December 20-21, 2008
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Winter Solstice
Second Samuel 7:1-16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38
‘Then the angel departed from her.’ The angel is always departing…throughout Scripture we read of the angelic delivery of messages…and once the angels have said their peace…they depart. The angels don’t hang around to help us understand what was shared, they don’t offer to help in our confusion or promise to get back to us if we encounter struggle or confusion. Indeed, in the case of the ‘Annunciation’ (the angel sharing with Mary the news that she would conceive Jesus), the angel definitely gets the easy part of this deal, Gabriel does the announcing and once Mary has said yes, Gabriel departs. Mary is left to ponder what the message meant, has to struggle with her unmarried-pregnancy (an embarrassment that almost caused Joseph to divorce her!), with Jesus’ growth, ministry and ultimately his death on the cross. In this simple line ‘Then the angel departed form her’ is a reminder that for the most part we are left to our own devices to figure out what to do with graces received from God. We are not given an instruction manual on how to apply our gifts and abilities; we are forced into trial and error exploration of how best to give honor to God. With but a few days remaining before Christmas, our season of preparation is quickly coming to a close. Christmas will arrive and present us with the gift of the newborn Jesus….and after the Christmas carols have faded and the tinsel is gone, when the presents have been tucked away (or exchanged)…we will be left to figure out for ourselves what to do with the gift we have received. Thus has it always been…and at least in our confusion we can derive comfort form knowing that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had to experience the same thing. One can only imagine the thoughts in her mind…. ‘Okay, so how am I supposed to do this?’ One day at a time….one day at a time.
Thank you for journeying with our Corpus Christi Catholic-Christian Community during these Advent weeks. The Bulletin has important information regarding the Christmas Schedule, please take a copy and peruse it. Please note the Parish Offices will be closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Christmas Eve and Day usually swell our Masses with fresh faces who are either visiting us, checking us out or giving the Catholic Church another try. Despite the crowds and the fact that your usual seat may be snatched by someone else…please remember to put on your MOST WELCOMING face, offer direction and guidance to those who look confused (especially about the location of the bathrooms) and generally provide our visitors with 1000 reasons to come back more regularly. As Christmas takes on a life of its own…remember, you are loved. A merry and joyous Noel to you and those you cherish. FKB
