Cardinal George Says It's Time To Celebrate A Miracle

Francis Eugene Cardinal George, O.M.I.

Function: Archbishop of Chicago, Illinois, USA

Title: Cardinal Priest of S Bartolomeo all'Isola

Birthdate: Jan 16, 1937	Country: USA

Elevated: Feb 21, 1998	More information: www.catholic-hierarchy.org

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Cardinal George Says It's Time To Celebrate A Miracle
Dec 26, 2005
In a year in which pundits have gone back and forth over whether there's a need to focus on Christmas instead of a "holiday season," Francis Cardinal George told the congregation at Holy Name Cathedral's Christmas Midnight Mass that perhaps Christ is becoming a bit too familiar.

(wbbm780.com, 25 December 2005) CHICAGO -- He said that too many people today trivialize Christ, ascribing to him both familiar virtues and familiar attitudes.

"It is good that we can find ourselves in him," Cardinal George said. "(But) it betrays him when we do not let him find himself in us, when we refuse to allow him to transform us, to convert us, to draw us into the world that he wants to be ours. That world is different."

Cardinal George said people "touch" that world sometimes.

"Miracles now give us a glimpse of that world, breaking through our present experience," he said. "Such a miracle we celebrate tonight." He said that miracle is God made man.

"The (nativity) crib draws us because it is familiar," he said. "The crib keeps us because it is different."

He said some of the mysticism has disappeared in today's popular culture.

"It's a beloved story," he said. "Even the angels have become more familiar, more domesticated in recent years. Angels? Sure, why not. It's all familiar."

He said Christ comes to those who are in mourning just as he does for those who are sharing the joy of Christmas.

A standing-room-only congregation of more than 1,250 people were on hand at the cathedral.

One incident marred the 90-minute service. A woman moved to the front of the church after communion and began shouting, disrupting a closing prayer. Police and ushers hustled her away, and police detained the woman after Mass had ended. It was unclear if charges were pressed.

Moments later, Cardinal George elicited laughter with a faltering attempt to extend Christmas greetings to his worldwide satellite television audience, finally saying, "I think that's enough," to the laughter of hundreds in the congregation.

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