For a moment, Father Carl Thomas' mind drifted a bit. It happened a lot, lately. He was, after all, one of the oldest people in Fairplay.
But a moment passed, and his the sharpness of mind that characterized the aging priest returned to him.
Ah, that was right. He was in the middle of a sermon. Though he couldn't see them--shrapnel from the war so many years ago took his sight from him--he knew his congregation was giving him an odd look for having spaced out in that moment.
Ah well, no matter.
"The holidays are coming up soon," he said as he resumed speaking. "And I hope, as tired a sentiment as it may sound, that you remember the true meaning behind Christ's birth. In this age where the idea of 'self first, others second' reigns highly in people's mind, it's become difficult to see the teachings of our Lord. To love your neighbor, and respect your fellow man. To love the sinner but revile the sin."
"I hate to say it, but you don't see much of any of that these days. No one takes the time to be decent to one another, to provide for those in greater need. Of course, during the Christmas season, we buy each other material goods, and feel a bit better about ourselves."
"But that alone isn't what He would have wanted. Materialism? That isn't His plan. If you want to feel better about yourself, go out and really help someone. Give to the homeless, help someone less fortunate. Just do something to actually make the world a better place. That is what our Lord would want."
After his speech was over, he began to feel weak again. He decided this was as good a place as any to end mass.
"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord," he said, more out of habit now than actual meaning. It wasn't like anyone here would actually listen to what he was saying.
As usual, he stood at the door as his congregation left. As they made their way out, he could hear some of them speaking about him.
"Who does he think he is, talking to us like that?" one whispered. "Old freak," said another.
His heart sank. Even after all of these years, his words couldn't reach these people. They only came because they fear hell more than they believe in God.
Once more, he felt like nothing more than a useless old man.
Location: Church of St. Michael
But a moment passed, and his the sharpness of mind that characterized the aging priest returned to him.
Ah, that was right. He was in the middle of a sermon. Though he couldn't see them--shrapnel from the war so many years ago took his sight from him--he knew his congregation was giving him an odd look for having spaced out in that moment.
Ah well, no matter.
"The holidays are coming up soon," he said as he resumed speaking. "And I hope, as tired a sentiment as it may sound, that you remember the true meaning behind Christ's birth. In this age where the idea of 'self first, others second' reigns highly in people's mind, it's become difficult to see the teachings of our Lord. To love your neighbor, and respect your fellow man. To love the sinner but revile the sin."
"I hate to say it, but you don't see much of any of that these days. No one takes the time to be decent to one another, to provide for those in greater need. Of course, during the Christmas season, we buy each other material goods, and feel a bit better about ourselves."
"But that alone isn't what He would have wanted. Materialism? That isn't His plan. If you want to feel better about yourself, go out and really help someone. Give to the homeless, help someone less fortunate. Just do something to actually make the world a better place. That is what our Lord would want."
After his speech was over, he began to feel weak again. He decided this was as good a place as any to end mass.
"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord," he said, more out of habit now than actual meaning. It wasn't like anyone here would actually listen to what he was saying.
As usual, he stood at the door as his congregation left. As they made their way out, he could hear some of them speaking about him.
"Who does he think he is, talking to us like that?" one whispered. "Old freak," said another.
His heart sank. Even after all of these years, his words couldn't reach these people. They only came because they fear hell more than they believe in God.
Once more, he felt like nothing more than a useless old man.