Have you been feeling grumpy lately? Do you find yourself complaining a lot more than you used to? Have you been sensing that you are a victim and that you need someone to blame for “all of this?”
Well, if any of those are true. Charles Dickens wrote a story about you back in 1943. Actually it was meant to depict all of us in some way. The story is THE CHRISTMAS CAROL which has now been set to countless movies, cartoons, TV specials and much more. The main character is Scrooge. And make no pretense about it, there’s a bit of Scrooge in each of us. With all of us needing to say, “Bah Humbug” once in a while.
As the story unfolds, we learn that Scrooge is only concerned about himself and doesn’t want to hear about anyone else’s misfortunes. Sound familiar? We also learn that someone close to him has died, his business partner Marley. And most (if not all) of us, know of someone who has died.
But here is where the good stuff begins, in a dream Scrooge is visited by three ghosts. And believe it or not, the messages of those ghost fit into what the scriptures are trying to teach us today.
The first one, the ghost of Christmas Past, and the first reading tells us to rejoice. Isaiah the prophet says, “Rejoice heartily in the Lord, in God who is the joy of our souls.”
- stop taking things for granted, stop taking people for granted
- appreciate what you have
- you can always learn from others
The second one, the ghost of Christmas Present and the second reading from Paul reminds us not to quench the spirit. So ask yourself how the Holy Spirit has been nudging you lately? You know . . .
- to get going on that stuff you’ve been putting off
- to have that conversation that you’ve dreaded, but it’s time
- to take the time, each day to pray. No more excuses. Just start.
The third one, the ghost of Christmas Future is feared by Scrooge the most. This ghost points to how Scrooge probably will end up if he doesn’t make any changes . . . i.e. forgotten, made fun of, unloved. In the gospel, John the Baptist points to how we should be living our lives. Deacon Mark used an image last weekend, in his homily, which was right on. John’s destiny was to point to Christ. And you need to ask yourself, “Do you point to Christ?”
- would people even know that you are a Christian, do you ever talk about your faith . . .
on line, at work with our family?
- when you die, what are people going to remember about you? How much money you
have? How young you look?
- is your life more about you, and not much about God?
Scrooge has an awakening . . . and so can we. Like Scrooge . . .
- it’s never too late
- bitterness will kill you (and the person you are so bitter about, doesn’t even notice)
You forgive someone, not for them, but for yourself.
- we are all responsible for all the world around us.
So, we’re about half-way through Advent. Are you enjoying these days? If not, is it really someone else’s fault? If you have been worrying more than usual, isn’t it time to get out of your “funk” and go help someone?
If you have been complaining and are moody, how’s that working out for you? The time to start a new is right now. If you want to know how, the secret was in the second reading. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 17 and 18. Look it up. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.