It’s Going to Get Better
https://stmarystcatherine.org/wp-content/themes/osmosis/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Charlestown Catholic Collaborative Charlestown Catholic Collaborative https://stmarystcatherine.org/wp-content/themes/osmosis/images/empty/thumbnail.jpgReluctantly, I think most of us would agree that driving in and around Boston can be hazardous. It did not seem that way when I was younger but it sure does now.
In fact, I hear folks speaking about reckless and speeding drivers all the time. Some speculate things are worse because of the pandemic and, likely, there is some truth about that. The divisiveness within our culture could also contribute to the overall tension people feel and maybe it plays out when someone is behind the wheel.
Apart from the overall reality of worry about the pandemic, most people are not satisfied. People express their opinions in surveys, polls, to one another, in bar rooms, and around dinner tables. Everyone wants something to change for the better, whether that is a sports team, a government official or policy, the weather, their church, a friend or family member. Additionally, most of us are dissatisfied with aspects of ourselves and look for betterment.
Anxiety, worry, and anger usually accompany our dissatisfaction and can become a sad and negative element of life. I think there are more unhappy and angry people today than a decade ago. We can explain our anger and/or unhappiness by looking at the world around us and the overall mess from climate and weather to local questions of safety and sickness. However, the root of our unhappiness and anger lies within each person.
God knows all of this, and understands every element of our frustration and desire for things to improve. Everyone wants things to get better and I would dare say God also wants things to get better!
We are in the Advent time – there is a call to look toward and prepare for the Birth of our Savior. The world into which Jesus Christ was born 2000 years ago was every bit as fractured and troubled as is our world today. In this season, we celebrate His birth and ongoing presence in our world and lives. His mission was then and is now to bring peace, to heal, and to bring hope and freedom. He comes to make things better.
Yet, maybe that is untrue. It isn’t “things” He can make better, rather it is you and me. Opening ourselves to this Truth of our God can transform our unhappiness and anger into a peace that only flows out of loving and being loved.
Fr. Ronan
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December 5 ~
Second Sunday of Advent
“Prepare the way of the Lord.” This is what the Church calls us to focus on in these opening weeks of Advent.
How might we prepare for the coming of Christ now and at the hour of our death?
St. Paul offers some ideas for what we need to do. He prays that our love will increase in knowledge and perception, that we will discern what is of value, and that we will live pure and blameless lives.
St. Paul encourages us with the reminder that God has already begun this good work in us and will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.
In this coming week, ask for the grace to keep the focus on Christ. Remember, that even in the midst of all that seeks to distract, God is with you.