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Third Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day
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The readings
today tire me out just thinking about them. 
Our compassionate Lord is a God of action.  God opens the eyes of
the blind, clears the
ears of the deaf, makes the lame leap, releases the tongue of the mute
to sing.  He secures justice for the oppressed, gives
food to the hungry, sets captives free, raises up those who were bowed
down,
loves the just, protects strangers, and sustains the fatherless and
the
widow.  He cleansed the lepers, raised
the dead, and proclaimed the good news to the poor.  My goodness
--- our God is awesome... and busy!

In the world
of social ministry, Advent is a very busy time. 
Advent challenges us to be busy doing God's work while
maintaining our
own spiritual balance.  As busy as Jesus
was curing, freeing, proclaiming, and raising up, he always had time
to
pray.  He turned to his heavenly Father
in prayer before, during, and after everything.

God sent His
only son Jesus into the world, to teach us by word and deed (lots of
deeds!)
the importance of social ministry. The life and ministry of Jesus show
us God's
plan concerning social ministry and it is crystal clear: do as I
do.  We need to do our part to help prepare the
way for others.  Being in awe of the work
that is accomplished through the entire Catholic Charities network,
and being
touched by the dedication of my volunteers, I can see the way is
busily being
prepared.

So,
following the example of Jesus, stay busy doing your part to love your
neighbor
but, also following the example of Jesus, stay busy wrapping your days
in
prayer.

 

Chris
Austgen is the Coordinator of Parish Social Ministry at Mary Queen
Catholic Church
in Friendswood, Texas. She is also a member of the Catholic Charities
USA
Parish Social Ministry Team.

 

 

 




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