by Karen Thomas on Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
This angel that we put on top of our Christmas tree each
year was given to me by my great aunts on my mother’s side, Helen and Gert. As a child I treasured my annual visits
with Helen and Gert in Sun City, Arizona.
These amazing women were born in the early 20th century and
never married or had children of their own. Their relationship with my mother took on a more significant
role when their sister Catherine, my grandmother, died while my mom and her sisters
were in their teens. Helen and Gert
were like grandmothers to me and generously shared their love and faith with me
throughout my childhood. Interwoven
between our meals, card games, and attending mass I learned the importance of
living my faith both in the church and in the world. Their steady example of
having both a personal prayer life and an active life in the faith community
continues to shape my own understanding of discipleship.
As I read the geneology of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel today,
I think about all of the holy men and women who have come before us in
faith. I also think about Mary and
Joseph’s parents and the role they played in laying a foundation of faith in
these two young people. I suspect
it was a strong foundation of faith that allowed them to say yes to God even in
the face of a challenging situation.
Today, I pause to think about how my own response to Christ
is partially rooted in the lives of my spiritual ancestors. I pause in gratitude for all of the
holy women and men who have directly or indirectly nourished my faith life. I pray for the strength to be a strong
witness of faith to those I serve at home and those I serve in my
ministry.
Questions for Reflection and Suggestion for Prayer:
Who has been a spiritual grandparent or mentor in
your life? How did their actions
or words influence your understanding of Christ and your faith?
As you remember a spiritual grandparent
or mentor say a prayer for their life in Christ.
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