| Homily
for the 4th Sunday in Advent: December 21, 2008
Given by the Most
Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation
in Stockton.
Hearing confessions in the Advent penance services around the diocese, I realize how many people are hurting. So many live daily in difficult circumstances. There is family dissension, strife in the workplace, personal struggles, and poor health. And to make matters worse, these problems are being exacerbated by loss of jobs, depletion of pensions for old age security, and loss of homes.
People would like to hear that the stock market is steadily rising, loans are available again, and that new jobs have been created. All this would help externally, but it would not satisfy the heart nor the spiritual hunger for meaning in one’s life. We know this because people’s hearts were restless when economic times were better.
Our salvation began with the angel’s greeting to Mary which is the same greeting of salvation to us in our own day. “The Lord God is with you….Do not be afraid.”
Recently I was meditating on a passage from Thomas A’Kempis’ “Imitation of Christ” which said: “Be not troubled about those who are with you or against you, but take great care that God be with you in everything you do.”
We can face any challenge, we can bear any burden, we can persevere through any situation if we take care that God is with us in everything we do.
We often hear: “Let go, let God,” but maybe it’s the other way around. Grab onto God and everything – no matter how bad – will ultimately work for good.
St. Paul’s words are a great comfort: “God can strengthen you,” he says. These words may seem unrealistic to you but St. Paul assures us that they are according to the gospel he preached. You are strengthened because God sent his Son Jesus Christ to save the world from sin and death. Your strength comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ.
And even more so these words are according to the gospel proclamation about Jesus Christ. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High….and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Jesus has come and continues to come to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, our dignity and worth as human beings, our discipleship as believers, and the promise of eternal life by sharing fully in the glory of God through the risen Christ.
“THE LORD GOD IS WITH YOU….DO NOT BE AFRAID.”
Last Update December 23, 2008
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