The Simplicity of Advent

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from December 03, 2006

"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy" Luke 21:34

The America magazine, a Jesuit weekly, carried an article recently; "Is Ireland thriving or dying?" A young Irish Jesuit gave a rather bleak assessment of modern Ireland. The Celtic Tiger has brought an increase in affluence. Consumerism has expanded the economy, but diminished imagination, and shrunk church attendance. Ireland used to export missionaries, now it exports Guinness all over the globe.

The coming Christmas season confronts all of us with the temptations of consumerism. "What will I get for Christmas?" becomes, "What will I buy for Christmas?" The malls can become our temples. Our spirit can become jaded and drowsy.

The Advent Season presents us an alternative; live simply that others may simply live. In a time of acquisition, the parish Giving Tree calls us to generosity. We are invited to shed our excess baggage. Join our parish in its various outreaches, locally and globally. And let us pray..

A large group of parishioners gathered on the first weekend of the season to make their advent wreathes. The parish offers all of us an Advent reflection booklet. Let us gather weekly around the wreath. Let us stop our running and wait for the Lord's coming.

Let us pray in silence and simplicity for the coming among us of the Prince of Peace.