Adventine Praying II: The Perfect Gift
It seems that we ought to conform our gift-giving to the proclamation of Christ too. Thus, as Scripture insists that "we give to each his due," here are some helpful guidelines from the Chatechism regarding the appropriate Distribution of Holiday Cheer.
The Church's Christmas List
To God- total self-abandonement, trust, worship, adoration, praise, thanksgiving, and love.
To Spouses- the total surrender and gift of self, aiming at a deeply personal unity, indissolubility, and faithfulness in definitive mutual giving.
To Children- education, provision, spiritual formation, respect as human persons and children of God, the provision of a tender, forgiving, respectful, serving home.
To the Elderly- honor, affection, gratitude, compansionship in lonliness.
To Parents-honor, gratitude, docility, generosity, forgiveness, affection, charity, support in distress.
To Siblings and Friends- filial respect for the dignity of the other self, gratitude for encouragement in the faith, chastity, grace, solidarity, self-mastery for the other, spiritual communion.
To the Poor- active assistance as unto Christ, denial of immoderate love of wealth, justice and charity, instruction, advice, consolation, comfort, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned.
posted by MM at 3:37 AM
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