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To-do lists

           Check- mark that off!  Check- that is finished and I did that today.  It is the start of the second week of Advent and already I can see the times that I have failed or the times that I have done what I was supposed to do in a given moment.  Then I take a step back to reflect and think back to why I had started my "to-do" list resolutions anyway.  What is the meaning of all of this?  More appropriately and most importantly- Who is the meaning of all of this? 

            Christ is the meaning.  He brings meaning to the simple little acts of love that He transforms into magnificent gifts for the glory of God.  When I am starting to frazzled by my daily tasks or start focusing on the present “to do list” item, then I have forgotten my main focus is Him.  I think of Mary as she is preparing for her Child to be born.  She would have gone through moment of her day anticipating with great joy the Child she was carrying within her.  She would lovingly spend a moment with Him as she cooked a meal for Joseph or swept the room.  She would have been aware of every moment of His presence in His kicks and movements.  How aware I am in the midst of my teaching that Christ is looking right at me in the children that I teach?  He is holding my hand or giving me a hug or asking me to explain something again.  He is offering Himself in the Eucharist.  When I receive the Eucharist, I am holding Christ within me.  He is fully present within us.  How amazing is this gift! 
                       Encountering Christ in this busy time is really the gift of mercy.  It is so beautiful that the Year of Mercy commences in this time of the Immanuel.  God is with us and He meets us in the everyday routines that God makes extraordinary.  We are invited to stop and take a moment to gaze on Christ in the Eucharist.  He is waiting for us…. He is waiting for you to give you His merciful love.

- Sister Maria Christi, FSGM

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