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December 26, 2019We’ve been given a special Christmas gift this year with the uncovering of our tiled floor. The mystery of the Incarnation is summed up in the phrase that has been revealed on our sanctuary floor, “the Word was made flesh” (Jn 1:14). These words in Latin, “verbum caro hic factum est,” are etched in the marble at the grotto of the Annunciation in Nazareth and in the cave of Bethlehem with the added word. The “hic” in the Latin phrase is an added word which can be translated as here. So, the word was made flesh “here” in the grotto of the Annunciation as Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary and the word was made flesh “here” in Bethlehem as Jesus was born.
As we prepare to enter a new year, I would suggest that we use our Christmas gift as our motto for the coming year and add the word “here” that is used in Bethlehem and Nazareth. I want to brazenly and boldly say to all on Tybee, “Here” in this Faith Community the Word is made flesh. I want the reality of our Risen Lord to be known to all. Here the Word is made flesh – on our altar as we celebrate Mass, from our pulpit as the Word of God is proclaimed and preached, and in our hearts as we go forth to serve others and make Christ present in the world!
At the Town Hall meeting two weeks ago, I was asked what plans I had to spend our endowment. I honestly have no plans to spend the endowment. Being a builder of buildings is not my gift, but I do hope I am a builder of a faith community that has a sense of mission. Building community is a whole lot less expensive than building psychical structures. Because of the generosity of so many to our offertory we should be able to form (bringing in guest speakers, sending people to Church workshops, holding adult faith formation sessions, etc.) parishioners as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ from our normal parish budget without turning to the endowment.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. As we enter a new year with our new motto, no doubt we can learn a thing or two from the Holy Family in making the Word made flesh a greater reality in our lives. We don’t know much from Scripture about Jesus’ life as a child, but we do know that the Holy Family’s home in Nazareth was a sanctuary from the distractions and influence of the world. Christ’s childhood was a hidden time of formation and preparation for his mission. Preparation in the quiet of Nazareth was so important for Jesus that it represents thirty of his thirty-three years on earth. So too, do we need formation to be worthy disciples of Jesus.
A place to begin is to look at that quiet life in Nazareth. How much quiet time do you have in your life? We need to push the mute button in our lives. We need to be intentional about taking time everyday away from our screens. The noise of the world is disruptive and distracting. It is in interior silence that we contemplate and have communion with God. One of the best resolutions that we could make for the coming year would be to dedicate at least 5 minutes everyday to silent prayer. Initially, this will not be an easy thing to do. But if we make a sincere effort, we soon find a greater peace and a greater balance to our life.
By fostering silence in our lives, we learn to concentrate better and thus are better able to develop a solid prayer life. St. Teresa of Calcutta explained the way she and her sisters were aware of God’s will for them. She said, “Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart.” In silence, our pray deepens and it becomes easier to develop a loving relationship with God as we become ever more aware of God’s desire to dwell with us “here” and now.
On January 11th at our 6pm Mass we will have a crowd as Bishop Boland celebrates a special Santo Niño Mass for the Filipino Catholic Community of the Savannah Deanery. Devotion to the Santo Niño (Holy Child), an image of Jesus as a small boy typically dressed as a king, is a mainstay of Philippine Catholic life. I experienced this wonderful devotion last January in the Philippines and I am so excited to have it here in our parish. But fair warning, Mass will be crowded and a little longer than usual.
