THE FULL BRUNT OF THE LORD’S GOODNESS

“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord” -Psalm 89:2

Advent is as short as it can possibly be this year. We move straight from the 4th Sunday of Advent this Saturday evening and Sunday morning directly into the Vigil of the Lord’s Nativity (Christmas Eve) on Sunday evening and the Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity (Christmas Day itself) on Monday! As you come, our churches will be largely prepared for Christmas. Thanks to all who worked so hard to decorate and prepare our churches! Among the only changes in terms of the sanctuary decorations is that the Advent Wreathes will be removed (or candles changed to white), the Christmas lights will be plugged in, the vestment colors will change and the statuette of the Baby Jesus will be placed in the manger.

That transition may seem like a rushed one. It certainly will be a busy three days for our priests, parish staff, musicians, volunteers and even for our Mass-going parishioners. But one thing that perhaps we are called to remember is that Jesus’ long awaited coming transpired little by little and then all at once! Like a baby slowly growing in the womb from the moment of conception and then at a certain unknown point is ready to be born suddenly, so too does the Advent season remind us that when God wants to pour out His goodness, He doesn’t take into account our preferred timing or even our capacity to receive and acknowledge His goodness. When He wants to give a gift, He gives it in full measure even if greatly exceeds our capacity, a bit like drinking from a firehose, an experience which we might imagine but wouldn’t want to try.

Let’s not miss the graces offered at this holiest and most wonderful time of the year! I need to remind you that you should attend two Masses (once for the Forth Sunday of Advent and once for Christmas). You can attend twice on Sunday, or once on Saturday and once on Sunday or once on Saturday and once on Monday. Is this inconvenient? Perhaps, but look at what He did for us! This is how we respond to the deluge of God’s goodness and grace. He has given all; we must make a generous return to Him. We must be obedient as Mary was to the message of the Archangel, saying, “So be it!” We are called to receive the full gift of God.

As you come to Mass beginning Sunday afternoon for Christmas Eve, you will find a gift from our parish waiting for you--one per household. As supplies last, those gifts will be available at Christmas Day Masses and into the coming days. Perhaps that is extra incentive and encouragement not to miss the grace of Jesus who is the Reason for the season!

Please note that next weekend there is an exception to the general rule with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Because it falls on a Monday it is not a ‘Day of Precept’ (or Obligation). It is laudable to attend a Holy Day Mass, but not required. And while the Sunday evening Mass on December 31 will use the readings and prayers for the Vigil Mass for Mary, Mother of God, that Mass will also ‘count’ for one’s Sunday obligation. Many graces are packed into the Christmas season and Jesus Christ came all the way from heaven to share them with us.

Let us not be stingy with God but aware of the fullness of His goodness towards us. We can join the Psalmist: “The promises of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness” (Ps. 89). Let us not tire of singing all the Christmas carols we can in the days to come! Overwhelmed with gratitude for His goodness, 

-Fr. Howe