As the Christmas season continues, the message delivered by Bishop Edward Malesic during the Christmas vigil Mass remains pertinent.
(See the photo gallery above for pictures from the Christmas vigil Mass.)
He told those gathered in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist that the birth of Jesus is “the light in our darkness, the hope for our future, the peace in our world and the child who takes our minds off our fears.” When we peer into Christ’s crib, we can see the face of God’s love shining on us, he said.
God came to us in an unexpected way: as a newborn child, someone who won’t threaten or scold us.
“The infant Jesus reaches out to us and wants to be held and loved to us. God comes with outstretched powerless arms wanting to be taken up by us. May we never be afraid to let Christ be with us,” the bishop said.
Jesus wants to be born in our homes and families; he wants to come to life in us, he added.
“But in order to make room for him, we must give something. We must empty ourselves a bit and clear out some of our personal clutter,” the bishop said. Perhaps that’s why “Silent Night” is such a favorite hymn because it helps us to be quiet enough to receive the Christ Child again, he added.
When we finally encounter God in Christ for ourselves in a personal way, he is irresistible, the bishop said. “But we must first recognize where God is to be found,” he added. Often, he’s found in common people like Mary and Joseph, who had no fame, little money and not much influence. God often surprises us by coming to us in unexpected places, through unexpected people and in unexpected ways, like bread becoming his flesh, the bishop explained. “We must always be ready for God to surprise us. We must have eyes of faith that are ready to see God’s presence in all that is good, true and beautiful.”
He asked if we would receive Jesus in the form in which he comes to us. It could be as a poor couple from far away looking for hospitality, a neighbor looking for help or perhaps, a person mourning the loss of his or her spouse. He also asked if we would receive Jesus when he comes to us in the Holy Eucharist at Mass – and take him into ourselves with reverence and awe. “Will we let him into our hearts as we read Sacred Scripture and savor every word that comes from his mouth? Will we let his divinity mingle with our humanity and make a little bit of heaven present on this earth? Is there room enough for Jesus in our minds, souls and lives, in our business and our families?” Bishop Malesic asked.
He wondered aloud if the innkeeper had known the identity of the child Mary was about to deliver if he would have found room for them at the inn. We have an advantage, the bishop said, because we know who Jesus is and where he can be found.
“We don’t need to make the innkeeper’s mistake. We can open our hearts to him,” he said.
After Mass, the bishop offered some brief remarks to the congregation, including asking for prayers for health care workers.
“We’ve been through a long, trying event. I appreciate your civility and I know our health care workers are at the brink, so please pray for them,” he said, as the congregation applauded. “Take care of one another.”
We may focus on our freedoms, which we are blessed to have, the bishop said. He told those gathered he was proud of them for doing what their faith asks of them: “to give, to love, to give of yourself as God has given himself to you.” He asked them to think about what happened during Mass – how Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us and how that demands a response. He said those at Mass had given themselves to Jesus.
Bishop Malesic said he was traveling home to Pennsylvania to visit his 104-year-old father, who has been through two pandemics. He said he prays a lot during the drive and asked the faithful to pray for him, also, that he makes good decisions for them.
“I pledge to do my best for you. You should do your best for one another and for God and we’ll all be fine. The Lord provides for us in so many ways,” he said.
The world needs more peace and Christian witness, the bishop said. “When someone asks you where you find your peace, tell them at Mass.” He encouraged them to invite others to Mass “to find peace at the table of the Lord. Merry Christmas and have a blessed new year.”