Search This Blog

Get into the ring! How this works...

This is easy! Each week on Thursday I post my homily idea...my main focus for preaching this coming Sunday. What I am hoping for is a reaction from people in the pews. Does my "focus" connect with your daily life, faith, and experience? Or not? Either affirm the direction I am going in (by giving me an example from your life) or challenge me, ask for clarification! Questions are the best! Reaction rather than reflection is what I'm looking for here. Don't be afraid, get in the ring. Ole!



Saturday, November 28, 2015

Advent I - Nov 29 Homily Prep

-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at www.usccb.org
-check out this weeks LinC letter at www.parishlincletter.blogspot.com
-I will be celebrating mass this weekend at 4:00pm, 8:00am and 6:00pm

Walking the Line, standing on the threshold

The meaning of the word Advent (appearance) has special significance this Advent because of the Jubilee of Mercy that will begin on Dec. 8th.  What it is that is appearing every year in Advent, of course, is the reign of God.  The jubilee image of the Holy Door seems to me to be a great place for us to look to find the reign of God appearing.

You remember the tent or dwelling place that Moses built was a series of partitioned "areas" divided by curtains.  No one could enter the holy of holies and visit with the Lord but Moses.  The temple in Jerusalem was built on this pattern, a set of concentric rooms, separated by gates, doors, curtains.  God's presence was veiled. 

You recall when Jesus was crucified, the veil in the temple was torn in two.  Also, recall the the Lord himself says that I stand at the door and knock. As if your heart and mine is the holy of holies separated from the Lord, on the other side of the door.

I think we are called to live in this era as if the door has been remove and the "opening" the threshold is before us.  In faith we are called to see that the dividing wall between heaven and earth has been destroyed and heaven is right at the threshold, the reign of God is just at hand and we are to live and move in contact with God's Kingdom.

 Is that how your faith operates?  Standing on the threshold of the reign of God.