Sunday Homily, December 6, 2015, 2nd Advent
Bonjour et Bienvenu, Mes Amis.
Readings:
Baruch 5, 1-9, Jerusalem, put on the splendor of glory.
Psalm 126, The Lord has done great things for us, we are filled with joy.
Advent special: Pope Francis,' Laudato Si (Praise to you).
Leighton, too, says, "Welcome, Everybody."
A Reading from Pope Francis’ Letter on the Environment:
In some countries there are positive examples of environmental improvement: rivers, polluted for decades, have been cleaned up; native woodlands have been restored; advances have been made in the production of non-polluting energy and in the improvement of public transportation. These achievements show that men and women are capable of intervening positively.
At the same time we can note the rise of a false or superficial ecology which bolsters complacency and a cheerful recklessness. In periods of deep crisis requiring bold decisions, we are tempted to think that what is happening is not entirely clear. Superficially, apart from a few obvious signs of pollution and deterioration, things do not look that serious, and the planet could continue as it is for some time.
Such evasiveness serves as a license to carry on with our present lifestyles and models of production and consumption. This is the way humans contrive to feed self-destructive habits: trying not to see reality, trying not to acknowledge reality, delaying important decisions and pretending that nothing will happen.
The word of Pope Francis.
Luke, 3, 1-6, Prepare the way of the Lord.
Warren says, "What's going on around here?"
Baruch:
What: One of the little books (only 5 chapters) of what I'll call The Odd Books. That is, it is not one of the big 3, nor one of the 12 little prophetic books, nor part of the N.T. It is part of a dozen small books in between. Most Protestant churches don't recognize the legitimacy The Odd Books.
Author: Baruch was Jeremiah's secretary. Maybe he wrote some of the material, but it was not put together. Remember, he & Jeremiah lived before & during the Babylonian Captivity. There are 4 small discourses. Compilation of the total work seems to have taken place later, Most likely some anonymous person or persons a few centuries after Jeremiah.
Who let these two characters in?
Date of composition: maybe during the Maccabees' revolt ca. 100 before Christ. If so, the little book intends to strengthen resistance of the Jews during the Macabeean Revolt, using the Babylonian model to encourage the people.
Our passage: a message of optimism, hope, peace, and a victorious 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.
Sources: Good New Bible.
2nd Sunday of Advent, two candles.
It’s Coming, It’s Coming, It’s Here!
I would like to talk this morning about the fact that it is coming, it is coming, it is here. That is, Christmas. I would propose that there is a richness, a joy, and a peace in the time leading up to Christmas, as well as Christmas itself.
A little story.
When Rosemary & I were with her sister and brother in law in Hilton Head, we spent an evening watching a comedy film called Christmas with the Kranks. At first I thought this was just going to be a goofy movie, which it was. But it had a message inside the comedy. It goes like this.
Guess who lit those candles, Buddy, Victoria, and Zoe.
A couple in probably their 40’s had a daughter who was going to Peru to work as a Peace Corp volunteer. They were both depressed. At that point, Luther, the husband decided to buy tickets on a Christmas Caribbean cruise. That got them both excited.
Luther also decided that they would simply skip Christmas at their home, no decorations and no holiday socializing when they normally had a big Christmas Eve party.
The Team, Georgie & Kevin
First thing that happens, the Scouts come with Luther’s annual Christmas tree, the kids’ annual fundraiser. Luther says, “No Christmas tree this year.” This causes quite a commotion & pushback. Scrooge gets mentioned.
Then the police come selling their annual calendar. They get turned away and are not happy. Then the neighborhood wants Luther to put up his plastic snowman on the roof. “Not this year,” says Luther.
Hi, Harper.
By now Luther and Nora have everyone mad at them, the Scouts, the Police, and all the neighbors. One old neighbor across the street gives it to Luther. His wife has cancer.
The couple are counting days to departure when on Christmas Eve morning their daughter, Blair, calls to say that she has decided to do Christmas with them, is in like Miami and will arrive home in the afternoon, and is bringing with her a Peruvian guy she wants them to meet. She plans to wed him. Plus she is so looking forward to all their annual decorations, the big Christmas Eve party, and snow.
Victoria and her favorite Mommy.
Luther and Nora are delighted, speechless, and aghast. What to do? They reverse field and start racing around to decorate and set up the Christmas Eve party. Luther even borrows a decorated Christmas tree from a neighbor who will be away for Christmas. Some of the Scouts help him take it to his house.
It all gets done, the over the top decorations, the party to which the neighbors come, and the daughter with her new fiance’ gets her snow.
Some of today's food drive.
The coup de grace comes when Luther slips away from the party and crosses the street to the grumpy neighbor and his wife with the cancer. Luther gives the couple their cruise tickets.
The lesson from the movie? The value of community, of friends, and of family.
Genevieve says, "I think it is time for me to start moving around."
This is what we try to build here on Sundays, what Rosemary & I try to build at Hilton Head, our Romeos & ladies’ luncheons, and next Saturday, the marvelous Love for Kids picnic.
How are you sharing The Spirit?
Our friendly gorilla says he appreciates all hugs.