Michael Smith, Chief Program Officer of Catholic Charities of Maine,
reflects on the readings for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent.
 â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â â
****Saturday of the Second Week of Advent****
Today's Lectionary Readings
**"....they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they
pleased."**
At its core, I see our work as a ministry of presence: to take the time
to slow down, to listen, and to understand what is taking place for the
person before us at that given moment. They are not a number or just
another case like the one we saw earlier in the day or even earlier in
the week. That person is unique and requires our full attention.
Assisting with the needs presented to us is absolutely a blessing and a
goal, but we know that it's not always attainable. Yet let's not
despair or forget the impact and importance of being a witness, walking
with them, and entering into their story so they know that they are
heard and that someone cares.
Others in the community may do "whatever they please" by their
judgements and actions towards those seeking help. But we are called to
avoid the far-too-easy trap of categorizing them into similar needs and
experiences, and truly "recognize" them as individuals. It is a holy
moment when we do, and I pray that we always remember our ministry of
presence before we jump into our ministry of service.
**Michael Smith is Chief Program Officer of Catholic Charities Maine and
a member of the CCUSA Management and Administration and Aging Steering
Committees.**
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