While looking through Facebook a few years ago, I came across an article that I thought might be of interest to you.
Just before Christmas a wise Christian leader met with employees of his rather large church. They were mostly lay people and the meeting included their families. He asked them to do ten things in the New Year. I think you will agree that his admonitions are worthy of our consideration:
– “Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are.”
– “Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love.”
– “Take care of your relationships with others, transforming your faith into life and your words into good works, especially on behalf of the needy.”
– “Be careful how you speak, purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence.”
– “Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused others.”
– “Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord.”
– “Be careful of envy, lust, hatred and negative feelings that devour our interior peace and transform us into destroyed and destructive people.”
– “Watch out for anger that can lead to vengeance; for laziness that leads to existential euthanasia; for pointing the finger at others, which leads to pride; and for complaining continually, which leads to desperation.”
– “Take care of brothers and sisters who are weaker … the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and strangers, because we will be judged on this.”
– Making sure your Christmas is about Jesus and not about shopping.
Where was the meeting held and who was this Christian leader? The meeting was held in Vatican City by Pope Francis. May these words provide you food for thought and perhaps a reordering of priorities.
God bless you all. Pastor