Advent 2009
Dear Parishioners at Christ the Redeemer,
In our Advent gospel today, Luke shares the joyful visit of Mary with her cousin Elizabeth. Mary, having received the Word of life, immediately sets out to celebrate God's fidelity which has been shown to each of the women. Mary, as first believer in the Church, goes as the first preaching evangelist through the hill country. In their greeting, they bless God who has filled them with life, which they recognize in one another. Their sons Jesus and John dance within them on hearing the Word proclaimed by these faithful women of the scripture.
That same Word of life which Mary and Elizabeth shared is my Christmas hope and greeting for all who share our community life. Weekly we gather on the Lord's Day to hear, receive, and celebrate God's Word. In our religious formation programs, we again receive and study that Word in greater detail. Like Mary, the Word is not, however, given for us alone. Rather God's Word urges us to share and bring it, so that others may come know the presence of God. May that Word, which is Jesus among us, be the cause of our joy and peace.
It is no small detail in Luke's gospel that Mary goes as a preacher and evangelist, in that she brings the Word outside of herself. The Advent prophecies about highways being leveled and curved roads made strait are seen as Mary, newly pregnant with a child, dances over the mountains to bring Good News to the poor in the person of her cousin Elizabeth. The generosity of Christ the Redeemer community is well known and long standing for its outreach to the poor and needy of our area. Like Mary we are blessed to be bringers of Good News to our world. May we be blessed in these encounters with our neighbors.
Soon we shall hear of the shepherds and kings, of God's glory shown all about, and of a quiet Virgin bringing forth light into our world. Through the year of grace just passed we can see ourselves as seekers of Christ among us. We have rejoiced in the glory of God which has embraced us. Like Mary we have sat in contemplation of Christ with us, around us, and among us. I am grateful for the opportunity to have preached and heard the Word with you. Together we have been "God-bearers" to one another and to our world. On behalf of the Atonement Friars, Padre Lino, and the entire staff of the parish I wish you a happy and holy Christmas.
