Several decades ago a story has been told of a young couple in the north shore of England who had wanted a child of their own. Unable to have such they allowed their name to be on a list for years in the hopes of one day being able to adopt a child. Their happy day arrived shortly before Christmas one tender year when a young boy waited in his crib for his new parents.
As they arrived at the adoption service, they heard in a room the muffled cries of what seemed to be a young mother. Aware that they had arrived the compassionate case worker came toward them and walked them into another room where this small boy lay with a days worth of clothes and diapers in a small bag beside. As the parents gushed over their new child they noticed in the crib was also a pair of letters - one from the child’s mother to the adoptive parents and the other addressed to the child himself.
With the letter to the parents were the simple words of thanks and a request that when the boy turned 18 years of age he be told of this letter - which did not share any details of who the birth mother was but simply had a message. The parents agreed to never share the name, but yes they would give the letter. As the new proud parents left the agency they spoke about what they would have written in such a letter.
"I wonder what she wrote? "They asked each other. "If I had to condense all I feel about life and love into a few precious words what would I say?" They inquired of each other. "I would have no time for trivia. I would not be concerned about economics, politics, the weather, the size of house or the type of car. At such a time I would want to dwell on what life was all about and what things were absolutely essential."
John the Baptist in our Gospel today started going around trying to get people to be on track - to not miss the mark - to focus on what really matters in the course of life The second candle on our advent wreath beckons not only more light - but also an urgent call - time is fleeting. And while the message might be the same as Black Friday sales conclude and 50% off sales begins - the message of urgency speaks not of the number of shopping days - but the fleeting passing of time. For we do not know what the future holds - we know only the passing moments of today.
The letter to the Romans in the Second Reading proclaims a clear but close message when it invites us to be steadfast in encouragement, welcoming and in the service to another.
• We see this in our parish theme of Kindness this Advent - the desire to look for ways to demonstrate kindness in the midst of the busyness and demands of our day.
• We see this in our Red Stocking Campaign as we seek to reach out and make a difference in one school community in Africa where school supplies make possible a lunch program which results in learning.
• We see this in our commitment to Haiti and the water system we have made possible allowing a hospital to care for those in most urgent need and in the Milk Bag Mats we send, the support we give to the mission we support.
• We see this in our openness to aiding in the relief work in the Philippines - helping a nation recover.
• We see this in the openness of our Neighbourhood Ministry which is seeking to help some 160 children this Christmas by collecting a simple toy and making it available to them.
It’s the core of what we do. It is at the heart of what we are about. It is Faithfulness to Who God Made Us to Be.
And yet Isaiah (1st Reading) remind us that at times we fail to truly understand what we are about
There was a man who went to the doctor and after his physical took place he said to the doctor who was a family friend “ I am really concerned about my wife, I don’t think she is feeling too well and I know she is having problems with her hearing.” The doctor, concerned, because he knew her, said “well if you are really that worried I will get my nurse to go and see her and we will check it out. But, in the meantime there are a few simple things you can do in order to determine just how bad her hearing loss is .”
When you walk in the door tonight - some 40 feet way - normal conversational tone - ask a simple question. And if you don’t get a response then move in 30 feet, and then 20 feet etc.... The man thought that was a great idea and so when he got home he walked in the door and asked “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved into the living room and asked again “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved into the dinning room and asked “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved into the kitchen and asked again “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved right behind her and asked “What’s for supper” - and she said “ Oh Harry, for the 5th time we are having chicken.”
Sometime we get confused about where the issue really is, and who really has the issue and what the heart of the matter is truly all about.
So the second candle is lite - what can’t you see yet ?
• Is there anything in your life right now which is preventing you from getting to the heart of the matter - and see who ....what...really matters?
• Are there things in your schedule, processes in your life, policies on your radar, that are hampering you from sincerely serving the one who matters
• Have you surrounded yourself with choices, company, commitments, conversations which take away the scent of goodness and kindness from your life
The Sacrament of Reconciliation this coming Thursday at 7:00pm is a good way to start
This year "kids" of all ages want the Apple Mac Book Air, the iPhone 5s, the Xbox-One, a Kindle Fire, or Play Station 4. These gifts will be used and will enhance for a time. But might I suggest a greater gift - ensure the ones you love have your time and help them, ans yourself, keep focused on what really matters this Advent Season - because its the heart of the matter.
As they arrived at the adoption service, they heard in a room the muffled cries of what seemed to be a young mother. Aware that they had arrived the compassionate case worker came toward them and walked them into another room where this small boy lay with a days worth of clothes and diapers in a small bag beside. As the parents gushed over their new child they noticed in the crib was also a pair of letters - one from the child’s mother to the adoptive parents and the other addressed to the child himself.
With the letter to the parents were the simple words of thanks and a request that when the boy turned 18 years of age he be told of this letter - which did not share any details of who the birth mother was but simply had a message. The parents agreed to never share the name, but yes they would give the letter. As the new proud parents left the agency they spoke about what they would have written in such a letter.
"I wonder what she wrote? "They asked each other. "If I had to condense all I feel about life and love into a few precious words what would I say?" They inquired of each other. "I would have no time for trivia. I would not be concerned about economics, politics, the weather, the size of house or the type of car. At such a time I would want to dwell on what life was all about and what things were absolutely essential."
John the Baptist in our Gospel today started going around trying to get people to be on track - to not miss the mark - to focus on what really matters in the course of life The second candle on our advent wreath beckons not only more light - but also an urgent call - time is fleeting. And while the message might be the same as Black Friday sales conclude and 50% off sales begins - the message of urgency speaks not of the number of shopping days - but the fleeting passing of time. For we do not know what the future holds - we know only the passing moments of today.
The letter to the Romans in the Second Reading proclaims a clear but close message when it invites us to be steadfast in encouragement, welcoming and in the service to another.
• We see this in our parish theme of Kindness this Advent - the desire to look for ways to demonstrate kindness in the midst of the busyness and demands of our day.
• We see this in our Red Stocking Campaign as we seek to reach out and make a difference in one school community in Africa where school supplies make possible a lunch program which results in learning.
• We see this in our commitment to Haiti and the water system we have made possible allowing a hospital to care for those in most urgent need and in the Milk Bag Mats we send, the support we give to the mission we support.
• We see this in our openness to aiding in the relief work in the Philippines - helping a nation recover.
• We see this in the openness of our Neighbourhood Ministry which is seeking to help some 160 children this Christmas by collecting a simple toy and making it available to them.
It’s the core of what we do. It is at the heart of what we are about. It is Faithfulness to Who God Made Us to Be.
And yet Isaiah (1st Reading) remind us that at times we fail to truly understand what we are about
There was a man who went to the doctor and after his physical took place he said to the doctor who was a family friend “ I am really concerned about my wife, I don’t think she is feeling too well and I know she is having problems with her hearing.” The doctor, concerned, because he knew her, said “well if you are really that worried I will get my nurse to go and see her and we will check it out. But, in the meantime there are a few simple things you can do in order to determine just how bad her hearing loss is .”
When you walk in the door tonight - some 40 feet way - normal conversational tone - ask a simple question. And if you don’t get a response then move in 30 feet, and then 20 feet etc.... The man thought that was a great idea and so when he got home he walked in the door and asked “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved into the living room and asked again “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved into the dinning room and asked “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved into the kitchen and asked again “What’s for supper ?”. He didn’t get a response so he moved right behind her and asked “What’s for supper” - and she said “ Oh Harry, for the 5th time we are having chicken.”
Sometime we get confused about where the issue really is, and who really has the issue and what the heart of the matter is truly all about.
So the second candle is lite - what can’t you see yet ?
• Is there anything in your life right now which is preventing you from getting to the heart of the matter - and see who ....what...really matters?
• Are there things in your schedule, processes in your life, policies on your radar, that are hampering you from sincerely serving the one who matters
• Have you surrounded yourself with choices, company, commitments, conversations which take away the scent of goodness and kindness from your life
The Sacrament of Reconciliation this coming Thursday at 7:00pm is a good way to start
This year "kids" of all ages want the Apple Mac Book Air, the iPhone 5s, the Xbox-One, a Kindle Fire, or Play Station 4. These gifts will be used and will enhance for a time. But might I suggest a greater gift - ensure the ones you love have your time and help them, ans yourself, keep focused on what really matters this Advent Season - because its the heart of the matter.