Are you being sent?

Today we celebrate the remembrance of Juan Diego, a christian Indian man from Mexico. He was passing by a hill in Tepeyac and saw a beautiful lady. He asked who she was and she said Mother of God and she told him to gather up the roses near by and take them to the bishop and ask him to build a church there in her name. When Diego went to the bishop and told him of the request he opened his cloak and the roses fell out leaving the image of Mary. This is the beginning of the Hispanic culture honoring Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe. The lady came speaking the native language and offering support to the demoralized poor people of Mexico. She asked the church to serve the poor and listen to their voice.

Today in many ways we too hear the voice of the poor.

Most of the people I talked to today who were eligible for Christmas food baskets from the staff at Saint Clare's told me that they didn't feel worthy of this gift and they were sure there were others who needed it more than them.

I have worked in the inner city with the poor and homeless and they are more concerned about others than some who have everything they need.

At this Christmas time I pray we keep our eyes open to see the needs of others and to pray that someone may reach out to those in need.

When I was missioned in the Caribbean I learned they have a saying when God cant come he sends. Are you being one sent?