Thursday, December 20 Advent Reflection

Responding to people in need shows them that God loves them, that a different world is possible from the one in which they suffer. Often enough, we are the ones in need and waiting for someone to respond to us. Acts of love reveal who we are at our core: we are made in God’s image, created for self-giving love. Joining that dynamic is where our lives find meaning.

We can offer someone more than just material items, though. People living in poverty suffer from systems of exclusion and oppression. One of our newest saints, St. Oscar Romero, knew this, and he raised his voice against oppression. It ended up costing him his life, but he preserved the dignity of the people of El Salvador, and his witness and his call for truth and justice continue to resonate in our Church.

Who needs us to stand up for them today? What causes could we join to support those in need around the world?