Sunday Reflection - Holy Family - An Influenced Mixture

An Influenced Mixture (Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52)

During the week, I prayed over a paragraph from the Catechism.  The paragraph, “The whole life of Jesus Christ showed how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”

God can give you insights before you know they are insights. They came with this weeks readings.

“The whole life of Jesus Christ….” His life included every breath he took. Life experienced with every inhale and exhale like traveling to the temple, studying scripture, the traditions of the feast and festivals, and even living in the extended family community in Nazareth. 

A whole life that included every good time and ever bad time, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

A life lived in the Holy Family. 

Family was important. Jesus knew the commandments and the writing of Sirach on family honor. Honor your parents and parents point your children to God. These were part of Jesus' life that showed how God anointed Jesus. 

An anointed life in which Jesus lived the virtues that Paul writes about. The virtues of God we are to "put on." Jesus showed us how to live these and put on the love of Christ.

These were a part of the whole life of Jesus. What about ours?

There are so many different faces in the world. Faces show family. Some of our faces have the features of our mother or father. Some features will bring memories of a grandparent, the same eye color, the same hair color, or maybe it’s the way of a smile. The way we act, live our lives, and even for some of us the way we make our living, comes to us through our family. Our whole life, who we are, and what we look like is an influenced mixture of all those who came before us.

We are constantly challenged by our world on our relationship and belief in God. Our faith should find strength in being challenged. Our faith is strongest when supported by a Holy Family like the family made up in that influenced mixture that came before us. Yet looking around, it is easy to see that less of us going to our Father’s house.

The reasons given are that mass is inconvenient, hard to schedule, or not important to my spirituality. But, Jesus went.

In the Sang-pour-sang and Bayou Cypre Apalachee communities in the hills west of the Cane River, life was hard. It was a life that included intimidation, harassment, and even death. Families had their homes burned. People were hunted down with dogs until they were killed, left the area, or disappeared into the woods. Others denied their race and if lucky blended into the white community.  

In the early 20^th century, missionary Dominican Priests came to the remnants of these people. They found a people often uneducated. There were no schools. Children were not allowed school because of who they were. 

But the priest found one other thing, a people of strong faith. The people who could not read or write still had a community school that taught their faith and the catechism. All this knowledge of faith had been passed down by word of mouth over the generations.

Poor, persecuted, and isolated, these people were always in their Father’s house. They lived as a Holy Family doing the Father’s work, they “put on” Godly virtues and the love of Christ. 

They lived this: “Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

We too need to live in these as we strive to live the life of Christ. “The whole life of Jesus Christ….” and it includes every breath we take; what we inhale and what we exhale. We are children of God and part of a Holy Family. We are the influenced mixture of our family that came before us. As a Holy Family we should always point the members of our family to God and to our Father’s House.

“The whole life of Jesus Christ showed how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”

Amen.

Christmas Homily - Why a Manger - A Reflection on the Nativity of Jesus

Why the Manger
A Reflection on the Nativity Story

There may be some academy awards in the future of the young people who told us the story of the nativity of Jesus at this vigil mass. It’s a story they portrayed with the joy and love of Jesus in their hearts; a joy and love that’s contagious.

So children, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, family, and friends, I’m going to put the message they gave us to words: JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS BORN. Tonight we celebrate the Birth of our Savior!

Every year, the children of St. Lawrence look forward to telling us the nativity story. The girls are all eager to be Mary or an angel. The boys are a little more bashful but we have Joseph, shepherds, magi and even Herrod.   

In the nativity story Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem. There is no room for them at the Inn, so they take shelter with the animals. The only place they have to lay the newborn child, Jesus, was in a manger.

God’s mercy was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

In our little nativity play, the little girls want to be Mary and place baby Jesus to the manger. They know - The manger is important.

Think about that for a moment, the manger is important. A manger where animals are fed; it’s polluted by where it's at: dirty, dusty, and chewed up.

Why would God come to us in such a humble place; a place where animals are fed?

The answer is in the angel’s message - “Don’t be afraid, I bring good news and great joy for all people.”

Good news and great joy for you shepherds, who probably don’t know anything about good news or joy. Jesus is the messiah for even the lowliest of people; the dirty, dusty, and chewed up. Good news shepherds, a savior is born for you.

Good news and great joy for all people, even those like the magi, who have so much. Good news for those who know there’s more than what this world can give them. Jesus is God’s mercy to the world. Good news magi, a savior is born for you.

Born the savior for all people, Jesus came

·      Not in a palace – there wasn’t even room for him in the Inn.

·      Not in royal robes – he's wrapped in swaddling clothes.

·      Not sitting on a throne – he's laid in a manger.

He's the savior for those who can’t always be perfect. Like the shepherds who were terrified by the angels of God; but, came to the manger to be face to face with God. Then they went out and spread the word about the good news they had been told.

He’s the savior for those looking for something greater like the magi, educated people who studied the stars and the writings of prophets, always looking for something more. Educated, rich, and worldly they were compared to kings; yet they were humble enough to come to the manger bringing gifts and prostrating themselves before the messiah.

He's the savior for those like all of us. It doesn’t matter if we consider ourselves magi or shepherds.

Maybe we live a life we think perfection: educated, worldly, and the king of our own little world. No matter how much we have, something’s missing and we look for answer. There has to be more than what our worldly possessions give us.

Or more likely, we’re like the shepherds, far from perfect, terrified, alone, and living with our sins.  We don’t feel comfortable or fit in; we just want to be quite, unseen, and blending into our surroundings.

The thing is that in both cases, to find God, we have to go to the manger.

Our Savior comes to us in a manger. The Savior of the world comes to us: not in a palace; not in royal robes; and not on a throne. God comes to us approachable in a manger.  

Don’t be afraid, because Jesus Christ is approachable. Jesus comes to us in that manger called our hearts. Just like that manger in the animal shed, it’s polluted by all that's around us: dirty, dusty, and chewed up.

The manger of Christ is our hearts. It is in the manger of our hearts that we make room for Jesus.  It is from this manger we humble ourselves to come face to face with the mercy of God. It is from this manger we give Glory to God in the highest.

Come to the manger. The shepherds came with all they had. The magi came with their wealth. Ask, “What do I bring?  What gifts do I lay before Jesus? What do I bring face to face to God?”

That brings us back to the story portrayed for us by the children, young people whose hearts are filled with the joy and love of Jesus. It’s joy that’s contagious. It is the love and joy that bring us to the manger.

All I can say is “JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME; EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM!”

Just as Jesus came to us in a manger, tonight we celebrate a special child at our manger. Her name is Olive Grace. Olive Grace was diagnosed in the womb with a severe birth defect. The doctors recommended that the pregnancy be terminated but her parents never hesitated to joyfully receive this child as a special gift from God.  After her birth, she was expected to live only a couple of weeks or months. Today, two years old, we celebrate the life of Olive Grace who represents our baby Jesus in the Nativity.

On behalf of our Pastor Fr. Joe Martina, Fr. Job Scaria, myself and my family I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Today and every day, may the manger of your heart be filled with the love and joy of Jesus Christ; I pray that each of you and your family’s lives be filled with God’s overflowing mercy.

Amen

Sunday Reflection 4th Sunday Advent - Who Wrote This Story?

Who Wrote This Story?

Micah 5:1-4a; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19;  Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45

Then I said, ‘As is written of me…, I come to do your will, O God.’

In the Bible, the world can be a wonderful place. Angels take care of people. God gives great blessings, protects his people, and brings peace.

Who wrote this? As believers we know it is inspired by God and is sacred. But it is a divine message interpreted by the human authors.

The writers see the significance of even the lowly. They see the possibility of every person. God turns the unsettled, uneasy, unhappy heart to himself; and, turned to God, every heart can be at peace.

They also speak of God’s redemption of his people. Words are written on salvation and even holiness. There are the stories about the saints of God, the everyday lowly people who find God’s glory as example of holiness that is attainable by all.  

Let’s look at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is an ordinary woman. In her time, she was distinguished as the wife of Zachariah who was barren and not much more. But look at her life in the Gospel.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, she became a prophet. She recognized and announced the glory of Mary. She gave us a prayer we pray today. She was a prophet to Mary, mother of the Lord.

Elizabeth’s glory is this story. Brought to this place of glory by the closeness of the Lord; as the mother of John; as the prophet to Mary, then nothing else about her. Elizabeth found her glory in her closeness to the coming of the Lord.

Elizabeth, insignificant, nobody important, became somebody.

Most people like Elizabeth will live their lives quietly. Some may say they live insignificant lives; but, they are happy.  

In contrast some peoples cannot be happy, because they believe they are insignificant. They become angry and turn to violence to get attention.  

Look world we live in. Where are the angels, saints and blessings from God? Were is the peace in the world, holiness in our hearts, and the glory in our lives?

Go the mall or Walmart and look around. Listen to the news. Just this week there was a shootout on the interstate cause by road rage. Look at the protests, hate, prejudice, racism, bigotry, and violence that are put forward as faith in God.

Who wrote this story? It was not God.

It's a story lived out in anger, rage, and violence. Despite what those who are misguided believe, it is not a divine story.

The same ugliness and the evil we see today have existed for all time. But those who wrote the scripture didn’t let it overtake the deeper reality of God. The reality of God is where we find grace. The reality of God’s glory and holiness is available for all.

Look at our lives and ask who wrote this story? Is it God and you tell the story of his love, joy, and mercy?

Shout, “I come to do your will, O God.” Through grace have hope for the world. In Christ no one is insignificant. Just like Elizabeth, an ordinary person who found her glory in the coming of the Lord.

Let me give you an example in a dear friend of mine, who is in ICU fighting for his life. He was the one who said “Billy-boy you need to be a deacon.” He wrote a letter to the Bishop recommending me for the Diaconate. You read this reflection today because a man that many did not know was a prophet to me. We come to do God’s will and in Christ, no one is insignificant.

It is in simple ways that God uses ordinary people. In ordinary people he sends angels and saints to lead others to Christ. Through our lives, His greatness reaches to the lowly. He is peace.

God inspires the story. We interpret it by our lives as ordinary people, maybe to others insignificant. Yet God sees the significance of even the lowly. Bring Christ to every person. Bring the peace that turns the unsettled, uneasy, unhappy heart to God; and, turned to God, every heart can be at peace.  God turns the world around.

The world of the Bible is a wonderful place. Our world is too, it just depends who is writing this story.

Amen

Sunday Reflection - Finding Joy - 3rd Sunday Advent

Finding Joy

Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

This third Sunday of advent we reflect on Joy.  I look at the world seeing terrorism, hate, bigotry, and prejudice given so much attention that it is to the point where it is almost celebrated. So where in the world I am supposed to find joy?  

That’s what we learn today.

John the Baptist was a voice crying out in the wilderness. He was the last prophet who preached about the one who was to come after him. John tells us how to find joy.

His message of joy is simple: “Do what’s right!”

John doesn’t tell the tax collector not to be tax collector but to what is right as a tax collector. He doesn’t scold soldiers for being soldier but tells them to be good and honest soldiers.

And he tells everyday folks, to do what’s right by others: share with the less fortunate, cloth the naked, and feed the hungry. These simple acts are works of mercy.

John preached the good news promising the coming of one mightier than he; one he was unworthy of; and one who would baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Paul's message on joy is similar. In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near."

Paul identifies further works of mercy. He tells us to council the doubtful and pray for the living and the dead. “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.”

Paul promises the Lord is near.

This advent we look at the world, a world truly in need of joy and the mercy of God.. This is where we will find joy. Joy is found in bringing God’s mercy to the world.  It is in the ordinary and everyday things we do in our life. As John the Baptist points out – Do what’s right in our everyday ordinary life.

We find joy by bringing joy to others. Joy is in bringing Christ to the world, sharing the good news, doing works of mercy for both the body and the spirit. When we find joy, truly the Lord is near.

Joy is found in everyday life as a truck driver or a teacher, a ditch digger or a lawyer, a fireman, police officer, doctor, nurse, or someone who takes care of those around them. Joy is being a mother, father, spouse, parent, child. Joy is found in the love of Christ. In his love, Joy finds us.

Take these true words of joy from today's readings as we prepare for the coming of the Lord “Shout for joy, sing joyfully, and be glad and exult with all your heart; be confident and unafraid.  My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he is my savior.”  

Amen.

Advent Retreat - Where God is, There is Mercy - Closing Conference

Where God is, There is Mercy

We began “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come….” (Rev 1:8)

That what advent is about celebrating the one who is, who came for us, and getting ready for him to come again.

The first man and the woman lived in paradise. They were friends of God. They walked with God in the evening.  God gave them all of creation and he didn’t give them the 10 commandments. God had one rule, “Don’t eat from these two trees.”

The serpent comes along to challenge God’s word. Why not eat the fruit of these trees? Listening to the serpent, they sinned.

God could have looked at this sin and with a just a word to start all over. Humanity was young. All the evils of the world hadn’t started yet. God could have started over. But that is not the God of Mercy.  God  called to them but in their shame, the man and the woman hid from him.

In God’s mercy, he let them start over. He let them know the consequences of their sin, but his mercy was still with him. Even another remarkable thing is that God’s mercy was given to the serpent.

In the Old Testament, you will find God’s mercy. The stories of Abraham, Joseph, Jonah, David, and so many others are stories of God’s mercy. The history of God’s people is a history of God’s mercy of benevolence, forgiveness, and loving-kindness.

Through the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, she was made ready to be the Mother of Mercy, the vessel to bring God’s mercy in human form to live among us. Jesus is the face of God, the face of his mercy. God has blessed us in Christ. (Eph 1:6)

Jesus’ “I Am(s)” tells us of his Mercy. When Jesus says “I Am” it manifests his gentle mercy. During his time on earth, he lived his greatest “I Am,” the example of mercy.  

The blind man shouted “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me” (Mk 10:47) and Jesus let him see. Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, and fed the hungry. Jesus offered mercy to those that society didn’t see the prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners.

Just like the first man and woman, our life is from God. Our earthly life is from the Father and he has given us opportunity for a new eternal life through Christ. Both these gifts we carry in our earthen vessels. Life is fragile to suffering, illness, and death. The promise of new life is fragile to loss from sin. We continue only by the mercy of God. “The dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.(Ec 12:20)

Look at our lives for examples of God’s mercy. Find time when something really stupid was done and we were protected by God’s mercy. Think of every day, when God protect us by his mercy from things we are not aware.

Years ago, because of illness and not paying close attention to my money, I had difficult times. I thought my car was paid off but there was a partial payment due at the end, I never paid it. One day, the sheriff showed up, there was a small balance of less than $100 dollars. They took my car. Thank you God, at least I have a house, they came for that the next day.  

Over an eight year period, I had missed three payment years apart. Life issues like illness, hospital stays, or the starting of school had disturbed the payment schedule. I thought they were caught up, the bank never said anything, until the sheriff showed up.

Like Adam, I was ashamed, hiding from God and blaming my wife. .

But God’s mercy was there. We got the car back.  The bank refinanced. God’s mercy was there, telling me he was in control.

Human have a hardness of heart that resist God’s mercy for us and for others. People put the things of this world before God; but, mercy cannot exist without God. People put things before Christ so they cannot bring Christ, the face of Mercy.

Mercy comes directly from God and by Christ working in us through corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The loving-kindness of the corporal works of mercy are feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, ransom the captive, and bury the dead. The benevolent compassion of the spiritual works of mercy are instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish sinners, bear wrongs patiently, forgive offences willingly, comfort the afflicted, and to pray for the living and the dead.

Christ asks us to forgive others. Christ asks us to bring him to the world.

Advent is time to ready ourselves for the coming of Christ. The coming of Christ we are waiting and the Christ in the world every day.  The Christ we see in the hungry, the oppressed, the victims, and the one sitting next to us. The face of God’s mercy is the Christ that is in us. 

Where God is, there is mercy.  Praise the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. (Ps 136:1)  

Amen!!!

Advent Retreat - Jesus' Gentle "I Am" Acts of Mercy - Retreat Night 2 - Adoration & Reconciliation

Jesus’ Gentle "I Am" Acts of Mercy

“Stop passing judgment before the time of the Lord’s return. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts. At that time, everyone will receive his praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

What are the intentions of our hearts - benevolence, forgiveness, and loving-kindness?

Our theme: “I Am – Mercy.” Is it by mercy, that we pass judgment? What if we lived at the same time that Jesus walked the earth and heard him say these things would we judge him like others of the time?

Before Abraham was, I am

I am the bread of life

I am the light of the world

I am the door

I am the true vine

I am the good shepherd

I am the way, the truth, and the life

I am the resurrection and the life

Would we have condemned him with our judgment or see the intentions of his heart?

Because, if we look at these “I AM” statements, we will see they reveal his gentle mercy. They explain his life, his purpose, and his glory. See his gentle mercy in our lives. Put your name in each of these “I Am” as if Jesus was speaking directly to you:

Before “Bill” was, I am;

I am the bread of life for “Daniel”;

I am the light of the world for “Dennis”;

I am the door for “Jennifer”;

I am the good shepherd of ’Debbie”;

I am the way the truth and the life for “Skip”;

I am the resurrection and the life for “Insert your name here”

In this world more people need to put their name there. It would make this world a different place. We would live in a world with more benevolence, forgiveness, and loving-kindness. The world would be a place of mercy.

Those statements say one thing, in Jesus the “I Am” are his  mercy. All those “I Am(s)” are acts of gentle  mercy for you. All those “I Am(s)” are acts of mercy for the world.

Let the “I Am” of Jesus touch our life, the way we believe, and the way we act with others. Let the “I Am” of Jesus be part of our personal-inner self, our family life, and our public life at work or in the community.

The LORD asks us to try to live the “I Am” gentle acts of mercy life that Jesus lived. Stop passing judgment on others. Open up to his mercy, let the light of Jesus live in us and rid our heart of the darkness and misery of sin.

That is what Advent is about. Make ready for the coming of the extraordinary, Christ and his Mercy. At that time, everyone will receive praise from God.

Where there is God, there is Mercy.

Amen

Homily - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - Advent Retreat

 I Am Mercy
GN 3:9-15, 20; PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4; EPH 1:3-6, 11-12; LK 1:26-38

I asked God to inspire me on a topic for this advent retreat and the holy Spirit gave me these words, “I am.” 

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty (Rev 1:8)  That’s what Advent is all about. Advent is today, it was in the past, and it is what we are waiting for in the future.

Then Father said, Deacon let’s begin the retreat on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the first day of the Jubilee year of Mercy and you should probably talk about Mercy.

Lord I need grace, I know His mercy is great. Praise the LORD, for he is good; his mercy endures forever. (Ps 136:1)  I know this message is for someone.

----------  

Pope Francis shared this story in one of his first public homilies as pope. 

He met a very old woman at a religious festival while archbishop of Buenos Aries. He asked, “‘Grandmother … would you like to make your confession? But, if you have not sinned …’ she interrupted, ‘we all have sinned.’”

Francis replied: “‘If perhaps he should not forgive you?’ the grandmother replied, ‘The Lord forgives everything.’”

He then asked, “‘How do you know this for sure, madam?’ she answered, ‘If the Lord hadn’t forgiven all, then the world wouldn’t [still] be here.’”

He said, “‘I wanted to ask her, ‘Madam, did you study in Rome?’”

An old woman in Buenos Aires, Argentina, knows the truth of God’s mercy. To sum up what she said is simply this - Where God is, there is mercy.

God’s mercy is bigger than any mistake we could make. Mercy is God cleaning up our mess. God’s mercy is his benevolence, his forgiveness and his loving kindness.

God’s mercy was manifest by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was conceived without the misery of past sins.

Because of her Immaculate Conception, she became the Mother of Jesus. By her Immaculate Conception, Mary was prepared to become the Mother of God. By the grace of God’s mercy, Mary became the Mother of Mercy.

Mary was the ark of the new covenant. In her grace filled birth, her womb became the vessel that protected and held the divine infant. Her womb was the first tabernacle of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus.

Fr. Tommy Lane, a theology professor at St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland, points out that the Hebrew word for “womb” comes from the same root as the word “mercy.” Mary’s womb held the mercy that came for the world.

The angel Gabriel exclaimed: Hail, full of grace! The LORD is with you. Where God is there is mercy.

----------

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come. God’s mercy is always.

It is a benevolent mercy having existed in the midst of fallen, broken and sinful people. We humans have always had a hardness of heart. This is the condition that causes us to resist the mercy of God. Adam hid and then blamed the woman. The woman blamed the serpent.

God’s mercy is forgiveness. God never tires of forgiving us, but too often we get tired of asking Him to forgive us. Never do that, never get tired of asking God’s forgiveness and mercy. God’s mercy is always.

I am … gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing in love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin…. (Ex 34:6)  Where God is there is mercy.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

Born of a woman, Jesus is the face of God; the loving kindness of mercy that is, and was, and is to come. In his mercy God has blessed us in Christ.

The world needs Mercy, the mercy of Jesus who came to save what was lost. The heart of His Gospel is mercy: Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy not sacrifice. (Mt 9:13)

The gospel of John has Jesus’ eight “I am” statements. Of all the I am(s), the one he does not speak is the one he exemplified, “I am Mercy.”

The reason for the Immaculate Conception of the virgin Mary is Jesus. Jesus’ mercy is in his divinity and his humanity.

Mary is the mother of Jesus; the mother of God, and the mother of Mercy. Mary is the way to Jesus. She points to him always, from her Immaculate Conception to her last words in the Gospel: Do whatever he tells you. (Jn 2:5) In these things, the Mother of God opens our eyes to comprehend our calling and to obtain the grace to experience his mercy.

The LORD’s mercy is a primal experience. His mercy today is the same mercy experienced the first man and woman. It is same mercy that will be known by those when he comes again. This mercy is relief from the misery of sin and it will bring us to God. His mercy calls us. He calls us to confession; but our hardness and shame keep us from his mercy.

No matter how broken we are God’s mercy is there. Do not be hard hearted ask for God’s mercy. His mercy is to experience an Immaculate Conception of being made new without the misery of our past sin.

Advent the time we make ready for something extraordinary. We prepare for Christ; we ready ourselves for extraordinary mercy.

Remember this – where God is there is mercy. Our ordinary mercy brings his extraordinary mercy. Share his benevolence, forgiveness, and loving kindness.

Make ready and prepare ourselves for the Lord’s Mercy! “Would you like to make your confession?”

Amen

Sunday Reflection - Year of Mercy - True Tales from the Hills

“True Tales from the Hills”

Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6;  Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11;  Luke 3:1-6

Cleaning my bookshelf, I came across a little book that I truly love. It is “True Tales from the Hills” by Shirley K. White.  Shirley is my mother’s double first cousin. The book, a collection of short tales told to Shirley by her mother, my great-aunt Lizzie Kerry.

It is remembering family in a collection of thoughts (not complete stories) in short snippets telling of triumphs and tragedy in our family history. It is a story entwined in the family’s Catholic faith. Lives lived in hard times always relying on and recognizing God’s mercy. A story that begins with my great-great-grandmother Leez, a young woman who surrendered all and trusted God.  

Leez surrendered herself to God’s mercy.

This week begins the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and this Sunday’s Readings are a good introduction.

In the first reading, the Prophet Baruch calls the people to conversion. He asks them to change their ways and welcome the guidance that is God's mercy.

The letter to the Philippians tells how this mercy works. “The one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it.” This one is Christ, who brings mercy and integrity as a gift for all.

But we human beings are imperfect creatures. Surprise!

Because we are imperfect, It is not always easy for us to be merciful. Mercy is hard to come by in a world full of violence and hatred. These conditions make it important that we give mercy at all times. It is the way of a Christian.

The stories in “True Tales from the Hills” many times tell about the mercy of family and community. Mercy became the way of life. It was mercy ‘s witnessed in the sharing of what little they had, caring for each other and strangers, and loving God, the Church, and each other. Simple mercy expressed through sharing joy, hope, and life.

Today mercy is more important than ever, Mercy must be shared at all times. It is the way of Christian life. When mercy is your way of life, it is a powerful witness to others.

Pope Francis called for this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. He tells us that as members of the Church, we are pilgrims journeying together. God’s people walking together in faith, hope and love, ‘bringing to every part of the world, to every diocese, to every community and every situation, the light of the Gospel, the embrace of the Church and the support of God’s mercy’

Mercy summed up by the last words in the Gospel “Winding roads shall be made straight and the rough ways made smooth and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Each person has a story, a story that can be a rough and winding road. You make straight the rough and winding road in God’s mercy when the main theme of your life is the things of the Lord.

Life begins. We are born helpless and naked. We exist in all that is God’s mercy.  

Amen.

Homily Reflection - 1st Sunday Advent - The Arrival of Extraordinary

The Arrival of Extraordinary

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14;  1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2;  Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Happy New Year in the Church!

Today, we celebrate the 1^st Sunday of Advent.

(?) What’s that mean (?)

Most people might say “I don’t know. Advent is the time before Christmas. It might have a special meaning; but, Christmas was a long time ago. Jesus has already been born. I don’t know the reason for Advent?”

Let’s think about the reason for Advent.

Maybe, it’s a wake-up call. On the first Sunday of Advent, when we should be getting ready for the joyous arrival of the Lord, the readings are harsh. Telling us days are coming when the sun, the moon, and the earth shall be in dismay and perplexed. People will die of fright. These words are a wake-up call.

Maybe, it’s about repentance. Paul writes, “strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father.” The gospel urges “pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent….” These are words of repentance.

Maybe, it’s for us to ask forgiveness. The Gospel says we will “stand before the Son of Man;” and, to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” The alleluia we sang today is “Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.”

Maybe, it’s a call for us to change. The Psalmist asks of God “Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth.”  The readings give us this wisdom. “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all”, “conduct yourselves to please God”, and Paul writes about changing and the “instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

The words that made me stop and think about the reason for Advent are these:

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.” 

My daddy gave me that warning when I was a young man. His simple words of advice “Don’t let Jesus find you where you shouldn’t be.”

I didn’t listen and if Jesus had come looking for me then, He would have found me carousing or suffering the effects of carousing.

Then, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, I found the reason for Advent.

Advent is a wake-up call and the call to repentance. Advent is recognizing that you need God’s forgiveness and Advent is recognizing the need to change. Advent is living a Christian life in the times between Christ’s first coming and his second coming.

Even though, we celebrate Advent starting today and the following four weeks leading up to Christmas, it’s something we need to find in the everyday of our life.

Advent is about fighting things in this world. Things like when we get drowsy and lazy in our spiritual life and in our faith. Battling the things that cause us to be tried and tested by the anxieties of daily life. There are even some of us who have to combat the distractions of just working hard at our jobs. There are some of us pulled into all the fascinating distractions of the flesh. Just look around, we fight despair, depression, and fear brought on by the circumstances of life that we can see going on around us in the world. 

If any of us can say- These things frighten me. These touch my life and are things I am fighting. Then we have the reason for Advent. Most importantly we have a reason to find advent in the everyday of our life.

Advent is the opportunity to “increase and abound in love” and “to strengthen our hearts” through our faith and the relationship we have with Jesus Christ. By this, we strive “to be blameless in holiness before God.”

Those are some of the reasons I have found for Advent; but, what does advent mean. The definition of advent is the arrival of something extraordinary.

Wake-up, repent, ask forgiveness, and embrace change to welcome the arrival of something extraordinary. Advent is the arrival of Christ in your life. Have a happy new you in Christ.

Amen.

Homily Reflection "Christ the King" - The World Says Let Them Eat Pie

The World Says Let Them Eat Pie

Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5;  Revelation 1:5-8;  John 18:33b-37

Today we celebrate the solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This celebration was declared to help us battle the things that keep us from God. Things like greed; selfishness; the absence of peace; the loss of stability of the family; and the attack on Society.

The Church felt that if the world focused on Jesus Christ King of the Universe it could fight the darkness of these things that keeps us from God. Ninety years after the first celebration, look around us. Greed, selfishness, no peace, family and social stability are still being attacked today..  

Maybe self-examination is in order. Maybe we should ask “Is Jesus Christ the King of my Universe?”

Raised Southern Baptist, I memorized Bible verses as part of my religious education. One I still remember is from the end of the Book of Revelation “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”  I learned that verse over 45 years ago.

Almost the same verse appears at the beginning of the Book of Revelation. "I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

These verses are truly profound, especially for this celebration.

Profound for many reasons, but one is that these verses tell us God is eternal and always. Despite what a world that doesn’t believe tells us, God was not made up by a bunch of old men in the desert. God the Father, creator of all things, exists in the beginning and the end of all things; in us and all that is around us.

That brings me to a second profound thought on these verses. Where is Christ in my life?

Someone told me how to figuring out where Jesus Christ is in your life. I was told to draw a big circle. I was to cut this circle up like a pie. Divide it up and put the things important to you as slices of that pie. Each slice’s size should represent the importance of that thing to your life.  

In the business world this is called a pie chart. I like pie!

For me, the biggest slice of pie is family. Two other big slices are my job and my duties as a deacon. Still, another is the people in this faith community. I like to write, so I make a slice for my writing. To write, you have to read, so there is another slice. Things like travel, education, hobbies, and friends also get slices. Pretty soon your pie is all sliced up. 

Where did I put Christ? 

Maybe I need to divide up one of these slices and put a little God here. A little sliver equals about an hour a week most people give to God. Maybe we give Jesus a whole pie off to the side. I wouldn’t want God messing up my everyday life. Or, do I can use God like cool whip, keeping Jesus Christ closed in a container and adding a little God on special occasions, like the holidays or when company comes over.

Sadly, some don't know Jesus. Their pie slices are the darkness of abuse, addiction, violence, and much more. Their pies are full of human things like selfishness, greed, the absence of peace, broken family, and failed society.

That’s not what God wants. It’s not what those verses mean that begin, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” It means - God must be the basic ingredient of your pie. God brings everything together.

The “I am” who is, was, and is to come created us; God gave us our family and the gifts that allow us to interact with people. We have the ability to love and Christ teaches us how to love. Some of us are still working on it.

The almighty gives us wisdom, intelligence, and common sense. And you know just because God gave some people a big helping of one; they may not have gotten a big helping of another. But, Christ can help us overcome where we are lacking.

Is Jesus Christ the one who holds it all together for us, the main ingredient, and our eternal King? If you say yes, consider as Jesus asked Pilate “Do you say this on your own or have others told you …?”

Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe; yet, for many the King of their life is not Christ. Even though every eye will see him, the Christ that many have in their eye and their heart is the Christ that fits their plans. People (some who in all sincerity think their words, actions, and beliefs are based in Christ) can change God and Christianity into what they want it to be. The King of their Universe is the things the world calls them to their possessions, status, and wealth.

We celebrate Jesus Christ King of the Universe, but in Jesus’ own words, His Kingdom is not here. He is not the King of the Universe we make of worldly things; but, we can bring His kingdom to this world. Fight the darkness bring His Kingdom through a radical conversion of our hearts and the acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is King. His kingdom is built one soul at a time, deep in the hearts of each individual person.

When I think of all the things people put before Jesus Christ as their King, another verse comes back to me. It’s short, simple and easy to learn. The Holy Spirit tells me this verse has everything to do with Christ the King, who loves us so much. For all we put before him, “Jesus wept.”

Amen.