Fr Ed Homily 12-13-20

When you are with a group of people there may be one or two individuals you do not know. Perhaps you have used the questions, “Who are you?” Would you expect an answer how John responded to the Jewish leaders when they asked him who he was? He responded, “I am not the one you are looking for?” Reminds me when you have little children, and you hear a crash in the living room. When you investigate you find a broken lamp. You ask “Alright, who broke the lamp?” And the standard answer, “not me!” Just like John today, “I am not the one!”

Pause for a moment, how did John know what they really wanted to ask? People were expecting something to happen. John is acting like a prophet. Many people are coming out to him, thinking John is the Messiah. John has probably been asked several times if he is the Messiah. He is probably sick of the question. He is probably telling people he is not the Messiah before they can even form the question. So, then who is he? The one crying out in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord. Isaiah foretold his coming. It would be a great prophet like Elijah. Jesus claims John as Elijah, the greatest among men, but then Jesus says the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John. Jesus is coming to establish the Kingdom of God and through His Church we are members of His Kingdom. This makes us daughters and sons of God.

As we come to church today or watch online, do we feel like daughters and sons of God? Do we recognize God’s love for us? Will it be hard to sit in church or watch online with so many issues clouding our thoughts and minds? To be honest, probably. I think it is just a human response. This year has been extremely trying. We have suffered through the virus, endured a divisive election, jump started a couple of times to gain normalcy only to be set back. And now we are to focus on Christmas? It just seems to be too much for us to manage.

If someone were to ask you the question “Who are you?” How would you respond? Would you say: “I am a Catholic. I believe in God, His Son Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit. I know and accept and profess the teachings of the Catholic Church. I desire to leave this earth and be with God in heaven.” We often are told that people are searching for God. Did we just give them the answer to the question they want to ask? Or did we avoid an opportunity to share our faith? If we do not respond with faith, who will?

The Church gives us this season of Advent knowing that we need time to slow down. You will hear the word rejoice several times in mass. Rejoice does not mean a time to have a party. It does mean that we need to evaluate how we feel right now. If we are happy and life is good, then rejoice. If we are sad and or stressed or anxious, then rejoice. Because the circumstances affecting our life do not need to take away our joy. In all things, we can find joy. We start by giving God thanks for what He has given us right here, right now. All the mishaps or misfortune happening in our lives do not have to impact how we see ourselves and our relationship with God. This is a season to turn to God and trust Him knowing He loves us and is soon sending His Son to us as a baby. Rejoice!

May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.