THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Fourth Sunday in Advent 22 December 2013

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friend,

Once again St. John is brought before our consideration as we arrive at the threshold of Christmas. He is preaching the same message as always: penance in all humility and meekness. 

We see that the mountains will be brought low and the valleys will be filled up. As mountains repel water so the proud repel the Truth. As waters spring up in the valleys so wisdom, knowledge and understanding, spring up in the humble and meek. St. John humbles himself and becomes as a valley so that God may fill him with His graces. 

We also, must follow in the same path as St. John. We must tear down the mountains of pride and vanity; we must straighten out the ways of evil, and smooth over all the rough ways. There is truth in this humility and meekness; but there is something greater in that as we decrease, Jesus increases. As we empty ourselves, Jesus fills us up. Ultimately, our goal is to be filled with Christ and say with St. Paul. It is not I, but Christ living within me.

No one can do this penance for us, we must each do our own part. Ezechial says: And if these three men, Noe, Daniel, and Job shall be in it, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they shall deliver their own souls by their justice (Ezech. xiv. 14). Having good parents or good children will not save us. On the contrary if we are damned in spite of having these good influences at our sides, our punishment will be made all that much worse. Those who did not believe that Jesus cast out demons by the power of God were referred to their own children who were casting out devils in the name of Jesus. Our Lord tells them that their own children will condemn them (Luke xi, 19). Those who reject the faith will be judged by those who were once near and dear to them. 

We cannot rely upon the merits of others, but must each one of us examine our own consciences and there begin to tear down the mountains of pride and vanity; straighten out the crooked ways; smooth over the rough paths; and fill up the valleys of doubt with faith. As we in true humility lessen ourselves, the Holy Ghost will come and fill us with Himself and His grace. If we are to advance to Christ this is the only way. 

Jesus comes to us as a Child, and He tells us that if we wish to come to Him we must approach Him as a child. This Christmas is a splendid time of grace for us, because Jesus is eager to come to us as a little child. He comes not with judgment, and fire, or with threats and punishment. He comes to us meek and humble; He is unimposing and lovable as a child. We must approach Him in the same manner. This is the only sure way, as well as the quickest way to be well received by God. 

We must fear Jesus when He returns in all His Divine power majesty and glory, because then He will come to judge. Then there will be justice and the debt of sin will have to be paid by all those who have refused His help in redeeming themselves. To avoid facing an angry Divine Judge, we must do violence to ourselves. We must heed the call of St. John and our consciences and turn our evil lives upside down. We must become as innocent humble children once more. In this manner, we can not only approach God but we will be able to embrace Him and play with Him. He will find joy in us as we will in Him. His great desire is to be with us (the sons of men). 

St. Francis, St. Theresa, and many others have found this "little way"of love a sure and easy path to the heart of God. If we approach Jesus as children, He will take us by the hands and we will grow with Him. The entire liturgical year takes us through the life of Jesus, and each step of the way we are led (if we will follow) closer and closer to the Heart of God. 

First, though, we must pray and do penance. We must renew our baptismal promises, and truly empty ourselves of our vices and sins. Then Jesus will be our friend, and we will be His. He will shower us with His gifts and we will grow daily more precious and loving in His sight. And our hearts will grow with ever increasing love of Him.

If we do this, then when we meet Him again as the Divine Judge, we will not fear Him, but welcome Him with the words of St. John the Evangelist: "Come Lord Jesus, Come!"