I love the old Sprint commercial, “Can you hear me now?”  The person in the commercial would go to different locations trying to get a clear signal, repeatedly asking the question “Can you hear me now?”  Our faith journey is much like that commercial.  God continues to speak to us, but with all the static with which we fill our lives, sometimes it’s hard to hear God’s voice.
 
This weekend, as we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent, we focus on peace, the peace that God alone can give.  Our first reading from Isaiah is a beautiful description of God’s dream for us.  Isaiah poetically emphasizes that with God all things are possible.  The question for us to reflect upon is whether or not we really want to hear God’s call?  Do we really want to consider the possibility that God might be inviting us to something more than what has become our ordinary. 

Our reading from Isaiah today reminds us that our best days are yet ahead.  As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ in a few weeks, this is a good time for us to look at where we are on our faith journey and to ask God to give us the courage to let go and to believe in the possibilities and miracles that God has in store for us. Remember, God is not just the God of the past, but God is also the God of the present and the future. 

After eight years of seminary studies, I felt that God was calling me in a different direction.  I left the seminary in 1992, shortly before ordination, believing that priesthood was behind me.  However, God continued to call, and on December 8, 2012, twenty years after leaving seminary, I was ordained to the priesthood in the Old Catholic tradition. 

For me, priesthood has been a tremendous gift.  It has opened the door to meeting many wonderful people, and helping people walk their journey of faith.  It has given me the opportunity to sit with the dying, comfort grieving families, celebrate the joy of marriage and Baptism, and to lead this wonderful faith community. 

Priesthood has been one of the greatest gifts in my life, and I am grateful for all of you, who call Christ the Good Shepherd home.  You have enriched my life in so many ways and I hope and pray that we will continue to walk together for many years to come.  As I celebrate this special anniversary, I celebrate you and I thank each and every one of you for being part of my life and my ministry.

May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forevermore.

Fr. Harry