Reflecting the Hope and Love of Christ

First Corinthians 1:28-29 says, “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”

The angels appeared and proclaimed Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. The shepherds – who were only a few rungs above beggars on the social ladder. And, the angels proclaimed that message not in a dream, as they did with Joseph, or in a single vision, as they did with Mary, but with an entire heavenly host proclaiming the message with singing and shouting. Why would this world-changing message be proclaimed to the lowly shepherds?

Because that’s how God works – in the lives of shepherds…and boys like Jason. 

Jason enrolled in a Catholic high school as a freshman, but struggled with the transition. His struggle was more than the normal plight of an adolescent boy. His mother and stepfather were recently convicted and imprisoned for sexually abusing Jason just years earlier. Jason was sent to live with his biological father, whom he had never had regular contact with growing up, and was forced to enroll in a new school and start a new life.

Jason felt as if he did not belong at the school – without friends, failing academically, and struggling to process through the abuse he had suffered, he battled powerful thoughts of suicide. Jason felt hopeless.

Wisely, he sought guidance through the school’s social worker. Two years later, Jason’s life is completely transformed. Along with the social worker, Jason’s teachers, academic counselor, administrators, and his father have all supported his growth. Jason has friends, is excelling academically, and has received a prestigious spot in an acting summer program.

Jason, now in his junior year of high school, has hope.

God cares deeply for those that society says are worthless, poor, and beyond hope. And, Catholic Charities follows that same model, reflecting the love of God to the poor, widowed, orphaned, homeless, and hopeless – to provide help and create hope. 
 

To whom can you reflect the hope and love of Christ’s birth this season?