Accepting Our Poverty

Povery of spirit and, yes, material poverty, are necessary ingredients of a well-spent Advent.  Our waiting, our longing, our careful listening to the Prophet Isaiah, our "pondering these things in our hearts" with Mary are stark reminders that we are indeed dependent creatures...poor creatures, who need to be filled from outside ourselves, and ultimately by God.  The empty platter which we present to God as we beging Advent presupposes a willingness to accept whatever he places on it, with whatever he fills it.  Most often it's not what we would choose, but always, is better than what we would have choses.  This acceptance of our need, of our poverty allows us to become rich in the things that matter.
And again, on the material side of poverty...especially now with pressure building for Christmas shopping and gifts, do we NEED more material things this Christmas?  Do those on our Christmas list need more THINGS?  What other ways can we show our love?  Can we wrap a kind act, an offer to do something special with our time for them?  To pray for them, to have Masses offered for them?  One of our readers shared this beautiful prayer with me, which I would like to share with you:  In the midst of our busy world, our busy lives, we need your help to remind us Lord of what is important and necessary. While many of those things that we do not need will come to us in packages gleaming and bright, the one gift that will last comes from you alone, gracious God as we grow in our awareness of your love.

Bless us, our family , friends, and the food and the company that we share. Increase in us a growing urgency to celebrate the birth of your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.
A first Christmas gift!
Bro. Rene