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Saying Yes to Jesus, Yes to Peace

This is a summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily delivered at St. Charles on December 21, 2003

"BLESSED ARE YOU among women." Luke 1:40

Gretta Creedon, my mother, had just had a second pacemaker implanted. She had gone form the hospital to the airport for our trip to the Holy Land. It was 90 degree Fahrenheit and the climb to Ein Kareim seemed like Everest, at least a thousand steps. Not seeing my mother among the pilgrims I was hoping she had stayed on the bus. I was bewildered and somewhat angry when I discovered her at the top of the hill ahead of all the rest of us. I asked her, "Ma, why have you done this?" She answered testily, "I wanted to get ahead of the others, I cannot stand people who want to help! I have no trouble when I get into my own stride!"

That hill was special because it was where Mary had visited Elizabeth. They greeted one another in songs: the Hail Mary and the Magnificat. Like my mother these were women who knew where there was a will there was a way. Fiat, let it be!

Mary said Yes to the birth of Jesus. More, she said Yes to his life's work: "He will down the mighty from their seats and lift up the lowly!" She knew that accepting a savior meant an engagement with the work of the Prince of Peace.

Today's Catholic Herald presents a beautiful photo of two of our teenagers with the Virgin of Guadelupe.

We are called to identify with Mary's expectancy of Jesus' birth. Right beside this picture is a call from Pope John Paul to teach peace. If we welcome Jesus we need to be a part of his promise.

The capture of Saddam has given rise to a new hope for peace and reconciliation in the Middle-East. Some see in it a justification for the war on Iraq. Our Pope insists that the use of force is in violation of international law. Our website will carry the entire papal statement on the World Day of Peace. I invite you to study for yourselves his recommended alternatives to war, which he continues to label a failure for humanity.

There are mountains yet to climb if we are to find our way to the promises of the Messiah. Let us set out on the journey with a will. As we join Mary's welcome of Emmanuel, we pray for peace, we work for justice and we sing for joy.

  or  2003 Homilies