Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
In today’s Gospel we witness Elizabeth, through the Holy Spirit, recognizing Jesus in Mary’s womb. We also hear Elizabeth affirm to Mary that she is blessed because she believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled. The lessons contained in this Gospel passage are profound and provide special insight into the calling that we who are privileged to work for Catholic Charities agencies have. Each and every day we encounter, as St. Teresa of Calcutta often said, “Jesus in distressing disguise.” St. Teresa saw Jesus in every person she encountered, especially in the poor, the sick and the dying. She saw the Creator in the created. Each and every day we at Catholic Charities encounter the poor, the sick and those dying mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Our ability to help them begins with our recognition that Jesus is in each of them. In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us that we serve Him when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, house the homeless, care for the sick and visit the imprisoned. We at Catholic Charities believe that we are the hands and feet of Jesus and these actions, done to the least of these, shape the Corporal Works of Mercy that guide our ministries today. In other words, we believe what Jesus has revealed to us about caring for our brothers and sisters. As the end of our Advent season draws near and we anticipate the celebration of the Lord’s birth, we are called to continue bringing the light of Jesus Christ to the men, women and children we are truly privileged to serve. I pray that we can, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, see Jesus in each person we encounter and believe that what was revealed to us in Matthew 25 will be fulfilled. Gary Tester is President of Catholic Charities of Central Florida. |
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