God's Love Pierces the Fog...
Read Matthew 2:13-15
"Now after they (the Magi) had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt,..."
On this day the church traditionally observed "The Feast of the Holy Innocents" when it remembers the children Herod slaughtered in his attempt to kill the Christ child sought by the Magi. Even the powerful story of Jesus' birth does not escape the sorrow of death and destruction. Joseph's attentiveness to God's voice alerted him to the danger and allowed Joseph to guide Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt.
In these days of intense distraction, I find it difficult to give my attention to any one thing. Multitasking, doing several things at once, without paying attention to any one thing, seems to be the norm. However, when I am unable to unwilling to stop and give my attention to a single task, all the tasks suffer. A phone conversation with a friend is diminished when I am also checking my email. A work task is done halfway when I attempt several chores at the same time. And my connection with God suffers if I'm meditating as I rush out the door on my way to work. What I value deserves my full attention.
God's love nourishes our attentiveness. When we are surrounded by distractions, fear, or grief, God's love pierces our fogs and brings us closer to peace.
Loving God, I offer you today every thought, feeling, or situation that keeps me separated from you. Send your love to disperse my fog and bring me closer to you. Amen.
--Beth Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart
Pay special attention today to those around you--the looks on their faces, their body language, the tone in their voices. Is there someone who needs your attention or prayers? You never know how big a difference just a few moments of your time might make in some one's life. Mother Teresa reminded us, when we reach out to others, we see Jesus.
Rich
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