December 2015 E-pistle
Thoughts
Here we are 8 days into the Jubilee Year of Mercy and 10 days before Christmas. What a great time to meditate upon the Mercy of Christmas. God revealed his Mercy by setting aside his glory and becoming man, born of woman in a manger. He became man to take upon himself all of our sins; to suffer and die for us; to open the gates of heaven for us. We in turn are called to imitate the mercy of our Lord – to be merciful to ourselves and to others. 2000 years later with the “holiday haze” upon us, we have plenty of opportunities to be merciful.
Challenge
- Don’t let this Year of Mercy pass you by. Immerse yourself in mercy by coming to understand what this Jubilee Year is all about, by coming to a deeper understanding of the apostolic movement of Divine Mercy, and by practicing works of mercy.
- Seek to be merciful this Christmas. Be merciful to friends and family in the hectic holiday season – forgive old grudges; be patient with those who try your patience most. Be merciful to yourself – don’t take on too much or set a standard for yourself that leaves you anxious and unable to peacefully enter into the joy of our Lord’s birth. Find time for quiet prayer.
Go Deeper
+ Vatican website for the Year of Mercy
+ USCCB website for the Year of Mercy
+ Videos on Advent By Bishop Barron: Video 1 – Video 2
+ Video: Bishop Barron on Christmas and the Prologue of John
+ Dom Christian’s 5 ways to find peace at Christmas
+ CatholicMom: 5 Ways to find peace and Joy this Advent and Christmas