Dec. 6, 2020

Post date: Dec 07, 2020 2:43:20 PM

December 6, 2020 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

Do you remember how dry goods stores used to do an inventory of everything they had on the shelves? They also called it stocktaking. Well, Advent is our stocktaking. Today’s Scripture passages tells us to prepare the Way of the Lord. Not a potholed road but a pathway in our hearts.

God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome to remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy. What those things are, only I know about myself, and you about yourself. To find them, you have to use moments of silence. Once found, if we think they are getting in the way of receiving Christ with joy, then we should get rid of them right away.

Isaiah spoke of preparing God’s way. John the Baptist appeared at the Jordan River preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Repentance then, and equally so now, is not just feeling sorry. It means turning away from sin and turning to God. A rejection of bad habits and an adoption of good habits. It is a change of heart.

The waters of baptism were the symbol of the cleansing power of our confession and sorrow and the saving power of Grace and Faith. When you and I return to God, we have to first confess to ourselves. By that I mean we have to own up and admit that we have been wrong. It is human nature to close our eyes to our own faults and failings.

Secondly, we have to admit them to those we have wronged or with whom we have quarreled. This is the hardest part. We might say, ‘it always seems to be me who has to apologize.’ Never mind—this is the best time of year for meeting people halfway.

Lastly, of course, we have to confess to God. This is the easiest part. As they say, the end of pride is the beginning of forgiveness. I can think of no better way than to meet God in the Sacrament of Confession and so make a fresh start.