DEAR PARISHIONERS AND VISITORS TO THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARK,
Once, when the fathers and brothers were out in the rectory yard having a bonfire, a
couple passersby drew near to us, attracted by the light and warmth of the flames on a
cool summer evening.
After we exchanged pleasantries, the pair quickly found out that we were religious and
some were priests. One of our number, not one to be shy in such encounters, invited them
both to come to Mass some time at St. Mark’s, and even offered a tour of the church. To
which one of the passersby responded, “Oh, I’d better not. The roof would probably
collapse if I walked in there.” We all protested and voiced friendly words of encouragement.
But the conversation wrapped up soon thereafter.
I think that statement speaks loads to that person’s perception of where she stood in relation
to God and to the Church: an outsider, an exile, a persona non grata who would occasion
divine displeasure and even disaster were she to draw near to the holy Fire that burns not
over in the rectory garden but in the tabernacle in our parish church.
How many people live in that sad self-perception! To be unloved and unwanted by God
and unwelcome by His people, because of what we have done, what we are, what we
think we are in God’s eyes... Oh, how sad! Thankfully, that is just a perception. One that is
untrue, and which God is always at work to dispel and prove a lie.
Christmas is the great feast of the Divine Encounter. The season in which we remember that
“God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son...” (Jn 3:14). Our God is not
disgusted by us. No: because of our sinfulness and brokenness, Christ has leaped from
Heaven into the fray, into our broken lives and unwantedness. He has come to seek out and
save those who are lost! To rescue, to forgive, to find, to heal, to beautify, to reconcile, and
to pull us close to His Heart, warts and all. Oh, how eager He is for us to draw near!
Emmanuel: God wants to be with us... forever! And He comes to take away all that would
separate us.
Whoever you are, wherever you are coming from, and however long it has been since you
have entered here, I delight as well that you have come. “It is good for us to be here” (cf. Mt.
17:4). Truly, each one of us is beloved and precious in God’s eyes. If that were not so, why
would He be holding us in existence? Trust that Jesus Christ, who reminds us that He has
made a gift to Himself to all of us at Christmas, delights far, far more. So “come, let us adore
Him!” Let’s let go of the lie that our God is reluctant to see us. Let’s have no fear to draw
close, and enter His sweet presence, cast ourselves and all our miseries and sins at the foot
of His humble manger, and feel the warmth and light that heals, beautifies, and makes us
whole.
A very merry Christmas to you and yours! Come back as often as you like–He awaits!
In the loving Heart of Jesus,
Father David Hottinger, PES
Pastor
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