2nd Sunday of Advent 2007 (Novus Ordo)

It’s commonly held that certain persons are to be esteemed over others on the basis of privilege or position that may be due a person on account of race, pedigree, economic endowment, social class, talent, and even religion. Although we recognize that there is a fundamental equality among men in their possession of a human soul, yet we do tend to classify people in a hierarchy, ranking some over others. It’s inevitable that we do so; it’s a necessary exercise of our rational power to organize things (including people) in an order. God has done this also. He has set all that He created in hierarchical order, with lower things being ruled and dependent upon greater. How that applies to human beings is a matter of dispute. But one thing is certain about what our faith contributes to this: men are to be regarded on the basis of their goodness or badness, and they will judged one day solely on that basis. This is a moral hierarchy which is indifferent to any other standing privilege. As Christ indicated, in the final tally there will be only sheep or goats; men will stand on the one side or the other. God, as is said, is no respecter of person; or, in the words of today’s first scripture, “Not by appearance shall He judge; He shall judge with justice.” God will weigh men according to the way each man has chosen to direct his life. Period! There’s food for thought here.

We have a saying in our language that has come down to us from French: noblesse oblige. Those on the top are supposed to be better people. And while these expectations should not be disappointed, we know that the inner core of a man’s heart is his true nobility. Saint John the Baptist has only a few lines accorded to him in the New Testament, but they are potent words. He was not one to dissemble, to beat around the bush. He was direct and forceful. When he preached to the people about God’s rewards for the good but His punishments for the wicked, some apparently stood on their privileged status as being the offspring of Abraham: a prestigious lineage. Here’s his retort: “God can raise up children of Abraham even from stones.” In other words, you’re nobodies to God, nobodies except as to how you conduct your lives: either good or bad.

The USA is notable, in contrast to European and oriental nations, in being the place where everyman can make his mark, ascend in social standing; a place where rank is little regarded. In this, we have an advantage, I believe. There are a few remaining classifications, however, that, even in this democratic society, distinguish men: how much money you have or make; your type of job; where you live; your IQ; where you were schooled. Even in our own parish, we have some discriminating criteria: whether priest, religious or lay, and all the other classifications I just mentioned. But in God’s eyes, there are only two kinds: sheep or goats; those in a state of grace and those not; the holy and the sin-laden. It’s a sure thing that within both of these there are further ranks of holy, holier, and holiest; and bad, worse, and worst, but the fundamental distinction is always is always made on the basis of goodness and badness. The inevitable question is where do I stand? (note carefully that the question must not be ‘where does so and so stand?’). Where do I stand? on the right or on the left side of Christ; a sheep or a goat; good or bad; and, further, how good? how bad?

It takes just one drop (in a manner of speaking) of sanctifying grace to get you to heaven. But you’ll not get there without it. And it takes only one mortal sin to damn your soul to hell. But what a wide range of states there is in heaven and in hell! Not everyone in either place will be the same in rank!

And so I exhort you: be as best you can! In the words of Saint Paul: strive for the highest gifts; run the race so as to win. Our life’s future is the most important thing. We must not put off shaping it well for eternity. Let our Advent prepare us for the final judgment when the outcome will be known to all. We must try to be great saints. “Lord, purify my heart; purify my heart to the core. Make me to be yours forever.