TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34; Matthew 21:28-32
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34)
Wisdom from people who live closer to having nothing...
Don, rail-thin with dreadlocks, found sleeping with a roof overhead too close and preferred to see the sky at night. His prayer is: "Lord, when I put my feet on the ground, help me keep moving toward you, but if I can't, please stand with me so I don't fall backward."
Teresa, a 40-year-old undocumented immigrant, was brought here as an infant. She was ineligible for most government mental health assistance. Teresa reflected on the trappings of the December holidays: "I try to get into the happiness of the season, so I walk around beautiful neighborhoods looking at all the decorations and lights, but I have come to believe Christmas was not made for people like me."
The day Janet struggled with the heartbreak of losing custody of her son, she heard the story of Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the temple. Janet was one with Mary in her words of acceptance: "God did not give me my son for me to own; God gave him to me to help him become the person God wants."
Sr. Mary Therese Sweeney, CSJ
Sponsor
Providence St. Joseph Health
Pause
What longings do you hear that are also in your heart?
Pray
God of the Universe, Creator of Light and Dark: You have formed us together as one body to proclaim Your peace. Draw us beyond our own narrowness to recognize Christ within ourselves and one another. Help us to choose unity – humility over pride and patience over anger. Make in us Your dwelling place, O God, that we may be worthy builders of Your Kingdom and true instruments of Your grace. Amen