Baptism of the Lord, Year B – Homily

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The Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 55:1-11
1 John 5:1-9
Mark 1:7-11
January 11, 2015

Today our celebration of our Christmas Season draws to a close with our celebration of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus.  Our Christmas Season began with our celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Since then we have celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family, The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and most recently the Epiphany.

All of these celebrations are intimately tied to the birth of Jesus.  However, today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which occurred when Jesus was around thirty years old.  So, why link His Baptism to His birth?

We might begin answering this by first reflecting on when Jesus tells Nathaniel that it is not enough to be born of flesh.  We must also be born of the Spirit.  We are born of the Spirit in baptism so Jesus’ own baptism represents a new birth for him.  So we begin Christmas with the human birth of Jesus and we end Christmas with the celebration of spiritual birth.

We can also reflect on the link between Jesus’ birth and baptism as a question of why He was born.  Jesus was Son of God and seated at the right hand of the Father.  He became human like us in birth so that He might come and proclaim God’s love and mercy.  Jesus’ mission really kicks in at His baptism.

In our second reading we hear that Jesus came through water and blood.  The water is, of course, the waters of Baptism and the living waters of the Holy Spirit and the blood is the blood that flowed from His side as He hung crucified upon the Cross.

Jesus’ mission is completed in His Crucifixion and so we link His birth, Baptism, and Crucifixion.

This idea of mission is important to our understanding what Baptism is for us.

John baptized for one reason, for the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus had no sins so it would seem that Jesus would not need to be baptized but John himself tells us that Jesus’ baptism is much more than his.  John tells us that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  We see this in Jesus’ own baptism when the dove descended upon Him.

At Jesus’ Baptism we also hear God the Father say to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”  In His Baptism, Jesus is identified as God’s Son and in baptism we become children of God in a new way.

Why is God well pleased with Jesus?  Because now Jesus is going to fulfill what God sent Him for, the redemption of His people.

All that is signified in Jesus’ Baptism, we receive in our own baptism.  Jesus began His public ministry from His Baptism.  In baptism, we come to the water and receive new life and a mission.

We are empowered for our mission by the Holy Spirit we receive in baptism.  As we receive the Holy Spirit, we are given gifts.  We receive a common mission to proclaim the gospel but we are each called to do it in different ways.

As a priest I proclaim the gospel in a very public way but all of you share in this mission.  It can be as a parent teaching their child about the faith.  Sometimes we think it is the job of the religion teachers to teach the children about Jesus.  It is but it begins in the home.  If a child never sees their parents pray or live the gospel, can the child really understand what our faith is about.

So parents and teachers both proclaim the gospel but we do to people in general not just in what we say to them but in how we act towards them.  Do we show that God cares?  Do we show that we care?

We might also ask ourselves, ‘do we show that knowing Jesus makes a difference in our lives?’

Remember the people from Jesus’ hometown who thought they knew who He was, the son of a carpenter.  They had only seen the human side of Jesus.  In His Baptism, His divine side came to be known.  Do we show that we are changed by knowing Jesus?

Jesus was both human and divine.  We are born human and then receive the Holy Spirit.  It’s often easier to just be human.  It’s hard to be holy.  I know I struggle but I also know that when I fail God will forgive me and strengthen me to do better.

The Epiphany of the Lord – Homily

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The Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6
Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12
January 4, 2015

It’s Christmas!  Well, it’s not Christmas day but we celebrate the Season of Christmas until the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on January 11th this year.

Christmas is about the birth, the incarnation of our Lord Jesus.  He came into the world to save people but who did He come to save?

The scriptures make it clear that Mary and Joseph were good practicing Jews.  Jesus was first visited the shepherds and then seen by Simeon and Anna in the temple.  Without a doubt Simeon and Anna were faithful and practicing Jews.

It would be no surprise to the Jews that the first to see Jesus would be Jews.  After all, they were a chosen people, or as they saw it a privileged people.

Today we hear of the Baby Jesus receiving more visitors, the magi from the east.  They travel a great distant to see the newborn king of the Jews to do him homage.  The thing is they aren’t Jewish.  Why would they bother to travel to see Jesus then?  Their hearts must have been open to what was happening.

If this is how Gentiles respond, one would imagine the Jews would be absolutely thrilled at the birth of their new king.  Yet many were troubled by the news of the birth of the new king.  Among them was King Herod.  He was a Jew by ancestry but he didn’t really practice his faith.  So, instead of rejoicing at the news of the birth of a new king for the Jews, he plots to have Jesus killed because he is a threat to Herod’s kingship.

As I already said, the Jews saw themselves as a chosen people and they were.  They also saw themselves as an exclusive people to receive salvation.

The visit of the Magi serves to show that Jesus comes not just for the Jews but also for the Gentiles.  As Paul writes, the Gentiles are to be co-heirs with the Jews for the gift of salvation

Really this was not new.  Look at what Isaiah says.  He speaks of the light the people receive, fulfilled for us in Jesus’ birth.  Isaiah speaks of the people radiating the light such that “Nations shall walk by your light.”  It doesn’t say nation.  It says nations, plural.  600 years before the birth of Jesus the Jews were being told that all are to receive the light God offers but they continued to see themselves as an exclusive people.

So what does our Church teach today about who gets to be saved?

For centuries the Catholic Church has spoken about no salvation outside the church.  For a long time this was interpreted to mean that Protestants couldn’t get into Heaven.  The feeling was mutual in many cases as many Protestants thought Catholics had it all wrong.

Now, for many the pendulum has swung the other way so if you believe in Jesus, it doesn’t matter what denomination you are.

What does our Catholic Church say today?  Certainly, we believe that our Church has heart of the faith but that other denominations had “portions” of the truth of our faith so that salvation is possible for them.  The documents of the Second Vatican Council go so far as to recognize that the Jews and the Muslims believe in the same God, even if they have some very different beliefs.

What about other faiths or no faith?  We are to share what we know about Jesus but then to leave it in the hands of God who knows what is the desire of their hearts.

Salvation is offered to all.  We need to let others know about Jesus but then it is their choice to accept the gift of salvation.

Holy Family Sunday – Homily

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Holy Family, Year B
Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3
Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Luke 2:22-40
December 28, 2014

The scriptures contains stories of models of faith to us.  One of the early models of faith in the Old Testament is Abraham, first known as Abram.  Over 2,000 years after he died, Abraham continues to be described as a model of faith for us.  Actually, we refer to him not just as a model of father but as our father in faith.

When God told Abraham to go out to a new land, Abraham went even though he didn’t know where he was going.  He went because he had faith in God’s words.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus show the same faith when, after Jesus’ birth, the angel directs Joseph to take the family to Egypt for safety.  Leaving their homeland, they went to Egypt with faith in God’s words.

Do we go where God directs or do we insist on knowing the whole plan before we act?

God had made a promise to Abraham that he would have a son.  Abraham did not doubt God’s promise but wondered how.  In his questioning, he sought a son through Sarah’s slave but he still listened to God.

When Mary became pregnant, Joseph wanted to do the right thing so he planned to divorce her quietly.  When God said, no, take her into your home, he did what God asked.

God doesn’t give us all the answers but do we believe what He does say?

How do we seek answers from God?  Do we ask real questions and then give God a chance to answer in His way or do use Jeopardy style statements where we give God the answers we want and then expect Him to supply what we need to get there?

Mary asked how can this be and then listened in faith.  Mary and Joseph sought to make their family holy.  In today’s gospel we hear how they go to Jerusalem for the purification rituals.  When they went, they were greeted by first Simeon and then Anna, two people of great faith who longed to see the Messiah.

Joseph and Mary already knew that Jesus was the Son of God and yet they were astonished at the words of Simeon and Anna about Jesus.  The journey as a family was just beginning for them.

Abraham served as a model and our father.

Mary is the perfect example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, saying do whatever he tells us.  Joseph was a righteous man.  Jesus is the Son of God.  Together Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are a family.

To be a family is not easy.  I see it in my own family.  I have several family members who are divorced and in my generation some who have never gotten married (I think influenced by the divorce).

Some marry the wrong person, maybe thinking they were change.  Maybe something was hidden.

Sometimes we think that love conquers all and as so as long as we love one another, everything will be fine.  Being a couple takes hard work.

Adding children can make it even more challenging to be a family.  After all, they are children, not angels, and they require work.

Our lives get busy.  Some people work a lot of hours to support their family but are they connected to their family?

Sometimes as youth children can get involved in lots of activities and you can spend a lot of time running between things.  It’s good to support them but how do make sure you are family and not just a taxi driver?

How do we set our priorities as families?  Where is God in the family?  What do you do for family?  What do you do for Jesus?

Christmas Homily

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Christmas Mass During the Night
Isaiah 9:1-6
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
December 25, 2014

Why are we here?

The answer would seem obvious.  It’s Christmas and that means we come to church but why?  We have Mass every Sunday but with far less people than we will see today.  What makes the difference?

Well, for one thing it’s kind of hard to miss Christmas.  There are TV channels that have been airing Christmas movies and specials all month.  The Christmas music is on the radio.  It’s in the news and there are the sales in the stores.  There are parties with family and friends.  There are presents to exchange.

These can be good things but they are not enough or we won’t be here.  The movies, TV specials, and the parties can be important parts of how we celebrate Christmas but they are not enough.

We are made for the true meaning of Christmas.  Christmas is all about Jesus.  We get excited for the presents and parties.  We are inspired by the decorations but today is about Jesus.

I see it in our school children.  I have visited our school a couple of times in the last couple of weeks and talked with the students about Christmas.  If you ask them about Christmas, they’ll talk about the presents and being with family but if you ask what Christmas is about they will tell us it is Jesus’ birthday.

Yes, For today in the city of David, a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.

These are the words the angel spoke to the shepherds but they are words that are important to everyone, a savior has been born!

Isaiah spoke of the people who walked in darkness and lived in a land of gloom.  It’s no secret that our world has problems in it and so we need light, light to show us hope, light that gives us abundant joy, and leads us to great rejoicing.

Presents can bring us some joy.  The parties can be times of rejoicing but I also think the presents and parties can leave us longing for something more.  Earthly things are important but we are created for something more.  We are created to know God.  We are created in God’s image and our hearts long to be one with God.

God is love and the exchange of gifts are meant to be an expression of love and we celebrate with the people we love but we see great love looking at Baby Jesus lying in a manger.

To think Jesus would be willing to leave him to become like us shows his love.  He could have come with great glory and power.  He could have come in great wealth.  He did not of that.

Why?

Jesus did not come into the world for himself.  Jesus didn’t come for us to praise him (but we should).  Jesus came for us that we might know his love.

Jesus could have come into a palace but instead in God’s plan, Jesus was born in a stable.  Why?  If Jesus had come as a wealthy human adult living in a palace how many would have ever really connected with him.

Instead Jesus chose to come as a little baby born into a simple family of modest means.  Jesus knows what it is like to be born, to grow, to struggle and suffer.  Jesus knows what it is like to be human.

Because I see so many decorations in church, I don’t do much decorating at home.  The one thing I do put out each year is a small Nativity set my mother gave me several years ago.  We have our Nativity set here in church and to me it captures the fundamental meaning of Christmas.

No grand palace or great crowds to wait hand and foot on the new king.  Not even a decent back room in the inn.  It all happened in a stable meant for animals where Jesus was laid in a manger, a manger where animals ate from.

How appropriate!  The animals ate from the manger and gained strength from what they ate.

Now in a manger we see Jesus who gives us life as we eat His Body and Blood.

Today is Jesus’ birthday.  Today we receive new life in Jesus.

4th Sunday in Advent, Year B – Homily

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4th Sunday in Advent, Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
December 21, 2014

Today we hear about King David and Mary, two people very much interested in doing God’s Will but come from two very different perspectives.  God made them both great.

David was chosen by God to be king.  Saul was the first king but he was not a good king.  David was not perfect but a much better king than Saul.  David knew he needed the Lord’s help.  David knew how much the Lord had done for him.  He had a great palace while God dealt in the Ark in a simple tent.

For David, it seemed obvious to him that he needed to build a magnificent house for the Lord.  Even though it seemed obvious, always wanting to do what God wanted, David asked Nathan the prophet what he thought.  He too thought it a great idea but both David and Nathan were thinking in human terms.

That night, the Lord spoke though Nathan to say no, it is not for David to be my house.  It will be David’s heir.  David listens and follows God’s Will.

David is proactive about what he does and eager to act.  We see a different way in Mary.  Mary too was made great by the Lord but she was not looking to do anything great.  The angel Gabriel appears to Mary in a small town called Nazareth to tell her that she has chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the heir that was promised to David long ago.

Mary is dismayed by Gabriel’s appearance.  Who is she that an angel would appear to her?  When told she is to be the mother of Jesus, she questions how this can be since she has had no relations with a man.

Her question is not a statement of doubt.  It is a question based on biology.  She knows for a woman to become pregnant, she must be with a man.

Gabriel’s answer?  It is by the Holy Spirit that she will conceive.  In terms of biology, this is no answer.  Mary does not demand a biological answer.  An answer of faith is enough for her.

We have questions.  We seek answers.  Does this mean we doubt our faith?  We are taught doubt is a bad thing but we need to make a distinction of what leads us to question.  What are we willing to accept as an answer?  Do we ask from a human perspective or faith?

Our questions almost always start from a human perspective because our questions normally come what goes on in our human lives.  Do we demand answers that answer our questions in a human way or do we accept answers of faith?

Mary accepted an answer of faith.

St. Thomas Aquinas wrote in his Summa Theologiae, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.  To one without faith, no explanation is possible!”

Being people of faith means realizing that we aren’t going to have all the answers.  Being people of faith means we are willing to trust in God when we don’t have the answers.

How do we ask the question?

David was headstrong and eager to do God’s Will.  Sometimes he got ahead of God’s plan but was always willing to do God’s will.  Mary was quiet and sought a simple live but gave herself to God’s will.

Do you see some of David in you?  Do you see some of Mary in you?

We probably need some of both.  We need courage and confidence to act but we must first always see the Lord’s will.  May we always profess as Mary did, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to be according to your word.”

The Meaning of Christmas

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Here are some pre-Christmas thoughts I wrote for the bulletin as we come close to Christmas.

Well, here we are just a few days till Christmas.  We will celebrate Masses as follows:

  • Christmas Eve
    • 4:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant with Mass immediately following
    • 6:30 p.m.
    • 11:00 p.m. with Christmas Music beginning at 10:15 p.m.
  • Christmas Morning
    • 10 a.m.

To me the best part of Christmas is being at Mass.  We hear readings that tell us the story of Jesus’ birth.  We see the manger with Jesus in it surrounded by Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the animals.  It is truly a holy time of year as witnessed by the great numbers we see.

Are you ready?  Have you finished your shopping?  Are your travel plans or guest arrival plans set?  Is everything decorated? All these things may seem important and necessary but they are not the most important thing about Christmas.  Children love to see Santa but what is Christmas really about?

A couple of years ago someone sent me an email link to a music video of a song called “Where’s the Line to See Jesus” by Becky Kelley.  Each year since I watch the video a couple of times as we approach Christmas and it can still bring tears to my eyes (as I write this I am playing the video and there are tears in my eyes)!  If you do an Internet search on the title, links to the video as well as the story behind the song.

Christmas is about Jesus.  Christmas is not just a single day.  Next Sunday we will celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  We celebrate Mary as Mother of God on January 1st, followed by Epiphany the weekend of January 4th.  Christmas will draw to a close with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 11th.

So when you ask if you are ready for Christmas, think about what it really means and ask yourself are you ready to have Jesus in your heart every day.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

3rd Sunday in Advent, Year B – Homily

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3rd Sunday in Advent, Year B
Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
December 14, 2014

Christmas is getting closer but it still isn’t here yet.  We are still waiting.

As the time drew closer for Jesus’ birth, God sent John the Baptist.  Why?  To offer testimony, testimony that the Messiah is coming to bring light into the world.

John’s Gospel is written as a whole to help us understand who Jesus is.  The whole gospel can be viewed as a trial where testimony is collected to determine who Jesus is.  That testimony begins with John the Baptist.

When John the Baptist was asked who he was, he could have told the people that he was the Messiah and some would have believed him and served him as their king.  John the Baptist wasn’t interested in being king.  He wasn’t looking for status for himself as a prophet.  John just wants to lead other people to Jesus.

Isaiah tries to do the same thing.  Isaiah could have sought honor for himself but he gives the credit to God.  We must also note that he never denies the good that he has done.  He knows he was done good things but he tells others that he does the good because of what God has done for him and what God has given him including his mission.

So really Isaiah gives testimony to who God is just like John the Baptist gives testimony to who Jesus is.  Really all of scripture offers us testimony on how God has loved his people.

So the question for us can be how we offer testimony to God.

Perhaps we teach what we know about God to others.  Knowledge is important.

Do we tell others that we are Catholic and why?  Ask yourself why you come to church and then share it with others.

In thinking about how we offer testimony about God we can turn to Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, Rejoice always.  Pray without ceasing, in all circumstances give thanks.”

Rejoice Always – our actions speak louder than words.  If we tell people about how wonderful God is and then walk around miserable what does that really say?  This is not to say we don’t have bad days and struggles, I know I do.  I am not perfect.  Unfortunately I get grumpy.  I need to work on rejoicing, rejoicing that when things are bad I have a God who I can turn to for help and comfort.

Pray without ceasing – Without ceasing?  How?  We have to sleep.  We have to eat.  We have to work.  What could Paul mean when he says “pray without ceasing?”  Prayer is not just saying words.  Praying without ceasing means to make God part of our whole lives.  We might think ourselves too busy to pray.  I know that when I get busy, which is pretty much all the time, sometimes I spend even more time working and prayer gets shortened when what I really need to do is pray all the more.  We need prayer to strengthen us.  I know when I pray “well” I become better at what I do and get more down in less time and offer better testimony to God.

Give thanks – When we do what I have said about rejoicing and praying we can realize the blessings God has given us and have an “Attitude of Gratitude.”

We are all called to give testimony to who God is.  It can begin with something as simple as saying Grace before a meal in a restaurant.  Why not?  Are you embarrassed to have other people see you praying?

It can be sharing with others the knowledge we have about God.  It can be sharing with others why we come to church.  It can be how we rejoice and pray without ceasing.  It can be the attitude we live with.

I have to do better at this.  How about you?

2nd Sunday in Advent, Year B – Homily

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2nd Sunday in Advent, Year B
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8
December 7, 2014

 

 

During Advent many of our first readings come from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  The book can be divided into three sections.  The first includes chapters 1-39 and is written around the 8th century B.C.  God’s message is offered to the people that if they continue to sin, God will allow them to be defeated by their enemies.  As such, it can be a message causing fear and despair.

Today’s passage comes from the second section and have a very different tone to it.  The Israelites had been defeated by their enemies and many taken into exile in Babylon.  It is a time of despair but it is also a time of repentance.  The Israelites have come to realize the gravity of their sins so God is about to see them free from the Babylonians.

We see the different tone in the very first word of the passage, “comfort.”  God now wants Isaiah to give comfort to his people.  Speak tenderly God directs.  Give them my message that I am about to restore things to what they are meant to me.

God gives us a gentle image of his love, describing a shepherd who truly feeds his flock and holding them in his arms.

Which type of message do we respond to better?  The image of a God who judges us and punishes for our sins or a God of compassion and mercy?

Guilt can be a powerful motivator but it can be good and bad.  Guilt can be a normal thing for us to realize, “Hey, I screwed up.  That isn’t what I meant to do or it had effects I didn’t think about.  I need to say I’m sorry.  I need to change.”  That’s all good.

Too much guilt or guilt in depression can make us feel like we are no good.  No one will ever love us. We can come to fear that there is no hope for us.  This guilt hurts us and is never what God intends.  Even when we sin, God loves us and wants to forgive us.  God wants to hold us in his arms.

So do we see God as judge and punisher or as love and compassion?  I think we probably need to see a little bit of both.  We need to see more of the love and compassion but sometimes that can leave us complacent.  We need a healthy dose of fear to keep us aware of what we are doing and our need for God’s help to do better.

If you read the Bible you can see a cycle that repeats itself over and over in the Old Testament.  God rescues the people and they praise help.  Then, over time they get used to having everything good and they become complacent in their relationship with God, and eventually wander away from God, often with no idea they are.  When they fall away, God allows them to be defeated by their enemies.  Some are led to repentance and God rescues them.  Then the cycle starts over again.

So where are we at?  As a society, many people think we don’t need God and so turn away.  As a people here in church, we come because we want God in our lives but how deep does our desire for God go?  Do we see places we need to change?  Do we seek to change now?

As a people we have been waiting 2,000 years for the Second Coming of Jesus.  Have we become complacent?  It can be so easy to say there’s always tomorrow.

God is patient in waiting for us.  God gives us lots of time but we don’t have forever.  Sooner or later the end will come.

The Israelites had been waiting for a thousand years for a messiah.  Some had given up the faith while others kept the faith but became set in the ways.  The time came for Jesus’ introduction into the world and God knew the people needed a wakeup call.  God loves us and always wants to give us another chance so He sent John the Baptism to cry out to the people, Prepare ye the way of the Lord!  Repent!

Christmas is coming.  Are you ready?  I’m not talking about presents and baking.  Are you ready to stand before Jesus?

The Pace of Life

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Our Advent Season is a time of waiting and preparation as we get ready for the coming of Jesus Christ.  It would be great if our normal lives could go on hold so we can focus on the season for a time but life continues. On top of the normal things in our lives there are extra activities for Advent and getting reading for Christmas.  The busy pace of our lives can make it difficult to enjoy the season.

Yesterday was an example of busyness for me.  I arrived in the office shortly after 8 am to make final preparations for the day.  At 10 am I joined our recently confirmed youth for reflection on the sacrament led by our departing catechetical staff person on his last day. Then we had our Advent Penance Service at 1 pm.  I heard confessions from 1:25 till 4:15 pm.  I feel privileged to hear confessions and offer guidance.  While I am doing it, the time never seems that long but I am tired afterwards. Then I presided at Mass and then a Holy Hour with Exposition.  I thought that would be the end of the day and I was tired but there was one more task to do.  The hospital called with an emergency.  So I went.  When I arrived there was a man from out of town who had been hit in the head from a bad throw at a sporting event and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and not expected to make it.  There were several family members there and more on speakerphone as we prayed. I was impressed by the faith they showed and just as impressed when they asked that our parish pray for the player who had the bad throw because he was devastated by what happened.  In the midst of their own grief, they showed concern for this stranger.  Jesus would be pleased.   Seeing this helped put everything into perspective at the end of a busy day.

Today had its share of scheduled items.  Of course, there were the two Sunday morning Masses.  Then I joined the high school youth group for a while.  It was a small group today and led by a parish volunteer filling in while we look for a new staff person.  I was pleased by the participation of the youth and good work of the volunteer. Then it was back to church to open up for the Children’s Christmas Pageant rehearsal. I didn’t have to do anything except unlock and lock up.  The rehearsal was led by the same volunteer as the youth group, this time with help from her family and some of the youth.  It was refreshing to be able and sit back and enjoy the moment instead of doing all the work.  Thank you to the volunteers.

Now, it’s time to go work on my homily for tomorrow.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff

1st Sunday in Advent, Year B – Homily

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1st Sunday in Advent, Year B
Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37
November 30, 2014

Today we mark the beginning of a new liturgical year with our celebration of the First Sunday of Advent.

In the first reading, Isaiah speaks of how the people realize their need for a new beginning because they have wander from the Lord’s ways and hardened their hearts, becoming an unclean people.  For this, the Lord had delivered them up to their guilt by letting their enemies defeat them and many were taken into exile in Babylon.  They ask the Lord to return into their lives and the Lord grants them a new beginning setting them from Exile.

Just like the Israelites of old, we wander at times from the Lord’s ways.  When we do, the Lord lets us face the consequences of our guilt.

The good news is that Jesus offers us a new beginning from our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Advent is a time where we might be more aware of our sins.  This coming Saturday we will have our annual Advent Penance Service as a time to reflect on our sins and to celebrate the Sacrament individually.  We will have several priests here so I invite you to come and celebrate with us.

If this is all we see Advent as, it can seem a lot like Lent.  After all, we talk about our sins in both and the color for both Advent and Lent is violet.  In both Advent and Lent, we do not sing the Gloria.

So there are a lot of commonalities between Lent and Advent but there are differences too.

Lent is officially called a penitential time to reflect upon our sins.  It is a time when we give up something as a sacrifice.  We abstain from meat on Fridays and we fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Advent is different.  We don’t give up stuff in Advent and we don’t have days of universal fasting.

Advent is more a time of waiting.  If you look at the secular world, Christmas is already being thrust upon us with stores having Christmas sales and decorations going up but here in the Catholic Church we have not decorated for Christmas.  At Christmas our banners and vestments will be white.  Our manger scene will be out and the flowers will be plentiful.

But not yet.

For now our church is decorated with violet banners and vestments but beyond that remains relatively simple.  During this time, we patiently (or maybe impatiently) wait for Christmas.

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah the Israelites had been waiting for.  They waited for a 1,000 years.  We hear Jesus say, “Be watchful!  Be alert!”

As we wait, we think about the first coming of Jesus at Christmas.  We should also think about the Second Coming.  Are we ready?

Asking about our individual readiness is what can lead us to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and that is a good thing.  However, I think we do well to think about not just our individual readiness but how our human world is doing.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray thy kingdom come but we can struggle to see God’s kingdom in this world.

We can think about other parts of the world like the Middle East where there is much war and violence.  We can think about violence in Africa that includes kidnapping of hundreds of children.  We can think about violence in schools and colleges in our own country.

This week we have the turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri when the grand jury handed down its decision concerning the shooting of Michael Brown.  We knew regardless of which way the decision went there would be disagreement and protests.

But why the looting and the fires?

What does looting and setting fires do to help the situation?  I think it is more a sign of how we are slipping as a society.  When the Israelites slipped and wandered away from God, they were defeated by their enemies.  Our ultimate enemy is evil.  Is evil getting the upper hand?

Perhaps but the Lord stands ready to give us a new beginning.  As we wait for Christmas, I hope we all take some time to think about how we can come closer to God.  Christmas shows us the gift of God’s love.  May we embrace and share the love.