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Being a Catholic is never easy. Nor should we expect it to be. When the shepherds learned of the birth of Our Savior, they did not say “Hey, that’s cool!” or “Gee, that’s nice,” or even “Big deal! Will that make me any warmer out here in the hills?” They knew that something special had been given to them—the privilege of being the first to learn of the birth of the Messiah, the Promised One. As difficult as it was to be a shepherd, it would have been very easy for them to stay there in the hills and tend to the sheep, rather than make the trip down into Bethlehem. Just imagine the excuses: “It’s your turn!” “I’m not leaving the fire to go walking in the cold!” “It’s too far!” “I can’t leave the sheep here alone!” “Nothing ever really happens in Bethlehem!” Who would have known if they had chosen to stay? But they did not make excuses. They rose and made the journey into the town and beheld the new-born King. A
Real Savior, A Real Presence
When they saw this, They began to spread the Good news of the birth to all who would hear, so that they, too, would make their own journey to see, and to believe. By listening to the angel’s news of great joy, they were granted a privilege. And in acting on the invitation, they accepted the obligation that came with the privilege. The obligation to witness to faith, to witness to the truth. And just as the angel gave them a gift, the shepherds quickly and willingly shared the gift with others. Being Catholic in today’s world means more than celebrating a day with presents and best wishes and coming to church to see the decorations and singing the carols. It means exactly what it meant 2,000 years ago when the First Noel was given. It means being a witness to the truth. It means sharing the gift that God the Father, through the angels and through the shepherds, has given to all of us. And the truth, as it has been revealed to us, is this: that Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin, is our hope. He is the Savior, and we are His people. In Him is the fulfillment of the promise of eternal life. Certainly, the gifts we give and receive are important, for they remind us of the love that we share, and the ties that we create among our families, friends, co-workers and acquaintances. However, what seems to be missing from the gift-giving and the celebration is the reminder of the very real presence of Jesus in our lives each day, a presence that is available to each of us through the most important gift He himself gave us: the Eucharist. In declaring the year October 2004 through October 2005 a “Year of the Eucharist,” the Holy Father in his wisdom is seeking for all Catholics once again to focus on this most perfect gift, to share the goodness and grace which flows from it, and to proclaim Christ as Savior and Lord. The Year of the Eucharist clearly is a gift as well, but it is a gift with responsibility. That responsibility is to accept and promote the Eucharist as the “living bread which came down from heaven.” The baby in the manger in Bethlehem is only the beginning of our journey as Catholics. We ultimately must travel to Jerusalem and to Calvary to witness the fulfilment of the promise. And we must continue on in our journey, through our lifetime, being the witness to faith and truth to which we are called. Being Catholic is not easy. But it is a present to be opened, admired and shared with all whom we meet. As you celebrate Christmas this year, be like the shepherds. Glorify and praise God for all you have heard and seen, just as it has been told to you..
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