I attended Mass - the Third Sunday of Advent Gaudatte Sunday.
I was so moved by the homily, I felt I just needed a copy...although, I didn't have my phone, I noticed our pastor put his copy of the words in the ambo. I waited for everyone to leave, then slipped up onto the sanctuary and 'borrowed' it. I figured, I would just ask for permission, but when I got outside I noticed that he was busy blessing a woman and there was a line of people. I figured I could be back with it before he would even be done....well I don't know if that was the case, *but I did take it home, photograph it and here it is. I put the original back into the ambo with about 15 minutes to go for the next Mass. I have highlighted below things that really spoke to me. After all one of my favorite Bible versus is Philippians 4:8, which says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.". To me, these are joyful things - happy thoughts. There was a recording of the Mass, and yeah there I am....at 58:12 getting the papers. I ask forgiveness for this.
I was so moved by the homily, I felt I just needed a copy...although, I didn't have my phone, I noticed our pastor put his copy of the words in the ambo. I waited for everyone to leave, then slipped up onto the sanctuary and 'borrowed' it. I figured, I would just ask for permission, but when I got outside I noticed that he was busy blessing a woman and there was a line of people. I figured I could be back with it before he would even be done....well I don't know if that was the case, *but I did take it home, photograph it and here it is. I put the original back into the ambo with about 15 minutes to go for the next Mass. I have highlighted below things that really spoke to me. After all one of my favorite Bible versus is Philippians 4:8, which says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.". To me, these are joyful things - happy thoughts. There was a recording of the Mass, and yeah there I am....at 58:12 getting the papers. I ask forgiveness for this.
https://venue.streamspot.com//video/35f73f2693 --- Homily is at 10:00 into the celebration.
Reading I Zep 3:14-18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
Reading II Phil 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Lk 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
HOMILY* December 15th 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C
The first two readings remind me of Bob Marley's famous song, "Three Little Birds". If you're not familiar, the line, "Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna loe
alright", is basically the entire song. "Shout for joy, Be glad and exult, fear not" says the first reading, and, "Rejoice. Have no anxiety at all" says the second reading. Maybe your spouse, your parents, or your friends tell you that, "Don't worry about it. It'll all work out. We'll be fine. It's not that bad." If you're like me, sometimes hearing people tell me that when I'm stressed out and anxious simply adds anger and frustration to my anxiety and worry. Yet, here we are, on Gaudete Sunday, and the Church is basically singing this Bob Marley song to us through the Scriptures. Rather than simply dismiss the call to be joyful, thankful, and at peace, maybe we can first take an honest look at what causes our anxiety, anger, or restlessness. Perhaps we've been spending a lot of time comparing ourselves to others as we get closer to Christmas: "Why can't my family look happy like that family? Why do their children like to go to church but mine don't? If only I could afford nice gifts for my family like them, then I would be at peace." Comparison is the thief of joy. Comparison takes our eyes off of what God has blessed us with, and makes us obsessed with things we think will make us happier. First of all, we don't know what other people are going through. As a priest who counsels many different people and hears many confessions, no family is completely free of wounds, tragedy, or sin. My family definitely is not, and sometimes Christmas would expose our wounds even more. Secondly, if you find yourself constantly comparing yourself and your family to others, bring that to the Father in prayer. It's okay to be honest with Him, He isn't going to scoff at the things you want. However, be prepared for Him to answer your prayers in a way that will make you holy, not necessarily in a way that will make you instantly happy. Holiness is what brings true joy, because holiness is intimacy and friendship with God. If we're particularly anxious and worried this time of year, might I suggest we begin by naming our fears. What are you afraid of? Being judged as not good enough or inadequate? Feeling lonely or abandoned? People finding out who you really are? Are you afraid of feeling excluded or forgotten? Are you staring to fear death? Are you afraid of losing a connection with someone close to you, either physically or emotionally? Remember what the Word of God says:
"There is no fear in Love, but perfect love drives out fear" 1 John 4:18. We might think sometimes we need God's strength and power to make fear go away. But, if the fear is something deeper in our hearts, and it resonates more like an insecurity, perhaps we need more of the Father's love than anything. Perhaps we need to hear the Father tell us, "I am not hear to judge you and I love who you really are because I made you. Don't forget that every soul you love, including yours, belongs first and foremost to me." Let the Father's love quiet your fears, and calm your anxiety. Let your countless "What if's" become "Even if's". Even if this or that happens, I have the Father 's love and He promised to never abandon us. Perhaps beneath some of that anger and resentment that we've been feeling is really just sadness. We've been reacting angrily not because of particular behaviors or situations, but because we are sad that there wasn't love where there was supposed to be love. Maybe we feel cheated by God or by someone who was supposed to love us unconditionally. It's not too late to bring your hurting heart to Jesus. Or, if you feel like you're becoming angry because you're the only one who cares, cast your cares on Him because He cares for you, 1 Peter 5 :7. Come to Jesus, and hear Him tell you that you were never meant to carry all of those burdens and expectations on yourself. Bring those times when love was lacking in your Jife to Jesus, and let Him be the one to love you - He's the one every heart is looking for in the end, anyway. If none of this feels applicable to you, then hopefully the Gospel at least will, because John the Baptist gives us some golden advice - get out of your own head and take care of someone else. Sometimes, we can be so self-absorbed about our own worries, our own image, or the false expectations that we place on ourselves, that we forget people around us are desperately in need of love, even in our own household. When the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers asked John what they should do, John essentially said to stop treating people like they are a means for happiness and success. Treat people like they are made in the image of God, because they are. Don't be afraid of sacrificing some of your time and attention for someone else. Sometimes God even allows certain people to be in our lives to help us grow in holiness, even though we might think God put those people in our lives to torture·us. Think about Jesus, God literally put people in His life so they could torture and kill Him. Most of the time we 're not being tortured like Jesus, and we're really just torturing ourselves with our own self-preoccupation and anxiety about our futures. Place your future in God's hands, and try to find joy in becoming a gift to the people He put in your life. Maybe then, we'll start to feel like every little thing will be alright.
alright", is basically the entire song. "Shout for joy, Be glad and exult, fear not" says the first reading, and, "Rejoice. Have no anxiety at all" says the second reading. Maybe your spouse, your parents, or your friends tell you that, "Don't worry about it. It'll all work out. We'll be fine. It's not that bad." If you're like me, sometimes hearing people tell me that when I'm stressed out and anxious simply adds anger and frustration to my anxiety and worry. Yet, here we are, on Gaudete Sunday, and the Church is basically singing this Bob Marley song to us through the Scriptures. Rather than simply dismiss the call to be joyful, thankful, and at peace, maybe we can first take an honest look at what causes our anxiety, anger, or restlessness. Perhaps we've been spending a lot of time comparing ourselves to others as we get closer to Christmas: "Why can't my family look happy like that family? Why do their children like to go to church but mine don't? If only I could afford nice gifts for my family like them, then I would be at peace." Comparison is the thief of joy. Comparison takes our eyes off of what God has blessed us with, and makes us obsessed with things we think will make us happier. First of all, we don't know what other people are going through. As a priest who counsels many different people and hears many confessions, no family is completely free of wounds, tragedy, or sin. My family definitely is not, and sometimes Christmas would expose our wounds even more. Secondly, if you find yourself constantly comparing yourself and your family to others, bring that to the Father in prayer. It's okay to be honest with Him, He isn't going to scoff at the things you want. However, be prepared for Him to answer your prayers in a way that will make you holy, not necessarily in a way that will make you instantly happy. Holiness is what brings true joy, because holiness is intimacy and friendship with God. If we're particularly anxious and worried this time of year, might I suggest we begin by naming our fears. What are you afraid of? Being judged as not good enough or inadequate? Feeling lonely or abandoned? People finding out who you really are? Are you afraid of feeling excluded or forgotten? Are you staring to fear death? Are you afraid of losing a connection with someone close to you, either physically or emotionally? Remember what the Word of God says:
"There is no fear in Love, but perfect love drives out fear" 1 John 4:18. We might think sometimes we need God's strength and power to make fear go away. But, if the fear is something deeper in our hearts, and it resonates more like an insecurity, perhaps we need more of the Father's love than anything. Perhaps we need to hear the Father tell us, "I am not hear to judge you and I love who you really are because I made you. Don't forget that every soul you love, including yours, belongs first and foremost to me." Let the Father's love quiet your fears, and calm your anxiety. Let your countless "What if's" become "Even if's". Even if this or that happens, I have the Father 's love and He promised to never abandon us. Perhaps beneath some of that anger and resentment that we've been feeling is really just sadness. We've been reacting angrily not because of particular behaviors or situations, but because we are sad that there wasn't love where there was supposed to be love. Maybe we feel cheated by God or by someone who was supposed to love us unconditionally. It's not too late to bring your hurting heart to Jesus. Or, if you feel like you're becoming angry because you're the only one who cares, cast your cares on Him because He cares for you, 1 Peter 5 :7. Come to Jesus, and hear Him tell you that you were never meant to carry all of those burdens and expectations on yourself. Bring those times when love was lacking in your Jife to Jesus, and let Him be the one to love you - He's the one every heart is looking for in the end, anyway. If none of this feels applicable to you, then hopefully the Gospel at least will, because John the Baptist gives us some golden advice - get out of your own head and take care of someone else. Sometimes, we can be so self-absorbed about our own worries, our own image, or the false expectations that we place on ourselves, that we forget people around us are desperately in need of love, even in our own household. When the crowds, the tax collectors, and the soldiers asked John what they should do, John essentially said to stop treating people like they are a means for happiness and success. Treat people like they are made in the image of God, because they are. Don't be afraid of sacrificing some of your time and attention for someone else. Sometimes God even allows certain people to be in our lives to help us grow in holiness, even though we might think God put those people in our lives to torture·us. Think about Jesus, God literally put people in His life so they could torture and kill Him. Most of the time we 're not being tortured like Jesus, and we're really just torturing ourselves with our own self-preoccupation and anxiety about our futures. Place your future in God's hands, and try to find joy in becoming a gift to the people He put in your life. Maybe then, we'll start to feel like every little thing will be alright.
