Sunday Homily Dec. 6, 2009; 2nd Advent
Readings: Baruch 5, 1-9; Psalm 126, The Lord has done Great Things for Us; We are filled with Joy; Philippians 1, 4-11; Luke 3, 1-6
Baruch:
Author: probably not Baruch, who was Jeremiah's secretary. More likely some anonymous person or persons a few centuries after Jeremiah.
Date of composition: during the Babylonian Captivity, ca. 550, or during the Maccabees' revolt ca. 100 BCE. More likely the latter. If so, like Daniel, the little book intends to strengthen resistance of the Jews during the Macabeean Revolt, using the Babylonian time to encourage the people.
Our passage: a message of optimism, hope, peace, and a new day. The passage reflects 2nd Isaiah's message (chapter 40), which is likewise quoted in Luke's gospel for today. The famous 2nd Isaiah: Luke uses this source to build his nativity narrative. See also the lyrics of Handel's Messiah.
The Advent Wreath:
Date:
a. Pre-christian Germans used wreaths at the darkest, coldest time of winter to signify resistance to the season and optimism that warmth and light would return.
b. ca. 1500 German Lutherans emphasized the wreath and eventually it spread throughout Catholic & Protestant groups.
Symbolism:
a. green boughs indicate continuous life even in the winter.
b. the circle signifies both immortality and the past, present, and future focus of Advent.
c. the lit candles symbolize the light & warmth coming in the person of Christ.
Purification: self purification before entering the temple
was common long before the time of Christ. He did it. Fasting & penance (hair shirts) were intended to purify me before I celebrated the birth of Jesus (the past), the presence of Jesus (the present), and the hope of being together with him (future). This goes way back to the time of the earliest Christians in the first couple of centuries after Jesus' death. For example, in
Our Fifth Anniversary Today, the Past, the Present, the Future
The year is 2004. There were two special months that year, August and December.
It was August when the first step took place. I got suspended by the bishop because someone sent in an anonymous letter saying Stack wanted to get married. This was amusing because I had been saying this for years. What was different was that in 5/5/05 we were planning to do it.
So, rather than have the opportunity to say good bye to folks, I said, “Yes, okay. I am out.” And I moved out of Jesuit.
The second step. The first Sunday of December, this Sunday five years ago, we went public with our celebrations. I remember being rather anxious that Sunday and then utterly humbled and touched at seeing so many of you and so many others whom I had not see for four months, all come pouring into the cafetorium. I was all choked, first seeing everyone, then trying to start the celebration after walking down that passageway that no longer exists.
This Mass came about because of the number of people who kept asking, “Where are you saying Sunday Masses and can we come?” I had been using peoples’ living rooms and patios, but we had room for no more that about 25 people.
Bernadette was especially influential in the process. We even came close to using the club house at their subdivision,
When we decided to go public I had three hopes in mind. One, that we would celebrate, all that we have and all that we are. Secondly, that we would emphasize healthy spirituality on a basic Catholic/Christian foundation. A spirituality of acceptance. And thirdly, that we would be a helping community while not focusing on money, which is why I decided to do away with passing the hat at the collection time.
People occasionally ask me, “Where are you going with this community? What about the future? Do you want to expand?” Other than what we are doing, I have no idea about the future or where we are going. I don’t have a need to expand. I love our size which enables people to know one another.
An extraordinary blessing of this 5th anniversary year that affects our future is the
gift that Tony and Gayle bring. I have asked at least a dozen married priests in the greater
Consequently, in the spirit of Advent we treasure the gifts of the past, we confidently leave the future in God’s hands, and we celebrate the gifts of the present.
How?
Picture 1: Mass with Kevin helping
Picture 2: Mass beginning
Picture 3: Mass Helpers
Picture 4: Cathy on her birthday, Mike & Geri
Picutre 5: The Brunch, Marilyn, Marlene, Theresa, and Tom