What am I Doing?

Sometimes I will hear or read an interesting quote, and I immediately write it down to think about it and savor it.  Here is the one I am sharing for Advent: 

"Do not walk through time without leaving worthy evidence of your passage. " Pope John XX111

This quote caused me to think about how we sometimes hear folks say, “I want to leave the world a better place.”  Are we trying to do this?  How?  And how much?  So, I began to think of people I know or come into contact with and wonder what they are doing.  And then it hits me…What am I doing?  Whatever it is, it is probably not enough. 

The light of hope can come in many forms and the smallest of ways.  For example, is it enough to be a good listener or welcome someone who seems excluded from the larger group?  What about a positive word or a smile?  How to be sunny on a dreary winter’s day.  How to do something that is out of character, like maybe not blow my car horn when someone cuts me off…haven’t I ever been distracted?

What about patience when we are tired and want to rest, but someone calls late in the evening because of a problem?

Advent is the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical year, so it can be the beginning for each of us to try to be someone’s ray of light and hope. I know people who can use words (in notes or on cards) who say the most beautiful, uplifting thoughts, and others who can surprise us with an unexpected gift for no reason.  Am I doing enough?  I can try to do more!

Shared by Mary Ann

For this post, we share "Christ Be Our Light" by Bernadette Farrell. In this video, the composer shares her process for composition and this wonderful modern hymn. A real honor to hear from the composer.