The Sunday Project
A Little Bit of Good
The Octave Day of Christmas Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God |
By Eilis
The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good that overwhelm the world.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1921-2021)
As we begin this new year, I am holding Archbishop Tutu’s wisdom in my heart: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good that overwhelm the world.” These words embody the blessing from today’s first reading.
So, we pray together:
May our God bless you and keep you!
As we enter into 2022
Still living in the unknown—
With another round of COVID ravaging our world and
rolling lockdowns and so many unsure steps forward and backwards.
We look for safe spaces
where we can breathe freely
Away from the crowds coming at us with threats
Of a changing world they can’t handle.
“Don’t teach Critical Race Theory!” some shout
while others claim to have the power to deny communion and police God’s love.
But, here, on the first day of a new year we stand in God’s blessing, sharing all the good with the world.
May our God let God’s face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
Claiming you as her own—
Beloved.
Reminding us that we are created in God’s image—
Loved into being.
Inviting us to come before our community
and share Eucharist at the table of all.
May our God look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
As we find out footing,
Wherever we are
Be bold.
Be unequivocally you.
Let your light shine.
So as to overwhelm the world with love.
Amen.