Homily Fourth Sunday of Advent “Don’t Fence Me In”

 Homily Fourth Sunday of Advent “Don’t Fence Me In”

            One of the questions children ask is where does God live?  We got the standard answer from our parents.  God is everywhere.  But do we believe it?

            King David was the most powerful ruler in the history of ancient Israel.  He was like all great military leaders, in that once the wars are over, the question becomes how do I keep control of my empire? Often it was through religion.  Scriptures paint a benevolent picture of David.  His desire to build a sanctuary for God is described as an act of fidelity. 

            But there was undoubtable an underlying agenda.  David looked upon religion, as many great rulers have, as a way of unifying a country.  In the ancient world there was no division of church and state.  No, the state oversaw religion. David, as King, was the in charge of faith practice.  David looked around the ancient world where he saw temples in other great empires that were not only places of worship, but places of great economic activity.  Temples were a reason to come to the capital city. 

            Before there was Disneyworld, the greatest driver of tourism was religious pilgrimage.  A popular religious cult would bring people to a city.  The people would stay in the inns that were by the temple.  Also, they would buy animals to sacrifice.  The pious people who came would be charged for the religious rites they were engaged in. God looked at David’s plan.  God said, “No.”  Sometimes temples are a way of domesticating God.  Because we know where God lives so we can choose to be with God or avoid God.  But God will not be tamed.  God is everywhere.

            Where does God want to lodge?  God shows up in some of the most unlikely places.  God doesn’t announce the greatest news the world has ever heard in the temple in Jerusalem, but God appears to Mary in the backwoods village of Nazareth. We read the Annunciation story in the Gospel this Fourth Sunday of Advent.  Tradition has it that God doesn’t just barge into the world, but God comes to Mary seeking a place to dwell.  She doesn’t ask for the opportunity to take part in God’s plan.  Mary only responds to what God wants.

            Miraculous births aren’t something that are uncommon in the scriptures.  The first miracle birth we hear about in the Bible is the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in the Book of Genesis.  His birth sets the pattern.  Elderly parents, who are barren, ask for a child.  God hears the prayer of the parents. God responds positively.  Usually, the parents are in disbelief. The child, that is the result of divine intervention, becomes important in the history of Israel.

            The story of Jesus’ birth doesn’t follow this pattern, however.  Mary isn’t elderly. No Mary is thought to have been a girl of fourteen or fifteen.  She isn’t asking for a child because she is barren.  She isn’t asking for a baby at all.  She isn’t even married.  God is the one who does the asking.  Mary isn’t unbelieving, but she makes a perfect act of faith, “Be it done unto me according to thy will.”  A New Testament demands a new story line.  Jesus’ birth provides it. 

            We all like to tell God where we want him to dwell in our life.  But God comes into our lives in ways we never would imagine.  We have had quite a few surprises the last nine months.  Maybe it is symbolic for us that in March we celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation.  That was about the time that our whole country was shut down.  We had a surprise that we didn’t ask for nor want (The Coronavirus).  And the succeeding months have been a time of waiting. In a sense, it has been a pregnant time for religious reflection.  Pregnancies are full of struggle, pain, doubt, anticipation, blessings, fear and a host of other emotions. The last nine months we have had all those feelings.

            As we come to December of 2020 we are at a sad time. More people are dying than ever.  We are at a moment of great danger.  Will we let our guard down?  Will there be another spike in Coronavirus? Will the vaccines we hear about bring relief? We have a sense that there may be new life if we can make it through the trauma of birthing a new reality.

            But the biggest question is, will we trust in God? Mary did.  She had the attitude reflected in the prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola.  “Take Lord receive all my liberty, my memory, my entire will…...give me only your love and your grace, they are enough for me.”  If we can have that stance, perhaps we will be strengthened by the God who only wants to dwell with us wherever we’re at.

Reflection Questions:

1. Am I comfortable having God involved in all facets of my life?  What do I want to keep God out of?
2. Do I like surprises?  How could I respond better to the unexpected?

Dear Parishioners,

            I would like to remind everyone of the protocols that we have in place for Mass attendance. Some of you might be coming back to Mass for the first time since the pandemic began.  Here are some things to remember:

1. Everyone is asked to enter by the main door unless you are parking in the handicap entrance by the East Door. (The doors will open one half hour before Mass)
2. You will need to check in when you arrive. If your names are on our lists this will only take a minute.
3. Face masks are required
4. The ushers will seat you.  We will seat people from the front of the church to the back.  When people leave, the back pews are to exit first. Please do not congregate in the church or vestibule before or after Mass.
5. When you use the bathroom please sanitize it with the spray bottle.  Please accompany children to help them with this process.
6. Communion will only be in the hand (Left to the discretion of the Pastor)
7. Other procedures will be explained at Mass.

Masses will be simple, but reverent.  Decorations will not be as elaborate because we did not want to have large groups of people come together to decorate the church.  Music will also be minimal. We will not have choirs singing or choral concerts.  Singing has been found to be a spreader of the virus.  We will recite Mass acclamations.

We have tried to keep these protocols throughout the last nine months. These have not been dreamed up just for Sacred Heart. These are part of CDC guidelines and guidelines of the Diocese of Peoria.  I cannot explain why other parishes may or may not be following them. I thank everyone for the cooperation that you have shown the last six months.

May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints protect all of us.

Fr. Mark