Christmas Day Homily

There is a great scene in Genesis, after Adam and Eve eat from the tree, and because of their action, they must leave paradise.  If we remember, they had clothed themselves in leaves so as to hide themselves from God.

God, after declaring the consequences of their choice, then clothed them in real clothes.  
It is a touching scene, that even though these humans broke their relationship with God, God still cared for them and gave them protection.

God still protects us.  God gives us new clothes.  Not made from animal skins, the Father gives to us Christ to clothe ourselves in.
He is the Light that illumines our lives.

 Jesus shines the light that Humanity is good, all human life is good and deserves dignity and respect, whether it is the unborn child or someone at approaching a natural death.  Life is good.
Jesus illumines the reality that a full life is one in which is always directed outward, towards others.  A full life is one of love.
The power of life comes through forgiveness, with compassion, with mercy.
Life is one in which it is truly lived too.  This can’t be all nice prose and poetics; words on Christmas cards and in songs; can’t be relegated to mere sentimentality.
Jesus lived life; he forgave, he healed, he sacrificed.  
We too are called to take action; to make real this Word, this Light, this life we have been given.
The other week, I was talking with someone who told me how tired he was of the pain and suffering, all brought by his addictions.  Now he was trying to walk a different path of Sobriety and freedom.  He wanted to live. He wanted to live for his family and kids. He was scared, he was uncertain. I felt such admiration for this man.

Will we make mistakes as we live and go through life? you betcha…  
Will it be scary?  YUP?  The Father still remains with us.
I really believe we all crave life. It is part of our nature.
We can clothe ourselves...and see how that works, or
We can be clothed in Christ, in light.



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