No matter how this year will be different, St. Josemaria has the perspective we need. Many of us will be facing unique challenges this year for the holiday seasons — a change-up from the challenges that usually come with big family gatherings!
But whatever characteristics the challenges will have this year, they cannot — or should not — ever ruin the spirit of Thanksgiving. And they won’t, as long as we have this perspective and practice from St. Josemaria Escriva firmly rooted in our hearts:
Make it a habit to raise your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day. Because he gives you this and that … Because someone has despised you … Because you don’t have what you need, or because you do have it.
And because he made his Mother, who is also your Mother, so beautiful. Because he created the sun and the moon and this animal or that plant. Because he made that man eloquent and you he left slow of speech …
Thank him for everything, because everything is good.
~ The Way, 268
And then this one:
If things go well, let’s rejoice, blessing God, who makes them prosper. And if they go wrong? Let’s rejoice, blessing God, who allows us to share the sweetness of his Cross.
~ The Way, 658
Read more:
Pope: Let’s offer up our social distancing
