Photo by Josh Estey for CRS

Today’s Readings

Nothing is more preactical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. It seizes your imagination, it affects evertyhing. ~Father Pedro Arrupe, SJ

Reflect: Merry Christ Day! We rejoice and welcome not only a new baby, but one who loves and forgives us unconditionally. How blessed we truly are! When we reflect on our gift-giving this year, did we include prayers (or a donation) for our less fortunate brothers and sisters? As we carry this day and Christmas feelings with us, let us act with hope and unconditional love.

Pray: Ever-goodness God, I pray today for your simple presence and pure love. Let me feel whole as I hear the Gospel words of the blessed arrival of Your Son. Amen.

Act: Love, with your whole being, today.

A young girl whose family benefits from a CRS agriculture project. (Hiyala, Sudan) Photo by Debbie DeVoe/CRS

Today’s Readings

Love is better expressed in deeds rather than in mere words. ~St. Ignatius of Loyola

Reflect: We are told from the Book of Samuel in today’s first reading: “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” What freedom this statement brings—and what responsibility as well. Today, let us carry Jesus with us in every thought and action. As we
contemplate more deeply his love for us, let us be a faithful people, yearning for a plausible hope for lasting peace.

Pray: Without peace, Christ’s coming is unfulfilled. Without peace, Jesus’ birth is forgettable.
Without peace, Christmas is a contradiction. Let me bring you peace. (Liguori prayer)

Act: Enjoy a candlelight dinner with family or friends tonight. Reflect together on your preparation these past few weeks and the hope of what tomorrow brings.

Two young boys travel between villages. (Tarash, Bangladesh) Photo by David Snyder for CRS

Today’s Reading

Solidarity will transform the world. ~CRS mission statement

Reflect: More than 40 years ago, Pope John XXIII wrote an encyclical entitled, Peace on Earth. It calls us, as a people of faith and justice, the same then as today. Our duties as Catholics include mutual collaboration and respect for others. The letter goes further by stating solidarity in the common good and giving more attention to the less fortunate members of society. These timeless values are especially relevant during Advent. How can you be a living model of Pope John’s words in your school, community, and workplace? Let us put these in the forefront of our mind as we await Christmas morning.

Pray: Father, your truth is made known in your Word. Guide us to seek the truth of the human person. Teach us the way to love because you are Love. Help us to recognize your face in the poor. Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people.
Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world. Empower us to seek good for all persons. Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family. (USCCB Prayer for Charity in Truth)

Act: Watch the documentary, A Force More Powerful, which explores how nonviolent power has overcome oppression and authoritarian rule worldwide. This film has been nominated for an EmmyAward and has aired on PBS.

Opening Mass for a community project. (Kragujevac, Serbia) Photo by Bill Crandall for CRS

Today’s Readings

He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands. ~St. Benedict of Nursia

Reflect: Part of the beauty of God’s mystery is discovering everyday sacredness. This may be easy to see when looking at photographs of loved ones, or even touching scenes during a movie. Can you find it, though, during ordinary moments as well, such as waiting at the bus stop, reading a newspaper or driving to work? As we await Jesus’ birth in just a few days, let us long for the authentic moments of humanity; let us feel the sacredness of the every day.

Pray: Gracious and loving God, let me feel the presence of your Spirit today. Allow me the opportunity to share your vision with another. Let me be your living presence all the days of my life. Amen.

Act: Take some time to explore, “Faith Works” sponsored by the USCCB. It features an online video collection showing people, places and programs affecting faith in our everyday lives.

A religious pilgrim prays at the wall of Christ’s tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. (Jerusalem) Photo by David Snyder for CRS

Today’s Readings

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ~Mother Teresa

Reflect: Have you had any sudden surprises appear in your life lately, and if so, have you been open to their reception? In the Gospel, we hear of God’s blessing on Mary and Elizabeth. Although they were unknowing in God’s plan for them, they placed their complete trust in God’s hands. During Advent, how do we realize God’s plan for us? Do we feel called, even in the mundane moments? Today, remain open to possibility.

Pray: God, help us to know the depth of your riches. We strive to be as welcoming and accepting as Elizabeth and Mary were when they were blessed with child. We ask this with open minds and loving hearts, Amen.

Act: In forming our Catholic conscience, we can advocate for the poor in many ways. Check out some suggestions from the U.S. Conference of Bishops.

Flood victims await assistance through a local church and CRS distribution. (Gonaives, Haiti) Photo by David Snyder/CRS

Today’s Readings

Deep within the core of our being is a compassion which calls us to be in touch with our world, to be willing to risk, to make changes, so people may live with dignity and justice. ~Sister Frances Cunningham, School Sisters of Saint Francis

Reflect: Solidarity calls us through prayer, cooperation, and giving of our time amongst the less fortunate in our communities. These are not easy tasks to be called to, but through our faith, we can make time in our hearts for something. Jesus lived a life in pursuit of peace, justice and the common good. His genuine love for all was apparent in his work, his teachings and his healing. Have you discovered your gifts this Advent? Let us remember we walk in solidarity along a pathway of peace, whether physically, mentally or spiritually.

Pray: Abiding God, stretch our sense of family to include our neighbors; stretch our sense of neighbor to include our enemies, until our response to you embraces all creation as precious sacraments of your presence. Amen. (excerpted from Pax Christi)

Act: Consider how your faith challenges you to promote justice in your workplace.

A little girl listens to the choir at the Ascension Catholic Church in Ouianaminthe, Haiti. Photo by Sara A. Fajardo/CRS

Today’s Readings

Without forgiveness, we have the joy not of celebration, which is the joy of Christmas, but the joy of anticipation. ~Theologian John R. Brokhoff

Reflect: Today begins our last week of Advent and our seasonal journey of deeper reflection on solidarity, hope and spiritual transformation. In five days, we joyously welcome the baby Jesus. We may look upon his birth with anticipation, eagerness, even nervousness. This week, we are grateful for the universal depth of Jesus’ love for us. Let us share that love with one another today.

Pray: We pray for patience until the coming of Your Son, God. Make our minds steadfast and our hearts full of treasure. Help us not to complain or judge, but to be fully present for Jesus’ birth. Amen.

Act: Become involved with a CRS online community or link into a social network.

During a CRS delegation to Ethiopia, CRS board chair Archbishop Dolan (left, in gray shirt), major Art Wigchers (center, in white shirt) and board member Archbishop Kurtz (right, in black) visit with children in a Missionaries of Charity home. The home receives support from CRS and serves more than 1,000 children and adults who are orphaned or ill. Photo by Jim Stipe/CRS

Today’s Readings

It is easy to think Christmas, and it is easy to believe Christmas, but it is hard to act Christmas. ~Anonymous

Reflect: Having faith is an easy thing to say, but a challenging thing to live. Can you imagine the emotion of Joseph when he found out that his betrothed Mary was already with child? It took strength (not to mention an angel’s appearance), to reinstate his shaken faith. We may have doubted our faith through various times and situations, but God’s greatest gift to us is his ever-presence and faithful love. Where would you find God when the crops are meager, the water undrinkable and the conflict incessant? We must remember that through all of life’s happenings, God walks not only beside us, but holds our hand along the way.

Pray: Gracious God, You who are full of compassion, help us to be in solidarity with others this Advent. During this Holy Season we: pray that we may be transformed, act on behalf of those whose voices go unheard, learn to live with less, and give so that others may live. Amen. (CRS prayer)

Act: Discover a way this week to “act Christmas.”

A rations board for Sudanese refugees as a camp in Chad. Some of the supplies provided include soap, oil and sorghum. (Farchana, Chad) Photo by Matthew Bremen/CRS

Today’s Readings

The union with the divine and supreme God based on Christ’s love, is what it truly means to be in solidarity with the poor. ~Jesuit priest Sanjay Aind

Reflect: It is no doubt that Americans are a society of consumers. The vast majority of us have much more than we truly need, yet we constantly desire more. Worldwide, 3 billion people live on less than $2 a day. Spiritually reflecting on differences between our true needs and wants, we can determine what God personally asks for us. If we are able to focus on the gifts we can share with others, we can be effective models of a Gospel-led life.

Pray: We pray that our experience of Christ’s love this Advent allows us to grow closer to one another.

Act: Explore the CRS website to see how you can directly help us alleviate poverty.

Ayen Deng, a Sudanese schoolgirl. (Olikwi, Sudan) Photo by Debbie DeVoe/CRS

Today’s Readings

There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring children’s rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear, and that they grow up in peace. ~Kofi Annan, former secretary general of the United Nations

Reflect: “Ayen Deng is a 17-year-old Sudanese student, attending her third year at a boarding school built with CRS’ assistance. Even though most families across the country relegate their daughters to the fields and cooking huts, Ayen’s parents value education. The education itself is free, with the Government of South Sudan covering the teachers’ salaries and CRS providing food donated by the U.S. government for meals. ‘I love going to school so much because my future is my choice,’ Ayen says. Even though the school includes hardships such as sleeping outdoors due to lack of dorm space or lack of running water, Ayen’s desire for knowledge is greater than these discomforts.” This story is a beautiful example of hope for a young girl. Without the generosity of many, CRS would be unable to help fund such opportunities. We are grateful that people across the world are reaching out through prayer, donation and action. This is what living the gospel is truly about.

Pray: Jesus, like an eager schoolchild, I seek your wisdom today. Help me to be aware of the fullness You bring to my life. Amen.

Act: Offer a gift of time to your parish school this Advent. Besides directly working with pupils, schools need help with office tasks, library assistance, marketing, etc.