With the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 we began the year-long spiritual pilgrimage of a year’s dedication to the virtue of Mercy, as proclaimed by our Holy Father Pope Francis.
Mary our mother has modeled for us a life that reflects light — the God light. She is the Christ bearer and so too are we, by virtue of our baptism and the paschal mystery of Jesus. If we are to truly be Christ bearers and bringers of light, we need to live our faith, not with pious platitudes but by actually living and embodying Christ-like ways, ways of love and merciful judgment. Emmanuel, “God with us,” teaches us to live lives of compassion vs. cruelty, humility vs. arrogance and forgiveness vs. punishment.
We live in challenging times and can be tempted to scapegoat innocent others for our troubles! There is no need to grope in the darkness of fear during confusion; we need only to live our convictions that love is stronger than hate, since Emmanuel — God with us — has paved the way by his birth!
May our loving God give you and your loved ones peace that is lasting, especially during this Christmas and well into the New Year 2016!
May your Christmas and New Year be blessed!
Sister Roberta Smith
General Minister
Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities reflect on their vocation as a women religious. During this joyful Christmas season, the sisters share their gratitude.
