Years ago when I was a mere kid, Father Carriege was a "new" priest at our church. Father Carriege was cool, he had long hair, often was barefoot, and when he said the homily he did not stay up at the altar, instead he walked amongst the congregation. He was loved in our small town. He was the first Priest that I knew that made me feel that he was "like us" and not a "God". He seemed real, and his message was obtainable. He spoke to us and not above us.
I remember one Christmas when he said mass, he walked amongst us to say his homily. Usually a homily can take twenty minutes, and at Christmas it can go on for eternity… that is to say that Father Carriege stood up to say the homily and he said this and only this:
"If Christ can be born in a stable, then he can be born in our hearts."
It rocked my world, and I was never the same after that. Faith did not ask for perfection, for a five star hotel to be born into. His homily made me feel holy, made me feel that the best gift we could give is our open heart. To be ready to say yes, here I am.
Years later, on Christmas Eve, Father Carriege was killed by a drunk driver. I still can recall the shock of it as if it were yesterday.
Each and every Christmas Eve I think of him. He was someone who gave foundation to my faith. My stable is still a mess, but at least the door is open and my heart is listening.
Do you have someone (or story) who showed you faith?
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