Reflection:Â How many people do I know who lack material possessions?
Not, how many people do I know about that lack material possessions… but how many do I know.
I often think about this at Christmas. At Christmas we like to be generous. Sometimes we wrap up a gift to give to a stranger in our community. Sometimes we wrap up boxes of gifts and send them to people in other countries. Sometimes we deliver hampers to people who might live on the fringe of our social sphere.
But how often do we get past the seasonal act of gift giving from a distance and get to know our brothers and sisters in material need?
How can we not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth if we stand at arm’s length?
How can we be generous in expressing the love of God that is within us if we hide away from those who we are called to take pity on?
Let’s know our neighbours in need.
Let’s know each other, let’s live in the fullness of life that God intends.
Prayer:Â Help us Father, not to retreat into comfortable circles but to reach out with intention to know those who are vulnerable so that we might know them.