ALL SAINTS MARGARET STREET

CHRISTMAS, 2006 – HIGH MASS

Fr Ivan Aquilina

“…there was no room…in the inn.” Is this not one of the most known verses from the Christmas story? There was no room in the inn so he was born in a stable. St John in today’s Gospel refines it: “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.” This story still goes on; there is still no room for him in the heart of many people. There are still those who prefer to live outside the light and the warmth that the Christ Child imparts on those who love him and welcome him.

Some of those who have no room for Jesus give one or more of three reasons. First there are those who say that there has been no genuine and lasting peace in our world as a result of the birth of Jesus Christ. If Jesus were truly the Messiah than surely all wars and conflicts would have ended and we would have lived in 2000 years of peace. In response to this argument we say that the Kingdom of God is located within us. Jesus is not a political and socialist Messiah - He didn't come to project a divine power designed to conquer the political order. That is Judas’ mistake. Jesus has brought peace and it is located in the hearts and souls of those who surrendered their lust for power and control and give themselves to him.

Secondly there are those who argue that human behaviour has not changed. People are as arrogant, greedy, aggressive, oppressive, and as lustful as they have ever been. Jesus has made no substantial difference. To say that human behaviour has not changed is to ignore the witness of the saints: the countless millions of Christians who have lived heroically decent, moral and righteous lives: those for whom this temple is dedicated. The holy lives of these our brethren fills us with joy as we realise that as they succeeded so can we.

Finally there are those who hold that God has been as absent and as silent as ever He was prior to the coming of Christ. Now to say that God is silent and absent is to say more about our own human indifference toward God than it is to say anything at all about God's failure to be present to us. If there has been a failure in communication we should perhaps ask how much silent time we have offered to allow God to speak to us and when we heard Him through those around us if we were really willing to listen to Him.

Jesus does not stop asking for a room in our hearts. What is our answer going to be today? Are we going to allow God to include us in the risky adventure of the divine life or are we going to be creative and invent more feeble excuses. And those of us who have given him a room and a bit more what are we doing to enable others to do the same? In a society in which a few very sad individuals work hard to push Christ out of Christmas is it not our duty, maybe more than ever before, to witness to Christ as he dwells within our hearts?

“…and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man…” We kneel today as we say this clause from the creed. We kneel because today he is made man for you and for me. This is the free gift of God given to us through the Holy Ghost to show that it is willed by God. It is given to us of the Virgin Mary. Of Mary to show his humanity, being made one of us. Of Mary without corrupting her Virginity to show that he is different from us. He is truly man and truly God. He is not a parable of God’s love, He is the expression of God’s Mystery. He assumes humanity to make it divine. This is our high calling. This is why the Word became flesh, and this morning we see his glory.

The Word has become our very own human flesh and blood, not by our desire, but by the free and loving will of God who has come to seek us and share His life with us, if only there is room in the inn for him this time.

May all of the joy, happiness and blessings of Jesus Christ be yours as we celebrate the awesome truth that He has become one with us, and is here with us now on this very altar in His own Flesh and Blood. And may the power of that truth give you hope and happiness both in this life and in the next. And may you have the courage to open the door of your heart and find room for him in the inn of your existence. Amen.