Sermon Cloud

For the past six weeks, twelve young people from this parish have been preparing to celebrate Confirmation. Together with their family and friends, they were here last night, while the Santa Claus parade passed by just metres from this building, to confirm their belief in God, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the faith tradition that we call Roman Catholic. We also had the pleasure to welcome His Excellency, Robert Harris, auxiliary bishop of Sault Ste. Marie, who was here to preside at Mass and to confer this sacrament on our young people.

Now that the celebration is complete, I can't help wondering what the future will bring for these teenagers. Will they continue to be aware of the many ways in which our God is constantly present to them? Will they look for him to be the source of their support in times of trouble? Will they turn to him and offer thanks in times of joy and celebration?

Like all parents who watch their children grow into adolescence, we need to trust that God will never leave them alone, and that in His own time He will bring to fruition, the seeds which have been planted within their hearts and souls. For our part, we must continue to support them, to encourage them and to help them grow in their faith as they face the world which is filled with so many voices and temptations.

The scripture readings we have heard today remind us of the importance of reading the signs of the times. We would be burying our heads in the sand if we did not acknowledge the fact that for many people who we know and perhaps those we do not know, the importance of faith is dwindling. The problem is that many people seem to put their trust in visible and tangible realities, while our faith tells us that "heaven and earth will pass away, while the word of our God will never pass away" (Mk 13:31)

Ought we not therefore be people of hope and vision in a world which can often be clouded by many competing voices? None of us knows the mind of God, or how much time we have to spend on this earth. All we can do is live life to the fullest, love tenderly those who accompany us through life, and walk humbly hand in hand with our God.

Motivated by divine wisdom, and guided by the light of faith, we can all live lives which are committed to the love of the Father, and which allow His light to shine through our human weaknesses (see Dn 12:3), to guide us on our pilgrim way and to demonstrate the strength that only he can give.