Today I found myself worshipping on the vigil of Gaudete Sunday in what I am now calling my new church away from home; as in home parish, home diocese, etc. Most of you know that I am visiting #1 grandson in a beautiful area of North Carolina and we have settled on our "church home"when we are up here in these parts. Tonight was my 3rd time worshipping here since September. To give credit where it is due the parish is Blessed Sacrament Parish in the Burlington area right off I-40. It is a Franciscan order parish; very friendy and welcoming. Tonight, having arrived early my wife and I even took advantage of short lines and went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
I was so happy to see this large church, which is modern but maintains beautiful stained glass and a beautiful main altar space, embracing Advent with an awesome Advent wreath and for this special Sunday the rose colored vestments.
The liturgy was well done and the homily tonight was spot on. After we all received Holy Communion the congregation stands and sings a song; tonight it was O Come O Come Emmanuel. For some reason tonight, the familiarity of this Advent hymn being sung amidst strangers touched me, especially the lyrics: Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel...
The whole focus on this 3rd Sunday in Advent is joy. Aware of this as Mass progressed, hearing those lyrics caused me momentarily to reflect on those who can't possibly be rejoicing today. Rejoice, again I say rejoice, words probably ringing hollow in and around the community of Newtown CT today and certainly so among those families who, just 10 days shy of Christmas are planning funerals for six and seven year old children. And lest we forget, there are many others planning sad goodbyes for teachers and administrators of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Still raw; still so sad. Rejoice?
Yes, we are called to rejoice. We certainly understand why there will be little to no rejoicing among those directly impacted by yesterday's evil and insanity, but as a people of faith we indeed rejoice in a loving God who came to save us. These children indeed were taken from their loved ones too early, but we trust them to God's loving embrace. The adults killed too we beg God's mercy. Rejoice. Jesus was sent to us and will be coming again; the reason we celebrate Advent! Jesus heals. Jesus binds up wounds. Jesus consoles. Jesus comforts. Jesus saves!
Tears fell from my eyes tonight in my church away from home. Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanuel, has come to you O Israel! Jesus comes to us; in North Carolina or Louisiana or Connecticut; Jesus comes to us in good and bad times, yes even tragic times.
Can we all agree that we will pray for the families who have a huge wound, a painful loss, a loss that will endure for a long long time? Can we trust Jesus to heal? Can we rejoice in God's divine plan that will never be fully revealed to us in this life?
O Come O Come Emmanuel; Rejoice!
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