Dear Parishioners:
Many, many thanks to all who gave to our Sunday of Christmas giving. I don't have an exact total of how much was given, but we received an abundance of food for the pantry's work of serving the poor. We did not receive as many gifts as we did last year, but more food was donated. Hundreds of people will be helped because of your generosity.
Last Tuesday fifteen priests celebrated the sacrament of Penance for hundreds of parishioners. We are blessed that so many men come to help us at these penitential services. It is a beautiful way to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ child.
As we enter these last few days of preparation we should remember that Christmas is not for nice people. Jesus did not come to for nice people. He came for nasty people. He came for liars, cheats, murderers, adulterers, detractors - for people who take each other for granted, let their loved ones down, fail to live up to their commitments - those who cheat on tests, taxes, lie to mom and dad, take money from their purses - for those who come to church only once or twice a year, treat Him minimally, pray only when in trouble, do as little as possible - in short for nasty people, A.K.A. sinners.
The Son of God came for us who are not as bad as we could be and not as good as we ought to be. We are neither angel or devils. We are sinners in need of a Savior. We were promised this Savior from the very beginning of God's revelation. For thousand of years He spoke to the human race of One Who Is To Come. This one would be a mighty king and a suffering servant, a mighty voice, standing mute before His executioners. It is not easy to put God in a box. Our definitions will not work.
This Christmas let us be open for Him. Let us put behind us false expectations about what Christmas is supposed to be like. No one has a Christmas morning like we see on televisions (everyone is dressed, made up, pleasant, and no grabbing for presents). False expectations can ruin a good Christmas. Remember that our memories are often quite selective about Christmases past.
Let us just be open to whatever God wants for us this Christmas. It may not be just what we hoped; on the other hand, it might just a whole lot better. God does things like that, even for nasty people.
God bless
Fr. Bill
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