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Spiritual vision
December 1, 2023
“Sometimes our spiritual vision is nearsighted, because we are unable to look beyond ourselves. At other times we are farsighted: we like helping those who are far away, but we are incapable of bending down to those who are beside us. Sometimes, instead, we prefer to close our eyes, because we are tired, overcome by pessimism.” — Pope Francis
Reflection: How would you describe your spiritual vision lately: nearsighted, farsighted, eyes closed, Christ focused? What contributes to this condition? Where might God be inviting you to focus with hope and mercy?
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“Trusting in God’s Grace” by Cathy Donovan in Family Faith on the Go The hardest prayer I have ever uttered was, “God, you know best; your will be done.” I immediately felt a sense of fear at having given over my control of the situation and asking God to take over. And then I felt a sense of acceptance knowing that God’s response would be better than anything I could manage. We have been surrounded with challenges lately: a tough economy, natural disasters of biblical proportions, political unrest and violence in many countries. Watching the news can be downright depressing! Maybe you feel a bit like Job right now, facing personal life challenges that rattle your soul and shake your faith. During Advent we are in the a liturgical season of hope. It is hope in our God, who loves us so much he sent his Son to join us in our humanity, in our challenges and triumphs, in our joys and in our sorrow. This is the season of “Emmanuel” — God with us. God does not promise to fish us out of our struggles. Rather, God promises to be with us in them. God stands ready, with arms open wide, to embrace us when we need it most. We need only trust and fall into God’s embrace. This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.
Faith Focus for the Week What are my priorities? Do they reflect Jesus’ intertwined commandments of loving God and loving neighbor as self?
Nature has a way of offering clues that change is coming. Jesus uses the example of the budding of the fig and other trees, the sign that summer is near. In the same way Jesus tells the disciples to read the signs of the times that indicate the coming of the Kingdom. As unsettling as the signs of the times might be, you have said, “My words will not pass away,” and in that, I know you are and will be with us through it all. This content comes to you from Our Sunday Visitor courtesy of your parish or diocese.
