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                                                                                Texts of the Readings

                                          

December 10, 2006

Second Sunday of Advent (C)

 


by P. Del Staigers

 

In the past few weeks, we have heard a lot about signs—signs of things to come.

Second Sunday of Advent – C

December 10, 2006

 

Author's note:  this homily is not a style that I personally recommend on a regular basis.  This website, however tries to offer various styles of preaching so that each preacher may find appropriate styles for various congregations.  This sample probably best exemplifies a style which is categorized as Narrative Exegesis.  It is a valid style, but the danger is that the story can take precedence over the Gospel itself.  Additionally, the Gospel itself typically is the starting point from and through which we preach.  In any event, see what you think.  I am interested in your comments on this style because it is one that is often used, but also carries some strong cautions in light of my previous comments.  You can e-mail me at: d.staigers@olomdayton.org

 

 

A little story

            from the late Father Anthony DeMello may help

                        to further illustrate today's Gospel.

 

The priest announced that Jesus Christ himself was coming to church

            the following Sunday.

 

Everyone expected him to preach,

            but he only smiled and said, "Hello."

 

Everyone offered him hospitality for the night,

            especially the priest,

                        but he refused politely.

                                    He said that he would spend the night in church.

                                                How fitting, everyone thought.

 

He slipped away early the next morning

            before the church doors opened.

                        And to their horror,

                                    the priest and the people found

                                                that their church had been vandalized.

 

Scribbled everywhere on the walls was the single word, "Beware."

            No part of the church had been spared:

                        the doors, the windows, the pillars and pulpit,

                                    the altar, even the Bible that rested on the lectern.

 

"Beware."

 

Scratched in large letters and small,

            in pencil and pen and paint of every conceivable color.

                        Wherever the eye rested one could see the words,

                                    Beware, beware, beware, beware . . .

 

Shocking.  Irritating.  Confusing.  Fascinating.  Terrifying.

            What were they supposed to beware of?

                        It did not say.

                                    It just said, "Beware."

 

The first impulse of the people

            was to wipe out every trace of the defilement,

                        this sacrilege..

 

They were restrained from doing this only by the thought

            that it was Jesus himself who had done this deed.

 

Now that mysterious word "beware"

            began to sink into the minds of the people each time they came to church.

 

They began to beware of the Scriptures,

            so they were able to profit from the Scriptures

                        without falling into bigotry.

The began to beware of Sacraments,

            so they were sanctified without become superstitious.

 

The priest began to beware of his power over the people,

            so he was able to help without controlling.

 

And everyone began to beware of religion

            which can lead the unwary to self-righteousness.

 

They became law-abiding,

            yet were compassionate to the weak.

 

They began to beware of prayer,

            so it no longer stopped them from becoming self-reliant.

 

They even began to beware of their notions of God

            so they were able to recognize God

                        outside the narrow confines of their church.

 

They have now inscribed the shocking word

            over the entrance of their church.

                        As you drive past at night you can see it blazing

                                    above the church in multicolored neon lights.

 

"Beware" is not a word that we often associate

            with the season of Advent.

                        It is a season of Hope.

                                    A season of Joy.

                                                A season of consolation.

 

Beware?

 

Well, yes.

            The world is graced.

                        The world is a place to make straight the path of the Lord.

                                    The world is holy, if we are a people who can beware.

 

Thomas Merton once noted that

            the desert becomes paradise

                        when you accept it as the desert.

 

Beware is not an ominous, fearful

            invitation to encounter the Lord.

 

Beware is a grace-filled invitation

            to become more aware of the Lord's presence in our midst.

 

And what a Christmas this will be,

            if we can simply be aware.

 

 

 

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