Fr Kevin Kilgore

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Gospel: John 5: 33-36

Jesus said to the Jews:
“You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. 
I do not accept testimony from a human being,
but I say this so that you may be saved. 
John was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. 
But I have testimony greater than John’s. 
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.”

The Gopel of the Lord.

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Every morning before I begin praying at my desk, I light a tea candle and place it in a stand. The candle burns bright for over an hour before its tiny little wick runs out, disappearing into a small silhouette of smoke.

It’s such a simple object, but that candle teaches us several lessons about the life of John the Baptist, whom Jesus praises in today’s Gospel.

“He was a burning and shining lamp,” Jesus says, “and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.”

John was like a little tea candle. 

But, what exactly do John and a tea candle have in common?

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They both give off light.

The purpose of light is to guide. As the Psalmist says, “Your WORD is a lamp for my steps, and a light for my path.” John was a light, a “bright and shining lamp” who led people to Christ.

They produce warmth. The light of a candle attracts and warms human hands; the light of Christ, present in John the Baptist, warmed human hearts.

Finally, and most poetically of all, the candle loses itself in the process of giving off light. The more light and heat it produces, the shorter its wick becomes until there’s nothing left.

Like a tiny tea candle, John’s life – his ambitions, his hopes, his understanding – slowly burned away until only Christ remained. As he himself said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”

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In what ways are we like a tiny tea candle? 

Do we emit the light of Christ? Do we attract others by our warmth? Above all, do we allow the Holy Spirit to melt away our plans and desires until only Christ is left?

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Image credits: (1) Pinterest (2) Saint John the Baptist, Carlo Maratti (3) Pixaby

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Gospel: Luke 7: 24-30

When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. 
“What did you go out to the desert to see  a reed swayed by the wind? 
Then what did you go out to see? 
Someone dressed in fine garments? 
Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously
are found in royal palaces. 
Then what did you go out to see? 
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 
This is the one about whom Scripture says:

    Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    he will prepare your way before you.

I tell you,
among those born of women, no one is greater than John;
yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Can you remember as a child toying with an old car radio? 

You have to adjust the dial, getting the indicator to land on a station “just right” – not too far to the left, not too far to the right.

“Just right.”

If it was one click off, then all you’d hear was static.

Today we just hit the SEEK button and PRESTO the radio finds the next available station for us. 

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But fiddling with an old radio reminds me of what Advent is all about.  

Just as we had to work to find the right radio station, so we have to fine tune our hearts to hear God speak. One click too far to the right or to the left produces static, muffling his voice.

We have to dial down the distractions – the noise of the holidays, shopping, iPhones, televisions, and computers – and turn up the time we spend in prayer and reflection, preparing ourselves for the second coming of the Lord.

Only then – when there is silence – can we hear the Lord speak to us.

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So, what has my Advent journey been like? Have I been able to dial down the distractions and turn up time spent in prayer, pondering spiritual things? 

Or is there still static buzzing within?

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In ten days, we will celebrate Christmas. Keep fiddling with that little dial in your heart, making time for the Lord.

Only when it’s silent within will you be able to hear Jesus speak.

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Image credits: (1) Advent Journey, mycatholicireland.net (2) Philkotse (3) Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Advent Boot Camp 2020

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Gospel: Luke 7: 18-23

At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
“John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind. 
And Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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As we draw closer to the celebration of Christmas, and the days of the year grow darker, we honor the life of John of the Cross, a 16^th century mystic known for his writings about the soul’s journey to God. 

In nearly every journey, he says, one encounters some level of spiritual darkness… that feeling of God being absent. 

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It may happen when we lose a loved one. When stuck in quarantine. When under added amounts of stress. When battling temptation. Or when our prayer life runs dry.

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God doesn’t disappear in these moments; quite the opposite.

Sometimes God allows the darkness – the feeling of his absence- to settle in to test our spirit. To give us opportunities to reject temptation. To persevere in prayer. To wait patiently for his consolation to return.

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When has my prayer life run dry? Or when have I felt like God was absent?

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Saint John teaches us to never give up hope. When the well runs dry, double-down and re-commit yourself to the Lord.

As we read in scripture:

“God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10: 13).

Even the most difficult days can draw our soul closer to God. Sometimes it just boils down to perseverance, trusting God is present, even when we cannot feel his embrace.

Saint John of the Cross, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) anastpaul.com (2) reflectionsonthesacredliturgy.com (3) Prince of Peace Church