From Catholic Charities USA <[email protected]>
Subject CCUSA Lenten Reflection - March 8
Date March 8, 2020 9:05 AM
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
<!--
/* What it does: Remove spaces around the email design added by some
email clients. */
/* Beware: It can remove the padding / margin and add a background
color to the compose a reply window. */
html,
body {
Margin: 0 !important;
padding: 0 !important;
height: 100% !important;
width: 100% !important;
text-align: center;
}

/* What it does: Stops email clients resizing small text. */
* {
-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;
-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;
}

/* What is does: Centers email on Android 4.4 */
div[style*="margin: 16px 0"] {
margin:0 !important;
}

/* What it does: Stops Outlook from adding extra spacing to tables.
*/
table,
td {
mso-table-lspace: 0pt !important;
mso-table-rspace: 0pt !important;
}

/* What it does: Fixes webkit padding issue. Fix for Yahoo mail table
alignment bug. Applies table-layout to the first 2 tables then removes
for anything nested deeper. */
table {
border-spacing: 0 !important;
border-collapse: collapse !important;
table-layout: fixed !important;
Margin: 0 auto !important;
}
table table table {
table-layout: auto;
}

/* What it does: Uses a better rendering method when resizing images
in IE. */
img {
-ms-interpolation-mode:bicubic;
}

/* What it does: Overrides styles added when Yahoo's auto-senses a
link. */
.yshortcuts a {
border-bottom: none !important;
}

/* What it does: A work-around for iOS meddling in triggered links.
*/
.mobile-link footer a,
a[x-apple-data-detectors] {
color:inherit !important;
text-decoration: underline !important;
}
-->

<!--
/* What it does: Hover styles for buttons */
.button-td,
.button-a {
transition: all 100ms ease-in;
}
.button-td:hover,
.button-a:hover {
background: #555555 !important;
border-color: #555555 !important;
}

/* Media Queries */
@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {

.email-container {
width: 100% !important;
}

/* What it does: Forces elements to resize to the full width of their
container. Useful for resizing images beyond their max-width. */
.fluid,
.fluid-centered {
max-width: 100% !important;
height: auto !important;
Margin-left: auto !important;
Margin-right: auto !important;
}
/* And center justify these ones. */
.fluid-centered {
Margin-left: auto !important;
Margin-right: auto !important;
}

/* What it does: Forces table cells into full-width rows. */
.stack-column,
.stack-column-center {
display: block !important;
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
direction: ltr !important;
}
/* And center justify these ones. */
.stack-column-center {
text-align: center !important;
}

/* What it does: Generic utility class for centering. Useful for
images, buttons, and nested tables. */
.center-on-narrow {
text-align: center !important;
display: block !important;
Margin-left: auto !important;
Margin-right: auto !important;
float: none !important;
}
table.center-on-narrow {
display: inline-block !important;
}

}

body {
background-color: #fff;
width: 100%;
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}

p{
line-height:20px;
}

h1, h2, h3, h4, h5{
color:#7A9534;
}

.signup a {font-family: Roboto Condensed, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;
color: #4F4293; padding-bottom:0px; padding-top: 15px;
font-weight:600; margin-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none}
-->

Catholic Charities USA


Second Sunday of Lent

Readings of the Day
[link removed]

 

Reflecting upon this set of readings I am particularly drawn to
God's presence with us during what feel like helpless moments.
Luke describes one when the apostles "became frightened when
they entered the cloud." In Genesis, Abram undergoes an experience
where "a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him."

Daily we encounter people in our communities who are in just this
situation. Their child becomes sick, a job is lost, or an eviction
notice is given. It is frightening and terrifying for them, and many
cannot see a positive outcome. Sometimes we cannot either.  As
much as we pray, and as hard as we work, there are still those times
when we cannot find a solution for those we so desperately want to
help.

These can be frightening and discouraging moments for us as well. But
they are also humbling, as they remind us that we are not in control.
We can walk hand-in-hand with these people in the darkness knowing, as
today's Psalm states, that "the Lord is my light and
salvation." And so we lean on Him with and for the people we
serve, the people to whom God clings Himself so closely.

When unforeseen solutions do arise, we can cherish them. I still hold
onto thank you cards and voicemails from these people, as they are
reminders that I am blessed to partake in God's plan, even if as
just a bystander to see what He can accomplish. It is these moments we
need to not only remember but share with our colleagues, our
communities, and the future people we serve. God's active and
living presence needs to be known so we can all stand firm in faith
and confidence during future moments of temporary darkness.

Michael Smith is Director of Mission, Catholic Charities Maine, and a
long-sering member of the CCUSA Parish Social Ministry Leadership
Team.





Sign up to receive the Daily Lent Reflection emails and other CCUSA
messages here.
[link removed]

View in your browser |
Forward to a friend |
Unsubscribe
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

2050 Ballenger Ave., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 | (703) 549-1390

Catholic Charities USA ©
2020 All
rights reserved.
Screenshot of the email generated on import

Message Analysis