Advent, 2010

Since I published my remarks on the upcoming changes

(Advent, 2011) in the liturgy, Bishop has forbidden me to write
anything more about the liturgy. Since sometime in the summer,
what I write for the Catholic Times has been subject to a censor’s
pen. Who the censor is has remained anonymous. I always sign my
work. It stands to reason a critic ought to sign his. Such is the state
of things today. Certainly it suggests that the “fresh air” which
Pope John XXIII desired to let into the Church has now blown
itself through the window which John had opened and we are now
living with the window closed again. And like the gray of an early
winter day, the Church of Columbus has made it clear that it will
abide nothing but the party line as interpreted by God knows who.
Many priests are torn by this development, because most of
us older clergy have never seen anything like this happen. It is
happening on a world-wide scale so Columbus is not alone. Stay
tuned for whatever else follows. Bishop will meet with the priests
in February to address the changes and parishioners can rest
assured that I shall share with you anything of substance which
arises (probably nothing). It is the silence which is deafening.
Power exercised in high places by a few unknowns…it has its own
sort of byzantine intrigue.
But there are more important things to consider, more to do
with our salvation than the petty politics of the Church in 2010.
This is because Isaiah the prophet calls us “to walk in the light of
the Lord.” This is because Isaiah announces to us that “they shall
beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks.”
Far more important is Paul’s reminder that “our salvation is
nearer than when we first believed; the night is far advanced the
day is at hand....let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day.” It
is far more important to hear Matthew’s Jesus remind us “you must
be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will
come.”
 Far more important is to hear Isaiah remind us that “ a shoot
shall sprout from the stump of Jesse and from the roots a bud shall
blossom…the Lord’s spirit will rest upon him….not by appearance
shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide…justice will be the
band around his waist…his dwelling shall be glorious.” More
important are Paul’s words: “Whatever was written previously was
written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the
God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in
harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with
one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ.” More important too are the words of the
Baptist: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
More important to our salvation are the words of the
Psalmist: “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous
deeds.” More important indeed are Isaiah’s words: “Be strong, fear
not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication…to save you…
you will meet with joy and gladness…sorrow and mourning will
flee.” More important are Jesus’ words to John’s disciples: “Go
and tell John what you hear and see; the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”
Indeed, Isaiah reminds us “the virgin shall conceive and bear
a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” More important than
anything else is to remember Paul’s words to us “Grace to you and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” And finally
let us remember what Matthew assures us …that “God is with us.”
I have sifted these words of salvation from the Advent
readings. They are first and foremost reminders to me of what’s
important. It is in these words and in this Word that I find
salvation. This is far more important than the petty politics of the
Church in 2010. May the enfleshment of God sustain us all with
renewed confidence in God’s eternal love for us.

Fr. Hummer