Sunday, July 5, 2009

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” (Albert Camus)

This weekend we celebrate the fact that as a people we live in a county that has been blessed by so many freedoms. Yet as we celebrate this weekend, if we fail to improve our own lives and the lives of our fellow citizens, than the freedom we have is wasted.

It is not just a freedom that was won for us by a revolution back in 1776, but it is a basic freedom that all people have since we have been created in the image and likeness of God. It is a freedom that all people have; no matter what your skin color is, no matter what your ethnic background is, no matter how much money you have in your bank account. As you celebrate with family and friends this weekend, take some time to reflect on how you use the freedom that God has blessed us with. Do we use our freedom to help those in our family, to assist those in need within our community, to set up and contribute to the life of our Church.

Last year I enjoyed watching the John Adams mini-series that aired on HBO. I was amazed at the passion of John Adams and our founding ancestors in their fight for freedom for our country. May we show the same passion in our lives to use our freedom as children of God. May we be passionate people every day as we use the freedoms we have been given to make our world a better place for generations yet to come. May this holiday weekend continue to be a safe one for you and yours!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

St. Clement’s Church; Saratoga Springs, NY

Acts 3: 13 -- 15, 17 --19

Psalm 4: 2, 7 -- 8, 9

1 John 2: 1 -- 5a

Luke 24: 35 -- 48

On Saturday morning here at St. Clement’s 71 young men and women knelt before Bishop Hubbard to be confirmed in the Spirit. Their response of “We believe” shows that they want to belong to something larger than themselves – they want to belong to a Church that stretches across time and space. They want to belong to something that stands for something good in our world; they want to be part of a group that lives the message St. Peter proclaims in our first reading: “The author of life you put to death,but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:15) We welcome our newly confirmed brothers and sisters, while we pray that the Spirit may continue to guide them towards the Lord.

Hopefully we all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves – something that will stand up for life and peace in the midst of our world. I pray we all wish to part of a community that cares for those that are seen as weak and frail in the eyes of society at large. This is our Catholic Church that calls all of us to reach out to the least of our brothers and sisters. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 40)

This weekend here at St. Clement’s begins our annual Bishop’s Appeal. I’d like to share a story about a couple named Earl and Dianne. Earl and his wife Diane went to the state fair every year, and every year Earl would say, "Diane, I'd like to ride in that stunt airplane." Diane always replied, "I know, Earl, but that airplane ride costs 50 dollars, and 50 dollars is 50 dollars." One year Earl and Diane went to the fair and Earl said, "Diane, I'm 75 years old. If I don't ride in that stunt airplane, I might never get another chance." Diane replied, "Earl, that airplane ride costs 50 dollars, and 50 dollars is 50 dollars." The pilot overheard them and said, "Folks, I'll make you a deal. I'll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say one word, I won't charge you, but if you say one word, it'll cost you 50 dollars." Earl and Diane agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word was heard. He did all his tricks over again, but still not a word. When the plane landed, the pilot turned to Earl and said, "By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn't." Earl replied, "Well, I was gonna say something when Diane fell out, but 50 dollars is 50 dollars."

As the Bishop’s Appeal today begins I would like to be like Earl and keep my mouth shut and not say a word about money. But friends, 50 dollars is 50 dollars so unlike Earl I need to speak.

First, I would like to say thank you for your generosity to past Bishop’s Appeal. I would like to say thank you for your generosity to this parish here at St. Clement’s. Because of your generosity our bills are paid, salaries are paid, St. Clement’s School is supported and are Outreach Program is able to help those who are financial crisis. Because of the tithing this parish participates in we are able to help an AIDS hospice in South Africa and a Redemptorist run house that assists the homeless in Philadelphia, PA, as well as other things too many to mention. For your financial generosity I say: THANK YOU! God has blessed our parish and now we are asked to assist parishes and members of our diocese that are not as blessed as we are financially. The money from the Bishop’s Appeal will assist Diocesan Schools, Catholic Charities, parishes that are need of financial assistance as well as to train and educate seminarians, just to name a few things.

As families and individuals we are now asked to contribute to the needs of our Diocese. We are called to look beyond our own horizon and reach out to donate to the Diocese so that it can continue to operate Catholic Charities. An organization that is being stretched to its breaking point because of the terrible financial situation of so many people in need. The monies from the Bishop’s Appeal will go to help with the running of Catholic Schools in the Diocese by helping to sustain school that do not just teach Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmatic but teach throughout the days the lessons of our loving God. Your contributions will help to train future priests for the Albany Diocese and while they may be few in numbers their zeal to proclaim the Gospel is as strong as St. Peter’s in the Acts of the Apostles.

You may be asking: Why donate to the Diocese? Why not just help out our own parish of St. Clement’s. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 40) Our Lord tells us to continue to reach out beyond ourselves.

Your donation may seem small but I have seen such small donations work wonders. In Philadelphia, where my friend Fr. Kevin Murray takes young adults to work with the homeless I have seen such small donations touch the lives of those who feel abandoned. One night when the temperature was in the single digits and I was with Fr. Kevin and a group of young people, we were driving around handing out blankets, sandwiches and hot drinks to those who were spending the night sleeping in a cardboard shack leaning against a building. Often we were asked if we saw “So and So” around the corner since they were in need of something. Once a man said he didn’t want anything to eat but did we have an extra Bible he could borrow. One time, and I still remember it with tears in my eyes, after giving a homeless man a cup of hot chocolate he said to me: “God bless you.” Here I was a priest who gives blessings on a daily basis, who would return to a warm rectory and a cozy bed; here was a man of the streets with nothing but what was in his shopping cart offer me all he had: the blessings of God.

When you donate to the Bishop’s Appeal you enable things like that to happen. Fr. Paul, from Food for the Poor, shared similar thoughts with you last week. As I drove him to the airport, he thanked me for the generosity of you – the parishioners of St. Clement’s – for your support of Food for the Poor. We talked as we drove about Matthew Chapter 25: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 40). We both agreed that this will be the question we are asked when we to meet the Lord – what have we done for the least among us.

Yes, it seems like I am asking you to give again. That in these tough economic times we are perhaps asking a bit too much. All I am asking you today to is to go home this week and prayerful consider what you can donate to the Bishop’s Appeal. The envelopes for pledges will be in the pews next week. Yes, it is not a good time for many of us but all I ask is that you listen to the Lord this week and consider what pledge you can make, for: “I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 40)

Besides the financial donation you can make to the Bishop’s Appeal I would also just like you this week to pray about what donation you can make to our faith family here at St. Clement’s. As I mentioned, I am grateful for your financial generosity that helps this parish do the wonderful things it does. Perhaps as you pray over you commitment to the Bishop’s Appeal you could also consider your weekly contribution to the life of the parish. If every family who contributed to our Sunday collection gave simply One more dollar a week we would be able to do so much more for our Parish Family as well as for those in need.

There is more to the life of a parish than finances. This week as you and your family pray over what to contribute financial to the Bishop’s Appeal and perhaps giving one more dollar a week in the Sunday collection, you can also continue to pray about other ways to help our Church. We are always looking for Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Users and Singers for Music Ministry. Even though Faith Formation Classes are over we will soon be making the plea for Catechists, Aides and parishioners to work with our RCIA Program. We continue to look for people to help with keeping our worship space clean and worthy of the God who dwells here. Simply put, if you have a gift and talent (and everyone one here does) I am sure that it can be put to good use here at the service of God and his people. Perhaps you don’t know what we could use help with – ask me and I’ll let you know. Perhaps you feel that you’ve never been invited to share your gift with the Church – I am inviting you personally right now.

On a practical note dealing with the life of the parish, I would like to address two points and am asking for feedback. You will find these two points mentioned in the Bulletin this week. The parish for several years has had a 7:30pm Sunday night Mass. I would like to propose that beginning on September 13, 2009 this Mass be moved to 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon. My hope is that this may make it a more convenient time for families and young people. The 11th Grade Confirmation Classes would take place after the Mass beginning at 6:15pm. On other Sundays the hope is that we can offer something for our youth, young people and young adults at various times following this 5:00pm afternoon Mass. Another Mass time change involves the 5:30pm that is now offered on Wednesdays and Fridays during the year. St. Clement’s is presently blessed to have three Redemptorist priests on staff. I cannot predict the future but highly doubt if we would ever have more than that assigned to this parish. I am looking to the future and as our Church deals with a shortage of priests I feel the need to act now instead of being forced to act when we may face a real shortage. My proposal is that after Wednesday, March 31, 2010 the 5:30pm Mass be suspend during the year. We will keep in place the 5:30pm Mass for during the season of Lent but this would be the only time of the year when we would have a 5:30pm Mass. I repeat, this does not affect 5:30pm Mass during the Season of Lent.

I realize that in this homily I have covered many points. I thank you for your time, patience and attention in allowing me to do so.

We are a wonderful parish. We might still be a little rough around the edges but our God continues to bless us. For your financial support – thank you! For your support in whatever way you help build up the life of the parish – thank you! For you continued support of the Bishop’s Appeal and the financial life of this parish – thank you in advance. For your future participation in the life of the parish – may God bless you. And finally for allowing me to serve you, unworthy though I am, as you pastor – thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Good Friday 2009 Reflection

Friday, April 10, 2009
St. Clement's Church; Saratoga Springs, NY

Isaiah 52: 13 -- 53:12
Psalm 31: 2, 6, 12 -- 13, 15 -- 17, 25
Hebrews 4: 14 -- 16, 5: 7 -- 9
John 18:1 -- 19: 42

What a strange day it's been. Or should I say what a strange week it's been. Up to Jerusalem we come to celebrate the Passover and as we come into town the people were calling Jesus a King. Now today they crucified him and I guess they'll come looking for me soon. This has not exactly been a good week.

My name's Peter. I'm a disciple of the Rabbi Jesus Christ from Nazareth. Rather, I used to be a disciple of his. I watched him get crucified today; not from up close but from a distance. I hid a long way off, close enough where I could see what was happening but far away enough so they wouldn't see me. I'm afraid that if they find me they'll crucify me also. Not only because I was a disciple of his but also because I chopped off the ear of one of those who came to arrest Jesus last night. Funny, here I was already to fight for Jesus and he tells me to put my sword away.

It's been a strange twenty four hours. There we were having a pleasant Passover meal and while we were praying a group came to arrest Jesus. I followed to see what would happen. For a while I even thought that had found out who I was. Those nosy people in the High Priest's courtyard knew who I was but I managed to convince them otherwise. I was afraid for my life. I didn't want the same thing that was happening to Jesus to happen to me. I had to lie to them to save myself. I'm sure he would understand that I had to say I didn't know him. Wait a minute, didn't Jesus say last night that I would deny knowing him three times before the night was out. I remember now that after the last time I said I didn't know him he looked over at me. He seemed sad. He was sad because of all the questioning and accusations that were going on but he looked at me as if he knew what I had done. Why did I deny him?

Why did I deny him when he needed me the most? The night before I was ready to fight to the death for him; I even used my sword then but when I was alone in the courtyard I said I didn't know who he was. I'm sorry Jesus. I'm sorry for denying you.

It was a strange night. It was a long night and I was tired but I wanted to see what would happen to Jesus. I managed to get to Pilate's house and stand outside in his courtyard. They brought Jesus out and this time I hardly recognized him. I hardly knew him, not because I was afraid but because of what they had done to him. As I stood in the back of the crowd I saw the bruises, the whip marks, and the spit still hanging from his beard. Even from the back of the crowd I saw that they had placed a crown of thorns on his head, they had pushed it down deep and he was covered with blood. They were mocking him; laughing at him, and they wanted to crucify him.
There I was at the edge of the crowd but I heard all around me cries of "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Why, I wanted to cry back? What has he done to any of you? Why didn't Jesus himself do something to get himself out of this mess? Instead he stood there calmly, meekly, and received all the abuse that they hurled at him. I wanted to ask the people around me not to shout out: "Crucify him!" any more. Then Pilate gave us the chance. He asked the crowd who we wanted to be freed: Barabbas, a common criminal, or Jesus. This would free Jesus, he was no criminal and the people would shout for his freedom. But all I heard the crowd scream was: "We want Barabbas, not this one!" I wanted to scream for Jesus but the crowd was so large and was out for blood. If I shouted for Jesus they would have probably killed me. I kept quiet and drifted away from the crowd.

I followed the death march of Jesus from a distance. They made him carry this huge cross and I thought he was going to die on the way to Calvary. They seemed exceptionally cruel to him. Whenever he fell they kicked and beat him. When he finally made it up the long, dusty road to Calvary he looked worse than when I had seen him at Pilate's. His lips were cracked from being so parched. The blood that was flowing had caked all over his body and the dust from the road covered him completely. Why didn't anyone take pity on him? Why didn't anyone stop this from happening? But it only got worse.

They used long nails to place him on the cross, normally they tie you on the cross with ropes but they were treating Jesus like he was the worse criminal that ever walked the face of the earth. He hung there and with each breath I saw him take I thought it would be his last. I wanted to go right up to the cross and be with him in his final minutes but I just could not find the courage. Finally I heard him say: "Now it is finished." With that he breathed no more.

I could not bear to look at him any longer. I walked back into town in a daze. What had Jesus done to have deserved to be treated like a common criminal? I remembered the three years I had spent with him, listening to him, seeing him with the people. His message was one of love and peace and non-violence yet his life ended in the midst of hatred and anger and violence. He had always cared for people, he never thought of himself once during his entire life. I remembered when he feed all those people with bread on the mountainside, and yet his life ended with him parched from thirst.

I thought about those three years we had spent together. Talking about how God cared and loved for each and every one of us--yet his life ended as if there was no God to be found. His death was the exact opposite of the way we had lived together. Together. That was the way it always was. Jesus and the twelve of us always together. Yet in the end he died alone. Why did I abandon him? Why did I deny him when he needed me the most?

Sure it was easy to say I was a follower of Jesus when all was going well. It was great to say I was a friend of Jesus after he gave sight to a blind person or made the cripple walk or heal the deaf. The people loved us, they adored us, and they treated us like gods and kings. When everything was going well it was no problem to say I knew Jesus. Yes, I was his disciple. Yes, I certainly was one of his followers. But in the end, when things got tough I ran. I feel very sorry and ashamed right now. I could just cry. I remember the last time he looked at me while I was in the high priest's courtyard. He seemed sad but his look was also one that I remembered from his life. It was a look of love and forgiveness. He knew I had denied him and yet he still loved me. He knew I was staying in the background yet he still cared for me.

I wondered if this is the end. I wonder where the other disciples are right now. We all ran. We all denied Jesus, yet he loved us all right to the very end--of that I'm sure as sure as I am that I'm standing here with you now. I'll never understand why he died. I'll never understand why all those people he talked to and who he cured turned their back on him. I'll never understand why I turned my back on him.

I'm sorry for standing away in a distance when Jesus needed me the most. I'm sorry for turning my back on him when he needed me. I'm sorry for denying him. I've got to find the others and we have to do something. They'll probably kill me in the end but Jesus' death must not be the end of it. We have to continue to preach what he did. We have to continue to live as he did. We have to stick together and live the way he asked us to. He died alone, in pain and sadness. I have this feeling right now that he died for me. He said last night that the greatest love one could have for his friends was to lay down their life. I have this strange feeling that he died so that I could begin to live anew.

He also mentioned something about rising on the third day--perhaps he knew what has going to happen to him. Perhaps this is not the end of the story. I have to find the others and we have to do something. It's been a strange week, a strange twenty four hours but I have this strange feeling that it will get even stranger in the days ahead. He preached love and he died in hatred. He showed compassion but he died pitiless. He died so that I might begin to live. I will keep his message alive. I will never forget this day when he died.

I'm not sure how well each one of you knew Jesus but even if you knew him a little bit I'm sure this day has to be a shock to you also. Maybe you feel the same way that I do now. Sorry that I abandoned him. But I think we should learn from what he did. He died to show us how to live. He never thought of himself, even at the very end. I think he died to show us how to live. I think we should learn from what has taken place today. I can't speak for you but only for myself. Starting today I will try to live as he asked me to and I ask you to do the same. His death must not have been in vain; we must carry on his message.

Something else is bound to happen soon. When it does I'm not going to be off in the distance. I've done that enough last night and today. I'm going to be right up front and know that his message is still alive. What a strange day it's been and I think it’s going to get even stranger in the days ahead. I just don't think this is the end of the story.

3rd Sunday of Lent (Cycle A)

Sunday, March 15, 2009
St. Clement’s Catholic Church; Saratoga Springs, NY

Exodus 17: 3—7
Psalm 95: 1 – 2, 6 – 7, 8 – 9
Romans 5: 1—2, 5 – 8
John 4: 5 – 42

Oprah Winfrey in the September 1991 issue of Good Housekeeping said: “I discovered I didn’t feel worth a damn, and certainly not worthy of love, unless I was accomplishing something. I suddenly realized I have never felt I could be loved just for being.” I had a similar thought come to me during the summer of 1985 when I was involved in a Clinical Pastoral Experience program in Boston, MA. My supervisor was a Protestant Minister and one day he jokingly asked me why I was inflicted with the Protestant work ethic. He said that we Catholics had managed to take one thing from their religion – the idea that we must be doing something at all times or else that our life has no meaning.

How often have we all felt that way, that we must be doing something good, we must be busy doing in order to earn God’s love. Today as we meet the Samaritan woman at the well we realize that God’s gift of love is waiting there for us. Not only does she not initially feel worthy of God’s love but she is constantly running trying to fill up her life with things – such as her run through a series of husbands. She keeps busy trying even to avoid human contact by coming to the well in the heat of the day since all the other women came to draw water earlier in the morning. Not only does she feel she cannot be loved by God but she extends that to every other person in her town. Her life seems to be one of turmoil and misery until she meets this remarkable man by Jacob’s well.

She doesn’t have to prove herself to him. She doesn’t have to do anything to earn his love. The only thing she has to do is accept in. At Jacob’s well her life is forever changed as she drinks in the goodness and love of Jesus Christ. She realizes for the first time in her life that she is loved just for being. Her encounter with the Lord should hopefully remind us that at the Font of our own Baptism the love of God washed over us simply because we are. We are a beloved Son or Daughter of God. We don’t need to earn his love; we just need to accept it.

Then once we accept God’s unconditional love into our lives we too must go and share that love with others. After her encounter with the Lord, the woman runs back to people she had avoided for years to share this Good News with them. (John 4: 28 – 30) She thought not about herself but about sharing the love that she had freely received. Once we accept God’s love completely it spurs us into action – even going to places where we might never have ventured before.

Today as we read about the Samaritan Woman at the Well, we Redemptorists also pause to remember one of our brothers. Today we recall St. Clement Mary Hofbauer on his feast day. Canonized 100 years ago his life is full of stories on how we strived to share the Good News of God’s love in our lives, even to places where he might never have ventured before. St. Clement took the message of Jesus Christ and the mission of the Redemptorists to “preach to the Good News to the poor” into Poland and Austria.

My most favorite story about St. Clement is the following one. On one occasion, he went begging for the orphanage he was running to a local pub. When Clement asked for a donation, one of the patrons scornfully spat beer into Clement's face. Wiping off the beer, he responded, "That was for me. Now what do you have for my boys?" The men in the bar were so astounded by the Christlike response that they gave Clement more than 100 silver coins.

May the example of the Woman at the Well of knowing she was loved just for being help us to accept God’s love in our own lives this Lenten Season. May the courageous example of St. Clement who gave his entire life in sharing that love help us to be men and women who always “preach the Good News of the Lord.”

Christmas 2008 Reflection

Thursday, December 25, 2008
St. Clement’s Catholic Church; Saratoga Springs, NY

Isaiah 9: 1 – 6
Psalm 96: 1 – 2, 2 – 3, 11 – 12, 13
Titus 2: 11 – 14
Luke 2: 1 – 14

“O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining . . .”

In the darkness of night many years ago, your life and my life was changed forever. As the stars pierced thru the bleakness of a December night, two young people had the courage to go where no one thought they could ever go – and because of their courage our world changed.

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices . . . “

A young maid and her young husband, full of hope and expectations had their world turned upside down by the message of an angel. “And you shall bear a son . . . and you shall name him Emmanuel, for God is with us.” Two weary young people . . . nowhere to go, nowhere to rest but with hearts full of hope and courage our world changed.

“For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn . . .”

It is not just long ago that we remember tonight but we remember each and every time that our God continues to break into our world bringing us a new and glorious day. Joseph and Mary had the courage to allow Christ into the world and our world changed. We also celebrate the many times each of us have had the courage to bring Christ to one another – and thus allow our world to continue to change.

“It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth!”

And again he wishes to come into our world. And again he wishes to turn our darkness into light; to turn our night into morning. Our dear Savior needs more people like Joseph and Mary; he asks tonight: “Who will have the courage to bring me to a waiting world.” Not into the stable of Bethlehem, but into the hearts and souls of all that gather to celebrate his birth tonight and tomorrow.

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

This is the message of Christmas. This is the message of joy, happiness and peace of this Blessed Night. This is the message of the courage of two young people who changed the world. This is the message that in the still of night our God leapt down from the heavens to live among us. His birth in Bethlehem changed our world.

Do no be afraid. Go forth and proclaim the good news and be people of courage. Courage to say Yes to Christ and bring him once again to the waiting world. This is the message of Christmas. And God simply asks each of us here tonight to be his messengers. Our world can change – but we have to bring Christ into the world to change it. This is the message of Christmas – Do not be afraid! AMEN! Christ is born!

4th Sunday of Advent (Year B)

Sunday, December 21, 2008
St. Clement’s Catholic Church; Saratoga Springs, NY

2 Samuel 7: 1 – 5, 8b – 12, 14a, 16
Psalm 89: 2 – 3, 4 – 5, 27, 29
Romans 16: 25 – 27
Luke 1: 26 –38

Stories are an important part of our history. Think about what happens often at the end of a day. The family gathers around the dinner table and someone will ask another member of the family how their day was. Sometimes there might be a shrug of the shoulder and other times a member of the family launches into a colorful tale of some event of the day. We tell stories about past holidays and past snow storms. A phrase many of us might use this week will be: “Do you remember when…” and the tale begins. It doesn’t matter if we’ve heard the story one time or a hundred times, we listen intently and even will even help a relative with the details should they omit one or two of them.

This week our Church family once again shares a familiar story. It’s a story that even the youngest amongst us know. The story of a young couple and their travel to a distant town. The story of a young couple that cannot find any room at the inn. A story with angels and shepherds and kings. But the heart of the story begins with the tale we just heard this morning. “Joy to the World” “O Come All Ye Faithful” none of them would ever have been sung if not for the yes by the maid to the angel Gabriel. It is Mary’s affirmative answer that starts our story in motion.

Today we hear a story about a young woman who trusted completely in her God. A young maid who at first was not exactly sure what was happening. Her story is so familiar to us that we can tell it ourselves from memory. As we reflect on this story today try to imagine yourself in the room itself. Imagine what Mary is wearing, what are the sparse furnishings that fill her room. Picture how the angel appeared to her and once again hear the conversation between the two. Hear the angel say: “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” And hear Mary’s response of: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.”

This week once again hear anew and picture afresh the story of the birth of Our God in Bethlehem.

We all recall even the secular stories of this time of year. We read or watch the stories about Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and my favorite of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Three Spirits in Dickens’s Christmas Carol.

One of the most famous secular Christmas stories is a poem that was first published anonymously in the Troy, New York Sentinel on December 23, 1823, and was reprinted frequently thereafter with no name attached. Authorship was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore and the poem was included in an 1844 anthology of his works. Many of you might read for your children The Night Before Christmas sometime during this week.

As the snow falls outside and the feeling of Christmas comes upon all of us, I would like to share with you an adapted version of that poem that I wrote a number of years ago and revised for here at St. Clement’s.

‘Twas the Fourth Week of Advent, when all through the world
Four candles were lit; purple and pink all a swirled.
The streets now of ‘Toga, had lights here and there
All sensed a good feeling of joy in the air.

The shopping and baking were almost all done,
The cards were all written, it was now time for fun.
I went to St. Clement’s, and took off my cap
And figured I get a good morning’s nap.

I listened to music, to an old Advent tune,
And slowly but surely, I started humming along.
Then came time for the readings, some stories were read;
They sounded familiar, they stuck in my head.

The story of a woman and an angel I heard
When I heard it before, I always thought it absurd.
But now as I listened and the words settled in,
I listened intently, I felt a chill on my skin.

How could this be, our God comes to earth;
A young maid named Mary, was found of great worth.
She must have been frightened, she must have been scared;
And then she realized that this was how much God cared.

“Hail full of grace! The Lord is with you!”
The Angel has spoken; the words they are true!
But how can this be, since she still was not wed
“God’s spirit is with you” the Angel has said.

She trusted the words, her heart filled with joy;
She was blessed by the Lord; she would give birth to his boy.
A son she would bear, to bring peace to the earth
He would show by his life, that each person has worth.

I started to doze, the story started to fade;
And I felt a sense of peace, I was no longer afraid.
This story is true and it’s why each December
We gather together, to reflect and remember.

We remember the reason for shopping and baking;
We recall the reason for all this picture taking.
It’s because of a woman who said yes to the Lord
It’s because of a baby, that our lives are restored.

I must take this feeling of God’s love in my heart
To every place on the earth; yes, even Wal-Mart!
For the babe born of Mary, in a stable years ago
Still lives on the earth, he wants me to show.

The peace of the season, the joy of the year
Should stay with us always, there is nothing to fear.
God leapt down from heaven, we celebrate his birth
And we should bring it to ‘Toga, to each person on earth.

I’ll go forth today with a song raised on high;
I’ll let my soul soar, it will go to the sky!
For the angels still sing, they are with us today
I will go forth this morning and Prepare God his way!

His way into my heart, and your heart there too
He came down from heaven, believe me, its true!
Celebrate his birth, remember his love;
It’s still with us today, it comes from above.

I love these Christmas stories, I love this time of year’
I’m happy that the Maid said Yes; I’m happy our God is so near.
As the Fourth Week of Advent, turns soon to Christmas Eve
Look at the Babe in the Manager and you too will believe.

2nd Sunday of Advent (Year B)

Sunday, December 7, 2008
St. Clement’s Catholic Church; Saratoga Springs, NY

Isaiah 40: 1 – 5, 9 – 11
Psalm 85: 9 – 10, 11 – 12, 13 – 14
2 Peter 3: 8 – 14
Mark 1: 1 – 8

I had this story all planned to share with you even before the cold and snowy weather came upon us over night. One of the joys of being a Redemptorist is that I have had the privilege to go quite often to our Caribbean Missions. I have preached in a number of our parishes down there and had to attend a number of meetings there as well. One island in particular that I have enjoyed traveling to is the island of Dominica. Dominica is called the Nature Island; there are not many good beaches but the island is full of mountains and rain forests. To get from the airport on the north end of the island to the Redemptorist Retreat House on the south end of the island is about a 20 miles ride that can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours. I can’t imagine how they built the roads on the island of Dominica, which are about as wide as our main aisle. They had to cut through dense rain forests and blast their way through mountains. Sections that run close to the ocean I am sure they had to fill in to make a more level road. The job of road construction there, and anywhere indeed, is not an easy task.

As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent we might call today “Road Construction” Sunday. Our first reading from the prophet Isaiah mentions it: “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.” (Isaiah 40: 3 – 4) As I mentioned last week, the people of Israel were in exile at the time the prophet was writing. He lifts them up telling them that soon they will be returning home and they must “Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” (Isaiah 40: 3) The time as coming close for them to return to their homeland and when that day arrived they would have to make a straight path thru the dessert.

Mark mentions a similar thing at the start of his Gospel when he talks about John the Baptist. “A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” (Mark 1: 3) John is that voice that was preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. He appears on the scene to tell the people that they too needed to do some “road construction.” The road construction that both Isaiah and John the Baptist are talking about is not the physical type where we blast thru mountains and cut down trees to clear a path. The type of road construction they are talking about is the spiritual type – where you and I remove the obstacles, the road blocks that keep the path for the coming of Jesus into our hearts cluttered.

That is what the season of Advent is about for us -- a time to look at our lives and see where we are blocking the coming of Christ into our hearts and our lives. While not a physical road construction there are a number of obstacles and road blocks in our lives that we must tear down. Our sinful behavior needs to be torn down to allow for a straight path for the coming of Christ. We put up obstacles of greed, gossiping, jealousy and the like that are like high mountains that needed to be blasted away. This “Road Construction” Sunday is a time for us to take a look at our road blocks. It’s a gradual process of cleaning out the detours. Again, I refer you to the Advent Wreath – two candles are now lit and we might want all four to be blazing bright to show that Christmas is almost here. But we need patience, we need to take our time. We need to make straight the path in our hearts so the God may enter. Even when we finally have cleared a path we need to keep working at it. If you notice that road construction never seems to be finished. Once the potholes are filled in it seems like it no time they are back doing the same work. That’s the beauty of Advent that we celebrate year after year after year. Our “road repairs” are never completely finished. Once we have straightened the path for the Lord sometimes are sinful behaviors revisit us and we need to do some more road repairs. It is a never ending task and a tiring one as well.

Have you often seen a road crew working on road repairs and wonder why one person is working, one is directing traffic, another is leaning on their shovel and another is drinking a cup of coffee? Because road construction is tiring business – you can’t be about it for eight straight hours without taking a break. You can’t do road construction by yourself without the help of others. In our task of spiritual road construction we too need help. That help comes to us in the way of our God who is ever ready to help us. As we tear down the mountains of our sinful behaviors it is our God who comes to us and fills in the holes. If we allow him God can give us the gifts of His Spirit to help level and smooth things out. He fills in the holes we have created with his gifts of wisdom and understanding, with his gifts of courage and fear of the Lord. Our valleys and rough spots are filled up with his gifts of joy, peace, love and happiness.

“A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.” (Isaiah 40: 3 – 4) This is the beautiful message of “Road Construction” Sunday as we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. Our God has indeed already come with his birth as a Babe in Bethlehem. We continue to prepare his coming now only on Christmas Day but on every day of our lives. He wants to be part of us, he desires to live in our hearts, our souls our very lives. But we need to do some work. I am sure that those of you who are expecting visitors over the Christmas Holidays are already busy preparing things around the house. You clean out the clutter, you straighten up the guest room, and you clean the ring from around the bath tub. You are making a nice place to receive your guests.

Take time to get ready to receive Jesus Christ as your guest. Whatever road block is up, may we have the courage to begin to tear it down. Wherever there are areas in our lives that need to be smoothed out and straightened, let us allow our God to help. We still have some time this Advent Season to get things in order. Today is “Road Construction” Sunday and it is tiring work that will never end. But think about why we are doing it – so that our God can have a straight path into our lives. That’s what Advent is all about – cleaning away our sinful behaviors so that the Lord can enter. That’s what happened at the first Christmas and hopefully it will happen to us again this Christmas and every days of our lives!

AMEN!