DAY 6

Simple Truths
By Jim Garcia

Merry Christmas!  I find this writing to be a difficult task, only because I have so many things that I wish to share with you.  It is 4 a.m. and I am enjoying the solitude.  My reflection, as it were, has to do with a life changing event I experienced not long ago.

 At the beginning of last year, my wife was laid off and then, shortly after, I got very ill.  As a result, we lost everything we had and ended up homeless for nearly six months.  This was my biggest fear realized.  All of my adult life, I was deathly afraid of being homeless.  It was the single hardest thing that we ever had to go through.  My wife, I, and our two dogs ended up living in our car.  

While this was the worst time of my life, it was also the most important.  I learned several truths during this time, and I would like to impart just a few. 

Happiness does not come from possession or external circumstance.  It has to come from within, for if not, it can and will always be taken away.  You have to make a conscious decision to be at peace and to have joy in your life regardless of circumstances.  It is fruitless to relive the mistakes of the past, or waste so much time in self-induced fears of tomorrow.  I try to make it a point to live today, today!

It is only when you are broken and completely vulnerable, that you can allow yourself to be helped.  Those you think will be there probably won’t, and that’s ok.  The absolute marvel of our Creator is that when you are truly humbled and receptive, He will bring angels into your life to carry you.  My life is a living testament.  I can never ignore now those whom I chose not to see before.

While we have all spent time in prayer, I realized that I have devoted zero time in meditation.  I have heard it said that prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening.  I now know that to be true, I was missing half of the equation.  Without internal awareness, there is no balance.  I honestly do not know how I survived the craziness of  a “normal” life devoid of this peace.It is not my intention to lecture or bring into question anyone else’s beliefs; I am the least qualified to ever attempt to judge another.  These are simply the truths that I have come to apply to my life.  

My sincere desire is that some piece of my life might help you in your walk, just as yours have guided me in mine.  I love you all more than words could ever express and consider myself amongst the most blessed.  I thank each of you for the impact that you have had on my life!

Namaste,

Jim

Readings

Saturday December 26

ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Stephen, filled with grace and power,

was working great wonders and signs among the people.

Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,

Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,

and people from Cilicia and Asia,

came forward and debated with Stephen,

but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this, they were infuriated,

and they ground their teeth at him.

But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,

looked up intently to heaven

and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,

and he said,

“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man

standing at the right hand of God.”

But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,

and rushed upon him together.

They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.

The witnesses laid down their cloaks

at the feet of a young man named Saul. 

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 31:3CD-4, 6 AND 8AB, 16BC AND 17

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be my rock of refuge,

a stronghold to give me safety.

You are my rock and my fortress;

for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit;

you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.

I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.

Let your face shine upon your servant;

save me in your kindness.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia PS 118:26A, 27A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD:

the LORD is God and has given us light.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts

and scourge you in their synagogues,

and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake

as a witness before them and the pagans.

When they hand you over,

do not worry about how you are to speak

or what you are to say.

You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

For it will not be you who speak

but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will hand over brother to death,

and the father his child;

children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name,

but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”