Called From Birth

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from June 24, 2007

"What then, will this child be?" Luke 1:66

I recall a catechetical conference where a Christian Brother, belonging to an order not known for the soft touch, demonstrated the need for positive self esteem. "Every morning I look at the mirror and sing, 'I'm unique and unrepeatable'."

Some would say that the era of positive affirmation has gone too far. Employers complain that the baby-boom generation needs to be coddled and pampered in order to produce. "My son is a saint," and, "My daughter is an honor student," are bumper stickers that give me goose pimples.

Contrast that to a recent interview with Sinead O Connor, the controversial Irish singer. She went through a period where every tree was an invitation to end her life! ...perhaps an extreme case of Irish guilt. "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof." It seems to me that we need to find a balance between a spirituality of self rejection masquerading as Christian humility, and the new age paroxysm of self congratulation.

Certainly we need the good news as proclaimed by the liturgy for the Birth of John the Baptist. "The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me."

A birthday for John, or for you, or me, is a time to celebrate one's existence and uniqueness. To each is given a gift and a call. It may not be a call to be a John the Baptist or a Mother Teresa. I have an invitation to be myself and to do my own work. Let us embrace the call and the gift with a modicum of grace and self-acceptance.

So be it. Amen.