Two simple steps to being a sign of contradiction -- and glory (Sunday homily)

 One time I was talking to some kids about John the Baptist, 

and I asked them what they remembered about him. 

They said, he’s that guy who wears funny clothes and eats bugs!

A biblical scholar can explain why John wore what he wore, 

and ate what he ate. 

What is obvious is that he stood out as a sign of contradiction, 

and that was certainly his goal.

There is a line from one of the Harry Potter novels: 

it takes especially great courage to stand up to your friends. 

Each of us remembers how hard it is to stand out in school, 

to be the only one who walks over and sits with someone 

who all the others are avoiding, or to offer an unpopular opinion.

It is very hard to be that person who stands out – 

who is called a weirdo or something worse. 

But let me tell you: remembering, years later, 

that someone called you a name, 

or mistreated you for taking a stand, is one thing. 

But remembering that you stood still and remained silent 

when someone was treated badly? That’s a far worse memory. 

Society always needs people who act on good impulse, 

who access the virtue of fortitude which is a gift of the Holy Spirit, 

and says some version of “on the other hand,” or simply, “no.”

Obviously, there are jerky ways to do that; 

insolent and rude ways to do that; and graceful ways to do it. 

Be humble. Be graceful. 

That doesn’t mean you won’t still face wrongs. 

But it means you will have given by word and example 

a peaceful message of peace; a just witness to justice. 

Now let me call to your attention 

one particular aspect of the first reading. 

It mentions “the Lord’s mountain,” 

and then it speaks of a signal to all nations to seek out God’s dwelling. 

More precisely, the “dwelling” of the “Root of Jesse” – 

and that is Jesus. Jesus’ dwelling, therefore, is us.

Why is that important? Lots of ways but let me focus in on two points.

First, God’s plan is not simply a generic peace, 

but a peace with Jesus Christ at the center. 

The United Nations was created in 1945 to foster world peace;

and like a stopped clock, the UN does get it right occasionally. 

But the Father’s plan for peace is his Son, who gives the Holy Spirit.

Second – and this is the really hard part, 

the part you and I would rather not hear: 

the plan relies on you and me being instruments of that peace plan. 

By being a “glorious” dwelling. 

That means the holiness and the splendor of our lives. 

This week is a Holy Day of Obligation, 

to recall how God prepared Mary to be the God-bearer, 

by preserving her immaculate from sin. 

Most Catholics will have other things to do than to attend Mass. 

It may not be easy to get away; many reasons are legitimate. 

Many others, not so much. 

When you and I – OK, not me so much, but *you* – 

step away or miss out on other activities, in mid-week, 

to attend Mass, that’s a sign of contradiction. 

People may ask, “why did you get up so early?” 

Or, “why’d you skip the Christmas party, or the basketball practice?”

A lot of folks imagine holiness is some mysterious thing. It’s not. 

It’s first a matter of conversion: 

inviting the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, 

to fill us with the “want-to.” 

But then it becomes the tedious task of sticking to a path of change, 

of building new habits and stripping away old ones. 

Do you want to grow in holiness? 

Start small: set aside 10 or even 5 minutes each day 

for true quiet, true reflection, true prayer. 

Go to confession and begin making a habit of it. 

Many times for confession are planned for Advent, see the bulletin. 

These two steps are simple but powerful. 

They will lead to other steps. 

This path is not mysterious, but it will lead you to peace, and to glory.