We are called to move beyond surface-level traditions and engage deeply with the meaning of our spiritual practices. The message of the divine presence among us is not a call to sentimentality, but to an adult, communal response. It challenges us to participate in the renewal of creation and history. God clearly wants friends and partners to be images of divinity. Our spiritual maturity requires us to embrace partnership with the divine, rooted in mutual respect and a shared mission. This is not a passive experience but an active choice to align our lives with values of love, justice, and renewal. As members of this universal body, we are asked to live with intentionality, embodying what we believe in our actions and relationships. Let us take this responsibility seriously.
May we go forth as friends and partners of the divine,
reflecting love, justice, and renewal in all we do.
(inspired by Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ; Preparing for Christmas)