This Is the Day. I said that about last Sunday, when we revived our hope in the Lord’s Coming at the End of All Time. And this is the day too, because with John the Baptist we’re called to- day to individual conversion to hasten this coming: that you learn to value the things that really matter up to the Day of Christ (Phil 1 in today’s reading). For God’s reign is at hand: the kingdom of peace, fairness, harmony, fullness for all people: a time of glory and joy for His people, as Baruch speaks in the first reading today. But the only way to start moving our world toward this kingdom is for each of us to reform.
As I go on in ministry, and see the church offering us many ways to reform (i.e. grow in faith), I’m struck by how often good Catholics take this up as what other people need to do–“Yeah, they need this.” “It’s about time some of those people start to change.” It’s often acted out by older ones toward our youth. Well, these words of John the Baptist are meant for you! And for me. As complicated and contentious as things are today, imagine how our world would be if each one of us did our own inventory and saw what we can do-not the other guy-to get the world ready for the Lord’s return. Use today’s scriptures to examine your life according to Paul’s call to conduct ourselves in holiness and devotion; and John again: “Make ready the Way of the Lord!”
And that leads us to: Reconciliation. The Baptist’s call to show evidence of conversion is well lived out by celebrating this sacrament. Our children are leading the way. In November, our 2 Graders celebrated their First Reconciliation, with joy and excitement. They told me they felt “Good -Awesome -Cool – Like I died and rose again.” And Monday, the entire school will be offered the opportunity, and they will make good use of it. Then Tuesday, we have our Advent Penance Service at 7:00 P.M., with four confessors. Let’s show The Baptist we mean it.
“With a little child to show the way . .. (Isaiah 11)
Many of you know we had the funeral last Monday here for Cole Anello, the DeSmet student who was killed with two other teens in a tragic accident the week before. It was overwhelming, with around 700 people and 150 high schoolers. Cole’s aunt is a parishioner here, and the family was deeply grateful to the parish for hosting this. Of course our prayers go with them as they walk a difficult path, as this loss will be felt by them for a long time.
And by me, too. It’s the second week since the service, and Cole, his family, and all those teens at the service are still on my heart and mind. I don’t know if people think that we priests just walk away from a service like this and go on to the next thing. It doesn’t work that way for me, especially with the depth of this loss to all those affected. Leading this service and preaching it was a real privilege, and to be so involved leaves me with that sense of him and his family and friends that’s a backdrop to each day. They’re part of my sadness, even my joys, and all else that I do.