Search Results for: node – Page 269

Looking to the margins is often where we’ll be surprised by a glimpse of God. We become too familiar with the main players in the Gospels. We expect Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to be exemplary role models. But for the Christian message to take root, there must have been hundreds, even thousands, among the early followers of Jesus to live the life he exemplified, to witness to his words with their deeds. Sometimes seeing someone else offering their service to another person in need is all we need to spark our own mercy and generosity. We think, “That doesn’t seem so hard.

There’s something precious about watching young children experience the joy and wonder of the lights and decorations and presents under the tree. But Pope Francis does well to remind us that not all children experience these things that so many of us take for granted. Often we can’t even imagine how terrible life is for these children. This is the challenge of the Gospel, the challenge of Jesus. That challenge doesn’t go away because it’s Christmas. We don’t get a break from the reality of suffering and violence in our world. To hide our faces is to compound our guilt.

We all have hopes and dreams for the children in our lives. Whether it’s starting a college fund the day they’re born or simply praying that they will be healthy and happy, we want what’s best for them. These dreams are surely the most idyllic when children are infants, before they learn the word no.