Wednesday, December 12 Advent Reflection

Our culture is based on consumption, so when an appliance or piece of clothing breaks down, it’s much easier to throw it away rather than repair it. We do the same thing to people when they cease to serve an immediate need in our lives.

Often, the people most in danger of being set aside today are the elderly. They are no longer contributing to society, and they have special needs as their health deteriorates. They inconvenience us. Yet, they, too, are made in God’s image — like us, they possess an inner human dignity and an eternal destiny.

One way to participate more fully in God’s love is to love the way God loves. And God loves the outcast and poor in a special way. When we prioritize the needs of others, especially those who are on the margins of our culture, we find joy in the selflessness we offer. It’s a gift that could be as simple as calling or writing a message to a grandparent.