A Lifeline Thrown (Christmas 2024)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

On behalf of the priests, deacons, and staff of Incarnate Word, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! We are so happy to gather together in prayer and praise on this holy night/day and believe that God has a special message for each of you! With that being said, it is no secret that this time of year can be stressful for many people. I am reminded of the story of an older gentlemen from a nearby city in the midwest who called his son in New York with some bad news, “I hate to ruin your day son, but your mother and I are getting a divorce; 50 years of marriage… and I just can’t take it anymore!” “Dad, what are you talking about?” the son yelled. The old man replied. “We’re sick of each other, and I’m sick of talking about it, so call your sister in California and tell her!”. Frantic, the son called his sister, who lost it when she heard the news. “There is no way they’re separating,” she shouted, “I’ll take care of this.” She called her father immediately and sternly told him, “You and mom are staying together. Don’t do anything until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. The old man hung up the phone and said to his wife. “Okay”, it’s all set. They’re both coming home for Christmas and paying their own air-fare.”

I had to get the annual cheesy priest-joke in there for this to be a real Christmas homily! What’s no joke is the number of dinners, parties, and gatherings we all attend this festive and busy time of year. One of my favorite small-talk questions to ask or answer is, “are you reading a good book you would recommend?” I recently finished the incredible story of Donald Stratton called All the Gallant Men. Stratton was stationed on the battleship USS Arizona when it was sunk during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Of the more than 1500 men assigned to this ship, only 335 survived the catastrophic explosion that destroyed the Arizona after a direct hit set off the ammunition magazine. 

Stratton tells how he and 5 of his companions survived the initial blast but were soon in danger from the fires raging in the wreckage and on the surface of the water. There was no escape for them as the deck of the ship grew hotter and the attack continued. They were saved that fateful day by a sailor named Joe George on a smaller ship tied to the Arizona from the previous night. Because of the ongoing attack and the massive fire raging on the battleship, the smaller vessel needed to separate itself to find safer waters. Joe George was ordered to cut all of the mooring lines that connected her to the Arizona. As he was doing so, he saw the 6 sailors stranded on the wreckage, all of them badly burned and crying out for help. Disobeying his commanding officer and unable to ignore their pleas, he stopped cutting the lines and was able to throw a lifeline to Stratton and his mates. One by one, they shimmied across to safety, miraculously avoiding the strafing aircraft, the burning fires beneath them, and the real possibility of a 4-story fall off the rope. 

Stratton was forever grateful to Joe George for coming to their rescue. And he marveled at the many brave sailors who ran to their battle stations, put out fires, and rushed around the harbor in smaller boats to rescue as many sailors as possible, ignoring the risks to their own safety. 

During that dark day which lives in infamy, there were numerous stories of heroes who ran into the danger, into the carnage everyone else was trying to flee. They did so, not for themselves but in the hopes of saving at least some. Throughout the history of humanity, this same sort of story has been repeated over and over again, especially by soldiers, first responders, and heroes of every type. They run into situations that are dangerous, repulsive, and terrifying; not thinking of themselves but of others.

As we gather for Christmas, we recognize that this is what Jesus did for us. Despite the destruction, horror, and betrayal of our offenses, God rushed into it all to save us. Immediately after our first parents Adam and Eve sinned against God, the Lord started working on a plan to rescue humanity. He was not willing to give up on the human race nor was he repulsed by our sinfulness. Instead, he kept throwing us lifelines, through the law and the prophets. Even as we kept running away from him, he wouldn’t stop trying to save us. In the fulness of time, he sent his Son, Jesus, as savior to defeat sin and death and establish a safe harbor in his Church, where all can find relief and healing from the attacks of evil and the fires of hell. Nothing could turn Jesus from his saving mission; not the attacks of the unrighteous and unbelieving. Not even the terrible suffering and death on the cross could stop his tremendous love. He came that we might have life and have it to the fullest!

As we gather tonight to celebrate Jesus’ arrival as a small baby, we should thank him from the bottom of our hearts. Before Jesus came, we were in worse shape than Stratton and his friends, trapped on the doomed Arizona. We had no way out and we could not save ourselves. But Jesus could and did and he wishes more than anything else, that all would follow him to salvation. He is is not afraid of the messes we make, he can handle the sins we have committed, he can fix what we have broken, he can save what we have lost, he can make all things new! As we enter the Christmas season, cry out to Jesus in joy; this is the reason we sing these happy songs, year after year! If there is something you are tempted to hide from him, if you are ashamed of a sin, a personal weakness, or a terrible mistake from your past, he wants to dive in and save you! He wants only to draw you out of the flames of self-hatred and despair and draw you close to his tender, compassionate heart. Let him love you and save you and bring you home. 

Christmas is so much more than a sentimental celebration. It is the moment when everything changed, when God made it clear that no thing and no one could stop him from rescuing his people. May you know the overwhelming, never-ending, relentless love of God, embodied in the gentle glance of the Christ-child! And if you feel trapped by any sin, suffering, or personal darkness, believe that Jesus will never give up on you; he is looking for you now and all you have to do is call out his name. May this be your best Christmas yet, full of love, joy, healing, and peace!

Mary's Love (4th Sunday of Advent, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

Every year I say it and every year I mean it; I cannot believe we are already at the end of Advent and just a few days from Christmas. As I was looking through past homilies, it was easy to see where I ran out of steam…the 4th Sunday of Advent. In the past, it appears I had already mentally moved on to Christmas and put more energy into what I would say for the big holy day. But its not really fair that this final Sunday of preparation and waiting should get short shrift because much grace can still be given to us in these final moments of advent.

For our reflection this weekend, I would like to focus on the first sentence of the gospel we just heard. It is a phrase we probably glide right over but it has much to teach us about how Mary loved God and others, with a complete gift of her self.

St. Luke tells us that “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” From this simple account we learn three qualities about Mary’s love. 

First of all, it was decisive. As soon as the angel Gabriel announced that she would be the mother of God and her cousin Elizabeth was with Child, Mary resolved to help her family member with what would have been a difficult pregnancy. Elizabeth was in her late 80’s when she had John the Baptist. The compassionate heart of Mary knew that her cousin needed help right away in order to welcome her miraculous child into the world. Never mind that she herself was pregnant and needing to have a very challenging and important conversation with Joseph. Mary saw the need of someone who needed her help and without waiting to be asked, away she went. This is the meaning of the phrase “in haste”. It doesn’t mean that she went off in a frantic rush, without thinking, and forgetting half of what she meant to take with her. No, it means there was no gap between May knowing this was the right thing to do and her actually doing it; her good intention and her loving action were connected by an unbroken string of grace and resolve. 

The second quality of Mary’s love shown to us in this sentence is that it was steadfast. We are told she travelled to the hill country, which is synonymous with rough terrain, frequent elevation changes, and difficult roads. The distance between Mary’s home and Elizabeth’s village was roughly 100 miles and this would have been covered mostly, if not completely on foot. For reference, this would be like walking to Rolla, Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, or Hannibal, Missouri as an expectant, teenage girl. Besides the physical toll it must have taken on the newly pregnant Virgin Mary, the path she took had many hidden dangers. The dirt path that wound through the mountainous region is believed to have been a popular place for bandits, who would victimize unsuspecting travelers. There must have been many times when Mary thought about turning around. If she had, no one would have blamed or thought less of her. But her care for Elizabeth, her capacity for sacrificial love, propelled her through the hill country and conquered every fear, obstacle, and difficulty.

The third quality of Mary’s love is that it was intentional and focussed. So often, our resolutions to love God and others remain vague, nearly impossible to quantify or hold ourselves accountable. Additionally, how often do we love others while distracted by many other things and preoccupied with less important concerns? We will say, “I want to be a better person or love others more, or think of myself less.” Good intentions for sure but how can we be sure that we are making progress or acting on the grace God is sending us? Mary was very specific and concrete and completely focused on her dear cousin. To go, without delay, to help until John the Baptist was born. To make sure Elizabeth had a safe delivery and all the help she needed as she experienced motherhood for the first time. Mary was completely present and available to serve Elizabeth for three months in her time of need. We can only imagine how grateful and humbled Elizabeth must have been as she received the love and care of Mary, even as Jesus was being formed in the Virgin’s womb. Mary’s love for Elizabeth was practical, selfless, and centered on her cousin. She wasn’t simply multi-tasking, helping her because it was convenient, or serving some ulterior motive.

As we sneak up on another Christmas, we have the chance to examine our own ways of loving. Do we have the heart of Mary with its decisive, steadfast, and focused qualities? Perhaps we are strong in one area but another aspect needs to be stretched to grow in grace? Far too often, our love is timid, fickle, indecisive and surrenders to selfishness when sacrifice is required. Mary provides an example that is both challenging and comforting, inspiring and convicting. She is here to help us learn to love like her. Just as she gave an example to Elizabeth on how to love God and love others, she will guide us too. Let us go in haste to her now so that our Christmas may be more like hers!

Ducks in a Row (2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

Our recent cold snap with snow, wind, and ever darker days reminded me of the one time I went duck hunting with a parishioner. Even though we didn’t score any kills, I learned quite a bit about duck calls, decoys, the importance of warm, waterproof clothing, and a good dog. I was also educated about the role weather plays in your odds of success, keeping your eyes on the sky, and not being too quick on the trigger. All in all, a very enriching experience, although I am glad my meal wasn’t tied to the end result.  

Strangely enough, lying in wait for migratory birds also reminds me of a story about a group of software designers. They were using mysterious technical jargon to discuss a data exchange interface with a vendor. One engineer said the programming that had been ordered wasn’t ready yet because the vendor was suffering from a “severe nonlinear waterfowl issue.” Curious, the team leader raised his eyebrows and asked, “What exactly is a ‘severe nonlinear waterfowl issue’?” The engineer replied, “They don’t have all their ducks in a row.” Whether you are looking at the sky from a watery blind or trying to implement a new software program, it is always good to have your ducks in a row!

On this second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist comes to ask us if we have any “severe nonlinear waterfowl issues” in our lives? Do we have all our ducks in a row for the coming of the Messiah or are there things still left undone and relegated to the “I will get to that tomorrow” pile? Luke tells us that the coming of John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth.’” There are countless ways we can get our ducks in a row this advent season but allow me to suggest three:

#1, We need to prepare the way for the Messiah in our hearts: We do this by filling in the “valleys” of our souls which have been hollowed out by a hurried, shallow prayer life and a minimalist approach to living our Faith. We do this by straightening any crooked paths we’ve been walking, especially by examining habitual sins or unholy relationships.  If we have been involved in some dishonest practices at work or hurtful habits at home, we are called to straighten them out and make restitution. If we have been harboring grudges, nursing hatred, or failing to be reconciled with others, now is the time to clear away all the debris that blocks the grace of God. If we have been pushing God off to the side of the road, if we have been saying we don’t have time for Him, now is the time to get our priorities straight. And we all have to level the “mountains” of pride and selfishness. Whatever blocks or slows down the grace of God, now is the time to clear it out!

#2: We need to repent and seek forgiveness from God and our fellow-human beings: John’s message calls us to confront and confess our sins. We have to turn away from them in sincere repentance in order to receive God’s healing grace.  There are two main reasons why people who have recognized their sins fail to receive forgiveness for them. The first is that they refuse to repent in the sacrament of confession, but the second is that they fail to forgive. Jesus is very explicit about this Mt 6. He says, “if you forgive others their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you.”  Is there someone I need to forgive today? Someone, whose pardon I need to ask and pray for?  We must not let what others have done destroy our lives. We can’t be forgiven unless we forgive as well. We must release our bitterness if we want God to do His healing work in our lives. Holding grudges has best been described as drinking poison and hoping our enemies will die.

# 3: We need to accommodate John the Baptizer in our lives: This means we must take an active role in our ongoing conversion. We cannot just pray for grace and hope to wake up radically changed and “fixed” by God. The Lord will indeed give us grace to grow closer to him and others this advent season but then he will also send us opportunities to put his grace to work. In other words, we will have to practice and struggle. This is often messy and uncomfortable, much like mastering a new skill or learning something we are not naturally good at! It takes work! Some practical suggestions could be: Make peace with someone you’re at odds with. Pick up the phone and talk to somebody you haven’t contacted in months or years. Offer a compliment to the person you are inclined to criticize. Speak up when you hear our Catholic Faith being attacked or misrepresented. Give, not out of your leftovers, but out of your substance. Add another 5-10 minutes to your prayer and just sit in silence with the Lord. We can all find new ways to show God that we really wish to change and make it easier for Him to come into our hearts. But it must be more than good intentions and vague resolutions.  

God is so good to each of us and he is constantly pouring grace and opportunities into our lives. He does this because he loves us without measure and the challenge of John the Baptist is one more manifestation of that divine affection. Take the time to quietly examine your relationship with God this advent to see what valleys need to be filled in, which hills need to be knocked down, and what crooked ways can be made straight. God’s peace, joy, mercy, healing, forgiveness, and salvation are waiting for those who are willing to get their ducks in a row!

A Heart Too Small and Too Full (1st Sunday of Advent, Year C)

  One of the things we started a couple years ago in the parish office is a spreadsheet we call the “Baby-tracker”! Whenever a parishioner tells us they are expecting, or one of their friends shares the good news, or we hear about it through social media, we write that family’s name down along with their anticipated due date. Why do we do this? First of all, it allows us to pray with our families, for a safe and healthy pregnancy. It also helps us to reach out to see if they need anything, especially after the baby is born, perhaps meals, clothes, or whatever else. Finally, it lets our families know that we share their joy, anticipation, and excitement as they welcome new life into the world.

This same sort of joy, anticipation, and excitement for the arrival of Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Mary, is what our Church hopes to foster in us during this brief, advent season. However, our perennial preparation for the Word Made Flesh is not the only arrival of Jesus the Church wants us to prepare for! In addition to commemorating Jesus’ coming to earth as a baby, the advent scriptures also remind us to get ready for the final coming of Jesus as a most perfect, just, and powerful judge. In this final coming, Jesus will bring to completion his work of redemption, rewarding all those who remained faithful to Him and His Church while putting an end to the reign of sin, punishing all who made evil their good. 

Advent is a preparation for both. And while it is much easier to get excited for the arrival of the Christ-child, to ignore the return of Jesus as ruler and judge is to be only be half-prepared. In fact, in today’s gospel, Jesus warns his listeners to stay watchful and awake so the day of visitation doesn’t catch us off-guard like a thief in the night!

So, the all-important question…what will we be judged on?

St. John of the Cross, great saint and mystic, says we will be judged on love alone. Jesus is not fixated on legalistic rules or gotcha moments. What will determine our eternal destiny is how completely we loved God (who deserves to be loved with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength) and how well we loved others (trying give them the same love that God first gave us).

The word “Love” in English has been highly polluted. The same word is used to describe the affection we have for people, places, and things, ranging from sports teams, hamburgers, and vacations all the way to family and friends. The love we will be judged on is not so much affective (how strongly we felt it). No, our love will be judged on how effective it was. What did it produce? Did it lead others to grow closer to God? Did it make us into better people? We will be asked, “What did your love do? Did it give glory to God? Did it feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted, welcome the stranger and all the many acts of mercy?

St Paul knew how crucial this life of love was for every single Christian. That’s why he prays for the Thessalonians today that they may increase and ABOUND in love for one another and for all. We might understand St. Paul as saying, “may you overflow with love for all.”

This, of course is a wonderful desire but very difficult to live out for a lifetime. I think there are two main things that keep us from abounding in love:

1. like the grinch (and often my clothes this time of year), our hearts are often two sizes too small! Anatomically speaking, the heart is a muscle, the only organ classified as such. But spiritually speaking, our hearts also follow the same principles as physical muscle, which is: use it or lose it! If our hearts are not constantly challenged, if they do not push back against the relentless tendency to think of ourselves first and choose selfishness, they will weaken, shrivel, and contract. A heart that is too small becomes selfish, cowardly, and cold. 

So what helps our hearts to expand and grow strong? In a word, sacrifice, thinking of others before ourselves. The irony of christian charity is that we receive more love, the more freely we give it away. Our happiness increases the less we focus on it. I have seen this happen in each of my siblings as they become parents and their hearts increase beyond what they ever thought possible. The best of them is drawn out as their heart is stretched to love their children and every new parent says, in their own way, "I never knew I could love another person this much!!”

2) The second thing that keeps us from abounding in love is that often, like a hoarder’s house, our hearts are too full; there is no room for Jesus in our lives. 

In our materialistic society, the room in our hearts can be completely stuffed with things. One of the benefits of priesthood is that we get moved fairly often and we live where the Archbishop tells us. Most of the rectories are much smaller than the one we have here and it forces us to get rid of lots of things. Things we forgot we even had! I am struck by the ever increasing number of storage facilities everywhere I drive. It is a symptom of our struggle to fill our lives with more and more things which leaves less and less room for Jesus.

Another area where we fill our hearts to the very top is in the area of control. We have a plan and there is literally no room for Jesus in it. Perhaps that shows itself in our schedule. Daily prayer doesn’t happen because there are too many other activities to do first. Weekly Mass is inconsistent because other commitments take priority. More and more couples are choosing to go childless because welcoming new life into their home threatens their freedom and independence. For myself, I see this temptation appearing in the form of resenting interruptions. It’s easy to create a timeline for my day, my week, my life and when Jesus presents himself in the face of others who need my help, who ask for my attention, sometimes simply for a compassionate ear or human warmth, I don’t want to be bothered. Why can’t people make an appointment? Don’t they know how much stuff I need to do?

Finally, our hearts can be filled to the brim with unholy desires for satisfaction and fulfillment from worldly things. This never-ending quest is fed by a lack of gratitude for the things and people in our lives. In this state, the more we have, the emptier we feel. As a result, we long for the next great thing, another new experience, or a perfect relationship that will make us happy. Meanwhile all that we have becomes a burden and a blockade to welcoming Jesus, who approaches us in the most gentle, non-threatening way he can: as a newborn baby and the only cure for our restless hearts.

As we enter this holy advent season, we can focus on just one thing: are we abounding, overflowing with love? Are we prepared to welcome Christ the newborn king and also Jesus, the just judge? Where might he find our hearts too small at this moment? Where might he discover our hearts too full with our worries, obsessions, addictions, and possessions? Now is the time to confront these things face to face. Now is the time to give unto to others so God can grow our hearts more like his. Now is the time to clear out everything that crowds out love for God and his people, especially the ones he has placed right next to us in our daily lives. Now is the time to abound in love!!