Do any of us here tend to brood about the past? You know what I mean-not letting go of the past-past hurts and disappointments. If any of us here today are like that, then today's Gospel is just for you.
For some of us, the past is something that we'd rather not think about. I think that I can safely say that all of us can look over our shoulders and see some things that we've done or said that have hurt other people. Spouses betrayed. Children abused. Stealing on the job. Gossip. The catalog is endless, isn't it?
We'd like to get rid of these memories, but we still dwell on the past, don't we? How many times have we done something well and received many compliments and just one criticism? What do we dwell on the most? The compliments or the criticism?
When the people in today's Gospel ask St. John the Baptist, "What should we do?", he doesn't advise them to dwell on the past. Basically, St. John says, "Look, today you are here asking for baptism, for a renewal in your lives, something in the future to hope for-a better way of life". He answers their questions in the future. From now on, here's what you ought to do. So, when we ask God, "What are we to do?", I think that, if St. John the Baptist were here today, this is what he would tell us.
"Look, all of us here today have a past that we might not be so proud of. But, the thing that we should look at is that we're here, aren't we? We're sitting here trying to get closer to God, to hear His Good News, to be with other believers and to share His Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Whatever has been our past is exactly that-our past".
So, if we are here today asking God what we should do with our lives in order to "move on", realize that just being here is a plus. All of us know that we can't undo the past. But, if we really believe in the expectation and coming of Christ, in other words-what Advent is all about, then we have begun our 'trip' towards answering the question, "What are we to do".
You know, recently I heard a great line. "It doesn't do a whole lot of good to water last year's crops". This little quote was said in the context of trying to help people realize that the best way to forget about the past is to do an outward, unselfish act for another person. And, to do it today!
You know, doing an act of kindness for someone doesn't have to be some great, magnificent gesture. It just has to be an act of everyday kindness.
Let me share a story with you.
- The pastor received a letter marked, "Please give this to Harry, the
usher". The letter read: "Dear Harry, I'm sorry that I don't know your last name, but then again,
you don't know mine either. I'm Helen, Helen at the 10:00 o'clock Mass every
Sunday. I'm writing to ask you a favor. I don't know the priests here very
well and, well somehow, I feel close to you.
"I don't know how you got to know my first name, but every Sunday morning you smile at me and say, 'Hi, Helen'. We always exchange a few words: how's the family, how much you like my hat, and how I arrive late every once in a while. I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to remember an old lady, for your smiles, consideration and thoughtfulness.
"Now for the favor. I am dying, Harry. My husband has been dead for 16 years now, and the kids are scattered all over the country. It is very important to me that, when they bring me to the Church for the last time, you will be there to say, 'Hi, Helen. Good to see you'. If you are there, Harry, I will feel assured that your warm hospitality will be duplicated in my new home in heaven. With love and much gratitude. Helen".
So, for those of us this Advent who carry dark memories and heavy burdens, whose hearts are broken, whose faith is weak, whose anger is justified, please remember that our Christian walk calls us to "lose our lives" and give them to others. In that way, and in only that way, open the doors of Christ's love to others.
And, in this holy season, may God bless you and your families and loved ones.