Gerry, the God?

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from Christmas, December 25, 2005

"The word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us."

I WANT TO tell a story that is half true. If you have heard it before credit my years. You may have heard only half the story.

There are two angels in St. Charles School. Grace is in preschool. Her brother Matthew is in the first grade.

Their mother usually refers to me as Gerry. That never bothers me, since my baptismal name, Gerard, is far more significant to me than any other title. We had a secretary in the school office also named Gerry. One morning I saw the family at an adjacent table at the Silver Diner for breakfast. Matthew went to his teacher right away to say: "I saw Gerry this morning." She asked, "Where?" "At the Silver Diner." Surprised the teacher asked, "Do you mean Gerry from the School Office?" In exasperation Matthew blustered, "No…Gerry…the God!"

Last week I celebrated Misa de Gallo at 5 AM, a time when my Irish forbears went to bed, especially in the holiday season. I needed to go back to bed, so I asked Fr. Charles to officiate at the School Mass. Some children complained that they had not seen me in a while. Some said, "Fr. Creedon is lost". Grace spoke up. "He is dead." The teacher asked her to explain. She pointed; "I have seen him on the cross!"

My reaction on hearing the story was: a case of mistaken identity. Then I thought, "These perceptive children have revealed my messianic pretensions and my martyr complex." Then it dawned on me they are angels proclaiming the Christmas message; God is with us. I am a live. He is alive. We are alive. Christ is reborn. God dwells among us when we give signs of peace and justice, love and faith.

Jesus give us the eyes of a child that we may see you all around us this day.