Hatred and Revenge
Homily for February 19, 2017 7th Sunday Ordinary - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from last week discussing six commands taken from the Mosaic Law which were examples of the conduct Jesus demanded from his disciples. If you remember, last week Jesus began by addressing those who thought that, because of his actions and teachings, he was going to abolish the Mosaic Law and the teachings of the prophets. He stated that he didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law and the prophecies made about Him.
He then clarified the six commands, beginning each of them with “You have heard that it was said…” and then stating the law. Then, with a “But I say to you…” he proceeded to either expand or deepen the command to make it even more all-encompassing, or replaced it with something more important as a standard of conduct that his disciples were to follow. These six commands are all relational, dealing with how we are to treat each other – commands about anger, desire, divorce, honesty, revenge and hatred.
Today’s Gospel addresses the last two commands, which address very common but deadly attitudes for today’s Christians: Revenge and Hatred. I think Jesus is very clear about God’s position on these two points, and I’m not sure I like what He had to say. Of the six commands that he taught about, these two are the hardest for me personally to deal with. Sure, anger is tough and often leads to revenge and hatred, but it is these last two which can be the hardest for people to overcome, since their emotional intensity can totally blind us to the need for God’s mercy. I used to tell people when I was pranked in my younger days, “I don’t get angry, I get even. And I hold a grudge until I do”. And I was ruthless.
Take Revenge. Despite all of our talk about mercy, how often do we want “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” when dealing with someone who has wronged us personally or has done something that offends our sense of right and wrong? Do we really believe in the value of reconciliation and rehabilitation? How often do we see or hear in the news about the protests and riots which demand action against someone even before they’ve received a fair trial? And if it something that is or seems to be terribly evil, we really want to punish them – hurt them – beyond just an “eye for an eye”.
And Hatred of Enemies. How can I not hate my enemy? I’m assuming that there must be some reason that I call them “my enemy” – usually it is because they are some sort of threat to me or to those I love. Embracing someone who has expressed a desire to harm me in some way just doesn’t seem like a smart thing to do, does it?
I don’t think so. Yet that is exactly what Jesus is calling us to do.
So what motivates us to hatred and revenge? While anger probably and usually plays a significant part, I think it is mostly fear that causes us to hate others, or to seek retribution from another so that we don’t have to face the situation that harmed us again. Fear does more harm to us than any other emotion, which is why Jesus so often said, “Do not be afraid.”
We can become impulsive or irrational when we are afraid, and the evil that results from our failure to recognize Jesus’ wisdom in teaching about these two commands challenges our Christian faith more than anything else we face. Fear blinds us to the command to “Love God and Love our Neighbor”, and we risk losing our eternal soul if we allow our fear to prevent us doing as Jesus commanded, especially seen through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy which are demanded of us for those who we fear or hate.
And yet, as a people, a nation, we are responding to the events around us in fear, and that fear has led us to anger, hatred and revenge. All we have to do is look at the current headlines in the news and how we respond to any of the many issues facing our country today to see the hatred and the anger that permeates our society. We say we seek “justice”, but that’s just another word for revenge. We are about as far from the model of discipleship outlined by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as the pagans were from the first Christians.
St. Paul said to the Romans, “Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.”
Can you respond in love to the neighbor you struggle with? Are you caring for those that you hate? Do you pray for those you are afraid of? Really pray for them and not against them? Are you allowing the good in your life to conquer the evil that you face?
You must, if you are a Christian.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Who Do You Follow?
Who Do You Follow?
Homily for January 22, 2017 3rd Sunday Ordinary - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
500 Years ago this year, in 1517, the Reverend Martin Luther published his “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences,” more commonly known as “The 95 Theses”. Most historians consider this the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. They were most likely not NAILED to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church as an act of radical defiance, but were hung on the door of the church to encourage debate on what Luther considered abuses in indulgences and related issues within the Church. In fact, much of what he included were abuses within the Church associated with indulgences and which were already being discussed as problems within the Church hierarchy. Unfortunately, some of the issues were divisive and, after several attempts at reconciliation, when Luther refused to recant his position on these issues, in 1521 he was excommunicated by Pope Leo X. The subsequent division and scandal caused to the Church has continued ever since.
But it does not have to be so.
In John’s Gospel, chapter 17, verses 20 to 21, Jesus prays, “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.” One in God. One in Life. One in Faith.
This week, from January 18th through the 25th, we celebrate the “International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”. During this week, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (the USCCB) asks that all Catholics join with those of other Christian denominations to pray for Christian Unity. This “week of prayer for unity” isn’t anything new, but is part of a effort that is over 100 years old, when the first Octave of Prayer was celebrated in 1908. Pope Benedict the 15th extended its observance to the universal Church in 1916. It has been celebrated during this week in January ever since.
In 1964, the Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio was proclaimed by the Second Vatican Council, which included in its opening remarks that “Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only; division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalises the world and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel”. “The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Sacred Ecumenical Second Vatican Council.”
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity continues to work with representatives of the World Council of Churches and other Christian communities to resolve our differences so that we all may be one in the eyes of God. This week of prayer and ecumenical activities are meant to help heal the divisions which keep us apart.
But overcoming division isn’t easy. We are a very competitive people, whether it be in sports, politics or faith. And while competition in itself isn’t bad, for it helps us strive to be better than we are; we only have to look around us to see how we allow our competitive nature to become destructive: we use antagonistic or insulting language to put others down; we exercise prejudicial judgment against some and preferential treatment for others; we even justify violence as a statement against those we disagree with. Just look at the recent news of the protests and riots this last week.
It must stop.
In his letter to the Corinthians today, St. Paul admonishes the Corinthians over the divisions in their fledgling community. He points out to them that they are losing their focus on the only one they were to follow – Christ. Not Peter; not Apollos;,not even Paul himself. No matter who they “liked” or “disliked”, they had only one purpose – to witness to Christ, to follow the command of Christ to Love God and to Love their Neighbor. The same is true for us today - it isn't our political leaders, our sports favorites, or even our friends that we are called to follow, but Christ.
Where are we as a community, as Christians? Are we divisive, finding fault with those we disagree with? We're called to remain firm and strong in our faith and not compromise our values, but can we do so without hatred? Can we say that we love each other, and treat each other with respect, even if we disagree with them? Or do we harbor hatred in our hearts for those that we disagree with – whether it be because of their faith, their politics, or even their sports affiliation? (OK, maybe we don’t HATE them because of their favorite teams.)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. They leave everything behind to follow Him. We’re called to do the same thing – leave all our hatred and animosity behind and follow Him. We are called to be one in Christ.
I follow Christ. I belong to Him.
Who do you belong to?
Homily for January 22, 2017 3rd Sunday Ordinary - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
500 Years ago this year, in 1517, the Reverend Martin Luther published his “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences,” more commonly known as “The 95 Theses”. Most historians consider this the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. They were most likely not NAILED to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church as an act of radical defiance, but were hung on the door of the church to encourage debate on what Luther considered abuses in indulgences and related issues within the Church. In fact, much of what he included were abuses within the Church associated with indulgences and which were already being discussed as problems within the Church hierarchy. Unfortunately, some of the issues were divisive and, after several attempts at reconciliation, when Luther refused to recant his position on these issues, in 1521 he was excommunicated by Pope Leo X. The subsequent division and scandal caused to the Church has continued ever since.
But it does not have to be so.
In John’s Gospel, chapter 17, verses 20 to 21, Jesus prays, “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.” One in God. One in Life. One in Faith.
This week, from January 18th through the 25th, we celebrate the “International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”. During this week, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (the USCCB) asks that all Catholics join with those of other Christian denominations to pray for Christian Unity. This “week of prayer for unity” isn’t anything new, but is part of a effort that is over 100 years old, when the first Octave of Prayer was celebrated in 1908. Pope Benedict the 15th extended its observance to the universal Church in 1916. It has been celebrated during this week in January ever since.
In 1964, the Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio was proclaimed by the Second Vatican Council, which included in its opening remarks that “Christ the Lord founded one Church and one Church only; division openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalises the world and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel”. “The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Sacred Ecumenical Second Vatican Council.”
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity continues to work with representatives of the World Council of Churches and other Christian communities to resolve our differences so that we all may be one in the eyes of God. This week of prayer and ecumenical activities are meant to help heal the divisions which keep us apart.
But overcoming division isn’t easy. We are a very competitive people, whether it be in sports, politics or faith. And while competition in itself isn’t bad, for it helps us strive to be better than we are; we only have to look around us to see how we allow our competitive nature to become destructive: we use antagonistic or insulting language to put others down; we exercise prejudicial judgment against some and preferential treatment for others; we even justify violence as a statement against those we disagree with. Just look at the recent news of the protests and riots this last week.
It must stop.
In his letter to the Corinthians today, St. Paul admonishes the Corinthians over the divisions in their fledgling community. He points out to them that they are losing their focus on the only one they were to follow – Christ. Not Peter; not Apollos;,not even Paul himself. No matter who they “liked” or “disliked”, they had only one purpose – to witness to Christ, to follow the command of Christ to Love God and to Love their Neighbor. The same is true for us today - it isn't our political leaders, our sports favorites, or even our friends that we are called to follow, but Christ.
Where are we as a community, as Christians? Are we divisive, finding fault with those we disagree with? We're called to remain firm and strong in our faith and not compromise our values, but can we do so without hatred? Can we say that we love each other, and treat each other with respect, even if we disagree with them? Or do we harbor hatred in our hearts for those that we disagree with – whether it be because of their faith, their politics, or even their sports affiliation? (OK, maybe we don’t HATE them because of their favorite teams.)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. They leave everything behind to follow Him. We’re called to do the same thing – leave all our hatred and animosity behind and follow Him. We are called to be one in Christ.
I follow Christ. I belong to Him.
Who do you belong to?
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Following Our Star
Following Our Star
Homily for January 8, 2017 The Epiphany of the Lord - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star in the East, and have come to worship him” (Mt 2:2).
With these words from today’s Gospel, Pope Francis opened his homily last Friday for the Feast of the Epiphany, during which he spoke of a holy longing which all true believers have and how that longing should guide us in where and how we choose to seek and follow Jesus.
First, a little background. Although it may not get as much attention as Christmas, did you know that the Feast of the Epiphany is actually one of the oldest of our Christian feasts, being celebrated by the Church since the end of the second century? The date for celebrating Christmas wouldn’t even be established for another 200 years. And like other Christian celebrations, the Church appropriated Epiphany from an old pagan festival celebrating the winter solstice. Back then, the shortest day of the year fell on January 6th, before various calendar revisions over the centuries resulted in the solstice now occurring on December 21st.
And although most of the world still celebrates the Epiphany on January 6th, here in the US the bishops have chosen to celebrate it on the Sunday that falls between January 2nd and 8th. I personally think that this was to ensure that people celebrated it liturgically, I guess.
So what is an “Epiphany”?
Well, it is a Greek word that one dictionary describes as:
(1) The manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something;
(2) An intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking; or
(3) An illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure.
I’d prefer to say that the word itself usually means the moment when a sudden and clear understanding of something comes through intuition or insight, or which is revealed through some event that makes understanding clear. I like to think of it as an “AHA!” moment.
For the Greeks, it came to be used to refer to an appearance or manifestation of a divine being, and so, for Christians, the Epiphany is the revelation and recognition the divinity of Jesus as God.
Now there are many instances in the Gospel where Jesus reveals His divinity such as through the many signs He worked and through the witness of others of His interactions with His Father – at His Baptism and at the Transfiguration, for example. But the two primary biblical events that are referred to as the first time that Gentiles were made aware of the divinity of Jesus, His Epiphany, are the visit by the Magi described in today’s Gospel and Jesus’ baptism by John. Interestingly, the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant church communities usually use the visit of the Magi when they celebrate the Epiphany, while the Eastern Orthodox churches focus on Jesus’ baptism.
Do we recognize the divinity of Jesus today? More importantly, have we had our own moment of Epiphany with Him? Our faith tells us that He is present in His Word and in the Eucharist, but do we see Him at other times in our daily lives? Where do we look for Him? More importantly, do we know what is leading us to Him?
In today’s Gospel, the Magi followed a star which led them to Jesus. They were learned men, most likely astrologers, and they knew that what they saw was a sign of something great was about to happen – even though they were not Jews. It signified the birth of a King, and they had come to see for themselves this newborn King and to worship Him. The star was for them the guiding light that beckoned to them. The Magi came because the light offered them HOPE.
What is the “star” – the light – which beckons to us? Again, in his homily on Friday, Pope Francis said: “In our life, there are several stars, and it’s up to us to choose which to follow. There are many “flashing lights” in our lives, like success and money, which come and go, which may be good, but are not enough, because they do not give lasting peace.”
Do we see the star – the guiding light – which leads us to Jesus? If not, are we looking in the right place? Do we see the light as a sign of hope, like the Magi?
Or, like Herod, do we see the light of Christ but are unwilling to accept it or follow it because we’re afraid of where it will lead us? Even if the status quo of our life isn’t ideal, we may prefer it to the unknown consequences of giving our all to Jesus. Herod was so afraid that he had all of the baby boys – the Holy Innocents – murdered to prevent the coming of Jesus, rather than risk the change that Jesus represented. He tried to stop Jesus from coming, and we all know how effective he was at that. God always prevails.
Are we afraid of following the light of Christ? Haven’t we acted like Herod, as we approach the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision next weekend that has resulted in the murder of over 55 million babies? Isn’t it fear that prevents us from embracing the demands that the respect for life places on us, and drives us to pass laws in support of abortion, euthanasia and capital punishment?
The Magi came to see and worship this newborn child who would be king, and they willingly left behind the comfort of their lives to seek something that was greater than what they had. They brought their gifts – more than gifts, their treasures – and laid them at the feet of the newborn child, with no expectation of personal gain. They chose to follow the guiding light – the Star – which came from God.
As we proceed into this new year, we need to ask ourselves: what is my Star? Can I see clearly where God is leading me? Am I prepared to have an AHA moment – an Epiphany – where I encounter the risen Christ? Can I overcome the fear of the change that encounter may require of me?
You can. Do not be afraid.
Homily for January 8, 2017 The Epiphany of the Lord - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star in the East, and have come to worship him” (Mt 2:2).
With these words from today’s Gospel, Pope Francis opened his homily last Friday for the Feast of the Epiphany, during which he spoke of a holy longing which all true believers have and how that longing should guide us in where and how we choose to seek and follow Jesus.
First, a little background. Although it may not get as much attention as Christmas, did you know that the Feast of the Epiphany is actually one of the oldest of our Christian feasts, being celebrated by the Church since the end of the second century? The date for celebrating Christmas wouldn’t even be established for another 200 years. And like other Christian celebrations, the Church appropriated Epiphany from an old pagan festival celebrating the winter solstice. Back then, the shortest day of the year fell on January 6th, before various calendar revisions over the centuries resulted in the solstice now occurring on December 21st.
And although most of the world still celebrates the Epiphany on January 6th, here in the US the bishops have chosen to celebrate it on the Sunday that falls between January 2nd and 8th. I personally think that this was to ensure that people celebrated it liturgically, I guess.
So what is an “Epiphany”?
Well, it is a Greek word that one dictionary describes as:
(1) The manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something;
(2) An intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking; or
(3) An illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure.
I’d prefer to say that the word itself usually means the moment when a sudden and clear understanding of something comes through intuition or insight, or which is revealed through some event that makes understanding clear. I like to think of it as an “AHA!” moment.
For the Greeks, it came to be used to refer to an appearance or manifestation of a divine being, and so, for Christians, the Epiphany is the revelation and recognition the divinity of Jesus as God.
Now there are many instances in the Gospel where Jesus reveals His divinity such as through the many signs He worked and through the witness of others of His interactions with His Father – at His Baptism and at the Transfiguration, for example. But the two primary biblical events that are referred to as the first time that Gentiles were made aware of the divinity of Jesus, His Epiphany, are the visit by the Magi described in today’s Gospel and Jesus’ baptism by John. Interestingly, the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant church communities usually use the visit of the Magi when they celebrate the Epiphany, while the Eastern Orthodox churches focus on Jesus’ baptism.
Do we recognize the divinity of Jesus today? More importantly, have we had our own moment of Epiphany with Him? Our faith tells us that He is present in His Word and in the Eucharist, but do we see Him at other times in our daily lives? Where do we look for Him? More importantly, do we know what is leading us to Him?
In today’s Gospel, the Magi followed a star which led them to Jesus. They were learned men, most likely astrologers, and they knew that what they saw was a sign of something great was about to happen – even though they were not Jews. It signified the birth of a King, and they had come to see for themselves this newborn King and to worship Him. The star was for them the guiding light that beckoned to them. The Magi came because the light offered them HOPE.
What is the “star” – the light – which beckons to us? Again, in his homily on Friday, Pope Francis said: “In our life, there are several stars, and it’s up to us to choose which to follow. There are many “flashing lights” in our lives, like success and money, which come and go, which may be good, but are not enough, because they do not give lasting peace.”
Do we see the star – the guiding light – which leads us to Jesus? If not, are we looking in the right place? Do we see the light as a sign of hope, like the Magi?
Or, like Herod, do we see the light of Christ but are unwilling to accept it or follow it because we’re afraid of where it will lead us? Even if the status quo of our life isn’t ideal, we may prefer it to the unknown consequences of giving our all to Jesus. Herod was so afraid that he had all of the baby boys – the Holy Innocents – murdered to prevent the coming of Jesus, rather than risk the change that Jesus represented. He tried to stop Jesus from coming, and we all know how effective he was at that. God always prevails.
Are we afraid of following the light of Christ? Haven’t we acted like Herod, as we approach the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision next weekend that has resulted in the murder of over 55 million babies? Isn’t it fear that prevents us from embracing the demands that the respect for life places on us, and drives us to pass laws in support of abortion, euthanasia and capital punishment?
The Magi came to see and worship this newborn child who would be king, and they willingly left behind the comfort of their lives to seek something that was greater than what they had. They brought their gifts – more than gifts, their treasures – and laid them at the feet of the newborn child, with no expectation of personal gain. They chose to follow the guiding light – the Star – which came from God.
As we proceed into this new year, we need to ask ourselves: what is my Star? Can I see clearly where God is leading me? Am I prepared to have an AHA moment – an Epiphany – where I encounter the risen Christ? Can I overcome the fear of the change that encounter may require of me?
You can. Do not be afraid.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
New Year's Resolutions
New Year's Resolutions
Homily for January 1, 2017 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
Happy New Year! This weekend we straddle the line between the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one – the bridge between history lived and a future promised. Are you looking forward to the New Year with anticipation, or with dread? Are you thankful for the blessings you have received? Or are you just thankful that the year is over?
You know, each time we celebrate New Year’s Day we are given an opportunity – a milestone if you will – which we can use to measure our lives to date and to prepare for our days going forward. I prefer the word “prepare” to “plan”, since to paraphrase an old Yiddish proverb, “When Man Plans; God Laughs.” By the way, that doesn’t mean that God wants to do something to screw up our plans. But since we don’t know what God has in mind for us or those around us, we should not be surprised or mad when things don’t go like we think they should. Instead, we should prepare ourselves to encounter God however and wherever He chooses. And that preparation begins with our accepting that God wants to bless us with His Love and Mercy.
Do you believe that God will bless you in the upcoming year? As we celebrate this feast of Mary as Mother of God – the Theotokos – I wonder if on that fateful night when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would bear the child of God Most High, if she believed that she was going to be blessed in the upcoming years? During this last week within the Octave of Christmas, we’ve heard about some of the trials faced by the Holy Family, including Jesus’ birth in a cave, the family being hunted by Herod and becoming refugees in a foreign country, and even Simeon’s prophesy to Mary last Thursday was that her own heart would be pierced with sorrow because of Jesus.
And yet, in today’s Gospel, the shepherds spoke to Mary and Joseph about what they had seen and heard from the angel about her newborn son – the good news and great joy that Jesus would be their Messiah and Lord for the whole world – and how she kept and reflected on their words in her heart.
In her heart. There is a difference between analyzing something with your mind and embracing something with your heart. There is an emotional component to the heart that measures things that the mind cannot, because it is in our hearts that we find, as St. Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, the spirit of Jesus that God has sent to us; the proof that we are His adopted children and heirs to all of the graces and blessings that God wants to bestow on us. It is with this perspective that we need to look toward the future.
And while we don’t know what the future holds for us, there are some things we can do to prepare for whatever God may ask of us. This is where our New Year’s Resolutions should come into play. Instead of the old stand-bys of dieting and exercise, here are some things you might consider doing in the upcoming year, based on an article from the December 1959 issue of “McCall’s” magazine and with a few of my own added for good measure:
• Seek out a forgotten friend.
• Mend a quarrel. Apologize if you were wrong. If not, try to understand. Listen to others.
• Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust.
• Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Welcome a stranger.
• Share some of your treasure with those less fortunate.
• Encourage our youth.
• Gladden the heart of a child.
• Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
• Show your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise.
• Find the time for your family, for others, and especially for God.
• Go to church. Get involved with your church community.
• Oh, yes – Attend the ACTS retreat.
• Think of others before yourself. Examine your demands on them.
• Appreciate what you have. Express your gratitude.
• Write a love letter.
• Be kind; be gentle.
• Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
• Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
• Did I mention – laugh a little more?
So, as we begin this new year, ask yourselves – what are your New Year’s Resolutions for the upcoming year? Will the year be more of the same? Or do you want this year to be different?
What are YOU willing to do to make it different?
Happy New Year!
Homily for January 1, 2017 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
Happy New Year! This weekend we straddle the line between the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one – the bridge between history lived and a future promised. Are you looking forward to the New Year with anticipation, or with dread? Are you thankful for the blessings you have received? Or are you just thankful that the year is over?
You know, each time we celebrate New Year’s Day we are given an opportunity – a milestone if you will – which we can use to measure our lives to date and to prepare for our days going forward. I prefer the word “prepare” to “plan”, since to paraphrase an old Yiddish proverb, “When Man Plans; God Laughs.” By the way, that doesn’t mean that God wants to do something to screw up our plans. But since we don’t know what God has in mind for us or those around us, we should not be surprised or mad when things don’t go like we think they should. Instead, we should prepare ourselves to encounter God however and wherever He chooses. And that preparation begins with our accepting that God wants to bless us with His Love and Mercy.
Do you believe that God will bless you in the upcoming year? As we celebrate this feast of Mary as Mother of God – the Theotokos – I wonder if on that fateful night when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would bear the child of God Most High, if she believed that she was going to be blessed in the upcoming years? During this last week within the Octave of Christmas, we’ve heard about some of the trials faced by the Holy Family, including Jesus’ birth in a cave, the family being hunted by Herod and becoming refugees in a foreign country, and even Simeon’s prophesy to Mary last Thursday was that her own heart would be pierced with sorrow because of Jesus.
And yet, in today’s Gospel, the shepherds spoke to Mary and Joseph about what they had seen and heard from the angel about her newborn son – the good news and great joy that Jesus would be their Messiah and Lord for the whole world – and how she kept and reflected on their words in her heart.
In her heart. There is a difference between analyzing something with your mind and embracing something with your heart. There is an emotional component to the heart that measures things that the mind cannot, because it is in our hearts that we find, as St. Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, the spirit of Jesus that God has sent to us; the proof that we are His adopted children and heirs to all of the graces and blessings that God wants to bestow on us. It is with this perspective that we need to look toward the future.
And while we don’t know what the future holds for us, there are some things we can do to prepare for whatever God may ask of us. This is where our New Year’s Resolutions should come into play. Instead of the old stand-bys of dieting and exercise, here are some things you might consider doing in the upcoming year, based on an article from the December 1959 issue of “McCall’s” magazine and with a few of my own added for good measure:
• Seek out a forgotten friend.
• Mend a quarrel. Apologize if you were wrong. If not, try to understand. Listen to others.
• Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust.
• Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Welcome a stranger.
• Share some of your treasure with those less fortunate.
• Encourage our youth.
• Gladden the heart of a child.
• Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
• Show your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise.
• Find the time for your family, for others, and especially for God.
• Go to church. Get involved with your church community.
• Oh, yes – Attend the ACTS retreat.
• Think of others before yourself. Examine your demands on them.
• Appreciate what you have. Express your gratitude.
• Write a love letter.
• Be kind; be gentle.
• Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
• Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still once again.
• Did I mention – laugh a little more?
So, as we begin this new year, ask yourselves – what are your New Year’s Resolutions for the upcoming year? Will the year be more of the same? Or do you want this year to be different?
What are YOU willing to do to make it different?
Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Joy, Mercy and Love
Joy, Mercy and Love
Homily for December 18, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the land,
People were worried, wringing their hands.
“What should I buy, what should I get?”
Will my expectations of Christmas be met?
Mom in her apron, in a very foul mood,
Worried about cooking, would there be enough food?
Dad, too, was cranky, showing ill-will,
Worried about paying those after-Christmas bills.
And the children were impatient – the girls and the boys,
As they thought only of presents: the gifts, the toys.
But then, what to my blood-shot eyes should appear,
But a choir of angels, with good tidings to share.
“A child will be born in just a few days,
That, if you will let him, can change all your ways.”
“The gifts He will bring are joy, mercy and love,
Sent by the King of Kings from above.”
A week to go to Christmas. Are you ready? Despite some people starting their Christmas shopping as early as September and the big rush to spend money on Black Friday, it is said that this year the busiest shopping days for Christmas are still ahead for us, with next Friday expected to be the busiest of the year. And I wonder – how will all of this last-minute shopping lead us to joy, mercy and love?
In all three readings, we hear about the great Gift that God gave to us at the first Christmas – the gift of His Son, Jesus. It’s a gift that was planned for us from the beginning of time, prophesied by Isaiah, acknowledged by St. Paul confirmed by the angel to Joseph, and the gift does indeed lead us to joy, mercy and love – far more than any present that can be wrapped up and placed under a tree. For the Gift of Jesus not only leads us to joy, mercy and love – Jesus IS Joy, Mercy and Love Incarnate.
But like so many gifts that we receive, this gift comes with Some Assembly Required. And, as with any gift that is of significant value, we must follow the instructions on how to get the most enjoyment out of it, and a commitment to maintain it if it is to remain of value to us.
Commitment. Why is it that we’re willing to commit to large payments for a house or car or other toys, but are afraid to commit where it really counts – the maintenance of the gift of our faith? Is it that we want to keep our options open? If we do commit, is it conditional? What are our priorities? Is our faith more important than any other commitment that we make?
With the beginning of a new year around the corner, now is the time we should be thinking about those New Year’s Resolutions that we hope to begin, and let us start with resolving to cherish the Gift of Jesus in our lives. Make it the priority of your life.
Then, decide what you are going to do to maintain it. Commit to setting aside time every day to read something to grow your faith – not less than 15 minutes, or the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. If you haven’t already, complete a pledge card and commit to supporting your parish financially, every week. Commit to becoming involved in some sort of volunteer organization or project every month, even if it only one day each month. And, an excellent way to jump-start your faith or give it a boost for the new year is by attending the upcoming Men’s or Women’s ACTS retreat.
Make your commitments NOW, before the beginning of the year, so that you’re ready when the time comes. It is the fastest, surest way to Joy, Mercy and Love – the way to Jesus.
Finally, the Gift of Jesus is a gift meant to be shared with others. If we do – if we help others to encounter Jesus through our words and actions – then they too will be filled with the Holy Spirit and the gift of His Joy, Mercy and Love.
If the challenge seems daunting, remember what the angel said to Joseph, “Do not be afraid.”
Will you encounter Jesus at Christmas? Will you commit to assembling and maintaining your relationship with Jesus? Will you bring Jesus to others? I hope so.
And so let us exclaim, as we prepare for this week,
Merry Christmas to all; Jesus comes, whom we seek
– and who indeed seeks us.
AMEN
Homily for December 18, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the land,
People were worried, wringing their hands.
“What should I buy, what should I get?”
Will my expectations of Christmas be met?
Mom in her apron, in a very foul mood,
Worried about cooking, would there be enough food?
Dad, too, was cranky, showing ill-will,
Worried about paying those after-Christmas bills.
And the children were impatient – the girls and the boys,
As they thought only of presents: the gifts, the toys.
But then, what to my blood-shot eyes should appear,
But a choir of angels, with good tidings to share.
“A child will be born in just a few days,
That, if you will let him, can change all your ways.”
“The gifts He will bring are joy, mercy and love,
Sent by the King of Kings from above.”
A week to go to Christmas. Are you ready? Despite some people starting their Christmas shopping as early as September and the big rush to spend money on Black Friday, it is said that this year the busiest shopping days for Christmas are still ahead for us, with next Friday expected to be the busiest of the year. And I wonder – how will all of this last-minute shopping lead us to joy, mercy and love?
In all three readings, we hear about the great Gift that God gave to us at the first Christmas – the gift of His Son, Jesus. It’s a gift that was planned for us from the beginning of time, prophesied by Isaiah, acknowledged by St. Paul confirmed by the angel to Joseph, and the gift does indeed lead us to joy, mercy and love – far more than any present that can be wrapped up and placed under a tree. For the Gift of Jesus not only leads us to joy, mercy and love – Jesus IS Joy, Mercy and Love Incarnate.
But like so many gifts that we receive, this gift comes with Some Assembly Required. And, as with any gift that is of significant value, we must follow the instructions on how to get the most enjoyment out of it, and a commitment to maintain it if it is to remain of value to us.
Commitment. Why is it that we’re willing to commit to large payments for a house or car or other toys, but are afraid to commit where it really counts – the maintenance of the gift of our faith? Is it that we want to keep our options open? If we do commit, is it conditional? What are our priorities? Is our faith more important than any other commitment that we make?
With the beginning of a new year around the corner, now is the time we should be thinking about those New Year’s Resolutions that we hope to begin, and let us start with resolving to cherish the Gift of Jesus in our lives. Make it the priority of your life.
Then, decide what you are going to do to maintain it. Commit to setting aside time every day to read something to grow your faith – not less than 15 minutes, or the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee. If you haven’t already, complete a pledge card and commit to supporting your parish financially, every week. Commit to becoming involved in some sort of volunteer organization or project every month, even if it only one day each month. And, an excellent way to jump-start your faith or give it a boost for the new year is by attending the upcoming Men’s or Women’s ACTS retreat.
Make your commitments NOW, before the beginning of the year, so that you’re ready when the time comes. It is the fastest, surest way to Joy, Mercy and Love – the way to Jesus.
Finally, the Gift of Jesus is a gift meant to be shared with others. If we do – if we help others to encounter Jesus through our words and actions – then they too will be filled with the Holy Spirit and the gift of His Joy, Mercy and Love.
If the challenge seems daunting, remember what the angel said to Joseph, “Do not be afraid.”
Will you encounter Jesus at Christmas? Will you commit to assembling and maintaining your relationship with Jesus? Will you bring Jesus to others? I hope so.
And so let us exclaim, as we prepare for this week,
Merry Christmas to all; Jesus comes, whom we seek
– and who indeed seeks us.
AMEN
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Ransomed and Waiting
Ransomed and Waiting
Homily for December 13, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
“Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.”
These words from the prophet Isaiah are words of anticipation and hope. In the earlier chapters from Isaiah, the prophet warned what was going to happen to Judah because of their infidelity to God; now, after they have been oppressed by the Assyrians, Isaiah offers words of hope and encouragement to remind Judah that God is with them, despite what they’ve experienced. God will free them from Assyria’s rule and they will be able to rejoice once again. They have been ransomed; now they need only wait for their freedom.
So, this may be a good time to ask ourselves – are we still excited about the coming of Christmas? Are we preparing ourselves joyfully for Jesus in our lives? Or are we being worn down by the minutiae of our preparations and the false messages of depression and despair that seem to come to us from every direction?
For the last couple of weeks, we’ve been hearing about our need to prepare ourselves, not only for Jesus’ birthday, but for the second coming of Christ and the consequences of not being ready. Last week we heard John’s call to repentance and a warning of the impending doom for those who failed to repent; the week before that we heard Jesus’ warning about we don’t know when we will be called before God and so to be ready.
But if all we do is focus on the impending doom that we may face if we are not ready; if we allow our worries and troubles to overshadow the hope and promises of God, then we might lose the joy of what we should be anticipating. We can miss the true presence of Christ already in our lives today and the joy that He can bring to us.
After all, we are surrounded by evil in the news – so why should we rejoice? We know of friends and family members who have died and we miss those who cannot share the holidays with us – so why should we rejoice? We cannot afford to celebrate the holidays in a matter that is being emphasized in the commercials we see and hear – so why should we rejoice? We have so many things that are pressing in upon us – challenges to our health, our families, our well-being – so why rejoice?
In today’s Gospel, John has been imprisoned and now he sends messengers to Jesus to ask Him if He’s the one that everyone is waiting for.
Jesus’ response echoes what we heard in our first reading from Isaiah – look for yourselves: the blind can see; the dead are raised; the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Good News. Joyful news. The wait is over.
Because God IS with us.
Today we celebrate Gau-de-tay’ Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Gaudete means “Rejoice!”, and so we should, as we have passed the half-way mark of our journey toward Christmas. We pause in our Advent preparations to remind ourselves of the promise of joy that is to come. We light the rose-colored candle in our Advent wreath, and sometimes we don festive rose-colored vestments. (Yes, they are ROSE, not pink. Like in that old 80’s movie, girls may be “Pretty in Pink”, but not clergy, as I’ve been told many times by priest-friends.)
This Sunday, the midway point of Advent, makes me think about one of the many funny dog-videos I saw last week. I’m blessed with several friends on Facebook that are dog lovers, and whenever I need cheering up all I have to do is watch a couple of the videos that they post showing dog antics. This one particular video was of a little dachshund playing in the snow. It started with a field of snow, and the top of the snow was moving a little as something burrowed beneath it. All of a sudden, a little black head popped up from under the snow to look around for a minute, then back down he went under the snow to madly tunneling about, popping back up a couple of minutes later to get his bearings, then back down he went. He was obviously having a ball playing in the snow, even if he wasn’t sure where he was going.
So it is with us. The Church gives us this Sunday in the middle of our Advent preparations to allow us to pop up and get our bearings, and to remind us that our joy shouldn’t have to wait until Christmas. It can be in the preparations themselves that we have our encounter with Jesus.
And that’s the reason for the season – the coming of Emmanuel, God with Us. God is coming to us to be WITH us. He has already ransomed us through His death and resurrection. His presence in our life will bring us joy, if we let Him into our hearts. That’s His perennial Christmas gift to us – His presence in our lives.
In return, the greatest gift we can give to one another is the gift of OUR presence to others. Not “presents” with a “T-S”, but “presence” with a “C-E”.
As we wait for the coming of Christmas in two weeks, as we finish our last-minute preparations and gift-buying, we should ask ourselves: Do we have that most important gift ready – the gift of presence - for those we love? After all, the gift of our presence to others IS the gift of love. And God’s love is already here, ready for us.
The wait is almost over.
Homily for December 13, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
“Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.”
These words from the prophet Isaiah are words of anticipation and hope. In the earlier chapters from Isaiah, the prophet warned what was going to happen to Judah because of their infidelity to God; now, after they have been oppressed by the Assyrians, Isaiah offers words of hope and encouragement to remind Judah that God is with them, despite what they’ve experienced. God will free them from Assyria’s rule and they will be able to rejoice once again. They have been ransomed; now they need only wait for their freedom.
So, this may be a good time to ask ourselves – are we still excited about the coming of Christmas? Are we preparing ourselves joyfully for Jesus in our lives? Or are we being worn down by the minutiae of our preparations and the false messages of depression and despair that seem to come to us from every direction?
For the last couple of weeks, we’ve been hearing about our need to prepare ourselves, not only for Jesus’ birthday, but for the second coming of Christ and the consequences of not being ready. Last week we heard John’s call to repentance and a warning of the impending doom for those who failed to repent; the week before that we heard Jesus’ warning about we don’t know when we will be called before God and so to be ready.
But if all we do is focus on the impending doom that we may face if we are not ready; if we allow our worries and troubles to overshadow the hope and promises of God, then we might lose the joy of what we should be anticipating. We can miss the true presence of Christ already in our lives today and the joy that He can bring to us.
After all, we are surrounded by evil in the news – so why should we rejoice? We know of friends and family members who have died and we miss those who cannot share the holidays with us – so why should we rejoice? We cannot afford to celebrate the holidays in a matter that is being emphasized in the commercials we see and hear – so why should we rejoice? We have so many things that are pressing in upon us – challenges to our health, our families, our well-being – so why rejoice?
In today’s Gospel, John has been imprisoned and now he sends messengers to Jesus to ask Him if He’s the one that everyone is waiting for.
Jesus’ response echoes what we heard in our first reading from Isaiah – look for yourselves: the blind can see; the dead are raised; the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Good News. Joyful news. The wait is over.
Because God IS with us.
Today we celebrate Gau-de-tay’ Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. Gaudete means “Rejoice!”, and so we should, as we have passed the half-way mark of our journey toward Christmas. We pause in our Advent preparations to remind ourselves of the promise of joy that is to come. We light the rose-colored candle in our Advent wreath, and sometimes we don festive rose-colored vestments. (Yes, they are ROSE, not pink. Like in that old 80’s movie, girls may be “Pretty in Pink”, but not clergy, as I’ve been told many times by priest-friends.)
This Sunday, the midway point of Advent, makes me think about one of the many funny dog-videos I saw last week. I’m blessed with several friends on Facebook that are dog lovers, and whenever I need cheering up all I have to do is watch a couple of the videos that they post showing dog antics. This one particular video was of a little dachshund playing in the snow. It started with a field of snow, and the top of the snow was moving a little as something burrowed beneath it. All of a sudden, a little black head popped up from under the snow to look around for a minute, then back down he went under the snow to madly tunneling about, popping back up a couple of minutes later to get his bearings, then back down he went. He was obviously having a ball playing in the snow, even if he wasn’t sure where he was going.
So it is with us. The Church gives us this Sunday in the middle of our Advent preparations to allow us to pop up and get our bearings, and to remind us that our joy shouldn’t have to wait until Christmas. It can be in the preparations themselves that we have our encounter with Jesus.
And that’s the reason for the season – the coming of Emmanuel, God with Us. God is coming to us to be WITH us. He has already ransomed us through His death and resurrection. His presence in our life will bring us joy, if we let Him into our hearts. That’s His perennial Christmas gift to us – His presence in our lives.
In return, the greatest gift we can give to one another is the gift of OUR presence to others. Not “presents” with a “T-S”, but “presence” with a “C-E”.
As we wait for the coming of Christmas in two weeks, as we finish our last-minute preparations and gift-buying, we should ask ourselves: Do we have that most important gift ready – the gift of presence - for those we love? After all, the gift of our presence to others IS the gift of love. And God’s love is already here, ready for us.
The wait is almost over.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Promises, Instructions and Warnings
Promises, Instructions and Warnings
Homily for November 27, 2016 First Sunday of Advent - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
Happy New Year! For us Catholics, today, the First Sunday of Advent, is the beginning of a New Liturgical Year. But it would be a little strange to run around and wish people a “Happy New Liturgical Year”, so I’m sticking with just “Happy New Year”. Try it – it might make people think you’re crazy but it will also give you an opportunity to talk about the Real Meaning of Christmas.
And despite what you are seeing on TV and in the stores, this isn’t the beginning of the Christmas season, but of the season of Advent. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin 'Adventus,' which means 'coming', and it is a preparatory season – a season of looking forward and waiting in anticipation for something great to happen. And as Catholics we use this period of Advent to prepare for two distinctly different events – the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus the historical figure, and, more importantly, for the time when Jesus the Christ will come again.
And all three of today’s readings help us to begin our preparations for this second event, the return of Christ: the first is a promise; then a series of instructions; and finally - a warning.
First, the promise. Isaiah talks about the future Kingdom of God that is to come, and he gives us a vision of hope. He describes the coming Kingdom as one of worldly peace; that there will be a day when people “from all nations” will come and seek the Kingdom. There will be no more wars, nor a need for them. The day of our salvation is coming.
But we are not there yet. And so, St. Paul gives us instructions in his Letter to the Romans on how we should be preparing ourselves for that day of salvation. His instructions sound almost the opposite of some of our Christmas preparations, doesn’t it? How many times have we heard about Christmas office parties which get out of hand? Did you know that there is more alcohol consumed for Christmas than any other time of the year except for New Year’s Eve? As for rivalry and jealousy, all we have to do is look to how people respond to Black Friday sales to see just how bad people can act.
And while that sense that the world will end tomorrow has diminished over the last two thousand years, our own need for a sense of urgency in our lives has not diminished, for we do not know the time and the place of our own departure and, sooner than later, we will be facing God, at least individually.
Which brings us to today’s Gospel. It seems to be a bit of a downer to begin a season marked with preparations for Christmas with such dire predictions. In his warning to His disciples, Jesus gives a harsh, apocalyptic view of the future – two men are working in the field: one is taken: one is left behind. Two women grinding in the mill: one taken; one left behind. The book series, “Left Behind” by Jenkens and LaHaye, was based on a literal interpretation of this passage – all of the faithful have been taken away by Christ, leaving the rest of humanity to face the upcoming apocalyptic battle between good and evil.
And yet, although we normally think of it as referring to some sort of cataclysmic event, the word Apocalypse comes from a Greek word which means literally "unveiling," or a revelation of something unknown. The second coming of Christ isn’t a time of depression; it is a time of joy for those who are ready. What if this passage means that the bad guys are taken away, leaving the rest of us to enjoy a new world with Jesus, free from tribulation? After all, Jesus has told us that He is coming back TO us, that the world will be renewed. Wherever we are in life, there is a better future in store for us. We wait in anticipation for His second coming to us.
Unfortunately, for many people the days leading up to Christmas ARE depressing. There are those who will be facing the holidays for the first time without a loved one who may have died or is gone; there are those who see all of the celebrations and feel the pressures of not having enough to celebrate with them; there are those who may be experiencing family problems and may be estranged from those they should be loving. They cannot see that the focus of this season is not about parties and presents, but about the gift that God already gave us - the gift of Jesus and the promise of a better future in His Kingdom, where we will be reunited with loved ones and experience the joy of being in the presence of God.
So let’s not get lost in doom and gloom. Advent isn’t a season of worry and despair; it is a season of hope and anticipation. I read somewhere, from a Catholic source no less, that since the Christmas season doesn’t begin until December 25th, that we shouldn’t be singing Christmas carols or turning on Christmas lights or even sending out Christmas cards before that day. I’ve never understood that. Think about the time just before a baby is born. What do you do? You clean and decorate the baby’s nursery; you hold baby showers and prepare gifts for the newborn; and if you’re GOOD friends of the mother-to-be, you might even prepare food for the family, knowing that once the child is born these will be the things which the family will need for the new addition to the family.
And so it is with us. Advent is a season of preparation, of anticipation. Let us take these next four weeks to prepare for the annual celebration of Jesus’ birthday, allowing the Spirit of Christmas enter into our lives and sharing with each other the joys we have received because Jesus is in our lives. Sing songs; share food and fellowship. But don’t let the frenetic activities of preparing for celebrating a historical event overshadow the true meaning of Christmas. Let us also prepare ourselves for His second coming into our lives.
Happy New Year.
Homily for November 27, 2016 First Sunday of Advent - A
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi
Happy New Year! For us Catholics, today, the First Sunday of Advent, is the beginning of a New Liturgical Year. But it would be a little strange to run around and wish people a “Happy New Liturgical Year”, so I’m sticking with just “Happy New Year”. Try it – it might make people think you’re crazy but it will also give you an opportunity to talk about the Real Meaning of Christmas.
And despite what you are seeing on TV and in the stores, this isn’t the beginning of the Christmas season, but of the season of Advent. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin 'Adventus,' which means 'coming', and it is a preparatory season – a season of looking forward and waiting in anticipation for something great to happen. And as Catholics we use this period of Advent to prepare for two distinctly different events – the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus the historical figure, and, more importantly, for the time when Jesus the Christ will come again.
And all three of today’s readings help us to begin our preparations for this second event, the return of Christ: the first is a promise; then a series of instructions; and finally - a warning.
First, the promise. Isaiah talks about the future Kingdom of God that is to come, and he gives us a vision of hope. He describes the coming Kingdom as one of worldly peace; that there will be a day when people “from all nations” will come and seek the Kingdom. There will be no more wars, nor a need for them. The day of our salvation is coming.
But we are not there yet. And so, St. Paul gives us instructions in his Letter to the Romans on how we should be preparing ourselves for that day of salvation. His instructions sound almost the opposite of some of our Christmas preparations, doesn’t it? How many times have we heard about Christmas office parties which get out of hand? Did you know that there is more alcohol consumed for Christmas than any other time of the year except for New Year’s Eve? As for rivalry and jealousy, all we have to do is look to how people respond to Black Friday sales to see just how bad people can act.
And while that sense that the world will end tomorrow has diminished over the last two thousand years, our own need for a sense of urgency in our lives has not diminished, for we do not know the time and the place of our own departure and, sooner than later, we will be facing God, at least individually.
Which brings us to today’s Gospel. It seems to be a bit of a downer to begin a season marked with preparations for Christmas with such dire predictions. In his warning to His disciples, Jesus gives a harsh, apocalyptic view of the future – two men are working in the field: one is taken: one is left behind. Two women grinding in the mill: one taken; one left behind. The book series, “Left Behind” by Jenkens and LaHaye, was based on a literal interpretation of this passage – all of the faithful have been taken away by Christ, leaving the rest of humanity to face the upcoming apocalyptic battle between good and evil.
And yet, although we normally think of it as referring to some sort of cataclysmic event, the word Apocalypse comes from a Greek word which means literally "unveiling," or a revelation of something unknown. The second coming of Christ isn’t a time of depression; it is a time of joy for those who are ready. What if this passage means that the bad guys are taken away, leaving the rest of us to enjoy a new world with Jesus, free from tribulation? After all, Jesus has told us that He is coming back TO us, that the world will be renewed. Wherever we are in life, there is a better future in store for us. We wait in anticipation for His second coming to us.
Unfortunately, for many people the days leading up to Christmas ARE depressing. There are those who will be facing the holidays for the first time without a loved one who may have died or is gone; there are those who see all of the celebrations and feel the pressures of not having enough to celebrate with them; there are those who may be experiencing family problems and may be estranged from those they should be loving. They cannot see that the focus of this season is not about parties and presents, but about the gift that God already gave us - the gift of Jesus and the promise of a better future in His Kingdom, where we will be reunited with loved ones and experience the joy of being in the presence of God.
So let’s not get lost in doom and gloom. Advent isn’t a season of worry and despair; it is a season of hope and anticipation. I read somewhere, from a Catholic source no less, that since the Christmas season doesn’t begin until December 25th, that we shouldn’t be singing Christmas carols or turning on Christmas lights or even sending out Christmas cards before that day. I’ve never understood that. Think about the time just before a baby is born. What do you do? You clean and decorate the baby’s nursery; you hold baby showers and prepare gifts for the newborn; and if you’re GOOD friends of the mother-to-be, you might even prepare food for the family, knowing that once the child is born these will be the things which the family will need for the new addition to the family.
And so it is with us. Advent is a season of preparation, of anticipation. Let us take these next four weeks to prepare for the annual celebration of Jesus’ birthday, allowing the Spirit of Christmas enter into our lives and sharing with each other the joys we have received because Jesus is in our lives. Sing songs; share food and fellowship. But don’t let the frenetic activities of preparing for celebrating a historical event overshadow the true meaning of Christmas. Let us also prepare ourselves for His second coming into our lives.
Happy New Year.
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