St. Dominic Catholic Church

Homilies

Bringing Jesus’ Hope to Others 2021-11-28 Fr. Roberto

Homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent – Year C
Fr. Roberto Corral, OP
St. Dominic Church, Los Angeles, CA
November 28, 2021
Title: Bringing Jesus’ Hope to Others
Theme: We are called to seek Jesus and bring his hope to others.
Readings: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

You might remember the news story from three years ago when a white female police officer in Dallas, Texas, shot and killed an unarmed black man named Botham Jean while he was sitting in his darkened apartment eating. The officer said that she had mistakenly entered Mr. Jean’s apartment believing it was her own, which was exactly one floor beneath his, and that she shot him because she thought he was a burglar. The police officer was eventually found guilty of murder and sentenced to prison. As sad as that situation was, there was also a moment of incredible grace that took place. It happened just after the judge read the prison sentence. At that moment, Mr. Jean’s younger brother walked up to the police officer, right in the middle of the courtroom, hugged her and forgave her for killing his brother. He said to her: “I forgive you. I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you…I don’t even want you to go to jail…I want the best for you.”

 In the midst of what must have been a very dark time for Mr. Jean’s brother and his family, in the midst of the darkness of numerous allegations and protests against police brutality the last few years, particularly against black people, that have led to divisions and even violence in our country, this young man brought a flicker of light and hope by hugging and forgiving the police officer who had killed his brother. 

This amazing act of courage and compassion illustrates our parish’s theme for Advent this year: “Finding Jesus in the Darkness.” I do not know how Mr. Jean’s younger brother was able to overcome the shock, sadness and anger over his brother being killed so suddenly and unnecessarily; but, by the grace of God, he was somehow able to find Jesus in that dark moment. But, even more than that, he did not just keep that light and hope of Jesus for himself; he brought the light of Jesus, the light of love, forgiveness, healing and hope to the police officer and to every one of us who has heard this story. Don’t stories like this one –  stories of forgiving the unforgivable – inspire you and give you hope?

To me, this story reflects what Jesus is saying in today’s Gospel. Jesus is obviously speaking about the end of the world when he will return to judge the Earth. He says there will be natural disasters and people will be dismayed, perplexed and frightened. However, I think the most important words in today’s Gospel are these: “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand…stand before the Son of Man.” In other words, I think Jesus is saying to us, “Don’t worry about what will be going on around you, stand up, raise your heads and your hearts and look for me because I will be there for you.” I don’t think those are words just for the end of the world; they are words we need to hear right now! Amen? Amen! 

I am sure we would all agree that we are living in dark times these days, as we continue to struggle to overcome the pandemic and its ongoing economic and social impact on our world, the divisions in our country, the divisions in our Catholic Church, the effects of climate change, the scourge of racism and injustice, the growing problem of homelessness, an increase in drug overdoses, a growing sense of loneliness and isolation in our society, and on and on. And the temptation is for us is to give up, to give in to the darkness, to give in to negativity, discouragement, cynicism and hopelessness; to withdraw into ourselves or to try to escape the darkness through drinking, drugs, overeating, or some other addictive or unhealthy behavior. 

But I think Jesus is telling us in today’s Gospel not to cower in fear of the darkness in our world and not to give up, but to stay strong and to do what Mr. Jean’s brother did: to look for Jesus in the darkness because he is here with us and for us in the midst of our pain and struggles. Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel and the inspiring story of forgiveness by Mr. Jean’s brother are powerful reminders that Jesus truly is with us, that he can be found, that he must be found, in the midst of our darkness. But that means we have to do the hard work of looking for the Lord, especially when we are faced with darkness and difficulties. Then Jesus asks us to do one more thing. It is not enough for us to find the light of Jesus for ourselves; we must then bring his light and bring his hope to others.

My brothers and sisters, this is the work Jesus is asking us to do this Advent season: to seek and find him in the darkness of our world, and to bring his light and his hope to others. In order to help us do this, the Church gives us two important resources during Advent. The first resource is our Advent wreath that most of us are familiar with. As we light the candles of the Advent wreath each week, we remind ourselves that Jesus is the Light of the World; he is our light that shines in the darkness. This is not just a cute Advent tradition, it is truly an act of faith we make during Advent. As we light the first candle of hope this week, and as we light one more candle each week representing love, joy and peace, in that order, we are standing in faith as God’s people and express our growing hope and confidence that the light of Jesus will overcome the darkness around us.

The second resource we will use this Advent is Our Lady of Guadalupe. That is why we honored her image here in our church at the beginning of our Mass today. Our Lady of Guadalupe brought the light of Jesus to the indigenous people of Mexico at a time of great darkness when they were conquered and then oppressed by the Spanish conquistadors. She was a sign of great compassion and hope to a hopeless people, and she helped them to find Jesus in spite of their struggles. In the same way, she can lead us to Jesus so that he can be our light and our hope.

There is a well-known saying you may have heard that says: “It is better to light one candle than to sit and curse the darkness.” And that is exactly what I believe Jesus wants us to do this Advent; actually, I think it is what Jesus wants us to do all year round. Instead of sitting back and cursing the darkness around us, instead of giving up and giving in to the darkness. Jesus is inviting all of us to seek him in the midst of the darkness, and then, like Mr. Jean’s younger brother did, to let his light fill us with strength, love, forgiveness and hope, and then to bring that light and hope we have in Jesus to others. Can you and I light at least one candle of hope this Advent?