Today’s Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40 New RSV
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” Vs 40
As we enter this Advent season we do so in a troubling time. Huge numbers of our fellow citizens face hunger and the possibility of not being able to have health insurance. And our government seems to have lost its moral guidance. Thus, I believe this is a season not only to celebrate the birth of the Christ but to do so by recalling the essential lessons of living that he both embodied and taught to his followers.
Today’s scripture speaks of the need for those of us who are his disciples to remember that at the core of the life we are called to live is compassion. And it is not compassion as an emotion but compassion as a behavioral response to those less fortunate than us. We might take the time to consider some simple action such as taking food to a foodbank or donating to a homeless shelter or time permitting, volunteering at one of these places. Consider asking someone who is giving you a Christmas present to take those monies and donate them to one of the above. These are but a few of the ways we can celebrate God’s gift to us in the birth of the Christ child through acts of compassion. May this be a season of renewing our commitment to live a life of compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves.
Reflections 