1/6/2012 – Homily - Friday in second week in octave of Christmas – Mark 1:7-11

Today, we hear a reading describing those who question John the Baptist about the baptism he is performing, then comparing it with baptism Jesus receives from John, with the Holy Spirit coming down upon him like a dove.  Baptisms are certainly very joyful occasions in our faith.  When families baptize a small infant into the faith, when adults decide to be baptized after a long period of searching and struggle, it is certainly cause to rejoice.  And I have seen the Holy Spirit work wonders through people in the waters of baptism, bringing forth a movement and transformation in their lives.  An inmate from our prison ministry here in Yazoo City has been released now for about half a year, and he has now made the decision to be baptized and his son is being baptized with him.   He has had a very rough life, really struggling on his own for many years, and he realizes that he needs God in his life if he is going to make it. 

This upcoming Monday, on January 9, we will celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, bringing the Christmas season to an end, and then ushering in ordinary time once again in our liturgical year.  As we continue our journey of faith, as we move past our celebration of Christmas, may we ask the Holy Spirit to continue his saving work in our lives.  

1/4/2012 – Wednesday of second week of Christmas – John 1:35-42

“What are you looking for?”  This is the question that Jesus asks two men who are intrigued by him after they hear John the Baptist call him the Lamb of God.  So many of us are searching for something in our lives.  Many in our modern society feel so unfulfilled.  They try to fill this void in their lives with many, many things – drugs, alcohol, music, video games, entertainment, pleasure, work.  Many of these things are not bad in themselves if done in moderation, if we don’t make them our idols or our gods.  Yet, if we are looking for something in our life, our faith is where we will find it.

Yet, we won’t always get an answer to all the questions we have.  Many times we will have to walk by faith.  We will learn, we will grow, we will live out our faith.  This is a journey.  And the journey of faith in itself is important. 

We celebrate the saint Elizabeth Ann Seton today.  She was born in an Episcopalian in North America in the American colonies in the late 18^th century before the United States was even an independent country.  She became Catholic after the death of her husband while on a trip to Italy.  And her own father was a great example of someone who lived a life of charity toward others.  Elizabeth Ann Seton gives us a great example of faith today as the first American born Catholic to be beatified, as the founder of the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity, as the founder of the first American parish-affiliated Catholic school, and the first American Catholic orphanage.  What are you looking for?  Elizabeth Ann Seton answered this question by the life of faith that she lived in service to God and in service to her brothers and sisters.  We have to answer this same question with our own lives of faith.