Since returning from Fr McKelson’s funeral in Melbourne last week, people have been asking how it went. My answer of “Great” has been a little unsettling to some, as funerals are not meant to be great. But Fr McKelson’s funeral was great. It was a celebration of the faith, hope and perseverance of a person who was, like most of us, far from perfect, but as Mary his niece told us: My Uncle Kevin was a good man. I have to agree with her, as many of you here today would agree. However, what is more is that he was a man of advent, and in being so his life pointed to something outside himself that he humbly acknowledged. The reasons are the same as those that drove John the Baptist in his ministry.
John the Baptist was aware of who he was and who he was not. He was not the one who could answer all questions, who could cure all ills, who could help all people. In short, he was not the Messiah. But safe in this knowledge, he was free to identify and name the Messiah when he appeared. His role was that of precursor, to name the Grace, to be the prophet of hope and to persevere to the end.
Today is Gaudete, which means ‘joy’, Sunday. The joy lies in the recognition of what is, what has been so far, and what will be in the future. For committed Catholics, Advent is not a frenzied time of shopping, eating and drinking. We may partake and enjoy the festivities, but the main game is ahead as well as behind. Like John the Baptist, we look around us for the birth of grace and name it when we see it. Like Isaiah we try to identify Christ in our midst and acknowledge his power to change the world, stating with ourselves.
We are very familiar with many prophets of doom in our society. On the other hand, Isaiah was a prophet of hope for the people of Israel, as he is for us today. He tells us: He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favour from the LORD. Advent is the time when we are able to wait with a smug grin on our face, knowing that our God is among us and knowing our co-operation in allowing God’s grace to permeate the world.
As Advent people we can wait in hope, we are able to test everything that comes our way, not being content to be led by a materialistic society into a dead end of consumerism, selfishness and instant gratification. We are people who are able to persevere in humility, people who like John the Baptist, don’t have all the answers, but know where to look.
As people of hope, we are able to rejoice in situations others find tragic, such as the funeral for Fr McKelson. Last week in Melbourne we buried a humble man who guided the people of the Broome and Bidyadanga over many decades to live the faith, to persevere in trust, and to hope in the promises made to us by Christ.
We are all called to be advent people, prophets of hope and bearers of good news. May we encourage one another in joy during this wonderful time.
Homily 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B 11th December 2011
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