Why did you say " I do" ?

Last week while walking on the school yard of one of our schools I noticed in the distance the obvious body language between two Grade 8 boys that indicated they were about to re enact a royal rumble! Power walking over to the site of what could become the next World Wrestling Federation Match I stumbled upon two young men angry at each other. When I asked them - so why are so angry at each other - they both in unison replied “ I don’t know!” and then the telling comment “we have never liked each other.” My replied was instant “Why?”. Their reply very telly “ we don’t know”.

Can you relate? Do you have anyone in your circle of life who well - you just don’t like them - and you don’t know why? Or you had an argument with them - years ago - and to be honest - you can’t even remember over what or maybe even now see how unimportant it really is!

For the last two weeks - since the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - we have been focussing on the invitation listed by God’s word to “Accept the Challenge”.  Sometimes we have accepted the challenge, or are even being told to accept the challenge - that - well we forget why!

To Accept the Challenge - we have been discovering - is to well - be Alive - show signs of Christ’s life in us; its been about ensuring that others know Christ is still alive because of us.

• Christ Himself accepted that challenge as He accepted “Who He Was and Whose He Was”
• Christ Himself accepted that challenge by often praying in order to stay close to the Father.
• Christ Himself accepted that challenge by not living in coincidence but by seeing moments of life as “God winks” occasions when He was called to give hope.

This is the challenge of discipleship which we are called to live - it’s the call we are challenged to accept - to be His hand when another needs it as we build the Church. For, as we know - this is no Holy Huddle - but a place of Holiness, in the presence of Holiness, to become a people of Holiness.

But I guess, now we come - to the How? Well today’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21) has Christ going into the synagogue on the Sabbath and proclaiming that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him. These are pretty strong words of acceptance!

• Christ, who at His Baptism accepted Who He was!
• Christ, who in His Mission sought times to pray.
• Christ, who in His daily walk of life - looked for moments not coincidences - but when He could make a difference in the life of another and share hope.
• Christ, who on His Sabbath gathered among the faithful in the place of worship to grow in holiness.
• Christ who says to you and me that the reason He was able to do these things was because He accepted that God’s Spirit was upon Him! - do you ?

Do you believe that God has invited you with your gifts to be someone unique?

Do you accepted that God has infused you with a talent that will make a difference?

Do you accent to the fact that God created you not only to know Him, and love Him, and serve Him but to make a difference in the life of at least one other person - in His name !

That is what Christ believed - are we not His followers, disciples? Should we not believe that? Is that not the challenge we are called to accept?

O, but Father, you might say, I am doing that - been a member of a group for 40 years - done that - I checked that off my list long time ago?

Really now - so when Jesus healed the first blind man, when He made the first deaf person hear, when the first man who was lame walked away after His miracle - was He done? Did Christ check it off His list - or did He keep looking?

That is what Christ did - are we not His followers, disciples? Should we not do that? Is that not the challenge we are called to accept?

We must build into our lives moments to stop and think ! To not always just “get it done”, “finish it off”, “just do it”, but occasions to allow the scripture to be fulfilled in your hearing! To allow His will for us to be accomplished - His challenge to not only be accepted - but met and fulfilled!

This week had occasion to go to our local nursing home. Following Mass I went and visited one of our residents who did not come down for Mass. Lovely lady who was feeble. Her husband was in the room and soon her daughter came as well. We had a nice visit, but during it the elderly lady became physically ill. As she recovered and all was well again the daughter began to call for the nurses to come and clean up a bit. The husband got up and began to clean. The daughter said - dad - stop that - no need for you do clean up after mom - that is what the nurses are for. The husband paused - “really, they did not say I do - I was the one who did - and this is what I meant.”

When you say “I do”, when you accept the challenge of discipleship - what do you mean?

“ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:14-21)

That is what Christ said. Are we not His followers, disciples? Should we not do that? Is that not the challenge we are called to accept?

This week - will you try and make a difference - allow the Spirit of the Lord to work thru you - don’t check it off when you think it has been done - just keep doing it - cause if you do - not only will your remember why you said “ I do” - but it will be full filled in your presence.

Is God Winking ?

Does anyone know Christ is alive because of me ? That was the question we were invited last week to ask ourselves everyday this past week as we looked at whether or not we are still alive in our commitment to Christ! Hope you did it ! Hope you are alive !

Being alive - well - is what we accepted at Baptism - to be alive in our commitment to serve Him, to love Him, to know Him. Remember - we can’t be that cool uncle who says yes to everything - we have to stand for something ! We have to “Accept the Challenge” - apply the truths of our faith to family, friendships and future. Last week we touched on how we must know who we are and whose we are and we must make sure we pray often in order to stay close to the Lord.

A classmate of mine got a new book for Christmas! “ When God Winks at You.” He has not read a page of it - well because, fascinated by the title, I’m reading it ! It is a book of stories about amazing coincidences that happen in people’s lives. The author makes the assertion that there are no coincidences. There are only "God winks."

God winks are those moments when God is sending you a direct personal message. It is a fun book to read. There is power in a wink. When someone winks at you, it is a sign, a form of communication, a non-verbal message: “I am with you, I am thinking about you.” Sometimes a wink says, “Trust me; it is going to be alright.” Coincidences are really God’s way of winking at you and me, reassuring us, guiding us, comforting us, speaking to us, or giving us hope. We often use the phrase “that was just a God thing,” meaning “that had to be more than just a coincidence.” We have all had unexpected moments of insight, direction, reassurance, and comfort. Those are God winks.

In the Gospel of today (John 2:1-12), Jesus is an invited Guest at a wedding. Now the unimaginable happens - especially if your Portuguese - they run out of wine ! Goodness Gracious ! So He ministers to the family - is there for them - performs His first miracle. Now here is my question - was that a coincidence that He was there? Is it a coincidence that we are here ?Is it a coincidence that you work where you do? Is it a coincidence that people come into your life when they do? Is it a coincidence that your best friend is who he? Or a coincidence that your children have been entrusted to you?

We are here, at this time, in this moment, on this occasion - well not by coincidence - but for a reason! Thing is - we have to accept that - we have to will that ! See Last week when Jesus heard (Luke 3.15-16, 21-22) “ You are my Son the beloved, with you I am well pleased”. Well, He had to accept that ! He could have walked away from the baptismal site - well that was odd - thought I heard a voice from heaven!

We could walk away from Church today saying - well that was alright - got to see and sing with friends! Sometimes we can’t help but want to hear the words “The Mass is ended” in order to be first out the door! Remember we meet on the Lord’s Day Weekend not in a Holy Huddle: but in a Place of Holiness in the Presence of Holiness to become People of Holiness. Or we can say - I accept - the challenge - to be alive this week ! To make Him know, to make a difference, to make His name know - to stand for something !

“Do what ever He tells you” - was Mary’s words in the Gospel of today - are they ours ? Are you alive enough to want to learn what He tells us ? Or do you just think - well - it something I have to do - and life - well its all a coincidence ?

This past week I had the great joy of spending a full day with the young people in our Grade 1 classes of our two parish elementary schools. Over 120 young faces, full of energy and smiles. It was amazing, it was elevating, it was stimulating, it was inspirational - - it was exhausting !!!

That evening as I was staring at the television screen, my mind went to the first time I visited Grade 1's as a priest. It was in Georgetown and the young teacher was so amazing to me in her kindness, gentleness and yet firmness with her class of students. I walked in and was greeted with smiles, a few hugs and just before beginning the teacher took me aside and said “ O, Father, we have a new student, Noah." Then with a very low voice and close to my ear ; “ He has only one hand Father, and this is his third day here."

I spoke with the children, joked with them and I got carried away with the visit, the moment, thinking this is awesome, that I played a simple game that forever changed how I see a wink. You know the game, when you put your hands together - clasp them - this is the church, this is the steeple, open them up, here are the people. As I was playing it, showing it, and then were following, it dawned on me. Noah! One hand! O Goodness Gracious ! Glancing over, hoping he was ok. I was the one humbled! A little girl had snuggled over to him, classmate, new friend of only three days had lent her hand and they were doing it together. A coincidence? No! That was a God wink.

Are you alive ? Have you accepted who you are and whose you are? Are you willing to permit God’s naming of you as His beloved child to make a difference in your life, and are you willing to learn about Him so that you can do what He tells you ? Pay attention to things you call a coincidence. It may be God winking at you. Accept the Challenge and Him!

You Alive ? Are you alive ?

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. At Baptism we begin a journey that opens our hearts and lives. There is an old joke told about St. Peter who we traditionally have said greets all the new arrivals into heaven. Well one day he was greeting, and got a bit tired of the usual questions and so decided to ask instead the following question:

“What would you like your family to say about you at your funeral service?”

The first person said : “I would like them to say I lived a most useful life as a doctor and dad.” The second person replied: “I was an excellent school teacher, wife and mother.” The third person quickly stated:“ I did my best, loved them and cherished them. That they appreciated me.” The fourth person indicated: “ I was wonderful, in fact totally perfect, and never made a mistake.”Then came the last person: “I would like them to say, ‘Look! He is still alive!’”

There is always evidence of life if we are moving. As Christians, there should also be signs of Christ’s life in us. That Christ left the splendor of heaven, to endure the squalor of earth, is a sign; A sign of His love. A sign of His life. But what are the signs? The signs of our love for Christ?

In the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord we are reminded that at Baptism - we “Accept the Challenge” to apply the truths of our faith to family, friendships, and future. The challenges they present, and the call to accept they beckon, will give us all true wisdom. So over the next couple of weeks I wonder if we could review what we accepted - The Creed - and ask ourselves - are we still alive ? When it comes to our faith - are their signs of life ?

I have to share with you the best email I received this Christmas Season. To be fully honest - it went into my spam folder at first - and I was checking in it and found this one. It came from a visitor who was with us several Sundays around Christmas:

“I wanted to write and thank your parish for the wonderful welcome I received. It started in the parking lot. (You need a new parking lot by the way Father). It was full - someone walked my car and I over to the pool parking lot and said - you can park here. Then it was when I came in. The Church was full, one of the ushers gently said - we have a large Parish Centre, you can sit there - they walked me over. What a wonderful place for me and my kids - bit loud - but an adventure. Then it happened after Mass. You wanted to know my name. You said your new, then the following week you remembered me. When I came to St Mary’s - well let’s just say it had been a lot of years since I came to a Catholic Church. I wasn’t looking for Church ... I was looking for Christ, and I found him in your parish.”

We should exhibit signs in our lives (public / private) that show our love and that demonstrate Whose life we seek to model. Prayer, Small Groups, Adoration, Bible reading, our offerings, resisting personal temptation. But how do people recognize that we are God’s Ambassadors in the world? That is what Baptism calls us to It is not enough to serve in secret. We have to live the lifestyle.  We meet on the Lord’s Day Weekend not in a Holy Huddle: but in a Place of Holiness in the Presence of Holiness to become People of Holiness.

So the Gospel of Today (Luke 3.15-16, 21-22) tells us three quick things and I want to touch one two of them this week and the last next week

1. Jesus knew who He was. At His Baptism in the river Jordan He heard: “Your are my Son, the Beloved” We have to accept who we are, and whose we are. Sure we want people to say nice things about us - after we have died - and even while we are living. We all have that temptation. But our faith, and religion, can not be like that cool uncle who let you do whatever you wanted - smoke, drink, take out the car even though mom and dad said no. We loved him as a kids or a teen, but when we got older and see life for what it is - we realized how lame he was because he stood for nothing but went along with everything.

Sometimes we have to say - “I can’t”, “ I won’t”, “ Not now”. The Nerve to Serve, but also that never to stand up for whom we serve. We have to know who we are and what we are ! Plain and simple. We have to live the lifestyle of Christ - do you ?

2. Jesus prayed often. Now I have often wondered, why would the Son of God - the Font of Holiness - need to pray?” Only one reason: To stay close to the Father.

Luke’s Gospel records 9 times Christ prays. He wanted time: At His Baptism, After a Day of Miracles, Before Choosing the Disciples, Before the Prediction of His Death. On the Mountain at the Transfiguration. Before Teaching the Disciples the Lord’s Prayer. While the 70 Returned from their Missions. In the Garden of Gethsemane. On the Cross before His Death. In the daybreak ... At the sunset ... Great achievements were preceded by prayer. Great sorrows were met with prayer. Jesus died praying! If the Lord of Glory needed prayer ... What does that say about us? We don’t have the capacity to deal with life outside of prayer (Luke 18:1). Are you losing heart? Is it because you are not praying?

Ok - so - You Alive ? Are you alive ? I want to ask you to try something this week: It will not hurt and will take only a bit longer than a flu shot ( but less painful). I want you to ask yourself one simple question for 15 minutes everyday this week: Does anyone know Christ is alive because of me ? Maybe even write down the answer. Pray with it, allow the answer to help you know who you are and whose you are.

Years ago at Ontario Place in Toronto a large ship was docked and people use to go for tours on this. The engine was gone. A souvenir shop was on the deck. Actors were the officers and crew. One of the greatest ship that ever went to sea, was now the greatest ship to come and see. But what I remember about that ship most was a simple plaque that read “ The great things that used to happen here.”

Do they say because of us in our private lives that, as far as Christ is concerned, great things use to happen with Him, or do they say because of us - “Look! He is still alive!’”

Come Experience Christmas

The other day I made the biggest mistake - or so it seemed - of my entire life! I went to Toys R Us a few days before Christmas ! O my goodness - the chaos, the bedlam, the sheer madness. I should have known it was going to be an experience and a half  for as I was walking in, people were walking out with the dazed look that simply yelled out “run for your life while you can.”

As I made my way thru the isles of toys, bumped past shopping cards abandoned almost in a sense of hopelessness, as I paused every few minutes - well for oxygen - I finally encountered another exasperated adult who just looked at me and said “ Wow, Toys R Us must live for this day, it must be everything they prepare for all year round”.

First, let me say - I survived Toys R Us - barely - but I survived. Second, I discovered something: that even at Toys R Us there is a Christmas Lesson - and here it is: Christmas - We live for this day! It must be everything we prepare for !

Its so true ! We don’t come on Christmas to observe or even just celebrate with carols and hymns. As Disciples of Jesus we come on Christmas to Experience :

■ to experience hope in the night

■ to experience a peace which surpasses chaos

■ an overwhelming experience of God’s love

Now we have spent Advent waiting - for some that waiting may have shown itself in a little hint, an elbow or nudge here and there, hoping for a gift to be under the tree. But for others - there has been a deeper longing:

 waiting for a new job or financial security

 waiting for a new home or an acceptance letter into a college, university

 waiting for a new relationship or to repair the one that we have

 waiting for a new year - 2013 gotta be better than 2012

 waiting for suffering to end or grief to subside

 waiting for life to make sense, or our world to calm down

 waiting for hope, peace

 waiting for an answer to the ultimate question - Why?

Maybe we have come - and well - chaos has been a partner this year with us; maybe not as bad as the chaos at Toy R Us - or maybe worse. So Christmas is here !

Have you come to just observe?

Have you come to just celebrate ?

Have you come to just survive? - or maybe - just maybe - you have come to experience!

★ The hope of Christ which is ours if we seek it

★ That unspeakable joy of Christ which is ours if we claim

★ That unquenchable love of Christ which is ours if we make it our own

But we have to choose to experience it !

We come to truly experience Christmas because - well simply - because We live for this day! It must be everything we prepare for ! It is an eternal gift!

Tyler and Timmy, five year old twins, were sitting in their beds getting ready one night for their dad to come in and tuck them into sleep. Dad was a bit delayed because he was helping mom put their new born baby brother to sleep and it was taking a few minutes.

Tyler said to Timmy. "Mom and Dad seem happy with our new baby brother." "Ya," said Timmy, "but I think they were hoping for a girl." "Oh" said Tyler, "I see - well why don’t they return him and get a girl instead?" "Na" said Timmy - "we can’t return him - we have used him too much already."

God’s great gift - His only Son - Jesus Christ - is not a gift He will take back. His Light Shines...even in the sadness and madness of our world today. No Fiscal Cliff will cause the gift to be returned. No Madness in a Sandy Hook will cause Him to be extinguished and returned. His Light Shines...even in the sadness and madness of our world today. Jesus is here. We gather because His Light Shines - born in the manger - here for you and for me - - not to use, or just to observe or even celebrate with or about - but to fully experience.

Come experience Him this Christmas - don’t just use this gift - live it the gift - and do so in Hope. Hope in the experience of Christmas - it is found in hope with Christ! My prayer for you this Christmas - well its simple:

That just like on that first Christmas morning - as the angels came hovering, the star came shining over that simple manger - that God’s Holy Spirit will hover over your family this Christmas. That you will experience - truly experience Christmas - with its hope, with its light, with its joy, with its peace. 'Cause if my prayer is heard - well - this will be your best Christmas !

We Need His Light Like Never Before

On Thursday evening following our Advent Reconciliation Service, a mother and her small child remained in the Church. The mother was finishing her prayers and the child, a familiar face, was walking around as I returned chairs to their spots and extinguished candles. As I did his little voice blurted: “So what happens when the candles go out?” I paused, smiled and asked: “What do you mean ?” “On the wreath”, he quickly replied “I see you lite them, but what happens when the lights go out?” "Well”, I replied, “Advent goes on because of our prayers continue.”

This Friday, as we went about our Advent days and prayers - at 9:30am at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The lights went out. Not blown out by someone re arranging chairs, but blown out by an act of insanity and evil. A senseless crime which extinguished innocent lives at the start of their journey bringing to a conclusion the promised light which they could have brought to our world.

The unspeakable anger and bitterness within a human heart to have done this.

The destructiveness and danger of evil which is no respecter of the innocent.

The terrifying anguish and absolute heart breaking sorrow being experienced by families.

The myriad and plethora of questions which arise for each of us

The magnitude and scope of the sorrow which surface for all touched by this unspeakable crime.

The multiple and numerous lives which are forever affected

All of this is beyond what we can see, sense or even surface for ourselves.

We sat as the news broke with the re echoing question which seems to arise at moments such as these - "How could God allow such a horrific tragedy?" We may never discover the answer this side of heaven, but we know tragedy grieves the heart of God very deeply. Yet this we also do know - our light too has been shaken. Thought not intimately affected

■ Which of us on Friday after hearing the news did not call a loved one to ensure their safety?

■ Which of us entrusted with the care of children did not in our mind reflect what we could have done or would have done had we been faced with this evil act in our midst?

■ Which of us when the details came out did not think over our experiences at the same age and wonder if our lives today would be different if we had experienced what those in Newtown have?

■ Which of us when news reports brought more detail did not pause and ask ourselves - what is happening to our world and how did it get this way ?

Our light still shines, but it has been shaken.

Here we are Third week of Advent....The Way to Bethlehem has changed.... its not here we go again anymore. Or wait - in some ways it is

- the sadness of these Holy Innocents in Newtown and their grieving families is a wale heard before

- the shock and sigh of leaders, educators, first responders has been echoed before

- the shatteredness of lives which has ricocheted has been in view before

And that is why - this is purely and truly why - We need Advent, and Christmas, like never before. We all seek the same things we did when we started this journey to Bethlehelm, yet especially in this hour, the same goodness, the same strength and blessed comfort of the same God is something we need more than ever. They are needed today, tomorrow and over the days ahead in a fashion like we have never needed them before. Even more than they were at yesterday's dawn, in the midst of grief, anxiety, longing - there is something else - a desperation for that Light which can only come from above.

We need Advent, and Christmas, like never before. So we lite our Pink Candle - its symbolic of Joy and Hope. Let’s not miss Christmas Let’s not let Advent go by. Let’s not become halted by darkness, startled by the flash that occurs when a light goes out. Let’s lite the candles on the wreath, again and again and again, because we need it. Let’s string more lights on our tree this year then ever before, because we need it. Let’s permit our spirit even in darkness and sadness to be joy and  hope bound, because we need it - more than ever!

As my young friend’s mother finished her prayers and came to collect him in the midst of his questions about the candle going out, his final query was the most challenging. “Does it not become scary in darkness when all the lights are out in the church?” Pausing for a moment determining whether I should address his misunderstanding that I do not sleep in the back pew each night, I decided instead to say.

“Not all the lights go out." Pointing toward the red tabernacle candle I said “ that one is always on, because Jesus is always here.”

Today that is what we celebrate That is why we gather. That is what (who) we hope in. That His eternal, everlasting, never extinguishable Light is Here. It has not gone out - no act of evil can ever do that. May the Eucharist, our gathering, our prayer, our common strength, resolve and purpose - not only make a difference. May it also help us not miss the true light of Advent, and Christmas, We need like never before.

Advent - it will go - F.A.S.T.

Two weeks ago some 40 people from our parish set off “On the Way to Bethlehem”. Now before you think a secret trip to bring about world peace has been going on thru the parish - it was actually to a fantastic display in Milton. It was put together by the area Churches and was not only very well done, but it was a reminder of that first journey. Though it was a frigid evening, and some struggle along the way - that too was a testament to what it must have been like.

Each year, during the season of Advent, the Church sets off on a journey. We begin to prepare our hearts and our minds for the coming of the Christ-child, so that this time He will have a proper place to be born. We think we know the way to Bethlehem; we can find it on the map, it's not that far from Jerusalem, by today's standards; shouldn't be a problem we think to ourselves.

But the problem is that so much has changed since our last visit. A whole year has passed, a year that brought many changes in our lives, some of them good, some of them not so good, some of them heartbreaking and others maybe groundbreaking. The geographic map of life has changed, and even old familiar places and faces don't seem the same any more. So maybe we could use a little help in finding our way back to Bethlehem this year. That is, if you still want to go.

See the freedom of the Season of Advent is that we can decide if we still want to go to Bethlehem. Sure we want Christmas - who wouldn’t want the modern Christmas of today - glitter, gifts, glee, but Advent reminds us that as Disciples of the Lord the Bethlehem we are travelling toward is not always all Merry and Nice. Sure there will be moments of egg nog cheer. Yes there will be occasions of wrappings and lights. Totally the times when we will share joy will be there. But let’s not forget that in our travel, well it has to be about Him too! And if its going to be about Him - let me just say to you that Advent with its four short weeks will go F.A.S.T. and sure enough that is the way to Bethlehem - FAST

It has to be about Forgiveness. Rejoicing in the pardon and peace with only God can give, putting aside the resentment we feel, the anger we have, the hatred we sense toward others and even events since we last walked this way.

It has to be about Adoration. Rejoicing in the presence of God - taking time for prayer. Taking time to pray for an understanding of all that has happened since we were on this road a year ago.

It has to be about Surrender. Giving over the map to the Lord - letting Him set the pace, allowing Him to share the burden of the journey and provide not only the rest stops but also the thru ways.

It has to be about Tenderness. Walking with a heart that is willing to see the least, the lost, the lonely and give from our abundance - knowing that there is an old saying that is ever so true - if you want to receive a blessing - than be a blessing!

So come on, grab your Red Stocking, walk side by side with me along. We are off to Bethlehem - it won’t require a plane or a visa. It won’t require a time change or even luggage. But I promise you if you are true to it - it will go FAST

Let us make this way - Advent - the way to Bethlehem - and let’s Forgive, Adore Him, Surrender often and be Tender many times. I promise you - at the end of it all - when the angels call our name - it will be the best Manger you have ever seen !

Advent - Here We Go Again!

Here we go again !

If your honest that feeling, that sentiment, that statement has popped into your head. The month of December has arrived, the signs of the Season are around us, jingles are in the air and department store flyers are in our mailboxes. Here we go again ! It’s a natural feeling. We all fall victim to it. The hectic pace of the weeks to come, and all there is to do, make us say it. But alas, this is why we have Advent!

Advent, is our spiritual “getting ready” for Christmas period. We try to put into four weeks all the hoping, longing, preparing. In Advent, wait for Jesus:

...We wait for His grace and mercy, sure to come;

...We wait for Him to answer our prayers, sure He will, but unsure when, where, or how;

...We wait for reasons to explain suffering, struggle, and worries;

...We wait for Him to call us to be with Him for all eternity.

And, lest we forget, the Lord waits for us!

...Jesus waits for us to open up to His grace and mercy;

...Jesus waits for us to admit that, as a matter of fact, we do need a Savior!

...Jesus waits for us to admit that He is the answer to the questions our lives of searching pose.

...Jesus waits for our ultimate return to Him, for He “has gone to prepare a place for us.”

But waiting is a pain - we like action ! We prefer motion, movement. We get irritable if we have to wait in line, or for an appoinment, or even in traffic. So why do we wait ?

This week I went to the bank. I am sorry to report that the Bank was not giving out any free samples! I became perplexed, however, as I walked into the bank. I couldn’t figure it out. There was a Secuirty Guard there - just sitting - seemingly waiting and watching. Why I wondered - what are they looking for ? Who are they looking for. So, being the shy bashful person that I am - I asked him “What are you waiting for?” As the guard, whose name I discovered was Alex, stood in the freezing cold of last Friday night, he replied "I don’t know Father ! But when I see it - I will know!"

We are waiting.and in the busyness, in the “here we go again” moment, we don’t sometimes know for what. Yet in the waiting is the very arrival.Waiting makes us, alert, attentive, aware. It makes us  poised, prepared, present. It makes us focussed and above all it forces us to "savour for a saviour". 

Just like someone - “on guard” even during the frigid cold - duty bound, honour committed, we too as His Disciples - are invited to be waiting for that moment - that chance, that conversation, that casual encounter - where He will make Himself known, more clearly understood, more firmly focussed in our life ! The wait might make us say - here we go again. But in the wait is once again - that encounter with the Lord - parallelled by the Magi & Shepherds - that will help us see and be - His light!  

I sincerely hope that this Advent, you won’t mind the wait, even if at times you are not sure you know what you are waiting for - See Christ does:

He will use this wait to bless you - if you simply use the wait

He will use this wait to encourage you - if you simply don’t waste the wait

He will use this wait to bring you closer to Him - if you simply don’t worry about the wait

Just be determined this Advent to know that deep down inside, cradled in the soul, where no one but the One who counts can detect, is a moment for which God is waiting to be re-born in your life. We just have to wait to see it - embrace it and maybe even accept it. Advent can do that.

So here is your homework - for the next four weeks:

- when the traffic gets packed

- when the shopping line gets long

- when the picking up of your newspaper required chiracpractor care because of its thinkness

- when the extent of your patience is frilled

- when the desire to scream is real

Don’t say - "here we go again" - or worst - but rather - "Come, Lord Jesus!” - it will make the wait truly worth it !