2nd Week of Advent 2023 - Friday - Games people play

There is a famous book on human psychology published back in the 1960s called “Games People Play.”  The book isn’t talking about board games like monopoly or trivial pursuit, or children’s games like hop-scotch or kick the can.  The book explains the often selfish and manipulative "games" adults play with each other in their interpersonal relationships. Think of a boss who throws tantrums in order to get his employees to do his bidding, or a beautiful woman using her voluptuousness to get what she wants.

We even play games with ourselves—little lies we tell ourselves in order to justify certain behavior:  “I’m so stressed, I deserve to eat an entire carton of cookie dough ice cream. Or, I had such a hard day, I deserve to have six whiskies.” We dismiss what is wise in exchange for the foolish games because foolishness provides more immediate gratification--certainly a characteristic of our fallen nature.

In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about playing games with God.  He describes the behavior of his generation as a bunch of children playing games in the street instead of taking the word of God seriously; they are foolishly parading through life, mocking Christ’s message instead of heeding the message, seeking to understand Christ’s wisdom.

In our own day, many have turned Advent and Christmas into just another game, just another form of entertainment. The music, the lights, the gifts, and the parties are part of an annual parade for our enjoyment. 

Rather, the Church’s observance of Advent invites the worldly—the game players—to a deeper understanding and experience of God. There is more to Christmas than Christmas-flavored gratification and trying to trigger childlike-wonder through nostalgia. Advent echoes the call of the Gospel to something more than what the world offers—more than all of those social games we play in order to feel better about ourselves. Advent is the call to turn away from all of those things in order to encounter God. 

But this is not simply an invitation to the non-believer. Christians too do well to examine the games we play with God, our neighbor, and ourselves. What lies do I tell myself in order not to pray as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in order to indulge in sinful behavior? What lies do I tell myself in order not to serve the mission of the Church as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in order not to reach out to the estranged and the lonely?

Advent involves the call to deeper conversion for all people. May the Holy Spirit lead us to the change of heart, the change of attitude, the change of behavior God wants for us, that conforming our lives to Christ, we may bear his truth and love to all the word, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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As we await with longing the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, we raise up our prayers of petitions.

That Christ may visit his holy Church and always find her repentant of sin and watchful in prayer.

That Christ may fill the Pope, our Bishop, and all the clergy with spiritual gifts and graces.

That Christ may guide the minds of those who govern us to promote the common good according to His Holy Will.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.