Humbled by The Mystery . . . !

Three rich wise men journeyed far and away to seek the star that shone so brightly. Poor shepherds in the fields traveled across the hills of Bethlehem to seek Him. All were humbled by the mystery . . .

Two thousand years later, billions of people continue to celebrate that moment when all of creation was made whole again. Thus, the season of Christmas begs the question from each of us . . . who have we come to see and how humbled are we???

Many of you today may see him. He walks the streets of our town. He stops and rests in our public spaces. He visits our pantry. He has raked our leaves. The mystery of the man frightens some, yet awakens in others a sense of compassion. Every image in life causes us to pause and to think . . . what do we feel? What were the wise men and shepherds thinking and feeling when they stumbled upon the homeless mother, giving birth to a child in a manger?

The mysteries of life won’t always be known. How was it that our savior was born into poverty? . . .Why is God in all His glory made flesh?

. . .The mystery unravels.

The mystery of Jesus calls forth the divinity inside each of us. The mystery of the homeless Child in Bethlehem evoked from the witnesses the divine gifts of reverence and humility for a Prince of Peace.

The image of the homeless man of Pelham evokes from us the divine gifts of Christ . . . charity, compassion, tenderness, forgiveness, and understanding. Thus, we are transformed into seeing the Christ in us and in others. We are humbled by the mystery, and humbled by Christ.

If this is the season of giving, what more could God give to a broken people than the divine image of a poor homeless child welcomed by friends, loved by all, offering the gift of salvation. We are humbled by the mystery, humbled by love.

Actually . . . it is no mystery in Pelham . . . his name is Tom.

Merry Christmas Emmanuel . . . God is with us!!!

– Fr. Bob

December 25, 2006