1 SM 1:24-28
1 SAMUEL 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD
LK 1:46-56
This time of year fills my heart and mind
with so many emotions and memories. Some
of these stir feelings which create an inner struggle. Seeing the heightened commercialism
everywhere you turn, beginning with “Black Friday” and all the way through the
post Christmas sales can be draining.
How has this season become so lost and how do we personally navigate
these days to recognize the spirit of the season?
I try to begin each day with thoughts of
appreciation for everything I have in my life.
I recall a friend sharing her personal thoughts of finding gratitude,
even during difficult times. She said, “I
thank God for everything He has given me, everything He has taken away, and
everything He has left me with.” These compelling
words are great reminders this time of year and are consistent with today’s
reading from the Gospel of Luke where Mary proclaimed, “the Almighty has done
great things for me, and holy is His name.”
I too can declare the same statement with my life.
When Mary conveys, “My soul proclaims the
greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior,” I am reminded of
when I feel the most connected spiritually; when I am praying for God’s will
for me and listening for the direction to carry out that will. My spirit rejoices inevitably when I am
reaching out to those in marginalized communities. I do not do this not only to offer hope and
express love for them but also in an effort to learn. It is in others I see God as Pope Francis has
shared, “Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new
about God.”
I am reminded of a time when my daughter
was nine and she helped me with our Angel Tree program at work. Every year, a local community center of
children who are in various levels of need are welcomed to our campus. There are many fun-filled activities and the
little children receive a visit from Santa and receive a few gifts as
well. My daughter helped serve food,
help the little kids write thank you letters to their “Angels” and even cleaned
up after the event. As we got in our car
to leave, she asked me in such a sweet voice, “Daddy, why does my heart feel
funny?” I asked her to explain further
and she said “It feels warm and fuzzy” and continued to share how she believed
it was because of the event. I simply
told her, with my eyes filling with tears, “You get that feeling when helping
others and not expecting anything in return.”
I hope we all create some time to
“rejoice” this season by extending our time and hearts to others.
Pete Garvin is an officer in the Department of Public Safety.
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