Christmas 2008

As Christmas is here and the new year fast approaches, we are summoned to pull together to build up the Kingdom of God by minimizing our differences, forgiving each other and allowing Jesus, our Prince of Peace to heal our wounds. We the future of Saint Patrick High School and the universal church depend upon this common resolve.

In a real way, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Word of God. The Word of God is the most powerful force in the world, for it is the force of Love. Accepting that, it behooves us to consider the force of our words this season and throughout the new year. Words are powerful. Therefore, our words pack power. The words “I love you” can transform a person for a moment, make a person’s day, create a future. A word can also destroy a person such as in betrayal, slander, malicious speech, with negativity unchecked. Let us give a real gift this Christmas, the gift of words spoken genuinely, graciously and lovingly from the heart and our mouth. May our words build up rather than destroy, may they help us fix our world so that all things may be the restored in Christ.

Christmas beckons us all not just for one day but for a season of celebration which culminates in the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus. May this be for all of us a season of joy and peace: peace in our world; peace in our school community; peace in our families and peace in our hearts.
As we celebrate the drama of Christmas. We remember and celebrate the Christ-event that happened over 2000 years ago; the event that forever changed the face of the earth; the event by which the story of our salvation began: God becoming flesh. Let Christmas embrace you with love.

To those who attend a religious service weekly, continue to do so and allow the Lord to touch your heart in some way. To those who go infrequently to Sunday worship, you are invited and implored to go back again and again. Your presence and participation is needed so that the mission of Christ might be strengthened and realized. Do not deprive yourself of such awesome spiritual benefits.

May the peace of Christ, which is beyond all understanding, live forever with you and those you love, always. May Christmas bring you what your heart needs and your spirit seeks!

JOY TO THE WORLD...um, not so fast.

Christmas, and its antecedent, Advent, is about happing tidings. These seasons are about a hope that is not disappointing in its promise but awesome in its fulfillment. They are about a faith in the Invisible One who reveals Himself as a child. They are about a love that blazes in the heart of Savior and in His selfless disciples who roamed the planet for over twenty centuries.

While “Joy to the World” represents the best of these holidays, we know that for many, joy is at best on the horizon, always yet to be. We know those whose misery clamors for sedation, for we are the People of God. We know the violated and the violent, the hunted and the predator, the hungry and the hoarder, the sick and the healthy, the addicted and the supplier, the powerless and the power wielding, the wealthy and the destitute.

In the midst of all this that is part and parcel of the human condition, many of us are convinced that our hopes and dreams for humanity will be channeled through the promise that God will be with us always. So many times, however, these dreams and hopes have been dashed on the rocks of faith: an unresponsive person from whom you have sought forgiveness, a statement by a politician or church person that is far removed from the human condition, a co-worker, family member or student who lacks empathy, a person who is all about entitlements, a senior citizen who has become a self-seeker, a youth who has become a user, a middle-ager whose racism bears no resemblance to his religion, a child who has not been treasured enough to be given the gifts of faith by Christian family members.

De LaSalle writes in his meditations the following: “You often receive Jesus Christ into your heart. Is he not lodged there as in a stable? Does he not find this resting place filled with corruption, because you love other things so much better that you love him”? Perhaps this Christmas we might clean out our hearts to make room for Jesus, Emmanuel, God-With-Us.

May we reach out to the Lord this Advent and Christmas and cry out:

Come, Lord Jesus!I open my mind and heart and soulAnd long for you to be born anew in me,And to allow you to touch the earth through me.
Come, Lord Jesus!Come and stay with my family and friendsAnd all who are dear to me. Be nearEspecially those who are burdened bySickness or sadness-set them freeBy your love and care.
We hunger, we thirst, we wait for you!Come, Lord Jesus! And do not delay!