Last Sunday, we talked about the external preparation for Christmas.  Today, let’s ponder the internal, especially with regard to the Sacraments. Let’s start with this question: After we go to Confession, how long are we spiritually at our best?  What I mean is: Let’s say we go to Confession on Saturday morning; right after that, we’re more cognizant of how we behave: how we drive, speak to our family, use the internet, and pray—how long does that last?  For some of us, it lasts a day, a week, or even a month: We’re spiritually at our best for that time period and then fall back into bad habits.

So, imagine two scenarios, one where we all go to Confession a few days before Christmas, and the other where a few of us go.  Theoretically, we should have a more beautiful Christmas if we all went to Confession because we’d all be at our spiritual best.

The reason I bring this up is because I’ve shared a few times how my family would often have arguments at family celebrations and, because of that, I believe that our families could really use Jesus’ help.

Let’s now look at three ideas in the Gospel.  The first is about timing.  The text says, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee… during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness” (Lk 3:1-2).  The other three Gospels aren’t as concerned about historical time, whereas St. Luke gives us a clear historical date, meaning that what God is doing here isn’t a myth, which could happen at any time or never.  He’s working at a certain time in history because He works concretely in people’s lives.  Second, by mentioning the secular rulers next to the phrase ‘the word of God came to John,’ St. Luke is pointing “two different orders of reality” (Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, 11): There’s the worldly reality, represented by the emperor, and the spiritual reality, represented by John.

And when God enters into our reality, He is respectful and His timing gentle.  He tries to help us, but respects if we say, ‘Not now.’  (I’m not saying that response is good, only that God respects our choices.)

Reflecting on God coming into our reality, could we reflect on our own timing with regard Confession, Communion, and Baptism?

When it comes to Confession, here are two suggestions: First, if we’re ever in a state of mortal sin, let’s go to Confession within a week.  Now, don’t panic and call me at midnight.  Just go to any scheduled Confession time within a week.  Most of us know that mortal sin kills the life of God within our souls, so, if we die in a state of mortal sin, we choose hell.

Second, we need to find a good rhythm for going to Confession.  The question to ask is: How often would be best for us?  Twice a year is usually the minimum; monthly is very healthy; weekly is great, but it generally shouldn’t be more than weekly.

When it comes to Holy Communion, I really have to affirm our parish family because you’re very respectful of the Eucharist!  And, as we’ve said before, we never know why a person does or does not take Communion, but, if they don’t take Communion, we know for sure that they’re being respectful.

However, I think we’re starting to have an opposite problem, one that I’ve never seen before: Some of us who are Catholic never take Communion.  I don’t know why, but we should know that the Church teaches that Catholics are obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during Easter—that’s the minimum.  Of course, if there’s a reason not to, like we’re in an irregular marriage situation, then that’s the exception.  But, the Church is telling us that we need the Eucharist once a year just for spiritual survival.  So, if ever we struggle spiritually, it could be because we’re malnourished: If we only eat once a year when we’re invited to eat weekly, this would explain a lot.

But there’s a deeper reason to receive Communion: Jesus wants to enter our body and soul.  This famous 1854 painting by William Hunt shows Jesus knocking on a door but there’s no handle or knob, because the door can only be opened from the inside.

This represents what Jesus said in Revelation 3:20: “Listen!  I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.”  Only we can open the door of our hearts from the inside. We’ll come back to this truth at the end.

With regard to Baptism, parents, if you’re Catholic, remember that your babies should be baptized within a month of being born.

As for adults, the timing is up to you because it’s such a personal decision.  Now, if we’re thinking about becoming Catholic, the readiness is verified by me, Deacon Andrew, and Maritta Martin, our Sacramental Life Coordinator, and it shouldn’t be rushed.  For most people, the general rule is: If you believe that Jesus is God, love Him, want to follow and become like Him, and believe all of the Church’s official teachings, and have shown a conversion of life, then you might come to the point where you wonder, ‘What am I waiting for?’  This question came to my mind at various stages when I was discerning the priesthood.  The beautiful thing about this mindset is that no one forces us, but we own the timing.

Returning to the Gospel, the third idea has to do with a new direction in our life.  The text says, “He [John the Baptist] went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written… ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…  The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth’” (Lk 3:3-5).  At that time, there were different rituals using water that signified cleansing, but, with St. John’s Baptism we get closer to Christian Baptism: It could only be done once, people confessed their sins before being immersed in the Jordan River, and it signified a new direction in life, moving away from a sinful way to a life which follows God.  As for the words, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ almost every year I’ve pointed out how, in ancient times, it was customary for people to prepare to receive a king by making roads, etc.  A few weeks ago, I found out that they did the same thing for Taylor Swift in Toronto, shutting down a highway for her.  I suppose many made her the centre of their lives, because, when someone is the centre, we get ourselves ready for them.

Applying this to the Sacraments, what frequency will help us with a new direction in our life?

I know what it’s like to get out of habit with regard to Confession.  For most of my seminarian and priestly life, I would go weekly.  But, in recent years, my schedule was more full, and so became almost monthly.  But, I always feel out of sorts and burdened.  I need more.

As for Baptism, if you’re an adult, the timing is yours.  Our whole process here is designed so that you’re fully prepared and can stand before Jesus ready to receive Him.

Finally, with regard to Communion, let’s go back to the painting of William Hunt.  There are two qualities to consider when receiving Jesus: disposition and worthiness.  Disposition has to do with being prepared; worthiness has to do with deserving something.

If the King of England comes to Canada and says he’s going to visit one house and chooses ours, then we have to get that house ready.  It might not be a great house, therefore, it’s not worthy of the king, but at least it’s disposed.

Same thing with our Lord Jesus: When He comes to our body and soul, we say at every Mass, ‘Lord, I am not worthy,’ because none of us deserves Communion.  So, we’re never worthy.  But, if we’re in a state of grace, we’re ready, disposed, prepared.

Jesus knows none of us are worthy, but He still loves us.  All He asks is that we’re ready.  Our soul may not be the most beautiful, but at least let’s clean it up.  He is the King of Kings and still chooses to come to our body.  If we love Him, let’s clean our soul and open the door from the inside.

I think the best Christmas for our family would be if we all go to Confession a few days before and receive Communion on Christmas day.  God wants to enter into our reality, His timing is perfect, and He will respect our own timing.