Homily for the Week of December 11, 2011

December 11, 2011, Third Sunday of Advent
Mass readings: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/ 1 Thes 5:16-24 / Jn 1:6-8, 19-28


As you prepare for Christmas many of you may have either heard or even sung the traditional Christmas carol “Little Drummer Boy.” While it was first sung by Bing Crosby over 50 years ago it is a simple song which consists of no less than 21 pa rum pum pum pums. The song became the basis for several shows and plays and a children’s book. The simple song is the story of a little boy who wanted to give baby Jesus a special gift. He was a poor boy and so had no gift to bring Jesus. So he goes to the stable and he offered the baby Jesus all that he had to give — his music --the pa rum pum pum pum on his drum. Jesus’ mother nodded, the ox and lamb kept time. It was a humble gift that came from the heart.

On this weekend we again have the story of John the Baptist who, like the little drummer boy came to prepare a way for Jesus and bring joy to the world. John the Baptist set out to change the world. He came to bring us a message of hope. Because of John many were brought to their faith. During this Advent season you and I have also been encouraged to witness our faith, especially when we witness to the connection of Christmas to Christ.

Our Gospel today is written by St. John. St. John never calls John “the Baptist.” The people kept asking John: Who are you? All John offered was who he was not: “I am not the Messiah, not Elijah, and not the prophet.” When pressed, John still did not say who he was; he only offered his role: “I am the one crying out in the wilderness.”

John the Baptist does tell us that he is not Jesus but he is a witness to Jesus. The word witness comes from the Greek word for martyr. We use martyr to mean someone who has died for their faith. In a real sense, John has given up his life in this passage. Although he has not been killed, by offering no clue to his personal identity John makes clear that his sole focus and purpose is to make an announcement: “One is coming after me.” John also urges us to be prepared.

Like with John the Baptist we are often asked: Who are you? This is a question each of us must answer. It can be an uncomfortable question. It is a question asked of us individually. It is a question rightfully asked by anyone who would come and be with us. It requires a personal answer. But when asked, “Who are you?” the usual response is to give our name and maybe a little bit about ourselves. Most of us do not spend much time giving ourselves an answer to who we are. And when we do we often tell ourselves what others say about us rather than what we truthfully know ourselves to be. We usually use the labels that first pop into our mind such as our job, our relationships, our hobbies. And very often they shape our personality, and the way that we feel and the way that others feel about us. But today’s question is asking more. It asks for the essence of who we are. It asks us to reveal the foundation of our identity. One of which ought to be joy or happiness.


On this third weekend of Advent we Catholics are invited to have joy - to rejoice. Spiritual joy is not so much a feeling as a conviction. Happiness is a state of spiritual health. We tend to think that if we feel happy, we are happy. And if we don’t feel happy, we think we are not happy. Just as we may be healthy and feel unhealthy, so also we can feel unhappy and really be happy. Happiness is not the same as pleasure. Pleasure comes and goes. Happiness lasts. In fact, very often happy people have very little pleasure in their life.

But there are no short cuts to happiness. Advent teaches us the importance of waiting and watching. Not simply passing time until something happens, but using time spiritually to prepare ourselves for the Lord who is with us, yet who is to come. And lest we imagine it is all hard work and sacrifice, we are reminded it is about happiness too.

God gives us happiness as a free gift, especially to share it with others. Doing what God want us to do can make us happy. It can also increase our happiness. And one of the sure ways of bringing joy and happiness to our lives is doing something for others. That is why those preparing for confirmation are invited to give of their time and talents in serving others. It is a way to give back to others what has been given us.

Happiness also does not mean that we impose our views on others, but it means to serve those around us with love. We are not called by Jesus to make revolutionary changes, but to be messengers of God. The voice of God and the voice of love must be our voice. Whatever plans we have and whatever we do must testify to the light which is Jesus.

Today's Mass joyfully invites us to open our eyes to recognize a remarkable "secret," the presence of Jesus--but not simply a Jesus who came long ago or who is coming again. Rather, we are invited to look deep into the ordinary lives we live and to the ordinary people with whom we live, there to recognize the "secret," extraordinary presence of the One we call Jesus.

During this week take some time to think of what gives you joy. It might be watching your children or grandchildren. It might be nature or sports or woodworking or needlework. Maybe it is music or art. Perhaps it is just being able to see or to hear. Whatever it is that gives you joy, stop and think about it. Appreciate it. Then think of the ever faithful God who provided you with that joy or experience. Be joyful and thank God. Let us have the courage to do what the Little Drummer Boy and John the Baptist did in the name of Jesus.