Homily: First Thursday of Advent
First Thursday of Advent (Is. 26:1-6) “Do I Love the Poor?”
Pope Francis has always spoken out against any kind of clericalism. He has taken the Roman Curia to task for being too insulated from the rest of the church. He does not like the intrigue at the Vatican. He has also been blunt with pastors saying that pastors need to mix more with their people. His critique of the clergy has caused some to say that he does not like priests. Perhaps it is the fact that he loves the priesthood that causes him to be so insistent on the clergy’s need to set high expectations for itself.
Recently Pope Francis has spoken out again. This time he gave a talk in which he proposed eight beatitudes for bishops. The fifth beatitude for bishops reads as follows:
“Blessed is the bishop who has a heart for the misery of the world, who does not fear dirtying his hands with the mud of the human soul in order to find there the gold of God, who is not scandalized by sin and fragility of the other because he is conscious of his own misery, because the look of the Risen Crucified One will be the seal of infinite pardon.”
The Prophet Isaiah would probably approve of such words. In today’s scripture for Mass, he speaks of how those who live in the lofty city will tumble to the ground and be walked on by the poor and the needy. Isaiah’s words challenge us.
I have had several instances lately where I have interacted with people who were homeless. I try to be careful about my contact with transients. I know that ultimately there is probably going to be a request for funds. I know I can just try to avoid those in need. If I tried to help all those who are in destitute, I would not be able to do anything else. I used to be a lot more generous with my time.
On my good days I realize that the poor and the wealthy have a lot of them same problems. Both the indigent and the well off are human beings who sometimes just need an empathetic ear.
Reflection Questions:
- How do feel when I meet a person asking for money in the street? Do I feel like they somehow deserve to be homeless?
- Am I well off in comparison to the rest of the world? How does that affect my opinions about the poor?
Dear Parishioners,
Advent is a penitential season. We are to prepare to meet the Lord. How can we always be prepared? We can do that by trying to live with virtue. One of the virtues we need to cultivate is humility. We need to acknowledge our faults and seek the forgiveness of the Lord.
During Advent, here at Sacred Heart, we have added times for Reconciliation. On Saturday we begin confessions at 2:45 p.m. and end them at 3:45 before the 4 p.m. Mass. On Monday December 20th we will have our Advent Reconciliation Service starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be several priests who will be here to celebrate with us. We will probably have other times where Fr. Matthew or I will be available in the last days of Advent. Please watch the bulletin for details.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark