Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Today’s responsorial psalm refrain provides a poignant message that I often need to slow down and reflect upon: “Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.” “Lift up your heads.” How often I get trapped into thinking working harder and faster will provide a better result. There is always so much to do for those that are coming to us that I trick myself into thinking that the solution is right around the corner if I do just a little more. Working hard for a specific task absolutely has its place, but when I go beyond and it becomes an everyday occurence, then my perspective narrows. I miss the big picture that in the end my impacts, as important as they are, can only go so far on my own. “See.” I need to lift up my head to recognize what I can do and where I need to rely on help from others, especially from the Lord. He will bring to perfection my best attempts at assisting those we serve. “Your redemption is at hand.” How freeing it is to know of salvation and the good that is to come for those we serve. Truly trusting in this gives me the prespective needed to focus on what I am called to do, because I know there is a greater good working on the areas beyond my capacities and capabilities. We are not alone in our ministry- not individually, not programatically, nor by agency. Our work on, with, and for the margins of our communities requires each and every one of us doing our part, however incomplete our work may feel at the time. These are undoubtly simple messages - ones we all know - but how often do we take the time to put them into practice? I pray that we take that time to intentionally lift up our heads, see and recognize the good around us, and remember the collective impact of our fellow ministers across our network. Michael Smith is Chief Program Officer for Catholic Charities Maine and a member of the CCUSA Management and Administration Steering Committee. |
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