Homily Third Wednesday of Advent (Lk 7:18ff) “Condemn or Love?”
Homily Third Wednesday of Advent (Lk 7:18ff) “Condemn or Love?”
“You are not what I expected.” John the Baptist was a fire and brimstone kind of preacher. He told those who listened to him that a day of reckoning was coming. One way to motivate people to reform their life is to frighten them.
I remember some of my relatives speaking about preaching after Vatican II. The comment was made that all that was ever talked about was love. That was a message my older relatives were not used to hearing. Obviously, they were used to hearing about God’s impending judgement. I think they were probably looking at the people they knew who sinned, in their parish, and they wanted them to conform.
John that Baptist probably wanted those who would not reform to face divine retribution. He predicted a fiery preacher who was to come after him. He foresaw someone who would punish people. But along came Jesus.
Jesus preached constantly about how we should not judge others. He spoke about the mercy of God repeatedly. He wanted people to feel the love of God. For him people who changed their lives out of love for the Lord had a deeper conversion than those who changed because they were afraid of God.
John sends representatives to Jesus to question his methods. Jesus tell them to tell John about his works. Jesus healed people. He attracted large crowds who wanted to hear the good news he preached.
John was able to see that Jesus was the fulfillment of the predictions the prophets had made. When John heard the blind were able to see and the lame were able to walk, he had no more questions.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I rejoice when someone gets the punishment, I feel they deserve? What does that say about me?
- How do I feel when I hear Jesus says whatever I do wrong will be forgiven? Do I hold people to a higher standard than myself?
Dear Parishioners,
I have just been informed that Msgr. Richard Soseman will be buried from St. Mary Cathedral in Peoria on the 23rd of December. He had a family member who had surgery and they were waiting for them to recover. Please keep the Soseman family in your prayers.
I had an appointment with Bishop Lou Tylka today. I found him very easy to talk to. He looks forward to the time he can come up to celebrate Mass for Seton School. He repeated that he has a goal of visiting each parish in the diocese in the first two years he is here. He is still scheduled to be with us for Confirmation this spring. Let’s pray that this will happen.
I would like to thank Liz Lareau and Bill Peiffer for their help last night as we had the second talk on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I hope that people enjoyed the presentation.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark