The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception reminds me that all the cleaning and baking and buying should reflect something even bigger going on inside me: preparations for Christ’s coming to my heart.
Jesus said that to his disciples in his “farewell discourse”, his final words to the disciples at the Last Supper. It’s the discourse that begins “Let not your hearts be troubled”
Charity comes from God; it’s a fruit of the Spirit and grace. Charity is the hallmark of the disciple.
“by giving thanks in the difficult times of our lives … our hearts are lifted above the situation.”
It was a world like ours that woke up Easter morning to the startling, amazing news that none of the horror of the preceding days had any permanent power.
Twelve days after Christmas, when our gifts are put away and we’ve all but forgotten that baby in the manger, we’re ready to be pointed back toward him.