Advent Second Sunday

Second Sunday of ADVENT

Homily: Dom Raymond at St. Anne’s

CHRISTMAS 2009

ITS CHRISTMAS THAT REALLY COUNTS

Our Christian Faith is arguably defined more precisely by the birth of Christ rather than by his Passion, Death and Resurrection. If He who suffered and died for us had not been born the incarnate Son of God then his suffering and death could never have been sufficient to redeemed us. It is who Jesus is, rather than what he doesfor us, that accomplishes our redemption. Jesus is, by his very nature, the Father’s beloved Son. We are his sons and daughters only by adoption; the adoption of Grace. His love for Jesus then is obviously much greater than his love for us and it is precisely Jesus identification with us in our misery that draws his Father’s forgiveness and blessing upon us. As the prophet tells us, he says to his Father:“ Behold, I and the brethren you have given me”

Let us try to illustrate with a simple story how our restoration to God’s favour is brought about by the Christ child whose birth we celebrate at this season.

Let us imagine that a good father (God) had two children whom he loved very dearly – Peter, representing Jesus, and Paul, representing each one of us. Now Peter, of course, was very well behaved and was his Father’s favourite, whereas Paul, representing you and me, often offended his father, and sometimes very badly at that! Now, one day, this good Father promised to take the boys to some wonderful place they had long wanted to visit. However, that very day, Paul offended his father again particularly badly; so much so in fact that he became very angry and said that only Peter would be going with him and that was that! Paul, of course, began to cry and lament but the father wouldn’t relent. But then Peter began to cry too and said he would be miserable if Paul didn’t come too. He would have no one to share the day with. Finally, the father out of his special love for Peter, gave in and took the boys together. And so, all ended well for both boys!

That is how our redemption is brought about by the Christmas Babe. Christ so loves us that he shares our misery, and the Father so loves Christ, who is now our Brother, that he cannot give to the one without giving to the other. In any household, how often is this pattern repeated: But Dad! You gave him an ice cream! You have to give me one too! That’s life in the family! Whether its the family of God or the family of the Broons!

God bless

Fr Raymond

COMMENT

Nivard writes:---

Thanks Raymond,

Excellent!

You have the 'O Henry' touch.

He was famous for his short stories.

A poor young couple each planned to give the other a Xmas gift.

She cut her long tresses to buy him a gold chain for his precious pocket watch.

He sold his watch to buy a gold band for her hair.

Love, human or divine, is like that.

N