This will be our last edition until Ash Wednesday. Which is not that far away!<\/p>\n
There were a few poinsettas left on and around the altar, despite the invitation last week to come and take your pick. The regular cantor was absent, so a replacement filled in. We pray for a quick return or that over the next few days, the replacement learns about amplification. As in: stand back <\/em>from the mike. <\/p>\n I keep saying that this priest preaches about 6 minute homilies, and no one believes me. Today, I timed him, and it clocked it just around 6 minutes. He began speaking of how some people feel a little bit of a let-down this time of the year, and listed a few reasons: the come-down from Christmas, perhaps some difficult experiences at Christmas, in this part of the country, the weather, the looming specter of filing taxes. He then spoke a bit about Ordinary Time, explaining what it was and that if you think about it, how much of our lives are spent in "ordinary time" doing "ordinary things." Then he transitioned into the Gospel, setting the stage a bit, and highlighting Mary’s role: "Do whatever he tells you." Pointing out that this is the role Mary plays in our faith – pointing us to Christ and his power to change our lives. So therefore, if we find ourselves a little down this time of year – or any time of year – we should listen to Mary during these Ordinary Times, and look to Christ, listen to Christ and "do whatever he tells us."<\/p>\n All in 6 minutes. I kid you not. Simple, but not condescending, always with at least one little illuminating element, mindful of where people are at in their lives, and putting Christ in the midst of all that. And delivered, not at all rushed, but in his typical calm, gravely, gently instructive mode. <\/p>\n