Advent Daily Reflections Header

 



The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Readings of the Day 
[link removed]

 

In a year dominated by the COVID pandemic, John's caution not to
love "the things of this world" carries particular weight,
especially as we're forced to contemplate the reality of those
words in our day-to-day lives. To be sure, the virus has changed
virtually every facet of how we behave and with whom we interact. For
many of us, it has uncomfortably exposed the all too significant
degree of attachment we have for the things of this world. Not only
have we forgone communal events like concerts, movies, and shows of
every kind, we've also had to sacrifice large weddings, baptisms
and virtually all the personal gatherings we once took for granted.
Simple things like a lunch with coworkers or a day at the beach have
become carefully-executed and exceedingly rare projects, if they even
happen at all. 

Meanwhile, the practices of social distancing and mask wearing have
had even more profound impacts. These necessary but heartbreaking
restrictions have reduced our personal contact with each other while
also leaving us with a tangible, emotional disconnect. We avoid all
but the most necessary visits, and our masks block the beauty of
facial expressions which are so vital to true communication. All the
Zoom meetings and Skype calls in the world could never match the
authenticity of the human face.   

So while it's clear that most of us have spent this year
unhappily relinquishing "the things of this world," I
can't help but wonder if we've used the time wisely. Have
we spent these months lamenting these burdensome circumstances? Or,
have we used this time to grow closer to God? This forced intermission
in our ever-more busy lives might be considered an opportunity to
re-evaluate what really matters. Clearly, our dependence on a loving
and merciful God is on the minds of many. Will we simply forget this
profound truth when this is all over? 

Change is always transformational.  Perhaps we might seek peace
and solace in our isolation by reflecting upon this reading and
focusing on the love the Father. How can we weave that more deeply
into our hearts and souls so that when "normalcy" does
return, the love of the Father is more central to everything in this
earthly life? 

Laura A. Cassell is Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of
Long Island, which serves more than 55,000 neighbors annually in
Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York. She joined as Director of
Finance in 1988, was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 1995, then
Chief Executive Officer in 1999.




View this message in your browser. 
[link removed]

Forward this message.
Update your email preferences.
[link removed]
[link removed]