Have you ever noticed, when you get a new car, it seems as if half of the county bought the same car? I would guess those cars were already on the road and we notice them because we are now "tuned" into our type of new car.
As we enter into this Christmas season and the Easter season around the corner, we need to think about what we are "tuned" into. I suspect my church will be like all of the other churches around the area this Christmas and Easter seasons; there will be standing room only. These two season are very similar to the three to four Sundays that followed Sept. 11, 2001, and the churches in the Connecticut this past week . the churches will be full.
It seems we (myself included) tend to "tune" in only when there is public or personal tragedy or we feel a deep obligation (guilt) to get ourselves and family to church for the holidays.
I'd like for you to think for a moment. Don't we always feel better about ourselves after we've worked out or eaten the healthy foods on the menu or decided to get that extra long night's sleep?
When we think about making these decisions prior to the action, most of the time it does not seem to pleasant or feasible. In most cases, we come up with excuses to justify our actions, instead of doing what we each know deep inside is the best thing for us.
This letter is not meant to condemn, but to challenge. The challenge is this: When you leave the church this Christmas, on your drive home or when you lay your head on the pillow for the night, think about how much better you feel for having been there. Then take it one step further. A week later, think about the week you just had, see if your week hasn't gone much better than most.
Let's get "tuned" into the important things and keep Christ not only in Christmas, but in our lives every day.
Merry Christmas,
Randy Hunt,
a very grateful St. Mary's parishioner
