November 4, 2005
I want to sincerely thank all those who have written recently commenting on the observance of Halloween. I especially want to thank those who wrote and were honest enough to disagree with my reflection – and in such a respectful way. Thank you.
This morning I heard a report on the radio which spoke about how some stores are “getting a jump” on the shopping season this year. Evidently, some retailers can’t wait until after Thanksgiving, so “holiday” displays are already going up! Maybe some entrepreneur can create a clever card that will help well-wishers save time and money. The card is pictured with a ghost riding a turkey and wearing a Santa Claus hat. Open the card and you hear: Boo! Gobble-gobble! Ho-ho-ho!
I suspect that many of you have heard the wonderful saying popularized by The Christophers: “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”. I think there is profound truth in this simple maxim, and for that reason, I should try to put it into practice. It’s easy to point out problems, get cynical and complain. Bellyaching prevents people from putting their brains into gear and offering a solution. So, the challenge before us is this: “How can I turn the holidays into holy days?”
I did not highlight the word “I” for no reason, but rather for a good reason. When it comes to changing the world, it begins by changing my world. We can’t expect others to do what only we can do, and, to quote another popular saying “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” But do realize, however, that no good deed goes unpunished. Your efforts may not be understood, appreciated, or accepted by others – even friends. However, if we’re afraid to do something unpopular in our effort to be more faithful to Christ and the Gospel, maybe we should all become Buddhists!
Since the retailers are getting a jump on Christmas, how about playing leap frog and beating them to the punch? Here’s a suggestion: Ask the pastor of your church if he would allow you and a small committee to work on a project that will effectively promote the true meaning of Christmas. Try to get the ever faithful, “true blue” Knights of Columbus on board – this is right up their alley! Meet with the local Grand Knight and tell him that their “Keep Christ in Christmas” billboards are great, but you have an idea that will help put their message into practice. Since your pastor has enough work for four people, you and your friends must be ready to do more than a lion’s share of the work. Your pastor doesn’t need more complaints or suggestions – but help! I’ll do my part and write the bulletin insert, you do the rest!
“We are happy to announce that during the Advent season, our parish will be sponsoring a “Witness to Christmas” contest. The grand prize of this contest is $1000.00 – donated by our local chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Other prizes will also be awarded. Contestants will be limited only to parishioners who register at the parish office. Participants are expected to create a lawn display which will communicate to their neighbors “The true meaning and message of Christmas”. On the evening of December 23, your pastor and the contest committee will drive past the registered houses and cast their vote! The winner will be announced at Christmas morning Mass! Information packets are available in the vestibule of the Church!”
In today’s Gospel, we read of Our Lord’s parable of the sly steward in which He concludes by saying “…the sons of this world are wiser in their own generation than the sons of light” (Luke 16:8). This means that the worldly and even the wicked often display more ingenuity, initiative, and enthusiasm for their selfish ends than do Christians for the cause of Christ. Saks Fifth Avenue and the other stores will be presenting a message of Christmas in their windows – quite unlike that in the Holy Gospel. The dazzling displays will be creative, entertaining, engaging, and very expensive. While we waste time “cursing the darkness”, they light their candles. Are they not wiser than we?
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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