Dear Saints,

St. Clare of Assisi once said the purpose of Christmas was so human beings in “dire poverty” might be made rich by Jesus.

But what happens when you offer food to someone who does not recognize his own hunger? Shelter to someone who does not perceive himself to be homeless and vulnerable to the elements? Warmth to someone who does not understand himself to be cold? The offering is of little value; indeed, it may well be rejected.

Advent is a time of self-reckoning. It is a season of intense intellectual and spiritual honesty, so that we may come to realize that, without Jesus, we are hungry, homeless, and cold.

We have 25 days to catch up to that reality. That’s the blink of an eye, but it will be sufficient if we make good use of the time. Let’s spend those 25 days acknowledging our own dire poverty, and preparing to receive the one and only gift by which we can be made truly rich.

Christ’s Peace,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ