14th December 2008
Today the great Advent figure of John the Baptist takes center stage with his warning cry for the coming of the Messiah. I suppose John cut a rather frightening figure with his dire warnings of the coming of the Kingdom and like many prophets before him was largely ignored or seen as presenting too stark a challenge for the people. Prophets generally are an uncomfortable reminder for people of their duty towards God and neighbour. St John was no different; he who had leaped in his mother's womb when Mary visited Elizabeth now began to witness to the coming reign of God.
This Sunday we are asked to reflect together on a vital organization in Irish Society, the St Vincent de Paul Society who are in many ways current day prophets. Today is their annual Christmas collection which replaces the Share Collection. This Society reminds us that the poor are still with us, and that the poor will suffer the greatest in these days of economic recession. Week in and week out they do the work that many of us cannot do for varying reasons. Behind each visit that they make is a human story, our fellow Christians who are suffering because of a basic lack of money. Many families they visit have children who expect Santa to call to them like every other child. They want to give their children a happy Christmas, a peaceful end to the year and the kind of good things that many of us will enjoy this Christmas.
You have been very generous in the past to this collection which is a concrete demonstration of your Christian Charity. I appeal to you once more today to give as generously as you can. This is one Sunday of the year that I don't mind talking about money. Many people wonder what they should give. I like to think back to the gospel story of the Widow who dropped her two coins in the treasury, all she had to spare. In other words what she gave she gave from the heart and that is all I ask of you today. Don't give what you won't even miss from your pockets or purses but give whatever you can as a demonstration of your genuine Christian concern. Jesus said that the poor will always be with us; however this collection is your chance to make a genuine difference to many families this Christmas. May God reward you for your generosity. On behalf of the Society of St Vincent de Paul I thank you for your generosity in the past and appeal to you to be equally as generous today.
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Homilies Archive
2009 HOMILIES
25th December 2008
Christmas
21st December 2008
14th December 2008
8th December 2008
Immaculate Conception
7th December 2008
2nd Sunday of Advent
30th November 2008
1st Sunday of Advent
23rd November 2008
Christ the King
16th November 2008
2nd November 2008
All Souls
1st November 2008
All Saints
26th October 2008
12th October 2008
5th October 2008
28th September 2008
21st September 2008
14th September 2008
7th September 2008
31st August 2008
24th August 2008
17th August 2008
15th August 2008
Assumption
10th August 2008
3rd August 2008
20th July 2008
13th July 2008
29th June 2008
22nd June 2008
1st June 2008
23rd March 2008
Easter Sunday
22nd March 2008
Easter Vigil
2nd March 2008
24th February 2008
17th February 2008
10th February 2008
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