Where You At?

Many of you have probably heard of the term “CEO”

In this context, I’m not talking about the role in a company with someone as the Chief Executive Officer, as the head and leader of a company, like Elon Musk or Tim Cook.

I mean when people speak of those people of God who attend church and mass on Christmas and Easter ONLY. CEO.

Now, I know these are only labels. I don’t like to label things or people because they place limits around what someone is going through and where God has them in their life.

However, looking at the story of Christmas and the people involved, it gives us insight on what RESPONSE you and me as believers should make.

When Christ is born, we see this event takes place in a specific location. Where??? BETHLEHEM! And Christ’s birth, the Birth of God who took on our human flesh, demanded a response from every person in that story just like it does with you and me.

With Mary, she was ASKED to bear this son and raise him. She had to respond.

With the Magi, they heard this good news of the birth of the new born king, they too, had to respond. They made the journey, no matter how far or difficult it was, they did because of WHO they believed Jesus to be.

With the Shepherds, they heard from the angels and RESPONDED with their presence, although they had little to give.

And I know, you too do well by coming to visit Jesus today in commemoration of His birth. This could be partially because it’s family tradition, because you know you have to, because you were forced to, or because you want to experience the nostalgia of FEELING Christmas. That today wouldn’t feel like Christmas if you didn’t come to church today.

But, the reality is, Jesus wasn’t just BORN. JESUS LEFT heaven to be here with YOU on Earth in His VERY flesh and blood. This action is not just for the WORLD in general. But for you. Personally. Specifically.

Yes after his resurrection, he left and ascended to heaven, but he still CHOOSES to be here with us. He’s in a place you can access. Somewhere exclusive that you can’t find him here like you can any where else.

And I don’t mean just IN you heart. And I don’t mean anywhere you go.

I mean, physically, IN THE FLESH present. The same Jesus that was born in the manger, the same Jesus who raised the dead and performed miracles, the same Jesus who hung on the cross, and the same Jesus who rose from the dead.

That same Jesus is really, truly present here in the Eucharist, in the communion, in the Qurbana.

You could leave mass and church today and continue on with your Christmas, feeling good, eating good and spending it with your loved ones.

This truth. This fact. What I’m telling you right now. Should shake you. Should wake you up. It should intrude your life. Because it demands a response from you.

A response and decision you’re going to have to make this weekend. This Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Your response to the Christmas story will make all the difference depending on where you’ll be this weekend. It will determine whether you believe Christ is here, or not.

You could be thinking, “Oh I came today, that should be enough.” “I pray at home, that should be enough.” “I do my own thing, that should be enough.”

Imagine if God thought of us in the same way? “Oh I gave them life and food, okay bessa.” “Oh I sent my son to die for them, I forgave them so many times, fixed their problems they got themselves in too many times, okay bessa, that should be enough.”

But with God, he doesn’t look at as asking “What’s the bare minimum?” He looks at you and me, seeing us as an object of his love, “asking, how can I be with them on Earth so they can be with me in Eternity?”

So you coming today is a beautiful thing that makes us happy to see this full church. But come Sunday, these pews CAN be empty, as they often are. But you have the power to change that.

With Christ being born, he stays present waiting for you this coming weekend. Like Mary, Like the magi, like the shepherds, where will you be? How will you respond?