Father Chris – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 2021 – Homily

“Adults Wait For God”

The crowds ask, “What should we do, John?” John replies, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who has none. Do the same with your food and provisions.”
 
Government tax collectors ask, “Teacher, what should we do?” John says, “Collect no more money than you have a right to ask for. Only request what is legal.” 
 
Members of the Armed Forces ask, “And what should we do?” John tells them, “Do not threaten, harass, abuse, or make false accusations to try to coerce or manipulate money from people. Be content with your wages, with what you receive.”
 
John is certainly giving the people very charitable and, frankly, very practical advice, something we do not always see so plainly stated. 
 
If we, the adults who are essentially in charge of and contributing to our modern world could approach John with our urgent questions, what would we ask him? 
 
John, what should we do about the rising prices of food and gas?
John, what should we do about the rapidly rising cost of real estate?
John, what should we do about climate change? About the flooding and forest fires?  
John, what should we do about the multiple deaths from the opioid drug crisis?
John, what should we do about Covid-19? How to cope with it? When, will it end?
John, what should we do about our anger and depression over all of this?    
John, what should we do to keep our children safe? 
 
And then, what do we think John might say? Indeed, how might he respond?
 
In a way, John has already answered all our questions: “One who is more powerful than I is coming. He will save you by baptizing you with the power of the Holy Spirit, spiritual fire – not water!” Because all our questions above are rooted in the material world, not the spiritual. Our focus is too influenced by our bodily needs.   
 
Col 3.1-4: “Seek the things which are above with Christ, not on the things of earth. When Christ who is in your life comes again, then you will also join him in glory.  
 
Matt 6.25-33: “Do not worry about what you will eat or drink or wear. Is not life more than food? Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? Your heavenly Father knows you need these things. But [you must first] strive for the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you.”
 
Today we honour and reflect upon our Lady of Guadalupe who visited a very poor country, and bestowed upon them a powerful strength, determination and hope rooted in God which has helped them stand up to anything which confronts them. We should learn from these people how to face adversity with the same courage, resourcefulness, and hope in the Lord which frees them, no matter what comes. 
 
John said the true Messiah is coming. So, should we prepare questions for Christ, ask him how to fix our state of affairs, relieve our anger, depression and suffering?
 
Gaudete! Rejoice! Because we already have answers for these problems! Indeed, adversity provides the answers. It is our teacher in life. Learn from it. Know that your inner-self, your God-self, is being educated and prepared for a breathtaking transformation in the next life when Christ comes again. “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11.29-30) 
 
Many who experienced the Spanish Flu said in about 3 years the pandemic ended. All returned to a ‘new’ normal, the crisis soon forgotten, no longer a welcome topic for discussion, and civilization moved on. We, too, will see a new normal, but it will be good for us, like the telephone and car were to their generation.  
 
Think good thoughts, do good things, treat others with kindness and confidence in God, regardless of worldly situations. Avoid becoming bitter, selfish ‘chaff’ of life.      
 
Jesus, this Advent, hear the call of your men and women fraught with challenges, viral and circumstantial, from their wilderness here on earth: straighten their roads, calm their minds, ease their struggles, and guide their feet on the path of peace.      
 
– Rev Fr Chris Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario