Reflection: The Manger of Our Hearts

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Conference Reflection by Catherine Doherty, selected by Deacon Steve.

Christ desires to be born in the manger of our hearts. Are the doors of our hearts wide open to receive the shepherds, the Magi, the stray visitors – in a word, humanity? Are they open to receive every person as Christ would receive each one of us? Are they open to receive those around us in our daily life?

Or do we think it enough to make a manger of our hearts so that we might hold Christ unto ourselves exclusively? If so, that was not what He was born for, and He might bypass the manger of our hearts.

Christ told us that, unless we become like a child, we would not enter the kingdom of heaven. We tend to associate children and Christmas in a very sentimental fashion: a newborn baby is “cute”; children are “lovable” creatures. So they are, but that is not what Christ meant. I think he wanted us to have the heart of a child.

What does it mean to have the heart of a child? A child is utterly trusting. A child is totally open, uninhibited, simple, direct, and unafraid. A child believes without reservation.

I pray that this coming New Year will be a year in which we will empty our inner “self” so as to carry the Christ Child comfortably and warmly in our heart. You know, the Child will be comfortable and warm only if we love and trust one another.

Catherine Doherty, “Donkey Bells: Advent and Christmas” p 42 – 43, Madonna House Publications, Combermere, 2000

Joy, Hope and Love - A Spiritual Reflection

 

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Spiritual reflection by Catherine Doherty, selected by Deacon Steve.

Joy is very quiet and full of wonder. It is like a light that shines in the darkness and is connected with hope and with love.

To give you an idea of my joyous moments, the first occurs when I wake up every morning with the incredible thought that here God has granted me another day to love him and to serve him.

Simultaneously, other thoughts come to me from my own humanity and emotions. They creep in like shadows over the shining light of my joy.

They whisper, “Look, you are going to have a whole day full of problems. You are going to have to be in four places at once,” and so on. Through these whispers, the whole weight of the day and of my duties creep in.

But joy smiles. I know that I do not have to face all those things at once, that these too are works of love for Christ’s sake, that all I have to worry about is doing the duty of the moment as it comes to me with love and enthusiasm for Love’s sake- for Christ’s sake.

- Catherine Doherty, “Grace in Every Season”, November 26th, p.311,2001, Madonna House Publications

As we come to the end of the Liturgical Season and the beginning of Advent, with all the busy-ness of the Season, I pray we will all grow in that deeper joy, which keeps all of our “doings” in perspective.

God bless. Deacon Steve

World Day of the Poor 2022

 

Next week Sunday, being the 33rd Sunday of the year, is designated "World Day of the Poor". Consider being a little more mindful than usual of those in need - far, near, and very close.

Our Newmarket Conference has two programs in need of donations:

- Our Christmas Program for families in Newmarket and East Gwillimbury

- Our North of 60 program for food for the Sanirajak community in Nunavut.

Click on these links to make a donation.