The Baptist's call

Here is the text of the homily I shared with those who came to look for guidance and inspiration in faith this weekend.

Looking for signs of hope

The days of December are upon us, and with them comes a wonderful season: while we are experiencing less and less daylight in the northern hemisphere, the Church bids us look to the light of faith and to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday.  Hope is one of the eternal gifts that we discover when we look at the world through the eyes of faith.  Saint Paul reminded the Christian community of Rome: whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope (Rom 15:4).  While we busy ourselves in the coming weeks, preparing to welcome friends and family at our table, let us never forget that the real reason for our celebration is the fact that our God sent his Son Jesus in order to encourage us and to give us hope.

University students who are preparing for exams know what it is like to cling to hope.  Patients in hospitals who are recovering from surgeries and facing rehabilitation also benefit from the virtue of hope.  Families of Brazilian soccer players who were aboard the ill-fated flight to Medellin earlier this week now cling to hope, the fruit of faith in the midst of their despair.

The prophet Isaiah wrote to a people who had known much trial and suffering in their lives.  All their hopes had been dashed, they were at the point of despair and yet he reminded them that there was still a reason to hope.  Isaiah pointed to a person who was to come, a hero who would restore faith.  He didn’t name this hero, but he pointed out some characteristics so that the people would be able to recognize him.  The prophet says that the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and understanding (Is 11:2) which will allow him to be close to those who are suffering, able to truly appreciate their pain, a spirit of counsel and strength – there will be wisdom in his words that will soothe and encourage the hearts of those who feel abandoned.

This prophecy was fulfilled.  This hero has a face and a name.  He is Jesus, who was born of a humble woman from Nazareth.  He is Jesus, who learned from Mary and Joseph how to develop within his heart a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength and how to use these gifts courageously so that he could speak the truth that he had come to know: there is always room for hope.  Having faith in the person of Jesus and believing that he is the Son of God also helps us to understand that he suffered, died and was buried ... that he rose again from the dead, that he sits at the right hand of God, and that he will come again to judge the living and the dead (Apostle’s Creed).

As we prepare for his second coming, we must remain vigilant, looking for the signs.  John the Baptist reminds us that these signs will not be the ones we might think of at first.  John’s clothing was not regal.  He wore clothing made of camel’s hair, and had a leather belt around his waist (Mt 3:4).  Jesus comes to us in unexpected situations, in people who are dressed just like we are.  Dressed like a peasant, John cried out: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mt 3:2).  This message was meant for everyone; it is still addressed to us today.

Like all the prophets who lived before him, and like all the prophets who have lived after him, John points not to himself but to one who is mightier than I am (Mt 3:11).  Let us pray this week for the grace to recognize the ways that John’s words call out to us, encouraging us to prepare the way of the Lord (cf Mt 3:3), so that when he comes, he will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Mt 3:11) and inspire us to be heroes of faith and signs of hope for our world.