Homily: Feast of St. Lucy

Feast of St. Lucy (Mt. 11:28-30) “May the Burdens be Lifted”

The pattern of the Advent readings continues today. We have a prediction of how the Lord will transform the world. After that, we have a fulfillment of that prophesy in the person of Jesus.

Today the prophet Isaiah, who is the Advent prophet, says that that the Lord wants to bring comfort to his people. Christians later took Isaiah’s predictions as words that describe the Kingdom of Jesus. Jesus is the one who brings consolation to the world.

Jesus’ preaching was meant to challenge and console. I once heard a homiletics professor say that the job of the preacher was to “afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted.” The question is what do people need to hear?

How do we need to be challenged. One thing that we as Americans probably need to confront is the way we seem to accept violence in our society. We are the number one arms producer and seller in the world. We make billions of dollars selling weapons. We are also the country with the most guns per person in the world. We don’t seem to pay much attention to this. If the world had less weapons how much safer would it be? When is the last time a political candidate of either party spoke of trying to get rid of nuclear weapons and peace making?

How do we need to be consoled today? We are worried about many things. We have an epidemic of drugs on our streets. Our political system seems to be unraveling. Globel warming seems to be accelerating. Atheism seems to be growing. The sex abuse scandal in the church does not seem to go away, but just keeps evolving.

Jesus’s message of love and acceptance is a message we need to hear today. It needs to be proclaimed. Jesus has come to transform the world. He is changing things now and at the end of time he will heal the world of all its ills. On that day we will leave all anxiety behind, and all our burdens will be lifted forever.

Reflection Questions:

1.    How do I need to change? Does anyone confront me and challenge me?

2.   What is the number one thing in our society that I worry about? Is the church addressing this concern?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Next Monday we will be having a Reconciliation Service at Sacred Heart. Confessions will be heard in the context of a prayer service. I am often struck by how many people receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as Christmas approaches. Many have not received the sacrament for many years. The Spirit moves in these Advent days and people want to be closer to the Lord. One step is asking for absolution.

          If you have not received the sacrament for many years, please take advantage of the opportunities that we will have for Reconciliation over the next week.

          May Our Lady pray for us today,

          Fr. Mark