But I also have some sad memories, for instance, of the last Christmas that my family spent together before my parents separated permanently. And the pain affected my brother and sister and me differently. It eventually drew me closer to Christ (and to the Catholic Church and the priesthood – I will never be able to understand the mystery of God’s mercy to me, but I rejoice in it!), while these same experiences seemed to have driven my brother and sister farther away from Christ.
I wonder why my brother and sister never go to Church, even on Christmas eve or Christmas Day! Is it because some atheistic scientist (Richard Dawkins) convinced them once and for all that God is just a delusion? I don’t think so. I think it’s fear – fear of pain. Perhaps they feel betrayed by Christ because our father was a Christian minister who left his family. So they unfortunately associate the Church of Christ with pain, betrayal, and hypocrisy. If only my brother and sister could hear again and believe – like we did when we were children — in the message of the angel on Christmas eve: “do not be afraid . . . to love again, to trust again . . .you can begin again . . I am bringing you (this) good news of great joy!”
Why? . . . Why do people stay away from a close, personal relationship with Christ, and rarely visit Him in His Church? I know that some people are proud, and think they don’t need God (unconsciously they think they are God); truly, I tell you, they have their reward of a miserable life ending in eternal death. But many others have been hurt in some way and are afraid, anxious, and worried about so many things in life. But there is no need to be afraid any longer.
Do not be afraid to draw close to this little Child lying in the manger. You can let down your guard; you don’t have to put up walls around your heart to protect yourself from pain; in doing so, you are preventing yourself from feeling love and joy. Let yourself be loved! Learn to love and accept yourself!
This little Child in the manger is not going to judge or condemn you. He doesn’t want to hurt you or control you or take away your freedom or your money. What does He want from you? What does any child want?
You should know better than I do. How many people here are parents? . . . And can I also ask how many people here are pregnant at the present time? Is it something you are keeping a secret? You must proclaim it with joy! In our culture, we must recover our faith in the precious gift of each child from the moment of conception.
Parents, when you hold your first child in your arms for the first time, what is it that the child wants from you? What does God want from you, the God who comes to you as a little Child? . . . All He ever wanted from you is your love. Here He is on Christmas eve/day lying in a manger, here He is humble and hidden in Holy Communion, silently speaking to each one of you, “All I ever wanted was your love.” Do not be afraid to love this Child and let yourself by loved by Him who is God, the Word made flesh.
Catherine Doherty of Madonna House asks the question, “What does it mean to have the heart of a child?” She answers, “A child is utterly trusting. A child is totally open, uninhibited, simple, direct, and unafraid. A child believes without reservation.” And she prayed every day, after Communion, “Give me the heart of a child. Give me the awesome courage to live what it demands” (Donkey Bells 43). Yes, Lord, give us the heart of a child so that we might receive your love for us and freely share it with others, and experience the great joy you promise us.
There are many people who are not here tonight/today, to hear the good tidings of great joy, this message of God’s love for them. Some people on this earth will only know that God loves them if you and I love them. It is very simple to live the message of Christmas. You don’t have to quit your job, sell your house and work in the slums of Calcutta or the villages of Lesotho (though it would be nice if some people had that kind of self-sacrificing love). All you have to do is love the person next to you in the present moment, even if it is a stranger, but especially if it is your husband or wife, brother, sister, parent or child.
Husbands, love your wives, and forgive her occasional moodiness or complaining. Renew the love you had for her in the beginning, when you first fell in love (Rev 2:4), and may that love grow each day. Wives, respect and love your husbands, and forgive his occasional lack of attentiveness, piety or time spent at home. Perhaps your example of faith and love will inspire him to become a better Christian.
Parents, love your children, and thank God that through them you can re-live the joy of Christmas, and that through them God is inviting you and teaching you how to become like children again, so that you can find your way to the kingdom of God.
Children, love your parents, and don’t bug them so much to spoil you with more and more toys and material things that won’t make you happy. Thank your parents for all their sacrifices for you; and remember that it is through them that God has created you out of nothing, to share in His life and happiness forever.
In closing, if I could sit on Santa’s knee and ask him for one special gift — better yet, if I could kneel before the creche and kiss the forehead of the Christ Child and ask for one gift tonight/today, (by the way, we will all be kneeling tonight during the Nicene Creed at the words “and became man,” and as we kneel, let us imagine ourselves present at the creche, at this miracle of God made man).
In asking for one gift tonight/today, I pray for my family and yours, and for all of you are my family in Christ whom I love most sincerely, and for all those here present who may be living in fear and lacking in faith, that ALL may come to rejoice in God’s love for them! And may the love you receive from God this Christmas give you courage and grace in this coming New Year, to change your life, to re-commit yourself to your family, your spouse, parents, children, to Christ and His Church.
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December 24, 2006
Posted in Homilies
at 9:00 am
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, Dec. 24, 2006
On the Joy of Christmas – Dialogue Homily
1) Today I would like to chat a bit about the joy of Christmas, and I want to ask you what is the “joy of Christmas” for you. But first I want to read an excerpt from this poem I came across, which captures what many people feel when they hear these words, “the joy of Christmas”:
“Ah, yes!
The joy of Christmas!
I once heard tell of some such thing,
long ago, in Israel.
Yes, it’s true –
it was a silent night,
away in a manger
near the little town of Bethlehem,
and everyone was so happy!
angels and kings and shepherds sang,
the little drummer boy drummed,
the Renaissance patron painted in the corner hummed –
he was happy too!
But I will be honest, my friends:
I can sing those refrains
as loud as the next
and not feel a thing
What’s wrong with me?
I try so hard to be nice,
do everything just right!
But I feel the stress,
the busy-ness,
the messiness of my life
far removed from the sight
of that magical night
when planets paused
and stars crowded round
the little town . . . “
2) So what is the “joy of Christmas” for you?
(DISCUSSION THAT VARIED AT EACH MASS)
3) Pope Paul VI wrote a beautiful meditation on Christian joy in 1975, (Gaudete in Domino) and I would like to read you some excerpts for your consideration.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/
First, he comments on the lack of joy in our secular culture: “Technological society has succeeded in multiplying the opportunities for pleasure, but it has great difficulty in generating joy. For joy comes from another source. It is spiritual.” (#I)
It is very difficult to find joy without faith. Paul VI remarks, “One can speak here of the sadness of non-believers, when the human spirit, created in the image and likeness of God, . . . remains without knowing Him clearly, without loving Him, and therefore without experiencing . . . happiness.”(#I)
Here is his definition of joy: “In essence, Christian joy is the spiritual sharing in the unfathomable joy, both divine and human, which is in the heart of Jesus Christ glorified.” Already, in the tiny heart of this child about to be born in the manger, is the infinite joy of God that He wants to share with the whole world. (#II)
Finally, he writes, “No one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.” We must let our unbelieving family and friends know this! “No one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.”
“The great joy announced by the angel on Christmas night is truly for all the people,(17) both for the people of Israel then anxiously awaiting a Savior, and for the numberless people made up of all those who, in time to come, would receive its message and strive to live by it.” (#III) That’s us!
“The Blessed Virgin Mary was the first to have received its announcement, from the angel Gabriel, . . . (of) the inexpressible event which is the center and summit of history: the coming on earth of Emmanuel, God with us. John the Baptist, whose mission is to point Him out to the expectation of Israel, had himself leapt for joy, in His presence, in the womb of his mother” – as we heard in today’s Gospel (Luke 1:39-45). (#III)
4) Finally, let us consider the example of Mary from today’s Gospel in the story of her Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth. Notice when Mary sings her Magnificat, her joyful hymn of praise to God. Not at the moment the angel visits her and she conceives Jesus in her womb. No. It is only AFTER she shares the gift of Jesus and the love of God, by going “with haste” to visit and help her cousin, and only after Elizabeth greets her, only then does Mary cry out, “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”
Mary is an example for us. In this Christmas season, let us visit those without joy and be messengers of joy to others, as Mary was. Only in sharing God’s gift of life and love will we truly experience the joy God wants to give us this Christmas and throughout the year.
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December 17, 2006
Posted in Homilies
at 9:00 am
Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2006
Gaudete in Domino Semper – Rejoice in the Lord always! This is from the first line of today’s second reading, which is also the epistle in the traditional Latin mass. Gaudete is Latin for rejoice; that is the origin of today being traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. As we joyfully await the coming of Christ, we do have reason to rejoice. And, also, we have the opportunity to assess our own response to the good news.
In order to formulate their answer to his preaching, the people asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” This question is repeated three times in today’s Gospel. Like the answer to this same question, asked of Jesus by the rich ruler in chapter 18 of Luke, John’s answers reflect a deeper understanding of what is expected of us. Observance of the law is important, but just strict observance of the law is not sufficient. Among other things, there is a social justice aspect that is an integral part of being a Christian. To the first group, the crowds, John tells them to share whatever little extra they may have. Now, these were average people, probably not that well off, so for them to share anything would have meant a sacrifice. The second and third groups, the tax collectors and the soldiers, were generally despised by the people. They often abused their positions of authority, extracting more taxes than were actually due, or forcing people to pay bribes in order to avoid prison based on false allegations. It would be a huge adjustment for them to act ethically, as John instructs them. And yet, even for the tax collectors and soldiers, there was hope for salvation. This was good news, even if it meant a change in their lives.
What would John the Baptist tell us to do? Do we need to make any changes in our lives in response to the good news? We have to obey the commandments of course, and listen to the teachings of the Church. But, our own goodness is more than a matter of following the rules – it is a matter of being open to God’s will, and living accordingly. How are we integrating our faith into our lives, every day of the week? The teachings of John the Baptist are applicable to all of us. Whatever our job is, whatever business we conduct, we need to do it faithfully, ethically, and responsibly. We should not be looking for loopholes, or for ways to get more than we are due. For example, someone at my work recently noticed that although he had taken five days of holidays, he had only been debited for two. Because of the size of our company, there is a significant disconnect between the Human Resources department, the managers, and the front line workers, so it is not likely that anyone would have picked up on it. He probably could have just let this slide, and ended up being able to take some extra days off later on. Instead, he called attention to the discrepancy and the record was corrected. His actions were in accordance with his beliefs.
If we are to live our lives in accordance with our professed beliefs, we must allow our eyes – and our hearts – to notice those opportunities, large or small, to put our faith into action. The word “exhortations” toward the end of today’s Gospel can also be translated “encouragements”. John encouraged his followers to go beyond the law, to be even better people than the minimum required. When we begin to understand the life Jesus came to give us, we also begin to see why the Gospel is good news, even if it means changing our lives. We then will desire to live a good life out of love for God, rather than just to avoid punishment.
Our good works should be a reflection of God’s presence in our lives and in our world. This can be demonstrated in our families; in our relationships with friends, neighbours, and co-workers; and in our interactions with others we may encounter. Our commitment to a just society, even on a very small scale within our own area, is an indication of our hope and joy, and a recognition that Christ is working with us. Pope Paul IV wrote: “…the Christian knows that other men are at work, to undertake actions of justice and peace, working for the same ends”.
Our efforts to build a better world, and a better self, are preparations for the coming of Christ. The Lord truly is near. So, rejoice, and let the goodness in our hearts, and of our actions, be good news to all those who need to hear and feel it.
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December 10, 2006
Posted in Homilies
at 9:00 am
Second Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 10th , 2006
Today the Church invites us, through John the Baptist, to prepare the way of the Lord through repentance and the forgiveness of our sins. People from all parts of Israel came to the Jordan river to have their sins forgiven. We don’t have to travel that far. For us, the people of the New Covenant, for the forgiveness of sins committed after baptism, we have only to walk to the back of almost any Catholic Church anywhere in the world.
Let’s do that right now. Let’s talk a walk to the back of the Church. I’ll ask Gabriel, our heavenly commentator, to introduce us to this confessional at the back of the Church.
Mark: “Father Tim and parishioners of OLMM, I would like to introduce to you the new 2007 X-3 model Confessional!”
Fr. Tim: “Come on, Gabriel. What do you mean, “the new 2007 model?” Is there something “new” about this old, empty, neglected and forgotten confessional?”
Mark: “Actually, there is, Fr. Tim. First of all, we are introducing extended hours of operation: we are open for business before each weekday Mass, and before Saturday Mass and the Sunday 9am Mass. And notice on the inside of each door that the Knights of Columbus have installed the latest in sound-proof technology, to make sure that your confession is heard only by God and the priest, not the lady sitting in the back pew.”
Fr. Tim: “Interesting. So, Gabriel, how does this X-3 Confessional work? How do you take it for a ‘test drive’?”
Mark: “For that we will need a sinner.”
Fr. Tim: “A sinner! Where are we going to find one of those? I don’t know if there are any in this parish . . . we may have to go to Metcalfe or Embrun . . . Wait a minute, here’s a sinner sitting in the back pew!”
Person gets up wearing sackcloth (burlap) and chains, and stands up in middle aisle, with head bowed in sadness, then slowly walks into the confessional.
Fr. Tim: “What’s he doing?”
Mark: “He is a sinner, clothed in “the garment of sorrow and affliction” (in the words of the prophet Baruch from the First Reading 5:1). He is going to confess his sins to the priest.”
Fr. Tim: “The priest? Why? He’s just a man, and a sinner too! I wouldn’t let him judge me!”
Mark: “It is true that he is a sinner – that’s why he also goes to confession. And why go to the priest? Jesus forgives you through the priest. When Jesus rose from the dead, he gave the apostles the Holy Spirit and said, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:23). Jesus gave the authority to forgive sins to the apostles and their successors, the bishops and priests (Catechism #1441-2). Furthermore, the Church teaches that the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession is the ordinary way of obtaining forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism (See Catechism #1446 and JPII Reconciliatio et Penitentia #31). It would be foolish as well as presumptuous to do without –“
Fr. Tim: “– OK, OK! I believe you. You don’t have to throw the whole Catechism at me . . . Gee, that person in the confessional is sure taking a long time. . . He must be from Metcalfe or Embrun . . . Oh, here he is!”
Person jumps out of confessional, radiant with joy, stand in middle aisle with arms outstretched in victory, clothed in a royal robe, wearing a crown.
Mark: “Notice the beauty of the soul whose sins have been completely forgiven. In the words of the prophet Baruch, ‘(He has put on) the beauty of the glory from God, the robe of the righteousness that comes from God, the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting.’ (5:1-2)”
Fr. Tim: “Gabriel, if this is the miracle that happens in the Confessional, that someone could enter so sorrowful, burdened by sin, and leave with such freedom and joy in God’s mercy, then each week there should be a line-up out the door and around the block!. . . Gabriel, are you there? . . .
Mark: “Uh . . . sorry Fr. Tim . . . I don’t have an explanation for that . . . that’s a mystery no one can explain . . .”
Fr. Tim: “Well Gabriel, if this is the beautiful transformation that takes place in Confession, then I am going to be the first in line at our parish penitential service on December 14th!”
What holds people back from going to regular confession? Are they ashamed of their sins? Are you ashamed to go to the doctor when you are sick? There are some good doctors here in Russell. Imagine one day you go to see Dr. Menard. You sit in silence . . . and he asks you, “Well, you wanted to see me about something? . . . silence . . . then you burst out, “I’m so ashamed!” (And bury your face in your hands) . . . “What’s wrong?” he gently asks. “I . . . I have a bad cold!” He replies, “That’s OK. People get sick all the time.” “But doctor, you don’t understand! I can’t get sick! I have to be perfect!”
How absurd is that? If we are not ashamed to go to the doctor when we are sick, we should not be ashamed to go to confession when we sin. (By the way, everyone on earth is a sinner!) And if it is too hard to go to your parish priest, there are very kind and compassionate priests in Embrun, Metcalfe, and South Gloucester to name a few. And there will be 5 visiting priests here on December 14th.
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December 3, 2006
Posted in Homilies
at 9:00 am
First Sunday of Advent, Year C, Dec 3, 2006
Children, I would like to introduce you to Chris the Donkey, the Hollywood star from the new movie The Nativity. His name is Chris because Christopher means “Christ bearer” the one who carries Jesus, because Chris the donkey carried Mary who was carrying Jesus in her womb, on the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. (And Chris the Donkey is not like other Hollywood donkeys, like the donkey from Shrek, with the voice of Eddie Murphy, because if he had been that kind of donkey, St. Joseph would have strangled him!)
Children, close your eyes for a moment and listen. Can you hear this sound? Listen very carefully. (Sound of a little bell) This is the sound of the first Church bells, of the bell around the neck of Chris the donkey that carried Mary who was pregnant with Jesus, on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary was the first “church” because before Jesus was born into this world, and before He was present in the tabernacles of our churches, He was truly present in the womb of Mary. Each week of Advent these bells will get bigger and louder, as Mary and Joseph draw nearer to Bethlehem and the day of Christ’s birth approaches.
(See Donkey Bells – Advent and Christmas by Catherine Doherty, p. 12-15).
For many people, a donkey is just a slow and stupid animal, but a donkey is special to God. Did you know that each newborn donkey has a black cross on its gray fur? The donkey is also close to God, because it is a poor, humble, and simple animal.
Maybe the donkey has something to teach us as we enter the Advent season in preparation for Christmas. First of all, the donkey who carried Mary is a reminder that Advent is a journey, not a shopping spree. Perhaps I should repeat that: Advent is a journey, not a shopping spree, a time to be poor, humble, and simple, not rich, proud and complicated. In the new movie about the birth of Jesus, The Nativity, which I have not yet seen, I understand that a large part of the film is dedicated to the journey of Mary and Joseph (and the donkey) to Bethlehem.
In Advent, we too make a journey — journey inside. As Joseph and Mary, who were poor, humble, and simple, travelled with their donkey to Bethlehem, they also had to make a journey inside through prayer, love and penance, to try to understand and fulfill God’s will and plan for their lives, especially Mary, who carried this mystery of God inside of her.
There are many practical, necessary journeys that we have to make in preparation for Christmas: a journey to the grocery store to buy that special Christmas food, a journey to the mall to buy some Christmas gifts, a journey to visit our in-laws, a journey to the liquor store to deal with the stress of the season . . .
But while we are making on these outer journeys, let us also strive to be poor, humble, and simple, and make a journey inside through prayer, love and penance.
1) As Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “Be alert at all times, praying . . . “ Busy on the outside, but awake on the inside. Caught in holiday traffic on the outside, but praying the Rosary on the inside. Frustrated by family problems on the outside, praying a novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on the inside.
2) We can also make a journey inside through love. As St. Paul wrote to Thessalonians in the Second Reading: “may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” In Advent, let’s try to do everything for love, to do “little things exceedingly well for love of God” (Madonna House “Little Mandate”). Yes, we have to go to the grocery store and the mall; we have to shop, bake, and decorate. But we can do it all for love.
Last Monday, I went shopping almost all day for Christmas gifts for my family. I hate shopping! I managed to avoid Walmart, (because I was afraid I would be suffocated by the nauseating stench of consumerism), but I actually had to go inside Chapters – it was painful, but I survived! And looking back, the day was not that bad, because while I was shopping, I was actually contemplating, thinking about those I love and the little gifts that would make them happy.
3) Finally, we can make a journey inside through penance. I would like to read you this excerpt from David Warren’s column from this morning’s paper (Ottawa Citizen Dec. 3, 2006): “Apart from merriment and indulgence, Advent is a season of fasting and prayer. Not on the scale of Lent, before Easter, and barely half the duration of Lent; nor filled with the quality of sorrow and ashes that marks the Lenten season. Still, fasting and prayer. There will be time enough to celebrate through the 12 days of Christmas when irreligious men and women are recovering from their own celebration of they know not what.”
Our secular culture tends to skip the journey of Advent completely, and to arrive in Bethlehem on December 1st, and say, “It’s Christmas, let’s party!” Well, no . . . not yet. Advent is not a time for “dissipation and drunkenness,” or to be consumed by the worries of this life. But a time to prepare for the feast of Christmas through prayer, love, and penance – meaning some sort of self-denial.
A priest who is much older, wiser, and holier than me said to me the other day, “Have you noticed the colour of Advent . . . CHILDREN, help me out – what is the colour of Advent? Purple – yes, the colour of penance!” I’m not making this up! This is not my innovation to wear purple; this is the teaching of the Church. And the third Sunday of Advent is “Gaudete” Sunday – rejoicing Sunday – when we have the option of wearing rose-coloured vestments – and we have the rose-coloured candle in our wreath – instead of purple, signifying that we are taking a break from the “purple” of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. We have to be taking a break from something . . . from what? From our Advent penitential discipline.
I’m not laying down the law, but I do recommend some sort of penance during Advent – yes, like “giving something up” for Advent. If you can’t do it, please don’t feel guilty. But make sure you pray, love, and come to the Advent Penitential Service on December 14th. But for those who do give something up, I think you will find that Christmas is that much more joyful and meaningful.
This Advent, as we make a journey inside toward God, God is also making a journey toward us. We can imagine that Russell is the little town of Bethlehem. There’s Joseph, with Mary pregnant with Jesus, sitting on the donkey with the bell around his neck; they are somewhere on the other side of Ottawa, and if we listen carefully, we will hear the bells growing louder each week, as they slowly make their way to Russell, where they plan to arrive on Christmas eve, and stay at your home, if you are ready to receive these poor, humble, and simple pilgrims.
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